CASTING: Interviews

We conducted interviews to aid our casting process, and help us develop our ideas on the direction we wanted to take the role of the stalker.

We asked a range of young people, 3 boys and 3 girls, 3 simple questions: 

- Why should we cast you?

- What is your best quality?

- Have you had any previous acting experience?

Female Interviews:

Male Interviews:

We asked an equal ration of boys and girls so that we could best understand and consider the best options for our stalkers identity. After the interview process, we decided that we would cast a female stalker. This was because it leaves the potential motive for stalking more open to interpretation, challenging the stereotypical male stalker that is a sexual predator. As the audience are more likely to not immediately assume the motive is sexual, they might also consider jealousy, love, hate, revenge etc. 

CONSTRUCTION: Refinements made when filming 23rd April

In our production, we wanted to use the codes and conventions of our genre: a thriller, including tension, drama and suspense. We therefore wanted to use mise-en-scene to create an atmosphere that invoked tension. To do this, we decided to shoot some scenes in the woods of Sarah, our protagonist, doing photography - unaware of the stalker capturing pictures of her. We chose the woods for the shadows created by the light shining through tree branches and leaves, so we could use visual codes to infer the sinister vibe.

We planned a filming session for Friday the 23rd of March. 
Initially, we walked around to look for different shadows and potential shots we could use. We were looking for shadows to create a foreboding feel, for the moment Sarah receives a photo taken of her by the stalker. This is a pivotal point in our production, as it makes the threat much more real now that Sarah is aware.

Photoshoot:
In order to send a photograph via iMessage to Jess's (Sarah's) phone, we had to first work out the best photo to send. We walked around the Belvedere woods and played around with different angled shots from through bushes and behind trees. We focused on a canted angle, to add to the feeling of unease.

Walking around the woods, we encountered a problem that was the intensity of the shadows, making it hard to distinguish  Jess's face in detail - which we wanted to do as it is more ominous if the stalker can see everything. To avoid this issue, we then moved into a more open area, with less tree cover but sufficient bushes to hide behind, keeping with the sense of realism. We took multiple shots, before working out which one we wanted to use. In the end we went for a zoomed in mid-shot , allowing us to see her action (taking a photo) as well as a side angle of her face. This meant that when Sarah received the text, the audience can clearly see the picture.
    

Filming:
To film Sarah receiving the image, we used the camera to record an over the shoulder shot of her iPhone receiving the text and clicking on the image. However, we soon realised this did not work due to the sunlight reflection on the screen. To solve this we then refined the angle to a birds-eye-view, blocking out the sun with the camera so that the shot was clear. We actually found this shot to be more successful than the one we had originally planned, as we had not used it previously.

HOTSEATING

To better understand our characters, we used the technique of hot seating where we were asked questions and had to improvise as if we were our characters. This was useful in developing our narrative as we improved our acting skills by better understanding how our characters interact and behave. 

We asked a variety of questions, some of which were specific to our plot. This meant that we were able to explore new routes we could go down and introduce different elements to our characters. 

We filmed our hot seating in an interview like situation, in a music room. Mise-en-scene of the sound proof walls added to our intended formal visual codes, creating a sense of authenticity and realism. 

Some of the questions we asked Sarah's friends were:

- What if your name?

- What is your relationship to Sarah?

- When was the last time you saw her?

- How did she seem?

- Is there anyone who you think is jealous of her?

Some of the questions we asked Sarah friends were:

- Do you know Becky and Alice

- Do you have a best friend?

- Do you consider yourself someone somebody might be jealous of?

REFLECTIONS & REFINEMENTS: PHOTOSHOOT

Photoshoot: 12th March 2021

On the 12th of  March, we carried out a photoshoot from the stalker's perspective of our antagonist, Sarah, with a high quality, professional camera. This was so that for our table-top sequence in our dark room scene we could use the photos as a prop, to infer that our stalker had taken and developed photo's to fuel their obsession with Sarah.

We experimented with varying angles and concealed locations that the stalker would have used to capture the photos. We wanted to place emphasis on the fact that the stalker has access to all elements of her personal life, increasing the threat and tension, so we positioned Sarah in typical locations, such as on a bench or walking out of work.

To add to the sense of realism, we used long shots, and created shadows by hiding behind the trees - allowing the audience to infer that the photographer was unnoticed by Sarah.

Filming:

To make it clear it was sinister that she was having pictures taken of her, we also filmed over the shoulder shots from the stalker's perspective, with the intent of editing together the shots and revealing the photo's taken.

However, there were some challenges with this - on our day of filming the sun was shining, so therefore we had to test out different angles to ensure that the sun didn't shine on the camera screen, revealing the stalker's identity in the reflections. We ran into another challenge when shooting Sarah through a window in her 'office'. As it was a long shot and therefore slightly unclear, we had to make sure there was no other barriers between camera and Sarah. This meant that we had to open the window, however it did not fully open and, combined with the glare of the sun, we were unable to see her through the glass. We overcame this by adjusting Sarah's positioning and by using a lower angle in order to have a clearer shot.

To use the photographs in our table-top sequence, we uploaded and edited the shots on an iMac, using a greyscale to make them look more authentic and to increase the sinister visual codes. We then printed and laminated them, allowing the 'stalker' to later 'develop' them through placing them in solution, the lamination preventing them from being damaged.

PLANNING: Casting

 

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PLANNING: Risk Assessment

 Risk Assessment

Hazard to Health and Safety

Risk posed and to whom

Risk Level (H/M/L)

Control measure to reduce risk

Further action needed to reduce risk

 

Transport: Standing in the street in Walton to get the shot of Jess through the window from the stalker’s perspective (could have got hit by a car if we were too focused on shooting). Danger when travelling to destination by car. Moving vehicles (lorries) in school carpark. Students looking wrong way when crossing road. Student falling down stairs. Walking across roads. Be cautious when walking/driving to filming location and be aware of surroundings. Aim to cross roads at designated pedestrian crossings. Always have a person looking for incoming cars.

Weather: In the forest it was slippery due to rain (danger of falling and injuring ourselves). Danger of getting clothing wet and becoming too cold. Wet camera when filming outside. Students bring appropriate clothing suitable for all weather and be cautious when walking on slippery surfaces.

First Aid Issues: Trips/Falls – could trip over in the dark room. Could come into contact with harmful chemicals in the dark room. Brambles in woods. Carry a first aid kit at all times, aim to have a first-aider on stand-by, identify areas of danger (e.g. brambles or chemicals).

General Public (e.g. theft or assault): Outside in the dark on the street (danger of potential assault or kind of incident). Threat of pick-pocking in Walton (not a large risk as we are not in a crowded location). Students causing incident with member of public. Students stay in groups when in public spaces (with mobile phones), do not approach members of public or respond to provoking comments, students to remain in supervised conditions, do not film late at night, follow guidance of emergency personnel.

Accommodation (e.g. risk assessment from centre): No overnight accommodation

Major Public Incident (e.g. terrorism): Not applicable as there is minor chance of a terrorist attack in a small town. In the case of one: Ensure venue has assembly point and pupils know where it is, as well as giving pupils assembly points whilst on public transport. Ensure pupils know the national advice to run if possible and hide if not. Ensure pupils know to always follow police instruction. Issue pupils with printed emergency contact card detailing school landline and school mobile – instruct them to call if they become lost (as well as alerting security official). Ensure trip leader has a school mobile and also contact details for both the school and all pupils + families

 

 

RISK ASSESSMENT	HAZARD TO HEALTH AND SAFETY	RISK POSED AND TO WHOM	RISK LEVEL (H/M/L)	CONTROL MEASURE TO REDUCE RISK
Transport	Incoming cars when we stand in the street to get shots of Jess through window from stalker’s perspective. And moving vehicles (e.g. lorries) school car park.   Traveling in car   Crossing roads	Potential injury through getting hit by a car if we were too focused on shooting.   Danger when travelling to destination by car.   Students looking wrong way when crossing road.	H	Always have a person looking for incoming cars. Students to be made aware of risks.   Be cautious when walking/driving to filming location and be aware of surroundings.   Aim to cross roads at designated pedestrian crossings.
Weather	Rain when filming outside making ground slippery and dangerous (especially in forest)   Rain making clothes and camera equipment wet	Rain could cause students to slip and fall – potentially causing injury.         Damage to the camera and risk of students becoming cold.	M	Students bring appropriate clothing suitable for all weather and be cautious when walking on slippery surfaces.
First Aid Issues	Trips/Falls       Chemicals             Brambles	Could trip over in the dark room.   Could come into contact with harmful chemicals in the dark room.   Brambles in woods – could trip over or cut themselves on	M       L           M	Carry a first aid kit at all times, aim to have a first-aider on stand-by, identify areas of danger (e.g. brambles or chemicals).
General Public e.g. theft or assault	Assault             Theft               Incidents	Outside in the dark on the street (danger of potential assault or kind of incident).   Threat of pick-pocking in Walton (not a large risk as we are not in a crowded location).   Students causing incident with member of public	L             L           L	Students stay in groups when in public spaces (with mobile phones). No filming late at night.       Filming in supervised conditions.       Students not to approach members of public or respond to provoking comments. Students to be advised on their responsibilities and school expectations.
Accommodation e.g. risk assessment from centre	N/A (no overnight accommodation)		L
Major Public Incident e.g. terrorism	Not applicable as there is minor chance of a terrorist attack in a small town		L