Role on set research

 My Research Into my Role on Set:

Roles available:

• Director (responsible for organizing and instructing the actors) - Adrianna, me
• Camera operator - Tegan 
• Editor - Anna

My research:

I am the director, I'm responsible for organizing and instructing the actors, on and offset. In order to achieve this, I’ve made sure to bring in all the fake blood and props they needed, and I will make sure to really take advantage of the hours we have without the elevator available, to rehearse the scene and make it look as believable as possible, even without editing and camera angles. This will be a good opportunity to really communicate how we want to set the tone and achieve a certain tension from, for example, the dialogue within our title sequence. Before the shoot, I will rehearse with the actors, and ensure they really understand their roles. I will also be coordinating with Tegan, our camera editor, on how they look on screen, and what could use improvement and instruct my actors accordingly. My role holds great significance in ensuring this day goes smoothly and everything looks well done and professional in post-production. It’s my responsibility to not only look after the actors, and advise them to the best of my ability, but make sure everything runs smoothly on the day, and we aren’t set back for one reason or another. This is why I will be sure to take our shooting schedule with us and make sure everyone on set is getting breaks for food and water, so nobody gets burnt out, and we are able to get through the day as efficiently as possible. I can foresee the fight sequence becoming challenging for our group, but I will do my best to have the actors, not only become familiar with one another, but familiar with the sequence so they feel they can fully commit to the action sequences, as well as the dialogue. 

I am also nervous about the space constraints of filming within an elevator and will be sure to work closely with both Tegan and Anna, to make everything look natural and professional. I am going to encourage, quick shot durations for our action scenes, and speak to Anna, our editor, about creating a sense of urgency and tension not only through acting but through the editing as well. 

Creating interesting camera angles conveying a power balance between the two characters will subvert the expectations of the audience, as we create two extremes that work well with our aim to adhere to the action-thriller genre. Our target audience would be more inclined towards women, which isn’t typical of the action-thriller genre but creates a wider audience by subverting the stereotypes of the genre and having a female lead. Our sequence wouldn’t be aimed towards children, but our group thinks that due to the violence and blood of the plot, it would have at least a 15 or above rating, and would cover the violence of the wider plot.  This opening sequence holds a lot of classic genre tropes, quick passed action, fight sequences, blood, murder, and conflict.