Filming - Day 1

The opening of my film; set in a bath tub will present my character as she lies still looking upwards at the camera.  The first day of the shoot; after gathering any props needed and making sure the location is suitable for filming - A Canon camcorder and tripod were at the ready.  The bathroom for example had to be completely clear - no visible props in the mise-en-scene of the bath tub shot but Zeina (actress) herself.  After storyboarding my scenes I had a clear visual image of what to expect.  In order to prepare my actress for her haunting role - I applied make up to her to enhance her features.  For example applying eye-liner and dark eye shadow beneath the eye lids  enhanced the depth and darkness of her eyes - making them look artistic and again suggesting that this character has perhaps not been sleeping enough.  Applying a light and subtle foundation colour to the lips enhances the 'death' aspect of the scene - where she lies still we are unsure whether she is alive or not.  As her long and dark hair will be underwater; it will fan out around her adding to the artistic yet also natural aspect of the scene.

After the make-up has been applied - Eyes emphasised

Zeina as 'Alice'

Being the camera operator; I recorded incredibly still medium-close up shots of Zeina as she lay in the bath-tub looking upwards at the camera.  This type of shot would allow the audience to engage and be mesmerized by the character - being intrigued as she would literally be looking them 'in the eye'.  Using extreme close-up and close-up shots of her face from a different angles would present her from another perspective - doing so creatively as again she is still.  Having recorded a range of shots of the same scene would add to the pace of the opening when later we come to editing - and also would emphasise the importance and the meaning of  her laying still in the water which reflects the murder of her family which is presented in flashbacks to the lake later on in filming.  I used a tripod for some shots, then without for some other shots where I felt it would be appropriate to give a small sense of movement in a scene.  

Medium Close-up Shot

Medium Close-up Shot - Different Angle

Close-up Shot - Different Angle

Extreme close-up shots of the tap as it slowly drips suggest as how later on in the film when she ends her life - blood would be dripping in a similar sense; a similar rhythm like the tap.  Medium and sideways shots of the tap at the beginning of the film will outline that the bath has been filled and a medium close up still shot of the bath-tub empty would outline 'Alice's' presence (whether she is there or not) - to build tension as she then is shown in the bath after it being empty.  These shots will be used as cut-ins where her facial expression will be emphasised as they are being shown; again with the tap dripping will be cut-away's which won't present the subject (Alice) but suggest what is happening with the tap.

Still shot of the tap

Close-up, focused still shots of tap

 Varied Experimental still shots of the tap dripping 

After filming in the bath - a scene where the phone rings and the character does not respond will be shown - placing the audio over the still footage (acting) of 'Alice'.  I used these cut-away's that will interact as the scenes will alternate - presenting 'Alice' in the bath and then the first still of the phone, close up of the phone and the phone ringing with no reaction from the character to add to the suspense and tension.   

Still Medium shot of the Phone (prior to ringing)

Close-up shot (zooming in) of 'Incoming Call'

Mid-shot again of 'Incoming Call' - These will alternate back to Bath Scene

Filming all the footage was successful for the indoors scene - I plan to leave the phone ringing until it stops with no reaction; adding to suspense leaving the audience questioning who was calling, why 'Alice' hasn't answered etc.