TEST FOOTAGE

I am doing these test footage as it will help me prepare with what I have to do for the actual shoot. Here, I can identify whether the shots from the storyboard can actually be done on the location and will help me think of more shots as well as avoid further complications and delays for the actual production shoot.

TEST 1

On this video, I am testing out the framing of the camera, lighting and movement. I have found that this shot (illustrated in the storyboard) does not seem to work with the lens I have as it is at an awkward position and doesn't seem to capture the action I want the killer to have. Furthermore, the framing is poor and the camera is too close to the door.

TEST 2

This is the second test of the same scene. For this one, I changed the framing of the camera to a wider and higher shot but also maintaining a claustrophobic feeling to the shot. I think this shot works better because the killer can be seen better but the mystery is still maintained. I also added a placeholder prop to check if the prop works in that shot and also see how the actor should behave with it.

TEST 3

For this shot, I turned the lights off for a more realistic Noir feel. Using low key light is also conventional for crime and thriller genres which is what I'm aiming for. Adding less light also makes it more mysterious and also uncomfortable as it makes the room very insecure and vulnerable. I am happy with the framing of the shot but not with the lighting composition. The camera does not perform very well in dark situations and needs to have more lighting for the audience to know what's going on.

TEST 4

This is the 4th test for the Murder Scene. On this test, I added a secondary light source at the left side of the screen which is the torch on my phone. The shot looks better already, however the light coming from my phone is too harsh against the wall and looks greenish, which is not the look I'm going for. I'm thinking of adding a different coloured material to change the colour of the light and also to diffuse the light to make it less harsh on the shot. I am also thinking of adding a tertiary light at the end of the room just beyond the door to show the silhouette of the killer and a bit of Pierson's face to add more emphasis and character in the shot as well as to highlight the victim and the killer. Lighting wise, I am thinking of blending white light and warm light to illustrate warmth and comfort which I can juxtapose once the killer arrives to unsettle the audience slightly. I also added some movement in the camera to make it look as if the camera is almost peeking into the room and that the audience are the witnesses.