Location Scout

  The location is a very important aspect when it comes to filming the opening sequence.  With the script complete along with each shot listed, I now have an even clearer idea of what I want the opening to look like.  Location is essential to get right in order to make the film believable and fit in with the story line.  It can also be helpful in portraying iconography as the audience would be able to identify scenes and immediately make connotations about what is happening and what will happen.  Therefore, in my opening, it could be effective in creating tension as my film has themes of crime thriller and horror. 

  One location that could be a possibility is the big, rich house set in the countryside with a pool in the garden.  This would be a very good location for filming as the pool in the back would be an ideal setting for the house party.  This is because the scenes of lights, music and young people drinking at a pool would clearly convey the idea of a house party.  In addition, there is a lane at the back of the house with a big metal gate which would be ideal for the filming of the point of view shots from the killer's perspective as there are bushes and trees nearby that would portray the idea of someone following the main characters.  Also, the lane at the back could be good when filming the car scene where the killer is following the girl driving the car to the party. 

  Although this location has many ideal aspects, the logistics for it could be difficult.  Firstly, the location of this house is considerably far away for the actors of the house party to travel to.  Also, having the party set at the pool would also be complicated, especially if it is filmed at night.  This is because a lot of outdoor lighting would be needed in order for the cameras to pick up anything.  The sound could also be a problem as filming outside for the most part of the sequence means the microphone might pick up noise.  Another potential problem that could be very risky is if there needs to be more than one day of filming, either due to not enough footage taken in the necessary light conditions or whether the filming is affected by the weather such as being rained off.  If this were to happen, it would be even more problematic to organise the actors to travel a long distance again.  Therefore, although this location does have a good setting, there are many things that could go wrong which would result in a lot of filming difficulties and could end up with ruining the filming.

  Another location that could be effective is an ordinary, semi detached house in a slightly wealthier part of a town.  This could be a good location because it is more likely to fit the character profile of young girls as they are more likely to be living in this sort of house in comparison with living in a big, rich detached house in the middle of the countryside.  Also, the more urban aspect of the house being set in a town could create more tension as urban areas are sometimes associated with a higher crime rate which fits in nicely with the storyline of the killer.  The location of a house in the middle of the street could also be good as it fits in with the script better with the idea of the house party as most of the filming could be done inside the house.  Filming inside a house is also effective as it would help create a better party atmosphere.  If the filming was to be done mostly inside the house, this would mean that most of the filming could be done at knight to create a more eerie and tense atmosphere.