• Theme: Loneliness and lack of validation.

• Camera Needs: Close-ups of Hannah’s face and phone screen, using soft lighting to evoke a quiet, sombre atmosphere. The lingering alarm sound builds tension.

• Theme: Hidden tension under casual banter.

• Camera Needs: Medium shots for dialogue exchanges, close-ups on facial reactions, especially during pauses or beats. Emphasise spatial distance to reflect emotional separation.

• Theme: Suspense and revelation.

• Camera Needs: Low-angle shots and shadow play as Hannah approaches the window. POV shots through the window to intensify the mystery. Flashlights create sudden, high-contrast lighting.

• Theme: Absurdity and horror.

• Camera Needs: Overhead shots of the ritual circle. Close-ups on ritual objects (candles, coffee beans) for symbolic focus. Dark, atmospheric lighting with bright, unnaturally red light to highlight expressions.

• Theme: Trust and vulnerability.

• Camera Needs: Steady, intimate shots reflecting calm but uncertain emotions. Natural lighting contrasts with the earlier, surreal scenes to ground reality.

• Theme: Climax of psychological conflict.

• Camera Needs: Wide-angle shots to capture the imposing cult circle. Use tracking shots to follow Hannah’s panic. Spotlight effects on stage add a theatrical, surreal quality.

Here’s an example of how I broke down the script into its various sections. I started by identifying where each cast member was mentioned, then marked specific points where the prop and costume departments would need to reference the script. Additionally, I made brief notes on potential shot ideas, which I later refined into an official shot list.

Following this, I’ll include a concise description of the visual themes I plan to incorporate based on my script breakdown, along with thematic considerations and camera requirements for each scene.

Smith, D. R. (2016). Movie Script Shot Lister. San Jose State University.

Stanislavski, C., & Hapgood, E. R. (2012). Creating a role. Routledge.

StudioBinder. (2023, 12 September). How Dutch angles enhance film storytelling [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9FUEScjB1U

Utami, C. D., & Arifianto, B. D. (2019). Symbolic Interaction of Director of Photography in Film Production Organizing at Camera (11th ed.). Jurnal Komunikator.

Walker, R., Ap Cenydd, L., Pop, S., Miles, H. C., Hughes, C. J., Teahan, W. J., & Roberts, J. C. (2015). Storyboarding for visual analytics. Information Visualization

Zucker, D. (1988). The naked gun: From the files of Police Squad!. Paramount Pictures.

Pros

• Excellent image quality

• Button placement

• Open Gate

• In-body anamorphic desqueeze

• Wide range of built-in exposure tools

• Menu system

• Large tilting LCD screen

• (Mini) XLR audio

Cons

• Battery life

• Limited autofocus

• Key Moment: He predicts, “It’s been foretold that blood will spill in this town soon,” implying a mystic foresight or at least a dramatic belief in the cult’s destiny.

• Impact: This proclamation elevates the tension and underscores the stakes for Hannah, as Michael’s predictions come across as both ominous and credible, even in their absurdity.

• Function: His prophetic tone lends an air of religious energy to the Hannites, making their adoration of Hannah feel less like blind obsession and more like a structured, albeit twisted, belief system.

• Key Line: His interjection, “This was foreseen a long, long time ago,” not only reinforces the cult's lore but also dismisses Hannah's distress, framing her as a pawn in a preordained plan.

• Dynamic with Others: He frequently interrupts or clarifies others’ statements, showcasing his dominance over the narrative of the Hannites. For example, he cuts off Kirstie’s personal anecdote with “You’re really fem, we get it,” redirecting focus back to the ritual and the cult’s mission.

• Theme of Control: Michael embodies the insidiousness of cult dynamics, where intellectual figures manipulate others into adhering to a belief system.

• Theme of Fear and Paranoia: His predictions and presence heighten Hannah's paranoia, contributing to her sense of alienation and mistrust.

• Bowie's ethereal, otherworldly performance could serve as an archetype for Michael. His unique energy can translate to a more mystical, enigmatic vibe.

Key Traits: Commit to being serious yet ridiculous, use small but deliberate movements, and maintain genuine belief in the cult’s mission. This blend of sincerity and silliness will make Mystic Michael hilariously unhinged yet lovable.

The story blends mundane realism with bizarre absurdity. Dutch angles subtly signal something is off, aligning with Hannah's growing paranoia.

During scenes like Hannah discovering the cult’s worship, Dutch angles exaggerate the psychological shock and absurdity.

In tense moments, such as cult rituals or Hannah’s window scene, Dutch angles heighten drama, contrasting with straight angles in calmer scenes.

Using Dutch angles during emotional or disorienting moments reflects Hannah’s internal chaos, like in the climactic confrontation.

Dutch angles can exaggerate absurd, ironic scenes (like the Hanites chanting "Copacabana"), adding a visual twist to the dark humour.

In confined spaces, Dutch angles make settings feel alive and dynamic, reflecting the tension beneath the surface.

In summary, Dutch angles align the visuals with emotional shifts, emphasising absurdity and immersing the audience in Hannah's unsettling journey.

Time Management: I scheduled tasks to focus on DOP responsibilities during setup and rehearsals, delegating camera operation during my acting scenes to maintain performance quality and visual oversight.

Visual Consistency: Pre-visualisation and detailed shot lists ensured alignment with the director's vision. I also reviewed playback and gave suggestions to the rest of the crew, especially lighting on how improvements could be made in the consistency.

Transitioning Roles: To switch effectively between technical and emotional demands, I used the prepared character work from pre-production and took moments to centre myself before acting.

Scene Continuity: I relied on the assistant director and script supervisor to monitor continuity while I focused on my performance.

Balancing technical and creative roles has improved my ability to multitask and prioritise. As a DOP, I learned to trust my team with certain responsibilities, while as an actor, I discovered how to quickly shift between technical and emotional demands

14mm Lens: Ideal for expansive shots and emphasising isolation, but distortion near the edges was a challenge. I kept subjects centred and avoided extreme close-ups to maintain visual integrity.

24mm Lens: Balanced wide coverage with a natural perspective, but struggled with shallow depth of field. I used a wide aperture (f/2.8–f/4) and strategic composition to isolate subjects from the background.

35mm Lens: A versatile, natural lens great for medium close-ups and environmental shots. In tight spaces, achieving subject-background separation was tricky, so I used a wider aperture and controlled the background through careful location and lighting choices.

85mm Lens: Perfect for close-ups and creating intimacy, but required more distance in confined spaces. I adapted by positioning the camera at a distance and used props to create depth, ensuring proper framing.

Overall, I selected lenses to match the tone of each scene - wide lenses (14mm, 24mm) for expansive, disorienting moments, and the 35mm and 85mm for more intimate, character-driven shots. Each lens choice supported the film's emotional tone while navigating challenges in distortion, depth of field, and framing.

The last day of filming in week 3 was a difficult one because I was already feeling ill and we had a whole evening of shoots to do outside in the cold. This was perhaps my most difficult day of filming, but thankfully I was able to rely on the second DOP who helped when I had to retire back inside.