'People Watching' Short Film by

Inspiration series - Dark comedy - Sociopath

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-02-05 14:35:57 UTC

You (Netflix Series)

Inspiration for comedic element

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Themes

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Double crossed lovers is a dark comedy that briefly covers themes of predator and prey, want and desperation and gender politics.

Camera shots

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Developing the idea of the two characters swapping between predator and prey we can utilise and alternate low and high camera angles to encourage ideas of power and the upper hand.

Costume inspiration for character of Charlie

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colour scheme and storyline inspiration

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Greta (2018)

Costume inspiration for character of Melissa (on the right)

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Greta (2018 film)

A review of Greta (2018 film) from The New Yorker

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The crucial story of “Greta” is the inadequate protection offered by society at large to those who are being pursued. It’s a crude and cruel vision of the dangers awaiting trusting and vulnerable souls like Frances—and the very lack of self-defense that such gentle creatures provide themselves with. “Greta” isn’t quite a promotional film for the Second Amendment or krav maga; rather, it’s a vision of the killer instinct—and, avoiding the ultimate spoiler, the movie is most telling, most self-revealing, in its suggestion of where that instinct is found.

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First shoot day set up - Restaurant scene

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Melissa & Charlie’s First Date

First shooting day pictures

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Melissa & Charlie (First Date Scene)

Final Scene set up

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-02-23 19:07:03 UTC

Initially we started with a wide shot of the two characters and keeping to the rule of 3 (Melissa always on the left & Charlie always on the right). This is a shot we are able to cut back to in the editing.

Voice over studio work

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A Brief Synopsis

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Charlie lives in an exhausting cycle of monotony. Each day too long and each night is sleepless, until, he finds what he believes is the solution to all his problems: Melissa. He wraps himself in his version of her identity and finds comfort in his delusion. After spotting her on his regular coffee run, he takes her purse, allowing Charlie's obsession to mutate. Charlie scopes the internet for hours on end and finally gets into contact with Melissa. However, he has no intention to return her items - he ends up asking her out on a date and she accepts. They talk and laugh, everything is seamless until Charlie goes to pay the bill and leaves Melissa to uncover the truth. She enters into a state of panic and plans to flee.

Directorial Vision

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:18:27 UTC

As the director, it was my job to be the creative lead. I held meetings with actors and crew to establish the vision of the short film and how we could all contribute and achieve a solid outcome.

Creative Intent

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:21:39 UTC

The story of Melissa and Charlie is quite complicated, however I wanted to the audience to understand how there was a connection between these two characters but it was not real as they did not really know one another at all. In a way the ideas was for the film to be a play on 'identity theft' and 'predator and prey'. Having spoken to the cinematographer, we decided on utilising the rule of 3 and how the two characters would almost never cross over their side, focusing on their distance.

Script Draft

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Script Draft 2

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Key Moments

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We meet Charlie
Charlie's daily routine
Charlie's becomes obsessed with Melissa
Charlie asks Melissa out on a date and she accepts
They meet for the first time
Melissa discovers the truth about Charlie
She leaves the date before he comes back from paying the bill
He leaves and repeatedly calls her
Melissa agrees to Meet Charlie
Melissa gives Charlie and allergic reaction

Working with the actors

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:31:04 UTC

Sometimes working with the actors was a challenge, particularly because they had other roles like lighting and producer to fulfil, they would show up to set without learning their lines. This would add more time onto filming as there was a lot of retakes needed. As a director, I aimed to guide them with what to expect as a result in their characters. I would advise them on the mood, rhythm, dynamics and volume of their performance.

Location list

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:33:23 UTC

New Adelphi Café
New Adelphi rehearsal studios - As Restaurant
Peel Park Accommodation - Charlie's Flat
Peel Park
Voice Acting Studio

Melissa - Character Description

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:35:12 UTC

She was silently ambitious, never overwhelms the room with her presence but makes herself known in a way that feels like a warm hug. Admirable - never a hair out of place and never a minute late.

Charlie - Character Description

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:36:32 UTC

He didn't have much. The stalking and obsessions kept him barely afloat. He's not miserable, of course but when he makes a joke he tends to be the only one who laughed.

Themes

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:37:38 UTC

Romance, Predator & Prey, Identity, Conflict & Obsession.

Costume & Prop List

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Coffee Cups
Purse
Note
Book
ID
Laptop
Wine Glasses
Juice for wine glasses
Plates
Cutlery
Candle
Napkins
Shoulder bag
Phones

Initial Logline

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Two people on a blind date , blinded by the truth. Love or Obsession?

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Star crossed or double crossed?

Script Markup 1

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Script Markup 2

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Script Markup 3

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Script Markup 4

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Script Markup 5

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Script Markup 6

gswarbrick2_1 — 2024-03-22 14:46:28 UTC