Completed/Not Completed Shots

Completed

3 sec	Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Middle of room, revealing large open window Angle: 90 degrees straight on Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Gold Reflector Action: Curtains blowing in the wind Sound FX: Rain Additional Notes:
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: beside of the bed, revealing  the candle on the bedside table Angle: 90 degrees straight on Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Gold Reflector Action: Setting the scene of Autumn’s bedroom Sound FX: Rain (fainter than previous shot) Additional Notes:
10 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Long-Shot to Mid Shot Camera Movement: Pan from right to left Position: Foot of the bed to head of the bed Angle: Straight on 90 degrees Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn is sleeping, when she hears a place smashing she opens her eyes, her mother is heard from the kitchen Sound FX: Faint rain, plate smashing Dialogue: Mother heard from the kitchen “Ahh, my god, not again. This is ridiculous, look at this mess!”

15 sec

Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up Camera Movement: Still Position: Mother’s perspective, looking down at Autumn Angle: High angle Location: Kitchen

Lighting: cool-toned kitchen lights, silver/white/blue reflector to expose Autumn Action/Dialogue Mother: “Autumn. It’s late you’re supposed to be in bed. Did I tell you you can leave your room?” Autumn: looks a little startled and looks at the ground Mother: “Go back to bed.” … “Go on” … “Go! Move along!” Autumn: scared of mother she leaves the shot and walks towards her bedroom Additional notes: Dialogues overlap in shots to edit easier and for continuity

2 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Near Autumn’s Bed Angle: Straight on Location: Autumn’s Bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn hears her mother calling and approaching the stairs. She looks guilty, and speeds her pace. She moves from the middle of the frame to the left out of the frame Voice-Over: Mother calling her name once again in background Sound FX: footsteps up the stairs
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Outside Autumn’s Closet Angle: Straight on Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn opens her closet and puts the dollhouse and doll in there Sound FX: footsteps towards the bedroom door Additional Notes:
3 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up  Camera Movement: A Little shaky Position: Inside closet Angle: slightly low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn pushes the dollhouse inside the closet until it is in front of the camera and only blackness is seen Sound FX: Autumn’s desperate breath to hide the dollhouse, noise of the dollhouse being moved
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Outside closet looking in, Autumn’s perspective Angle: slightly high angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector Action: Dollhouse sits there closed, China doll sits on the right hand side, still. Autumn closes the door Sound FX: Door closing
3 sec	Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Outside the closet Angle: 90 degrees straight on Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector, cool-toned Soft Box Action: Autumn jumps into her bed to hide from her mother, the door opens and the cool soft box lighting turns on as if it is light coming from the hallway lights Sound FX: Bedroom door opening at the end of the shot

6 sec	Shot Type: Close up Camera Movement: Still Position: In front of Autumns Face Angle: Straight on Location: Autumn’s Bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn looks at the door where her mother just left, then over at her closet. Sound FX: Silence
3 sec	Shot Type: Medium Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s perspective in her bed Angle: Slightly low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: The closet door is seen in Autumn’s point of view Sound FX: Silence
10 sec	Shot Type: Close up Camera Movement: Still Position: In front of Autumns Face Angle: Straight on Location: Autumn’s Bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn looks at her closet and then slowly begins to drift off to sleep. A thud from the closet makes her open her eyes Sound FX: Knock/thud from the closet Additional Notes: When filming, count to 10 then make a thud noise. Erase and replace the audio when editing
3 sec	Shot Type: Medium Long Shot Camera Movement: Moving forward towards the closet Position: Autumn’s perspective in her bed Angle: Straight on but on a slightly low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: The closet door is seen in Autumn’s point of view Sound FX: Silence Additional Notes: Make sure it starts in the same position as the previous closet shot, from Autumn’s perspective.
4 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot - Medium-Long Shot Camera Movement: Moves back as Autumn walks toward the camera and closet Position: Between closet and Autumn on her bed Angle: Slightly low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn pulls off her covers, gets out of bed and walks over towards the camera and closet Additional Notes: Use a chair on wheels to ensure the camera movement is smooth
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Between closet and bed, capturing closet door handle Angle: straight on Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn opens the cupboard door, only her back, neck and arms are seen  Sound FX: Squeaky closet door opening
10 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Outside bedroom closet looking in, Autumn’s perspective Angle: Slight high angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom	Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector, Flashlight Action: Dollhouse is opened unlike before, china doll isn’t where she placed it. Autumn gets down on her hands and knees looking for it, she grabs a nearby flashlight in her closet Sound FX: soft thuds and shuffling sounds  Additional Notes: Other shot of Autumn’s face to be edited into the middle of this shot
2 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Inside closet Angle: Straight on 90 degrees Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector Action: Autumn looks confused and begins to kneel down Sound FX: soft thuds and shuffling sounds  Additional Notes: This shot is briefly edited into the previous shot

8 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up Camera Movement: Panning and Tilting following flashlight Position: At the door of Autumn’s bedroom closet Angle: Various Location: Autumn's bedroom closet	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, Flashlight Action: Autumn points the flashlight around her closet looking for her china doll
4 sec	Shot Type: Meidium-Close-Up Camera Movement: A little shaky Position: In closet, looking at Autumn with closet door behind her Angle: Low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, Flashlight Action: Autumn is still looking around for her door and then the closet door immediately slams, darkness except for flashlight Sound FX: closet door slamming
7 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up Camera Movement: A little shaky, following Autumn and her actions Position: In closet, looking at Autumn with closet door behind her Angle: Low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector  Action: Autumn tries to open the closet door but fails, she isn’t scared, just startled, she ignores it and begins to continue looking for her doll, curious as to where it went. Voice-Over/Dialogue: muffled sound of mother calling out “Autumn? What’s going on in there?” in the background
5 sec	Shot Type: Medium Close Up Camera Movement: Panning across floor Position: Autumn's perspective near the closet door Angle: Slightly high angle looking at floor Location: Autumn's bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector  Action: Autumn scans the floor for her doll, and sees a pair of feet Dialogue/Sound FX: muffled sound of mother calling “Open up, what are you doing in there?”
12 sec	Shot Type: Medium Close Up Camera Movement: Still Position: In front of Autumn Angle: Low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector  Action: Autumn looks star-struck and follows the feet up to the rest of the figure, once she gets up to the doll’s face, she is startled and the flashlight jolts a little bit Dialogue/Sound FX: Mother’s voice becomes gradually faint, she isn't heard any more Additional Notes: This shot will be edited and interwoven with the next shot
12	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot Camera Movement: Panning sideways across doll’s body while tilting upwards (zig-zag motion - following flashlight) Position: Autumn’s perspective Angle: Low Angle looking up at ‘doll’ Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector Action: The doll is revealed to have become life-sized form toe-to-head. When the camera and flashlight show the doll's head, the actor then jolts their head to the side, a transition to becoming alive. Sound FX: silence Additional Notes: This shot will be edited and interwoven with the previous shot
20 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s perspective Angle: low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector Action: Doll and Autumn converse. Dialogue: Doll~ "Are you ready to go?” Autumn~ "What are you?”  Doll~ "You don't remember me?”  Autumn doesn't reply.  Doll~ "You're still young. You look like you haven't changed since I saw you last”  Autumn after a moment says "I'm sorry? What-“  Doll~ "Come with me” Additional Notes: This shot will be cut and edited with next few shots
20 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up Camera Movement: Still Position: in front of Autumn as she looks up at doll Angle: Slightly higher angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector Action: Doll and Autumn converse. Dialogue:  Doll~ "Are you ready to go?” Autumn~ "What are you?”  Doll~ "You don't remember me?”  Autumn doesn't reply, looks down and shakes her head in confusion.  Doll~ "You're still young. You look like you haven't changed since I saw you last”  Autumn is still really confused. After a moment she says "I'm sorry? What-“  Doll~ "Come with me” Additional Notes: This shot will be cut and edited with previous shot and next shot.
20 sec	Shot Type: Medium-Long-Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Far side of the closet revealing doll and Autumn on each side of the shot facing each other Angle: Slight low angle Location: Autumn’s bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector Action: Doll and Autumn converse Dialogue: Doll~ "Are you ready to go?” Autumn~ "What are you?”  Doll~ "You don't remember me?”  Autumn doesn't reply, looks down and shakes her head in confusion.  Doll~ "You're still young. You look like you haven't changed since I saw you last”  Autumn is still really confused. After a moment she says "I'm sorry? What-“  Doll~ "Come with me” Additional Notes: This shot will be cut and edited with previous few shots
6 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: panning and tilting to reveal the doll Position: Between Autumn and the doll, the doll walks beside Autumn, camera follows her to where the door is Angle: Straight on/low angle varying Location: Autumn's bedroom closet	Lighting: Flashlight and Reflector (inside the closet), Soft Box (outside of closet) Action: Autumn watches the doll as she passes her towards the closet door. She opens the closet door and it is very bright outside. The doll quickly exits and Autumn follows, slowly in shock. Sound FX: Soft, subtle wind chimes and choral singing when the door is opened, door creaking sound

Incomplete

5 sec	Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Camera is at the entrance to the kitchen looking in at Mother Angle: Straight on Location: Kitchen	Lighting: cool-toned kitchen lights, silver/white/blue reflector to expose mother Action: Mother leaning over the sink. Autumn walks into frame, the back of her shoulder being shown. Mother looks over at Autumn and grunts. She speaks  Dialogue: Mother “Autumn. It’s late you’re supposed to be in bed.” Additional notes: Dialogues overlap in shots to edit easier and for continuity
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s perspective, looking up at mother Angle: Low angle Location: Kitchen	Lighting: cool-toned kitchen lights, silver/white/blue reflector to expose mother Action/Dialogue:  Mother: “Autumn. It’s late you’re supposed to be in bed. Did I tell you you can leave your room?” Autumn: no reply Mother: “Go back to bed.” … “Go on” … “Go! Move along!” Additional notes: Dialogues overlap in shots to edit easier and for continuity

5 sec

Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Where Autumn was standing just slightly higher position Angle: Low angle Location: Kitchen

Lighting: cool-toned kitchen lights, silver/white/blue reflector to expose mother Action/Dialogue: Mother looks over disgusted at Autumn who is leaving, scuffs and says to herself “insolent child. No wonder no one else wanted her”

10 sec	Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Pan from right to left, Tilt upwards, pan following Autumn Position: Bottom of stairs to top of stairs  Angle: 90 Degrees Straight on Location: Living Room and Stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Autumn walks towards her bedroom, a small cupboard opens and creaks, she takes a few steps back and towards the cupboard, curious as to how the cupboard opened. Sound FX: cupboard door creaking Additional Notes: This shot can be played with and varied due to its difficulty for accuracy
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Beside the open cupboard door Angle: Straight on angle a height of Autumn when kneeling Location: Above Stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Autumn places her hand on the cupboard handle, opens it, and begins to pop her head in Sound FX: cupboard door creaking
5 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s perspective looking into the cupboard Angle: Slightly high angle Location: Cupboard above stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: A china doll inside a dollhouse sit inside the cupboard Music: Soft violin music Additional Notes: The dollhouse must be closed and the china doll must be placed in a specific corner in front of the dollhouse as this is where it will sit every time they are shown.
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Inside the cupboard, china dolls perspective Angle: Low angle Location: Cupboard above stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Autumn looks at the dollhouse and doll in the cupboard and reaches forward as if to get it out Music: Soft violin music Additional notes: Put reflector in cupboard near Camera to highlight Autumn’s face
8 sec	Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Beside cupboard Angle: 90 degrees straight on Location: Cupboard above stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Autumn drags the dollhouse (with the china doll in her hand) towards her bedroom, it is noisy, she pauses a few times, frightened that her mother may hear her Sound FX: dragging dollhouse sound
3 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Tilt upwards from body to face Position: In front of mother Angle: Always 90 degrees straight on Location: Kitchen	Lighting: cool-toned kitchen lights, silver/white/blue reflector to expose mother Action: Mother is cleaning plate then hears noise up near Autumn’s room, she looks up and is suspicious, she calls her name Dialogue: Mother “AUTUMN??” Additional notes:

6 sec

Shot Type: Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s perspective in her bed Angle: Slightly low looking up at mother at door Location: Autumn’s bedroom

Lighting: Redhead, Candle, Nightlight, Bed Table lamp, Gold Reflector, cool-toned Soft Box outside bedroom door Action: Mother opens Autumn’s bedroom door and stands there, suspicious of what she was doing as she heard a lot of noise, she looks around, analysing Autumn and everything in the room, grunts, closes the door and leaves Sound FX: Absolute silence + door sounds

7 sec	Shot Type: Long shot Camera Movement: Panning as Mother walks but stops at cupboard Position: Opposite the cupboard, Mother is between cupboard and camera Angle: Slightly low angle on Mother Location: Cupboard above stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Mother walks towards the stairs, past the cupboard, as she discovers that it is wide open she walks over to it, thinking it peculiar that it is open, then closes it Sound FX: None, silence, other than squeaky-ness of the cupboard door
1.5 sec	Shot Type: Mid Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Autumn’s Mother’s perspective Angle: Slightly high angle Location: Cupboard in the hallway	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Contents of the cupboard is shown and the dollhouse isn't there
4 sec	Shot Type: Mid-Long Shot Camera Movement: Still Position: Beside small cupboard Angle: Slightly low angle Location: Living room/Stairs	Lighting: Redhead, Gold Reflector, living room lights and bedroom lights on Action: Mother is a little curious as to why the cupboard is open but then closes the cupboard and slowly walks away. Sound FX: Cupboard squeaks

15 sec

Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot Camera Movement: Tilt upwards, following Autumn Position: Outside the door of the parallel universe Angle: Straight on, the entire shot Location: Parallel universe

Lighting: 2 Soft boxes, Reflector, redhead Action: Doll comes out of the door and leaves the frame, Autumn comes out of the door, and rises up to her feet, looks at the ‘underworld’ in awe and very slowly steps forward out of the frame Sound FX: Soft, subtle wind chimes and choral singing when the door is opened, door creaking sound

Shots Feedback and Ideas

Lighting:
To darken the feel, have a cool light rather than the red head.

White Balance:
Because I filmed with the redhead as my key light, the white balance went off. The shots turned out very red and it was extremely hard to edit the colours. I attempted to change the contrast, saturation, white balance and exposure to make it look somewhat how I imagined it but that became too much work and didn't end up how I'd like.

TIPS:
Use screenshots from Tim Burton's movies and attempt to replicate it. This will help with addressing the task better as the aim is to make a Tim Burton-style short film.
Take lights and camera home and practice some shots. This will make it easier when you come to actually filming rather than practicing on the night. It will also save time.

Sunday 14th Aug Reflection

Yesterday, Libby, Bella and I filmed a few scenes for our films at Libby's house. The session went from round 1:30pm to 7:30 at night (yes a lot of filming). It was very good because we got a lot of shots done for all 3 of our short films, and it was all in one chunk so we felt accomplished. And because each of us were all focused on what we needed to do for our own film, we had to be very independent when it came to organisation and what we needed prop, set, and costume wise.

From 1:30-4pm we filmed Libby's project. Bella, Grace (a friend outside of FTV class) and I were actors. The process was long and we encountered many problems (sun lighting creeping up because of buildings, battery pack being empty) but it was up to us to figure out on-the-spot solutions and the end result was great.

From 4-5pm we filmed Bella's project. This didn't take as long as we didn't encounter any problems at all and it went very smoothly.

From 5-6 WE TOOK A BREAK!! And ate some Bombe Alaska that was left over from Libby's birthday (was amazing)

From 6-7:30 we filmed my film woo!! This was my first time I put my vision into action. It turned out well. Below is a list of things that were successful as well as some obstacles that I encountered and how I overcame them.

Successfully completed tasks:

• My main actor, Ashley, arrived on time, with her hair and makeup completed, and her costume ready.  (reliable girl!!)
• Because I am using Libby's room as part of my set, I had to clean it and change somethings around. I feel bad for having to move a lot of her stuff around but she assured me that it was a task that needed to be done anyway so I guess we killed two birds with one stone! It went well and everything was neat and where I had liked it to be.

Obstacles:

• Previously, I had troubles finding a good china doll to use as a main prop in my film. Bella had told me she had a few but they ended up being unsuitable, but a good back up if I needed them in desperate need. I also asked around in my FTV class, most people said they didn't own any. The ones who said they would bring one in for me didn't end up doing so, therefore I had to find my own. However, Salvos and Lifeline were not open on the day that I wanted to purchase one. (arghhh) So, that Sunday night I decided that I wouldn't need to film anything that required the doll in the shot. BUT to my luck, Libby remembered that she may have a china doll in one of the boxes in her garage, and we retrieved it and it was perfect!!  It was wearing a christmas-like outfit, but I stripped off the coat and now only a dark bottle green dress remains. This is good as i am able to find an outfit for Libby that is almost identical to this.
• I had borrowed out a redhead light from the visual arts department, and so did Bella (who was also there and used hers at Libby's house). My redhead appeared to not be working, so I used Bella's instead before she went home. At the moment, I am unsure whether it was broken or if i just didn't know how to turn it on because the process is quite complicated...
• For one of my shots, I envisioned Libby's curtains blowing in the wind. The lighting on the outside being blue and dark, and the inside being orange and warm. However, my vision was way too complicated and far-fetched for me to accomplish. 
• The redhead light that I was using was very very very red and made it hard to film with the correct white balance. Also, I had the redhead light settings turned pretty low as that is what I envisioned; however, on the camera, it would make the image look grainy. I turned up the light and filmed in better quality, planning to put down the exposure when I edit it. Once I put the shots into final cut, hopefully the colours work in my favour and I won't have to reshoot.

Essential Things to Organise about Filming

Production Schedule - Shots, Scenes, Dates, People, Props.
Storyboards - Pre Visualisation
Shot List - Modifications, Match Schedule
Prop List
Equipment - Camera, Lights
People/Locations

Treatment Final Design Suite Task

Nicole Hoskins

Mon 8th July 2016

Treatment

Title

Dollhouse

Introduction

This short film is about an 11-year-old girl named Autumn, who finds a dollhouse and china doll secretly hidden in her house. As she tries to hide it from her strict mother, she discovers that the doll comes to life. This is the beginning of a journey into a parallel universe, where Autumn can escape her harsh reality.

Synopsis

Rain is seen outside through a bedroom window; poorly-lit by only a candle, night light and lamp. The camera slowly pans from the foot, to the head of a bed, revealing Autumn, tucked in the sheets. Silence is broken by a plate smashing in another room. Her mother is cursing to herself, so Autumn goes to investigate the kitchen. Shots flicker between Autumn and her mother’s perspective as she  strictly tells her to go back to her bedroom immediately. Autumn walks up the stairs towards her room as a long panning shot reveals a cupboard door, which opens with a creak. She steps back and discovers a dollhouse and china doll inside. A mid shot from inside the cupboard reveals Autumn reaching out to the dollhouse. Autumn drags the dollhouse carefully back to her room, struggling to keep quiet. Her mother calls her name from the kitchen, suspicious of the noise. Autumn quickly hides the dollhouse in her closet among her clothes and jumps into bed. From Autumn’s perspective, her mother rushes in to investigate the noise. Her mother leaves and Autumn looks at her cupboard which contains the dollhouse. A close up of her face as her eyes begin to begin to close. A thud from the closet makes her eyes open sharply. A Mid shot shows Autumn getting out of bed towards the cupboard, curious. She pulls out a flashlight sitting at the bottom of the closet as she discovers that the china doll is missing from where she placed it. Shot cuts to her mother discovering that the small cupboard door is open, the dollhouse isn't inside. Shot cuts back to Autumn in her bedroom closet, her mother calls her name right before the closet door closes and she is locked in. Darkness. Autumn finds that she is unable to get out. Scanning around the closet, the flashlight reveals the empty dollhouse and no sign of the china doll. A medium close up of Autumns surprised face as she tilts the flashlight up. The flashlight reveals that the doll is life-size. Autumn isn't afraid, she examines the doll, then slightly jumps when it begins to move. Mid shot of them facing each other in the dark closet, the doll begins to talk with her. Point of view shots of the characters are used as they converse. The doll then goes to the cupboard door and opens it. It is bright on the other side. They are now in a different location. From the outside of the door, the camera follows Autumn as she emerges from a small door. Large Orchestra music. She slowly arises to her feet in awe at the sight in front of her. Autumn walks forward and out of frame. Cut to black.

Resources

Setting:

Autumn’s Bedroom Libby Gunther’s bedroom

House Kitchen Libby’s kitchen

House stairs/Cupboard Bella’s house

Closet Libby’s bedroom closet

Door to underworld TBA

Characters/People:

AUTUMN: 11 years old, adopted, innocent, curious, introverted, doesn’t talk very much, some can argue that she is going insane as she starts hallucinating/having a dream about a real life china doll

MOTHER: Parent-age, Autumn’s adopted parent, doesn’t like her very much, rude, careless, barely shows compassion

DOLL: Begins as a lifeless doll, becomes real, a little creepy, piercing eyes, she can arguably be either in Autumn’s dream or actually is a cursed doll

Props:

China Doll

Dollhouse

Flashlight

Costume:

AUTUMN: blue matching pyjamas, bare feet, half-up hairstyle, natural makeup

MOTHER: black skirt, grey top, high heels, ridiculously over-done hair (quiff and tease) and makeup (eyeshadow), chewing gum

DOLL: orange and blue dress, hair in bun, makeup (big creepy eyelashes skin very plastic and shiny - highlighter)

Justification

I chose the name Autumn for my main character because it is the season between Winter and Summer; two juxtaposing times of the year, one is cold, and the other hot. I decided to make this a metaphor for the transition between the ‘cold’ Reality and the dreamy fantasy world. In addition, as I took a lot of inspiration from Alice In Wonderland for my film it just so happens that Alice transitions between reality and ‘Under land' by quite literally falling down a hole. Autumn is another name for Fall.

My reason for having a cliff-hanging ending is because Tim Burton’s films are very plot-driven. If I were to create an entire Time Burton-inspired film, it would have to go over the one-hour mark. My short film is similar to that of an opening scene of a much longer movie. However, it is up to the audience to make up what happens next. Because of this, it is also my aim to spark different ideas of endings, and provoke theories about the characters.

I began my short film with a young girl in her bed as it is a common aspect in a few of his films. For example, Alice In Wonderland, and Edward Scissorhands, begin with young Alice and Kim’s granddaughter lying in bed talking to an adult before going to sleep. 

The lighting in my film is very purposeful and specific. Autumn’s house is very poorly-lit, especially her bedroom, as it will be lit by small sources of light. Inside the cupboard, is pitch black except for where the flashlight is pointing towards. This keeps the mise en scene true to the Tim Burton style of the short film. Also, the juxtaposing bright lighting for the parallel universe acts as a symbol for the ‘cold, dark reality’ versus the ‘bright and exciting underworld’.

I chose simple settings, quirky props and different colour schemes in costumes to enhance the Mise En Scene and replicate Tim Burton’s style of doing so. The quirky props involved are the pink dollhouse, and the China doll. These are a symbolic for childhood and the imaginary worlds that children come up with when playing with them. Colours in costume are symbolic as well, as the doll wear bright happy colours (blue and orange) whereas the mother wears black and grey.

Treatment DRAFT Design Suite Task

Nicole Hoskins

28th July 2016

Treatment Draft

Title

Dollhouse

Introduction

This short film is about an 11-year-old girl named Autumn, who finds a dollhouse and china doll secretly hidden in her house. As she tries to hide it from her strict mother, she discovers that the doll comes to life. This is the beginning of a journey into a parallel universe, where Autumn can escape her harsh reality.

Synopsis

Rain is seen outside from a bedroom; poorly-lit by only a night light and lamp. Camera slowly pans from the foot, to the head of a bed, revealing Autumn, an 11-year-old girl, tucked in the sheets. Silence is broken by a plate smashing in another room. Her mother is cursing to herself, so Autumn goes to investigate the kitchen. Point of view shots reveal her mother strictly telling her to go back to her bedroom immediately. Panning long shot shows Autumn walking up the stairs to her room, a side cupboard door opens, it creaks. She steps back and discovers inside is a dollhouse and china doll. A mid shot from inside of the cupboard shows Autumn reaching out to the dollhouse. Autumn then drags the dollhouse back to her room, attempting to be quiet. Her mother calls her name from the kitchen in suspicion of the noise. Autumn quickly hides the dollhouse in her closet among her clothes and jumps into bed. From Autumn’s perspective in the bed, her mother is shown rushing in to investigate the noise. Once her mother leaves, Autumn looks at her cupboard in which the dollhouse is in. Close up of her face. She begins to close her eyes but then hears something knock over in her closet. A Mid shot shows Autumn getting out of bed towards the cupboard, curious, as she investigates and finds that the china doll is missing from where she placed it. Shot cuts to her mother discovering that the small cupboard door is open, the dollhouse isn't inside. Shot cuts back to Autumn in her bedroom cupboard, her mother calls her name right before the closet door closes and she is locked in. Darkness. Autumn finds that she is unable to get out. She pulls out a flashlight sitting at the bottom of the closet. Shot scans around the closet, the flashlight reveals the empty dollhouse and no sign of the china doll. A close up of Autumns surprised face as she tilts the flashlight up. The flashlight reveals that the doll is life-size. Autumn isn't afraid, she examines the doll, then slightly jumps when it begins to move. Mid shot of them facing each other in the dark closet, the doll begins to talk with her. Point of view shots of the characters are used as they converse. The doll then goes to the cupboard door and opens it. It is bright on the other side. They are now in a different location. From the outside of the door, the camera follows Autumn as she emerges from a small door. Large Orchestra music. She slowly arises to her feet in awe at the sight in front of her. Autumn walks forward and out of frame. Cut to black.

Resources

Setting:

Autumn’s Bedroom Libby Gunther’s bedroom

House Kitchen Libby’s kitchen

House stairs/Cupboard Bella’s house

Closet Libby’s bedroom closet

Door to underworld ???

Characters/People:

AUTUMN: 11-years-old, adopted, innocent, curious, introverted, doesn’t talk very much, some can argue that she is going insane as she starts hallucinating/having a dream about a real life china doll

MOTHER: Parent-age, Autumn’s adopted parent, doesn’t like her very much, strict, barely shows compassion

DOLL: Begins as a lifeless doll, becomes real, a little creepy, piercing eyes, she can arguably be either in Autumn’s dream or actually is a cursed doll

Props:

China Doll

Dollhouse

Flashlight

Costume:

AUTUMN: matching pyjamas, bare feet, half-up hairstyle

MOTHER: black long skirt, grey top, strict scarf and jacket

DOLL: TBA (depends on which matching outfits are obtainable)

Justification

I chose the name Autumn for my main character because it is the season between Winter and Summer; two juxtaposing times of the year, one is cold, and the other hot. I decided to make this a metaphor for the transition between the ‘cold’ Reality and the dreamy fantasy world. In addition, as I took a lot of inspiration from Alice In Wonderland for my film it just so happens that Alice transitions between reality and ‘Underland' by quite literally falling down a hole. Autumn is another name for Fall.

My reason for having a cliff-hanging ending is because Tim Burton’s films are very plot-driven. If I were to create an entire Time Burton-inspired film, it would have to go over the one-hour mark. My short film is similar to that of an opening scene of a much longer movie. However, it is up to the audience to make up what happens next. Because of this, it is also my aim to spark different ideas of endings, and provoke theories about the characters.

I began my short film with a young girl in her bed as it is a common aspect in a few of his films. For example, Alice In Wonderland, and Edward Scissorhands, begin with young Alice and Kim’s granddaughter lying in bed talking to an adult before going to sleep. 

The lighting in my film is very minimal; however, very purposeful and specific. Autumn’s house is very poorly-lit, especially her bedroom. Inside the cupboard, is pitch black except for where the flashlight is pointing towards. This keeps the mise en scene true to the Tim Burton style of the short film. Also, the juxtaposing bright lighting for the parallel universe acts as a symbol for the ‘cold, dark reality’ versus the ‘bright and exciting underworld’.