Cinematography (Camera Angles)

Camera angles are an important part of what makes a film work; the variety of angles; distances and the editing of the two contribute to making an interesting visual and emotional experience for the audience. Although I'm doing a photography book for my FMP the angles of the images I shoot will be an important part of the story telling. The inspiration for my FMP is largely taken from films and so being able to analyse them with a critical and appraising eye will be useful in the production process of my project.  

So to start with I looked at the types of camera angles. 

The most popular types of angles fall under three categories:

- Objective
- Subjective

- point-of-view

The Objective angle refers to the 'fly on the wall' viewpoint, where the audience is a spectator of the events unfolding yet feels comfortably removed, as if invisible.

The Subjective angle puts the audience in the scene along with the other actors as though there were other participants within the shot  

And lastly the Point-of-view angle puts the audience into the head of one of the actors, so the audience sees what the particular actor is seeing; usually actors will look head on into the camera, creating the illusion of directly addressing you the audience. 

Vogue Inspiration

Looking at visual references I came across this image in the book 'Extreme Beauty in Vogue'. The feminine pattern of the corset reflects innocence yet the corset itself is a device that attracts men to women due to corsets accentuating parts of the female body that men typically find attractive. Corsets are also used within the BDSM community as a form of restraint. To add sensuality to RED I think the use of a corsets or a piece of lingerie that emulates a corset within some of the images would be effective and fitting to the theme.

Character Profiles

Female Protagonist

Name - Lucy
Age- 22
Nationality- White Caucasian
Family- Only child
personality type - Confident in her own body but not overly vain. Bubbly, sweet, still needs to blossom.
Relationship Status- Single
Occupation- Florist, owns own shop.

Physical qualities- Slim brunette, capable of looking innocent, yet have an air of mystery and subtle sexiness. The transformation of the female character will be clearly defined by the metamorphosis of her make-up. Similar to the character of Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey, she will emerge from 'plain Jane' to temptress. In order to illustrate this make-up will be minimal in the beginning with a 'no-make-up' look to the gradual introduction of stronger contouring, smoky eyes and voluptuous pillar-box red lips.

Male Protagonist?

Name - Spencer 
Age- 24
Nationality-White Caucasian
Family- Younger brother
personality type - Confident but not cocky or arrogant. Still needs to come out of his shell. 
Relationship Status- Single
Occupation- Sales exec  

Physical qualities- The male character will have a fresh-faced, groomed youthful look. The chosen model will have a chiselled bone structure and a muscular physique. As his character transforms his look will become more primal and seductive. When the character is first introduced minimal make-up will be used other than small touch-ups. To show a shift in his personality, as he becomes more self-assured and lupine, strong contouring will be applied as well as piercing blue photoshopped eyes, to bring forth his wolf-like characteristics and dominant prowess.

Another Movie Inspiration - Into The Woods

Continuing my research of modern adaptations I took it upon myself to go and see the new Disney musical Into The Woods. The styling of the film is what you'd classically expect from a traditional fairytale, largely fantasy based, with mystical creatures and out of this world scenery.

The storyline focuses on what happens beyond the 'happily ever after' of several well known fairy-tales. Although the styling within the film isn't what I envisage for my final major project, the idea of what happens after the story has ended interests me. In order to create a convincing narrative I feel it would be beneficial to create a character profile for each protagonist. This will help in creating characters that are alive, vivid and real, as well as helping with continuity.

Sleeping Beauty - A movie Inspiration

As RED is a combination of erotica and a traditional fairytale,during my first tutorial session I was advised to do research on modern adaptations of fairy tales.

Having been told about this particular film within a tutorial session, I was intrigued to watch it, and wasn't sure what to expect...

Sleeping Beauty (2011), directed by Julia Leigh is a disturbing adaptation of the traditional fairytale. The female protagonist Lucy, a young university student, embarks on an erotic freelance job in which she is required to sleep in a bed alongside paying customers. The one rule is that she is not allowed to be penetrated by these men, yet they are allowed to do what they will with her naked unconscious body. The way in which the old men use her body seems as if they are acting out necrophilia/rape fantasies which made it very difficult to watch. 

Focusing on the design elements of the film, the sets were elegant and beautifully done. Some scenes evoked the style of a moving painting. Actress Emily browning (female protagonist) had a  porcelain doll quality which added to her beauty and the role she played. The absence of music within the film contributed a mysterious and dark atmosphere subsequently enhancing the viewing experience. 

The aesthetics of this film were a great stimulus. For my FMP I intend the images to be as beautifully created and executed as the ones below. These images evoke intrigue from its viewer and that what I intend RED to do. 

Story Board

Admittedly my drawing skills aren't to the standard I would like so instead the story board has been done using visual references so when shown to a team will be clear and easy to follow. 

Revised Production Schedule

Mood Boards and Inspiration

 The two mood boards below represent the metamorphosis of the characters relationship throughout the book. Pastel, feminine and soft shades to start with progressing on to stronger, bolder colours, and the introduction of red representing the passion that has been sparked between the two protagonists.

The images in the mood board above shows passion as well as the representation of BDSM in a high fashion style. The images for the book are meant to be striking, in all aspects ranging from styling, make-up and the posing of the models. This means the models chosen for the shoots will have to be very comfortable in front of the camera and comfortable shooting together. RED will leave an impression on its viewers

Final Major Project - RED

RED is a photographic interactive book. Inspiration for the book has been taken from the multi-media phenomenon Fifty Shades of Grey, and the old age tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Harnessing and applying the undeniable popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey's central theme BDSM (bondage, discipline, submission, domination and sadomasochism) and Little Red Riding Hood will produce a product that is unique and fitting within contemporary culture. 

This book is an adult adaptation of the traditional fairytale love story, but with an erotic twist. The relationship between the two protagonists, unlike Fifty Shades of Grey, will have an equal and consensual relationship, thus challenging gender stereotypes. Without the stereotypical female submissive male dominant storyline, RED is set apart from other erotic literature currently popular on the market. 

The interactive aspect comes in with the help of the company Snap-Tag.com. They create codes that are easily scanned using any smartphone. My hope is to create my own code for the book, when scanned a soundtrack will play, enhancing the viewing experience of RED. 

The protagonists within the book will evolve as their relationship progresses from innocence to experience. A tale of sexual exploration and growth.