Taken and appeared in by - Jonathan Beeley, Adam Swannick, John Boocock
Friday, 26 February 2010
Gianni Aquazi - Jonathan Beeley
Taken and appeared in by - Jonathan Beeley, Adam Swannick, John Boocock
Hayden Astley - John Boocock
Taken and appeared in by - John Boocock, Jonathan Beeley and Adam Swannick
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
The Ankou
On this blog, we've been talking a lot about the Ankou but information has been a little vague on where this character came from. But no more! Here is the research I've done into this servant of Death and how his character functions and works.
The Ankou originates from the Celtic folklore of Brittany. He or she is an omen of Death and his official title is the 'King of the Dead'. He or she is the traditionally the last person within the parish to die during the year. They then take up the role as the Ankou and every parish in Brittany had their own Ankou.
This being would then travel to the houses of those about to die, accompanied by two ghostly figures and a cart, and knock on the door with a sound that can sometimes be heard by the living. They take the souls of the recently departed and loads them onto the cart before leaving for the next house.
There is an old story regarding the Ankou where three brothers come across the Ankou disguised as an old man upon his cart down a dark road one day and break it. The oldest two brothers scorn him and leave where as the third brother stays behind to help him repair the cart.
The next day, the ones who had scorned the Ankou had both died most horribly but the third brother, who had stayed to help, only had his hair turned white as a reminder of who the figure was.
The Ankou originates from the Celtic folklore of Brittany. He or she is an omen of Death and his official title is the 'King of the Dead'. He or she is the traditionally the last person within the parish to die during the year. They then take up the role as the Ankou and every parish in Brittany had their own Ankou.
This being would then travel to the houses of those about to die, accompanied by two ghostly figures and a cart, and knock on the door with a sound that can sometimes be heard by the living. They take the souls of the recently departed and loads them onto the cart before leaving for the next house.
There is an old story regarding the Ankou where three brothers come across the Ankou disguised as an old man upon his cart down a dark road one day and break it. The oldest two brothers scorn him and leave where as the third brother stays behind to help him repair the cart.
The next day, the ones who had scorned the Ankou had both died most horribly but the third brother, who had stayed to help, only had his hair turned white as a reminder of who the figure was.
25 word pitch
When former SAS squad member Gianni Aquazi organizes to meet with Hayden Astley in the woods, the atmosphere turns sharper than the sword Gianni holds . . .
Ankou Resemblance to similar individuals
This first link is to a character known as the Slender Man. Slender Man is much like the Ankou in that people hardly ever come into contact with him (or it) but when they do, it usually ends in death. However, the information on Slender Man that I can gather is extremely vague and sparse which is also a similarity to the Ankou. The similarity ends there though as Slender Man is not a servant for Death and acts of its own accord.
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/210/7/8/Slender_Man_by_Gaara_Monster.jpg
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/210/7/8/Slender_Man_by_Gaara_Monster.jpg
Treatment (Full)
Treatment: Supernatural Action Film Treatment
Programme: Dead Mans Dawning (working title)
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes
Audience: Psychological horror/drama Fan’s, mostly teens and older 15 – 34 more appealing to male gender because of gore, violence, mild swearing etc.
Resume: Hayden Astley, is a 24-Year-old English Ex SAS pizza guy whose old SAS friends/colleagues have turned on him, they’ve decided he shall no longer live. This leads to a massive change in Hayden, turning him into the servant of Death himself. He pursues his killer and the people who planned his apparent death across the country, picking them off one by one, until only Gianni, his killer is left to find. However Hayden is unaware that Gianni has acquired something to rival his supernatural undead talents, and killing his killer will take more effort than initially thought.... As Hayden hunts for his killer after realizing something is different about him now, he perceives there is more at hand than first met the eye about Gianni, and perhaps he is more of a threat to not only Hayden, but himself...
Suggested Elements:
1. USP – Voice over all the way through giving in-depth thoughts of characters and flashbacks
2. Use of special effects to signify when a scene is a flash back
3. Supernatural themes
4. Stalk and slash movie
Film Days – 21 Day’s. Extension available and foreseeable depending on success rate
Budget Estimate - £5,000,000 – More may be available due to on-going negotiations with possible investor’s.
Programme: Dead Mans Dawning (working title)
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes
Audience: Psychological horror/drama Fan’s, mostly teens and older 15 – 34 more appealing to male gender because of gore, violence, mild swearing etc.
Resume: Hayden Astley, is a 24-Year-old English Ex SAS pizza guy whose old SAS friends/colleagues have turned on him, they’ve decided he shall no longer live. This leads to a massive change in Hayden, turning him into the servant of Death himself. He pursues his killer and the people who planned his apparent death across the country, picking them off one by one, until only Gianni, his killer is left to find. However Hayden is unaware that Gianni has acquired something to rival his supernatural undead talents, and killing his killer will take more effort than initially thought.... As Hayden hunts for his killer after realizing something is different about him now, he perceives there is more at hand than first met the eye about Gianni, and perhaps he is more of a threat to not only Hayden, but himself...
Suggested Elements:
1. USP – Voice over all the way through giving in-depth thoughts of characters and flashbacks
2. Use of special effects to signify when a scene is a flash back
3. Supernatural themes
4. Stalk and slash movie
Film Days – 21 Day’s. Extension available and foreseeable depending on success rate
Budget Estimate - £5,000,000 – More may be available due to on-going negotiations with possible investor’s.
Friday, 12 February 2010
Images of 'The Ankou' from different sources...
this is from the source - http://images.elfwood.com/art/m/i/miny/ankou.jpg
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Questionnaire
1) How old are you?
15-19 [] 20-29 [] 30+ []
2) Your Gender.
Male [] Female []
3) Do you like horror films?
Yes [] No []
4) Do you like supernatural films?
Yes [] No []
1-5 [] 6-10 [] 11+ []
Vampires [] Ghosts [] Lycanthropes []
............................................................................................
7) Do you like lots of gore in a horror film?
Yes [] No [] Maybe []
8) Do you like horror films that build up suspense?
Yes [] No []
Yes [] No []
............................................................................................
Example of an Amateur Action Film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdxDNS5Vc-A
This is an example of another amateur action film short conducted by others for us to use an an example of sorts. The music is distinct from ours as s the style but the moves in some of the scenes can be integrated into our own piece.
This is an example of another amateur action film short conducted by others for us to use an an example of sorts. The music is distinct from ours as s the style but the moves in some of the scenes can be integrated into our own piece.
The Film Genres and Sub Genre
The main film genre is an action film, established as being full of chases, fight scenes and battles across many different possible locales and optionally containing disasters and obstacles in the environment for the heroes and protagonists to overcome n order to defeat the villain. They are constantly full of high energy, containing races, rescues, martial arts (which will not be present in this film) and spectacular rhythm. The camerawork will have fast cuts through the action to keep the pace of the film but will contain many reposes to place exposition.
The Sub Genre of the film is supernatural. Supernatural films involve beings that are unexplainable by science, do not appear in pop culture fantasy and are closely related to the dead and the consequences of dying in a certain way. People surviving death is common (as is the case of Astley/The Ankou) and may contain ghosts, gods, apparitions and many other things that can be classed as extraordinary phenomena. This can be played in many ways, from horror, comedy and romance but in the case of this film, it will be played for action and partly horror.
The Sub Genre of the film is supernatural. Supernatural films involve beings that are unexplainable by science, do not appear in pop culture fantasy and are closely related to the dead and the consequences of dying in a certain way. People surviving death is common (as is the case of Astley/The Ankou) and may contain ghosts, gods, apparitions and many other things that can be classed as extraordinary phenomena. This can be played in many ways, from horror, comedy and romance but in the case of this film, it will be played for action and partly horror.
Film Certification
We initially planned for our film to be a 15, but after researching film certification and allowed contents we found a shot planned to be a pivotal point in the production to be restricted, this shot was a killing blow to the neck with a sword. Although we would not be physicall showing the blow, it would be implyed by a a motion and a change of shot. Researching this information means our production will now be an 18 certificated film. The exact line read's -
Imitable techniques: Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives).
The link for the research is - http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/592478/
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Character reference research
Name research for the name of what Hayden becomes 'The Ankou', a personification of death.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankou
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankou
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Character Profiles - By all contributors
One of the key things that people find memorable about movies aside from the plot, settings and special effects are the characters. A badly written or badly acted character can ruin a blockbuster movie and ruin a perfectly good plot.
Here I am going to post a little background story for each of the characters within this scene to help you feel closer to the events that happen to each character in our two minute production and leave you wanting to watch the rest of this film.
1. Hayden Astley.
Hayden is a retired member of the SAS, leaving after a botched mission in which he left a member of his emotionally tied squadron for dead. Now working as a less than honorable and far from exciting job as a pizza delivery boy, he is set up by none other than his old SAS surviving squad mates, out to get revenge for their fallen comrade; the killer being Gianni Aquazi, his former best friend and famed for his mental instability which makes him a super weapon of violence He is mercilessly with a sword by Gianni and shortly dies afterwards.
However, this is not the end for Astley. He rises not long after Gianni leaves,transformed into something beyond death: the Ankou; a being of mythology that is said to be the servant of Death itself. He however keeps his human body to avoid drawing the interest of the living. He is given the task by a voice in his head to 'deal with the ones who killed him'. If he does deal with them, he will be reborn but if he fails, he will serve the voice for all eternity as the Ankou. Armed with the blood-stained sword that killed him, Hayden sets out to accomplish his task. The only doubt in his mind is if the voice in his head is one he can trust...
2. Gianni Aquazi
Gianni was a member of Hayden's squad for several years and over many missions together, they became good friends and comrades. However, when one of his friend is killed, the whole squadron See's this as Haydens fault. After that mission Hayden 'retires', and the squadron disbands, and all keep contact with each other apart from they're disgraced leader. Gianni and the squadron bears an unshakable grudge against his commanding officer. After being voted to do so by his other comrades, Gianni sets up and murders his friend.
However, he finds after his deed that Hayden is not dead. Gianni finds he is up against something entirely new, something beyond the livings knowledge. As Hayden continues to chase him and the others across the country in search of freedom and revenge, the grip on his sanity begins to slip ever further and upon realizing Gianni is something beyond living, he seeks salvage and help from beyond sanity's barriers...
Here I am going to post a little background story for each of the characters within this scene to help you feel closer to the events that happen to each character in our two minute production and leave you wanting to watch the rest of this film.
1. Hayden Astley.
Hayden is a retired member of the SAS, leaving after a botched mission in which he left a member of his emotionally tied squadron for dead. Now working as a less than honorable and far from exciting job as a pizza delivery boy, he is set up by none other than his old SAS surviving squad mates, out to get revenge for their fallen comrade; the killer being Gianni Aquazi, his former best friend and famed for his mental instability which makes him a super weapon of violence He is mercilessly with a sword by Gianni and shortly dies afterwards.
However, this is not the end for Astley. He rises not long after Gianni leaves,transformed into something beyond death: the Ankou; a being of mythology that is said to be the servant of Death itself. He however keeps his human body to avoid drawing the interest of the living. He is given the task by a voice in his head to 'deal with the ones who killed him'. If he does deal with them, he will be reborn but if he fails, he will serve the voice for all eternity as the Ankou. Armed with the blood-stained sword that killed him, Hayden sets out to accomplish his task. The only doubt in his mind is if the voice in his head is one he can trust...
2. Gianni Aquazi
Gianni was a member of Hayden's squad for several years and over many missions together, they became good friends and comrades. However, when one of his friend is killed, the whole squadron See's this as Haydens fault. After that mission Hayden 'retires', and the squadron disbands, and all keep contact with each other apart from they're disgraced leader. Gianni and the squadron bears an unshakable grudge against his commanding officer. After being voted to do so by his other comrades, Gianni sets up and murders his friend.
However, he finds after his deed that Hayden is not dead. Gianni finds he is up against something entirely new, something beyond the livings knowledge. As Hayden continues to chase him and the others across the country in search of freedom and revenge, the grip on his sanity begins to slip ever further and upon realizing Gianni is something beyond living, he seeks salvage and help from beyond sanity's barriers...
New Production Treatment (2 minutes version)
Treatment: Supernatural Action Film Treatment
Programme: Dead Mans Dawning (working title)
Duration: 2 minutes
Audience: Psychological horror/drama Fan’s, mostly teens and older 15 – 34 more appealing to male gender because of gore, violence, mild swearing etc.
Resume: Hayden Astley, is a 24-Year-old English Ex SAS pizza guy whose old SAS friends/colleagues have turned on him, they’ve decided he shall no longer live. The reason why unfolds throughout the film. One friend who has been mentally unstable all his life and was recruited for his lack of emotion to his victims, Gianni Aquazi, has been singled out as his closest of the 4, and the most capable of ending his life. He draws Hayden into an old forest to commit the 4 friends wishes… As Gianni draws his sword to Hayden’s throat to thrust the final blow, he recounts his life and why he thinks this fatal end has come about, and as the cold blooded deranged Gianni bears down on him, Hayden’s begs for his life and for his old friend to show remorse, he thrusts down and drives the blade into his neck. In his subconscious mind, as his body starts to shut down from lack of blood, a voice fills his mind speaking off dark intentions, a wager for Hayden to become re-born and take revenge on his friend, a call Hayden answers….
Suggested Elements:
1. USP – Voiceover all the way through giving in-depth thoughts of characters and flashbacks
2. Use of special effects to signify when a scene is a flash back
3. Supernatural themes
4. Stalk and slash movie
Film Days – 21 Day’s. Extension available and foreseeable depending on success rate
Budget Estimate - £5,000,000 – More may be available due to on-going negotiations with possible investor’s.
Programme: Dead Mans Dawning (working title)
Duration: 2 minutes
Audience: Psychological horror/drama Fan’s, mostly teens and older 15 – 34 more appealing to male gender because of gore, violence, mild swearing etc.
Resume: Hayden Astley, is a 24-Year-old English Ex SAS pizza guy whose old SAS friends/colleagues have turned on him, they’ve decided he shall no longer live. The reason why unfolds throughout the film. One friend who has been mentally unstable all his life and was recruited for his lack of emotion to his victims, Gianni Aquazi, has been singled out as his closest of the 4, and the most capable of ending his life. He draws Hayden into an old forest to commit the 4 friends wishes… As Gianni draws his sword to Hayden’s throat to thrust the final blow, he recounts his life and why he thinks this fatal end has come about, and as the cold blooded deranged Gianni bears down on him, Hayden’s begs for his life and for his old friend to show remorse, he thrusts down and drives the blade into his neck. In his subconscious mind, as his body starts to shut down from lack of blood, a voice fills his mind speaking off dark intentions, a wager for Hayden to become re-born and take revenge on his friend, a call Hayden answers….
Suggested Elements:
1. USP – Voiceover all the way through giving in-depth thoughts of characters and flashbacks
2. Use of special effects to signify when a scene is a flash back
3. Supernatural themes
4. Stalk and slash movie
Film Days – 21 Day’s. Extension available and foreseeable depending on success rate
Budget Estimate - £5,000,000 – More may be available due to on-going negotiations with possible investor’s.
Update
Hey! Just to inform you, we've changed our idea ever so slightly from our first post! Its now going to be the story of a 24-Year-old Scottish Ex SAS pizza guy who goes by the name of Hayden Astley... more information soon!
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