Location Research

Location Research

Donaghadee Pier - 

Donaghadee is a small town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is in the northeast coast of the country and is about 18 miles outside Belfast and about 6 miles outside Bangor. 

Donaghadee pier has some history surrounding it too as it is the nearest port to Scotland and in the early times of the port was the landing point in Northern Ireland for travellers from the British mainland. The majority if Ulster-Scots settling in Ireland will have traveled through Donaghadee. At one stage, Donaghadee was the province’s principal port before Belfast became the major city and much of the town’s development resulted from ships and shipping. 

Donaghadee pier and the surrounding islands create the ideal place to set our film. The open water gives us the perfect opportunity to get some great shots on the boat, of surrounding coastline and  of the various nearby caves. The large, deserted islands create the perfect, spooky place to set the main part of our movie. 

Copeland Islands -

The Copeland Islands are a group of three islands in the north Irish Sea, north of Donaghadee, County Down, Northern Ireland consisting of Lighthouse, Mew and Copeland Island. Until the 20th century, the islands were used by smugglers who brought tobacco and spirits through the islands and into County Down. Over a century ago the Lighthouse Island had a population of about 100, including a school master with 28 pupils but now there are 0 residents.

Possible Alternatives -

West Strand beach (Portrush)

West Strand Beach, also known as West Bay or Millstrand is a popular resort beach in the heart of this busy seaside resort. West Strand Beach is bounded at its northern end by the busy habour and flanked along its eastern boundary by a well used pedestrian/cycle promenade.

Prop Research

Prop Research

• Boat

A boat will be needed for a large part of our film as we would like to get some shots of the coastline and nearby islands. We will also be doing some filming of the captain on the boat as a way to explain the backstory to the audience.

We have found two potential companies that may take us out on their boats for filming. Both are giving a similar quote of between £150-£200 for a half-day on the boat. As filming is weather dependant, we will have to wait until nearer the time to decide on a date for filming.

• Halloween decorations (Fake props)

These props will be used to show that the film being produced in our film is very amateur and is lacking quality. The characters in our film will be in the same situation as us and plan to shoot a scary movie on the island. They will have various props and costumes for their movie that are clearly not up to a high standard.

• Car

We will need a car for our film. The first scene will consist of the three main characters getting out of the car and one of them taking equipment out of the boot. This is the only time the car will be used in he film and therefore the model and colour of the car isn't important.

• Camera

A camera will be needed for when we are filming on the boat. One character will be filmed taking photos of the sea and surrounding cliffs, caves and islands. This will be used to establish who the sensible character is and will show that one character actually has a genuine interest in what the group is doing.

• Backpack

Each character will have their own backpack as they will be on a school trip and this will make it more realistic and genuine. These could contain the various props needed for their movie.

• Celtic sacrificial weapon

A celtic sacrificial weapon is needed when filming on the island. The pagans will have this weapon to show that they are a potential danger to the three boys making the film. These weapons were used in sacrificial ceremonies to cut the thoughts of animals and sometimes, even humans. 

• St. Brigid's cross

We will need a St. Brigid's cross to put on the side of the boat. These were usually set over windows and doors in order to protect homes for any harm. As we will have these crosses around the boat, it would suggest that the captain is trying to protect the boat form something in particular.





Costume

The sailor will wear glasses similar to these in order to make him and his style look dated.

The sailor may also wear a pair of fisherman's trousers to give him the look of an authentic sailor. These will be worn over regular, casual clothes such as a wooly jumper, boots and a wooly hat.

This is a 'Pagan Wildman' from eastern Europe. His costume is made from burlap, string, stones and bits of wood. 

• Shells

We will need shells in order to create one of our costumes. Our costume has been inspired by this pagan dress made with rocks and bits of wood. We will drill holes through the shells and hang them from pieces of string.

• Seaweed

We will use seaweed in this costume as well in order to make it more relevant to the setting. As our movie will be filmed near the seaside and contain many shots of the coast, it would make sense to give the costumes a seaside related aspect.

• Burlap Fabric

We will use some burlap fabric to make the base layer of the costume. 

This is a 'Pagan Wildman' from eastern Europe. His costume is made from a straw-like fabric and has several cowbells hanging form it. The cowbells could be to symbolise nature or maybe just as decoration.

• Cowbells

We have taken some inspiration from this costume and have decided that we would like to use some cowbells for one of our costumes.

This is a 'Pagan Wildman' from eastern Europe. His costume is made from red fabric strips along with a wig made from wool and a wooden animal mask.

Target Audience

Our short film is comprised of comedy and horror elements, where the main characters in the film tell jokes and have comical moments, but in the end die to a group of pagans on an island, sacrificed for the pagan holiday of Samhain.

The target audience for our movie is teenage boys, from the ages of approximately 16-23. There are no female characters present in the short film, and two of the main characters joke about how one of the characters brought a girl home from a club the night before.

I believe that the short film is most relatable to teenage males, particularly ones who are studying A-Level Media Studies, as the film possesses moments that highlight the responsibilities that come with creating a short film, such as one person having to bring some props as shown in the movie.

The comedic tone of the movie leaves it open for many people to watch and enjoy.

Movie Ideas

IDEA NUMBER 1:

*Film is set over a full year*

OPENING

Narrator talks about how Christmas is the best time of the year
Christmas music
Christmas morning
Happy kids opening presents
House looks happy and warm
Narrator says "But this isn't my family, this is my family"
Happy music dies and fades into sad music
Sad house that looks cold and grey with only a few decorations
The children look disappointed and the mother looks sad
Main character enters
Character is visibly upset about Christmas

MAIN

Shots of main character looking angry and frustrated in bedroom
Shot of main character being jealous about others having a nice Christmas
Begins to steal and commit other minor crimes, progressively getting more serious

END

(1 year from beginning of movie)
The same family are having a nice Christmas similar to the first family at the beginning of movie
Shot of police car pulling up outside house
Police knock at door

MOVIE ENDS


IDEA NUMBER 2:

Teenage boy walking to a bus stop and everything seems normal
Boy gets onto bus and buys ticket only to realise he is £1 short
He tells the driver this and the driver tells him that he will then have to calculate the 'blood payment'
The boy looks very nervous and worried and the the ears of the other passengers seem to pick up
The boy is told he has to slice his finger before being allowed on the bus and is provided with a blade

IDEA NUMBER 3:

OPENING

A group of students are seen to be discussing the preparation for a movie shoot
One character is being told off by the others for bringing poor costumes and props
The dialog in the film explains that the group are going an island to shoot a short film for school

MAIN

The group board a boat to take them to the island only to be greeted by an unusual sailor
The sailor tells the group of Pagan traditions and  the significance of the island
He explains that today is the day of Samhain (a pagan harvest festival)
The boys laugh off the stories of sacrifice and spirits
The group are given a drink by the sailor to help with sea-sickness
The group arrive at the island and begin to start walking, discussing ideas for shots
|One member of the group mentions how the sailor was quite weird and made him feel uneasy and the others agree
A long shot show the boys looking quite ill, all standing beside each other with the sailor walking up the hill behind them

END

The group begin to be violently ill and collapse as 3 figures appear over the horizon
As the sailor comes from behind the group, he begins to say a prayer in a Celtic / Irish language
The 3 figures get closer and it becomes clear that they have weapons
One boy cries out for help but none comes
The group are then sacrificed (shown with fast-paced shots and quick editing, cutting between the boys, the pagan figures and some sort of graves)