Set Design Blog Post #35

 Set Design for our Film Opener!

Hi guys, welcome back to another blog. Today, I will be talking about the set design for the scenes in our film opener. Ok lets get started!

To begin with, the set design for our final project was intentionally minimal and very realistic. All of the scenes were filmed in the same neighborhood of Riviera Isles. Primarily on a very long sidewalk lined with many trees and bushes. Instead of changing locations, each scene progressed naturally down the sidewalk. This allowed for the environment to grow with the story. This choice helped maintain continuity while maintaining the feeling that danger is following Kyle rather than him being stuck in a single area. We chose this location because it is a familiar setting to most people. This makes the events more disturbing. A gated neighborhood at night is typically thought of as being safe and private compared to other places. So, making a horror movie opener in this location creates contrast. We chose this location as well because of the many trees, bushes, and sidewalks that were already there. They provide hiding spots for the killer, and the sidewalk acts as a clear visual path for the audience to follow. This specific layout allowed us to control camera movement without needing elaborate set dressing. 

For the dragging scenes, we filmed in the yard of a house on the corner. We asked the owner for permission, and he gave it to us out of the kindness of his heart. This location was chosen since we could stage the scenes without interruptions. The big tree in the yard was also an important visual element that made scenes look more ominous and unsettling. Filming on private property helped us maintain focus during production. 

Our main limitation was access and budget. We did not have the resources to build sets or travel to far locations, so we worked with only what was available. Lighting was also very limited since we could only use the streetlights and ambient lights. However, these limitations added to the film's realistic and low-key aesthetic.

If we had a larger budget, instead of changing locations, we would improve them. We would add more lighting, fog, and more props to increase depth.