Out of the selection of different locations I have considered for each scene of the film opening, I have chosen the final locations based on the pros and cons I listed in my initial locations post.
Forest Scene
I have chosen to base the majority of my opening sequence in a forest. This is the most appropriate location for the following reasons: firstly, it connotes peace. Although the film is set in a post-apocalyptic setting, I still wanted to maintain an element of peace to the film - this is because the character has gone to a peaceful place to die to make the moment seem more beautiful and emotional as opposed to tense and unsettling, therefore using a peaceful location is appropriate. Furthermore, despite the peaceful connotations of the forest, I still wanted to resemble a dead/overgrown and untended to world so it would suit the post-apocalyptic theme. Using a forest in this time of year will certainly be very brown, bare and dead, which will resemble a wasteland on camera if paired with the right mise-en-scene conditions for definite. Another reason a forest is a good location is because it is enclosed - this creates a sense of security because it is not open and the characters are, therefore, not exposed to potential predators. This heightens the peacefulness of the location. On the contrary, the enclosed nature of the location can connote suffocation, which may represent the character's feeling of weight and burden because of his past. Lastly, the natural setting is extremely appropriate because the character is at his barest which could be reflected through the use of a natural environment. Furthermore, depicting the character in a natural environment links to the idea of human instinct, which is one of the themes in the opening to my film.
Thetford Forest, Thetford, Norfolk
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| Thetford Forest during this time of the year. |
The reasons for which I have chosen to film in Thetford Forest for the majority of the shots are the following: firstly, it's local to me and therefore is convenient because it's easier and faster to get to. Another reason is the fact that it's large and includes diverse terrain, meaning I have a range of different areas to work with when choosing where to frame my shots. Moreover, the fact that it is large is convenient because it means that I am less likely to encounter other people, especially if I avoid footpaths, and therefore this will prevent the disruption of filming. It's a very remote forest meaning there will be no traffic, towns or any sign of civilisation in the background which is appropriate for the post-apocalyptic theme of my film. Another reason this location is suitable is because of the actual type of forest itself and how it looks. Because it contains pine trees and vegetation that endures winter very well, the branches won't look completely bare and therefore extraordinarily ugly on footage - particularly in any sharp footage.Moreover, any vegetation that was green will now be brown as it's winter, which is exactly what I had in mind as brown, sombre tones is a conventional style in post-apocalyptic films. Furthermore, despite the forest being very deep, it can be quite sparse in areas, which will, therefore, let a lot of natural light in. This is a nice look because not only is it very aesthetically pleasing it also will prevent the footage from being too dark or too noisy. The sparse areas will be useful when manoeuvring and trying to achieve perfects shots without objects getting in the way.
How Does This Location Help Construct The Mise-en-Scene?
This location helps construct the mise-en-scene because it contains dense vegetation that is browned and overgrown. The brown tones and untended-to-look are synonymous with the post-apocalyptic iconography and therefore helps assemble a mise-en-scene that establishes the genre to the audience through only visual prompts. Furthermore, the setting helps the audience understand things about the character, for example, the fact that the character is against a natural backdrop reflects on the idea of him being in his barest, most exposed and natural state - he's at his lowest and is most vulnerable.
Back-Up Location
In the off chance that Thetford Forest becomes unavailable for whatever reason, I have selected a more convenient location to use as a back-up.
Wayland Wood, Watton, Norfolk
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| Wayland Wood in the sunlight |
The main reason I have selected Wayland Wood as a backup location is because out of the selection of forests I had considered to begin with Wayland Wood was the most convenient as it's the closest to me and my actors and can, if need be, be accessed by foot. Although it differs from Thetford Forest greatly, there are some areas within the forest that contain similar types of vegetation that could potentially create a similar look to Thetford forest, which is the perfect look for simulating a post-apocalyptic world when paired with the right mise-en-scene conditions. This location is appropriate because it's remote, meaning towns and industrial noises are unlikely to be in the background.
Flashback and Opening Scene
Because the location I have selected is so large and varied looking throughout the building, I have decided to use it for both of these scenes as this is most convenient and it still will look like two separate locations because of the diverse nature of the building. I have chosen to use a derelict building for these scenes because derelict buildings are a conventional setting within the post-apocalyptic genre. Moreover, I feel that the destroyed, abandoned and distressed look to the building will reflect on how broken and depressed the character is when we meet him, as this will be the first place the audience sees him. During the flashback sequences, this is an effective location to use because it has a very distressed look which links with the depressing nature of the scene.
Old Wartime Building, Watton, Norfolk
Justification For Use:
This location is suitable because it looks destroyed and abandoned, which will really suit the post-apocalyptic genre. It fulfils all the purposes to an abandoned building: it can be entered through multiple entrances and looks rundown without using other methods to establish the fact it is an abandoned building. Despite no artificial lighting, the building is very well lit through random windows and holes in the walls and roof. This will improve the footage because it assures it isn't too grainy or indistinguishable. Furthermore, the grey walls cancel out any liveliness that too much sunlight will produce, and therefore is very fitting because it doesn't look too happy but at the same time isn't too scary looking either. It corresponds with the broken theme. Another reason why this location is suitable is because it's very local: within walking distance. This is very convenient. It has a military vibe which suits the post-apocalyptic theme. It's also a particularly large building and therefore produces a range of precise places to film in.
How Does This Location Help Construct the Mise-en-Scene?
This location helps construct the mise-en-scene because it helps establish the post-apocalyptic setting. This is because derelict building are key features in post-apocalyptic iconography and therefore help establish the genre to the audience. Moreover, it reflects on the state of mind of the character is in through its distressed appeal.
Back-Up Locations
If I am unable to get to the desired location, I have planned two other back-up locations I can use for each scene. The reason I have prepared two is because they're both very small locations and therefore will not appear as separate settings in the two different scenes.
Flashback Scene:
Corrugated Steel Fences, Griston, Norfolk
Justification For Use (as backup)
The main reason I have chosen this location as a fallback is because it's very convenient as it's a minute's walk from my house. It's also easily accessible as there's nothing blocking off the entrance and it's a part of the recreational grounds so nobody is forbidden to enter the segment of land. Secondly, it's not in use and isn't a target of any interest by anyone so nobody will walk by and disrupt the filming or cause a distraction, especially as it's almost unnoticeable next to the recreational park. Another reason this location is good to use is because it's very overgrown and therefore looks like the setting to the post-apocalyptic genre, despite it not being the derelict building style I had in mind. Its corrugated steel fencing is reminiscent of the military which is a common part to the iconography that makes up the post-apocalyptic genre.
Beginning Scene
Abandoned Chapel, Griston, Norfolk
The main reason I chose this location as a backup is because it's extraordinarily convenient as it's less than a 2 minutes walk from my house, therefore no transport would need to be required and hauling the equipment wouldn't be too much of a hassle.This location is suitable because it looks abandoned: it has smashed windows, boarded up doors and ivy growing all around it so it will suit the post-apocalyptic genre. Furthermore, it's connection with God and religion would be interesting to play on in the film as it suggests a history of civilisation that has now been evidently destroyed, adding subtly to the exposition. Another advantage to this location would be the fact that it's hidden away on a residential road so nobody is likely to walk past and interrupt filming as it's a quiet village. It's also not on private land and therefore wouldn't put me at risk for being asked to leave if we choose to film here.
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