EYESCREAM
is a festival which celebrates all that is cool about the darker side of
filmmaking: SUSPENSE, BLACK COMEDY, HORROR, and FILM NOIR. Our goal is to
encourage Australian and New Zealand filmmakers to embrace these genres
by offering a platform to present the best, as well as those who demonstrate
potential.
Due to frequent questions asked over the past few years, we have put together
a few hints and tips to help you along in your filmmaking journey.
1. WATCH SCARY FILMS
There is one absolute fact about this genre, and that is that it has all
been done. Sure, you can add freshness and originality to your film by playing
with the genres, but there's generally a formula to the art of suspense
that has been used successfully over and over. Don't think it hasn't been
done, and if, by some chance, it hasn't, there's probably a good reason
for it, and it's not going to work.
So go down to the video store and start watching scary movies, and I don't
necessarily mean just the latest blockbusters. There's a reason why alot
of the old films are classics of the genre, and get remade (usually badly).
From Hitchcock to Craven, learn as much as you can from these masters, and
use those techniques.
2. WORK WITHIN YOUR MEANS
Just because you have a low budget doesn't mean your film has to suck, but
if you're trying to pull off the impossible, half the time it's just laughable.
Originality is the key; less is always more, and refer back to tip #1.
If you do have a special effect that is crucial in your film, don't be afraid
to approach make-up and special effect colleges to see if students want
to volunteer their time for experience. If you do need to purchase any sort
of prosthetic kit, or special effects materials, Australia's BARNES
PRODUCTS are very good (yes, we're plugging our sponsor, but
there's a reason why we asked them to be invovled). They have stores located
in most states, and they have a great online store, as well.
If that's just not in your means, then check out our fantastic bunch of
tasty recipes on the right. Hours of gory fun!!!
3. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SCRIPT!
When it comes to filmmaking of any kind, if the script is bad, the film
is bad. People will overlook short films that are on a low budget if the
story is well told. It's quality over quantity, here at EYESCREAM; 16mm
films may look great, but it's not going to guarantee you a spot amongst
the finalists (that's what TropFest is for). Always remember, the script
is a part of filmmaking that is so often overlooked, but it's the one thing
that won't cost you anything.
4. REALLY EDIT YOUR FILM
Directors should always listen to the editor!! I know you really loved that
cool shot that took forever to do, but if it's not working, it's NOT working!
Keep your film tight. Don't just let the film run for 30 minutes just because
that is our time limit.
This year, we decided to raise the duration back to 30 minutes because we
felt that it was unfair to filmmakers who had made terrific films that went
over last year's limit. Sometimes you need the space of time to create suspense,
but remember when we are choosing the finalist films, the duration is an
important factor we look at.
A general comment that is made, when selecting the finalists, is "If
only it didn't drag on for so long, it would have been in".
Show your family and friends, especially those are are honest with you (not
"yes, I love it" people), before you finalise your edit. Make
them tell you if it could be tighter (ie. it's boring them, or dragging
on too long).
5. USING MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS
OK, let's face it: a scary film without suspense is like a Jim Carey film
without a fart joke, and we all know the best way to create suspense is
through the use of music and sound. But unless you have really rich parents,
how many of us can afford a 16-piece orchestra??
Very important: DON'T USE PRE-RECORDED MUSIC FROM EXISTING SOUNDTRACKS!!!
No only is it tacky to hear the Terminator 2 soundtrack to a no-budget
short film (like, who are you kidding?), but it's simply illegal and we
can't show it.
Instead, consider your options. Can you make the music yourself? Most sound
editing programs today are fantastic for making some very eerie sounds.
Can you find a sound designer who likes the genre? Normally people will
work for deferral on creative projects if they like the script (see point
3). Remember, the Australian industry is in a slump, so there are a lot
of very talented people out there that are very bored, waiting for you to
hound them.
Sound effect CDs are also great, but can cost a fair bit. Most libraries
have them, or you can try downloading them from the net (we love downloading,
don't we?!!).
For upscale productions, try contacting educational institutions for new
composers. If they like your film idea, they may be happy to jump on board
for the experience. |
LOW
BUDGET SPECIAL EFFECTS
MAKING: FAKE BLOOD •
FAKE SKIN • WOUNDS •
SLIME • FAKE GLASS
Oh the thought of standing around all day covered in sticky red syrup
getting attacked by flies, but unfortunately this is horror so sometimes
it’s unavoidable.
Bearing in mind that sometimes it’s what we don’t see in scary
films that makes them more frightening, some special effects can easily
be created using everyday things and a bit of creativity. After all, the
Indie filmmaker needs realism, a diversity of options, and recognition
of the proverbial empty wallet. We have culled some recipes from the web
to help you in your quest for low budget special effects. BUT DON'T OVERDO
IT!
 FAKE
BLOOD:
There are millions of recepies for fake blood and unfortunately we haven’t
had the chance to try them all out, but the trick is consistency and realistic
colour. Most of these recipes are American so we have done our best to
Australianise them.
LOW
COST BLOOD
Add
a few drops of red food colouring to the cheapest
washing up liquid you can find. Add a drop
of blue colouring OR some coffee concentrate
(make
this by adding a small amount of water to coffee granules) to
create a more realistic colour. Produces a runny blood that has a
slight tendency to foam. Great for those bucket of blood effects on
the cheap. Washes off reasonably well but tastes foul if you accidentally
get it in your mouth.
CORN SYRUP BLOOD
Corn syrup is sugar in another form: corn syrup, maple syrup, molasses,
cane syrup, sorghum, and others. It’s worth mentioning that
Corn Syrup is a sugary thickener that Americans use in their milkshakes
(and is what they used for the slimey stuff in ALIENS). We find that
good old Aussie Golden Syrup is a perfect alternative and even has
a better colour.
You can also substitute by mixing 1 cup of extra-fine castor sugar
+ 1/4 cup water, reduced over the stove until a sticky-like serum.
VERSION 1
5 tablespoons corn flour
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup water
4 teaspoons red food colouring
a couple of drops green food colouring
Mix the corn flour with the water, make sure it is totally mixed,
then add the corn syrup, again make sure it is mixed well. Add red
food colouring into the mixture, then add a couple drops of green
food colouring to take the "pink" edge off the red colouring.
from: http://parentingteens.about.com
VERSION 2
This is the recipe that pretty much everyone uses, and there's a lot
of variations so feel free to experiment.
approx 460ml White corn syrup
30ml red food colouring
30ml washing detergent
30ml water
Add a drop of blue food colouring to create a more realistic colour.
Remove the washing up liquid if you want to make edible blood.
Adding condensed milk makes it less transparent and more like real
blood.
The blood is extremely sticky and can stain skin and clothes so makes
sure it’s washed off quickly. Use a stain remover on clothes.
NAIL POLISH BLOOD
To achieve a more permanent stain on plastics, metals or glass, use
red nail polish. It streams nicely and will drip
from one surface to another. When dry it is particularly realistic
on steering wheels, busted windshields, and crunched dashboards. It
will also leave a nice pool on leather or vinyl seats, mirrors, or
on a smashed hood. Somewhat permanent, so don't expect it to wash
off!
from http://www.geocities.com/carcrasherus
|
DRINKABLE
BLOOD
1
cup of frozen white grape juice concentrate mixed with 2tbsp
red food
colouring and 1tbsp of yellow food colouring.
from: http://www.exposure.co.uk/eejit
MB2 BLOOD (Flour Based)
Get 1/2 to 2 level teaspoons of plain flour per cup
(250ml) or water. Mix flour into water completely
(no lumps) before heating. Bring to boil then simmer for 1/2 hour.
Stir frequently.
Cool before adding food colour. Stir in any surface
scum.
Makes a good base for stage blood. Slightly slimy. Fairly low surface
tension. Soaks and spreads well.
1 cup batch of MB2
30ml Red food colouring
1/8 teaspoon (.6ml) Green food colouring
Add flour base described above to a total of one cup (250ml).
There is no sugar and very little food in the MB2 formula so it's
probably less attractive to insects. Shelf life is fairly short (days)
at room temp. Does not go rank but ferments a bit and looses viscosity.
This formula will temporarily stain skin. Seems to wash out of cotton
cloths OK.
CARDIFF
RED
Because of the food colouring used in a lot of blood recipes they
tend to stain easily and can sometime look more purple than red. Here's
a more natural alternative that's closer to a Spaghetti Western style
arterial red. It also washes out of clothes easily and can be eaten
reasonably safely (although why you'd want to eat it is beyond me).
Take a teaspoon or two of Arrowroot (a white powder
used in baking that you can easily find in health food shops) and
add to water heated on the stove. Stir continuously
until the mixture becomes gloopy.
Add a small amount of red children's non-toxic powder paint
and stir in. The mixture should now be bright red.
Add a tiny amount of brown powder paint ORcoffee
concentrate to darken the blood as required.
Store in a bottle or jam jar and thin by adding water to make the
blood the required consistency as and when you need it.
For bullet hits you need to thin the blood quite a bit to allow it
to spray out.
BLACK AND WHITE BLOOD
Alfred Hitchcock famously used Bosco chocolate syrup in Psycho. Any
opaque chocolate syrup will do. Tastes great as well!
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FAKE
BLOOD • FAKE SKIN • WOUNDS
• SLIME • FAKE GLASS
• TOP
 MAKING
SKIN & WOUNDS:
MAKING
SKIN
BASIC FLOUR SKIN
8 TBSP flour
5 TBSP warm water
Regular face make-up
Mix together the flour and water, this will result in a dough like
mixture (do not add makeup to the mixture). Use this mixture and with
a bit of regular CLAG school glue (non-toxic) it can be affixed to
the face or body. Mould the dough or fake skin to desired effect and
then let dry. Use the make-up over the fake skin to match the skin
of the actor.
from http://familycrafts.about.com
GELATINE SKIN
1 cup of water
1 cup of dry, unflavoured gelatine
water-based paint
Mix the water and gelatine. Melt it in a saucepan and colour it with
any water-based paint. You should be able to find a basic skin colour
at any craft shop but they are usually very pink based and will need
other colours added (such as yellow oak) to create a much more realistic
effect. Cast it in a mould made from the desired body part. Use makeup
to touch up any colouring.
LEATHERY FAKE SKIN
(we're not sure how this would turn out, but you never know)
approx. 850-900ml of Apple Sauce
1 tablespoon of honey
Non-stick spray
Mix applesauce and honey in a bowl. Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet
that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake in a low oven (150
degrees) for six hours. Let cool and peel the skin from the cookie
sheet.
from http://hometown.aol.com
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WOUNDS
Now you know how to make the blood and skin you need to know how to
put the two together. Here are a few techniques in creating the bloody
gash:
MAKING A FESTERING WOUND
You will need:
A retractable knife (preferably), or two knives (one with
a complete, DULL blade, the second missing most of the blade)
A solid piece of plastic or metal
A latex glove or a condom
Fake blood
1. Strap the piece of plastic onto the victim, placing it where he/she
will be stabbed.
2. Attach a baggie of fake blood (in the finger of a glove or the
condom) over top of it.
3. Cover it with their shirt (duh). If you have a retractable knife,
this will be easy- just stab the knife onto the blood bag
[NOTE: Use extreme caution when dealing with retractable knives.]
CREATING CUTS
1. Roll 2 long, thin pieces of tissue and connect them at the ends,
leaving the middle part separated.
2. Using liquid latex, apply the tissue to your skin in the desired
area of the cut.
3. Make the outer edge rise from the skin, and the inner edge (the
"cut") rise sharply.
4. Apply more than one layer of liquid latex and cover with makeup
(and blend).
5. Squeeze fake blood into the centre of the cut and let it run down.
from:
www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow |
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 SLIME
1 teaspoon of corn flour
120 ml bottle of white glue
water
food colouring (optional)
Pour the glue into the jar. Fill the empty glue bottle with water and
add to the jar. Stir. Add a few drops of food colour. Pour one cup of
distilled water into the bowl and add 1 teaspoon of corn flour. Mix well.
Slowly add the glue mixture to the bowl, stirring as you do so. Place
the thick slime that forms into your hand and knead it until it feels
dry. Store the slime in a zip lock in the fridge. The slime will thicken
the more you play with it!
FAKE GLASS
Line a baking sheet with Bakers Paper. Pour a cup of sugar
into a small pan over a burner set to low. Stir constantly until the sugar
melts. Cook the sugar until it is hard, just before it starts to turn
brown. When it has melted pour it into a cold pan as level as you can
get it and let it cool. Should make pretty good windows.
FAKE
BLOOD • FAKE SKIN • WOUNDS
• SLIME • FAKE GLASS
• TOP |
