Zombie Film

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kene555
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Zombie Film

Post by kene555 »

Yeah, I've never shot a zombie film before, so I'm asking, as filmmaker to filmmaker, for your expertise in this matter.

Basically everything related to the cinematography of a zombie movie - what kind of color correction or white balance do you use?

Do you go with a tripod, or go for the more handheld shot?

Smooth dollies or steadicams or holding the camera while running next to the actors?

Anything that will help make the cinematography fit in more with this.
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Post by DEDFX »

I'd say to use your own techniques, make some up along the way. It will give you your own style instead of having people directing it for you.
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Post by smokeythebear »

Check out some zombie flicks preferably george romeo ones night of the living dead, dawn of the dead, day of the dead, land of the dead and any other flicks you want and put your own twist on the styles, If you need some advice on make up effects or any kind of live effects mesage me and i will help. :D
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Post by Grant »

It is not a case of shooting a 'zombie film' it is a case of shooting a FILM. If you have done this before then you will be fine. Shoot it as you wish, there are no rules for shooting a zombien film as far as I know or any other type of film. You have you own unique style so go for it :). Romero is only one example look beyond the subject matter for help and perhaps at particular directors styles for all types of films. Romero's style changes heaps through his filmography due to experience, influence and budget. You have to also decide what sort of zombie film you want eg. comedy, suspense, horror, simple gore/shock value. Are you trying to make a social/political statement or simply an entertaining flick?

Simple answer.....shoot it as YOU wish and have fun :)
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Post by kene555 »

Sounds good. I will post updates as they come. Smokey, I will talk to my friend, who is the scriptwriter, and I may take you up on your offer.
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Post by film fanatic »

You can't really have a "style" of cinematography for a zombie film, really. I suppose that you could use plenty of Dutch angles as in the majority of horror movies.
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Post by foxwood »

I would just go with your own since of style as that is what will help set your movie apart. I have never really seen any aparant style across the board in zombie movies, Dawn of the dead is shot totaly diffrent from 28 days later which is diffrent from the new Dawn of the dead, which is diffrent from Shaun of the dead etc. If your going for people on the run I would use the more shaky cammera as is gives a since of ergancy and haste to the movie and disorgazation and confustion. If its about people hold up in a house I would go with more static set ups, for all the same resions only diffrent. As for color saturation etc, if its more of a light hearted splat stick or kind of so gory its silly I would use brighter colors espacly so the blood gets that "HAY I'M RED!!!" thing going and if its a scaryer faster more taunt movie I would pull out some of the colors and maybe get some grain going. But thats just how I would do it, you don't have to go by anything I would say as its your movie and thats what will set it apart from the pack.
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Post by Ornsack »

DEDFX wrote:I'd say to use your own techniques, make some up along the way. It will give you your own style instead of having people directing it for you.
True! Nothing worse than watching a horror film where you think you've seen everything before
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Post by kene555 »

Alright! I'm getting excited to film this one. From what the writer says, it looks like we'll be doing it in 3 locations - on a deserted road, behind a deserted shopping center, and around a lake. The writer is currently making the masks and working on prepping the makeup for the zombies. We've got the costumes collected, and the 10 or so actors are rounded up. The writer wants the film to have a sort of under saturated effect - one in which all the colors are muted, except the red blood, which is over saturated. How can I do this, working with Premiere Pro.

We'll be filming with the Canon XL2 with a boom pole and shotgun mic, the GL2 with wireless audio, and with whatever else we can get our hands on.
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Post by kene555 »

Updates...

We are tentatively scheduled to begin filming July 14. Our first location will be the lake.
Image

Then we will shoot in the abandoned alley.
Image

The lake scene should be interesting, as a few humans will be boating whilst zombies come up from the depths and drag them in. It should be interesting to see if our cameraman can row a kayak while filming at the same time. :D

We will be filming from shore with the XL2, from an island with the GL2, and will also have a moving shot from another boat with my cheap Panny. I would rather have my Panny on the water, which I paid $160 at half price for, than a $4000 camera. :)

EDIT:

I just checked in with the teacher who has access to all the equipment. The GL2 is out of action for the summer...should I go with the XL2 and one HD cam recording DV or with both HD cams and no XL2?
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