The Apartment of 2 Women

We took the bedroom scene as an opportunity to put props and areas together to give the impression that 2 women live here, also trying to avoid stereotypes with one lesbian being 'the man' of the relationship, we've tried to not make it so there aren't very feminine objects next to contrasting masculine objects throughout the room. 

1. 2 pairs of high heeled shoes, we thought a pink and a blue pair would be best contrasting colours although blue is seen as a masculine colour, we've made Sophie (the perceived killer) wear the pink heels so she wasn't seen as the 'dominating, strong male of the relationship'.

2. 2 different perfumes, showing the femininity of them both. Also both bottles are completely different, showing the contrast between the two characters but are still close.

3. 2 wine glasses, showing that they are a couple, also having a girly humorous ornament shows that these 2 have a home together rather than just a fling.

4. A 50 shades of grey book, because its soft porn for girls, and why not? Sex sells.

Shaun of the Dead

In our first shots of 'Morning Coffee' we've used longer shots for the coffee making, we feel that this lingers too much and little tension is built.

In Shaun of the dead they use several quick cuts and close ups to speed up the morning routine. We really like this and want to incorporate it into our film opening, but to increase tension, especially with the coffee making I'm going to use lots of different shots of making coffee but quick cut close ups to emphasise the coffee - what the audience thinks kills Zoe.

Credits

Name of the studio - Blue Chair Studios
Name of the production company -  Foghorn Productions
Zoe Ellis
Sophie Millard
Morning Coffee
Casting by - Rama Ghanem
Music by - Christopher Higgs
Production design - Emma Sherry
Editor - Zoe Ellis
Director of Photography - James Cousins
Producer - Zoe Ellis
Directed and written by - Jessica Olson

IDEA - Lipstick

Keep lipstick occurring throughout the movie.

• Adds to the femininity of the film
• Red lips are seen as seductive 
• Relates back to the Femme Fatale character
• Sophie leaving the kiss mark on Zoe's cheek, like her 'mark'

Filming schedule for this week

Sunday, 14th

Sophie coming over, 11am

Shots-
Phone message scene
Towel shot
Shower shot
Dressing shot
Teeth brushing shot
Lipstick shot

Location-
My flat
- Bathroom
- Bedroom

Props, costume-
Jeans, jumper
Pyjamas
Towel
Phone
Lipstick
Wine glasses
Perfumes


Monday, 15th

Zoe and Sophie coming over, 4pm

Shots-
Waking up
Zoe hair and face mask scene
Toast and coffee scenes
Feet 'goodbye' shot
Kiss on the cheek shot
Mug smash, dead shot

Storyboard - Morning Coffeee

New script

Black screen, name of the studio Blue Chair Studios, name of the production company -  Spotlight Productions.

Looking directly at an alarm clock, the time changes to 6am, a hand comes from the left of the screen and slams down on it, turning the alarm off.

Camera is looking at a wall and door from the bed, Zoe gets up from one side of the bed and exits to the right of the screen Zoe ellis appears on screen. Sophie gets up from the other side of the bed and exits through the door on the left of the screen. Sophie Millard appears on screen.

Sees woman walking into the bathroom. Quick cut shots of towel getting hung up, shower turning on, teeth brushing, then shot of the woman in the bathroom looking at the back of her head then camera then turns round to the right looking at the side of her face – whilst this is happening she’s putting on lipstick Casting by Rama Ghanem

Cuts to the other woman in a different bathroom looking at the back of her head then the camera turns around to the side of his face – whilst this is happening he’s putting a face mask on. Music by David Cousins

Sees Sophie putting on pink heels, cuts back to Zoe peeling off her face mask,  Sophie's phone goes off with a message saying "Have you done it yet" Production design Emma Sherry

Feet shot of the 2 women walking into the kitchen but separately,  Editor Will Simons

Zoe get out a knife and chopping board Director of Photography James Cousins

Whilst Zoe is preparing the bread Sophie comes up behind her and puts her arms around Zoe's waist as Zoe turns around, Sophie's other hand grabs for the knife. Screenplay by Jessica Olson

The camera then cuts to pushing down the bread in the toaster, aggressively. The camera quickly cuts to Sophie pouring the coffee, then a shot of a sachet of a white substance being poured into the coffee - although it is not seen as to who pits it in the coffee. Then to the toast popping up, Zoe sips the coffee, Sophie crunches down on the toast, kisses Zoe goodbye, then Sophie's hand opening the door and leaving, the door slamming goes over the music (all close ups).  Producer Zoe Ellis

Sophie now outside passes a person and there is an exchange of a large amount of cash when passing, the screen goes black and the smash of a coffee cup is heard, shot of Zoe lying dead on the floor. Director Jessica Olson 

New Characters - Sophia

Zoe Ellis's character

Name: Sophia
Meaning: Wisdom

We wanted Sophia to be the innocent, deceived character who had been reeled in by Layla. We're going to portray Sophia as the binary opposite to Layla with several different aspects of the morning routine.

Firstly, Sophia will stay in her pyjamas throughout the opening, furthermore her pyjamas will be a childish design, our ideas are that they will have some sort of animal design on them. In addition to this, during the 'getting ready' part of the movie Sophia will be in her bathroom applying a face mask, and peeling it off - we were hoping this would represent the clean, purity of her. She will also be barefoot throughout, adding to the down-to-earth natural aspect of her personality. In the kitchen she will be preparing food for Layla, showing her homely and caring nature, only wanted to look after and care for her other half. Our hope was to successfully portray Sophia and Layla as binary opposites to one another.

We chose the name Sophia as it sounds very sweet, and innocent, but this has the meaning of wisdom. Sophia will be mainly seen as the victim, but when Layla's phone goes off we'll see Sophia immediately look over to Layla pick up the phone, also in the coffee making scene we see a sachet of poison put into the coffee, although we do not see who put it in adding mystery and complexity to the plot.

New Characters - Layla

Sophie Millard's Character

Name: Layla
Meaning: Dark beauty

We wanted Sophie's character to have elements of a femme fatale character, a femme fatale is a stock character of a mysterious character of a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, dangerous and deadly situations.

In Layla's case, we want the audience to perceive that Layla has charmed and lured Sophia (Zoe's character) into a relationship, leading her into a deadly situation - poisoned by coffee

We will not be making everything about Layla's appearance and actions pointing directly towards a murderous character. We want it to be subtle. We will achieve this by Layla wearing red lipstick, a seductive colour with connotations of blood, in addition to this when Layla kisses Sophia she will leave a red kiss mark on her cheek as if she is leaving her mark on her. Also, Layla will be wearing pink heels to add to the glamour of her character, Within the plot we're creating Sophia will be poisoned, Layla will be making the coffee but there will be a shot of the poison going into the coffee although it will be made unclear as to who put it in.

Interview - Jemima, 17

Interview - Chris, 22

Interview - Pat, 69

Interview, Sarah and Rob 40+

Click here to see a full list including the 40+ interview on Zoe's blog.

Interview - David, 74

Interviewing different audiences, interview with David, 74.

Orange is the New Black

Looking at the most modern TV drama with lesbians, bisexuals, transexuals etc. containing the most obvious portrayals of stereotypes we've seen that there are 2 different types of stereotypes, not just the 'all lesbians are butch' one. We've also seen how hair and make up can portray sexuality as in Orange is the New Black they are limited to hair and make-up as all costumes are the same.

 We have conformed more to the 'lipstick lesbian' stereotype, especially with the Layla character. We did this intentionally to add to the stereotype of female killers being seductive and mysterious.

Avoiding Lesbian Stereotypes

Upon research, these are the lesbian stereotypes that I found, and will be avoiding in the film opening.

1. In every lesbian couple, one has to be the man
2. Lesbians all dress like men (butch)
3. All butches have short hair and are overweight
4. All lesbians hate make-up, shaving, bras and dresses

Gay Characters

I've decided to change the characters from male and female to 2 females. I realise that this will decrease a large amount of audience as there is still a chunk of the population that are uncomfortable with this concept and are still homophobic. In my opinion having 2 lesbian characters shouldn't make a difference, and since gay orientated films such as Pride and Blue is the Warmest Colour has been released and incredibly well received I believe that this will make zero difference to my film.

In addition to this, as its a mystery film, the audience can't see the stereotypical violent killer male. In the film opening it's going to be implied that one of the women had been poisoned by her coffee, a more traditional killing tool used by women.