about this project
This project is my first short film, a silent horror piece inspired by the 80s, featuring period-specific characters and sound effects. It tells the story of a group of teenagers who enter a homemade haunted house in their neighborhood, where everything seems natural until they discover they can't escape. Made early in my studies, I’m very proud of the result.
Synopsis:
A group of teenagers decides to venture into a homemade haunted house in their neighborhood, expecting a fun time filled with scares and laughter. However, they soon realize that the environment begins to shift in strange ways, and members of the group start disappearing one by one. As tension rises, the question remains: Will anyone manage to escape the house unharmed, or will they fall victim to something far darker than they imagined?
Technical Details
- Duration: 4:59 minutes
- Genre: Horror/Suspense
- Production Team: Solely handled by me, including the selection of shots, set design, casting (in collaboration with a friend), concept, scriptwriting, filming, editing, audio mastering, and post-processing.
Pre-Production: I wrote the idea, the script, and the shot list. I also designed the set and researched prices and materials for filming. I contacted local businesses for financial support to cover the decoration costs. Announcements were made, and I set up a casting call, ultimately selecting the final cast for each character.
Production: The entire production was completed in one day. We set up the locations, reviewed the script, and shot the scenes according to the characters' roles. This was the most enjoyable part for me, as I loved bringing the shots from paper into reality. Sometimes everything went as planned, but other times we had to improvise to find the best take.
Post-Production: The post-production phase involved editing and sound. The editing was challenging, especially working with very dark scenes or shaky footage. However, the most difficult part was the audio. Since I didn’t have professional equipment or the experience to record or edit sound, I initially feared working with audio. This led me to create a silent film to avoid these problems. However, even with a silent film, aligning the sounds and creating the right soundscape proved to be difficult. Despite these challenges, I enjoyed the process and believe I created a decent project based on my experience and the fact that I did everything myself.
Developed Competencies
- Comprehensive management of low-budget production: Organizing all elements with limited resources.
- Directing and casting skills: Selecting and coordinating the cast.
- Creative improvisation: Effectively resolving unforeseen challenges during filming.
- Physical set design: Decorating and setting up spaces with minimal means.
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Professional editing and post-production: Using Sony Vegas Pro to achieve a coherent narrative.
