Character Design
& Thriller Films
Character Design
You will create a character profile (click here to download it)
Make at least one character profile that will be used for someone else to pick at random and perform
You may make a second character profile for yourself if you would like
Make TWO COPIES (one to turn in, and one for your classmate who chooses that character at random)
You will write that character on an index card for other students to draw out of a hat
You will make a film that is at least 5 minutes in length and incorporates all of the characters from your group that you've chosen
• Your character must have a NAME, PERSONALITY TRAITS (all of which are detailed in the Character Profile — linked above)
• Click here to see an example of Character Descriptions
• Each student will draw a character card out of a hat
• Students will form film groups based on the characters that they have picked and find a way to write a story around those characters.
ThrillerFest Film (optional)
Make a Film that is at least 5 minutes in length and is either a horror film (slasher, zombies, etc) or is a post-apocalyptic survival film
It must use basic horror movie techniques, including:
• Scare Techniques: Smash Cuts, Inception Scares, "Peek-A-Boo" Scares
• Camera Techniques: Disorienting Quick Cuts, Vertigo Zoom, Low Angle, Dutch Angle, Leading (Nose) Room, Dolley Cam, Point of View and Reverse Point of View, Motion Cam, Planimetric (Symmetrical) Angle, Shadows, Hard Lighting
• Production Techniques: Costuming, Blood, Sound, Foley Audio Effects
• Emphasize costuming, make-up, props, lighting, and filming location; you must de-emphasize special effects unless absolutely necessary
• Characters, dialogue, and action should drive the story line
• Group sizes = your choice (but everyone must be involved)
• Must have a detailed storyboard and pitch
• Click here to see some information on how to mimic the horror genre
“When I first started acting,
I was just crap.”
— Heath Ledger