Bloopers 2

'Halfbreed' Bloopers

Meeting With The Cast

Recently I met with my cast to go through the costumes and script. It was very useful as I got to get my cast together although one could not make it. We went through the entire script, talking about how the characters must speak and act, as well as the design of the characters. We worked briefly on the make-up and costume of the Woodland Queen but mainly focused on the character of Melodie, styling the actress's hair into an elvish/medieval style and experimenting with a collection of clothing which together made the desired effect

Costume Design (Alexander McQueen)

Before speaking to director Terry Hall, I had already designed the medieval-like costume of the Woodland Queen with the help of the actress playing her character. The Woodland Queen's character was loosely based (design wise) off of Morgana in BBC's Merlin being garbed entirely in black with reckless dark hair. Her costume consists of numerous garments collected together to create a rugged, torn and weatherworn look with ragged skirts to emphasise how long she has been out in the wilderness.

During my conversation with Terry Hall, I explained the costume of the the Woodland Queen and was relieved that the design seemed to be approved by Terry Hall. He then recommended that I take a look at the costume design of Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty collection. The designer commented that he had "always loved the mechanics of nature" and this was definitely a large part of my own inspiration for the clothing of the nymphs and Sienna. McQueen also stated that his collections were inspired by the " ideal of the noble savage living in harmony with the natural world" which links to how the nymphs in my short film are presented as the other and could be interpreted as the savages living in the natural human world. This definitely added to the inspiration for the costume design of the characters in my short-film.

After having looked at the Savage Beauty collection, I decided to focus on what I want the characters to look like in order to design their costumes properly.

Edited Script

SCENE ONE:  EXT. STREET - DAY  
A girl runs down a heavily wooded street, veering towards the trees in an attempt to loose a figure pursuing her. She falls and is caught.

NARRATOR [SIENNA]

In the days before my ascension, I was a wanted criminal. But after I was taken to the Woodland Realm, my fate was sealed by my own blood.

Figure smiles wickedly down at SIENNA.

MELODIE

Well, if it isn’t the halfbreed.

INSERT TITLE: ‘HALFBREED’

SCENE TWO:  EXT. FOREST - DUSK  
SIENNA is tied to a tree whilst MELODIE sleeps in a makeshift camp in the woods. SIENNA manages to remove the gag from her mouth. MELODIE sighs.

MELODIE

I wouldn’t scream if I were you.

SIENNA

I know you’re not going to kill me.

MELODIE smirks.

MELODIE

Oh? And why is that?

SIENNA

If you were going to kill me, you would’ve done it already.

MELODIE lies back down.

MELODIE

You should rest, halfbreed.

SIENNA

If you’re not going to kill me, what do you want?

MELODIE sighs and gets up, walking towards SIENNA and crouching down in front of her.

SIENNA

Spit it out.

MELODIE places the gag back over SIENNA’s mouth.

MELODIE

You talk too much. Once we’re in the city, you’ll be at the mercy of our leader and she will not have the same mercy I have given you.

SCENE THREE:  EXT. FOREST - DAY

MELODIE walks with SIENNA to a formation of trees where the WOODLAND QUEEN stands.

MELODIE bows.

MELODIE

My lady, I bring you the daughter of the Darkened One.

The WOODLAND QUEEN turns to look at them.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Really?

The WOODLAND QUEEN steps towards SIENNA. She inclines her head and snaps her fingers. 

GUARD appears.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Take away the Lady Melodie. I will call on her when she is of more use.

GUARD takes hold of MELODIE

MELODIE

My lady? I did as you asked. I have earned my freedom.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You are a traitor to our people, as is this girl’s father. Perhaps it runs in your blood? You are - as you know - related by blood.

The WOODLAND QUEEN smiles wickedly.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You are what…cousins? Or was it half-sisters?

MELODIE

You promised me that I’d be free.

WOODLAND QUEEN

And I will decide when you have earned that freedom. For now, you still have potential and so you will obey like the prisoner and traitor that you are.

MELODIE is led away by GUARD

SIENNA looks at the WOODLAND QUEEN in fear.

SIENNA

What do you want with me?

WOODLAND QUEEN

It’s not what I want with you but what I want from you.

SIENNA

I know nothing.

WOODLAND QUEEN

We’ll see about that.

SCENE FOUR:  EXT. FOREST - DAY

SIENNA is tied against a tree, bloodied and wounded. MELODIE is also tied up nearby.

MELODIE

What did I tell you?

SIEENA looks at MELODIE

SIENNA

You’re my sister!?

MELODIE

Blood means nothing to me.

SIENNA

Blood is everything! I’m your family!

MELODIE

And what has my family ever done for me! They abandoned me to rot in the forest, framed as a traitor and spy after our father left after our father left to marry your mother. Do you really think that because we share the same blood that I should have felt something? I don’t even know you. I was unaware of your existence until the Woodland Queen spoke to me of you and issued me to track you down.

SIENNA

Why does she want me? Why does she even want you?

MELODIE

Our father defied her rule. He escaped and she doesn’t know how. She’s been trying to get me to tell for years. I have no idea what he did. He left before I could talk, leaving my mother to raise me on her own.

SIENNA

That isn’t my fault.

MELODIE turns away.

MELODIE

No, it isn’t.

GUARD enters and speaks to MELODIE.

GUARD

The Woodland Queen requires your presence

GUARD leads MELODIE away.

SCENE FIVE:  EXT. FOREST - DAY

MELODIE is stood before the WOODLAND QUEEN.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You have failed me, Melodie. I had such high hopes for you…you’ll get your freedom when you die, traitor.

WOODLAND QUEEN snaps her finger and GUARD comes to her side.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Hold her still.

MELODIE struggles against GUARD’s grasp.

WOODLAND QUEEN

For now, I’ll send a message to all rebels out there…with the death of my traitor brother’s precious daughters. Starting with you.

WOODLAND QUEEN breaks MELODIE’s nose.

SCENE SIX:  EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON

SIENNA wriggles free from her bonds. She approaches MELODIE who is still tied up with a broken nose and bloody lip. SIENNA unties MELODIE’s ropes.

MELODIE looks up.

MELODIE

What are you doing? You’ll get yourself killed if you try and escape.

SIENNA

Come with me!

MELODIE shakes her head.

MELODIE

My mother attempted to follow our father when I was young. The Woodland Queen found out and killed my mother on sight. If she sees you, she’ll have your head too.

MELODIE looks back down

MELODIE

No one defies her rule.

SIENNA

You don’t understand, Melodie.

MELODIE tenses as SIENNA says her name.

SIENNA

I want you to become the Woodland Queen.

MELODIE

Why would you want that?

SIENNA

Because you want revenge…just as I do.

MELODIE sighs

MELODIE

I’ll deal with the Woodland Queen

SIENNA

But—

MELODIE

Run!

SCENE SEVEN:  EXT. FOREST - DUSK

MELODIE stands behind the WOODLAND QUEEN

MELODIE

My lady…

WOODLAND QUEEN turns to look at MELODIE.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Melodie?

MELODIE attacks WOODLAND QUEEN. She falls to the floor and looks up at MELODIE.

MELODIE

No one can cast a queen from her kingdom. They can only remove opposition. Does that sound familiar, my lady? You said that to me the day you took the life of my mother.

END.

© Story by CP Media15

Concept Images For Characters

Although this has taken longer than expected, I have finally got a date set to film and therefore decided it would only be right to post the finalisations to my characters in 'Halfbreed'.

When designing Sienna's character I decided I wanted to present her as quite innocent and not drawing too much attention to herself, having her blend into the crowd. This made me look into different colours to add meaning. I immediately looked at the colour grey which is one of my favourite colours as well as one that is often used in costume design for bland characters. The colour light grey when used in nature is a feminine colour which I thought was very interesting and are attributed to white which presents qualities of purity and innocence which would definitely link to Sienna's character. I also decided that using a young actress who was blonde would stereotypically attribute to the audience's expectations of an innocent, young character. I would like her character to wear neutral looking makeup due to the medieval theme throughout and her hair will most likely be loose or twisted alike to the styles above in my concept images.  

Melodie's character design is alike to Sienna's however she is much more warrior-like and therefore is less feminine and more of a feminist figure than her younger half-sister who stereotypically is the damsel in distress (a typical character in fantasy films). Ultimately I imagine Melodie's character to look similarly to what the Guard would wear with boots, breeches and a tunic or shaggy dress. Her hair will either be loose or pulled into an elvish sort of natural style with plait/s underneath which can only be seen if she twists her head etc. Her makeup is supposed to be quite autumnal so that it reflects her natural element and therefore I'm considering going with a subtle eyeshadow and mascara, perhaps a little colour on the lips or some eyeliner as well.

The Woodland Queen's character is extremely dark and spends her whole time in the woodland avoiding the modern world and it's cities, wearing entirely black clothing. She could be described as being quite gothic which rather accurate to the medieval theme that I wanted. She wears boots, a collection layered ragged black clothing, darkish makeup (eyeshadow, eyeliner...) and has long black hair which has a plait through it with raven feathers woven into it. 

The Guard's character design in my short film is based off of her mysterious nature. I took a lot of inspiration from the viking style of makeup and hair and intend to make the Guard a character that is just as fierce as she is feminine. Makeup wise I would like the Guard to wear a lot of dark makeup round her eyes which would probably mainly be eyeliner whilst the rest of her face remains natural.    

'Halfbreed' or 'Anachronism'?

Currently I am debating between two names for my short film. I originally named my short film 'Halfbreed' due to the nickname given to one of the protagonists, Sienna as well as the fact that it portrays the story of the two protagonists: Melodie, a nymph in the modern world and Sienna, a half nymph half human who causes bedlam in the forest kingdom of the nymphs. An example that explains the word 'halfbreed' in a modern film is the word 'mudblood' from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series. A 'mudblood' is a wizard/witch born to normal parents and this has similarities to Sienna as only one of her parents was a nymph.

However, the other title I am considering is 'Anachronism'. The word anachronism means a thing a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. This fits the idea of the nymphs perfectly as they are from a time long forgotten (all information about this can be found on my blog post here) but are still part of modern culture. This would be very apt for my film because it could either represent how the nymphs are out of place in the modern world or that Sienna is out of place in the Woodland Realm.

'Halfbreed' Official Script

SCENE ONE: EXT. STREET - DAY  
A girl runs down a heavily wooded street, veering towards the trees in an attempt to loose a figure pursuing her. She falls and is caught.

NARRATOR [SIENNA]

In the days before my ascension, I was a wanted criminal. But after I was taken to the Woodland City, my fate was sealed by my own blood.

Figure smiles wickedly down at SIENNA.

MELODIE

Well, if it isn’t the halfbreed.

INSERT TITLE: ‘HALFBREED’

MELODIE leads SIENNA through the trees with SIENNA gagged and her hands bound. Two people approach and MELODIE and SIENNA hide. 

MELODIE lifts her finger to her lips.

MELODIE

Quiet.

SIENNA looks at MELODIE and screams against her gag.

MELODIE

Their deaths are on you.

MELODIE leaves SIENNA and fights the two people. One approaches SIENNA, attempting to free her before MELODIE returns and fights them too. MELODIE looks down at SIENNA.

MELODIE: 

Get up.

MELODIE hauls SIENNA to her feet.

SCENE TWO: EXT. FOREST - DUSK  
SIENNA is tied to a tree whilst MELODIE sleeps in a makeshift camp in the woods. SIENNA manages to remove the gag from her mouth. MELODIE sighs.

MELODIE

I wouldn’t scream if I were you.

SIENNA

I know you’re not going to kill me.

MELODIE smirks.

MELODIE

Oh? And why is that?

SIENNA

If you were going to kill me, you would’ve done it already.

MELODIE lies back down.

MELODIE

You should rest, halfbreed.

SIENNA

If you’re not going to kill me, what do you want?

MELODIE sighs and gets up, walking towards SIENNA and crouching down in front of her.

SIENNA

Spit it out.

MELODIE places the gag back over SIENNA’s mouth.

MELODIE

You talk too much. Once we’re in the city, you’ll be at the mercy of our leader and she will not have the same mercy I have given you.

SCENE THREE: EXT. FOREST - DAY

MELODIE walks with SIENNA to a formation of trees where the WOODLAND QUEEN stands.

MELODIE bows.

MELODIE

My lady, I bring you the daughter of the Darkened One.

The WOODLAND QUEEN turns to look at them.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Really?

The WOODLAND QUEEN steps towards SIENNA. She inclines her head and snaps her fingers. 

GUARD appears.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Take away the Lady Melodie. I will call on her when she is of more use.

GUARD takes hold of MELODIE

MELODIE

My lady? I did as you asked. I have earned my freedom.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You are a traitor to our people, as is this girl’s father. Perhaps it runs in your blood? You are - as you know - related by blood.

The WOODLAND QUEEN smiles wickedly.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You are what…cousins? Or was it half-sisters?

MELODIE

You promised me that I’d be free.

WOODLAND QUEEN

And I will decide when you have earned that freedom. For now, you still have potential and so you will obey like the prisoner and traitor that you are.

MELODIE is led away by GUARD

SIENNA looks at the WOODLAND QUEEN in fear.

SIENNA

What do you want with me?

WOODLAND QUEEN

It’s not what I want with you but what I want from you.

SIENNA

I know nothing.

WOODLAND QUEEN

We’ll see about that.

SCENE FOUR: EXT. FOREST - DAY

SIENNA is tied against a tree, bloodied and wounded. MELODIE is also tied up nearby.

MELODIE

What did I tell you?

SIEENA looks at MELODIE

SIENNA

You’re my sister!?

MELODIE

Blood means nothing to me.

SIENNA

Blood is everything! I’m your family!

MELODIE

And what has my family ever done for me! They abandoned me to rot in the forest, framed as a traitor and spy after our father left for the modern world. Do you really think that because we share the same blood that I should have felt something? I don’t even know you. I was unaware of your existence until the Woodland Queen spoke to me of you and issued me to track you down.

SIENNA

Why does she want me? Why does she even want you?

MELODIE

Our father defied her rule. He escaped and she doesn’t know how. She’s been trying to get me to tell for years. I have no idea what he did. He left before I could talk, leaving my mother to raise me on her own.

SIENNA

That isn’t my fault.

MELODIE turns away.

MELODIE

No, it isn’t.

GUARD enters and speaks to MELODIE.

GUARD

The Woodland Queen requires your presence

GUARD leads MELODIE away.

SCENE FIVE: EXT. FOREST - DAY

MELODIE is stood before the WOODLAND QUEEN.

WOODLAND QUEEN

You have failed me, Melodie. I had such high hopes for you…you’ll get your freedom when you die, traitor.

WOODLAND QUEEN snaps her finger and GUARD comes to her side.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Hold her still.

MELODIE struggles against GUARD’s grasp.

WOODLAND QUEEN

For now, I’ll send a message to all rebels out there…with the death of my traitor brother’s precious daughters. Starting with you.

WOODLAND QUEEN breaks MELODIE’s nose.

SCENE SIX: EXT. FOREST - AFTERNOON

SIENNA wriggles free from her bonds. She approaches MELODIE who is still tied up with a broken nose and bloody lip. SIENNA unties MELODIE’s ropes.

MELODIE looks up.

MELODIE

What are you doing? You’ll get yourself killed if you try and escape.

SIENNA

Come with me!

MELODIE shakes her head.

MELODIE

My mother attempted to follow our father to the modern world when I was seven. The Woodland Queen found out and killed my mother on sight. If she sees you, she’ll have your head too.

MELODIE looks back down

MELODIE

No one defies her rule.

SIENNA

You don’t understand, Melodie.

MELODIE tenses as SIENNA says her name.

SIENNA

I want you to become the Woodland Queen.

MELODIE

Why would you want that?

SIENNA

Because you want revenge…just as I do.

MELODIE sighs

MELODIE

I’ll deal with the Woodland Queen

SIENNA

But—

MELODIE

Run!

SCENE SEVEN: EXT. FOREST - DUSK

MELODIE stands behind the WOODLAND QUEEN

MELODIE

My lady…

WOODLAND QUEEN turns to look at MELODIE.

WOODLAND QUEEN

Melodie?

MELODIE attacks WOODLAND QUEEN. She falls to the floor and looks up at MELODIE.

MELODIE

No one can cast a queen from her kingdom. They can only remove opposition. Does that sound familiar, my lady? You said that to me the day you took the life of my mother.

END.

© Story by CP Media15