B Movie

Inspirt will be a "B Movie" in the sense of a campy storyline, in terms of production however it may be considered as a Z Movie but we'll strive to get it up to at least C Grade.

From Wikipedia B Movie Article:

The term B movie originally referred to a motion picture made on a low or modest budget and intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature during the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood. Although the U.S. production of movies intended as second features largely ceased by the end of the 1950s, the term B movie continues to be used in a broader sense, referring to any low-budget, commercial motion picture meant neither as an arthouse film nor as pornography. In its post–Golden Age usage, there is ambiguity on both sides: on the one hand, many B movies display a high degree of craft and aesthetic ingenuity; on the other, the primary interest of many inexpensive exploitation films is prurient. In some cases, both are true.

In either usage, most B movies represent a particular genre—the Western was a Golden Age B movie staple, while low-budget science-fiction and horror films became more popular in the 1950s. Early B movies were often part of series in which the star repeatedly played the same character. Almost always shorter than the top-billed films they were paired with, many had running times of 70 minutes or less. The term connoted a general perception that B movies were inferior to the more handsomely budgeted headliners; individual B films were often ignored by critics. Latter-day B movies still sometimes inspire multiple sequels, but series are less common. As the average running time of top-of-the-line films increased, so did that of B pictures. In its current usage, the term has two primary and somewhat contradictory connotations: it may signal an opinion that a certain movie is (a) a genre film with minimal artistic ambitions or (b) a lively, energetic film uninhibited by the constraints imposed on more expensive projects and unburdened by the conventions of putatively "serious" independent film.

Inspirit Screenplay Version A

Here is the first idea I was playing with. I wrote a screenplay for the ritual sequence but it appears this is going to be abandoned in favour of a better idea.

EXT. CREST OF HILL – DUSK

GIGH’s silhouette strides against the dusk sky. It strikes a strong contrast with the magnificent shades of pink and blue produced by the setting sun. In his right hand he carries a staff, holding it horizontally like a tribal warrior embarking on a hunt. As he progresses from the left to the right of the frame sinister dark clouds roll in and smother the lambent backdrop.

EXT. VALLEY - NIGHT

GIGH proceeds down in to the valley under the now fully darkened sky. The megalith slowly emerges in the darkness ahead. GIGH stops just metres in front of it. He pauses briefly then with both hands he raises the staff above his head and drives into the ground. It slides into the earth with ease and remains free standing.

GIGH takes a step back. With his right arm outstretched he focuses really hard as he reaches towards the megalith. He remains in position as though he is trying to maintain the tension of an invisible rope. Nothing happens.

He sighs in frustration then looks up to see the sky is still suffocated with clouds. His face indicates he’s had a sudden realisation. He walks over to the megalith and places both hands upon its surface. It feels warm and relaxing so he lingers momentarily to absorb its warmth.

He tears himself away from the megalith resulting in glowing on its surface. They glow brightly for an instant then fade slowly. Stepping back from the megalith GIGH stretches both arms in front of him. He begins motioning as though he is attempting to open a difficult pair of curtains. His first attempt is awkward causing the clouds to stir slightly. Making a second and more confident attempt he pulls the clouds apart like Moses parting the sea. Moonlight floods down as the cloud dissipate.

Under the light of the full moon GIGH once again attempts to summon power from the megalith. Again he stretches his right arm towards the megalith clenching his hand as though holding a balloon. Poising he concentrates deeply, grimacing slightly under the strain.

Suddenly a shoot emerges from the staff, then another and another. The shoots rapidly become branches and begin sprouting leaves and sub-branches of their own. GIGH continues to focus as the staff erupts into a symphony of pullulating foliage.

After the foliage attains the size of a healthy shrub GIGH becomes engulfed by a wave of self-consciousness breaking his concentration. He lowers his hand and looks to the ground for a moment somewhat confused. As he looks up he discovers the megalith has vanished, the sky is clouded and the staff is lying in the grass without any foliage.

GIGH reacts by looking around frantically. He looks back to where the megalith was situated and notices a small stone in its place. He moves closer and squats down to pick it up between his thumb and index finger. Upon closer inspection he discovers the stone is a miniature version of the megalith.

GIGH looks over his shoulder in the direction of the staff then stands up. He walks towards the staff and collects it as he walks out of the frame.

Draft of Synopsis

Synopsis

The project will be a short film running for up to 10 minutes. There will be a main video sequence combining animation, still images (miniatures, photos of locations) and live video. The premise involves the main character performing a ritual in front of a megalith. A secondary sequence will convey the back-story explaining the motives behind the protagonist’s actions. This sequence may be entirely animated or a montage combining animation imposed over filmed video or images.

There are two possible plots:

Idea #1

As a child Gigh was enraptured by his grandfather’s tales about a mystical culture he practiced in youth. He spoke of rituals he performed in front a gigantic stone which enabled him to achieve miraculous feats.

Before the grandfather dies he bestows his staff upon Gigh telling him it leads to wonders. Eventually Gigh becomes an adult and his grandfather’s tales seem like mere fallacies. While cleaning the attic he discovers a chest full of his grandfather’s belongings, including a manuscript instructing how to perform a ritual. Excited yet unsure of what it does Gigh decides to attempt the ritual.

He visits the gigantic stone and follows the manuscript’s procedure which causes his grandfather’s staff to become a living plant, though it is short lived when he becomes self conscious and loses concentration. Within an instant everything is undone, the staff returns to normal and the giant stone is now a mere pebble. Gigh leaves wondering if his loss of concentration caused this to happen or whether it was all in his imagination.

Idea #2

Yet again Gigh fails to repay his financial dept to Mr Trollins who becomes furious and murders him. Panache, Gigh’s dearly beloved discovers the tragedy and is grief-stricken. She consults a shaman who informs her of reincarnation ritual to be preformed at the sacred site hidden in the valley. The shaman gives Panache a staff and instructs her to plant it in the soil before stone. She must then sprinkle Gigh’s ashes at its base and them with a tear.

Panache cremates Gigh and retrieves some of his ashes before heading to the stone in the valley. She follows the shaman’s instructions causing the staff to grow foliage, it continues to miraculously grow into Gigh. Reunited the Panache and Gigh leave the valley.

Staff Tests

In the film the antagonist embeds his grandfather's staff into the ground, this in reality however isn't as straight forward as it may seem.

First the ground will need to be prepared to ensure the staff can penetrate through its surface. This is a matter of loosening the soil with a digging implement and using the the staff itself to create a narrow hole.



The hole needs to be filled with loose dirt which and then covered by grass to make the area where the staff penetrates look inconspicuous.


For the sake of dramatisation there will be a shot of the protagonist raising the staff above his head using both hands like he is about to pile-drive the staff into the ground.

This however will require two shots to embed the staff because its two awkward to achieve in one motion. The first shot will show the antagonist thrusting the staff into the ground and the second shot will show the staff penetrating into the ground. Each of these shots should be taken close and wide to provide a variety of footage to work with.

If attempted in one motion the staff will unlikely be left standing upright after initial embedment.

So in total there will be 3 shots.

1) Anataognist raises staff about his head.
2) Anatagonist drives staff into ground.
3) Staff is embedded into the ground.