DIRECTIONS UNIT: RED RIDING

For the beginning of our new unit, Directions, Simon have given us a short portion of the script for 1974 film Red Riding, and in order to get us in the mindset of being a director, we are tasked with directing this portion of the script that we have. Mainly, i have been thinking about both the cast i would use and the locations, as well as the certain type of music that i would want in order to create the atmosphere that i sense when reading the script.

The opening of the script is very atmospheric, the location is detailed as a dark night with an icy and cold feel. I imagine this also as being in a big city, so though it is cold the scene would probably be very low lit, for example bright street lights would clash with the back screen darkness that we see. However another idea woud be to use a low populated area, a country road for example, that would further emphasis a sense of mystery and also portray wintery feel through the view of ice/snow - more likely to see in a country are rather than city. Below are example of both different locations i believe i would like to use.











Furthermore thinking about location, the conference room of which the investigation brief takes place within the script. I would use a small room, something that perhaps feels a bit claustrophobic and vulnerable; this is about a police investigation and a missing young girl, this sense of vulnerability portrayed would add to the story, indicating that theres no where to hide and the investigation will be solved. I also would use a room where chairs are face opposite each other around a table, rather than chairs in rows looking forward. This again gives a more personal approach, rather than being spoken too its almost like a discussion, this can be further emphasises by the conversation between the detectives later in the script.

In terms of cast, i picked actors for the three characters of -Eddie Dunford -Bill Hadley and -Bill Molloy. Mainly i picked them based on the description that i saw within the script. Bill Molly is described as a 'big and evil man' and so i picked John Goodman. Goodman was the main actor in Cloverfield Lane and his character within this was very evil; a turnaround from his most common roles in film history, and this is my main reason for picking Goodman for the role of Bill Molloy. Eddie Dunford i picked Ansel Elgort, a young up and coming actor who in my opinion would fit the role of a 'young and ambitious person' perfectly. Finally i picked George Clooney for the role of Bill Hadley, a bit of a different character than Clooney's normal roles, however in more recent times and with George Clooney not playing his most common younger roles, i think he would be a good fit for a respected character.

Ansel Elgort

George Clooney

John Goodman