Foundation Portfolio- Concept
Concept
By Josh Miles
Title: Stalker
This title fits our film because it captures the main source of tension in the story: someone is always there, whether she’s in the forest or inside her home. The word “Stalker” is mysterious and unsettling. It also leaves room for interpretation: is the watcher someone physical, or is it something psychological? The film never fully reveals who the watcher is, which adds to the suspense. The final mirror scene especially emphasizes this title, as the stalker is seen only when it’s too late—right behind her, watching.
Characters:
The main character is a teenage girl walking alone in the forest. This makes her appear more vulnerable and innocent, which helps build tension and danger. There is also a mysterious hooded figure who seems to be following her. We never clearly see the face of the figure, keeping it mysterious and threatening.
Setting/time:
The film takes place in the afternoon to make everything feel normal at first. The forest looks calm, and the house looks safe. This helps the creepy moments feel more unexpected and shocking when things start to change.
Plot:
The girl walks into the forest alone. She seems relaxed at first and takes in the peaceful surroundings. After a while, she starts to feel like someone is watching her. She becomes anxious and hurries back home. When she gets home, things aren’t quite right—the front door is open, items seem to have been moved, and there’s a general feeling of danger. Tension rises as she walks through the house. She sees movement behind her through a window. The film ends with her looking into a mirror, and the figure suddenly appears behind her before everything goes black.
Props/costume:
The girl wears casual everyday clothing to show that she wasn’t expecting anything unusual—just a normal walk. At the house, there will be props like a knife on the kitchen counter and slightly moved objects to show that someone may have been there. The hooded figure wears dark clothes with a hood and mask to keep their identity hidden and to make them look more threatening.
Filming/editing choices:
We will use close-ups of the forest and the girl to show emotion and build suspense. Fast cuts will be used when tension rises, especially when she feels like she’s being watched. Slow zooms and camera movements will help build a creepy atmosphere at the house. The final mirror shot will use a special effect or clever camera timing to reveal the figure behind her.
Sound:
There will be both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Natural forest sounds like leaves crunching and birds chirping will be recorded during filming. Suspenseful music will be added during editing to help build tension. We will also include sound effects like footsteps, creaking, and ambient room noise to make the house feel eerie and uncomfortable.
Plot Synopsis
First shots:
Girl ties her shoes and walks into the forest.
Establishing shots of trees, sky, and forest floor to set the mood.
She walks peacefully and explores the surroundings.
Action and pace of film:
At first, the pace is calm and slow.
As the girl feels like she’s being watched, the pace starts to pick up with shorter, faster shots.
She hurries back to the house. The mood becomes more intense.
Inside the house, slow movements and quiet moments increase the suspense.
A glimpse of movement behind her raises tension further.
Final shot: she looks into a mirror and sees the figure behind her. The screen cuts to black.
What the camera sees:
Shots of the girl walking through the forest, showing she’s alone.
Over-the-shoulder and point-of-view shots to help the audience feel her growing fear.
At home, camera focuses on small details (open door, moved items, knife on counter).
A shadowy figure in the background through a window.
Final scene where the figure suddenly appears behind her.
Characters
Girl (Main Character):
Name: Lily
Lily is just going for a walk, but becomes the target of a mysterious stalker.
Her vulnerability and confusion help make the film feel more real and scary.
She is smart and aware, but still ends up in a dangerous situation.
Hooded Figure (Stalker):
Name unknown, never speaks.
Always hidden or slightly out of view.
Brings suspense and mystery.
Only fully seen at the very end in the mirror, making the moment shocking.
Practicalities of Filming/Content
How realistic is our idea:
Our film idea is realistic. People go for walks in forests often, and sometimes things can go wrong. The events in the house could happen in real life too—this makes it believable and more intense.
Will we have any health and safety issues:
There are no major health or safety concerns. We will make sure the equipment is handled carefully and that no one is alone in the forest. If filming the mirror scene requires precise timing, we will practice it a few times to stay safe.
Location:
We will be filming in a forest and at a house. We will inform the school when we are filming and taking the equipment.
Timing:
We plan to film in the afternoon to get good lighting and keep the setting feeling normal at first.
Weather:
Because we are filming outdoors, we will need to check the weather beforehand. If it’s raining, we’ll reschedule for another day.
Equipment:
We will be using a camera, tripod, and sound recording gear. We might also need a mirror for the final scene and props like a kitchen knife, a phone, and some household items to place around the house.
Reference Videos: Girls in Forest Settings (Documentary/Cinematic Style)
GIRL IN FOREST | CINEMATIC – A short cinematic film showing a girl's solitary journey through the forest.
The Forest Movie (2017) – A narrative short about a woman lost in the woods, balancing realism and mystery.
The Girl in the Forest | Short Film Trailer – A trailer centered on a mysterious girl wandering through the woods.
Girl in the Woods – Real Survival Channel – A YouTube channel showcasing a real woman’s life and survival experiences in the wilderness.
THE FOREST | Cinematic short film / Nature B-roll – A visual short film emphasizing the mood and texture of the forest environment.
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