New Werewolf Project

[Decardo]

Hi Guys,

So as I've mentioned in a couple of my posts I'm making a series of films/books set in an urban horror setting and one of the creatures I wanted to cover was the werewolf.

But as I run an indie film studio I didn't want to make something if it didn't look right.

Anyways I have spoken to a UK based makeup artist who runs Horrify Me UK and spoken to an actress/filmmaker who is a fan of werewolves and we are looking to put a short film together.

This will be crowdfunded and we will be looking to include the staple things like feet, claws, eyes, ears, tail and teeth but were looking to try and make something original.

If you didn't see the below when it was posted before then this is the type of effects well be going for

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oUIsdgS1zI

As a start please let me know what you would like to see in the sequence, I will add though that any nudity in the video is at the actresses consent and more than likely will require a higher fee, so please don't ask for that. if it happens it will happen.

I'll post more details once we have an idea of cost

[Anahki]

First of all, it seems to be a "horror setting". Well, my first advice is that you will keep it that way, and do "horror werewolves". You could be tempted to make werewolves "teen wolf style" or something similar, but it doesn't work, as it has been largely demonstrated in fiascos like "Wolves", "Skinwalkers" or the latest reboot of the "Howling".
The second advice is that you work with an actress who would enjoy the experience, or at least who felt comfortable working with make-up/fx simply because half of a good transformation scene is the performance.
The third advice is that sometimes less is more. I mean, don't try to do something you are not able to do. You will not have John Landis/Rick Baker to get the things done. Or the budget, being honest. Sometimes it is better some "obscure" or darkened shot than showing an obviously fake prosthetic, but if it looks just "a bit" fake it would be ok... yours is the decision of showing this or that.
About the TF itself, the "painful" and "unwilling" TFs work better simply because they leave more room for a good realistic performance. This connects to my second advice. And finally, about the nudity, for me it is almost "mandatory" BUT it is not necessary to see anything. I mean, through the proper usage of camera angles you can film a TF scene with a nude performer without showing "anything"... I mean, it is a bit more tricky to film nude women, but it can be done, for sure.
Well, thank you for asking for our opinion, I wish you the best for your adventure, sadly you will need it... this is not cheap, you know .

[Decardo]

Originally Posted by Anahki

First of all, it seems to be a "horror setting". Well, my first advice is that you will keep it that way, and do "horror werewolves". You could be tempted to make werewolves "teen wolf style" or something similar, but it doesn't work, as it has been largely demonstrated in fiascos like "Wolves", "Skinwalkers" or the latest reboot of the "Howling".
The second advice is that you work with an actress who would enjoy the experience, or at least who felt comfortable working with make-up/fx simply because half of a good transformation scene is the performance.
The third advice is that sometimes less is more. I mean, don't try to do something you are not able to do. You will not have John Landis/Rick Baker to get the things done. Or the budget, being honest. Sometimes it is better some "obscure" or darkened shot than showing an obviously fake prosthetic, but if it looks just "a bit" fake it would be ok... yours is the decision of showing this or that.
About the TF itself, the "painful" and "unwilling" TFs work better simply because they leave more room for a good realistic performance. This connects to my second advice. And finally, about the nudity, for me it is almost "mandatory" BUT it is not necessary to see anything. I mean, through the proper usage of camera angles you can film a TF scene with a nude performer without showing "anything"... I mean, it is a bit more tricky to film nude women, but it can be done, for sure.
Well, thank you for asking for our opinion, I wish you the best for your adventure, sadly you will need it... this is not cheap, you know .

Hey, thanks for the post. The universal setting I've created is horror and definitely no carebear twilight wolves to be seen here.

Just to clarify by nudity I was referring to Missax style full frontal nudity, I'm still planning to have her tearing out of her clothes etc but your more likely to get back shots etc etc.

But again thanks for the in depth post

[Amahain]

So you're going for a Horrify Me style werewolf? Cool! That was a good shoot.

So the end result isn't going to be some great big hulking beast made of CGI or animatronics, but an actress with a costume. This puts some limits on things, but that's fine. We won't be getting digitigrade feet, for example and we might not get a full-on tail (which, admittedly, would look a bit odd on a human-shaped wolf like the one in the photo shoot).

To me, if this is horror, I say go for full-on body horror. Bleeding from the gums as fangs grow in, or claws growing underneath the finger and toenails, pushing them aside. Squicky sound effects to go with the bones and muscles that are reshaping. Don't cover the actress in fur head to toe, but give her patches of wiry hair here and there to give her a bit of a mangy look.

And to me, I think a big part of a werewolf transformation is the build-up. The subtle physical changes in the days after the initial infection, like fast growing body hair and enhanced senses coupled with behavioural changes (craving for meat, maybe being a bit more prone to violence, that sort of thing). Of course, how the build-up is done depends on the story.

[Decardo]

Originally Posted by Amahain

So you're going for a Horrify Me style werewolf? Cool! That was a good shoot.

So the end result isn't going to be some great big hulking beast made of CGI or animatronics, but an actress with a costume. This puts some limits on things, but that's fine. We won't be getting digitigrade feet, for example and we might not get a full-on tail (which, admittedly, would look a bit odd on a human-shaped wolf like the one in the photo shoot).

To me, if this is horror, I say go for full-on body horror. Bleeding from the gums as fangs grow in, or claws growing underneath the finger and toenails, pushing them aside. Squicky sound effects to go with the bones and muscles that are reshaping. Don't cover the actress in fur head to toe, but give her patches of wiry hair here and there to give her a bit of a mangy look.

And to me, I think a big part of a werewolf transformation is the build-up. The subtle physical changes in the days after the initial infection, like fast growing body hair and enhanced senses coupled with behavioural changes (craving for meat, maybe being a bit more prone to violence, that sort of thing). Of course, how the build-up is done depends on the story.

Potentially we will swap out the actress for a bigger more muscular actress about 75% of the way through the scene and yeah I'm looking to make something AWIL fans would love. I wont be doing that exact scene but something on par.

[sybersamurai]

I think as much process and as much Rick Baker/American Werewolf style transformation/process as you can achieve with your budget would be ideal. Whatever you lack in VFX you can make up for with good acting and style. Good reference for something like this on a super low budget would be Nyle Cavazos "The Dark" short film. I would definitely contribute to something along these lines (needs to be more lighting and more process again like American Werewolf)

[lowes96]

Once again I stated before need to show an example of the work or anything. Words are words and mean nothing. Don't talk about do it...

[Decardo]

Originally Posted by lowes96

Once again I stated before need to show an example of the work or anything. Words are words and mean nothing. Don't talk about do it...

This is a film production, not a porn video. This thread was setup to announce the project and to allow you guys to have a say in what you wanted to see. We are currently in pre production and i will be writing the script over the coming weeks, then ill be working with the production company to finalise, cast, crew, locations, costume, vfx and other aspects. Like i said this wont be the a guy filming a naked girl rolling around on a bed, it will be a professionally shot short film. If you want pictures then look at the video linked in the first post, ive spoken to Rick at Horrify me and the actress knows them well so if you want an idea of the visuals you can start there.

Ive been part of this community for a while and i know people feel let down when things dont work out. But this time i am looking for your help as a community to help make this happen.

Ill post more details next week.

[Anahki]

Originally Posted by lowes96

Once again I stated before need to show an example of the work or anything. Words are words and mean nothing. Don't talk about do it...

Well, I feel that it was told in a bit impolite mood. He has asked for advice, not for funds (yet) so for me it is ok to ask for something that many of us would give for free. And I know what I'm talkng about, because I was part of the werewolf community (The Pack) who were supporting Mr. Brownrigg during long years until the bitter/disappointing end.
Anyway, and as he has said, you have the video with the FX skills/crew. For me it is ok by the momment.

[Decardo]

Originally Posted by Anahki

Well, I feel that it was told in a bit impolite mood. He has asked for advice, not for funds (yet) so for me it is ok to ask for something that many of us would give for free. And I know what I'm talkng about, because I was part of the werewolf community (The Pack) who were supporting Mr. Brownrigg during long years until the bitter/disappointing end.
Anyway, and as he has said, you have the video with the FX skills/crew. For me it is ok by the momment.

i understand about the pack thing i was really frustrated when it collapsed and ive waited until ive got the network in place to do this right. The community is starved of decent content. This is the start of a journey that i would like all the female werewolf fans to join

[Cursebearer]

It was stated in the very first post that this is going to be crowd funded so it looks like there will indeed be some asking for money. That said, I have a few pertinent questions.

First, do you have any examples of prior work? It doesn't have to be in any way related to the content of this forum, though a prior film with some kind of special effects would be preferable as it would give some indication of what we may be able to expect from the final product. I really hate to be suspicious, it's just that we've seen a few projects asking for funding come through here and I think literally not a one has panned out.

Second, what platform will you be using to collect funds? Is it one where we'll be refunded if you aren't able to reach your goals, or one where our money is completely committed upon donation?

[sybersamurai]

Originally Posted by lowes96

Once again I stated before need to show an example of the work or anything. Words are words and mean nothing. Don't talk about do it...

...And this is probably one of the things contributing to a lack of truly great content in the community. At least he's trying something. Maybe you have been burned in the past as many of us have, and have had your hopes let down time and time again but you don't have to be an utter prick about it. Give the guy a break, he has the right attitude.