The Formorian
Synopsis
The Storyline
This tale is set during the time of the Second Battle of Moytura in ancient Ireland. The god-like people of Dana are forced to defend the island from the invasion of a demonic race called The Formorians. The memory of these misshapen ugly creatures has faded from man’s memory now, yet tales of their treachery live on in ancient scripts. ‘The Formorian’ is a glimpse into this mythological world. Where men are gods and throw flames in the face of their enemy. Where swords can speak and tell of their conquests to their masters. And where one disheartened warrior deserts the battlefield and his kinsmen to return home. His journey becomes another battle he has to face, and one, which he may not survive.
Pre-production
The Look
As the film was based on legend, my Director of Photography (www.stephen-murphy.com) and I decided that we needed to create a sense of fantasy in the look of this film. We did this by using a striking colour scheme throughout. We chose to use a blue green palette. This colour was inspired by the place in which the story of ‘The Formorian’ is set, mythological Ireland. Also, the story is set in winter, so the blue tint of our colour scheme helps to convey a feeling of a cold, hostile and treacherous environment.
Location
As this script is set in ancient Ireland among mountains and forests, we had to find a location that had no visible signs of modern living (eg. roads, pylons, cars). For the opening shot we wanted to have an epic vista of the Irish countryside. We found it in Luggala, with its magnificent unspoilt view of the Wicklow Mountains. The second location we used was a nearby forest. It had a natural valley running through it which gave us the height on either side to create the high angle camera shots we wanted to achieve. It also created a claustrophobic feel, adding to the sense that the Warrior is in danger.
Props/Costume:
The costumes were created by Graham Cruz; who constucted traditional Celtic warrior clothing using natural materials such as animal skins. Martin Merlihan provided the necessary weapons for our characters, including the impressive sword, which the ‘Warrior’ carries.
Camera
My aim with this short film was to maintain this sense of mystery over the creatures identities, and in turn to exploit our fear of the unknown. For the first half of the film the warrior appears to wander alone through the forest. Yet there is a sense that he is being watched. Through the use of high angle point of view shots, long-lens shots from behind ditches and trees, and the use of more shadow than light, I strove to make the warrior appear vulnerable rather than invincible. We also used a blue-green filter in-camera as part of the ‘look’ we were trying to create.
The Cast
As this film is predominantly a visual piece, much of the story is told through body language and the physicality of the actors. For the part of the ‘Warrior’ I needed someone who looked like he could kill a man with his bare hands, and yet could portray the mental fatigue of this character from the battles he’s already fought. This made Charlie Kranz the perfect choice. His broad stature makes him appear strong and impenetrable. However he uses his eyes to betray the warrior’s broken spirit and weakened mind.
The Formorian’s make-up of green skin, black eyes and false fangs would naturally make whatever actor underneath it intimidating to behold. However it was essential that whoever played this part could create mannerisms for the Formorian, which made it logical, and more importantly believable, that the Warrior should take pity on this creature. By casting Norma Sheahan in this part she was able to use her slight build and her natural mannerisms to portray this creature’s apparent vulnerability. This made her transition in the film, from weak to lethal, all the more shocking.
Special Effects & Make-Up
Another important element for this fantasy adventure film was that the Formorian’s appearance had to be totally believable. Tom McInerney (a.k.a. ‘Puff Jockey’), our Chief Make-up artist, created the Formorian creature using modern make-up effects and his own artistic interpretation of the creature’s appearance based on research into Celtic mythology. He gave the skin of the Formorian a blue-green tint to incorporate the ‘look’ of the film into the creature itself. Team FX played a huge role in helping to create the world of ‘The Formorian’. Through their skilled use of snow and smoke effects they created a magical forest in Winter. In addition they used special chemicals to create green fire for the warrior’s torch. These elements help to transport the audience into this mythological world of strange creatures and dark magics.
Shooting Format
We shot in Super 35mm Scope for a widescreen Cinematic look. The project was shot using Fuji stocks to capture the lush greens of the forest. I used longer lenses and worked with a limited depth of field to help maintain dramatic tension throughout.
Pre-production stills
View Storyboards
Production
Photos
‘The Making of The Formorian’
Post-production
Narration
I chose to write this narration so that it echoed the way in which stories used to be passed down through generations in Ireland; using poetic language. The storytellers of old, called ’seanchai’, travelled from place to place recounting these myths and legends as a way of life. It narrows the distance between the fantastic mythological world on-screen and the audience’s real world off-screen. It draws the audience into the story as though they were in the very same room as him. This is especially important for such a short film. The rhythm and tenor of Gerry O’Brien’s voice captured that of a ‘seanchai’ beautifully.
Slideshow Stills
The Score
I wanted this film to have an epic Hollywood feel. In order to achieve this I needed to have a powerful score for the film. As ‘The Formorian’ is set in Celtic Ireland I wanted to incorporate traditional Irish instruments into a classical score. C.E. O’Floinn composed an original score for this film doing just that. While the narration tells the story of mythical Ireland at that time, Ciaran’s music helps to tell the personal story of the warrior. It enriches the film greatly and is another tool I used to help transport the audience out of their own reality and into the reality of ‘The Formorian’.
Music Composed by C.E. O’Floinn
Produced by Tristram Dalton
Assistant Engineer: Brendan Greene
Music Studio: 147 Studios
NUI, Maynooth
Piano: C.E. O’Floinn
Flugalhorn: Avril Roche
Traditional Flute: Carmel McGlynn
Bodhran: Aideen Cooney
Violin: Xania Buch
Viola: Liz O’ Neill
Cello: Martin Clasby
Additional Strings by Dolce Entertainment
Creators
Director: Aideen McCarthy
Director of Photography: Stephen Murphy ( http://www.stephen-murphy.com/ )
Producer Dave Leahy (www.warrior-films.com)
Story by Stephen Murphy
Narration written by Aideen McCarthy
Music by C.E. O’Floinn
Editor: Jamie Fitzpatrick
Costume Design by Graham Cruz
Special Make-up Effects by Puff Jockey
The Cast
Warrior: Charlie Kranz
The Formorian: Norma Sheahan
Narrator: Gerry O’Brien
The Crew
Line Producer: Scott Benwell
1st Assistant Director: Jim Corr
Camera Operator: Stephen Murphy
Focus Pullers: Darryl Byrne & Paul Shanahan
Clapper Loader: Briona McArdle
Camera Trainee: Amy Breen
Key Grip: Paul Tsan
Crane Grip: Sam Philips, Adam Tsan, Conor Murphy
Crane Truck Driver: Howard Woods
Chief Make-Up Artist: Tom McInerney
Foam Technician: Robbie Drake
Wardrobe: Lisa O’Riordan
Armourer: Martin Merlihan
Gaffer: Charlie Sheridan
Best Boy: Owen McLoughlin
Special Effects Supervisor: David Roddham
Special Effects: TEAM FX, Pat Redmond, Glen Perry
Assistant Make-up Artists: Veronica Almendros, Jennifer Jones, Joe Vera
Arri Cameras, Remote Heads and Lights supplied by The Production Depot
Chapman Grip Equipment supplied by The Production Depot
Galaxy Crane Supplied by Paul Tsan
Shot on Fuji Stock supplied by Fuji Ireland
Lab services by Technicolor UK
Special Thanks: John Leahy at The Production Depot.
Editing
Rushes Telecine: Windmill Lane
Post Production: Piranha Bar
On-line Editor: Gordon Prenter
Post Production Supervisor: Marc Long
- A Warrior Films Production -
