Yamin's blog

Note on Filming in Tight Spaces One of the biggest challenges we faced during production was filming in tight spaces—especially since we used a house as our main location. Some rooms were small and didn’t allow much room for camera setups, lighting equipment, or even crew movement. To work around this, we got creative with camera angles, used minimal gear, and sometimes even had to squeeze the camera operator into corners or film from outside a doorway. It wasn’t always easy, but it forced us to think differently—and in some cases, the tight framing actually added to the claustrophobic, tense feeling we wanted for our horror scenes.

Note on Minor Camera Changes During filming, we made a small but important change—we switched from using a DSLR to a strong smartphone camera. While the DSLR gave us good quality, we found the smartphone to be more practical for certain shots, especially in tight spaces or fast setups. The phone’s mobility allowed us to experiment with creative angles and get closer to the actors without interrupting the flow of the scene. Surprisingly, the quality still held up well, and with some smart lighting and editing, the footage blends seamlessly. This change reminded us that storytelling matters more than the gear—and sometimes, simpler tools do the job just as well.

 Here’s a note for your Halfway Through Shooti We’ve officially reached the halfway point in our shooting process! It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come—from storyboarding and planning to capturing intense, emotional scenes on camera. Some days have been tough, with unexpected delays or technical issues, but each challenge has taught us something new. The energy on set is still strong, and the team is more focused than ever. Seeing the footage come together has made us even more motivated to finish strong and deliver something we’re truly proud of. We can’t wait to see how the second half unfolds!

: Note on Acting in Horror Scenes Acting in a horror film isn’t just about screaming or looking scared—it’s about creating real emotion that the audience can feel. We focused on subtle expressions, body language, and controlled breathing to show fear in a believable way. One of the most important things was timing—knowing when to react and when to stay still. We practiced staying in character even when nothing was happening, just to build the tension. Some of the best performances came from quiet fear, not overacting. Everyone in the cast worked hard to make their reactions feel natural, which helped the horror feel more real and intense.

  Note on Improvised Moments That Made the Cut Some of the best moments in our film weren’t even planned—they happened by accident or came from sudden ideas during filming. One of our actors added a line on the spot that felt so natural, we decided to keep it. In another scene, a prop moved unexpectedly, and instead of cutting, we used it to add a creepy, realistic vibe. These improvised moments gave the film a raw, unpredictable feeling that added to the horror atmosphere. It reminded us that sometimes, spontaneity brings out the most authentic reactions—and it’s okay to break away from the script if it makes the scene better.

Note on Handling Retakes and Mistakes Mistakes are a natural part of filmmaking, and we definitely had our fair share. From forgotten lines to background noise or missed camera cues, not everything went smoothly the first time. But instead of getting frustrated, we treated each mistake as a learning moment. Some bloopers even made us laugh and helped ease the pressure on set. For retakes, we stayed patient and made quick adjustments—whether it was fixing lighting, changing camera angles, or giving actors a moment to reset. The key was staying flexible and not giving up until we got the shot right. In the end, those extra takes made the final scenes look polished and professional.

Note on Storyboard vs. Final Shot Creating a storyboard was an important step in visualizing how each scene would look before we started filming. It helped us plan camera angles, lighting, and movement. But once we got on set, some things changed. The space, lighting, or performance sometimes led us to adjust our original plans. For example, one scene we originally storyboarded with a wide shot ended up being more powerful as a close-up. In another, we improvised camera movement that wasn’t in the drawings but added a lot of intensity. Comparing our storyboard to the final shots shows how filmmaking is both planned and spontaneous—some of our best moments came from adapting on the spot. 

 Here's a note for the Cinematography Inspiration When planning the cinematography for our film, we looked to some of our favorite horror movies and filmmakers for inspiration. We were especially influenced by the way classic horror uses shadows, slow camera movements, and tight framing to build suspense. Movies like The Conjuring, Hereditary, and The Ring gave us ideas on how to use space, silence, and stillness effectively. We also studied the work of directors like James Wan and Ari Aster, who masterfully use light and camera placement to create psychological tension. Our goal was to capture that same eerie, creeping feeling—without relying too heavily on jump scares.

We carefully chose each camera angle to enhance the storytelling and strengthen the horror elements of our film. Low angles were used to make characters or objects feel more threatening, while high angles helped create a sense of vulnerability. Close-up shots were used to capture fear and emotion, especially in intense moments. We also used long, slow-moving shots to build suspense and give the audience a feeling of being watched. Every angle was selected with purpose—to make the viewer feel unsettled and more connected. 

Here’s a note about the soundtrack: The soundtrack played a major role in setting the tone of our film. We chose music that matched the eerie and suspenseful vibe of the story. Low, droning sounds helped build tension, while sudden sharp notes were used to enhance jump scares. In some scenes, we used minimal music to let silence create discomfort. Each piece was carefully timed to match the pace of the scenes and heighten the emotional impact. The soundtrack didn’t just support the visuals—it added a whole new layer of depth to the horror experiance

Note on the Editing Process The editing process was where everything came together. It allowed us to shape the raw footage into a complete, polished film. We carefully selected the best takes, adjusted the timing of scenes, and trimmed unnecessary parts to keep the story tight and engaging. Transitions were added to create smooth scene changes, and color grading helped match the overall mood of the film. We also synced sound effects and background music to enhance tension and emotion. Editing was both challenging and rewarding—it truly brought our vision to life.

Note on the Role of Sound Effects Sound effects played a powerful role in shaping the overall atmosphere of our film. They helped create fear, suspense, and realism, especially in scenes where visuals alone weren't enough. Creepy background sounds, sudden noises, and distant whispers were used to build tension and keep the audience alert. Even small sounds—like footsteps, creaking doors, or heavy breathing—added depth and made the scenes more immersive. Without sound effects, many moments would have felt flat or predictable. They were essential in turning ordinary scenes into truly unsettling ones.