d loose ghost_killer_storyboard v2

GHOST KILLER Concept

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GHOST KILLER

“Ghost Killer” – is set in a convergence of Japan/China – an unnamed Asia that never was. It is a time of ghosts and

demons. It is long past the legendary warrior eras of the Samurai/Ronin. Now the world lives in ignorance and denial of

the war of men and ghosts – a war that continues to rage in the world.

Ghost Killer is the story of the young girl: Hanako. It is her coming of age story and her journey to becoming a warrior

wielding the Ghost Killer. The short film described below sets up her relationship with her Apoh (Grandmother) who

teaches her the way of the ones who carry the living weapons – Guei Dai Katana –known as Ghost Killers - handed down

for generations from Grandmother to Granddaughter.

Much like Firefly was set in a alternate reality convergence of the wild west, science fiction with Mandarin Chinese

sprinkled in for good measure – Or Buffy based in European monster stories of vampire and ghouls – Ghost Killer is set in

an alternate reality of our current day, on the outskirts of a modern Asian city where ancient evils in Chinese and

Japanese “Guei Gu” (Ghost Stories) come to life. The wielders of the Ghost Killers are the mortal barriers between the

unsuspecting citizens of their lands and the denizens of the afterlife.

Extreme Marital Arts – sword Fighting

Contemporized Asian monsters and ghosts

Young Girl hero

Set in an Alternate Reality of Today

Contemporary version of Kung Fu movies – continuation of American Anime


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EXT Temple - Mid-day. Fade into hi shot of a busy village – banners announce ‘Ghost Festival’ crane down to Interior of Buddhist temple A little girl – Hanako - kneels praying at the joss altar in the deserted courtyard. (Gong) Camera: Crane down to INT

Cut to: INT Temple Courtyard CU of Hanako as she looks up surprised at first and then frightened- Dialogue: Hanako: What? Oh no!

GHOST KILLER Duane Loose

1 1 EXT: City and Temple 2 1 INT: Temple Courtyard INT: Temple Courtyard 2 2

…she gets up and starts running out of the temple.

1

00:17

A

B

Shot Ends: 00:10


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Cut to: Hanako looking down the main street - it is deserted - the sky is changing – darkening as if a storm is coming in - birds are flying away from camera POV… a breeze begins to pick up. Hanako looks towards camera reacts and begins to run Camera:

2

Cut to: OH helicopter shot - Hanako runs down the middle of the narrow main street of the now deserted city. The window shutters and doors are slammed shut one by one – like a wave ahead of her. Shadows begin to cover the street behind her. Camera: moves with Hanako center frame

EXT: Street Level 1 EXT: Village Street EXT: OH Street 4 1 3 1

00:27 00:37 00:47

5

Cut to: Street level – camera follows Hanako as she runs past tables full of food and offerings to the dead. Hell bank notes burn in braziers…the smoke drifting into the air. The shadows are consuming the food and the smoke like some monstrous tornado. The storm of ghosts is catching up to her

. Camera: dolly shot moves with Hanako center frame


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Cut to: low POV - We see Hanako running towards camera on the street she is looking behind not watching where she is going – She looks back over her shoulder as she runs…The storm of ghosts have almost overtaken her just as a figure jumps between her and the advancing darkness - pushing her to the ground. Camera: slow dutch

3

Cut to: Hanako falling into FG –slow mo - the figure attacks the ghosts in the BG. Hanako settles in the foreground - the figure in a radiant blue tunic wielding a bright sword battles a ghost as she loses consciousness – fade to white.

FADE to White 1 EXT: Street 7 1 6 2

00:55 01:03

7

EXT: Street


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4

Cut to: CU Apoh’s face leaning in (where did she come from?) Camera: Push in - dutch

1 INT: Hanako’s Room 9 1 8 1

01:15 01:17

10

Cut to: CU Hanako’s looking up surprised - Camera: Pull out

INT: Hanako’s Room INT: Hanako’s Room A

B

Fade from white: Int Hanako’s bedroom – camera resolves on a small wall mounted altar. A stick of joss burns – the smoke in the half-light streaming through the window – little aerial seed pods dance in the light. camera cranes down to Hanako waking up with a start and sitting up - She cries out as loud as she can closing her eyes. Camera: Camera cranes down Hanako: “apoh!” Shot Ends: 01:13


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Cut to: med wide shot - Hanako throws herself into her Apoh’s arms. Apoh winces a bit in pain and holds Hanako close stroking her hair…then pulls back to look at her – holding her little face in her hands. Apoh: “I’m right here little flower no need to shout. Was it that dream again?” Hanako: “I...I thought I was dead! The ghosts ate me…uh then someone came to save me…uh oh it was terrible!” Apoh: “Ai-yah silly little flower it was a dream…now, now Hanako.

5

Cut to: behind Apoh – we see Hanako’s face begin to smile as Apoh comforts her. Hanako beams, nods and embraces Apoh. Apoh: “Someday soon…(she hesitates and begins again) …you will see these dreams for what they really are. I am going to the market now. I will even bring you some dried plums.”

1 12 1 11 1

01:27 01:37 01:45

13

Cut to: ext courtyard - Med hi oh shot: Apoh steps out into the courtyard of her tiny home. She makes her way to the Tea house removes her shoes and gently slides the paper covered door open.

INT: Hanako’s Room INT: Hanako’s Room EXT: Apoh’s courtyard


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Cut to: medium shot of Apoh as she removes her quilted coat to reveal a radiant blue tunic and pulls a beautiful sword in its scabbard from the folds of her robe. Camera follows Apoh’s movement as she places the sword in its place on the altar

6

Cut to: over Apoh’s shoulder -she leans back out of frame as she pulls her hands back to reveal a small painting of Hanako just below the sword stand. The scabbard is engraved with Kanji. Camera: slow push in - dutch Apoh: “Someday soon little flower - someday soon.”

1 INT: Tea House INT: Tea House 16 1 15

02:10 02:15

INT: Tea House 1

01:52

14

Cut to: INT tea house – The little room is immaculate and full of warm shadows. Apoh hobbles to the small altar and kneels, claps her hands twice and bows.


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Title Card fades in:

Fade in English title under kanji:

Ghost Killer

7

17 Title Card: “Ghost Killer”

02:20

16

Camera pushes into the kanji - fade BG to white until the kanji are the only thing we see on screen.

鬼杀

18 - 19

Hard cut to: fast credit screens (no crawl), on white BG in sync with heavy Taiko drumming (kanji + English) End

02:25 02:37

Credits 2 INT: Tea House

Ghost Killer


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d loose ghost_killer_storyboard v2

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