A Scene Inspired By Robert Eggers' Nosferatu (READ DESC)

A few weeks ago, I had the experience of watching the new Nosferatu that was directed by Robert Eggers, and let me just say: WOW! The feelings of tension and dread that Eggers managed to weave throughout that entire movie were, in my opinion, masterful. It then led me through the natural and all-too-familiar thought process of the average film student. Could I create a scene with even a margin of the same intensity?
With a budget of sixteen dollars, I spent on some candles and ribbon while utilizing my dorm room and costume pieces I already had, I created a low-light atmosphere shot (though not greatly) on an iPhone 12 pro. I wrote a two-page script using characters from an old monster-hunting story I wrote called 'Silver Bullets', and then went crazy in front of a camera while locked in a square room lined with black curtains. With a huge thanks to free, online media sites like Pixabay and software like Davinci Resolve 19, I was able to create an atmosphere that may not have been the best but was good enough for me.
Keep in mind, I in no way shape, or form believe this short project holds a candle to professional work. Instead, I see it as an example of what could be possible. I did this by myself in a room with a tripod and iPhone. I had no outside help in the slightest aside from words of encouragement. This boosted my confidence to put together larger projects in the future with full crews and multiple cast members. If I can make something half decent with nothing, imagine what I and many others can do with professional equipment.
Here is what I learned.
There is a lot of patience and trusting the process when it comes to making even one scene. While this isn't new considering I have previously created The Cartography King with a full crew and professional equipment while under the weather, it still reinforced this truth in a new way. Projects like this scene really put into perspective how much even one extra hand makes a difference. Second, I must say the art of voice acting is incredibly rigorous and taxing to the throat as well as the mind. For the entire day before filming, I practiced my 'monster voice' until I found something I thought was truly terrifying. When it came time to record, however. I had forgotten it aside from a low growl. Improvising, I added wheezes and straining. In the end, however, I consider the voice quite mediocre. My respect for voice acting was already immense, but after practicing it in a semi-professional setting for the first time, my respect increased tenfold. Lastly, I have learned that Apple products are rather unreliable when it comes to film editing. Music videos, RUclips skits, etc, are all very possible. But once you shove an edit session full of all the assets you want to make something look and sound how you want for something as big as even one scene, your computer will have a rough time handling much of anything.
In the end, I guess I could say I created something that I can show people. While it in no way matches the artful homage that Eggers created, I think I have made my start in a new genre that I would love to explore further. That is what matters, after all. Giving up or being lazy is the biggest devil a filmmaker could face. If you just go out and make things, you will be proud even if it falls apart. Because that means you got out of bed that morning and learned something.

[@swan____xu]

very nice