Bunny Killer
3.31 minutes
Topic: A horror movie
Group members : Qian Xinyu, Wang Zhoukai, Peng Qilin, Li Jiachen, Li Yuemei
We are planning to make a campus horror movie with an estimated duration of 6 minutes. The setting of the story is that there are all kinds of taboos in the campus and ignoring them will have horrible consequences. The entire video will be set in various locations such as school buildings, classrooms, etc.,using the 3 basic shots, utilizing lighting and sound effects to create a scary atmosphere. Our members will work equally as cameramen, directors, actors, and editors in different roles within the group.
Video name: Bunny Killer by Li Yuemei (Rita), Li Jiachen (Cathy), Qian Xinyu (Ivy), Peng Qilin (Kylin) and Wang Zoukai (Kevin)
Reflections on the short film
#1 Reflection
by 21kc1030 Peng Qilin
At Tuesday's movie night, our film "Bunnykiller" garnered enthusiastic reactions from our classmates, with one suggesting it could gain popularity on YouTube. This positive reception reinforces my belief that "Bunnykiller" was a resounding success, owing to several key factors.
Firstly, when we began brainstorming the theme, our group unanimously settled on creating a horror film set on a campus. The decision-making process was remarkably smooth, laying a solid foundation for subsequent creative decisions and a seamless shooting process. Rather than adhering to a traditional script, all five of us assumed roles as directors and screenwriters, collaborating closely to develop the concept of a cursed note haunting the campus. The premise was simple yet chilling: anyone who received this note would fall prey to the sinister Bunnykiller.
Secondly, roles and responsibilities were clearly defined, leveraging each member's strengths. Xinyu took on the challenging role of portraying the antagonist right from the outset, showcasing her acting prowess. Our other talented actors, Jiachen, Zhoukai, and Yuemei, contributed significantly to the film's dramatic impact. As mentioned earlier, I contributed as the photographer, ensuring each shot captured the eerie atmosphere we aimed for, while also providing essential filming equipment. Xinyu played a crucial role in the post-production phase, leading the main editing efforts, with support from other team members who also assisted in refining the final cut. Without Xinyu's exceptional editing skills and the compelling performances of Yuemei, Zhoukai, and Jiachen, "Bunnykiller" would not have achieved its powerful effect.
Thirdly, we approached the project with a sense of enjoyment and achievement rather than viewing success as an arduous task. During both the filming and editing stages, we found immense satisfaction in refining each scene to heighten its suspense and impact. For instance, in one memorable scene set in a phone booth, we deliberated extensively on how to orchestrate the Bunnykiller's sudden appearance to maximize its scare factor. This deliberation led us to employ three distinct shots and angles: first, a chilling first-person perspective of the Bunnykiller stealthily stalking Yuemei from behind; second, a tense moment where Yuemei, unaware of the lurking danger, makes a phone call while the Bunnykiller's presence is subtly hinted at; and finally, a third-person perspective that captures both the looming threat of the Bunnykiller and Yuemei's visceral reaction.
Despite the genre's inherent darkness, we fostered a lighthearted and collaborative atmosphere throughout the filming process. Our discussions about scenes and creative ideas were often punctuated with laughter, turning what could have been a daunting task into a joyful and memorable experience. If viewers were to witness the behind-the-scenes footage, they might even mistake our horror film for a comedy, given the camaraderie and humor that permeated our work.
In conclusion, "Bunnykiller" exceeded our expectations, delivering a compelling narrative and evocative visuals despite the relatively short production timeline. I am confident that this project will remain an unforgettable milestone for all of us, showcasing not only our creative talents but also our shared passion for storytelling and filmmaking.
#2 Reflection
by WANG ZHOUKAI 21KC1515
First of all, I am very grateful to our professor for showcasing our short film "Bunny Killer" as the closing film on Movie Night. This is a tremendous honor and recognition for us. I believe that being placed in the final slot of a film festival or screening event means our work is considered the most anticipated and representative.
To create this short film, our team of five spent about four days discussing the film's theme. Once we settled on the theme, we shot the scenes on campus and then edited the footage at home. Although we encountered several difficulties and disagreements along the way, we were all very satisfied with the final result. Seeing our finished product, painstakingly crafted, being shown to so many classmates and two professors on Movie Night was the greatest reward for us. When the professor initially assigned this task, we were extremely excited and quickly formed our five-member Chinese team. Apart from shooting the film, we often hung out together, dining out, partying, chatting, drinking, and singing. This camaraderie gave us confidence that we would successfully complete the professor's assignment, and we firmly believed that our team had the best chemistry among all the groups.
When it came to choosing the subject matter, each of us had different ideas. For example, I suggested filming a video about the food or attractions in Yokohama Chinatown, while Qilin proposed interviewing students on campus. However, Yuemei and Xinyu disagreed, feeling that such videos lacked originality and that other teams might choose similar themes, leading to a clash of topics. After much discussion, we unanimously decided to try an unprecedented theme—making a horror film. Once we settled on the theme, we wandered around the campus together, searching online for horror film techniques and thinking about how to shape the antagonist's character. When Xinyu found a creepy bunny mask on Amazon, we instantly agreed on the idea and named our film "Bunny Killer," then began shooting.
To create a scary atmosphere in the film, we chose a day when everyone was available and started shooting around 6:30 PM, when most people had left the campus. Qilin, our team's cinematographer, brought some professional equipment. For example, the rotating shot at the beginning of the film was captured using her specialized gear. We had pre-selected our locations the day before: a girls' toilet, a telephone box, and a classroom. The shooting process wasn't smooth because the weather was hot, and the filming lasted for a long time. Xinyu, in particular, had to wear the mask the whole time, causing her to sweat heavily. We argued multiple times about the shooting techniques to ensure we presented the best possible film. After several hours of shooting, we finally had all the necessary footage. At home, Qilin transferred the footage and shared it with us, and we used a Chinese software called "CupCut" for editing. We spent a lot of time on editing, with everyone trying their hand at it. Ultimately, we unanimously agreed that Xinyu's editing was the best, as her use of horror sound effects, filters, and special effects greatly impressed us. I learned to create the scrolling credits online for the film’s end. When we finished editing, we all felt a great sense of relief and were very satisfied with the final product. The applause and cheers from the audience on Movie Night made all our hard work worthwhile, filling us with immense satisfaction and pride.
Through this Movie Night, I had the opportunity to watch other teams' excellent works. Each short film had its unique style and creativity, providing me with a lot of inspiration and reflection. I deeply realized that film, as an art form, has limitless possibilities, and every creator can express their thoughts and emotions through it. Moreover, this experience made me deeply appreciate the importance of teamwork. In the process of making the short film, everyone had their role and responsibilities, and we had to work closely together to complete the project smoothly. Every member of our team demonstrated a high level of professionalism and cooperation, which not only ensured the quality of our short film but also taught me how to communicate and collaborate effectively within a team.
#3Reflection
by QIAN Xinyu
Our group has done an excellent job in completing this film project. Although we may have some differences in the topic selection, we all completed the task well in the end, and everyone actively participated in it.
At first, we didn't know what topic to choose because there were many subjects we wanted to film. A team member suggested that we could remake some popular videos on TikTok. But we rejected it because it was difficult for us to decide on the theme and it was also difficult to film for three minutes. Then another team member wanted to remake some classic clips from popular TV dramas in China. Although I thought it was a very interesting theme, it seemed difficult for audiences from other countries to understand our theme, so we ultimately gave up. Finally, taking into account everyone's suggestions, we decided to make a simple horror movie on campus.
We spent a lot of time preparing the equipment and costumes for the shoot. Kylin Peng brought her professional camera to school. I am responsible for purchasing masks and matching clothing. Others are responsible for writing the plot. Based on my experience of watching horror movies, I purchased equipment from a hundred-yuan store. I first purchased adhesive tape and also bought a red marker to use to draw bloodstains. Later, I brought a fruit knife from home and wrapped it with adhesive tape. Then, I painted it red with a marker and decorated it with a terrifying killing weapon. In order to make the character look more terrifying, I drew bloodstains on my hands and applied more red paint on the mask.
After all the preparations were ready, we were ready to shoot. Kylin Peng, who has rich photographic experience, was responsible for the shooting. She provided a lot of ideas. My favorite part is the telephone box part. Each shot and plot are exactly the same as the horror film I imagined. During the filming process, we also encountered some issues. For example, in some scenes that need to shoot in front of a mirror, we were initially unsure how to prevent the photographer from appearing in the screen, but after our attempts and constant adjustments to the shooting angle, we finally presented a satisfactory shoot.
Finally, in the editing section, I was mainly responsible for editing the film. This is a difficult part because I need to add a lot of special effects, transitions, audio, and sound effects to make the movie look scary. I have learned a lot of techniques from many horror movies I have watched, so I have a lot of inspiration during the editing process. In addition, it is not easy to edit the materials we shoot into a logically clear and attractive film with a plot. We also filmed many impromptu shoot clips during the filming process. These shoot materials do not have a specific plot, but are specifically used to create a terrifying atmosphere. So, I need to edit these materials into the film as part of creating a terrifying atmosphere. At the end of the film, our team members decided to add post-credits scene to make the entire story more impressive.
Overall, our group enjoyed this filming assignment very much because we presented the theme we wanted to shoot very well, and everyone put in a lot of effort and thought to complete this assignment. I am also very grateful for this course, which allowed me to perform and shoot the horror movies that I have always wanted to try.
#4 Reflection
by 21kc1012 Li Yuemei
             I believe that the movie shooting event was not only a task that tested media editing as well as filming, but also an exercise in teamwork, conflict resolution, and agreement.
             As the leader of the group, I feel that every step in the making of this movie resulted from the total dedication of every member of the group. As a group of five, it was not easy to reach a high level of agreement on any decision. To begin with, we disagreed on the choice of material for the movie. In the previous semester's course, our group produced a hot pot video that received rave reviews, and we were all determined to make an even higher quality movie than the last one. Perhaps feeling the pressure, we all had different ideas for choosing the material. Zoukai came up with the idea of interviewing students on campus and having the group act as "cupid" to match students, but we didn't choose this topic out of concern for the interviewees. After three days of discussion, we decided to go with a horror movie. Each group member searched for short horror videos on social media platforms that they were satisfied with and chose the most exciting one within the group as a reference for filming techniques. After watching many short videos, we decided to use blue and black as the base color to create a scary campus atmosphere in the classroom. The process of deciding the script of the movie came from the crystallization of everyone's inspiration. During a group dinner, we thought about several possible scenarios, and considering the uncertainties that might arise from specific scenes such as the school's chapel, we finally unanimously decided to set the scene in the telephone box, the women's restroom, and the classroom, which are three of the most everyday scenarios, and to create a horror effect by using locations familiar to all of us.
             After deciding on the settings for everything to take place, we divided up the filming tasks. Considering Qilin's extensive photography experience and more advanced equipment, she took on the role of photographer. I was responsible for each scene with Jiachen and Zoukai. The most important role of the "bunny killer" was played by Xinyu. For this shoot, Xinyu put a lot of effort into the costumes. In order not to minimize the horror of seeing a familiar face as the killer, she prepared masks, gauze, and red ink. With all preparations in place, we waited until after sunset for a tight shoot. There was an interesting tidbit during the shoot. The cleaning staff was frightened by the sight of a masked "bunny killer", and the dedicated security staff thought we were going to do something scary but allowed us to continue filming after our explanation.
For the sake of consistency and to ensure that there were no hidden scenes, we used a number of filming techniques, recording a scene three times to get the most natural look. We also chose to stand tall with the camera for surveillance purposes, and I love these details that enhance the quality of the shots. After getting the recorded footage, we also made different attempts at editing to find the most suitable special effects and background music. After each group member made editing attempts, we agreed that Xinyu's editing was the most professional and wonderful, thanks to Xinyu's editing efforts for this wonderful movie.
Throughout the production process, every member of the group contributed their ideas without reservation, and sometimes random inspiration served as the icing on the cake for the entire movie. Even when differences were encountered, each group member would elaborate on the reasons for his or her choice, and a unanimous decision was made on the option to be adopted. I think that after this movie production, our teamwork ability has been enhanced, and we all did our best to cooperate with the teamwork in our respective roles. When the movie was finally presented to the audience as the last one, we all had an unprecedented sense of satisfaction in our hearts. Finally, I would like to thank my professor and all the group members for giving me this opportunity to make a short video movie and reach our goal through our joint efforts.
#5 Reflection
by 21kc1009 Li Jiachen
On July 9th, under the guidance of our professor, we held a small-scale film festival. During the festival, we watched various films that everyone had painstakingly produced. It was a novel and unforgettable experience. Our group’s film, "Bunny Killer," was the highlight of the festival, receiving a very positive response. The success of our film was the result of meticulous planning and enthusiastic cooperation among our team members. I also gained a lot from this process.
Firstly, selecting the film theme required great effort. From the moment the professor assigned us the task of making a video, we brainstormed and subsequently rejected many ideas from team members, including shooting a film about Chinese cuisine in Chinatown, conducting random interviews on campus, and creating a short campus drama. After more than a week of discussion, we finally decided on our theme: a horror film. We chose this genre because, compared to other themes, horror films can achieve a more impactful visual effect within a 3–5-minute timeframe. Additionally, the school’s setting provided an ideal backdrop for a horror film. Thus, we decided to create a horror film set in Meijigakuin University.
Secondly, we learned to overcome obstacles during the shooting process. After selecting the horror theme, we began writing the script. Initially, we planned three scenes: the school toilet, a classroom, and the piano in the church. In our story, students who ignored a sudden appearance of a note would face punishment from the Bunny Killer. I was an actor in the toilet scene. However, the shooting process was not as smooth as we had anticipated. The toilet, being a public area, was frequently used by other students, making it difficult for us to have extended shooting periods. Often, students would walk into our shots, forcing us to start over. As a result, we decided to shoot many small segments, planning to stitch them together during editing. Moreover, since we filmed late into the day, the church had closed by the time we needed to shoot there. We had to make a last-minute decision to change the script and film in the campus’s public telephone booth. Without a prewritten script for this new location, we had to brainstorm on the spot. Everyone actively contributed ideas on how to create a terrifying atmosphere in the telephone booth. Thanks to our collective effort, this scene turned out to be one of the most compelling moments in the film.
Additionally, the filming process highlighted the importance of leveraging each person’s strengths and proper task division, which is crucial for success. Our team utilized everyone’s talents effectively. For example, Peng Qilin, who is skilled at filming and has excellent equipment and experience, served as our cinematographer. The rotating shots at the beginning of the film and the various close-ups of the notes were her contributions. Qian Xinyu, having watched numerous horror films, became our editor, expertly controlling the film’s pace and creating a frightening atmosphere. Li Yuemei, Wang Zoukai, and I focused on acting, striving to convey the fear and panic of the victims to the audience. Qian Xinyu also made small props like bandages and a fruit knife to enhance the horror effect of the film.
In conclusion, "Bunny Killer" is a testament to the power of teamwork and the creative process. Each member of our group played a vital role in bringing the film to life, and the experience was both educational and rewarding. This project taught me the value of collaboration, adaptability, and the importance of leveraging individual strengths to achieve a common goal.