Our ideas seem to be edging towards a more surreal style and will involve making the maze look like it is another world. Here are some visual examples from films which create that kind of atmosphere within a hedge maze. These clips will also give us ideas on cinematography, sound design, production design and even actors behavior.
This scene from harry potter 4 uses the maze as more of a character. The colour grading and lighting is similar to what we want to achieve with our idea. The quiet and subtle sound design works really well in creating the lonely atmosphere. We like the idea of seeing a character panting to show exhaustion. This would suggest that the maze is much larger without actually having to show a wide shot of a ridiculously large maze. Even the sounds of the footsteps suggest the characters are already tired despite being in the maze for a short period of time. Sound design and acting is a key element in describing the maze to the audience.
This very suspenseful scene in The Shining works has a fantastic look and atmosphere. The camera movement is very smooth which works well when following the characters. The fog in the distance doesn't allow the audience or the characters to see the end of the alleys in the maze which helps disorientate the audience and suggest that the maze is bigger than it actually is. The low angled lights also help shadow the characters giving them and the maze a more mysterious look.
Again the sound design in this scene is kept very ambient. The sound of the cold wind helps set a distant atmosphere, almost as if the maze is in a ghostly world and is not a man made structure.
