Presentation nov 4
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Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Pete's Media Blog
I explored Petes media blog and came across a powerpoint that was helpful and shaped my blog.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Preliminary task
I have drafted my preliminary task primarily, to create a film poster for our short film, so when it comes to the production of it, I will have an idea in mind and act accordingly. I have tried out a few ideas to see which I think would be the most effective and then I will make my decision based upon this for which film poster has the desired conventions and is the most attention grabbing for our desired audience. Jono and I created a film poster with a striking initial image of a girl in a night gown (as used in many previous films, eg The Ring). We used this typical costume convention as we felt it conveyed the correct messages of horror. The audience assume the antagonist is therefore young in age and also dead due to the bed clothes. She has her hair over her face to make her appear more enigmatic as she can't be seen. This is also emphasised by her silhouette being entirely dark all bar the light streaming through the night gown. There is also a dramatic contrast in the two sides of the image. We felt this represented "good" and evil" and the antagonist is leaning more towards the evil with her head cocked to one side. This also could represent her not understanding the world she is trapped within. Her arms are held out slightly as though she's reaching forward towards the audience. This adds for the desired effect of her "coming to get you". The silhouette also adds to the possibility for her coming from the afterlife as she is walking away from the light and towards the audience. We chose not to show her face, by making this decision we felt it made the poster more striking as it was more enigmatic. The colour scheme is also very similar to that of "The Poltergeist", which we previously looked at and admired.
Initially I had the release date in the right top corner, but after asking my audience they agreed it spoilt the "clean look" of my poster. I was also comparing my film to a similar low budget film The Blair Witch Project. I decided to make the changes seen below, to blacken the bottom and add the necessary information in there. I used a white simple font to contrast with the background and stand out. White also has the connotations of purity and therefore contrasts with the protagonist seen behind. Finally I added my 18 certificate sticker to the bottom right corner as i felt it balanced the page out well. I followed the rule of 3rds in my poster, as the black, body, and white are vertical columns and the texts follows a horizontal rule. I edited the image on photoshop also as the background was previously not all black and you could see the stage's (where we took the photo) wings behind the person. I also upped the brightness and contrast to give it more illumination and stand out more. I chose universal studios in particular as this was a conglomerate commonly used to create horror films.
I then went out to our target audience and asked them for their thoughts and views on the poster. The overall response was positive. The audience admired our "appropriate use of font" saying it conveyed the correct messages and fitted the genre effectively. The "good use of colour" was described to be "cold, blue tinted" which was said to "add to the chilling horror effect". The image was strongly liked, saying the "glowing body was scary and ghost-like", "the tilted head really adds to the effect making it intrusive and chilling". The caption "is enigmatic and gripping. It makes me want to know more"
Throughout our audience research we found our poster well liked by all. The only criticism received was that the genre was not liked by all of the people I surveyed.
Throughout our audience research we found our poster well liked by all. The only criticism received was that the genre was not liked by all of the people I surveyed.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Film Review Deconstructions
In order to prepare for the preliminary tasks we deconstructed some existing film reviews and decided what works and what we we intend to recreate in our own preliminary film review.
Lighting Experimentation
Jono and I went out with a camera and our chosen actress, and took some pictures whilst we were experimenting with a single light source. The results were pleasing, as we achieved the desired result and subsequently, we are prepared and fully capable of using this type of lighting.
The three pictures below, were taken on the main stage at The Kings School with the main curtains closed, so the only light source would be from a high window. After recently watching 'The Ring' I wanted the pictures to vaguely represent the film, with the thin white ring almost present at the head of the character, and the character in the picture herself looks slightly like the antagonist in 'The Ring'. Jono and I have decided to use this method to create our preliminary tasks and have an image similar to the ones below.
Monday, 7 November 2011
Preliminary Filming Worries
Within our lesson we discussed issues we may encounter and the worries we had about starting the filming process. As a group we had similar worries concerning the editing software not being something we were used to and a fear of failure after creating the film that we had visioned, therefore not achieving the grades we desired. Another issue we discussed was the sheer lack of time and organising the cast and location. To overcome these anxieties we put eachothers minds at ease by complimenting and cstructively critising eachothers ideas. Miss then showed us some Preliminary filming from another group of students and we critqued them, this helped us to see how to improve our own ideas but also realise other peopel mistakes and learn from them. The mistakes being made more often were lighting, costume, empathy with characters and timing.
Friday, 21 October 2011
Title Ideas
Jono and I looked at some ideas for the title of our short film. We looked at classic examples of horror film names and these included short simple names like "The Grudge", "The Ring", "Dolls"and the more complex names that tell a little bit about the story such as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"and "Don't be Afraid of the Dark". We preferred the shorter names and we felt they were more impacting and came up with some of our own ideas...
"The Haunting" was our favourite out of all of our ideas. This related directly to the haunted house setting and the haunted character that is being followed by our atagonist. We thought the name was impacting and iconic as the films listed above are and ergo we think it will make a perfect choice for our films title.
"The Haunting" was our favourite out of all of our ideas. This related directly to the haunted house setting and the haunted character that is being followed by our atagonist. We thought the name was impacting and iconic as the films listed above are and ergo we think it will make a perfect choice for our films title.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Target Audience Feedback
Jono and I asked some of our target audience with their feedback so we can make decisions based upon this feedback and construct our film to fit the needs of our target audience. Using their critique it will be a lot easier to make our film knowing what the audiences desires and expections are. Taking on board their thoughts we will make sure my TA get the adrenaline rush they love! 
Filming schedule
Jono and I have created a filming schedule so our filming is organised and runs as smooth as it can. We will allocate specific times to each piece of filming and ensure our film is filmed quickly but accurate in its entirety.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Costume Ideas
When looking at costume I have to consider the connotations and representations I will be trying to achieve with my choices in costume. I will try to try to connote the correct messages to my audience with my costume for each character. My main protagonist should wear a costume with light colours, showing her innocence and purity. It should also be quite feminine to connote the representation of women being the weaker gender, as much as this is a stereotype most women would like to break, I think it would be useful to portray the character as such. She must also attract the male gaze, so perhaps something fitted and slightly revealing. I had a look on some clothing websites to get an idea of the type of clothing i'd like my protagonist to wear and these are some of the ideas I came up with.
Secondly, I must consider the costume for the antagonist. Her costume must be of dark clothing to connote her corruption, darkness and her haunting face must be rememberable in the audiences mind. This will mean they are still thinking about the antagonist as they leave and apply it to moments in their life as they are at home, and suddenly feel a chill. Her face must be in her mind, creating resonance, the kind of costume and make up idea we'd like to take on board include:
As you can see from these images, the use of a white gown is used. Usually white is used to connotes the incorruption of a person however the iconography associated with the white gown is used so often it will not be subverting the genre it will be following a typical antagonist costume design. The use of the white but dirtied gown shows an innocence corrupted, as the antagonists haven't always been corrupt they were once normal. I think this makes them scarier as it shows a change in their mental and physical stability making the impossible seem more universally applicable.
The pastel colours within the pretty day dresses show a binary opposition towards the gown the antagonist will wear. It also directly relates to the representation stereotypically used to display her angelic nature. Jono and I were considering using a pastel blue colour for the dress as we feel it has a virtuous and harmless nature. It also represent the sky, and a sense of freedom which is soon to be taken away form her by the antagonist when she is trapped in the house.
Secondly, I must consider the costume for the antagonist. Her costume must be of dark clothing to connote her corruption, darkness and her haunting face must be rememberable in the audiences mind. This will mean they are still thinking about the antagonist as they leave and apply it to moments in their life as they are at home, and suddenly feel a chill. Her face must be in her mind, creating resonance, the kind of costume and make up idea we'd like to take on board include:
As you can see from these images, the use of a white gown is used. Usually white is used to connotes the incorruption of a person however the iconography associated with the white gown is used so often it will not be subverting the genre it will be following a typical antagonist costume design. The use of the white but dirtied gown shows an innocence corrupted, as the antagonists haven't always been corrupt they were once normal. I think this makes them scarier as it shows a change in their mental and physical stability making the impossible seem more universally applicable.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
Testing the Equipment
Jono and I tested the equipment to familiarise ourselves with it. This would mean that we are efficient and organised on location so everything runs within our filming schedule. We then proceeded to go outside and film in the car park to test the light levels and shots we can achieve in the car park by our school.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Story time
1) Within the first establishing long shot we are introduced to the protagonist she runs across the car park, slightly running as if she feels uncomfortable with her surroundings she wraps her coat tighter around her. The lights are natural with the sounds being diegetic with wind whistling to connote loneliness. Jump cut to put her keys in the lock but drops them, jump cut to close up on keys on floor and her hand picking them up.
2) Jump cut to mid shot of protagonist unlocking her car and stepping within. As she pulls away long shot of Harriet standing on the side of the road as the protagonist drives past.
3) Zoom out and panning shot of the car leaving the car park it should be mostly or entirely empty to connote her isolation. The sound will be diegetic with the sound of the car pulling away. The lights again are natural.
4) Jump cut to a zoom shot of the car pulling up the long drive that was shown in the location shots it will then zoom out to show again a sense of isolation and desolation within the area she is driving. Sound will be ____________ and the lights will be natural. The car will slow to a stop and appear to breakdown.
5) Jump cut to a close up of her arm turning the key in the ignition the engine wont start. Jump cut to a long shot of her getting out of the car and checking the engine. The engine will be smoking.
6) Jump cut to mid-shot of protagonist on her mobile phone, jump cut to close up of phone with no signal.
7) Long shot of her running to the house the sound track again __________ lighting still natural. It will zoom in on her running towards the house and the zoom will follow her as to represent her being followed or haunted by harriet. A jump cut will then show a shot of her running towards the house through a window giving achieving voyeurism.
8) Jump cut to long shot low angle, of the house showing it is imposing. The light will be natural and the sounds ______ the protagonist will walk up to the house.
9) Jump cut to mid shot of her knocking on the door of the house and entering. Sounds will be diegetic.
10) It will then go to a jump cut of the previous shot of it being a low angle long shot of the house and the door will slam shut showing a sense of "no escape."
11) It wil then jump cut to a long establishing shot of the inside of the house within a room filled with old furniture and books showing age and a feeling of untouched history she will walk around looking with wonder, wide eyed.
12) A close up of her face with her eyes wide looking about frantically clearly feeling on edge and uncomfortable, she will shut out "hello?" until she is answered with running footsteps from another room .
13) Jump cut to POV shot of her running around to face the door and the place of which she can here the footsteps coming from.
14) Jump cut to mid shot of behind the protagonist as she opens the door from which behind she heard the footsteps. Then jump cut to low angle of her descending the stairs she will be silhouetted by the light behind the door and again she will call out "hello?"
15, 16, 18) Jump cut to mid-shot of her walking towards a mirror showing her reflection within the mirror, she will turn around and it will be a POV shot of her looking behind her. Then as it goes back to the mid shot of her looking back in the mirror but the reflection will have harriet behind her. Protagonist will scream and run out of the room.
19) Jump cut to high angle shot of her running back up the stairs. The high angle will give a sense of her being trapped within Harriets games.
20) Jump cut of her running passed the window while harriet looks within giving a sense of intrusiveness and intimidation.
21) Jump cut mid shot protagonist rushing into a room to try and hide from Harriet.
22) Jump cut to POV view shot of her backing away from the door as the foot steps walk backwards and forwards, the camera zooms in as they walk finally to the right, and no more shadows, sound __________
23) POV shot of her hand reaching for the door handle, jump cuts between close up of her face scared and wide eyed and POV shots and opens the door.
24) Jump cut to shot reverse shot of POV with her looking both ways down the corridor, left, right and left again. Upon the last look Harriets face will be there.
Black Out.
2) Jump cut to mid shot of protagonist unlocking her car and stepping within. As she pulls away long shot of Harriet standing on the side of the road as the protagonist drives past.
3) Zoom out and panning shot of the car leaving the car park it should be mostly or entirely empty to connote her isolation. The sound will be diegetic with the sound of the car pulling away. The lights again are natural.
4) Jump cut to a zoom shot of the car pulling up the long drive that was shown in the location shots it will then zoom out to show again a sense of isolation and desolation within the area she is driving. Sound will be ____________ and the lights will be natural. The car will slow to a stop and appear to breakdown.
5) Jump cut to a close up of her arm turning the key in the ignition the engine wont start. Jump cut to a long shot of her getting out of the car and checking the engine. The engine will be smoking.
6) Jump cut to mid-shot of protagonist on her mobile phone, jump cut to close up of phone with no signal.
7) Long shot of her running to the house the sound track again __________ lighting still natural. It will zoom in on her running towards the house and the zoom will follow her as to represent her being followed or haunted by harriet. A jump cut will then show a shot of her running towards the house through a window giving achieving voyeurism.
8) Jump cut to long shot low angle, of the house showing it is imposing. The light will be natural and the sounds ______ the protagonist will walk up to the house.
9) Jump cut to mid shot of her knocking on the door of the house and entering. Sounds will be diegetic.
10) It will then go to a jump cut of the previous shot of it being a low angle long shot of the house and the door will slam shut showing a sense of "no escape."
11) It wil then jump cut to a long establishing shot of the inside of the house within a room filled with old furniture and books showing age and a feeling of untouched history she will walk around looking with wonder, wide eyed.
12) A close up of her face with her eyes wide looking about frantically clearly feeling on edge and uncomfortable, she will shut out "hello?" until she is answered with running footsteps from another room .
13) Jump cut to POV shot of her running around to face the door and the place of which she can here the footsteps coming from.
14) Jump cut to mid shot of behind the protagonist as she opens the door from which behind she heard the footsteps. Then jump cut to low angle of her descending the stairs she will be silhouetted by the light behind the door and again she will call out "hello?"
15, 16, 18) Jump cut to mid-shot of her walking towards a mirror showing her reflection within the mirror, she will turn around and it will be a POV shot of her looking behind her. Then as it goes back to the mid shot of her looking back in the mirror but the reflection will have harriet behind her. Protagonist will scream and run out of the room.
19) Jump cut to high angle shot of her running back up the stairs. The high angle will give a sense of her being trapped within Harriets games.
20) Jump cut of her running passed the window while harriet looks within giving a sense of intrusiveness and intimidation.
21) Jump cut mid shot protagonist rushing into a room to try and hide from Harriet.
22) Jump cut to POV view shot of her backing away from the door as the foot steps walk backwards and forwards, the camera zooms in as they walk finally to the right, and no more shadows, sound __________
23) POV shot of her hand reaching for the door handle, jump cuts between close up of her face scared and wide eyed and POV shots and opens the door.
24) Jump cut to shot reverse shot of POV with her looking both ways down the corridor, left, right and left again. Upon the last look Harriets face will be there.
Black Out.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Inspiration from existing Horror Films
Inspiration.
Don't be afraid of the dark uses the same "haunted house" concept we intend to use in our short film. I love the introduction to this trailer, the use of whispers and darkness make the audience feel vulnerable and fear of the unknown. The setting is very important for this film to be effective. The isolation of the house makes the characters feel very alone and helpless as there is nobody around to help them. This is a mood we'd like to replicate in our film also. The use of one shots and fast paced editing is also a use frequently within this film and is another concept Jono and I would like to explore within our short film.
The Blair Witch project is a film uniquely designed by the use of hand held camera entirely throughout the film. By this use of camera the POV shots are even more realistic as the camera shakes with the persons fear. The film itself inspired me as it was unique and the Blair Witch is an unstoppable force like the character within our film.
The Black Swan is a film that has been recently produced in 2010 and got $329,398,046 at the box office. The ideas I like from this peice are the concepts of good and evil within a single entity. The scene I particularly like is in the tralior when natalie portman looks into the mirror and a demonic version of herself is moving seperately and smiling cruely back at her. I was drawn to this idea as it is a concept Jono and I intend to use in our short film.
An advert that caught Jono and my attention was the new phone4U advert as it has all of the desired conventions we wish to explore, but has a twist that "love feild" also explored.b The antagonist is confronted by the protagonist. This subverts all previous expectations people have of the horror genre. The costume is very typical of a horror film as i've explored in my "costume" post.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Location shots
Upon arrival at my desired location I found taking shots very useful. It helped me collaborate my thoughts and organise my ideas. It was very useful when I could see shots that I would like to film. I particularly liked the 5th shot as it was framed beautifully with the trees and I think it would be nice to have our character drive through on her way to the house as it could symbolise her entering an undisturbed area which leads the audience to ponder why this area is undisturbed...
Inspiring Horror Images
When considering the mise en scene of my horror film I wish to follow all of the conventions previously used by other films because they are used for the very reason they were created. They work. So using the media language theory I hope to effectively apply these conventions as the connotations of the signs are dependant on the person entirely. Their age, culture, gender ect are all factors that will change and mould a persons interpretation of a scene, prop, costume, colour. So I will use key conventions throughout my horror film to ensure the desired perspectives are addressed and understood.
Looking further within the genre I researched some Photographers of the horror genre. This helped me to create my ideas and to conclude my thoughts about costumes, makeup and even the casting. I found the key conventions within nearly every photo I looked through, my favoruite photographer being:
http://www.anathemaphotography.com/ the photo within that slide show being the one of the girl in front of the mirror as it directly relates to the aspect of horror within our theme of the reoccurring motif of the mirror. I love the colour schemes and makeup this photographer has used, and will definitely consider her work when I come to experiment with Harriets makeup. Another photo she has is the photo of a woman with a doll. This is again an aspect of horror that has interested me and I planned to use dolls within my horror piece as props in the background giving off the uncomfortable feelings associated with the dolls.
Looking further within the genre I researched some Photographers of the horror genre. This helped me to create my ideas and to conclude my thoughts about costumes, makeup and even the casting. I found the key conventions within nearly every photo I looked through, my favoruite photographer being:
http://www.anathemaphotography.com/ the photo within that slide show being the one of the girl in front of the mirror as it directly relates to the aspect of horror within our theme of the reoccurring motif of the mirror. I love the colour schemes and makeup this photographer has used, and will definitely consider her work when I come to experiment with Harriets makeup. Another photo she has is the photo of a woman with a doll. This is again an aspect of horror that has interested me and I planned to use dolls within my horror piece as props in the background giving off the uncomfortable feelings associated with the dolls.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Equipment List
In order to have a sense of clarity and organise our thoughts Jono and I have created an equipment list to ensure we have all the desired and needed props, costumes and camera equipment needed to make our filming successful. We collaborated a list of items we feel we need but if we need anything more then we will adjust the list as necessary.
Equipment:
Video Camera
Tripod
Camera
Car
Car Keys
Macs
Editing Software
Mobile Phone
Escot House
Long Mirror
Costume:
Josie must be in pale pastel colours or white to signify the cnnotations of innocence and purity. Her makeup will be minimal to show her natural face.
Harriet must dress in dark colours, preferably black or charcoal grey, her makeup will be heavy, and I will experiment with different shades and types of makeup. This will show her "unnatural" which can be seen to have a deeper meaning of her being an unnatural being.
Props:
The props we use must all fit in with the sense of age such as the locations within the house must be rooms that have been relatively untouched.
Ideas for background props are things such as china dolls, rocking horses, and old books. The codes that are signified by these props are a sense of history or "unloved" possessions. This can directly related to the background of Harriet and show she was once a loving child, but is now tormented and haunts this house.
Equipment:
Video Camera
Tripod
Camera
Car
Car Keys
Macs
Editing Software
Mobile Phone
Escot House
Long Mirror
Costume:
Josie must be in pale pastel colours or white to signify the cnnotations of innocence and purity. Her makeup will be minimal to show her natural face.
Harriet must dress in dark colours, preferably black or charcoal grey, her makeup will be heavy, and I will experiment with different shades and types of makeup. This will show her "unnatural" which can be seen to have a deeper meaning of her being an unnatural being.
Props:
The props we use must all fit in with the sense of age such as the locations within the house must be rooms that have been relatively untouched.
Ideas for background props are things such as china dolls, rocking horses, and old books. The codes that are signified by these props are a sense of history or "unloved" possessions. This can directly related to the background of Harriet and show she was once a loving child, but is now tormented and haunts this house.
Risk Assessment
Before filming or going to our chosen location we must consider the possible risks involved with our short film in order to find solutions to combat any harm being done. It is important we think about these risks so we can prevent any injury coming to any of the cast or crew.
Possible risks:
1) Being run over
2) Crashing the car
3) Tripping and falling while ascending/ descending the stairs
4) Falling over in one of the running scenes
5) Fingers being trapped in doors when being slammed shut
Solutions:
1) Take extra care when crossing or walking on areas where there could be cars.
2) Make sure the driver is fully focused and attentive.
3) Take care when approaching stairs
4) Make sure any possible obstructions are removed
5) Keep all fingers away from doors in scenes when a door is to be slammed shut
Possible risks:
1) Being run over
2) Crashing the car
3) Tripping and falling while ascending/ descending the stairs
4) Falling over in one of the running scenes
5) Fingers being trapped in doors when being slammed shut
Solutions:
1) Take extra care when crossing or walking on areas where there could be cars.
2) Make sure the driver is fully focused and attentive.
3) Take care when approaching stairs
4) Make sure any possible obstructions are removed
5) Keep all fingers away from doors in scenes when a door is to be slammed shut
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Short Horror Film Analysis
The short film horror LOVEFIELD, is an excellent example of a horror, as it has the text book conventions and characteristics that are known to, and recognised by the audience. The key expectations that need to be met, in order to pleasure the audience's needs, are plots that involve death, fear of an antagonist or opposing force.
Screenshot 1. Establishing shot and title. The editing in this scene is a simple fade technique, to establish the setting. The title LOVEFIELD is clearly shown in the middle, with capital letters and white font. Capital letters are always used in film posters for horrors, as they want it to really jump out and catch the readers attention, the title 'LOVEFIELD' however is slightly disconcerting, as you don't expect a horror to have a name that connotes
happiness and a different genre entirely. This, however, was intentional as the producer of this piece of media text is trying to confuse the viewer, as the story is just about a woman giving birth, whilst using typical conventions of a horror to connote a different story entirely to the viewer. One of the connotations that is used to manipulate the audience in this opening scene is the simple sound of wind blowing, it makes the viewer feel isolated and alone, much like many protagonists in typical horror films. The other connotation is the plain and boring colors used, and the natural and slightly weak lighting, making the setting look austere. A high angle shot, used to look over the fields and establish the setting.
Screenshot 2. The camera then sinks slowly down into the wheat. Editing fades into different shots of the head-height vision, of the wheat field. The camera position is held at head height, and pans around, almost like a P.O.V shot of someone looking around. This connotes to the viewer the feeling of being alone, which is a typical feature of a horror because it's a more personal look into the setting, and subsequently making the audience more scared, as it adds tension and suspense. The depth of field is mainly focused far away, and the panning follows which way the wheat is moving, making it seem to the viewer that there is a presence in the field. As the camera pans at a low height out of the field, there is some diagetic sound of a sign, 'creaking' in the wind. Camera follows the sign upwards, to then reveal a black crow, an animal which is a signifier for death and horror, and the sound of the crows squawk is added to the diagetic symphony is the wind blowing and the swinging sign, simply horrifying. Camera closes up on the crow as it disturbs the dead silence of the area with it's piercing high pitched squawk.
Screenshot 3. Several cuts from the close up of the crow, to the wheat field, where the depth of field is reduced and focused to near the camera. A violin is being played as non diagetic background music, another typical horror convention that creates tension and suspense. The camera then pans across, the diagetic sound of a mobile phone 'beeping' gradually increases in volume until the camera reaches a close up shot of a dropped mobile phone. This prop is used to connote that an event has taken place that has forced a character to obviously drop the item, which then make the viewer assume that something/someone is chasing that said character.
Screenshot 4. Various other props enter the screen as the camera pans left, using depth of field to focus on items such as money, handbag and keys. There is a quite, crying shriek from a female character (not on the screen) and then as a hand reaches down and grabs hold of the grass, but then soon slips away, the scream and cries of agony get louder, connoting that the female character is in pain. Camera continues to pan left, as a pair of woman's underwear is displayed on screen, connoting that perhaps a sexual assault is being committed, terrifying and disgusting the viewer (shock and awe). The foot then begins to shake violently, due to the pain the woman is experiencing. As the non diagetic sound of the violins return, they slowly build up to an intense climax, and then silence as the foot stops shaking and remains perfectly still on the ground. The viewer now assumes that the woman is dead.
Screenshot 5. Violins are then used for sharp, piercing dissonance as (what we can only assume) a male, bloodied hand pierces a knife into the ground next to (what we can only assume) the victim. Violins and crow squawk, now used to create tension as the hand leaves the knife, and the camera gradually moves upwards the male figure, costumed in jean overalls and a white tank top and a trucker hat, connoting that he is a farmer or the negative slang term 'hill-billy'. A skull tattoo is revealed on his arm, whilst the camera establishes his appearance, obviously this connotes to the viewer that he is a dangerous man.
Screenshot's 6,7 and 8. The tension builds, as the male character turns around and runs to the car. The diagetic sound of the crows caw becomes more frequent, so does the non diagetic sound of the violins in the background. The editors used quick jump cuts in this particular moment in the film, in order to connote urgency and panic. Strategically, the camera never reveals what the character face looks like, as in many classic horrors, the antagonist doesn't have a face. In films like Halloween and Scream,
the antagonist wears a mask, and in horrors like The Grudge and The Ring the female antagonists face's are covered with long, black wet hair. Close ups on the hands, to connote urgency and panic.
diagetic violins speeds up, as the (assumed) antagonist grabs a blanket and runs back into the field to the (assumed) body of the victim. Faster
jump cuts are still being used.
Screenshot 10. Jump cut to low angle shot next to the body. Non diagetic and diagetic sound still loud, with constant jump cuts to the close up of the crow.
Screenshot 11. P.O.V low angle, intimidating powerful figure looking down at the victim. Covers the camera with blanket. Darkness. Jump cut to crows head, waiting for the caw to occur, gets the audience in a state of high anticipation and tension, then................
happiness and a different genre entirely. This, however, was intentional as the producer of this piece of media text is trying to confuse the viewer, as the story is just about a woman giving birth, whilst using typical conventions of a horror to connote a different story entirely to the viewer. One of the connotations that is used to manipulate the audience in this opening scene is the simple sound of wind blowing, it makes the viewer feel isolated and alone, much like many protagonists in typical horror films. The other connotation is the plain and boring colors used, and the natural and slightly weak lighting, making the setting look austere. A high angle shot, used to look over the fields and establish the setting.
Screenshot 2. The camera then sinks slowly down into the wheat. Editing fades into different shots of the head-height vision, of the wheat field. The camera position is held at head height, and pans around, almost like a P.O.V shot of someone looking around. This connotes to the viewer the feeling of being alone, which is a typical feature of a horror because it's a more personal look into the setting, and subsequently making the audience more scared, as it adds tension and suspense. The depth of field is mainly focused far away, and the panning follows which way the wheat is moving, making it seem to the viewer that there is a presence in the field. As the camera pans at a low height out of the field, there is some diagetic sound of a sign, 'creaking' in the wind. Camera follows the sign upwards, to then reveal a black crow, an animal which is a signifier for death and horror, and the sound of the crows squawk is added to the diagetic symphony is the wind blowing and the swinging sign, simply horrifying. Camera closes up on the crow as it disturbs the dead silence of the area with it's piercing high pitched squawk.Screenshot 3. Several cuts from the close up of the crow, to the wheat field, where the depth of field is reduced and focused to near the camera. A violin is being played as non diagetic background music, another typical horror convention that creates tension and suspense. The camera then pans across, the diagetic sound of a mobile phone 'beeping' gradually increases in volume until the camera reaches a close up shot of a dropped mobile phone. This prop is used to connote that an event has taken place that has forced a character to obviously drop the item, which then make the viewer assume that something/someone is chasing that said character.the antagonist wears a mask, and in horrors like The Grudge and The Ring the female antagonists face's are covered with long, black wet hair. Close ups on the hands, to connote urgency and panic.diagetic violins speeds up, as the (assumed) antagonist grabs a blanket and runs back into the field to the (assumed) body of the victim. Fasterjump cuts are still being used.
Screenshot 10. Jump cut to low angle shot next to the body. Non diagetic and diagetic sound still loud, with constant jump cuts to the close up of the crow.
Screenshot 12. "It's a boy!!" Lighting is increased, connotes happiness and the mood has now changed as the narrative is now partly established. Cheerful violins now playing as non diagetic sound.
Long shot of setting, police car pulls up. The narrative is now fully established.
The narrative is fairly simplistic and definitely not the stereotypical horror narrative of an evil antagonist trying to hunt down/kill a scared, innocent protagonist. The genre conventions of horror, help disguise the narrative and divert the viewers expectations by creating signifiers that make the audience think that the narrative is something else entirely. The institution behind this short film, looks like a small budget, production, that could possibly just be filmed for a small arts evening or some other similar occasion. The quality of the footage is surprisingly good, considering it's a product of 'Matt Ratt Productions' and they are a small filmography company that have only created three short films in the past.
I think it's very clever how the divert your expectations of the narrative in this film, with all the typical horror conventions and connotations like the diagetic/non diagetic sounds, the good use of costuming for the antagonist that suggests he is a rough individual, with his dirty overalls, scuffed work boots, sweat stained tank top and skull tattoos on his arm. My only criticism of this film is the fact that they showed the supposed, antagonists face half way through the film. I think it would have been more effective if they limited the amount of 'face-time' with the antagonist, and focused more on the protagonist as a typical horror makes the audience feel sorry for the victim, it never lets the audience get personal with the assailant.
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Mood Board
In preparation for my film I looked through other film posters, films, narratives and key iconic images used in order to get inspiration for my own film. I explored why they were successful and how I could also use the same key concepts in order to also create a successful film with a preferred reading. My mood board helped me to chronologically oragnise my thoughts on my narrative within relation to other horror films. I also looked into horror film posters for research into my preliminary task, I really like the idea of the use of shadows as it creates such a iconic sense of tension and fear. I also really liked the poster with the person outlined by shadow looking in on a home. This to mereally stood out as i felt it gave a sense of intrusiveness and insecurity through the use of the connotations of a home (Safety, protection and sancturary) being flipped on its head by the spying, unseen intruder. I felt this would make my audience feel incredibly alone and feel as though they can relate to the fear the protagonist is experiencing.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Initial Narrative
Using low key lighting, little dialogue, shadows and mirrors we felt we could create the enigma and terror that would hook our audiences to their seats. Our narrative so far is:
Scene One
We meet our protagonist in the car park of her workplace, she will appear isolated by the use of pathetic fallacy as she will be by her car in the heavy rain and diagetic sounds of thunder will rumble around her. She will fumble with her keys, dropping them as to give her a relatable universality. Our audience will therefore feel more attached to her. She will be blonde and wearing white to connote a sense of innocence as purity. This effective use of costume is used in the film Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock In the opening scene in that link we see Marion in her white underwear and afterwards white clothing so show she is innocent. Thereafter she steals money her costume changes to darker colours to display her corruption. This use of costume I will consider when dressing my own protagonist to connote successfully my characters personality. The car park of her workplace will be deserted bar her own car, giving a further sense of isolation. She will ring her boyfriend to tell her she is on her way home from work and is going to take a shortcut because of the rain. This sets up why she is in the car park and why she takes an alternate route home. The sounds will be diagetic at this point, using rain and thunder and no other traffic or people should be heard. This reestablishes her loneliness and isolation. We will use a pan shot to establish the scene and thereafter mid-shots and long-shots of her to show her costume and the connotations of it will be established subliminally by this. We will use continuity editing to give a natural realism to the piece and therefore, again, a universal appreciation. The lighting will be dark, shadowed to create an enigmatic feel to the film.
Scene Two
Within this scene it will be pan shot of an entirely rural area, and her headlights will be seen in the distance, the rain will still be heavily pouring down and thunder bellowing in the sky, her car is seen to suddenly stop and a zoom will be used to focus in on her car, then a jump cut will give an extreme close up of her turning the keys and nothing happening. This will be accompanied by tense music to give the audience an instant sense of eeriness and tension. She will then get out of her car shown by a long shot of her, and go round to her bonnet and look at the engine. Resigning to her cars failure she will pull out her mobile and there will be the sound of no signal. She will look around her shown by a point of view shot, the nearest shelter being an abandoned mansion of Escot House. Another long shot is shown of her running towards the house in search of a phone. The lighting will be dark and the house appearing to be empty. These shots will establish and reaffirm her isolation in the rural area and the soundtrack will be used to create a sense of shear tension and uneasy emotions in the audience. The music in the previous link to Psycho shows very effective uses of soundtrack with the use of violins playing. This use of violins is used in the iconic shower scene of psycho, within that link the scene is shown will and without the music showing the absolute importance of music to create the desired atmosphere.
Scene Three
We will use a low angle long shot to establish the mansion to give an intimidating impression to the mansion, the rain will appear to be isolating the house even more so as it will drown out noises from within the house the audience will instantly feel gripped as they enter the house with the girl. when the door is closed, it should be closed with a defining thud as if you symbolise her not being able to escape its clutches. The music should be a cello sound often used on the TV show "true blood" which is used effectively to create a pessimistic omen to the scene. The lighting should be dark as to create a sense of evil or wrongness associated with the colour and lighting.
Scene Four
Livy will call out if anyone is home and will hear running footsteps in the basement. She will go to investigate calling out "hello?" with no reply. She enters a basement filled with dust and sheets over everything but a long mirror. She walks toward the mirror reservedly and stares into it. We will use a shot reverse shot to show this scene of Livy looking into the mirror seeing nothing, then a shot of Livy looking around and then as she swerves around to look back into the mirror Harriet will be standing behind her staring. Harriet will be in black, with dark eyes, dark hair and a slightly mocking smile on her face as if to show her torturing intentions with Livy. The lighting should be candle light if possible to give a flickering and shadowed effect as though all the shadows around her are moving giving more sense of unease. She will exit the basement.
Scene Five
The next long tracking shot will be alongside Livy running down a corridor in the near dark. As she runs past one of the windows harriet will be outside it with a hand on the glass. I spoke about the use of mirrors and windows within my mood board. I think the use of someone staring through a window is very intrusive and will make the audience feel goosebumps as they imagine this happing in a situation they can relate to. Livy will not notice Harriet there which gives dramatic irony to the piece as the audience know that Livy is not free from her but she continues to run deeper into the house. Livy will stumble across a door and rush in as to protect herself from Harriet.
Scene Six
A mid shot will show Livy backing away from the door as shadow will appear under the door of feet and then the shadow will leave with the sound of running feet down the hallway. The room will have china dolls and a rocking horse typically associated with scary films as I described previously in my mood board. Again the lighting will be low key and create a sense of tension as the footsteps are heard. The sound should be silence all bar the diagetic sounds of footsteps running. There is still a sense of unease as we hear nothing but sounds of Josie respiring and slowly creeping forward, as to raise tension, and opening the door.
Scene Seven
Again a shot reverse shot will be used here to give the jump when Harriets face appears. it will also be a point of view shot as Livy looks to her left down the corridor and then down the right and then as she looks left again Harriets face will be there. This will be end of the film and it will go black as to leave a cliff hanger and the audience guessing at what happens to Livy. There will be some intense music for this final shot, ending either very high pitch or very low pitched violins or cello to create the negative, tense atmosphere. The lights will be low key and sparingly dim.
Scene One
We meet our protagonist in the car park of her workplace, she will appear isolated by the use of pathetic fallacy as she will be by her car in the heavy rain and diagetic sounds of thunder will rumble around her. She will fumble with her keys, dropping them as to give her a relatable universality. Our audience will therefore feel more attached to her. She will be blonde and wearing white to connote a sense of innocence as purity. This effective use of costume is used in the film Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock In the opening scene in that link we see Marion in her white underwear and afterwards white clothing so show she is innocent. Thereafter she steals money her costume changes to darker colours to display her corruption. This use of costume I will consider when dressing my own protagonist to connote successfully my characters personality. The car park of her workplace will be deserted bar her own car, giving a further sense of isolation. She will ring her boyfriend to tell her she is on her way home from work and is going to take a shortcut because of the rain. This sets up why she is in the car park and why she takes an alternate route home. The sounds will be diagetic at this point, using rain and thunder and no other traffic or people should be heard. This reestablishes her loneliness and isolation. We will use a pan shot to establish the scene and thereafter mid-shots and long-shots of her to show her costume and the connotations of it will be established subliminally by this. We will use continuity editing to give a natural realism to the piece and therefore, again, a universal appreciation. The lighting will be dark, shadowed to create an enigmatic feel to the film.
Scene Two
Within this scene it will be pan shot of an entirely rural area, and her headlights will be seen in the distance, the rain will still be heavily pouring down and thunder bellowing in the sky, her car is seen to suddenly stop and a zoom will be used to focus in on her car, then a jump cut will give an extreme close up of her turning the keys and nothing happening. This will be accompanied by tense music to give the audience an instant sense of eeriness and tension. She will then get out of her car shown by a long shot of her, and go round to her bonnet and look at the engine. Resigning to her cars failure she will pull out her mobile and there will be the sound of no signal. She will look around her shown by a point of view shot, the nearest shelter being an abandoned mansion of Escot House. Another long shot is shown of her running towards the house in search of a phone. The lighting will be dark and the house appearing to be empty. These shots will establish and reaffirm her isolation in the rural area and the soundtrack will be used to create a sense of shear tension and uneasy emotions in the audience. The music in the previous link to Psycho shows very effective uses of soundtrack with the use of violins playing. This use of violins is used in the iconic shower scene of psycho, within that link the scene is shown will and without the music showing the absolute importance of music to create the desired atmosphere.
Scene Three
We will use a low angle long shot to establish the mansion to give an intimidating impression to the mansion, the rain will appear to be isolating the house even more so as it will drown out noises from within the house the audience will instantly feel gripped as they enter the house with the girl. when the door is closed, it should be closed with a defining thud as if you symbolise her not being able to escape its clutches. The music should be a cello sound often used on the TV show "true blood" which is used effectively to create a pessimistic omen to the scene. The lighting should be dark as to create a sense of evil or wrongness associated with the colour and lighting.
Scene Four
Livy will call out if anyone is home and will hear running footsteps in the basement. She will go to investigate calling out "hello?" with no reply. She enters a basement filled with dust and sheets over everything but a long mirror. She walks toward the mirror reservedly and stares into it. We will use a shot reverse shot to show this scene of Livy looking into the mirror seeing nothing, then a shot of Livy looking around and then as she swerves around to look back into the mirror Harriet will be standing behind her staring. Harriet will be in black, with dark eyes, dark hair and a slightly mocking smile on her face as if to show her torturing intentions with Livy. The lighting should be candle light if possible to give a flickering and shadowed effect as though all the shadows around her are moving giving more sense of unease. She will exit the basement.
Scene Five
The next long tracking shot will be alongside Livy running down a corridor in the near dark. As she runs past one of the windows harriet will be outside it with a hand on the glass. I spoke about the use of mirrors and windows within my mood board. I think the use of someone staring through a window is very intrusive and will make the audience feel goosebumps as they imagine this happing in a situation they can relate to. Livy will not notice Harriet there which gives dramatic irony to the piece as the audience know that Livy is not free from her but she continues to run deeper into the house. Livy will stumble across a door and rush in as to protect herself from Harriet.
Scene Six
A mid shot will show Livy backing away from the door as shadow will appear under the door of feet and then the shadow will leave with the sound of running feet down the hallway. The room will have china dolls and a rocking horse typically associated with scary films as I described previously in my mood board. Again the lighting will be low key and create a sense of tension as the footsteps are heard. The sound should be silence all bar the diagetic sounds of footsteps running. There is still a sense of unease as we hear nothing but sounds of Josie respiring and slowly creeping forward, as to raise tension, and opening the door.
Scene Seven
Again a shot reverse shot will be used here to give the jump when Harriets face appears. it will also be a point of view shot as Livy looks to her left down the corridor and then down the right and then as she looks left again Harriets face will be there. This will be end of the film and it will go black as to leave a cliff hanger and the audience guessing at what happens to Livy. There will be some intense music for this final shot, ending either very high pitch or very low pitched violins or cello to create the negative, tense atmosphere. The lights will be low key and sparingly dim.
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