First showcase feedback

In todays lesson we showcased our rough cut of our opening sequence. Each other group in the class assessed our work and made commnets on what was going well so far, what could be inproved and what needs to be added/removed.

Positive feedback:
-The setting is very effective and good for the genre.
-Quility of the filming is very good.
-Good match on action.
-Clear narrative.
-POV shot very good.
-Framing is excellent.
-Good sequence idea.

Consturctive critisism: 
-Some parts seem slightly rushed (E.G editing at the end of the sequence)
-Some cuts obvious
-Actors break the 4th wall as they look at the camera occationally.
-Needs a clearer establishing shot.
-Need to edit out the laugher on one of the shots.

We have taken on board the constructive critisism and have already identified these faults ourself. Obviously we had no finished editing when we showcased it therefore some of the critisisms like the laugher will be cut out once the editing it completed. On Friday 8th we will be refilming some of the scenes which for example, break the 4th wall and well as the establishing shot.

Posted by Rosie King

Sound research for editing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9XMd2eAy_4

(Independent music)

This music is very simple, but as our film will have a lot of dialogue, it can be used as background music is well as with opening and closing titles. if we wanted to add any other music that might be more dominant, we could mix them both up so that it can sound strained and create tension.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye1mE2bq7H8

(Independent music)

This clip has a lot more examples of a variety of music types. They are very different and they sound very suited to the genre, also making parts of it sound terrestrial, which could fit with our story of deserted woods and the 'unknown'.

Horror opening titles research

James Bond -Skyfall

This is a modern example of amazing opening credits. Firstly credits are located at the most convenient location of the screen, they are not still, but are slightly moving with the current of the ocean as James Bond is sinking further into the deep sea, this is a good way of integrating the titles and the moving image, as it seems less of a disturbance and more part of the film. The font is simple, so it does not take away from the rich ingredients of moving image. The font is also white, which is a neutral colours to the variety of images used in the opening sequence, the size is acceptable, noticeable but not overwhelming.

Se7en - Starring Brad Pitt.

This is an excellent example of horror which can relate to our own opening titles. Unlike many others, it is a lot less simple. The fonts are all dynamic, not all in straight lines, some neater then others, Some spaced out further then others etc. Comparing other sequences this one is the most eye-catching and exciting, sometimes less is better, but horror in particular can be a lot more creative; it prepares the audience for tension and addiction of horror characteristics, as you get drawn into what is about to happen. The black/brown/red backgrounds and white font is a successful comparison as it really brings out the variety of titles due to its dark to light effect. It also uses a lightening effect when the music changes key, keeping it intact and attractive.

Horror overview

                                                                   Horror


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fu_sA7XhE

(Jaws) 

Narrative: Killer shark, bloody deaths, screams, capturing the killer.

Typical characters: Vunerable (Girls), Children.

Themes: Death, Gore, Sharks, Deep water.

Iconography: Usually smaller isolated places, innocent people can not escape or try unsuccessfully.



Different features of HORROR:

- Supernatural 
- Fantasy
- Nightmares
- Fear and Terror
- Ghosts
- Aliens
- Vampires 
- Werewolves
- Curses
- Torture
- Monsters
- Serial Killers
- Innocent Woman
- Weapons
- Located in fields or normal environments
- Children as Possessed characters

Pyscho: This film is a typical horror film, as the victim is a young, pretty blonde woman. 

Paranormal Activity: This is a more recent example , it is typical as it effects young children and vunerable women.  It is in a house which makes it more isolated and the audience can identify with the setting.  It is also a case of the 'Unknown' Making it scarier.

Shutter Island: Deals with the mentally ill, it is scripted so the audience have no control of how the person feels or reacts though his actions, we 'are' the character, making us rely on the character to defeat the 'evil'. 

Horror: Types of narrative

Taken

I love using the example of Taken as it fits in with are group film genre: Horror. 

Equilibrium: The daughter goes on a trip to Paris with one of her friends, her father is apprehensive at first but later comes to terms with it, The daughter is thrilled.

Disruption: At the airport her and her friend are introduced to a young man who they are fond of, he ask's if they cant meet up later and they agree. Later that day, the daughter sees that all is not well, after her and her friend are later 'Taken'. Her father immediately acts on the mission to save her.

Recognition: Finding out through a phone call  he continues the mission to rescue her, fighting all types of bad people in the sex trafficking industry. Finding her dead friends he knows he has little time to find his daughter.

New Equilibrium: The dad finally finds his daughter, she is rescued and returns to America. There relationship improve and she continues to dream of a singing career.

Horror opening sequence research

Genre: Horror

Narrative/ theme:

-Dramatic climaxes/ suspense.

-Death/ murder/ torture

-Escape and chase

-Dark

-Confinement

-Supernatural/ spirits

-Madness/ psychotic

Setting:

-Isolated areas, buildings or towns. E.G Derelict buildings, wooded areas or post-apocalyptic city.

-The setting is invariably dark to add tension to the atmosphere and give a sense of the unknown.

-Dungeons, castles, caves, the underworld

-Lost islands, worlds, cities

Camera movement:

-Canting is used in lots of horror films to give an off balance feel or to make the audience feel disorientated. It may indicate that a character has been drugged or is deranged.

-Hand held shots are used a lot in horror films as it adds to the sense of realism; it also conveys a sense of immediacy and intensity. 

Characters:

-Villain E.G Sweeny Todd

-Vulnerable and weak

-A supernatural being E.G demons, aliens, witches.

-Monster creations E.G King Kong, Frankenstein, lock ness monster. 

-Psychopaths, the possessed, the obsessed, the brainwashed. E.G Emily Rose is possessed in ‘The exorcism of Emily Rose’

Music/ sound:

-Dark, eerie and ominous sound, which is usually non-diegetic.

-Music is often fast paced to increase suspense and intensity in a scene. It builds up the action on screen to its pinnacle point.

-There are often non-diegetic sound effects such as ghostly shrieks, howls and groans.

Lighting:

-The use of shadows is common to hide objects/ characters or so the audience can only see parts, which heightens the mood and atmosphere.

-Dark, low key lighting is also used for the same effect.

Example:

‘The haunting in Connecticut’ (2009)

-Plot: a family is forced to relocate for their son's health; they begin experiencing supernatural behavior in their new home, which turns out to be a former mortuary.

-Theme: Dark, supernatural, death, suspense.

-Setting: House was previously a mortuary.

-Character: vulnerable and weak- boy has cancer is taken over by the spirits of the dead.

Example:

'Texas Chair Saw Massacre' (1974)

-Plot: Five friends visiting their grandpa's old house are hunted down and terrorised by a chainsaw wielding killer and his family of grave-robbing cannibals. 

-Theme: Dark, death, murder, escape/ chase. 

-Setting: old house/ slaughterhouse.

By Rosie King

Extended Horror Research

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCbDUREBwUg

(Taken)

We used this to investigate aspects of horror which we can incorparate in are own movie. the main feature of taken which we plan to use in similar context. the scene where the girl gets pulled from under her bed by her ankles is one of the best most memorable scenes in Taken. when we are in the cabin location, we plan for someone to get taken by criminals in balaclavas. We think that the way this is done in Taken is extremely exciting and makes the scene fill with tension. the camera angle is also something we will take from this film, we feel like using low shots or POV angles will ake you emphathise with the character much more and get the full effects of the genre.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrEvK-tv5OI

(Jaws)

This opening sequence is very useful in our short film because the basis of the story starts with friends in a happy talkative environment. However the happy turns immediately unhappy once the shark captures the poor woman. The transference goes from jolly american music to silence with just dialogue, this is a very good way in changing the mood at the start of the film.

Focus group results

From the focus group we took on board some of the ideas that others had about our initial idea. For example, one person commented on how 'less is more' and that we should not reveal the mangled body. From this, we changed the scene to the friends attempting to call an ambulence for help. This creates suspence and adds to the audience interpretation of the situation.

Filmed, posted, edited by Rosie King and Libby Nichols

Focus group questions

1. Do you usually watch horror films? 

A. Yes

B. No

2. What do you think of the initial idea we have created?

3. What aspects do you like? 

4. What aspects do you dislike? 

5. If you were creating this opening sequence using our idea, what would you change and why? 

6. Do you think the set is suitable for the genre of film? 

7. Could any of the props or costumes be improved, if yes how? 

These focus group questions will help us decide whether this is the right idea, and if not help us develop what we can change and improve on.


Posted by Rosie King

Genre research questionnaire

Genre research questionnaire: 

1. How often do you watch films a week? 

A. Once a week

B. More than 2 times a week

C. More than 4 times a week

D. More than 6 times a week 

E. Every day

F. I don't watch films 

2. Why do you watch films?

3. How do you watch films?
A. Cinema
B. Downloading/ online
C. I player
D. DVD/ video 
E. Television 

4. Do you watch British films?
A. Yes 
B. No

5. What is your favourite genre of film? Pick your top 3

A. Action/ adventure

B. Animation 

C. Comedy 

D. Crime

E. Drama

F. Horror

G. Period/ historical 

H. Romance 

I. Fantasy/ science fiction 

6. What structural elements do you look for in your chosen top 3 genres? 

7. What themes do you enjoy to watch in your chosen top 3 genres? 

8. What is your age? 

A. 0-10 years

B. 11-20 years

C. 21-30 years

D. 31-40 years

E. 41-50 years

F. 51+ years

9. What is your gender? 

A. Male

B. Female

I have created this questionnaire in order to gain a wide view of the types of films, themes and genres people enjoy watching. I want to gain a vast amount of different opinions for all age groups in order to choose a genre of film, and to help create narrative that will be appealing to the chosen age group. I intend to ask 15 different people of all age’s groups, backgrounds and genders to get a balanced conclusion. 

Posted by Rosie King