Filming techniques

 The rule of thirds 

The frame is divided into 9 imaginary sections. This creates reference points which act as guides for framing the image.

The 180 degrees rule

Film practitioner

Name: Nirage

• He runs a label publishing company called Outcast and releases music videos. He has worked with many people including Craig David.
• He has worked with the BBC and produced documentaries as well as TV series such as 'Our Girls'.
• He has also worked with Asian Network radio station.

Camera tips:

• To focus on light you should look at the aperture, ISO and shutter speed.
• To reduce grain you should increase aperture.
• The frame rates need to be 24 per second
• Shutter speed needs to be 48 or round it to 50

Sound tips:

• You need to get a boom and get as close as possible to the person talking.
• The sample rate needs to be 48 kilohertz
• The Bit rate needs to be 24 bits a second
• The file needs to be in WAMs and not MP3 because the sound gets compressed and should be avoided.

Feedback

New dawn studios talked with a film practitioner about our film and what the plot constructs. We were told to change the protagonist from the tour guide to the main character Sophia, because she is the director of the film and it would be better if the story unfolds how the script does. This makes the audience unknown she is the protagonist and also makes more sense.

From this feedback we did not want to change our protagonist as we wanted the tour guide to have a bigger role in the film.

Permission letters for filming

  Permission Letter for Building

Signed 

  Permission Letter for Cast Members

Costume and prop list

For our film we will not need many costumes and props so we only have few items that we will definitely need.

• Stopwatch/Watch 

• Fake blood

• Papers (script) 

Horror film poster ideas

This is the font that might be in use for the title of the film.

Mallory, the main character will be in the front of our poster having long black hair and wearing a simple dress.

The back ground of the film will be all black with only just a spotlight shining down on Mallory.

The logo of the production will also be in the  poster but at the bottom.

Risk Assessment

  Risk assessment

Recce

Location: Central Foundation College Terrace

Description: A large old school building 

Purpose: The whole movie except the last scene will be filmed in this building.
Suitable: This is a good location to film because it looks haunted as its very old and goes well with our genre which is supernatural.
Not suitable: It may having a certain closing time so it would be hard to film at the right time and also there may be classes going on which may cause disturbances if we were to film during that time.

We will be using this location.

Location 1: Classroom
We will be using this room for most of the film, scenes 2,3,4,and 5 will be featured here. This room is efficient for our filming because its messy and seems like its been abandoned for a long time which makes it look creepy and conventional for a horror film. The cupboard in the room plays a part in our film as Mallory is seen hiding behind it during the end scene. The use of the creaking door adds a haunting atmosphere.

Location 2: Outside the building in the playground
This location is suitable because its big and spacious and allows the audience to feel the lonely atmosphere that Fatema encounters when Mallory kills her.

Location 3: The hallway leading to different classrooms
This location shows the inside of the building and gives the effect of the loneliness Naimah has to face when she sees Fatema dead. It also shows how old the architecture is and evidence of supernatural activity that she has to face.



Location: Central Foundation girls secondary school- Auditorium 

Description: A large hall with chairs at the back and a big projector screen.

Purpose: To film the last scene where the protagonist comes in front the audience in the film,

Suitable: This is a good location to film because it has loads of space for the audience to sit and a large screen so they can view the film.

Not suitable: It may be in use for something else so we might have trouble with the dates and timing to film at the right time.

We will be using the this location.

Narrative

I integrated Propp’s theory of having some of the conventional characters in my film. The first is the villain, who is Mallory and the second is the hero who is the protagonist, Sophia.

Levi Strauss’ Binary oppositions by representing good and evil as Mallory was the evil one and the three other characters along with the audience in the theatre as being the good ones. This connection results in changing the stride of the film from joyous and upbeat, where the group of friends have fun to measured and miserable. This was important as it shows Mallory, the tour guide is actually the villain and evil. It also suggest not to trust someone so easily as the group of friends did not know her true identity. This outcomes in audience interaction as they feel sympathetic towards the group of friends.

Barthes’ Enigma code is used when it comes to my film as the plot constructs a puzzle that the active audience is asked to solve while the characters act out the story. The audience do not know that the tour guide is actually a ghost who has come back to haunt people who enter the building. Narrative is delivered to the audience by expectation, suspense, tension and closure. The audience is led to believe that Mallory is a kind and welcoming normal person which leads to tension and suspense during the ending. The enigma ends with a surprising twist and the audience soon realise Mallory is malevolent.

Todorov’s theory regarding equilibrium was another narrative theory that applied to my short film. The equilibrium that opens our film presents a group of friends visiting an old building o film their story. This is then followed up by the dis-equilibrium where Mallory kills two of the characters. I challenged the Todorovs’s theory by not having a new equilibrium at the end. The enigma code is combined at the end of the film when the screen goes blank. This can be seen as a sad ending, using the uses of gratification theory as the audience’s reasons for seeing it may be for entertainment or social interaction.

My films narrative was multi-stranded through the perspective of Mallory’s side and the character’s as the non-linear flashbacks indicate more than one side of the story telling us how Mallory died and also the character’s point of view. This style of narrative manipulates time.

I included an enigma code in our film because it would create an active audience rather than a passive one. I wanted our audience to try and figure out what happened to the character Sophia and also to the audience in the film when Mallory appeared in front of them. The blank screen will leave open ended questions from the audience. This goes against Carroll’s argument when he says that the third phase of a film was the ‘Disruption phase’ where the characters destroy the source of the disorder and restore normality.  This however does not happen in our film because of the enigma code which is the cliff-hanger which is stereotypical in a horror film.

Treatment and Pitch

Treatment:

However, the age rating to the film has changed since looking up the BBFC age ratings and finding out that any sign of pain or infliction of it, needs to be rated a 15, so that is what we changed. 

Minutes of meeting

Interview with practitioner

Questions to ask a film practitioner:
1. What are the key things to do before making a film? 
2. How do you come up with idea's for the film?
3. How do you start writing the story-line for the film?
4. How do you choose the characters?
5. What are the main aspects to a successful film?


I tried to get in contact with the director of popular horror films such as Saw and The Conjuring - James Wan on social media via twitter. However I did not get a response back.

I also tried to get in contact with a horror short film director - David F. Sandberg, but also did not get any response either.

Ethnographic study

I observed a group of people whilst they were watching 'Insidious'. They were all creeped out through hearing the theme tune of the film at the beginning which shows that music and sound can create a sinister atmosphere and build the mood of the film.
The part when a shadow is shown it builds up tension as the music is suspenseful and also the dark lighting creates a creepy atmosphere which made the group of people quieten and focus on whats about to unfold.

The use of conventions such as blood shown in this scene focused the groups attention as they felt scared of what had imprinted the blooded hand on the white sheets. The presence of the unknown kept their attention high.

When the antagonist was shown the group freaked out because it scared them as the figured that it was devil haunting the child who was in a coma. The build up of the loud suspenseful music added more tension as the antagonist was shown only for a brief seconds so the audience is left to ponder and feel shocked.

When the seance takes place the group said they felt anxious as they didn't know what was going to happen next which left them feeling unsure and scared.

During the scene when the father goes to rescue the son, the devils lair is shown and also the devil himself which frightened the group as it silenced them and kept their focus on the scene as they didn't know what was going to happen next. The colors were conventional of a horror film as there were mostly reds and blacks used which created a creepy atmosphere. The use of dark shadows also enhanced this effect and added to the creepiness.

The part when the father goes to search for his son, petrified the group as it was pitch black and dolls were also shown which is another convention of horror films.

During the ending the music and sounds were louder as it built up to the climax which made the group sit at the edge of their seats eager to see what happens next. When the group found out that after all the rescuing the devil when inside the father which the wife discovers when she sees the camera where a picture of a ghost was shown instead of him. This built up the suspense and left the group to wonder what happens to the family.

General questions I asked about what they like and what they dislike about horror films:

Person 1 Likes: horror films with children in it such as Orphan and Chucky as it's more scarier because you expect them to be innocent and then they turn out to be evil which twists the story line.
Dislikes: horror films with a bad story-line such as Smiley because its not interesting and does not engage their attention.

Person 2: Likes: Horror films based on true stories such as paranormal activity as it creates a more sinister atmosphere as you know this has actually happened in real life.
Dislikes: Gory horror movies such as Saw because of all the blood and traps.

Person 3: Likes: Horror films with a twist such as The house at the end of the street as it plays with the mind and makes it much more interesting.
Dislikes: Supernatural films as they are boring such as Sinister because its the same thing over again and its not that scary.

The development of the horror genre

BBFC and Case study on controversial film

Horror film poster analysis

This poster underneath is a genre that relates to my film

Radio survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2ZFSPVB

Horror trailer analysis

Poster survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8CH7GRY

Audience profile

USA and UK horror films

• There have been many horror films coming out from the UK then there were before.
• British horror films take the ideas, themes, structures of North American horror films and in a unique and interesting way, they make them they're own. 
• For example 'Shaun of the dead' was a zombie movie with comedy as a sub-genre. which was a popular British horror film.
• British horror films have a lot of creativity involved than the USA which makes they're horror films more original.
• USA horror films are far more popular and successful because they reach a wider audience through they're actors such as 'Insidious'. 

http://www.horror-movies.ca/horror_14979.html 

Top UK horror films:

Top USA horror films:

USA horror films are more popular than UK ones.

Similar horror film to mines

The Conjuring (2013)-Based on true story:

Director: James Wan

Budget: $20 million

Box Office: $318 million

Distribution: 

Marketing- The first promotional pictures were released in November 2012. A teaser trailer was shown at the 2012 New York Comic Con, which kicked of the films marketing campaign in February 2013. Throughout the campaign, the film was promoted as 'based on a true story'. In the weeks leading up to the films release, trailers and TV spots  began to feature the real-life Perron family. 

Theatrical release- Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema initially intended to release the film in early 2013, but decided on a summer release date after gaining a positive reaction from test audiences. The film was then released on July 19th in North America, and in the United Kingdom. It was one of the first horror films to receive a wide release in United Stated during the months of June pr July since 2006's 'The Omen'. The world premiere took place June 6th 2013, at the closing night of the first edition of Nocturna: Madrid International Fantastic Film Festival. 

Home Media- The film was released in DVD and Bu-Ray formats by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on October 22nd 2013.

Target Audience: 

The film certification for the film is a 15 as it contains frightening elements and scenes which the younger audiences may fear. It appeals to the older audiences because it contains mystery in the film and the fact that its based on a true story makes it even more intriguing to watch.

Horror film title analysis

Radio trailer analysis (sounds)

Case 39 (2009):

The trailer for the movie begins with a non-diagetic sound of a strong beat which quickly turns into eerie music. This is added with diagetic sound of the main protagonist talking. Whispers are included which makes it scary The music picks up pace as parents try to kill antagonist before it stops completely. Equilibrium seems to be restored and this is enforced by the use of calm non-diagetic music playing in the background. Diagetic sound of eerie noises such as doors opening begin and the music begins to change. Many sounds are included to add tension. A lot of screams and shouts are included here before the music reaches its climax. This helps the audience wonder if equilibrium is restored or not (cliffhanger).

The Purge (2013):

Non diegetic sound of pianos is used which gives a calm effect at the start, there is also a siren sound used, which builds tension as you fear what will happen at the end of it. There is also some sort of music playing in the background which sounds like opera. This links to the story being set in America trying to give the effect of being the national anthem. As for diegetic sounds, there is more of this as there is dialogue used, things smashing such as glass, an alarm going off, door bell, all which relates to what is happening in the scene, but also these sounds link to the horror genre. Tension builds up near the end as the audience is left to think what happens through the use of loud music, sirens, opera singing and screaming.

Interviewing my target audience

1. What do you expect from a supernatural film? (codes and conventions)
2. What type of setting would be expect from a supernatural film?
3. What type of sound effects would you expect from a supernatural film?
4. What type of characters would you expect to see in a supernatural film?

Radio trailer- Supernatural

Paranormal activity 5: The marked ones (2014)

In the beginning of the radio trailer we hear police sirens and a helicopter which overlaps with non-diegetic music of a hip hop song. This could suggest that the film revolves around young people. We then hear older men shouting at a teenage boy and his other friends as you hear diegetic sounds of running. From the non-diegetic music you can hear its Mexican which informs the audience listening that the film is based there. The music stops as soon as sirens are heard and you hear police saying 'Inside now!' which suggests something has happened and also reinforces Todorovs theory of equilibrium as the beginning seems normal and then something bad happens. Next you hear a teenage boy saying 'The lady that died lived under me' this tells the audience what has happened, suggesting mystery. 

You then hear the group of friends inside the house of the lady that died, the teenage boy says 'There's blood everywhere' this helps create an image in the listeners head of what they can see creating suspense for whats coming next. You also hear a young teenage girl say 'This is all black magic stuff' this constructs a sinister atmosphere to what the film could involve. She then goes on to say 'how does she have pictures of you' this makes the atmosphere more creepy and leaves the audience to figure out the answer. The music in the background is very low and eerie. You then hear the main protagonist speak 'It looks like a bite or something' this shocks the audience with terror as its very mysterious. After you hear a fight go on between older men and there is a build up of suspenseful music and silence to suggest what has occurred. The teenage girl is heard saying 'How did you do that' and the protagonist saying 'I just don't remember' which suggests to the audience that he has done something to the older men. 

There is a loud sinister music playing in the back and the protagonist breathing heavily suggesting that something has happened to him. Later you hear another girl saying 'They possessed Christie and then Katie' the word possessed creates a bone-chilling atmosphere hinting to the audience paranormal presence that could be taking over the protagonist. She also says 'The marked one's' this highlights the title of the film and tells the audience that the protagonist is one of them. After you hear panicking of two people as you hear them trying to escape from the inside of a car, the music also builds up creating tension. It then goes silent and then the girl screams and the music goes really loud as you hear glass smashing suggesting the protagonist got the other boy. Then you hear chanting of prayer from an old lady in the background and then again loud suspenseful music as it builds to the climax of the film.The name of the protagonist 'Jesse' is screamed by one of his friends suggesting he is trying to kill someone. There is a sound of shooting and glass smashing and then complete silence. This creates a cliff hanger to the radio trailer leaving the audience to figure out what has happened.