Evaluation question #7

http://youtu.be/v8UPUDRv62g

OUR FINAL PRODUCT

Mise-En-Scene

COSTUME

We have used a dust sheet as a costume for the demon, we used some fake blood to make it seem more realistic. We used a lot of pale make up and dark eye shadow for under the eyes of the demon, we also back combed her hair to add to the demon, death-like effect.

For Adalyn we used regular teen clothing through-out the opening sequence. 

LIGHTING 

The lighting in the shots were low-key whilst the demon appeared on-screen. in some shots where Adalyn was involved we used an effect to make her look pale and frightened.
All through the Bedroon scene we used an effect called 'Film Grain' which gave a dark, faded look.

Evaluation question #3

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation question #6

Evaluation question #5

Evaluation question #5 from rosieallen1997

Evaluation Question #4

Evaluation Question #1

Story Board

Different Types of Camera Shots

At the beginning of our opening sequence we used a MONTAGE of dark, stereotypical horror locations and settings to lure the audience into our film.

We have used OVER-THE-SHOULDER/ SHOT REVERSE SHOT to represent a conversation between characters. we tried to make sure that the main characters were centre framed most of the time.

These MID-SHOTS were used so that the audience could be introduced to our characters.

the shot below was origionally a LONG-SHOT but due to camera difficulties we had to change it.

We have have tried to use a lot of CLOSE-UPS AND EXTREME-CLOSE-UPS in our opening sequence because this way you can see the emotion on the characters face. we have mostly used them on our main character Adalyn, this way the audience will immediately fixate on her.

 Here we have used a HIGH-ANGLE SHOT looking slightly down on Adalyn from the demons point of view. This type of shot is used commonly to show that the character in the shot is weaker and has no power in that situation; here it shows that Adalyn is weaker than the power of the demon.

We have used many REACTION-SHOTS which are incredibly important in horror films.

they are used to tell the audience what to think, if the main character is scared/frightened they will be too.  the top reaction is Doctor Bensons reaction to Adalyn staring just behind him. 

the reaction below that is what Adalyn's reaction is to what is behind Doctor Benson.

This is as close as we got to creating a LONG-SHOT and at the same time an OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT.

This shot we have tried to re-create from the horror film 'Insidious'. the demon being so close and un-noticed builds tension and suspense for the audience because they don't know what will happen next. the demon in our film is there to torment Adalyn.

Pitching our film

Our Film Pitch

Killers and Victims

KILLER MONTAGE:

VICTIM MONTAGE:

Horror Narrative

Sound Effects

 

*SCARY*

We use a scary sound effect when Adalyn can see the

 demon behind Doctor Benson. The scary effect reflects how

 Adalyn is feeling in this moment. The sound effect will be placed

 over her reaction shot, of a terrified pale face.

 

*SUSPENSE*

All the way through our opening sequence we use sounds

which are used to create suspense and build tension in our audience.

The opening sequence is a build up for the rest of the film,

so we have to engage our audience, and make them want 

to carry on watching. Each time our main character,

Adalyn, see's the demon, so does the audience and each

time we accompany the shot with a suspense filled sound effect, which

keeps the audience hooked.

 

 

 

*WHISPERING AND INDISTINCTIVE VOICES*

The audience will hear a lot of whispers every time Adalyn looks

off camera, as she notices the demon in the corner of her eye.

The quiet voices are used to represent the demon talking to her.

it adds confusion to the audience because they cannot hear

what is being said, or what Adalyn is being told to do.

 

 

 

 

 

*VOICE OVER*

At the beginning of our opening sequence we use a voice over, which

 is talking through an exorcism, which is disturbing for the audience and

quite frightening. it matches our genre of demonic possession well.

The exorcism is placed over a montage of spooky images

 which also link to the genre.

 

 

 

*SCREAMING AND PANIC*

 The audience hear a burst of panic and screaming after the slam

 of the door, giving the impression the have been locked in a room,

with the demon who will cause chaos. Screaming is classic in horror films

and is almost always used. it makes the audience feel un-easy and

helps them to connect with the characters.

 

 

 

 *HEART BEATING*

A real heart beat links with suspense and rising tension. it is classically used in the most frightening scenes in horror films, and it can represent not only the feeling of the characters but also what the audience feels at that moment. We will used the sound of a heart beating at the end of our opening sequence along-side heavy breathing and a worried reaction shot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Networking

We have created a Tumblr for our target audience (15-24). This age group are most likely to use social networking such as Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter. We have decided to make our own Tumblr account for 'INDISTINCTIVE PRODUCTIONS' and keep our audience informed about our company, and our horror film in which we will create the opening sequence to.

 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/indistinctive14

 

TUMBLR: http://indistinctiveproduction.tumblr.com/

 

Classic Monsters in Horror Films

 

 

 

Article from Empire Magazine about classic Horror-

 

Opening sequences

These are the opening sequences to some other horror films that I like to get some inspiration on how to set out our own:

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)

 The sequence from 'Nightmare On Elm Street' contrasts innocent children's play with hard tools and the dark eerie background. this sets up a disturbing and worrying story for the viewer.

FINAL DESTINATION (2009)

THE EXORCIST (1973)

Our horror film is a similar genre to 'The Exorcist' and this opening sequence has given us a lot of ideas on how the set out our own. the quick non-diegetic music gives an urgent feel, as if a hospital scene, medical help may be required, we see little dialogue, just very short sentences, not to give away too much to the audience too soon. This Opening sequence focuses on introducing the different actors involved.

JAWS (1975)

'Jaws' is classically used as a horror, and the suspense noise whenever the shark approaches has become famously used in horror films, in different tones, but this is the most obvious that something bad will happen. this opening sequence uses the 'sacrificial lamb' technique where a young woman is killed as the beginning of the plot which starts off the whole narrative.

Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions from annie7069

Opening Sequence Analysis

    


 The eyes stand out and position YOU as the audience. Her eyes are large, frightened and emotive, this instantly adds to the idea of enigma codes, the audience might ask 'Why is she so shocked?' 'what is making her so frightened?' which would encourage people to watch the film. The vividness of the blue colour in her eyes contrast with the black and white effect of the main image, making her eyes the main focal point- they draw you in as an audience and almost force you to look at them as they are straight-on.

The title suggests to the audience that there will be lots of frightening moments within the film hence the play on words in the title 'scream' is a very literal term. It connects with the main image of the poster because her shocked face and hand covering her mouth as if she is about to scream.
this connotes fear and shock and helps to create suspense to the audience. because of the extreme close-up we cannot tell if it is her own hand or whether it is someone else's hand who has crept up on her, this creates and un-easy sense of security. the hand has no gender as such to link to, it has short cut nails and they are not coloured- which plays along with the idea of someone else's hand.

The title is in block capitals and in a simple font making it stand out, clear and easy to read. The bold white font contrasts the gloomy dark background which emphasizes the genre.

The first 5 minutes of SCREAM is shown in this clip, I have analysed the first 10 minutes, so some of the shots towards the end of my analysis aren't shown.

 

The Tagline for this film is:

 

SOMEONE HAS TAKEN THEIR LOVE FOR SCARY MOVIES TOO FAR. SOLVING THIS MYSTERY IS GOING TO BE MURDER.

 

This gives and insight to the audience as to what will be in the film, it indicates that there will be a murder. By using an emotive word like 'love' it enables the audience to relate possibly their own personal feelings towards this word.

saying that the 'mystery is going to be murder' it connotes violence and death will be involved, it could also mean that it is going to be incredibly hard to solve the mystery which includes a murder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location shots

LONG EATON GRAVEYARD:

ATTENBOROUGH ST MARY'S CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD:

BEDROOM SCENE:

PSYCHIATRIST SCENE:

 

Production Company

We decided to call our production company 'Indistinctive' -
without a distinctive characteristic- not clear or sharply defined.

We went on http://www.dafont.com/ to choose different fonts which would be suitable for our production company, these are some which we tested out:

 

 

 

 

We eventually chose the font 'ERTHQAKE' because it has a horror-like characteristic and represents our opening sequence well. 

 

this is a pre-view of our font and production company name:

 

 

 

Questionnaire results

Horror Questionnaire from annie7069

Target Audience

Characters and casting ideas

Characters and casting ideas from annie7069

Title and Fonts

 

For our opening sequence we have chosen the title 'Satan's Swindle'

We have chosen this because it fits well with our genre, linking it to devils and demons. The definition of 'Swindle' connects the title to our whole plot. -

 

verb (used with object), swin·dled, swin·dling.

1.

to cheat (a person, business, etc.) out of money or other assets.

2.

to obtain by fraud or deceit.

verb (used without object), swin·dled, swin·dling.

3.

to put forward plausible schemes or use unscrupulous trickery to defraud others; cheat.

noun

4.

an act of swindling or a fraudulent transaction or scheme.

5.

anything deceptive; a fraud: This advertisement is a real swindle.

 

 

We selected different fonts from dafont.com and have chosen the most appropriate for our film. -monomadness

 

 

Cartharsis

 

 

 

CATHARTIC-

 

Is the term providing psychological relief for the audience through  the expression of strong emotion when they see something on screen (e.g. the villain is caught.)

 

 

The word comes from a Greek word Katharsis meaning 'purification' or 'cleansing' and is a sudden emotional breakdown or climax that constitutes overwhelming feelings of great pity, sorrow, laughter, or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal, restoration and revitalization.

 

This is used a lot within Horror films, most of the time giving the audience a false scare.

 



Audience Theory

HYPODERMIC NEEDLE

The "hypodermic needle theory" implied mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audiences. the mass media in the 1940's and 1950's were perceived as a powerful influence on behaviour change.

several factors contributed to this "strong effects" theory of communication, including:
-The fast raise and popularization of radio and television
-The emerge of the persuasion industries, such as advertising and propaganda
-The Payne Fund studies of the 1930's, which focuses on the impact of motion pictures on children.

The Theory suggests that the mass media could influence a very large group of people directly and uniformly by 'shooting' or 'injecting' them with appropriate messages designed to trigger a desired response.

 

USES AND GRATIFICATIONS

 

Originated in the 1970's as a reaction to traditional mass communication research emphasizing the sender and the message. Stressing the active audience and user instead. Psychological orientation taking needs, motives and gratifications of media users as the main point of departure.

 

Uses and Gratifications theory attempts to explain the uses and functions of the media for individuals, groups, and society in general. There are three objectives in developing uses and gratifications theory:

 

1. To explain how individuals use mass communication to gratify their needs. "What do people do with the media?"
2. To discover underlying motives for individuals' media use.
3. To identify the positive and the negative consequences of individual media use. At the core of uses and gratifications theory lies the assumption that audience members actively seek out the mass media to satisfy individual needs.