Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Our first preliminary task was very basic. Looking back at it now I can see the shaky camera work, the dodgy shot sequences and the sound is rather bad. Comparing it to the Rosie opening it is completely different and that shows how much I have learnt and improved through this project.
In our second film we done a romance clip. In this we started to use editing which is shown by the fading between scenes. Although it is an improvement on our first film you can tell we had a lack of knowledge about mise en scene. We also used a variety of shots from close ups to point of view shots.
As you can see by this picture we used a close up of a woman putting a book away. The book is City Of Thieves which has nothing to do with romance. This shows we didn't know about mise en scene and if we did we would of used a romance book.
During the experience of making Rosie I have learnt many things about film. The first thing I have learnt is the importance of a shot sequence. You have to structure them to go with what's happening, e.g. fast shots for a action chase, long slow shots for romance. This is so the film doesn't seem weird or wrong. You have to look professional at all times. Another thing I have learnt is the different shots and the effects they have on the audience. This is very important and you can tell we put a lot more thought into the shot types for Rosie than we did for our preliminary. Before making films I was unaware of the importance of sound. It is very difficult to get the perfect sounds to match the scene, that is part of the reason we recorded our own version of ring a ring o' roses. Both diegetic and non digetic are important as you want to build tension but keep a sense of realism. Another thing I have learnt is the use of equipment. Dollys and tri-pods became a vital part of the filming of Rosie because we needed it to be as smooth and professional as possible.
In our second film we done a romance clip. In this we started to use editing which is shown by the fading between scenes. Although it is an improvement on our first film you can tell we had a lack of knowledge about mise en scene. We also used a variety of shots from close ups to point of view shots.
As you can see by this picture we used a close up of a woman putting a book away. The book is City Of Thieves which has nothing to do with romance. This shows we didn't know about mise en scene and if we did we would of used a romance book.
During the experience of making Rosie I have learnt many things about film. The first thing I have learnt is the importance of a shot sequence. You have to structure them to go with what's happening, e.g. fast shots for a action chase, long slow shots for romance. This is so the film doesn't seem weird or wrong. You have to look professional at all times. Another thing I have learnt is the different shots and the effects they have on the audience. This is very important and you can tell we put a lot more thought into the shot types for Rosie than we did for our preliminary. Before making films I was unaware of the importance of sound. It is very difficult to get the perfect sounds to match the scene, that is part of the reason we recorded our own version of ring a ring o' roses. Both diegetic and non digetic are important as you want to build tension but keep a sense of realism. Another thing I have learnt is the use of equipment. Dollys and tri-pods became a vital part of the filming of Rosie because we needed it to be as smooth and professional as possible.
How did you attract/address your audience?
To make sure we could attract our audience the best way possible we done some market research on our target audience. We conducted a pre production questionnaire in which we could find what our audience want in the film. This included sound, props, settings etc in which we used the results to influence our final film outcome. We had killing in the opening scenes to get the audiences attention straight away. This was also shown to be popular in our questionnaire. Non-diegetic sounds were highly wanted by the participants of our survey. We used a low drone sound to create tension and to make the audience feel something was about to happen.
Our storyline is very gripping because the audience is constantly asking questions, like who is the girl? is she a ghost? why is she killing people?. This will be revealed later on but it attracts the viewers to carry on watching. Also by having the opening set in a school, the audience can already relate to it. The use of CCTV means that the viewers feel they are seeing something live and that they can see more than the characters. This makes them "on-edge" about what is going to happen.
By combining the pre production questionnaire results and research into other horror film openings we feel Rosie will attract the audience straight away and the storyline will make them continue watching throughout the film.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Mind Map of Ideas
I helped create a mind map of our ideas. We thought of what film genre we would like to create and quickly decided on doing a horror. From there we planned characters, murders etc. We discussed pros and cons of each ones and what is "do-able". From this we built the plot of our film introduction.
Location Shots
As our film is based in a school we need shots of an office and corridors.
Because part of our film used a security office we needed an office for him too which could work as a cctv room.
This was hard to find but we did find an uncluttered modern room to use.
Here are the pictures
Office
Corridor
Corridor
Security Room
Security Room 2.
CCTV
CCTV
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Film Proposal
Genre
After looking at our ideas we decided that we would do a Horror Film opening. We looked briefly at other genres but believed that horror would be the best option for creating an opening. Horror film normally connote the film genre rather earily in the opening. This is very different compared to comedies where laughs dont come until 5-10 minutes in. Our horror intro will have to draw viewers in straight away and immediatly connote the genre. This could happen throough eerie non-diegetic sound and low lighting. Because horrors can be mistaken for a thriller we will include e.g. a murder etc at the start.
Resources
As the genre is horror we will film in the evening. This is so the lighting is eerie and suits the genre.
We need a place which will be empty so either our school at the night, or an abandoned place etc would suit us. We know the school will let us use various offices and corridors to film, so at the moment that is the most likely to happen. That is likely to be the most effective. We will act ourselves, as Ella is the smallest she will be the young girl, as Siobhan is taller she will be the Teacher and as the only male in the group i will be the security guard. This is so we can film when we want to and not have to rely on others.We have a dress and white face paint for Ella and Siobhan will wear sophistacated clothing. I will wear a luminous jacket as it is what security guards wear.
As the genre is horror we will film in the evening. This is so the lighting is eerie and suits the genre.
We need a place which will be empty so either our school at the night, or an abandoned place etc would suit us. We know the school will let us use various offices and corridors to film, so at the moment that is the most likely to happen. That is likely to be the most effective. We will act ourselves, as Ella is the smallest she will be the young girl, as Siobhan is taller she will be the Teacher and as the only male in the group i will be the security guard. This is so we can film when we want to and not have to rely on others.We have a dress and white face paint for Ella and Siobhan will wear sophistacated clothing. I will wear a luminous jacket as it is what security guards wear.
Techniques
We will be using a number of shots. We will use a lot of CCTV to make our film different to others. We will use a mixture of long and mid shots as well as some close ups. The close ups will be used to frighten the audience, we will use them to show the ghost child as well as to show the characters reactions. We will use shots to show the locations, e.g. corridor etc, and by using long shots we will show the relationship between the characters. We will use dollys and tripods to ensure the filming is smooth and looks professional.
We haven't including any dialogue in our opening scene so the characters seem alone, this adds to the eeriness. On the other hand we will be using non-diagetic sound to build tension and we may add a scream sound to make the audience jump.
We will be using a number of shots. We will use a lot of CCTV to make our film different to others. We will use a mixture of long and mid shots as well as some close ups. The close ups will be used to frighten the audience, we will use them to show the ghost child as well as to show the characters reactions. We will use shots to show the locations, e.g. corridor etc, and by using long shots we will show the relationship between the characters. We will use dollys and tripods to ensure the filming is smooth and looks professional.
We haven't including any dialogue in our opening scene so the characters seem alone, this adds to the eeriness. On the other hand we will be using non-diagetic sound to build tension and we may add a scream sound to make the audience jump.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Kill Baby Kill! (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfHH8hbSXEg
I chose to review Kill Baby Kill because after research I have found out it is similar to my groups ideas. The protagonist is a young girl, who is later to be revealed as a ghost.
The film starts with a long shot, this shows the location. The scene is set in the grounds of what looks like a church, or country house. A woman is seen running out of the building, screaming and panicking. This connotes there is a problem or something bad has happened. A mid shot is then used which confirms this. The woman then reaches some steps. She walks up them slowly. This suggests something could be up them. A close up of her face is then used, she looks shocked/worried as the camera pulls away. This suggests something below, which she is looking at, scares her. This is then revealed as spikes. A ripple effect is used on the shot of the spikes. This connotes she is looking at them and they are making her drowsy. The camera pans into the spikes as non-diegetic music starts, this a one toned. Another close up of her face screaming connotes she is struggling. Then a quick sequence of shots from a long shot of her falling, to a shot of the spikes to a shot of her falling onto the spikes make the audience panic and scream. A long shot of where the woman fell from shows a shadow. This connotes she was pushed. The title of the film then appears, with more non-diegetic music. The music is like an old fashioned childrens toy. This suggests the potential murderer is a child, plus the diegetic childish laughter over the music confirms this. As the titles roll in the background a close up is used of the "murderers" legs. She is wearing stockings and a dress, which again connotes she is a child. I personally believe this is an effective film opening as the murder grips the audience straight away. Also the child being used adds a certain unexpected fear element which works nicely with the genre
I chose to review Kill Baby Kill because after research I have found out it is similar to my groups ideas. The protagonist is a young girl, who is later to be revealed as a ghost.
The film starts with a long shot, this shows the location. The scene is set in the grounds of what looks like a church, or country house. A woman is seen running out of the building, screaming and panicking. This connotes there is a problem or something bad has happened. A mid shot is then used which confirms this. The woman then reaches some steps. She walks up them slowly. This suggests something could be up them. A close up of her face is then used, she looks shocked/worried as the camera pulls away. This suggests something below, which she is looking at, scares her. This is then revealed as spikes. A ripple effect is used on the shot of the spikes. This connotes she is looking at them and they are making her drowsy. The camera pans into the spikes as non-diegetic music starts, this a one toned. Another close up of her face screaming connotes she is struggling. Then a quick sequence of shots from a long shot of her falling, to a shot of the spikes to a shot of her falling onto the spikes make the audience panic and scream. A long shot of where the woman fell from shows a shadow. This connotes she was pushed. The title of the film then appears, with more non-diegetic music. The music is like an old fashioned childrens toy. This suggests the potential murderer is a child, plus the diegetic childish laughter over the music confirms this. As the titles roll in the background a close up is used of the "murderers" legs. She is wearing stockings and a dress, which again connotes she is a child. I personally believe this is an effective film opening as the murder grips the audience straight away. Also the child being used adds a certain unexpected fear element which works nicely with the genre
Questionnaire
We conducted a questionnaire to find out what factors would be best to use in a Horror Movie. These were designed specifically to help us with the film intro and for us to find out what works best.
- How often do you watch horror films?
Not Very Often (4)
Sometimes (9)
Very Often (7)
- What type of sound do you commonly hear in horror film openings?
Diegetic (3)
Non-Diegetic (12)
Both (5)
- Do you feel sound affects the tension in horror openings?
Yes (18)
No (2)
- Which do you feel would be a better affect for a horror opening?
Black and White (13)
Colour (7)
- What prop do you feel would be most affective for a little girl in a horror opening?
Doll (9)
Teddy Bear (8)
Instrument (3)
- Do you feel building suspense and mystery is important in a horror film opening?
Yes (19)
No (1)
- Do you feel there should be a killing in a horror film opening?
Yes (14)
No (6)
Where do you feel a horror setting would be most appropriate?
Inside (11)
Outside (9)
Halloween 2 (1981)
I have chosen Halloween because like The Omen, it is a classic, famous horror film. The film opening starts with the universal logo. This automatically shows the film is a big budget and high quality. The opening song is Mr Sandman, which is a complete contrast to the film. Having an upbeat jolly song connotes happiness but with it being a horror film it grabs the audience attention straight away. The place, date and time appear which lets the audience see where and when the film is set. There is then a pan downwards from a tree. It is night time so it is dark, this connotes bad thing, and fear. There is a big house, which the camera gets closer to. A shot of a woman telling 2 children to go ring the police makes the audience wonder why do they need to do that. The house itself is dark which connotes the house is erie, it makes the audience feel scared. A older the shoulder shot is used, this shows a man sitting up behind the woman. The non-diegetic music relates to this, and is time which the man sitting up. As the man sits up and moves closer to the woman the music gets louder and faster. A long shot of the children running out of the house screaming connotes something bad has happened in the house. The woman moves the room next door, and the man follows, again this room is dark. The man strangles her and she screams, this makes the audience become worried for her life. I believe the intro is good, especially as it grabs the audience straight away.
The Omen (1976)
I have chosen the Omen to review the start of because it is very famous, and contains a child as the main horror character. It is a 20th Century Fox film, which already shows it is made from a reliable source. The film starts of with piano playing and a choir. The music is erie yet loud which builds up suspense and a sense of anticipation. There is a black background, which connotes the film will be dark, white tittles fade up to reveal e.g. the production. This is very simple, yet effect. About 20 seconds into the intro a silhouette on a red background appears. The red color connotes the devil and evil, and the silhouette soon appears to be a boy's. This shows that the young boy has something to do with evil/the devil. It also connotes he is a main character. The shadow of the boy is the shape of the cross. This shows he may not be human, and having a cross is strange because you do not normally relate it to evil. A church bell dongs, and the tittle "THE OMEN" appears. It is in capital letters, which shows it is important, this is because it is the name of the film. The music gets louder and sharper, this again increase the fear of what will follow. The singing contrasts with the music, this makes the music even more frightening. The titles fade out and a shot of a man in a cab appears. The lighting is still dark so it doesnt contrast to the introduction. The place, date and time appear on screen to show when the scene is set. As the cab moves forward a non-diegetic voice sounds. It is deep and rough and sounds unhuman. It repeats "the child is dead" which itself is scary and makes the audience think, "what child, "how did he die" etc. I personally feel this is a good film opening and the music is spot on, the start is scary and sets the mood of the film straight away.
Planner
Romance clip
Myself, Siobhan, Ella and Romy had to make a short clip about romance so show a variety of shots. We used the school setting because it was the most convenient and it was easy to use. We used a lot of shots from long shot to extreme close ups.
We also edited the shots using black fades to make the clips look better on the eye. This gave us ideals on how we should shoot our actual film and things such as using a romance book in the library would of looked better.
We also edited the shots using black fades to make the clips look better on the eye. This gave us ideals on how we should shoot our actual film and things such as using a romance book in the library would of looked better.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Preliminary Task
On the 12th January, Myself, Siobhan, Ella and Romy made our preliminary video. We planned out our location, and shot types, as well as scripts. We had to take all shots into account so the film flowed and didn't seem unrealistic.
The film had to be basic, and involve diologue between two characters. One of the characters had to walk through a door and sit down, also we had to include one match on action shot, which was Romy walking too the door, then a shot of her coming through it. A shot reverse shot between the two characters had to be used. We done this for the diologue between Romy and Siobhan.
We had to have trail runs of how it would look due to the time limit, so we done a few takes of each scene. We practised before each scene so our actress's knew exactly what they had to do. It also took us little time to edit the film because we knew which takes were good, and which wasn't.
Our film clips ran smoothly into each other, but some minor editing was needed. Some continuity problems happened, like the librarian appearing suddenly but that was only noticed if great detail was taken into account. Also background sounds change, but due to it being a working school we could not affect this.
Taking these problems into account for our final project we will film after school, when there will be no unexpected children or teachers. Also we will have it planned to exact detail so minor problems shouldn't happen. Actors and costumes will already be sorted, and equipment will be the best quality as possible. We will again take more clips, incase of problems with them.
The film had to be basic, and involve diologue between two characters. One of the characters had to walk through a door and sit down, also we had to include one match on action shot, which was Romy walking too the door, then a shot of her coming through it. A shot reverse shot between the two characters had to be used. We done this for the diologue between Romy and Siobhan.
We had to have trail runs of how it would look due to the time limit, so we done a few takes of each scene. We practised before each scene so our actress's knew exactly what they had to do. It also took us little time to edit the film because we knew which takes were good, and which wasn't.
Our film clips ran smoothly into each other, but some minor editing was needed. Some continuity problems happened, like the librarian appearing suddenly but that was only noticed if great detail was taken into account. Also background sounds change, but due to it being a working school we could not affect this.
Taking these problems into account for our final project we will film after school, when there will be no unexpected children or teachers. Also we will have it planned to exact detail so minor problems shouldn't happen. Actors and costumes will already be sorted, and equipment will be the best quality as possible. We will again take more clips, incase of problems with them.
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