Preliminary Task (Film) - The Wrong Deal

This is our preliminary film task called 'The Wrong Deal'. This short film is about a drug deal which goes wrong. We got the idea of doing a drug deal because we felt this was interesting and entertaining for the teenage audience we aimed it at. We were also able to include all the required elements, for example 'Over shoulder shot' and '180 degree shot' in our short film.

By creating this short film it gave us a great opportunity to practice different angle shots and editing skills which will help us when we come to creating our real film.

08/02/2010

Research - Different Characters

In all film genres there is usually a hero, villain or enemy and other characters which play the hero's friends, family or the villains side kick or accomplice. The different things we had to think about before planning out the opening sequence was to discuss whether the hero was going to be male or female, we also had to decide where they came from. After discussing this we did the same for the villain and the other characters.

By conducting research we discovered that the hero was the person who showed heroism, they do a task or deed for some greater good, they also show courage or excellence. We also discovered that the villain was the character who has a negative impact on the other characters.

We then listed some possibilities for villains:
- A human with a disturbed past
- A creature or monster
- Ghost
- Serial killer
- Convict
- Supernatural

After creating this list  we decided that a creature or monster will be unsuitable as this would be quite difficult to show in our opening sequence, we also decided not to look further into supernatural for the same reason.

Next we will be researching different genres of film and generate our ideas for the opening sequence.

20/03/2010

Researching A Specific Film Genre - Horror

After researching different film genres we decided to get more information on specific genres. We chose to look closer at horror, we generated our ideas in the form of a spider diagram as seen above.

29/01/2010

Analysis Of A Horror/Mystery Film

The Ring - Analysing the opening sequence of a horror/mystery film

I know The Ring is a horror/mystery due to number of codes and conventions conveyed in the opening sequence of the film.

During the first two minutes of this film the audience receives clues on what the film is going to be about, the audience also know where the film is set and who some of the main characters are.

During the first two minutes of this film we see a setting shot of the house, the camera is focused as a mid shot on the house to focus the viewers attention on the house, we then see two girls sitting casually in a bedroom watching TV, this casual nature makes the audience know they are friends who enjoy each others company. The camera then shows a close up on the TV showing the audience that a TV will play a major part in this film. The camera then has a close up on the girls faces as they talk about a mysterious video tape, the close up is so the audience can see their expressions and to focus the audience on their conversation.

Codes

- Raining makes the scene feel miserable and dreary unlike a fantasy which may be very sunny and colourful.

- Static effect on the dreamworks introduction shows that their is a problem with something or someone in the film, shows the audience the film will have a twist or challenge in it.

Conventions

- Dark atmosphere makes the scene scary and eerie.

- Shocked expressions on the girls faces to show they are scared of something or someone, the close up makes the viewers feel scared also.

14/02/2010

Analysis Of A Horror Film

Pulse – Analysing the opening sequence of a horror movie

The film Pulse is a horror movie; I know this because of the number of codes and conventions in the films opening sequence.

This film’s opening sequence has opening credits to let the audience know different information on the film and a rough idea on what the film will be about.

During the opening credits you can see several clips of the film including quick shots of computer keyboards and chat rooms, this gives us an idea that the film will be a horror, where the internet and chat rooms will play a big part.

Conventions

- Dark Backgrounds is a convention of horror; it makes the whole experience of watching the movie scary, eerie and mysterious.

- Non-diagetic music is a convention of horror; this also makes the whole experience of watching the movie scary, eerie and mysterious.

- The title of the movie appears during the opening sequence.

- A quick image of the killer/murderer/monster appears near the end of the opening sequence which makes the audience scared just before the film begins, it builds up the tension in the audience.

- Dim/dark atmosphere is a convention of horror, I would expect to see the room or scene dark and not light up as this will not make the experience scary.

- Quick flashing images of the titty, also builds up the tension, the audience get a glimpse on what the creature looks like and make up the rest, this makes the viewer of the movie feel like they are involved in the movie.

- First person - like you are in the room, makes the audience feel they are in the movie, builds up the tension and 'scariness' of the movie.

- Build up of music the turns out it is only another character, a common diesease of horror is a build up of music, this keeps the viewer on the each of their seat and interested.

- Flashing men adds to the dim/dark atmosphere also adds to the tension building, the flashing men also make it difficult to see what is happening which adds to the suspense and thrill of watching a horror movie.

Codes

- Black and dark makes it seem the film will involve murder and death; it makes the whole experience of watching the film scary.

- Black and white writing which flashes red - shows death and creates suspense while watching the film, the audience has the feeling 'What's going to happen next'.

- Credits and titles have a static effect, no music playing, the static effect goes with the idea of chat rooms and the internet, also makes the movie feel scary before the movie has properly started.

- Shows the main character at a close up/mid close up shot, makes you know exactly who the main character is.

- A quick image of the monster/creature appears briefly on the window screen and again in the library. Builds up the tension and the idea that the audience have to use their imagination on how the creature looks.

- Character jumps back and hits bookcase, music starts over. Music plays a big part in horror movies, it adds to the tension.

- Monster grabs the character, climax of the opening sequence, what you would have thought would have happened.

- Cuts to a completely different/irrelevant scene of a party, most likely set earlier, before the library scene. I like this effect because you know what is going to happen before the character does, it gives the audience a feel of control, and also something to look forward to, I believe if the film started with this scene less people will be interested.

- Monster - White and scarred skin, no hair, dark eyes and wide open mouth

After analysing this opening sequence it has given me good ideas on what I can include in our opening sequence if we chose to do a horror movie.

08/02/2010

Analysis Of A Mystery Film

Se7en - Analysing the opening sequence of a mystery film

The film Se7en is a mystery movie; I know this because of the number of codes and conventions in the films opening sequence.

This film’s opening sequence has opening credits to let the audience know different information on the film and a rough idea on what the film will be about.

During the opening credits you can see several clips of the film including quick shots of police investigation files and disturbing images, this gives us an idea that the film will be a mystery, where the police and some kind of disturbing case will be a big part of the film.

Conventions

- Dark background is a convention of mystery, makes it difficult to see what is happening, the experience of viewing the film is mysterious.

- Erie/scary music that may distract the audience from the film itself.

- Disturbing images, the film is going to involve death or murder.

- Police files, the film will involve detectives and investigations, which is a key convention in a mystery film.

Codes

- Black and dark makes it seem the film will involve murder and death; it makes the whole experience of watching the film scary and mysterious

- Black and white writing which flashes red occasionally - shows death and creates suspense while watching the film, the audience has the feeling 'What's going to happen next'.

- Static effect on the writing, the producers/editors have made even the titles mysterious.

- Quick images

After analysing this opening sequence it has given me good ideas on what I can include in our opening sequence if we chose to do a mystery movie.

25/02/2010

Script

Script

First scene with dialogue - Home footage going through the forest

For this first scene we decided to have the characters feel excited, curious and scared about what they may find.

Rebecca: What’s that?

Billy: What’s that?

Rebecca: Up there, Look up there.

Billy: Nah serious.

Second scene with dialogue - Home footage looking at the map

For this second scene we decided to have the characters feel scared, anxious and a sense of excitement when they see the map.

Billy: It’s gotta be ‘round here somewhere, innit.

Jamie: Oh my god.

Rebecca: Look a map!

Billy: Right, map right. So if we go....

Jamie: Yeah but I heard she disappeared like somewhere ‘round here.

Rebecca and Billy: Yeah!

Billy: That’s what I heard as well, around there.

All three characters: Right come on, lets go, yeah.

Third scene with dialogue - Home footage finding the way out

For this third scene we wanted the characters nerves to build, we also wanted them to feel like they were in danger when they reach the ‘No Trespassing’ gate.

Billy: What’s that?

Jamie: Oh my god!

Rebecca: We should go back

Fourth scene with dialogue - Bye!

In this scene the characters say ‘bye’ to each other. In this scene we still wanted them to feel scared and anxious.

Billy: Right, I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta go, see you, see you later.

Jamie and Rebecca: Bye

Fifth scene with dialogue - Watching the news three days earlier

In this scene the characters first act normally, then their anxiety builds when they watch the news then they all act shocked and surprised when the TV cuts out.

Billy: Come on, argh!

Rebecca: Missed did they?

Billy: Does it look like it?

Jamie: Have you seen the news?

Billy: What news, what?

Rebecca: What’s happened?

Billy: What’s happening J, what’s happening?

Rebecca: Why’s it not working?

(News broadcast)

Newsman 1: Good evening, a 13 year old girl is feared missing after she failed to return home last night, my correspondent Tom Fowler is there now, Tom.

Newsman 2: Thank you Josh, I am here now outside Kings forest where the girl was supposedly last seen, her whereabouts are unknown but the hunt for her continu….

(TV cuts out)

Billy: What happened there, what’s happened to the TV J?

Rebecca: What was that?

Jamie: Oh my god!



29/03/2010

How I Edited The Film

I used several different pieces of software to edit our film. For the camera effect on the home footage scenes I used Adobe Flash, I first imported the movie into Flash and then created the battery, time etc... and placed them over the original video, I then had to export the video as a .mov file to import it into iMovie. I did this also for the news part of the film. Instead of the camera effects I done a news bulletin at the bottom of the screen with scrolling text. For the static effect on the 'Kings Forest' text for example I also used Adobe Flash. I first wrote out the text then changed the alpha on the first and last frame. I then created a motion tween to make the text fade in and out, I then removed the text on several frames to make the text flash and give it the static effect, the reason we decided on the static effect was because it is a code of horror. I then had to export the video as a .mov file to import it into iMovie. For the 'jumping' effect on the ghost I used a psychotic effect on Photo Booth on my MacBook. I then recorded my cousin walking towards the camera will the effect was on, the finished result can be seen in the film. Finally to have the soundtrack and effects running over the video I imported the clips into iMovie then muted or lowered the volume on them and then ran the soundtrack over the top. While doing this I included sound bridges and dips in the volume to make the film more realistic.


29/03/2010

The Soundtrack

We found the soundtrack on GarageBand. The track was called - Contemplative Synth 03, the reason we decided on this soundtrack was because we thought it suited our film perfectly. We thought the soundtrack was scary, eerie and mysterious. Before importing the soundtrack into the movie I edited it a little to make it suit our film better. For example I changed the pitch and volume on parts of the soundtrack and also shortened some parts. As well as this soundtrack we also needed some sound effects. The sound effects we chose to have was a heartbeat which we also found on GarageBand, once again I edited it in the same way as the soundtrack. A crow/bird effect to add more atmosphere to the film, I recorded this will in the forest. A scream effect which was created by my cousins and a louder 'walking through the forest' effect, this effect was created by placing cornflakes on a table and breaking them up. Using all these effects and tracks we managed to create a successful horror opening sequence.