Initial thoughts on music

Today the group and i looked at royalty-free music on a website called Incompetech (http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/). So far we're interested in 2 songs (The House of Leaves & Fire Prelude) that would be useful for the main part of our opening as the scene builds in tension. We also found 2 other tracks (Anxiety & The Dread) which would be of great use in creating an eerie atmosphere at the start of our opening when the preamble, credits and location shots are shown. 

Initial problem editing

When the group and i tried transferring the AVCHD camera files to the Apple Mac we noticed we couldn't watch the video clips because the computer wouldn't support the file type. It took around 1-2 hours to sort out this issue where we had to ask the school technicians to help us with the problem. One of the technicians helped convert the files for us into MTS files to support the software on the Apple Macs. He then created a file on my account where the film would be saved, along with all the video clips so that we wouldn't lose the files such as if we worked straight from the clips on my memory card. Once this issue was solved we were able to crack on with our editing.

Evaluation of filming

The making of our film opening

Katy edited a video of the footage we made whilst we were filming for the film opening (which you can see below). We decided to make this mainly because it would show that despite Indya and i acting in the opening, we were also taking roles in filming shots; therefore our roles within the group were still shared rather than focused on the individual (Katy).

Extra Filming

We originally planned an extra day of filming (tomorrow: 19/02/14) where we could finish filming all the shots for the opening as well as any extra shots we may find useful. Since we managed to do all of this today i shall not need to meet up with Indya and Katy tomorrow. The main priority we have to content with now is editing which cannot be done until we begin school again after the February school holidays (since we need to access FinalCutPro, installed on the Apple Macs).

Completion of filming! (Shot Log)

So today Indya, Katy and i got to work on filming our opening and surprisingly enough, we managed to complete it! We got round to filming some extra shots which will be useful since we're still unaware of exactly how long our opening will be; therefore we can use the shots to lengthen the opening if necessary. There were a few shots we did alter due to the reality of how we could actually place the camera in terms of our visions and also there were times where the shots would be different because we misinterpreted the positioning of doors and size of rooms which altered the proxemics. Furthermore, we ended up using Katy's tripod rather than the one provided by the school due to the fact that when we put the camera on the tripod it was in the wrong position (so we couldn't tilt the camera up/down). Another issue with our filming was with trying to do a focus pull on one of our shots. When i tried to create a shot of the doll in shallow focus, switching to deep focus, the camera wouldn't comply with my intentions, thus not performing this action. Basically, we could only create a shot in shallow focus and pure blur, not deep focus unfortunately; therefore we haven't been able to put this into our film opening. Above is a shot log i wrote as we filmed each shot. Indya and Katy used it to record the information into there own shot logs.

After having filmed the shots we looked back over them and did some recordings which would be useful for the opening. These included sounds such as laughter, crying, speech, and short intakes of breath, all performed by the antagonist (myself) using Katy's mic and sound editing software. As of yet, we haven't specified which recordings we'll be using but we do have our preferences which should make the choice easy enough.

Day before filming!

Today i had a look at the equipment that we'll be using to start filming tomorrow and i'm really excited to see how it turns out. I'll admit that it was a little difficult to gather much info from the photocopy of information that was given to us but i managed to figure out how to zoom and also to focus pull! I'm quite pleased and hopefully tomorrow we will create the film opening we originally envisaged!

Filming Equipment

Hi here's my explanation of the filming equipment we'll be using to produce our film opening. Enjoy!

*One thing i forgot to mention is that we'll be using my 16GB HD memory card which is good because the file format will work better with the HD camera, providing the best resolution and also it will allow up to 4 hours of footage to be recorded.*

Planning: Progress

Before creating the storyboard, my group and i had a very debatable discussion into how we wanted to make our film look and what we should happen in the film opening. Since creating the PowerPoint which we presented as a 'big pitch', some of our ideas have slightly altered. In the storyboard there are a few things that we have amended too. One of which is the side at which the door is placed in relation to where Indya (Suzanne) will be standing. We have noticed that one of the doors in our shots is on the wrong side. Despite this, our vision of how the shot will look will not change. Another issue is with the fact that when the diegetic sound of thumping will be heard, so will a child's wailing cries ( this was not noted on the storyboard).

Planning: Storyboard

 

 

 

Planning: Call Sheet

Planning: Props: Documents

Planning: Props

In our film opening we will have Suzanne (Indya) having a a handbag which can be seen in the image on the right. We chose this handbag because it matched the outfit and would reinforce the reading that she is professional whilst still very feminine. This prop will only be seen from shots where Suzanne is reading her notes on a counter.

Additional props also include a black clipboard, black Biro pen, estate agent documents and a fake newspaper clipping discussing a murder that occurred at the house we are shooting the film opening in. These props would help establish greater verisimilitude of the character, Suzanne, and for the opening itself. The props will also reinforce the reading that the house will have a demonic spirit in it for which the narrative is based around.  

A final and most integral prop is a doll. To the left is a male doll which we'll be using for our film opening. Since the doll is a little boy the preferred reading will be of innocence. Old dolls, like this one (over 100 years old), are now commonly associated with supernatural horrors, and so the prop will help to reflect the code and conventions of supernatural horror movies.

Planning: Costumes

My group and i have established the costumes that both Indya and i will wear for the film opening. In this picture i am wearing a white dress which cuts just below the knee and shows my whole arms. We chose the white because white has connotations of innocence and purity. In many supernatural horrors, the antagonist wears black as a reflection of their negativity, impurity and darkness. We thought it would be interesting to have our antagonist wearing white, which breaks the conventions of supernatural horror movies and subverts from the codes and conventions of the genre. With this in mind, we want the film to be significant and stand out from any other horror movie. In relation to my footwear, i will be having bare feet. Furthermore, my hair will be similar to how it is in the picture whilst i will be wearing hauntingly, ghost-like make-up. The purpose of having bare feet is to create the effect that the antagonist is closer to the earth (in terms of bonding) which lends itself to the suggestion that the antagonist is closer to the the undead ties of the graveyard.  

This shot was taken from a tutorial video for ghost make-up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meeVZT5F_L4). In  this shot there is a girl wearing quite dark, sinister make-up. My group and i have decided to use make-up such as this for the antagonist to create a realistic and terrifying figure. To achieve the 'look' i shall need to apply white powder to my face and then i need to apply brown eye-shadow around my eye sockets. What' more, i will need to add black eye shadow for around my eyes also as well as on the jawline, temples, and cheek bones. I shall then need to apply white paint on the areas of my face where the bone is most prominent (yet i may not choose to do this).  The girl in the video is wearing contact lenses but i won't be doing this, neither will i wear a veil because the group and i would prefer not to create a character linked closely to the conventional antagonist.

The shoes Indya will wear

In this picture Indya is modelling a black dress which her character, Suzanne will be wearing. We have chosen to use black because it connotes sophistication, professionalism and power. We think that using a black dress will reflect her sophistication and reinforce her status as an estate agent. Indya will wear the watch she wears in this picture and also the group and i think she should wear gold earrings too, which will establish the reading that she is moderately wealthy. She will also have red nail varnish on. As for her shoes, Indya will wear black heels to further establish the professionalism and sophistication of her character. In relation to Indya's hair, it will be styled to the right. The fact we are showing Indya wearing a dress, heels, accessories and jewelry, is done for the reason of establishing a preferred reading in which we play on the archetypal female to show that whilst Indya is independent (has a job), she also holds values on looking good.

Planning: Casting

As a group we have decided it would be best to cast Indya and i for the roles within our film opening. We have done this generally due to logistical reasons. The filming location is within a short distance from all of our houses which means it's easier to get to the location on time. What's more, we all know each other well and can speak to one another with relative comfort and ease which means we will be able to get on with the filming more efficiently than if we were working with people we didn't know. Furthermore, since Indya and i play are both significantly involved in the making of the film, just as Katy is, there is higher reliability that we will be able to take out time to film the opening.

Indya will play the stock character at the start of the film. We chose to have a stock character at the start of the film in the same way that The Woman in Black does with which the characters die without the protagonist being introduced. Indya is a suitable candidate for the part of the stock character because of how mature and sophisticated she appears. Due to this, she suits the role of an estate agent and could realistically portray the role of a young woman in this career. Her hair is neat which emphasizes how she appears sophisticated. Particularly in heels, Indya is moderately tall so this will help to make her role as a young estate agent even more realistic. Therefore we hope that by using Indya the audience will have the reading that she is a professional, young woman, with the appearance of a typical/ordinary 'office-worker'.

I, for one, will play the antagonist. The pale pallor of my skin will help to give the impression that my skin is unusually white, like the dead. Furthermore, i'm small and i look slightly younger than what i am which will be useful since we want the audience to perceive the antagonist as a young girl. My long hair can be associated with innocence and femininity. I think it's important for the audience to see the antagonist in this way (through subverting the codes and conventions of horror) before the antagonist scares Suzanne. This  will help to make the audience feel even more speculative of the character and thus nervous/tense as the opening develops. It is through how i look therefore, that the audience will hopefully, at first, interpret my character as an innocent, young girl (until they see the the evil nature of the character).

Planning: permission for the filming location

A member of my group, Katy Jackson, wrote on behalf of our group inquiring permission for the use of a country house in our film opening. Below is a scan of the letter she addressed to the person in authority of the building whilst beneath that is the response that was received.

Planning: Health & Safety

Our group are quite fortunate in the way we don't have a huge number of risks to contend with. Therefore the risks i have identified would only occur in extreme situations.

Planning: Location: Test Shots

Video made by Katy

Above is a video showing the house my group will film in, along with the specific rooms we'll be filming shots in. We've chosen to film at a house next door to where Katy lives. It's within a rural environment and inhabits no people for the time being which makes the house even more suitable for our film. There is no furniture within the house yet there is electricity (plugs, lamps) which is why we had to base the film in the late 1900s. Since the house is located not far from Katy's house, it is a logistically beneficial choice of location to film in and it is even better that we have full access to the property. We were enabled to film once permission was gained (as can be seen in another post).

The house is quite dark inside so we won't film in the evening or nighttime. The best filming time would be the morning and towards the middle of the day. For this reason, we have chosen to meet up between 9am and 4.30pm. Approximately 4-5 hours of this time will be explicitly used for actually filming. A following day of filming will be put in place so that if we haven't finished filming on the first day, we can continue and complete filming on the following day. The only issue with doing this however is the weather. If we film on a day when it's raining, not only will it be an issue with having rain in one shot and no rain in another shot (if we continue through to the next day), but also the lighting will be seriously reduced. The same goes for if it's a sunny day. The only way of managing these problems is to complete all filming on the same day and to film when the weather is moderately good.

Reading

This is an old property and without doubt, a building typical of a supernatural horror movie. Therefore by using this building to set our opening in, the reader will have the reading that the film is based on a supernatural horror.

Technicalities: What could go wrong on the shoot

The process of producing our film opening could incur problems for my group and i. These problems come under organisation, communication, technical issues and group dynamics. In the following points i have identified many of the issues we could come across.To resolve such problems the group and i must work with avoidance to the listed problems e.g.for uncharged camera batteries the group and i would ensure the camera is fully charged before filming.

Organisation

• Forgetting the equipment
• Being unable to film in a specific location
• Being unable to shoot the film due to the absence of cast and crew
• Forgetting to return the equipment
• Not taking a sufficient amount of footage
• Ineffective management of time e.g. being late, not monitoring how much time taken to look over the shots and putting on make-up/costume
• Forgetting props

Communication

• Lack of communication of ideas with group
• Altering aspects of the film without full group consent or awareness
• Limited notes made on the work
• Not explaining ideas clearly with the group
• Having strong disputes over the film leading to no resolvement

Technical issues

• Camera breaking 
• Batteries not fully charged
• Limited understanding of camera functions
• Poor lighting
• Shaking camera
• Poor sound
• Lack of variety with camera shots, edits etc.

Group dynamics

• One person taking on the the task individually rather than sharing roles
• Not listening
• Not compromising with group decisions
• Being rude
• Being laid-back and putting little effort into the work
• Not approaching and managing problems

Group Film Pitch: Target Audience Feedback

         At the end of the group pitch we were subject to receiving audience feedback. Unfortunately we didn't receive quite as much feedback as we would have hoped. Nevertheless, we did receive some. At the end of the pitch we were asked at least how we were planning on having the antagonist introduced in the opening to which we replied (in a video of the pitch which can be seen in another post). The one problem that was outlined by one person was the fact that not many supernatural horrors introduce the antagonist at the start, yet in fact, there are a few openings to have do this, as found through my research of horror films. In Insidious we can see the antagonist and even in The Woman in Black we see a part of the Woman in Black herself. In addition to this feedback, my group received some from our teacher before we gave the pitch. Since then we have made some variations. The general feedback she gave us was constructive and quite positive. She liked the idea we explored but said that where we had initially thought of using shots that would show the antagonist before Suzanne meets her, we should just build the tension by using different non-diegetic and diegetic sounds as well as stretching the scene such as with showing different shots of Suzanne walking to the room where the antagonist will be.

         A criticism that we have received is that it is too closely based to The Woman in Black. In my opinion i don't believe this. I have also read The Woman in Black so i feel i do have knowledge behind me when i say that this film opening is not based on The Woman in Black. For one, our antagonist is a young girl, in white. Secondly, our film follows a completely different narrative to The Woman in Black where it is based around the murder of a family, different to The Woman in Black which explores the death of the antagonist's son and her malevolent wish to avenge his death.

Group Film Pitch: Video

Ok so this is simply a video of my group and i explaining the PowerPoint we made to introduce our film to the media class. We developed our thoughts and at the end we were challenged with a question posed by a fellow student which you can watch to see how we have responded to his issue with our ideas for the film opening.

N.B. (The PowerPoint can be see in the previous post)

Supernatural Horror: Group Film Pitch

The Big Pitch from Shadowhunter96

Here is a PowerPoint presentation Katy, Indya and i made collectively, inputting our own thoughts and ideas into each slide. The PowerPoint runs through our basic plan for what we want our film opening to be about and how we think it should look. Together we presented it to the class in order to attain feedback on our choices. The presentation was recorded via a video which will be uploaded onto the blog as a following post.

Supernatural Horror Films: conclusion

Supernatural Horror films: conclusion from Shadowhunter96

Supernatural Horror openings: The Devil Inside (2012)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDGxt1aiBJ8 

(The link above has the video for the opening scene. Unfortunately the video couldn't be found when i wanted to put it into the blog).

Box Office (gross) : $101, 386, 096

Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Studio: Insurge Pictures, Prototype

Critical Acclaim: Won Best Horror at the Golden Trailer Awards and the BMI Film Music Award at the BMI Film & TV Awards.

Key Characters/ Stock Characters

In the opening we are introduced to the antagonist however not the protagonist. In a majority of horror openings this is the case e.g. the woman in black where we do not see the protagonist. Other than the antagonist being introduced through the phone call made at the start of the clip, we are also introduced to several other stock characters. The first stock character can be heard on the phone call whilst other stock characters make up the police/crime scene investigation team. Another stock character plays a victim. 

Narrative/ Stock situations

In this clip we are first given contextual detail into the the fact that the film is going to show Roman Catholic exorcisms. The phone call followed by the police investigation which has been filmed as the stock characters move through a house establishes that the antagonist is a killer, most likely to be possessed by a spirit because an exorcism will take place. Ordinarily, horror movies show people getting killed which has already happened in this film. We are made to understand that there will be more than one exorcism taking place, perhaps with the same spirit.

Genre Iconography

Typical of horror movies, the opening of this film includes blood which makes up part of the iconography. However the film opening doesn't  include many more symbolic iconography associated with horror. Nevertheless, the use of the blood is still effective in putting across the genre as blood and gore can be associated with horror movies.

Themes of genre

There are several themes associated with horror that can be picked from the film. One of which includes unknown where we are given an unknown being with whom has unknown intentions.The film stimulates a fear of the unknown because we are made to wonder as to how the antagonist killed the victims in the clip. Furthermore, the theme of creature from the beyond is present since the film looks into exorcisms which involves expelling a demonic spirit/host from a body from which isn't human and therefore a force from beyond. Additionally the film uses the theme of a fake documentary where the protagonists document there findings via videos. In quite a few horror movies associated with exorcisms and supernatural beings we find the theme, fake documentary, most prevalent.

Score

In this clip non-diegetic music plays in the background as we see text establishing that the film is linked to Roman Catholic exorcisms yet not those of which have been 'approved' by the Vatican. When the date appears, the music fades out. We then hear the diegetic sound of a phone line where the antagonist talks with a stock character explaining that she has murdered 3 people. Once the 'scene' ends the diegetic sounds of police sirens can be heard which changes to the muffled sounds of police talking through walkie talkies, as well as the shuffling of feet and diegetic sound of cameras flashing. With the use of such the scene is brought to life and made a lot more realistic.

Typography

The typography at the start of the film varies according to the information being provided. In relation to the title, it fades in and out whilst being quite simple but violent in the way capital locks have been used to style the writing. The white text overlays the black background. White has connotations of innocence whilst black can be associated with death and impurity. This contrast helps to represent the genre by creating a sense of good and evil. The fact that the background is entirely black, empowering the small, white text, imposes the idea that the antagonist/ demonic influence in the film is more powerful than the protagonists' hope and strife for salvation and that the antagonist will beat the protagonist/s.

The next form of text we see, just like the title, fades in and out and consists of simple white text on a black background. The only difference with the text is that it's a different font. This signifies that whilst the title and the information, listing production companies, are importance, the information outlined here is significant to
the film with it's own greater importance to the film.

The text changes as a scene begins with a 911 call made by 'Maria Ross'. The colour scheme of the background and text remains the same, however the font changes along with the style of typography which has been styled to look as if it's slightly blurred. Rather than appearing by fading in and out of the shot, the text has instead been made to look as if it's being typed as the characters are speaking. This helps to build tension because it pronounces how staggered the antagonist speaks which in turn, creates an ominous mood.

Supernatural Horror: The Ring Two (2005)

Box Office (gross): $161, 451, 538 (worldwide)
Distributor: DreamWorks Pictures
Studio: DreamWorks SKG, BenderSpink, MacDonald/ Parkes Productions
Critical Acclaim: Won BMI Film Music Award at the BMI Film & TV Awards and an ASCAP Award (Top Box Office Film) at the ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards.

Key Characters/ Stock Characters

In the clip we are immediately introduced to both the antagonist and the protagonist. The antagonist in this clip is a supernatural and unearthly being. As with the protagonist, we are introduced to an average appearing woman. There are no stock characters in this clip. This gives the sense that only the woman is left surviving which is typically something that can be expected from a horror movie.

Narrative/ Stock situations

Due to the fact that we see the antagonist crawling/chasing the protagonist up a well we are already given the location of a well. In the dark we can establish the clip already reflects the genre because the dark is a key concept used in horror movies when a character emerges from the depths of it. As our association is such we understand from when the girl comes out of the water that the film reflects the genre. We can assume that the woman in the well will be followed by some other supernatural being and that she will get out of the well because of the fact she seems to be one of the last surviving characters which is always typically a woman.

Genre Iconography

In this clip there is no specific iconography which conveys the genre. However i can comment on the fact that the clip still conveys the genre through filters, lighting and the location despite not being a central and specific part of the iconography. In the clip low key lighting using a blue filter has been used.

Themes of genre

The typical themes of this genre include the unknown and also a theme for creature from beyond. We instantly establish the theme, unknown, from the way there is a supernatural being of whom is an unknown and unearthly creature. Also the theme unknown can be interpreted in the way of a plot twist and thus the unknown eventuality of the antagonists plans. As with the theme, creature from beyond, we establish this through the way the antagonist moves erratically in an inhuman fashion suggesting she is a creature from demonic origin and not human.

Score

In this scene i really wanted to comment on the music because it plays a huge element in making the genre clear and distinguishable to the audience that this is a horror movie. At the start we can just about hear a mixture of the diegetic sound of the water lapping and the woman's breathing and scratching as she climbs the wall. At the same time, incidental non-diegetic music plays in the background. As soon as we are shown a low angle middle shot of the woman (protagonist) the music fades to silence. A close up shot shows tilts down where the non-diegetic sounds of screaming can be heard. The incidental music proceeds from this point which is then interspersed with the diegetic sound of the protagonist breathing and climbing as well as the antagonist climbing, which is assisted by non-diegetic sounds too. As the antagonist falls into the well we hear the diegetic sound of the water splashing and there is silence before different harsh and abrupt incidental music begins again. The sound motif pitched alongside the protagonist's heavy breathing helps to indicate the genre. In one way, the woman's breathing reflects her desperation which can be expected from characters in horror movies. In another, the sound motif gives the illusion that the antagonist is moving fast and gaining on the protagonist. In horror movies the antagonist will always hunt down the protagonist which is what is done so effectively here, through the use of sound.

Typography


In this clip there is no title because it isn't the opening clip. Therefore i cannot comment on the typography in it's style nor the way in which it appears on the screen.