Evaluation Question Seven

In my Preliminary Task we broke the 180 degree rule. From this, I learnt not to do it in my film opening and made sure not to make the mistake. Because I worked on my own though, it was easier to not break it as there is no scenes where people have a conversation in my film. I used match on action a few times like when I pick up the phone, when I look at the blood on my hand and when I take the knife from the holder. From the prelim I learnt that this is effective as you can see everything that is going on. In the scene where the phone rings, if it would have stayed as a medium shot of me in the kitchen, you wouldn't have seen who was calling. The audience is more interested in the phone ringing at this time than what I am doing and what is going on around me. I used shot reverse shot when Phoebe looks round at the killer and it then goes to a shot of the knife then back to Phoebe. This was used to show what Phoebe is looking at in the shot. I couldn't use it like I did in the prelim as there was wasn't a coversation for it to be used for. I learnt for my editing to be smooth and for things not to jump and make continuity errors. I made sure each shot followed from the last, especially as many of my shots stayed focused on the same thing but changing angle and shot length.

Evaluation Question Six - iMovie HD

To edit my movie I used the iMac programme 'iMovie HD'. I had never used this before so I had a lot to learn about it especially as I am used to using 'Windows Movie Maker'. At first things were a little hard as I am into the habit of using shortcuts from 'WMM' but eventually I managed to pic things up and taught myself how to do different things.

Evaluation Question Six - Flip Ultra HD

For my filming I used my Flip Ultra HD. From filming my opening I discovered that it can be hard to get shots right and it isn't just as simple as filming a scene and that's it. I learnt that you need to get the shit lengths right and that without a tripod the camera is very shaky.

Evaluation Question Six - Google

Google has helped me with researching about horror films and it also helped me find suitable music to use in my film. I was able to find royalty free music via google and also sound effects for the phone ringing etc. I also used google images which has helped me a lot with this blog.

Evaluation Question Six - Youtube

Another website which has really helped me is Youtube. From this I have been able to find openings to horror movies to help me with my research and planning and also have been able to get ideas for my titles and credits and what music I should be using. I also used Youtube to upload my final video and was able to use the annotations to post why I have done certain things in my film.

Evaluation Question Six - Blogger

The main thing I have used throughout making my film is blogger. At first I had never used it before so I was just learning the steps but eventually I got more used to it and it is very simple and easy to use. It helped me with grouping each process of making my film together as I was able to narrow everything down from posts about audiences to posts about the updates I am doing. It is also easy to organise so if I were to add something in during the middle of my work I am able to put it before and after the right posts so my work makes sense.

Evaluation Question Five

Here is my final video with annotations that describe the shots I used and why I used them for my genre and to attract the audience.

Evaluation Question Four

The target audience for my film will be teenagers from the age of 18-25. The audience for a horror movie has quite a qide range as allsorts of teenagers enjoy watching them. Teenage boys may enjoy watching horror films for the blood and gore where teenage girls may watch them at sleepovers for a fun, scary night. My film will focus more on targeting teenage girls as the main character and killer are girls and girls will have more power in my film. Also the girl in the film is a Madonna rather than a whore which is what would attract a male audience to the film. So, instead this will attract more girls to the film. The type of programmes some who is a fan of horror films may watch would include programmes about vampires like 'The Vampire Diaries' or 'True Blood'. A stereotypical target audience for a horror film could be a goth as they are quite dark like horror films. They would listen to metal and rock music as they are also featured in horror films like in the credits of some 'Saw' films. Here is my earlier posts about my Target Audience: http://tashabaybii7.blogspot.com/2011/01/audience.html and Film Certificate: http://tashabaybii7.blogspot.com/2011/01/film-certificate.html

Evaluation Question Three

A production company is a company responsible for the physical production of a film. They are also sometimes directly responsible for the funding for the production as well. A film distributor is responsible for releasing a film to the public. This can be either in cinemas or straight to DVD or on the internet. The production company I have used for my film is Twisted Pictures and the distributor I have used is Lionsgate. I have used these two as they both produce/release horror films such as the 'Saw' franchise, 'My Bloody Valentine' and 'The Tortured'. The funding for a film like mine may have come from the production company as they are sometimes responsible for the funding of a films production. I have only listed Lionsgate, Twisted Pictures and the producer of the film in the opening titles because, just like in 'Saw' only these few are shown. This is because in horror films, there is quite a big budget so the production companys are credited at the start. Also there isn't much shown so that people can focus more on the film as the story starts almost automatically so the audience can get straight into it. My film is similar to the 'Saw' franchise, the 'Final Destination' movies and 'Scream' as it will have a similar budget as them. My film would have had a budget of around $10,000,000 as it is the average budget for a Twisted Pictures movie. It will be similar to Final Destination and Scream in the way that most of the locations are just normal places like houses and in school and has a group of friends in which most of them wil die during the movie. Just like other horror films, there are a reasonable amount of characters as it doesn't matter if there is quite a few as you do not have to get to know every single one as most are killed off pretty much straight away.

Here is a link to my previous post on institutions: http://tashabaybii7.blogspot.com/2011/01/institutions.html

Evaluation Question Two

My character 'Phoebe' in my film is represented as a 'Madonna'. She is quite similar to Drew Barrymore's character in scream. Both characters have they're hair down and are wearing a plain long sleeve top, this makes them look innocent rather than like a whore. Both characters are home alone in the opening of the film and are just going about their business before being brutally murdered. The difference between the two is that Phoebe is a very big character throughout the film, despite her death and also the killer is her doppelganger. Also you then find out that Phoebe wasn't really murdered. Drew Barrymore's character Casey is mentioned during the film but doesn't play a big part in it after her death. Another difference is that Casey speaks to the killer during the film and you can see a lot of her personality from the opening sequence. You learn that she likes scary movies and that she is friendly even to strangers who keep ringing her. You see a lot of emotion come from her near the end of the scene. In my film, Phoebe doesn't speak much and you don't really learn much about her or her personality.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Nine

I used a close-up of the hand as it shows the character has died but it is teasing the audience by not showing much gore. Most horror films do not show much in the opening. This makes the audience want to keep watching as they can then see more gore as the film goes on.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Eight

I used this close-up shot as once again it is keeping the killer a secret and it also shows what is going on with the knife as it is the most important part of the shot.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Seven

I used this shot of me looking out the window as just like shot two and three it creates suspense as the killer could be out there. Unlike the other two, this is the point where the music becomes more tense and scary and the character has heard something. The audience knows that the killer is going to be there soon and the character looking out the window could be the point where the killer jumps out from somewhere.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Six

I used a close-up of the killer taking the knife. This is part of the parallel narrative part where it alternates from the girl in the garage to the killer sneaking in and taking the knife. I used a close-up as you can see what the killer is doing but also I do not show the killer as in horror films the killer is a mystery for some time before finally revealing them.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Five

I used this handheld very long shot to give the impression that the character is being spied on. It is a point of view shot of the killer, watching as she walks into the garage so the killer knows when to enter the house.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Four

I used this shot as it over shadows what is going to happen at the end of the opening sequence. I used this as many horror films have hidden clues during the films like the 'Final Destination' franchise and the 'Saw' franchise.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Three

Just like shot two this also creates suspense as the window is shown in the background. This time the character is in the shot as it makes it seem scary because the audience may wonder if it's going to be one of those 'He's behind you' moments. This may also make the audience feel scared as they know somethings going to happen and it's a scary thought with the dark window being behind the characters back.

Evaluation Question One - Shot Two

I used this shot as in horror films you see many shots of windows and doors to make the audience think "Will the killer come from there? Is t gonna happen now or later?"

It helps create suspense in the film.

Evaluation Question One - Shot One

I used this font as it is similar to the font used for the opening titles in some saw films. I used the colour red as it is associated with danger and blood. I added the effect where it shines yellow across the writing as it gives the effect that it is shiny like a knife or sharp metal object that would be used in the film.

Final Version Of Film

Rough Cut Of Film

Here is a rough cut of my film. After showing it to the class and watching other peoples I realised that I would have to shorten it by at least a minute.

Duration

I have had a few problems with the length of my opening as when I finished adding all my clips the duration was 4 minutes and 10 seconds. To sort this out I am re-filming some clips that are too long and also cutting down some clips which lasted too long.

Update - After adding some newer clips and the Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures opening the film was then too long again. I got rid of the Lionsgate opening and am once again cutting down some clips. I have managed to get it from 3 minutes 48 to 2 minutes 59. I then had to cut down even more so I took out the scene where I walk from the kitchen over to the window, look out, then walk towards the back door. I also cut out some of the phone scene and some parts at the beginning with the cucumber and managed to get it to 2 minutes 20.

More Updates

On the 25th February I re-filmed everything that needed filming. After editing it for a while I have noticed that I still need to re-film the shot when I walk to the garage door as the newer clip is actually darker than the original one.

I also have to re-film the tracking shot as the door jumps to a different place. This is because I am moving the camera and then have to squeeze past the door and then close the fridge and door. Because of this I have to cut out the part where I have to walk past the camera and go into the kitchen. The first time I filmed this it looked fine but this time I must've knocked the door as it moved about an inch and doesn't look right. I will be filming this scene on either the 11th March or the 14th.

My Presentation

Update on Production

I am planning to re film some scenes. These include:

The tracking shot - to make it more smooth and not shaky.

The dying scene - I am not very pleased with my acting and I wasn't very focused on what I was doing. You also couldn't see that when I stumble, I knock the pepsi off the table. I may change what falls off the table to something that links in with the film, so I will add a close up (match on action) showing it hit the floor.

Making food scene - I am going to re-shoot the scene where I say "Damn there's no rolls".I am re-shooting this as I say it quietly and because I am cut off of the camera a bit.

I am also re-shooting the part when I say "Ah, in the freezer," as i also say it quite quietly.

I am adding some shots to make the cutting the cucumber part shorter so I am going to add one of me cutting it but in a long shot from the kitchen door (looking at me from the side) and a couple of shots of the window, showing the darkness of the garden. This makes people think 'is the killer out there?'

Walking to garage scene - I am going to re-shoot the spying scene when I walk to the garage and add more light as it is too dark.

I am also re-shooting the scene when I open the door as it is also too dark and the camera is shaky.

I may change some scenes to add some more to it. I may add a scene where my phone rings but no one is there. The phone starts to make a weird noise and I hear noises outside so I back into the living room and suddenly a hand lands on my shoulders. I jump but then am relieved to see I know the person.

Plan for Production

I initially planned to film on the 27th of December at around 18:00 when it is dark so that it could create a scary atmosphere.

In the end I filmed just the part where the killer is revealed and the establishing shot of the house. I wasn't happy with the rest so I re-filmed on the 30th December at 18:00 instead. This way Phoebe and her double were wearing different clothes. At first I wanted them to wear the same but after I realised it looked better in different clothes to show they are actually different people.

Script

We see an establishing shot of a house at night.

Phoebe: *In the kitchen getting cucumber out of the fridge. Takes it out and closes the fridge door.

*She walks over to the kitchen counter, grabs a knife and starts cutting slices of cucumber.*

*She puts her hands on her hips, still holding the knife. The knife looks like it is in her stomach.*

Phoebe: (Looking quizzical, to herself) Should I have a sandwich or a roll? (Pauses) I fancy a roll.

*She opens the bread bin and discovers there are no rolls in there.*

Phoebe: (Looking annoyed) Damn no rolls. *Closes bread bin*

*She puts down knife. Walks out of the kitchen and goes to the back door. She goes outside.*

We see a very long handheld shot of Phoebe walking towards the garage.

Killer: *Spies on Phoebe from the bushes.*

Phoebe: *Opens the garage door, turns on the light and walks in.*

We then hear the bushes rustling as we can just about see them moving.

Phoebe: *Walks towards the freezer.*

Killer: *Opens the back door.*

Phoebe: *Grabs the rolls and shuts the freezer, walks out of garage.*

Killer: *Grabs the knife from the counter.*

Phoebe: *Re-enters house. Goes back in kitchen. Looks confused as to where the knife has gone. Hears a noise so looks round and slowly walks out of the kitchen. She is then startled as she looks round.*

Phoebe:(Looking relieved) Oh it's just you. (Looking confused and slightly suspicious) What are you doing with that? *Points at knife*

Killer: *Lifts knife and stabs it into Phoebes stomach.*

Phoebe: *Clutches her stomach as she stumbles around in pain and knocks a bottle off the table. She looks at her hand which is covered in blood*

Phoebe: How could you?

Killer: *Looks down at Phoebe and then takes off her pink wig to reveal she is identical to Phoebe.*

Phoebe: *Drops to the ground as she dies.*

Scream

The film that I would say the opening to my film is similar to is Scream. This is because it starts with a killing scene to introduce the killer. It is also similar in the way that it starts with a girl, home alone so just chilling out by herself and you know something is going to happen to her. She is then killed at the end. The character in my film is similar to the character in Scream as they are both represented as 'Madonnas'. Because of this I am going to get some inspiration with how I should edit my opening sequence and when I add the tense music and when it should be silent. I am using many shots that show dark windows and doors which leaves the audience thinking "Will they jump through that window? Sneak through that door? When will it happen?"

Shot List

Long Shot (Establishing Shot)- Outside of a house at night.

Tracking Shot - A wall in a house covered in photos and paintings.

Medium Shot - Girl in kitchen. Walks towards the counter and reaches out.

Close-up - Picks up knife.

Medium Shot - Cutting cucumber.

Close-up - Cutting cucumber.

Medium Close-up - Girls face, opens bread bin. "Damn no rolls." Starts to close bread bin.

Over the shoulder shot- Closing bread bin.

Close-up - Girls side. Holds knife by side.

Medium close-up - Side of girls face. "Ah, they're in the freezer."

Close-up - Puts knife on counter.

Medium shot - Walks to back door. Opens door.

Very long shot (Handheld camera) - Steps outside, walks towards garage.

Medium Shot - Walks towards garage door. Opens door and turns on light.

Close-up - Bushes rustling in dark.

Medium shot - Walks towards freezer. Opens freezer.

Close-up - Back door opened.

Over the shoulder shot - Takes rolls out of freezer.

Medium shot - Walking out of garage.

Close-up - Knife taken from counter.

Medium shot - Walks back into house. Heads for kitchen.

Close-up - Phone rings.

Medium close-up - Answers phone. Hears bang and looks up.

Medium shot - Walks out of kitchen. Walks slowly towards back door, someone says "Boo." Girl jumps and turns around.

Close-up - Killer holding knife by side.

Medium shot- Girl looks down at knife.

Close-up - Killer lifting knife and stabbing girl.

Medium shot - Girl hunched over in pain. Looks at hand.

Close-up - Hand covered in blood.

Medium shot - Girl clutches stomach and looks at killer.

Tracking shot (to medium shot) - Killer revealed. Killer looks down at dying girl.

Medium shot - Shows floor. Girl falls (not in shot) and hand appears in shot.

I used close-ups when the killer was rustling the bushes/opening the door/taking the knife as it keeps it mysterious as to who the killer is. This is a convention of horror although at the end of the opening the killer is revealed whereas in most horror films the killer isn't revealed til the end of the film or not at all.

I used the very long handheld shot the give the impression that the girl was being watched and that the audience would assume that it was the killer watching her from the garden.

Storyboard Animatic

Storyboard

Feedback

I spoke to the class about my ideas for my film and some of the feedback showed me that the story could have been quite confusing. I said that the killer looked like the victim but had no reason as to why. This has made me realise it is important to know the whole storyline to help with the start of the film.

Roles and Responsibilities

As I am working on my own I am going to be doing most roles. I am the only person acting in the scene so for some shots that involve tracking and handheld shots I asked my brother to help with the filming. But all other shots I set up on the tripod, starting filming and then acted out the scenes.

Photos for Film - Props, Actors and Locations

This location is used a lot. This is where you first see Phoebe and it is used when she is making a sandwich, where she answers the phone and when she hears a bang. It is also where the killer gets the knife from.

This is the location where you see me leave and enter the house. It is also the place where I am killed.

I am going to use a kitchen knife as the weapon.

I am going to use stage blood for the scene where I am stabbed.

I am going to be the only actor in my opening. I play the girl who is murdered, named Phoebe, and the killer.