Location Scouting - Potential External Scenes

Location Scouting - Potential External Scenes

Here are some potential locations for us to film our external scenes for the movie, we decided to have external shots and internal shots of the building in seperate locations as we could not find the ideal location to film the internal and external shots in the same place.

Feature Film Posters Codes and Conventions

Focus Group Research

Final Cut X

We used this tutorial in order to understand effectively the complex piece of software that we will be editing our film with. We felt that it was imperative in order to understand this piece of software effectively before we even attempted to edit on Final Cut. Final Cut X will allow us the ability to edit the film effectively and to add decent looking graphical features such as a ‘REC’ symbol that will be found in some of our footage and credits found in our film in order to keep the film looking believable and professional.

Short Films Codes and Conventions

Here is a summary of codes and conventions of short films that the group has found from their research into BlackBoxtv and other independent short horror films. The prezi discusses how we would be able to use some of the techniques that are discussed within it from the lack of dialogue to create suspense to general rules that most of the short films seem to follow. The Prezi uses examples of how the points are used, some of which are done effectively while others can be somewhat lacking in execution; it is important to look at both bad and good pieces in order to get an overall idea of what to do and how to do it. all of the points are extended versions of the short film research on our individual blogs.

Celtx Tutorial

We used this tutorial in order to understand the basics of Celtx due to the fact that we had very little experience with the piece of software before starting to write the screenplay. The choice for using Celtx was because it was a way to create the screenplay whilst keeping the document looking professional and effective. The screenplay is important so that we can have an idea of what our film will look like before we start filming and to also brief our actors.

Learning Prezi

I decided that some of the work that I had produced such as the 850 word essay on codes and conventions of short horror films would benefit from being presented in a different format. I decided to use Prezi; Prezi is a web page that lets users create interesting and creative presentations for many different reasons, one of the main reasons that I chose to use Prezi was that it would break up some of the more word heavy pieces of work that I have created or will create, as well as this it has an inbuilt image and YouTube video player/viewer. This player will allow me to easily attach examples of what it is that I am discussing within the writing, for both of these reasons Prezi is an ideal solution to the problem. I used this YouTube video to help me with understanding the basics of Prezi.

The Strangers Codes And Conventions

The codes and conventions analysis are taken from this scene in The Strangers

This particular scene follows a similar theme and tone that we are attempting to incorporate within our film such as horror and tension, as well as this this particular scene is somewhat similar to what we would like our film to be like in the sense that there is a lone female alone and her house is being 'invaded' by some form of antagonist. Another part that we would be able to take away from this scene is the use of music and sounds to create tension and to set a tone of overwhelming confusion and horror.

BlackboxTv Shortfilm - Final Exit

Final Exit is a short film by blackboxtv it features a lone protagonist attempting to flee from a group of aggressors. The film uses a lack of dialogue in order to establish a sinister tone as well as create tension; this tension that is created is further enhanced with the use of the music that sounds rather unsettling to the viewer’s ears. The music is effective in its use as it creates an atmosphere about the film as well as establishes’ the fact that the film is a horror film, for our film we should use music in order to establish the tone of the film and keep dialogue to a minimum to create tension and convey the theme of horror throughout our film.

Throughout the film there is a few useful and effective camera shots in regards to the chase scenes for instance at around 0:20 the tracking shot behind the protagonist creates the idea of a chase and fear in the characters face. The swaying from side to side of the camera creates the illusion that we are witnessing the chase from the point of view of an aggressor to the protagonist, this instantly establishes’ the fact that the protagonist is being chased and the fear on the face of the protagonist suggests by some kind of antagonist. This similar chase format is used constantly throughout the films entirety.

The film is predominantly dark throughout as, this low key lighting represents the theme of the film and also shows the mystery and danger surrounding the protagonist, the darkness represents the unknown in the eyes of the viewer and we are instantly met with a fear of the unknown. This darkness could be used in our film to represent the unknown and to re-establish our tones and create a sense of tension throughout.

Short Horror Films and Our Production Ideas

Here is a short Prezi on some of the ideas portrayed in short horror films on YouTube and how we can incorporate them into our production.