Audience Feedback

I asked two people to watch the main task video, a boy and a girl, which is the opening sequence for a horror film. The feedback that i received was quite positive, with both people saying that they thought the part when the victim was hit with a hammer was very realistic and this added to the horror element of the video.
The male who watched it said he really enjoyed it and thought the tense build up to the main action was very effective. The female also said that she liked how it built up however she thought that maybe the victim being hit with a hammer was a but violent and she was pleased it wasn't actually shown.

They both really liked the characters, and the female liked the fact that the protagonist was also female as she felt she could really relate to the action and was pleased to see the 'final girl' theory present in the film as they felt this helped to show the power of women and made them seem strong.
The main thing the male liked was the male antagonists and the violence as he believed this made the horror film more exciting and helped him to enjoy it more.

Main Task Video

This is our main task video, it is an opening sequence to a horror film and it is just under 2 minutes long. 

Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Since the preliminary task I feel I have developed a lot as that was just a starting point. The preliminary task allowed me to learn the basic skills for filming and editing and I have now been able to develop these and progress.

What I have learnt:

·         Greater knowledge about the different shots that can be used and the affect these have on the audience.

·         Learning how to use a new editing programme; Pinnacle and the different things you can do on it.

·         Thinking more carefully about location and how this can improve a film.

·         Considering the different characters and how an audience relate to them.

·         The importance of continuity and the different shots that help this such as; Match on action.

The preliminary task enabled me to learn the basic skills that come with filming and taught me how to use match on action effectively. This is something that we used within our final product and we used a match on action of the main protagonist walking through the door.

Also from the preliminary task I have taken the tracking shot which shows a character walking with the camera following as I feel this is important and it sets the scene and shows what is happening.

This is our match on action and something which we took from the preliminary task and used in our final horror film.

Evaluation: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

From this process I feel I have learnt a lot about the different technologies, I feel I have progressed with my camera skills and also my editing skills.

I have developed my skills greatly on the editing programme Pinnacle and can now edit the films to a high standard. I have been able to cut down clips add in transitions, add sound and title overlays and create the opening credits.

The editing is a key part to show the genre of the film and by adding in music we have helped to create tension at extremely significant parts in the opening sequence and this is down to the editing process. It also enabled us to create the right transitions between clips so the tension continued throughout. Another important part was the continuity as we wanted to draw the audience in and through the editing we were able to have a smooth continuity so the audience would not be disappointed.

Using a tripod is also something we found very important within the filming process as it is important that the filming looks as professional as possible and, unless it done intentionally, having a shaky shot gives the film a very amateur feel.

The process has also helped me to realise that choosing the right camera angle is extremely important as they help to build up the tension and create drama. So it is important to use close-ups to show fear and worry and horror iconography. Long shots are also important as they show the location and the different things that are happening. We used a panning shot to show the room which had been trashed and this was a great way to show the horror iconography that we had used. We were then able to add some tense music when editing and by using all of these new skills with the technologies we were able to bring our film together and create a professional final product.  

Evaluation: Who would be the audience for your media product?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Our target audience for our horror film would be young adults aged between 16 and 30. I believe this is accurate because this target audience would be able to associate well with what is happening in the opening sequence, as the two people tied up are also young adults and it is something which could also happen to them and this would help them to connect with what is happening. Also because the protagonist is young they will again be able to create a link with her and understand how she is feeling throughout.

The cast does contain characters of both genders however because the protagonist is female, males may be less inclined to watch it. However it does contain violence and the males inflict it so this may attract men to watch it. So overall I feel it will appeal to both males and females and this is important for us as we wanted to have a strong audience for this film.

The characters are all White British and this may stop some people from watching it as it may seem that we have not show the ethnic diversity within British culture. However this was because we had limited cast. But maybe this is something we will think about in future and ensure that we are ethnically diverse when filming so we can target a larger audience and show a true representation of Britain.

I feel that audience will be able to follow the story well and this is something they will like about the film, and because they can relate to the story they will want to continue to watch. This I feel is a pivotal point for our horror film and our target audience will look for this within the film.

Evaluation: How did you attract/address your audience?

How did you attract/address your audience?

Throughout the film they are different parts that may attract an audience for example the location because we have set the film in an ordinary house they will feel they can relate to it as it will be something they see themselves everyday and this again helps to put them into the action and this will attract them in to watching it. I then think the garage will attract the audience because it is quite eerie and I believe that a male audience will enjoy the violence that takes place in the garage and the weapon that is used; the hammer.

I think by using a typically British location and showing the streets around it we have been able to address the British audience, bought in through vertigo, directly.

The protagonist we have used is also something that would attract an audience, for example as I am playing the main role a young female this will attract the females in to watching it because they can link with the protagonist and imagine what they would do if they were in that position. Also the male audience may enjoy watching a female who is central to the horror that is happening. But something else that would attract a male audience is the use of male antagonists and the violence and this is an element some of the males will enjoy.

We have also used very naturalistic characters and this helps attract an audience as it appears more realistic to them and the find themselves drawn in by the action. They can also imagine that is could happen as the story isn’t too fat fetched and this would interest an audience.

Evaluation: What kind of Media Institution might distribute your Media Product and why?

What kind of Media Institution might distribute your Media Product and why?

Ideally we would like to create an international partnership between Twisted Pictures and Vertigo Films.

Vertigo films would be a good distributor for our horror film as they are a British film company and our horror film is British. I feel that they would be a good company as they have also worked with Film 4 both of these companies together are well known so this would work well for our horror film. Also by teaming up with Twisted pictures we would be able to go international with the film and Twisted pictures are known for the ‘Saw’ films and this would create a big target audience for our film from the very start because of the companies that it is associated with.

I think that both these companies would be interested in our horror film as it targets an audience between the ages of 16 and 30 and also shows British actors and location which would interest Vertigo films.

Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Our horror film represents family and also shows a teenager to be the protagonist. A lot of films such as ‘One Day’ show teenagers in a bad way and over exaggerate their behaviour, films like this show a lot of gun crime and gang wars. As a group we decided this isn’t something we wanted to do and the two main antagonists in the film are in fact older than teenagers and the teenager is the antagonist.

We didn’t focus strongly on the representation of social class however the two antagonists are representing their social class badly as they are violent within the opening scene. I also think because our characters are quite realistic and there isn’t any character in there that could be said to be unrealistic it helps the audience to identify with the characters and be taken through the story with them, they may even imagine what they would do if it was them.

There are a few improvements that could be made looking back at the film and I believe that because we are showing ‘a human monster’ we could have shown more background to the antagonist and shown how they became that way, which often happens in horror films and in a way it helps the audience create a connection with the antagonist and this brings them in to the film.

It could also be said that the two antagonists are like ‘Chavs’ as the one has his hood up and they are both talking quite commonly and this is a representation of a social group as it shows that anybody that dressed in this way is bad and will be causing trouble.

This is the film trailer for the film 'One Day' and it shows how the young teenagers are shown to be chavs and anti-socail and this is something we wanted to move away from and we chose to show the teenagers in a good way, and the older antagonists are shown in a negative way.

Evaluation: In What way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In What way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our media product which is an opening sequence to a horror film does follow the traditional conventions of horror films. We have used a ‘human monster’ and this is used a lot with in horror films such as ‘Halloween.’ Although we are showing two antagonists in the opening sequence it still allows the audience to question different aspects of it; for example has anyone sent them to kidnap the two people or why are they at the house or why haven’t they hidden their identity more. This is something which happens a lot in horror films and audiences are left questioning the opening sequence and this makes them want to continue watching and this was something we wanted to achieve.

The iconography we used within the opening sequence does follow the traditional horror conventions as the location of the kidnappers was in an old garage and it shows the two on their own in the garage initially. However we progressed on to show how the garage was close to the house in which they lived and this could help the audience relate to it. This is something that happens a lot within horror films and they try to reach the audiences own fears and this again is what we wanted to do. Also because we showed the inside of the house and some of the street outside we was able to show how the film was British as it was clears the houses were British and also when the antagonists speak they have a British accent.

   However we did also challenge traditional horror conventions as our two antagonists we dressed quite simply and were just wearing dark clothing and only one of the two have their face covered, this again leaves the audience questioning what is happening and we wanted them to almost get to know the antagonists to keep the questioning what is going on in their minds and what is making them do this. This isn’t something which normally happens in horror films as they normally use costumes that hide the identities of the antagonists.

We used the theme of ‘Good vs. Evil’ which is almost always present within horror films and this is something we thought we would follow as everyone in the audience can identify with it. The two people that had been kidnapped where parents and the main antagonist was their daughter and by using a teenage daughter and parents we will be able to target a wider audience. We have also used the final girl theory something which is often shown in the horror genre. The two people that are kidnapped are White and this is something which goes against traditional horror conventions as a large majority of monster fodders are actually of ethnic minority.

The camera angles we have used within the opening sequence do follow traditional horror conventions as we have used shots such as; medium shot, close-up and high angle. Our editing also follows the same conventions as we have used cuts and fades between the different shots.

The music we have used though does follow media conventions as it is there to help increase the tension and the music starts at the most tense part. This is something which a lot of horror films do as music adds to the mood when watching a horror film. The music is non-diegetic and parallel with the action.

Planning: Interior Shots

These are the pictures of our shooting location the first picture is of my house and this is where the opening sequence will be set, we will also have to film a few seconds outside the house showing the protagonist walking up to the door.

The picture of the hallway is where the two characters will have a bit of dialogue and this will set the scene for the opening sequence.

The picture of the lounge will be where the protagonist is waiting and this will be where he see's the antagonist.

The picture of the bedroom is where the murder will take place and this will show the monster fodder getting ready and then show her dead.



Planning: Prop List

The props we will be using for our horror film are:

• Hammer- Antagonists weapon
• Blood material- Horror iconography
• Gag- to tie up the victims
• Rope- to tie the hands of the victims
• Food colouring- horror iconography

Planning: Location Floor Plans

This is the floor plan for the location of our horror film. We decided we would sketch out the floor plan so we can work out which rooms to use. We put a star next to the rooms that will be used in the horror film.



Planning: Costumes

These are the costumes for the parents which are just normal and then we see the contrast between the normal characters and the antagonists who are all dressed in black.

This is the protagonist and she is also wearing normal clothes which is something that helps the audience create a link with her.

Planning: Location

We decided that we would film the opening sequence at my house as we feel that it will help to highlight the element of the human psychopath. Also because the area is quite isolated then it will help with the horror elements.
It is a very local and this will enable us to film more frequently as it isn't far for us to travel to. Also because the filming is all done in the house and the street outside we wont have to move around to much.

Planning: Shooting Script

The shooting script works well with the call sheets however this allows us to see in more detail the scenes that we are doing and in what order.

Planning: Shot List

We have created this shot list within our group to show the different types of shots that we are using in the opening sequence.
When we are filming we can use this list to help us with the shots, we may also use some other shots that aren't listed if we feel this will make the opening sequence better.

Planning: Script

This is the script for the horror film. Both characters have an equal amount of speech and makes it realistic as they are having a conversation. We have used normall everyday language so that it is again realistic but we havent used any swearwords as it isnt appropriate for our horror film.

Planning: Call Sheets

These are the call sheets for our filming and they are used to show who will be need on the set. However with our filming we need all cast for both days but on the second day we have to film both interior and exterior and different costumes are required. These call sheets will help us keep track of who and what is needed for filming. 



Planning: Mind Map

This was our initial story board where we planned our first ideas. We were able to explore different ways in which the horror film could go and write down the sort of killer we would have and the characters. This was a starting point for us to begin the planning. Some of these ideas might be changed or developed as me move on through the planning.

This was our second mind map were we wrote down our actual idea we thought in more detail about the story line and what the key parts were. This allowed us to create a basic outline for the opening sequence. 





Planning: Story Board

This is the story board for our horror film. We have planned out each different shot for the opening sequence.
So in the first scene we will use a medium shot to show the setting. We will use close-ups to show the emotions and also the hostages.

This story board helps us to know what we need to film in our scenes and gives us something to follow when filming.

Planning: Complete Cast

Charlotte Savage will play the main protagonist within the opening scene.

Adam Williams will play the parent who has been kidnapped within the opening scene.

Vicky Ahmed will play the role of the mother who is also kidnapped within the opening scene.

John Barratt will play the role of the Antagonist within the opening scene.



Planning: Group and Job Roles

Group Members- Charlotte Savage and Laura Ticer

Producer/Director- Within our group we decided that Laura would be the best when using the camera as she has had more experience, however I will help her as much as I can when choosing the best angles and shots for the opening sequence.

Script Writing- When creating the script we are both going to work together so that it all flows together well and it will be the best quality.

Editing- Both myself and Laura will be responsible for the editing process and we feel we can work together well to make the decisions about the final product. I also feel that if we work together it will look more professional and we will both be happy with the final sequence.

Actors- We have decided that I will be acting in the opening sequence as I do A Level drama and have had experience with acting. However as there is only two members in our group and Laura is using the camera we have to use people outside of the group to act within the film. We have decided to use another person from my A Level drama class as the standard will be Higher and we will use Adam Williams to play the part of the Antagonist.

Research: Target audience; Graphs



I have used these graphs to show the results from my questionnaire. The first graph is showing what sub-genre the people I have asked prefer to watch, so from this graph you can see that most people prefer splatter of slasher and then less people prefer teen horror or supernatural.

In the second graph it shows what horror location people prefer and from these results it is clear that the prefered location is abandoned bulidings, and then a smaller precent of people prefer it filmed in a house or in a remote location and nobody likes a horror film to be filmed in the countryside or a forest.

The final graph shows what horror film they prefer to watch and overall Saw is the most popular and Halloween and Scream are also popular but not as much as Saw.



Research: Target audience; Questionnaire

To find out what my target audience like to see within a horror film I decided that I would create a questionnaire and then give them out to a few people within my target audience.
I gave it out to 4 Boys and 4 Girls so that I could get a fair representation of what they like within a horror film and I can then go on to use this when creating my opening sequence.

Research: Opening titles and credits

The opening titles for Saw are shown under a green filter and this creates a very eerie effect is shows the audience that it is a horror and also by the items shown on the screen you can see there will be some sort of twist to the story.
The font that is used for the text is very creepy and again shows the genre of the film to the audience.


The opening titles are used to introduce the actors, production team and directors.

This is the opening credits for Saw and this is showing the name of the production company.

Horror iconography is used with the barbed wire around the name to help show the horror genre to the audience.

There is also more horror iconography used when the stake comes down through the words.

Research: Targeting an audience

To target an audience the film distributors use a wide range of methods to help attract people. They use film trailers which is a sequence of clips from the film and this helps to give the audience an idea of what the film is about. They also use adverts on television which contains a short trailer and this helps to attract a wider variety of people. Junkets are also used which is where members of the cast are interviewed and they answer questions about the film.

Another very common method is used to target audiences and this is film posters the colours used within that film poster usually represents the genre of the film and this shows the audience what it will be about.

For example in this poster for Saw VI a lot of black is used and this helps to show the audience that it is a very dark and scary film and also the red in the middle which is usually symbolic of blood and this also helps the audience to realise the genre of the film. There is normally a picture of the protagonist or a motif that is linked to the film and this is called the central image.

In  this poster we see the red spiral and this is a reoccurring image within Saw as it is saw on the dolls face, the antagonist. This shows the audience that the films are carrying on and the same franchise is making more films.

Film reviews and word of mouth are also other ways that films are publicised. Film reviews are usually shown in magazines and also on the Internet and if they are good they will encourage people to go and see the film however the can also discourage people if the review is bad.

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=9010

This is a review that is taken from Empire magazines website about the film 28 Days later, this review is accessible for anybody with the Internet and could seriously affect the films sales depending whether it is good or not. Also through word of mouth somebody may discourage or encourage you to go and see a particular film.

Research: Introduction into target audiences

When creating a film the director will have to first think about the audience that they want to target and this will alter the way in which the film is made. The target audience is called the demographic.

Age- The normal age range for horror films is around 15-30 year olds, however films that are classified as being 15s are not as graphic as an 18 rated film. We feel that we can target this audience well and we will ensure that it is suitable for this age range. 
It is said on the BBFC website that "Older audience often pay to see horror films because they like being frightened or shocked."

Ethnic Groups- Horror films normally appeal to white ethnic groups, lower and middle classes, this is because the main protagonist is normally white and the monster fodders that are killed off by the antagonist are the ethnic minorities.

Gender- Horror films are usually targeted at young males as they enjoy the rush that comes from watching them, also because they show female protagonist that is being chased by a male antagonist. However females do also enjoy the thrill of horror films and I hope that within our opening sequence we will be able to target both a male and female audience. 

Research: What makes an effective horror opening sequence?

An effective horror opening sequence should show the genre of the film through the use of iconography, setting and lighting. So for example if the film was a zombie movie then it should show the genre by using iconography and showing a zombie on screen with ripped clothing, blood on its face and blood shot eyes and this will show the audience the genre.

I also think it is important to introduce the characters very early on as it helps the audience to build a connection with them and follow their story throughout the film. So if the protagonist is introduced in the opening sequence it will help the audience to follow the events within the film. I also think monster fodders should be used in the opening as again this helps to show the genre of the film and gives the audience an idea in to what will happen throughout the film.

  

I think that the main Antagonist should be shown later on in the film, as this helps to create a sense of mystery for the audience and leaves them questioning who is behind everything.

Music is another important aspect for the opening of a horror film, and eerie non-digetic music should be used to help create tension and fear for the audience.

Research: Effective horror film opening: Halloween 2

  http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=uzKuFMU459I

Micro

The opening of Halloween starts with very dark lighting and there is a storm outside which can be heard, we hear thunder and lighting whilst she is lying in the hospital bed and this helps to create tension. It shows the audience the genre of the film.
It then moves to the nurses and we see a medium shot of them talking and laughing which then changes to a close up a shows they are happy, this is in contrast to the previous scene as that was very dull and negative.
We also see a close up of the girls face which is very scared and this shows that it is a follow on film as she has already been through a trauma.
A low angle shot is used to show the girl struggling down the corridor and we see that she is very ill and again injured. We also see long shot and this shows the audience her isolation and there is tense music playing in the background to show the audience something is about to happen.

There is a long shot showing the nurse walk in with blood all on her face and then the thunder sounds in the background again this shows the horror aspect and then the Halloween man walks in and screams are heard. The opening ends with the nurse laying dead on the floor and this is shown through a high angle looking down on her.

Macro

The setting for the opening sequence is typical for the horror genre and shows the audience straight away what sort of film it will be. It is set in an isolated hospital with hardly anyone around with dark lighting.

We see the main protagonist who is the main girl and we see how she escapes from the antagonist. A monster fodder is also used and it is a nurse who is of ethnic minority and this is something that is reoccurring within horror films and the ethnic minorities are often killed of first.

There is Halloween decorations around the hospital counter and this shows what time of year it is and ties in with the title of the film this is also something that helps to show the genre of film to the audience. Horror iconography is used when we see the scars on the patient and the blood that is covering the nurse. 

For example in the picture this is the perfect way to use iconography to show the horror genre.



Research: Effective horror film opening: Saw 2

Micro Features

The film opens with a very blured image and this is a pulled focus shot. It is a point of view shot and shows a man that is coming round from being drugged. The pulled focus shot is used to help show this to the audience and it shows to the audience the effect it has had on him. A hand held camera is also used in the opening and this makes the shot very shaky and adds an eerie effect to the film, it also helps the audience to connect to the film.

It then uses a 360 degrees pan around the man to show the confined room and setting that the man is in and this is when the audience see that it is the horror genre.

An extreme close-up shows the mans eye when he is told that he has a key behind it, this helps to show the audience how he is trying to cut the key out and it enables them to feel close to the action and see the struggle he is going through.

A green filter is also used to give this eerie effect to the opening of the scene which is shown in the above picture. It also gives the audience a clue about the genre.

The digetic sound of a clock is use to help create tension throughout the scene as he tries to unlock the head clamp and break free. It also shows a montage of images which quickly flash on the screen alongside some tense music to create suspense and again raise tension.

Macro Features

There is a wide range of horror iconography used within the opening of Saw and these all help to create the horror. They use a very large head clamp that the man is trapped in and this helps to show the audience the horror of the situation for the man and this is shown from the start.

There is also the horrible doll that appears on the televison screen and this shows how scary and weird the person is that has put him in this position.

The man has a lot of blood around his eye which also helps to show the horror genre, but it also links to what the doll is saying about putting the key behind his eye and this creates fear as you realise the position he is in.

   They also help to show the horror genre by using a monster fodder which is the man that is killed within the opening scene and we are also introduced to the antagonist straight away. The antagonist helps to narrate the scene and this is something that helps the audience gain a picture about what is happening.

   The setting is very run down and appears to be a very grim and dirty basement and this creates horror and makes it seem scary and creepy.