Final Cut

link to prezi

http://prezi.com/nwmgnjw1n-8-/media-evaluation-horror-conventions/

Evaluation

Media Evaluation-Horror Conventions on Prezi

I then added titles to it using lens flare.

Using iMovie 2

We then added slide transitions to make our sequence run smoother and look more professional.

I then imported the soundtrack from garageband and put it in sync with our sequence . The incidental sound creates tension and builds up to te killing scene,then the piano music at the end creates peace as the victim is dead.

Using iMovie

This is the original footage we filmed and imported to iMovie.

We then cut it after reducing it to 5s sections and grouped it all together in sequence without any changes.

Creation of Logo

Above are the two steps of creating our logo. To the left is the starting template I created using the line tool increasing the line pixels from 5 upto 20. TO the left is my edited version sing different layers colour and different tools to create different effects.

Logo

To the left is our company logo. The zombie represents the horror and anti social aspects of our films. The items within the logo create the 

look of it being crazy which is usually associated with serial killers. 

By Ben Smith 

Inspiration for our stabbing scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VP5jEAP3K4

This scene inspired our stabbing scene within our opening sequence as at first it represents normal behavior and the females vulnerability . 

This relates to when the female in our film is texting and the open space around her shows her vulnerability. The stabbing scene is first

Represented by shadows which disguises her awareness of the killer being present. This is also present in our sequence. The knife is then

shown as the weapon and it uses elliptical editing from the stabbing scene to the female being laid dead which is similar in our sequence.

Creation of Soundtrack2

The above image to the right shows the sound bar we created using cinematic sound loops. The image to the left then shows it split and edited to build up in volume to create a tense atmosphere. Wihin our sequence it is used as diegetic music.

By ben Smith

Creation of Soundtrack

This is the first part of our soundtrack using a piano loop to create some eerie music to include with our titles and create and effect with our audience relating to horror conventions.

Shooting Calender

First shooting-Tuesday 23rd February 2010

Location:Street,Olivia's Flat

Time: 10:30-1

Props: Cider bottle

Second Shooting-Tuesday 2nd February 2010

Location:Olivia's Flat

Time: 10:30-1

Props: Cider bottle,iPod speakers

Third Shooting-Tuesday 9th February 2010

Location:Olivia's Flat

Time: 10:30-1

Props:iPod speakers,knife

Fourth Shooting(Improving Rough cut)-Tuesday 16th February 2010

Location:Olivia's flat

Time:10:30-1

Props:Knife,Costume,Fake Blood

History of horror conventions

This picture from Halloween is similar to our costume design and props such as the knife. Also the character(Michael Myers) is on a stairwell creeping about so is also like our stairwell scene.

Horror films usually play on the emotions of the audience to influence terror and fear upon the viewer. General themes include death,horrific injuries,mental illness and other criminal acts. Horror films usually have a sub genre within the genre. These normally include murder mysteries,torture or a serial killer. Horror films started around the  1890's in france with films such as "the house of the devil". Horror films were popularized in America in the 1930's by universal studios with films like Dracula and Frankenstein. Films that inspired our ideas were things such as Scream because of the masked killer idea, Halloween because of the idea of a serial killer and also Nightmare on Elm street because of the mystery Enigma.

Risk Assesment

Risk Assessment

·      Our sequence uses a knife to show the killing of a character, therefore the main risk affecting our safety is the blade. We must be careful not to actually injure the character in anyway and also to store it safely when it is not in use.

·      We must be careful not to fall down the stairs when transporting equipment into the flat as we may trip or slip because of the weight or shape of the equipment used. If the equipment becomes to heavy to carry, we will all contribute in carrying a certain piece at a time.

·      As the shot is filmed upstairs, we must be careful not to trip down the stairs or damage the equipment by dropping it. To avoid this we will be aware of our surroundings and other aspects, which may put us or the equipment in jeopardy.

·      As we are using meat, which is raw, we must be careful not to eat or make any unnecessary contact which may spread germs or put the characters at risk. To avoid this danger, we will wash hands after contact with the raw meat and also to clean surfaces after we have finished filming.

Assesment 5

Plot Synopsis

Girl is murdered at the beginning of the sequence, by two masked murderers who torture her and eventually decapitate her in a flat that they have broken into. The victim’s boyfriend then discovers her corpse in the flat, which belongs to the girl, and is horrified by his discovery. He tries to figure out who is the killer, by being a ruthless that tortures people linked with the murder to find out answers. When he finds out, he seeks revenge on the two murderers who are still unknown to the audience. We later discover that it is the boyfriend’s best friends (who are on some sort of drugs) and he must kill to settle the dispute.

 

Opening Sequence  

Outside the flat (diagetic sound-typical city), it is raining (ambient sound) heavily and shows the female (Olivia Dawkins) and so an establishing shot is used to show the setting. Olivia enters the flat and locks the door (Extreme close up & match on action)(sound-incidental sound violin). Olivia walks up stairs (high angled shot from top of stairs) to show vulnerability (incidental music-violin). She’s sat watching a film, (sound perspective-film, incidental music-louder) music build up tension and creates a hostile atmosphere. The light flickers on and off and we see the murderers behind her, then it goes dark again (low angled medium shot)(deep focus). Then the first credits appear to create anticipation. Then it focuses in on the knife and shows match on action of murderer waves a knife, the camera then cuts away to the women (mise en scene pig skin) and slashes her (mise en scene-fake blood)(diagetic-screaming). Then more credits appear. Then extreme close up of knife appears with blood dripping from it (Non-diagetic, tap dripping, crying). Final credits appear (non synchronous – knife sharpening). Final flash of light, (effects-blood squirts onto the wall). Then film title screen appears (Title- Final Cut).

 

Target Audience Appeal

The storyline of the film will appeal to the target audience, as it will have a sense of mystery because it will keep the audience guessing who the murderers are. Also it will be unexpected, as you won’t suspect it is he best friends of her boyfriend. This will also appeal to the target audience as the opening will be tense and the audience will be intrigued of the victim was killed as it uses elliptical editing. Other ways it will appeal to the target audience is the violent and gory aspect of the film that would appeal to the audience of this age especially horror fans

 

Creative Techniques

Creative techniques used in this clip will include how the knife is expressed and used to create tension in the clip, also how it relates to horror and is the weapon used to murder the victim. Pig skin will be used in the horror clip when the victim is stabbed. The pig skin will be used to make it look more realistic and it is an alternative to stabbing the character in person.

Assessment 7

Assessment 8

Assessment 6

Organization of Actors, Props and Costumes

The Actors in the scene will consist of Ellie Wright (Olivia Dawkins), Den Snowdon (Ben Smith) and Lawrence Arnold (Sean Farnsworth). Den and Lawrence are the murderers in the sequence, although their identity is kept secret due to the masks that they wear. We will purchase the masks ourselves and also the murder weapon used, which will be a knife. We will not require any funding for any of the sequence as it will be cheap enough to shoot.        

         Like I previously mentioned, Olivia Dawkins will play Ellie Wright, a female who works as a shop assistant in the off license below. Her boyfriend will not be present in the sequence but his name is Julius Jackson and is best friends with Den and Lawrence. Dennis Snowdon is played by Ben Smith and both him and Lawrence Arnold, who is played by Sean Farnsworth are the murderers in the sequence, although the audience will be oblivious to this. This will therefore create an enigma and keep the audience guessing who is the murderer throughout the whole movie. The characters are important in the sequence as without them, there would be no film.

         Ellie Wright will be wearing casual clothing, such as a vest, cardigan, jeans and plimsoles after she has came home after a night at work. We will use old clothing as they will be ruined by the fake blood we intend to use will stain the clothing. The murderers on the other hand will wear masks on their face which will disguise their identity. They will also wear black jeans, black vests along with black leather gloves and black plimsoles, as black represents both evil and death, and the mask will conceal the identity of the killers. Keeping the killers identity concealed is a major part of a horror movie, otherwise I believe the film would then become either action or thriller.

         The sequence will be filmed at Olivia’s flat as she owns one above the shop she works in. This has proven to be sufficient and is easier than renting a place out as it will cost more money. We will have to carry out a health and safety assessment of the building and location before we actually start filming, and also the flat will be perfect for the scene and effect we wish to portray in the opening sequence.

Assesment 4 ideas mind map

Assessment 3 Target Audience research

Target Audience research for ages 15 and 18

I have researched specific websites focusing on the BBFC for my target audience of the ages 15 and 18. I have noticed that certain aspects affect whether a film I determined as a 15 rating and an 18.

 

Firstly there are certain aspects that denote a 15 rating film. Firstly drugs determine the rating of a film. I understand that drugs may be used in a 15 rated film although they may not be shown as a positive thing and encourage drug use, also highly dangerous and extreme use of drugs may not be permitted within this rating.

 

Also discrimination within the scenes may not be throughout the scene and continue throughout. An example of this is a film that discriminates a certain ethnic minority throughout the film. Although the film may pass as a 15 if there is only small amounts of discrimination within the scenes. Following on imitable behavior is not permitted in a 15 film such as dangerous actions such as suicide. Also accessible weapons may not feature within these films and be used; an example of this is a kitchen knife used in a horror film to kill someone, this is because it promotes that a typical household object could be used as a deadly weapon.

 

Violence is also a theme used within films and certain violence may not be used in 15 films. I understand that strong violence is allowed although it may not show detailed injury inflicted from the strong violence. Also violence should not result in gory images as this aspect is forbidden within 15 films.  Violence such as rape may not be used or sadistic violence such as extreme torture. Sexual references may be used in the right context although the actual sexual action going on may only be shown in a minor way, for example a full on sex scene may not be shown.

 

Nudity and sex is also a part of the rating and has certain constraints. Minor nudity may be shown within a sexual scene provided its in the correct context, also detailed nudity may not be shown and it may not be purposely for sexual arousal towards its target audience. Also sexual references are limited within these films. Sexual references may be used although stronger references to sex are too explicit for these films. Sexual scenes may be used although not in explicit detail. This seems correct, as the legal sex age is 16 in Great Britain.

 

Following on the 18 rating is different from the 15 rating, typically because its target audience may not be affected by these scenes and may be familiar with the action in the films. Although it’s 18 films there are still constraints. A example of this is films that are filmed not within the law, an example of this is actual cocaine use in a film as it should be done using a fake product to imitate cocaine. Also actions that aren’t moral must be portrayed within an 18 film. An example of this is pedophilia as it is immorally wrong within today’s society and disturbing. Actions that are used completely out of context are not permitted such as a rape scene for no entire reason.

 

In the opening sequence that im going to produce the content be an 18 because of its context. Our initial ideas suggest rape and discrimination between two characters. This would make it an 18, as rape is not really suitable for a 15 rated movie. Also discrimination between characters may result in explicit language, although this is permitted in 15 rated films this could be too extreme for a 15 rated film. In our sequence al though the context may be rape their will no nudity or sexual references just the audience will be lead to think this.  There will be violence within the scene that may result in harm towards the victim so therefore this would be rated an 18 film. My opening sequence also shows drug use t create an anti social hostile atmosphere, although this isn’t promoting drugs it may be scene as extreme drug use so is 18. Overall I believe there are minor differences between the content in 15 and 18 films although 18 films are usually more extreme. I believe that the factors in our film would sway towards an 18 rated film.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment 2 Analysis of opening sequnce

SAW 3 Opening

 

The saw 3 Opening shows micro themes within the opening sequence that represents horror. The Mise en Scene within the scene shows aspects of horror, through the low-key lighting. This is used throughout the opening sequence, which creates a sense of mystery, as you cannot recognise what the particular character is surrounded by so creates mystery. Dark lighting is used a lot in horror films and we associate dark scenes with horror. Also the props used in the scene represent the horror genre. Props such as chains and weapons are used in the scene; these weapons are used in horror scenes so we immediately associate this with horror. Also we see this weapons used to cut someone’s limb off so we then realise these props are in a horror scene. Another use of mise en scene is the torch. This shows the horror genre as it is a prop that reveals the only source of lighting so suggest that the surroundings are remote and also creates a sense of mystery as you can only see what the torch shows. A final use of mise en scene is the blood used in the scene. When we se blood we think about death or murder a particular theme used within horror films. So when we see blood within this scene we suggest that someone has been killed so associate this mise en scene with horror.

 

Also the camera shots in this scene show the horror genre.  The opening scene shows a point of view shot were it shows what the man can see by the torches spotlight. This shows horror as it shows what the man can see which is only revealed through the spotlight so you are put in the place of the character and you can also feel his sense of mystery and vulnerability. This creates an atmosphere that can be linked to horror and therefore shows this genre. The other camera shot used is a close up of the mans face which reveals a shocked expression and fear in his eyes. This creates a relationship between the audience and the character as you can feel what he is feeling. This shows the aspect of horror as these emotions of fear and shock can be associated with what he is surrounded by in the scene and it appears to be horror by what he is feeling.

 

Editing techniques are used within this scene to show the genre of horror. The first editing technique used is the match on action of the man going to use the weapon then actually using it. This is used while he is slashing someone’s foot. This creates the genre of horror as he is using a blade to chop someone’s foot off which creates a typical horror theme of murder. Also it creates a hostile atmosphere within the film so introduces the aspect of horror further. A further use of editing is a cross cut from a weapon to the man to a torch, firstly this is linking aspects of horror mise en scene so instigates a horror theme towards the reader. Also the editing technique of the crosscut creates tension as it questions the reader of what’s going to happen by switching between the items and linking them with the mans emotions.

 

Lastly sound is used to create the horror genre within the opening sequence. Within the scene we hear the sound perspective of an empty gun, where the man is struggling. This shows the horror genre as we associate a gun with horror films. Also we know that the man is struggling and as he has no gun to defend himself because the gun is empty that something is going to happen so creates anticipation and tension.  Another use of sound is the diagetic sound of crying.  The crying sound associates with horror as it makes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucqya3dUgow