Evaluation - preliminary to the final product

Evaluation - Annotating the sequence

We attracted our audience as we followed the conventions of a typical psychological thriller/horror which relies on the fear of the unkown to create a scary atmosphere and feeling for the viewer. The overall production and making of the opening sequence was similar to films such as Blair Witch, which use spirits and ghosts as the theme of the film. By using no blood and gore, i feel it appeals to a wider audience whilst still maintaining the conventions of a typical horror/thriller.

It was difficult to identify and target the age range 16-25 using this particular narrative however i believe my opening sequence addresses mainly this age group given the popularity of films such as 'Paranormal Activity' amongst this age group proven irresistable by teens. Movies such as these took cues from many classic horror films in that it only suggests the scary stuff rather than showing any explicit gore but leaves much to the viewers imagination.

Evaluation - Target Audience

Having researched into the target audience which we would decided would be between the ages of 16-25, we asked for comments on the finished product. Some of the main comments were that the use of sound and lighting fit well with the genre of movie. Some of the criticisms included a confusion about the blooper that was added as part of the sequence in order to create a 'homemade movie' atmosphere filmed in the characters perspective however overall the reaction to the opening sequence was a positive one.

Here is a video response to our sequence.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnH9nclSCJU&feature=relmfu

Films such as the Blair Witch Project, which we used to inspire our opening sequence has a target audience of late teens to mid twenties. Psychological thrillers such as these are what this age range seek in order for a cheap thrill and the idea of getting scared. Our sequence's film certificate is a 15 and therefore allows for this age range to have access to watching the movie. It developed a greater interest amongst those between the ages of 16-19, although a greater interest was shown amongst females in comparison to males because of its psychological genre.

We took the target audience comments on what they like about Thrillers and Horrors and used this to develop our own film. There are obviously some codes and conventions which are a must in horror/thrillers but we also used what we ourselves found to be a typical opening of a horror film that we like ourselves, being part of the target age range. These included, scary music and lighting. I feel we were able to connect with our target audience through the opening sequence of our film as it was quite basic but it also portrayed the genre in a way which captured the audience's attention and also they were able to tell it was a horror/thriller without question.

Here is some of the other media interests of the target audience........

Evaluation

Opening Sequence

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

Having chosen our opening sequence to be the genre of horror/thriller, we then researched into the codes and conventions of this particular genre.

Our media product uses the codes and conventions of a horror/thriller film through the use of camerawork. mise en scene, editing and sound.

Before we began to create our opening sequence, we had to ensure what we were going to produce followed the rules and guidelines for the opening two minutes of a film and what it should include. We established that it should not tell the entire storyline and give everything away, however it should make clear to the audience right from the beginning of what genre the film is following. It should also include the opening credits of the people involved in the film along with the film title.
I analysed two opening sequences familiar to the Horror/Thriller scene, these were Halloween and Paranormal activity, this helped me have an understanding as to what the opening sequence should include along with the codes and conventions which were present in films of the same genre. At the last possible moment, we changed the narative of our opening sequence in order to give the footage a meaning along with using text in the sequence to introduce the locations along with plot at the very beginning. The pace of our editing gradually increased as the reported was dragged away, this fast pace editing is a familiar convention of a thriller/horror film. Our media product also uses the use of sound to establish the genre as well as build tension, the main use of sound within real film opening sequences. Originally, the soundtrack we added to the sequence was from www.youtube.com which we got permission for then additional sounds were added such as the screams. The typical location of a horror/thriller film wold stereotypically be in a dark, empty place which adds to a feeling of isolation in the audience. Our location was changed last minute from a cemetery location which we later found to be too intruding and didn't fit in with our new narative however it does not challenge the conventions of the real media product as it was still located in a location which contained running water, dampness as well as graffiti on the walls and allowed us to pan the location giving us reasonably good shots which we could use to create a typical horror movie feel. The colours within these type of films are often dull and dark, our opening sequence uses these conventions as we decided to edit it into black and white which allowed us to eliminate the fact that it was recorded in daylight as well as adding to the 'darkness' of a horror/thriller film.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

 The image is taken from a snapshop of the news reporter in Scream. There are similarities which are apparent between this news reporter and the character featured in my opening sequence. Firstly, the costumes which both reporters are wearing are smart yet casual styles which connote ideas of professionalism and authority. The scream reporter is wearing a blouse, much like the reporter in my opening sequence along with a jacket. In terms of body language, both reporters show concern for the place in which they are reporting from. The scream reporter is holding her hand on her hip, and the 'Captive' reporter is using hand gestures to portray emotion and connect with the audience as well as emphasise the report. Facially, both facial expressions are of a serious manner and represent a stereotypical news reporter that takes her role seriously and feels comfortable infront of a camera. Their roles within the film are identical for obvious reasons, the fact they are both news reporters, in Scream she returns to cover a report of the current murder spree, as in Captive, the reporter is covering a report of a missing woman. Both news reporters are holding a microphone, which is the prop used in Captive which is a stereotypical feature when playing a reporter. We decided to use a mic last minute in order to portray the role with even more precision. A social group with this character represents may be middle/high class hard working individuals or simply refered to as the 'people on tv'.

Audio sounds

C:\Users\Jessica\Downloads\captive.mp3

Location shots. NEW!

Last minute plans for our location for the opening sequence, providing us with more filming time as the cemetery shut at 4pm, which meant there was too much sunlight. Our new location is under a bridge alongside a small flow of water near Roneo Corner, Romford. This location enabled us to maintain the horror theme because of the water, mud and darkness of under the bridge

Planning meeting - additional effects and finishing touches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-nbvAnq65I&feature=related

The tv static will be used as the camera is knocked over due to an interupted report from an unkown being.

Location(s) for our opening sequence

                              

Script

CAPTIVE

INT. BROMLEY PARK LAKE– NIGHT

On this evening in Bromley park , the CAMERAMAN along with the reporter make their way to the location in order to deliver the report on a supposed ghost sighting of a woman which vanished a few years previous.

Cuts to the report being given as the surroundings remain silent and the flow of the lake is heard in the background.

(REPORTER) JESSICA TENNANT

(gentle yet sharp tone of voice through the silence)

This is JESSICA TENNANT reporting for Channel 4 news live from Bromley Park. Now, you may remember a few years ago a woman in her mid 30's vanished as she walked past this lake. A sighting of a mysterious figure has been supposidly seen in this very lake. We're not quite sure what we are looking for. Family members have been made aware of this..

CAMERAMAN

(Shouting and interrupting the report)

Oh my god, what is that?

The camera is knocked to the ground in response the alarm that is caused..

JESSICA is subsequently dragged away by an unknown being which is not visible to the CAMERAMAN nor JESSICA.

CONTINUED:

 CAMERAMAN

(shouting at the top of her lungs, fear in her voice)

Let her go whoever you are!

CONTINUED:

INT. DARK CAVE - NIGHT

JESSICA is discovered in the hands of a being, being dragged by a spirit through the darkness, feet scraping along the floor beyond her control, she has become the next victim of the lurking spirit.

(REPORTER) JESSICA TENNANT

(Screaming in fear)

Somebody help me!

CAMERAMAN examines the scene of the event and soon discovers what appears to be JESSICA, however something is not at all right. As she gazes for just a while longer she is pounced upon by the newly captive reporter and is murdered instantly, with their body never to be discovered.

REPORTER 2
(sadness in their voice, well spoken)

The body of reporter JESSICA TENNANT was last seen near Bromley Park..

Brainstorm

Movie Inspirations.

We used the Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity as inspiration for our opening sequence. The use of the camerawork is one of the main reasons for it inspiring us and it is filmed from a particular person's point of view which adds to the experience of watching the film. We are choosing to incorporate the idea of a supernatural being within our opening sequence, as in these particular films, the audience doesnt actually get to view the being causing the destruction and mayhem however suspense and fear is created through the use of sound and camerawork.

Evaluation of preliminary task.

Both videos were shot within college grounds, which was practical in order to complete the task set. To begin with, the group faced a struggle in trying to make sense of the camera which we would be using, however this was soon sorted. Next, we discussed our ideas as far as scripting and plot is concerned, keeping in mind the dialogue should be simple and to the point. Our job was to complete two videos as our group had been extended. The first of our videos was shot, followed by the second; by which time we had realised after playback there was no sound on the first video, therefore we had to shoot it again. This issue was due to the fact that the sound volume had been turned down. Overall, the preliminary task went to plan.

Preliminary Task.

Shot list

Locations	Scene#	Shot/movement	Camera POV	Action/dialogue
The graveyard	Scene 1	-1- Pan/ establishing shot of the graveyard.	The cameraman’s point of view.	Non-diegetic score music, wind and credits
		-2-zoom in old graves.	The cameraman’s point of view	Non-diegetic score music, wind and credits
		-3- pan over the trees and grass	cameraman’s point of view	Non-diegetic music, wind and credits
	Scene 2	-4- long short of the news reporter	Cameraman’s point of view	The reporter’s monologue
		-5- close up of the news reporter	Cameraman’s point of view	Reporter’s monologue
		-6- mid shot of the journalist showing the background	Cameraman’s point of view	Reporters monologue
		-7-hand held shot	Cameraman’s point of view	Something runs away or weird sound in graveyard
		-8- follow shot of a spirit	Cameraman’s point of view	Something  runs towards them and they panic
		-9-cut		Everything goes blank for a moment
		-low angle shot of the journalist	Audience point of view	The reporter gets dragged away
		-10-blur/ fizzles		silence
	Scene 3	-11- black and white shot	Audience point of view	Background non-diegtic sound
		-12-extreme close up of the journalist tied up.	Audience point of view	The reporter tied around a tree
		-13- mid shot of the reporter	Audience point of view	The reporter still tied around a tree and the title of the movie comes up
		-14- Pan over the graveyard	Audience point of view	News report

First planning meeting.

Jessica - Director
Malika- Cameraman
Mylene- Editor


In order for the production of the opening sequence to take place, we need to sort out the props/ mise en scene involved in the sequence. These include make-up - pale face makeup and mascara Other aspects of the mise en scene are the costumes which involve a torn tshirt and a jacket alongside casual leg wear and boots.

Make up inspired by...

The make up is used in the shot after the woman has been possessed.

White contact lenses taken care of by Mylene, which will be used by the reporter to show she has been held 'captive' by the spirit.

Having finalised our opening sequence title. we have come to the decision of  it being called 'captive'

Brainstorm- non diagetic/diagetic sounds

Using this particular piece of music in the beginning of the opening sequence as the credits are introduced just before the news report. We feel this is suitable for our opening sequence as it creates tension and builds a feeling of suspense amongst the viewer and draws them into the film wondering what is about to happen. The piece is relatively slow paced which adds to its contribution to the opening sequence.


Other sounds which will be included are the use of dialogue from the news reports Permission was given in order for us to use the music on copyright grounds.








Other sounds used will be sirens, static television, footsteps, screams and ghost voices. Will convert the sound videos into mp3 format in order to use them in the sequence.

Plot summary/ Treatment

A reporter has gone along with her cameraman to report on a alleged sighting of a figure of a woman who had previously gone missing a few years earlier. The reporter is viewed to be trespassing on her land and the soul of the missing woman is looking for a new body to possess. The reporter is held captive by this evil soul and is discovered by the cameraman who is murdered by the possessed reporter and as far as anyone else is concerned, the reporter has simply gone missing, little do they know an evil soul is lurking.




idea from : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMQQpmm5u3w
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/

Research on genre: Generic codes and conventions.

The chosen genre of our opening sequence is thriller/horror.


The film genre thriller is a broad genre of both film, television and literature which uses tension, suspense and thrill as its main elements. The idea of a thriller movie it to give them a high level of anticipation and uncertainty as well as a sense of fear and suprise when watching. These films tend to be fast paced in terms of the way that the scenes are edited together. Techniques such as cliffhangers are often used in order to create the fear of the unkown. The horror genre generally overlaps with the thriller genre as it also tries to withdraw negative emotional responses from the viewer by toying with their emotions and fears.
A thriller is more interested in suspense, putting you "on the edge of your seat" or , making you nervous for the fate of the characters. A horror movie wants to make you fear for your personal safety, to make you afraid that what happened to the characters may happen to you even after the film has finished.


Horror films in the 1930's and 40's typically involved gothic based characters, these included characters such as vampires and werewolves. Due to the advance in technology three sub-cultures of horror emerged, these included horror of personality, horror of armageddon and horror of the demonic. Films such as Psycho showed a vast amount of violence generally showing characters such as madman with psychological problems. Horror of demonic films convince the audience that the world has a higher power of demonic forces and supernatural occurances. The new era of horror films has introduced the factor of fear of the unkown, films such as the exorcist leave the audience feeling a sense of personal paranoia. Horror films in the 1990's returned to the traditional slasher movie in which a madman tried to kill a large number of people. Teens are often involved in teen horrors and slasher movies as they are assumed by society to be immature and vulnerable.

There are particular standard features of a horror film which can be identfied and work together to create the perfect horror movie. The following features are common aspects of a horror or thriller film which create the overall effect. These include...

A group of oversexed teens
One or two heroes that survive throughout the movie
One or a combination of either monsters, slashers, ghosts etc
One or more skeptics who refuse to believe what is going on until they are the ones that are dead.
A 'know it all' character
A storm which occurs as the killer and the victims begin a chase scene
In a house setting, the power goes off at a critical moment as the killer enters the shot
Phone lines are dead.
Lake and forest scenes are popular for chase scenes in the dark
A feeling of suspense. A scare which causes the audience's heart to race.