This was our final production. The filming here added to a total of 3 and a half minutes but had to be cut down to 2 and 15 seconds. The final production has a synopsis of the victim being followed as she makes her way to her car to leave for home. The victim is then attacked and the scene ends. A montage is then played to end the clip. Filming for the final production took place in Stratford, East London, with montage clips filmed in Leytonstone & Hackney, East London.
The final production was chosen from a range of filming taking place Hackney Community College, Hackney Marshes, Haggerston Park, Milfields Park & Upper Clapton. The choice came from the settings match to our plot, as it was not an open space and was isolated.
This scene was filmed in Hackney Community College. The scene was not chosen for final production as we felt it did not contain a feel of isolation. The flat felt like a homely safe one, and so could not be a scene of horror.
This scene was filmed in Hackney Marshes, and did not make final cut as it felt the setting could not be controlled in aspects to lighting, controlled population and weather (Windy weather interupted the filming audio)
This scene was filmed in Haggerston Park. This scene had the problem of general public disturbing our scene. This could not be controlled by us, and so could not become the final cut.
This scene was filmed at Milfields Park, but couldn't work as there was a problem with people in our scene, and we could not stop people entering the park. The location was also in the open therefore we couldn't control the sence of isolation, which we needed to create for the atmosphere.
This scene was filmed at Upper Clapton however this couldn't be selected in the final production as the lighting in this scene was too dark and couldn't be controlled. we have looked at nighting Noir and from this we found out that lighting is important for the way it is used and controlled.
In what ways does your product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Our product uses forms and conventions of portraying a slasher, by adding all the crucial ingredients necessary of typical horror film. We use a young girl aged 19 to play the victim as a majority of horror movies use this. By placing everyday imagery and making it more difficult to refuse the horror. This creates a claustrophobic effect on the helpless victim as she is in a labryinth of being constantly trapped, with nowhere to escape.
How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
Our media product represents the teenagers of the modern
era, as they will be most likely to watch it. As well as being our target audience
What kind of media institutions might distributer your media product and why?
HBO could distrubute out media product and they are part of Time Warner, and they cvould give us a high budget. New line cinema is a horror distributer, as they have distributed Night Mare On elm Street. This could be a potential distributer as they distribute for horrors.
Who will be the audience for your media product?
The audience for my media product will be teenagers to
middle aged groups preferably 18-30 years old. They will be the audience for my
media product because they are the group that most appeal to my product. We
have looked at other horror genres and we have found that they all have a
similar age group.
How did you attract you audience?
As a group we attracted our audience by using suitable
methods of marketing for our genre. We had uploaded it to Facebook, Twitter and
YouTube so that it makes potential audience aware that the film is out.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
From constructing this product we have learnt that
technology has a big impact on the final outcome of the product. I have also
learnt that we can access technology from a single device, this is convenient
for potential consumers as they may not have time to separately do things such
as go to the cinema when they can access the movie on their phone. During our production we had used mobile phones to communicate with our actors and with all the people involved in our production.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
We have learnt a lot about continuity and making absolute sure there is no confusion for spectators. Ensuring that the 180 degree rule remains constant, as well as having match on action. With the use of shot reverse shot.
Our horror opening is set in a deserted car park, in the hours of darkness. The perfect time for a killer to haunt his victim. This was last minute decision and it turned out just right as the it was just how we wanted it. We caught inspiration from a scene in Scream 4, where the victim is followed in a isolated car park. The emptiness and isolation were key features which led to this scene being picked out of a range of horror settings.
Costume
We have used a costume to dress our caped killer in all black to further avoid his detection. Simliliar to Scream (1966 film), we utilise this to fall in line with the conventions of a horror.
Actors/actresses and body language Our actors are within our age group. They were willing to play the part and did a good job
Hair, make up and expression
We have have concentrated on making sure our victim is horrified and traumatised in every way.
Props/furniture Our props include a sharp knife, as this is highlighted in the film. Also we have the mask used to conceal the identity of the killer. We used other items that didnt make the end product but instead gave us ideas to what would work , i.e. blowtorch. This was used to give a firey effect. We also tried using a bag with a blunt object to make it as disturbing as possible.
Lighting We kept the lighting as dim as possible to indidcate that there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the victim.
Colour
During our monatge sequence we highlighted the colour red, to connote the blood and gore which is associated with this colour.
We have visited numerous locations to see where our film is best suited, one example is below of Hackney Downs. It had a secluded tunnel which would fit around claustrophobia, which is exactly what we wanted. Creating labyrinths where the victims are constantly trapped, and there is no escape. This is a view at daylight and is no different when the night falls, denoting the isolation.
This scene was filmed in Whipps Cross, and was used in the montage sequence for its isolated feeling. The trees helped to create a tensional atmosphere that would help to boost the empiness. Our inspiration came from Friday the 13th that was filmed where the victim was chased in a forest.
This was Stratford Car Park, which was the scene that we used for the final cut. This was chosen as it held a atmosphere of isolation but at the same time was open, so could mean the victim was not alone. Our inspiration came from Scream 4, where a scene was held in a dark isolated car park.
This was Upper Clapton, which we could not use due to lack of control of lighting. Our choice to this setting was a experimental choice, and had not been taken from any movies.
This was Hackney Marshes, which we choose for its open space. We chose this from movies filmed in open spaces, as it held a isolated feeling.
Hackney college was used for a flat, which would house the victim. The scene was only to set the way for the main scene, and did not really have a original insperation.
Hackney Downs was filmed for its intense atmosphere, and it had a alleyway which had a sense of entrapment. The inspiraton was from Night mare on elm Street, where there was a Tunnel.
Our opening horror movie is targeted to the age bracket of 18 - 30 which of are males from a working class background. This would bring in the most viewers, but we did not rule out other audiences. Our opening scene slowly builds up to a point where it reaches it climax, we decided to do this as we wanted to build up suspence and tension. After the chase there is a montage to heighten the audience suspence and tension, we decided to use a montage when we where looking the film "Seven" as this film has a montage in it, we also took this idea to use in our opening scene. Our montage is 1 minute and 10 seconds, we used the film seven to incorperate some of the ideas. Thoughtout the opening scene we had built up tension and supesence.
1. What was your first experince with horror, and at what age?
My first experience with horror films was as a child, about four. It was a chance for me to stay up later than my sister. I would sneak down the stairs so as not to wake her and get an intriguing look at horror.
2. What attracted you to horror initially?
It feels good to get scared and shows that you are normal. Like when seeing the Frankenstein monster for the first time, or covering my face, peeking with one eye open, I was a child perfecting my zombie creep around the house, mastering my moans and groans and quoting lines from my favorite horror films or characters in them. "They’re coming to get you, Barbara!" I felt like I was doing or watching something kids my age weren't supposed to.
3. Do you have a favourite sub-genre?
All subgenres. The weirder the better. I have tons of B-horror movies. They are the best because they have little money to work with. The less money, the more inventive you become.
4. What is the last horror film you saw and what did you think of it?
I buy or rent the strangest, most out-there movies. I look for the most bizarre titles and buy them. The people I buy or rent from must think I am a psychopath!
6. Do you know people in your personal life who are also fans?
Nope, not really.
7. Describe your horror film/merchandise collection? Do you have a prized possession?
I have a wide range of films from classic horror, zombie films, slasher films, to B-horror. You name it. If it's weird, I probably have it. And if I don't, I'll make sure I get it. My most prized item would probably be my Universal Horror DVD collections. I could watch them over and over. Every time I watch them, it is still so amazing and fresh to me.
8. Do you got to conventions or socialize with other fans?
No, not my scene.
9. Do you think there are certain traits horror fans generally share?
Well yes, to some extent. We love a medium which is defined by some to be low budget, violent, not mainstream. So to some point, you can say we are not the norm. We are not really looking to fit in, nor do we care to.
10. Can you describe why you are a horror fan?
I like being frightened. I get sucked into it. I like the shock factor, to the point where I am really taken and believe something I see in a movie can really happen. Well, in the case of deranged individuals, it can. Look at serial killers. I put nothing past the human mind or the supernatural. It’s all about the rush you get when your adrenaline is flowing, your heart is pounding, and you just want it to never end.
The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 1974 American slasher film, directed and produced
by Tobe Hooper. The film follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family
of cannibals while on their way to visit an old homestead.
The film starts off by narrating the story, giving the viewers an
understanding of the characters and the plot. Throughout the beginning sequence
at 3:18 we see various close ups of body parts from dead corpses until the end
where the whole body is revealed. It then ends with a red tint, connoting the
blood and violence that is to come. This is a non-linear film as it creates
flash backs.
The
Mise En Scene in the opening scene starts off with background text in white and
black. After this, there is flashing images as if someone was taking photos.
This is effective because it keeps the audience in the dark as they cannot see
what happening, building suspense and tension. Towards the end we see a close
up of a head, the close of the head doesn't reveal his whole body, therefore conceals his identity, this again keeps the audience in the dark. Throughout the opening it obscures the identity of the mystery person through the use of a mask.
The
editing and cinematography that is used to create suspense and tension because
of the various jump cuts which creates effect upon the audience. It gives the
audience a negative feel as it sort of makes them jump off their seats. We also
pursued the same style of editing when we added a chasing scene to our
production. This is where we got the idea of a chase sequence.
Halloween is an independent horror/thriller that was
released in 1978 and directed by John Carpenter. We meet Michael Myers who is a
troubled boy and murders his sister in the opening scene, which was conducted
in one continuous shot. The credits last for approximately 2 minutes and then
we move onto the 4-5 minute camera shot alongside a point of view shot from
Michael where he brutally stabs his sister. The opening also includes a
medium-long shot of Michael to establish what the character looks like, which
then ends.
Before any
footage, we see a two-minute induction sequence of title credits. The only Mise
En Scene would be the pumpkin, as slowly throughout the sequence we zoom into
the face of the pumpkin, which in accordance with the title provides information
to the spectators what the movie is about. The font title is orange symbolising
the pumpkin once again and the idea of Halloween. But what’s intriguing is once
again the appearance of orange, gradually fades into red connoting, blood,
violence, envy and inevitably death, this is simple but yet purposeful which
presents the true meaning of the movie. Not exactly how we interpret the
occasion of Halloween. So without seeing any footage of the film, the audience
already begin to raise questions, which is a great use of enigma codes, which
is what the movie, intends to do.
Music is an
important factor to consider, as the first minute we are greeted by absolute
silence, building tension and preparing the audience for a fright, which is
stereotypical of a horror flick. As assumed a high-pitched non-diegetic sound
then shocks onlookers without any action. In a way the film is messing with its
viewers, as there is yet to be any gore or death, but with sharp sound effects
we are on the edge of our seats. Although the music was repetitive, once it
started there was there were no pauses, the only alteration during the build-up
would be the pace and pitch of the music, also with constant outbursts of high
pitched sound effects, ensuring the audience is fully engaged. When approaching
his sister, with every step Michael takes the chord goes a note lower, maybe
not a penultimate climax, but meaningful as these low monotonous chords
symbolise death. Something very rare in horror is a long continuous shot, even
after the murder has taken place. Although the main act has now ended, the
audience are still in fear as the music does not allow you to rest.
During the
course of the opening scene we establish Michael being as the antagonist, and
his sister as the victim and a short introduction of his parents near to the
end. Despite tracking Michael for the whole opening, not much is given away in
terms of characterisation; therefore we are left to interpret our own thoughts
on him. For those who don’t acquire the basic background knowledge of the film,
simple clues such as Michael being a young character and the shock of him
carrying a knife makes the scene even more horrifying. This raises enigma codes
and as the most popular conventions is to use children, as this is far more
distressing.
The sister
is obviously not the main character, but may foreshadow the type of targets he
may go for in the future. A technique which involves the audience is they
attach themselves to certain characters, sharing sympathy, due to their
imminent death. In addition during the stabbing of his sister, the action is
focused on her. Alongside the excruciating diegetic sounds adding up to make a
very traumatic experience for the audience.
To
encounter Michael, and see him in flesh creates a substantial amount of
confusion for audiences, as they identify an innocent and vulnerable looking
boy, after seeing such disturbing events, committed by him, spectators attempt
to clear off any emotive feelings, which is quite an odd experience.
The
cinematography implies the shots are limited, as overall there are two
accountable shots. The point of view shot with the track camera movement which
has very special effect on the scene, as they could have gone with a generic
approach and made it more mysterious, however the same atmosphere would not
have been created and the overall opening would not have been effective.
The
movement is almost identical to what is said above. Nonetheless to expand on
this point there could have been an opportunity for a pan of Michael while
obscuring the face. However they keep it consistent to the tracking movement
which pays off, as you don’t get to spend that long with the antagonist in
other horrors, therefore this gives the audience a new thrill.
