We used survey monkey to get feedback for our horror movie from our target audience. This is 9 questions what we thought of to help us understand what our target audience experts in any horror. By doing this it will allow us, to when filming it and planning it out, understand what our target audience would like when seeing our horror opening. As you can see below we asked questions which asked for their answers to them in writing so we can get feedback from them and to see what people response are.
1
This first question shows us the age range of people that took the survey. This information helps us decide what ages we need to try to attract to our film.
2
The second question asked what they would expect in a opening of a horror film. Most of the results mention jump scares and death.
3
The third question ask what horror films do you like and the most common choices are ghost films.
4
Question four mentions what would scare you the most in a horror film and yet again the popular response was jump scares.
5
We asked if people liked cliff-hangers in question five and the highest percent of people say yes. We will use this information as it clearly shows that cliff-hangers are interesting and we should use it.
6
Question six describes two different question about how someone would make there own horror opening. From this there was a range of different clever responses that we could eventually use.
7
In question seven we asked about where is the best location for a horror film to be set. The answer woods came up twice and all the rest are different locations so setting the film in the woods would be a good choice for us.
8
Question eight we asked the viewers to read our pitch and then tell us if they think it will be successful. Four people said yes and the rest said no or its boring, so from this we need to change the story a bit to make it more interesting.
9
Question nine was our last question asked. We final asked if there was anything they would added to make the film better. From this we need to add a twist and make the opening unique.
This is how we began our planning for our Main Task by planning out the whole film. For this we wrote down all of the basic ideas what we had. We then discussed all of our ideas and then picked the best ones and went forward with them ideas but evaluate them in detail. As you can see from the notes below we broke them up in 3 different part of the 60 second pitch in which we had to have a brief idea of the entire film without giving too much away. To have an idea we looked at different pitches online but also how to do the perfect pitch. This helped us with how to present our film idea without giving to much away. Our overall pitch is below, which starts at 1:37.
Picture of our group planning the ideas
Our ideas
Our ideas
I wasn't in the video or the pictures because I was not able to attend these lesson so I missed out on planning the ideas. I have spoken to my group and I am up to date.
For the research in horror films I have a high understanding of horror films by researching the history of horror and presenting it in a creative way. Through doing this I have found out the key points in which are included in most horrors and I will use this information in my horror opening. I could improve my research by watching a few more horror films and writing the similarities and differences.
2.Research into a potential target audience To research in potential I have looked at a bunch of horror films to see what there age rating is and it is mainly 15 because from the ages of 15-19 is who mostly watches horror films.As well when I was researching about horror films if found out about who watches horror films more and this will help me when I need to know who to talk to for feedback.
3.Time Management
My time management throughout this project has been good because I have been keeping up with the work which was set and completed to the best ability that I can.
4.Use Of Digital Technology Or ICT
My use of digital technology is good because I can work a DSLR in the recording stages when I need them but also know how to edit nicely and quickly on Premier Pro. The stages in which I upload work to my blog and I understand the stages of uploading videos to YouTube then embedding them to my blog.
5.Communication
My communication skills are good and strong but I need to work on my spelling and using higher words to enhance my work.
6.Level Of Care Taken In The Presentation Of Work
The care in my presentation on my blog is quite organised and everything is in order on when it was set and due. There isn't anything out of pace or looks boring but my placing or writing could look better.
This research will help me and my group create our opening horror film as it explains and shows us how effective sound is in a horror film. We will use this knowledge to help us pick out what atmosphere we want to make and what effect the music gives though-out the opening.
Explanation
Sound is a vital element of any film and the way it is used helps the audience feel connected throughout the different scene in any genre to sets the scene for the audience and creates the atmosphere. sound is especially a key element in horror films. In horror films there are diegetic sound, which is sound which is within the film such as, a characters speech, window shutting, door opening etc. But also non-diegetic sound which is sound added when editing the scene to create the tension and cause suspense on the audience. This video clip below shows that the use of sounds in horror movies is extremely important.
Information Prof Daniel Blumstein, who led the study at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied the soundtracks of 102 of the world's most popular movies. From war films and dramas, to horror movies and adventure films.
The study, which involved composer Peter Kaye at Kingston University, London, looked at the music in films, as well as special effects and screams. The analysis showed that horror films had the most noisy female screams while adventure films had the most screams from men. Horror films also had an higher than expected number of abrupt shifts up and down in pitch, he reported in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.
Dramatic films had fewer than expected screams and lower pitched sounds than other genre of movie.
The study concluded that the use of these non-linear sounds was not random, but used to 'enhance the emotional impact of scenes'
A example of these effects are displayed in the film'The Shining'
The harsh Non- Diegetic sound violin is so important as it creates the sound of a swam of wasps which makes the scene much more intense and full of a uncomfortable atmosphere.With out these sounds the scene would be silly and bland.
While doing this page i will have more knowledge on how the titles and credits can be portrayed with in the opening titles to create a certain tension and image. I will use this information I have gathered in my group to make sure that are opening titles of the horror film will be interesting and clever.
Step 1
Words Frame-line
Explanation
The pictures above are the titles of when and where they are shown during the opening titles. it shows the exact timing and what has been said.
Step 2
Typography
Explanation
The typography section above talks about how the titles are presented and what effects they may of carried with them. It also includes whether they are uppercase or lowercase letters and has the colour and design of the fonts.
Step 3
Visual Elements
Explanation This part is where i have wrote down everything that i saw in terms of the font used and typography used in the opening titles. This includes font size, the font used and letters. lighting is also looked at to see what kind of effect it gives to the lettering. As well I described in detail of every little clip i seen in the film before the film even if it was a quick sharp moment or a 5 seconded moment. Step 4
Elements Of Sound
Explanation
The elements of sounds are what sounds can be heard during the titles. this includes the music which is being played, any sound effects that can be heard and non-diegetic/diegetic sounds.
The Se7en Title Opening
Before we looked at the opening title of the film Se7en we had to visit the website Art Of The Title that showed us loads of different film title openings and describe what's in them. This website was useful to me as it help me understand more on what you need in the opening and why and how to present it.
The Point-of-View shot makes the audience feel more tense as it puts them in the mans shoes.
The worms eye view shot is used to trick the audience into believing that the man makes the jump successfully. This makes the effect of him missing it more dramatic.
The high angle shot makes the man seem small and insignificant.
Low angle shot highlights the fatal height of the drop. It also makes the man look powerless and weak compared to the river below him.
A mid-shot of the man displays the trees shaking in the background – shows that the danger is right behind him.
Tracking behind the man gives us the expression that he is being followed.
An arc shot around the man creates an uneasy atmosphere as the surroundings aren’t in focus.
The close ups of his face are used to reveal his scared, panicked facial expressions and to also make the scene more intense as the audience is unable to see what is behind him – we don’t know where the “killer’ is.
The shaky crabbing movement of the man running through the woods gives the audience a sense of danger and suggests that something may be chasing after him.
Use Of Sound
At first, the music is eerily peaceful and also has a haunting feel to it due to the slow tempo and low sounds. Sounds of birds and nature has been added to give the audience a sense of location.
During the chase scene the sounds become more textured and have a higher pitch which resemble stabbing motions.
Tempo becomes faster during the chase scene.
A long string sound builds up suspense by going from low to high.
Silence is used to create suspense – allows the characters breath to become more emphasized and for background noise to be more noticeable, such as the “monster” coming through the trees.
Editing
Linear filming ensures that the story line makes sense.
Fades into the first scene.
The slow motion over the ditch emphasises the importance of him making the jump. It also increases the intensity within the audience.
The cuts gradually become more and more frequent. This makes the pace of the film faster and more intense.
Mise-En-scene
female is wearing revealing, provocative clothing to symbolize the stereotypical girl.
Shallow space highlights that the thing chasing the character is extremely near. It shows that it is approaching the male which creates suspense for the viewer.
The blood on the males face suggests that he has encountered the monster already and managed to get away from it.
The blood that comes out of his mouth shows the audience that he has been killed.
Low-key lighting to make obscure shadows to give a mysterious atmosphere.
The male character is wearing a Hawaiian shirt which gives the audience the impression that he may be a bit foolish.
Conventions
Somebody dies within the first five minutes.
A character falls over during a tense part
.A secluded location.
Fairly young boy and girl (possibly a couple).
The male becomes extremely close to safety but doesn’t reach it.
A chase scene, with the killer right behind him.
Separation between the characters.
Wrong turn
Use of Camera
.Establishing shot shows the area that they are in which is full of trees and rocks, not one building or people in sigh
.Panning
.Longshot
.Mid-shot
.Low angle shot made the girl look weak
.High angle
.Crane shot
.Two shot highlights that the characters are having a conversation
.Crabbing
Use Of Sound
.Tension building music is used when danger is about to occur
.Music drops when he reaches the top of the cliff to trick the audience to think that nothing is about to go wrong till you hear him being killed
.Girl screams which clearly shows that she
.Hear his body drop to the ground as he is attacked
Editing
.Titles
.Match on action
. Linear filming insures that the films makes sense
Mise-En-scene
.Hiking/Climbing equipment to insure that the audience believes that they are safe until they untie themselves from the ropes
.Blood highlights that the person has been murdered violently
.The van symbolises that the girl is one step closer to being safe and escaping the danger
.Razor/trip wire used to trap the girl and stop her from reaching her safety point
Conventions
.Abandoned forest area
..Dangerous area
.Calling for help
.Trips over and takes a long period to get back up
.Separated from each other
.Safety is in sight
Dead Mary
Use of Camera
Extreme close-ups of the sign which gives the audience some sense of location but still has a mysterious element to it.
In and out of focus shots to, again, add a sense of mystery.
Long shot of the sign highlights how the woman is in the middle of nowhere and it also adds a bit of the backstory; by showing a gas station sign it suggests that a car may of broken down etc.
A low angle close up of the car emphasises the isolation as the audience can see the long stretch of road in the background.
The point of view shot again emphasises that no one is around.
A long shot of the car acts as a point of view shot and reveals that something is watching her. The camera is also tracking forward to show that, whatever it is, it is coming closer to her.
Close ups of the woman's face feel unnatural and shows her as being quite vulnerable.
Close ups of important items such as the keys, her phone, the radio and the flare gun - highlights the fact that he is in danger.
High angled shot of the woman looking for signal makes her look small and vulnerable.
The camera constantly tracks the woman's movement which gives the impression that she is being watched.
Long shot of an out of focus figure walking to the car - adds tension to the viewer as we are unable to identify if he is good or bad straight away.
Shot reverse shot shows that the two characters are conversing.
Use Of Sound
Metallic sounds in the opening which can be associated with chains, being trapped. Usually quite a spooky sound.
Are able to hear birds and nature sounds in the background. This highlights the secluded location of the woman and how quiet it is out there.
The lack of music makes the scene quiet realistic but also add suspense.
During the point of view of someone looking at the car, the sounds become more warped and twisted which gives off an evil atmosphere.
The radio sounds are creepy and weird noises can be heard such as a woman who seems in pain and an odd, demonic laugh at the end - could possibly foreshadow future events.
Editing
Linear editing ensures that the story line makes sense, so does the match on action.
The cuts are generally quite slow paced which create an eerie atmosphere.
Constant cuts from views inside the car ad outside the car - this shows two different point of views, which suggests that there are two people (her and whoever is watching her).
The cut to the sudden dropping of the petrol cans may act as some kind of jump scare.
Mise-En-Scene
The female is wearing clothes that reveal a lot of skin in order to symbolise the stereotypical female. It could also be to show that she is vulnerable.
The sign shows that they are away from civilisation.
The close up of the flare gun highlights that they may need it later on.
Petrol can shows that the male went off to get petrol due to the car running out of fuel.
Conventions
The location is secluded.
There is no signal which is shown by the use of the radio and her phone.
There are two fairly young people, a boy and a girl.
Car won't start.
The audience is unable to see the killer but they know it is there.
The characters separate and the female is left by herself.
