Final Sequence

Evaluation

Sound

Today I suggested to Maisie I think the eerie, suspense sound should start the main character is first alone. This way it signifies to the audience that an event is going to occur because we had this beginning from the start but it wasn't creating meaning correctly.

Production Ident 2

following, smaller independent 9specifying in horror movie) production ident.
haunted music box (jewelry) ballerina 360 turns repeatedly

represents the freaky horror

Last minute additions - Tagline

'You marry a guy, then he turns out to be a psychopath.'

After completeing our Opening Sequence, I decided it would make our 'film' appear more realistic if we had a tagline to sum up what our film would be in a sentence in the same way 'Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...' does for Jaws. The tagline I designed (shown above) gives an insight into what the rest of the film.

Group Meeting - Production Ident



Shooting Schedule



Planning - Opening Sequence



Brainstorm - general ideas for Opening Sequence



Types of shots used - Opening shot

When designing the story board for our Opening Sequence, I decided to include a close up, low angled shot of the girls feet because it was interesting and different. Instead of opening with an establishing shot, I thought this would be more effective in the respect of meeting the requirements of the genre of what the film would be, because this shot conveys a sense of mystery as it doesn't show the characters face, only feet. I decided 'Abbie' (primary character) should be bare footed to further show her drunken state which would explain how she thoughtlessly invites what could potentially (and ironically is) a murderer. I also thought this would make her stand out against the two with their shoes still on. Following this the camera zooms out to allow more focus and understanding of the surroundings for the audience.

Completed - Production Ident

Today me and Maisie completed keying out the green screen from our 'floating hand' for our Production identification. My initial idea was for it to appear as a gypsy/ physic/ medium type thing, mystical and magical. To do this I filmed Maisie's (starting in the shape of a shell) gradually opening whilst turning round infront of a green screen (very hard to find brightest light for best quality!). My aim was to once finished chroma keying, was to design and create a background (night sky with stars) on photoshop and import this into the moving image on final cut express along with another still of the crystal ball which would appear gradually as the hand revealed it. This turned out to be a months long project and was therefore unsuitable so instead we decided to have the globe appear after the hand had finished its 180degree turn. This was highly more convenient and do-able. I decorated Maisie's fingers in rings because that is how I imagined a readers hand would be like from stereotypes I had previously seen on TV, (probably from watching to many Disney films). Creating this probably took more time than the opening sequence itself! We had to search for the stars on the internet, download them, convert them, then import them. We used the colour gradient tool on photoshop to make the blue background seem more realistic (lighter towards the bottom because of street lights and so on from residential areas below.) As for the globe, we spent hours trying to make it look 3D not just a solid colour, so we fiddled with the inner and outer glow buttons untill we were satsified! To finish it off I wanted a twinkle, magic, 'fairy' sound to play as the hand moves, we found this on youtube and changed it into a MP3 file them dragged it into Final cut express. Final product looked reasonably good, but not how I originally hoped. Below is a print screen of the Production Ident.

Experimenting - Sound

Maisie(left) and I(right) working cooperatively playing around with Garage Band and looking for a suitable beat to play when Abbie fiddles with the radio. (Weird, funky song to be changed to a 'popular' song which to some extent is hard to find as we cannot use real songs that everyone generally knows for copyright reasons.)

Brainstorm - Sound

I decided to do some researching into typically associated sound effects with Horror. I created a list with my interpretation of what we might be able to use in our Opening Sequence, where and why... (these would then be searched for as a pre-recorded clip in garage band) My aim of using these sounds would be to give the audience obvious signifiers of when something scary is going to occur but also to modernise it.

• Police sirens - end of sequence after scream, cannot see police cars can just hear then so would be a off-screen sound
• Instrumental clips, sci fi sounding, creepy, eerie - when shadow walks past bathroom door
• Panicking clip - when 'Abbie' runs down the drive in a hurry looking for keys (creates an uncomfortable effect)
• Increasing heart rate/beat - feel connected to the character, when speaks to 'George' for second time and realises he is not in the house
• Deep heavy reathing - creates a sense of feeling as though your being watched
• (as silly as it sounds) the silence of the night - wind being the only thing you can hear is a scary thought, completely isolated and alone
• Footsteps - when being followed, could be Abbie or the stranger

Guides - Conventions of Sequences

This diagram, that our class teacher gave us, I have found very useful when putting together our Opening Sequence as it contains information you need to create a standard opening sequence and displays this in an attractive, fun and easy to read way. I use it as a referral to check every now and then that our Opening Sequence fits the criteria of a published, successful and earning one.

In the making - Production Identification

The above scan shows the rough sketch I drew of the routine/ pattern I intended the 'Bouncing Ball' to follow during our Title Sequence. We are using a programme called Adobe Flash to create this. I believe the introduction to the film production company is a vital competitor present in Opening Sequences, as a good one of these at the beginning of any film immediately intrigues its audience therefore encouraging them to watch on. Although the Title Sequence we create may not be of the high standards that for example 'Universal Studios' or 'Warner Bros.' possesses however it will be to the best of our ability!

Editing

Currently in the very early stages of editing via 'Final Cut Express' - so far so good. Extremely pleased with the quality of the filming, (due to the use of a HD Camera.) Plus no group disputes have yet occurred! Slowly progressing towards our first working copy before our next group meeting on what to do next. Me and Maisie are both working really hard and putting all our free time into this project. Still a long way to go before our finished product, decisions on what clips to use (as we shot the same scene quite a lot of times for safety in allowing us to have a wider variety of different angles, levels, proximity to choose from.) have been keeping us busy! Finding Final Cut Express relatively easy to use with the help of our class teachers although occasionally we don't have a clue what we're doing and just click random buttons till we find what we want! :)

Filming

The filming of our Opening Sequence generally went really well and I'm pleased with our progress so far. I would have liked to have more time, (perhaps started slightly earlier) and it probably would have been a good idea to film at the weekend rather than mid-week, as towards the end, both director (me), camera operator (Maisie) and actors (Shauna, Freya, me) were exhausted and gradually become quite agitated. But apart from that, I enjoyed it and view it as great experience. We haven't yet discovered any faults in our clips during editing resulting in the re-shooting of that particular scene so touch wood! I expected there to be minor complications such as family being in the places we needed to film in the house, people forgetting props or equipment - however, I was proven wrong! Overall, great success.

Group Meeting - Cuts

There is to be a group discussion on Monday the 14th Feb to elaborate on any editing done so far that we think needs altering and to share any new worries or thoughts.

Now that all the clips have been put into order I think we need  to be generous cutters and cut out anything that isn't essential to the understanding of the narrative because otherwise it will end up dragging on and on and will be extremely boring - no one wants to watch a film like that.

General Planning and Thoughts

Currently planning to meet at Maisie's house for 7pm (to ensure the setting in terms of weather and time of day matches the story that begins in a street at silly hours in the morning). It was decided to use Maisie's house as the location as it was suitable in regards to the surrounding streets as well as being convenient for us all (not spending a long time on travel) and easily acsessable.

We have shared the responsibility of the providing of different props, and equipment. For example I have booked out and will be supplying the HD Camera and organising costume whilst Maisie will be in charge of the tripod and crucial prop that is the house telephone. This way we save time by not relying on eachother for things they had no idea they were responsible for ect. I am currently in possesion of the Production Booklet also, therefore I will be bringing that to complete the shooting logs.

Shauna (our main actor) is going to meet me at my house before we make our way to Maisie's where our secondary actor will join. Actors have been carefully chosen to suit the requirements of the roles (personality, appearance, experience).

We hope to have all filming finished in no longer than 4-5 hours, as it could  be difficult to replicate the positioning of props, weather conditions, actors make up/hair and therefore there is a demand for us to film the same scene in a range of angles so we have a selection to choose from when it comes to editing.

Changes to - Filming Date

Filming was originally suppose to take place on Sunday 30th January, however due to complications with various factors such as unavailable actors and unsuitable weather, it has now been postponed to Thursday 3rd February. Have checked this with all invloved.

Group Meeting - General

Below are a few notes I wrote down to help initiate and prompt me on the points I wished to bring up in the discussion.

Opening Sequence Analysis - 'The Shining'

'Stanley Kubrick's epic nightmare of horror'

The Shining (1980)
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Certificate: 15
Directors: Stanley Kubrick
Writers: Steven King, Stanley Kubrick
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures

A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
SOURCE - IMDb

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MY NOTES;
A man, his son and wife become the winter caretakers of an isolated hotel where Danny, the son, sees disturbing visions of the hotel's past using a telepathic gift known as "The Shining". The father, Jack Torrance, is underway in a writing project when he slowly slips into insanity as a result of cabin fever and former guests of the hotel's ghosts. After being convinced by a waiter's ghost to "correct" the family, Jack goes completely insane. The only thing that can save Danny and his mother is "The Shining".


old (1980) investigating differences from old horrors to moder,

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Opening Conventions

Narrative Function-

Characters/ Stars-

Film Lang- MES, Cinematography, ( light and colour)-  

Film Lang- Movement , Framing, Editing and sound- 

Opening Sequence Analysis - 'Ernest Scared Stupid'

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

Genres: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror

Certificate: PG

Directors: John R. Cherry III

Writers: John R. Cherry III, Coke Sams

Cast: Jim Varney, Eartha Kitt, Austin Nagler

Production company: Touchstone pictures

After a misunderstanding, Ernest P. Worrell unleashes an evil troll on Halloween.

SOURCE  - IMDb

The film begins silently, the first credits show the production company, ‘Touchstone Pictures’. This slide and the next 3 are like this, displaying bright red font with what seems to be blood dripping from them. A shot of dark, spooky looking building is then shown, with unusual shaped clouds in the background, and then a lightning bolt comes down showing the building is in fact a castle, credits also fall down with the weather. The clip is in black and white further adding to the scary effect. This is where the sound begins, which is typically horror music, but at the same time quite funny because it is so over dramatic. The next shot is of the main character gradually moving up into the frame situated in what I presume is a woods, with a terrified expression on his face. It is immediately obvious he has a mental issue of some sort because of his body language but also his costume. He is a middle aged man in a baseball cap and has what I would perceive as a school rucksack. He then notices the lightning bolts and looks in that direction, the camera then follows his eyes to a shot of the sky with the main title showing on it in orange and white coloured font which when put on the screen splashes back. It is clear that the film was made in the 1990’s because the quality of the footage is not as clear as it is today although I think there are purposely edited clips to make it appear like old fashioned. The text does then not move for the next clip of a crowd of people gathering in a bunch and backing away from something, (men generally laughing or not showing too much emotion, woman looking scared). This is again in black and white. From this point the cuts are much faster to match the bouncier music. The clips display incidents of horror such as a man being forced to fall over, the hand of what is considered to be a monster, the primary character looking from left to right, shadows of non-human beings in attacking positions, knifes with blood squirting from them, which turn into credits and much more. The red credits continue throughout these clips, a vulnerable, trapped woman is shown chained up with skeletons in the background however this is not viewed as horrible and twisted but funny because of the contrapuntal sound generating humour. Ernest is then briefly shown in between the following clips of fictional miss-happenings acting goofy, helpless and running away. To add to the comedy, there is a clip of a man’s head poking out from a toilet (hiding) and blown up trees with arms and mouth with sharp teeth fighting what I can only describe as being a spud... As well as giant rock monsters, brains attacking people, wolfs attacking people which are puppets that they haven’t attempted to hide. Demon moon walkers, possessed princesses, cobwebs, vampires, giant spiders and anything else you can think of that is associated with horror! Whenever Ernest is shown he is in colour on a black background, the rest remains black and white and whilst all these dreadful things are occurring Ernest is acting foolish. One transition of credits I found particularly effective is when credits appear gradually from a woman’s screaming mouth.

 The sequence ends with Ernest showing he has had his limit of horrifying things and falls over.

The closing shot is of the moon as the soundtrack comes to a stop. The film is a comedy on a scary subject therefore irony is a main theme. I chose to analyse this film to ensure my opening sequence didn't end up being comedic or convey slapstick comedy in a cheesy way as this opening sequence did.

Showcase

Today each group presented their current copy (working or finished) of their opening sequences to the rest of the class in order to gain relevant feedback to better our O.S'. Agreed compliments from our audience consisted of our variety of camera angles, believeable acting and steady shooting, although I  more so looking for criticism as I thought this would be immensely useful. Below are some of the points and suggestions critques highlighted along with what I plan to do to improve if not rid of these;

• Credit font did not match the main Title and was too girly therefore looked odd - change font of credits, to suit genre of film and create more tension and texture
• Following footsteps scene was too short - lengthen amount of time feet are shown for and how many times it flashes from one character back to the other, cleaner cuts
• Black out was random - show a close up shot of the light switch and a black gloved hand switching it off to make more sense
• Whimpers Shauna makes are weird and not needed - mute sound for this clip or cut it out
• Ending shot of screaming face kind of ruins it, makes it cheesy type horrow instead of scary type horror - delete this and have scream in blackout as ending instead, also creeping more towards a trailer with this clip
• Few bad cuts/ jumps spotted - not obvious on mac but are when blown up on big screen so must correct this
• Follows Shauna in house for too long - not sure I agree with this, I think it enables the audience to build a relationship up with her and feel for her when they sense something is going to happen to her
• Couldnt' understand what 'boyfriend' was saying in second phone call - perhaps re-shoot

Testing Fonts

My initial thoughts when trying to decide which Font to use for our opening credits were size and colour but actually there is much more theory behind the final product. Possibles are previewed below stating my opinion beside them.

Opening Sequence Analysis - 'Panic Room'

'It was supposed to be the safest room in the house.'

Panic Room (2002)
Genres: Thriller, Drama
Certificate: 15
Directors: David Fincher
Writers: David Koepp
Cast: Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker
Production company: Columbia pictures corporation

A woman and her teenage daughter become imprisoned in the panic room of their own house by 3 criminals. SOURCE - IMDb

I chose to analyse the opening of Panic Room because it is similar in how it seeks to scare its audience (as I learnt watching the whole film), and its genre is similar to that of the film I would want to produce. Before the film begins the production company is shown, in this case Columbia. As the screen then fades to black sounds generally found in a busy street are heard along with an eerie piece of music. We then see an establishing shot of a city in the U.S.A which is evident by the shape of the buildings where Columbia is again shown. It then flicks to the next shot which is of a building closer to the distance in the previous shot as an actor’s name is present. This is continued in a cohesive manner, occasionally moving from one shot to the next in a more exciting transition. The buildings shadows are included, likely to be to make the city appear darker to set the scene. The camera movement I found interesting because the camera is always slightly edging forward it is never completely stationary. The range of different angles used are also interesting.  Behind the credits showing on buildings there is traffic and pedestrians present in the background just to clarify that the film is not set in a ghost town. The music that had remained throughout all of the previous clips mentioned then changes suddenly when the title of the film is shown to highlight the name and from this point forward the music is of a different nature, louder, more dominant and fast paced with a slight ticking sound joining it. The amount of time between each new shot speeds up also. After a short time the music then returns to the soundtrack from the beginning of the sequence only with added sounds. The credits them self appear 3D and don’t stand out against the buildings because they are grey. Just over 2 minutes in, the background changes to a park in daylight with a reasonable amount of people spread out, this is when the dialogue begins but it is off-screen. The main character is then established, walking towards the camera in a street, the music is still faintly present.

Copy of - The script

This is the script I prepared a few days prior to filming, for both the actors (to learn dialogue in advance) and the Camera crew/ Director (for other purposes such as knowing where to be, where to shoot from and where to expect the actors to appear from) to use when rehearsing and filming our Opening Sequence.

Where it all begun - Story Boards

Above is a copy of the story board I created over the christmas holidays. I didn't include the type of shot because I think its obvious what time of shot it is from my sketches :) nor did I specify the time of each shot because this was really just a rough copy and I wasn't sure how long each would be. Plus I knew there would be lot's of changed made to it.

Researching into - Genre + Audience

Below is a tally chart I created to explore into different age groups, finding out what their favourite genre for film is. I asked 40 people from each age group and these are the results I got:

As you can see from the chart, Horror was popular with all age groups but teens and under 25's in particular. Therefore I decided the Opening Sequence story board I was to design would be of this genre, targeting 16-25 year old's as my audience, I thought this wouldn't be to difficult seeing as I am in that category so I would just ask friends of a similar age what they thought as well as creating something I myself would enjoy.

Preliminary Sequence

TASK:

To film and edit a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down opposite another character. They converse. Should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule. Last a maximum of 2 minutes.

The above clip is of my groups Preliminary Sequence demonstrating some examples of successful camera work and exploration of angles, in the preparation of filming our Opening Sequence.

I would have liked to have more time to plan this exercise and include credits. Shooting and editing took 2 hours in total.