Six Locations for our Main Task

Chosen Locations

These locations were chosen as they all have many different aspects that would fit well with our genre, horror.

- Shot Over forest

We chose Shot Over as a location as it adds a sense of lonesome and has a common horror theme to it but in contrast also gives room for possible stalker scenarios.

- South Park park

By choosing South Park, it would give us the opportunity to use both the park and a lightly forested area which would give us many good ideas that we could work with. For example, we could use the park and add a twist that links back with our character past childhood.

- Cowley car park

We decided that a car park would be a great place to create the sense of lonesome and so gives room for us to use a scenario that introduces someone who is following our main character. This location would also have a dark environment at any time of the day and so timing and re-filming on different days would not be a factor we would have to worry about.

- Klodianas house

Choosing this set gives us the opportunity to relate to our audience due to use being able to show our character in a familiar scenario. We also thought that this would be a good location to choose since it is easily accessible and factors such as weather would not effect us.

- Rosalines attic

We decided upon this set to be a possibility due to the effects it would give such as dark lighting and tight space, adding the sense of claustrophobia. It is also a good place to create a scene of our character hiding from someone, so therefore using a compact, secretive place would be great when adding to the sequence. 

- School corridor 

The reason for choosing a school corridor as a possible location for our task is because we felt it would fit well with both our main character and our target audience, since we are aiming at young adults.

Film Pitch and Feedback

   
"After facing her worst nightmare, 18 year old Anna Smith is convinced she is being followed, little does she know the game is within herself"

Feedback Transcript:

Rose: "How will this film appear to your target audience?"

Klodiana: "Our film has got good connections with our target audience because we have decided to aim it at young females and ad being young females like ourselves we know how to connect with them"

Rose: "What type of audience will you have for this film?"

Klodiana: "Girls aged 16-24 years of age, basically young adults"

Rose: "What sub genre is this film and how will your film fit this sub genre?"

Klodiana: "Our sub genre is physiological Horror and our film fits our sub genre because it shows the mental side of our character. We have studied carefully the conventions used in psychological horror so that we are confident with presenting psychological techniques.

When obtaining critical feedback on our pitch, we decided to ask a male individual, of the same age, their view on it so that we was able to confirm that we had chosen the correct audience for our task. The critique we received included him explaining his confusion on "the game is within herself". He explained that he thought that the film would be predictable, being able to assume the character will die in the end. We also asked if he would watch the film, his answer being no due to its predictable nature.  

We then decided on focusing on our actual target audience and interviewed a female audience who also said that she thought the pitch was confusing, but that was what made the film appealing, raising questions as to what might happen. We also asked her if she would go and watch the film, her answer being yes because she thinks that we haven't given much away but enough to tempt our target audience.

Sub Genre Parody

What was the purpose of your sub genre task?

Our sub genre parody task was designed to show that we understood the conventions of our sub genre - psychological horror - and that we were able to mock these conventions.

What are the main conventions of your sub genre, and how have you parodied them in this film?

The main conventions used in a psychological horror include factors such as:

 - An insane person

 - Usually being set in a hospital

 - Know to consist of someone convincing someone else of their insanity

 - Narrative speech

We tried to include most, if not all of these in our sub genre film so that we had the best possible chance  of showing our understanding of the task in hand and had a higher chance of fulfilling the comical aspect of it.

What have you learnt about filming and editing as a result of creating this sub genre parody?

Throughout the process of filming and editing our sub genre parody I have learnt how to re-create at make into a parody an already existing clip of a film. This means it was also possible for me to pick up the main points in making a short film effective in its aim to create humour. It required me to research further into what psychological horror is and the elements they use to bring certain points into relevance, something that helps me determine what I can use in my main task. Lastly, in editing, this task allowed me to become knowledgeable in covering and adding a voiceover from an existing clip into our task which we had to time accurately to work with our movie.


This is the trailer to the original film, After.Life, that we used to base our parody on (the first 0:20 seconds):

Main Task Target Audience

For our main task we have chosen our target audience to range from teenagers to young adults - 16-24 years of age. The reason for this is because of the sub genre in which we decided to base our main task on. To accompany this age range we have also decided that our product will be aimed at the female gender since our main character is also female, meaning our audience will be more able to relate to our content in the video. The marital status that will be more suited to our task would expect the audience to be either single or in a relationship. These people would preferable have subtle or no jobs due to them still being full time students and because of this, and their age range, they will not have children. The area in which our target would be mostly set towards is in metropolitan towns such as London. Finally, the things that our audience would usually spend their money on would include technology, clothing and going out with friends - e.g.. cinemas.

Interview Research Task

Evaluation

To be able to obtain valid information on peoples views on horror movies, our group went out and interviewed students who answered specific questions. After interviewing an age range that fit our target audience, we was able to decide on certain pieces of information that we could include and exclude from out main task. By doing this we are able to narrow down and start to form a rough plan that will start to form and eventually finalise this main task.  

By choosing to do this in a video form, it relieves the reader and gives them something enjoyable to watch instead of being a constant, set type of media.

From producing and discussing the results obtained from our interviewees, we have learnt that the majority watch horror movies which gives us an advantage when it comes to our target audience.

The Ward - Opening Credits

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Shot 1:

- What colours are used and why?

An old coffee/teabag colour and black has been used to give a hand drawn effect on the picture providing the audience with the information needed to understand that it is an dated image from what seems like the medieval period. This suggests that research may have gone into finding this, meaning it is needed and wanted by someone for some reason and, assuming from the information given, this reason is torture.

- What type of shot has been used and why?

An extreme close up on this image lets one specific point become the only thing necessary to the viewers. This allows all attention to be on the man who seems to be struggling from the situation he is in. Facial expression can also be seen clearly here which supplies the information needed to determine what this person is thinking and feeling. One reason why this may be required is to show the pain and suffering that may be present and therefore creating an atmosphere of anxious pleading.

- How has space been used?

Space is being wisely used here, filling the whole shot with just one object and no actors offers an insight into this persons world. It is allowing the emphasis towards the event that is taking place, making it seem as if it is you who is stood in that same room, watching carefully and analysing what is happening.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?

In this frame, the spotlight is on the only important piece of the picture, supporting it and confirming all focus is where it should be. Dimming and blurring the two opposite corners gives a sliced effect the picture, something which may signify and represent the cutting and ripping of the body shown. Giving a gruesom meaning to this particular snapshot ensures that the horror theme is being retained and that audiences interest will not be lost.

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Shot 2:

- What colours are used and why?
 The colours in this shot are similar to that in the first. They have been used to create an old, medieval picture that looks as though it has been carefully chosen by someone for their own personal use. The grey and white allows the audience to interpret this as being glass.

- What type of shot has been used and why?
This is an extreme close up on a picture, pointing out the womans tied up hands. By doing this it is stereotyping the venerability of females and the fact that, in the medieval period, they were said to be witches, giving the audience a reason for why she may be in this situation.

- How has the space been used?
Only the centre of the screen has been used, cutting off most of the body and creating an illusion of amputation.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?
lighting has been used to highlight certain points of the glass, generating shadow around the image, something that might hint to how the film may come across.

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Shot 3:

- What colours are used and why?
The main, an near enough only colour used in this shot is white. It symbolises and gives off a ghostly aura, inferring death. Her hair has been chosen to be black, used to clash with the mass of white and so making it the main point that automatically stands out, revealing again that this may be stereotypical. Black and white may have also been used to highlight the individual roles in the film - White portraying her as peaceful and honest, whereas the black show him to be the destroyer.

- What type of shot has been used and why?
A mid shot of a person has been photographed but an extreme close up has been used to present it in this shot. Again, this provides the audience with the main information needed to be able to work out what is happening in this shot and then using this, along with the others, to set a theme to the film.

- How has the space been used?
The image has been located on the right side of the frame, cutting out a persons body and only showing their arm/hand. Because of this is, it is producing mystery and allows the audience to question his presence.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?
The lighting in this shot has been barley been used, creating lots of shadows and bordering the section the audience is supposed to be focusing on. It may also give us a clue as to what type of scene this may have been - dark and eerie.

Se7en - Opening Credits

 

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Shot 1: 

- What colours are used and why?
The colour that has been used in this shot is scarce. Only black is being delivered in the background which is blocking out any other information that the audience could use to determine what may be happening. By doing this it is causing the viewers to have to ask questions and think for themselves, grabbing their interest into the storyline. Using black also helps to emphasise the foreground image, highlighting what is happening in the shot so that the audiences' focus is only on one specific thing. Also, black symbolises and is usually associated with death and darkness, which may give away information into the films story.

- What type of shot has been used and why? 
The type of shot that has been used here is an extreme close up. This has been chosen so that certain detail such as the peeling of the skin is defined and that it is the main aspect of the shot. Doing this conveys a clear, visible view on what is wanted to be seen rather than looking at 'unnecesary' places. Another detail the extreme close up offers is the blade. By using an object that doesn't normally seem significant to people crafts the shot to seem mysterious in why it has been selected and what it is being used for. As we can see, it is being used to peel off a fingers skin, making the audience question why this may be and what importance it may have.

- What costume/hair and make-up has been used and why?
There is not enough information given in this shot to determine what costume and hair has been used, although 'make-up' has been carefully thought out and used to show dirty nails and cracked fingers. Using these small details can have a big effect on the audiences' view of the person, making them assume that they may have been working hard for their fingers to appear like this.

- How has the space been used?
The shot of the persons fingers has near enough filled the whole space, pinpointing the most important aspect of the image.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?  
With the dark surroundings, the light that is hitting the fingers provides detail and definition that allows them to stand out. The angel in which the light is hitting gives a dark shadow to the underneath of the fingers bringing all attention to the upside where the 'action' is. Because the light is so intense on the fingers it gives a ghostly look and feel towards the character, signifying death.

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 Shot 2:

  
- What colours are used and why?
Mainly black has been used in this shot which frames the main point and draws attention to the paper, contrasting the two 'opposite' colours. Black is also a connotation of death which may have been used to make the audience aware of what is to come or what the film is based around. A very faint tint of green is also visible in the image -green being an association to Halloween, gore, zombies- also presenting an awareness of death.

- What type of shot has been used and why?
A close up has been used in this image so that it can provide detail of certain objects but also so that there can be more of a variety of space for more information to be present. Because of this, the audience is able to piece together everything featured in the shot, and with the focus on the paper, raises questions about what has, what is and why this is being written. This then results in the audience wanting to find out the answers, grabbing attention and causing them to have to watch until the end.

- How has space been used?
Space in this shot has been used to fill the whole screen, allowing no room for any other information to be given away.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?
Lighting is barley visible here, it is very dull and gloomy which is usually represented with horrors. It has been used to cause a wariness and to emphasise that this characteristic will be present throughout the film.

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Shot 3:

- What colours have been used and why?

A lot of black has been used in this shot, offering limited light to the viewer which frames the image in the shot to make it seem relevant. The marker pen and the picture itself are also black, camouflaging and making them seem as though they are connected to the surrounding background. The picture also consists of minimal white which contrasts with the black, projecting the main point of the shot and telling the audience that that is what their attention should be on.

- What type of shot has been used and why?

The shot that has been used is an extreme close up. The reason for this is because only one point is required to be shown so close detail has been given to emphasise and demonstrate clearly what is happening at this particular time. The crossing out of someones eyes makes the audience feel uncomfortable whilst having to consider and work out why this may be happening and for what reason.

- How has the space been used?

The space in this shot is barley used for a picture, instead it is taken up with mostly text. Although the text is across the whole space, it is small and, to the viewer, not the prominent feature so the small image is still effective.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?

The lighting is used to act like a spotlight to underline the only part of the shot that is visible. This draws attention to the image rather than the text, making sure people do not miss a potentially important factor.

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Shot 4:

- What colours have been used and why?
The colour scheme used in this shot is very bland. A scale of black and grey symbolises destruction and, as shown here, could resemble the 'destruction' of lives. This, and the surrounding darkness, may have been used to include the audience into feeling a sense of something closing in on them of which they cannot escape from. Black and white images are usually classed as a memorial item, questioning whether this photo may also be for a memory.

- What type of shot has been used and why?
An extreme close up is being used to show what seems like a wire being cut off after entering a persons head. The effect of this is to start the very familiar gore that we usually associate with horrors and to let the audience begin to assume that they know what to expect. The gore will entice the viewer and leave them wanting to see more scenarios like this, requiring them to keep watching.

- How has the space been used?
One specific object has filled the entire shot, building up its importance and drawing attention to the whole screen. The picture that has been taped to a piece of paper is Small compared to the space provided which may come across as unusual to to audience. The reason for this may be to show its surroundings and to give more information away so that the shot as a whole can be determined as something psychological.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?
There is dim, dull edging that molds to the light that is located on the image, bordering the photo like a frame. The harsh black shadow at the bottom of the frame cuts off some of the picture, hiding identity and creating mystery.

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Shot 5:

- What colours have been used and why?

Black is the main colour here, bordering and protruding the fingers and needle. Again, this is pointing out and making obvious what is wanted to be seen by the audience. This colour can sometimes seem never-ending and in some cases suffocating, something that can become a frequent occurrence in a horror film when relating to death.

- What type of shot has been used and why?
Here, an extreme close up has been used to enlarge the fingers in which they hold a needle and thread. It is obvious that the eyes are supposed to be automatically attracted and focused on this aspect insted of the fingers since they are in the foreground and out of focus. It is vital that this characteristic is pointed out due to the conserntration needed to be able to thread a needle, letting the audience know exactly how complex and therefore how much work this person is putting into their work. This is needed so that the viewers get a feel of the persons dedication to this 'project' and its importance it may have on not just the storyline but to the person themself.

- What costume/hair and make-up has been used and why?
This persons bruised and bandaged fingers tells us that they have been working hard and for a long while to accoumplish their task. This gives more detail into what may happen, resauting in the audience considering more questioning, meaning the viewer will become engaged into the plot and with wanting to find out the answers, continuing to watch further.

 - How has the space been used?
The space is being used to its full extent by providing a clear, magnified image of the fingers, and the object that is beign held, to the extent that they are begining to get cut out of the frame.

- What type of lighting has been used and why?
Light is hitting the fingers, making them the first visible portion of the shot that eyes will be attracted to. This is because the needle and thread blends in with the darkness of the backgound making them almost hidden to the eye. The backgrounds obscurity moulded with the needle could infer that it is being used for something dark/evil. Where the angel of light is beating down from gives the thread a ghoasly outline, making it seem as if souls are being sewn into this persons work at hand.

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-What type of lettering has been chosen for the titles and why?

The lettering throughout the whole clip has a scratched, handwritten effect. Because of this, it causes the audience to assume that there is a clumsiness and lack of effort coming from the film, embodying how the characters may act. Scraching is usually a destructive feature, done with a sharp object which can represent weapons, something that is closely related to the horror genre.

- What sound has been used and why?

Non-diagetic music is present in this whole clip rather than diagetic. This is because the sound is supposed to be heard by the audience rather than the characters, making them feel a sense of value. The reason for this is to engage and tempt the viewers to watching until the end.