Thursday, 3 December 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
Prop & Cast list
Props list:
White V neck t shirt - We chose a white shirt to represent Alexs innocence, as the film progresses the shirt will become dirtier and blacker, showing his corruption and growing evil.
Mirror - Alex looks at himself in the broken mirror in the building, the mirror is cracked and will show his face several times, showing his changed and distorted personalitys.
Car - Alex drives to his date and later tried to drive home from his date in his car.
Flower - Alex takes Kirsty a flower for her on the date. At the end the film as Alex is walking towards the city centre, he stands on the flower, showing his relationship and love for Kirsty is over.
Red Dress - Kirsty wears a red dress on the date, we chose a red dress to show that she is a love interest and also to represent her dangerous side. We wanted Kirsty to come across as a 'Femme Fatale' character.
Cast List
Alex - The boy who goes on the date, gets bitten by Kirsty and turns into a 'zombie'
Kirsty - The girl who Alex goes on a date with, Kirsty bites him and turns him into the 'zombie'
White V neck t shirt - We chose a white shirt to represent Alexs innocence, as the film progresses the shirt will become dirtier and blacker, showing his corruption and growing evil.
Mirror - Alex looks at himself in the broken mirror in the building, the mirror is cracked and will show his face several times, showing his changed and distorted personalitys.
Car - Alex drives to his date and later tried to drive home from his date in his car.
Flower - Alex takes Kirsty a flower for her on the date. At the end the film as Alex is walking towards the city centre, he stands on the flower, showing his relationship and love for Kirsty is over.
Red Dress - Kirsty wears a red dress on the date, we chose a red dress to show that she is a love interest and also to represent her dangerous side. We wanted Kirsty to come across as a 'Femme Fatale' character.
Cast List
Alex - The boy who goes on the date, gets bitten by Kirsty and turns into a 'zombie'
Kirsty - The girl who Alex goes on a date with, Kirsty bites him and turns him into the 'zombie'
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Genre Essay
My film will be a Horror film, so I will need to look into and learn the conventions of the genre.
Horror films are created to create fear and fear in the viewer, this is done in a number of ways. Most horror films have a main or group of villains. Early horror films were based around gothic literature such as Frankenstein and Dracula, these ideas soon evolved into more modern takes on the originals, for example the film “Van Helsing” (2004) features both of these characters. After world war II, the idea to create films based on the insecurity of post war life came about. This created three metaphoric sub genres, personality defects (Films about “mental” and unstable people (Silence of the lambs)), the Armageddon, (Films about the end of the world (28 days later)) and films about demonic beings (More supernatural yet still realistic films (The haunting))
There is another horror sub genre called “Gore-shock” or “Splatter film” These often low budget films try to gain attention by exposing the vulnerability of the human body through an over use of violence and special effects. This genre was established along time ago with low budget films such as “Shogun assassin” but has been brought into the new film world with films like “Saw” and “Final destination”
In the early 2000’s a group of films became more self reflective of themselves, this increased the horror element as it made even the scariest of films seem more realistic and life like.
Remaking Asian films became a popular concept in film making after the success of films such as “The grudge” & “The Ring”
Lighting plays a big part in what makes a film scarier. A convention of horror films is to leave a lot to the imagination. In many horror films, the main villain is not explicitly shown to the audience until the it is absolutely necessary, this builds up the tension and allows the viewer to create their own envisioning of the antagonist, which in most cases is a lot scarier than the actual one. The most common way to cover up the villains physical appearance is through a lack of light. The victim could be looking the villain right in the face, but if there is no light in the scene, everybody’s none the wiser. A dim light, or no light at all is also perfect for creating an impossible to see event. For example in many films a victim will be dragged by the villain into another room and is only able to hear what is happening, this also lets the viewer create their own idea as to what’s going on, often increasing the fear in themselves.
Films such as Dracula & Frankenstein rely heavily on setting. These films are set in out of the way locations such as castles & caves. The sense of isolation creates a feeling that no one can or will come their aid & shows how alone and vunerable they are.
Cinematography is used in horror films to create an idea that throughout the majority of the film is more powerful than the protagonist. This is done by using high angles on the protagonist, making him or her seem vunerable and weak. The opposite is done for the antagonist, using low angle shots to make them seem superior and more powerful.
The narrative structure in alot of horror films is generally quite similar. The protagonist will have to embark on some sort of quest to beat the antagonist. Towards the start of the film the antagonist will usually be some sort of enigma, making him or her seem more mysterious and dangerous. A common convention for horror films is to break the stereotype ending of the heroes victory and have the villain come out ontop (Texas chainsaw massacre the beginning). I will be using some of these techniques in my own horror film.
The editing used in horror films is usually rather slow paced to build up tension, then juxtaposes to extremely fast cuts in the climax of the event. The fast editing shows panic and emergency and shows how in trouble the character is.
Music also plays a large part in building up fear and emotion in the audience. A quiet piece of minor music makes the scenes with slow editing and low lighting seem a lot scarier than if cheerful music was playing over the top. The music will normally match up with the pace of the scene and reach a crescendo just as the action begins to take place.
In conclusion, the most common and effective conventions of the horror genre are: Low lighting, a mixture of slow and fast editing, isolated settings, enigmatic characters, minor and scary music & high and low angle shots to show who has the power in the situation.
Horror films are created to create fear and fear in the viewer, this is done in a number of ways. Most horror films have a main or group of villains. Early horror films were based around gothic literature such as Frankenstein and Dracula, these ideas soon evolved into more modern takes on the originals, for example the film “Van Helsing” (2004) features both of these characters. After world war II, the idea to create films based on the insecurity of post war life came about. This created three metaphoric sub genres, personality defects (Films about “mental” and unstable people (Silence of the lambs)), the Armageddon, (Films about the end of the world (28 days later)) and films about demonic beings (More supernatural yet still realistic films (The haunting))
There is another horror sub genre called “Gore-shock” or “Splatter film” These often low budget films try to gain attention by exposing the vulnerability of the human body through an over use of violence and special effects. This genre was established along time ago with low budget films such as “Shogun assassin” but has been brought into the new film world with films like “Saw” and “Final destination”
In the early 2000’s a group of films became more self reflective of themselves, this increased the horror element as it made even the scariest of films seem more realistic and life like.
Remaking Asian films became a popular concept in film making after the success of films such as “The grudge” & “The Ring”
Lighting plays a big part in what makes a film scarier. A convention of horror films is to leave a lot to the imagination. In many horror films, the main villain is not explicitly shown to the audience until the it is absolutely necessary, this builds up the tension and allows the viewer to create their own envisioning of the antagonist, which in most cases is a lot scarier than the actual one. The most common way to cover up the villains physical appearance is through a lack of light. The victim could be looking the villain right in the face, but if there is no light in the scene, everybody’s none the wiser. A dim light, or no light at all is also perfect for creating an impossible to see event. For example in many films a victim will be dragged by the villain into another room and is only able to hear what is happening, this also lets the viewer create their own idea as to what’s going on, often increasing the fear in themselves.
Films such as Dracula & Frankenstein rely heavily on setting. These films are set in out of the way locations such as castles & caves. The sense of isolation creates a feeling that no one can or will come their aid & shows how alone and vunerable they are.
Cinematography is used in horror films to create an idea that throughout the majority of the film is more powerful than the protagonist. This is done by using high angles on the protagonist, making him or her seem vunerable and weak. The opposite is done for the antagonist, using low angle shots to make them seem superior and more powerful.
The narrative structure in alot of horror films is generally quite similar. The protagonist will have to embark on some sort of quest to beat the antagonist. Towards the start of the film the antagonist will usually be some sort of enigma, making him or her seem more mysterious and dangerous. A common convention for horror films is to break the stereotype ending of the heroes victory and have the villain come out ontop (Texas chainsaw massacre the beginning). I will be using some of these techniques in my own horror film.
The editing used in horror films is usually rather slow paced to build up tension, then juxtaposes to extremely fast cuts in the climax of the event. The fast editing shows panic and emergency and shows how in trouble the character is.
Music also plays a large part in building up fear and emotion in the audience. A quiet piece of minor music makes the scenes with slow editing and low lighting seem a lot scarier than if cheerful music was playing over the top. The music will normally match up with the pace of the scene and reach a crescendo just as the action begins to take place.
In conclusion, the most common and effective conventions of the horror genre are: Low lighting, a mixture of slow and fast editing, isolated settings, enigmatic characters, minor and scary music & high and low angle shots to show who has the power in the situation.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Synopsis
The story starts with Alex, sat in the corner of an abandoned building explaining that over the last few days he has been turning into something and that he doesn’t remember much apart from the day that the transformation began. The majority of the story is a flashback to that day. Alex is on the phone with a girl (Kirsty) He is organizing what time to meet her for their date. They agree to meet at the marina. Alex gets ready and leaves the house and drives down to the marina. He meets Kirsty and after a brief date and walk down the marina Alex receives a call from a relative telling him that his Dad has been in a car accident. Alex and Kirsty say their goodbyes and begin to kiss, during their kiss, Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes her away and angrily asks her why she bit him, she explains that she doesn’t know what came over her. Alex storms off to go and see his dad. He looks in his rear view mirror and sees Kirsty, he re adjusts it to see his neck, when he puts it back, Kirsty is gone. He feels bad for shouting at her and tries to ring her but the number is not recognised. As he starts to drive, he has a flashback in which he sees himself being bitten and pulls over and stumbles out the car. He staggers over to an abandoned building in which he spends the night. When he wakes up he tries to go outside but the sun is to bright and forces him to retreat back into the building. Over the next few hours he has several flashback to the date & to the moment when he was bitten. At night time, the opening scene is revisited and Alex explains that he is going to spread this disease throughout the city. The final shot is of Alex looking to the city, which then fades to black.
Aims and context
For my film studies coursework I am making a short film with Stuart & Will. The film is going to be a horror and will be aimed at, (mostly male), teenagers. The reason for this is that I find that males find horror films more enjoyable than females do.
I have studied the conventions of narrative elements of the horror genre, I can use these in my own film and use them to my advantage to re enforce the horror element of my film. Many of the conventions will have to be left out, such as: special effects, elaborate settings & explicit violence.
I am going to be in charge of editing the production so I have taken it upon myself to study the conventions of the editing in horror films, such as a mixture of slow and fast editing depending on the pace of the visual text. Using double exposure to add to the distortion and confusion of certain characters & changing the lighting in post production to suit the mood I want to create in the shot.
I storyboarded a scene from a horror film for my as coursework so I understand the conventions & narrative elements of the genre.
I have studied the conventions of narrative elements of the horror genre, I can use these in my own film and use them to my advantage to re enforce the horror element of my film. Many of the conventions will have to be left out, such as: special effects, elaborate settings & explicit violence.
I am going to be in charge of editing the production so I have taken it upon myself to study the conventions of the editing in horror films, such as a mixture of slow and fast editing depending on the pace of the visual text. Using double exposure to add to the distortion and confusion of certain characters & changing the lighting in post production to suit the mood I want to create in the shot.
I storyboarded a scene from a horror film for my as coursework so I understand the conventions & narrative elements of the genre.
Storyline
Beginning
• Black screen, voice over while Alex is getting ready – Alex bedroom or bathroom – Shots of Alex to introduce him
• On the phone with his date, washing his face – various shots of Alex getting ready (Montage editing)
• Shot of Alex leaving the house (Match on action)
• Getting in car (Match on action)
• She rings again while he is driving, doesn’t answer – Picture of girl on his phone
• Shots of him in the car listening to music
• Shots of objects in Alex’s car, shows you what his personality is like (Scruffy, messy, unorganized)
• Pulls up to the marina, sees the girl, from inside the car
Middle
• Alex and Kirsty walk up and down the marina, Kirsty gets a call and they say they have to leave
• At the end of the date the girl kisses Alex then bites him on the neck
• Kirsty apologizes and says she doesn’t know what came over her
• Alex gets mad and leaves to his car, he looks in the windscreen mirror and sees her stood where he left her, he moves the mirror to inspect the bite mark, when he moves the mirror back to it’s original place Kirsty is gone.
• He tries to ring Kirsty but the number is not recognised
• He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building
• He stands in front of the building then walks in
End
• Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated
• Flashback of the date
• He tried to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes
• Flashback of the date
• He goes back inside and sits down in the dark
• Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten
• Sees his car, door still open
• Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten
• Looks at the mark on his neck
• Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time
• Fade to black, fades back in at night, see Alex running towards a crowded area with the intention of infecting others (Red filter)
• Fade to black
• Black screen, voice over while Alex is getting ready – Alex bedroom or bathroom – Shots of Alex to introduce him
• On the phone with his date, washing his face – various shots of Alex getting ready (Montage editing)
• Shot of Alex leaving the house (Match on action)
• Getting in car (Match on action)
• She rings again while he is driving, doesn’t answer – Picture of girl on his phone
• Shots of him in the car listening to music
• Shots of objects in Alex’s car, shows you what his personality is like (Scruffy, messy, unorganized)
• Pulls up to the marina, sees the girl, from inside the car
Middle
• Alex and Kirsty walk up and down the marina, Kirsty gets a call and they say they have to leave
• At the end of the date the girl kisses Alex then bites him on the neck
• Kirsty apologizes and says she doesn’t know what came over her
• Alex gets mad and leaves to his car, he looks in the windscreen mirror and sees her stood where he left her, he moves the mirror to inspect the bite mark, when he moves the mirror back to it’s original place Kirsty is gone.
• He tries to ring Kirsty but the number is not recognised
• He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building
• He stands in front of the building then walks in
End
• Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated
• Flashback of the date
• He tried to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes
• Flashback of the date
• He goes back inside and sits down in the dark
• Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten
• Sees his car, door still open
• Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten
• Looks at the mark on his neck
• Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time
• Fade to black, fades back in at night, see Alex running towards a crowded area with the intention of infecting others (Red filter)
• Fade to black
Friday, 9 October 2009
Script
Zombie Alex sat in the corner of the building – As Winter Burns White editing. Slowly zoom in on him.
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing.
As Alex says “thing” it cuts to a close up as Alex looks at the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
NEXT SCENE
On the phone to Kirsty
Alex: I was just wondering what time you wanted to meet up tonight - pause – Ok, I’ll see you then. At marina right? - pause - Alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you, bye.
“Kirsty end call shot” Alex starts getting ready, using the camera as a mirror, breaking the fourth wall again. Does his hair, chooses a shirt (white), picking up his keys, phone, wallet & putting his shoes on. Walks out the front door to his car (match on action) humming to himself, or something to show he is happy. Shots of Alex getting in his car (Another match on action) and turning the ignition. Fade out as Alex sets off to show the passage of time.
NEXT SCENE
Fades back in as he pulls up to marina. Alex steps of the car and walks over to a bench to wait for Kirsty. After a few seconds of waiting Kirsty comes up behind him and playfully covers his eyes. (This shows how close they are) He gets up and they greet each other properly. They start to walk up the marina whilst having a conversation. Montage of the date with “A Day to Remember – You had me at hello” playing over the top of it. (Holding hands walking towards the camera shot)
Alex gets a phone call.
Alex: Hello? Right calm down I can’t understand what you’re saying. Ok ok, ok I’ll be there soon. Bye
Alex (speaking to Kirsty): I’m sorry, I have to go, my Dad’s been in a car accident.
Kirsty: I’m sorry to hear that, I hope everything’s ok. I guess you’d better go then, good job as well, I’m starting to feel a little bit ill.
Alex: Oh really what’s wrong?
Kirsty: I’m not really sure, my head hurts and my body aches, my vision’s been acting up. Been feeling like this for a few days though, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Alex: Ok, well, ring me tomorrow and we can sort out another date seeing as though this one’s been cut so short.
They say goodbye and start to kiss when all of a sudden Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes Kirsty away and puts his hand to his neck.
Alex: What the hell was that about?!
Kirsty: I’m, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.
Alex: Whatever, I’ve got to go
Kirsty: Alex, wait!
Alex storms off to his car rubbing his neck, he gets in (match on action) and sees Kirsty in the reflection of the rear view mirror, he adjusts the mirror to see the cut on his neck and when he puts the mirror back, Kirsty is gone. Alex looks guilty for losing his temper with Kirsty and rings her phone, the number is not recognised. He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building. He stand in front of the building.
NEXT SCENE
Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated - Flashback of the date. He tries to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes - Flashback of the date. He goes back inside and sits down in the dark - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Sees his car, door still open - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Looks at the mark on his neck -Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time. Fade to black, fades back in at night.
NEXT SCENE
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing. Now I just have an overpowering urge to corrupt and destroy others. Just like she did to me.
Over the shoulder shot of Alex looking towards the city centre. Fade to black.
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing.
As Alex says “thing” it cuts to a close up as Alex looks at the camera, breaking the fourth wall.
NEXT SCENE
On the phone to Kirsty
Alex: I was just wondering what time you wanted to meet up tonight - pause – Ok, I’ll see you then. At marina right? - pause - Alright, I’m looking forward to seeing you, bye.
“Kirsty end call shot” Alex starts getting ready, using the camera as a mirror, breaking the fourth wall again. Does his hair, chooses a shirt (white), picking up his keys, phone, wallet & putting his shoes on. Walks out the front door to his car (match on action) humming to himself, or something to show he is happy. Shots of Alex getting in his car (Another match on action) and turning the ignition. Fade out as Alex sets off to show the passage of time.
NEXT SCENE
Fades back in as he pulls up to marina. Alex steps of the car and walks over to a bench to wait for Kirsty. After a few seconds of waiting Kirsty comes up behind him and playfully covers his eyes. (This shows how close they are) He gets up and they greet each other properly. They start to walk up the marina whilst having a conversation. Montage of the date with “A Day to Remember – You had me at hello” playing over the top of it. (Holding hands walking towards the camera shot)
Alex gets a phone call.
Alex: Hello? Right calm down I can’t understand what you’re saying. Ok ok, ok I’ll be there soon. Bye
Alex (speaking to Kirsty): I’m sorry, I have to go, my Dad’s been in a car accident.
Kirsty: I’m sorry to hear that, I hope everything’s ok. I guess you’d better go then, good job as well, I’m starting to feel a little bit ill.
Alex: Oh really what’s wrong?
Kirsty: I’m not really sure, my head hurts and my body aches, my vision’s been acting up. Been feeling like this for a few days though, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
Alex: Ok, well, ring me tomorrow and we can sort out another date seeing as though this one’s been cut so short.
They say goodbye and start to kiss when all of a sudden Kirsty bites Alex on the neck. Alex pushes Kirsty away and puts his hand to his neck.
Alex: What the hell was that about?!
Kirsty: I’m, I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.
Alex: Whatever, I’ve got to go
Kirsty: Alex, wait!
Alex storms off to his car rubbing his neck, he gets in (match on action) and sees Kirsty in the reflection of the rear view mirror, he adjusts the mirror to see the cut on his neck and when he puts the mirror back, Kirsty is gone. Alex looks guilty for losing his temper with Kirsty and rings her phone, the number is not recognised. He starts to drive off but he has a flashback of the bite and pulls over and stumbles out of the car (Double exposure cantered angle) and sees an abandoned building. He stand in front of the building.
NEXT SCENE
Alex wakes up in the in the building looking disorientated - Flashback of the date. He tries to leave but the sun is too bright and hurts his eyes - Flashback of the date. He goes back inside and sits down in the dark - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Sees his car, door still open - Flashback of the bite, stops just before he is bitten. Looks at the mark on his neck -Flashback of the bite, you see the whole bite sequence this time. Fade to black, fades back in at night.
NEXT SCENE
Alex: Over the last few days something’s been happening to me, I’m not sure what it is, but I know it’s taking over. I don’t remember much of my old life, the last real memory I have is of how I became this, this thing. Now I just have an overpowering urge to corrupt and destroy others. Just like she did to me.
Over the shoulder shot of Alex looking towards the city centre. Fade to black.
Group Meetings
6Th October
We drew up a brief set of storyboards and finalised several ideas.
9Th October
Wrote the script
Wrote the synopsis
Start the storyboarding
Started thinking of a name for the film
14Th October
Started thinking of names for our film, a few that stood out to us were:
Bitten
Imperfect
Plague
Prophet
21st October
Finished the storyboards and re wrote a section of the script
Started planning filming times and locations
Wrote the prop/cast list
6Th November
I told the group that I wouldn't be able to attend the filming the next day (7Th November) because I was working. I wrote a list of things I wanted to group to incorporate into the filming so that I could at least have some sort of input into the filming process. The ideas I told Stuart to include are:
The shot of Alex leaving the house, I want to be filmed once from outside the house & once from inside the house so that in the editing process I can turn the two shots into a 'match on action'
The shot of Alex getting into his car, I want to be filmed once from outside the car & once from inside the car so that in the editing process I can turn the two shots into a 'match on action'
The shot of Alex stood in front of the abandoned building, I want to be a medium long shot and for the shot to zoom out to show Alex's own abandonment.
7Th November
The video shoot was cancelled, Stuart thought it would be better if we postponed the filming to a day when I, Will & Stuart could all attend so as to minimise the chances of anything going wrong. We are also deciding to go with another pair of actors and arranging the shoot to be on a weekday.
We drew up a brief set of storyboards and finalised several ideas.
9Th October
Wrote the script
Wrote the synopsis
Start the storyboarding
Started thinking of a name for the film
14Th October
Started thinking of names for our film, a few that stood out to us were:
Bitten
Imperfect
Plague
Prophet
21st October
Finished the storyboards and re wrote a section of the script
Started planning filming times and locations
Wrote the prop/cast list
6Th November
I told the group that I wouldn't be able to attend the filming the next day (7Th November) because I was working. I wrote a list of things I wanted to group to incorporate into the filming so that I could at least have some sort of input into the filming process. The ideas I told Stuart to include are:
The shot of Alex leaving the house, I want to be filmed once from outside the house & once from inside the house so that in the editing process I can turn the two shots into a 'match on action'
The shot of Alex getting into his car, I want to be filmed once from outside the car & once from inside the car so that in the editing process I can turn the two shots into a 'match on action'
The shot of Alex stood in front of the abandoned building, I want to be a medium long shot and for the shot to zoom out to show Alex's own abandonment.
7Th November
The video shoot was cancelled, Stuart thought it would be better if we postponed the filming to a day when I, Will & Stuart could all attend so as to minimise the chances of anything going wrong. We are also deciding to go with another pair of actors and arranging the shoot to be on a weekday.
Brief
Develop a complete short film of between 3 and 5 minutes. In my group we decided to make a horror film. The film starts with two people on a date, at the end of the date the girl bites the boy and over the next few days he transforms into some sort of "beast"
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