Scheduling

With the planning completed, our task now turns to shooting our horror film. In the next two or three weeks, we want to have ALL filming done to allow us time to edit and add sound etc. This post shows our schedule for filming, and we will try to maintain this schedule to ensure we do not leave ourselves too much work to do in a short space of time.

Home Video: 20th/21st November

Interior House Shots: 23rd & 24th November

Exterior Shots (Graveyard): 27th November

ALL SHOT: 4TH DECEMBER

Garageband First Attempt

The most thrilling horror films all contain a chilling and memorable soundtrack, and this is something which we want to include in 'Home Video'. Although much of the film will be silent or eerily quiet (to create tension), there are certain scenes in which some non-diegetic music will add to the effect. The below screenshot shows how we have used the software 'Garageband' to begin creating relevant music. We have used both high and low pitches on top of each other to fulfill our desire to create tension throughout.

Pre-Production Evaluation (Cinematography)

Cinematographer- Josh Murray

In the creation of any film there are many roles which all need to be fulfilled to ensure that the film is planned, shot, edited and completed to the best possible quality. This was no different with our horror opening, although the fact that our group includes just two people meant that we realised we would have to share many jobs between us. However, we both decided on a role which we would focus on throughout the process, and I chose to be the cinematographer.

My role will be a very important one if we are to make a top quality film, and will require me to play a massive part throughout the entire shooting process.
Firstly, I will be responsible for maintaining that each setting is correct, and that all the props are positioned effectively to create the right atmosphere and mise-en-scene for our genre: in the case of 'Home Video', I will have to ensure that generic conventions such as shadows are upheld, and that effective props such as the televisions are working prior to shooting. Our aim is of course to create the best possible film, and a massive aspect of this is continuity. Although this aspect will be examined and adjusted in the editing suite, it is the job of the cinematographer to guarantee that each shot (from different angles and positions) will not reveal differing situations.

Possibly the most prominent role for me in our task will be the actual filming. Our film must be between 4 and 5 minutes in length, and after writing our script, step outline and written storyboard we managed to decide on 78 shots that would be needed. It will be my job to position everything in the scene (the actors, props and lighting) as well as the camera itself, and then shoot the scene; this could mean I just stand there and watch over the action, or use the camera if tracking, panning or zooming is needed. As I wish for our film to look professional, I will take it upon myself to reshoot any shot which looks poor or are not completed in the way that we envisaged.
However, although we have decided on a definite amount of shots, this is going to be flexible, and I believe that we will shoot over 100 shots to create a lot of items to be used by the editor. These decisions will again lie with me, and I will confer with Sam when making changes or additions to shots throughout the film.
The relationship between the cinematographer and the editor is vital, and Sam and I will make sure that we always talk through the shots that I am going to take, as it will be he who has to work with the shots in the editing suite.

An important resource that we have used throughout our planning process has been the various films that relate to our sub-genre of psychological horror. The ones that inspired me most as a cinematographer were 'The Grudge' and 'The Ring', as both use camera angles and mise-en-scene to enhance the tension and fear which is already evident through the setting. Firstly, the use of televisions as a tool for the supernatural in 'The Ring' is something that we are very keen on using, and I have already planned several canted angle shots of the television which will create a sense of confusion in the first and final scene. Furthermore, there is several high angle shots in both films (especially on the stairs) that show the position of weakness and loneliness that the protagonist finds themselves in; this is something I plan to shoot as our female character ascends the stairs cautiously. Finally, the way that the film openings are shot allow the viewer to understand that something 'supernatural' is going on, whilst keeping the narrative restricted, as we are never certain of what is occuring. This is something I will concentrate on in the final scene, when the character begins to feel uncomfortable.

Overall, my role as cinematographer will mean that I must take a constant interest in the entire shooting process; ensuring that the scene is perfect BEFORE the camera begins to roll, at which point I will stand behind the camera and shoot the entire scene. Although it is a lot of work, I feel that the role will be both enjoyable and rewarding, and I can learn a lot about the processes as I go along.

Sound Step Outline

These sheets link with the previously completed step outline, adding the important element of sound. Using this exercise, we have planned all of the major diegetic and non-diegetic sounds which will be heard in each scene of our film. Almost all of the sounds will be relevant, with very little contrapuntal; this is visible in what we have written.

Pre-Production Evaluation (Editing)

Editor- Sam Van de Schootbrugge

In order to produce the best possible film we needed to designate certain roles within our group. I chose to focus on the editing.

My role as editor is important for an excellent film. I get given the several hours worth of shots and filming, and must decide which of them look best. My job is to deliver good Composition and Continuity throughout the final 5 minute assessed piece so that the film can be scary for all the right reasons. Bad editing can lead to the audience becoming bored, the film not being scary where we want it to be and it could deliver the wrong messages.

I must produce something that is enjoyable to watch and in order to this I must have the idea for what our group wants our film to look like constantly in the forefront of my thoughts. This idea that we have set out to portray comes from several horror films that we have seen and enjoyed in the past. My other group member and I also wanted the film to be a horror which keeps the audience constantly thinking. We didn’t just want to make a ‘slasher’, because we believe that this could become cheesy and is and easy way of making a horror. We believe making a supernatural/paranormal horror would make it enjoyable to film and to edit, and would be the most effective way of scaring our target audience.

Also, as part of my role I will advise the director/cinematographer on shots and shot lengths depending on what I believe will look nicest when edited. I will also need to ask him to take as many shots as possible and at the appropriate length so that I can make the most of the material I receive and will then not have film it again.

The films that inspired us to follow this type of genre are classics such as ‘The Ring’, ‘Poltergeist’, ‘The Grudge’ and ‘Psycho’. For me they were great examples of perfectly edited films and also contain the same sub-genre; psychological horrors. The TV scene in The Ring is edited in such a way that we can really sense that something ‘supernatural’ is going on. Poltergeist also has a very classic scene with the TV in the bedroom. This scene is also edited to shows supernatural things happening. The Grudge has been edited beautifully by putting in lengthy shots to add tension and it slows down the pace to gets viewers on the edge of their seat during the more tense scenes. This example is what I am looking to do in our opening. The more tense shots will be longer in time than the shots where we don’t want to portray as much tension. Just before the end of our opening sequence I will try to increase the pace to add fear and anxiety to the audience (see shots 59-61 on shot list). Shots shown in the graveyard I will try to make long enough to show that the hooded figure is a threat, but I won’t make them too long as it could add unnecessary tension.

My role is largely towards the end of the filming process, but I will still be advising and contributing towards all aspects of the opening sequence.

Sound Analysis- Horror Openings

One of the most important conventions of a horror film is the sound. Although it often goes unnoticed, it can be used to build up suspense and tension, as well as being used as a tool to shock the audience. In this exercise, we researched two psychological horror openings that we had already watched and analysed both the diegetic and non-diegetic sound. Some of the things we discovered may well be used in our film (such as the rustling of leaves).

Reccee Sheet

These sheets are used to show that we have permission for using the location in which we want to film. Also, it allows us assess whether it will be the best place for our shots, as well as looking at health and safety and the ability for us to shoot here.

The photo's are shots of the location that is going to be most used. One is of the TV, where the homevideo is shown, another is of the hallway in which we will have the longest shot to created tension before the final scene. The other one is of the mothers bedroom which will be messy during the filming process

Make Up Design Sheet

This is our make-up design sheet. As you can see we will be usingminimal make-up as there is no blood involved in the making of our film. However, costume is the vital element.

Written Storyboard

One of the most time consuming parts of planning is the written storyboard. On this document you write down the shot length, type and style as well as what will be occuring in each single shot for the entire length of film. Although we are fairly certain that some aspects may change, the majority of shots that we have decided upon and written into this storyboard will indeed be in the film.

The TOTAL TIME of all 61 shots together is 4 mins & 12 secs.

Home Video Script

This is the script we are using for our assessed film piece. It contains 4 and a half minutes worth of script all of which is relevant to the film.

(NB. A change has been made to the INT. LIVING ROOM scene: where 'strange angles' has been written, we will be shooting the shots at a canted angle.)

Production Schedule and Information

These sheets give us proof of actors details and confirmation that they can perform, as well as a checklist for equipment (such as lighting and props) and information on the locations that we will be using for filming.

Test Shot

This is our main character (Zara) dressed as she would be during the graveyard scene. She is dressed in black to show her grief as she is visiting her mothers grave.

This is ideal for the horror genre.

The character will also be wearing some slight white make-up to add to her paleness, emphasising her innocence and vulnerability.

Health and Safety Sheet

This sheet gives proof that we have any permission to work where we are going to film, as well as ensuring that all locations are safe.

Textual Analysis Sheet 2

This task allowed us to do research into films of a similar sub genre to ours, and analyse the openings. I chose Gore Verbinski's 2002 classic 'The Ring', and considered the use of camera angles, lighting, music, locating and mise-en-scene to have an effect on several aspects of the film. Some of the things that I discovered may well have a positive effect on our own piece.