rationale

‘Home Video’ is a psychological horror that contains several ‘supernatural ‘ elements. The film tells the story of a girl who encounters a string of strange supernatural events after her mum’s death, indicating that her mum may not be dead. The idea of using supernatural aspects combined with a TV as the main prop originated from The Ring and Poltergeist. We combined the two to create the fear that someone or something else was present in the house, making the sub-genre more eerie.

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Post-Production Evaluation

After many hours of planning and shooting our film, we had shot all of the scenes needed to create a 4-5 minute long piece. Throughout the process we had had several shoots, and so when it came to editing the last scenes shot, we already had around half of the film edited. As cinematographer, I firstly watched back all of the scenes that had been shot at the location, and this ensured that we didn't need to reshoot much at a later date; if I (or Sam) saw a shot that looked amateur or showed bad composition or continuity, we reshot it immediately, as this technique also makes the editor's job easier. An example of this took place when we moved the camera slightly for an identical shot, meaning that the continuity would look shabby; we immediately corrected it by replacing the camera in the first position. Although this added time to the shooting duration, it did allow us to feel comfortable when going to the editing suite.

Sam took the major role in editing; after experimenting with imovie prior to the beginning of our shoots, he was very able using the software. However, my main role in the editing process was to suggest which shots would work well in an aesthetic way, whilst still ensuring that continuity and composition were upkept. In many cases, we had three or four examples of each shot, and so deciding which one to use could've been difficult; by discussing this together, we ensured that the film looks as both of us imagined it. Furthermore, the effects that we used on the home video were ones that we chose together, after experimenting with various effects to try and make the video look just like a home video.

As I mentioned earlier, we watched back almost each and every shot that we took to ensure that we had exactly what we wanted and needed for the editing suite, therefore cutting the chance that we would need a reshoot.
*NOT COMPLETE*

Feedback after first shoot

After shooting and editing around half of our film, we showed our work so far to the rest of the class. Once they had watched the results of our first shoot, we left the room to allow them time to give critical feedback on our film. Here are some of the points that were given to us:

- Increase brightness/contrast in occasional shots

- Include more non-diegetic sound and diegetic sound effects

- More effect on TV turning on

- More close ups

Quite a few of the points made are ones that we ourselves had already picked up on, and we will definitely take this constructive criticism into account when we do our second shoot at the weekend, as well as when we edit, to ensure that our film looks as professional as possible.

Production Evaluation (Cinematography)

Cinematographer

As soon as I took on the role of cinematographer, I realised that my main responsibilities would fall during the shooting of the film, and that has certainly been the case. I have tried to take the lead throughout the filming of our scenes, and have done this through several key aspects.
Firstly, I have assessed each location at which we have filmed, ensuring that the mise-en-scene is fitting for our genre, as well as for the ideal scenes that we wanted to shoot. Furthermore, I had to work in conjunction with the editor to check that every shot would allow for good continuity when used in the editing suite, making sure that all costumes, lighting and props stay constant throughout. Keeping the length of each shot long enough meant that the editor would also find it easier to cut each part and fit it with others; we understood completely that shooting more shots than were needed would mean we would NOT have to reshoot at another time.

Personally, one of my favourite aspects of being the cinematographer is shooting aesthetically pleasing shots with good composition, thus making the film look professionally done. For this reason, I spent lots of time before shooting each single shot to ensure that no shots were of a poor quality. Using the 'rule of thirds' (helped by a nine square grid which I activated on the camera screen), I was able to shoot each shot with good composition, making sure there was little room above the head, and not a lot of empty space at the sides of shots. This also helps in the editing suite.
One scene I am pleased with is the scene in which our protagonist arrives home and enters the kitchen, oblivious to the fact that the fridge door is opening behind her. I managed to shoot lots of shots from various angles (adhering to the 180 degree rule) throughout the scene, using panning to add effect. Furthermore, after shooting several shots, we assessed the lighting and after deciding it was too bright on the girl's face, we changed the angles of the lights, allowing a softer light to fall onto the setting. Finally, we shot an over the shoulder shot to finish the scene, which is something we were very pleased with.

Overall, the scenes that we have managed to shoot so far look quite professional, and due to the fact that we have shot so many this will allow us a lot to use in the editing suite. However, I am most pleased with the composition and continuity of the shots, as we have used a range of shot types and angles whilst still ensuring that it is aesthetically pleasing and fitting for the horror genre. We do understand that there are some sections which may need reshooting, such as in the mother's bedroom, but our grasp on aspects such as lighting and mise-en-scene has improved throughout production, and this will definitely help when we shoot our final scene at the graveyard, and then continue to edit 'Home Video'.

Josh Murray- Incentive

These images are from the house scene. In the picture we have our victim and our artificial lighting devices (torch and floor light). This is the scene where Zara goes in to her bedroom which is the penultimate scene.

These images are taken from our homevideo scene. This is a children play area, where we shot zara as a little girl playing with her deceased mum.

Production evaluation

Production evaluation

As role of editor it was vital for me to play a significant part in the shooting of our horror film. This is because it was important for me to see which shots worked very well on the day and which did not. At the start of each scene I was able to say on camera if the shot before was relevant and what I did or didn’t like about it, making it a lot easier when it comes down to the final editing.
Also, I liaised with the director, cinematographer and the sound designer to tell them which shots I thought would work for good continuity and composition. I asked the cinematographer if he could shoot the scenes in long parts so that when it comes to the editing I can make shots shorter where needed to make good continuity. If the shots weren’t long enough, it would have made it a nightmare. I would have had to have put several short shots together to make a longer scene. The camera could’ve been in different places and the composition may not be the same throughout if it was shot in smaller shots. I also gave advice to the director as to where the camera had to be put in order to maintain good continuity throughout the final film. And, because I already have an idea as to what the final film should look like, due to the fact that I have to edit it, I advised the director about certain shots which I thought would add the most horror affect to the final film, and would show the characteristics of a psychological horror.
To make the final sequence look perfect it was vital for me to make sure that the pace and length of each shot was adequate and fitted the scene. A shot that looked out of place, or which was shot too slow or too long had to be removed or noted down whether the shot was good or not. If the run up to our final shot was too fast, it may not have delivered the right amount of tension, because a slow shot creates fear and a sense of unknown for the audience. Also, during the kitchen scene, if the victim shut the fridge door slowly, it wouldn’t have had an as big effect as if she closed it fast. When the pace of a shot is fast, it gets the audience panicking and increases the nerves, furthermore, it foreshadows that something is going to happen towards the end of the sequence.
Finally, I made it clear to the director/cinematographer that I would like the shots to be shot in order according to the storyboard. This makes it easier to follow when it comes to editing the shots. A disorganized sequence of shots can take lots more time to edit and could cause confusion about which shot goes where.
Sam Van de Schootbrugge- Incentive