Targets

Great work so far Brandy, your posts are detailed and you are completing the Research and Planning posts efficently. Consider using terminology such as: diegetic and non-diegetic sound, enigma codes to puzzle and tease the audience, mise-en-scene etc.

Explain the different shots you will use in your opening two minutes: what will the audience see in each shot, why, and how will this engage them?

Animatic Storyboard - photograph your storyboard and put the images into Adobe Premiere Elements - edit the film so you can see how long each shot will be and whether it looks effective.

Suggested fonts for my film title

These are the fonts that i could do the title of my film in. I think that it is important to chose the font of the title carefully as i want it to represent the type of film that I am doing but i also want it to stand out to the target audience. One of the fonts that i believe is quite effective is the last one as I think it looks like smeared blood. This would fit into my film well as it is about a possessed girl that kills people. The effect of this is that it gives the audience an idea of what the film is going to be about/what is going to be involved in the film. I think the font is also important because It is part of the start of the film that tells you what the film is about. 

My film is going to be called 'Elvira' which means the mistress of the dark, therefore, tells the audience that it is going to be in a dark place suggesting that something bad is going to happen. The audience are then able to get a visual idea of what the film is about and how it may look before they start watching it from looking at the title. 

Opening title analysis research - SEVEN

This title is effective because it is quite a bold title that stands on a blank background. The blank background is a jet black which gives the whole title a dramatic effect. The effect of this on the audience is that they are automatically going to have suggestions for the genre before they start to watch the film. These could associate with thriller or horror as this is the first thought that you may think when you first see this title. This has therefore done what it should as a title as this is a thriller film and so the audience are aware of this before they start to watch the film. This is effective because the target audience would instantly know what type of film they are going to watch. The contrast of the white writing compared to the black background is effective because is stands out against each other and makes the white appear brighter than what it is as it is being reflected off the black. The shot of the title does not include any shots of the setting, therefore, you would assume that what ever is going to happen in the film is going to take place in someones home or a building etc. However, no evidence of props are show when the title appears and so this is creating tension for the audience. The shot is very dark and there is not any lighting in the shot which connotes danger within the film which gives the setting a dull and suspicious feel. As the films continues, the titles are placed over a moving image which reemphasizes to the audience that it is a thriller film. 

Suggested music/sound for my film

The music that I think would be useful in my film are sound such as a little girls music box that would play something like quiet but slow music that has a small beat. This music is relevant for my film because although my film is not much to do with a doll, the music fits in with the 'innocent' looking possessed young girl that I want it to represent in my film. To fit this music into my film, I am going to make the music start playing just before we see the 'possessed' girl and so the audience are aware that something bad is going to happen without them realizing what is actually going to happen.  I think that this would be effective for the target audience because they are going to know what the genre of the film is without looking at a case, which is something that I believe is very important when make a specific film.

Another sound that I think would be effective is recording the sound of the wind blowing over the trees and the bushes and so I can play it over the film. This would be effective for the audience because it would give the audience a visual image of where the film is set before they start watching the film. This would give the audience the chance to feel like they are in the shoes of one of the characters and they are experiencing what the characters are going through. Although, the audience is not in the film, they would be able to go away and feel like the film was generally realistic and it was not scripted.

The last idea that i have for my soundtrack is that I could use  fast upbeat music that comes across as dramatic towards the audience. This would then create the effect of fear and create an atmosphere for the audience. I want the audience to feel like they are experiencing what the characters are going through. However, I want the audience to feel the 'fear' that the characters are feeling so therefore, I think the upbeat music will create a dramatic effect. I could play the fast tempo music from the beginning faintly and so it makes the audience feel like something isgoing to happen but they are not sure what.

Make-up tutorials for my film

I think that this video would be useful towards my film because the costume fits in with the idea that I have. I want it to be slightly doll like to get across the possessed feel towards the audience. The makeup tutorial mirrors what my film is about, therefore, I would find this convenient for what I want this tutorial for. The hairstyle is used to represent an innocent doll like girl who is the one that is killing everyone else. This is how I want the young possessed female to be represented in my film.

This video could be useful because it creates more of a skeleton type look but it also looks as if she has lived in a forest for many years. This is effective because this is the type of story line that my film is based on. from looking at the video I can see how to contour the face in order from it to go from dark to light dramatically, giving the audience the feel that the girl is actually possessed. 

Mood Board for My Film

The Iphone - The iphone represents what I am going to be filming my film on as it has a clear         camera.
Beats Pill - The beats pill is going to be used when the teenagers are all in the forest together playing music within their social group.
Make-up -  The make-up is going to be used to create the cuts and the bruises on both the possessed girls face and the teenagers face when they get attacked.
Forest -  I am going to film my film in Ashtead woods and so this is shown by the image of the           woods.
Beer Cans - The teenagers are going to be 'getting drunk' socially which they then think that they are hallucinating when weird things start to happen.
Bracelet - The bracelet is going to be found by one of the teenagers which is when they realize that     things are going to start going wrong.

animated story board

Results Of Questionnaire

From looking at the results from my questionnaire, 65% of people that answered said that they enjoy the horror films that have possessed people in it. This would be useful to me because this tells me what the audience wants to see and so I could adapt my idea to fit the needs of the target audience. The other 35% said that they would like to see a killer involved. Therefore to fit my idea i could have a possessed girl that ends up trying to kill everyone.

 The setting was set that 50% of the people that answered the questionnaire said that they wanted to see the film ion a woods because it could be free and the space would not have been limited to what was available. 35% of the people said it should be in a hospital.This would not be able to have been done to a great level because the hospital is always full of people and this is not what i would have wanted to do. I would also not have been able to stay in the hospital overnight as there is a limited time that i would have been able to access the hospital, therefore, I would also not have access to the equipment that I would want to if it was to be in a hospital.

Many people said that they would like to see teenagers given the most prevalence in the film because it would be aimed at a teenage and older audience and so people may find it easier to associate the film to their personal lives in their own way. Whereas, if it was middle aged people to be given prevalence through out the film, the younger target audience would find it harder to relate to them in any way.

The answer that received the most votes of 95%  was both because they wanted to see equal amounts of participation from both genders. Therefore, I want to balance out the characters and so the target audience is able to see how both character genders are equal and one is not being treated better than the other.

The Only characters that are in a relationship in the film is Beth and Chris. Beth ends up dying and so we will be able to see how Chris who is supposed to be the protective character reacts to this. This would be effective because I want the characters to feel like they can relate to the characters as close as possible.

I would have creepy music as this was said by 75% of the people that answered my questionnaire as they said that it would build tension for the target audience. It was also commented that it would help to create a visual image for the audience in their head before the characters come into view.

Mostly all of the people that answered my questionnaire said that the characters should be wearing casual clothes as if they were just meting up with their friends as they would not know what is going to happen in the film. This would make the target audience feel that it is real life and they would be able to get into the mood that the characters are in when they are in the film and it is on a particular scene.

The shots that I have been suggested to use are mainly close-ups and wide shot. Close-ups to show the expressions on the characters faces when something dramatic happens. Wide shots are suggested to use when you want to show the character the whole setting all in one shot.

The main props that 78% of the people that answered the questionnaire said that the most effective props are belongings that belong to members of the characters that are going to find them. This is because they said that it makes it more real for the characters but also it makes it more realistic for the target audience.

Sarah - 'One of my favorite horror films is 'I spit on your grave' is because it is full of surprises and unexpected things that happen that the audience do not expect. It is not the stereotypical type of horror film but what happens is not suitable for younger audiences.'

Questionnaire

1) What is the main type of character you would want to see in a Horror film?

Zombies/Demons            Possessed Person             Serial Killer

2) What would your ideal setting in a horror film be?

Woods/Forest           Abandoned House          Hospital

3) What age would you think would be most appealing?

Young children           Teenagers             Middle aged - 40+

4) What gender would you put more into a movie?

Female                                         Male                                             Both

5) Would any of the characters in your horror film be in a relationship?

Yes                                                             No

6) What costumes would you use in a horror film? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7) What type of music would you use? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8) What types of shots would you say are most effective in a horror film?

Close-ups              Extreme close-ups                Medium shot              Long Shot      Wide shot

Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

9) What is your favorite horror film? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10) What are the main props that you would find effective in a horror film? Why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Institution Research - DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks is an American animation studio based in California. They create animation features in films and television programs which has resulted in them releasing 30 feature films. As of Novem,ber 2014, their features have made $12 billion worldwide.

Films produced by DreamWorks  were formally distributed world-wide by the live-action DreamWorks studio, then by Paramount Pictures, a subsidiary of Viacom, who acquired the live-action DreamWorks studio in February 2006, spinning it off again in 2008. In 2013, 20th century Fox, a subsidiary of 21st century Fox took over distribution of DreamWorks Animation films for a five year contract deal and so it will last until 2018.

Institution Research - Warner Brothers

Warner Brothers also known as Warner Bros is an American producer of films, television programs and  and music entertainment. The Warner Bros is made up of three brothers called Sam, Albert, Harry and Jack. The three brothers, Sam, Albert and Harry emigrated with their parents to North America with their parents. However, Jack being the youngest brother was born in London.

At the very start, the three brothers began in the movie theater business and so they had gone and brought a projector and so they could show films in mining towns.  Sam and Albert invested $150 to present Life of an American Fireman and The Great Train Robbery which lead them to opening their first ever theater called Cascade.

After a long period of ignoring Sam's request for sound, Harry agreed to accept Sam's demands, as long as the studio's use of synchronized sound was for background music purposes only. The Warner Brothers signed a contract with the sound engineer company Western Electric and established vita phone In 1926. Vita phone began making films with music and effects tracks.

The Genre Of My Film

The genre of my film is going to range at around 15 and above because it is going to be suitable for teenagers to watch. This is partly because they can relate it to their everyday lives as it is mainly teenagers that are in my film. By doing this is, I am aiming my film at a older teenage audience as this would be seen when watching my film. My film contains teenagers that are surrounded by beer cans suggesting that they were the ones that were drinking it, therefore, it would not be aimed at little children below the age of 12 as I do not want them to feel that it is acceptable to go to the woods and get drunk in their everyday lives.
Another reason why my film is an 15 is because it is involving a 'possessed' teenage girl which could associate with the horror genre, however, there is nothing significant that is going to happen to suggest that my film should be an 18.
I think that by putting the targeting the audience of teenagers, it is slightly widening the audience gap allowing more people to be able to watch it. My film does not contain any strong language and so would be suitable for the age that I have set my film at although if there was any strong language in it, it would be very minimal.

18

A film that is rated an 18 is a film that has been made for adults. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to buy or rent an 18 film and they are not allowed to go and watch an 18 in the cinema. If you do look under the age of 18, you may be asked for ID before being able to purchase a cinema ticket for an 18 film. None of the work done in an 18 film is suitable for children.
Adults are free to chose their own entertainment as long as the material that they are using is legal or not in anyway harmful to themselves or anyone around them. This therefore makes it possible that some themes that are included in an 18 rated film could come across as offensive to some of the viewers.

Issues that may be put into an 18 rated film:

* It may contain very strong language
* Frequent strong language throughout the film
* Clear views of sexual activity
* Horror scenes that many may find disturbing
* In some circumstances, there is visual scenes of sexual activity
* Discrimination that many people may find offensive and disturbing

15

No one under the age of 15 is allowed to buy or rent this film at all.. They are also not allowed to go and see a 15 in the cinema if they are younger than 15. No theme is put into the film that is being made as they assume that any scenes place in the film or video is suitable for a 15 year old to see.

What might be included in a 15 rated film?

* Strong violence
* Frequent strong language
* Sexual activity may be involved in a 15 rated film and strong suggestion of sex
* Nudity
* Drugs
* Behavior that would not be suitable for anyone under the age of 15.

There may be racist comments involved in a 15 film as they are at an age when they can be mature about the film and what is involved within it. Homophobic and other discrimination is also acceptable.

12A and 12

A 12A rating is only used for the films that are shown in cinemas. Films rated 12A are suitable for children 12 years and over. However, children aged younger than 12 are able to see a 12A film as long as they are accompanied by and adult.
The 12 rating is only found on DVD's and videos as no one younger than the age of 12 is allowed to buy or rent a 12 rated film.

Age rating issues for 12A and 12:

* The themes must be mature and their behavior in a film must be suitable for young teenagers.
* The language such as swear words like f*** are not allowed to be said throughout the whole film, however, it may be said once or twice in a 12/12A rated film.
* There is allowed to be nudity in a 12/12A film but it must be discreet if it implies that there is going to be sex involved. It also has to be brief whatever nudity is involved.
* Sex is allowed to be suggested but can trigger to what a 12 year old is thinking. It may also reflect to what they may hear in public or in school. Frequent rude suggested sex is not allowed as it is not allowed to effect a young teenager.

PG

PG stands for Parental Guidance which means that the film is suitable for people to generally watch the film but some of the scenes that are included within the film may not be suitable for young children to watch. Therefore, they would need the parents permission before they are allowed to watch the film. 

Not all PG films are made for a specific audience but it just means that it does not want to unsettle any children with some of the scenes and so it is up to the parents whether they would want their child to watch it or not. PG films will not generally include any scenes that will definitely upset a child but it may occur in a film. There may be bad language in a PG film but it would only be mild language such a 's**t' or 'son of a b***h'. 

Violence does not really occur in  PG film as that is the type of behavior that would be made in an older film and so the audience would know that it is not serious but it is not something that should be done in reality. 

Universal

The universal age certificate is suitable for everyone to watch. When this symbol is presented at the start of the film, it indicates to the audience that children do not need parental advisory to be able to watch it. Before the U symbol for the universal films, it used to be Uc which meant that children were able to watch films that had this certificate on it but it was not suitable for young children to watch it on their own, whereas now, they have made it and so young people do not have to have an adult present in order to watch it.

It is not necessarily U films that are aimed at young children as sometimes they are made for older people but this certificate just clarifies that young children do not have to leave the room when the film is on as they are able to see what is going on in the film. 

Planning Targets

Make sure that you are video blogging and evidencing every part of your planning and filming (which needs to be complete by the end of term). Delegate tasks to your group members and evidence your time management. A fantastic effort so far!

My Film Pitch

Narrative:
Abnormal activity is taking place within the middle of the woods. A group of friends are getting drunk. One friends comes back from the toilet and says that he saw a girl who looks possessed in the woods. His other friends go ahead to record the girl freaking out as what they see as a funny moment to see is the girl is still there. However, when they go to investigate, they find that in sight was only one of the girls in the groups expensive bracelet that she had lost when she was a child after what she thought was a dream. She turns round to her friends to confirm what she has just seen. When she tells them the story of her horrific dream as a child, unconvinced of her story, they turn back to their hangout. This is when they hear a snap of a twig although no one is around. Looking down they see that the bracelet had disappeared. Further on through the whistling trees, they see an outline of what looks like a teenage girl. In her right hand was the bracelet they had saw moments ago. Huddled together they realise a girl had gone missing from their group. Feeling the alcohol taking an effect to them in the humid air, their instincts tell them to run when they see the possessed girls face. When they fall they believe it is a tree but looking down they see that it is really the arm of a dead body belonging to their missing friends. Looking on further they begin to see the rest of the body pale white and muddy skin. This is the moment that they realize that it is not the drugs that is making them see like this.

Codes and Conventions of a horror film that is featured in the opening two minutes of my film:
The typical features in a horror film that I have used in my film is a dark place such as the woods. This is because I feel like this is the type of place that a good horror film is set because it is a peculiar setting and so it builds up tension from the natural noises around. My film is going to include an antagonist because this is a popular thing in a horror film and it is someone that makes it clear who they are and makes it clear that they are the villain throughout the film. The lighting in the film is usually dark and so this is something that is going to play a big part throughout the film as it is going to be set in they woods throughout the whole opening two minutes of the film. The sounds that are going to be in the film is going to be mainly diegetic sound which is the characters talking but also at the beginning when the characters are playing their own music off their from their phones etc.

Possible Settings:
The setting for my horror film is going to be set in the woods where it is dark and there is no one else around. This is because I want to build tension for the targeted audience but it would also build up the excitement for them. This would also spread panic across the audience as they are not sure of what is going to be happening next.

Characters

Chris - An 18 year old boy, he is the father of the group as he protects them and makes sure that they are all safe. As the action starts he is the one who tries to keep everyone calm and safe and he is the one that everyone turns to if they are in trouble.
Alex - Alex is the younger one that Chris is the first person to see the possessed girl. He is seen by everyone watching the film as slightly vulnerable and is in need of comfort after seeing the possessed girl.
Beth - Beth is the victim of the possessed girl in the movie. She is freaked out by her missing bracelet that is now found, she then lost from group and later found dead.
Harriet - Harriet is in this scene two subvert the stereotype of women, she is brave, strong and takes a leading role with Chris.
Brandy - Brandy is the shy one within the group although she is present in the scene she doesn't say anything but shows good body language that she is scared.
Elvira - This means the mistress of the dark whci portrays her character that is a girl who is possessed and is overwhelmed in evil.

Prop List
A girls bracelet
Beer cans (scattered across the floor)
Camera phone
Costumes
Makeup
Beats speaker where the teenagers are playng their music from

Opening Shots
I want the opening shot to start off in the woods as it will automatically draw the audience in to watch it as it may make them wonder why the film has started in the woods from the very begining. Also by making the opening shot where the film is going to be set, it will hint to the audience that it is a horror film as the lighting would be dark and the woods are generally spooky.

Suggested Mise-en-Scene
All of the characetrs are going to be in the shot from the very begining apart from Elvira as she is the one who has come to try and kill them. This is because i do not want to give any of the characters more prevalence more than the others unnessisarily. Also the characetrs are going to have equal parts, however, the person playing Elvira is going to seem like she is more important because she is different to the others and so people would see her differently. The characters are all going to be in their costumes and everythijng is going to be in place from when the camera is turned on and the recording starts.The camera is going to start off at an extream long shot because i want to show the audience the whole scene before the film starts. There  will be diegetic sound from the begining which will just be the characters voices and their music playing all in role.