planning

Initial Ideas

We decided to choose the film trailer as our production piece because we are all interested in films. Therefore it will be rewarding to see how our trailer turns out. Our initial ideas were either to do a trailer based on the horror or a Thriller genre, this is because we have watched a lot of films about these genres and have a good understanding of the conventions of the genres. The two Ancillary tasks that we decided to pick were the film poster and the film magazine front cover.

The sound that we will use for our trailer will be from royalty free (copyright free) websites, we will select the music that typically reflects the genre but also links with our film trailer, we will also try to get different sound effects to reflect the mood/atmosphere in the trailer in order to tell the story in the short time period.

In terms of marketing we would look for similar designs to the film ‘The Purge’ poster as this reflects the genre well and it is clear to see that it is based on a horror film. The image is the background of the face is an idea we are contemplating in using our poster or magazine cover. Finally for our narrative we had the idea of a hitchhiker that is a serial killer and attempts to kill his victims which will begin as a chase scene. Another idea we had was a hostage situation however this is more of a thriller, the group and I are likely to do a horror based film. Our last narrative idea was when someone turns psycho and begins attacking his/her group of friends.

Some films that we thought about getting ideas from were 'The shining' , 'The Purge' and 'The Gift' as these are all horror films with a similar storyline to what we wanted to show in our trailer. The film would be focussed at both genders however the audience would have to be over the age of 15 as some scenes may not be suitable for younger people, our audience would also be interested in horror films and 'jump scares'. Therefore our audience would be between B and D on the 'socio economic scale' as people in group A are heavily involved in work therefore will have little time to watch films and people in group E are mainly old so horror films typically wouldn't interest them. Finally for target audience out of the '4c's' people that would watch our film would have personality types of an explorer, Aspirer and a mainstreamer.

  Title ideas

This was our initial idea for the font we would use for the title of our film, the typography is fairly bold and clear therefore will be memorable to the audience and will catch their attention. The style of font is conventional of other horror films therefore we know it would be relevant to our film title. The only issue with the font is that it is only available in capital letters.
 

This font is similar to the last one however it is much more enhanced and clearer for the audience to read. The font is sans serif and is also conventional to other film title fonts for example Insidious.

The font above is also all in capitals and similarly to the previous title it is bold so once again it will  stand out to our target audience. The text itself isn’t as clear because of the splatters coming off of the text that could be used to connote blood if the colour of the text would be changed to red. This would be a convention to other horror films as well.

This font is different from some of the others we have evaluated as it has closer characteristics to a serif font and the text isn't bold however the use of the flicks at the end of each letter makes the text more unique and unconventional for other horror films.

 

Risk Assessment

This is our risk assessment form making our actors aware of the dangers and risks of appearing in our film. This was required as we need to explore all possible situations that our actors may encounter that could cause harm to them. By making them aware of the situation, we are reducing the chance of them getting any injuries.

 

Model Release form

We only required one model release form, as all of the other actors are in our group therefore we don't need any other release form.

Media Equipment

The camera will be the main piece of equipment that we will use for our production as it will be used for the filming itself of our production. This camera records in high quality and is easy for us to use therefore our final piece will look more professional and will be completed to a higher quality.

Our second piece of equipment that I will use is the tripod which is very effective at keeping our shots steady and prevents shaking once again making our production look more professional once again.

We will use the voice recorder in order to enhance the sound from our trailer to make it clearer for the audience to hear, This would be most effective through the use of voiceovers and other diegetic sounds like wind or snapping branches which would be very effective for us and our production.

 

We have used the mac to collect all of the pieces of footage and images we have taken using the cameras and once collected, we then used the mac to edit our production and add other sounds that we have recorded through the voice recorder.

We have used I movie and final cut to edit our production once all of the pieces of footage have been recorded. These pieces of software in particular are quick and easy to use. As we our accomplished at using this technology it means that our final product will look more professional once all of the finishing touches have taken place.

Free sound is a website that allows us to download small segments of sound therefore provides an alternative to using the voice recorder. There is a wide range choices on the website meaning that we can pick the sound that is best suited to our trailer making the sound have a greater effect on the audience.

Google has been the most important piece of technology that I have used for the production of our film. As this was used for almost every research task which allowed me to gather information of other horror films which I could compare our ideas to and use this to help me create my final production

Location

The alley way will be used for a sequence of shot which introduces the antagonist during the trailer, The alley way leaves the victim seem isolated and trapped therefore the location is suitable to our horror film and is similar to other conventions. During this short sequence of shots the victim is being followed by the antagonist and informs the audience what will happen later in the film.

This location shot is of an everyday suburban room which makes the protagonist relatable to the audience because the location is of a suburban location. During this shot the protagonist is unaware of what is happening around him as he is being targeted by the antagonist.

This location is of the front of the protagonists house and during this scene the audience should experience a shock as the antagonist appears and disappears creating tension as the antagonist doesn't know where he has gone.

The alley way is used in our production as a short chase scene between the antagonist and the protagonist. Once again this location would make the antagonist seem isolated and therefore vulnerable to the antagonist making the atmosphere tense.

 Poster Draft

Institutional regulations

Flash Card Deck created by chapman-j-2 with GoConqr

Costumes

These items will be worn by our antagonist. The clothes will be in dark colours as this is conventional for horror films therefore it will help the audience identify the genre easily from our trailer. We have used some of the costume as its purpose is to hide the antagonists identity in order to create a scary atmosphere in the film as the audience don't know what he looks like.

-Protagonist

 

Our protagonist will be wearing casual clothing so that the audience can relate to the character therefore this will allow for the character to link to the target audience.  

Props

One of the props that we will use is a letter. This occurs around half way through the trailer when it gets posted through the letter box. The letter contains a message from the antagonist intended to inform the protagonist that he is being targeted. The purpose of this being shown in the trailer is to inform the audience who is in danger.

Script

IN THE SHADOWS

By Joe Chapman, Liam Nixon & Jack Munn

Fade IN:

EXT. alleyway opening – Gloomy, Long Shot, Mid Shot

SHAUN is walking towards the alleyway and looks over his shoulder after hearing a disturbing noise and is cautious that someone is following him. Shaun is 17, average height with brown hair and he is dressed in casual garments. Reluctantly he proceeds to walk down the alleyway located in a sub urban location. The weather was typical of a British winter, AS it was cold and crisp, the brisk wind penetrated SHAUN’S skin.

EXT. Alleyway – Day, Medium Close up, Low angle shot

SHAUN is seen walking down the alleyway. He picks up a brisk pace as he is evidently cautious after being startled by the noise he heard earlier. A mysterious figures foot can be seen following SHAUN down the alleyway.

EXT. ALLEYWAY- DAY, HAND HELD POINT OF VIEW SHOT

The mysterious figure gradually stalks SHAUN slowly gaining distance on its target. SHAUN is blissfully unaware of his impending trouble. A scream is heard as the screen turns black.

 INT.SCHOOL,DAY,LONG SHOT                                                

SULLIVAN (a 17 year old boy, is relatively tall, has brown hair and is also dressed in casual clothing) is sitting down with JEREMIAH (also 17, tall with ginger hair and is dressed in casual clothing also) a friend from college talking about the death of SHAUN.                                                
JEREMIAH – “I can’t believe SHAUN died last night”                                  
SULLIVAN – “I Know I just can’t get over it”                    

INT. HOME, LIVING ROOM, MEDIUM LONG SHOT WHICH TURNS INTO PANNING SHOT

SULLIVAN is relaxing on the sofa watching TV. The noise of the letterbox having something pushed through it is heard, Sullivan has a confused look on his face as it is around 3:00pm and he knows that the post does not get delivered at this time.

Sullivan is seen getting up out of the chair and walking towards the door to see what was pushed through the letterbox.

Fade to Black

                                                          

INT. HOME, Hallway, MEDIUM SHOT, MID SHOT

SULLIVAN walks into the shot and bends down to pick up the mysterious note that had just been posted, he then proceeds to walk away having a quick glance at the letter as he passes.

INT. HOME, LIVING ROOM, CLOSE UP, MID SHOT                                         
SULLIVAN proceeds to look at the letter and a concerned look can be seen on his face as a result of the content of the unusual letter.                                          
SULLIVAN – “What the...”     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          EXT. GARDEN, HAND HELD POINT OF VIEW SHOT                   
this shot is from the antagonist’s point of view and shows him getting closer and closer to SULLIVAN who can be seen reading the intimidating letter he had just received, SULLIVAN is unaware of the presence of the antagonist.

                                                                               
INT. HOME, HALLWAY, MEDIUM LONG SHOT                                           
SULLIVAN sprints into the shot to get to the telephone in order to make an emergency call after being stalked by the antagonist.    

                                                                                                       INT. HOME, HALLWAY, MEDIUM CLOSE UP  

SULLIVAN is seen dialling the phone as he calls 999 in a panic after he has received the letter. 

                                    

EXT. PATH LEADING TO UNDERPASS, MEDIUM CLOSE UP                         
The antagonist is shown slowly looking up at the camera in an isolated location, the antagonist is hooded in dark colours and is wearing a ski mask to cover up his face and remain unknown to the audience and the protagonist thus removing the human element that can connect him with both the protagonist and audience.

EXT. ISOLATED PATHWAY, MEDIUM CLOSE UP

SULLIVAN runs past the camera and looks back with a shocked and terrified expression as he has just seen the antagonist and fears for his life.

EXT. UNDERPASS, LONG SHOT

Sullivan is shown running down the underpass at some speed consistently checking over his shoulder. It is then revealed he is doing this because the hooded figure/ antagonist is seen following and hunting him down. The fact that the antagonist is only walking makes it all the more frightening because it’s as if the antagonist knows that he will catch SULLIVAN no matter what.

INT. UPSTAIRS BEDROOM, HAND HELD POINT OF VIEW SHOT

SULLIVAN is upstairs in his bedroom when he gazes out of his window only to see the mysterious antagonist on the driveway. Shocked SULLIVAN thrashes the curtains across in the hope that he is only dreaming and when he opens the curtains the antagonist is gone. In shock SULLIVAN exclaims…

SULLIVAN- “W… Where’s he gone?”

EXT. SULLIVAN’S CAR, LONG SHOT CHANGES TO OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT TO MEDIUM CLOSE UP SHOT

SULLIVAN gets in his car and is about to drive off from college when suddenly the antagonists hand hits the window. SULLIVAN jumps in his seat and the screen quickly cuts to the title.

                      

END OF TRAILER   

Shooting schedule

 

Storyboard

Storyboard Analysis

The first shot that I will analyse is shot number 2. This shot is very effective as it is where the character Shaun is seen coming into the shot as he walks past and an unknown foot appears after this that is following Shaun, this is the antagonist. This shot is effective because it alerts the audience that Shaun is being followed therefore the audience know that he is in danger, At the time the audience are unaware that it is the antagonist following Shaun so it makes them as a question of 'Who is following Shaun'?.

Shot number 9 is also a very effective shot as it is from the antagonists point of view. During this shot the antagonist walks slowly towards the window that Sullivan is visible through however he is unaware that the antagonist is there. Once again this puts the antagonist in a much more superior position and during this shot he remains the more powerful of the characters. This shot also informs the audience that Sullivan is in danger as he is unaware of the antagonists presence.

Shot 12 is the first shot during the trailer where the audience can get a close look at the antagonist and see what he looks like. The antagonist slowly looks up at the camera which is intended to make a lasting impression on  the audience due to the scary manner in which the antagonist looks up and stares at the audience.

Shot 14 is very important as it shows Sullivan running away from the antagonist who is walking in a superior manner and following Sullivan. Once again this connotes that the antagonist is very powerful and is a much more superior character.

The final shot that i will analyse is shot number 18 which is a close up shot of Sullivan about to start his car when a hand bangs on the window. This acts as a jump scare to the audience as it is unanticipated however it relates to the letter previously seen in shot 8 that says ;'I will always find you'.

Brand Identity

Brand identity is how that business wants to be perceived by consumers. The components of the brand (name, logo, tone, tagline and typeface) are created by the business to reflect the value the company is trying to bring to the market and to appeal to its customers.

We want our trailer to be recognised as a horror film rather than a thriller, We have shown this brand through the poster, magazine and the trailer which contains jump scares making the audience aware that it is from a horror film. The character that we want to be the main focus of our brand identity would be the antagonist. This is because he is the most memorable character, because of this the antagonist will be the centre of our marketing campaign as he will appear in the poster and the magazine. On the magazine cover the antagonist can be seen hiding behind a tree stalking the antagonist which gives the audience a sense that it is related to the horror film and it is obvious that he is the antagonist. As our antagonist is so unique the audience will remember him more as he is more iconic.

The goggles and ski mask that the antagonist is seen wearing will become a form of iconography for the recognition of the antagonist. This removes the human element that relates him to the audience therefore he will have a bigger effect on them as he will appear scarier which will make the antagonist more memorable overall.