Equipment/Technologies

Hardware (2 Camera Systems)

Prosumer SLR

Camera: Canon EOS 550D
Lenses: Canon 18-55mm, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 55-250mm
Tripods: Gorillapod, Aluminum Tripod

The advantages of using an SLR over a conventional camcorder is that they allow for a much more "filmic-look". They offer features such as 24p recording (for a more smoother motion) and due to the sensor size, a very shallow depth-of-field through the foreground/background out-of-focus (when using appropriate lenses such as the 50mm f/1.8).

HD Consumer Camcorder

Camera: Sony HDR-SR12E

The advantage of using a consumer-grade camcorder is that it has a rotatable screen to successfully shoot at awkward angles. Also, the depth-of-field is wide, and so is useful when needing to have everything in focus, without closing the aperture down to much. Finally, it covers a very acceptable range of focal lengths without having to change the lenses.

Software

Editing: iMovie '11
Grading: iMovie '11

We will use iMovie '11 to edit the footage that we shoot, and apply any titles, transitions and music that we need to. We will also use iMovie '11 to do the colour grading, which will involve both altering the colours to match the the mood of the sequence, as well as applying a "day-to-night" effect.

Signed Sam

Titles

While there are numerous variations most opening credits use some variation of the basic order^[4] noted within:

• (NAME OF THE STUDIO)

Name of the studio that is distributing the film and may or may not have produced it (Buena Vista, Columbia, Lions Gate, Universal, etc.).

• (NAME OF THE PRODUCTION COMPANY)

Name of the production company that actually made the film or name of the investment groups or companies that financed a substantial part of the film (usually credited as "in association with" or "A (studio name) production.").

• (PRODUCER NAME) PRODUCTION or/and (director only) A FILM BY (DIRECTOR NAME)

Director's first credit, often "a film by XY or "a XY film".

• STARRING

Principal actors, (Sometimes the stars' and director's credits will be reversed, depending on the star's deal with the studio; sometimes, as in the Rodgers and Hammerstein films, or as in all three film versions of Show Boat, or, as in many of Disney's films, the title of the film will be shown before the names of its actors).

• (FILM'S TITLE)

Name of the film.

• FEATURING

Featured actors.

• CASTING or CASTING BY

Casting director.

• MUSIC or MUSIC COMPOSED BY or ORIGINAL SCORE BY

Composer of music.

• PRODUCTION DESIGN or PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Production designer.

As a variation some of the below may be noted:

• SET DESIGN
• COSTUMES or COSTUMES BY or GOWNS (older movies)
• HAIRDRESSER
• MAKE-UP ARTIST
• SOUND RECORDING (older movies)
• VISUAL EFFECTS DIRECTOR or VISUAL EFFECTS BY

• EDITOR or EDITED BY

Editor.

• DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Director of photography.

• PRODUCER or PRODUCED BY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Producers, co-producers, executive producers, 'also produced by' (credited for various reasons according to contracts and personal scrutiny of the principal producer). Often, though, the name of the producer will be the next-to-last opening credit, just before the director's name is shown.

• BASED ON THE BOOK, (PLAY, GRAPHIC NOVEL etc.) BY or FROM A PLAY/BOOK BY (older movies)

If based on a book or other literary work.

• BASED ON THE CHARACTERS BY or BASED ON THE CHARACTERS CREATED BY

If based on characters from a book or other media.

• STORY or STORY BY

Person who wrote the story on which the script is based, gets "story by" credit, and the first screenplay credit, unless the script made substantial changes to the story.

• WRITER(S) or WRITTEN BY

Screenplay writers. The Writers Guild of America allows only three writing credits on a feature film, although teams of two are credited as one, separated on the credits by an ampersand ("X & Y"). If each works independently on the script (the most common system), they are separated by an "and". If more than two persons worked on the screenplay, the credits may read something like "screenplay by X & Y and Z and W" X and Y worked as a team, but Z and W worked separately.^[5]

• DIRECTOR or DIRECTED BY

Director. The Directors Guild of America permits a film to list only one director, even when it is known that two or more worked on it. Except in very rare cases (a death in mid-production) there is only one directing credit.

In the opening sequence of a film this is the usual order of credits. We will be following this as closely as we can to create and authentic sequence.  

Source: Wikipedia

Signed Charlotte 

The Number's

Over the time movies have been around many in the horror genre have been great ticket sellers im going to show you twenty of the top movies, then tell you why some of them have helped us to decide on the movie we were going to make.

Released	Movie Name	1st Weekend	US Gross	Worldwide Gross  ↑	Budget
12/14/2007	I am Legend	$77,211,321	$256,393,010	$585,055,701	$150,000,000
6/20/1975	Jaws	$7,790,627	$260,000,000	$470,700,000	$12,000,000
12/26/1973	The Exorcist	-	$204,632,868	$402,500,000	$12,000,000
2/9/2001	Hannibal	$58,003,121	$165,092,266	$350,100,280	$87,000,000
9/10/2010	Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D	$26,650,264	$60,128,566	$288,928,566	$57,500,000
7/14/1999	The Blair Witch Project	$1,512,054	$140,539,099	$248,300,000	$600,000
10/18/2002	The Ring	$15,015,393	$129,094,024	$248,218,486	$48,000,000
11/11/1994	Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles	$36,389,705	$105,264,608	$223,564,608	$50,000,000
11/13/1992	Dracula	$30,521,679	$82,522,790	$215,862,692	$40,000,000
8/10/2001	The Others	$14,089,952	$96,522,687	$209,947,037	$17,000,000
6/16/1978	Jaws 2	$9,866,023	$102,922,376	$208,900,376	$20,000,000
11/19/1999	Sleepy Hollow	$30,060,467	$101,068,340	$207,068,340	$70,000,000
5/25/1979	Alien	$3,522,581	$80,930,630	$203,630,630	$9,000,000
9/25/2009	Paranormal Activity	-	$107,918,810	$196,681,656	$15,000
8/4/2000	Hollow Man	$26,414,386	$73,209,340	$191,200,000	$90,000,000
10/22/2004	The Grudge	$39,128,715	$110,359,362	$187,281,115	$10,000,000
8/28/2009	The Final Destination	$27,408,309	$66,477,700	$185,777,700	$40,000,000
7/23/1999	The Haunting	$33,435,140	$91,188,905	$180,188,905	$80,000,000
12/20/1996	Scream	$6,354,586	$103,046,663	$173,046,663	$15,000,000

this is a table of the top twenty box office hits we have taken the idea's from movies such as "The blair witch project" which involves teenagers being killed off one by one which is what our film takes small parts from another movie we take parts from is "Scream" as it involves a slasher that no-one seems to be able to trace. Which again we have used in our movie. we again take loosely about the "final destination" as it involves teenagers being killed off yet again.

Signed Luke

Film Studio Research

It is necessary to find a film studio to distribute the film. In order to establish the most suitable, I will investigate which of the main studios is most relevant to the genre/style of film we are creating. I will therefore analyze each of the major six Hollywood film studios, by finding out what film genres they produce,

Warner Bros. Pictures

Market Share (2009): 20.1%
Highest Profitable Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($960,996,492)
Genres: Adventure/Horror (House on Haunted Hill, The Shining)

20th Century Fox

Market Share (2009): 16.1%
Highest Profitable Film: Avatar ($2,778,464,644)
Genres: Sci-fi/Action

Paramount Pictures

Market Share (2009): 14.3%
Highest Profitable Film: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ($836,303,693)
Genres: Action/Adventure/Sci-fi

Columbia Pictures

Market Share (2009): 14.1%
Highest Profitable Film: Spider-Man 2 ($783,705,001)
Genres: Action/Sci-fi

Walt Disney Pictures / Touchstone Pictures

Market Share (2009): 11.9%
Highest Profitable Film: Alice in Wonderland ($1,023,291,110)
Genres: Fantasy

Universal Studios

Market Share (2009): 10.0%
Highest Profitable Film: Robin Hood ($311,920,798)
Genres: War/Drama/Action

On reflection of this information, it would be most suitable to use Warner Bros. Pictures to distribute our film as it has been known to distribute from both the 'horror' and 'adventure' genres, and our film is a horror film with an underlying adventure to discover the truth. Our film is of a similar nature to The Shining in the use of merely hand-held/steady-shot shots. Also, this film studio had the biggest market share in 2009, and given that low-budget British films fail to reach large audiences simply based on the marketing, it makes sense to try and reach the widest audience.

Signed Sam

Target Audience (Relevant Media Theory)

Our Target Audience for our opening sequence for our film would be around 15-34 year olds. This is mainly because the regular percentage of cinemagoers are 15-34 year olds with the percentage of 41.5%
   The main gender stereotypically speaking is males. I'd say this because of in most horror films there is usually a "lust" interest, another words, nudity of a young woman stereotypically a blonde young woman. Another reason is maybe because males are not "scared" as easily as females are and so prefer to go and spend there money on a film that they will enjoy and where he can feel "protective" over his wife/girlfriend (stereotypically).
    The socio-economic status for our film would be around C2, D and E. I believe this because our film is a stereo typical horror film with typical codes and conventions of a horror film, therefore being a lower class, working class/student type of film.

Signed Ryan

Sam's Opening Sequences

In this opening sequence, time and place are established through the use of a news report. Events that have just been shown to the audience are discussed in a news report and therefore demonstrates a creative way of revealing this information. There are several enigmas that are set up in the sequence, such as: 'Why is the surgeon torturing patients?', 'Why did he initiate the lock-down mechanism?' etc. The sequence sets up the initial equilibrium which is that the doctors are successfully torturing patients, before the disruption comes in the form of them breaking out. The ideology that 'innocent people should not be tortured' is quite dominant throughout the news report, showing that it is an unacceptable act. The opening sequence does not introduce the main characters, but it introduces the events that will later affect them. The opening sequence demonstrates the conventions of a generic horror film, in that the chosen location is a dark, old hospital with torture occurring. The characters are also generic of this, as there is a definite line between 'innocent' and 'evil'. Also, specific camera angles have been used for effect, such as high-angle shots in order to carry connotations of power, and to show that the subjects of the frame are helpless. Overall, this sequence follows the generic conventions of both opening sequences, and the genre in question.

In this opening sequence, time and place are established through the use of an overhead panning shot. There are several enigmas that are set up in the sequence, such as: 'Where is the car driving to?', and when the car arrives at it's destination, "what is the large building?. The sequence sets up the initial equilibrium which is that the car is driving along the road without any disruption. The ideology that 'innocent people should not be tortured' is quite dominant throughout the news report, showing that it is an unacceptable act. The opening sequence does not introduce any characters, but it introduces the location and setting for the film in much detail. Also, specific camera angles have been used for, such as high-angle establishing shots, filmed entirely using a steady-cam. Perhaps the use of the steady-cam is to suggest the unstable flowing mentality in the film. Overall, this sequence creates enigmas in that not very much is revealed, which would leave the audience anticipating resolutions.

Signed Sam

Preliminary task

In our preliminary task we started out just filming a few shots which included Luke walking down a corridor, opening a door, entering a room, walking across the room then sitting down for a convosation with Charlotte. During the convosation Ryan and Sam filmed at a 180'  angle using the 180' rule, which is to only film at one side of a invisible line. Also, Ryan and Sam filmed the convosation three times; first time was at a 90' angle, the second and third time were filmed at 180' at either side of both Charlotte and Luke. 

    We then uploaded the video onto the Mac and then edited it all. We cut bits from when Ryan and Sam filmed 3 convosations so that they all fitted perfectly in rhythm. We all then put the clips in order so they ran through smoothly and like a proper short film.

    Even though we cut the videos up there was still some errors in it. One was that when Luke sat down (just) the video skipped to the next scene and he was fully sat with his hands under his chin. Even though it is a simple mistake it's still noticeable. The other was when Ryan was filming over Luke's shoulder there was a bit when his hair goes in the way of the camera slightly. Another slight, simple mistake but, again, still noticeable.  

Signed Sam, Luke, Charlotte, Ryan

Opening Sequence: Form & Functions

Opening Sequence: Form & Functions

As the opening sequence of the film is probably the most important - due to the initial impression it leaves on the audience - it is important to include specific features. It must establish the place and time that the film is set. Also, it should introduce and establish the characters - or usually the main protagonist at least. It is important that the opening sequence establishes specific aspects theorized by media theorists Todorov and Barthes. Therefore the sequence must set-up the initial equilibrium, that will later be disrupted, as well as creating many enigmas that will leave the audience wanting answers. The opening sequence must introduce any ideologies that will be present throughout the film, and set-up audience expectations (e.g. plot, style/media language). But mostly, the opening sequence should reassure the audience by demonstrating the conventions of the chosen genre.

Signed Sam

Charlottes opening scenes

Texas chainsaw massacre




Texas chainsaw massacre, this is set in the american out back. Its very isolated and not many people are around. This is generic for this type of film because its creates a isolation of the characters and brings fear and mystery of what's going to happen. The camera shots are very still and stiff this suggests bad things are going to happen to disrupt equilibrium. In this opening scene it introduces the main characters, by making them out to be the victim. This however can set up an enigma as to what is going to disrupt the equilibrium. Maybe this give the impression that people who live in the texas out back are deranged.

The Grudge 2






















The Grudge 2 is set in japan in an abandon house. The red writing carries connotations of blood, this suggests the genre of the film. The disturbing sounds suggest unease and fear. The flashing creates disorientation in the audience and makes them nervous as to what events may occur. During the course of the trailer a gothic image is played constantly throughout, this creates an enigma. Without this there would not be a build in tension.

Signed Charlotte

Ryans opening scenes

day 2

we have been viewing some opening sequences for horror films which stereotypically show the codes and conventions of the common horror film.

The Ring opening

The hills have eyes trailer (Original)


In both of these videos the stereotypical codes and conventions are very similar but are shown in different ways. For example, in "The Ring" opening there is no music to make the audience feel tension and concern for the character. Also the camera angles are used in a particular way to make the audience think about what's going to happen next, where will the character go, what will they do. The lighting is used in a similar way to the camera angles to also cause tension between the character, the events and the audience. The opening links to Todorovs narrative structure when it starts of with the teenage girl stood in the kitchen making food, just like everyday, this is the equilibrium. She then goes into the living room and notices that the T.V isn't working. This starts the disruption, it all goes down hill from here, and it ends up with her getting killed, we see no re-equilibrium.

In "The Hills Have Eyes" trailer we see the location of the film and how a lot of the camera and lighting techniques are used throughout the film. We do not get a clear sense of understanding of Todorovs narrative theory but we can tell that it is a horror film from the stereotypical screams of girls, setting, mis-en-scene and remote location.

Signed Ryan

Initial Idea

Day 1
We are making a 2 minute opening sequence to a horror movie. The genre that we have chosen to use is a whodunit? We have decided to use a forest or the country to film our sequence. Our aim is to attract teenagers to people in their mid twenties, that is our target audience.
      The sequence will start of with a person being chased through the forest by a unknown entity, this creates an enigma as to who is chasing the person. The person then falls into the trap of the unknown entity, they will then scream and the sequences fades into black only to reappear in the morning at a campsite of a bunch of teenagers. During the course of filming we will use video editing to give a grainy effect. This will enhance the viewing quality of the sequence.

singed luke and charlotte