Short film analysis 'Dipper'

At the start of the short film you gather that the man who is narrating from the start is in control of the situation as when he is observing his surroundings and the woman. But when you see the woman robbing the man's wallet you get a feeling something is different about this woman.
 When the man finally confronts the woman and later takes her belongings you get a sense that he has become victorious in what he wanted to achieve. Soon after he obtains the woman’s belongings a police officer approaches him enquiring what he is an rush for, the police officer finds out the man has taken the purse from the woman. We next find out that the woman swapped her own pure with the dying mans wallet, making the police officer believe that it was the man's widow that was robbed by the man. Which later leaves us asking the question why she robbed the man, also how she knew she was going to get robbed?

Film company logo development

Design 1.

                                                                          Design 2.

Film Magazine research

For my project in media i have had to create a horror film trailer, i also need to include a magazine for my film idea. To get any idea of what i need to include on my film magazine i have gathered information on two world famous film magazines 'Empire magazine' and 'Total Film magazine'.

This is the latest edition of Empire.

• I really like the bold Masthead and the colour it is in it stands out extremely well.
• I also like how there is little text around the front page this helps the main image stand out better.

                                                    

                                                         This is Total Films latest magazine.



Here is a list of other interesting film magazines i found.

    

          

• When considering my front cover for my film magazine i must include my film as the main image.
• I have decided to have the stalker as the sole image on the front cover. I will either have a long shot or a close up of the killers mask.
• The background i am choosing will be dark either pitch black or i will take the image in my attic or another ill lighted area of my home.
•  The Magazines name which is yet undecided will be underneath the main image but will be a primary colour standing out.
• I will have other new and upcoming films arounf the front page this is to give the audience the feel that it is a real magazine.

Trailer Storyboard

Here is our Film's trailer storyboards from the beggining to end.

Horror Trailers.

Scream 4

Things i found interesting about this trailer were;

• There was a deep dark base of music that began around 7 seconds into the trailer directly after when the film production company appeared on screen, I think this is a good piece of editing and i feel it if i put this into my own work it would make it appear more proffessional.
• There is quick cuts between every scene. I am using this tecnique in my own trailer.
• Also there are edits that include quotes like 'One movie redifined fear' I am also using a technique like this.
• When the quotes appear on screen, this was accompanied with the scream mask i feel this is a clever thing to do in the trailer.

The Strangers

• I found it clever how it started off with smooth soothing music effects but then quickly changed to sudden deep sounding thump which works well and breaks up the feeling of safety, a good method into giving people a false sense of security.
• It introduces the films two protagonists early on so the audience can instantly recognise them.
• I felt the rising suspense built up in the background sound rises the suspense in the audience.

One Missed Call

• I find it clever how the trailer instantly starts off with a phone call it is useful this quickly links with the film’s title.
• The edits at the end are extremely fast, this helps emphasise the films suspense
• Also there is many distorted faces within the trailer which are scary and makes the audience become shocked. You never really get to see what the bad guy or killer or evil spirit is, this adds to the films anticipation of what it is.

Research into Production logo's.

Here are a few images of famous logos around the world; these could possibly lead to ideas for my own logo. As my film fits into the horror genre. I and my partner feel that we should have a dark production logo i.e. the actual image and the background colour.

Practice Filming.

Tuesday 23rd Novermber

In this lesson I went to Sutton Park with my media partner Danny to practice some shots and find the best locations for our scene where the stalker is watching the boy from on top of a hill top. This helped a lot as I have never filmed a short sequence with a video camera. One sequence we videoed was where I am standing in a wood looking at my phone trying to make a phone call, then i hear a loud scuffling in the wood and turn and run, then the camera quickly followed me as if it was the stalker chasing after me.

Detailed plans monday the 15th November

- Location
Sutton Park, just before duck
Friends house, at night

- Props
Telephone,Television

-Actors
Yet to be decided

-Lighting
Natural lighting from outside, just before it gets very dark.
Lighting from the house i.e. light bulbs etc.

-Script
The script has been written

Camera angles in horror films.

Camera angles
- They are often pov shots from the killer's perspective, following their victims.
- Also they can be often hidden behind objects i.e. a killer could be watching their victim from behind a tree.
- There can be extreme close ups of the victim's face as they scream.
- Often you will find a shot in a horror film of the killer looking down ontop of the person i.e. from ontop of a hill, they will remain unseen and this adds to the mystery of the killer. I am using a shot like this in my trailer.
- You may find the camera looking up at the killers face from a low point, this may emphasise the killers power of the victim and show's who is in control.

Lighting in horror films.

Lighting in horror films- Typically they are often set in dark isolated places.
- Dark shadows.
- Dark corners, forbidden places and alleys.
- Also the weather often reflects the films mood i.e. thunder & lightening this is known as "Pathetic Fallacy".
- Lack of lighting in a scene to add to the tension and suspense.
- There may be added light to emphasise something more i.e. a killer's face/mask.

Ideas for our production logo

Our first idea was D&D productions. Mine and Danny’s first initials put together.

Another idea was to have D.A. pictures which is mine and Danny’s first and second initials i changed this as other people are considering similar production logo's to our own and felt it is better to be different.

Lastly there was the idea to have our production logo to be called Damn. Pictures. This relates to mine and Danny’s name being merged into one.

Film questionnaire

The average age we asked was between 16-23.

There were 3 males and 3 females that took part of my questionnaire.

50% of the people placed the horror genre as their favourite.

For the rating of the film's plotline. 4 people voted it as a good plotline, 1 voted for it being an okay plotline and there was a very poor rating as well.

People's favourite horror films consisted of the saw genre 'final destination' the horror classic 'the shining' 'Halloween' and finally '28 days later'.

People remarked that to make a good horror film it must include a lot of tension, suspense an eerie soundtrack and gore.

5 out of 6 people voted for the trailer being called 'Pursued' and one voted for 'look behind'.

For the length of a whole film 4 out of the 6 voted for 2 hours in length the remaining to prefer 1 and a half hours and 3 hours +.

Conclusion
I have noticed that the horror genre is quite a popular genre with other people my age this relates to it being my preferred genre as well. Also the 'Saw films' was rated popular within my questionnaire and I also like these films.

Codes and conventions of horror movies

This type of genre strives to produce fear and apprehension from their viewers by colliding supernatural into reality situations. Everything a normal society values is systematically destroyed throughout the film. It often can be completely paranormal without any reality whatsoever and are based on classic literature of the gothic/horror genre. They can also incorporate elements of other genres such as science fiction (sci-fi), fantasy, black comedies or thriller. Modernized horrors usually contain graphic violence or bloody gore. Horror films differentiate due to the years and so it is much harder to compare or group them largely and so contrasts between them become very clear. Preliminary introduction into ordinary lifestyle.

•  Type of bizarre murder/death – killer maybe known or unknown
•  Credits follow horror theme – creepy font, title movement, image eg pumpkin, weapon, etc
•  Main characters introduced – young/ youthful
•  Teenage kids – easy target also vulnerable – home alone
•  Teenagers usually a couple – football jock boyfriend and cheerleader blonde bimbo girlfriend.
•  Mysterious phone calls – dubbed sinister voice “Who’s There…?”
•  Family ties broken
•  Sisters killed by brothers e.g: Halloween
•  Sometimes unsuccessful acts of heroism
•  Victim unprotected
•  Superhuman killer – doesn’t die successfully = sequels

Resident Evil Afterlife powerpoint

I created this powerpoint after researching the promotion for the film Resident Evil After Life. I found that this was helpful as I could think about ideas on how to promote my own film.

Production company's

Twisted Pictures is a production company, mainly creating films of the horror genre. It gained wide attention through the production of the saw series.

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation (commonly referred to as Lionsgate) is a Canadian-American entertainment company. it's notable films are american psycho, 3:10 to yuma and employee of the month.

Summit Entertainment  is a American film studio headquartered in Universal city, California. notable films is the twilight series the 2008 miced martial arts film never back down and the comedy sex drive.

United Artists Corporation (UA) is an American film studio which produced the james bond's series, the amityville horror and valkyrie.

Focus films is a successful film company which has made films such as Being John Malkovich, Billy Elliot, pride and prejudice and broke back mountain.

Paranormal activity

Paranormal Activity

We were asked to analyse Paranormal Activity for a number of aspects.

How the characters were established:
The characters were established throught the dialogue and conversation. The setting also has an effect on the establishing. We can see that they are a couple and they live together. We also find out about the Psycic through conversation and we find out more about the woman's childhood through the conversation with him.

Consider how setting is used:
It makes it clear to us they are a couple. A modern normal house so it doesn't appear as a house that would be haunted by usual standards. The use of mirrors, stares, shadows, knives and dark corners are all the key signifiers and add to the feeling of enigma.

Audience Feedback

Audience Feedback

 

We have been going round and showing people our work so far and then asking for their opinion on it. This is useful in work because it gives you an early indication of how people think your film is going to end up.

We asked people that were representative of our target audience, young adults and adults.

Sarah McGreal, 43: "The storyline sounds original and interesting. It sounds like the camera shots and angles are very professional. The drawings give you a good indication of how the story is going to unfold and they are detailed.

Billy Spink, 14: It sounds like something I've seen before. It sounds good though and I like the name of it.

Joey Spink, 19: It sounds like it could be a very scary film. The editing seems to be well thought out and looks like you have put a lot of time into you planning. The storyline sounds interesting and detailed and makes me want to go and see the film. It looks like it follows the general codes and conventions of a horror film.

Joshua Guest, 17: Your blogs are detailed and there are a lot of different posts about all the planning you have done. I like it so far.

Daniel Kiernan, 18: I sounds like it will be funny as well as scary. Not really sure if that's what you're going for though. It looks good though.

Peter Jackson, 42: I don't really like horror films but this looks really good. I think I would actually go and watch this..

Sarah Hall, 43: Could do with a bit more description of the action.
The lighting could do with a bit more description and more detail added to it. Sound FX need to describe a little more what the humming in the background is.
Camera Movement: Good detail on camera movement.
Camera Angle and lighting has good detail.
Good costumes notes and well detailed in saying what the boy is wearing.

Todorov's theory

Todorov

Tzvetan Tororov is a man that had many theories of the way that narratives work in films. He looked at all the different stages of a film and made a theory about them. He said that regardless of the genre, a film can be broken into 5 different parts for analysis.

Equilibrium - The setting is established, key characters are introduced and the story line is set up.
Disruption - Oppositional characters appear and the story takes a particular direction.
Recognition of disruption - The lives of the characters and events are interwoven. Tension builds up throughout this section, which is often the longest.
Attempt to repair disruption - The highest point of tension after which there is a change in dynamic.
Reinstatement of Equilibrium - Matters are sorted out, problems are solved and questions are answered.

Example:

        Emily was sick of waiting around for a wimpy prince to come and ask her for her hand in marriage, so she decided to find one for herself. She soon came upon a dragon who was singeing the top of a freckle-faced boy's head.
        Being a resourceful princess, Emily set a trap for the dragon and then tricked him into following her.
        "You're just a silly girl, and even though it's hardly worth it, I'm going to toast you to a crisp and have you for pudding!" boomed the dragon. Just then the branched he was standing on gave way, and he fell down a very deep well, his fire put out once and for all.
        Emily returned to the boy. "What's your name?" She asked.
        "Prince Matthew," said the boy.
        "That'll do nicely," said Emily. "Where do you live?"
        "In Happy-Ever-After," he replied.
        "That'll do nicely too," said Emily. And with that, she and Matther tode off together to Happy-Ever-After.

Script

Script

Scene 1: Front door goes, no one is there..
Scene 2: Sutton Park hill.
For our trailer we will need a script for the actors to follow.

Scene 1:
Ed is sitting on the sofa watching the television with his girlfriend, Lawna.
Ed: Right! What film do you want to watch?
There is a selection of DVD cases laid out on the table.
Lawna: I don't mind, honest. You choose.
Ed: But, I chose last time!
(Camera slowly makes its way around the room as an establishing shot)
Door is knocked. Ed sighs and makes his way to the front door, as he opens it he realises that there is no one stood there. He looks around to see if anyone is there, it is dark out.
(There is a close up of the boy at the front door)
(The camera then cuts and goes to the stalkers point of view watching Ed looking round the front of the house)

Scene 2:
Ed is walking down a pathway with Lawna through Sutton Park.
The stalker is watching the from the top of a hill (POV SHOT)
Ed: What time is that movie then?
Lawna: (Looks at watch) We have 25 minutes to get there.
Ed: Well, we'd better get a move on then love.
Lawna: Ok.
As they pick up the speed of thier walk, it switches back to the view of the stalker and there is heavy breathing.

Scene 3:
Ed has just got back from a night out. He is walking through the empty house with the lights off and all of a sudden the phone rings.
(Ed walks over to the phone and picks it up)
Ed: Hello?
(No one replies and there is only heavy breathing that can be heard.
Ed: Hello? Who's this?

Story Board

Location:- Sutton park
- Oliver's house

Props:
- Mask for killer.

Music:- Deep hum in the background throughout trailer.

Credits:
- Name of producers & sound engineer.

Script:
- Will be conducted by me and Danny.
Lighting:- The lighting will be from outside, just before nightfall
- The lighting when in the house will be from the light coming from the house, i.e. light bulbs fire.

Camer Shots:
- We are preparing each shot we will use
- Also we are considering other alternative shots, to especially empahsise the stalker.

Film Questionnaire

Media film questionnaire By Damian Daviu - Hall

Age range:              Gender:                   Favourite genre:

16-20                        Male                        Rom - com

21-25                        Female                    Comedy

26-30                                                          Action

31-35                                                          Horror

36-40                                                           Sci - fi

41-45                                                           Drama

46-50                                                           Other       

50+

-          The film in a nutshell is based around a killer who stalks this young teenage boy, attempting to kill him, along with his friends.

What would you rate this plot.

Poor            Not bad          okay             Good           Excellent

-          How often do you watch horror films?

Every day          every few days           once a week           every month         At least once a year

Never watch them

-          What is your favourite horror film of all time? If you have one.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Planning for production

Work group is Damian Daviu - Hall & Danny Spink

Film name is ' The Watcher'

 Instead of making a short film of around 5 minutes in length we have decided on making around a 2 minute trailer, this is because feel that the trailer would include better shot scenes, which of course will improve my work.

Film Genre: Horror
 Our film is based upon a murderous stalker who is stalking a young man, in the trailer you will see various scenes of what you can imagine being in the film of course not revealing the ending.
 
 Scenes planned as far:
 The door bell rings as he is sitting in at home with his girlfriend. He opens up the door and finds that there is no one there; the camera then turns to the stalker's point of view shot as he watches the boy in the doorway.
 Another scene is when the house phone rings and he answers and all he can hear is deep breathing, this is observed by a close up of the man being scared.
 We will be performing a shot from on top of a hill bank in Sutton watching over the man walking, this will be a pov shot of the stalker.
 Another shot is the man is walking through the field and the camera switches to a long distance shot of the stalker just standing in the park watching the boy, this will be in twine with suspense building in the background, the camera then switches back to the man, as he has not noticed the stalker, the camera focuses back onto where the stalker was standing and he has gone.

Editing of trailer as far:
 There will be numerous slogans and words appearing in the trailer giving notes on the film i.e. never sit in the room on your own'.

Studying short films.

In the last few weeks we have been watching several short films, such as the most recent video I watched ‘Dipper’, we have been doing this to help us plan out our own short film or trailer, learning the codes and conventions of the short films is another work of progress we began to get us ready to do our coursework.

 Vladimir Propp which was a theorist on short films his theory was that, at the start of the film there is a villain, then there is a donor which prepares the hero, then there is a helper in the quest, there is often then a prize or girl to save or win, the hero is told the task of which he is required to do, the hero is sent off on the task and eventually winning the prize or girl, which leads to the villain failing at trying to be the victor.

 Another theorist called Tzvetan Todorov believed that there is a set narrative stages, beginning with a Equilibrium, followed by a disruption then realisation of the disruption and the eventual attempt to repair the disruption, finally there is a reinstatement of the equilibrium, the short films I watched challenged this theory and proved that it isn't completely correct, as the two films called 'Dipper and Gravity' followed different unconventional routes to the ending of the short films.

  The three films I have watched are (‘Sold, Gravity, and Dipper) watching these films have helped me to work on my analysing skills and developing my ability to look at the typical codes and conventions of short films, I have learnt about the typical stages of a film, and that on occasions films narratives can be completely different to the stereotypical narrative which is what Todorov believes in.

The codes and conventions of trailers

In my research I studied film trailers for my short film or movie trailer that I will be making in my coursework this year. The first trailer I watched was The 2006 remake of the film 'the Omen', this was an interesting trailer firstly as the whole trailer was one camera shot meaning that there was no cut's which is interesting in it's self which was a tracking shot of a playground at night, which is a place you would associate with happiness, and a fun and enjoyable place to be.

The lighting for example was used very cleverly as there was a ride able horse with the moon light beaming onto it, which seemed to be battling against the constant darkness which was throughout the trailer. The Diagetic sound in the film was the constant squeak of the swing which gradually grew louder and more intimidating, the Non - Diagetic sound was the chilling music in the background. Another intriguing effect in the trailer was how the boy's red jacket stood out so much to everything else; the red is a signifier of blood, death, and the devil which is what the film revolves around. I could easily tell that this film was in the horror genre, as the whole trailer was in darkness, also the young boys red jacket links with the horror genre, another way you could tell this was a horror film was that the trailer was accompanied by the constant thrilling instrumental's in the background which never had a rhythm, a lot like the horror genre.

 The other movie trailer I analysed was that of the 1980 classic horror film 'the shining'. The trailer starts with one shot and that one shot remains throughout the whole trailer, The shot is off a corridoor and a red elevator which is in the middle of the shot. The sound in the trailer really is important as it gradually builds anxiety in the person viewing it as we are left waiting for something to happen, until finally blood rushes out of the elevator which is shocking in itself, as it is totally unexpected, the blood rushes towards the camera covering it, and after the blood washes down the screen you see the furniture being swept away by the rushing blood.

 The trailer is very simple, and this is mostly due to the time of the film being made as the cast and directors of the film simply move up the screen throughout the whole trailer.