Planning Character and Costumes

We thought it would be important to plan out using a spider diagram, our characters personalities and costume to ensure we had a clear idea as to what they would be like and wear.

This is of Helen:

 

 

This is of Nick:

 

 

 

Planning Our Audience

As directors we decided to hold a meeting and discuss our who our audience would be, why and what rating our film would be. We believed this was essential as they would be the people who watch our film. We needed to have a clear image of our audience before we made our film to understand what to include that would attract and relate to the audience anand leave them feeling supspicous and uneasy watchin our film.

 

 

 

Storyline

After discussing various storylines this is what we have come to decide:

The opening of our film sets the scene of a successful head teacher, Helen who is driving home late on a Monday night after a long day. On her way home she flicks different radio stations to her surprise where a debate is being taken place about adoption. As she reminisces the moment of her hidden secret she begins to feel distressed little does she know what about to happen. Helen finally arrives at home as per usual makes a coffee. These calm clips contrasts with the shots of a boy running, Nick, Helens adopted son. This portrays uneasy feeling the audience receive whilst watching fast pasted editing to show the chaos. Helen begins to hear noises and reaches for her phone to call the police. The audience are left to see a boy snatching Helen’s phone out of her hand and a scream. The rest of the film shows Nick seeking his revenge and Helen’s worst nightmare is just about to begin......

Deciding the genre of our film

Horror or Thriller?

Initially as a group we were keen on the idea of a horror film opening. We researched this genre thoroughly by looking at previous directors and their work, key conventions, analysing the first nine frames and iconic sounds.

Looking back and observing our film opening, we have come to conclude it fits better into the thriller genre due to the atmosphere and suspense of our storyline. Also as our storyline developed we also established this.

Surprisingly the horror and thriller genre have similar conventions within their films such as the sounds, setting and stereotypical characters.

Film Poster Analysis

 

Here is our film poster analysis in which we have chosen to films from within the horror genre, 'Mirrors and Nightmare On Elm Street' where we have analysed the key convetions of the poster such as the fonts, the design and connations used.

 

 

Title Sequence Timeline

This is our title sequence timeline of 'Nighmare On Elm Street'. This shows the credits that are included during the first two minutes. This task is designed to help us to understand the importance of title credits and give us a rough indication as to where to put our titles.

 

 

Certificate Ratings

The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. However, it is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child, especially at this lower end of the category range.

PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.

12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. The A stands for 'accompanied' and 'advisory'. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them.

No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent an 18 rated DVD. No 18 rated works are suitable for children.

(All information taken from  http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18 )

Iconic Sounds

Whilst being in the proccess of creating our storyline for our 2 minute opening we are deciding with genre it fits into. As part of my research I looked at different sounds which contain typical sound effects These sterotypical sounds add to build tension and create suspense whilst watching a horror or thriller movie.

The majority of horror films all use iconic sounds which help to create an unusual atmosphere. The main function of the sounds are to build up suspense which therefore make the film seem a lot more scary than if there was to be no sound at all. Some films only use diegetic sound, which therefore creates a more realistic feel to the film, and others use non-diegetic sound, which builds up fear. For example they may play a piece of creepy music or have instruments make a big ‘clashing’ sound, usually when an evil character appears.

Typical Sound Effects Found in Horror Films

 

Thunder

This is a typical non-diegetic sound effect because most horror films are filmed when it its dark and by using thunder, it makes the atmosphere eerie and scary.

Screaming

This adds tension and makes the audience aware of the fact that the actor is in despair and needs help. It can also make the audience jump out of their seats if they are not expecting it.

Creaking

This gives an un-easy atmosphere and makes you as the audience feel like someone else is in the same building. This is often used when an actor is in an isolated building by him/herself.

Silence

This builds up the suspense of what’s about to happen. You often have silences before a loud scream or before a shooting scene takes place as you audience are in a state of harmony and they are least expecting it.

Footsteps

This builds tension and makes the audience think about who could be coming round the corner. You can also emphasise this sound by adding on no-diegetic sound which will make the footsteps louder.

Sub Genres of Horror

Supernatural: This includes ghosts, demons and other fictional characters which are created and almost seem real. These films tend to be suspenseful. this also tends to rely heavily on lighting, special effects and deserted settings.

 

 

 

Psychological: this includes playing with the characters fears hence using the human psyche. a lot of violence and torture takes place, using the audiences sensitivity as their weakness. Tension is usually built up quite cleverly through the use of sound and disturbing scences.

 

Teen horror: this relates to teenagers and there lives in which disaster tends to strike. Teen horror tends to emphasise on teen interests to capture the audience and their fears.  themes such as rebellion, CRude forms of humour and love are protrayed.

Audience Expectations

For our audience expectations task as a group we questioned our friends and teachers to what they expect from a horror film.