HG: Reflection of shoot 1

When and where was the shoot
The shoot took place in Riverhead, which is where Louis' house is situated. The shoot took place in the Christmas holidays on the 21st December.

What Scenes were you focusing on?
We were mainly focusing on the walk home which is the first part of our opening sequence. This involves Louis ( The protagonist) walking back from work when he starts to feel he is being watched and followed by the antagonist which is me.

What was your individual contribution to the shoot?
My individual contribution to the shoot was being the main person filming the footage. I was experimenting with various different angles whilst Louis was the actor. Louis also gave me shots the he thought would look affective and together decided what would be most suitable.

To what extent did the storyboard affect your use of camera and framing?
Our storyboard did affect are use of camera and framing to a certain extent, the frames we did use were very helpful but we started to use are imagination more then using the storyboard which did lead us with having a lot more footage then we actually needed from our first shot.

What do you think work particularly well?
I think the continuity of the walk home worked really well, we were able to experiment with a rane of camera angles and shots.

What were the challenges of this particular shoot?
Shooting in a busy road means that we had to film around cars coming up the road and people walking along it. This hindered us as if we were filming would have to reshoot that bit as something would have be noticeable in the footage

LLM and HG : Risk assesment and Call sheet

This is our and call sheet for out first shoot:

This is our risk assessment for our first shoot :

 

LLM and HG: Animatic

1. Shot one shows a tracking shot of a male walking home.
2. Shows a long shot of male protagonist walking home.
3. A POV shot of male receiving unknown text.
4. Mid shot of the male protagonist showing his reaction.
5. An over the shoulder shot of the protagonist approaching the house.
6. The protagonist opens the door to the house but doesn't notice an unknown antagonist standing in the corridor, shown through a long shot.
7. ECU of antagonist holding a knife.
8. POV and canted angle shot of protagonist looking down a the missing knife from the set.
9. Long shot and POV of antagonist sitting in the back garden.
10. Low angle shot of antagonist in the house and walking up the stairs.
11. An establishing shot at the end of the sequence of the house shown in daylight on another day.

LLM and HG: Audience research

The purpose of our questionnaire was to gain a greater understanding of what is specific enough to suit the slasher sub-genre of horror.

Methodology
- We created our questionnaire on survey monkey.
- We used simple terminology but gave space for our sample to give explanations to their choices, enabling us to receive more detail from some of their answers.
- Our first four questions are multiple choice; we have done this to ensure we have the correct ideas for our slasher sub-genre
- The fifth and sixth questions we opened up and asked the audience to provide their ideas to help us out.
- The final questionnaire was again multiple choice to help us decided what objects to use to create a menacing atmosphere

Questionnaire  

We asked the participants to fill out the following questions:
- How appropriate are the following locations for the sub-genre slasher?

- What gender do you think the protagonist should be to show vulnerability?

- Indicate your preferred characteristics for a villain

- What time of day is most effective to set a slasher horror?

- Do you think the antagonist should be seen? Why?

- What sounds create atmosphere in a slasher?

- What objects would be effective in creating a menacing atmosphere?

Results  

Question 1:
- 4 out of 8 people said they would film a slasher movie in a house

- 1 of 8 said the woods

- 3 of 8 said a shopping centre

- None of the participants said to film at a school

- Our group expected this result as we have decided to film our horror movie at the location of a house because we believe it best suits the slasher sub-genre.

Question 2:
-The majority of people who answered this question said they would use a female instead of a male to represent vulnerability.

- Although we do agree with this as a group, we have decided to go for the alternative and use a male character. We have done this as we believe we will create greater tension and build-up of enigma, through a male character.
 

Question 3:
- In question three, we decided to provide some of the features of our current villain, to question whether he has the right attributes to play the part.

- The responses were as expected, the feature were not conventional enough to fit the slasher genre.

- With these responses, we adjusted our idea, by still using the same villain because we believe the physicality is correct, but have decided to use a mask to cover the face of the antagonist, and made sure that the character doesn't talk, to hide his natural humorous side.

Question 4:
- As expected, in this question the bulk of answered questions went to the answer of filming the narrative at night.

- 2 of 8 said to film in the morning

- No participants said to film in the afternoon

- 6 of 8 said to film at night

 Question 5:

- In this question, we opened it up a bit, looking to gain more ideas from the audience to see what comments they have.

- The responses varied, 2 of the 8 people backed up our idea of the antagonist using a mask, or only  seen covered by a shadow.

- 5 favoured that the character shouldn't be seen to keep the tension high and to create enigma codes, which we dounf the ideas very interesting to bear in mind.

- The other answer was for the character to be introduced by a narrator, which does sound appealing, but we have decided to disregard the idea.

 

 Question 6:
- In this question, all the audiences ideas we have taken into account and will refer back to when editing our movie.

 Question 7:

- We analysing the responses, we were quite surprised with the answers in this question and how there was a mixed response.

- Originally we believed that the cat and the ringing of the phone would be most menacing, but because of the mixed response we now question what objects to use.

- We thought also that the mirror would be an interesting object to use to try and show the antagonist in a different way.

 

Evaluation
Overall, we gathered many ideas from our audience research questionnaire. For questions 1, 2 and 4 we expected the responses we collected which reassured us that our idea was conventional. Question 3, when we analysed our questionnaire we found that it was key to adjust our idea on the look of the antagonist as it was seen as very unconventional and did not support the slasher sub-genre. As discussed question 5 we asked for ideas to take into account; the provided ideas have influenced us to change our main ideas and to try and hide the antagonist as much as possible. In conclusion, the two questions that were most useful to us were questions 3 and 5 which will help us when filming.

LLM and HG: Pitch

This is our presentation of our concept that we presented in class :

Group: Pitch Feedback

Feedback

• The films we used to gather ideas were very positive and linked into our main concept of the film.
• The shots that we are going to use seem to be very conventional of our sub-genre which the pitch audience were able to identify.
• The use of animals in our short clip is seen to be very creative and the audience like this idea.
• The build-up of tension and suspense through the use of sound is used to great effect; it’s just choosing the right sound in the correct places which is key.
• The idea of using red herrings to create distractions for the protagonist, and lead him in different directions around the house, is very imaginative.
• The simplicity of the film could be very effective if the camera, editing and sound techniques are used correctly to back up the action of the film.

Next steps

The ideas provided to us after the pitch, is to make sure we are using the correct characters in our film, ensuring  we make the protagonist seem vulnerable and the antagonist seem dominant. Further, we have been told to make sure we film at the correct time, as the darkness distorts the camera shots

HG: Technical analysis

 

The Hatchet - The death scene

 

Summary of what I have learnt:

I have learnt conventional camera techniques of the slasher horror. This is the use of the POV shot which allows the audience to see the view of the antagonist. This helps to create tension and to see the antagonist from a different view. I have also learnt how music both diegetic and non diegetic can be used within a film to create tension. Diegetic sound can be used in the film in the form of a scream ( very conventional of the horror genre) and also how non-diegetic sound can be used in the scene, this can be through string instruments and can build tension by the music getting louder. Editing that I have looked at shows me that a fast cutting rate can increase tension and in my film I think the use of sound and editing is the techniques we need to concentrate the most on as they are the most effective way of conveying of sub genre of slasher.

Camerawork	Duration  (seconds)	Analysis
A two shot , mid-close up	0-8	A man is being carried by the women, using the mid close up allows the audience to see the emotions on the face of the two characters as well as seeing the scene around them.
	8-10	A man tries to take charge “ we need to stay together” this shows that they are endangered. The clothes are informal and position him with the line of thirds.
A two shot , mid close up	10-12	It then refers back to man in need with the women carrying him. There are just 2 people in frame.
POV Handicam	12- 15	A POV handicam camera technique is used to show the point of view of the character.
	15-21	The diegetic sound of heavy breathing suggests they have been running or they are extremely scared of something.
Over the shoulder / long shot	21-24	This shows the two characters from behind. You can see the t-shirt is ripped which suggests that violence had been used. This creates tension and then quickly cuts to the next shot.
Mid-close up	24-25	The monster appears the external location is a forest and the mid close up allows us to see the monster for the first time.
Long shot	25-27	You can see all the civilians looking at the monster, the long shot captures everyone in the scene and shows still shows the expressions on all their faces
Mid-close up	27-28	This is shot where we can see the protagonist having a gun, this shows the audience they are trying to kill this monster
Mid-close up	28-29	The monster starts to run, but then re enters the cave again. The mid close up lets the audience see the monster quickly hence the quick cut rate after this shot
Mid – close up , two shot	29-30	Refers back to man and women showing the audience how scared they are and then quickly cuts to the next shot
Long shot	30-31	We see the monster come out of a cave. Its clothes are all ribbed and the diegetic sound of the monster is loud scaring the others characters in the scene
Close up	31-32	This has an iconic prop ( axe)  and the close up of the axe going into the neck lets you see the gore.
Close up	32-34	Another close up lets the see blood that is all over him after the axe has hit him. The diegetic sound is the women screaming. The blood and screaming is iconic to this genre
Mid close up	34-36	This shows the other people in the scene running away from the monster. The quick constant cuts shows panic as a result of the monster
Close up	36-37	The monster strikes the male character again, blood splatters all over his face quickly cuts to the next shot.
Low angle	37-38	When the blood splats in the previous shot, a low camera angle shows the monster which is given him prevalence in the scene.
Mid-close up	39-39	The diegetic sound of the women screaming and the mid-close up her screaming helps to show the distress they are in.
Mid close up	39-40	We see a black page then an axe is raised and  blood is dripping from it and then go outs the shot again. There is also diegetic sound of a scream when the axe is seen in the shot.
Close up	42-44	There is again a close up  again of the axe covered in blood hitting the shoulder of the man splitting his shoulder and blood is pouring out
Long shot	44-46	A women is standing there with a gun, the long shot lets us see the other running away.
360 pan	46-56	The women runs away from the monster, the monster catches her and rips her head off, the audience sees it through a 360 pan camera technique
Side view	56-58	The monster is seen covered in blood  with huge claws  carries on ripping the his head off.
Long shot	58 – 1.03	You can see the women run and get the gun and shoot the monster. The stereotype of gender is challenged here as a women is shooting the gun.
	1.03-1.06	The monster falls and dies. The audience are seen the be relieved.
Low canted angle	1.06-1.09	Gives the women with the gun prevalence and you see the monster fall to the floor
Mid close up	1.09-1.10	See the women run away after she has just run away.
Long shot	1.10-1.12	Seethe monster on the floor. The non-diegetic sound is loud and creates tension, but also release tension as it shows they didn’t all get killed by the monster so they are alive.

LLM: Technical analysis

 

 

Summary of what I have learnt
In this task I have gathered that I should use a range of different camera techniques to convey the slasher sub-genre of the horror film genre. The key techniques I should use are; the POV shot; Handicam shot; long shot; and close-ups. The POV shot builds up tension very well as it creates a fright factor for the audience who are able gain an understanding of the characters perspective. The handicam displays a sense of presence with the character and causes jeopardy which the audience can identify. The long shot and close-up contrast each other; the long shot shows the surroundings of the character, and where they are, whereas the close up shows their emotions in response to something. This links into an important edit that caught my intention, which was the shot reverse shot; this technique is key because it shows the reactions of two characters after actions have occurred.

Sound

Silence is very effective in this clip of 'The Strangers'; it is used to build up suspense and tension and further used as a scare factor for Liv. Liv is sitting in the corner of the room and is listening quietly to what could be out there. The diegetic sound of Liv's breathing is also very important as it illustrates her fear, and as she builds up to walking to the window, her breathing gets louder and faster because of her anxiousness. Furthermore, the diegetic sound of the recod turning on at the peak of the action has an impact on the building of fear on the Liv, creating an enigma code as to why music is being turned on when she has just looked at the antagonist outside the window.

Editing

The Shot/Reverse shot is used to great effect in this clip, it occurs when Liv opens the window were she has recognised the noise, and as she opens the window the antagonist is standing right there; the shot shows this, and then shows the reaction of Liv, which is a loud scream of fear, and then shoots back to the antagonist who places his palm on the window which causes Liv to turn and run. Continuity editing is also present when Liv runs into another room of the house and the edit is creating the illusion of reality (verisimilitude).

Mise-en-scene

The use of Props is key in this extract; Liv is seen to be holding a knife for defence. The role the prop plays is to show even though she is has control of the knife, she is still being terrorised and is in jeopardy; this is shown when the antagonist puts his palm on the window showing he has no prop to fright Liv, and so the knife is of no use to her. Further, the masks that the two antagonists use in this sequence is very effective as it creates a fright factor and intimidate Liv.