Monday 30 November 2015

Ideas for Costume

Costume
There are three main characters in our horror film opening. These are a villain, a young teenage girl and finally a young teenage boy who plays the teenage girl's boyfriend.
The villain- the main costume feature for the villain will be his mask. When researching we came across these masks which we will purchase off of amazon and decorate ourselves. We also researched videos such as the below one, to see how we could possibly create our own paper Mache mask.


Character profile


Characters for film opening

Stereotypical characters in a horror movie:
  • The typical character is the female victim who is typically vulnerable and in need of some form of protection. They are usually blonde, dumb and sexually appealing. They are also normally portrayed as annoying and dumb.
  • There is normally a non-believer who often is cocky and over the top and informs all the other characters that everything is going to be okay. They may seem to be the voice of reason but when they are eventually killed all the characters panic. 
  • Next, there's always a hero who is normally a strong, built guy who can overpower the evil. They tend to stay strong throughout the film and remain loyal to the other characters. 
  • The evil character/ villain is the most important character throughout the film as he stays constant. The killer is normally wearing a mask or is disfigured. This character also inflicts fear upon an audience and also creates suspense. 
  • in some cases there is a loved up couple who tend to both be killed either together or separately. Their love is the result of their downfall. 
The characters in our horror film introduction are going to be:
  • A young, teenage girl
  • A young, teenage boy who plays the boyfriend
  • A villain who will be masked throughout the whole opening scene
The lack of characters will make this opening scene much more intimate and therefore the effect on the audience will be much more bigger as we are turning a normal week day routine into something sinister and evil.


Sunday 29 November 2015

Mise - en - scene for our plotline / technological horror

Mise - en - scene for our plot line 



For our story line we decided to use a house rather than hotel rooms, this is because houses are much more practical and easier to obtain rather than book out rooms. Additionally, as we are filming our opening in a house we will especially focus on the aspect of mise en scene which includes props, lighting, camera angles/movement, locations, makeup and costumes.

Camera angles and movement
For the camera angles we have discussed using a variety of shots that are typically used in the horror genre. Moreover, the fact that our genre is technology horror, the camera angles may come from the computer or laptop point of view too.




  • Close up shots
  • Oblique/canted angle
  • Point of view shot
  • Eye level
  • Medium shot (2/3 people)











Props
Props are used in order to create a realistic and true portrayal of the narrative/plot line. Typically in the horror genre, the use of props is extremely important. For instance, due to the technology side of the opening we must include some sort of electronic device such as laptop or phone.

  • Since we will be filming the main parts in a bedroom, it is clear that background detail is vital. Shelves, books, magazines, make up and lamps may be used to demonstrate the personality and character of the girl/boy
  • Typical young teenager items, messy bedroom, studying items, phone, tablets, TV
  • For the killer, we may choose to use weapons such as knives/guns as these follow the typical code and conventions of a horror film
  • We can also take into account the use of ropes, chains, tape and blindfolds which are used to scare, kill or kidnap the protagonist
  • We will be using a mask for the killer - the 'unknown' 
  • Some technological horror movies do not use props but instead kill the characters over the use of technology itself. This is presented well in the movie 'Unfriended' where the characters die one by one, without the appearance of an actual killer. 

Costumes/make up
  • As our main protagonist will be young and in their teenage years, the types of clothing will be modern showing no signs of horror compared to the killer
  • Jeans, t-shirts - as the setting is at home, the clothing should be casual in order to make the opening realistic 
  • Killer - dark clothing, red/black again to link in with the conventions of a horror
  • The use of black clothing has connotations of something sinister, almost a dark figure lurking around
  • Minimal make up, - nothing too noticeable 
  • Jewelry  - preferably a small watch and necklace
  • Hair - a fringe, that could cover the character, or hair in a pony tail - something simple and casual due to the location of the opening.

Lighting
  • We have discussed the different types of lighting which can be incorporated into our opening, this includes low key lighting which is popular in horror movies.
  • The use of low key lighting creates a creepy and mysterious atmosphere as darkness is normally associated with evilness. The darkness is used to make our character feel scared and vulnerable, especially being home alone. 
  • Makes the scene dramatic and there is a constant fear of the unknown due to the darkness
  • Creates shadow and contrast 








Sounds
  • Use of the 'static' noise sound, when the screen flashes black/goes to static image (Non-diegetic) - we will use this to create tension and suspense in order to 'scare' our audience
  • Digetic sounds such as the ringing of the door bell, slamming the door, footsteps




Typography


  • Common titles used in the opening scene include the colours red and black.  - red demonstrates the blood
  • The most popular fonts have blood dripping down the text
  • Mainly long and narrow fonts

















Friday 27 November 2015

Location Choice



Location 1
Location 2
Location 3

Location 4
Location 5



OUR CHOICE
From the pie chart, you can see we conducted a questionnaire for choosing the best location for put horror film. For our audience we focused on young people aged 15+ that are interested in horror movies. 
We decided to conduct a survey asking the audience as they will know what they are used to seeing in horror films. We decided to choose location 1 as that was the most popular choice. We are happy with this decision as the white connotes purity and innocence which will signify the teenager and then the slight red will foreshadow the danger to come ...

Wednesday 25 November 2015

TRAILER VS OPENING

TRAILER VS OPENING


 

 

 

 

TRAILERS

Trailers consist of a series of selected shots from the film being advertised. The shots selected are usually from the most exciting, funny, or otherwise noteworthy parts of the film but in abbreviated form and usually without revealing spoilers.
  • Montage of scenes shown throughout the film
  • Usually fast pace 
  • Shows interesting parts of the movie 
  • Gives insight into storyline and genre
  • A voice over is often used
  • Have website links, Facebook and Twitter sign at the bottom of the screen so audience is encouraged to find out more
  • Introduces protagonists and antagonists 
  • Non diegetic sound
  • Shows productions logo e.g. pixar
  • Usually 2mins 30secs long


OPENINGS

Film openings are used to set the scene of the movie showing the audience the type of surrounding it is based in. It is important for openings to be interesting and contain a bit of action to grip the audience so they carry on watching the film to find out what happens.
  • May start with an establishing shot
  • Introduces protagonists and antagonists 
  • Introduces the pre plot/narrative
  • To entice the audience so they continue watching
  • To establish the genre
  • A key event might occur
  • Non diegetic music 
  • Key credits and Studio productions
  • Shows productions logo e.g. lionsgate



Proposed plotline and technological horror research

Ideas





We have decided to do a technological horror, the conventions of this sub genre of horror are very similar to the typical horror story, which we have already research into. The main difference is the use of technology in the propagation of horror. Most of our inspiration comes from sources such as
Pulse
Unfriended
Ratter
This is mainly because the sub genre is only emerging and there are not many examples of it.

The typography employed here takes simple bold white writing on a completely contrasting background.  To allude to the idea of technology being used the title typography is blurred on the letters and has been edited to suggest it was moving, this glitch effect connotes an electronic (technical) error.
















Proposed plot lines

Synopsis 

A couple are in a hotel, no reason is given, the girl is video blogging about their journey and the guy walks in. She stops the recording and puts the laptop off but leaves it open, with the camera facing them she puts the laptop on a desktop. The next scene is in the morning with her sleeping and the guy dressed and leaving the room. After a while she gets up and checks her laptop and sees a picture on the screen of her boyfriend half alive with blood all over the place. She then hears a voice (or answers a Skype call)that states if she doesn't do what they say she will be next. The final shot would be a eye level from behind the screen with her face towards it and a voice saying good good whilst someone walks in.

Synopsis

A girl opens the door for a boy to leave (the light only comes when the door opens) you hear sound effects of what not. When she goes back to her room she sits at computer preferably but maybe laptop, she then sees a picture of the boy dead. And gets a Skype call of a guy with "no mask". The face the audience see would then drop off during a low angle of the killers feet at the end of the sequence. Whilst subverting the stereotypes of the killer not showing their face by showing the killers face with no mask. It will conform to them as the face seen will not be the actual face of the killer.



Monday 23 November 2015

Ideas for locations

Initial ideas for locations

For locations, we decided to look into a variety of different rooms especially bedrooms. Below, are a few images and the pros and cons for each room. We also analyse which rooms would be appropriate for us to film parts of our opening in by looking at colours and items. 





















1) This particular room has lots of items which may be stereotypically aimed at more 'girly' girls. For example, items such as magazines and dressing table which includes lots of makeup and beauty products.

  • The colour white is a dominant colour throughout this room, this may reflect the character being innocent and pure
  • Lighting in this room is very effective as everything stands out and you are able to make out the items extremely clearly. 
  • Location wise, this room might be a possible candidate as it can reflect the personality of the character well, with plenty of items that can be used for the mise en scene aspect




















2) This room might be a possible location for us to use for our filming, it is extremely spacious and  includes a variety of colours which can be useful for the audience in getting to know the character.

  • Items inside the room include books, instruments and electronics. These again can give us an insight on what the character is like and so viewers can guess what the sequence will be like. The books could suggest that the character may be extremely intelligent and has an interest in musical instruments. 
  • The location gives a warm and homely sense and therefore this could be a great location to film our sequence in.
  • Colours such as browns and reds are prominent in this room, these colours have connotations of comfort and warmth, all the colours you would suggest with a home.
  • The location offers plenty of light through many windows - this would be extremely useful when filming but could also be a problem if there is too much light or too little. This means that it may be difficult to control the lighting.


















3) Location 3 is quite similar to location 1 in terms of colours such as white, however this room there are less decorative items which means that the audience are unable to get an idea of what the main protagonist is like - in terms of personality etc. 
  • Some items include a electronics such as a kindle on the bedside table, linking in with the whole genre of the film opening - technological horror. 
  • The images on the walls allows a decorative touch to the room
  • The main advantage for this room is that there is also a large amount of natural light coming in from the windows this again will allow good light when filming.  - however, again the light may be difficult to control as the sun/ clouds might change during cuts. 
  • Overall, this location could be a possible choice for filming as the lighting is a huge plus in this location but it lacks in items that can contribute to mise en scene compared to the other two locations

4) Another possible location could be this bedroom as includes several items which could contribute well to the aspect of mise en scene.
  • Firstly, the colours at this location are of a variety and range from creams to blues. The room includes plenty of patterns which contrasts greatly with the plain, white bed. 
  • Items such as a teddy bear/stuffed pillow again might give the audience a clue into the character. If we were to choose this location as our filming point, we might also choose to add more items and decorate it in order to portray the personality of the character through the background items. 
  • One possible advantage of this particular location is that it has a cosy feel to it and the window again might be an opportunity for great natural lighting. 
  • However, one problem if we decide to choose this location is that it could be quite small and therefore might be difficult to move characters around and film.
5) We decided to also look at hotel rooms, as they extremely popular in the horror movie genre. However, using a hotel room could cause problems as we would have to book a room and let the management know that we will be filming in the room. For example, screaming and the use of fake weapons and makes could provoke fear to those staying at the hotel. Therefore if we decide to use this location we must consider the factors and issues regarding it before we start to film. 


Monday 16 November 2015

Stay Alive Deconstruction




I have created a deconstruction for the opening to this technological horror film. I analysed this clip from the minute 3:15 - 7:15

SOUND

  • As soon as the movie starts, there is this non diegetic sound of wind, air and thunder which automatically creates an eerie atmosphere. 
  • The non diegetic violin sound is added on top of the wind which increases in speed building tension. The volume also gets louder. 
  • The non diegetic heartbeat noise is to highlight the fear the demographic might be feeling. As you can hear a heartbeat, it can cause your heart to beat also as you're waiting for something to happen.
  • The diegetic noise of the telephone was effective as after the protagonist had finished his video game, it brought him back to reality reminding him it's not real. Furthermore, as it was so silent, it could have been contrived to scare the audience as a loud sound suddenly appeared.
  • The diegetic thunder and lighting sounds are added to create an ominous atmosphere. The creaking of the rocking chair also gives the same effect making the whole scene seem scary.

CAMERA ANGLES/MOVEMENT AND EDITING 

  • The first shot is a close up of one of the protagonists. This was so we can familiarise ourself with him and know the movie has something to do with him or is about him. The close up shot was also used so we could connect with his character and know how he was feeling. After playing the video game, he looked scared.
  • The high angle used at the stop of the stairs was effective as it made the audience feel as if they were watching over everything the protagonist did. It also made him seem very small and weak which he is.
  • The medium shot allowed the audience to see the settings of the protagonist more clearly. As the protagonist was slowly coming up towards a door, it built the tension as the audience also wondered what was behind the door.
  • The director used panning to follow the protagonist while he was in the kitchen. This gave the sense that something mysterious was following the protagonist as he kept looking back.
  • The over the shoulder shot is to emphasise that something is present within the scene. You can see the shadow
  • The camera tilts slowly to show the confusion on the protagonists face as he hears noises.
  • There is continuity editing to make the scene more realistic to the audience. It shows the action with smooth shots so there is no interruptions. 

LIGHTING 

  • Back light is used throughout the opening with dim light coming from lamps around the scene. The dull light could be contrived to create a bad atmosphere and a scary one. Darkness has connotations of danger and death so maybe that's how it should be.

MISE EN SCENE

  • Protagonist is a grown man who plays video games. His glasses, messy hair, house robe and messy room give the impression of laziness. I can infer that he is a bit of a 'geek' with hardly any friends.
  • He lives with his brother and his brothers girlfriend which shows he's quite lonely making him play video games.
  • The fact he's drinking Redbull energy drink shows he's tired but stayed awake for the game. It was important to him maybe.
  • The fact he flinches at lighting shows he could be soft and scared of a lot of things.

Pyschoanalysis Theory Freud


Freud's Pyschoanalysis Theory

Freud’s Theory: Came up application of psychoanalytical theory (Oedipal complex), these include:
  • Sadism: here he states that this is a post Oedipal attention switching from the mother to the father, or in horror terms where the (soon to be victim) can identify with the killer (shared history e.g. in the case of the final girl). 
  • Masochism: Pre Oedipal states that the mother is all powerful (sense of authority). So we as the audience we are put in a state of masochistic because we take pleasure in identifying with the female.
Clover v.s. Freud’s Theory Clover Theory:

In relation to the final girl theory, Clover indicated that we as the audience are structured and thus are ‘forced’ to identify not with the killer, but with the surviving female (final girl).
Instead of identifying with the sadistic voyeur (the killer), she suggests that our identification has switched to the victim, who she calls (a masochistic voyeur).

Comedy Horror

Comedy Horror




Comedy Horror is a genre that is aims to scare the audience whilst maintaining a comical theme as the plot unfolds. It can place twists in the usual horror clichés to create a comical ambience,  use a different perspective or completely change the story.



Pros
Our audience are young adults, however not everyone can watch horror films, but with a light hearted spin on it the film becomes easier to digest.
It is not hard to come up with a story line for it as the basis if most comical horrors are the same, and we do not need to build up any characters from scratch.
The preconceived ideas of any character we pick to use do not need to be lived up to as the spin is placed on the characters

 
Cons
It can very easily be confused with other horror genres if the light entertainment is not implemented well enough.
If the film is really comedy saturated the horror essence can disappear quickly and it will become a comedy, which is fine but we do not intend at this point in time to make a comedy.
It may not be easy to communicate your idea of comedy to the audience (especially in the short amount of time we have)

Comedy Horror research

Comedy Horrors

The usual plot of a comical horror is based around a satirical spin of a common horror storyline or character. If we take a small cast of international horror characters and build a story around them coming together to complain about not doing enough
and coming to a conclusion to employ the use of technology more often in their acts of terror. As horror does not appeal to everyone mixing it with a light hearted genre like comedy increases our market.
Also by making use of the often overlooked horror characters we can spark peoples interest, as well as making the design of costumes easier as not many people will have preconceived ideas concerning our characters.
Using plays on the
  1. camera framing,
  2. lighting,
  3. mise-en-scene
would be part of the techniques we use to allude to ideas of horror whilst turning them on its side to make our opening comical.

General Horror Story conventions

General Horror Story conventions

There are a few general pointers when constructing a horror storyline of any subgenre. They are not the all in all foundation but it will be easy to build around the recipe.

Camera Angles/Movement

The Camera angles are often unnatural but helps the with expression of the nature of the film.
  1. Handheld
    Makes it difficult for the audience to understand what is going on during the scene(especially when it is a fast paced shaking)
  2. POV
    Gives the audience the opportunity to see how the monster or the hunted see. Does not always occur at the start of the film but can occur towards the end as we have started to understand more about the monster by that time.
Camera Framing

Different types of camera framing can be applied to give a more dramatic effect to the film at different parts of the storyline. It also ensures that the part of the films are more unnatural than others.

  1. Extreme Close up
    Using this camera framing makes it harder to recognise an object and it is often used on the monster which makes it very sinister especially when mixed with high key lighting from the bottom.
  2. Plays on the depth of the Field
    By manipulating the position of objects in the field(frame) it often decreases our ability as an audience to perceive the movement of the monster as it creeps up on its prey.
Sounds

The use of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds in horror films is of extreme importance as it sets the ambience for horrific occurrences. It also helps to form a contrast between the often normal life the victim was living before.

  1. Diegetic
    Sounds such as footsteps, breathing screams and extremely gory, flesh ripping for example sounds.
  2. Non Diegetic
    High Tension Strings, Piano, Little or no percussive instruments until an attack is about to occur.
Mise-en-scene

Certain icons/props/settings are easily identifiable with horror, dark coloured castle with bats flying around in the moonlight. This is the same for characters, Victor Frankenstein's Monster is a very common one as it is extremely iconic. The use of dark colours and various post production techniques also add to the mise en scene of horror depending on the type of horror.

Editing

As horror films are often plays on supernatural occurrences the editing can be very fast as it makes sequences and scenes extremely unreal.

Sunday 15 November 2015

Summary of ideas 15/11/2015

Summary of ideas 15/11/2015
  • Technology based horror film opening
  • 'Unfriended' the movie
  • Shot through the perspective of the computer camera
Ezvid- a screen recorder program that comes with an in-built video editor where you can split your recordings and add text in between two clips, creating a slideshow effect. There is no way to export the video you recorded. However, you can upload the video to YouTube through the program itself.

Rylstim - records your screen after you hit the ‘Start Record’ button. This will be useful for people who do not want to configure anything and just want a basic recorder. This program does not record sound from input devices like a microphone.

BB (short for Blueberry) Flashback Express Recorder-  lets you use your webcam to record yourself while recording the activities that are happening on your desktop. After you have stopped recording, it creates an FBR file which can be edited with its packaged video editor.

Above is some of the computer software I researched that was free and all that was needed was a simple download. These software's would allow my group to record what is occurring on our computer screen as we physically click an icon etc. The other option we had was to record off a camera, facing it in front of the computer screen. We all quickly narrowed out this idea as when we would go to view the film we recorded there would be blurred lines and the camera would go out of focus quite a lot as we are recording another piece of technology.

Monitors and TV's typically have a set refresh rate - 50Hz and 60Hz are fairly common.  This means that the screen is redrawn around 50 or 60 times a second.  To the human eye, this looks smooth - it's fast enough to be almost unnoticeable.

Cameras, though operate differently from our eyes.  If the frame rate of the camera matches the refresh rate of the screen you're looking at, it'll probably look fine.  Usually, this isn't the case.  The camera then could capture a partly drawn screen as one of it's frames, and then capture a different part of the screen in the next frame, etc.
Net result: It looks like it flickers (or you see moving black bars), since it does this very quickly.
The flicker is caused by two things:
1. A difference in the scanning frequency between the TV and the camera.
2. A difference in the way the phosphor dots are perceived between the human eye and the camera's image sensor.

The Ring deconstruction


This particular clip is from the movie "The Ring" demonstrates an unusual concept of integrating the use of technology in horror movies. Director Gore Verbinski uses the traditional Japanese mystery to tell a story of how technology such as videos and the TV as influence lives in a much more negative way.

Mise en scene

The first girl shown in the opening minutes of the scene is evidently the first character to die in the movie. This links in well with the idea of the 'final girl' theory as the girl clearly portrays the characteristics which makes her the first person to unfortunately die. The fact that the girl is wearing a short skirt, loose top which is unbuttoned at the bottom, gives us the impression that she may be the 'blonde and popular girl' who is unaware of the circumstances and therefore dies first. The character is first shown in the kitchen where it is:

  • Clean, tidy
  • The untouched appliances suggests that they not used as regularly 
  • Almost every item in the kitchen is in immaculate condition and has it's own fixed place
The camera quickly moves to a living room shot, where it may be suggested that the character might enjoy activities such as watching TV as it is large and placed in an area where it is clearly visible. 
  • The living room space is also extremely clean which could demonstrate her personality where the character likes to keep clean and tidy, this is also shown in the presentation of the kitchen. 
  • Magazines, photo frames, candles are seen throughout the house
  • The magazines suggest that she could be a sociable person - she seems like a young character, which means she may well be up to date with the latest teen gossip
The girl is shown wearing clothing which can be interpreted as sexual, this is because as we look closely, the top is worn loosely and unbuttoned. The character's hair  has streaks of blonde, which again follows the typical conventions of the final girl theory. The fact that she has straight, shoulder length hair which is neat and tidy, gives us the impression that she takes care of herself and could be image conscious.

Camera angles and framing

The clip begins with a medium shot (camera framing) of the girl. From this we can see her hand gestures where it is clear that she is grabbing a drink from the kitchen. At this point, as the audience, we are unable to see anything below the arms, for example what type of trousers, skirt or shoes that she is wearing. The medium shot focuses solely on the character and therefore we are unable to see the background in detail.
  • However, from the background we are still able to see some appliances which may be associated with a kitchen. 
Close up shots are regularly used in the opening scene, this is common in horrors as it conveys the character's facial expressions and their feelings in scenes which may cause them distress. Close up shots commonly show very little of the background and focuses solely on the object, in this case it is the girl who is shown to be extremely terrified of the situation. These shots make us:
  • Feel intimate with the character
  • Feel as if we are on the same wavelength (similar to eye level angle)
  • Sometimes maybe uncomfortable for the audience
Zooming in on the character's facial expressions show how deeply terrified she is, her fear is reinforced with the idea that she is home alone and it is in the middle of the night. Furthermore, it can be argued that pathetic fallacy may be used as it is raining outside, this again links in well with the girls current situation. 

High angle - used at the staircase area, to reinforce the height of the stairs and how low down the character really is.




Lighting and Sound
  • Diegetic sound used when the TV turns on - static sound
  • Talking - part of diegetic sound
  • This opening clip is limited in sound which therefore creates a lot of tension and suspense
The use of artificial light is prevalent in this scene as it is 'night time' outside, the character uses artificial light such as lamps. However, as the camera pans to the living room we are able to see some sort of natural lighting for example, it is suggested that there is a storm outside which includes lightning. Although candles are not used in the clip, they are clearly seen in the room and if they were to be lighted, they would reinforce the scene immensely.




halloween deconstruction

Halloween Deconstruction


This scene from John Carpenter's Halloween offers a rare instance of extremely effective use of a first-person camera to show the brutal murder of the main character's sister. Now a cliché of Hollywood slasher films, the shaky, hand-held POV was accentuated by masking around the image that was supposed to depict the mask worn by the killer. Whereas first person POV is ordinarily thought to distance spectators from the action on screen, Halloween places its audience in the uncomfortable subject position of both voyeur and murderer. This shot is quite similar to the shot in Psycho when the audience are taken through the hole in the wall to see Janet Leigh undressing, this creates intertextuality within the film and not only shows Hitchcock’s influence on Carpenter but also his influence on the slasher genre.
(insert picture of eye camera)
The camera is also at eye level which shows it's a actual human observing the scene. This builds suspense because it is quite unusual; usually we are shown through the eyes of the victim, therefore it makes the audience feels slightly unnerved.
The main type of shot used in this opening is a long shot. These are typically used in horror, as it means that the audience has more than one thing to focus on, and knows that the killer can appear from any angle, thus making them in edge. These type of shots mean that we do not emotionally connect to the characters. The only close-up used in this opening is on the knife that the killer picks up, and this is to show that the knife is significant. When the child is revealed as the killer, there is more lighting, and this suggests exposure, and creates a sense of enlightenment in the audience.
Very low lighting is used in the opening, meaning that we don’t get to see much. This builds suspense as we can’t see what is going on, which makes us think that something bad will happen. This is a convention of horror as we are meant to be left questioning as to what will happen. It leaves teh audience free to imagine what might be happening in the places they can’t see.
The people that are being watched without their knowledge are an example of a typical device used in horror films. This is used to attract the audiences attention and make them feel on edge.
The clown costume that the child is wearing is very typical of horror films, as the fear of clowns is something very common and is generally used with evil beings in horror films.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

The 'Final Girl' Theory

The ‘Final Girl Theory’ was first developed by Carol J. Clover in her 1992 book ‘Men, Women, and Chainsaws. Final girls usually have the same characteristics in any horror film such as.. 
  • A unisex name (e.g., Laurie, Sidney, Teddy, Billie, Georgie) 
  • Occasionally a shared history with the killer e.g. in ‘Halloween II’, Michael Myers is revealed to be the brother of Laurie Strode and in ‘Scream 3’the killer is revealed to be Roman Bridger , half-brother of the only survivor Sidney Prescott. 
  • The Final girl exemplifies androgynous traits, such as a short, masculine hair style, or wearing little to no make up at all, or male oriented skills, such as being experienced in mechanics, loading a gun, etc.

Some examples of final girls in horror movies are;

locandina
Jenny from the film ‘Eden Lake.’ Jennys husband is killed, and she is forced to take the role of a hero to try and save herself.
Sigourney-Weaver-as-Ripley-in-Aliens-alien-aliens-8255352-800-1213
Ellen Ripley in the film ‘Alien.’ Ellen is also forced to face her fears and try and survive from the aliens. 
laurie-strode_786x11742
Laurie Strode in the film ‘Halloween’ will do anything she can to protect herself.

Initial ideas, research and inspiration

Initial ideas, research and inspiration



So far, as a group we have decided to create a film opening based on the concept of technology, this may include uses of the internet, social media, laptops and mobile phones. We have decided to use a concept which is quite new in the horror genre and therefore we thought that it would be interesting yet something which is out of the ordinary. 

Our initial idea comes from the 2015 movie 'Unfriended' which uses the idea of technology (Skype and computers) to create a horror movie. The movie uses the idea of recording from the screen, this can be used in a variety of software's which we have researched, for example Quick Time screen recorder. From the research so far, we have found that movies such as The Ring, One Missed Call, Unfriended and The Net, all use technology such as mobile phones, TV and the internet to scare and frighten the protagonists and especially the audience watching.
All these movies have been real hits and have become successful which therefore inspired us to try and create something based on these ideas. 

Some of the research conducted includes a range of movies which integrate the idea of technology extremely well:

Unfriended (2015)

The Net (1995)



One Missed Call (2008)




The Ring (2002)




Monday 9 November 2015

Pros, cons and the code and conventions of psychological horror films

Pros, cons and the code and conventions of psychological horror films





















Psychological horror films are an element of fiction and they aim to create horrific or unsettling effects through the use of psychology. 

The typical code and conventions of a psychological horror film:
  • Replaces physical threat with psychological ones 
  • Explores the ind of the involved protagonists
  • Creates discomfort by exposing common emotional fears and vulnerabilities 
  • Reveals the darker parts of human psyche
  • Common examples of psychological horror include movies such as "The Grudge" or "Orphan"
  • They are based on factual occurrences in real life 
  • Rely on the audience's mind to create the horror effect
  • Expose evils that hide behind normality 
  • Tend to use the twisted mind rather than be physical
  • Jumpy moments rather than weapons
  • Big houses, woodland, schools, warehouses, hospitals - this adds a sense of realism in relation to the audience
  • Tend to have flash backs to inform the killers state of mind 
  • Use children as killers - breaking the conventions to shock the audience
  • The use of places such as hospitals immediately gives connotations of pain and death, which then may link to the actual plot of the movie. 
  • Like most horror movies, scenes are typically set in the night to create a sense of fear for the audience. 

Pros
- Suggests how the mind can be used to haunt and play tricks on people
- Can be less expensive in terms of the use of costumes and props - psychological horrors often use the mind so therefore you may spend less.
- Can portray a sense of realism, particularly in the setting where places such as hospitals are used. 
- Often shows how normal people can also be affected psychologically. 

Cons
- It can be difficult to actually tell that the protagonist is possessed, haunted or disturbed through the screen
- Acting may be difficult for those who are not professionals, again this is due to the characters mainly being mentally disturbed rather than physically
- Location must be selected very carefully to create the correct atmosphere and mood of the film
-Most psychological horror movies rely mostly on editing, therefore editing must be of a high standard in order to for the 'horror' effect to show through. 

Pros And Cons of A Romantic Drama

Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually centres around an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. The obstacles in Romantic Drama films can range from a family's disapproval, to forbidden love or to one's own psychological restraints.


Pros of Romantic Dramas:

  1. Simple local locations can be used.
  2. Low production costs.
  3. It is easier to create a storyline that people can relate too (more realistic).

Cons of a Romantic Dramas:


  1. There will be a greater dialogue content, meaning actors and participants will need to be critically picked in order for the film to be effective.
  2. Some of the content might be too explicit for some viewers and it will be hard to pull off as we don't have a budget to hire professional actors. 
  3. Props that may need to be used to make the opening sequence effective may be hard to get hold of, and expensive.


As you can see I have analysed the pros and cons of the Romantic Drama genre. After carefully considering all the factors, my group have decided not to do a Romantic Drama film for our coursework as it would be very hard to make it look professional and include all the conventions making it a successful portrayal of the genre.