Camera Shots and Angles

In order to improve our camera angles and shots, we looked at an example of a previous students short film and the various angles they used which contributed to their A* work. Throughout the short film, the camera uses clever techniques such as allowing the audience to believe that the camera is behind the mirror. However, in order to do this, the camera was out of shot whilst filming into the mirror creating this effect.

Throughout the short film, many different camera techniques are you to build enigma and create suspense within the narrative.

Codes and Conventions

Whilst planning our film, we decided that it would be more suited as being a psychological thriller rather than a typical horror film.

"Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the broad ranged thriller with heavy focus on the unstable emotional states of characters, in combination with mystery and thriller. However, it often incorporates elements from the mystery and drama genre, along with the typical traits of the thriller genre. In addition to drama and mystery, many psychological thrillers contain elements of, and often overlap with, the horror genre, particularly psychological horror"


Thrillers usually contain a lot of false paths, clues and enigmas- this keeps the audience questioning the film and captures their attention by constantly trying to solve the problem. Psychological thrillers focus of the conflict between the main character being a mental and emotional type of conflict rather that physical.

Throughout thriller films, mirrors and stairs are frequently used, particularly within psychological thrillers as a way of creating suspense. Mirrors are used as a convention of a thriller film through the use of reflection of the character's inner self this allows the audience to understand the character's identity. They can also represent the darkness within some characters.

Similarly, flashbacks are used as a way of showing the disruption in time leading to possible confusion within the readers mind. However, through the development of the plot, the audience are then drawn back in to the narrative. Flashbacks are used to display what has happened in the past allowing the audience too get an insight into the characters previous past.

The editing and camera angles used in within the thriller genre tends to be fast paced and quick cuts. this created tension and suspense which are both important factors in thriller films. This is further emphasised through the use of dramatic music.

Questionnaire

We created a mind map of ideas and produced a questionnaire which we asked our target audience of people aged 15+ to complete. We asked both students and teachers to complete the questionnaire as we wanted to gain a broad set of responses. Stereotypically, males are supposed to watch more horror films than women but due to the fact our film is not a gruesome or grotesque horror we asked both genders to gain different point of views. 

Questions are as follows:

1. Would you prefer to watch a short film or a trailer?
2. How old are you?
3. Do you enjoy horror films? (if so, what do you enjoy about them)
4. If you don't like horror films, what is it you dont like about them?
5. How often do you watch horror films?
6. How would you rate the film plot? (A brief plot of your trailer was given and people were asked to rate it out of -  being excellent)
7. If you had to give the film a title, what would it be and why?
8. Is there any imporvments /changes you would suggest to improve the films plot?
9. List the qualitites that you feel are essential in creating a good horror film
10. What is your biggest fear?

Initial Ideas

Myself and Rosie have chosen to work together in order to complete our creation of a horror trailer. After speaking to each other about initial ideas, we soon decided we'd both like to create a trailer within the horror genre as we feel that we could get the most out of this and create a good, high quality trailer.

We both discussed our favourite horror films and what it was about them that we found so gripping. Films like The Orphan and Paranormal Activity have been a huge mass market success within the horror genre proving that this is extremely popular and current which is why we have decided to create our own horror film.

Our initial idea was a narrative based on the idea of stolen identity within a school setting. A brief plot of the trailer is

"A girl (Belle) is late for school so takes a shortcut through nearby fields where she notices some is watching her. She receives a phone call from an unknown number where she hears heavy breathing on the other end. She arrives and school and later on, she goes back to her classroom to find another girl (Cindy) sitting in her seat who appears to have stolen her identity. Unknown to Belle, Cindy has a room full of photos, files and facts about her. Throughout the trailer, Belle regularly sees Cindy's reflection instead of her own but when she turns around, she is never there. At the end of the trailer, Belle discovers Cindy's room dedicated to her when suddenly she door begins to open behind her..."

In order to express our ideas, we created a story board of the main points within our trailer. By doing this, we were able to see areas in which we needed to develop our idea further and ways we could improve the narrative.

We then created a mind map of ideas and produced a questionnaire which we asked our target audience of people aged 15+ to complete. We asked both students and teachers to complete the questionnaire as we wanted to gain a broad set of responses. Stereotypically, males are supposed to watch more horror films than women but due to the fact our film is not a gruesome or grotesque horror we asked both genders to gain different point of views.

Filming

Before we start filming, we had a disscussion to plan our ideas where we decided on locations, speech and costumes amongst other things. As a result of this, we were fairly confident in our filming abilities and the mise en scene relating to our film.

Rosie and I were in the actors involved in our trailer meaning we can film during media lessons without having to disrupt other peoples lessons- this is means we have at least 5 hours a week of filming. We planned our shots and camera angles we wanted to use before filming to organise ourselves and save time when we went to film. We soon realised that in order to get the perfect shot, it was extremely likely that we would need to have more than one attempt at this. Having underestimated this factor, we only set aside a small amount of time to shoot our opening sequence. However, once we realised that this was the case, we made sure we gave ourselves plenty of time to record footage. 

As we were both filming and acting, we didn't have to rely on others and were able to film whenever we wanted instead of needing to organise times with other people. Similarly, most of the footage is in school- this was particularly practical as we are already in the building so it was convenient for us both. A benefit of this is that as we were already in school, we were able to film a section of our trailer and get automatic feedback from our teacher and see if anything needed to be changed. 

The costumes used for our roles were our school uniforms- this was to establish that we are school pupils ourselves allowing the audience to relate to the characters. Throughout the trailer, both characters are wearing purple blouses. This was purposely done to show the connection between the characters as well as suggesting possible idolisation from Cindy to Belle. 

         

Studio Idents

                                        

The studio idents above are from the "big six" studios and are shown before the vast majority of films. Each of the idents show  grand and superior scenes that only the film industry could get a way with due to the high quality.

Paramount's mountain logo is the oldest ident dating back to 1912 and is believed to be based on Ben Lomond Mountain in Utah. The ident above was made in 1995 and used for 4 years before there was a subtle change to it. The Paramount ident is regularly changed although this is done in subtle ways so that it is still recognisable to the audience. The flying stars add a 'magical' sense to the ident yet also suggests quality within the films.

Columbia's torch carrying lady dates back to 1914. Columbia's student ident has become a well recognised ident due to the music played alongside it. This  particular ident has not been changed from the original as people are familiar with the company and can recognise the ident.

Walt Disney pictures is a very famous and well known ident. As soon as the audience see the ident, they get an idea as to the type of film they are likely to see as Disney are well known for their 'happy ending' type films. This is reflected in the ident as 'magical' music and images are used to link in with the films genre.

Twisted pictures is an American independent production company known for creating films within the horror genre. The company was founded by Evolution Entertainment's Mark Burg, Oren Koules and Gregg Hoffman in 2004. Twisted most well known films include the Saw series and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The Woman In Black

The Woman In Black is based on the classic ghost story written by Susan Hill.  The genre is noticeably recognisable from the use of the atmospheric non diegetic sound of the howling wind creating tension and eeriness from the outset. This is further emphasised through the use of iconography; throughout the trailer, particularly at the start, childish dolls play a prominent part in portraying a chilling atmosphere.

Using children's dolls is extremely ironic as in reality, they are very innocent toys. The irony used is to create an unnerving and uncomfortable feel . It could also foreshadow further events suggesting that the narrative may include children and from this screen shot, it suggests that the final outcome may not be a happy ending. Later on in the trailer, we are introduced to three young girls- their appearance adds to the ghostly feel of the film as they are all very fair skinned and dressed in a way reflecting the time period of the film setting.  A childhood narration is played throughout the trailer-the audience are unaware as to who the child is from viewing the trailer although this may become clearer when watching the full length film

An establishing shot is used to set the scene at the very start of the trailer. A low angle, wide shot creates enigma as it gets the audience thinking as to what has or will happen in the room. The dark colours and low lighting used in this shot create mysterious shadows add to the mystery of the scene. Iconography is used particularly cleverly as childish toys such as dolls and cars are used ironically and juxtaposing as they are innocent things but are creating a much more sinister effect.

Pathetic fallacy plays a huge part in creating an eerie feel to the trailer.  The use of howling wind and the continuing of the toy music gives a sense of emptiness within the area. Similarly, fog and mist visible on the still shown below is very atmospheric reflecting the whole mood of both the film and trailer. The point of view aerial shot emphasises the isolation and vulnerability-  once the water bridges together, there is no escape from the island.

Quick edits are used in between shots at the beginning of the trailer to create suspense for the viewer. However,  towards the end of the trailer longer transactions are used in which the screen cut to black in between shots, creating tension. During the quick edits, the colour scheme cuts between black and white- this could be a way of showing the past of the character of Daniel Radcliffe, who is used as a method of attracting audiences and adding a high production value to the film.

I feel that this is a brilliant shot to end the trailer on. I believe it sums up everything the film has to offer; mystery, tension and a chilling atmosphere!

Bait

Bait, directed by Tom Shankland is a short film about the pressures poverty puts on  relationships. It tells the story of hardship and love and how love wins in every situation. The script was developed through Shankland's personal experience of being in a much similar situation at King's Cross Station.

An establishing shot sets the scene in what appears to be a small council flat emphasising the lack of money the duo has. this is further emphasised through the disappointment portrayed through Clint's father after being unsuccessful in a job interview. Here, we can see Clint making sandwiches for both himself and his father showing the independence he has to deal with at such an early age. As it is only Clint and his father around, in my opinions he's learnt how to look after himself as a way of helping his struggling father get through life. A low angle shot is used to show Clint looking up to his father  suggesting that he is proud of him and looks up to his father as a role model. The camera then cuts from an interior shot inside the flat to an exterior shot of the couple getting onto the bus which represents the movement in time. The setting then moves to a run down market/ cafe environment which emphasises their lack of money as they can't afford to go to a more up market place. Whilst in the cafe, the father asks the cafe worker "How much is a plain biscuit?" again emphasising the poor family as he is trying to find the cheapest option available.

Sinister music is used when the tramp enters the cafe as a way of allowing the audience to get an insight into what will happen. The type of music used here foreshadows the fact that the tramp will more than likely do something immoral involving young Clint. He is shown to be a threating character. Following this, the camera pans to view the empty cafe showing the passing of time. The camera then cuts to view Clint's father coming out of the amusement centre where he had a job interview with a disappointed attitude suggesting that he didnt get the job he was after as he uses very heavy movements as he makes his way to the cafe to retrieve his son.

After realising who stole Clint's bate box, his father goes out to confront him but ends up breaking down, overcome with emotion and ends up confiding in the tramp. Following this, an eye level point of view shot is used to show how the boy is seeing his father at this emotional time.