Typical Conventions Regarding The Genre of Horror/Thriller Horror/Thriller movies typically follow similar conventions in order to create an effective, frightening atmosphere, as certain factors trigger viewers emotions to reach the peak level, achieving a sense of fright, as intended. Isolation or confined space are typically composed of low key, underexposed, unnatural lighting, which creates a sense of the unknown within the shadows, alongside an urban stretch of land, particularly surrounded by living plants much like brushes, and trees which would allow the culprit to hide his or hers identity, creating tension as the movie progresses to action, also creating shadows and unfamiliar shapes. The lighting usually is streaming from one small, weak source, to convey a sense of flickering hope, usually a candle, with the danger to easily be disrupted to allow the victim to be senseless. Characters are usually framed alone to reflect upon their vulnerability, without help or not within the range of rescue, which foreshadows further occurrences in the movie leading to typically a murder. Large rundown ghost towns or back alleyways seem particularly a common aspect of horror/thriller as again, the theme of segregation is portrayed. Specifically, historical factors are shown as frightening, containing a past anecdote, now abandoned, holding ghastly figures of the past, with a dark history, much like asylums, haunted houses and run down hotels/derelict buildings. Other locations seen as excluded from publicity are woodland areas, highways, country lanes, cabins, graveyards, basements, attics, planets/space, and underground locations. These are used against deep focus, shallow focus and mostly blurred setting to create mise-en-scene, alongside tilts and whip pans to create a disorderly, distorted tone. These areas are usually shot via an establishing long shot to enable location to be revealed and established, perhaps alongside a filter, either red, green or grey commonly, to connote a different worldly feature or to indicate a sense of danger. Camera Work is cleverly designed to elicit certain feelings of fear and nightmare. These are not displayed to be natural, as they are very expressive in order to highlight certain emotions. This may be extreme differences from a low angle to a high. Handhelds shots allow the audience to feel great difficulty into knowing the surroundings, therefore building tension and fear of the unknown. This works amongst whip pans, which allow very small parts of setting to be shown, as the camera moves too quickly, conveying a sense of fright and fast occurrences. Point of view shots and reaction shots allow the audience to feel empathy with the characters being in frightening situations or on the other hand, from the culprits eye, with the victim being unaware, showing vulnerability. Using certain techniques, such as depth of field allows the culprit to be shown once closer, and unknown on approach, making the escaping method difficult, therefore creating a terrifying experience. Usually threats not seen on camera tend to be more terrifying, as the viewers create imagery in their minds of what may be behind the camera, again adding to a sense of build up. This may be followed by an eye line match, showing the audience the fear of the victim, allowing them to match their expectations, giving the addictive yet terrifying emotion horror movies do. Sound (Diegetic and non diegetic) are major aspects of horror/thriller. This is due to sound allowing disturbing and tension adding affects to the movie, for example heart beats, which are diegetic sound, played during the scene to allow a sense of panic, movies of this genre tend to portray. Non diegetic sound would include eerie music playing off the set, allowing a build up of tension, again, which works alongside images and changes between shots, usually used against fast paced editing for the chaotic occurrences, or against slower paced editing for an unsettling torturous feel. This may also be used to scare the audience with a calm atmosphere, then a sudden jump, as shots are put to a faster pace. Classic narrative structure allows the typical conventions to be used. For example, the ending is either a cliff hanger, allowing more sequels or franchises to be brought out, or a sense of closure via a death of a character, or what we expect to be a happy ending, then subverting to be that the culprit makes a reappearance. Usually the killer, which is predominantly male, has had an awful past life, as a child, particularly in thriller or slashed movies, or some type of brain disorder, driving them to insanity. This may be a psychotic, medical issue or another issue associated. Sometimes, a survivor may be shown, but never male, as they are always seen to be the hero which tries to help the female, however dies and the female survives in shock of the whole experience. The main types of characters to appear are: The main protagonist often the victim or hero, the villain either a serial killer or a monster or different feature, the stupid character which may be seen murdered first, authority perhaps police officers which tend to turn out to be part of the horrific event, therefore the characters are left helpless. Children shown in horror movies usually play a more sinister role, being part of a group or vunerable to become possessed and connected with the dead. Themes may include good versus evil, depression, religion, supernatural, science, nightmares, suicide, teenagers exploring different dangerous areas, insanity or lust. Weapons are typically sharp or have connotations of death, for example a knife or gun with the ability to inforce an instant death. Different weapons which are less common may include a base ball bat or pipes and other features used in every day life. Bibles are a major prop used both against and with the culprit, usually featuring in supernatural movies, such as The Conjuring, to enforce a sense of power against the supernatural element, however usually fails or tends to determinate further occurrences. Purposes may vary, for example most horror films are brought to cinemas in order to renovate income as they are some of the highest grossing movies, however horrors tend to have other purposes too. For example the hype created is a sense of an adrenaline rush, therefore can become addictive yet frightening to view. Horrors may contain supernatural elements that may not tend to be scary, but create hope for a viewer which may have lost a friend or family member and wishes to connect with them. This may be via props shown in horror movies such as Ouija boards, which are shown to work, and via movement of objects which may allow an audience to believe in ghosts and other features which may create pleasant imagery from experiences or support them in some way.
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Freesound music...
Diegetic and non diegetic sounds we are planning to embed in places of the movie are situated below, with a link. We used these within certain scenes as it enabled a sense of context to be felt, alongside an original idea and the prevention of using copy write or illegal downloading of music.
Name: Gender: Age: Occupation: Q1. What genre of films do you tend to watch? and why? Q2. Where do you prefer to watch films? Please tick
Cinema
Home
Friends
Other (Please specify)
Q3. How often do you watch films? Q4. Do you think the certificate rating of 15 is suitable and why? Q5. Did you enjoy our film? Why?
Yes
No
Q6. If our film was released into the cinemas would you go watch it?
Yes
No
Maybe
Q7. What were your favourite elements (cinematography - shots/mise-en-scene - location/setting/sound and editing) within the film? Q8. Who is your favourite character and why? Q9. What is your overall opinion upon our film? Q10. How could our film be improved if possible, and why?
Monday, 27 March 2017
Plot -Twisted- Group Movie The genre of our movie will be a thriller/horror, sub-genre: suspense horror, due to it having aspects which influence the audiences emotions to reach peak level. The name of the film is 'Twisted'. Within the first few seconds, the main protagonists are framed within the car, in a cheerful atmosphere whilst sat dancing with diegetic music playing and driving down a dark but, peaceful road, clearly at nightfall. As the film progresses, the car pulls to an emergency stop, due to a psychopathic clown killer suddenly appearing at the side of the road frequently swinging a baseball bat, in the direction of the car. Instantly, this will engage the viewers, creating tension to the oncoming occurrences. The clown is represented to be dressed in a frightening mask, hiding identity and composing hidden appearance, along side a track suit in order to scare the audience, with the unique twist of costume, as clowns usually wear colourful attire. Tension builds upon the protagonists and the audience therefore, they begin to feel anxious and worried, resulting in occurrence nearer to the end of the film. The clown is shot slowly strolling around the car and banging on the front windscreen. The characters each scramble out of the car in shock and desperation to get away therefore, they run in different directions to escape, loosing one another. At the ending of the film the clown manages to capture one of the characters, grabbing them from a back angle and drags them from their surroundings therefore, showing a sense of authority and power over the character. The short movie ends with one of the girls having escaped and the other being captured. The car is abandoned, and unable to restart, although the dumb founded character is unaware of how to drive, the clown appears in the back of the car, creating a plot twist as the character believe their alone and safe, creating an ambiguous climax. Evaluation of the plot, including target audience
The target audience of our short film is aimed towards 15 and over. We have included basic stereotypes that relate to our target audience, such as clothing purposes and idiolect from certain characters perspective 'nah she's gone' is seen to be typical Yorkshire idiolect. Horror/Thriller films appear to be very popular with global audiences. We have embedded elements similar to successful films such as IT, engaging the target audience, creating success. Characters featured within our movie are basic yet relatable teenagers, which support our target audience, as they have similar dress codes and attitudes.The debate regarding fictional and nonfictional ideas engage the audience as they appeal to discussing issues which are perhaps shown within our movie, subverting or supporting opinions of the reality of cereal killers. This is perhaps why we rated our movie a 15, as viewers of a younger age wouldn't understand the fictional side, believing its reality and being upset and distraught by such images. Despite the use of blood and gore being common in horror films, ours, on the other hand, uses minimal blood and gore using only threatening behaviour and creepy edits. Although no nudity is shown within the movie, cursing and other non appropriate language is used therefore this wouldn't suit a younger audience as they may pick up such language used within the film.
Sunday, 26 March 2017
Certificate Ratings
Films produced within Britain all have a specific certificate rating in order to present what age is suitable for viewers and the film itself. Therefore, if the film doesn't apply to a younger audience due to it containing inappropriate images for example, then the film will contain an age rating to suit the specific content. The certificate ratings are managed and set by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The BBFC is a non-governmental organisation which is responsible for the topic of the national classification of films.
The first age rating is, U typically standing for Universal. This portrays that films such as, The Smurfs are suitable for all ages however, children under the age of four possibly needs to be accompanied by an adult. Therefore, these films are usually suited to ages of four and over. Within these Universal films they can contain aspects of mild language such as, 'hell' which can influence the younger audiences to recall these words. Furthermore, these films contain minimum sexual scenes however, it can contain a couple of scenes kissing for example. In addition, violence, behavioural and drug scenes are strictly not used within this age certificate as it is not appropriate for younger audiences. Also, as they can be graphical scenes used therefore, children and younger generations can retaliate in the way characters play roles within films. Although, in some Universal films there are various bad guys contained however, they typically not represented as scary otherwise viewers may become detached from the film and frightened.
After this, the next certificate is PG typically meaning Parental Guidance. This shows it is suited for viewers aged eight and over therefore, viewers that are younger than the approved age will need to be advised by a parent to watch the film. In contrast to a Universal film, PG's can contain images such as violence and sex as they are older audiences however, they are still kept quite mild. A PG film tends to represent to the parental audience that the content of the films can be quite upsetting towards certain viewers. As similar to Universal films, no drug scenes are used unless they are harmless otherwise this could influence the younger generations and teach them how to take drugs etc.
The next age certificate listed is a 12A therefore, suggesting that films are suitable for audiences under the age of twelve. Also, within this the A is used to establish the fact that, if a child goes to see a film they must be approved by an adult in case the child is disturbed by any images or upset by the content of the film. Within films rated 12A scenes are briefly summarised when exploring references to violence and sex as they have a clearer understanding. Although, violence scenes contain, mild injuries or blood which can still cause threat towards the audience and frighten them.
In addition to 12A films, they are also ratings of a 12 which doesn't differ massively however, it represents that children under the age of 12 are strictly not approved or permitted to watch these films due to infrequent strong language, and nudity which suggests sexual references that are not appropriate towards the younger viewers. However, when these scenes are reflected within 12 rating films they are stronger in contrast to the other ratings listed above but, mild in order to make sure the audience feel comfortable. Although, people over the age of 12 are approved to watch the film with or without an adult.
On the other hand, the age certificate 15 is films that are suitable for viewers only over the age of 15 and above due to frequent strong language used, nudity and reference to sexual scenes also, there are scenes reflecting drug use and violence. These types of sadistic scenes cause tension, suspense and horror upon the viewers therefore, this may abrupt or disturb younger audiences as they may begin to feel threatened.
Lastly, the description of the age certificate 18, explores and represents that the film is only approved to viewers over the age of 18 and above. These films are likely to contain strong images and scenes of frequent violence and discrimination, and behaviour is portrayed as a threat towards others. Also, there are many scenes showing horror which would frighten younger audiences in contrast to 15 films these are more powerful and create tension upon viewers.
Monday, 20 March 2017
Props & Info...
A major prop that we have included in our film is a baseball bat, which is used by the actor playing the role of the clown, Robert. We needed the baseball bat so that the clown could be framed walking alongside the car and up and down the road swinging it to create terrifying imagery. A baseball bat is an interesting prop to use, as it is unique in comparison to other horror/thrillers, and allows the audience to be aware that the clown is protected in contrast to the other characters, of who are weapon less. The baseball bat is also used to portray the clown's sense of higher power and authority, against the other characters.
The type of clothing is symbolic due to it creating a casual and effective look upon the clown therefore, we used a tracksuit to create a strange and different focus. The clown appears to be in a tracksuit to make it look unhygienic and more frightening. Furthermore, it is an original idea, we thought this idea would be interesting as it juxtaposes to other horror and clown films as they tend to be framed wearing scary but bright colours, a typical clown costume.
Another prop that we need within our film is the clown mask which is significant as it secures the clown and suggests he will be composing his identity. For the clown it could present his sense of higher power in contrast to the other characters within the film who unfortunately do not consist of any props therefore, it shows they are situated in a dangerous and frightening environment, with a concealed enemy.
PLANS
Before we film...
Find a secure location where we are able to film, and that the surroundings link with our film genre, horror.
Make sure everything is in place, and that costume, props such as, a baseball bat and other subject matters are organised such as the script.
Fully check equipment and complete risk assessment to ensure the place is safe.
Make sure we have access to contacts of people within our group. Therefore, to ensure that members of the group can participate on that specific day.
Follow the plot to ensure that the film is finished to a high standard.
Setting/Dates & Times...
Setting: Located on a quiet road on the borough of Stocksbrigde, Sheffield. Although, the road is situated near Mallards Equestrain Centre. Perhaps, we thought of this area due to the fact that, it would be an interesting and effective place due to the quiet surrounding, following horror conventions of isolation. Furthermore, here it creates a dark, dull grey atmosphere therefore, creating tension upon the audience and conveying a frightening visual image.
Times/Dates: We often film at night throughout the week or on weekends from around 7:30pm onwards therefore, it portrays the dark setting that creates a sinister atmosphere.
On the day...
The group will travel to the specific location stated above, in order to meet inbetween 7:30 - 8:00 therefore, the surrounding is dark therefore, we can use low key lighting to create an uncomfortable setting. As we arrive, we will carefully set up the provided equpiment such as, the camera and tripod to make sure eveything is secure before we begin to film. On the first day filming, within the group we will swap roles of either being a director or an actor therefore, we will film a couple of scenes consisting each character. We will mainly film the scenes where each of the characters consist of a monologue to portray their social group such as, being male or female also, their reactions and emotions upon the subject focus within our horror film. As we film these certain scenes, it will relate them to the horrific images within our scene.
Each day we film we will focus upon different aspects within. Therefore, separating the film in to different secttions making it manageable and effective.
What to buy...
Clown mask therefore, the actor playing the role of the clown composes their sense of personality and identity.
Clown outfit such as, a tracksuit in order to show that he is casual and portray they are not from a similar background as of the other characters. As they are typically represented as informal and folksy. We thought of this idea as it is original, differentiating other horror films such as, IT as they tend to appear wearing a colourful and vivid costume therefore, this explores aspects of mise - en - scene.
Baseball bat in order to use as a prop to show the clown's sense of power and authority over the other characters within the film.
