Poster: Research- similarities summary

Research of horror posters helped me identify most posters will consist of a background, main image, strap line, title and release date. From this I found that the main image will always be a snippet of the film or a key character regarding the horror film although will only give a hint. Similarly, the strap line is very significant, most of the straplines researched always left a feel of mystery and suspense creating the urge and want to know more. The strap line and main image when put together develop further as to what the plot is about as they link with each other. In relation to my sub-genre which is paranormal, I generally found that posters didn’t reveal much although would be enough to create an impression that it is from the paranormal genre. Furthermore, within the paranormal based posters, they generally had some correlation in regard to features such as strapline would link to the image which would ultimately link to the title.

Poster: research (Genre specific)

Non-digital format:-

Poster: Research (Non-Genre specific)

Film: final product

Film: Audience feedback (3rd Draft)

Film: Horror film draft 3

Film: feedback from non specific target audience (staff)

Film: Mise en scene make up tutorial done by me

Film: horror film draft 2

Film: Schedule

Sunday 29^th January 2017 – 5:45PM – 7:45PM

Group members present- Kirat, Rajveer, Amandeep and Ranita + 2 actors

-         

-        - Go to house

o   Re-shoot: walking along road, bushes scene, possession scene and final chase scene.

Tuesday 31^st January 2017 – 12:25PM – 3:00PM

-          Editing – Amandeep

o   Remove sound from certain scenes

o   Improve transitions between scenes

o   Add filter to scenes during possession and chase scene

Film: Feedback

The film ‘The Possession’ that was created by the group was an overall good film and a good first attempt. However, the feedback showed us that the sound in the film would be worked out.
The sound that was used was good, however the sound could have been used differently instead of just one loud dramatic sound.

Due to this feedback, the person who is in charge of the sound will try and bring in the sound differently, for example, the sound in the film will be brought in slowly and lightly which will then build up to build up tension and make the audience wonder what is going to happen.
Another factor that needs to be worked on in the film is the sound of the dialogue, which is distorted by the wind. This may need to be fixed by doing a voice over or even going and filming the scenes again. 

Another part of the film that needs fixing is the fuzzy effect that the camera had made. However, some feedback that we had received stated that they liked this aspect, however, we had some feedback that said they were not too keen on the camera being fuzzy. Therefore, this may have to be fixed by editing and changing the distortion of the picture when editing. 

Also, the mise en scene needs to have a few adjustments, such as Amandeep’s eyes being a different colour, either red or green. Once Amandeep’s eyes have changed colour, we could make it even more apparent by zooming into Amandeep’s eyes to see the colour change. 

As the white sheet in the film is the ‘object of significance’, it is suggested that when Rajveer jumps out of the bushes to try and scare his friends, he could wear a white sheet over him, so then later when the white sheet re appears in the film, the friends would think that it is Rajveer playing about.
Another part that needs to be changed in the film is the colour grades in the film, this would help by making the picture seem much clearer in the film. 

Overall, the film ‘The Possession’ received positive feedback, with editing being a highlight of the film, storyline being good and the story flowing.
Many changes to do need to be done, the only changes that will need to be done will be minor sound and picture perfecting edits. 

Film: Overall Evaluation Process

Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media?

•       Consider the conventions you spotted in your research and how you have embedded these into your work

•       Editing? Transitional scenes?

•       How did you develop these conventional ideas? Have you adapted ideas in a new way or used a linking factor?

•       Have you incorporated anything new into your film that has not been seen before? Why has this been done?

When conducting my initial research, I began with analysing a range of short horror movies of various sub-genres, I done this so that I could identify features across all movies as well as individual effects and features within my chosen sub-genre. A general feature Identified that I wanted to incorporate within my short horror movie was non-diegetic music, this is because I believed sound played a key part in bringing tension within a scene therefore my opening scene would consist of a soundtrack which would bring a sense of discomfort within the audience. Secondly a feature I identified within my sub-genre; paranormal was a sense of build up from the outset, this is why in my first initial movie draft we created a chronological build-up of tension. Therefore, my media film would tie in perfectly with existing movies as i followed the conventions from the movies I researched. I also tried to develop the ideas gathered from my research in order to make my media product follow the conventions of media product such as adding more of a story to the reason why a possession occurs within my movie. I decided to use news articles to create a sense of real life within the short film, this is because being an active viewer of horror movies, I identified those movies with more meaning and factual sense created more tension as it created a lasting effect. Therefore I adapted ideas from long horror movies and adapted it to my short horror film.

Question 2: How did you find the filming process?

•       What was your individual area and what did you aim to do? Did this end up happening in the way which you had expected?

•       How did the group work together? What was this experience like?

•       Comment on the planning of your film, rehearsal and how your schedule informed your decisions – did you think there was anything that could have been improved for the next time?

•       How did you find post-production work? Was it simple or difficult to edit the film and why?

My individual area was Mise en scene, I felt this was a key area of a movie as without a good location, good props, good costumes it would not create the same tension and build up. I aimed to make the location as scary as possible, I achieved this by filming in a dark area where not many people would be, using police tape outside the house to develop the idea that this area shouldn’t be entered in which the boys still continue to do. Within the house we ensured that it was empty, this was because we decided that it would not have the same effect if modern props such as TV’s, Sofas and other furniture was present therefore prior to filming I had removed all the items I felt I didn’t require. I made sufficient use of the fake blood by splashing it all over the sink, over letters and over the news articles which is clearly identifiable within the film. The group at first was dysfunctional however I took a directing role and organised a time schedule in which I made the group keep on task and not drift away from what was required to do. Although it was good experiencing issues on our first filming as it ensured that the same mistakes would not be made again. Before filming the draft I made the group rehearse how I wanted them to act and facial expressions although I explained to them I wanted them to act natural and not stick the script fully as I wanted it to be as natural as possible. At first not much attention was paid to the schedule although after the first filming draft I understood that it was key in ensuring that the film went to plan and no scenes would be missed. After producing first draft, this is when post production would come into play such as incorporating sound and editing which are essential to the overall success of the film.

Question 3: What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

•       Consider the research you undertook before producing your first draft; how did this inform your decisions? What did you include for your chosen demographic?

•       How did your questionnaires change initial decisions?

•       What did different target audiences comment on and how did you make the decision to choose one over another?

•       Who did you review and did this give you a biased or range of feedback? How?

First, I conducted a normal questionnaire which I distributed to a wide range of people of different ages, genders but all of which had an interest in horror movies which ensured all data collected was relevant. After this I conducted a smaller but more targeted questionnaire towards my target audience in which I done over a social media site called WhatsApp within a group. This data allowed me to develop my initial idea for creating my first product and make decisions on type of characters, props and locations. From my initial idea, the questionnaire was mainly supportive and followed the ideas of what I chose to film however in the areas that the feedback wanted that wasn’t incorporated in my idea I would add it in. My target audience were all ranged from 17-19 and I made conclusions based on a majority answers. Furthermore, I seeked advice from a previous person who filmed and producer who advised me on what to do within my movie which helped as it ensured my idea was realistic and achievable although successful.

 4. Question 4: How did you incorporate a range of media technologies within the research and planning stages of your film?

In my process of short film horror research, I tried to use a range of digital technologies in order to achieve best possible marks. I used social media software’s ranging from YouTube to twitter and WhatsApp. I was able to develop a portfolio of information in a suitable way as social media is the way modern day citizens communicate as its becoming easier and faster. WhatsApp allowed me to create a group and ask questions of which everyone was giving feedback of what to include in the horror film. I could identify that there was a correlation to create a film which edged towards being a paranormal film. This is because Paranormal activity is a popular horror movie and has proven to be quite successful among youth as well as elder horror viewers. When presenting my information, I favoured presentation software’s such as Prezi, YouTube, SlideShare, Emaze and Storyboard. I faced difficulties using Storyboard as It was only valid for a period of two weeks before becoming premium by which I wouldn’t be able to access or edit it. I have used new media software’s for my first horror film draft such as editing movie app. Our group helped each other with editing as it was the challenging process. Due to having no experience of editing this was the negative aspect as this prolonged the process of producing the film. However, overseeing sound I used online media to add sound effects into the sounds I produced on keyboard pianos which gave it a real-life effect.      

Film: Editing process for first draft

Film: Mise En Scene- Preparation

In this image you can identify that we use fake blood in order to create the effect someone had been murdered in this house, a hand was used as the audience can easily identify that this is a human hand. The significance of a human hand is that it is frightening to believe that another human has been murdered which brings tension in the specific scene.

Blood is equally spread over the sink to create the effect that there was a sense of instability involved with the victim and too emphasise how much blood was lost which makes the murder appear more tense.

We wanted the murder to feel real and have connection with other murders in order to build suspense and build up to the final possession of the boy. The newspaper articles are all different murders but all have some sort of connection, the fact they are covered in blood adds to the tension of the stories.

The glass cup was also covered in blood, we done this as in horror movies we identified there were always wine glasses laying around, therefore as I was in charge of props I felt it was key to use the vintage wine glass to create suspense and build up.

Here you can identify that a weapon is been placed in the area of the blood location, this is because we felt it was a good idea to add a tool that could result in this sort of damage.

The splattered blood suggest that someone was brutally murdered in order for it to be spread in such a way.

Film: first Draft

Film: rehearsal (Video)