Scream Remake

We found this a good learning experience as through pratically re-creating this scene we were able to come across dilemma's and work our way around them or plan how we would in the future. One problem we found was the mise-en-scene. Due to our surroundings we felt that the scene may have been slightly more effective if we were able to film it in a similar enviroment, however this could be easily over come in the future and with more planning we could also make effective use of the lighting. Another problem we faced was continuity, as alot of the shots were consistant we found it difficult to find a fluent shot that worked well without mistakes. To repeat this we would make sure we kept our time well, so we had more time than neccissary and were not rushed. This way we would be able to take more shots and have a wider choice to edit from.
We did however feel that we shot the angles well and the timing of the shots were well planned. We felt the shots zoomed when appropriate and were well matched to the original Scream.
We have learned alot from our re-make and by having a first hand experience we are now prepared for our origianal horror and what we can improve on to give us the highest marks possible. We will be well aware of our time management and to make sure we have enough shots, so when it comes to editing we are left with enough material to create the best horror standard we possibly can

Story Boarding

We have began story boarding our opening sequence. Firstly by roughly sketching out our camera angles and shots we felt would be effective for our film. We then began taking photographs of the shots we have decided to use in our film. We took the photographs from the location we actually wish to film our piece however the time of day will be night time but it gave us a good idea of camera placings and inspirations of camera angles that would work well.

Before taking photographs we sketched out roughly the camera angles we had already discussed, such as opening with a wide establishing shot. This meant that we had a rough idea what we were looking for when it came to photographing our story board. We also plan to create a video of our photographs for a story board so that it will be clear the way we wish the shots to occure and plan out.

Storyboard 2

Film Brief

After brainstorming our ideas we began building up a plot for our whole horror film. We have decided to base our horror on a group of stalkers, who will eventually be revealed as not only pyschopaths but scientists looking to create their perfect being. However our horror will stick to more pyschological conventions rather than sci-fi. The perpertrators inflict torture on a chosen set of female vitims who's features they have identified as those that they wish to use in their creation. The horror will see 2 survivers out of the 6 original victims. The opening 2 minutes of our horror will example one of the victims attack, as she is followed home. It will also show body parts of unconcious girls marked with a black cross, hinting towards the story line of the plot however ideally creating suspense.

Preliminary Task - "Did You Bring It?"

For our preliminary task we created a scene from a script we were given. The aim of this task was to become used to the equipment and concepts of a film. During this we also learnt how to use the editing software. Our scene displays concepts such as "shot-reverse-shot" and transitions between each frame.

Media Evaluation


For our preliminary task we were asked to film a bar scene using different camera angles and shots. I feel that we demonstrated continuity well to a certain extent as the whole scene seems to run smoothly. There were times where we had to be careful to cut out parts, as background characters would suddenly appear and disappear at times where we had taken different shots and they had moved. But I feel we handled this well and erased this problem all together. However there is a stage right at the beginning of the scene where you can hear the door slam twice when the camera is on one of the actors. This is where we took different pieces of film and did not realise, but we felt it would be difficult to cut this without the scene looking jumpy and as the scene was in the bar we thought that more than one person may have been walking through the door. The door slams were also covered a lot by our backing track as at this moment in the scene it is quite loud.
I feel that that we demonstrated match-on-action well, as I did not feel that the scene seemed like there were seconds missing and it all seemed to run smoothly. We had to be particularly careful of this when one of the characters hands over an object in a bag and the shot goes from a long shot to a close up where the other character received it. We had to carefully cut the tape when the bag is the same distance away from the character in both shots. I feel we did this well and a difference is not noticed, but it could have perhaps been slightly more accurate. I also feel we demonstrated the 180 degree rule well as the cameras were all set to the same side of the actors and this did not change throughout the scene. This is so the audience do not feel confused by the conversation and the positioning of the characters and they were always filmed from the same side.
Our group as a whole worked well together, we completed our task on time and we all had ideas to add so the outcome was a result of all our ideas. However I do feel that some members did more in some aspects as they took to the program a lot more easily than others, but this was evened out in other aspects like the filming and I think that most people in the end played a quite equal role in the whole process.
I feel there are a couple of moments where the actor involuntarily paused in the shot that given the chance we could have cut out as well as the extra door banging at the start of the scene. I also would have made the mise-en-scene a lot more believable and given the time I would like to have made the filming area a lot more bar-like. Due to the lack of mise-en-scene the piece seemed slightly confusing to the audience as they were not able to recognise where the characters were and what was actually happening.
I feel the video was planned and thought through well. We generally knew which clips we wanted to use for each shot in the scene as we remembered which pieces were filmed smoothly and well which meant we were able to plan out which film we would use for each shot. However at times we did not use our best material I feel and if we had planned a little more then we could have perfected the piece more.
We felt it was important to use transitions with our piece to keep it interesting and running smoothly. When the characters spoke we chose to make them fade into one another which I feel looked good, but the program seemed to make the shade of the scene temporarily change which I feel could have been improved with more knowledge of the program or a change of transitions. We also added transitions before and after the subtitles, making the scene fade to black and then fade to white, this is because we felt that this would portray the darkness of it. We also had the whole scene in black and white because the colourful background of the area didn’t seem to give of the slightly threatening feel we aimed for, also by doing the scene did not seem to so obviously not be filmed in a bar.
The editing software was mostly self-taught by my group members and i; we learned to work out the basics by ourselves with trial and error as we started from scratch with no prior knowledge of how to work it. We also learned to accurately guess when to cut and past the pieces of film as at times the program didn’t work properly and this made it hard to see the piece running smoothly. This piece also taught me to use the cameras properly and the different ways I can use them to film.

Brainstorming Ideas For Opening Of Horror Film.

After watching and studying a variety of different horror films our group gathered, so we could brainstorm ideas for our horror. We're aiming to create an opening sequence of a film that can conform to typical horror conventions when necessary to provide the best effect on our audience. However we intened to make our opening sequence individual, breaking as well as complying with horror conventions.
We all added ideas and scenes which we felt would be effective and our group agreed that we would display a sequence of short shots that at first would slightly confuse the audience but gradually would become more clear as time passed. The effect of doing this we felt would hook the audience straight away and would allow the audience to interpet it how they chose. We idealised that the unknown would straight away scare the audience and will hopefully branch out to each persons individual needs to feel fear and suspense effectivly.

Opening 3 Minutes of The Strangers

The Strangers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnLRdAuzeP0&feature=PlayList&p=38B1CF084BF91DD2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50

The film begins with flashing lights for a few seconds. This confuses the audience automatically and creates an uncomfortable feeling for the eyes. This is straight away a hint, that the film about to be watched will not be a relaxing one. As the lights flash, different letters seem more evident yet it is still impossible to work out what they are to spell out. In the end the combine to present the “Rogue Pictures”.
The title for "Intreped Pictures" is then shown, again with typical horror film conventions immeadietly setting up the mood of the film. the logo is based around the colour red which is easily recognised as a negative colour as is heavily associated with blood and violence. The lighting conforms the negative portrayel as the yellow not only contrasts greatly with the red and black but it is also a sign of danger and fear.
The flashing then begins again every couple of seconds and the opening credits begin, which are in a dark orange. This is untraditional as typically the credits to a film with a large link to violence would be a red colour, but the orange is traditionally used for a happy bright tone. However this “twist” can subconsciously set the viewer up for discomfort and confusion from the offset. The writing starts off small and although the size never changes hugely it subtly grows before fading out. This change is subtle so the viewer does not usually immediately pick up on it, however makes the subtitles seem unsteady which can reflect the whole theme of the novel.
The subtitles then become pieces of information, setting up the whole film and its story. Still with the same affects, however a male voice over begins to read to read the text. The voice of the male is deep, which is a typical convention of voice over’s in horror films as males are generally seen as stronger as and more powerful than females. This also makes men more fearful to an audience and the serious tone in the male’s voice creates anticipation for the viewer. The effects of doing this and giving the viewer useful information that directly ties with the plot of the film makes it seem a lot more personal. As the information is shown there is high pitched background noise, that sounds sharp and if listened to closely enough almost sounds like echoes of screams and human interaction. However all of this sound virtually stops as the information suddenly personally addresses the characters in the film. This is the first time the viewer is made aware of them as targets and characters in the story about to be told. By subtly quietening the extra-diagetic music the voice becomes clearer and we are made aware that this particular piece of information is vital to the rest of the film and is in fact what it is based around.
The flashing then re-starts and we hear nothing but the sound of an engine starting up and this is the first sound we hear that comes directly from the story. As the flashing ends the camera is tracking alongside some large bright white houses. White is usually used as a sign of innocence creating a sinister feel to the scene right from the start. The whole house is not in shot, only the front door height of each building and as the camera tracks along side them, combined with the sound of the motor we get a view as though we’re inside a car of some sort looking outwards. The flashing then continues for a few seconds before the camera goes back to another view of the house, however slightly differently. The buildings this time are still white and bright however the frame is wider and we get the chance to see that the sky is blue and the day seems warm and bright. This is not a typical generic convention of horror films and is a direct contrast the extra-diagetic music which seems sinister. This shot continues for a few seconds before switching back to the flashing for a couple of seconds.
At this stage the viewer feels confused as they are yet to establish where the events of the movie are going to occur. The camera is then again on housing, this time a more cream colour, this is less innocent than the original white and the house seems a lot more isolated unlike the other shots where the housing were directly next to one another. The flashing then continues for a few seconds before the next shot which is again another isolated house, again a cream colour but with a lot more dark shades over it. This shot is also a lot darker than the previous shots and it is made evident that the sun is setting behind the housing. The flashing the continues before yet another shot of a house, still with the sun setting yet this time a lot darker due to the lack of sun and shading around it. The building is this time also small in the frame and with no neighbouring houses helps the realisation for the viewer that with each building becoming closer to dark they are also more alone. The flashing continues until the camera is on yet another building, this time a wide shot. The sky is almost dark and the house is shown as being in the middle of a field with no neighbours what so ever. Due to this technique it becomes clear to the viewer that they are making a journey and the final destination will be at nightfall. Not only does the theme of darkness play on the fear of the unknown and unseen the scene also plays on the fear of being alone, as it seems in times of danger the viewer may feel helpless not only to themselves but to the characters. The flashing then continues in another short burst, before the next shot which is a lot more unclear. Although it is again housing this time the scene is virtually pitch black and the few street lights create a sense of UN comfort in comparison to the previous buildings.
The flashing begins again, however this time we immediately hear the beginning of a phone call with emergency services and heavy breathing. The first diagetic speech in the film being “911 what’s you’re emergency” automatically informs us that a tragedy has occurred. The respondent is breathing heavily and is distressed and scared, with the response “there are people here”, we immediately think that we are listening to the victim during their time of crisis.
The flashing then stops, although the telephone conversation continues we see a close up of a cars windscreen smashed and scratched up. The hole in the front of it however is oddly heart shaped and through it we see two figures standing far away with nothing around them. The two figures are the only things in shot and the setting of fields shows how wherever the scene is, it’s pretty isolated with no other signs of life around. As the caller informs us his name is “Jordan” we become more aware that we are not listening to the original victim. The lighting is bright again, showing us that the night has passed and the events currently taking place are as a result of what has already happened and also makes the viewer questioning what it is that has actually happened.
It becomes clear who the caller is as the shot becomes a wide shot from inside a hallway. We again see the too figures, this time closer and clearer and we are informed that they are two school boys. Inside the hallway is dark which is a contrast to the light outside, setting up the inside of the house to be sinister and dangerous or to have had sinister and dangerous events occur within it. Both boys are both dressed in white uniforms which not only makes them appear innocent to but young and naive. The door is already left open and we see them entering from the outside, their body language fearful and unsuspecting. This is the first real indication that they are passers by and the phone call being made is by someone who was not involved. The distressed tone in their voice shows whatever it is they’re viewing is distressing and obviously quite brutal.
As the enter the building both become shadowed in dark which leaves the viewer nervous of what it is they are going to find. The shot is low angle, which could be interpreted as making the pair seem heroic but also gives us the impression of being low to the ground as if things have been knocked around and are lying on the floor giving us the definite feel of a disturbance.
The camera shot is then a close up of a running record player. The record player being running feels creepy and shows signs of resent activity. However there is no longer sound playing from it, making us feel uncomfortable with the houses’ silence. The player is red and black, the red hinting blood. In the meantime the voice is still speaking in a distressed tone, revealing more and more information.
The camera frame is then a close up of a ring box and petals on the floor. This and the player are typically romantic objects and are a contrast the tone of the scene. However the petals are also dark red and again hint and blood and violence. As the distressed voice actually states “there’s blood on the walls” the camera frame no longer hints to blood and is of a close up of a kitchen knife covered in blood. The outside edges of the shot are darker and the centre almost lighter so are eyes are directly drawn to the weapon. The petal sat just next to it is a complete contrast and shows how the sinister the events that have occurred are and how they seen to have happened to ordinary every day people. The romantic symbols are also an indication that the victims may be a young couple who were in love.
The next frame is a shot of a large amount of blood splattered all over a wall. The redness of the blood is a disparity to the cream walls which is usually a colour that shows innocence. In the right hand side of the shot we can also see photo frames still hanging on the wall although the lighting is very dark, making the viewer directly link the victims of this tragedy as to being normal everyday people with lives and family. This not only makes the onlooker emphasise with the victims but also uncomfortable and on edge.
The next frame is of a large gun lying on a kitchen table, the background is just an average kitchen but blurred so our attention is straight away fixed to the gun. It seems unusual that such a sinister object is lying so casually in the middle of a household but also helps the viewer link with the blood splatter on the wall seen previously. All objects seem to make up a part of the story that is yet to be uncovered and leaves the viewer eagerly anticipating the events that occurred in this building.
The flashing then begins again as we hear the callers final lines “there’s blood everywhere”, still sounding disturbed and distraught before the final title is displayed. This again is in orange, which seems all the more disturbing to the viewer as they are quick to relate it with blood now and the flashing helps us relate to being damaged and battered.
The affects of showing the viewer the ending of the story makes them already intrigued to find out how this disturbance and all the destruction and damage viewed occurred. Although the viewer is shown the ending they are carefully not shown the conclusion so still curious to find out the results of what has happened to lead up to that scene.