Film Schedule

Monday 14th November 2016 - 17:00pm:

On this day we rehearsed our lines and figured out how were going to be positioned and when were going to say our lines to ensure that the whole script flows. We also tried to run through the script without keep looking at the lines so that we don't stutter when it comes to filming the final draft. 

Scene 1 and 2 - Monday 21st November - 17:00/18:00pm:

On this day we'll be recording scene 1 and 2 together. 

Particular events? Scene 1 - Myles sees the balloon and pops it and nothing happens. He sees another balloon pops it and the clown appears behind it and kills it while the rest of the friends are clueless. Scene 2 - The rest of the characters notice Myles is gone so they go and find him and find a jack in the box next to his dead body. Rhia goes to the jack in the box and opens it. While the music plays she looks in the reflection of the mirror and sees the clown behind her and he kills Rhia too. 

Who will be presented? Myles, Rhia, Santiago (VJ), Helena and the clown (Jogesh)

Props? The clown costume, mask, machete, fake blood, and jack in the box. 

Scene 3 and 4 - Monday 28th November - 17:00/18:00pm:

On this day we'll be recording scene 3 and 4 together. 

Particular events? Scene 3 - Santiago (VJ) and Helena are the only ones left alive. Vj asks Helena to go and get help so they separate and she crosses paths with the clown and he ends up killing her too. Vj tries to call Helena because shes been gone for a long period of time but instead the clown answers the phone. Scene 4 - Vj then gets the idea to go to the house where the party was meant to be held that they were all going to attend. However, he crosses paths with the clown as he was waiting there for Vj. Then its left with a cliff hanger. 

Who will be presented? Helena,Santiago (Vj), the clown (Jogesh).

Props? The clown costume, mask, machete,and fake blood. 

Script

Playtime Script

Scene One:

(Stage Directions – The four characters walk along the road)

Santiago: "Myles there’s going to be bare peng things fam! You going to chirpse?"

Myles: "I don’t need to chirpse fam, the girls come to me."

Rhia: "Anyway guys, where is this party?" (Stage directions - looks at Helena and *rolls eyes*)

Helena: "Well, this is the address." (Stage directions – laughing at Rhia's reaction whilst looking down at her phone)

Scene Two:

(Stage Directions – Fake scream from Myles)

Myles: "I CAN SEE A WEREWOLF!"

Helena: (Stage directions – screams and drops her phone)

Rhia: (Stage directions – Turns around and gasps)

Santiago: "Shut up Rhia you should know him by now he’s messing around!"

Scene Three:

(Stage Directions - Myles sad after Santiago shouts at him. So, he walks slowly behind the others. A balloon comes from behind and hits him on the head) - Camera tracks the balloon to build tension

Myles: "Guys where did this come from? Guys?!" (Stage Directions – Others ignore him and carry on walking.

Santiago: "Your jokes aren’t funny Myles!!!" (Looking straight ahead)

(Stage directions - He now pops the balloon in anger.)

Scene Four:

(Stage directions- He sees another balloon stuck in the tree. He pulls it down and pops it. A clown appears from behind and kills him. Myles screams)

Santiago: "Yo, did u hear that?"

Helena: "Hear what?"

Rhia: "Wait a minute where’s Myles?"

(Stage directions – The friends run back to find Myles)

Scene Five:

Myles' body is there with blood over it. Also, there is the balloon popped next to him and a jack in the box.

Santiago: "MYLES! NOOOOO! I SHOULD HAVE BELIEVED HIM!" (Stage directions – distraught covers face with hands)

Rhia: (Stage directions – Is mesmerized by the Jack in the box and stares at it)

Helena: "OH NOOO!"  (Stage directions - Looks down at her phone and texts people) 

Rhia: (Stage Directions – Rhia picks up the jack in the box and winds it up. She notices there is a mirror and looks into it)

Rhia: "AAHH!" (Stage Directions – she sees a clown reflection and looks back. However, nothing is there so she looks back. The clown appears and kills her.)

Santiago: "Omg! We need to help Rhia."

Helena: "It's too late, we need to run for our lives!!!"

Scene Six:

Santiago: “Helena lets go separate ways and try to find some help, make sure you ring me if anything happens.”

Helena: “Okay I will. See you later!”

Scene Seven:

(Stage directions – clown standing over Helena’s dead body with her phone in his hand.)

Santiago: *rings Helena* “Hello! Where are you man?”

Clown: (speaking to Santiago from Helena’s phone) “Ha Ha Ha… Santiago you’re next. Watch out!”

Santiago: (Stage directions – Santiago drops his phone out of shock)

Scene Eight:

Santiago: (Stage directions – as he is running, he comes across a house that looks abandoned and surprisingly the door was left open. He goes inside thinking that he will be safe and away from the clown)

Santiago: "Where is everyone?" (Stage directions - he looks around, wondering why the house is empty...)

Santiago: (Stage directions – as he walks into the living room, he hears a strange laugh…he looks around the door and sees the clown sitting behind the piano with a massive grin on his face.)

Clown: WELCOME TO THE PARTY MOTHERFUCKER *laughing* (shot reverse shot)

Evaluation

What have you learnt?

The main intention of horror films is to frighten the audience as it brings fiction into real life scenarios. Within Camera shots and angles certain shots and angles can build up tension and suspense. For example: A camera tilt starts from the bottom of a character and slowly goes up which builds suspense & tension as the audience expect a scare. As well as this, close ups are used to show the fear in the characters & they are often used on objects of significance 'like possessed dolls or toys'. This is done to tell the audience that the object is linked with the plot and they expect it to move or do something. I also found out that sound is very important for a horror film. However, no sound is also very effective. From my analysis of attic panic I found that no sound/limited sound can work if used properly as when a loud sound occurs the audience are more likely to be scared as they won't be expecting it as there is no non-diegetic sound build up. Screaming and childrens laughs are often used as non - diegetic sounds too. Another thing I found out is that shot reverse shots are quite effective. For example: In the conjuring the woman looks back and sees nothing but when she looks back into the mirror there is someone there. Therefore, this causes the audience to be frightened and shocked.
Furthermore, I have completed audience research which has helped me realise that the clown film would be most popular and what props and scenes to use.


How will it help you?

The information that I have learnt can now be used to produce my film. As I know most of the common features I can implement them but in my own style so, my film is still effective but different to the others. I have decided to use these ideas in my film as when the clown is first shown we will use a camera tilt to build tension. Furthermore, there will be a close up of the clowns face when he appears behind the balloon. Shot reverse shots will also be used when the girl is looking in the mirror I found that this editing technique is quite effective and successful in horror films. The audience research has helped me as I implemented the feedback given into the film which now makes it more frightening and interesting. My thinking was changed as we now have different locations to what we intended to have at without feedback. Furthermore, there was an option to do a paranormal film. However, with the feedback we decided we would produce a clown horror.

How have your learnt it?

All the information was learnt from my short horror film analysis' of different genres, the analysis of the conjuring and my research on horror conventions.

Storyboard Planning

Location Ideas Planning

This is an alley which leads to a park this could be used as one of the locations as it is dark and looks abandoned due to the grass not being cut. As well as this, there are trees around which allows us to put the balloon in the tree like we originally planned. 

This alley also leads to a park on either side of this alley there is a river flowing. This makes it a scary location because of the fear of drowning. Furthermore, there are also trees which again allows us to put the balloon in three like our plot states.

These are stairs to the railway station this can be used for when Santiago and Helena are being chased by the clown.It is downhill which is good as it will show the authority the clown has over the two friends running away.

When the friends are walking to the party this location can be used. It has low-key lighting during the night which makes it easier to record in high quality. 

This could be the possible house used which Santiago runs into. The outside is quite frightening as it looks abandoned which tells the viewers that something bad will happen inside.

Props Planning

We have bought a toy machete which looks quite realistic. Furthermore, I have access to light equipment through a friend. So, we will be able to use both lights and the machete.

Character Profiles Planning

Updated Film Idea

We tried to implement the theory of 5 stages of a movie: 
A state of equilibrium
A disruption of that order
A recognition that the order has been disrupted
An attempt to repair the disruption
A state of new equilibrium

Myles, Vijender, Rhia and Helena are walking to a party. On the way Myles makes jokes about seeing things (so, it’s like the boy who cried wolf) Myles sees balloons in various locations while walking and claims to all of his friends that the balloon is following them but no one listens as he was lying before. So, Myles decides to grab one of the balloons and pops it.( the audience would expect something to be there. However, there is nothing. While walking he sees another balloon and stays behind to get it out of a tree the others don’t realise and carry on walking but he gets it down and pops it. This time a clown is behind it and kills him. Later on the friends realise and go back to find him. They find a balloon and a jack in the box, which is open and music, is playing from it. The friends  realise that Myles wasn’t lying. Rhia winds the jack in the box and looks in the mirror where she sees the clown in the reflection. However, when she turns around no clown is there when she turns back the clown is in front of her and kills her too. Vijender and Helena see Rhia being killed but it’s too late to help her so they run. Vijender tells Helena to go get help. He rings her but the clown picks up saying he's is next. Vijender is now running by himself and runs into the house where the party is taking place. Where there is no party just a clown (we can have multiple or one) and the film ends with Vijenders scream and the clowns laugh. (so, the party was never happening it was all a set up by the clown)

Audience Feedback

We asked 20 people this video shows a few people we asked. From the questionnaire we found that the name of the film will be Playtime, the clown will be happy, the machete will be the weapon used by the clown and we will be recording in a street/park. Furthermore, as people chose A jack in the box and a balloon as props we decided to use both in the film.

Questionnaire Feedback

By asking this question I found out that from my sample of 16 to 20 that were asked watch horror movies monthly. The 16 people who answered monthly were all of the age 15-20. Therefore, I think this should be the target audience for our film.

From this question I found out that isolated parts of town was the most popular location therefore, we will be most likely recording the movie in this location.

From this question I found that Pop ups, Death chases and Screams were the three most popular options. So, these will be some of the key elements used in the horror movie.

This question tells us that the 'killer' genre is most popular. So, our third idea using the clown will be used for the horror film.

This question also reinforces the use of the clown movie. People have chosen this due to what is going on currently in the world. Killer clowns have been taking lives randomly therefore, people are currently quite scared of them. Furthermore, as it is something that can currently occur in their lives they find the idea even scarier.

The face of the clown was chosen as the most popular. People have chosen this due to what is going on currently in the world. Killer clowns have been taking lives randomly therefore, people are currently quite scared of them. Furthermore, as it is something that can currently occur in their lives they find the idea even scarier.

From this question we know to use the term based on a true story. As it could be due to the recent clown sightings and killings.

This is my initial questionnaire. Therefore, this allows me to choose the film idea and find out what scares people. This questionnaire was handed out to 20 people of different ages and backgrounds. By giving out an initial questionnaire I will be able to collect this information and produce another more specific questionnaire which will allow me to make changes to the film idea I have chosen.

Questionnaire

Question 9 = Does a horror film being "based on a true story' make it more frightening and attractive?

Film Ideas

Idea 1

The first idea that my group came up with was a paranormal horror movie. We chose the genre of horror because people find these films quite scary as they are scared of the unknown. Also, people find them scary as they do not know what they spirits are capable of. The plot:

Characters: Ben (Me), Sharon (Rhia), Rocco ( Jogesh), Lisa (Helena)

The film would be set in a park where the four friends are on a camping expedition. While everyone is sleeping Lisa decides to leave the tent to get some fresh air. She hears leaves rustling and realises she isn’t alone. 

She looks around but doesn’t find anyone. However, she stumbles upon a book which she opens. When she opens the book an evil entity possesses Lisa. Possessed Lisa then returns to the tent. Ben realises that Lisa is acting weird and tries to tell the others. However, they aren’t interested and go back to sleep. Ben stays close to Lisa but this turns out bad for him as possessed Lisa kills him. When Rocco and Sharon wake up they see that Ben and Lisa aren’t in their tents. So, they go out looking they split up and are killed one by one by possessed Lisa.

 Idea 2 

The second idea that my group came up with was another paranormal horror movie. The plot: Tom (Me), Harry (Jogesh) and Julie (Helena) are casually walking down the street just after a film. Harry and Julie carry on walking , yet Tom is left staring at an old woman (Rhia) who is banging on the windows. The old woman is screaming and yelling for help. They all go to help but decide not to get involved and decide to walk away and the old woman then screaming 'I will have your souls’. The woman had a recognisable big earing on but there was only one. Later on the group of friends find the missing earing and pick it up and take it with them. However, the earing is possessed by the woman and eventually the group of friends are all killed in tragic circumstances.

Idea 3 

The third idea is the most recent and current issue in the world today. In America 2016 clowns were found luring children into the woods at night. This has then evolved into further murders and killings of all people at any time during the day. The clown trend was then seen in England and other countries around the world. This gave me and my group an idea. Mike (Vijender), Becky (Rhia), Trisha (Helena) and Myles (External Character) have just finished from a late night birthday party. They are walking through a dark street on a cold night. Myles is the first to see a balloon. After a few moments the balloon is seen following the four. Myles out of anger decides to pop the balloon. Out of no where a killer clown (Me - Jogesh) kills Myles whilst the rest run away in desperation. The clown then chases and hunts down the rest one by one.

Short Horror Film Analysis - Welcome To The Circus

Short Horror Film Analysis - A. Friend

Analysis Of A Short Horror Film - Attic Panic

Analysis Of A Short Horror Film - Doll Face

Conjuring Film Analysis

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Negative Review

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Positive Review

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Alternative Poster

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Review Analysis

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Trailer 2 Analysis

Mise en scene: The main setting for the trailer is a big house which the family have jus bought which already gives the audience the impression that its going to be haunted. The house also has a large garden with just one tree in the garden which tells the audience that the tree is quite significant. Furthermore, at one point in the trailer we establish someone was hung on that tree. The tree is isolated which gives the impression that the film is cold and isolated like the place and person who must have been hung. The decor and antique furniture of the house is traditional which is expected of that type of house in horror films. The use of the old piano and rocking chair in the basement gives a creepy feel. The clothing of the characters is warm toned, which has connotations of happiness contrasting with the events which will follow. Dull colours and worn out furniture/ creaky doors create an eerie effect which is required for a horror film. This is because dull colours have connotations of darkness and evil and creaky doors are often used to create tension through the sound they make as it shows that you are not alone.

Sound: sound creates the horror feeling of the trailer. The sound makes an atmosphere of suspense and fear. Eerie music/ sounds as well as a lot of screaming. These are typical conventions of a horror film. All of these together make the audience scared. The trailer starts with the male character narrating his documentary. When he walks up the stairs the piano is played which increases the tension and changes the mood instantly. We also hear a childrens laughter which is another sound effect used in typical horror films. The trailer then returns to the Warrens giving a presentation. The music that follows is relaxed which contrasts with everything being shown at the same time. The clicking sound when changing the slides is effective as it emphasises what is being shown. When the woman says "there's something horrible happening in my house" the music then fades out only the clock ticking becomes the only sound. This is a contrast to the relaxed mood and creates suspense and tension. The dead silence further increases the suspense and tension as the audience expect a big event to occur. This is followed by a loud sound in time with the girl being dragged out of bed by a supernatural being which is meant to scare the viewer. Following this there are many sounds such as screams, smashes etc.. which add to the suspense, intensity and tension of the trailer.

Camera: Many establishing/wide shots are used which show the house and the whole location. Close up shots are used to show facial expressions of characters which shows their fear. Slower pace than typical horror trailers. However, there are many fast paced shots towards the end of the trailer which shows the intensity and engages the audience making them want to watch the film.

Editing: No use of CGI which creates a sense of realism which is what the film is aiming for. There are many different transition types used between shots, which fit with different sections of the trailer.

I think the first trailer is more successful than this one as this is more about the paranormal investigators compared to the first one which has more scares and reveals less. Therefore, the audience are more persuaded to watch the film as they don't know as much.

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Trailer Analysis

Analysis Of Conjuring Trailer

The misc en scene throughout the trailer makes it more frightening too. The family wear clothes that were typical in the 70's with the colours yellow, brown and orange. These colours give connotations of warmth and happiness suggesting the family are happy.The house too looks like a nice place to live in as it has brown colours which make it look warm and welcoming. When the woman walks into the bedroom there are pink posters on the wall. So, we can tell it's one of the girls rooms. But there is one thing that stands out in there which is the wardrobe it is huge in comparison to everything else. Also, it is black which has connotations of evil. We see the arms come out of the wardrobe they are extremely pale which immediately tells the audience they aren't normal arms and something is wrong. Furthermore, the womans blindfold is red which has connotations of blood and danger which could indicate something dangerous was about to happen.

When the music changes we can tell the trailer has now become serious. We see an establishing shot of the house. It looks like the darkness has taken over the whole building as we see only the one light on. The trees seem to make it look more sinister. As well as this, the slow zoom shows that the house will be the centre of events.

Preliminary Task - Conjuring Poster Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the horror film 'The Conjuring'

Horror Conventions

Introduction

My name is Vijender Dubb and I am currently attending Hamstead Hall Academy Sixth Form. The three A levels I am studying are: maths, media and chemistry. I am looking forward to learning about the horror genre and creating a film as it will be something new for me as I don't usually watch horror films.