Thursday, 14 October 2010

Initial Ideas - The Planning Stages: Detailed Ideas

Influences

The overall inspiration for the piece came about by the strong influence of film "The Strangers", but we had also drawn ideas from Urban Legends (particularly "The Babysitter Legend") and ideas such as household terrorism, something which is real and has a chance of happening, especially from historical and graphic events which occurred in America in the 1980s.


Plot

The story of the overall film begins with a group of friends hearing about gruesome urban legends within their local area, some of which supposedly ended in disaster and a nasty fate. They are also taught about Urban Legends worldwide also, many of which seem to have had dark endings. Skeptical and adventurous they decide to investigate for a joke at their local church and graveyard, unaware that what is about to happen to them is very real and even more oblivious that they are actually being watched the entire as they meddle with the events of an unknown society.

Casting
Protagonist
Brigitta Scholz-Mastroiann

Antagonist(s)
Aaron Game
Charlotte Meek


Camera Angles
For Horror/Thriller Films specifically the conventions they follow when it comes to the trailer and the film itself are very specific and similar. The pace of the film begins slow and introducing the Audience to the environment and the protagonists of the story, this is what the Trailer will connote to yet not unveiling too much detail about the plot. As the film begins to gain suspension and intensity the shots become faster paced and quicker cuts are utilised, plus they do not reveal any major details about the story, just the thrilling elements which will garner the audiences attention more significantly. Generally the shots will make no sense and lack continuity, this connoting to the conventional elements of such a trailer. Ultimately, the Trailer will end on a note in which have the audience reeling and not knowing what to expect and leaving the fate(s) of a Protagonist(s) unknown. Various shot styles will be used to convey these themes and styles, the majority being Panning Shots,
Wide shots, Extreme-Close Ups, Establishing Shots, Close-Ups, Long Shots etc.

Editing
For a Horror Trailer specifically, it is proven that the introduction and beginning section of the Trailer introduces us to the environment in which the events will unfold, slightly edges on the Plot of the Film and has a more positive mood about it, to enlighten the Audience, convincing them it is not what they are going to expect. The transitions from one shot to another will be lengthened and expanded upon, they will follow a much smoother and slower approach to change from each shot.

As the Trailer begins to build momentum and the more intense shots are began to be intertwined, the pace begins to pick itself up, adding to the suspension within its Audience. I want the Audience to begin asking themselves questions, questioning conspiracy theories and thinking that a situation such as the one within the Trailer itself can happen to them, frightening them. This building up to a final shock at the end of the Trailer to really intimidate and frighten them yet getting them excited and wanting to go and see the film.


Mise En Scene
Our ideas have been decided in precision so that we convey the Themes of the Trailer to its audience. The main elements of the Trailer which have been decided to be included are:

A Knife.
☆ Doors, Windows & Mirrors.
☆ A Mobile Phone.
☆ Large Household furniture (Breakfast Bar, Table and Chairs, Sofas etc.)

Character Stylisation
For the 'Protagonist' we decided to portray her in neutral yet light clothes, nothing too extreme, just your ordinary, average dressed Girl. This conveys the understand that she is innocent and just like everybody else.

The 'Antagonist' will be portrayed through dark Colours. Dark Colours (Like Red) signifies ideas of a Cynical, Evil and Nasty or even angered person. It is important that the audience never see the face of the Antagonist as it will enable us to read their thoughts through facial expression and some people may even connect to the Character, something which is not conventional of a Horror Film. We will use a style of 'Mask' to hide the face of the Enemy, connoting to Horror Themes.

Music
The core Music scheme for the Trailer is feature some music which underlines the dark tones of the film and following the conventions of the Horror Variety. We plan for the Soundtrack to start off slow paced with a eerie theme to it, perhaps a sinister piano tune, as there a few horror films such as "The Crazies" (A trailer which I analysed for the project - See 'The Crazies - Grid of 9'). The pace will start off slow to build on the intensity and suspense within the audience. The pace of the soundtrack will then begin rise in momentum to frighten and enhance the fear factors within the audience, some members of an Audience may be too horrified to watch a Trailer so will hide their eyes so they do not have to witness the events of the trailer unfold, but the Music gives them an understanding as to what is happening. It is crucial for our selected style of Music to match the Theme of the Trailer, and to be cut in precision to the Shots.

Sound Effects
-Heartbeat.
-Screams from the Protagonists.
-Footsteps.
-Banging & Crashing sounds.
-Knife scratching across a work surface.

The majority of our 'Sounds Effects' will be created through the ambiance, filtering into sections of our mainstream Trailer, all depending upon where & whether or not the noise is appropriate for the shot selection.

Dialogue
For the Horror trailer our group is planning, specifically we want to create an intense, uncomfortable and eerie atmosphere. This will mainly be generated by the silent and lack of dialogue within the piece, the less we hear from the protagonists the more mystery it adds and there is no requirement of the antagonists to speak either as it makes them seem more menacing, all of which connote to conventions of a Horror film.

Setting
The core locations for our trailer will be locations such as a
Forest, a Church, an isolated neighbourhood (a significant convention of a Horror Film) but mainly the utilisation of a large, yet isolated household which connotes to the theme of the film. Creating an eerie yet claustrophobic environment for the trailer, following the conventions of a horror. We did not want to use specific locations such as The City of London as we wanted to create a sense of universality within the piece, so it makes the audience believe it can happen anywhere in the world, at any time. Also, so that the trailer did not become ensnared to focus on the city itself and leaving it open ended so that a wider variety of locations can be used.

Filming Schedule

Filming to Commence
Wednesday October 13th 2010
-The filming of the 'Establishing Shots'.

Continuation of Filming
Sunday October 17th 2010
-The shooting of the main footage. (Interior & Exterior shots of the Neighbourhood & the House).

Re-Shoots
Monday November 15th 2010
-The Main Footage

Filming to be Completed
Tuesday November 16th 2010

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