Magazine Cover Designs.
Film Poster Designs.
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Initial Ideas - The Planning Stages: Audiences
Target Audience
The general target audience for your typical film within the Horror variety would be an age range between 15-30 years old, the majority being young males. For the trailer specifically I plan to aim it at not only young males, but females too. Having strong female protagonists will make the film appeal to not only the males (by the action, graphic imagery, drama and the female protagonists) but the same will apply for the females as they will want to see how the story progresses, yet the graphic imagery will not be the selling point for them though.
Ratings
It is hugely significant to have an Age Range for this Genre of Film particularly because of not only the Themes it portrays but because their is always a specific Age Group to aim a film at. The film needs to be age appropriate for the Audience who will view it. It is important to create a Trailer in which the range will be enabled to witness as it would be completely pointless creating a Trailer which would not be eligible for a person younger than the Rating it is categorised within to go and watch a screening of. It would also be illegal to do so.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Initial Ideas: Storyboard #2
(Order: 1. Top Left /4. Bottom Left /6. Bottom Right)
1. 6 Main Protagonists of the Film are shown in their everyday lives. They all receive and anonymous invitation to a location which is unknown.
2. A House/Manor is shown, conveying the destination and setting for the film. The protagonists all meet and enter the place.
3. The protagonists meet the inhabitants of the place (the alleged 'Antagonists' of the film), there is a dinner & a gathering. Someone is killed, they are to believe it's a game...
4. There is panic and anguish amongst some, while others are still led to "play along".
5. Some go missing. Some are hiding. Others are trying to escape. Some people do not want them to escape.
6. The ultimatum shot of the trailer... There is someone standing in solitude, scared/worried expression. A shadow of an unknown character is seen standing behind them in a mask, immediately after a flash of lightning and a roar of thunder.
Cross Between the Styles of:
Saw - They are all in their for a reason.
House on Haunted Hill - The Location is somewhat isolated from society.
Quarantine - They're being taken out 1 by 1 and it is near to impossible to escape.
Initial Ideas: Storyboard #1
1.There is a group of friends, the protagonists of the trailer, seen walking through an isolated and dark forest in search of a place which they have been previously told stories about.
2. Flashback of the friends discussing the place they are in search for.
3. The friends go inside and explore this place (An abandoned church). Somebody is watching them.
4. They find nothing at their destination & make the decision to leave... what they did not realise is what was actually going on & they were being watched all along...
5. There is multiple shots of the protagonists each being dropped to their houses, yet still being followed and watched.
6. There is a shot of a completely deserted neighbourhood, no cars, no lights on, nothing. A silent and isolated surburbia. There is also a shot of the character who inhabits a house in the empty street, parents are going away and driving away from the deserted area.
7. 2 of the friends are shown entering the house which is located within the secluded neighbourhood. As the doors closes, people outside the house are seen within the shadows, wearing masks to disguise themselves.
8. The protagonists are sitting in darkness, with only the flicker of the tv set to highlight their faces and the background behind them. A person in a mask appears behind them in the shadows.
9. We learn, in very brief, of the dark backrgound of the trailer's antagonists.
10. Numerous shots of the protagonists being hunted down by the masked anatagonists by running, hiding etc.
11. Captured & confronted by their antagonists, we see them attempt to escape, manage to do so when the enemies turn their backs, yet we are unaware of their fate & whether they ultimately manage to escape.
12. The finale shot of the trailer is someone hiding in the shadows & then one of the masked people appear, a massive scream is heard and the title appears.
Sunday, 3 October 2010
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