Blogged by Group
Day 1
18.00: Variety of shots to show Lily waking up in cage
18.20: "__________________" Lily finding friends belongings
18.40: Long shots of Lily in cage
Day 2
18.00: Variety of shots showing Lily's escape and re-capture
19.00: Shot for ending
Day 3
18.00: Long shots of party scene
18.20: Close shots of party scene
18.40: Panning shots of party scene
19.00: Shots of characters using the props that will be found later in the film
Monday 18 October 2010
Location Report
Blogged by Group
We have chosen to film shoot our trailer in Madam's Copse woods in Hambledon as it is owned by a family member and so we are able to go off the public footpath. There are many open areas in the woods, suitable for shooting and there is also a pheasant cage which we are using in our trailer. The woods are also large and away from any residences and so we will not disrupt anyone by filming in this location.
Location Shots
Satellite Shot From Google Maps:
The Clearing for the Party Scene:
The Pheasant Cage:
From outside
From inside:
The Woods in the Dark:
We have chosen to film shoot our trailer in Madam's Copse woods in Hambledon as it is owned by a family member and so we are able to go off the public footpath. There are many open areas in the woods, suitable for shooting and there is also a pheasant cage which we are using in our trailer. The woods are also large and away from any residences and so we will not disrupt anyone by filming in this location.
Location Shots
Satellite Shot From Google Maps:
The Clearing for the Party Scene:
The Pheasant Cage:
From outside
From inside:
The Woods in the Dark:
Script Ideas
Blogged by Group
We have decided that we will not have a set script for the trailer. We feel that the dialogue will be more natural and flow more freely if we let the actors improvise. We will give the actor an overview of the concept for each scene and let them invent their own lines for the character. We also think that this will make the character more believable as there will be continuity in the characters accent and dialect.
We have decided that we will not have a set script for the trailer. We feel that the dialogue will be more natural and flow more freely if we let the actors improvise. We will give the actor an overview of the concept for each scene and let them invent their own lines for the character. We also think that this will make the character more believable as there will be continuity in the characters accent and dialect.
Character Bio
Blogged by Group
The central character is called Lily. We have chosen this name because it is a symbol of innocence, however white lilies are also associated with death. Lily is a 17 year old college student. She works hard, and the film is set just after she receives her AS level results. She is celebrating these results with the party. She is an outgoing and strong character, which is tested in this film. We felt a weak character would not be as effective because the idea of a strong, courageous character being put in this situation is much more engaging.
The central character is called Lily. We have chosen this name because it is a symbol of innocence, however white lilies are also associated with death. Lily is a 17 year old college student. She works hard, and the film is set just after she receives her AS level results. She is celebrating these results with the party. She is an outgoing and strong character, which is tested in this film. We felt a weak character would not be as effective because the idea of a strong, courageous character being put in this situation is much more engaging.
Synopsis
Blogged by Group
A group of teenagers are having a party in the local woods. The central character (Lily) wakes up in a pheasant cage with no recollection of how she ended up there. At first she believes her friends are playing a prank on her. Once she realises that it is not a joke; the film follows her attempt to escape from the cage and the unseen villain. Throughout the film Lily finds the possessions of her friends which encourages her efforts to get away and fuels her determination to survive. This is achieved once during the film, but she is caught. Will she ever escape?
A group of teenagers are having a party in the local woods. The central character (Lily) wakes up in a pheasant cage with no recollection of how she ended up there. At first she believes her friends are playing a prank on her. Once she realises that it is not a joke; the film follows her attempt to escape from the cage and the unseen villain. Throughout the film Lily finds the possessions of her friends which encourages her efforts to get away and fuels her determination to survive. This is achieved once during the film, but she is caught. Will she ever escape?
Production Meeting
Blogged by Group
At the beginning of the lesson today, we had a meeting with our lecturer to discuss our ideas.
He was please with our progress so far and our initial thoughts.
The things we now need to do are:
- a synopsis for our film
- script ideas
- a character bio
- location scouting report/photos
- a shooting schedule.
We hope to get these things done by the end of half term.
At the beginning of the lesson today, we had a meeting with our lecturer to discuss our ideas.
He was please with our progress so far and our initial thoughts.
The things we now need to do are:
- a synopsis for our film
- script ideas
- a character bio
- location scouting report/photos
- a shooting schedule.
We hope to get these things done by the end of half term.
Monday 11 October 2010
Initial Ideas: Discussed
Blogged by Group
Night-time: We chose to set the film in the dark as from research we found that it created fear instantly. It also helps to feed a fear of the unknown as it is harder to see.
Woods: From looking at 'The Blair Witch Project' and other film trailers we found that woods generate terror because they are inclosed and things are easily hidden. We have chosen to film our trailer in some local woods that are owned by a family member.
Party: We have decided to start the film with a party scene as it is a typical thing that teenagers do and lets the audience fall into a false sense of security much like the beginning of the trailer for 'Case 39'. We were inspired by an advert for the TV program 'Skins' (click here for trailer).
Unseen villain: We have been inspired to have an unseen villain by 'The Blair Witch Project' as we feel it will add the the suspense of the film. We want to have a long shot of the villain flash up at the end of the trailer to surprise and alarm the audience. It will also add to the viewers curiosity.
Blank screen: We have found through our research that the use of a blank screen with audio is very effective in panicking the audience and creating curiosity. In both 'Buried' and 'Don't be Afraid of the Dark' use a blank screen very effectively.
Phone with limited signal/battery: This is an idea that we gained through watching 'Buried'. We found that it produced suspense as the character had a limited amount of time to contact someone for help.
Trapped: This was also an idea we had after watching 'Buried'. It creates a feeling of claustrophobia which is a very common fear amongst the public, therefore adding to the horror. It also means that the character is in more danger because they are unable to get away. We will probably use a pheasant cage for this aspect of the trailer as we know there is one in the woods we will be filming in. We think that the central character should escape from this cage during the film, only to be dragged back by the villain. This affects the audience because it gives them hope for a happy ending but it is dashed and they again question if the protagonist will ever escape.
Finding friends things: We thought this would be a good idea as it would build anticipation and curiosity as the audience will want to know what has happened to these other characters.
Night-time: We chose to set the film in the dark as from research we found that it created fear instantly. It also helps to feed a fear of the unknown as it is harder to see.
Woods: From looking at 'The Blair Witch Project' and other film trailers we found that woods generate terror because they are inclosed and things are easily hidden. We have chosen to film our trailer in some local woods that are owned by a family member.
Party: We have decided to start the film with a party scene as it is a typical thing that teenagers do and lets the audience fall into a false sense of security much like the beginning of the trailer for 'Case 39'. We were inspired by an advert for the TV program 'Skins' (click here for trailer).
Unseen villain: We have been inspired to have an unseen villain by 'The Blair Witch Project' as we feel it will add the the suspense of the film. We want to have a long shot of the villain flash up at the end of the trailer to surprise and alarm the audience. It will also add to the viewers curiosity.
Blank screen: We have found through our research that the use of a blank screen with audio is very effective in panicking the audience and creating curiosity. In both 'Buried' and 'Don't be Afraid of the Dark' use a blank screen very effectively.
Phone with limited signal/battery: This is an idea that we gained through watching 'Buried'. We found that it produced suspense as the character had a limited amount of time to contact someone for help.
Trapped: This was also an idea we had after watching 'Buried'. It creates a feeling of claustrophobia which is a very common fear amongst the public, therefore adding to the horror. It also means that the character is in more danger because they are unable to get away. We will probably use a pheasant cage for this aspect of the trailer as we know there is one in the woods we will be filming in. We think that the central character should escape from this cage during the film, only to be dragged back by the villain. This affects the audience because it gives them hope for a happy ending but it is dashed and they again question if the protagonist will ever escape.
Finding friends things: We thought this would be a good idea as it would build anticipation and curiosity as the audience will want to know what has happened to these other characters.
Monday 4 October 2010
Poster Analysis: 'The Blair Witch Project'
Blogged by Anya
This poster is in black an white with small highlights of red. These colours, as with the 'Buried' and 'Don't be Afraid of the Dark' posters connote death, danger and mystery. The poster has a still from the film that shows panic on the girl's face. This is the first thing you are drawn to when you look at the poster and instantly fills the audience with a feeling of fear. The poster also includes the backstory that is shown in the trailer, prompting the same questions and curiosities in the onlooker. The woods at the top of the poster show the setting of the film and creates a frightening tone as woods often generate connotations of fear, darkness and horror. The symbol and website address are highlighted in red which makes them stand out. The symbol generates interest and the website is a place where the audience can find more information; the use of colour is a clever way to link the two.
Poster Analysis: 'Case 39'
Blogged by Anya
The poster depicts the main character of the film looking through the slit of a door with a scared expression. The majority of the poster is black in contrast to the bright light around the characters face. This opposition of the dark and light emphasises the fact that Renée Zellweger is the victim in the film; the villain would not be lit up in this way. The text stands out against the black background. The main title is in a font that has connotations of horror; it also links with the main images through the use of light and colour. The by-line 'some cases should never be opened' creates curiosity in the onlooker as the poster does not show what the case is or why it should not be opened . The actor Renée Zellweger is highlighted as a draw to the film because her name is large at the top of the poster and is the only person who is clearly named.
Unlike the trailer, the poster for 'Case 39' does not offer a lot of information as to the plot of the film. This may be because the trailer shows so much and so all the poster has to do it prompt interest. This would be opposite to the 'Buried' trailer and poster as the trailer does not give much away, whereas the poster includes a lot of information just through the image and includes multiple reviews.
Poster Analysis: 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'
Blogged by Naomi
The main colours used in this poster are grey, black and red. The combination of grey and black connotes death, seriousness and mystery, therefore connecting the poster to the horror genre. The eye is instantly drawn to the strip of red running down the centre of the poster, essentially created from the girl pictured opening the doors. The use of red connotes anger, hell and evil which is supported by what appears to be hands reaching out of the darkness towards the girl, who we can tell is clearly terrified through her facial expression. The title is written in a font which appears to be a fountain/ink pen, but in the context of a horror film poster the blotches of excess ink could represent spots of blood.
Unlike the majority of all other film posters, the 'Don't be Afraid Of The Dark' poster is almost cartoon-like in it's appearance. This artistic creation instantly conveys the gothic/horror genre in a way that movie stills and images don't. The only link between the poster and the trailer is the darkness and limited imagery used in both. The cartoon-like look of the poster could not be more different from the trailer, yet it strangely still works in attracting the audience's attention.
Poster Analysis: 'Buried'
Blogged by Naomi
The main colours used in this poster are black and white, perhaps reflecting the darkness and mystery surrounding the film. However the title is printed in red, not only to stand out but also red connotes danger. Another focal point other than the title would be the image of Ryan Reynolds laying in the coffin, which we see from a bird's eye view. This again is printed in black and white, emphasising the shadowing and therefore the claustrophobic size of the box. The image is bordered by a variety of press and media reviews which gradually decrease in size the closer towards the image they get. This creates the illusion of depth, highlighting the idea that the character is buried underground and further supports the idea of the audience looking down into the coffin.
The poster itself links well to the trailer, following the dark and basic theme seen in the trailer through the use of dark colour, simple imagery and block text. However the trailer lacks text and focuses mainly on dialogue and slight film footage to attract the viewer's attention. In contrast, being a 'static' form of advertisement the poster succeeds in appealing to the viewer through the use of mainly text and a simple image. This also gives the poster a slight modern feel in comparison to the eerie, dark atmosphere created through the trailer.
Trailer Analysis: 'The Blair Witch Project'
Blogged by Anya:
Questions raised:
Who is the girl?
Why is she crying?
What is the significance of the symbol?
What is the project?
Who is shouting?
What has happened to the students?
What are they being chased by?
The trailer starts with text that explains the background of the plot. This along with the strange sounds of the soundtrack make the audience curious as to what happened while the three students were filming. The texts shakes slightly while on screen which creates an unsteady tone and assists with making the viewers scared and intrigued. The symbol made out of sticks also fascinates the audience because it provokes the girl to tears. The fast pace movement of the camera in the darkness creates tension and the anxiety in the dialogue again scares the spectator. The scream at the end of the trailer leaves the audience with a curiosity as to why and who it occurs as well as leaving them afraid. There are no recognisable actors in this trailer and so the film relies on the the plot and curiosity of the public to bring in an audience. The hand held camera element adds to the drama as it makes the footage seem more real. The setting, a woods, instantly creates generates fear as it is an area that already has scary connotations; this is the same with the parts of the footage that are in darkness because the night tends to be seen as more frightening than the day.
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