Problems and how they were overcome during making of our final product: 20/03/09

Chosing the styles of shots. We overcame this by experimenting with different shot types and angles to see which were most effective in establishing what was in within the frame and which best suited the film's genre.

Time handling. This was an issue at the very start of filming as we too too much time filiming one particular shot before moving onto the next. We then changed our minds on the content of the shot/shot type and returned to refilm! After having reminded ourselves we didn't have a vast amount of time to complete the task, we allocated ourselves a reasonable amount of time when filming each shot.

Lighting effects. We experienced issues with lighting during the shots of the killer's hand. We originally had the lights switched off and used a torch to shine on the piece of paper which was being written on by the killer. This failed as nothing could be seen very clearly at all and so thus left the lights switched on. The problem with this, we thought, would be that no eerie, morse effect would be created. We then explored the FinalCut software and discovered the light filters. We applied a red/black colour filter to the frame to achieve the effect.

Choice of music. We were rather indecisive as to which sounds were best suited in creating our aimed melancholy mood. We overcame our indecisiveness by asking for a second opinion and by judging how we would feel ourselves if watching the opening sequence as a member of the public (and not someone involved in the production of the film).

Marking in and out when syncing footage to the computer- some footage was cut off / difficult to work with. This problem was experienced during filming the original office scene as we started filming the action too soon. We overcame this problem by starting filming at least four or five seconds before the action within the frame begins and leaving the camera filming for a further four seconds once the action has stopped. In doing this, we were able to edit and shorten clips more easily.

Mise-en-scene did not surfice. The original location for the office scene, being the white coridoor with a photocopying machine in, did not look convincing enough to be an office. We also experienced issues with background noise due to the accoustics of the room. We decided instead to use the Media Office, consisting of typical office features such as folders and computers. The room's accoustics also meant that we didn't have any interfering background noise which would effect the sound quality of what the actors were saying.

Other lists

Equipment List:

• Camera
• Cassette
  
• Tripod
• Something to eat/drink (if the filming time is a long one)
• Microphone

Prop List:

• Newspaper
• Some sort of fake blood
• Regular paper
• Pens
• Photos

Group Jobs:

• Jade - Camera, actress (female detective), sound, editing
• Lucy - Idea for the plot, killer's hand shots, prop organiser, editing and storyboarded.
• Alasdair - Dead man in photo, camera, sound and editing
• Steven - Camera, actor (male detective), sound, editing

Locations:

• Reigate Priory for shot of woods/grassy area just outside the college building
• Reigate town centre.
• Killer's base (Location not yet chosen.)
• The coridoor with photocopier for the detective's office

Shot list

Shot List:

• Low shot looking up at tree canopy.
  
• Tilt down to medium shot of trees.
  
• Pan shot of street.
  
• Static shot of another location in the street x2.
• Close up of photo of dead man in newspaper.
• Close up of name on list, name crossed out.
• Tilt down to close up of other name on list
• Cut back to Photo, zoom out to over shoulder shot of man reading newspaper.
• Medium or close up of man reading newspaper.
• 180 degree reverse to protagonist spinning on chair to face imaginary person and speak one line.

Brief Analysis of a soundtrack-23/01/09

Analysing the sound in an opening sequence will give us an idea of what to include sound-wise in ours.

The sequence begins with a drone sounding like a foghorn which is consistent throughout with different sounds on top of it. The audio fits with what is shown in the shot- when the scroll flashes onto screen, a sudden sharp sound happens before retuning to the drone. Depending on how dramatic the image is on screen, the tension built by the music varies. There is the ambient sound of a heartbeat which comes in a little after the title sequence starts and seems to built up in volume. As the brief story of Leatherface unfolds the music becomes more eerie.

What now needs to be done-23/01/09

Thus far, we have:

-Decided on a genre for our film, being horror

-Analysed some opening sequence as inspiration for ours

-Decided on a plot with the help of a questionnaire and discussion

-Planned out a rough storyboard

-Experimented with the Soundtrack software

We now need to:

-Make an official storyboard

-Decide on locations and when would be the best time to use these locations

-Decide on title style and layout

-Decide who is going to act in our opening sequence and when they would be available to do so.

Possible musical score-23/01/09

We have explored possible background music using Soundtrack. We attempted to create an atmospheric and mood setting tone for the music that will be played during the short opening sequence. The music we composed lasted around 1:10, under the maximum time of the sequence.

We tried using piano and violin sounds to create an atmospheric score. We also used electronic noises such as mono-synths and drums as well as other specific sounds t add texture. This is just an experiment and in no way representative of the final product.

Results to the questionnaire-23/01/09

Which do you think would be most entertaining to watch and why?

-Plot three because it sounds thrilling

-Plot two because I’m interested in social factors

-Plot four because it looks interesting

-Plot two because I’m interested in Jack the Ripper

-Plot two because it sounds exciting

-Plot one because it sounds like the kind of thing I watch

Average answer:Plot Two 

 

Do you prefer a film to be controversial? If so, about anything in particular?

-Yes because it gives you something to talk about afterwards!

-Yes and preferably about situations I can relate to and understand

-Yes and not about anything in particular- certain bits of the film maybe.

-Not particularly, as long as the plot line is good.

-Yes and about whether or not things are accurately shown in the film.

-Don’t really mind.

Average answer: Yes

 

Do you enjoy a typical horror film or one with a completely contradicting subgenre such as romance?

-Yes otherwise it gets boring and samey

-Yes to prevent it getting repetitive

-Yes like comedy

-No because I don’t think that works

-Yes to give another side to it

-Preferably yes

 Average answer: yes

What time period do you like a horror film to be set in?

-Present time

-Any

-The present time makes it a bit dull

-No preference as long as the story’s good

-Now

-One set in the future would be different!

 Average answer: Present time

Do you have a preferred setting for a horror film?

-No

-Somewhere realistic

-Somewhere similar to where I live because then it’ll be more scary!

-Nope

-Woods are always scary, especially at night

-Not really

Average result: No particular setting

The results show that plot two is in favour of and that controversy is preferred. There is no specific setting preferred however most of those who answered like a horror film to be set in the present day, possibly to make the film more reflective of them and the film therefore more effective.

These results, along with discussion, we have decided on plot two, being the Jake the Ripper themed one. In making our decision we thought about how the opening sequence would appear and constructed a brief storyboard illustrating it and we think it would be a thrilling opening sequence.