Plot Outline & Ideas

Breif Outline

A young girl who has been reported missing is taking revenge for something that happened to her when she was younger by killing off people related to it by using the power of her voodoo doll and her thoughts.

 Ideas

 •ELS, Girl in centre frame stood still possibly sped whilst opening credits happen at the same time (black and white apart from her and victims) The idea of only her and her victims being in colour is inspired by schindlers list.

 •Credits and scene fade out for title to come in

 •News report of missing girl

 •Walking down the street with people looking away from her (unaware)

 •Superimpose with faces of possible victims fading in and out

Mindmaps

Horror Research

The horror genre aims to make the audience watching develop a sense of fear, panic alarm and dread. Horror films often rely on scaring the audience using their worst fears or nightmares. Horror films are often linked with other genres including such as Fantasy and Thriller. There is also a range of sub genres with Horror including Supernatural-Horror and Fantasy Horror.

In 2010, there was 31 horror film releases with the best performing horror film being Paranormal Activity 2 which is a supernatural horror.  In that year it was the 8th best genre with the genres above it including Animation, Romance and Fantasy which has big releases including Toy Story 3 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. The horror genre only made up for nearly 6% of all releases compared to nearly 28% for Drama as well as this horror films only made £54.1million at the box office which is over £100million less than most of the top 4 film genres of 2010. The genre also only made up for 5.3% of the total box office figure.

In 2011, the Horror genre was the 11^th best performing genre. The genre released 1 more film than the previous year and made nearly £24million less at the box office. Two of the top three genres are the same as the previous year but made more money. The Horror genre made fewer releases than the top 2 genres although two of the genres above it both released only 5 films and still beat the horror genre.  The Horror Genre made up 5.7% of all releases in 2011 and only made up of 3.3% of the total box office for that year.

http://statisticalyearbook11.ry.com/?id=82736

Questionaire Result Anaylsis

 

For my questionnaire I asked 7 females and 3 males therefore as females typically don’t prefer horror films the results may different compared to if I did it the other way round. Although this could help doing it this way to persuade people who don’t typically watch the Horror Genre to do so. The main age range I asked was 16 – 24 as this is the likely age range that our film will be for. It will also help to cater the film to that age range and to what they may prefer when watching a horror film. 

When asked what genre they prefer most of the people asked prefer Rom-Coms to Horror or Thriller, this could be due to a majority of the people asked being female. However, when making the film I will try to change the opinion of these people. The most people asked only watched horror films yearly however half of these watch horror films at least monthly due to this some of the results may not be reliable for certain questions that are horror specific although this may help to see what is preferred by those who don’t watch Horror films.

All of the people asked expected the villain to be male as this is the stereotype for the male character to be the bad character within a horror film and none of the people asked believed that that character should be female. I could try to challenge this by making the villain a female character instead of a stereotypical male. For the main character this was more evenly balanced although over half expected the character to again be Male which is a different response than what you would expect as the Female character is usually seen as the vulnerable one although it could be interesting to see a Male character being the one in danger.

The type of Villain that the people asked expected Supernatural, Physiological or a Child none of the people asked expected the villain to be an Alien. It would be quite hard to challenge the audience on this, although the three top choices could be incorporated together. When asked about the location the top responses were both woods and city with countryside receiving no votes. It is possible to include multiple locations within the film so we could use the top locations from the questionnaire.

When asked what is the most effective within a horror film there was several top answers that the people asked felt where the most important. Both Non-Diegetic and Diegetic Sound were top responses in my questionnaire. Camera Angles, Costume and Lighting also received top responses with Costumes being the second highest response. Whilst Props and Editing only received 1 response for each they are still an important role in the process. The top two answers for the weapons were Knifes and Chainsaw. Although it may not be possible to encorperate certain weapons especially a Chainsaw it could be interesting to have the villain use different weapons to what the audience would expect.

For this question the people asked had to number titles of Horror films 1 to 5. When added up the lowest score equals the best title. This was Séance although the comments that people said could be used to influence the title. At least two of the responses mentioned how the colour red shows danger and looks like blood also with the best title it was commented that is looks like fire which could represent a fear. Several people also thought that the use of capitals in a title was effective as well as this they also said how they were more drawn to a title that was eye catching and stands out.

Questionnaire

Thriller - Red Dragon

Analyse how the film’s opening establishes genre conventions and reaches target audiences through technical codes, narrative and characterisation

Red Dragon is a thriller film with elements of horror. Red Dragon is a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs, although it was filmed later and released in 2002 and directed by Brett Ratner. It had a budget of $78 million and made $209 million at the box office. The film is about is a retired FBI agent who has psychological gifts and is assigned to help track down a serial killer known as ‘The Tooth Fairy’ who is helped along the way by a criminal genius who is imprisoned called Hannibal Lecter.

The film starts with a wide shot of a theatre in which you can see the audience and the stage with what looks like an orchestra on; the diegetic music accompanying this scene is what the orchestra are playing. There is then a series of close up shots on the people playing the various instruments including some close up shots on the instruments themselves there is also cuts to the conductor. The cuts go in time with the different points in the music and increase in frequency and tempo alongside the song.  The camera then zooms in past the conductor to give a view of the audience as the camera tracks down the proceeds to zoom in on one of the characters until the camera is close up to them. The character then winks, the camera then switches between him and a person on the stage each time it does this it gets closer to each of them before cutting to a scene of a house. This scene showed the audience the importance that this character will play throughout the film and will leave them wondering about what he is capable of as well as what will happen to the man he winked at.

The next scene is in a dining room, the man is standing up giving the appearance of a low angle which shows his dominance and importance compared to all the other characters who are sitting down and therefore on a lower level. The camera pans around the table as he is walking round it and then cuts to a close up on him. There is dialogue between him and another character which again highlights the low angle on him. There is no non-diegetic sound accompanying this scene this is because they wanted the audience to listen to what is being said as well as understand how important the man is. When the characters start talking amongst themselves there is a focus pull on him which shows he is the most important one in the scene whilst the look on his face suggests that he knows something that the others do not. The audience become aware of the importance of the character throughout this scene as well as see that perhaps he has something to hide that that other people aren’t aware off. Whilst this scene isn’t overly thrilling to watch the audience see more of a story and learn about the characters, which is key.

The next scene starts with a close up on a cup and saucer before you see a view of the dining area, a doorbell then rings. There is a shot reverse shot between the two characters although it looks like over the shoulder shots too.  There is dialogue between the two characters whilst they are sitting down shot reverse shot is used again through much of this scene with each one getting more close up. Towards the end of the conversation non-diegetic sound begins to play which gradually increases in volume suggesting that something could happen soon in the film. The audience will also use the soundtrack of understanding that something could happen as well as to notice the change in atmosphere in the scene. This is also conventional of the thriller genre as a way to build up a scene. As one character leaves the room the other gets up and starts looking around. There is close ups on various props while the soundtrack continues to play but is now getting louder the camera pans showing them. The soundtrack increases in tempo and frequency as he picks up a book there is another close up on his face before he opens the book and then the camera zooms in on a section of the page quite quickly. There is a quick cut back to his face before back to the book and then the other character comes behind him and stabs him. The audience would expect a scene to build up before anything happens as this increases the thrill of the film and build the tension and suspense.

Overall this film shows the conventions by using a variety of close ups and camera angles that help to both build up the story and add to the experience for the audience watching it. The soundtrack almost acts as a warning for the audience to make them suspect that something is going to happen.  A lot of close ups are used throughout the opening scenes to show importance but subtly suggest something is going to or may already be happening which is very conventional to the genre.

Horror - Candyman

Analyse how the film’s opening establishes genre conventions and reaches target audiences through technical codes, narrative and characterisation

Candyman is an American Horror Film that was released in 1992, it was released on 19^th March 1993 in the UK. The film had a budget of $8 milliion and made nearly $26 million.  The film was directed by Bernard Rose and was based on a short story by Clive Barker called ‘The Forbidden’.  It is about a University Student that is researching about urban legends and comes across one known as ‘Candyman’.

The film starts with an aerial shot of a city which tracks along following a road. It is accompanied by a soundtrack that is very overpowering immediately as the film starts. The aerial shot represents how people are carrying on with day to day life unaware of the danger they face. The non-diegetic soundtrack is a choir and an organ so the audience can see that religion has something to do with the story of the film.  When the title ‘Candyman’ appears it is much larger than any previous titles, the edges are pointed which could represent danger but also religion with the points on the cross. It is also white which is usually used to represent innocence and purity. The organ also gets louder at this point to try and add fear for the audience. Although nothing has happened at this point the soundtrack illustrates that something will to the audience to try and build the suspense and tension.

This scene then cuts to an aerial shot of what seems to be large number of bees which then begins to zoom in on them. The audience automatically will see them as a sign of danger and fear as most people fear being stung. This is accompanied by a voice over by a man which is deep is again added to fear to the audience. It then cuts to a scene of the city with the swarm of bees around which there is a piercing scream.

There is a brief voice over which says ‘I came for you’ which the scene then fades into a close up on a woman’s face which suggests that she is in some sort of danger from the ‘Candyman’. The idea of the woman being blonde and pretty suggest she is the venerable on in danger. The close up lingers there for some time highlighting this. The scene then cuts to a house on which the camera is zooming in unsteadily and at a quite fast pace. This is accompanied by a voice over telling the narrative of the scene.

The next woman that the audience see again has blonde hair, she proceeds to take her top off and the audience notice the cross necklace she has and the white bra. The idea of the white is used to represent purity, however she is not and while the cross shows her religion she isn’t sticking to the rules of her religion so the protection of the cross may be invalid. The over the shoulder shot of the two infront of the mirror gives  the audience a different view of the scene and is a reflection of them. As the man says ‘Candyman’ each time the soundtrack builds to add tension and fear giving the illusion that something is coming for them although he only reaches the fourth time. The man then leaves to the room and the scene cuts to a wide shot of him which zooms in and then back to the woman who says ‘Candyman’ for the fifth time who then turns out the light. Suddenly you see a figure appear behind her and then it cuts to a shot of the ceiling below and you see the blood begin to appear and drip through. The idea of the blood is to reinforce the idea of the horror genre and to the audience.  The audience has tension and suspense built up throughout the scene. This is widely used throughout the horror genre to make the audience fear and the idea that something doesn’t happen every time makes the audience on edge throughout.

This film is successful using the horror conventions throughout. A combination of different things help to give the audience the suspense, fear and tension they expect when watching any horror film. Within this film I think the soundtrack music and the mise-en-scene such as the props and costumes of the female characters help to show them as the vulnerable ones and the ones that something will happen to. This follow the typical conventions where audience expect a male to be the one who is the bad person and the female to be the victim.

Superhero - T.D.K.R

Analyse how the film’s opening establishes genre conventions and reaches target audiences through technical codes, narrative and characterisation

The Dark Knight Rises was released on 20^th July 2012 and was directed by Christopher Nolan. It is set in the fictional city of Gotham, but in reality was filmed in Manhattan, New York as well as various other filming locations throughout production. Christopher Nolan had previously directed the previous two films in the trilogy Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.  This means that audience already expected this film to be as successful and as good as the other ones and will watch it with high expectations due to the results of the previous films. The Dark Knight Rises had a budget of $250 million and has made over $1 billion dollars and the box office.

During the opening sequence the most action filled section starts with a high angle of an airplane flying in which the camera pans to follow its path. It then cuts to Dr. Pavel who is sitting inside the plane who proceeds to turn his head as the camera pans to show the soldiers standing over the masked hostages. The soldiers are trying to get the hostages to speak by holding them out of the plane and aiming a gun at them at the same time. Throughout the scene there is non-diegetic music in the background to try and add to the action of the scene which increases in frequency and tempo as more action begins to unfold as well as handheld close ups and fast paced edits throughout the scene. Later on in this scene the music turns to chanting voices which is used repeatedly throughout the entire film. The chants mean ‘rise’ which is significant later on in the film when Batman is climbing out of the pit. There is a low angle looking up at the soldiers which shows who is the most dominant in that moment and tries to make the audience feel the same way in that moment. This is the high action beginning to this type of film that the audience would expect from this film as it immediately reinforces the idea of the type of film. Moreover the audience are introduced to the Villain first before the Superhero character which gives them their reputation and makes the audience fear them. The villain is as important as the hero in a superhero action film as without the villain the hero would have no one or thing to save.

The next scene then begins with different panning wide shots of Gotham with accompanying music that is slower and is a lot more peaceful. A voice over then begins and then it goes to an establishing shot of a grand house with people in front of it which then proceeds to zoom in on the scene. Whilst you see a man speaking and several tracks and pans of other people, it briefly shows a shadow high up on top of the building which leaves the audience uncertain as to if its ‘Mr Wayne’ or someone else. This scene makes clear the wealth of the Wayne foundation through the grand house as well as the costume that characters are wearing. Everyone in this scene is in smart dress and there is focus on certain characters who give the audience an idea of who will play a part in the storyline throughout the film. The audience would expect a brief period of calm after an opening scene of action to help set the scene for the film which is what this scene gives them. The audience will also expect to see their wealth as if they have watched previous films in this trilogy.

The film uses a range of conventions from several genres throughout. I think the most successful is a combination of camera angles including handheld cameras as well as close ups which make the film more effective and sound to make the film the best for the audience. Camera angles can help to increase action through a range of shots and increasing the frequency of different ones throughout, sound adds to this especially any soundtrack music that is used in scenes of high action which both makes the film more interesting and draws the audience in more.

 

Rom-Com - Nottinghill

Analyse how the film’s opening establishes genre conventions and reaches target audiences through technical codes, narrative and characterisation

Notting Hill was released in 1999 and is a British Rom-Com. The film is set in Notting Hill, London and was released on 21^st May 1999. The film was written by Richard Curtis who has written several Rom-Coms including Four Weddings and a Funeral so the audience is aware before they even watch the film that it was written by a successful well known comedic writer. It was directed by Roger Michell and produced by Duncan Kenworthy. It was well received amongst critics at the time and became the highest grossing British film released that year. It had a budget of $43 million and made $363,889,700 at the box office.

The main male character William Thacker, who is known as will throughout the film as Will is the typical British male in the film. He is a clumsy, hopeless romantic that doesn’t know what to do with himself and lacks confidence. We learn through his narration whilst he is walking down the busy market street of Notting Hill whilst the camera tracks alongside him that he lives with a lodger called Spike as his wife left him for a celebrity lookalike. This highlights the stereotypical British that lack in confidence. The audience may expect the female to be seen as more vulnerable as male characters aren’t typically the emotionally weaker characters in a film. However, Richard Curtis challenged this by switching this around and making the man the more vulnerable one. It also shows how many British people lack in the confidence and usually put themselves down.

The main female character is a lot bolder as she is a Hollywood actress known as Anna Scott who is introduced at the very beginning of the film when there is a mixture of images and videos that super impose across one another which highlights how important she will be throughout the film. A song called ‘She’ is sung throughout this sequence which is a slow song that is appears to be sung by a man sets the scene by showing how the film is a romantic and emotional. By using the word ‘She’ repeatedly it shows how he feels about her. Throughout the songs there is a range of shots within these videos ranging from close ups of the face to extreme long shots of her. This sequence shows how high up she is in comparison to other characters in the film reinforcing the audience’s perceptions that any normal person won’t be able to meet her, let alone have a relationship with her. to The idea of her being the more powerful and being the one that usually leaves of the two main characters challenges what audiences think as they would expect her to be more vulnerable and the one that would be hurt by the male character. Furthermore the titles at the beginning of the film are with curved font that reinforcing the idea that it’s a Rom-Com. Some letters are also in soft pastel colours that also highlight this idea.

The two characters first meet when Anna enters Wills Travel Bookstore wearing hat and sunglasses this shows how she is of a higher status and is trying to conceal her identity by wearing the sunglasses. Will is looking down at a book; however you can tell he is not focussed and aware of the unusual presence inside his book store after he is alerted by a bell signalling the arrival of a customer. It is clearly visible how he doubts what he is seeing as he doesn’t appear to look back down in the same direction; his facial expressions at this point also show this. At this point she isn’t in focus. It briefly cuts to a medium shot of Will but this then zooms in on him. This moment furthermore shows his confusion and disbelief at what is happening to him as he didn’t believe this was going to happen to him. Until they begin talking the scene is accompanied by dream like soundtrack which highlights how this moment is much like a dream to him. This challenges what the audience’s perception that normal people will never meet those known as celebrities.

As this film is a Rom-Com it is expected to have that romantic but also a feel good factor with the comedic side of it. I think Notting Hill achieves this well with its use of different camera angles and soundtrack. The camera angles especially close ups on the face help to convey the emotions on the face of the character with a non-diegetic soundtrack usually accompanying this which is used to reinforce the emotions of the scene as well as make the audience feel as though they are there experiencing the scene.