Production Feedback

A feedback sheet was created featuring the various questions below. Fellow media students answered the questions after watching our horror movie 'Deadline'. As they have been in the same class following the same syllabus as ourselves, they therefore having a good understanding of the work and planning in making a production. Here's the feedback sheet (numbers show the amount of people who picked that answer out of nine people in total)-

Q1. How would you rate the production in terms of following codes and conventions of horror?

Excellent (5) Good (4) Average (0) Poor (0) Very Poor (0)

Q2. On the evidence you have seen, how well planned was the production?

Excellent 1(4) 2(4) 3(1) 4(0) 5(0) Poor

Q3. Would you say the production showed evidence of:

No imagination (0) Little imagination (0)

Some imagination (2) High imagination & creative flair (7)

Q4. The following refers to the technical aspect of the piece. Please rate the following on a scale of one to five (1 being excellent, 5 being poor).

a) Shot composition: 1(3) 2(5) 3(1) 4(0) 5(0)
b)Mise-en-scene: 1(8) 2(1) 3(0) 4(0) 5(0)
c)Editing: 1(3) 2(4) 3(2) 4(0) 5(0)
d)Sound and Music: 1(6) 2(3) 3(0) 4(0) 5(0)
e)Use of titles: 1(7) 2(1) 3(1) 4(0) 5(0)

Q5. How could the production be improved? Please make your comments constructive and as specific as possible:

• Point of view shot could have been more steady


• Lighting could have been a bit brighter

Conclusion: Overall I am pleased with the positive feedback and constructive critisim, and would like to thank everyone for the lovely comments!

Evaluation Podcast

Codes & Conventions

Thrillers
Here are a few codes and conventions of a thriller:

-Quick Cuts
-Mystery
-Suspense
-Exotic Setting
-Intensity
-Protagonist usually dies
-High paced music
-Conspiracy
-High Tech
-Apprehension and exhilaration
-Special Effects

Horror
Here are a few codes and conventions of a horror:

-Serial Killer
-Blood/Gore
-Torture
-Monsters
-Gothic
-Body count is always bigger in next movie
-Screams
-Darkness
-Eerie Music
-Young cast

Rom-com
Here are a few codes and conventions of a rom-com:

-Love
-Jokes
-Adultery
-Singing
-Sex
-Marriage
-Good looking cast
-Happy ending
-Laughter/Crying
-Upbeat music
-Slapstick humour

The Pitch

Film Ideas;

Loveless
This is one of my ideas for a rom-com that uses comedic horror elements, it involves a love triangle between a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf that are actually "supposed" enemies. The boy werewolf has a crush on the female vampire which is unrequited as she has a lesbian crush on a ghost girl which in turn has the hots for the werewolf lad. However this idea was cut short as I didn't think we would be able to pull this off, due to the high costume level of both the ghost and werewolf.

Egomaniac
This is one of my ideas for a thriller, It consisted of a group of teenagers that get involved in drugs and get hunted down and chased by drug dealers, resulting in some nasty deaths. The starting sequence begins with a house party in which all the main characters are present and a gunman approaches the house in order to kill them. I steered away from this idea however as it meant I would have to host a house party meaning drunks and stained carpets.

Deadline
This is one of my ideas for a horror, it is about a zombie virus that kills off or infects half the world leaving only Britain as it is a small island uninfected. The film sequence starts off with a small group of teenagers strolling through the woods and are suddenly attacked by zombies, only on girl escapes. She becomes the zombie slayer in order to avenge her friends death.


Conclusion
I've decided Deadline is the movie I am going to shoot, it is arguably the easier choice and offers us the opportunity to goof around as zombies. I also believe the storyline will be easier to understand and absorb by the audience and is far more exciting as an opening sequence than the other two.

Editing

Prior to editing we made a recording log and editing decision list in order to keep track of what shots we wanted to keep and the other less favorable ones.

We edited the sequence via the programme Final Cut Pro. At the start of Deadline during the establishing shot of the lake the location and time appears on screen as if being typed this is a convention of the thriller genre we wished to incorporate into the film. A zoom effect is added to make it feel as though we had zoomed into where the scene was about to take place. To distinguish between human and zombie point of view shots we had the zombies tinted with the colour red as if their eyes are blood shot with rage.

We also used blurs and white wash to make it feel as though the survivors are fading in and out of conscienceness. We also filmed during the day and night therefore the film sequence was half in complete darkness and half in broad daylight however we sorted this problem by editing the brightness of the overall piece, making it all darker. We shot most the movie in chronological order therefore it wasn't to much to hard to assemble the shots into the right timeline.

Love Actually

Movie Summary

Love Actually is a 2003 rom-com, directed by Richard Curtis and hosts a wide cast of actors. It follows the stories of many individuals representing love in many different ways.

Scene Summary

The scene in which I analysed, the characters of Mark and Juliet are watching the wedding video of Juliet and Peter's recent wedding. He loves her but it is unrequited, as the video is mostly consumed of head shots of her she comes to realise that Mark has feelings for her. Juliet confronts him causing him to leave nervously.

Mise en scene

Marks house is quite messy and appears to be in the middle of refurbishment making it quite realistic. The t.v is small showing the audience that he is not extremely well off. Lots of facial expressions are used in this scene, especially by Juliet who conveys just by looking at her that she has come to realise Marks affection towards her. Mark on the other hand shows expressions of shame and cringes as Juliet watches the video, sure that she'll find out. The video also shows the opposite of Mark's own life style, Peter being rich has a big orchestra wedding and Juliet is in a huge long wedding dress showing wealth.

Camera

-Very few different shots
- long shot of Juliet on sofa and Mark standing up
- Close up over Juliet's shoulder focused on t.v
-Low angle close up of Juliet's face as she reacts to wedding video

Editing & Music

-Seamless editing
-Powerful instrumental music builds as Juliet comes to realise Marks feelings towards her
-Awkward silences to make audience cringe and feel sympathy for Mark

Role Allocation

Main Roles

Luke Harrison as Editor
Laura Huggins as Director
Natalie Cardell as Producer

As well as these roles we also decided that we would act within the film, therefore creating a larger cast, other actors also doubled up as camera crew. The cast & crew included-
Luke Harrison as teen #3
Natalie Cardell as teen #4
Laura Huggins as teen #1 (protagonist)
Shaun Morroll as teen #2
Eliot Day as zombie #1
Jacob Day as zombie #2
Tom Ward as zombies 1st victim

Target Audience

Deadline is aimed at young viewers, between the ages of 15-25. This is because the cast is around the same age giving the audience the opportunity to relate to the characters. Deadline is also targeted at a British audience of any social grade because the movie is set in Britain and as well as the cast being almost purely made up of English actors/actresses.

Red Dragon

Movie Summary

Red Dragon is a thriller produced in 2002, it was directed by Brett Ratner. Starring Edward Norton as Graham and Anthony Hopkins as Lecter. The events of Red Dragon takes place before The Silence Of The Lambs. Storyline wise Red Dragon is chronology the first of the Hannibal films and books.

Scene Summary

The scene starts with Hannibal watching a classical orchestra performance and notices an out of tune flute player. The film cuts to Hannibal hosting a dinner party a few weeks later, where the guests discuss the flute player as he has gone missing. Unknowingly the guests are eating the dead flute player which Hannibal had previously killed. In the evening, detective Graham comes to Hannibal's house to discuss the murder case he is investigating not realising Hannibal is the killer. It suddenly dawns on Graham who the murder is but it's to late and he is attacked by Hannibal, who talks him through the pain very creepily. Graham manages to grab a gun and shoots Hannibal multiple times, then the opening credits run.

Mise en scene

The title Red Dragon comes up with Red coloured red and Dragon coloured white, this could give off connotations of good vs. evil or split personality similar to that of the serial killers Francis. In Hannibal house it is shown that he is very wealthy through the decoration of expensive furniture. The colour of Hannibal's house from the outside is white that carries connotations of innocence's and good, while the inside however is a rich red colour representing blood, evil and hell. Hannibal's paint colour of choice may represent his outward perception of well mannered and righteous and his true evil sly inner self. As the credits appear it shows the audience a scrap book being made however not the maker. The scrap book gives off connotations of stalker-like traits as it is made up of pictures and newspaper articles of Hannibal's murder victims and his arrest.

Camera

-Crane shot focusing in on Hannibal in orchestra audience

-Close up of Hannibal frowning at flute player

-Pans and close ups of scrap book

Editing & Music

-Fast cuts during fight scene

-Fade outs and ins to represent time passing

-Music builds when Hannibal is uncovered as the real killer

-Classic music throughout to show Hannibal is well educated and sophisticated

Seven

Movie Summary

The thriller film Se7en, was distributed in 1995, directed by David Fincher. The movie stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as detectives that are investigating a case which centers around the seven deadly sins. Every victim is linked to a different sin, be it either Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Pride, Envy or Wrath.

Scene Summary

I analysed scene one in which detective Somerset is getting ready for work. He meets detective Mills at a crime scene and both have nothing in common with one another. The credits are next, using a scrap book theme to present the focus of the film.

Mise en scene

In detectives Somersets room there is a chess board and everything is neatly placed representing him as well ordered and wise. Somerset puts on a suit which suggests his quite sophisticated, Mills however appears wearing a leather jacket representing the typical look of a rebellious character. Later both characters are seen walking through the street, it's pouring down with rain. The rain is a common factor used throughout the film, many believe this is because the director wanted a presence of God in Se7en suggesting his making it rain in order to wash away our sins. The credits are introduced, flashes of bits of film dissolving into each other are effective giving a rapid flow to the piece. Words or subliminal messages are cast upon screen, giving off connotations of distorted thoughts and confusion to the audience. Scratches reach across the credits like an old movie and the screen flickers similar to that of candle light. This scrap book theme is similar to that of Red Dragons with the handwritten words and scribbles through the eyes of people in photographs.

Camera

-Low angles of Somersets bedroom
-Shot reverse shot between detectives
-Back/side track of detectives in the street
-Close ups and pans of scrap book (credits)

Editing & Music

-Screechy distorted music by the band Nine Inch Nails
-Credit dissolves
-Heartbeat sound
-Metronome sounds seven times before credits appear
-Background noise of talking people in street as well as police car sirens.

Shooting The Movie Sequence

We filmed on February the 7th 2009, In Tamworth Nature Reserve and got the whole film sequence shot in one day.


Equipment
-Cameras
-Tripod

Props/Costume
-Fake Blood
-Make Up
-Black Eye Contacts
-Pistol
-Knife
-Car (Static)
-Mobile Phone

UK Film Council Statistics

Thrillers

In 2007, 28 thrillers were released in the UK, (more than romance & horror) this was 5.4% of all films released that year. The most successful thriller of the year being 'The Bourne Ultimatum'. The genre achieved £67.6million at the box office, therefore 7.2% of the gross box office of all films released that year.

Horror

In 2007, 24 horrors were released in the UK, (more than romance but less than thriller) this was 4.7% of all films released that year. The most successful horror of the year being 'Saw 4'. The genre achieved £28.8million overall at the box office.

Romance

In 2007, 21 romances were released in the UK, (less than horror & thriller) this was 4.1% of all films released that year. The most successful romance of the year being 'P.S I Love You'. The genre achieved £15.7million therefore 1.7% of the gross box office of all films released that year.

Conclusion

My group and I still believe that the horror genre is the best way forward so we have decided to mix a little bit of both the horror and thriller genres in. This way we can use our original idea and just incorporate some thriller conventions in to make the film appeal to a wider mainstream audience.

The Storyline Of Deadline

The movie begins with a chase scene through Dartmoor woods, in which a boy falls prey to two zombies. The zombies are victims of a new virus that has unleashed epidemic terror upon an un-expecting world, causing people to decay and result to cannibalism, However the characters and audience are unaware of the cause, till later in the film. A group of teenagers stroll casually through the woods. Laura who is one of the four teenagers gets an odd frantic call from her mother, who is trying to warn them of the virus outbreak, The line goes dead. The zombies finished with the boy decide to stalk the teens. Suddenly the zombies set chase to the four youths, hunting down Natalie and killing her. The other three run off in a different direction and manage to get to the cycling path outside the woods alive. Luke is next, he is bitten by a zombie and begins to transform into one himself. Laura & Shaun the last surviving two, run out onto the main road, after attempting to save Luke, they try to start their car and get weapons out the boot. A zombie jumps up at the window trying to bite Laura, luckily she is saved by Shaun who stabs the zombie through the head. Luke now a zombie runs at Shaun and tackles him to the ground, making him drop the gun. Laura gets out the car and runs to pick up the gun in panic, she shoots Luke but is to late. Laura grieves over Shaun's body as he lays limp in her arms. She decides to make a move taking the gun with her. As she does Shaun gets up and runs after her as a zombie. Laura shoots him, then the title and a few credits kick in. Throughout the rest of the movie Laura faces more zombies and obstacle's as she becomes the notorious zombie slayer.

Questionnaire

1) What gender are you?
Male
Female
2) What age are you?
Under 16
16-18
19-29
30-49
50+
3) What’s your preferred movie genre?
Rom-Com
Horror
Thriller
4) Why do you prefer the genre you picked above?
………………………………..............................................
5) What do you associate and expect to happen within a Horror genre?
………………………………................................................
6) What do you associate and expect to happen within a Thriller genre?
………………………………................................................
7) What do you associate and expect to happen within a Rom-Com?
……………………………….................................................
8) What is your favourite film for each genre?
Horror ………………………
Rom-Com ………………….
Thriller ……………………..
9) What colour/music themes would you associate with the following genres?
Thriller …………………………
Horror ………………………….
Rom-Com ………………………

Twenty-four people answered the questionnaire above, twelve males and twelve females at various ages in order to provide accurate results. Horror was the chosen genre of both sexes, seventeen out of the twenty-four asked favored horror films. Therefore my group and I have decided that horror is the way to go, however we will research into it more before we make it concrete.

Character Profiles

We decided to keep our real names and age range for most the characters as we didn't want to give to much depth to them, as all the cast except one is killed off in the starting sequence of the film. We choose to keep the ages of the characters between 16-18yrs as it would be easier for us because we could use ourselves and friends to star in the film, this is also the age range which is most supportive of the horror genre.

On the left is Eliot, he played as a zombie. As you can see we used fake blood capsules that foam when you chew them, we also used liquid fake blood to give a more dense and dark colour to the blood, creating a more authentic look.

On the right is Jacob, he also played as a zombie.

On the left is Tom, he is the first victim attacked by the zombies, however is a minor character and has no relationship with any other characters throughout the story.

On the left is Natalie the second victim to fall prey to the undead after a frantic chase scene.











Above are pictures of me, I play myself in the film and I get bitten just after Natalie is killed and I get infected and transform into a zombie. We showed my transformation through the use of black contacts which contrast with my normal blue eyes, as seen in the above pictures.



Shaun and Laura in the picture to the left, survive the woods and run out to their car, however the zombies are relentless and Shaun is killed, or so Laura thinks. Laura however goes onto become the zombie slayer heroine throughout the rest of the movie to avenge Shaun's death. The relationship between these two characters is of unspoken love, that is taken for granted until one of them dies.

Location Photos

Natalie took some photos of Tamworth Nature Reserve a few days prior to filming to give everyone involved a sense of the location.

The location gives off eerie
and spooky connotations, perfect
for our horror genre film.

Preliminary Task

This is our preliminary task that was set, to help us get use to filming and to see what variety of shots we could take within a small sequence. I worked with Natalie & Yasmin to create this short film in which an exchange of an object or two is to take place. We also showed our awareness of the 180 degree rule.

Prom Night

Movie Summary

'Prom Night' is a classic horror with some slash genre aspects. The movie stars Brittany Snow and Johnathon Schaech. The film is about a young girl named Donna, whose family is murdered by an obsessed predator, who happens to be Donna's Teacher. What Donna doesn't know is that the deranged psychopath has escaped from the asylum and is intent on killing anyone who gets in his way.

Scene Summary

I've reviewed scene 17/18 of 'Prom Night', In which a friend of Donna's, Lisa is killed by the crazed stalker. The scene starts off with Lisa and her boyfriend Ronnie in a hotel room rented out for the prom. Lisa suddenly realizes the mystery man she saw in the hotel lobby is the killer and quickly rushes off to warn Donna. She is cut off by the killer and the chase begins. Lisa runs down the stairs into a construction site and hides. Her friends look for her as she has been nominated as Prom Queen and Ronnie was meant to purprose to her. Thinking the killer is gone Lisa runs, unfortunatley into the arms of the murder where she is gruesomely slaughtered.

Mise en scene

Lisa and Ronnie have black skin and are both dressed in dark blue, this gives them visibly common traits and helps to represent their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Ronnie is in a fully black waist coat and shirt with a blue tie and Lisa is in a long dark blue dress and has curled hair. The hotel room is bright and uses netrual colours. Ronnie and Lisa kiss while laying down upon the bed, Lisa runs off leaving Ronnie. He opens a small box with a ring to show that he was about to propose to Lisa. The killer finds her he is wearing a cap and very dull clothes to show mystery and coldness. She breaks her heel on the stair falls, the killer pulls out a curved knife that represents his twisted mind and spirit. He chases her into a construction site that has plastic wrapping on all the windows and furniture, a blue light flashes on and off. She trys the elevator but it doesn't open the shadow of the killer is cast upon the wall making her jump, he attacks her. Lisa falls as she gets to her feet her dress is ripped by the killer. She runs away closing two big wooden doors behind her. She is then swarmed by a flock of pigeons. She hides under a table with a plastic transparent sheet over it, the elevator opens and Ronnie is in it, he calls her then goes, she is unable to reply without alerting the murderer. The elevator has connotations of escape and freedom. A bright blue light flashes on the killers face as if unmasking him or confirming his identity. He goes or so Lisa thinks she runs out and down the hall, knocking over two canisters. She runs backwards sure that he is behind her, unfortunately running into his deadly lock, he slits her neck and blood splats up a plastic sheet showing she is most definately dead. The construction site has connotations of unfinished buisiness, as the killer is back to finish off the rest of the family by killing Donna. The site is also dark giving an evil mysterious sense to the scene and set.

Camera

-Establishing shot of hotel room
-Close up of Lisa as she realizes who the killer is
-Medium Long shot as she runs down hall
-Framed through glass window on door and key hole
-Close up of knife and ripped dress
-Point of view shot from killer and victims perspectives
-Foward tracking of Lisa's feet at low level during chase
-Shot through plastic sheets as killer walks away and when Lisa is killed
-Close up of Lisa's paniced face to express emotion
-Subjective Shots

Music & Editing

-Seamless Editing throughout
-Quick cuts
-Music tempo and volume increases when Lisa is being chased and is decreased when she loses sight of killer.
-Heartbeat as background noise throughout the chase
-Dialogue
-Bird noises
-Elevator noise
-Screams from Lisa
-Ambient sound of students talking at Prom and teacher on mircophone

30 Days Of Night

Movie Summary

'30 Days Of Night' is set in Barrow, Alaska a remote isolated town that has 30 days of night every Winter. A group of marauding vampires are coming led by Marlow (Danny Huston) and are planning to have a month long feast on Barrows helpless residents. It's up to Sheriff Eben (Josh Hartnett) and Stella (Melissa George) and a ever-shrinking group of surivors to do anything to last till daylight.

Scene Summary

I've reviewed scene 06 of '30 Days of Night' in which the group of bloodthursty vampires pilage the town of Barrow and a small group of infromed survivors meet at a diner.

Mise en scene

The vampires have pale white skin, long fangs and noses and have blood smeared upon their faces. Their eyes are extremely dilated giving them animalistic connotations and nails long like claws. They wore relatively dark dull clothes in contrast to their pale ghostly skin. At the start of the scene a clan of vampires stand in the snow which like their clothes contrasts with the dark skyline, which gives off connotations of Good (White) V.S Evil (Black). People begin to gather at local diner, the diner is gently lit. The group of people are dressed casual in furry warm clothes and hats to make the cold climate more authetic. The scene then cuts to a couple defending themselves from the vampire leader and his female partner. The human man holds a gun and is bearded and heavy built. When the vampire leader lifts the man up against the wall and strangles him it makes the audience aware of the strength of the vampires. The living room is messy and shows that there has been a previous struggle. The clan boss impales the man with a metal bare and the female vampire bites the girls neck. The scene then follows to the people of Barrow jumping out of windows and doors being chased by vampires. Residents are dragged across ground and out of cars, vampires jump from roofs giving them a sense of agility and speed. Blood stains and snow contrast in colour. Wooden houses and the small amount of them supports the look of an authentic isolated town. Stella and Eben arrive at diner and plan a diversion.

Camera

-Medium Long Shot of the couple fighting the vampires
-Close up of their panicked faces
-Aerial Shot of Barrow and the carnage
-Forward Tracking of people being dragged

Music & Editing

-Gun shot sounds
-Diegetic music as vampire leader scratched record with nail
-Vampire roars and screeches
-Peoples screams
-Car engine and wheels
-Windows being smashed
-Quite background muisc

Cloverfield

Movie Summary

'Cloverfield' is a deconstruction horror, mixing elements of horror with the ingredients of a documantary. From visonary producer J.J. Abrams and director Matt Reeves.

Scene Summary

I've reviewed the 09 scene of 'Cloverfield' In which four surviors travel through a underground subway and are attacked by small alien like creatures.

Mise en scene

The set lighting is dark and even as an audience member you cannot see which makes it more authentic, the characters switch one a light on the camera, enabling them to see. There is rail way tracks and a narrow tunnel. The creatures attack. The night light upon the camera is switched on so you can see the aliens, they are quick and have tentacles and lots of eyes. Lilly is first attacked then the camera guy, but Gwen helps him causing her to be biten, blood sprays onto the camera screen. The four people run up on the side platform and through a metal door.

Camera

-Handheld consistantly throughout the film (inspired by the 'Blair Witch Project')

Music & Editing

-Ambient sound of explosions in distance
-Sound of creatures

Doomsday

Movie Summary

'Doomsday' is set the United Kingdom, 27 years after the outbreak of the deadly Reaper Virus kills millions. The diease erupts in London and threatens to wipe out the entire population. An elite fighting unit led by the deadly Major Sinclair (Rhona Mitra), has to find a cure for the Reaper Virus within 48 hours, which unfortunately is located in the post-apocalyptic zone in Scotland, controlled by cannibal gangs.

Scene Summary

I've reviewed scene 09 of 'Doomsday' in which Major Sinclair is imprisoned by a gang of cannibals. The leader Saw is putting on a circus show in which he kills one of Major Sinclairs
team by burning him alive and feeding him to the crowd.

Mise en scene

Prison hallway, a man with a chain saw connotations of torture and fear. Saw walks onto a stadium stage, not many windows or light so there is connotations of being underground. The crowds are dress as stereotypical punks with mad hair styles, piercings and tatoos. There are pole dancers, stunt motorcylcists, gymnastics and scottish dancers. The scottish dancing and strong scottish accent of Saw give the set basing in Scotland an authentic look. The bring out the man on a crane then lower him into the fire, connotations of hell. Saw then gives the savage crowds plates contrasting their animalistic behavior with the traditions of civilisation. Saws female partner wears a crown similar to the statue of liberty, this shows she is important and a leader of the community.

Camera

-Close up of Major Sinclair as she listens to her friend being slaughtered
-Close up of Saws imprisoned sister
-Pans around crowd
-Medium Long Shot of Saw on stage
-Close up of dead body
-Foward tracking of Saw

Music & Editing

-Diegetic Music throughout performance, three changes/songs
seamless editing
-Ambient sound of crowds roaring and chanting
-Comentator dialouge
-Chainsaw sound