Main Task- 2 Minute Film

Opening

Shaunie Mellor, Jack Saward and

Eleanor Lodge

Research Into The Same

Genre.

• We chose to do a horror opening for a film.

• For our research we looked into: The Blair WitchProject, Black Swan, Suspiria and Se7en.

• In the opening to Se7en they had very quick snappyshots which is what we wanted in our film opening.

• All of the classifications were either 15 or 18.

Research Into The Same

Genre.• All of the film openings we looked into had similar

characteristics. Eg. a female victim, non-diagetic

sound, deep sounds within the music, dark lighting, quick

shots.

• In our opening the bad character was seen however in

many other horrors the bad character isn't usually shown.

• After thinking through all the horror characteristics we

came up with a female being killed due to a male

character chasing her.

• We decided that our film opening would be a 15 due to

the nature of the ballet dancers death.

Research

• We did a pre production survey and

handed it out to 30 people. We asked

them questions about their favourite genre

and why, what they would expect to see in

a horror film, an idea of a film title for a

ballet dancer that dies.

Here are the results

for 2 of the

questions in a pie

chart.

Pre-production Surveys

These are example of our filled out pre-

production surveys.

Planning• After looking into other film openings we came to a conclusion on the

storyline.

• Characters: One female ballet dancer and one male character.

• Props: at first we thought we would use a music box however on the day of

filming we changed our mind.

• Setting: The setting we have chosen is in the woods near the guided

busway at Histon/Impington. We also thought that by choosing the setting in

the woods it a feeling of insecurity, since you are enclosed, it’s dark and not

a lot of help.

• Costumes: Ballet dancer- white leotard, no shoes, natural make up. Male

character- normal everyday clothes.

• Mise en scene- we wanted the ballet dancer in white because it represents

purity and innocence. for the male character we chose a bit darker

clothing, helps to make it ‘edgy’.

• Music: at first we thought only one track but while editing we used 2 tracks.

Storyboard

Conventions• Our film opening uses the same aspects and

characteristics as other horror film openings. We built suspense and tension throughout the opening with the music and the different shots, eg. Zooming into the male characters feet as he approached the ballet dancer. We thought into the colour connotation of the white costume on the ballet dancer and how this represents her naivety and innocence on the situation. Also how the male character was just in everyday clothes and didn't have a weapon or anything with him.

The Audience

• The audience would be young performing arts students generally female. This is because it is about a ballet dancer and it would not appeal so much to the male eye.

• The title is catchy and the first shots leaves the audience wondering what will happen next.

• The genre of the film is popular among young people which would make them want to watch the film.

Representing Social Groups

• The genre of the film represents social groups because its more the younger generation that watches horror films. It also represents the bad that happens in the world where people die or are murdered.

• Our film opening is easy to relate to for younger generations especially for people doing performing arts A Level because any time they have spare to dance they will regardless of the location.

• In the clip we have young female on her own in the woods. This represents other young females who also walk home alone without safety.

Technology

• By creating this media project we have…

• Become more familiar with using a camera.

• Using different camera shots.

• How to do the basic editing on a Mac.

• How to setup a blog and what to include in

it, such as pictures and YouTube links.

• How to put videos up onto YouTube.

Media Institution

• Social networking sites because young

people use these sites more than

newspapers.

• YouTube because that is where younger

generations look for specific trailers and

movie openings.

• A mobile phone app which advertises

different genres of movies.

Progression From The Preliminary

Task• The preliminary task was our first experience with filming and editing.

• It was also our first time writing a script, filming and using the Macs with

final cut express.

• From this we learned the basics of editing. How to cut scenes and music

and render.

• We also learned how to use a camera. How use different shots, and when it

would be a good idea use them.

• After we had done the preliminary task the has the length of about 15-30

seconds. We then went to do our main task. In this we improved especially

in filming. Using a wide variety of different camera shots.

• We also improved on the editing part by having watched different tutorials

and have been giving some help from a year 13 student.

• Also compared to the preliminary task which is very easy to film, we had film

quite a lot of scenes again just to get them completely how we wanted

them.

Camera Shots

• Handheld camerashot.

• Reason why wechoose handheld

• Fitted in with the musicat this point.

• It is good for a chasingscene.

• It give a sense ofrealism

• Good for horror oraction where there is

often chasing scenes.

Camera Shots

• Close up

• Reason why we chose a close up

• Good for facial expressions

• Fits in with slow-paced music

• Adds a bit of tension to the film

Camera Shots

• Long shot.

• Why we chose a long shot.

• Gives the audience a good view of the setting.

• Good shot for when the character is alone.

• A good shot to start a scene with.

Camera Shots

• Close up

• Here is a different way weused a close up.

• Reasons why.

• Different ways ofdisplaying the charactersbody.

• Give a slight edgy feelingas it only the feet,

that are visable.

• This is also a good shotfor when a murder, forexample is approachinghis victim.

Thank You For Listening

Have you any questions?