This storyboard outlines the key scenes that are in my opening and about the shot types and sound.
Saturday, 6 May 2017
Focus Group
For my focus group, I had a conversation with a mix of people, some who study media and some that don't. I wanted to find out whether the less experienced consumers of media have the same or different feelings about horror films.
The first question I asked was: Do you think age 18 films are more scary than age 15 horror movies. The response was mixed, some of the people said that age 18 are more scary because they can have more blood and gore which means that it can be more scary. The others however said that age 15 films are scary. They thought this because you don't need blood and gore to make a horror film scary. They believed that a good story line is what makes a film scary as well as jump scares. From this mixed opinion it is clear to see that there is not one clear answer which one is more scary because there are different factors which can affect whether the film is scary such as: Jump scares, good storyline and choice of music and sound effects.
My second question to the group was: What makes a good horror film? Again there was multiple different answers because this was down to opinion as there are different reasons why to like horror films. Just like in my questionnaire, I found that some people find jump scares the scariest part of a horror film whereas some people find that a good storyline is what makes a film scary. From this question, some said that they find a good storyline makes the film. This is as repeatable storylines and predictable storylines takeaway the element of surprise. Some said that music is a strong contributing factor towards making a film scary because the music compliments the footage and helps to build up tension such as music stings that compliment jump scares.
My next question was: What is the difference between a age 15 film and an age 18 film? There were a lot of answers for this question. Firstly, 18 films are allowed more frequent use of bad language and violence. Age 18 films are also allowed a lot more sexual scenes and frequent of drugs. Age 18 films can also focus on blood and gore where as age 15 films can include blood and gore but it cant have frequent use or focus on it. The media students I asked were more knowledgeable about age ratings as they have knowledge of the BBFC film classification rating system whereas the older generation are less familiar with the difference between age ratings so some of them passed the question as they didn't know any differences between the two age rated films.
I then asked the group: Do you think jump scares are the best way to make a horror film scary? Everyone agreed that jump scares are the most effective way to make a horror film scary. This is as they are unexpected which creates a tense atmosphere. This result also matched the result I got in my questionnaire as in my questionnaire I found that most people agreed that horror films are the scariest part. This is why they are common in horror films because most people like 'cheap jump scares'. The reason they are known as 'cheap jump scares' is because the music typically goes quiet and fades to silence and then there is a big music sting followed by a jump scare. This is typically used in most horror films and is what people in my focus group and questionnaire agree makes a horror film the most scary.
My final question to the group was: What is your favourite horror film? A lot of people said 'pass' because they couldn't think of a favourite. These are some of the responses. Silence of the Lambs, Saw and The Conjuring. The first horror film is a classic. This horror film doesn't include jump scares and is only scary because of the storyline. This is an example of a horror film where the horror is in the story and not done through jump scares. Saw is based on scenes that focus on horror and gore, Saw is a franchise and has multiple films. This film is scary because of the sickening horror and gore. The final film is scary because of the jump scares. Even though I haven't seen The Conjuring, I have heard from friends that The Conjuring is full of jump scares. From these films, I can see that people have different choices of music based on different conventions of horror films.
This focus group was very useful as it made me more aware of audience expectations and what constitutes a good horror film. This also helped me compare the results to my questionnaire to see if I got similar results.
The first question I asked was: Do you think age 18 films are more scary than age 15 horror movies. The response was mixed, some of the people said that age 18 are more scary because they can have more blood and gore which means that it can be more scary. The others however said that age 15 films are scary. They thought this because you don't need blood and gore to make a horror film scary. They believed that a good story line is what makes a film scary as well as jump scares. From this mixed opinion it is clear to see that there is not one clear answer which one is more scary because there are different factors which can affect whether the film is scary such as: Jump scares, good storyline and choice of music and sound effects.
My second question to the group was: What makes a good horror film? Again there was multiple different answers because this was down to opinion as there are different reasons why to like horror films. Just like in my questionnaire, I found that some people find jump scares the scariest part of a horror film whereas some people find that a good storyline is what makes a film scary. From this question, some said that they find a good storyline makes the film. This is as repeatable storylines and predictable storylines takeaway the element of surprise. Some said that music is a strong contributing factor towards making a film scary because the music compliments the footage and helps to build up tension such as music stings that compliment jump scares.
My next question was: What is the difference between a age 15 film and an age 18 film? There were a lot of answers for this question. Firstly, 18 films are allowed more frequent use of bad language and violence. Age 18 films are also allowed a lot more sexual scenes and frequent of drugs. Age 18 films can also focus on blood and gore where as age 15 films can include blood and gore but it cant have frequent use or focus on it. The media students I asked were more knowledgeable about age ratings as they have knowledge of the BBFC film classification rating system whereas the older generation are less familiar with the difference between age ratings so some of them passed the question as they didn't know any differences between the two age rated films.
I then asked the group: Do you think jump scares are the best way to make a horror film scary? Everyone agreed that jump scares are the most effective way to make a horror film scary. This is as they are unexpected which creates a tense atmosphere. This result also matched the result I got in my questionnaire as in my questionnaire I found that most people agreed that horror films are the scariest part. This is why they are common in horror films because most people like 'cheap jump scares'. The reason they are known as 'cheap jump scares' is because the music typically goes quiet and fades to silence and then there is a big music sting followed by a jump scare. This is typically used in most horror films and is what people in my focus group and questionnaire agree makes a horror film the most scary.
My final question to the group was: What is your favourite horror film? A lot of people said 'pass' because they couldn't think of a favourite. These are some of the responses. Silence of the Lambs, Saw and The Conjuring. The first horror film is a classic. This horror film doesn't include jump scares and is only scary because of the storyline. This is an example of a horror film where the horror is in the story and not done through jump scares. Saw is based on scenes that focus on horror and gore, Saw is a franchise and has multiple films. This film is scary because of the sickening horror and gore. The final film is scary because of the jump scares. Even though I haven't seen The Conjuring, I have heard from friends that The Conjuring is full of jump scares. From these films, I can see that people have different choices of music based on different conventions of horror films.
This focus group was very useful as it made me more aware of audience expectations and what constitutes a good horror film. This also helped me compare the results to my questionnaire to see if I got similar results.
Marketing
There are multiple different of which a film can be marketed. It is very important when planning a film to know how you are going to market your film. Research must be done on how your selected demographic will be consumed. My film is going to be given an age 15 rating. This means I need to market my product towards that specific demographic. This would need require a promotional campaign where research will be conducted into the best way to attract my specific target audience. I would start my creating a Facebook, Twitter and YouTube account. This is because these social media sites are regularly used by millions of users. On these social media sites, I would post teasers and screenshots of behind the scenes of the filming process. One of the reasons for this is because we want to create a following before the film is released. This is because if we interact with our audience before the film then they will feel more in touch with the process and it will help them appreciate enormity of work that is carried out in the planning, filming , editing and marketing work that is carried out.
For example, this film trailer on YouTube got over 2 million views in less than 24 hours and hit number 1 on trending. This shows that YouTube has a strong film community. This is where I would post my trailer as there is a large community where my desired target audience can consume the trailer.
I would then add film updates such as progress and behind the scene screenshots to Facebook and Twitter because they have a large film community where people like to check out the process of creating a film. The behind the scene clips and footage should also help to create a fan base where friends will hopefully tell each other so we can create a fan base. This is important as you have to give your audience a reason to come and watch your film and building a fan base early on should ensure that you will have people that will want to come and see your film.
I will also aim to get my film listed on IMDB. This is because it has a large following where people everyday will check the listing for new films to come out. This would be a great way to market the film because you will attract the keen film enthusiasts. Considering my demographic is a 15+ film, it is important I market to a wide range of people because if my film becomes popular then it could receive a lot of money from the box office. This would be really good as it could lead to the production companies filming a second film.
The reason for primarily using internet based methods of promotion is because there is a large film following on the internet where I can interact with the audience and keep them up to date on the films progress. It is important to interact with the audience as they are the ones who will be watching the film and be making money in the box office. Using the internet can also help me reach a broader demographic.
For example, this film trailer on YouTube got over 2 million views in less than 24 hours and hit number 1 on trending. This shows that YouTube has a strong film community. This is where I would post my trailer as there is a large community where my desired target audience can consume the trailer.
I would then add film updates such as progress and behind the scene screenshots to Facebook and Twitter because they have a large film community where people like to check out the process of creating a film. The behind the scene clips and footage should also help to create a fan base where friends will hopefully tell each other so we can create a fan base. This is important as you have to give your audience a reason to come and watch your film and building a fan base early on should ensure that you will have people that will want to come and see your film.
I will also aim to get my film listed on IMDB. This is because it has a large following where people everyday will check the listing for new films to come out. This would be a great way to market the film because you will attract the keen film enthusiasts. Considering my demographic is a 15+ film, it is important I market to a wide range of people because if my film becomes popular then it could receive a lot of money from the box office. This would be really good as it could lead to the production companies filming a second film.
The reason for primarily using internet based methods of promotion is because there is a large film following on the internet where I can interact with the audience and keep them up to date on the films progress. It is important to interact with the audience as they are the ones who will be watching the film and be making money in the box office. Using the internet can also help me reach a broader demographic.
Research and Planning- Marking
Nathan's analysis of the film openings and title sequences demonstrated an in depth understanding of the forms and conventions but did not really get to grips with a variety of different styles of openings and their effects. I liked the prezi on Blair Witch which showed good insight into the effects of the opening on audience. There were a couple of mistakes such as 'connotate' but on the whole Nathan wrote clearly and analysed well. Nathan's later analysis of a scene from Donnie Darko demonstrated a good understanding of technical codes and directorial choices with regards mise en scene. His work on the BBFC, health and safety assessment and film companies demonstrated a clear understanding of media industries although it would have been nice to have seen a more in depth look at what constitutes a 15 and the differences between this and an 18 or 12. Do the BBFC get overruled??
While Nathan's research demonstrated an in depth insight into the effects of directorial choices on an audience, this aspect of his research suffered from a lack of variety. He cited The Blair Witch Project as his sole influence when he had already discussed much of this in his textual analysis. He showed a good understanding of psychographics and demographics and how media industries use these linking it to his own choices. I was a little disappointed in his marketing work which again referenced the Blair Witch. He did not examine potential ways of marketing his own film beyond posters which was disappointing especially given the groundbreaking marketing techniques of his inspiration!
Nathan's posts on Changes, Music, Schedule and editing diaries all chart his progression through the project and the ways in which his idea evolved and was adapted. The posts on Storyboard, Pitch and Props demonstrated a link between product, processes and the creation of meaning as well as an ability to plan and construct a media product.
Nathan's blog demonstrated a good level of ability with regards analysis and understanding conveying meaning to an audience but suffered from a lack of variety in regards source material and style of blog entry. He used appropriate methods and showed an understanding of research skills. He presented good conclusions which were limited in variety.
Nathan 13/20
While Nathan's research demonstrated an in depth insight into the effects of directorial choices on an audience, this aspect of his research suffered from a lack of variety. He cited The Blair Witch Project as his sole influence when he had already discussed much of this in his textual analysis. He showed a good understanding of psychographics and demographics and how media industries use these linking it to his own choices. I was a little disappointed in his marketing work which again referenced the Blair Witch. He did not examine potential ways of marketing his own film beyond posters which was disappointing especially given the groundbreaking marketing techniques of his inspiration!
Nathan's posts on Changes, Music, Schedule and editing diaries all chart his progression through the project and the ways in which his idea evolved and was adapted. The posts on Storyboard, Pitch and Props demonstrated a link between product, processes and the creation of meaning as well as an ability to plan and construct a media product.
Nathan's blog demonstrated a good level of ability with regards analysis and understanding conveying meaning to an audience but suffered from a lack of variety in regards source material and style of blog entry. He used appropriate methods and showed an understanding of research skills. He presented good conclusions which were limited in variety.
Nathan 13/20
Editing Diary- Sound Effects
I had planned some sound effects that I wanted to use in my opening. I had originally planned to use a heartbeat sound effect a cannon sound effect a clock tick sound effect. I later decided that I wasn't going to use a clock ticking sound effect because I had already included the sound effect in my production logo and also because I had changed my plan so I decided not to include it in my opening.
I was looking for a website that offered copyright free sound effects for me to use. I was recommended by a friend to visit a website called: freesound.org. Freesound.org is a place where people sign up and post copyright free sounds for people to use. I spent some time playing through the vast amount of sound effects they have. After going through over 50+ sound effects, I had chosen the sound-effects I was looking for. This stage of the editing process took the longest because
I had to cut the sound effects over the selected clips. This in its own right took me a long time, however that was not the main issue I faced. Some of the sound effects needed to be played a few times in a row. This became a problem because I had to try and make the transitions between the sound effects sound natural. This took a lot of trial and error and a lot of time and I tried to make it seem as natural as possible.
This did teach me however the significant importance of editing and why it is crucial that you carry out a planning process. Shortening and cutting certain sound effects down and repeating it proved to be a challenge, one that lasted over the course of a few days.
The Opening
This is the link to my film opening video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhoWhEa36vw
This opening is 1:59 which is just under the maximum limit of two minutes that the opening is allowed to be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhoWhEa36vw
This opening is 1:59 which is just under the maximum limit of two minutes that the opening is allowed to be
Editing Diary- Run re-film
As I have mentioned in previous posts, the brightness was a clear issue when filming over different days. I had to re-film me running because the first time I filmed it I found out that it was too bright. I had to re-film me running.
This took me a while to edit because I had to cut the run into smaller sections because if I didn't reduce the run clips it would have exceeded the 2 minute mark and I am not allowed to exceed the 2 minute mark. I also had to adjust the backing track to fit with the run scene.
This did take some trial and error to shorten it to the correct length but it was reasonably simple and didn't take up too much time as I just replicated what I did with the previous footage.
This took me a while to edit because I had to cut the run into smaller sections because if I didn't reduce the run clips it would have exceeded the 2 minute mark and I am not allowed to exceed the 2 minute mark. I also had to adjust the backing track to fit with the run scene.This did take some trial and error to shorten it to the correct length but it was reasonably simple and didn't take up too much time as I just replicated what I did with the previous footage.
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