Horror Sub-genres

Psychological:

This sub-genre is of a characters fear and emotion which emphasises the psychology of the characters and their unstable emotional state. It aims to make the viewers uncomfotable.  An example of a psychological horror film is 'The Shining'.

Slasher:

This type consists of a lot of violence generally, and usually revolves around a psychotic serial killer and a number of victims. A lot of mystery and suspense is built up in this sub-genre.

Teen: 

The name of the sub-genre is basically wht it is. It revolves around a group of teenagers who have stereotypical roles such as: The jock, the nerd, the popular characters, and typically has a large cast. It is commonly set upon teenagers issues such as prom.

Gothic:

Some of the earliest horror movies were of gothic horror. They normally have features such as old castles, ruined landscapes. 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' are two examples of this sub-genre.

Supernatural/paranormal:

This would usually include supernatural occurances. Ghosts, demons, or other types of demonic beings would typically be involved. A lot of the time, religion is also combined in the plot and is lnked with the afterlife or something silmilar. 'The Exorcist' is a well-known supernatural horror.

For the main brief, we have chosen for the sub-genre to be a mix between psychological and supernatural. This is because we feel that these two sub-genres will fit well with each other. A supernatural sub-genre would be easier to film as there is not necessarily an appearance of the antagonist at the beginning. Also it would be much easier to plan for the props, costume and makeup. We have also chosen to do a psychological horror as it would create tension throughout and creates a sense of unease.

Main Brief Introduction

The task for the main brief is to produce a short horror film opening between 2-3 minutes. to accomplish this, I will need to work in a group to plan, film and edit to reach the final product. Over this course, I will be researching into other similar products to understand the codes and conventions in horror and help inspire me for my own idea. To ensure that the horror film will appeal to others, I will be setting up questionnaires and ask for constant feedback.

Evaluation of Mini Brief

To plan my evaluation out, I wrote brief notes on each section of the video so I can identify the strengths and weaknesses.

Evaluation

I have chosen a black screen for the opening title because the colour connotates prehaps danger or death which forebodes the coming action. There is a non-digetic sound effect which immediately hints what genre it is going to be. I think that this strongly reflects the genre of horror.

When Mia and Izzy are walking up the stairs, the camera tilts to follow them which was done smoothly. However, there is unnecessary space between them which pulls the audience away from the action. I think that this was not a very strong opening to the mini brief, because an establishing shot was not used so the audience may not know where the characters are.

Here, I think that the match on action was done fairly well because it seems continuous and seamless. However if you look very closely, in the first shot, Izzy's hand was behind the door but then it cuts to when her hand is already on the door. There is only a slight difference, fortunately, so it is not noticeable when watching it. Another fault in the two particular shots is that Mia is wearing her blazer in one, but then not in the next. This mistake occurred because it was shot over two different days.

The action jumps in too quickly because the speech starts almost immediately after the camera started filming which makes it seem not continuous from when they just sat down on the couch. This can be quite displeasing to the eye because it changes so quickly.

I have used the editing technique of shot reverse shot which I think I have accomplished it quite well. I have followed the 180° rule so that both the characters seem to be looking directly at each other when having the conversation. The only problem with it was that in the first shot, the framing was not very good because the character is more to the left of the screen. This takes the focus off of her and leaves a lot of dead space. However, in the second shot, Mia is in the centre and the focus was on her face, so the framing was correct.

I think the camera work here was not very professional because the zooming out was not smooth. I think that in terms of the sound matching in the ringtone, I did a good job making it sound realistic and smooth. However, I picked up that there was a slight volume difference in it which shows that it was filmed in two separate clips. Furthermore, Mia was cut out of the scene so the framing doesn't cover both characters. The focus point was also slightly lower than there faces, so to resolve the issue, the camera could of been a bit higher up.

Shot reverse shot has been repeated in these shots. Again, there is a lot of dead space and Mia is wearing her blazer again. 

When the camera was panning around the room, it was slightly shaky because a tripod was not used to steady it. This makes it seem not so professional. I have chosen to have a digetic sound sound effect to show that the light bulbs have cut out unexpectedly. I think that it fits in with what is happening in the scene. Another choice I made was to have an animation so that the screen fade to black. In my opinion, it makes the scene stronger because it makes it seem realistic when the lights go out instead of cutting to a black screen so abruptly.

Next, there is a non-digetic sound in the background which gets louder. I think that it fits and adds to the genre of horror because it adds suspense and tension. It also foreshadows the following events. When the black screen is removed, the masked man is positioned in the middle of the frame so that the audience would direct their attention to the character on screen. the sound effects come to an abrupt end which can be quite unexpected and surprising to the audience. It builds up anticipation where a scream is followed shortly. My decision was to make the screen black towards the end so that the audience can not see what is happening next-it finishes on a cliffhanger. I think that this was effective because it leaves the audience curious and the ending a mystery. 

In general, I think that I have stuck to the requirements of the mini brief throughout the clip. However, there were some overall faults in the scene. There are school bags and blazers in the background which ruins the mise en scene, making it appear unrealistic. Also, since it was shot over two different days, there are some noticeable differences such as costume and hair changes. Furthermore, over the period of days, the furniture had been moved so when we placed the furniture back into position, there was a slight difference.

Post-production: Editing

After the filming had finished, I began to edit the video and add sound effects. This was done on the online software WeVideo. There are two different modes to WeVideo - storyboard and timeline. I started off using the storyboard mode because the clips can be seen easily below the screen. I placed all of my clips in order and then shortened them so they fit well into each other. What I found out about this was that the clips had to be clipped very precisely so that it links on to the next. This made the phone call scene very difficult because the ringtone had to lead on from the one before.

Once I was pleased with the order of the the clips, I switched to timeline mode because I can see each of the movements. This made sure the transition from each clip was smooth and seamless. I could also add some animation to the video so that the clip would fade in from black and out to black. The animation was useful because I used it for the lights scene when the lights cut out. It made it seem as if the lights went out instead of cutting out so abruptly.

I could also see the volume levels so I evened it out because I did not want any drastic volume differences between the clips. I wanted to add non-digetic sound effects so I downloaded copyright free sounds and imported it into my video. The volumes on WeVideo could be adjusted so that the sound fade in and out. I used this to make the sound get gradually louder or quieter to build up tension.

Mini Brief Video

Production

To begin with, we allocated job roles for ourselves, Mia, Isabel and Sean being the actors and me being the camerawoman. We had to prepare the set by moving props and objects around the room to how we want the scene to look. Before, we began filming, we planned out where the characters are going to move and be placed. The actors then looked over their lines from the script so they won't forget.

Organisation of team members and actors:

Mia and Isabel volunteered to be the two main actors in the mini brief video who are both going to be the victim. Sean is the antagonist who is going to be the masked man, however, it is not a large part in the mini brief so he is also going to direct. To start with, I filmed and directed the first half of the video along with Sean co-directing. On the second half of filming, we switched roles so everyone had a chance to direct and film.

Pre-production: Script

To continue with the planning for the production of the mini brief, we wrote a rough script to plan out what the characters are going to say. To ensure that the audience has a clear understanding of the protagonist, we've created a character that has an innocent, kind personality. She is in a very sensitive state-she had just broken up with her manipulative boyfriend which contributes to her vulnerability. The antagonist has no lines within the script because we wanted to keep his identity unknown. This adds to the fear and mystery of who the masked man is. It was decided that the ending would be a cliff-hanger. This effect would leave it suspenseful and would make the audience want to know what happens next.

Script

Set in a spacious, large family living room. It is getting dark outside soon and the rest of the house is empty.  A large purple chair is sitting in the corner and there are large sofas adjacent to it.

Izzy and Mia enter the room. Mia switches on the lights and they both sit down on the sofa, gossiping.

Mia: Oh my gosh. No he didn't!

Izzy: Yeah, can you believe it?

Mia: What a pig!

Izzy: I'm completely done with him now.

Mia: Yeah its probably for the best. Did you hear that...

Izzy's phone rings and interrupts Mia. It is an unknown number with no caller ID.

Izzy: Hello

There is heavy breathing down the phone. Izzy hangs up. The lights flicker but the girls do not notice.

Mia: Who was that?

Izzy: I don't know. I get it all the...

The lights suddenly cut out and the girls are now sitting in darkness.

Mia: What the Hell!

After a few seconds of darkness, the lights switch back on. The purple chair has now moved, a few feet in front of Izzy and Mia. Upon it is a masked man dressed in black-his face is not distinguishable. 

Both girls scream.

Pre-production: Planning the story

Since the genre of the mini brief would be horror, I have written down the conventions of a horror film to help plan out the scene.

Characters

Typically in a horror film, there would be a protagonist who is the victim. The protagonist would be a kind-hearted female teenager. This is so that the audience would like the victim and feel symapthy foor them.We have decided that the antagonist would remain unidentified to make the scene more mysterious. To do this, the villain would be wearing a mask and dressed in black. The colour black was chosen because it is often associated with death.

Theme

There are mulitple themes in the mini brief such as the unknown and fear. Those themes contribute to the genre of horror. The fact that the cause of what is going to happen and the villian will remain unknown adds to the tension and suspense to find a reason for it. This will keep the audience on edge. All horror films will have the theme of fear in it, whether it's the characters fear or the audiences becuase it is the purpose of a horror.

Setting

The chosen setting was upstairs inside a house. This is because we wanted for the story to be almost like it can happen in real life. The characters are not so much isolated from people which I think adds to the desperation of the characters because help is not so far away but yet they cant reach it.

Mise En Scene Elements

The lighting would be low to make the scene rather dark and shadowy. It adds to the effect that the sky is getting dark soon and builds up tension. To add to the tension and fear, the colours should not be too bright or colourful. An iconography in the scene would be the purple chair. This is because the chair would move position later on, so it is important that there is a view of it. Another important prop is the mobile phone, in which during a scene, the main character gets a phone call.

Other props would be set out within the frame of the camera to make it seem more like the inside of a house. There will be old looking furniture to hint that this will be a horror. The costumes of the two female characters would be regular school clothing because the scene is set when both girls get back from school.

Pre-production: Storyboard

To plan out how to film each shot, a storyboard was drawn up along with the type of camera shot and dialogue which goes with that shot. Along with the 3 required shots (match on action, shot reverse shot, and the 180° rule), there will also be closeup shots and medium shots to show the characters facial expressions and movements.

When the two main characters walk through the door, the camera movement would be match on action, to show them walking through the door at two angles.

As they walk through the door, there will be an establishing shot to set the scene. It would be the view of the whole room to show the layout.

In the 3rd shot, shot reverse shot would be used to show the conversation between the two characters. the shots would also be close-up so the facial expressions can be seen clearly.

The next camera movement would be to film the enitre room before the lights go out. This is so that the audience can see what the room looked like before and after when the lights come back on. The chair would've moved to different position with the masked man sitting on it.

To make sure that the shots follow the 180° rule, a map was drawn out for the layout of the pavilion with the line going across the page. This is so that when filming, we would know where to place the camera. Each angle was carefully considered to ensure that the camera would only film on one side of the line.



Pre-production: Recce

Photos were taken of potential locations to decide on a suitable place for setting the scene. This was called a recce. After looking at the photos, it was decided that the scene would be shot at the school pavilion. This is because the lighting is low in certain places which sticks to the theme of horror. The scene is set in on the top floor in a room, the old furniture makes it seem more like inside a house. The reason that it is supposed to be upstairs, is so that the characters seem more isolated and distant from everyone else. It is also harder for them to run away from potential danger.

The dark colours and the state of the furniture adds to the features of a typical horror film, making the scene more sinister.

Pre-production: Character Analysis

Character 1:

Name: Izzy Martin

Age: 16

History:  Parents have recently broken up; boyfriend has also just left her. She is an only child. She receives frequent phone calls from unknown numbers. She is the protagonist of the film.

Personality: She is a sensitive girl, very vulnerable and is kind-hearted. 

Character 2:

Name: Mia Simpson

Age: 16

History: Stable family upbringing, with two older brothers. Typical teenage girl, she is a bit of a gossip and is very selfish, she only looks out for herself.

Personality: Gossip queen, loves attention, thinks she’s above everyone else.

Character 3:

Name: Sean McGrath (Masked Man)

Age: 18

History: Dated Izzy for 2 years, Izzy broke up when she found out he cheated on her several times; including her best friend Mia. He is the antagonist of the film.

Personality:  He is a creepy psychopath, who is perceived as kind and caring. He is a very manipulative person and is confused why Izzy would break up with him.  

Mini Brief: Required Camera Shots

Shot reverse shot:

An example of shot reverse shot

The purpose of this is to be able to show a conversation between two people from each person's point of view. The view is facing one person and then is reversed and repeated from the other side to show both sides of the conversation.




Match on Action:
Match on Action is an editing technique where the perspective of the camera changes during the scene so the scene continues to flow. The first shot would cut to the second shot continuing the action in the first so it is seamless.




The 180° Rule:

An invisible guideline is drawn in a scene, in which the camera must not go past the lines. This is commonly used in conversations to ensure that the characters are looking at each other. If the rule is not followed, the scene may look wrong in the sense that the characters are looking in a different direction to each other.          

       

Key Words:

Genre-The type or catogory

Mise en scene-Everything within the frame and the arrangement of props and secnery.

Iconography-An improtant prop within the scene.

Recce- Images of a potential location to decide whether it is suitable for filming.                                



Pre-production: Brainstorm

To prepare for filming the mini brief, in groups, a brainstorm was drawn out with all the ideas for the scene-the genre of horror was chosen. Several ideas were written down to decide which would be the best to film.

The plot would be of two female characters having a conversation in a large living room with several chairs in the corner. A phone call then interrupts their conversation. When the girl picks up her phone, all she can hear is heaving breathing. After she hangs up, the lights go out and when the lights turn back on, a chair has moved and upon it is a masked man.

Camera Angles and Shots

Establishing Shot:
It sets up the scene/setting. It is normally at the beginning of a movie.

Close Up:
This shot tightly frames a person of object. The purpose of this is to show detail and facial expressions.

Medium Shot:

Example of a medium shot.

A medium shot is from waist or from knees up to show more body language. It is shot from a medium distance.

Long Shot:

It is shot far from the main focus to show the whole object or person. The surroundings are usually linked to the main object.

Tracking Shot:

The camera would keep the main subject on the screen by following the action.

Aerial Shot:

This shot can be sometimes known as the bird's eye view shot, where the subject is filmed from a high position so the entire image is shown.

Dolly Shot:
The camera moves at a constant rate but it does not necessarily mean that the camera has to follow the action in the scene.

Swish Pan:
This is when the camera moves quickly to one object/figure to another.

High Angle: The camera is located above the main subject and is filmed downwards to generally show the position of power.

Arc shot: The camera moves around in a circular motion. An example of this is 20th Century Fox.

Head on Shot:
The actions come straight to the camera.

Mini Brief

I have been given a mini brief: "One character is sitting on a chair on a room. The door opens and another character walks in and sits on the chair. They exchange some dialogue."
The following shots must be used: shot reverse shot, match on action and the 180° rule.


I will be documenting all stages from pre-production to production to post-production.

To fulfil the specification of the mini brief, I will producing it with a group of 3 other people. 

The table above, ensures that all the planning is completed before we begin filming.



Welcome

Hello. My name is Chelsea and I am taking AS Media Studies. Over the next coming months, I will be documenting my progress on media on to this blog. The first task is to produce the opening to a horror film which would be no longer than 2-3 minutes. I will be researching and analysing horror films in order to prepare for my coursework. During the following months, I will also learn how to use professional editing software to produce the horror film opening. All my coursework will be recorded on to this blog.