Main Task Evaluation

Salem

Treatment

Due to the fact that we filmed our media product at midday, it meant that it was very bright and on original viewing it did not create the eerie atmosphere that is associated with horrors.

We decided to use the colour wheel to create a filter over each clip in a blue colour, as this made it look more dull and gloomy. It also gave the effect that it was cold due to blue being a cold colour. This created the effect we had hoped for.

We then used the luna curve feature along with the feather tool to create an vignette within the footage. This darkened the edges of the screen, making the footage appear darker and to bring more focus to the centre of the clip.

We added audio over the top of the footage. This was an uncopyrighted audio clip we found on the internet which played noises such as wind and quiet screeching - we felt this sounded suspenseful and creepy. We also added panting and screaming at the end of the video over the top of this audio for a greater effect.

Throughout the video, we used key frames to add in credits of the smaller cast roles (for example, location scout). We also used key frames to add in the title of our film at the end of the video.

Shot List

Process of Creating a Logo

To begin with, I found a picture of a cartoon tree on Google and opened this in Photoshop. I chose to use a cartoon tree instead of a real one as it would be easier to outline this and I felt it would look better as a logo.

As I wanted to fill the image of the tree in black, I used the pen tool to select and outline the image of the tree. I made sure that I followed the edges of the tree as accurately as possible, but it was not a problem if it was slightly off as it would be filled in black anyway and so you would not see the original image.

I then used the fill tool and a pure black colour to fill in the outlined tree. I then inverted the selection tool so that the background was selected as I wanted to delete this area of the image. Below is the before and after of deleting the background.

I then went onto 1001fonts.com and found a font that I liked and felt would be suitable for my logo. We chose the 'SMZ' as it was the first initial of each team member and we felt that the name 'smz productions' sounded catchy.

In Photoshop, I placed this quote beneath the image of the tree. Below is the final image of our logo.

Call Sheets

Below are the call sheets for the production of our media product. These are vital to the success of our shoots as they will inform the actors of the date and times they are needed at shoots so that we are able to keep to schedule and start shooting at the correct time. These sheets will also ensure that each actor is dressed appropriately so that we do not need to take time away from shooting for make-up/hair and outfit changes.

Talent Release Forms

The talent release forms below show that we have the permission from the actresses to shoot video of them when needed. It also gives us their consent to distribute the footage of them online. 

Location Release

The location release form below shows that we have permission to shoot in the areas that we plan to.

Head Shots

Below are the head shots of the actresses in our film. This will allow us to see exactly who plays what role. It also allows us to visualise them in the role and see how well they are suited to play it.

Ece Celik - Protagonist

Mary Lawson - Antagonist

Sinead Grace - Antagonist

Aimee Tyrrell - Antagonist

Risk Assessment

Below is the risk assessment form for whilst we are in production. This will help prevent any accidents and ensure that any possible dangers are looked over. This will allow everyone present to be aware of any dangers that they may encounter so they are more careful on set.

Props and Costumes

Hair and Make-up - All actresses are to have natural make up and a simple hairstyle. This simplistic look will ensure that the attention is not taken away from the plot and will help prevent the male gaze.

Costumes - The three witches (antagonists) should wear all black clothing to symbolise darkness and evil. The protagonist should wear the same but could have elements of grey in her outfit as to show a difference between the protagonist and antagonists. This could also connote that she has less power than them as she is dressed differently.

Props - Sticks made into stick men (like voodoo dolls), twigs to break up and throw on the ground, paper to write credits on. 

Locations - field and the forest behind the field so it is all in one location.

Storyboard

Creating a storyboard will allow us to visualise our film opening better and be able to make more detailed plans of where to shoot and in what order. This is due to us being able to actually see what shots we need to take and so, if one of our actresses can only film on one specific day, we are able to ensure that we have all of the shots of them that we need. This will also allow us to work with camera angles and see how many we have actually included/how many more we need to add in.

Textual Analysis of Three Examples of Chosen Task

Below are three analysis' of different films/television shows that follow the same genre and themes of my group's film opening. One has been written by me and the other two are written by my other group members.

Timed Analysis - The Woods/The Witch/Blair Witch Project

0:00 - 0:04 - Age classification.

0:04 - 0:09 - United Artists company title.

0:09 - 0:18 - low angle, moving shot of a woods followed by the words "deep in the woods". This is followed by a moving birds eye view of the woods and afterwards the words "in the heart of New England". This sets the scene of the movie and builds tensions with the continuously changing shots. The music playing over the top is a slow piano tune, which builds suspense.
0:18 - 0:20 - a close up of a girl riding in a car. We can assume that this is the main character as she is the first person we see in the trailer.
0:33 - 0:39 - the girl - Heather - is at a table with two other girls. A group of girls introduce themselves, but knock over Heather's drink on purpose. This lets us know that Heather is troubled as she is bullied by these girls.

0:45 - 0:50 - slightly low angle mid shot of the girl sitting at a desk. She balanced a pencil on its tip on the desktop. This shows us that she has powers and so we start to learn more about the character.

0:53 - 0:58 - a birds eye view of the girl in bed, who jumps up from her sleep after witnessing herself hitting something/someone with an axe. This is followed by lots of flashing jump cuts of different scenes (doors shutting, girls fighting, the students in her school, etc). In this time slot, we hear Heather on the phone to her mother. Her mum tells her to "stop being such a weakling", showing us that she possibly has a bad home life.
0:58 - 0:17 - whilst the fast cuts continue, we hear the headmistress telling the students that a student has gone missing. This is followed by someone talking about 'the woods', saying that you should not got in there because it is dangerous. As this follows the statement about a missing girl, we can assume that the girl went into the woods. 

1:18 -1:20 - the text "a door has been opened" flashes onto the screen. This implies that something has been let loose and is going to interrupt the peace.

1:26 - 1:28 - after more jump cuts, another phrase flashes onto the screen. This says "and fear has been unleashed". This confirms suspicions that the open door will release something evil and this lets us know that this film is a horror.
1:28 - 1:35 - the headmistress tells Heather to "put her gifts to use". We then see heather break something by throwing it down. When the camera shows the headmistress, she looks worried and scared of what Heather did.

1:28 - 1:56 - again, we see more fast paced jump cuts. These, however, show more violent scenes. This is because these clips follow the phrase about fear and so it shows us how fear is being inflicted upon the characters. The music playing over it is a fast beating sound, which speeds up with the speeding up of the clips to create more tension.
1:56 - 2:02 - the title of 'The Woods' flashes onto the screen with a voice over reading it out.



(0.00-0.05) Age classification 
(0.7-0.10) Eerie music plays as the camera pans to a shot of an empty woodland.
(0.13) Jump shot to a  over the shoulder shot of a village. The camera is set in the back of a wagon as it leaves the small village. People are staring at the people on board the wagon.
(0.17) A long shot of a women and two girls riding on the back of the wagon with a lot of furniture.
(0.18-0.20) One of the characters talking over the top of scene of the gates closing on the little family.
(0.20-0.43) The farmer (Ralph Ineson) carries on speaking over the top of the trailer. His saying some sort of prayer. The clip shows him and his family in a long shot,keeling in front of the woods. The camera then slowly pans towards the woods.
(0.45) Shows a long shot of the home the family have built in front of the woods.
(0.46-0.50) Non dietetic sound of tapping and chopping over the eerie music.
(0.51-0.52) The sound of rain joins the other sound of tapping.
(0.55) Close up of the baby, who's crying. His sister laughter can be heard in the background. Jump shot to his sister in a close up of her saying 'Peak a….Boo' to him. The baby starts giggling along with his sister.
(1.00-1.02) Close shot again of Thomasin covering her face with her hands to play peak a boo. As she removes her hands her face drops into a look of horror.
(1.03-1.09) Theres a close shot of the empty blanket that Samuel as dispersed from. The camera then pans up to look at the entrance of the woods. Over the top we hear Thomasin scream her brothers name.
(1.11-1.17) Shows Thomasim running thought the forest with the camera following her at a long shot. Very quietly the non dietetic sound of a baby wailing is heard.
(1.20) A high angle shot shows the father looking down.father was looking down at his wife in a  hole.
(1.22) A extreme close up of a goats nose and a little girls nose that appers saying 'Bah bah bah'
(1.25-1.29) Shows reviews about the film, whilst the little girl repats the 'Bah, bah, bah"
(1.29- 1.31) Thomasim is attempting to Milk the goat. The first shot is a mid shot of her, it then jumps to a close up o the contents of the bucket and the blood that has come out of the goats tit. I then jumps back to the mid shot as Thomaism stands up quickly and kicks the bucket over in shock and fear. In then jumps to a close up of the fear and confusion on her face.
(1.32) Is a quick mid shot that shows the twins and the black goat in the picture, all starting at Thomasim. It then jumps to the mother looking on saying over the top of the music. 'You've cursed this family'
(1.33-1.37)  Another review of the film.
(1.38- 1.43) Shows a vary of different jump shots and cuts within the film. It ends with the eldest boy standing alone in the woods,a armed with a rifle, looking around frantically as he asks. 'Who's there?'
(1.43-1.48) Is another review and very quietly over the top is the non dietetic spun of feet walking along.
(1.49- 1.55) Is a close up of the boy, Caleb, walking very slowly. His facial exressions shooing him being scared. The camera then jumps shots,and slowly pans towards a cave, a sound of a women can be heard and gets louder as the camera edges nearer. It ends when a foot appears out the cave.
(1.56-2.00) Shows more jumps shots of the clips within the film and the voice of caleb talking over,saying a frantic prayer.
(2.00-2.02) Shows another review with Caleb voice still prayer is played over the top.
(2.02-20.4) shows a shot of a silhouette of a boy,tied up on a fence and then to a close up of the father as he attempts to shot something. 
(2.04-2.05) Shows another review.
(2.05- 2.07) A extreme close up of straw with blood slowly flowing out. Jump cuts to a high angle, close up of caleb,with blood dripping down his face and him screaming in pain. again his voice is still over the top of the clip saying the prayer. The camera then cuts to a mid shot of Caleb body and his mother trying to calm him down.
(2.07-2.08) Another review.
(2.08-2.10) Shows a quick moving shot of the twins skipping onwards the camera, the camera then using the 180 degree rule shows what hey a re skipping to. The Black goat rears up and Calebs prayer continues to play.
(2.10-2.11) Another review
(2.11-2.15) Shows shots of The father and mother trying to help Caleb, to the father then pulling Thomasim along the grass as she screams, and then to a close up of his face as he does so. Another clip shows a close up of the other covering her ears and to another shot to Thomasim sitting down screaming, then to the long shot of the father cutting wood,with the house and wood directly behind him. Suddenly Caleb's prayer suddenly stops when the last shot shows him sitting up.
(2.15-2.20) The screen goes black and the music dies out and a voice over says 'There is evils within the wood.'
(2.22-2.25) The title of the film slowly appears flicking slightly like a fire.. The non dietetic sound of the background noise is the sound of a fire crackling.
(2.25-2.26)  After the title it jumps to a clip of a naked person, covered in blood. It is believed to be Thomas.
(2.26-2.30) The screen goes Black and the date 'Coming 2016' flicks on the screen before the screen goes black.

0.0-0.2: Production Company name (Artisan Entertainment)0.2-0.19: A blank screen with just non-diegetic sound over the top, assumed to be one of the characters of the film. The use of just sound makes audiences stop and listen to what is being said and will make them want to carry on watching. It also builds suspense as we are unaware of what will come next.0.19-0.26: White text on a back background explaining the foundations of the storyline, in this case making audiences aware that this is a real story, adding to the horror aspect as audiences are aware that this isn't made up and could happen to them.0.26-0.36: Wide angle shots of forests, made to look as though it is real life footage and so is slightly shaky and blurry. This again adds to the suspense of the trailer as audiences are left wondering what is going to happen. Non-diegetic sound of a narrator can be heard, it seems to tell of three students who have gone missing, this leaves the viewers questioning what happened.0.36-0.45: Footage of the real life evidence is seen, embedding the idea that this is a real life story that is being told.0.48-0.49: A close up of a man who seems to be in distress can be seen, he is being asked about his missing son, the audience can begin to contextualise what is going on.0.49-0.50: A jump shot of the words 'This Summer' appears on the screen alerting audiences of when they can see the film. The use of jump cuts add to the suspense.0.50-0.52: Non-diegetic sound of panting can be heard over a blank screen. We then see an extreme close up of one of the characters which makes the audio diegetic as we can see where it is coming from.0.54-0.56: The Blair Witch Project title is shown as the non-diegetic background music builds to a crescendo, this makes the audience jump and adds to the psychological horror aspect in which audiences are made to jump even though there is nothing scary on screen at that time.0.56-0.59: Screaming can be heard as characters move through the forest, the camera is unstable making audiences feel as though they are in the film.0.59-1.02: The trailer ends on a website that explains more about the story of the Blair Witch Project. The trailer as a whole aims to not give much of the storyline away whilst still scaring audiences and making them want to watch on.

Timeline of Horror Movies

Location Scouting

My group is planning to shoot our film opening on Asda field and within the woods behind. As both of these areas are public space, we are able to film here without seeking permission first. This makes it easier for us to film as we are able to do it whenever we need to. It is also easier for us to use this space to film as it is a five minute walk from the college and so we are able to shoot within lesson time if needed.

The images below are taken from Google Maps.

Focus Group Questionnaire - Answers