Evaluation of Progress Prelim Task to AS Sequence

 Prelim Task to AS Sequence - Our Progress

1. Progress in Research and Planning

Prelim

No plan. We did not include any music or diegetic sound in our prelim and we didn’t discuss adding these in. For our prelim, the dialogue was not scripted, so this consisted of us making it up on the spot, making editing difficult because of inconsistencies. No research carried out as we did not even know what kind of sequence we were makijng and where it would appear in a full text. It was completely divorced from any context:


Shot reverse shot (prelim) - not framed properly

Panning (prelim) - wobbly camera work



Panning (AS Sequence) - much steadier shot after practice

Final Task



We watched various opening sequences to films that were similar to our genre. These

allowed us to get a rough idea of what the specific target audience would be, giving us a targeted age and audience for our two minute sequence also allow us to verify the various techniques need for our genre. This shows some of the films we researched in different genres to understand what happens in opening sequences and how ideas are presented effectively:

 

 

 



Storyboard showing progress and planning

We created a storyboard to plan out our ideas and each of the camera movements needed for our opening sequence.  Also, we made a script of what we would be saying on the day. 

Progress 

The research helped us to develop from our prelim task into our AS sequence, allowing us to focus on the specific camera angles, editing, sound and mise - en - scéne.  We had a much clearer sense of what we wanted to achieve and how to do it:

 

2. Progress in Storyboard and Scripting



Storyboard showing progress and planning - several draft versions made

Prelim

In the prelim task, we had no storyboard, meaning that we just came up with our basic idea of a conversation and filmed it without really thinking about what shots we would use beforehand. The script was very short and basic, making it harder for us to edit it all together as the actors improvised on the day and this made continuity difficult.

We didn’t plan or arrange a location to film in before we got the camera this meant that we had a limited choice of where we could film, and our classroom location does not add anything to the scene and in fact seems very inappropriate.

Final Task

 



Animatic



For the actual task, we created a detailed storyboard, drafted and presented several times, based around a combination of our individual and collaborative story ideas [1], which was altered and edited, as a group over a period of time [2]. This was then turned into an animatic, allowing us to have an idea of how it will eventually turn out and help us to add/delete scenes before finishing the extract [3]. The detailed storyboard also allowed us to improve our efficiency  when we filmed as we knew what we were filming and where this would be filmed- allowing us to get it done in as little time as possible.

Along with a planned storyboard, we also made a script to help us say exactly the same things each time a shot was filmed. The script also allowed us to develop a better understanding of what shots we needed so we would be able to incorporate the dialogue [4].

We also planned for the use of props and make-up etc. so that we could get them in advance in case we were unable to get hold of them for our piece [5].

We also planned our locations in advance, taking photos of our potential camera angle.



Shot ideas

This [6] helped us get an idea as to what we would put in the storyboard and planning as we knew exactly where the scenes would be filmed so we could plan it all in advance

We also used a lot of individual research into the opening two minutes of zombie-horror films, allowing us to get a better understanding of what we should include in the storyboard and script. [7]

Progress
 

We were able to film with greater ease as we followed our storyboard and script so we didn’t have to repeat the filming of each scene as much because we all knew what we were doing so we didn’t have to waste much time planning ideas on the day.

There were still a few problems when filming because we hadn’t planned every camera angle/movement and we did have to change some of the script on the day as we didn’t spend enough time doing this because we put too time into making the storyboard instead of the script.

Evidence of our improved planning:

[1] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/discussion-of-early-ideas.html

[2] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/second-draft-storyboard.html

[3] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/animatic.html

[4] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/script-second-draft.html

[5] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/make-up-ideas.html

[6] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/location-ideas.html

[7] http://www.subzeroproductionsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/chosen-genre-research.html

3. Progress in Camera Work

Prelim

There was only one shot where we used handheld, this was the establishing shot where we used a high angle highlighting the setting we used. Throughout the rest of the sequence, we used tripod as we were aware of the problems if we had used handheld. We knew that if we had used handheld the scenes would result in them being wobbly. However, the filming was still not smooth as we held the tripod too tightly and it picked up our slightest movements.

Prelim

The introduction of the two characters together was shot in a two shot and later on when they exchange dialogues we used a shot reverse shot. The shot reverse shot was the worst part of the whole sequence. The dialogue between each character was too short and they said it too fast. The panning was not very smooth and paused in between.

 

It was difficult balancing the tripod for our group which resulted in the shot not being straight. Although we used a range of camera angles we did not use them correctly and the sequence of our camera angles did not complement each other which resulted in bad continuity.

A panning shot to the door - but not needed or motivated well from this angle

Final Task

We decided beforehand on what camera angles to use with the knowledge we attained from our media lesson so we were confident. We are more comfortable with using the tripod as we have used it before for other tasks.

Confidence with cameras

Final 

The camera angles we used in the final tasks are the ones where we have used for other practical tasks, so we knew how to use them properly. There was one factor that kept telling us to keep work at a fast pace and to not make any mistakes. This factor is the camera’s battery level. We had to constantly keep reminding each other to turn the cameras off once we had finished shooting each scene.

Interesting POV shot - sets atmosphere

Close ups to reveal character

movement between different camera angles with good continuity

Variety of angles and distances used

4. Progress in Editing

Prelim

Inexperienced with using editing software such as Final Cut Express. 

Did not contain any editing effects such as fades or dissolves. Nor did it contain any titles or credits. 

No sound effects or sound editing used.

Final Task

We used many different layers, each contained a mixture of sound, effects and the image. This allowed us to achieve a range of editing techniques. 

Shows building up of layers, especially sound

We could easily editthe final task as we were able to extend the length of the timeline so we could see the audio and film as a whole. We were able to edit each frame if we wanted to which helped us be much more precise with continuity. 

Pulling out timeline and adding transitions

We used a wide range of effects that include fades and dissolves.  This made the project look more professional. 

Titles and Credits added as separate video layers

We used credits, titles and sound effects. Titles were created on Livetype and Adobe Aftereffects then imported into Final Cut Express.  We created simple but sinister credits to suit our genre. 

Progress

We now understand the range of effects that are available to us and how they improve our film. 

We are able to edit precisely and in more detail than before. 

Edited quicker and more efficiently so we achieved more with our time. 
Learned how to share work so that we could all wotk on it on separate computers at the same time.

Evaluation of our use of genre conventions

Credits 1 & 2

 

• Enter in without an effect, lasts roughly 5 seconds overall and leaves with a horizontal blur effect. We did this because it was often seen in horror movies and it also helps with the creation of the atmosphere. We designed it to enter from the two bottom corners of the screen so it doesn’t affect with what’s happening on screen. It also makes it seem more eerie as it just creeps up at the corner of the screens. The horizontal blur effect was added at the end because it adds to the atmosphere we were creating.
• It will be presented in red and the text will be a normal font. The size will be fairly big so it doesn’t go unnoticed by the viewers. However it won’t cover any of the action. It appears with the story so it doesn’t take too much time.
• Neutral credits that help with the atmosphere but don't slow the story are the convention in zombie films.

Characters 3, 4 and 5

 

• In horror films there, most of the time, are the innocent characters that seem feeble which is why they die early. In our case we used little children to play this role.This is a common feature of zombie films e.g. the early deaths in Zombieland.
• There are specific character and roles in a typical zombie horror film. We have given each character one of these roles. David as the aggressive leader, Rafael symbol of intelligence, Conor Fay is the sacrificial character who dies early so the zombie story gets introduced, Conor CF is the short-tempered and unlikeable character and Michael is the zombie killer who helps the group survive.
• David stands in the middle of the three shot to show his power and he is also shown with a fierce expression, highlighting his character to the audience. In order to make him more noticeable to the audience (or for any of the characters) we dressed him up in a way it seems acceptable to the audience, we used stereotypes. This is why we gave him a ‘jock’ look covering him head to toe with a sportsman look.
• The common zombie people think of is the slow, grunting and deteriorating kind, so that is why we did this for our piece. It compares with the representations of zombies in other classic films such as "Dawn of the Dead"

Mise-en-scene 6 and 7

 

• Horror scenes tend to be set in the suburbs rather than a place that is crowded with a mass amount of people. This is so when something bad happens in the story like a character dies then the position of being isolated in the woods adds to the fear factor which is what we seek. This is why we filmed in an area with a forest in it, but we know we have broken conventions by not beginning in an urban setting where the fear of quick contamination is greater.
• Some actors fit the characters well, like Conor Fay  fits the description of a weakling due to this body structure and hair length. The same with David’s character. David naturally has a deep and loud voice so it fits with his demanding character.
• A habit of horror movies is that they tend to film the killing and most exciting scenes with very low lighting like at night time. This can be seen in Friday the 13^th. But we didn’t do this because the equipment we used was not suited to film with low lighting.
• We did film a scene where low lighting was evident and that was in the shed scene where David goes to get a football.
• We used props such as a gun to create the zombie apocalypse atmosphere, to make it seem more real.

Camera Work 8

 

• We used a lot of group shots and three shots to show the audience that the characters are all friends and their close friendship, we also used close ups to establish them and help the audience to identify them better. This is a convention in the zombie genre e.g. The Walking Dead as the group dynamixs are an important part of the story.
• Because of the clear roles there are in a zombie films we tried to capture these with close ups of the characters in place too.
• We used a long shot to establish the location of where the characters are playing.

Editing 9, 10 and 11

 

• We wanted to use ellipsis in order to get the storyline moving and get as much information as we could in the two minutes that was given to us. But although we did use it, we only added in a simple fade in effect. We did this to convey the idea of time passing.
• When we needed to change scenes, we added in effects like cross dissolve and fade in and fade out on Final Cut express to make the scenes move from one another easier.
• In order to establish the characters more, we gave some of them more screen time than the others because some are more important than the other and we want the audience to get familiar with them first.
• In picture 12 we added a re-voicing of Conor CF mentioning my name as before it was not present in our extract.
• We also edited in a blood spatter on Conor’s back as Michael fires a gunshot at him. This is done to create verisimilitude as zombie films traditionally are quite gory.

Sounds 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16

 

• In any genre, non-diegetic music plays a very important role. It can be used to create an atmosphere which is what we used it for. At the beginning we added in dark and sinister music. We place in the background as the story progress on with the kids playing in the woods. This type of music fits our genre too.
• We made the dialogue special for each character as all have their specified roles. For example, for David’s character is more aggressive as he is the leader, so we gave him more commanding dialogue fitting for his character.
• Non-diegetic music was added during the scene where we found Conor Fay in the woods; this was needed to build up the tension so it could help with what was happening in the movie.
• We included grunting noises on Conor when he tries to attack us in the woods. We did this because we want to make it seem that he is an actual zombie trying to eat us, which will hopefully make them more scared.
• The little boy running away screaming was used because it was foreshadowing that danger is going to happen soon.
• Sound effect added in of gunshot to enhance sound.

Evaluation of our use of genre conventions

A contact sheet detailing some of the important moments in our extract

Title-1

• The title we made shows the title written in blood with a simple background. This is common among many Zombie films such as Dawn of the Dead which had a very similar title with simple red font and a black background.

Credits-2

• We chose to have them in a simple red font as red is generally associated with danger and from my research; I found out that horror films generally use simplistic fonts. Also, it didn’t draw the audience’s attention away from the shots.

Characters-2, 3 & 5

• When horror films are made, they generally feature unknown actors in real locations. This enables the film to come across as more realistic and frightening because the audience can’t relate them to another film/TV show they have seen-this is what we have done.
• We chose two young boys to be victim’s early on as many films, such as the remake of Dawn of the Dead, featured a death of a child early on.
• We also followed the convention that less masculine boys (Conor Fay), who are bad at sport, are weaker and more vulnerable. We chose to cast Conor Fay as the first victim as his long hair differentiates him from the others; we followed the stereotype that men are better at sport so that’s why we had Conor play badly at football. This also fits with David, who is best at football, to be the most masculine one and therefore, the group leader.
• Zombie-Horror films generally feature adult males to feature as their main roles, however, we wouldn’t have been able to get adults to act out each of the roles so we did the best that we could by trying to make it out that our characters were older than they actually are and by using males to fit with the conventions of Zombie-Horror films.

Mise-en-scène-2, 4, 5, 6 & 7

• Horror films are often set in deserted areas, to let the audience know that there is no one else to save them and to create an eerie atmosphere, hence why we chose to film the zombie section of the extract in a deserted forest.
• Our film is about the start of the zombie apocalypse and how it progresses so, we had to keep the garden and forest as they were so it would look like nothing bad has happened yet.
• We chose to make our characters (apart from Michael-the zombie killer) wear casual/smart casual clothes so they wouldn’t appear out of the ordinary and to show the innocence and vulnerability of the boys.
• We chose Michael to wear a suit as it clearly differentiates him from the others and shows his older and more professional role in the film. Many zombie films distinguish the hero by using different clothing e.g in Zombieland the zombie killer wears almost combat clothing.

Camera Work- 4, 8 & 9

• We used a few point of view shots, such as the panning shot of the two youngest boys from behind a tree and a couple from behind the fence in the garden, to give the impression that something bad is going to happen and to give a sense that both groups of boys are being watched so, the audience will be curious as to who or what it is. Therefore, creating tension among the audience. This is common in many horror films that want dramatic irony, which gets the audience scared because they don’t want the characters to die but they know it’s inevitable. We then use a final point of view shot, showing Michael shoot ‘Zombie Conor,’ letting the audience know that the previous point of view shots also represented danger.
• We used an establishing shot of the garden a little bit after the scene of the two younger boys. This helped the audience know that they were in a garden also; it showed that there is a forest behind them, creating a visual link between the two scenes. This creates suspense because even though there is no creepy/eerie music in this scene, there was in the scene of the two boys so, the effect the music had is again carried over to the football scene.  
• We chose to have a close up of ‘Zombie Conor’ spitting over Cameron and a mid shot of him turning around to show that the compassionate and kind side of Conor has changed-completely reversing his roles. This is common in Zombie-Horror films, such as Vivian from the Dawn of the Dead remake who was a sweet child but later turns evil when she is shown as the first zombie encounter in the film.

Editing-4 & 10

• We filmed and edited our extract using transparent editing. Transparent editing is conventional of horror films as the camera work and editing is almost invisible, making the film seem more realistic so therefore, making it more frightening. This is a common aspect of Zombie films such as Dawn of the Dead and 28 Days later as both of these and all the other zombie films I researched used transparent editing to make the film more realistic.
• We chose to cross cut between the boys playing football and the two younger boys finding the football which was kicked over the fence. This allowed us to confirm that the two groups were close by and create the feeling that if one group was in danger, so would the other group. This was later proved when we cut between the three remaining older boys looking for Conor and running towards the zombie and one of the younger boys in danger. Cross cutting between two groups is common in the horror genre as it creates a feeling of tension and gets the audience scared because they know that the others are in trouble if one group gets hurt.
• We used cross dissolves to help switch between the older boys and younger boys, as well as showing our time difference ellipsis  between getting the football out of the shed and the group conversation where they decide to look for Conor. This is a common feature of films in our genre as it helps to change scenes without using non-transparent editing transitions such as wipes.
• We edited in pngs of blood splatters, which had to move as Conor Fay did. This made it looked as though Conor was actually wounded when he was shot. This is a conventional feature of Zombie-Horror as there is often a lot of blood and gore.

Sound- 2, 11 & 12

• We decided to use non-diegetic music which builds up through the first scene from the ident until it reaches its peak on the film’s title. We also used quiet non-diegetic music to create an eerie feel later on in the extract without being overpowering. This is a common feature of horror films as it creates a creepy atmosphere and lets the audience know something bad is going to happen.
• The dialogue between the characters was essential in our piece as it helped to establish the personalities and identities of the characters as well as to help explain the story and what’s going on, for example making the personalities of each of the Characters clear.
• We added in Conor’s zombie noises and grunts to show the loss of human element to him, this is common in many zombie films as it makes the film scarier.
• We added in the sound of Michael’s gun to make the scene seem more realistic and violent as zombie films tend to focus on violence and death.

Evaluation of Use/Manipulation of Genre Conventions w/ Contact Sheet

Contact Sheet

1. Title and Ident

• The ident uses blue flares and rays as it symbolises the production group, SubZero and the icy blue is associated with cold temperatures
• The title used has been designed to make the audience feel that the film will have frightening content.

2. Credits

• At first, we intended to use plain white credits. However, we decided to change the colour to red as it symbolises blood and violence which is obviously important for horror.
• The credits begin during the first scene introducing the two young boys and don't have exaggerated effects.
• As a group, we decided to use simple credits as we didn’t want anything too comical or animated appearing on the screen as we want the audience to focus on the action.

3+4. Characters

 

• In Zombie/Horror films, there is a group of people (survivors) that have to endure zombie attacks and try to save as much humanity as possible without being infected or killed.
• The typical characters you see within a zombie film are normally include hero, loveinterest, coward etc and we have covered these roles through the introduction of our characters.
• We use two young boys as main characters as they represent the innocent and vulnerable type alongside Conor. Young victims is another convention of the horro genre to up the scare factor.
• Our hero is Michael, a professional zombie hunter. It is a convention to have an 'expert' amongst the characters.
• Conor Fay represents the useless character who is the vulnerable one who is most likely to be killed first. This is proved by how he dies first and becomes a zombie.It is common in zombie films to have a character turned into a zombie early on to make the threat seem real.
• David is a character who is aggressive and demanding. David is the sort of person who always acts very solemnly towards others and he wants things to be done his way.
• Rafael is the mature and knowledgeable character within the group - this character convebtionally is created to give the group balance and make sure not all the focus is on action.
• This is typical in the zombie/horror genre as the story needs a hero and group of survivors to fight the infectious disease.

5+6. Mise-en-scéne

• Normally the setting for zombie/horror films is night or misty (early morning).
• Conventionally includes 3 or 4 different main locations for example shopping centre, train station, home or an abandoned warehouse. However, for ours we used Michael's home, garden and an open space of trees behind them - more rural locations than we aer used to in a zombie film.
• For the costume, the characters varied in appearance. For Rafael, he was dressed smartly reflecting on his maturity, Conor Fay, Conor CF and David we all dressed casual and Michael was dressed formal (suit) showing his professionalism.
• The props used in zombie/horror films are usually weapons e.g. guns, baseball bats, shovels etc. However guns are also seen in most zombie films and seem to have a clichéd large amount of ammo. However, the only props used were Rafael’s glasses. Glasses are stereotypically used to connote intelligence. Michael’s gun (11), two footballs and an item unidentified for purpose carried by David, a vimto bottle. (8)
• The lighting in zombie/horror films is usually dim most of the time to create a spooky atmosphere with occasional moments of almost pitch black and darkness to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Sometimes perfectly normal lighting is used, with everything lit as it would be, to create a higher level of verisimilitude and make the horror moments more jumpy.
• In out film, the lighting was bright in some areas such as the boys playing football. It was also dark with specs of light; this is when David goes to retrieve another football. (6)
• The weather didn’t really have an effect on the mood, so this wasn’t one of the factors that made the film feel scary. 

7,8+9. Camera Work

 

• In our two minute film, we use many close ups. This was to identify the main characters for the audience which is a convention of opening sequences. (2, 6)
• In zombie/horror films, close ups are used to highlight about who is going to be affected during the story.
• The use of close ups can show awareness towards the audience of who is vulnerable and who is going to be responsible for making sure everyone is rescued.
• We used two shots’ too to establish the two young boys. Cameron and Niall (The ‘Princesses’) take on the stereotypical female showing that later on in the film, they are the ones in need of rescue. Audiences need someone to feel sorry for in zombie films. (7)
• POV shots were used throughout our film showing the persons perceptive (6,8,11).
• Fake blood was editing in the film, to show when Conor was being shot. (11)
• These are all common genre conventions.

10+11. Editing and Sound

• We used various transitions such as ‘fade’ and ‘slow motion’ in the editing process for our two minute film. This gave the audience a sense of movement, showing that the story was moving on, moving from one scene to the other. Opening sequences need to establish a sense of pace and action in the horror genre to make sure audiences know it will be a thrilling film.
• Cross-cutting between the football and the woods.
• Diegetic and non-diegetic sound was used throughout our film. Dialogue was enhanced alongside sound effects being imported. An example of this, is David’s voiceover of when he is tell Conor to go and fetch the ball. (5) The gun bullet sound effect was used at (11) so that it would sound more realistic rather than just a peck noise - the jump factor is important in horror.
• Also, voiceovers of zombie grunts were used to establish Conor of a zombie rather than a human.

Evaluation of Use / Manipulation of Genre Conventions

Predictions

• It is quite easy to predict roughly what will happen in our movie from the opening
• Feedback we received was generally quite positive, and the feedback was ideal to what we were looking for and helped us make changes.
• Made us realise that the audience had an idea of what the story line is and the correct emotions were felt by the viewer so we felt we had established genre efficiently.

Opening Shots

• Sets a quite tense atmosphere as two boys walking through a forest alone seems unusual

• Consequently the audience is forced to suspect something bad will come from this
• It creates the mood it was intended to

 

 Credits

• We used simple red credits as it suits our genre and doesn’t draw the audience’s attention away from the story which is the convention in this genre where the opening has to be dramatic and atention-grabbing plotwise.
• Simple credits make them seem more realistic and go well with the story line
• They are also similar credits to those of films within the same genre

3 & 4) Characters

• Zombie Horror films all feature a similar range of characters. They are the popular one, the nerd, the vulnerable one and the moody one.We have kept to these roles.
• Characters in zombie horror films often suffer from a loss of a family member or close friend
• The characters tend to be a mix of all races and classes so the audience can easily relate to them - we have followed this convention in our casting
• We used two young boys in our sequence. They were the ‘princesses’ of the film, needing to be saved and are vulnerable.

 5)  Location

• Typically in Zombie Horror films the characters almost always have a safety base where they are able to return to. This would be the garden in our case.
• The location is a very important part of our film as the boys see it as a place where they are safe. This is opposed by the wood location where they feel out of control and not safe at all.

6, 7, 8) Other aspects of Mise-en-scene

• We used props such as the gun to make our sequence have more impact - we need the audience to feel the dangers are major and the consequences can be serious. Most zombie films begin with a quick death and we have two in quick succession.
• The only person who was well dressed was I, the zombie killer. This was to make the characters more relatable too. It also made me distinctive from the other. It allowed the audience to know that I wasn’t one of the normal boys - Zombieland also quickly separated the zombie experts from the amatuers.
• We used an external artist to do create the Zombie make up. We thought this was best as it made the zombie look more realistic and scarier - we followed the convention of making the face appear to be rotting.
• The two little boys we used were more timid and defenceless. This allowed the audience to relate to them and can also sympathise.

9, 10, 11) Camera work and Editing

• We used lots of close ups and group shots to allow the audience to identify and relate to the characters. This is the convention in opening sequences generally.
• It is common for the audience to relate closely to characters in zombie horror films as to makes the story seem more real
• We used no typical shot-reverse-shots as it didn’t suit any conversations we feature
• We did not include many transitions as they we not needed. The one time we did use one was between the football scene and when the boys decide to go and find Conor. Lengthier scenes are common in the genre because these films often start with action rather than dialogue.

12) Sound

• The main sound we used was non-diegetic music. Being quite quiet, the music created a tense, scary atmosphere. It allows the audience to realise that the film will be quite scary, a conventional horror use of sound.
• The amount of dialogue used in our film was the appropriate amount as it is enough to establish the characters and their relationships between each other. Film openings often use dialogue in this way.
• The pace they speak at tells the audience that they do not suspect anything is wrong with Conor, and the reason why he is taking so long is simply because he cannot find the ball.

 

Evaluation of Target Audience

Evaluation of Target Audience

Evaluation of Target Audience

Evaluation of Target Audience