We have been discussing where we would film for awhile now and we have all thought a great place to film would be a dark and scary woods because that is a commonly know horror trope and it wouldn’t be too hard to find one to shoot at. Scott and Logan brought up the idea of shooting behind the Edward’s house in their woods, I had never been there but from the way they it was described it sounded perfect. So on Friday Logan was able to go out to the woods behind the Edward’s house to check out our proposed setting and scope out areas where we could have our main scene filmed. We were looking for wide open areas where we can have lots of room to film but also lots of room to shoot and use the area and setting to our advantage of the scene. Also we were looking for some pathways with some small openings in the trees, these would be used for potential chase sequences or places to hide and as can be seen in these pictures there is definitely a lot of those. Lastly a major part of this setting that I like is the bamboo, the long skinny stalks to me give off that scary vibe that will be perfect for our opening. All in all its safe to say we have our perfect location for filming.
So was we began to discuss how we were going to pitch our film to Blumhouse we realized we had forgotten to establish one major aspect of our film… the title. So we began to brainstorm ideas for the title, we really wanted to tie into our film in some aspect so we decided that it should focus on the demon by having the title be the same name as it, or have it tie into the found footage aspect somehow. We tried to think of demon names to call the film but we didn’t really connect with any of them, so we decided to try of think of found footage type film names. That’s when it struck me “Untitled” it fits in perfectly with the found footage theme because a lot of cameras when you record a clip but do not name it go by the name “untitled” with usually a number after it, so since this is supposed to be a found footage film we thought it would be cool to display those untitled names in the corner to emphasize the found footage angle and play into the title. Also by utilizing the numbering system of the camera it could allow us to have different clips in be in non sequential order and have the numbers be the only way to tell what order the clips happen it. That would be a really cool layer to the opening that I think would be very cool. Although it could be very weird since the opening is supposed to be very straight forward so we may or may not use that idea. Either way though I love our title and I feel it is very creative and will stand out.
After much deliberation we have decided that Blumhouse is our desired production company for our film because we felt that this production company because the specialize in lower budget horror films, which is the exactly the direction we would like to take for our film. They have produced movies such as Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Get Out, Insidious, Split, Happy Death Day, Upgrade, Sinister, Halloween, and The Gift, these movies are pretty good representations of the type of movie we wish to make. Also Blumhouse has a track record of having academy award nominated films so hopefully if our film were to be award worthy they would support it with an awards campaign to make sure we are nominated. Another big reasons we chose Blumhouse as our production company is their first look deal with universal, if we were to get Blumhouse to produce universal would get a first look at the film and then decide if they want to distribute our film. This would be a great opportunity to get a major distributor for our film to get into the most screens as possible. Hopefully Blumhouse will accept our proposal!
Cinematography: The first shot used in this film is an establishing shot which is used to set the scene, and tell the audience where the events of the film are going to take place. It is night-time which is a common theme throughout horror movies. The camera then very slowly zooms in on the old, rickety house showing that it is eerie and indicates that something bad is going to happen. Next, a mid-shot is used which establishes the characters and shows that they are watching TV. Many two shots and shot-reverse-shots are used throughout the opening which shows the conversation between the two girls and their relationship to each other, it also immerses the audience within the scene as they feel like they are really there and are involved with the two girls. A shallow depth of field is used when the phone is ringing, this suggests it is an important prop in the film as it is the only thing in focus and allows the audience to concentrate on it. Immediately after, a deep depth of field is used so that the audience focus on the characters and are able to see their worry and anxiousness to the phone ringing. As soon as the girl realizes her television has turned back on by itself, a zoom is used which allows the audience to see her sudden confusion and worry towards the situation. A high angle is used with the camera looking down the stairs which portrays the character as weak, inferior and vulnerable and could suggest that a supernatural force is dominating her, which may mean something dangerous is going to happen. A low level angle is used when she is walking through the hallway and steps into a puddle, this is effective as it creates suspense by not enabling the audience to see all of the scene; causing them to feel as if something bad is going to happen. A closeup is used when the character is reaching for the door handle which adds suspense and tension because nobody knows what is going to be behind the door. Many tracking shots are used to follow the two characters around the house which allows the audience to follow the story line clearly and may introduce anxiety among the viewers as they wonder what is going to happen next.
Mise-en-scene: The whole opening of the film is set in an isolated house, which is a typical stereotype of paranormal horror movies. The colors throughout the opening are very dull and gloomy, the lighting is very low-key which creates a creepy and eerie ambiance and sends chills down the viewers spine because they feel as if something is going to happen. The audience are able to see the scenery outside through the uncovered windows, meaning they can see the gloomy and morbid weather outside which adds to the ominous atmosphere. During the first scene, we can see that the two characters are dressed in school uniforms which tells us that they are teenagers and are students. Their uniforms’ are grey which and black which links in with the muted lighting. They are both positioned in simple places, with one sat on the floor and one lying on the bed this could demonstrate their straightforward and basic lives. One of the props with high significance in the opening was the TV; which is what the film is based around. This was the first weird occurrence in the film as it was turning on by itself, this stirs anxiety within the audience because it is meant to be an inanimate object. The TV is the last thing seen in the opening sequence which shows its significance due to it being the cliffhanger for the rest of the movie.
Editing: Slow paced editing is used mostly throughout the opening sequence. This is done to create suspense and make the audience question what kind of events are going to happen next. It allows the audience to understand the story as the scenes are not moving too fast which would just end up confusing them and it also allows them to become more engaged in the narrative. It turns to fast paced editing at the end of the opening where one of the characters is about to get killed. This increases adrenaline within the audience, and makes the scene more thrilling and climatic. There is a fade used at the end of the opening to show the passing of time from the opening to the main part of the film, it is also used as a smooth transition from a startling event to present day The storyline is set in a linear narrative which means the events happen in chronological order. This helps the audience to understand the storyline better as it is not cutting back and forth from past to present day.
Sound: The diegetic sound of rain is used in the first few sequences of the opening. This indicates that there is bad weather and that it is dark and gloomy outside. Horror films are stereo-typically set during some sort of storm which shows that this is a horror movie. The horrible weather could foreshadow further events by suggesting that horrible things are going to happen throughout the opening. Diegetic sound is used when the phone rings which makes the audience feel anxiety as the phone should not be ringing and it also conveys danger as it is said that the person who watches the video will get a mysterious call; the phone call suggests that the myth is real. The diegetic static of the TV creates a thick cloud of tension as that is not the sound we focus with TV’s that are functioning, we could suggest the TV has been sabotaged with. The eerie sound effects such as the water droplets and other tension building sounds are used to fill the audience with anticipation and anxiety.
Mise-en-scene The text that appears on the screen as a part of the credits appears first orange and fades into a red color. Orange has the connotation for warning and red has a connotation of danger, so the text is used to warn the audience that they’re about to be whipped into a film containing danger and unpleasant scenes. This helps to get the audience on the edge of their seats.
Sound At the beginning of the opening sequence creepy, mysterious non-diegetic music started to play using mainly piano’s. This makes the audience feel uneasy and on the edge of their seat, as they are waiting for something to happen. The non diegetic music then intensifies when a pumpkin appears in pitch black surroundings, which implies to the audience the time of year the film is set around and also provides evidence to the title of the film, but also the fact that it’s low in pitch suggests to the audience that there is something wrong. This is a common feature in horror films. However this is a code and convention due to the dark black surroundings, connoting danger, evil and death. All of these aspects are very common in a horror movies. The use of the diegetic sound in the last shot of this opening sequence is used to show the audience that the house is not located in a busy area and that the likelihood of someone going to the house is unlikely. Therefore highlighting to the audience that the person walking towards the house is not going to be expected by the people living in the house, so this creates the enigma code: Do they have good or bad intentions? And are they evil?
Editing The first shot used is of the credits of a company involved in making the film, at first it appears to be red then turns orange and finally back to red again, connoting fire , anger, blood and danger. This implies to the audience that there will be a threat and danger to the characters in the film, which is a common code and convention of a thriller. This information combined with the music allows the audience to realize that they’re watching a horror film.
Camera A slow motion zoom in shot is used to get a close up on the pumpkin, as this occurs the non-diegetic sound gets faster and deeper, giving the audience the sense that they are being confronted with a problem they have to face, this further involves the audience and makes them want to watch more. A point of view shot has been used upon the house to highlight that there is no one around, which is a code and convention of a horror movie as the settings used in this genre tend to be quiet and not very busy, this is done so that there is no chance that the characters in danger can get any help. The fact that it’s a point of view shot implies to the audience that someone or something is walking up to someone’s house. This creates the enigma on whether the person or thing is known by the two people in the house or whether they are going to be put under threat because of it.
• Genre made clear by the music and the slow edits in the film opening.
• Music is eerie helping emphasize the genre
• Titles – film production company, actors, film name etc.
• The film location is a empty house being a convention of the horror genre.
• A lot of mystery
Costume- In the opening of Insidious we don’t see any people other than the ghostly figures, we mainly see shadows. When we get a close up on the woman holding a candle, she looks as if she is wearing a dark veil and dark old-fashioned clothing, suggesting she is evil.
Lighting- Throughout the opening the lighting is low key suggesting it is mysterious, also in some shots there is only a certain part of the room highlighted and the rest is black, showing the importance of the certain place also suggesting something is hidden. This links to the conventions of the genre horror
Actors- We only see a picture of the main characters in a family photo. In the photo they look to be a happy family, smiling and all in pale clothing suggesting their innocence. However the adult male in the photo isn’t smiling and has a very stern look on his face, suggesting he isn’t as innocent as first thought. He is holding his family quite close showing he is protective.
Make up- When we see the woman’s face close up, she is quite wrinkly and pale, showing her age , the area around her eyes is very dark suggesting there is more to tell.
Props-The grandfather clock is featured quite a lot in the opening of Insidious showing it is important. The clock fits the conventions of a horror film
Setting- The location of the opening is the family home of the main characters, the audience sees all the different rooms, because it is in black and white it is fairly spooky and uncomfortable. In the rooms we can see that the family has just moved in as there is cardboard boxes.
Editing- Editing is slow, giving the audience a chance to take it in and a sense of enigma. After every shot there is a fade out from one shot and another fade into the next making it look mysterious, also when we go into the next shot it is unfocused suggesting confusion within the house.The film opening is in black and white apart from the beginning giving a sense of unease. The connotations of black is evil and mystery and the connotations of white are purity, goodness and innocence giving the idea that in this film there will be a clash of good and evil.The titles are in red, red in this format connotes danger/blood/gore.There is a long shot on the grandfather clock down a corridor, we can only make out the clock. There is then a jump cut bringing us closer to the clock with a flickering glow around it suggesting it is significant but why? Links to the conventions of the genre.
Over the course of the past couple of days I have been thinking about a lot of ideas for the film so I felt it would be a good idea to write them all down and blog about them so I can keep track of them and flesh them out more.
Shadow of the Monster: When I began to think about how we would show the presence and menace of our monster I began to think about how other films do the same thing and I realize that a lot of them utilize shadows to do so. I would like to have the shadow come down upon our actors to represent their power but also not have to actually visually show it.
Shooting with a Camcorder: We thought that maybe we could set the tone of our film as a classic 90s slasher film and we talked about potentially doing a film that took place in the 90s. When we discussed that I thought it would be a cool idea to shoot on a handheld camcorder because that what they would have had at the time. There are obvious down sides to this though, mostly that our shots may not look very clear since we are using old technology.
Car breaking down: While I have been researching I found that a lot of horror films start with a car breaking down or some other tragic event happening in the begging. I think a car breaking down in the woods would be a really cool start to our film. Maybe like a road trip gone wrong or something.
Today in order to get a few more ideas for the film I went and asked my parents what they like about a horror film and what other films they thought executed horror really well. With this info I plan on taking what they thought worked for other horror films into account for our film and also, taking their favorite horror films and analyzing them later on for what makes them so good, but anyways here is what they said.
My Dad: My dad talked about how much he liked the Shining. He really like the spooky unnatural elements of the film and that they really made him feel creeped out throughout the film. He also really liked the more unsettling but realistic moments like the reveal of what Jack has been writing the whole time, “although it wasn’t over the top it was still creepy” he said.
My Mom: My moms favorite horror film is A Quiet Place. She really loved the idea of having little to no speaking because she said it set it apart from all other horror films and gives it a unique feel. Also she said she really like how they hid the monsters and how they looked for most of the movie because it gave the feeling of a “unknown threat”
I plan to take what they like about these two movies and try to use them to fuel new ideas for our film opening.
We have finally decided on a location to shoot! We decided we are going to shoot behind the Edwards house in the forest. We think this will be the perfect place to shoot because of the dark and ominous atmosphere that this setting provides. Also, we feel like the trees can really be incorporated into the scene very well with maybe incorporating things like hiding behind trees or having things jump out from behind trees. Also, we have decided on shooting around dusk as well because it gives off a mysterious tone and keeps the scene dark but also provides just a bit of light so we can see things in the scenes. By incorporating these two I feel it will really make the setting feel scary as well as go along with horror tropes. We had a ton of deliberation on where we would shoot because we knew this would be a huge key element of our opening. I brought up that the setting of the opening is most likely a key setting to the entire film and if we were to shoot here that it would have to be the perfect place that also wasn’t too far away from each of our houses and was an easy place for us to bring props and equipment to, and the forest fit that description perfectly.
Throughout this week we have been having multiple talks about what to do with our film and we have had many ideas passed around. Everyone in my group really seems to like the idea of doing a demonic film and have started looking for good mythical demon names to use for our film. We would like our film to be titled the name of the demon or demons we use so it is very important that we get very good sounding names. We have been searching websites for the right name but we haven’t been able to settle on one yet. Also we have been discussing how were gonna be shooting our film. We have been going back to the found footage idea and I really like it but my group mates are not all the way on board with the idea just yet. I really like the tropes of found footage films and I feel they could actually help us with filming a lot, because found footage films do not really have a lot of professional shots and seem very amateurish because it is supposed to be the actual character holding the camera. Also I believe we could really play with the ideas of a found footage film and that it could come out very good. I can see the image of our found footage film in my head.
2020 Film Blog 