Saturday, 17 October 2015

Preliminary task essay



  • The task was to have one character walk through a door into a room, meet up with another character, and discuss at least 4 lines of dialogue. We decided to push the limits somewhat, while still following the scripts, by replacing the door that the character walks through to a gate, and the room to a woods. We have also added a third character, to expand the idea and to expand the amount and story we are able to add in. However, we did still stick to the idea that the script mentioned.

    I worked with Shani Casey, Fern Barlow, and Claire Walker, and from outside the media group, Shakira Hurst. We split into 2 separate groups effectively, with Me, Shani, and Shakira being the Camera crew and actors, on location, and Claire and Fern being the editors, in the editing booth. We worked very well together,getting the editing and filming done, and we did a very good job, I believe.

    We were very successful with the planning. We had our dates planned, and we got the filming done within about an hour, because we had the script memories, and we got all the recording done in one day, and we got everything done to the specified time limits, which we managed to do because we managed to organize it very successfully

    The filming went very well, not meeting with many issues at all, however, the camera we used ran low on battery, but we managed to finish the recording process. The Tri-Pod also didn't stay upright when we were recording on a slight hill, so we decided to change in a different way, as I was my Character to originally meant to stay on shot throughout the entirety of the argument between Shani's Character and Shakira's character, however I wouldn't have said anything, but since the camera wouldn't stay upright, we decided to have a scene with Shani's character off camera, saying 'CUT!', and my character storming off character. I held the camera from this point, with my character re-appearing later on, from the direction I stormed off on, to stick to continuity.

    The editing process went, if anything, even better. Since the filming went so well, we didn't even have many cut takes, but it was very simple to cut together. The biggest editing hiccup was the gunshot sound. Since we used the editing program, Final Cut Pro, while this is a very easy editing process to use, it does not have an inbuilt gun shot, however it was easy to find a gunshot, so this was successful, and a very good editing process.

    The final outcome, I believe was very good. However, I do have some slight complaints, more at least things I would do differently. I believe that the music isn't always appropriate to the plot. However, it does go with the action in many ways, but the only thing I would improve would be finding music similar but which fits with the plot better. Except this, I believe the rest of the film is very good. One of my favorite things about the film is how it is very different from what other people would have come up with, while still stick to the task well.

    This task has taught me to expand our ideas, and push the limits because this makes the film stick out, something which I believe our task did, even if it didn't completely stay great throughout the film, it is definitely individual, and I believe that is a very good thing.I will also remember to make the film very similar to the preliminary task, as I believe it is a very good basis.
  • Preliminary Task

    This is our Preliminary task, something which we did a while back and I was one of the stars. I believe that we have made quite a degree of improvement between this one and the older one, especially considering that half our current group came from this group.

    Script for 'The Shadow of Eden'

    CAPTION:
    ON THE 27TH OF NOVEMBER 2014, TWO PEOPLE WENT MISSING INVESTIGATING THE SHADOW OF EDEN
    THIS DECEMBER THE FOOTAGE WAS FOUND.
    FADE TO BLACK – EXT. A SURBURBAN HOUSE:
    JOSH PETERS, BRITISH STUDENT CURRENTLY STAYING WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, CONFUSEDLY STANDS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THE CAMERA IS ON.
    JOSH
    IS THIS THING ON?
    HE PUTS THE CAMERA AT A FUNNY ANGLE.
    JOSH
    I DON’T THINK IT’S WORKING…
    LILY, A BRITISH STUDENT, IS STOOD AT THE COUNTER WITH A CUP OF TEA IN HER HAND.
    LILY
    DON’T POINT THAT THING AT ME.
    JOSH
    I’M TESTING TO SEE IF IT WORKS!
    LILY
    YOU SUCK AT LYING.

    UPSTAIRS IN THE HOUSE – JOSH AND LILY STAND IN FRONT OF A MIRROR.
    JOSH
    GO ON THEN, INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
    LILY
    (ROLLS HER EYES) SO, HEY EVERYONE I’M LILY ANNE.
    CUTS TO JOSH AND LILY RUNNING THROUGH THE FOREST:
    CLOSE UP –
    JOSH
    LILY!
    CUTS TO JOSH AND LILY STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR.
    JOSH
    AND I’M JOSH PETERS!
    CUTS TO JOSH AND LILY RUNNING THROUGH THE FOREST:
    (CONT’D)
    CLOSE UP-
    LILY
    JOSH!
    CUTS BACK TO LILY AND JOSH IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR.
    JOSH
    LIL AND I DECIDED THAT WE WOULD FINALLY GIVING THIS VLOGGING THING AGO.
    LILY
    NO, YOU DECIDED.
    (LILY BEGINS TO EXIT THE ROOM)
    JOSH
    WHERE ARE YOU GOING? LIL? LILY? (POUTS IN THE MIRROR) SHE LEFT ME.
    JUMP CUT BACK TO JOSH IN THE FOREST
    CLOSE UP –
    JOSH
    I DON’T UNDERSTAND, I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED… I MEAN WE WERE WALKING, WE WERE JUST WALKING AND THEN SUDDENLY LILY WAS GONE, SHE WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME, I SWEAR SHE WAS RIGHT THERE! I DON’T KNOW WHERE SHE IS! I DON’T KNOW-
    (JOSH GETS CUT OFF, HIS LAST WORDS TURN INTO SOMEWHAT OF A SCREAM)

    JUMP CUT BACK TO JOSH AND LILY IN THE HOUSE
    LONG SHOT –
    JOSH
    WHERE SHE’S GONE NOW?
    (WALKS OUT THE DOOR AND DOWN THE STAIRS)
    JOSH
    LIL? ARE YOU MAKING A CUPPA?
    (WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN TO FIND IT EMPTY)
    JOSH
    THAT GIRL IS SO-
    LILY
    BOO!
    (CONT’D)
    (JOSH TURNS THE CAMERA AROUND TO FACE LILY)
    JOSH
    OH JESUS! LILY!
    LILY
    DID I SCARE YOU? (LAUGHING, TRYING TO HIDE A SMILE).
    (JOSH TURNS THE CAMERA BACK AROUND AND PULLS LILY INTO A HALF HUG)
    JOSH
    YOU’RE THE MOST TERRIFYING THING I’VE EVER SEEN.
    (BOTH SMILE HAPPILY ETC.)
    JUMP CUT BACK TO JOSH IN THE FOREST.
    CLOSE UP & DUTCH ANGLE
    JOSH IS SHOWN HTTING THE FLOOR WITH BLOOD TRICKLING DOWN HIS FOREHEAD. HE IS DEAD.
    THE END.


    Monday, 12 October 2015

    Script for 'The Death'

    Actor One: Hey!

    Actor Two: Hello...

    Actor One: ... Are you okay?

    Actor Two: No, I'm not actually.

    Actor One: W-What's wrong?

    Actor Two (sighs): I'm sorry it had to come to this (pulls out firearm) but you've left me with no choice!

    Actor Three enters.

    Actor Three: Cut! No, no, Shakira that line was completely wrong!

    Actor Two: Oh for God's sake this is the fifth time you've stopped me! I can't work in these conditions!

    Actor Three: Stop being such a drama queen!

    Actor Two: I'M AN ACTRESS? THAT'S WHAT I DO!

    Actor Three: Well if you're such a good actress why can't you get your lines-

    Actor Two fires firearm on Actor Three. Actor Three falls dead.

    Actor One: What have you done?

    Prelimiary task

    For this task we were asked to create a short film with characters having a small dialogue between them about a topic of our choice. The film must also include one character opening a door and going into a room. However our group decided to twist the idea and instead of opening a door we have our character opening a gate and walking across a path in the forest to reach their destination. As well as this the characters also have to sit facing each other,our idea is to have our characters sitting down on a bench or a log.

    Our idea is to film a film within a film. Actor 1 will walk through the gate and walk across the forest path. Actor 1 will then approach Actor 2 who is sat down on a bench/log. Actor 1 and 2 will then proceed to have a small conversation about whether Actor 2 is well, which then forces Actor 2 to threaten Actor 1's life. Actor 3 then comes on in a fit of rage, yelling at Actor 2 . Actor 2 becomes angry as well and accidentally fires the firearm which is meant to be a simple prop within the film. Actor 3 dies leaving Actor's 1 and 2 in a state of shock.

    Shot list

    Location, cast, and roles

    Conventions of an opening sequence

    Storyboard- The Death


    Monday, 5 October 2015

    Horror Movie History

    1896

    It was this Year that what is regarded as the first Horror Movie was released. 'Le Manoir du diable', Also known as 'The Haunted Castle' in America, and 'The Devil's Castle' in Britain. It was directed by George Melies, also known for 'Le Voyage dans la lune', also known as 'A Trip to the Moon', which is known for the iconic shot of the moon.. Its purpose however, was not to invigorate fear into the views, rather a sense of wonder. It's length of over 3 minutes may not seem impressive today, however it was innovative of the era. It is also the first film with supernatural elements released.

    1898

    Two other early forays in the Horror Genre are made, coming from Japan. 'Bake Jizo', and 'Shinin no Sosei'

    Films from around this time were based on the works of Poe and Dante

    1910

    One of the first Horror movies based on a franchise we would know was 'Frankenstein', made by Thomas Edison's company, 'Edison Studios'. This film was not groundbreaking in any other ways. The Frankenstein does not look like any other Frankensteins, as Boris Karloff had not played the role at this point. This is what the Frankenstein looked like

    1920's

    This was the era of the German Expressionists, who made arguably the most iconic movies. Movies like The Golem, and 'The Man who Laughs' came out around this time, although the most iconic was 'The Cabinet of Doctor Calagri. However, one of the most famous ones was Nosferatu, and this was the first work based on Bram Stoker's Dracula. This film is seen as highly revolutionary, as this was the first work based off Dracula, now a Staple of the Horror Movie Genre.

    1930's

    When most people think of early horror movies, they think of movies from the 30's. These were incredibly popular, and still are incredibly famous. These were still early in talkies, and Universal wanted to make movies. These were all based on Gothic Horror, and the first one of these was 'Dracula', made in 1931, and this made Bela Lugosi incredibly famous, if not then, then definitely now. Also, Frankenstein was made not too long after. This made Boris Karlov famous. Frankenstein was one of the first remakes that lasted for years. Universal was followed by many other studios. MGM made an incredibly controversial movie, 'Freaks', featuring real circus workers, with actual disabilities. All of this made the studio disown the film when it was completed, and this film was banned in the UK for 30 years, until the 60's. These trends existed also in the 40's

    1950's

    The basing for movies changed from Gothic settings to contemporary settings. The Doomsday film and the Demonic film came to fruition. Godzilla is a notable example from this time period, being based on the Atomic Bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Many low budget movies from this time period also feature Alien invasion and mutations, very Sci-Fi elements common to the Era. Many gimmiks were introduced, such as 3D in 'House of Wax', and Seat buzzers in 'The Tingler.' Great Britain also Emerged as a great producer of Horror films, with the Hammer company being a primary example. These films were primarily remakes of Frankenstein and Dracula.

    1960s

    The 60's saw a bit of a renassance in Horror movies. Peeping Tom was the first slasher, a film Alfred Hitchcock cemented with the classic 'Psycho.' Alfred Hitchcock was one of the most famous horror movies. Movies of this Era also use horror of the demonic very commonly. In Japanese horror of the time, ghosts were a common feature. A very influential film of this time was 'Night of the living dead, the first successful zombie movie.

    1970's

    After the success the previous decade of 'Rosemary's Baby', a lot of the films of this decade focused on the occult, such as 'The Exorcist,' which was a massive success, and a lot of copycat movies followed, with supernatural evil being forefront. Evil Children also became a popular subject, along with reincarnation, such as the Omen, which surrounds the son of the main characters being the anti-Christ. Hell was a very popular subject around the first half. The latter half focused on relating subjects to the 60's, such as 'The Hill have Eyes' recalling the vietnam war, 'Dawn of the dead' making fun of the consumers, body horror being reinvigorated in 'Shivers'. Comedy horror was reintroduced with 'Rocky Horror Picture Show', among others. Stephen King adaptations also began to be released, with 'Carrie' being released this decade, and 'The Shining' following 4 years later in 1980. Jaws was also released, in 1975, causing a massive spark of copycat movies

    1980s

    A little bit of a return of slashers came during around this time. It started in the late 70's, with John Carpenter's 'Halloween' being one of the first of the return of the slasher, released in 1978. Other movies which follow this trend include the two classics, 'Friday the 13th' directed by Sean Cunningham, and 'A Nightmare On Elm Street' Directed by the late, great, Wes Craven. Later in the decade, all the way in 1987, Hellraiser was released, by Clive Barker. This massive Boom of Slasher films caused a bunch of parody movies, such as 'National Lampoon's Class Reunion, released in 1982. John Carpenter, known for his Halloween series of movies, released 'The Thing' in 1982. It was not successful in it's time, however it was ahead of it's time, and is praised for it's special effects, being ahead of it's time. A return of popular B movies were released, not exactly praised critically, but they have their Cult Following.

    1990s

    Friday the 13th, Elm Street, and Child's Play all saw sequels in the 90's. Their fans and critic weren't responded very critically. A lot of the movies in the 90s, at least Horror movies, met with extreme critical response, with the exception of  'Wes Craven's New nightmare'(The first in a trend of metaphysical horror movies based on the relationship between the movie and the viewer's mind) Horror, however, was pushed seriously backwards with 2 problems. The over saturation of gore and slasher movies from the 80's wore the horror movie out. Also, the old audience for these movies grew up, and the new audience for this type of movies, were being caught by other movies due to the revolution of CGI, causing awful movies based of sci-fi, such as 'Anaconda', and 'Sleepy-Hollow'. Horror then had to make fun of itself, with 'Braindead' by Peter Jackson using Splatter effects to a comic level. Wes Craven came back with 'Scream', which used Self Aware teens as its heroes, and more ironic humour. These reignited the slasher movie genre once again.

     2000s

    This was a fairly quiet period for horror movies, aside from teen movies, like Final Destination, and Jeepers Creepers. However, slightly later on in the decade, in 2003, Wrong Turn was released, one of a series of movies that brought the average rating of horror films back to R. Foreign Movies were released which were very popular in the early 2000's. After the release of 'The Blair Witch Project' in 1999, a mantra of psychological horror was that 'Less is more'. Remakes were also very common

    2010s

    Remakes remain popular. As do Television adaptation. However, it is hard to say what he 2010's is like, as we are only about halfway through it, so we can't say much.