Filming

Chair Slamming on its own



Running down the corridor and dropping of the camera



Running down corridor again

Monday 24th October-Filming on location (Day 2)

Today we went back to Preston to re-record some footage which we knew could be improved. We firstly checked which footage needed to be recorded again, we also knew that we would have to make the most of the day as we were the only people in the building as it was just our group this time meaning that there was no noise produced from the other group.

Personally, I think that the footage which we collected from this second day of filming was much better quality. Mostly because of the fact that we were actually frightened. This added to the tension within the footage, therefore showing genuine fear within the voices and the acting.

Reviewing the footage from over the two days, we were all happy with outcomes and agree that we shouldn't need to go back. Yet the building is readily available for us if we should want to go back.

Friday 21th October-Filming on location (Day 1)

Today we set of for Preston at around 8 'o' clock. We got to our destination (an old derelict building in the town centre of Preston). We firstly had a look around at the building inside. Amongst the rooms where cells/cellars, court rooms, lots of bathrooms and other rooms (both small and large), now empty or used for storage.

We filmed various things such as;
-Joe and I running down corridor (and dropping the camera which is still filming whilst we running away),
-Blood splattering on the wall,
-Blood dripping from the roof/down the wall,
-Doors slamming and handles rattling,
-And chairs moving.

We also recorded the sounds on the sound recorder just to make sure that we had clear sounds. As there was also another group in the building (filming their Music video) the sound wasn't as clear as it could have been.

Overall, this day was quite successful, yet we knew (looking back at the footage) that we would have to go back and re-record some parts.

(20/10/2011)

Poster/Magazine Ideas

Steps needed to start the promo ideas...

1) Pictures of the characters in the film;

Majority of horror poster pictures have images of characters that have been distorted or changed to fit the film.

Below are a couple of pictures what kind of design horror posters have with face's and characters in the image:

  

 

2) Pictures of the location

The Main feature to these horror posters is the dark and sinister texture that is placed on top of the design. In order to get a good poster we need a good starting point and a strong idea.

The next step is to get all the images that was taken at the place of filming and figure out which is the best image for the poster.

New Plot Filming List

As we have changed our location and our plot slightly, we now need a new filming list.

Cast:We don't need many characters as well will mostly be shooting tracking shots, and using quick editing but we will have a male and female character to attract both sexes to the film.

Props/Things to take with us

• Fake blood
• Torches/lighting/candles, Lighters
• Camera
• Tripod
  
  

Things to do when filming:

·         Use the camera to record other happenings in the building (Paranormal Activity style) 

·         Look at the lighting- use our own as well as the natural lighting and artificial

·         Plan certain shots- Screaming, running away, shadows

·         Use props and fake blood

·         Promo shots and stills for poster/magazine

Things to film:

-Through the window/door into a room (Stalker-style "peeping" shots)

- Some shots hand-held and some using tripod, to get professional effect and gritty/realism shots

- Isolated shots of interior and exterior

- Moving shadows (in the background, and focusing on this only)

- Walking and also running around the corridors (hand held)

- Zoom in shots on faces (reaction shots

- Doors slamming/rattling 

Things that could be done in the studio:
Close-ups
Record the sound- screams

 

Plan

In most horror movie trailers there is a certain orders that happen in the trailer

1)   The first part to the trailer is always calm and a soft music is played over the top.

2)   The middle part is where the crash happens. Something will pop up, a change in the story line, this is where people will get scared or get put on edge.

3)   The last part of the trailer is the cliff hanger. The part what really makes the viewer want to watch the    film.

These steps need to be taken into place in our storyboard. We need to figure out the soft music that is placed over the trailer to make the consumer being calm. Then the different camera shots need to be organised.  This needs to be in detail because fast camera shots will be needed so there has to be enough filming produced to get a good edit scene.

As we are filming on the 21st, A story board of shots and camera angles will be needed for a good filming.

Change of Idea

 Looking at our previous idea (Cluedo) we decided to leave this, and start all over again. We all thought about films which we liked within the horror/thriller genre. We then  allowed the influence of films that we had seen to influence us with our filming. Films/trailers like Paranormal Activity, and Don't be Afraid of the Dark.

 These all contributed to the idea which we now have. The building and rooms also added to our idea, making it clearer and helping us decided on what we needed to film.

The Idea;
-Two teenagers break into a house/building
-This is the one/ten year anniversary of the 'killers' last attack/death
-The killer was a man who roamed the streets and took people into his 'council' (hence filming in a court room)
-These people where selected especially as he knew something about them (they where liars/had done something wrong)
-He then put them on trial, where they had to prove themselves
-If found guilty/not genuine, they would then be brutally slaughtered and their souls left to wander the building to haunt other "victims"*

We also had the idea of each "victim"* naming another person (preferably someone else with a flaw) who would then become the killers next "victim"*.

(*Victim is put in quotation marks as they were the offender, now on the other side of the spectrum as the victim).

Location of filming

Police station and magistrates' court, now used as courtrooms.
1857, enlarged 1901. By J.H.Park. Sandstone ashlar (red brick
at rear), slate roofs. U-plan, formed by original block with
rear wing to Earl Street, and addition on south side also with
rear wing. Classical style. Two storeys (probably over
cellars), plus 3-stage tower to the addition.

The original range is a symmetrical 5-window composition, with a plinth,
channelled rusticated ground floor, rusticated quoins to 1st
floor, frieze inscribed "ERECTED BY THE CORPORATION A.D.1857
LAWRENCE SPENCER ESQUIRE MAYOR", prominent modillioned cornice
and balustraded parapet with ball finials.

The centre has a round-headed doorway with an architrave of coupled engaged
Tuscan columns and prominent cornice, above this a window with
pairs of panelled pilasters and consoles supporting a pediment
with lamb and flag, and a round-headed upstand in the parapet
with a shield.

All the windows are sashed without glazing bars, those at 1st floor paired under cornices on consoles.
The 2-window right-hand return is in matching style. The wing continued to the rear is of heavily rusticated rock-faced masonry, 5 windows, mostly round-headed and those at ground
floor barred, but the end bay has a square headed doorway and
window above both with cornices; and beyond this is a lower
2-storey 5-window cell-block with small semicircular windows
at ground floor and round-headed windows above, all with
grills.

Change of Location (17/10/2011)

Our original plan was to film in a barn of a friends. This is now not possible.

 We have already found another sight where we will be filming (Friday 21st October). This is an old unused derelict building in Preston.

 Our idea is now slightly different too, yet still revolves around the game Cluedo;
-The characters break into the building to look around
-They find a game (Cluedo) which is slightly spooky within itself as no other belongings or objects are found
-They start to play the game and one of the characters wanders off/goes out of the room (They could hear a noise or just go to answer the phone/something scares them)
-That particular character disappears
-They blame the happenings on the game/place and try to leave (but can't)
-The game still plays on it's own

Poster Mock Up Test

I started creating a test poster. It includes a title of the film and some of the board game characters. This will let people guess what the film is about. They will instantly know that the game will be about board games. They just have to guess what it will be about ( if they have not seen the poster or the magazine)

I believe a good poster will include the different weapons and possible some of the characters that are in the trailer.

Below is the poster including the evidence and differenent experiments:

Evidence

Organising the filming dates/locations

We decided to film in an old building, called Amounderness House, which is an old court building in Preston. This was the easiest and safest option for us, as we could easily gain access to it.

I contacted my aunty via email to organise when we wanted to go there...

---

From: molly_lyon@hotmail.co.uk
To: b.lyon@preston.gov.uk
Subject: RE: Filming project in Preston
Date: Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:33:42

Spoken to everyone else, and they said leave the lights off and we’ll need to borrow the torches please. Thank you!

---

From: b.lyon@preston.gov.uk
To: molly_lyon@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: RE: Filming project in Preston
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:58:51

Yeah, that’d be fine. I’ll be in my office, so when you get here come there, and I’ll go get the keys. You will need to let me know if you want the lights leaving on, or not... And, if you want to borrow any torches.

---

From: b.lyon@preston.gov.uk
To: molly_lyon@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: RE: Filming project in Preston
Date: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:24:56

Hi, just wondering if it’s still possible for us to have access to the old court building in Preston on Friday 21st October. We’d be filming from about 9:00, until about 4:00. So if you can get the keys for that time that’d be great. Let me know.

Board game photoshoot

For our printwork, I did a photoshoot of the Cluedo board game so that we have images to play around with and create different posters and other mock up of the our smaller tasks.
I took photos of all elements of the board game so that we have a lot to work with.

 I wanted to show all three elements that make the games so that we can use them if we need to.

 Taking pictures of each characters mean that we could use these to then show the who is playing which character for the magazine cover.

 The card shots were so that we could see each of the rooms/weapons/characters so that we have a selection of rooms to use.

 This is a potential shot that could be taken with the real characters too, meaning that they could mimic the figures and then can be manipulated  in the photo.



SCRIPT

Teaser Trailer

Genre: Horror (could be slightly comical)

Inspiration: The Cottage, Jumanji, Cluedo, Scary Movie


Plot ideas/developments- 
• A group of friends are having a gathering at a friend’s house which is conveniently placed in a desolate farm. They are sat in the living room with a pile of board games and lots of six packs of cheap larger. Start off with a light feeling, cheerful music, a nice relaxed feel
• They are talking; someone suggests a game of Cluedo as they spot it in the pile of games/ someone has brought the game ‘specially’/ they are bored of normal games and want to try something more adventurous. Reading the description on the box instantly entices the group into play without thinking of the consequences.
• As they begin to play players go out of the room for certain things, food, drinks, bathroom etc...
• People start to realise that their friends aren’t coming back, they start to investigate. They start to see that people are being killed off one by one.
• The people leave the game unfinished and split up to go in search of people who went missing. When people find others who have died, they begin to question why the murders are taking place...

The teaser trailer needs to be/include;
1. The characters. Clearly show what characters are playing the game and what characters they are given in the game
2. Music (adjusting to the happenings on screen)
3. Close ups (showing vulnerability)
4. Titles
5. Narrating- styled like Jigsaw (Saw films)
6. Sound bursts (The sound gets faster and louder as the flashes become quicker and tenser on screen).


Editing/Filming Ideas
1) When someone is killed, a fade out/ zoom out could be used and then a shot of the board game with the character on in the exact place where the person was murdered. The dice could roll and characters could move on their own- with a low grinding moving noise.
2) A sound or song can be used to show the coming of the “murder”. So when the song is played people will know something bad is going to happen (kind of like paranormal activity where when the time changes to night, people instantly get scared because they know something bad will happen). The music could come from the radio, a phone, TV etc.
3) Red herrings must be used so people don’t guess who actually is doing the murders in the trailer, they must be enticed to go and watch the film so minimum detail should be used to keep them interested.
4) Mood must start off soft and relaxing, then the shots must increase in speed and time until the cuts are quick and frantic, meaning the pace will increase thus making it a lot more frantic.
5) When someone dies, the focus needs to go on the specific colour that will represent their character in the game. This is so we know which character has died and who is clearly left in the game.
6) Close ups of the board game could be used, and positions could be used for where the different people are around the house.


Poster Ideas:
1) A line up of all the different characters with the different colours. Showing what type of character they are. Different poses.
2) Poster broken up with the different characters holding each weapon
3) Focus on the weapons
4) Someones eye with all the weapons and/or the characters reflecting from it

Title mock up 2

This is the second part to the title mockup, I decided to take the camera and make it go round the corner. This makes the audience scared as they have no idea what is going to be round the corner when the camera finally turns, adding to the sense of disorientation and the unknown, which we will also be using in the trailer. 

Slideshow on the different steps

Below is the second mock up where the camera goes round the corner. The reason why the quality is so bad is due to the fact it is just a mock up, when the final is ready it will be exported with the correct settings so it would have a more professional quality.

Video Mock Up.

First Title Mock Up

I decided to mock up the first part of a horror trailer, this could be used on either the trailer itself, or as a production company video. I decided to create a corridor effect where the camera will be in a kind of "first person view". It gives the feeling that people are walking around the corridor and what happens next in the trailer will actually happen to them.

 Below is a slide show on how I made the trailer using After Effects

Slideshow

This is the video mock up. It isn't the best of quality due to the fact it is a first draft. For the final draft I would update it and make the quality far better.

Video Mock Up



The Cottage Research

As part of our research I have looked at the film Pathe film "The Cottage" staring Andy Serkis and Reece Shearsmith, I have looked closely at the trailer to the film as it is the genre we want to look at for our own trailer. Throughout the trailer I have noticed that there are rapid cuts between clips and in this one inparticular that the soundtrack is more important to the film that the dialogue as it helps to give a comical effect to the horror of this film.

I enjoyed this film and I looked at the generic ideas of a horror through it, I have taken these into consideration as we write our own script and expand our ideas for this genre.

Set up for filming

Date for Filming: Wednesday 19^th/26^th October

Cast
Rev./Mr Green:
Mrs Peacock:
Professor Plum:
Miss Scarlet:
Mrs White:
Colonel Mustard:

Things to do when filming:

·         Get a camera and tripod out

·         Lighting

·         Plan certain shots

·         Plan our time when there

·         Make sure we get multiple shots

·         Bring props and prep blood (?)

·         BOARD GAME!

·         Promo shots

Things needing to be filmed at the farm:

Location/outside of the house shots
Through the window into a room them playing
Once again meet the window to which we see the characters playing again, maybe a character missing.
Stood between the stables people missing
Isolated shots odd places in the house and outside the house

Things that can be done in the studio:Close-ups
Deaths?

Things we need to do generally:

·         Sort a time and date for filming a the farm

·         Choose the sound effects and music

·         Name the film

·         Ideas for the print

·         Finish story board

·         Write a small script for characters

·         Promo shots?

Jumanji (1995) trailer and poster research

"When two kids play an old magic board-game they found, they release a man trapped for decades in it and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game." This film really inspired me to research it. As it is along the same lines of the film we are doing, I had a great opportunity to find out more about it. The thrilling film (starring Robin Williams) creates excitement when a young boy picks up the game and then realises there is something strange about it when things suddenly come to life. Bursts of Excitement and thrilling twists in the story really capture peoples attention and draws them in to watch the film.

Below is the research to the trailer and the poster. I used YouTube to research the trailer inserting different notes and pauses to really show what is happening in the trailer.

Poster research

Video trailer research

Film Classification

I produced these documents about film classification so that when we came to classify our film, and create our trailer we would easily be able to know what footage we could show in the trailer, and exactly what could be shown to make the certification of our film..