Music

Due to my film containing limited dialogue, it means that I will have to take extra effort in making the correct choices for the music that I will be using in the film, as this is a very important element to create the horror and tension.

In preparation, I have been researching various music clips on youtube that I think would create a ominous atmosphere for the audience. This has given me a general idea on what music to include and has enabled me to visualize certain clips of the film with the music over the top.

Here are various clips I have listened to and thought would be suitable for my horror film;

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQdUe91cYr8&list=TL-uODfcIRlL8

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKoe3cr-wrc&list=UUHtgs-BmFsYUY4RxGmg4aKA

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQPchoI_jkw&list=PLIyWN2Ju7cSeM6FnJ-CXgRT6W1v4fpU4X&index=2

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB5wnSMwTnE&list=UUkNQlGRLKfo0e1ZBWw9xLGg

Script

Due to my film being a horror film, it features very little dialogue, which is both stereotypical and conventional for this genre of film. I therefore only have a very short script, as the lack of dialogue will be replaced with non-diagetic eerie music, to create an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience.

Scene 42

Danni (protagonist):

No, please, what do you want?

Scene 54

Mum:

What are you doing with that knife?

This lack of dialogue means that I will need to have a greater focus on the music used in the film, meaning that I will need to do further extensive research into how different types of music used to create a tense mood. As well as this, I will look at how, at certain points in the film, silence can be used to create just as much horror as it does when using music. 

Storyboard

My overall storyboard features 54 shots, however, I know that when I come to the process of actually shooting my film that there will be more than 54, this storyboard therefore acts as a basic outline for my film. I will therefore need to take this into consideration when making my shot list for the film.

I have left out important details of the film such as the title and the production name, as I have not made a definite decision on these things and will hopefully gain inspiration when shooting my film.

Planning-ENDINGS

STAGE 3

I still didn't know how to choose between the two ideas, as I liked certain sections of the endings in both, this is when I had the idea of taking those parts I liked from each idea and making a new ending. By having my ideas on post stick notes it enabled me to move around the scenes, incorporating scenes both from the first and third idea. I therefore moved around the scenes until they were in an order that I felt worked well and meant that my two ideas had been merged together.

FINAL

Planning-ENDINGS

STAGE 2

With each of these endings drawn out, I asked a select few on what their preferred ending was. Although the votes came out to be 50/50 with the first and third idea, it helped me to rule out the second idea, which was one step closer to a final ending.

Endings	Preferred Ending
Design 1	4
Design 2	1
Design 3	6

Planning- ENDINGS

STAGE 1

I had many ideas on how to end my film and could not decide how to eliminate and choose just one of these ideas. 

This caused me to become stressed as I could not make a final decision and did not want to choose a less satisfactory ending that in my eyes I thought was better. 

This is when I decided to draw out each of the endings onto post stick notes, so I could visualize each ending rather than trying to picture them in my head.

ENDING 1



ENDING 2

ENDING 3

Storyboard Draft

After writing down and mind mapping my ideas on what I wanted to include in the film, my next step was to transfer these ideas onto a draft storyboard. 

This draft story board helped me to organize my thoughts and allowed me to start picturing my film and making important decisions on what to include and not to include. 

I decided to focus mainly on the plot of the film and the camera angles I would be using first and then after creating a basic storyboard, I thought about the audio of the film and how this would increase the horror of my film.

Conclusion Of Survey Results

After reading through the responses to my survey, I found that the majority of the individuals agreed with one another and therefore this has helped me greatly in forming a deeper insight into what type of features to use in my horror film and therefore also helped me in drafting my storyboard.

• With both my independent research on short horror films and the results gathered from the survey, I have come to the conclusion that my film should feature one-two characters. By having a small cast it makes the film more intimate for the audience as they can relate to the characters and put themselves in their shoes; which in turn should increase the horror. As well as this, the lack of people means that the characters are more vulnerable and helpless as there are less people to help them.

• Following on from this, the majority of the responses said that they would like to see a young cast; teenagers. This is very common for a horror film to have a younger cast as they are more vulnerable and innocent than maybe an adult would be and therefore more prone to being scared. My research on the horror films has further supported this idea of having a young cast, especially for the protagonist, some even use children as their protagonist which is something I will take into consideration when casting for my film. 

• When looking through the responses to what supernatural they would like to feature in the film, the idea of having dolls appeared multiple times, however, although this was the majority vote, I decided that this would be challenging to ‘control’ a doll and make it appear scary without it not looking like an amateur film. I therefore drafted many ideas and further broadened my research as to what supernatural to include, as well making sure to take into consideration of the survey results, and liked the idea of having someone in a mask. I think this would be very sinister as it is the fear of the unknown and also means that it will be more manageable to pull it off being frightening, especially if set in a forest or wood.

• I therefore decided to focus on other elements people have mentioned in the survey to create an eerie atmosphere such as closing doors and thunder and lightning. All of which are elements that will allow my film to conform to the stereotypical horror film and hopefully will enable my film to be as frightening as those I have researched.

• From the responses, I have gained a deeper understanding on what the stereotypical setting is and what type of setting people associate with horror films. Both abandoned houses/mansions and forests were the two popular settings and along with the results from independent research, I have decided to set the film in a forest. This setting will create an ominous atmosphere and will go particularly well with the idea of using thunder and lightning to further heighten the horror and tension. Setting the film in a large desolate space will increase both the horror and vulnerability of the character and conforms to the stereotypical horror film creating an intense atmosphere.

• When looking through the replies about what lighting to use, every response agreed that the film should feature low key lighting to create a darker tone for the film. This type of lighting will further convey the idea of the unknown. From one of the short horror films I have analysed they have used both low key lighting and high key lighting to exaggerate the difference between the two and heighten the low key lighting, creating a more intense atmosphere; this is something I will be taking into consideration when drawing up my storyboard.

• In regards to the music of my film, the responses show they would expect to hear the music gradually build up and become increasingly louder and high pitched as the scene becomes more frightening, this will increase the intensity and create a more uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience. However, some responses also show that minimal music can be just as frightening as the audience are not expecting anything and therefore will increase the tension.

• I have gained an insight from both the responses from the survey and also my independent research to understand that stereotypically horror films feature very little dialogue. This limited dialogue puts the audience on edge as it keeps them on guard as it is not made obvious as to what is going to happen next. Therefore this lack of dialogue will be substituted with plenty of piano type music.

From both of the individual responses from my survey and the analysis of the four short horror films, it has helped me to understand what people expect to see in a horror film and what some of the stereotypical features of a horror film are, helping me to design and produce a intense, uncomfortable horror film. 

My Survey

Horror Short Film Audience Research

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Double Page Analysis 3

MR TURNER 

The poster is predominantly made up of the main feature article photo, as it is spread over the two page review and takes up the majority of the space. This photo gives many clues about what kind of film it is, as the man is dressed in old fashioned attire, suggesting that it is a period film. The picture also features a beautiful landscape and the man is carrying a satchel, which suggests he is going to paint the scenery, which gives a deeper insight into what the film is about, especially if people are aware of the British landscape artist J.M.W Turner. As well as this, the stand first ‘lovely framing’, further makes it obvious to what the film is about.

As this article is taken from ‘Empire’ magazine, it follows the same house style as all their other articles, using blue and white colours and the frequent use of blue arrows to make it more interesting to put information in and instead of using a drop cap to show the reader where the article starts.

The article is broken up with a light hearted factual filler, which makes it more interesting for the reader to look at and keeps it fun to read, instead of blocks of text. As well as this, it keeps up with the house style by using a blue arrow.

Unconventionally, the headline of the film is not the main feature on the page. It is unusually small and not particularly highlighted in a way that grabs the reader’s attention. This makes the photo on the article the main feature and attraction on the page.

As well as this, like most articles I have either analysed or seen, the star rating of the film is usually as the start of the article, which draws the reader in to read it, especially if it is good rating. However, this article’s star rating is at the end of the article, which makes the reader decide for themselves first if they think that it is going to be a successful film or not.

The article is very factual in that it tells the audience that it is in the cinemas now and the footer on the page tells the reader where they can find out more information about the film. This therefore prompts the reader at the start of the article and end of the article to find out more.

Double Page Analysis 2

MAZE RUNNER

The article has a stereotypical layout of it being organised into columns, producing both a readable and appealing article. This simple and minimalistic layout is reached by the lack of photos, fillers and also negative space, which is used heavily on the first page prior to the main article, consequently prompting the reader where the article starts.

Unlike many other articles I have previously analysed, this article does not use a drop cap to start the article off; instead a standfirst has been used, which is highlighted in red bold font.  This standfirst; ‘mazes and monsters’ gives a basic insight into what the film is about, suggesting that its genre is action and mostly aimed at young teenagers.

Before the article starts, there is a small information box prior to the main text. This box features a star singing for the film, which grabs the reader’s attention due to the good rating the film has been given. This therefore persuades the audience to read on and justifies that they are not wasting their time by reading the article.

As well as this in the information box, it also includes who the director and the producer of the film are. This information is very valid, as many people enjoy films that are directed or produced by certain people. As well as this, those who have enjoyed previous films by that director, are more likely to enjoy this one also, therefore creating a wider audience.

The article features only one large main photo, which covers the majority of the two pages, consequently a very eye catching feature on the article. The photo used is a screenshot from the film, which conveys lots of action and raises many questions; such as what has caused them to look so confused and concerned, therefore intriguing the audience, drawing them in to read the article, to find out any answers.

Only one pull quote has been used in the article (adding to the minimalistic layout), which breaks the article up and also ties in with the main photo used, joining the article and picture together.

A header has been used so that when people are flicking through the magazine they can easily see where the ‘REVIEW’ article is. Therefore making it hard not to miss the review of the week, promoting the film, especially for those who just pick up the magazine in the shop and read the reviews.

The filler used on the right hand side of the second page is an exclusive interview with the director of the film. The interview also features a photo of the director, which creates a visual attribute to the article and also allows the audience to put a name to the face, as the director has been previously mentioned earlier on in the article. 

Double Page Analysis

GET SANTA

The double page spread consists mainly of photos/clips from the film, to give the audience a well-rounded idea on what the film will be like and what actors will feature in it, as well as this some of the photos show the camera crew in them, giving an insight on how the film was made. This is supported by the filler; ‘On Location’, giving the audience an exclusive insight into the filming process.

The article has also used another filler in the top right hand corner of the second page, where they have used a sell to try and persuade the audience to watch the film, as the actor has ‘PLAYED SANTA SEVEN TIMES”. This sell has been used to show the audience the actor playing Santa must be extremely talented to be cast the role that many times and therefore showing that the film will be a success due to his experience.

On the first page of the article, the photos show the characters appearing to look cheerful and jovial; which is very fitting for a Christmas film. However, the main photo on article features ‘Santa’ looking miserable, therefore contradicting most Christmas family films. However, the photo also features cell mates looking down on him, who seem to be cheering him on, suggesting that he is going to save Christmas, as well as this the photo is a low angle shot, conveying the importance of the character.

Moreover, the majority of the photos used have a warm high key appearance to them, creating a friendly and seasonal atmosphere, in comparison to the low key dull lighting used on the last picture, suggesting that it is not the stereotypical Christmas film, therefore intriguing the audience to watch the film and also showing that it will not be like the same Christmas movies that come out each year.

The mostly picture based article, suggests that it will appeal to both adults who can read the article and children who can form their judgement about the film on the basis of the photos. Following on from this, the numerous photos used means that there is no negative space on the article, creating a very visual double page.

However, the magazine features a running footer, which tells the audience where they can find out more about the film and therefore inviting the reader to become more engrossed about the story line of the film.

 The article features a simple layout, with the text in the same columns used throughout the ‘Empire’ magazine, making the article easy to read and follow, keeping to the housestyle empire uses.

The colour scheme is very minimalistic and consists mainly of red, which is a very seasonal colour and jumps off of the page, highlighting the important parts of the article such as the location of where the film was made. This filler of the world map shows that it is based in England, therefore appealing to the British audience.

Poster Analysis

CANDYMAN

This poster does not conform to the stereotypical conventions of a horror film poster. This is seen by the mostly white poster, where the high key bright lighting has connotations of innocence and purity. Something which creates a sinister atmosphere as we know that this is a horror film and therefore makes us think that the victim of this film is pure and innocent.

This idea of the victim being  innocent suggests that it is a child, which is very fitting as candy is often associated with children, this therefore further emphasizes this sinister atmosphere created. 

As well as this, the mostly white poster could also suggest that the victim is dead and that they are seeing the bright white light, before they go to heaven. Consequently creating many questions for the audience, wanting them to find out the answers by watching the film.

Following on from this, the idea of the person in the photo being dead can further be seen as there is a fly on the person’s eye. This suggests that it is a corpse as flies are attracted to dead bodies. However, in this instance it is not a fly but a wasp/bee, this has connotations of honey and therefore candy, which is very fitting for this film. As well as this, wasps are notorious for their angry personality and stinging anyone in their way, causing their victims pain, which could reflect that his is the Candy man’s intention. 

Unlike the other posters I have analysed, this ‘Candyman’ poster features a sell to promote the film. This allows the audience to know what type of horror film it is going to be and therefore brings in a greater audience, as those who have enjoyed ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ will also enjoy this film.

The extreme close up shot of the eye creates a sinister atmosphere, as the eye features no emotion, suggesting either death or that they have been possessed/taken over by the man, which can further be seen as the eye is red. This idea can be supported as there is the man in pupil of the eye, showing that he is controlling them or that is reflecting what they can see. Both of which create an uncomfortable frame for the audience.

The title on the poster features a red drop glow, this being the same colour used for the pupil, suggesting that he is the one who is possessing the character, creating a chilling atmosphere.

Poster Analysis

ONE MISSED CALL

Similar to the previous film poster- 'Mirrors', this poster features low key lighting, which creates a sinister and dark atmosphere, which is very stereotypical for a  horror film poster. Again, there is a lack of colour on the page, the main colour being black, which suggests mystery and danger.

By having the majority of the poster being black, means that our attention is drawn to the center of the picture and therefore gives the impression he is appearing out of the darkness and shadows, suggesting that he is some sort of devil or supernatural, increasing the mystery and horror.

The title is in white, suggesting innocence and purity, which is very ironic and therefore sinister as the man in the photo looks like none of these things. It could therefore suggest that his victims are innocent and pure and therefore creates a creepy atmosphere, making the audience very vulnerable.

As well as this, the title  seems to glow off the page, further supporting this idea of his victims being innocent. Following on from this, red has been used for the tag line, which has connotations of danger and blood, consequently making the audience very apprehensive, especially as the tag line is a rhetorical question, which engages the audience with the man. 

Likewise from the previous poster I have analysed, this poster also uses a close up shot. This person is also looking directly into the camera, as well as this, he is holding his phone up, suggesting that he is ringing you and therefore makes it very personal and intensifies the sinister atmosphere already created from engaging the audience with the rhetorical question. 

The close up photo used for the poster, also creates a uncomfortable frame, as at first look, it appears to look like his eyes are largely abnormal, however, looking closer you can see that they are two mouths. This therefore plays tricks on the audience and gives the poster certain aspects of it being a physchological thriller.

These screaming mouths suggest that he is in control and could also imply that as the mouths are in substitute for his eyes, they could be reflecting what he is looking at, creating a terrifying image.

The photo of the man shows him smiling, which creates a sinister atmosphere, as he looks welcoming, but clearly he is not, this could therefore suggest that he is trying to entice you and draw you in.

Poster Analysis

MIRRORS

The first thing I notice about this film poster is the limited colours, most of which are dull are dark.This low key lighting created by the dull colours, imposes a ominous and mysterious mood, something which is needed for a horror film.

Due to the lack of colours used on the poster, it means that our attention is drawn to the title, where a harsh red is used. This blood red featured, is the only bright colour used and has connotations of both danger and destruction, which is therefore very fitting for a horror film poster. 

The photo used, features a close up shot of a young girl, which through my research I have found that this is very conventional for a horror film poster to feature a close up shot. This could be due to close up shots allowing the audience to read the characters expression, which in horror films is very important to know what emotions the characters are feeling. 

This idea is consequently supported by the film poster 'Mirrors', as the close up shot used suggests the young girl is possessed, therefore giving the audience an insight onto what type of horror film this will be. 

The photo used is only in the top half of the poster, with the surrounding poster in black. This gives the impression that she is in the shadows, waiting to attack, which creates a sinister atmosphere, reinforced by the screaming facial expression. 

To further emphasize this sinister atmosphere, the girl is staring directly into the camera, making eye contact with the audience and therefore creating an uncomfortable frame. As well as this, this uncomfortable  frame is also produced through the rule of thirds, where this directer has broken this rule to make her appear intimidating.

The house style used is very simple, featuring only basic text for the plug and actors name featuring in the film. This basic layout makes it appear very real and therefore gives the poster a sinister tone. 

Short Film Analysis-DOLL FACE

DOLL FACE-

A pan is used in the opening scene of the film, showing a gloomy looking cell with daunting music played over the top. This slow pan is particularly useful to show the opening credits of the film; however, it also sets the scene for the audience and creates a negative first impression. As well, due to the speed in which the pan is going, it makes the audience jump when the hands of the woman suddenly wrap around the bars of the cell, as we are not expecting it and therefore puts the audience on edge from the beginning.

In the scene where the couple are playing chess, a focus pull is used on one of the chess pieces. This prop is important for later on in the film, when the woman finds it on the floor of the shop, suggesting her husband is there too and therefore creates both drama and tension, as we are left wondering why and where he is. This is therefore significant as the chess piece represents him and consequently is a clever technique that I could take into consideration when making my film. 

There is clear contrast in lighting between the couples warm and welcoming house, which features high key lighting, in comparison to the shop-especially the cell type rooms, which features cold and dull low key lighting. This juxtaposition between the two types of lighting, emphasizes the shops chilling atmosphere.

The film features unsettling and sinister non-diegetic music during most of the film, which heightens the tension and uneasy atmosphere for the audience. However, more specifically, the same sharp, high pitched noise is always used when the doll is either in shot, or like at the end of the film coming around the corner, this is particularly terrifying knowing that she is never not that far behind them.

Throughout the scene in the shop/cell we mostly only see the dolls legs, until the end when she pulls a sinister face. This builds up tension as the film develops and makes the final shot of her even more terrifying as it hasn't been in shot for the majority of the film.

A range of high angle shots have been used throughout to show the ladies desperation and vulnerability when running down the stairs. This gives the impression that the doll is looking down and watching them and gives the film an ominous atmosphere.

In comparison to this, when the doll is shown, low angle shots have been used to suggest her dominance and control over the women trying to escape, which could imply that actually the women are never going to leave and are going to be trapped for life.

Jump cuts are used throughout the film, especially when in a tense moment. These cuts have been used to make the audience feel on edge and nervous, as the action cuts from the women trying to escape, to the doll. These cuts allow the audience to see how close the doll is to the women and therefore creates an uncomfortable, foreboding atmosphere.

The majority of the film is set in what looks like a secret passage behind a house. It features graffiti on the walls and cells in which the woman is locked up in. This type of setting is very common for horror films and adds to the eerie atmosphere of the film. The pan and low angle shots of the graffiti on the walls suggest that people have been there before and makes the audience question what has happened to those people. Following on from this, by setting the majority of the film outside and away from the public, it emphasizes the apprehension as there is no where to get help.

Unlike many horror films that I have researched, there is a twist ending. The doll saves the woman's life. This ends the film on a cliff hanger, making the audience question whether she is going to lock her up, or more likely from the final shot of her pulling a sinister face, she is going to kill her, which leaves the audience in suspense.



Short Film Analysis-VICTIM

VICTIM-

A handheld camera is used frequently throughout the short film; it is particularly useful when the boy is resting from his run. A handheld camera is used to shoot the back of the boys head, making the audience think that there is someone coming up behind him. Along with the camera getting closer and closer to his head, the sound becomes more intense and stronger; this makes the audience apprehensive as we are waiting for them to jump at the boy. Instead, a long shot is used of the front of the boy who is looking oblivious to this, which therefore plays with the audience and puts them on the edge from the very start of the film.

Following on from this, a handheld camera is also used when the boy is running in the woods. This is a very common convention in horror films and is one I will be taking into consideration when producing my film. The effect the handheld camera has makes the scene appear jumpy and chaotic and we can see the forest from his point of view, showing how afraid and disorientated he is. It also means that audience is in his shoes and therefore increases the horror, as it feels as if we the audience are being chased.

There are clues throughout the start of the film which suggest that something is going to happen to the boy in the forest. A long take and slow zoom have been used to highlight the missing poster on the tree, which creates an anxious atmosphere and to further add to this, the boy misses the poster and is therefore unaware to the recent goings-on, increasing his vulnerability.

The film features dark low key lighting which is very stereotypical for a horror film. This creates a dark and gloomy tone and adds to the eerie atmosphere already created by setting the film in the forest; another stereotypical convention used in horror films to set the film in a dark and isolated place. As well as this it gives the effect of the colour being drained and therefore creates an ominous and foreboding atmosphere, which adds to the horror.

Establishing shots have been used throughout the film to show how vulnerable and diminutive the boy looks in comparison to the forest. As well as showing how small the boy looks, the establishing shots show how isolated he is, and when the extreme long shot is used to show the man in the field, it creates an anxious atmosphere as they are the only ones there.

The diegetic music of the sticks snapping in the woods and the handheld camera behind the bush looking at the boy creates an uneasy atmosphere as it suggests that someone is looking at him through the bush. This idea that he is being watched makes the audience feel protective and tense as they know that he is oblivious to this.

An eye line match has been used to show what the boy is looking at through his window, showing the audience that no one is there. However, when he turns it shows the man in field. This immediately makes the audience feel nervous and helpless, as he is unaware that he is following him.

A montage of shots have been used to show how large and abandoned the forest appears to be in comparison to the young boy, therefore conveying his vulnerability, especially with the idea that the ‘slender man’ is following him. This consequently makes the audience on edge and to further emphasize this apprehension the audience is feeling, dialogue from the boy is used over the top of the montage, telling his friends he “can take a short cut through the woods”.

A reaction shot has been used in the film, to make the audience read the boy’s face and feel what he is feeling rather than what we feel. As well as the reaction shot of the boy, it features a long take, so the audience are left in suspense and trepidation  as to what has left him to look so worried and confused.

Throughout the final scene in the forest, sharp, eerie non-diagetic music is used, increasing the intensity and volume at certain points in the film. This range in the volume makes the audience on edge, knowing that something is about to happen. As well as this, along with the sharp sinister music and the constant appearing of the slender man, it creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience.