Planning - Final Costume - Antagonist

Our final costume choice for our antagonist worked well and fitted to the genre , following the conventions of Supernatural Horror.We wanted the overall visual of the antagonist to be unknown, with a figure, as we plan not to expose to much of the character to help add suspense. A black moth suit, with a cream scarf, is the costume we chose, as it appears mysterious, with us only showing the character using extreme long shots throughout, therefore the costume is conventional and fits well with the genre. The dark colours are also stereotypical to the genre of horror, adding mystery and suspense to the character.                                   

Planning - Final Costume - Protagonist

This is our chosen costume for our protagonist, this is because it is stereotypical to the audience we are targeting the opening at.The costume is very basic and simple, helping the main focus of the opening being on the setting and characters and not the costumes of the characters.

The colours of the costume are quite masculine, yet are unbranded , with a dark palette.We also ensured that the protagonist would wear some sort of jumper, due to the cold weather conditions, therefore we chose a hoodie, being stereo-typically linked to teenagers.

Planning - Alternative Costume- Antagonist

This was the alternative costume that we were going to use for our antagonist's costume.This is because we believed it would make the character seem unusual and lost, linking to the representation of our character, making the audience view the character as mysterious and supernatural.
However again, due to the weather conditions this time of year this costume appeared inappropriate and unpractical as it causes a hazard for the actress playing the character.

Planning - Alternative Costume - Protagonist

This is our alternative costume for  our main protagonist.We thought about using one element in the costume ,  the vibrant red top, to help make the character  stand out above the setting.Helping the audience focus more on this character.Although after putting more thought into this character's costume, we decided that it would be inappropriate. This is partly due to our target audience, because we are aiming our opening at teenagers, therefore the costume needs to be stereotyping this audience, to help them relate more towards the character.

But in our opinion , we didn't feel that this costume portrayed this and needed to look for a more conventional costume.

The weather conditions this time of year also makes this costume unpractical for filming and made us reconsider the choice, as we want the opening to be as realistic as possible to our audience.

Planning - Storyboard

Below is our initial storyboard. This is the layout of our shots and some ideas on our opening scene. This will help us when . We will edit filming.However this isn't the final the storyboard , as we plan to follow this storyboard structure, yet when filming, if we see a more effective/realist shot, we will change it to this.Therefore we will produce a second storyboard after we have finished filming our opening.

Planning - Equipment

During the production of our opening scene Holly and myself used a  variety of equipment, as shown below - 

Canon 50 D

Why Chosen - Holly and I decided to use this camera to film all of the shot in  our opening scene, this is because it has a high pixelation quality, at 18 megapixels, therefore we can film our scene with ease, at a high standard.

This also enhances the professionalism of our work, making it appeal more to our target audience.The camera also stabilizes and focuses quickly making it more convenient and efficient to film.

Nikon Coolpix

Why Chosen- This camera will be used to record extra footage, target audience feedback and before/after filming. This camera is advantaged, helping improve the quality of our blog work.With 6x wide-angle zoom, a focal length of 26-156 mm (35mm equivalent).  Offering stunning results whether in wide-angle or telephoto, records a maximum amount of detail with its 16-megapixel sensor.

Nikon  (DSLR)  Canon EOS 550d

Why Chosen- This camera will be used to record the moving shots in our opening scene, such as tracking and panning,  this is because the camera focuses quickly and therefore allows a clear unfocused  picture.
The camera is also going to be used to take images of the costumes and makeup of all casting. This camera has a 10.2MP digital SLR with 3-area AF system, 3.0 fps continuous shooting 3D Colour Matrix Metering II systemnear instant power-up (0.18 sec.)

Steadicam

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Why Chosen- This will be used to keep the camera stabilized and focused.This will work well when producing moving/motion shots and will allow better quality filming.
This Steadicam has a weight to take out the static in your hand, which holds the camera still throughout filming.

Shoulder Brace

Why Chosen- This is good for motion shots, it supports your shoulder whilst filming and stabilizes the camera.Making the picture more focused and clear.

Planning - Weather Conditions

As we reached the planning and production of our opening in late winter/spring the weather conditions are temperatures of 8-9 decrees.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/genres/weather- we are using this weather webpage to give us some idea of the forecast before filming, it's useful because the page provides us with reports of the weather throughout the week and the hours within the day.

We will be focusing on the time period of 16.00-18.00pm, therefore we need to check the weather forecast for those 3 hours a day before filming to avoid any complications and inconvenience.

Planning - Lighting

My previous post has test shots of our locations, which were all filmed using natural light.After looking back over the shots we could see how the quality of the image was effected, due to the dark lighting and mist/fog, therefore we need to consider what effect to use in order to change this.

We have thought about using Colour Grading and Gray-scale which would clear the image, it would also make the shots seem dark and eerie, meeting the conventions of our chosen genre.However this might harm the professionalism of our opening, as it may appear unrealistic to the audience.
Before taking the test shots, Holly and myself had intentions to film our opening at dusk, however the lighting appealed overexposed, from doing this we came to a decision to film our final project late afternoon (4-6pm) as the lighting is dark, however not to the extend where the shots are overexposed, so we can edit and develop over them.


After establishing we were going to develop on the shots using visual effects like Colour Grading, as we are both inexperienced using 'Final Cut Pro' , Holly and myself did some research and we found a range of tutorials to help us understand how to use these visual effects.

Colour Grading tutorial

Planning - Casting for 'Inner Demon'

Before filming our opening scene, Holly and myself started to think of people to use who would suit the criteria for each character in the scene.We needed two characters in the opening scene, the protagonist and antagonist.

Character- Female Jogger (Protagonist)

Actress- Jade Suddaby

 

  

Why Chosen?- The actor is at a similar age to our target audience therefore they will be able to relate more to the scene.We also needed a young female who was comfortable working in front of a camera. Therefore I volunteered to play the role, although I have little experience in acting, I am confident that I will be able to portray this character to our exact expectations.
Involvement- I will be featured in the majority of the opening scene, as I am playing the main character (Protagonist), which is made clear in the opening scene . Numerous camera shots will be used of myself, from worms eye to extreme-close ups.I will also be involved to some of the camera work, which doesn't show my character, such as the establishing shot and the birds eye view.
I am also head of makeup and costume design, aswell as co-producer, co-director and editor.


                                    Character- Female Supernatural being (Antagonist) 

Actress- Holly Suddaby

Why Chosen?- We chose to use this person as our protagonist because she fits the character's criteria, with long curly hair portraying the exact imagery of the supernatural antagonist.
She is also of a similar height and visual to the actress playing the protagonist, as she is my twin, therefore it would make the story line more realist, linking back to the film name 'Inner Demon', giving the idea to the audience that the two characters are the same person, good versus evil.
Involvement- The actress will be featured in just over half the scene, which the majority of the shots will be extreme long shots, as the face of the character isn't revealed to the audience in this scene, helping add to the suspense.
She will appear as a figure, ensuring the characters facial features and expressions aren't shown.
She is also our co-make-up and costume design, aswell as head producer, director and chief editor.

Other cast members- Jack Suddaby

Why Chosen?- As this cast member has access to advance filming equipment, such as high quality cameras and stabilization resources, like a dolly, we made him our chief equipment and prop manager.
He also has past experience in filming ,  due to a his profession in the media industry. He currently works for the radio, aswell as producing his own organisation 'Sublime Arts', which requires high levels of quality filming.
Involvement-  co-producer, co-director, and chief prop and equipment manager 
Aswell as providing us with advise and his expertise on the production of the scene.

Planning - Alternative Location Shots

After finding our main location's in the countryside of Northamptonshire, we found some alternative locations which we could use for other scenes, such as a harbour and beach, situated at Penzance in St Ives.We thought that this location would be good to show an establishing shot of the protagonist running.With the location being isolated and widely scaled  it would suit the genre of Horror , meeting the stereotypical conventions.



However, due to the weather conditions at
this time of year and the distance from our home,it would be unpractical and would complicate and add inconvenience to the production process.The sound quality and quality of shots would also be effected, with strong winds and mist from the sea, causing unfocused shots.As the location is far from where we live it will be difficult to go back to the location if needed, therefore would slow the production and editing of our scene down, with us unable to re-film /re-do certain shots in the scene.Therefore although this location is a conventional and effective setting, with the correct surroundings and lighting, the drawbacks out weigh the benefits, making it an unpractical, inappropriate location.

Planning - Final Location Shots

We have taken a range of images showing the locations that we plan to use in our film opening.We have chosen several different locations of woodlands, which not only is key connotation to the Horror genre, but helps to create a tense and a eerie atmosphere.All of the following locations are in the Northamptonshire county (Moreton Pinkney), 200- 300 kilometers from our house.

Location 1

This location is rural and isolated, surrounded by trees and wildlife.It also is near to or home, therefore it allows the filming to be efficient, being able to carry equipment easily making it more convenient for us.The isolated location fits the genre conventions and follows the stereotypical Mise En Scene.We plan to use this location at the end of our opening, as we feel it is the most rural and conventional setting, therefore will add tension and will fit the narrative.

Using a dark filter will help create a eerie feel to this location.

                                                      Location 2  

This will be at 

the beginning of the opening, showing a shot of the protagonist running.There are several settlements around this location, therefore we need to be aware of others when filming.

We choose this to be in the beginning because

 it provides the perfect setting for the audience to be unacknowledged of the danger approaching the character.

There is also a long narrow path, perfect for our narrative, adding suspense and tension to the piece.

The stone on the houses help the audience establish the characters background/wealth, with the protagonist being middle-upper class due to the old buildings.

 Location 3

The third location is, again rural, aswell as

eerie, with wild weeds and plants.The dark filter on top of this shot will be really effective and will ensure it meets the genre conventions.

This location will be near the end of the opening, due to it being isolated, adding to the climax of the opening.

Location 4

This location is good because it matches the main conventions for horror, with long spiraling trees within the rural countryside.

The field the trees are situated in is near to our home, therefore it is convenient for us and easy to transport the filming equipment.

The field is near a road, therefore this needs to be adds to the risk assessment when filming.It may also effect the sound quality, however we have added in the storyboard for this location not to have diegitic sound, but with incidental sound over the top instead. This can be done by muting the sound on the camera.

Location 5

This location will be critical when the opening tension increases, with 30-40 seconds of our 2 minute opening being based here.

The bridge is short therefore we need to use shot to help emphases the size, and to be aware of any dangers around it, such as the stream below.

Planning - Permission For Filming

As our location was on a public footpath route, we didn't need any permission to film there.
Below are our cast and filming permission slips to take part in Media production.This was done before filming to ensure all parents/guardians gave consent to their child taking part and where they were happy with this.Due to both actress being under the age of 18, we had to have full consent from parents/guardians legally and encase any health and safety issues occurred during filming.

Planning - Risk Assessment

Planning- Technicalities

What could go wrong?

When producing our film we could encounter a range of complications and problems.Which could occur  by the lack of efficiency in our group's communication, organisation, dynamics and technology.
Below I have clearly identified numerous problems we could encounter,by doing this Holly and myself have become aware of the possible issues and will do our best to ensure we avoid them when filming/producing our opening.

Communication

• Lack of ideas and inspiration within the group
• Unexplained ideas or thoughts
• Lack of notes 
• Editing or changing elements of the film without groups knowledge or awareness
• Conflict and disagreement over the production of the film

Organisation 

• Not having access to film on a particular location
• Forgetting equipment and props
• Not filming a big enough quantity of footage
• Wasting time/ inefficient time management ( spending a long period of time on the costumes and not the filming)

Dynamics 

• One individual dominating the production of the film, instead of working cooperatively as a group
• Not listening to one another
• Lacking respect for one another
• Lack motivation towards work and being unproductive
• relying on others to produce the work (being a passenger)

Technology  

• Batteries not fully charged
• Lacking knowledge of camera functions 
• Camera or equipment breaking
• Poor sound quality
• Poor lighting
• Not having a stabilized camera when filming
• Lacking variety of camera shots and edits

Research/Planning - Costume Ideas

I also did some research into the costume of the protagonist, as our protagonist in our opening scene is jogging we would assume the costume is appropriate for exercise, such as running trainers and lose clothing.

below is an image we found on http://www.pinterest.com/ for inspiration on the character's costume;

Research/Planning - Camera Angles

Before filming our opening scene I carried out some research into openings which had similar aims to ours.As we are including a running scene in our opening, this two minute scene was taken from 'The Silence Of The Lamb'

Shots in this scene are varied, for example it includes shots like;

• Medium close-up
• Long shot
• Worms eye 
• Birds eye
• Over the shoulder shot
• Tracking
• Panning

We have used this clip as inspiration into our opening scene as we intend to produce a similar scene, using the idea of a women running through a forest.

Research - Ambient Sound - Idea 2

Idea 2

The video is a brief ambient sound of a haunted forest, ideal for our opening, as it contains spooky wildlife, branches and wind noises.

This is really inspiring because it contains all of the appropriate sound we need in order to meet our audience's expectations.It fits the Horror genre well, with it adding tension and sense, creating a fearful , osmotic atmosphere. 

Research - Ambient Sound - Idea 1

To follow the genre of Supernatural Horror we must ensure that we include music which will add to the sense of the film, engaging the audience more to encourage them to continue watching.

The ambient sounds used help create a eerie mood, showing that a supernatural being is presence or danger is approaching the characters.

We found a range of ideas when carrying out our research, here are some examples;

Research - Soundtrack - Idea 2

Idea 2

When doing my research on soundtracks Holly and myself decided that the advert '13' , which is promoting a horror theme ride at Thorpe Park, contains the conventional ambient music for a horror genre opening.

This clip contains both the tense and suspense mood we hope to achieve in our opening, as it engages the audience. The dark filter alongside the track helps to emphasize the danger and eeriest. 
The child nursery rhyme whispered in  a quite tone adds to the atmosphere and enhances the audiences awareness to the supernatural occurrence, which will also be present in our opening.

Research - Soundtrack - Idea 1

For our opening title sequence we are going to use a soundtrack, this will run throughout all of the scene.We will also include ambient sounds and incidental music over the top, which will be original, made by Holly and myself.

Before creating or soundtrack and music for our opening scene, I carried out some research into other film opening soundtracks with the same genre to give me some inspiration and ideas.

Silence of the Lamb

This film opening, with the horror genre, is intriguing and incising, which helps draw the audience in.It has a low base with a heavy tone, creating suspense and enhance the eerie and dark atmosphere.
Throughout the scene there is incidental music played which increases in tone by the end, which adds tension to the piece, helping show to the audience that danger is approaching the character.
I like the idea of using a low incidental or ambient sound near the end of the scene to help create the eerie atmosphere and mood.This would be good in our opening, as it will help add to the climax of the scene, when revealing the antagonist character.

Research - Supernatural Horror Questionnaire

After choosing our genre, Supernatural Horror, Holly and myself decided to do some further research into the target audience to determine the audience's exact preferences and what to include to ensure we produce a opening that meet our target audience's  needs.

(Questionnaire will be scanned in shortly!)

Research - Ident Idea

Near the end of our production as a group, we will have to  create our own original Ident, which will appear at the beginning of the page.This, in my opinion, is a crucial, as it establishes to the audience the company which produced the film, which is done sing recognizable typography and imagery.

An example of this is 'Warner Bro Pictures and DC Comics' Ident;

You can see that both of these Idents contain conventional typography for a Horror genre movie , although these were created for the Action Adventure movie, Batman Returns, the dark intense font and colours used links to the Horror genre.
The music also helps both Ident's emphasis their importance and power, with the companies brand name being presented in white to stand out above the black. Making them recognizable  for the audience.

Research - Antagonist Ideas

This advert Holly and I found when doing research into our Antagonist, and thought it linked and represented the type of character we want our antagonist to be, following the main conventions for the supernatural genre. The light and music used also helps set the mood/atmosphere and helps create suspension throughout.

Research - Opening Title Sequences - Idea 2

Idea 2

The second title sequence I researched was Inception (2010)

Inception (2010)

Before this post I have analysed 'Sixth Sense' title sequence, which is again ,the genre of Horror.Yet if I were to compare the two, they share numerous differences. 

Firstly this title sequence has a quicker pace and is more direct, getting straight to the point.The typography used is also alot more complicated, using several different types of transitions, whereas 'Sixth Sense' contained one throughout.

The typography is also very direct, with Inception's being bold and vibrant, with red and black, stereo typically portraying conventions of blood , danger and the devil.Which all link the the genre of Horror, making the audience establish the genre from the opening.

The music used is also very different to Idea 1, as it is up beat and with a higher tone, adding tension and mystery,the typography flows well with this, adding interest and excitement.

Research - Opening Title Sequences - Idea 1

With our opening being a Supernatural Horror, the credits are a big part of representing this genre.To work out what transitions and typography to use in our opening sequence I have researched a range of different film opening to give us inspiration and ideas on what to use.

Idea 1 

Sixth Sense (1999)

This film opening is slow, yet effective, with 2 minutes of credits.The title sequence used helps add sense and tension, through the slow direct typography.With slow transitions from left to right, using a emphasis on the letters, lasting longer in the shot.This helps the audience remember and recognize the sequence.The music also plays a huge part in it's title sequence, with it again being slow paced, flowing well with the credits.
The titles fade in and out slowly, and as the words fade in they expand moving further away from one another.This helps to build the atmosphere, engaging the audience.
The typography is similar, yet shows a clear representation the Horror genre, using white bold semi-serif font, standing out above the dark eerie background.sing Victorian styled typography helps the audience establish the eerie of the film , with the added idea of ghosts and spirits present, fitting the genre conventions. 

Planning- Mood Board

Here are just a few ideas on our initial film opening, with the large image in the center being taken as inspiration for our antagonist.
The mood board was created to help give us some ideas and thoughts on the mise en scene of our opening and the elements to include.