9/11/14
Possible Filming Location? I've conducted some research on a possible filming location. As of now our group is undecided on a genre and basic premise of our OTS so I have improvised and looked at a location suitable for a supernatural or paranormal film. I think Dyrham Park would be a good location to film in as it has is a large building, which fits the stereotype of a house in a horror film, and since it is a 17th century house it will contain gothic designs which will add to the atmosphere when filming, I believe it would be an ideal filming location as a horror episode of Doctor Who was filmed there previously. However one complication would be how we'd be able to film, since it'd be ideal to film at night, however the park is a tourist attraction and isn't open that late in the evening. Although, I could possibly call and see if it was possible to film under staff supervision, but since that option is unlikely I think I will have to look for a more suitable location. Ideally I would like to do a location recce, so that crew members are able to voice their opinion on the different locations, so that eventually we can decide on the perfect locations for this project to be shot. This would also involve making sure that there's enough room for the crew to park vehicles to unload and pack equipment. We would also like there to be enough space on location to shoot within the rooms, so that the camera can show wide shots, but also catch detail of the characters with extreme close ups. If there is not enough space to show the entire room, a built set would be more suitable, as we could make the size it needs to be. This would also allow us to use a different range of shots. MW |
12/9/14
Camera Movement Recap Notes:
Institution
Representation
Audience
Construction
Ideology
Narrative
Genre
Camera Movements are used to:
Enhance emotion in a scene
Revealing elements if the media text were not previously in shot
Make the viewers feel part of the action
Different Types of camera movements:
Pan -
This movement scans a scene horizontally. Usually used to show space in the area or to reveal something, be that a character or and object.
Tilt -
This is similar to 'Pan' shot although it scans the scene vertically.
Dolly Shot -
It generally follows a moving object.
It can also be used to show one journey to another.
Crane Shot -
This is where a camera mounted on a crane moves around above ground level, usually at birds eye view.
Handheld -
It brings the audience to see if they were inside the film, witnessing the events that take place. This shot is often used in horror films to view the victim, as it makes the audience feel vulnerable for the victim, as if something is going to happen to them.
Rolling Shot -
Where the camera moves diagonally across a frame making the image askew.
MW
Camera Movement Recap Notes:
Institution
Representation
Audience
Construction
Ideology
Narrative
Genre
Camera Movements are used to:
Enhance emotion in a scene
Revealing elements if the media text were not previously in shot
Make the viewers feel part of the action
Different Types of camera movements:
Pan -
This movement scans a scene horizontally. Usually used to show space in the area or to reveal something, be that a character or and object.
Tilt -
This is similar to 'Pan' shot although it scans the scene vertically.
Dolly Shot -
It generally follows a moving object.
It can also be used to show one journey to another.
Crane Shot -
This is where a camera mounted on a crane moves around above ground level, usually at birds eye view.
Handheld -
It brings the audience to see if they were inside the film, witnessing the events that take place. This shot is often used in horror films to view the victim, as it makes the audience feel vulnerable for the victim, as if something is going to happen to them.
Rolling Shot -
Where the camera moves diagonally across a frame making the image askew.
MW
19/9/14
My Old Amateur Videos.
Over the course of my GCSE years I made and edited several videos in my spare time. I made two 'horror' inspired videos based off NBC's 'Hannibal'.
Now I can admit these are poorly edited but I believe that by doing those videos I can learn from my mistakes and improve my skills for when it comes to co-editing our OTS.
The second video was rushed when I edited it and that is very clear in the final product. So I have learnt to take my time with editing, as a result the final product will hopefully look professionally edited.
MW
My Old Amateur Videos.
Over the course of my GCSE years I made and edited several videos in my spare time. I made two 'horror' inspired videos based off NBC's 'Hannibal'.
Now I can admit these are poorly edited but I believe that by doing those videos I can learn from my mistakes and improve my skills for when it comes to co-editing our OTS.
The second video was rushed when I edited it and that is very clear in the final product. So I have learnt to take my time with editing, as a result the final product will hopefully look professionally edited.
MW
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20/9/14 The Evil Within
While browsing the internet this evening I stumbled across a video game called 'The Evil Within'. This game is a survival horror game directed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of the original Resident Evil video game. Obviously Resident Evil was extremely successful as it spawned a not only a video game franchise as well as a horror-action film saga, so I decided to delve deeper into his latest creation to examine key horror elements that are prominent in the story and game-play of 'The Evil Within'. I have looked at Shinji's work as his work has been extremely successful in the video game industry and by examining the elements that make his work so horrific and entertaining I will be able to be inspired and that will perhaps help my influence in our groups final product. MW |
22/9/14
Nothing Left To Fear - Review Since I'm ill today I decided to watch Slasher Films' 'Nothing Left To Fear'. Slasher Films itself is a production company founded by ex- Guns N' Roses member, Slash. Slash stated in interviews about how the company was going to make films more reminiscent to older horror films, where they played on the psychological aspect rather than relying on gore or overt special effects. I was immediately looking forward to it for this reason alone - the horror genre seems stuck in a deep rut, and only knows how to remake Japanese films, make yet another uninspired haunted house film, or go down the Saw/Hostel route and make it as bloody and nauseating as possible. One of the main things I liked about this film was the development of the characters. In horror today much of the time you never get to know who the people are - and often, if you do get to know them, you don't like them. Probably to make it easier when they inevitably get bumped off. Nothing Left to Fear took the time to build the characters up though - we get a voyeuristic glimpse into their lives; the close family, the realistic bond between the sisters, the doubt and hope in the parents after moving to a new town. One of the best things about the film was how it didn't rely on effects or overt scare tactics, it managed to be creepy without it. The score was artfully done, especially during the 'Passover' scene, building up the tension beautifully. Of course, *some* effects were used, but it was tasteful and to accurately portray the story, rather than as a tool to scare the audience to save the writers the job of actually writing something scary. It isn't the best horror film ever made, but it's by no means the worst and in comparison to most horrors of the last decade (or 2) it really stands on its own as an enjoyable, creepy film. It's also worth remembering that this is a debut film for everyone - it's Slash's first turn as producer, it was the director's first film behind the the camera, and the company's first offering. MW |
26/9/14 Hitchcock & Herrman
Tonight I noticed that on BBC 4 a documentary series entitled Sound of Cinema: The Music That Made the Movies. In this particular episode there was a segment focusing on Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann. I found this show quite interesting especially since in my last theory lesson we covered the different types of sound in films. After doing some research I found out the Herrmann wrote the score for 'Psycho'. A well known track was the main title music, a tense, hurtling piece, that sets the tone of impending violence, and returns three times on the soundtrack. Though nothing shocking occurs during the first 15-20 minutes of the film, the title music remains in the audience's mind, lending tension to the earlier scenes in the film. |
Now the next piece of music I talk about is not only the most memorable track in the film but possible one of the most well know score in movie history, 'The Murder'.The score was composed for the famous "shower scene", the murder of Janet Leigh's character. Hitchcock originally wanted the sequence (and all motel scenes) to play without music, but Herrmann insisted he try it with the cue he had composed. Afterward, Hitchcock agreed that it vastly intensified the scene, and he nearly doubled Herrmann's salary.
A notable feature that Herrmann implemented is the use of alternating eighth-note semitones to create a sense of approaching and imminent danger.
MW
A notable feature that Herrmann implemented is the use of alternating eighth-note semitones to create a sense of approaching and imminent danger.
MW
11/10/14 SOUND IS IMPORTANT!
After researching film soundtracks I stumbled upon a viral video of the final scene from Star Wars IV: A New Hope without John William's soundtrack playing and the final result is an extremely awkward scene, which isn't that entertaining to watch. Therefore I believe that are decisions on what sounds of soundtracks we use for are open title sequence are just as important as the shots, angles and movements we use. MW
After researching film soundtracks I stumbled upon a viral video of the final scene from Star Wars IV: A New Hope without John William's soundtrack playing and the final result is an extremely awkward scene, which isn't that entertaining to watch. Therefore I believe that are decisions on what sounds of soundtracks we use for are open title sequence are just as important as the shots, angles and movements we use. MW
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15/10/14
This past week In our lessons I have slowly tried to learn the basics of using Final cut pro. As of now I have ended to last 2/3 of our 10 shot horror sequence, over half term I intend to do a quick overview of the website and add segments to certain pages if they are looking a little bare. MW
This past week In our lessons I have slowly tried to learn the basics of using Final cut pro. As of now I have ended to last 2/3 of our 10 shot horror sequence, over half term I intend to do a quick overview of the website and add segments to certain pages if they are looking a little bare. MW
21/10/14
Wytches 1 Review Of the many comics set to make their debut in the coming months, few are as hotly anticipated as Wytches. Not only does the book see writer Scott Snyder return to his horror roots, unleashing an awesome and at times terrifying tale. Following a particularly disturbing opening hook that forever proves little boys are jerks, Wytches immediately turns to it's presumed leads, the recently relocated Rooks family. We find the Rooks in a state of transition, each recovering from a recent and harrowing ordeal suffered by the daughter, Sailor. The new girl on the block, Sailor returns to school after an assumed hiatus, and it's not long before the events of her past rise to the present. It seems there's something lurking in the woods, and while who, or what, that is remains eerily unclear, it's apparent that they've taken an interest in Sailor and her family. Snyder, known for his expansive mythologies as well as his ever building pace, shows a lighter touch here in his debut. He devotes the majority of his narrative to Sailor Rooks and her family, the book's titular nightmares appearing in quick but no less frightening spurts. His character work is solid, if not a bit rushed, quickly establishing the various character's motivations and eccentricities. Some of the interactions initially read awkwardly, but as the characters form and the plot is revealed the narrative reads noticeably smoother. The script itself is finely plotted, Snyder finding ways to advance the story whilst leaving numerous clues and questions behind. These questions are particularly intriguing given that there appear to be characters who already know the answers, or at least believe to. The book's horror elements, while few, are also fantastic, Snyder and Jock limiting their creatures to a few nasty glimpses and chilling noises. Beyond the obvious monsters, the issue is filled with numerous other creepy moments, an undercurrent of danger and uneasiness running throughout. In the end, Wytches #1 proves to be a great debut that offers promise for better. Snyder and Jock are again working in fine concert, their script both menacing and intriguing. There's still work to be done in fully getting their premise off the ground, but in terms of eerie chills and shocking thrills, Wytches is a sure bet. UPDATE: Even though the first issue just came out this week Scott Snyder's latest horror offering from Image Comics will be adapted for the big-screen by New Regency and Plan B, Brad Pitt's production company. MW |
15/12/14
Filming
Progress is slow, extremely slow, however I do believe with enough group communication we could get it done. However due to conflicting ideas from everyone we are struggling to form a single idea. MW
Filming
Progress is slow, extremely slow, however I do believe with enough group communication we could get it done. However due to conflicting ideas from everyone we are struggling to form a single idea. MW
20/1/15
New Beginnings
I have recently joined a new group, so I am currently importing all relevant work I did in my old group, before we disbanded, my old projects such as my version of the exchange will have a side tab on my blog whereas other work such as my research into sub genres could be added to the work the group had already done beforehand. MW
New Beginnings
I have recently joined a new group, so I am currently importing all relevant work I did in my old group, before we disbanded, my old projects such as my version of the exchange will have a side tab on my blog whereas other work such as my research into sub genres could be added to the work the group had already done beforehand. MW