Planning: Two Possible Openings to iWatch

Opening 1

Friends and family are gather at a graveyard where he is being buried for his funeral. However the friends hear his voice and discover his iPhone, which playing a video of him at a party.

Opening 2

The friends are gathered at a field where his ashes have been scattered to pay their respects. However the peace is disturbed when they hear his voice and discover his iPhone, which is playing a video of him at a party.

Research: Target Audience Feedback Regarding Our Possible Openings

We collected 10 responses from our target audience of around 14 - 24. Below are the profiles of some of the people who gave feedback on how they would expect iWatch to open.

Giac: 17: Media Student

This response reassured us that it is a good idea to include technology related events.

Deet: 17: Media Student

Enjoys watching horror films and his response included a lot of typical conventions of a horror film.

Sophie: 14: Art Student

Also this response reassured us of the technology aspect. The repeated mention of an iPhone means we may use an iPhone for the videos to be on.

George: 16: Drama Student

This response is very useful and has some effective ideas we could use within our opening.

Sam: 16: Media Student

From this response some more conventions are mentioned and could be considered when planning the opening of iWatch.

Research: Sharing Our Pitch With Our Target Audience

Our synopsis of iWatch, which we will present our audience with:

The film is based around a boy, named Josh who has recently and unexplainably died and his friends, Lola, George and Rosie are visiting the place where his ashes have been scattered. All 3 of them go silent to pay their respects and all of a sudden they hear the voice of Josh who has died. They look around and discover what they think is Josh's iPhone on the floor playing a video at a party that he took before he died. One of the friends picks up the iPhone and he looks through all of the videos that he has on the iPhone. As they scroll through, they find videos of each of them in their everyday lives. Thinking it was Josh being weird and taking videos, they find another video that was taken of Josh, which is filming him getting ready to go to bed. The friends are really confused about what they just saw and now know that it wasn't Josh that was filming them, it must have been someone else...

We have created a question on survey monkey to find out what an audience would expect the opening of iWatch to be. We decided upon using survey monkey as it seemed the easiest way to allow people that fit in our target audience when we ask them to put their ideas forward. You can see the question by clicking here.

Planning: 60 Second Pitch

This is a rough script for our 60 Second Pitch on 'iWatch'

Becca: My name's Becca.

Tayla: My name's Tayla.

Holeigh: And I'm Holeigh and this is our 60 Second Pitch on our teen horror film.

Becca: iWatch is the working title for our horror film and our targeted classification will be a 15. 

Tayla: We decided on this because the film is based around a boy who has recently and mysteriously died and his friends are visiting the place to which they scattered his ashes .

Holeigh: All of them go silent to pay their respects and all of a sudden they hear the voice of their friend who has died. 

Becca: They look around and discover what they think is his iPhone on the floor playing a video at a party that he took before he died.

Tayla: The friends pick up the iPhone and look through all of the videos that he has on his iPhone. 

Holeigh: As they scroll through the videos, they find videos of each of them in their everyday lives. 

Becca: Initially they thought it was him taking videos, however they find a video that was taken of the boy when he was getting ready to go to bed. 

Tayla: The friends are really confused about what they just saw and now know that it wasn't him that was filming them, so who exactly is watching? 

Holeigh: If you enjoy horror mysteries then you should watch iWatch. 

To watch our 60 second pitch click here. Our pitch is from 0:00 - 0:55.

Planning: Decision Making

We have decided of 'iWatch' as our working title. iWatch is going to be a teen-horror film and we will be targeting a classification of 15. The concept of this is a teenage boy who has mysteriously died. Whilst visiting where his ashes have been scattered his friends hear his voice and discover what they think is his iPhone playing a video of himself of a party. However looking amongst other videos they have suspicions of how he died. Each video contains the group of friends in their everyday life. Initially the friends think the videos were took by himself but they come across videos of him alone. So, who is watching?

Planning: Brainstorming Our Ideas

We have now began planning for our main task. The best way to come up with an initial idea was to produce a brainstorm. Together we came up with a few ideas and built upon each of our opinions on the general idea of the film. Also we incorporated some of the previous research we had done on horror films, in particular our questionnaire findings to find out people's preferences on horror films.

DENCH Films with our brainstorm

Photography Rules

In the technology part of our task we need to look at rules of photography in order to get good quality video. Hopefully this will result in the production of good footage for our main task.

The rule of thirds is where a picture is broken down into thirds, horizontally and vertically. This creates 9 sections. It is used by placing points of interesting at the intersections or along the lines as the human eye naturally looks at those parts first. Overall this makes a photograph much more appealing. However it is said that rules are made to be broken and many photographers don't use this rule and still achieve balanced and interesting shots.

The lines in the rule of thirds. This grid can be visible on most cameras so that it is easier to follow this rule and create a better photo.

Also the idea of 'looking space' should be put in place for portrait photography. Which is where the way a persons face is facing there should be more space that side than the other side. This is to ensure a photo not looking awkward and overall to make it appear easier on the eye.

For an example I have attempted to take a 'good' portrait photo. I did so by trying to incorporate the rules mentioned above.

This shows the use of the rule of thirds, as the eye is placed on an intersection this makes it the main focus of the photo and the 'looking space' as space is significantly larger the side she is looking than the other side.

To improve on this photo I would ensure on better lighting. For example by creating one side of the face with light and the other with shadow this could create an interesting and flattering effect.

Research: Dead Mary, Dead Wood and Wrong Turn

When watching just the first opening 5 minutes of horror films typical conventions can already be identified. We looked at the films Dead Mary, Dead Wood and Wrong Turn. We ticked the conventions we saw in the openings of each.

The conventions listed on the check-list: secluded location, characters forget an obvious threat, power is cut, problem with phone, character investigates a strange noise, character runs upstairs (not outside), character hides by a window/behind a door, character inexplicably falls over, vehicle won't start, fake scare, warning goes unheeded, someone dies in 5 minutes, x years before/later, stormy weather and character takes a short cut.

Some of the most common conventions included in these three films was a secluded location, a fake scare and someone dying in the first 5 minutes. Another convention that was not on the check-list was also seen in all three, this was the characters being one male and one female. Also the male was always more heroic and dominant than the female and both the characters had to be fairly attractive.

Below is the opening of Dead Wood however we only watched the first 5 minutes when looking at the conventions included. Out of the three films this one had the most conventions. It includes a secluded location - the woods (which seems to be a favourite in teen-horrors), a character investigating a strange noise - when the female character gets out of the tent to look for her boyfriend, a fake scare - the first clip aimed to make audiences jump is only 40 seconds in, someone dies in the first 5 minutes - even though the character who dies does so by falling and x years before/later - it says 'Friday' to move the film on.

Research: British Board of Film Classification

The British Board of Film Classification, otherwise known as the BBFC is an independent media content regulator. They operate classification and labelling of media in the UK, such as films and video games. Also they state why this is done, some reasons are they mention are to protect the public, especially children which then allows parents to feel empowered when choosing their children's viewing of media.

In our main task the audience we are targeting is teenagers therefore a rating of no more than 15 would mean we could get the highest audience as possible. A lot of films makers do this anyway, they attempt to steer away from an 18 as it reduces the audience and consequently the money they make.

U: Universal

Suitable for everyone aged four years and over.
Discrimination: None unless disapproved of.
Drugs: No reference to illegal drug misuse unless anti-drug message.
Horror: Scary sequences should be mild and brief in which the outcome is positive.
Imitable behavior: No dangerous behaviour that's likely to be copied.
Language: Unfrequent, very mild bad language.
Nudity: Occasional natural nudity, not in a sexual context.
Sex: Mild sexual behaviour e.g. kissing and references only e.g. 'making love'
Theme: Sensitive and appropriate for children.
Violence: Mild violence only.

PG: Parental Guidance
General Viewing but some scenes may be unsuitable for children.
Discrimination: Unacceptable unless disapproved of.
Drugs: References to illegal drugs or drug misuse must carry a suitable anti-drug message.
Horror: Should not be prolonged or intense.
Imitable behaviour: No detail of dangerous behaviour which children are likely to copy.
Language: Mild bad language.
Nudity: Natural nudity only, with no sexual context.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied but only discreet and infrequent. Mild references and innuendos only.
Theme: When more serious issues feature no treatment should be unacceptable behaviour.
Violence: Moderate violence, no detail may be allowed if in context.

12A/12
Suitable for 12 years and older. However 12A is in place for cinema films in which under 12 year olds can view the film if accompanied by an adult.
Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless disapproved of.
Drugs: Infrequent misuse of drugs and should not be glamorised or given instructional detail.
Horror: Moderate physical or psychological threat may be permitted. However disturbing sequences should not be frequent.
Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour should not be shown in too much detail which it could be copied. Weapons should not be glamorised.
Language: Moderate language. The use of strong language (e.g. 'fuck') should be infrequent.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed however in sexual context it must be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity must be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be unacceptable.
Theme: Mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable.
Violence: Moderate violence is allowed but should not show detail. No emphasis on injuries or blood unless justified by context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly indicated.

15
Suitable for 15 years and over.
Discrimination: All of the content must not encourage discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but as a whole it should not promote or encourage drug misuse.
Horror: Strong threat are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable Behaviour: Dangerous behaviour should not include detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language: There may be frequent use of strong language (e.g. 'fuck') but stronger terms (e.g. 'cunt') may only be acceptable if justified by context.
Nudity: Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.
Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong references to sexual behaviour but if too strong they must be justified by context.
Theme: No theme is prohibited unless inappropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence: Violence may be strong but should not dwell on infliction of pain. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Verbal references to sexual violence may be accepted but sexual violence being portrayed must be justified by context and discreet.

18
Suitable only for adults.
At 18 the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally overide the princple that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. However, there are some exceptions:

• Material breaches the criminal law.
• Material appears to risk harm to individuals which may cause harm to public health of morals.
• Explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.

R18
To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied in licensed sex shops, to adults of no less than 18 years.
The following content is not acceptable:

• Material in breach of the criminal law.
• Material likely to encourage an interest in sexually abusive activity.
• Portrayal of sexual activity which involves lack of consent.
• Infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm.
• Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm.
• Sexual threats, humiliation or abuse.

Research: Why do people like horror films?

Why do people like being scared? "No doubt there's something really powerful that brings people to watch these things, because it's not logical." explains Joanne Cantor, director of the Centre of Communication Research at Wisconsin University, in Madison, "Most people like to experience pleasant emotions." She is also puzzled at why people put themselves through negative emotions when watching a horror film when it is more common to desire positive emotions.

It has been said that "The brain hasn't really adapted to the new technology of movies. We can tell ourselves the images on the screen are not real, but emotionally our brain reacts as if they are" a professor of communication at Purdue University, Glenn Sparks suggests. So the question is still unanswered.

This question seems to be a tough one to answer but there are a few theories out there. One is that the person is not actually afraid but excited. Another is that they are willing to endure being scared for the sense of relief at the end.

It has also been said by researchers that watching horror films increases primal behaviour due to the thrill, especially in young males. Therefore teenage males may feel more dominant and 'cool' in front of friends. Sparks backs this with a study on the physical effects of violent movies on young men. A strange pattern occurred as the more fear the felt, the more they claimed to enjoy the movie.

"Were you scared?" "Obviously not!"

Going in groups to watch films is a popular among teenagers, especially around Halloween. It seems that groups of teens see watch a horror film and being scared as a social thing rather than actually having a love for fear. This has been backed up by my own research on audience's perceptions and expectations through a questionnaire, I found that 95% of the respondents preferred to watch a horror film with friends.

Overall there is not a definite answer to why people like horror films but there are a few theories that contribute towards the answer.