Planning: Location Planning for Opening

Location One: Park

One idea for our location was a park. The park only has some swings in and has potential to be manipulated into something quite sinister. There is quite a bit of open space within the park too.

There were some problems we came across when looking at this option in more depth. First of all the lack of trees and numerous houses around mean that it cannot be as creepy as we would lik. Also making the location appear secluded could prove difficult as there are house all around the park. Another issue is that there is not a tree or any object we could use as a memorial.

Location Two: Open Field

We decided upon location two, a local field to locate our opening of iWatch. This is due to the practicality as it is accessible for us and our cast members. The field is fairly large and open and is also surrounded by trees which is a typical convention of horror films for it to be a secluded location resulting in the film having an eerie start. Below is the field we are planning on using.

In our storyboard we have planned for the three friends to walk up towards a tree , this is a shot to show the route they will take. Notice they will be walking towards trees which look dark and quite sinister.

Above is the tree that will be used as a memorial for the victim, Josh. This tree was chosen because it stands out from the rest of the trees in the background, making it a focus point. Plus the surroundings of the tree are secluded as shown in the picture on the right.

Above was an alternative tree. This would have been a good tree to focus on as it is withered and creepy. However it is impractical to film when taking in to consideration of the surround effects and would not have the same outcome as the tree we finally chose, shown in previous pictures.

Planning: Screenplay for Opening

Exterior: Open Field: Afternoon

The audience see an empty field with trees surrounding it

DENCH Productions

Three blurry figures appear on the screen

The figure walk up to a tree and stop

They place a picture frame next to the tree

A candle is lit and is placed that to the picture frame

A Phone is playing a video and the figures walk over to it

One of them pick it up and watch the video 

They look around as they hear a rustle in the bushes

Curious, the figures walk back over to the tree and the candle has been blown out and the picture inside the picture frame has been replaced

The faces of the figures are now revealed to the audience

iWatch

Research: The Importance of Sound in Horror Films

The sound in horror films plays a huge part in what makes the film scary. This can range from sound effects to emphasise the terror or creepy music that creates a feeling of suspense. For example a person walking down the street could either be made into a relaxing and uplifting stroll or a sense of "something bad is going to happen" just by the choice of music. There are many variations of sound used in horror films but below are some of the most effective.

An example of some techniques dates all the way back to the classic horror film, Dracula. Strong dark chords and unsettling tones are one way of creating a scary piece of music for a horror film as shown at the beginning. But the use of high pitched, screechy sounds are just as effective as shown at 0.50 seconds in.

Below is a famous scene from the horror film Psycho in which it is compared with and without music. This portrays just how important the music in a horror film is, without music it lacks the build up of tension that is vital in any film in the horror genre. Use of high pitch sounds created by string instruments is very effective here as it portrays a negative mood for the whole scene. Also in this clip there are several sound effects used which make the whole thing a lot more effective.

Another iconic piece of music that creates tension is from Jaws. Only two notes are mainly used which is simple yet effective as it has become so well known. The two notes begin long and heavy gradually increasing in pace which has been said to naturally change people's heart beat to match the pace. This results in an increase of the audience's adrenaline meaning more enjoyment. Also the build up of irregular beats and high too low pitches creates a feeling of heightened suspense and impending doom. This use of change in pitch can be seen clearly below as I have used soundcloud to present the sound clip. Prof Daniel Blumstein reported that horror films commonly have a extremely high amount of abrupt shifts up and down in pitch compared to any other genre, this shows that change in pitch is likely to have a big impact on the audience.

Planning: Treatment For Opening Two Minutes of iWatch

The film starts with an establishing shot of an empty field. 

DENCH Productions appears on the screen. 

This then fades out into a black screen and the diegetic sound of the wind begins to play. 

The black screen then fades to an empty field where the music gradually gets louder. 

The next clip is three blurry figures walking up towards the part of the field where Josh's ashes were scattered. 

It then cuts to a close up of a blurry picture frame being held in someone's hand.

After that, it then focusses on the picture frame and then the audience get to see Josh's picture for the first time, identifying the victim.

This then focusses out again and blurs.

It then cuts to them walking and someone putting the picture frame down.

The next clip is an extreme close up of one of the figures lighting a match, this can be seen as a false scare.

As soon as the match is lit, the music comes to a sudden stop.

The only sound for the majority of the opening will be diegetic sounds of the wind.

They then light a candle and place it next to the picture frame.

The next clips are extreme close ups of each of the figure's face.

This helps us to show the emotion, therefore the relationship's between the figure's and the victim (for example someone's teary eyes, someone's sniffly nose and someone else's  quivering mouth)

Now it is silent, they hear Josh's voice and look at each other, then look around and discover an iPhone on the floor about 3 metres away from where they are standing.

There is a close up shot of the iPhone, not seeing what is on the screen. 

It then cuts to a point of view shot over the shoulder's of one of the figure's.

As a group, they all go to the phone and one person picks it up. 

There is a close up of that person's hand slowly picking up the phone.

A close up of the phone playing a video of Josh at a party and his face is shown in the video to identify to the audience that it's the same person.

It then cuts to an long shot of the friends crowding around the phone, but from behind them there is a rustle of the bushes and they suddenly turn around. 

The music then gradually begins again as they all walk back to the picture frame. 

A point of view shot is used focussing on the picture frame and a blown out candle. 

The next cut is a close up of the picture frame that has been replaced by a picture of a group of four people including Josh, however his face has been crossed out. 

As an audience they are now aware of the figure's identities as there is a panning shot of each of there faces in focus for the first time and they realise that they are the same people in the picture. 

Meanwhile, a heart beat is introduced when they return to the picture frame and increases as it gets closer to the opening title.

It then suddenly cuts to black and iWatch gradually appears on the screen with a picture of the Apple sign covered in blood is shown underneath it.

Here is an example of the Apple logo covered in blood which could be used underneath the title 'iWatch' at the end.

Another idea for this is to place an apple template in the a splatter of blood. Also the title could be written in blood.

Research: The Art of the Title & Timeline for the Opening Two Minutes of a Horror Film

As a group we looked at the opening of the films Night in the Woods, Thr3e and Wind Chill. We then paused at different sections to discuss techniques used, involving the titles, visuals and audio. Then we were introduced to the website Art of the Title where you can watch the opening titles of films. Below I have used Art of the Title to analyse the opening titles of a horror film.

I selected the horror film Se7en to analyse. This is the opening titles on Art of the Title.

I have made notes of the titles on a timeline and below that the visuals and audio.

This is an example of the font type. It is distorted, white and sinister looking. I think this looks effective and I may use this as inspiration for our own horror film opening. 

I mentioned in my notes that ordinary objects can be made to look odd and sinister. An extreme close up is used to do this with the sellotape. Also simple things add to this, such as the items looking old and rusty.

The colour use throughout the opening is very dark, it includes colours such as black, red, off-whites. The use of red automatically creates a negative feeling for the audience and signals that this is a horror film.

The opening contains lots of drawings and plans for mechanical looking contraptions that suggest murders are involved in this film.

Overall I like the opening titles to Se7en as they are simple yet effective. The clips are short but can portray a lot without giving too much much away. I also really like the font and the flickering effect as I think this would link in to our horror film as it is do with recording. Also I feel the audio inspired me to add in some electrical sounds to the iWatch opening as it worked effectively in this opening.