Call Sheet: Revised

This is the revised call sheet including all of the re-filming that we had to do.

Date	Time	Location	Actors	Props	Shots
20/02/14	7:00pm	House	No actors shown in shots	Glass, TV, chair, photo	1, 3-9
22/02/14	6:00pm	House	Charlie Tabitha	Alarm clock, candle	2, 10-15
23/02/14	7:00pm	House	Charlie Tabitha	Candle, photo	15-20 and any shots that need to be re-done
27/02/14	4:00pm	House	Charlie Tabitha	Alarm clock, candle	Re-filming of 1-10
28/02/14	5:00pm	House	Charlie Tabitha	Glass, chair, TV, photo	Re-filming of 11-20

Re-filming: Day 1

Tonight we re-filmed shots 1-10 successfully and we are happy with the changes we have made compared to our previous shots. We filmed in better lighting by filming it slightly earlier than in the previous filming sessions, as well as used a better quality camera which made the picture quality much better and so now there is no graininess like on the previous shots. We also checked on the computer that all of the shots were good quality before we ended our filming to make sure that they we didn't continue with the rest of the shots and find out that the graininess was still there, meaning we would probably have to re-film again.

We are going to do some more filming tonight so we can do shots 11-20.

Re-filming

An example of the grainy quality present in all of our shots.

Unfortunately, after looking back at our shots, we have noticed that the quality of the clips is very grainy and not to the quality that we were expecting, thus making it not look like a convincing media product. This is probably due to the low key lighting that we had in all of our shots as in the outside shots we did, the quality was considerably better.

We have decided to re-film all of our shots within the next couple of days using a different, better quality camera which will be able to film in the low key lighting that we need for all of our shots. This isn't convenient as we did plan to get all of our shots done by the end of this week, but nevertheless, we have planned the various days that we are going to re-film carefully making sure that we don't make the same mistake again by checking the shots on the computer first and not just watching them back on the camera screen.

If this new camera doesn't change the graininess of our shots, we will have to re-think the lighting that we are going to use within our opening scene.

Our aim is to get all of the re-filming done by the 3rd of March.

Filming: Day 3

Fortunately, we were able to get most of the shots that we intended to last night. There are some more that we still need to do and re-do and some involve having to film at my house so this will have to be done within the next few days.

Filming: Day 2

We didn't get as many shots as we wanted last night because we took too much time on some of the shots and so couldn't complete all of them.

My partner and I are going to film on Saturday night so we complete the shots that we didn't get to do yesterday.

Filming: Day 1

We were intending to film tonight but unfortunately my partner is ill today and so it made it impossible to film at her house. We have rescheduled the filming for tomorrow as we are free at the same time again and the weather seems to be quite mild and so won't cause any problems for the outside shot, hoping that my partner is well enough to begin filming tomorrow. Tonight, I am organising the costumes and props that we will need for tomorrow so I won't forget anything and hold up the filming stage up again in anyway.

Casting

For our opening scene, 3 characters will have to be cast. The mother, the father and possibly the younger son.

Tabitha is being cast for the mother.

My partner and I have decided that we will be the parts of the mother and the father in the opening scene as it will be much easier than using anybody else who are older. Although my partner and I are both 16, in the opening scene, you never see much of our face as the shots that we are in are in bed and the duvet covers most of our faces anyway. In addition to this, using anybody older who does look more like a mother or a father would be difficult as they may not be free at the same times my partner and I are because of work etc., which would be an inconvenience. A benefit of my partner and I being cast is that firstly, we are both friends and so we see each other regularly anyway so it is easy for me to go to her house to film. Secondly, we both have the same half-terms and so we can meet up easily to film and we will most likely be free at the same times.

I am being cast for the father.

Furthermore, as it will only be us two in the opening scene, we don't have to rely on any other people who might not be able to do certain days and may show up late etc. whereas with us, we are the ones who are actually doing the project and so we will be more dedicated to the
filming process and make sure we are available to get everything done.

We may have to cast a child in our opening scene to play the part of the son. This could be a disadvantage as children are sometimes a bit disruptive when it comes to things like this and may find the process boring, meaning they could mess about which is something that we don't want as we can't keep doing lots of shots over and over again because we don't have the time. However, the child we would cast would be my younger brother. As it is my brother, I know he won't mess around or cause any hassle when it comes to filming. My brother is 10 years old and so he looks like a convincing child to play the part. Another problem however is that in the original place of filming, my partner's house, they do not have a children's bedroom meaning I would have to film at my house as well. Filming in two different locations is time consuming but it something that we should be able to do. He also has the same half-term as us and so will be available to film when we need to, especially because he is my brother so I can easily get hold of him.

Location 3

The third location we looked at was my nan's house. The benefits of using this house is that, like the previous location, it is situated in the same village as our school and so will be easy to get to for my partner and I after school or during our media lessons. Another benefit is that it does look like a conventional family home from the outside that would typically be seen in a supernatural horror film due to it's size and the fact that it is a detached house.

A disadvantage however, is that although it looks fairly big on the outside, this doesn't echo what it is on the inside as a lot of the rooms are quite small which would cause some trouble when setting up filming equipment and could cause some health and safety implications. Also, typically supernatural horror films which are set in present day, like ours, usually have modern looking furniture and fittings inside the houses, which unfortunately this lacks and so may make the opening less like a convincing media product.

Location 2

The second house that we looked at was my friend, Carla's house. The benefits of using this location is that as Carla is my friend and also my partner's friend, it will be easy to go round her house and film and easy to get permission to use it. Also, Carla lives in the village in which our school is located which would make it convenient for us to film in our media lessons or straight after school.

Looks wise, the house unfortunately doesn't look like a conventional location of a supernatural horror film as it doesn't look like a typical family home and as it is a semi-attached house, it doesn't have the same isolated feel as location 1. In addition to this, inside the house, it isn't very spacious which means it would be difficult to film in and could cause some health and safety risks. Conventionally, supernatural horrors are set in large houses unlike this one and so this would make the opening look less like a convincing media product.

Location 1

The first house we looked at was my partner, Tab's house. The benefits for using this location is that it is large from the outside and conventionally, supernatural horrors usually happen in big family homes. In addition to it being large on the outside, it is also very spacious from the inside meaning there will be a lot of room for us to film and will reduce the health and safety risks more than if we were to film in a confined, small house. Tabitha is also my friend meaning that I will easily be able to go to her house and film and get permission to do so.

The house is also detached which means we can film the opening shots to make the house seem segregated from the rest of civilisation and far from help from the outside world, which is where conventional supernatural horrors are usually set.

Props

The main prop that we will be using and which will have the most significance is an alarm clock. The alarm clock is an important prop in our opening scene as all of the shots build up to the moment where the alarm clock says '03:17'. We decided to use an alarm clock as it is something that is typically seen in bedrooms. Also, the alarm clock that we will be using has red numbers on it which is something we wanted as it represents danger and red is a colour that is conventionally seen in supernatural horror films.

Other fairly significant props that will be featured within our opening scene is a TV and a chandelier. The TV will have the fuzzy screen on it, which is something that is typically seen in the genre. This TV will look like it has been turned on by itself. Also, the chandelier will move slightly in one of the shots and this is also a supernatural activity that we conventionally see in the genre. These all gradually hint to the audience throughout the scene that some supernatural, invisible being is controlling the house and wreaking havoc by doing little eery things around the house. Furthermore, a TV and a chandelier are both items that are usually seen in a family home and so it makes the audience feel that it could happen to anybody.

Costumes

Our opening scene takes place at night when all of the family are asleep in bed meaning that the only costumes that we will need is some pyjamas for the mum and dad, which are the only characters that are shown in the scene. We decided that this would be easier when it came to costumes as if we did decide to show the supernatural antagonist in the scene, it may have been a bit difficult to create a convincing ghost using the clothes that we already have/can afford.

Pyjamas and other sleepwear is quite a vulnerable piece of clothing as it is associated with sleeping which is when people are usually at their most vulnerable. The use of the pyjamas for the family just show that they are normal people, which is conventional of a supernatural horror as it makes the audience feel that it could happen to them.

(Pictures of costumes coming soon)

Call Sheet

Date		Time	Location	Actors	Props	Shots
20/02/14		7:00pm	House	No actors shown in shots	Glass, TV, chair, photo	1, 3-9
22/02/14		6:00pm	House	Charlie Tabitha	Alarm clock, candle	2, 10-15
23/02/14	7:00pm		House	Charlie Tabitha		15-20 and any shots that need to be re-done

Health and Safety

Risk	When	Planning
Falls and slips	In the first scene where the shot is outside. Due to the recent weather conditions, there may be mud outside that   could cause us to slip.	We will wear suitable footwear for the filming and take care when walking outside on the grass/mud etc.
Candles	In the bedroom scene, there will be a candle next to the bed that gets blown out. This could cause one of us to burn ourselves or cause a fire.	We will ensure that there are no obstructions in the way of the flame and take extra care when lighting and putting out the candle.
Damage to equipment	During the shot outside in the first scene, wet weather conditions and strong winds could cause the equipment to be damaged.	We will make sure that we plan when we film so that we don’t have to do it in the bad weather. If we do have to film   in rain and wind, we will ensure that waterproof covers are used for the camera and hold the equipment carefully making sure nothing is blown down in the wind.
Stairs	During the filming on the stairs, one of us could accidentally trip/slip and fall down the stairs. Also, because all of the filming will be done in low lighting, this emphasises this risk.	We will make sure that we will wear suitable footwear so we don’t slip down the stairs. We will also ensure that we use some form of lighting, e.g. a torch, so the person filming will be able to see where they are going on the stairs.

Storyboard

Film Pitch

Supernatural Horror: Research Conclusion

I have looked into three supernatural horror film scenes to help me understand the different codes and conventions, iconography, themes, stock characters and situations etc. that they use to help me base them on what I am going to include in my final project and make it look like a convincing media product.

I have looked into The Possession, The Conjuring and Insidious. Although, all very different in their own ways, they all include certain conventional elements that help identify the genre to the audience. I have identified all of these and I intend to integrate them within the cinematography and planning of my final piece to make it look effective and as realistic as possible.

Something that I have realised when looking at the film scenes is the use of characters. The stock characters that are conventionally used in supernatural horror films are families and so range of middle aged men and women down to young children and this is seen in the film scenes that I have analysed. The family is also usually the protagonist in the films and the victims to some sort of supernatural being (the antagonist). Therefore, in my film opening, I am going to have to cast a range of different ages to create a family that it will be based around and so this will make my opening fit the codes and conventions of a supernatural horror. Something that I am going to need to think about is the casting of the supernatural being as this may be difficult to recreate as the antagonists seen in Insidious and The Conjuring have distinct, slightly demonic features that we couldn't replicate. Therefore, we must try and make our antagonist not visible in the scene which is done in the clip from The Possession, so that our final piece is more realistic.

A stock situation that happened in each scene that I analysed was some sort of attack from the supernatural antagonist character. This relates to a key theme that is present throughout all three scenes which is good versus evil. Therefore, in my film opening I am going to have to make the divide between good versus evil very clear in my narrative and so it is recognisable of the genre.

Some kind of filter of low-key lighting has been used in each scene. The low-key lighting and other filters that make the scenes look dull and dark automatically gives the film an eery atmosphere and helps identify with the supernatural horror genre. Therefore, I must include some kind of dark filter or low-key lighting to emphasise the eery atmosphere throughout my film opening and so it is recognisable of the genre and therefore more convincing.

The use of incidental music and emphasised diegetic sound is a predominant feature that occurs throughout each of the scenes I analysed. Incidental music is used to create tension and set a certain mood and atmosphere throughout the scene. I have also noticed that it is specifically used when something bad is going to happen i.e. the antagonist suddenly appearing. The non-diegetic music also increases in volume and pace when something bad is going to happen which makes the audience on edge and is conventional of the genre.

In addition to the incidental music used, emphasised diegetic sound is used to signify a specific feature. For example, in The Possession, diegetic sounds of glasses smashing and other furniture crashing to the ground is used to emphasise the power that this supernatural being has over the other character. Therefore, when planning my final project, I must consider using sound effects to make certain points exaggerated and make certain elements of characters or other features of the scene much clearer.

Overall, I think that if my partner and I follow the codes and conventions that we have noticed from each of the scenes we have analysed each, and apply these to the cinematography and planning of the final project, we will hopefully be able to create a convincing media product that is recognisable of our chosen genre.

Supernatural Horror: Insidious (2011) Scene Analysis

The third and final scene that I am going to be analysing is from Insidious released on April 1, 2011, directed by James Wan, distributed by FilmDistrict and the studios being Alliance Films, IM Global and Stage 6 Films. It earned $97,009,150 worldwide at the box office and garnered generally positive reviews.

Key character types and stock characters:
There are four protagonists in this scene, the woman recalling a dream she had of the house, and the man and woman who are sitting at the other end of the table. We also see a young boy laying in bed, asleep with a clear antagonist standing to the side of the prop of the bed, in a flashback of the female characters dream.

We can tell that this character is the antagonist as it has non-human features such as the clawed fingers. This is conventional of the genre as supernatural beings are typically seen as the antagonists throughout the film.

Narratives and stock situations:
A key narrative that we see in the scene is good versus evil between the supernatural being and the other human, normal characters in the scene. The human protagonists in the film are clearly fearing this antagonist that the woman is recalling which shows the threat that this character has on the other characters in the film. This is typical of supernatural horrors as the supernatural beings in the film are usually the ones that are harassing the protagonists.

The flashback/dream that the woman is recalling throughout the scene looks to be set during the nighttime. This is typical stock situation that we would usually see as most supernatural horror movies are set during the night. This then means low-key lighting is used to give the scene an eery atmosphere.

Icons of supernatural horror:
The main icon used in the film is the use of the supernatural being. This immediately establishes the genre of the film as conventionally, supernatural beings are the main characters within supernatural horror films.

Low-key lighting has been used in the scene to create an eery and ominous mood. Also, as the flashback scenes are during the nighttime when it is dark, this relates to the fact that people are generally more scared when they are in the darkness as the sense of the unknown is present. Creating this tone and atmosphere is usually done in supernatural horror films to make the audience feel on edge and get a sense of the mood of the film.

The use of the red make-up used when the supernatural being appears behind the male character connotes that he is some kind of demon. This is an icon of the genre as demon like creatures are things we typically see in supernatural horror films. The colour red is also an icon of the genre as it connotes danger, a key theme that runs throughout the film.

The scene also looks to be set in a large, grand old family home. This is a typical location for a supernatural horror to take place and so fits the codes and conventions of the genre.

Themes of supernatural horror:
The key theme, as with many supernatural horror films, is the fear of the unknown. The audience and the characters within the scene are unsure on what this supernatural creature is and so this adds a sense of mystery to the scene. We are also unaware of why this being is harassing the other characters and what it wants. This sense of mystery and uncertainty surrounding the supernatural in the film puts the audience on edge as they do not know what to expect. This is typically done for most supernatural horror films as they aim to make the audience feel scared of what is going to happen next.

Score:
Throughout most of the scene, faint incidental music has been used to create a dark and ominous atmosphere and make the audience feel that eventually, something bad is going to happen. The non-diegetic incidental music starts to build up during the flashback of the dream and as the door opens and reveals the antagonist character, the music suddenly increases in volume and pace. These types of build ups in incidental music is conventional in supernatural horror films as it is used to make the audience feel on edge.

Some diegetic sound is also used to set the scene. The emphasised sound effects of the creaking doors in the flashback is something that we typically hear within the genre as it creates a spooky atmosphere and also tells us something about the old and dated interior of the house, which is also an icon of the genre.