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Dear Diary

Diary Entry #1

Today, when creating my film poster on Adobe Photoshop CS4, I had come across some problems. Out of all of the photo’s I had took of my main character ‘Ruby’ whom I wanted to feature on the film poster, my favourite one which I was determined to use, was of the wrong proportion and did not fit on a A4 poster template. Seen as this was the image I desperately wanted to use, I tried cropping, re sizing and even tried to mirror the image for a second time, asking my character to pose the same way. Unfortunately, the second selection of pictures were not as good as I wanted them to be, so I was determined to make my original favourite work. Finally, I was able to crop it down to size until if fit perfectly in on the page. This meant that there was no background at all, but in the end result, I preferred the fact that her whole face and hair covered the poster; it looked much more scary and effective.

Diary Entry #2

When I begun adding texts to the film poster, after I had already successfully choosen the fonts, and colours that I wanted to use, I then was unsure whether or not I wanted to feature a film company logo (s) and/ or a website. After experimenting with the two ideas, and asking my target audience which one they preferred, I chose that I was going to go ahead and use the film poster WITH the logo’s and website as I feel it defined the media text and also made it look professional.

Without

With

Diary Entry #3

When beginning to create my magazine front cover that will be promoting my film ‘Ruby’, the image I intended on using had mise en scene elements in the background that should not have been there and also, the ‘mother’s’ hair was out of place, and made the image look unprofessional and rushed. I scheduled to redo this image to see if I could capture the same pose, which I loved, but get rid of the unnecessary objects in the background, and the hair of her face.

Old

New



Diary Entry #4

After the problems that I had already encountered with the magazine front cover; the misplaced strands of hair, and then re taking the image to fix this problem, I have decided on changing the image all together as I would rather use an image of ‘Ruby’ as she is the main character, she would also create a symbiotic link between the poster and the magazine front cover, and also, adds a scary touch, which the mother would not. Here is the image I now intend on using, and with editing and text, I believe that this image will transform my magazine front cover into the one I desired creating from the very beginning. 

Diary Entry #5

Again looking at my magazine front cover, I have decided on making it a limited edition cover. This is due to the fact that, whilst constructing it, the way it looked with only one sell line stood out to me and as more text was being added on, it lost that sparkle of effectiveness that there was. I was therefore hesitant in ruining this vibe that it had to it, thus, decided to make it a limited edition cover. This also allowed more attention and focus to be put on the main image which on its own, is effective and would lure in my target audience.. Also, the idea of the ‘special edition’ gives the film a sense of importance and success, as it has to have an edition based on the film.  After looking at other magazine covers that have also done this, from EMPIRE magazine, I made my decision certain on wanted to do this. Here is my inspiration:



Practice Shots

Film Poster

Film Magazine Front Cover

The above images are a small selection from the many that I photographed. I managed to scale my favourites down to these remaining images. All of them, to me, are effective, and I am confident in saying that I have successfully achieved the look that I had hoped for. For the film poster however, the best shots were those of a landscape style which, due to me creating a portrait style poster, would involve me cropping and resizing the image, which may loose effectiveness. However, I am aware of this and if the images do not work, I am happy to re make the look and take more. Furthermore, I believe that these shots are the ones which I desire so where there is a will, there’s a way...

For the magazine front cover, the image that stood out to me more is the second one (single shot of Ruby). I feel that it is a much more conventional style picture for magazines and there is room for sell lines. With the first image, I feel that there would be no room for any sell lines and I also think that the character playing ruby looks more effective in the second image. I do however love the positioning of the first image and the pose of the mother thus I am going to try and use both images and then see what the best and most effective one is.



My Plans

Setting/ Location

I have decided to set the basis of my film in a house. For a psychological horror, this is a main convention which I feel will allow the audience to put themselves in the characters positions. This will also create realism, something that every film must include in order to create a film of a professional and sophisticated level. I am going to also use a few other locations, so the audience do not get uninterested in where the action is taking place, e.g. mental institution, but the majority of footage will be found inside of the home. Also, the home is a place my audience normally would associate with security and comfort, so the idea of a family home that presents scenes of terror and horror should unnerve them completely.

Hair, Costume and Makeup

I have decided to go with a more natural look, not using dramatic makeup and hair as the film needs to look realistic. The audience are also then able to relate to the characters, making it scarier when they begin to put themselves in their position. I also feel that in psychological/ supernatural horror films, you do not tend to see characters with overwhelming makeup; it is more subtle and realistic, not steering the audience away from the unrealistic goings on. I am aware that the makeup of the child needs to make her look distressed and troubled, making her look like she has been through a hard time, and is ready to seek revenge.  The mother’s makeup will change throughout the film, starting off subtle and normal, then as the film moves on, and the action builds, she will need to look tired and tormented. This could also reflect that we are getting closer to finding out what she is really like and that she is infact the antagonist. I am going to try and achieve the look where by ‘Ruby’ will look pale, but fresh faced, again reflecting a pure and innocent persona, but also reflecting the fact that she is a ghost, with no life inside of her. Under her eyes will be blackened to show the fact that she has been neglected, and with this she will look tired and mistreated.

‘Ruby’ will be wearing an off white night dress, reflecting her young age and her innocence. Also, I think this will also reflect the ghostly spirit side of ‘Ruby’ as the colour white, and a flowing night dress will present a ghost like appearance. I plan to dress the mother in day to day mumsy clothing for example, a t-shirt and jeans, reflecting that she is a mother, and also creating realism.

I am going to have Ruby’s hair in curls, reflecting a young and girly persona, but am going to make them look untidy, again reflecting the fact that she has been neglected. Also, before the audience become aware of the twist, this will also add a creepy flair to the film as her hair will look messy and UN kept, suggesting an unnatural and strange persona. I do not want her to look perfect as she has been in a mental institution for a couple of years, I therefore think that she should look hard done by and distressed, and by having messy hair I believe that I can achieve this look, along with makeup and costume. For the mother, I plan on having her hair in a bob as I think that this is a typically mother hairstyle, which will allow the audience to appreciate her age and make it more believable to the fact that that she is a mother. As the film goes on, the mother’s hair will become untidy and un kept, showing that she is being tormented by her dead daughter.  

Camera

Like any film maker, I am aware that I need to use a range of camera angles and movements in order to excite and keep my audience interested. I am going to be using the basic angles such as close up’s and extreme close up’s, to show emotion and fear, long shots and extreme long shot’s to show surroundings and anyone lurking in the distance. I also plan on using edits such as eye line matches, allowing the audience to feel indulged and involved in the action taking place. I plan on using high angle shots to make victims looks weaker and vulnerable, and low angle shots to make the killer look powerful and intimidating.

Here are some examples of the type of camera angles I will be incorporating in my film;

Extreme Close Up’s:

I will use shots like this to clearly and vividly show emotion and fear in my characters faces. For example, this kind of shot could be used with the sting at the end of the film trailer where a shot of Ruby flashes on the screen.

Close Up:

Like extreme close up’s, I will be using this shot to show emotion, but not at such close proximity. For example, the mothers reaction to her daughters ghost also with the film poster, this shot would be effective in showing emotion, thus making it effective.

Low Angle Shots:

I will use this type of shot to make the person/ object in the frame look intimidating and powerful. For example could be used on the mother at the end of the film trailer to show her in a dominating and evil.

High Angle Shot:

I will use this type of shot in my film to make victims look vulnerable and scared. This angle also makes them look small and unprotected, like they are alone, and scared. For example, this type of shot could again be used on the mother to show her as vulnerable whilst being tormented by Ruby.

Long Shot:

This type if shot will enable me to fit in the whole body of the character, and also showing some setting, but not a lot. By using this shot, for example, you would be able to show if there was someone behind them/or someone lurking in the distance. For example, there are a number of ways and opportunities for this type of shot to be used throughout the film trailer, and also on the magazine front cover to show two characters.

Lighting

Throughout the film, I plan on using a range of different types of lighting. I want to use low key lighting, to create shadows and to achieve that contrast between dark and light areas. I also want to use available and ambient lighting, making the film seem more natural, and realistic. Again, this will allow the audience to put themselves in the characters position, adding to the fear they will already be feeling. I will also try to incorporate profile lighting into my film, on the antagonist as I feel this is an effective way of reflecting and symbolising evil.

Ideas for Character’s Names

Young Girl/ Daughter/ Ghost

I want a name that will represent a young persona. It will be innocent and girly and will also sound creepy and eerie. I want the name to be able to stand out from the rest, allowing her to be the dominant character and for the audience to be able to tell this. After looking at all different types of names that would perform as I wish, I had decided on a name which is as follows;

Ruby- I think that this name represents a young, pretty, girly girl. I also think that the name ‘Ruby’ is eerie and I can picture it being used in a horror film. I will also be able to create symbolism as the definition of ‘Ruby’ Simply means "ruby" from the name of the precious, red, stone. The colour red represents blood and hell which would be a symbolic colour I could use throughout the film.

Katie- This name again represents a young image as it is a name that is very popular in this generation of children. This name doesn’t appear to me as scary and eerie, but it is definitely a young name, pretty and girly. I have also considered using this name as not the name of the main character in the film, but her actual name in the real world.

Other names that I have looked at include Polly, Lily, Olivia, and Milly. Although these names had appealed to me in earlier stages, as my research grows and I am getting closer to creating my film, I have settled on using the name ‘Ruby’ as I believe that it is a name that suits my narrative, character and overall film.   

Idea’s for the Name of the Film

For the name of the film, I have from the start, envisioned a shot yet sharp name for the film, consisting of two or less words. I think that by having a one word name for the film, or having a name starting with ‘The’ will make it stand out from other films and will also be memorable as it is only short and straight to the point. Some of the names that I have come up with are as follows:

‘Ruby’

‘The Secret’

‘Secrets’

‘The Hidden’

‘Never Forgotten’

‘Buried Secret’

‘The Reveal’

‘Ruby’s Last Birthday’

I think that all of the above ideas are good and represent a horror genre but I feel that the above names reveal too much of the narrative for example ‘Ruby’s Last Birthday’ suggests that she is dead, which we do not want the audience to find out until the end of the film. Something like ‘The Secret’ or ‘The Hidden’ lets the audience know that there is something to find out, and a twist to be revealed which I think will put less effect on the twist when it does happen. I am positive in believing that my next choice will allow my film to stand out from the rest, and will entice and encourage my target audience to come and see the film;

Ruby

I like this name as it reflects the identity of one of the main characters. I think that having the name of the film, as the name of one of the main characters suggests that the narrative is based around this character. I think that the name ‘Ruby’ represents a sense of eerie and creepiness, but at the same, represents a young, innocent girl which reflects the narrative, but in a less obvious way. I have always associated the name of Ruby with a horror film name as I think that it will be a memorable, creepy and scary name which will appeal to my target audience as some of the factors they desire to see when watching a horror film is eeriness and a creepy feel.

Ideas for the Tagline

I desire a tagline that will both effectively lure in my target audience and frighten them. I think that the tagline should be able to let the audience in on some of the narrative, for example, it should be able to suggest the genre and sub genre of the film, and should also set an overview of the basic narrative. Films such as ‘Orphan’ and ‘The Unborn’ both have taglines that I have found to be inspirational to me. For example, ‘There’s something wrong with Esther’ suggests the narrative and the genre of the film when accompanied by the other Mise en scene elements on the page and in the film. ‘I want to be born now’ is an eerie and scary phrase that suggests a kind of haunting, which is a main part of the narrative in the supernatural horror ‘The Unborn’. In my case, I want to have Ruby, the main character saying the tagline, so it comes across as more personal and eerie. Also, when the tagline is shown in the film trailer, as a strap, I think by having Ruby say the words would sound uncanny and make the audience feel on edge. Based on the narrative of my film, I want the tagline to represent the fact that the Ruby has been both abused and killed, but in a less obvious sense. One main idea that I have come across is;

‘I will never forget what you did to me’

I think that this tagline would be effective in suggesting both the narrative and the genre of the film. I like the fact that it has a double meaning; one being that Ruby has been abused, and the other being that she has been murdered by her own mother. I think that the audience will be able to suspect something strange, but they will not know for sure, allowing suspense and disbelief to be created when the twist has been revealed. I think that by having Ruby speak these words in the film trailer, and having them written on the film poster will create continuity as in the film, I also want Ruby to say these words, just before the mother dies. I think that it is an unnatural tagline suggesting the supernatural/ psychological sub genre of film and I also believe that this tag line will draw in my target audience encouraging them to go and see the film.

Idea’s For Characters

Ruby

For the character playing the daughter who has been sent to a mental institution, I decided to use the character below as with hair, makeup and costume; I am able to create an eerie and scary look, but also a sense of innocence and youthfulness. This character also has an acting ability and is able to cooperate successfully when given any direction.      

Mother

For the character playing ‘Ruby’s’ mother, I have chosen to use the actor below. With hair and makeup she is able to pull off a sophisticated look, where we could believe her to be a mother. She has a normal look which I think is important for the mother to have in my film as we do not want the audience to find out the twist before the film tells them. I feel that by having a normal looking mother, I am able to keep the secret of her being the real antagonist, and it will come as more of a shock when the audience find out the truth, as she does not look like your average killer. 

Psychiatrist

The image on the left hand side is the actor who I intend on using, playing the part of the psychiatrist who finds out about the mother murdering and abusing her daughter, ‘Ruby’. He looks professional and sophisticated, some of the acquired traits when seeing this type of character in any genre of film.

Inspirational Director- Tim Burton

I constructed this powerpoint to show and reflect on an inspirational director that has encouraged my choice of genre, characters and so on.



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The Pitch

This is a pitch that I presented to my Media Studies class. It is made up of a basic plot line for my film and is full of ideas and inspirations. The purpose of this pitch was to present it to members of my target audience to see what the response was, for example, it allowed me to ask questions and recieve feedback about how effective and interesting they though the story line was. 

 

 (If a blank screen appears, use the zoom out key to reach the correct proportion)

After I had presented the pitch to my Media Studies class, and had recieved all of their comments and suggestions, it aided me and informed me that more planning was needed. I had to make alterations to the killing of the mother as they said that it was too much of a 'let down' after such a great twist. The pitch enabled me to gain a target audiences understanding and interpretation of my plot thus allowing me to expand on ideas creating a fully effective and target audience aimed film.



Post Analysis Refection

By completing a wide range of analysis’s, looking at; film trailers, film poster’s and film magazine front covers, I have been able to gain a fuller knowledge and understanding of the general codes and conventions of the horror genre. Also, I have been able to gain a wider knowledge and understanding of the codes and conventions of magazines, posters and trailers, allowing myself to become aware of the certain things my target audience want to see, and find most effective.

From looking at a vast number of film trailers, I have learnt that in order to make the audience feel scared yet excited, you have to create elements of suspense and tension. This is done through all aspects of a film trailer, including; editing, sound, Mise en scene elements and camera. This made me certain that rather than focusing completely on the narrative of the film, although it is important, equally, I will need to make sure that I put as much effort into all other aspects of the film, as these too are what create effect and an overall success. I have also learnt about the structure of film trailers. From seeing a pattern in all film trailers that I have viewed, even the ones I have not analysed in depth, I have been able to recognise the common structure used. For example, they start off slowly, setting the narrative of the film, then they gradually build up, picking up in speed, leading to a fast montage of shots otherwise known as the climax where we finally the audience will be presented with a sting. Sound is a brilliant and effective way of creating suspense and audience understanding, for example in the film trailer the ‘Unborn’ towards the middle of the trailer, we hear a beating sound, which beats faster and faster, leading up to the exorcism. Also, throughout my time analysing film trailers, I know that everything has a place, and a meaning, so anything without meaning shouldn't be in the shot.

From looking at existing media texts in reference to; Film magazines and film posters (Horror) I have become aware of the conventions and codes that I am expected to use, and also I have learnt that in order to lure my target audience to the magazine my film is being promoted in, or the film poster, I need to be able to create symbiotic links between them all so my audience can recognise the similarities and the film itself.

The three film trailers that I have looked at have inspired me in a number of ways. For example, from looking at ‘Orphan’ and ‘Silent Hill’, alongside other trailers that I have not analysed, such as ‘The Unborn’ and ‘the Omen’, I became aware of the fact that I too wanted to feature a young child as the main character as I believe that it creates a scary and eerie effect that cannot be created from using adults as the main characters/ killer. From looking at the ‘Uninvited’ and the ‘Orphan’ I understood that I wanted to include a big twist in my film that will shock and excite my audience. I was inspired to do so as these films, after having watched them myself, made the situation much more scary and exciting after having out the twist. I believe that twists in psychological/ supernatural horror films are crucial in order to fully meet the needs of my particular target audience. Lastly, from looking at ‘The Strangers’ I was made certain that I wanted to set my film mainly in a home as I think the audience are able to relate to this type of setting, put themselves in the audience’s shoes, and therefore, scaring the audience as they will be able to picture the same events that are happening to my characters, to themselves. This will also be effective in the fact that audiences may be watching the film at home, which would therefore add to the overall scariness.