1. In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of media products?
Our film, Ellipsis, is a sub genre horror film - slasher, and uses quite a few of the generic horror conventions; we include several pieces of iconography and key themes commonly seen in horror films. When watching horror films, including “Wrong turn”, “Last house on the left” and “The Texas chainsaw massacre” I noticed that in the openings of these films stereotypical themes or iconic images are used. Most of these films involve blood and gore in their openings and had a stereotypical “damsel in distress” figure, this is like our opening. Our film opening was influenced greatly by these horror films, mainly “The Texas chainsaw massacre”, like our film they have a female figure that seems to be severely injured.

(Texas Chainsaw massacre)

(Ellipsis)

Our first scene consists of the main character (Mary-Alice) bound to a chair and obviously injured, she then screams and the screen cuts to black. This connotes the horror genre as blood & screaming are both icons of horror films. Our title sequence is influenced by the film “wrong turn”; we have used the idea of having shots of our setting, forest/woods, run with non diegetic music and out titles over the top.



I feel that our film also challenges the forms and conventions of a horror film due to the fact that our film is dominated by females- there are no dominant “heroic” male figures in the opening, I feel this challenges the conventional horror films as all of the films that I have watched seem to involve a stereotypically strong, brave and dominant male character.


2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Ellipsis does represent the stereotypical female character, due to the fact that the first character seen on screen is a girl, who is in the typical “damsel in distress” situation. This image is commonly scene in nearly all horror films, women are always placed in dangerous places where the “heroic” and “dominant” male figure has to come and save them. For this scene we were greatly influenced by films like “Wrong turn” and “Texas Chainsaw massacre” as they too include women in their opening scenes. In the film “Wrong turn” the female character is left alone after the male character is killed. This ultimately leaves her abandoned, alone and helpless which is the idea that we wanted to connote with our first scene.



Wrong Turn

Ellipsis

I believe that our film will be attractive to our target audience (aged 15-30) as we include characters of a similar age. Our characters are aged between 17 and 18 years old and are also college students so are therefore part of our target audience. We are confident that our film would appeal to both men and women, we think women due to the fact that our main cast (involved in the opening scene) are all female and to the film is dominated by females which is unusual for a horror film. However we do feel that it would appeal to men due to the fact that our film involves blood/gore.
Our character Mary- Alice Jones is based loosely on the character Kristy Earl from the film “wolf creek”. She looks very similar to our character- with stereotypical long hair, and also both characters wear white clothes- which are then stained with blood. Suggesting the loss of innocence and also emphasizing the idea of torture and death.

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I feel that a distribution company such as Rogue pictures would distribute our film as they have distributed films such as “Last house on the Left”, “White Noise” and “The Strangers”. They appear to work with a wide range of horror films, with different budgets and genres. I feel that our film is fairly similar in budget and would have a similar reaction from audiences to films such as “Last house on the Left”. Also all of these example films had a moderately sized cinema release and I feel that our film would do also. They also had a wide range of simple adverts such as TV adverts/trailers and billboards, which again I feel would be used to advertise our film.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
Our target audience is men and women aged from 15 to 30+. I feel that our film would be successful to this audience as we include characters of the similar ages. Also from our Questionnaire – from the people we asked (within our age range) 10 out of 10 said they would watch our film. We have a significantly younger age rating on our film, compared to the films we are influenced by- however we didn’t feel that our film was an 18 rating as we don’t include any serious images of Violence, torture or sexual activity.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?
We have attracted out target audience by involving characters in our opening that are from our target audience age range. We have also included generic conventions of horror films and used iconography so that we attract horror movie fans. I feel that our opening builds up enough tension, but could have been longer. In the first scene with Mary-Alice tied to the chair I believe that suspense begins to build- but the scene is too short for it to peak. However I feel the “scream” will make the audience jump- a key target with horror films.
In the first scene we have quite low lighting, which creates shadows and therefore confusion and mystery. You can’t really see everything in the room which again gives the idea of mystery. We use a lot of slow shots that establish the environment and build suspense/tension. The sudden close-up of the character and scream will make the audience jump.

I feel that our editing is good quality; some shots don’t flow as fluently as others. I feel that our strongest area of editing is in the title sequence where the shots flow fluently and smoothly. I feel that our camera work is of a high quality- the majority of shots link together and we have used a wide range of shots including medium shots, close-ups and an eye-line match - Again some of our shots are not of as high a standard as others. I feel that our strongest area with camera shots is the last scene; I feel that it flows together smoothly and our continuity is of a high standard. While filming our opening we did encounter quite a few problems. We had several problems with locations for the scenes- the locations where we had planned to shoot were either too small or unavailable. We also encountered weather problems when trying to shoot outside. These I feel are quite common problems and that we worked well to overcome them. Our main problem while filming was bad weather which resulted in us being unable to film our last scene.

6. What have you learnt about technology from the process of constructing the product?
I have learnt a lot from this project, I have learnt how to use the Sony HDV 1000 camera and tri-pod and the editing software Final Cut Express. I have also learnt how to use other equipment such as tungsten lights to gain a better quality film.

This is the first time I have used the Sony HDV 1000 camera and I feel that it went very well; I have learnt how to control the camera in order to capture high quality shots.
On Final Cut Express I have learnt how to effectively edit by following these steps:
1. Capture and Log Footage
2. Name Shots
3. Rough Edit/Cut
4. Fine tune
5. Add effects/filters
6. Fine tune and improve sound
7. Add Music and titles
I have also learnt how to use the tools to reframe shots, add titles, effects and to manipulate images with filters.

7. Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Since our preliminary task I feel that I have learnt how to produce a film of an overall higher quality. I know how to do this now by planning thoroughly threw storyboards and shot lists so I am fully organised when it comes to actually filming. I now know that it is easier to film when everyone in the group is assigned a specific role. Overall I feel that I have improved greatly since the preliminary task, with our current film we have followed the 180 degree rule and produced an effective eye line match. I also feel that my confidence with the camera and other equipment has increased now, I believe we have produced a successful opening and have achieved what we set out to do. If I could do this project again I would maybe try to use a wider range of shots, including a match on action. I would also try to make our title sequence longer as I feel that it isn’t long enough for a film opening. I would also try to make sure that all the camera shots are of a high quality standard.

(On any images please click to enlarge)

We asked a sample of our target audience to give feedback on our completed film, some of the comments made were:

"Dark Beginning set the right scene for horror"

"Overall a very good film"

Below is a link to the full feedback video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxtww3RL69U

Our Final Film Clare Bannister, Emma Mitchell, Charlotte Moreland & Giorgina Parker

This is our final film, which we have uploaded to YouTube, enabling more people to view it, and make their own reviews of our film:

Location Shots - By Emma Mitchell and Clare Bannister

These are shots of our locations for each scene consisted in our 2 minute opening.

SCENE ONE - PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO.

SCENE TWO - DODWORTH FOREST

SCENE THREE - HONEYWELL CANTEEN

Animated Storyboard By Clare Bannister and Emma Mitchell

This is the animated version of our storyboard, which is played in chronological order, with the type of shot, and the actual shot behind the image:

Ellipsis Evaluation - By Emma Mitchell

In what ways does your media product use, develop, or challenge forms and conventions of media products?
For our chosen film Ellipsis, we decided to create a horror film, and therefore we have followed the conventions of existing horror films, in particular quite recent ones. We further developed our genre, and chose to create the sub-genre slasher horror, as this in particular portrays scenes of physical torture, which we would be able to create realistically, as fake blood is easily accessible. Furthermore, the Gothic setting featured in the opening of the film, denotes the genre horror, as it presents a dark setting, simply lit, and shows the audience an unconscious character that is tied to a chair, stained with blood.












Our short film was shot in the North of England, which was efficient for the locations in which we needed to film; outdoor, open scenes. Another example of a Gothic setting also featured during the opening of our film, is during the second scene, where panning and tracking shots are used to establish an eerie forest, creating suspicion and mystery for the audience. The smooth panning of the forest is in synchronization with the non dietetic orchestral music, which is an added element to the scene, to evoke the genre horror.
Scene Two in our film is influenced upon the film “The Wrong Turn”, as the opening of this particular film presents panning and tracking shots of a forest to establish the scene. This can be shown in this image,shown from both films. Therefore, we have used intertextuality, in order for the two films to be linked.
















Another film associated with the opening of "Ellipsis", is "The Blaire Witch Project", which portrays amateur footage, filmed in the present time. The way in which they have produced a film in which the audience believe is a true story, is very effective, and heightens the realism. Furthermore, our film can be linked to this through the narrative, as a group of teenagers slowly disappear. This compares to ours, with the mysterious and suspicious element.
Although our film is influenced by existing horror films such as The Blare Witch Project, and The Wrong Turn, is also challenges some idealist generic conventions such as the storyline. It is not a normal feature for all of the characters to be teenagers, as many horror films consist of at least one adult character, in contrast to this, ours does not. The characters in our film however, can be related to the characters in both “The Blaire Witch Project”, as a it is a group of teenagers who disappear whilst hiking, and the film consists of many close ups from a hand held camera, to show the actors clear facial expressions.This can be linked to in our film, when a close up of the character Mary-Alice is shown, to show her horrified facial expressions, and her state of torture, therefore both films evoke the genre horror.














How does your media product represent particular social groups?
In contrast to many horror films where the female sex is presented as passive, Ellipsis breaks that natural convention of woman, and their stereotypes, as the females presented as quite dominant over the male characters. This is exposed to the audience through the use of acting and facial expressions, as during the first two minutes, the male characters have not appeared in the film, therefore this shows the audience, that the narrative of the film is dominated by females, and this should link well with our target audience of 15-30 ages. However in contrast to this, our film also uses a stereotypical convention of the main female character being defeated by the monster of the film, in which case is the male kidnapper. This is efficient, because in the
opening of the film, a soundscape of Mary-Alice commences, and this would not be as effective if it was a male character screaming.










Although the film consists of teenage characters, therefore engaging the age range of teenagers, the film can also be aimed at the adults, up to the age of 30. This is because the film as a whole presents many gore, and slasher scenes, which can be aimed at both sexes, but also is not overdone, and unrealistic.












What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
The kind of media institution which might distribute our film would be likely to appeal to a moderate budget distributor. This would be because it is a working class film, with a small budget, which doesn’t enable the film to involve special effects such as 3D to heighten the success of the film; therefore it would not appeal to big blockbuster distributors such as Walt Disney, or Warner Brothers. Because of this, the film could not be advertised using premiers, and other elaborate events.
However, I believe our film could be quite successful, if placed with the right distributor, as the story line is captivating, and the acting is quite professional, therefore it should be distributed by a moderate budget distributor such as Artisan Entertainment, who also distributed “The Blair Witch Project”, making ours a cinema release type of film. As our film is on quite a low budget, there wouldn’t be many opportunities to advertise, using merchandising. However, the film could be communicated to eager audiences, by using billboards, trailers, and posters. Internet advertising could be used for our film, in as much as pop-ups, and suggested websites. The key iconography consisted in our film, which would be the most effective to use for merchandising, would be the image of the main character in the opening of the film, tied to the chair screaming. This is a key special element in our film, as it sets the genre horror right from the beginning of the film, instantly engaging the audience.










Who would be the audience for your media product?
Our target is aimed at the 15 – 30 generation. This is because the film consists of teenage characters; therefore it will appeal to these age ranged people. However, the characters act maturely, and the mystery element of the film will also attract people up to the age of 30, as the narrative is realistic, and scary. Although the film is not target at a niche audience, the film may be target more towards females than males, as the film presents dominant female characters. However, it could attract some male attention, as it involves blood and gore. The films which have inspired our film, such as “The Blair Witch Project” and “The Wrong Turn”, have certifications of 15, and 18. This is because the film may contain explicit scenes, which are not suitable for an audience lower than this age range. Furthermore, the certification 15 films, have the largest audiences. We decided that the certification for our film should be 15, as it does contain quite a lot of gore, and horror, but not so many extreme explicit scenes. This fits well with our target audience, as the results featured questionnaire, filled in by teenagers age 15+, said that they would watch our film.
This is a link to the BBFC website for information on film certification policies.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

















How did you attract/address your audience?
Although our film consists of dominant female characters, the film may aim towards the male audience because the theme of the film is camping/hiking, which is stereotypically a male activity. Furthermore, the non-dietetic orchestral music which is featured in scene two sounds daunting, and featured in a lower register tone, therefore this could also appeal more to the male audience than female. To add tension to the film, like in every film, the music is essential; therefore the music we have chosen is a crescendo, which builds up the tension for the following scene. The intention that we have for the audience is to involve them into the film, therefore by making the character scream directly at the camera, focused in a close up, we have included a scene which will make the audience jump, and scare them, but also add suspicion. This is featured in the opening scene, where the mysterious black setting is presented, with slow pans, and tilts of the dark room, which keeps the audience in suspense. Following this is where the main character Mary-Alice screams, and then the title sequence commences. This is engage the audience, and to invoke the genre horror. Therefore the generic conventions in the opening scene are shadows and screaming.

















What have you learnt about technology from the process of constructing the product?
Before creating a 2 minute opening of a film, I knew very little about media technology, however, from the beginning of the creation of the film, to the final draft of the film, I have learnt how to use a range of technology. I have used a Sony HDV 1000 camera and tri-pod and the editing software Final Cut Express, which are specialist media filming equipment. The other equipment which I have learnt of is the tungsten lights, which were used to enhance the shadows of setting, and of the actors.
















From using the HDV Sony 1000 camera, I have learned how to skilfully shoot smooth location shots, such as panning, and tracking. However, the sound recording isn’t very high quality, but as we were only using conversation shots, that wasn’t essential. Also, although the camera was manageable, there were some focus problems, during the filming of the second scene. Also, we had problems with our filming schedule due to bad weather, which caused us to cut out scene four of our film, as we did not have the time to film. We resolved this by making the first scene the one which would create the cliffhanger, therefore it was not a major problem.
However, to enhance the film, we have used new technology such as the tungsten lights, which were used to enhance the shadows of the setting, and of the actors. From using this technology, I have learned how to edit the film proficiently;
• Using final cut express, first capture and log the images
• Create a rough cut of the 2 minute opening
• Fine tune the sound quality, by making sure the sound is in clear synchronization with the image
• Add music and titles (we also learned how to manipulate the title, by using special effects)
• Reframe by using filters, and effects to manipulate the images.


Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Throughout the process, I have tried my very best, to create a successful 2 minute opening, which will appeal to our target audience. Although it was a group effort, I have contributed a great deal, into the planning, and preparation for the shooting of the film, but also the editing, and final procedure. Before filming, I researched the genre horror, and the sub genre’s which follow, in order for us, as a production team, create an efficient film. By researching we gained a greater knowledge of the genre, and what it consists of.
Then, in order for the shooting procedure to run smoothly, I created a call sheet, shot list, and also costume design, so that the days ran without problem, as we knew which shots to film, and what order to edit them. I believe that my shots have improved, such as the match on action, as this is cut with quite good continuity. From the preliminary shoots, which we shot before the creation of the film, I believe i have improved a great deal with the technology, as I feel more confident, especially with editing, but also more confident with technology in general.

We conducted a audience feedback session, in which a sample of our target audience gave feedback on our film.

Here are a few of the comments which they gave:

"It was stereotypical, as the female victim at the beginning showed horror"

"Obeyed the 180 degree rule"

I am quite pleased with the feedback which we received, as it showed a mixture of both positive comments, and also constructive criticism.

Here is a link to the full feedback video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxtww3RL69U

Our Company Logo - By Clare Bannister and Emma Mitchell

Ellipsis Treatement (2 Minute Opening) - By Emma Mitchell and Clare Bannister

Film Title: Ellipsis (Working Title)
Duration: 2 minute opening,
Audience: 15 – 30. Although the film is not target at a niche audience, the film may be target more towards females than males, as the film presents dominant female characters. However, it could attract some male attention, as it involves blood and gore.
Resume: The film commences with the main character Mary-Alice tied to a chair located in a black, dimly lit room. She is stained with blood, in her state of unconsciousness; it appears that she has been tortured. The story then unravels to show the location of a forest, where the character will later be camping. The narrative then begins with Lucy Barnes and Kate Preston, along with Mary-Alice, speaking and laughing about the prospect of camping. But what will happen to the three characters, in order for Mary-Alice to be tortured as shown?
Suggested Elements:
1. Flash-forward – of Mary-Kate being tortured, and also of the shoots in the forest scene (to suggest the camping location for characters.
2. Lots of dissolves, and fades to black during the forest scene, to show different clips of the location.
3. Film illustrations – similar clips from Wrong Turn, and Blare Witch Project.
4. Title sequence – red, black and white stern font,
5. Orchestral Music, during the opening scene, to add a mysterious element.
6. Credits
Film Days: 2 Days (Wednesday 24th March 2010 and Friday 25th March 2010)
Budget: £40,000

Ellipsis Treatement (Complete Film) - By Emma Mitchell and Clare Bannister

Film Title: Ellipsis (Working Title)
Duration: 90 mins approximately
Audience: 15 – 30. Although the film is not target at a niche audience, the film may be target more towards females than males, as the film presents dominant female characters. However, it could attract some male attention, as it involves blood and gore.
Resume: The film features a group of 5 friends who are planning a camping holiday. The opening consists of a flashback to the main character Mary-Alice, in her tortured state. The film then tells the story of how Mary Alice has ended up in the state of unconsciousness.
The friends are shown preparing for their holiday. The group arrives at the forest where they will be camping, one of the friends (Kate) does not return from the woods- after going back to the cars to retrieve a bag she had left behind. The friends begin to panic and search for Kate, they decide to split up and search the woods properly.
After searching Mary-Alice and Sam find Kate’s shoe, which is stained with, blood and drag marks along with larger footprints. They follow the drag marks to an abandoned house where they believe Kate is being kept. After finding Kate’s body in the basement they both begin search for an escape from the house. While trying to break open a window they are both knocked unconscious by whom the teenagers believe is the kidnapper. Mary-Alice wakes up in the same room and situation from the beginning of the film, as she comes round she looks up to see Sam’s body hanging in front of her- causing her to scream then stop abruptly. What has happened to Mary-Alice?
Suggested Elements:
1. Flash-forward – of Mary-Kate being tortured, and also of the shoots in the forest scene (to suggest the camping location for characters
2. Lots of dissolves, and fades to black during the forest scene, to show different clips of the location
3. Film illustrations – similar clips from Wrong Turn, and Blair Witch Project.
4. Title sequence – red, black and white stern font,
5. Orchestral Music, during the opening scene, to add a mysterious element.
6. Credits
Film Days: 20 days shooting.
Budget Estimate: £40,000

Main Character - Costume Ideas - By Clare Bannister

Mary-Alice Jones:






Kate Preston:

Kate Preston:

These Ideas are taken from the origianl Ideas designed by Emma Mitchell, There explanations and design analysis are on that post. All the costumes follow modern themes and fashion trends as the film is set in modern times. The costumes are also designed to reflect the characters personalities. This all follows mise en scene, costumes reflect key themes in the film.

Film Analysis - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974: 15mins (Emma Mitchell)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnkJ7LUIUos&feature=related
Click to view opening 10 minutes.

The film Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is a horror film which consists of blood, gore, and terror, therefore I have decided to analyse this film, for comparisons and contrasts with our film Ellipsis. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is presented as a true story, involving the ambush and murder of a group of friends on a road trip in rural Texas by a family of cannibals, however, the film is completely fictional. This is very similar to our storyline; however Ellipsis is not presented as a true story, and is not consisted under the cannibalism genre.
The story line of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is also similar to Ellipsis, as it the teenagers slowly appear missing one by one, and the first murder happens in an abandoned house, which is the same location as ours.

The characters in the film are also very similar to the ones featured in our film, as the violence begins with a stranger (the hitchhiker), in which a stranger to the characters are also presented in our film, as it adds suspicion, and a higher level of drama. Furthermore, the character in Ellipsis "Mary-Alice" can be related to "Sally Hardesty", as they are both very innocent, and both look our for the team.

As with all films, cinematography is essential for a smooth complete run of the film, and this particular film uses a good example of continuity editing. However, the beginning of the film portrays a factual opening, as credits are featured informing the audience that the film is entirely true, which adds realism for the audience, capturing their attention. The same factuality is featured later in the opening, where the film’s storyline is shown using a date, “August 18th, 1973”, which adds realism, and also makes the films “true story narrative” more believable. We can immediately see by the titles that this film is a horror film, as this also presents the non diegetic voice-over, of a deep toned man, informing the audience of the titles.

The appearance of the credits, and the opening dialogue, is a plain black screen, which does not particularly interest the order. The black ground enables the audience to be focused upon the text, rather than an image, as the audience then do not get distracted. This is an effective technique, which is quite simple. This links to Ellipsis, as the opening of ours is very dark, as we use undertone lighting, with a black set design. The black also connotes danger, and the unknown.
There is also underexposure of the text, as gives the opening an eerie effect, further informing the audience that this is a horror film, adding tension and suspense. The same non-diegetic male voice-over continues, until 6:20mins, which suggests to the audience the voice on a radio, relating to the factual beginning and therefore adding realism for the audience. In contrast to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Ellipsis is suggested to be a true story, by using hand held camera, to give an insight on the characters from a stranger’s perspective, which is a realistic way of presenting this to the audience.

The film has a reasonably long title sequence, which continues for 4:33 minutes. Although this is average for a film, our film has a duration of 2 minutes, which must include a title sequence, therefore our title sequence will be shorter than average. Furthermore, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre does not feature a score to distinguish to the film; instead it features a non-diegetic eerie sound of symbols, and gongs, and also an iconic sound-scape of a slaughterhouse. This is iconic, as the slaughterhouse featured later in the film, marks the beginning of the violence, and therefore by playing the soundtrack at the beginning of the film, it insights the audience to the storyline.

The titles which are featured at the beginning are coloured cream, connoting heat, which relates to the Texas summer featured in the film. The heat can also be connoted, as the opening is edited with an orange filter, which makes the location seem hotter. This is shown when a close up is shown, of a suggested dead man’s head, which seems burned or tortured. We can then see a zoom out of the head, to the non-diegetic sound of the voice over, who seems to be a news reporter. Furthermore, the non-diegetic sound of the slaughter house and gongs continues into this scene, to link both scenes together. During this scene, a smoke machine is being used to suggest a thick, summer mist. This makes the scene more eerie, and mysterious, further showing that this is a horror film. As the camera slowly zooms and cranes down, two dead bodies are presented to the audience, sat upon a grave top. The audience learns from this scene that the location of the film is a cemetery, and therefore this gives an insight into the later storyline.

The scene following the factual opening, uses the editing technique cross cutting on the suggested elements, as the title sequence, dramatically builds tension and suspense to compare the two different scenes (the scene following).
Iconography is further used when the background of the credits changes from a black screen, to moving images. The images are not clearly presented to the audience, as they are overexposed; therefore this suggests suspicion and horror. The dissolving images are black and red, which connoted danger, and horror. This is similar to Ellipsis, as our credits are coloured black and red, in order for the film to be distinguished in the horror genre. Furthermore, disequilibrium is featured in this scene, as the images are presented in a linear narrative. The flashing of the images suggest a photograph is being taken or a sudden stroke of light has commenced. This scene is similar to Ellipsis, as the images dissolve to black. However, in Ellipsis, it is the titles which dissolve to black, to create a suitable opening, whereas in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the dissolving images are iconic for representing what commences during the film which is violence.

At the end of this scene, an extreme close up is shot of the sun, which is featured with an orange filter, to add warmth. This further suggests heat, relating to Texas, but also connotes danger, as the sun is shot on a black background. This then cuts to a zoom in on the sun, followed by a graphic match to a dead armadillo, laid in the middle of a road. This is important, as the armadillo is iconic for death, and it also established the new location, therefore this is a key feature of the film.
The armadillo is shot at a low height camera angle, suggesting the armadillo is an inferior animal as is seems to be at a larger angle, although it is dead.

Following this, is a common medium shot, to establish the location, which shows a plain blue van, parked at the side of the road. This then shows a male character “Kirk” helping an invalid man “Franklin” out of the van. The disabled man is then shot from a canted angle, urinating into a bucket; this shows the man as inferior, as he is shot at a low angle. This could suggest that although he is immobilized, he is one of the stronger characters. We then see a medium shot of the character “Kirk” stood by the road side. In the distance we are able to see a truck coming forward. The camera then uses pulling power, to enable the truck to be in focus rather than the “Kirk”.

A crescendo of sound then commences, as the diegetic sound of the trucks horn goes past, and the female character “Sally Hardesty” screams “Franklin!” which acknowledges the male character is in danger. This is the dramatic point in the opening of the play, as it uses a build up of climax, to enable the audience to feel fear. Long shots then enable the audience to see the “disabled man” rolling down the banking, as he has seemingly fallen out of his wheelchair. A common medium shot is used to show “Kirk” helping her brother “Franklin” back up the banking.

The scene then changes to a medium shot of the character “Sally Hardesty” in the blue van, along with the remaining main characters. This scene is used to give the audience an insight into the storyline, as up until now in the film, no dialogue has commenced. Although the characters don’t speak very much in this scene, the audience now know that the teenagers are traveling to a cemetery containing the grave of Hardestys' grandfather.

A panoramic shot, of the van over the cemetery establishes the new location, and a canted angle is used on the new characters (the elderly men). From this scene, the audience discovers the teenagers are seeking to investigate reports of vandalism and of corpse-defilement, and for “Sally Hardesty” to find her granddads grave. This can be shown using over the shoulder shots, and medium shots for conversation. The elderly men all have a blue costume design which is used to represent the working class in that era.

When the characters are back in the van, a key shots in the film is the panoramic shot of the slaughterhouse, which is a key element throughout the film, and the dialogue which continues, shown by medium shots, and close ups. The extreme long shot which is used when the teenagers collect the hitchhiker, is used to establish the environment, but also shows the audience that the main characters are reluctant to collect the new character.

Although cinematography is imperative for a film to run successfully, mise-en-scene is also essential. The costume consisted in the film, relates to the ones designed in our film Ellipsis, as they represent the summer season, and also they are based upon the 1970’s theme. The hitchhiker character is purposely designed to be wearing a darker colour than the main cast, as it connotes danger, and also the darker colours establish that he is unclean, which links to the Slaughterhouse featured in the film. In contrast to the hitchhiker character, the main characters portray pastel coloured costumes, with connotations of happiness, and innocence.

The scene which turns the storyline around and the peak at which the drama is at its highest, is when the medium shot shows the hitchhiker attacking himself, and the invalid “Franklin” with a razor blade. The tension is slowly built with a crescendo of sound, as the screams from the female characters, turn to a higher pitch tone.

There are some particularly interesting effects used in this film, which we may consider using in Ellipsis, such as the factual date, to make the film seem realistic. Also, the shots which we must be careful using are medium shots, as they are a common camera shot, and we must be careful not to use too many, as this doesn’t leave many opportunity to use interesting angle, such as tilts, and pans.

Make Up - By Emma Mitchell

Here is a slide show, to show the process of applying the make-up for the character Mary-Alice for Scene 1. This also features costume, and the setting of equipment .