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:
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