Chosen Genre for Opening Sequence

For our group to come to a conclusion about what genre we was going to use for  our opening sequence, we each separated and researched a different genre. After numerous discussions amongst the allocated group, we finally came to the decision that we would persure an urban teenage drama for our film opening sequence. We came to a mutual agreement that this would be the most appropriate genre because it is the one we know most about due to the fact we are of teenagers age ourself . This would make it easier for use to appeal to them this audience.  As a group we were more comfortable with this genre. This was also the least demanding of the other drama's. Extravagant locations , props etc were not needed in this genre. This decision was made to give us more time to create the opening sequence without having to concern ourselves with hours of editing and CGI etc. This decision could also help us to create a good opening with the resources that we have avaliable to us.

Horror Research

• What is horror?

Horror films are usually films that are designed to create a disturbing and unsettling emotion to the viewer. They often raise feelings of disgust or fear. Horror films usually contain fantasy and fictional characters such as  ghosts, monsters, vampires, demons or characters with supernatural abilities. In almost every horror there is a evil force. Whether its a character; mad serial killer or an out break of disease. Also there is a lead character in almost every horror films, who is on the side of good and will survive until the end. So horrors tend to be a battle between good and evil. However not all horrors follow this principle. There story lines usually derive from fear of the unknown. The themes of horror films are usually forces of evil, Satanism, torture, evil and ancient magic.

This is monster was intended to disturb
the viewer. The object is strange, unknown. possibly effecting him 

Examples of horror films:

• Saw
• Paranormal Activity
• Resident Evil
• Semum
• 28 Days later

There are types of horror films and difference approaches. Horror such as Exosist use religion to disturb and unsettle the viewers. It focuses on negative, satanic aspects of religion often ignored due to fear and presents them in a shocking matter.
There are gory  horror films, such as the Chain Saw Massacrer. The scenes from this film are extremely violent. Its evokes a response from the viewer due to its graphic nature. It's scenes could be related to a worst nightmare. This type of horror is scary because it shows our vulrunbilites as humans.
There are other types of horrors such as monster/alien invasion. This uses the technique of fear of the unknown to disturb viewers. The grotesque appearance horrifies  the viewer and the actions of the creature also disturb the viewer.

Conventions

• In horror films a lot of Extreme Close ups are used on characters. This is usually to show how distressed or scared the character is, in the situations they are experiencing.
• The Dutch Tilt Is also used to create an effect of disorientation to the viewer.
• Horror films also tend to use long shots with a character closest to the screen and a force of evil behind them. This usually allows us to see what the character is running away from.
• Some horror movies choose to use hand-held cameras in scenes such as chases.The jerking camera is used to confuse and disorientate the viewer and is used in chaotic situations.
• The lighting in horror films is usually dark with very little light getting in to the scene. Sometimes the light is only focused on certain objects or characters most important. This darkness creates an unsettling feeling and can cause distress if the viewer can't quite make out whats happening due to the lack of light. Horror films are also dark to represent the idea of evil and darkness and that bad things only happen in the dark. Many people also have a fear of the dark.
• The editing in horror films is usually vert fast choppy in chase scenes. Sometimes the editing is whitewashesd and blured at the edges to present the idea of a dream, or a nightmare. 

Dutch tilt Camera Angle

Below are three trailers from horror movies.

SAW 3D

Paranormal Activty


28 Days Later

Preliminary Task Evaluation

For our Preliminary task we were allocated the task of using three continuity shots. These being; match on action, shot reverse shot and 180 degree rule.We used the match on action shot when I opened the door. There was a close up of my hand on the door handle. The next scene showed me opening the door and walking into the room this matches what I did in the previous scene and allows the viewers to feel that the shots are in the same time, although they can be filmed at different times. A Shot reverse shot was included in our task when I had stormed out of the room. I was looking over to my left were Josh is supposed to be giving the impression he is still in the video. However we did break the 180 degree rule unintentionally towards the start of the scene; as I walk in the camera the camera is filming on the left of the room until i sit down. In the next scene we film on the right side of the room. After this scene we do stick to the 180 degrees rule where me and josh are talking. We are now aware that this can cause confusion to the viewers who aren't aware of whats happening. I feel that the task went well for our first attempt. However there are a lot of areas that could be improved upon. We did use other camera angles throughout the task. Such a tracking a shot as I walked into the room. A close up on my hand when I upon the door and also a series of head over shoulders shots. Throughout out the task we did make several errors. As I walked in and sat down. I accidentally looked at the camera. The lighting from the window was poor and shadowed Josh whilst in the conversation scene.