Blog entry 6 - StoryBoard

Blog entry 3 - Notes on planning

In order to film our teaser trailer as effective as possible we had to first visualize and illustrate the important conventions related to our chosen genre (crime horror) on mind maps and include essential information such as costume, music, lighting, props, etc. Initially, we will be filming during the daytime; shooting time would probably be 12-5PM to guarantee proper graphic quality of each scene and the teaser trailer will run approximately 30-60 seconds which is a suitable time limit to engage the target audience allowing them to get the required information about the film. The images we plan to use are really negative and destructive, such as an abandoned hospital, broken windows, doors and also long creepy corridors which will all be shot using low key lighting in order to create daunting imagery. Furthermore, the music we intend to use will add to the suspense and tension in relation to seizing the audiences’ attention and heart-rending attraction to the effectiveness of the teaser trailer. The props that we will be using are the following; a hospital bed, face masks, red food coloring as blood which will add much of the realistic elements to the teaser trailer, to be professional and we will be using costumes including, hospital overalls which will add the desired effect on the mystery character and the doctor character. our location was one of the major factors in creating an effective trailer however it was really difficult to film in a hospital or an abandoned hospital. me and my team searched for such locations and you have uploaded a variety of images of the abandoned hospitals but we were unable to film in one. however, within three days of visiting hospitals and trying to get permission to film we decided to use the colleges medical room, which also wasn't easy but we convinced the college to use the room to film. Our target audience for our teaser trailer is horror fans; they will initially find films such as 'Sinister' and 'saw v' interesting. In regards to age, the target audience will be adults aged between 18-35, which we believe to be a suitable age certificate as the film contains really terrifying scenery. We have taken marketing into consideration and contemplated about how to promote our teaser trailer, e.g links to our film's twitter and Facebook page as well as the films website with production details in the credits. moreover, due to low budget and very minimum cast and crew we could not be able to create long scenes in our final product or dialogue, which resulted in short, fast cuts throughout the trailer lasting approximately 45 seconds, which we believe to be a reasonable time duration for the audience to get a feel for the film and acknowledge its existence and release. Also it will have enough images for the audience to understand the text and already pop up questions in their minds, keeping them active and thoughtful of the film. 

Blog entry 5 - Mise-En-Scene

We have decided to use a playground as one of our locations, to create the desired effect of mystery. This is achieved through shooting a close mid-shot of the swings, without any people surrounding it. Usually in a park with swings, the conventional action that follows is kids running around and laughter being heard. To create an eerie effect, we have decided to isolate the swings from people, and go against the conventions by portraying a quiet atmosphere. The atmosphere's purpose is to represent the mind state of the main character, who has a distorted view of reality. This is was unfortunitely cut out because we could not acquire children to act in front of the camera, moreover, this scene was not longer necessary for the teaser trailer as it created no significant meaning to the narrative.  

The intended props and costumes, such as the overalls top, the ripped bed and the medical equipment that are used in surgery were unable to be acquired, so alternatively we bought the bottom throw away overalls from and the dusk mask(it was suppose to be doctors mask) online. however, we managed to get the doctors white coat and the food coloring. Props and costumes are essential when creating horror movies, permitting the scenes to be realistic as possible to the audience. each costume and prop was needed in our trailer as it was set in a hospital and the characters were doctors. the food coloring was another very important prop as blood always attracts the humans attention.  

We are going to use an exterior shot to determine the location for the action in the teaser trailer. It shows an abandoned building which is determined by details such as broken windows, damaged brickwork or overgrown bushes. The location is very suitable for a crime horror movie as it creates an effect of suspense and insecurity. Usually there is no activity present in such locations therefore the establishing shot will inform the audience about the genre and the theme of the film. unfortunately this location was later not permitted for us to use as a filming location because it was dangerous to film in.  

This is a shot of a staircase inside the abandoned building. It is very suitable for a crime horror as it consists of elements such as natural low key lighting on the staircase which is a very typical convention for a horror. Damaged walls and a bright corridor behind the staircase works very well with this particular point of view because the contents of the bright corridor cannot be seen, again creating suspense which is an important effect in a crime horror genre.


This is a shot of a different corridor inside the abandoned building. Again there are features in that location indicating that place as suspicious as dangerous. There is a little light coming through the windows. There are spray paintings on the damaged walls and doors. Also there is rubbish over the floor. The theme created by this location suggests that this location has not been used in years yet there due to graffitis and specific marks...






We are planning to use this location as one of the cutaway shots. Similarly to previous places the walls are cracked and covered in graffiti. The lamp and the specific type of socket and switches may in some way indicate that the building is an abandoned hospital. This may lead the audience to thinking about the relations of this location to the genre of the film.


This location may be used for another cutaway in the trailer. Its a simple shot of a wall inside the abandoned building. The wall looks damaged and it has painting all over it. However the element that will get the attention of the targeted audience is a big graffiti of a word "blood" painted in red. The paint running down the wall from the letters combined with its colour will provide and excellent representation of the general theme of the film.

Another shot which could be used for a cutaway during the teaser trailer. Its a big close up of a window with a thick broken glass. It looks as if somebody had shot through it which relates to weapons. This represents danger of the location in which the action is occurring.

Blog Entry 2- Planning and Research

In this trailer we have consumed some of the editing and camera movements, including some camera shots that will contribute to the effectiveness of our teaser trailer. For example the really quick cuts in between some scenes that create discontinuity is shown to be a common used editing technique in trailers that helps to build up suspense and tension. Furthermore, other conventions such as the use of a variety of camera shots including close up shots, over the shoulder shots and medium shots allow the viewer to see significant parts of the teaser. 

This is another trailer that we looked at as part of researching appropriate methods of engagement in our teaser trailer. We particularly liked the use of the fades of the title in the trailer, which we wish to use in ours. Also, the extreme close up of the eye, as well as visual effects attached to the eye, was effective in creating mystery, which is another generic convention we will include in our own product, creating a mysterious character that will leave the audience with suspicion and later encouraging them to watch the film.

This trailer for the film 'hannibal rising' is particularly interesting for us because of its use of the narrative structure we believe it to be very powerful and we plan to use a similar basis for our own narrative, which includes the theme of revenge but in another way. Moreover, the techniques and mise-en-scene are off great use when we create our own product. the range off camera shots, including close ups, medium shots and also the use of low key lighting is a big factor in creating  mysterious and gloomy scenes, which helps to engage and attract the audiences attention. the close up off face expressions also are an effective element as it can create enigma and arise questions to the viewer. furthermore, the black fade in and outs are also successful and the additional soundtrack helps to build up tension keeping the viewer alert and focused. we intend to also use a soundtrack along with fades to be able to allow the viewer to understand the fundamental narrative and using sound effects to ensure our audience to stay focused on the movie as the trailer develops and leaves many unanswered questions.
we have also noticed the generic conventions that all three of these trailers include such as the r rated logo, the production companies logo, the title of the film appears at the end, the release date appears at the end and also small details such as the directors and the actors names are shown to the viewer. we will incorporate all of these generic conventions because we believe that when viewers consider watch a movie after watching the trailer it is important for them to know the directors and actors reputation and previous works.

Additional Research: http://www.slideshare.net/ugurk94/presentation1-19905569?utm_source=slideshow03&utm_medium=ssemail&utm_campaign=share_slideshow