Theo Divanis

In the early stages of writing the film script of 'Brother's Decline' I came across a fortunate opportunity to enhance my work. Because of this the starting of my filming had been able to start two weeks in advance.
     
Having completing the breakdown of my film script, I decided to read back through  my work to me cousin. This was to check any mistakes or additions needing to be made.  Overall we both came to a conclusion that this preliminary script sounded good to work from. 
     
However, after playing football on a Wednesday night with my cousins friends, my cousin mentioned that I was in the stages of creating a horror film. Then the goal keeper of the team 'Theo Divanis' was intrigued in my work and asked for me to email him my film script. Two days later I received a email from Theo with an attachment of a professional layout of my film script of 'Brother's Decline'. This was a brilliant unexpected gift and lead to me being able to film 'Brother's Decline' from following the film script. 
     
What Theo done was take out the little parts not needed in my horror film, show what camera angles/ media techniques to use and when, put speech in for my actors and finally standardised the script in a simple layout to follow. 
     
After thanking Theo I asked for a deeper insight in his fascination to my work. His reply was 'I have a degree in media studies and currently been writing a book for the last 10 years of the story of my life in a fictional format which I am hoping establish into a film'. 
    
Theo help was massive in the early stages of my film and this has inspired me to make my film to the highest standard of it's potential. 

Successful Images

This is the image I have chosen to use in my horror film poster. The reason for my choice is because it gives my target audience a connection straight away with my characters and also the feeling of unrest between both my main characters. I have shown this from both my characters looking lost in a different direction. My intention is to not give to much away about my film, however this image indicates that something is not right between each character. The black and white affect adds to the feeling that this poster is a direct link to a horror film. The location of my image is shown to be in a dark place somewhere you could understand a scary event to take place. Overall I believe this is a very strong image for a horror film poster with the main attraction of both characters facial expressions being shown clearly.

This image before being edited was my preliminary film poster image. I had previously decided not to use this image as my horror film poster because of both main characters not been shown. However after looking back at my preliminary film poster image I decided the quality of the image was too good not to be used. This is why I decided to use this image for my horror film review page. Finally to use the preliminary image to its best potential I edited it heavily in the programme photo shop. The way I made this image more affective for a direct link to my horror film, which has a sub genre of 'evil spirit', I changed the contrast of colours and used the sharpen tool to create this scary image of my character. Overall I think this image really stands out and is exactly what I was looking to create for a evil child and I think it will do well in attracting my target audience.

Film Logos

In creating my film logos I took into consideration the genre of my film. For example with the genre of my film being 'horror' I decided to created two logos, in a dark font including a background to contrast, allowing my logos to stand out. This contrast is shown from my logos being either in a white font with a black background and the other black font with a white background. My designs I believe have been successful, this is from my logos still standing out in my film poster with being of a small font. I created my designs through the programme photo shop, my reason for this was because of photo shop having the right tools to create what I intended. For example the tools which helped me design my logos were special effects; blur tool, sharpen tool, internal/ external shadows. Overall I think that my film logos fit into my horror film and have that twisted look, which link with my film narrative.

Preliminary film poster



For my preliminary film poster I chose to include only one of the main characters in my film. This was to see if this type of style was effective, when thinking of my design for my final film poster. The editing programme I used was Adobe Photoshop and this is the same programme I will be using when creating my final film poster, this is because it has all the editing tools I will need to finalise my film poster. For my preliminary film poster I did not want to spend much time on because all I was looking for was to see if certain style would look effective and to play around with the editing tools. 

Overall I think that even though I did not spend a great deal of time on this image it still has a great effect in a direct link to my film narrative. For example it shows 'Morgan' one of the characters to have this death like look and glaring eyes staring at the target audience. This effect I think is very strong to gain my target audiences attention. 

Finally the main reason for me not using this design as my film poster image is because it only shows one of my main characters. I believe my horror film poster will be ideal for both my main character to be used, showing the target audience straight away the relationships between these characters.

However despite this image originally being my preliminary film poster image, I have decided because of the quality of my design to use this in my film review page. This will be used from having this as a main image on the left hand side of the page giving a strong effect and the information on the right hand side of my review page. 

Horror Film Questionnaire

Click link below to see questionnaire and fill in.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dFZkMU1VMHVEUWlia0VRNFA0bUlEd3c6MQ

Click link below to see results of questionnaire.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewanalytics?formkey=dFZkMU1VMHVEUWlia0VRNFA0bUlEd3c6MQ


Overall I had 26 responses to my horror film questionnaire, however not all responses answered every question relation to why some questions have more results than others.

• Age question shown that the majority of my target audience will be 15-17 years old, relating to why I have made my film specifically for the rating of 15+.
• Gender question shown the majority of my target audience to be male, relating to why I have added violence to my films which girls aren't as interested in.
• The majority of my responses show that horror is their favourite genre, which has inspired me to create my film to a high standard.
• My data shows that the majority of people watch a horror film on a monthly basis. This has shown me that my film has to contain something special to stand out and for people to want to watch it.
• Evil spirit from my data is shown to be the best sub genre of a horror film, which this is why I have decided to use this sub genre in my horror film.
• The poster is shown to be the biggest influence for people to go to watch a horror film and hopefully I have created my poster to a good standard.
• My review page will have to also be a good standard with the data showing that majority of people read film magazines, which is where my review page will be placed.
• Film logos are shown to be an important factor to catch the target audiences attention and hopefully my logos are of a good standard in other peoples eyes.
• The cinema is shown to be the best place to watch a horror film and this has inspired me to really excel in the creation of my film to make it cinema worthy.
• My film title is shown to be popular which is a great positive to me as the creator.
• Finally the actors, special effects and film narrative are shown to be the main points people expect to be significant in a horror film. This is why I have concentrated mainly on these matters while in the creation of my horror film.

Overall my questionnaire has been a success and allowed me great understanding into my target audience on the big picture of how to go about a horror film. For example I now know the things to spend more time on and things not to spend as much time on e.g. the film narrative is more important than the location of my film.

Rationale
-Genre of film- Horror.
-Target audience 15(includes violence, blood and death).
-Story so far- Two brothers very close, young, always play together, 10years/ 14years, youngest moves away from close relationship, oldest lonely, takes mood out on youngest, ends up throwing him in river, death, youngest comes back as a evil spirit, haunts oldest, ends up killing him for revenge.
-Inspirational text- 'Orphans' have gave me many ideas including special effects, camera angles and a guideline to a story plot for my horror film, which is a sub-genre of a 'evil spirit'.   

Flat plan- Film poster

I believe that to sell your film to your target audience, your poster has to be of the standard of the film itself. In my poster the main attraction will be my image of my starring actor. This is to give the audience a sense of feeling to which character they are going to get a relationship with from the viewing of my film. The image will come from a main scene of the film to show the target audience what their in for and its a film not to be missed. The title of my film poster will be my film title logo to give a recognition with the logo to the audience. I will also be including additional information to the film poster such as film release date, actors names, director and captions/ sell lines. Overall I am aiming to create a horror film poster, which concentrates mainly on the image to really sell my film to the target audience. Colour schemes and designs will be created when using the editing programme 'Adobe Photoshop'. However current ideas I have are to portray my image to standout and gain my target audiences attention from a specific design. The font of my text will be a large size with contrasting colours to my image, allowing the text to be noticed and easy to read. At the end of producing my film poster it will give a good guideline to my target audience what to expect from my horror film setting high expectations hopefully.

Flat plan- Review page

In my review page I have decided to have my layout in a simple way, with my image from film clip on one side and other side two large columns broken up containing information on film, critics views, actor interviews. I will also be putting my film title/logo and a subtitle above the columns to show additional recognition for target audience to relate back to my film. Like my film poster I haven't currently decided on background design, text style/ font because I am waiting on the production of my review page to start putting ideas into practise. However current ideas consist of text to be in a bold font and have a simple colour scheme, allowing information easily to be read and standout. My film title logo will be the largest text to really sell my film and the subtitle will enhance this from also been in a large font and a different colour to film title, which will contain eye catching information. The background scheme will have a direct link to the genre of my film showcasing horror, meaning a dark colour scheme and design will be created. On top of this the image on the full page of the left hand side will purposely contrast with the right hand side page to really make the image standout to the target audience gaining their attention to read this review page. Overall my review page should showcase that the genre of this film is horror just from glimpsing and increase recognition/ audiences interest towards my film.

Film poster and review page could be chopped and changed during the process of their production.

Unsuccessful Images

This image was unsuccessful because of a light source shining on the camera, causing the shot to contain a white blur on the right side of the image. Making me unable to use this image in my film poster or review page.

This image was unsuccessful from one of the actors running through the other actors camera shot causing this image to be unsuccessful. From this image containing a object which is not sufficient I will not be using this in my film poster or review page.

This image was unsuccessful because of the camera shot only capturing half of the intended shot of the full actor. Because of not containing the full image of this character in my camera shot I will not be using this image in my film poster or review page.

Image ideas for film poster and review page

This image is very simple with not much work put into it. I have used Microsoft word to put this together, which is not for photo editing. However this is a basic design to work onto when producing my film review page in Adobe Photoshop. You can easily see were I have copy and paste an image into the main image and the lighting of the image is to dark.

This image has also been created in Microsoft. This design however will give me an idea to the standard I will have to work to achieve a good film poster and not a amateur one like this. You can easily see were I have copy and paste an image into the main image and the lighting of the image is to dark.

These images are preliminary ideas for my film poster and review page. From using Microsoft PowerPoint, I have pasted an additional image onto a main image, this is outlined from the small image containing a different background in a box and has a different lighting, standing out. However this is what I expected from using this programme because it is not predominantly for photo editing, when creating my main image for my film poster I will be using Adobe Photoshop. This is because this programme will off me many editing features, which will allow me to design my images they way I want to. Location has also came to my attention when taking shots from my preliminary images and also lighting/ props has also made me more aware when capturing my final images, overall widening my knowledge of taking a photo shoot.

....................................................................................................................................

I think this image really captured Morgan's facial expression we were trying to achieve- dead. This is also without any editing.

















This image is to dark for me to edit for the design I am looking to achieve in my film poster/ review page. On the other hand the idea of Morgan standing looking dead with graves in the background shows a direct link towards a horror film. 


















Once again lighting is poor and the idea is clever with Morgan (evil spirit) looking at Aidan while he's walking in the dark. 

Same again lighting poor and location clever and positioning of character. Morgan (evil spirit) standing next to a church with the view of graves and trees slightly shown looking at Aidan again with him not knowing.


















Poor lighting and camera shot with faces hard to see not explaining image. Good point, location has a link to the genre of horror, dark place with trees perfect place for a horror scene. Overall this image is far too dark to use in my film poster or review page. However the idea of having Morgan watching Aidan as a evil spirit is clever.

From creating preliminary images for my film poster and review page I have widened my options, when deciding which style or images I will use. On top of this, from using Adobe Photoshop I will be able to edit my images and create a specific design, which is relevant for my film poster and review page.

I have created a mood board to help enhance ideas for my coursework, which is to make a film poster, review page and a short horror film. From this mood board my knowledge has widened from the different techniques, styles, fonts, layouts, angle angles, text, special effects, images shown, which I could use when creating my film poster, review page and filming.

Todorov's theory includes four stages, which are shown above. Stage one is at the start of a film were the story plot is slowly introduced to the target audience through sound, location and characters,  this is the equilibrium balance between the film and the target audience to be steady. Stage two is the unbalance(disequilibrium) between the target audience and the film, which this is the scenes were something has happened, e.g.the dilemma. Stage three is still at this point of disequilibrium were the solution has still not occurred, this is at the second half of the film. Stage four is the finishing point of the film, this is called the new equilibrium were narrative is summed up through a happy ending, sad ending or a cliff hanger for the carry on of a film.


This theory of narrative organization has helped me through the creation of my films narrative. I have been able to shorten scenes down and concentrate on the main selling points of my movie, which is  important for a short film. The genre I have chosen for my film is horror, which fits perfect into Todorov's theory because I am going to follow each stage and give time limits for each one of the scenes to keep in my allowed time. Overall for a horror film the main selling point is mainly the dilemma, because of the target audience remembering main features, events, characters and this is why I have chosen to give majority of screen time to this stage of my film(disequilibrium). 

British Independent Film Institutions

Most independent film institutions contain low budgets and mainly concentrate on the style of their film rather than the story. Independent films institutions are in a ninche market and not in the mainstream market. This normally indicates their films to have smaller audiences and concentrate more on the style of the film to attract audiences rather than enhancing the film narrative.  

Researching into Warp X’s background through the web I have found there specific expectations which they plan for each of their films. They aim to have exhilarating films, establish new creative talent (actors, script writers, directors, producers) and include twists and signatures in each film. Warp X are developing British cinema with their low budget movies by gaining mass audiences from contemporary British and international cinema audiences from creating eye catching irresistible stories.  This information is justified from ‘The Big Chilli Festival’, which broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the most zombies captured on camera for the film ‘I Spit on Your Rave’. Warp X, director Chris Boyle, producer, editors and the many actors for this film will be outlined from the success of this film which will improve their recognition from this low budget film.

From using the research gathered I have shown that a amateur producer can still create a well respected horror film inlcuding key elements and correct genre guidelines. This has gave me added confidence in working towards my final production of my short horror film.

Ways to last the full viewing of my horror film

Horror as genre can create upsetting scenes. As a producer of a short horror film I have made simple guidelines for my target audience, to help them last the full film to admire my work.

• Certificate 15. Best efforts to not allow younger generations of the certificate rating to view my film to stop any inconveniences. This is because of violent and disturbing scenes in my horror film. For example one character throwing the other into the river and then comes back alive to take revenge kills other character, on floor covered in fake blood.

• People of a nervous disposition should always be accompanied by a cushion, easy access to cover face from seeing uneasy footage. For example character comes back as a evil spirit, face comes large on screen with loud sound, which gives you a shock/ scary. 

•  Good advice would be to eat beforehand as after watching this film food will not be your main priority. For example at the end of film character lying on the floor dead in his boxer shorts covered in blood.

• This film is not based on a true story however nightmares are always a possibility after watching my film. For example two brothers kill each other, which is not nice to watch especially with characters been of a young generation.

• Highly advised not to watch this film on your own, company will be needed. This is to slow your heart rate down knowing someone is with you. Shocks will be shown on the second part of the film with scary scenes and uneasy music, which can be upsetting to certain individuals especially if they are on their own. 

These markers are only brief, if you have any more useful guidelines I would be thankful for you to leave a comment and I shall add them on. To allow my target audience to fully understand why I have created these markers I have added example from a direct link to my film so my audience will know what to expect when viewing.

Horror Genre

Genre refers to a primary method of film categorization, which is fundamental to communication making information more controllable. Genre includes ideological ephases and themetric preoccupations. Horror genre consistently popular since the 1930's that attracts predominantly youth audiences. Themetric preoccupations can reflect moral fears in society and reflect changes in attitude. Most horror releases occur in late October (Halloween period). Horror allows film makers to move away from the moral and ethical obligations of the normal social order into a new aesthetic space.


Horror films aim is to make there target audience feel unsettled, from using techniques such as; effectively centring on the dark side of life, the forbidden, and strange alarming events, dealing with our most primal nature and its fears, our nightmares, our vulnerability, our alienation, our revulsions, our terror of the unknown, our fear of death and dismemberment, loss of identity, or fear of sexuality. These methods are often shown in a terrifying production of mass creativity, while at the same time captivates and gains entertainment for the target audience interest through the cathartic experience. Adapting on horror as a genre whatever dark, primitive, and revolting traits that simultaneously attract and repel us are featured in there films. Horror as a genre is created from the design of attracting your attention on the basis of keeping you on the edge of your seat calculating an unusual atmosphere from fright, terror and blood.       

This film genre incorporates a number of sub-genres and repeated themes, such as slasher themes, vampire themes, serial killers, zombie themes, demonic possession, alien mind control, evil children, cannibalism, werewolves, animals attacking humans, haunted houses, Frankenstein, satanic, teen terror etc… The horror film genre is often associated with low budgets and exploitation, but major studios and recognised directors have made an interest towards this genre in present times. With this horror as a genre is on the incline with more films breaking into the mass market of film production with the success of recent films. Some horror films exhibit a substantial amount of cross-over with other genres, particularly science fiction because of the easily associated link with shock and fright. However certain stories and themes have proven popular and have inspired many sequels, remakes, and copycats e.g. Frankenstein, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, werewolves, and zombies.

Overall a horror text consistently tests the implications of the behaviour of humankind, the impact of late industrial capitalism, the effects of historical determinism and the enduring influence of the need to preserve some notion of moral order, social valve and consual justice. From this research I have expanded my knowledge on the basic guidelines to what my horror film has to contain. The elements I am going to use in my film productions are: the fear of death, nightmares, shock and fright, night time scenes, hand held camera (to make you feel the scary atmosphere) and I am using the sub-genre of evil children.

A2 media coursework- Film script

Brothers Decline

EXT. PARK - DAY

MORGAN and AIDAN, play football on the football court.

Morgan takes a few shots at Aidan who saves them.

Aidan takes a few shots at Morgan, Morgan saves a few but

Aidan scores one.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Morgan and Aidan play on the Xbox against each other.

MORGAN

I’ve got you this time...

Morgan puts his hand over Aidan’s eyes to distract him.

Aidan laughs as he tries to grab Morgan’s controller.

AIDAN

See, you have to cheat to beat

me...

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Morgan and Aidan both drink a milkshake from a large glass.
They finish drinking at the same time.

FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. PARK - DAY

Morgan takes shots at Aidan who is in goal.

A young lad walks towards Morgan and asks him if he want to

play football with them. Morgan points at Aidan, put the lad

shakes his head and points back at Morgan.

Morgan ponders for a few seconds then walks away towards the

young lad.

Aidan gets upset as he picks up the ball and kicks it away.

CUT TO:

Aidan swings slowly on the swing.

CUT TO:

Aidan playing on Xbox by himself.

2.

CUT TO:

Aidan looking at photograph of him and Morgan. In a fit of

rage he smashes the frame.

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Morgan plays on Xbox by himself. He looks behind him, then

back at the TV, clearly not enjoying himself.

EXT. PARK - DAY

Morgan plays football by himself.

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

Morgan slowly walks in the room as Aidan sits on the edge of

the bed, looking angry. Morgan closes the door behind him

and looks at Aidan.

EXT. RIVERSIDE - DAY

Morgan and Aiden walk along the riverbank.

MORGAN

I’m really sorry Aidan. I won’t do

it again.

AIDAN

I know you wont!

MORGAN

What?

AIDAN

Remember when you stole that

magazine and Mum found it. I took

the blame for you. And you said no

matter what, you would always be

there for me.

MORGAN

I will be...

AIDAN

No you wont...

Aidan throws Morgan in the river.

FADE TO BLACK:

3.

EXT .CEMETERY - NIGHT

Aidan walks through the cemetery looking drained. Noises

make him on edge.

Everything around him makes him nervous.

INT. BATHROOM - NIGHT

Aidan lies in the bath. A loud bang followed by the lights

going off. Aidan panics.

When the lights come back on the words BROTHERS FOREVER

written in blood as the blood slowly drips down the mirror.

A loud bang followed by lights going out. When they come

back on the writing has gone.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Aidan’s in bed, awake. The room is filled with silence. The

phone rings as Aidan answers it.

He immediately hears heavy breathing down the phone. The

bedroom door is swung open, giving Aidan a shock.

The door then slams shut by itself. Water begins to drip on

Aidan’s head. He first feels it with his hand, then slowly

looks up.

Morgan stands over Aidan.

FADE TO BLACK:

The door slowly opens as we see Aidan, dead on the bed

covered in blood. The door slowly closes, by itself. When it

gets half way, the door slams shut.
THE END

Film production when been created could mean an adaption to the film script of lines being removed.

A2 media coursework- Film script breakdown

Director: Matthew Stewart

Short Film 5 minutes max. - Horror Film- FIRST DRAFT!

Film title- Brothers Decline

Made up Production name- Top Cliff Productions

Actors- Aidan (older)/ Morgan brothers

Film Summary- Two brothers really close, break away Morgan leaves Aidan, Aidan kills Morgan, Morgan comes back to haunt and revenge Aidan, Bloody ending twists used on shocks.

Media techniques- high/low angles shots, pan shots, incremental zoom, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, mid shots, master shots, close ups, hand held camera, tri pod, certain music, sounds, special effects, video editing programme, props, costume, shocks, blackouts, horror effects, etc…

Locations- Local Footy Field, House, Riverbank and Cemetery.

Introduction- Animation of Production name, film title, character’s/actors names, set the scene of a horror film through music tempo, volume, lighting, fonts, design etc…  Some film time on Morgan with the costume as a dead little boy dripping of water, pale face, edited eyes etc…

Scene 1- Set the relationship between characters (no dialogue) quick cuts from Brothers playing footy, messing about on a swing, playing on the Xbox together(small amount of dialogue), pan shots, high angle shots, hand held camera, music tempo slow.

Scene 2- Dilemma- Average cuts to show Morgan moving away from Aidan, music tempo show tension, low angle shots incremental zoom to close up on Aidans facial expressions, high angle shots, mid shots and pan shots on Morgan, when he’s playing with other people. Aidan plays footy, swing and Xbox by himself not same gets angry, jealous of Morgan, Music change. Not sure on dialogue.

Scene 3- Music tempo slow close up on Morgan low angle shot(dialogue with himself) feels sorry for Aidan, looks at footy field, swing and Xbox wants to play with Aidan again, wants to be Aidans mate again doesn’t know Aidan angry with him. Aidan takes Morgan down to Riverbank lots of dialogue sound effects show tension, Aidan ends up throwing Morgan into River special affect shock audience loud scream!.

Scene 4- Lots of cuts build tension Aidan walking through Cemetery, special affects create scary atmosphere, night time, non-diegetic sound Morgan talking, Aidan scared, cuts to bushes, music slow and quiet to quick and loud, cut skip to Aidan in bath black out, blood running down mirror ‘brothers forever’, blackout again, Aidan turns round and writing gone, suddenly knocks and opens no one’s there. Cut to Aidan in bed slow music quiet, phone rings Aidan answers someone breathing, Aidan sweating, door slams shut no one there, Morgan’s dead face dripping water extreme close up, cut back to Aidan asleep, blackout Aidan dead on bed blood all over, black out again back on pan shot on Morgan appeared walking out bedroom water dripping, quick loud high tempo sound affect incremental zoom extreme close up on Morgan’s pale dead face as he turns his head.

Inspirational Text- Horror Films Review Page

Review Page Summary

Most review pages have three columns per page, which can be increased to four. A dominant image will convey the subject of the article to outline the film genre. The image needs captions to anchor the target audiences attention. Pull quotes may be used to highlight phrases appealing to the target audience. The article title must be intriguing and have visual impact; enigma,codes,puns, shock tactics, font size, colour usage and style. A strap line under the article header might explain the teaser or add further information designed to draw the reader in. A kicker will usually be used to hook the reader in and often denote in larger or bold type face compared to other text. The introduction will be one of a limited number of possibilities. Drop caps are conventional to guide the reader to the start of the text. Look for elements given quirky angles, especially diagonals to give energy into the layout. Overall composition and narrative flow important, does the text work?, where are the readers eyes been led? Limited colour palette, be smart using colours. Primary codes of language, style and tone of text. Font choice, where do you display fonts, title and strap line important.

  






Antichrist review page
This review page uses a distinctive style of separating into two sections. The top half contains an eye catching image from a main part of the film, which includes the title in a large bold white font to stand out from the dimmer image as the back ground and also a drop caption on the film clip. The second section of this review page consists of 2 columns containing a write up on the film in a small black font, which is simple to follow and stands out from the white back ground. A pull quote is used under the main image to increase the target audience’s attention keeping interest towards this film, which stands out from having a different font style and having a larger text size than the main information. A kicker is used at the bottom left of the review page to hook the reader in, which is detonated in a larger text, different font colour and style type face. This film review page has two more images including the films dvd cover and a status update on the film, which also enhances interest towards looking at this page. The brightness of this page is seemed to have been brightened from a effective using on a editing programme which is a good technique to make this page stand out to the target audience louring them in.

Thirst review page
This review page contains the same layout as the review page previous. There are two sections, top half main image of a scene in the film to catch target audiences attention, which has been brightened for extra effect to make it stand out even more, image of the films dvd to make the reader want to buy this product, different font colours/ styles been used in the form of a kicker and a pull quote to add extra interest towards this film poster and finally there are two columns of a write up on the film. 

Overall from analyzing both review pages I have come to the conclusion that having a simple layout only including key images and information e.g. kickers, pull quotes, limited columns, few images including one dominant and making the review page bright to stand out to the target audience can create an effective page. 

Inpirational Text- Short Horror Films

I have chosen these horror films purposely to analyse on the basis that I will be pulling out specific techniques relevant towards my own production. Both short horror films include lots of useful sound effects, special effects, camera angles, location, general narrative of a horror film and acting. However I have researched through many films and have found these two films to have a direct link towards my story plot, which will personally adapt my own knowledge when establishing my own film through the different stages of filming, editing and directing. From looking through each film numerous of times I have picked out key features that has caught my attention.   

Short horror movie

A slow build up is used to let the target audience feel comfortable and recognise the location of this film, which you can see is the main character’s home. Setting is at night time, dialogue at the start helps you understand narrative horror genre parents going out leaving son in house, leads to plenty of opportunities for an incident to occur. A non-diegetic sound is used around 30 seconds in to show tension and increase target audiences attention knowing something could happen soon. A special effect of the radio going out of signal making a loud noise normally indicates to a problem, which leads you to believe something is happening in this house. An incremental zoom is also used on the radio, which shows this object to have significance towards the film. High angle shots are used to let you see surroundings and also the characters facial expressions, while low angle shots are used when tension is build up through sound tempo showing the characters vulnerability and lack of authority. Cuts are used to build up the tension quicker to leave out unwanted wasted film time and pan shots used to show characters scared fast paced walk. A long shot is used effectively with the character lying down on the laptop, which gives you a feeling that someone is hiding behind a door. Door effective straight away alerts danger with the rattling noise no one there but door still moving and creaking. Ending is shows a pitch black effect with a flash light only showing light to allow the target audience to see characters facial expression and shortly after film ends with a dead girls face on screen seen to be in house with a loud sound used to get you off your seat. 

Love Hurts
The start of the film uses an effective non-diegetic sound(mood music) in a slow pace to build up tension, which gives a good indication to the target audience that the films genre is horror. Lighting in this film sets the scene perfectly for a horror film; it looks as if dimmers are being used with a faded spot light on the subject of the scene to bring style and dramatic content towards the narrative. A pedestal shot is used to view the subject of the mirror moving vertically up and then once the target audience’s attention is shown where the location is a pan shot is used to show the surroundings. This leads you to believe that this is where something is going to happen. Cuts are used effectively mixed in with a cautious sound effect and a special effect of blood running down the toilet sink, which gives you a gut feeling that the character shown is not safe. A over the shoulder shot is used to show the facial expression of the character from a mirror, giving a sense of feeling that the target audience is involved in the scene, looking at what the character is seeing. Mid shots are used when the music tone is steady; this is the build-up that something is going to happen. High angle shots are used when the character is currently safe showing she still has authority, however when music speeds up and there are more cuts there are low angles shots on the subject of the film shot at the time e.g. character or object. Establishing shots are used to create more tension that time is dragging something will happen sooner rather than later. The ending is very effective with the special effect of the evil girl killing the main character with fake blood splattered everywhere and the man been evil at the very end giving a good twist to the film.

Overall I have taken into consideration many aspects of both these films and valued the techniques highly. In my own production I will use certain camera angles and special effects, which has been showcased in this film e.g. death, fake blood, non-diegetic sound, high/low angle shots, cuts, tempo and camera movement (handheld), however I will use these in a different context and format. 

Inspirational Text- Horror Film Posters

Freddy vs Jason film poster
Denotations: In this film poster the background is of low key lighting, making the two images standout with their facial expressions shown from a bright effect and their weapons to be bright shiny. These images fit in with the film title ‘Freddy vs Jason’, which indicates that these two characters are rivals and are going to use each of their weapons on each other at one point of this film. However, the weapons in the poster are significant because of your eyes been drawn to them, which leads you to believe that in the narrative there will be blood, damage and death in this film, stating that the genre is horror. The film title is centred in the poster to show the tension between the two characters, the font is red with a creepy style used to showcase the horror genre, which doesn’t give much away about this film but catches the target audience’s attention and thoughts. At the bottom of the poster in a small font there is a release date of this film; shiny white font and also a web link; red font, this information is still important with the contrast of colours standing out from the background, which brings your eyes towards.

Connotations: This film poster gives away the key plot in the films narrative with the title been ‘Freddy vs Jason’ and two characters looking serious at each other’s face clinching weapons in each other’s hands. This shows that there will be a lot of conflict between these two characters. There are only two characters shown in this poster which leads you to believe that there are only two starring roles and an expectation that there will be a lot of film time on them.

Semiotics: In this film poster the two characters are the symbol, showing their authority from their serious facial expressions, which senses a fright factor between these characters and the target audience. The signs for the film are the weapons what these characters are clinching, which indicates that the events that are going to happen these weapons are going to conflict pain on each other.


Overall from analyzing this horror film poster I have picked out certain techniques, which I will take into consideration when creating my own poster for my film. E.g. lighting- dark/low key lighting directs to horror genre, main character or subject shown dominantly and to keep poster simple only including main features like title, information and images. These techniques have previously been shown to be successful from gaining target audiences attention through simple and eye catching posters not giving too much away about the films narrative apart from the genre of horror and a main characters or subject.

Hatchet film poster                        
Denotations: In this film poster actors are not been shown. However a dominant image of a hatchet is on this horror film poster, which indicates this hatchet to have a significant importance towards the film. The location is hard to figure out with the background having low key lighting with back lighting on the middle of the hatchet to bring your eye line towards the image, which you can see has blood on it. The film title is easily seen at the bottom of the hatchet handle which increases the importance of this image with the film title been called Hatchet. The font of the writing is high key, which is bright white because of the background been low key; the title stands out indicating that the 'Hatchet' is the main feature of this poster. There is a sell line at the top of the poster which gains your interest to find out what this film narrative actually is because of the poster not giving away too much information. Credits are also shown on this poster at the bottom in a smaller font: director, actors and website link.

Connotations: This film poster does not give away much about the narrative of the film but it indicates that a hatchet is a key symbol and importance to the film which you would expect this tool to be involved inflecting pain at some point of this film hence the blood on this tool, which relates to damage and pain. The title of this horror film is called Hatchet so the target audience knows that this tool will have some sort film time.

Semiotics: The image of the hatchet is the symbol of this film poster, which dominates most of the page showing high authority. The blood on this hatchet is the sign, which explains the horror genre of this film indicating that this tool is going to conflict damage and pain.   


Overall from analyzing this film poster I have came to the conclusion that for a horror film to be easily highlighted from the target audience that low key lighting sets the scene effectively. On top of that the main attraction of a film poster can be a significant object which is directed towards the film narrative and not just a main character. This poster has opened my eyes to more options when I come round to designing my film poster.