Filming

Practise day- In order to get a feel for the camera and shooting on site we opted to have a practise filming day, in which we would shoot the more complex shots. This enabled use to change are storyboard if nessesary for the shots that wern't sucsessfull enough. My role in the practice day was both operating the camera and acting. I played the role of the common sence character- Josh. My role in oprating the camera was vital as I was then able to lend my opinion to the sucsess of each shot and the option of changing some of the more complex scenes.

The practice day was also essential for chosing the individual filming locations on the hill itself. I guided the group about the hill so we could make a collective disision on the ideal shooting spots.

Final filming piece- The results of the practice day enabled us to make changes for the final shots. Again my role on the day was filming and acting. I also was responsible for finding the individual locations on the hill for each scene. I was responsible for shooting a number of the scenes including many for the more dynamic shots. I shot the P.O.V shots from both the villain and George, and the ending shot were george is pulled away. My role in acting was also important in giving convincing lines so to keep the mood of the film flowing.

The final day of filming was a great sucsess. Much of its sucess was due to the practice day which enabled us to spend less time on planning on the final day. I was pleased with my own contribution to the group as effort was required from every member in order to produce the quality piece we all hoped for.

Progress so far

We have completed one day of practice filming in which we covered most of the shots in our opening sequence. A few of the shots were so sucsessfull that we may use them in the final piece. The practice shots on location gave us a idea of what to expect when shooting our final piece and allowed us to make vital changes to the sequence that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. My role in the practice day was filming many of the shots, and also acting in the shots that I feature in. I also edited the practice sequence to get a greater idea of the final piece. Our final piece shall be shot on wednesday.

Opening Sequence

Genre:
Our opening sequence introduces the horror genre via a number of different teqniques. The use of laid back music will draw the audiences attention away from danger. A sudden change of mood will affect the audience and help emphasis our genre. We use a few teaser shots in the opening sequence when we will shock the audience into a sense of danger then only to show it was a joke. An example of this is the shot when Matt, the joker of the group jumps into the telescope sight of Adam, shocking a viewer. Tense music and dynamic camera shots all add up to make the sequence a production of the horror genre.

Story/ Plot:
The opening sequence introduces the basic plot of the story however does not conclude any significant points in the film. From the first few shots of the sequence, the audience meet a tight group of friends. There interests are also made clear as they all have a passion for biking. It is obvious that the friends are preparing for somthing as a number of camera shots feature preparotary actions. The theme of the film is shown, but not fully concluded as George, the weaker member of the group, is stalked as he falls behind. He is soon taken. The audience are lead to believe that the story will be based on the remaining group members effort to reclaim their fallen friend.

Characters:
The characters of the film are introduced from the first shot of the film. The four friends are shown and elements of thier personality are emphisised so the audience can gain a greater understanding of the group. For example, Adam, the ambitions member of the group is shown to be rushing his friends so they can begin thier venture. The villain is not shown within the opening sequence, however his intentions are shown through a number of P.O.V shots when he stalks george.

The Four bikers and thier characteristics are below:

Adam: The ambitions member of the group who tends to take the front seat in all things active.

George: The queit and intelligent member of the group who stays out of arguements and keeps opinions to himself. The inocent character who ultimatly pays the price for his groups inexperience.

Matt: The joker of the group. He looks of the bright side of life and manages to make a joke out of even the most uncomfortable situations.

Josh: The common sence character who tries to keep the cool and do everything how it should be done.

Themes and Values:
A number of Themes and Values are emphasised in the sequence. Perhaps the most obvious Value is fiendship. The friendship within the group of friends is tight and forgiving. Ambition is a theme that is portrayed by Adam. He is more organised and more willing to complete his goals and ambitions. Ultimatly this leads to the groups worst fears. Inexperience and nievity are other themes used. The group is inexperienced and are not aware of the sheer scale of the task they are facing. They are not aware of any rumours and dangers that the hills hold within them.

Situations and locations:
The location for the film is the great open space that is pitch hill. In the film, the hill shall be made to seem bigger than it really is to give a sence of scale. The location consists of many dark windy paths that are engulfed by dark trees; the ideal location for a masacre. The situation of the group soon unfolds to a viewer when they leave without vital safty kit (Phone, First aid etc). when George begins to fall behind his situation soon becomes clear as he is kidnapped. The audience can then conclude the situation of the remaining friends. There adventure soon turns into a search and rescue situation.

Post- research questions

1. My role in the research process:
I aided in the production of the questionaire and the handing out of it.
I conducted several film reviews within our chosen genre. 1 micro anaylasis and 1 macro anaylasis. This helped give us ideas and themes for our own film. I also wrote a detailed essay of the opening sequence of Dawn of the dead. Being a opening sequence this would aid the production of our own opening sequence.

2. We already had a fairly good idea of what genre of film we wanted to make. Our research furthered our knowledge and understanding of the genre and gave us ideas for our own piece.

3. The characters used in the movie are yound adults. We wanted our film to be aimed at the younger audience (15- 25). We felt the use of younger characters would help this audience to relate to the film and put themselves in the position of the troubled characters.

4. Our research so far has aided use in our choice of location. Our Questionaire results proved that vast, empty locations particuarly wooded areas are considered the most frightening location. We therefore chose to use Pitch hill in surrey as our filming location as the area is engulfed by woodland and is often empty. The towering trees can also create a feeling of vunerability that we felt would be esential in our movie.

Our research into current films gave ideas for the theme of the film, and for camera angles. This reseach was esential as it gave us a understanding of what works and what doesn't work in the horror genre.

5. A number of features in the film come together to make the movie a product of the horror genre. Firstly, the storyline is a plot that is common of the genre and a audience would expect many frights throughout the film. The use of dynamic camera angles, some of which give the impression of being stalked also add to the tension as is nesesary in the horror genre. Mysterious and somtimes decieving music that gives a sence of safty is used in the fim. This is also a common feature of horror films.

6. The mise en scene in the film is a vital part of creating mood and atmosphere. The film will use a combination of music and dynamic camera angles to create mood and tension. Some vital safty equiptment (props) will be left behind in the opening few shots of the film. This creates a uneasy mood early on in the film as a audience does not know what to expect next.

Mise- en- scene is also used to give tha character thier individual characteristics and personality. For example, we will use a odd array of clothing (costume) for the joker of the group of friends and a more expert array of biking clothing for the more coragous and ambitions memeber of the group.

When the bikers enter pitch hill they pass a sign. The sign simply state PITCH HILL, and the bikers suspect nothing. However, as the bikers pass the back of the sign is shown to the audience. The sign is covered in missing notices. This use of Mise- en- scene is vital in creating a early sence of potential danger.