Reflection

A shot list and production meeting agenda are brilliant resources to have in pre production, as they provide you with the information of what will be filmed in the production stage, have a brief description of the film’s events, as well as who is bringing what and who is responsible in the long run. Our group put together a production meeting agenda, where we agreed on when we were filming, what we were bringing, and who was playing our characters. On the side, our cinematographer (Evie) has given us the shot list, which consists of her initial ideas before heading into production. These documents have assisted in keeping us prepared and ready as we approach the shoot for this Friday.

Reflection

The function of a storyboard is to provide a visual blueprint for the director, cinematographer, and editor, as it illustrates the sequence of events in the story; as well as any techniques that might be used through the camera before entering the production stage. As well as this, storyboards can even serve as a script for a film itself, as they can often project such meticulous details that cannot be added into the script; and was popularly incorporated when in pre production for George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). Me and my production group (Jess and Evie) have put together a short storyboard for our horror film, to provide us with a better idea of how to frame shots, as well as provide an idea on how to perform for scenes when directing the actors. What I have learned here is how a storyboard can project your ideas to be better understood whilst in pre production, having an idea of how to do everything so that you can get straight to it on the day of production. This will be useful for the future, as my group will now have a basic vision of what is to be portrayed on the shoot day coming soon.

Harvard Reference

Reflection

Now entering the pre production stage of our horror films, we have now all been placed into our new production groups for this project. Upon a brief discussion, we decided upon our roles, where I will now be working as an editor; cutting together footage and adding additional effects in colour grading and audio. As well as this, Evie will be working as cinematographer, and Jess as sound designer. In order to gather a better idea of our roles, we have put together a slideshow that provides a basic reminder of what we must do in these roles, whilst in the production process. This will serve me well later on, as it provides me with knowledge of what I must carry out in this new role whilst working on my group’s horror film.

 

Our second shoot in town went very well, and was a nice, short shoot that gathered all of the remaining shots that we needed to create the documentary. Some of the things that went well included the variety of low angle shots and handheld shots from our cinematographer, as well as the state of town early that morning not being too crowded; but enough people were present when gathering shots that helped to convey the industrial feeling. The only thing that went wrong was the smaller amount of traffic present that morning, however we worked around it by trying to go to the busiest parts of the road early that morning (e.g. Salerie Corner and the roundabout).

As sound designer and director, I made sure to capture the natural sounds of town, as well as the sounds of the traffic (especially when near the roundabout) that can be used in the post production process by my editor. As well as this, I observed and discussed potential shot ideas with my cinematographer, and also discussed ways that we could use camera techniques in order to blend well in the edit. We kept each other supported in the way of keeping everyone included, as everyone in the group serves a great purpose towards the final product.

Having our risk assessment and production meeting agenda worked incredibly when it came to the day of the second shoot, as we had a plan of what locations to visit and when, reminded us of initial shot ideas that we had gathered; and the risk assessment kept us reminded on how to stay safe when filming (especially traffic). We did not face any technical issues on the shoot, which was very good when filming, as it allowed us all to work more efficiently and not worry.

Overall, this second shoot was a brilliant way to close off the production phase of our documentary. Going from the pitch and initial planning to actually filming it is such an incredible experience, and has taught me how to work in a production environment in the world of filmmaking. The shots that were brilliantly gathered by my cinematographer (Declan), and the sound gathered by me, are now to be placed into the hands of our editor (Anjali) when going into the post production process; where we get closer and closer to finishing the documentary.

Reflection

Looking back at my extended step outline, I used it to serve as a blueprint when writing my very own screenplay. It is commonly said that 1 page of screenplay is equal to 1 minute of film, and so I wrote 3 pages for this task; to match the 3 minute runtime of the horror film we will shoot in the next school year. What I had learned here was not only the traditional writing format of a film screenplay, but also what it does for a film; describing the scene but not in too much detail (allowing others in production to think of how they will adapt these descriptions in their respective roles). This screenplay may benefit in the future, in case it is the final one that is chosen for the group project next year.

Reflection

Having my own original idea for a potential approach that the class could choose for our horror film next year requires a detailed, and thought out plan; if I intend to sell my idea well. Starting off with taking notes, I refreshed on the conventions of German Expressionism and developed ideas of ‘what if’ scenarios; and how they could work to develop my own horror film idea. Once I had gathered one of the ideas that I most favoured, I put together a small scene inspiration that displayed visual examples towards how the film may appear. From there, I put together an extended step outline that highlighted all of the key points of focus for developing the film, as well as how it may be shot and what it intends to encode.

What I learned most here was what elements must be considered when planning your very own idea for a horror film, and how to develop that idea into something that I can make others believe in. I also was refreshed on how German expressionism is presented in film, through chiaroscuro lighting, frame within a frame, and canted angles; and how that can apply towards my horror film. This will definitely help me in future, as I can present to others my idea when it comes to the eventual development of our horror film later down the line.

Shot Ideas We Attempt To Emulate

Shot List

Reflection

Gathering together again, me and my team prepared our pre-production plan for the second shoot of our documentary, getting together to produce another production meeting agenda and risk assessment leading up to the shoot. Looking at what equipment we might need, as well as having a basic shot list, we planned out our production time so that our shoot can run smoothly and ensure that everything is according to plan. The risk assessment needed more consideration than the previous shoot however, as we had to ensure that we were aware of all of the risks that we would face in town; as well as how to avoid them. Doing all of this will serve greatly towards our second shoot next week, as we now know what we want to capture, how to capture it, all whilst remaining safe from any risks.

As sound designer, I had to make decisions as to what audio I must capture for the shoot, and the activities needed in order to get the audio that I desire to be used in the final edit. Looking back at my foley sound task, I composed a list of sounds that I believe must be captured during the shoot, that will give me a better insight into what I need to do as sound designer for the shoot next week.

Quotes

• “Cultures create and ascribe meaning to monsters, endowing them with characteristics derived from their most deepseated fears and taboos.” – Daniel Cohen
• “Nosferatu (Murnau, 1922) has been a major influence on representations of vampires since its creation in Germany shortly after WW1.”

Quotes

• “German film, especially became stranger and darker, as filmmakers attempted to disorient the audience and immerse us in the heads of their main characters.”
• “Caligari’s innovation was to use mise en scene expressionistically, rather than realistically… designed to look deliberately artificial and throw you off balance.”

British Film Institute Slide Quotes

• “German expressionism represented this anxiety and confusion. The narratives revolve around deception and uncertainty.”
• “Budgets were cut, directors and production designers had to be more creative in their use of cinematography (hence the extensive use of close ups) and sets and costumes (Doctor Caligari’s sets are entirely artificial).”

Quotes

• “Gothic cinema… using the settings and iconography of gothic literature to elicit a mood of unease and terror.”
• “It took some elements of the expressionist movement. Warped, elongated shadows and jarring camera angles… build a heightened atmosphere of tension for the audience.”

Harvard References

 

Reflection

Count Orlok is ‘the’ vampire. He is the monster that started it all, and today, I had a look at how he stood as a representation for the Spanish Flu; a huge pandemic that swept Germany throughout the 1920s. I was tasked with analysing the micro features from the times between 15:55 and 20:07, to see how Murnau created classic horror elements to emphasize the representation of Orlok throughout the film. Some of the things that I have learned here is how the use of camera, editing, and mise en scene created a sense of unease in the viewer through Orlok’s presence; as well as how technical methods were included in the sequence to portray Hutter travelling almost to another world. I can use some of these ideas in the future when I come to further analysing the horror genre, as well as influencing decisions in future for the creation of my very own horror film.