Common Conventions!

When researching and looking into different Documentary/Mockumentary films I have found that most of them include the following conventions:

• Hand-held/Shaky Camera is almost always used, shots can sometimes be out of focus and framed badly. It's common for the film to include shots to with different types of camera resolutions e.g. it may look like the footage is from a CCTV camera or a computer webcam etc.
• The lighting is often quite poor and I've found it's common that the scenes are very dark. Torch light is a very common way of lighting very dark scenes that keep the film looking realistic.
• The sound is sometimes also quite poor and sometimes in inaudible resulting in subtitles being used. The actor dialogue doesn't sound like it have been scripted and learnt by the people in the film.

I have also found that the films often have a specific kind of editing. I found that it is common for the editing to be jumpy and disjointed, This makes it look like the person filming is not actually a professional film maker with a big budget. It also makes it look like what they are filming isn't pre planned and makes it look like they have just picked up their camera and catching what they are filming by chance/luck.
It is common for the films to include text, weather it be dates, times etc. or explaining the story line. The text is included to make the film look factual or confirm important information. It's also common for a voiceover to be used to create the same factual type feel.
Another convention that makes the film look factual is interviews with people. The interviews do not look rehearsed and are often uncomfortable and can often include the people saying controversial things (that are made to look like they can't be edited out).
It isn't common for music to be played over the scenes however if music is included it usually comes from a source/prop used within the scene such as a radio, television etc.

I think that these conventions are so common because they make the film more realistic, it makes it look like the person filming doesn't know what is going to happen next and makes it look like the characters had no tie to set up the scene to film properly. I think it is essential that myself and Laura include these conventions to successfully make this sort of film. All of the conventions are important as they help create the factual effect of the entire film.

The following film (Grave Encounters) is a great example of a Found footage/ Mockumentary film as it includes almost all of these common conventions.

The Blair Witch Project example of conventions

The following clip is from The Blair Witch Project. This clip is a great example of a found footage/Mockumentary film. You can tell that this is a Mockumentary film as it features typical conventions of these types of films. The lighting in this clip helps convince the audience that the film is factual as the light is provided by a torch making the scene more realistic as the characters are filming and staying in the woods. There is no music or underscore used in this scene which makes it more convincing that the footage has been found and hasn't been planned or edited.
The camera work in the scene is typical in found footage films. The framing isn't very good as half of the character's face is cut out, it is also filmed from a strange angle that makes it look like the person has just switched the camera on and is holding it up really close to their face. This type of framing makes the scene look realistic and unplanned due to the lack of thought put into it.

Although the scene looks like no effort has been put into creating it this is not the case at all. The conventions used in this clip are perfect for the genre and are extremely effective at convincing the audience the film is a true story. Myself and Laura will have to make sure we used these types of conventions in our film to try to convince the audience the story line is true, resulting in a successful Documentary type film.

The difference between posters

 



I have compared the differences between a Hollywood blockbuster film and a Found footage Mockumentary film as when researching poster I noticed that there was quite a big difference between the different types.

As you can see below I have annotated the most obvious features on each poster to compare the two.

 

 

 

As you can see there is a huge difference between the two types of posters. The Hollywood blockbuster poster is glossy and relies a lot on the stars in the film, whereas the found footage film poster is much more simple and focuses more on convincing the audience that what they are watching is true to make the film  more effective and scary creating a buzz to make people talk about the film.
To conclude I think our poster needs to be very simple, the colours should be dark and the image shouldn't give too much about the film away. it should make people think. We should also include a tag line that tells the audience what the film is about and write it so it sounds like it is a true story.

Our Script

Here is a draft of our script. This script will be emailed to all of the actors involved to give them time to learn their lines and familiarise themselves with the storyline more.

Script

Storyboard 2

 Frame 4:

Newsreader (Claire?): It is the 21^st May 2002. Reporting live at Dover Silver screen cinema where there has been an unexpected fire which broke out early hours of the morning. Police are now investigating.

Frame 6:

Newsreader (Rob? Becky?): 21^st May, 2012, I’m Becky...here with cinema owner John Harrow. John could you just explain what’s happening with your cinema right now?

Cinema Owner:  Well, there’s going to be no films shown here today. First thing this morning the power just went. To be completely honest I don’t understand.

Storyboard 3 (Michelle in her room talking about the documentary)

Frame 2:

Michelle: Hello, my name is Michelle, I’m 17 years old and I’m investigating the occurrences on the 21^st May at Dover Silver Screen cinema. Year after year these unexplained events keep happening at that cinema, on THAT date. (Speaks faster) I mean, fires, power cuts, missing people, it’s crazy.

So, I’ve got a contact. I found this guy on the internet called Mr Arnold who is more than happy to show me around the cinema, but get this, he used to work there back in 1953 and he was there the night the group of 15 disappeared. Well, went missing. He’s going to meet me at the cinema in a few days. So, maybe I’ll finally find out more and create an amazing documentary, I hope so! People might think I’m crazy for investigating this, but I’m a film maker and there’s always a story behind everything.  You just have to look deep enough. The 21^st May is no ordinary date, here in Dover and I’m not going to accept that it is just a coincidence. I know it’s not. (smirks) so here it goes! (moves closer to the camera and switches it off.)

Frame 6: (Outside the cinema waiting for Mr Arnold to arrive)

Michelle: (sigh) Where is he?

(Pans camera left to right then turns around and Geoff is standing there.)

Michelle: (Shocked) Ahh, you scared me. Sorry about that. (laughs) Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Michelle. (Shakes hand)

Geoff: (Shakes hand) Hello Michelle, shall we go in?

(Michelle follows Geoff into the cinema)

 

Storyboard 4

Frame 4,5,6: (Inside the cinema)

Michelle: Thank you so much for coming down here. Let me introduce myself properly. So, I’m a student film maker and I have a fascination with this cinema and the date, 21^st May. I’m creating a documentary because I believe that since the 1900’s, unusual, dangerous things keep happening here (quick pause) on THAT date, nearly every year. And you, you worked were here when that group of 15 went missing during the viewing, back in 1953 (pause) on the 21^st May, so, I really want to know more?

Geoff: I understand. Yes that date was quite the talk when I worked here. And yes, I was here when that viewing went missing. (Sigh) It was an unusual time.

Michelle: I can imagine. Well today I want to find out more and get your account of the whole situation, if that’s okay?

Geoff: Ask what you like Michelle.

(Geoff begins to walk over to the ticket booth and stands behind the counter.)

Geoff: I’ve missed this place. (laughs)

Michelle: (confused as to what Geoff is doing) Huh, yeah, well it is a lovely cinema?
 (Rhetorical question)

Storyboard 5 (Inside the viewing part)

Frame 2,3

Michelle:  So, where were you the night the people went missing? I’d like to know everything.

Geoff: It was 7 in the evening. (Says quite loudly) Things were normal; I took their tickets, showed them to their seats, made sure that everyone was happy, I did my job. Shortly after, Ron, went up to the projector room and started running the film, I was outside, like normal. It was about 10 minutes when I started to notice the smell of burning. A very intense smell. Hard to forget actually... I was worried, I didn’t know what I was going to see, perhaps a fire blazing, so I ran quickly in to the cinema. I wanted to see Ron there smiling away as usual, enjoying himself, despite the fact how much he hated where he was. His job. But I burst through the doors and there was no fire (pause) but there were also no people. They were gone, missing I suppose. I didn’t understand. I don’t understand. (Puts hand on head looking distressed)

Cuts to people in the town being interviewed.

 Storyboard 6

Frames 1-3

Geoff: It seemed like the 21st May always brought sadness here at Silver Screen.

Michelle: Yeah, wow, that’s a lot to take in, yeah. (Nodding pleased, as he is confirming her suspicions of how unusual things happen on that date.)

Geoff: How about a tour?

Frames 4-6

Michelle: So how far does this cinema go back? (Points camera around)

Geoff: Did you know?

Michelle: (startled) What?

Geoff: 1818 21st May..(slowly)

Michelle: Go on..

Geoff: This cinema wasn’t always a cinema. It was once the old town Gaol.

Michelle: A gaol?

Geoff: yeah a Gaol. 15 smugglers were captured on that date, 21^st May and dragged here. Their loved ones were enraged. Angered. They couldn’t believe that their husbands, their dads, brothers, sons were locked away. Do you know what they did?

Michelle: (croaky voice) what?

Geoff: They formed a mob; they smashed into the Gaol to break their loved ones out. They started with the door, the smugglers were moved to the most secure cells, but that didn’t stop them, did it? The mob literally pulled the prison apart. Fire,Tiles, stones were pelted at the troops, all to free their loved ones. (Nods in agreement and then pauses) Eventually some of the smugglers were released (pause) but others were caught in the riot and weren’t so lucky, (looks away) so I hear. Many were killed and they never got to unite with their loved ones again.

Michelle: What happened next?

(Michelle slowly walks nearer to him, intrigued by the conversation.)

Storyboard 7

Frames 1-6.

Geoff: The mob continued to rampage into the night,(begins to get louder, passionate) smashing windows, fighting for the Smugglers freedom.

Michelle: Are you okay? (long pause)

 Geoff: (exhales) it must have been a horrific 21st May.

Michelle: I never knew any of this. It’s perfect; I mean, it’s true, true that that date has always been here, lingering…Waiting for something to happen.

Geoff: But anyway, I don’t like to talk about it. You never know who is listening. (Walks off a little bit)

(Michelle stands there wondering what he meant)

(Suddenly a fire alarm goes off)

(Geoff stops walking) (Michelle moves camera down)

Michelle: What is that? (concerned)

(Points camera back up)

Geoff: (professional) Sorry, I need to go and deal with this, wait here please.

(Cuts to black screen)

Interview:

Michelle: What have the staff been like in the cinema throughout the years?

Jean: The staff have always been fine. The rumours about the cinema are simply that. Rumours.

Storyboard 8

Frames 4-6

(Outside the projector room)

Michelle: Mr Arnold, If I may , why do YOU believe that these terrible things keep happening on the 21^st May ? I mean every year there’s always something that happens, fires, floods, people going missing…But why?

Geoff, Stares blankly at her.

Geoff: follow me Michelle

(Enter projector room)

(Geoff reaches into the drawer and pulls out a plan of the Gaol)

Michelle: What is this? (Zooms in on plan)

Storyboard 9

Frames 1-4

Geoff: This is a plan of the gaol, (pause) where I think everything started. This place has never been the same since. See, (points) look at the cells, the halls, imagine the feel of being there. The foul atmosphere. It must still linger in these walls here today.

Michelle: what do you mean?

Geoff: (abrupt) what I mean, is that, I bet before 1818, the 21st May was just another day at this site. Nothing bad would happen. Nothing.  

(Michelle starts zooming in on the tattoo)

Michelle: What makes you think that?

(Silence. Geoff realises she is looking at his tattoo)

Geoff: Excuse me?

(Michelle jumps and then returns the camera to his face)

Michelle: Sorry, I, just noticed that, ‘Liberty Forever’ on your hand, what does it mean?

(Geoff walks out and shuts the door)

(Michelle pulls out a chair and sits down)

(Michelle starts talking to her camera)

Frames 5-6

Michelle: there’s something very strange going on here. I’m feeling slightly out of my depth, the way he gets so mad. Why? Why did he react that way to such a simple question? I think I need to get out of here; this is way too intense for me.

(Walks over to door, tries opening the door, door won’t open)

Michelle: what the hell, he’s locked the door! (panicked) Hello? Mr Arnold?

(Starts shouting and banging on the door, sits on the floor distressed)

(Suddenly hears banging)

(Stands up to open the door again, this time it opens)

(Heads towards the cinema entrance. There is a man standing at the door, she opens it)

Storyboard 10

Frames 1-3

(Man)  Sorry I’m late, I’m Andy, I’ve come to give you the tour…wait… how did you get in?

Michelle: Tour? I’ve just had the tour with Mr Arnold

Andy: I am mr Arnold

Michelle: No, I’ve just been shown around by Mr Arnold!

(lowers camera as she is looking around for him)

Michelle: (to self) where are you? You were just here!

Andy: Look I don’t know what you’re talking about. Just calm down.

(Michelle faces wall)

Andy: Are you ok?

Michelle, crying and confused staring at the wall.

(Cuts to STORYBOARD 10 BOX 5)              

Storyboard 11 (back in her room after discovering the photograph of Mr Arnold as a smuggler)

Frames 3-5

Michelle: it’s been three days since I visited the cinema. I’m confused, unsure, scared (pause) at what I have found. It’s him, it was him in that picture, but it was him who gave me the tour. But he died, he died in 1818 and I saw him, I know I saw him!

Pause

(Calms herself) But I’ve been doing some more research, it’s all I could do, I haven’t been able to eat, sleep… it’s just  all I’ve been thinking about. All what he told me about the Smugglers and how some were killed and the riot? It’s all true. Every bit of it, I have books to prove it. I believe, (choke up a bit) I believe that… he was one of the smugglers. One of the unlucky ones. ‘Liberty forever’ it was on him…(the writing from the book appears on the screen fading across her face) And it was also in this book. It all was.

Maybe I broke the cycle for that horrible horrible date and things will finally rest at Silver Screen. Or maybe I didn’t and maybe it wont. but what I do know is that it happened, he came to me. He showed me everything. (Puts her head down) But some things. (Sigh) Theyr’e better left Unanswered…

UNANSWERED TITLE APPEARS.

(Eerie song starts playing whilst the credits roll)           THE END.

Storyboard

Here are mine and Laura's storyboard for our short film.

Further Poster Research

After looking into what makes an effective film poster I wanted to search for some posters that are already out there that I thought was interesting and effective. I have done this to hopefully get some inspiration for our own poster. I have also included some that I do not think are very effective.


The following poster is from the film 'Long Pigs'. I think this is quite an effective poster. It is simple yet quite eye catching due to the bright colours that have been used. I like the fact that the more you look at the poster the more you see. At first glance all I saw was a yellow rectangle and the name of the film. I then continued to look at it and noticed that there are drips of blood and knife scratches on a chopping board. I then went on to read the writing on the poster and continued to be drawn in. They have used the definition of what 'Long Pigs' means that hints at the plot of the film. The text has been written in a factual way (a common device used for posters of this genre). Even though the poster is simple it has made me want to know more about the film and see the film.


The following poster is from the film 'Undocumented'. I love this poster because I think it is eye catching, creative and interesting. The poster also fits the genre well as it is quite mysterious. It doesn't give too much about the film away but we can still guess that the film is a horror due to the bloody hand. I like the fact that the image could be potentially seen as controversial due to the use of the well known 'Uncle Sam' image used on American navy posters and the 'I want you to go home' writing which also fits in well with the genre.



This poster is from the film 'Cloverfield'. I really like this poster however I think that if the poster was a little more simple it would look more realistic and would help to create the illusion that the film is a real. Technically the poster is eye catching and interesting to look at, I like the fact it has an apocalyptic look to it and hints at the plot of the film without giving away too much. I personally prefer simpler posters for this specific genre of film as I think that it suits the whole idea of a Documentary better.



This poster is from the film Apollo 18. I personally do not think this poster is very effective for this type of film. The reason I think this is because the picture is quite unrealistic and I feel that it doesn't support the idea that the film is in fact a true story.

Overall in my opinion I feel that less is more for posters in this genre. I think that the more simple the poster the better as it leaves the viewer with questions before they have even seen the film. I think that if you want people to believe that the film is a true story like myself and Laura do having a simpler poster will be much more effective to help convince people.

What makes a good film poster?

I have been looking into what makes an effective film poster.
I found this website to be extremely helpful.
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2011/02/7-elements-of-a-great-movie-poster-design/

The web article explain 7 elements that make a good film poster. These consist of:

1. Gripping the audiences attention. this is known as AIDA which stands for attention, interest, desire, and action.
2. Using iconic themes from the film without giving too much of what the film is about away.
3. Create interest, make the audience want to see the film. The article explains that if the film is more serious and iconic images can't be used, it is effective to use an image that hints at what the film is about, the image should be interesting and be based on a exciting scene of the film.
4. The poster should appeal to a wide audience and appeal to fans of the director, actors etc. as well as people who wouldn't particularly call themselves 'fans'.
5. The style of the poster should fit in with the style of the film and also be used consistently when promoting the film and in the film itself e.g. the style of font used, colours, images, quotes etc. this creates a more recognisable image and people will remember it more.
6. Create a look that suits other formats. this means that you should create an image that could also be used on the DVD front cover release and for other things. This could have more of an effect on the audience as the poster could become more iconic, the article has used the           'Jurassic Park' poster.
7. This last point talks about sequels to films however in a nut shell the point basically is saying make the poster recognisable.

 

Here are two film posters from The Blair Witch Project. as you can see the first poster has used a lot of the points made in the web article. The poster is eye catching, iconic and interesting. The writing on the poster doesn't stand out very much however what it actually says is very interesting and makes me want to watch the film.

I really like the second poster as it has been created in the style of a missing person's poster. I think this is extremely cleaver as it is very eye catching and also iconic as it tells us about the film but also makes us think that the film could actually be a true story. The fact that neither of the posters have written the names of the actors or the directors in big and bold writing adds to the effect of the film and makes it more realistic. by this I mean, if they had put the actors and directors names in big writing on the poster it would immediately tell the audience that it is a film and not footage that has been found.

 

 
I found this film poster from an Indian found footage horror film called '?:A Question Mark'. I really like this poster as it tells us a little about the film without relieving too much. I think it is very effective as it doesn't give too much away and makes the audience question whether or not the film is a true story or fictitious. I think the colours used in the poster suit the genre of the film and also hint to the audience what genre the film actually is as the colours are dark and therefore people automatically think it would be a Horror, or Science fiction film. However I do feel that the title of the film is quite unclear and I had too search the Internet to find the actual name of the film. I personally think the name of the film should have been more clearly stated so that people will know what the film is called. I think that this kind of simple yet effective poster is something that we should try to create as it makes people stop and look.

I also found this website that I thought was very helpful. A lot of the points have been touched upon already on the previous website however there are a few helpful points. http://www.tutoriallounge.com/2011/05/tips-and-tricks-of-designing-a-great-movie-poster/

Final Storyline

This week myself and Laura met up and finalised the storyline and drew up some up to date storyboards. We decided on our characters and decided that we would have:
Main girl- Who will be called Michelle
Cinema owner- Who will be called Jeff
2 workers from the cinema
Reporters
3 different people acting as random people on the street being interviewed.
At the moment we are not sure on who will be playing what apart from the cinema owner and the main girl (who will be played by me). The other characters we are yet to cast however we have some people in mind and know casting shouldn't be a problem.

Here is the final story line that can also be found on Laura's blog.

Final story: 

The first part of the film will be very similar. We will show a clip of the cinema being used by people on the 21st May in the 1950's. It will then appear that they were never seen again. Another black screen appears, telling the audience that on the 21st May, every year since then, unexplained events occur. It will then cut to numerous newspaper reports, news footage up to the modern day , showing how still, unexplained events such as, power cuts, fires keep occurring at the Cinema every 21st May. it then appears that Michelle, the young student film maker, wants to know more and is not satisfied with the idea that this is just a coincidence... 

She decides to contact someone who worked at the cinema during the time when the group of 15 went missing during a viewing, in the 1950's. A man arranges to meet her there, to show her around and tell her what he knows.

Michelle arrives at the cinema and for a while nobody turns up but finally as she turns around he is standing by the doors unexpectedly. They go in and begin to talk about why she is investigating the place and why she finds the whole situation weird. She asks him where he was the night the people went missing, he explains how he was stood outside and he could smell burning. The film then cuts to a black screen showing people in the town being interviewed about the cinema. One woman says, "No, I no longer go to the cinema. Not after what Iv'e heard about it." After more clips of town people it cuts back to the man speaking about what happened that night. He says that when he went into the cinema, nobody was there. No film was playing. No nothing. Michelle becomes very uneasy around this man and asks many direct questions. He begins to ignore them and wanders around the foyer. He then offers to give her a tour around the viewing area. 

They sit down in the cinema seats and there is silence for a long period of time. He eventually begins to mutter the date, 1826. He tells her that this is a new date for her to remember. 21st May, 1826. He goes on to tell her how this cinema marks the spot of the old Gaol where hundreds of smugglers were brought to justice that day. He goes on to tell her about the mob that raided the Gaol and how their loved ones broke them out but many were also killed. He tells her that he never talks about this because he doesn't know who's listening. Suddenly the fire alarm goes off and cuts their conversation. 

Screen cuts again to interviewing people on the street. Michelle asks what they think of the occurrences that happened on the 21st May. Some reply that they don't want to talk about it. Others say that there is nothing wrong with that date and they've had no experiences in the cinema. 

Back to the cinema, the man shows Michelle the projector room. He talks about when he used to work at the cinema and how he used to place the film, ready to be projected, leave for 5 mins, come back and the film was tangled across the floor. He begins to laugh and find this funny. Michelle stands there looking at him blankly. He reaches into his pocket to show her a map of the Gaol and as he does Michelle notices an odd marking on his hand...

He pulls away and walks out. Michelle sits in the room for a while and talks to her camera. Asking herself why she is here and how she feels uneasy about the situation. She suddenly hears a banging. She follows the noise and realises that there is someone standing at the door. She opens the door and the man says, "Hello nice to meet you, I'm Andy, I'm here to show you round the cinema." Michelle stands there in shock and tells him that he can't be the person, as the man has already arrived and shown her round. She freaks out as she realises there is nobody but her in the cinema. The camera cuts off.   

The final scene, shows a black screen once again, telling the audience that a few days later, this information was found. A picture of the man who showed her around the cinema appears on the screen but underneath is an article that dates 1846. He is dressed in a prisoner outfit and the headlines reads...'SMUGGLER DIES IN GAOL AFTER MOB BREAKS OUT' The picture zooms in on his hand, where the mark that she saw on him is also on this photo. The next shot is black for several seconds. Michelle's face then appears as she is talking to her camera looking extremely distressed. She tells the audience that she doesn't understand what she has discovered and she doesn't know if she's solved the case of the 21st of May, but what she does know is that it happened. Maybe she broke the cycle for that horrible, horrible date or maybe she didn't. This silences her but eventually her last breath mutters, "Sometimes questions are better left unanswered." The film ends with an abrupt black screen and as the credits begin to role, a folk song(that we found the real smugglers sang at the time of the event) plays eerily in the background. 

Planning our time

Here is a table that me and Laura created that shows when we are going to carry out certain tasks. We have done this so that we can be organised and manage our time accordingly.

Date	Task	Completed
8th-12th August	Complete Storyboard
12th-16th August	Complete Script
1st-6th September	Complete Film Poster
9th-13th September	Complete Magazine article
14th-15th September	Complete filming
16th-October	Complete editing
November-onwards	Distribute film and evaluation

Reviewing Audience Feedback

Myself and Laura have gone over our audience feedback and organised it into tables. We wanted to review the feedback to get ideas for our film. We want to try an incorporate our audiences thoughts so that the film will be effective and interesting to our target audience.
This information can also be found on Laura's Blog. http://www.lauramediablogger.blogspot.co.uk/

1.        Which one of the below are you most scared of?

Options	Responses
The dark	4
The Supernatural	1
Aliens	0
Criminals (Murderer etc.)	5

 

 

 

This question showed that the majority of people are most scared of criminals and their reasoning behind it was mainly because it happens in real life and it’s the only thing on the list that could do them any harm. The fear that received the least amount of votes was Aliens and to me this wasn't very surprising. Aliens don’t post a real threat to humans as most people don’t even believe they exist. This question has proven that more realistic things are scarier.

How we will use this feedback in our short film:

Since realistic and true events seem to cause the most fear in people, we will make our short film seem like a real documentary and use real facts relating to the history of the cinema to scare people, as they know that the information they are being told holds truth. Despite the supernatural not receiving many votes, we are still going to incorporate a spooky factor into our short film. However we will do this in a clever way, we want to just give the audience questions, leaving them unanswered and left for the imagination to decide. Making something seem as real as possible and not giving much away can sometimes be much scarier than an obvious ghost story.

2.        In a dark situation what is the main thing you would be scared of happening?

Response: We found that most people are scared of the unknown when in a dark situation. The idea of one of your main senses being taken away seems to leave people with the fear of not being able to identify who or what is near them and the threat that this may cause to them. Another aspect that people said would scare them, is the fear of being hurt and something attacking them unexpectedly.
These fears are all very irrational but that is sometimes what drives them, the idea that it is probably never going to happen but there will always be that small doubt.  

How we will use this feedback in our short film:In our short film we are going to play on the idea of having that small doubt in the back of your mind. The results showed that people do feel fear in the dark for the same reasons and since we are filming in a dark cinema this is great, as we can use their fear to our advantage. We could incorporate unusual noises in a dark scene, perhaps a subtle rustling behind the seats, homing in on that feeling of the unknown and what danger it could bring. We also want to challenge this idea and the stereotype that comes along with horror films being filmed in the dark. We will be filming some of the scenes in the cinema foyer, where there will be natural sunlight. It may not look like a conventional scary scene but we will use this to our advantage and still make it scary. We want to create a new view on thriller films and what makes the build-up scary. The darkness actually plays a small part in that build up and we want to use other aspects to create that scary vibe, such as sound effects, lighting and Mise en Scene.

4.        Are you more likely to watch a horror film that is, (Please write  yes beside your choice)

a)       Based on a real life event

                      or
       b)       A work of fiction

Options	Responses
Based on a real life event	5
A work of Fiction	5

 

How we will use this feedback in our short film:

The results showed that people equally enjoyed horror films based on real life events and works of fiction. Using this result, we have decided that our film will combine the both. Some parts will be made up and use actors to play our characters but our storyline will hold some levels of truth using the history. Hopefully we will be able to include real members of staff from the cinema to play a small part in our film. I think that this feedback has been very helpful, sometimes when a horror is completely based on fact it can scare people away and turn them off watching it. However with the question of ‘Is this real or not?’ that our film will bring, it will give people that peace of mind to believe what they want. I think that this will draw in a wider audience and not scare people away completely.

5. Do you find yourself more jumpy in?

a)       The day

                 or

b)       The night

Options	Responses
The day	0
The night	10

How we will use this feedback in our short film:

This question seems quite obvious and we undoubtedly predicted that the night would receive the most votes but we want to challenge this response. Most of our footage is going to be shot in the day where it will be light out, apart from the specific parts we film in the dark cinema. We want to challenge this stereotypical view of being scared just in the night. We believe that in the day it can also be very scary and sometimes the sunny atmosphere contrasted with an unusual setting, uncomfortable characters and feeling on edge can actually be more frightening. The audience would not be expecting it, giving them the same blind feeling they get in the darkness. To see if our challenging idea works, after filming out short film we will show it to our same questionnaire audience and ask this question again, to see if we get at least one person change their mind.

6.        Before something jumpy happens in a film do you find yourself more scared when there is a soundtrack building the tension or complete silence?

a)       Soundtrack

b)       Silence

Options	Responses
Soundtrack	6
Silence	4

 

How we will use this feedback in our short film:

The results showed that most people find themselves more scared in a film when there is a soundtrack building the tension. We do agree with this as it has worked in many great horror films before, but because we want to make our short film seem very realistic like a documentary, it may not work so well to use a soundtrack this time. I think that sometimes silence can be the scariest thing. We have found that most people don’t like the sensation of being in the dark, so we think that if we take away their hearing too, by including no sound effects or soundtrack for a long pause before something happens, it will make our audience feel extremely on edge. When producing our film, we almost want to adapt our audience’s conventional way of thinking. Hopefully with our challenging ideas we can achieve this.