Screen shots off the imac

                     imovie                                    imovie

The imac proved to be an important tool to contributing towards my opening film project as the programme imovie on the macs allowed me to upload and edit my film exactly how I wanted to.

To ensure the editing of my filming was effective I practised by randomly filming around school, uploading the footage to an imac via the fire wire cable and then editing the footage so the film had a sense of continuity. By doing this and experimenting with the various amounts of editing techniques such as: transitions, audio effects, and visual effects like titles, I gained a great understanding of how imovie worked and how to get the best out of it, this research and practise proved effective when it came to editing my actual piece because it meant I could get working straight away without needing help and could use more challenging and superior editing techniques. I also carried out practise filming on the Sony camera I used for my actual piece, so I could gain an understanding of how it worked, therefore I wasn’t stuck when it came to filming my final piece meaning I didn’t require the help of other people, which saved time. Preparation proved essential.

 imovie’s layout is user friendly, I found it very easy and effective to use. After importing my footage, imovie instantly separated the film into the different shots and from there I cut out the bits I needed by splitting the video at the play head then dragging the cut shot in to the area below to start building my project.

Props, actors, locations, filming, editing

 

The filming was very successful, as I took time to plan each shot thoroughly, every shot was thought about and was used for a specific reason, for example: I used a high angle shot to show the girl (victim) is vulnerable, also I another example of a crafted shot I used is the point of view shot which I used twice, Shows a view from the subject's perspective, because I editied in such a way it makes the shot look blury and strongly suggests to the audience it’s a POV of the threat as the POV is chasing the distressed girl, I believe this is an effective shot because it creates great excitement for the audience as it makes them feel a part of the film, they get to view the action from the subjects perspective.

Because there were only 4 of us and I needed 4 actors for some of the shots, for example; the wide shot of the 4 of us sitting on a log drinking, I decided to use a tri-pod, it proved extremely practical because it meant I could set it up in the position I wanted, press record and act in the shot with the others. Also it ensured better quality of filming; because the camera was securely attached to the tri-pod it meant the camera stayed in the exact position without shaking.

 As I mentioned earlier there are 4 actors, with me being one of them, not only did I set up every shot but I made sure the actors followed the scripted I constructed. Obviously it was quite stressful because I made sure we filmed each shot a few times to make certain it was just how I wanted it.

                                                 Ryan Marriott    Ellie Hicks       Bradley Hines     Steven meadows

Props/costumes and make up are vital for making the film look authentic. I made sure the actor Ellie (victim) looked like she was extremely distressed and looked like she had been attacked, I done this by: Smearing her make up, to give the effect as if she has been crying, telling the audience she is upset, roughing her hair up and ripping her clothes, which will leave the audience asking questions like “How has this happened? What has she been through? Has someone done this to her?” I believe the audience will want these questions answered therefore they will be attracted to watch the rest of the film to find out what distressing eventhave occurred.            

                                                          

This prop not only gives the film a realistic effect but has a second more important motive. I made the half empty vodka bottle visible in various shots as it’s a key part to the film, as it is half empty it tells the audience the teenagers have drank the other half, and therefore maybe drunk. Anyone who watches horror films know that drunken teenagers are extremely vulnerable and are likely to be killed by the threat. This vodka bottle represents danger.

  I thought deeply about the location of the opening two minutes to my film, and the rest of the film. I decided to film most of it at Bucklesham heath, a secluded woodland area. Woodland area is a conventional setting for a horror film as they are generally creepy gloomy places and also normally isolated from the rest town/village, so no one can hear the victims screams. I also based the name of my film around the location, which tells the audience this location is significant to the film, suggests its were the threat attacks. “The woodland massacre”

I also filmed some of the film in my front room, as it introduces normality, I thought about narrative structure while selecting the locations. The front room the teens are laughing and joking about in represents safety as it is their natural environment, and the woodland introduces the disruption to the normality.

The editing I carried out on the imacs has proved to be successful; it creates a more effective film, and allows the audience to understand what’s happening more easily. For example, in my piece I have used various ellipses to show what’s happening but much quicker, I have quick shots of me zipping up a cut, putting on a shoe, pulling up a door handle and then walking towards the forest. This all happens in a matter of seconds, without the transitions I have put in between each quick shot it would leave the audience confused, but the quick white flash I have added after each shot tells the audience its an ellipsis and they can still follow what is happening, it’s a clever effect. Another example of successful editing I have used is changing the focus of the shot and making it blurrier, when ever there is a POV shot it is of the attacker but the audience wouldn’t know this without the use of editing, the blurry effect suggests to the audience who’s ever POV it is they are perhaps not human, maybe a monster because the vision is blurred like a reptiles is, or there is something wrong with that person. I have included a few POV’s and it is clear it is the threat’s POV; also I have added heavy breathing so the audience are clear it’s a POV because it gives the effect that the camera is the persons eyes and we can hear them breath, makes the POV seem sinister as the shot is of two teenagers kissing.

Bradley's coursework

Preliminary Task

Story board and script





Distributors

A Distribution company is one that is responsible for getting a film into cinemas and marketing it to the target audience. Major media companies such as Sony, Universal, or Paramount have their own distribution arm, which guarantees the distribution and therefore the exhibition, by this I mean screening in cinemas and or DVD, of their own films.

The motion picture industry is very much dominated by large and very diversified conglomerates, such as The Walt Disney Co., News Corp., Sony Corp., Time Warner Inc. which finance the development of new products, in this case motion pictures, own vast libraries of older products, and often own distribution channels for bringing these new products to the public. Sometimes the distributor will finance the movie from beginning to end and other times, they provide a portion of the finances and subsequently receive a cut of the profits.

However, independent film companies will be reliant upon a distribution company to buy their film from them in order for it to be distributed. Some film distribution companies are also independent.

UK Distributors: Despite the intensely competitive market, new distribution companies emerge every year in the UK.  Here are some examples….

Buena Vista International (UK) Ltd.A subsidiary of the Disney Empire, Buena Vista is best known for its mainstream fare (Disney/Pixar). Although a clear major distributor it’s also been known to release a few low-budget UK movies, such as: Kinky boots.

The company has been responsible for distributing massive movies such as: pirates of the Caribbean, sin city, UK tittles include: calendar girls, and Breaking And Entering.

Dogwoof

Independent film Distribution Company focuses largely on ethical and political documentaries.

Titles include: The devil came on horseback, La Antena, UK titles include: Black Gold and The age of stupid.

Slasher Films...

is the name of my distribution company for my film. The term "slasher" may be used as a generic term for any horror movie involving graphic acts of murder. Therefore as you may have already guessed, my distribution company focuses largely on horror films, specifically teen horror films. I think the name reflects the nature of my distribution company. Its also an independent distributor.

In reference to the real company “Dogwoof” I’ve based my company on Dogwoof, as they are a successful independent distributor, they only focus on certain genres which include, ethical and poklitcal documentaries and I believe this is the reason for their success, because they stick to what they know and by not having their “fingers in a lot of pies they can focus on one area (genre) and succeed at it.

Classification

-Universal, there is nothing unsuitable for children. Films under this category should not upset children over 4.
-Parental guidance, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8.

-Ages 12 and over, films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, infrequent use of strong language, brief nudity, discreet sexual activity, and moderate violence.

-Ages 15 and over, films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong words, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and mild non-detailed sex activity.
-Ages 18 and over,  films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed

British Board of Film Classification

All classification decisions are based on the BBFC’s published and regularly updated Guidelines. The Guidelines are the product of extensive public consultation, research and the accumulated experience of the BBFC over many years. They reflect current views on film, DVD and video game regulation.

 

After researching into classifications on bbfc I’ve decided to make my film “The woodland massacre” a 15, as I plan to include violence, nudity, sex, bad language and horror. Bbfc say…

“Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury.

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail.

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’).

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.”

I believe these quotes justify my decision to make my film a 15. Also I carried out some more research and looked at existing successful teen horror films such as: Jeepers Creepers scream 3, and the more recent sorority row. These films all carry the same classification. 15. It makes sense to be influenced by these films as they were all successful with e teenage audience, obviously another clear reason for making my film a 15 is that its targeted at 15 and just above year olds.