The Budget

Below is is a spreadsheet detailing the what has been spent on props and equipment:

The gas mask hazmat suit have been bought exclusively for the film. We estimate to spend around £5 on food, bringing food and drink from home to minimise cost. The gun cost a lot, however it was not bought for the film, despite featuring in it. So we have shown the cost of the prop but are not including it in the final cost. The filming equipment was supplied free of charge by the media department. Overall,  we have spent £40 exclusively on the film.

Shooting Schedule

Below is the schedule we are using to make filming our sequence organised and quick as possible:

 

We will hope to finish the sequence in a total of 6 and a half hours.

Target Audience: Horror Fans

The main target audience of our film are horror fans, as our sequence is in the horror genre.
The results of the survey I carried out show horror is a popular genre. This can also be seen due to the fact the horror film World War Z was the third most viewed movie on IMDB in 2013. Our sequence will attract horror fans in a number of ways.

One reason lots of people watch horror films is due to the fact they can be very tense. Our sequence involves a lot of tension due to the shots and props used, as well as the mystery of the character and the story. The fact viewers don't know where and who they are watching, as well as the fact they don't know what's happen, makes the sequence tense and mysterious.

The aesthetic of the sequence is similar to horror films such as 28 Days Later, due to the props, and The Evil Dead, due to the location. These factors could be used to appeal the sequence to fans of these films.

Survey Results

 

 

The results show that horror is a very popular genre, with over 50 percent of the people taking it voting it as their favourite genre of film. This shows moving into the horror genre was a good idea as it is popular, so if our sequence was feature film it would be easier to market.

Script

Below is the script for the sequence:

Storyboard

Here is another version of the storyboard:

Storyboard

Below is a hand drawn storyboard of the sequence:

Storyboard

Below are pictures of Lego men being used to demonstrate the script and story of the opening sequence, as well as the shots that will be used:

 

 

 

 

 

The first shots will be shots of the location, accompanied by titles. The titles will take centre stage, however the location will be clearly visible. This well help to elaborate on the mysterious setting without going into too much detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These close up shots show different parts of the main character. Starting from the feet, and ending on his gas mask covered face. Slowly revealing the character helps add to the mystery, and the close ups of the gun and gas mask help to show danger is present.

 

 

 

 

 

Follow shots will be used to follow the main character as he explores the desolate woodland, his goal and identity are a mystery helping to add to the tension of the sequence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the main character finds the body a shot reverse shot is used. The first shot shows the character has seen something, creating tension. It is then revealed what the character is looking at, the dead body, and then we see how he reacts through his body language as his face is masked. The shot reverse shot helps advance the sequence as the character is now aware of a potential threat.

 

The character investigates the body and the makeshift shack housing it. A mid shot is used so that the body the shack and the main character are all visible.

The final shot is a pov shot of a threat that is not revealed. The threat hurtles toward the main character until collision, and then the sequence cuts to black.

 

 

 

 

Distribution: Film 4

Film 4 started as Film 4 productions in 1982, owned by Channel Four Television Productions. In 1998 it was rebranded as Film 4, along with the launch of the Film 4 channel we know today.

Film 4 handles distribution for many British films, and collaborates frequently with British production companies such as Warp Films. If we were making an actual film we would contact Film 4 to distribute our film. Due to their support of British Independent film, Film 4 would make a great distributer for a British Independent horror film like ours would be. Film 4 would allow our movie to be screened across the UK as well as abroad, due to their experience. Furthermore, they would easily be able to promote our film via their channel, through special programmes in between the other movies on their channel, and also by showing it. We will be putting the Film 4 titles at the beginning of our sequence, to help make our titles and sequence more credible. In addition we will also create a production company with it's own titles to go along with the Film 4 titles.

Soundtrack

For our sequence we will probably avoid a traditional score, instead opting for something more subtle involving real sounds. The music will play along with the titles, but will end afterwards. The rest of the film will not use music, and will instead rely on natural sounds to make the film more unsettling. A synth or percussion is usually in horror films, playing quietly in the background. I believe this would ruin the atmosphere of the sequence. Our main inspiration for the soundtrack is the Se7en opening, seen below.

Casting Choices

Below is the casting of the opening sequence:

Aaron Cody: Aaron is the camera man and director of the sequence, thus will be behind the camera.

Shay Devese: Shay is the main character in the sequence, sporting a gun gas mask and hazmat suit. The sequence will follow this mysterious character as he explores a desolate woodland.

Elliot Day: Elliot plays the dead body, which he plays excellently. His presence creates tension and fear  in the audience, deeply unsettling them. This oscar worthy performance will land the sequence critical acclaim. Also he does the editing.

The Pitch and Final Location

Our opening sequence will be a horror scene involving a single character, a dead body and the possible presence of a monster, murderer or something more supernatural, which is left to the audience to interpret. This allows us to create horror through mystery and easily create tension as the character explores the area around the body. The sequence will be around 2 minutes long, so we must fit all our ideas into a short space.

The final location for our sequence is Roundabout and Sparrows Wood in Petts Wood. The woodland location allows for tension and mystery, and will provoke a sense of isolation around the main character, helping to promote the horror. Furthermore, the makeshift shack in the wood will also create mystery, and multiple shots can be centered around the shack to create further horror and tension.

Camera Work: Evil Dead Shaky Camera

The Evil Dead films use a cheap to do and effective camera shot that represents a demonic force hurtling toward an abandoned cabin. The shot is creepy and effective, and something I may wish to utilize in my own sequence.

The video explains how to use the shot and shows some footage of them doing the shot themselves. The shot would allow us to show the audience there is a presence in the sequence, without actually revealing what the presence is. This leaves the audience to interpret what the presence is, if it's a monster, a murderer or something more supernatural.

More Openings

Below is a link to an article detailing more horror openings and offering a short analysis.

http://www.blastr.com/2013-10-12/12-shocking-opening-sequences-classic-horror-movies

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974 Opening Sequence

The video below is the last of the three horror openings I will be analysing, and is the opening to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, considered one of the best horrors ever made.

This is a great opening sequence, simple yet creepy, and great at building tension. The sequence doesn't show much, avoiding the murderous rampages or tedious jump scares that plague so many modern horror openings. Instead we are treated to a quick background of the true story, some flashes of a body, and a close up of corpse, from which the camera slowly zooms out. This allows the opening to creep out the audience with the opening, while at the same time keeping the source of the horror a mystery. This is something I wish to replicate in my own opening, creating tension whilst also maintaining mystery. The quick flashes of the body are effective, showing bits of the corpse and then hitting you with it at the end, creating a great moment of horror. This is something I mentioned in the Dexter opening sequence, where bits of Dexter are shown through out, and then we seem him fully at the end. On that post I mentioned that if this was done in a horror film it could be done to great effect, as seen here. This is an idea I could use to great effect within my own opening to create tension and horror.

Sound also plays an important part. The voice over at the beginning is deadly serious and very creepy, helping to emphasise the fact it is a true story that is being portrayed. The radio at the end also has a menacing effect also helping to sell the fact it's based on a true story. Furthermore, the percussion on the zoom out adds to the atmosphere and the creepiness. However, as I have stated I will be avoiding music and instead relying on natural sounds.

Props

The following list is of the props that we will be using for the opening sequence. A major theme within the props is danger, they highlight the possibility of danger and add to the tense atmosphere.


Gun: The first prop is a gun. The gun shows that the character needs to protect themselves, provoking a sense of danger.

Gas Mask: The prop gas mask also adds to the sense of danger, showing the area is hazardous. Furthermore, it adds mystery to the main character by covering their face.

Hazmat Suit: This prop has the same effect as the gas mask. It shows the area is hazardous, adding to the sense of danger, and makes the character more mysterious by covering them up.