THE PICTURES FOR THE PROJECT.

These are the images for the editing features that we had completed on the iMac, using Adobe Premiere Pro.

These are the images for the MAIN location that Alex and Anam had filmed at.

(BRICK-LANE, LONDON, ESPERO STUDIOS)

They were take by Alex and Anam, as they went there to shoot their vlogging scenes.

These are the images for the backup location.

 This was a plan B for the location.

These are the images for my news reporting scene.

This was filmed and edited in the shool's media department.

SOUND AND MUSIC IN DEAD SILENCE.

In horror films, there is a lot of non-diegetic sound. This ranges from high pitch to low pitch. The tone of the music will change, depending on what is going on at the scene in that moment of time. The eerie sounds make the audience feel uncomfortable and uneasy. They would find that the sounds are taking control over them. An increase in tempo is shown when a piano, harp, guitar, trumpet or violin is used.
For the theme song of "DEAD SILENCE", a piano is used at the beginning, building up tension and suspense beforehand. An awkward deep sound is heard after this, which is telling the audience that there is a build up to something huge . After this part, the piano is heard once again, but this time, it is 3X faster than the first pitch of the piano we heard at the very beginning. The music then changes back to the clash of instruments, all mixed in with low and high pitch sounds. This creates a feeling of danger, which is a signifier to the audience that something really big is about to occur. The theme song ends with a screeching sound and then finishes off with the high pitch slow piano that was played at the very beginning. This is a huge signifier to the audience, making them aware of the build up to the damage, the damage itself, then running back to normality as if nothing had ever happened.

Each member of the audience has a different perception to how they would be "petrified". Some individulas would be scared if the sound was very quiet, but then has areas where an unexpected lod sound appears ourt of nowhere.
Traditionally, in horror movies, the more the non-diegetic music increases in sound, the most certain it is that it is a build up to a consequence. Viewers mainly feel threatened, under control, or would want to (unintentionally) jumo out of their seats. The audience feel a sense of discomfort when experiencing uneasy scenes, and / or terrifying sounds.

For the sound effects, they are mainly extremely loud, noisy hyperbolic, non-diegetic sounds. They are mainly used to scare the audience. Depending on the mood of the scene / character, the sounds will flow in accordingly. These could be loud chatter, screaming and crying. Some sounds are exaggerated, just to strike fear into the audience, therefore making them feel very uncomfortable.
The mixing of no-diegetic sounds and digetic sounds increase the fear factor within the audience.

Diegetic sounds are heard in some parts of horror movies, such as footsteps, ringing of the telephone, talking and dropping of objects.

The non-diegetic sounds have a greater effect on the audience, but the mix of non-diegetic sounds and digetic sounds, scares the audience immensely.

DEAD SILENCE OPENING CREDIT ORDERING.

MAIN THINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN LEARNT FROM THE PRELIMINARY ACTIVITY.

1. How to use a video camera.
2. How to take different kinds of shots.
3. When to take the shots.
4. Taking lighting into consideration before taking the shots.
5. Using different angles.
6. How to set up the camera and the tripod.
7. How to track and run with a video camera.
8. How to understand and view the composition from filming the shots.
9. Learning when to play and pause the filming.
10. How to hold and manoeuvre with the video camera in the hand.
11. How to zoom in and out of objects.
12. How to make the camera focus on the object.
13. Focusing on the distance of the object, for a more in depth visual image. (aperture)
14. Learning how to hold and position the camera in the hand.
15. Learning how to keep steady when filming different shots at tight angles and also at narrow spaces.

MY PITCH ON OUR FOUND FOOTAGE HORROR OPENING SEQUENCE.

My pitch is that there are 2 British vloggers / paranormal enthusiasts, who are in Los Angeles to visit a haunted place, called "THE FAMOUS ESPERO APARTMENT". There is a news reporter who is working with BBC WORLD, who will be sharing the news out to the audience about the situation of the 2 girls. All of this information is shared out to the world before the actual footage has taken place. This will depict an image of the past and the present, therefore creating an atmosphere of amazement and irony. Also, high and low angle shots will be made when doing the hand held vlogging shots for the horror opening sequence.

OUR GROUP BLOG / AHA PRODUCTIONS / THE CAST.

This is our group blog. 
We named it "AHA PRODUCTIONS"... Our names being "ALEX, HASSAN, ANAM
Here is the link to our group blog: http://ahaasmediagroup.blogspot.co.uk

THE CAST.

This is me.

My name is Hassan Raza Khan and I play the role of the newsreporter, who goes by the name of Jamie wang.

This is Alexandra Hoang.

She plays the role of one of the paranormal enthusiasts / British vloggers.

She goes by the name of Sandra Park.

This is Anam Alam.

She plays the role of the other paranormal enthusiast / British vlogger.

She goes by the name of Julia Rose.

MY OWN INITIAL IDEA SUBMITTED TO THE GROUP BLOG FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE STORYBOARD.

The idea I had put forward for the storyboard was the glitch interruptions of the news reporter, whilst the 2 vloggers were vlogging their journey. In the storyboard, I had asked the group if I could have 6 key appearances in the opening sequence. 
They said yes. 
However, this was changed later on, as we began editing our opening sequence on the iMac. My 6 appearances had changed to 5 appearances, and all of these shots were shown before the 2 vloggers had opened the door to the haunted room. 
This was advice from our media teachers that we should not show abrupt shots of the news reporter, when the 2 vloggers are in the middle of exploring the haunted apartment.
We had taken this information on board, and had adhered by it.

My contributions were the where, when and how my news reporting scenes / shots should show up in our "FOUND FOOTAGE" / "THE FOOTAGE" horror opening sequence.

MY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO PLANNING MEETINGS / EDITING PROCESS.

I believe that I was the active force of the group, in order to get things done. I had tried my utmost best to arrange meetings with the group, and had also sometimes failed and succeeded in doing this. 

When I had been able to plan meetings, we went through what steps we needed to go over next. I had been talking about who should complete and start the editing and filming process, and also the entire 
structure in general. I had been planning a formal meeting during lunch times once a week and also an informal meeting during 2 break times per week. This had enabled us to deliberate and catch up with things that needed to be done. This was a vital step for our opening sequence to be successful.

For the editing process, we had taken turns and had rotated the roles. Anam and Alex had mainly been doing the editing of the opening sequence. However, I also had 10 minutes of editing the scenes, after Alex, Anam and YouTube tutorials had taught me how to edit on Adobe Premiere Pro. I helped edit the vlogging scenes, but mainly the news reporting scenes. Editing was an ongoing process, as we kept making adjustments to our opening sequence everyday.

MY PERSONAL RESPONSE TO THE BRIEF.

My personal response is that the overall procedure of the making of the opening sequence was quite good. Although we had had a few setbacks, I would say that the ongoing development and completion of the task went well, and that being said, it was finished to a very high standard. We had learnt and used many techniques which we never even imagined of doing so.

To conclude, my main response would be that the complete package of myself and the rest of the group finishing the task was really beneficial, as we had learnt as we went on further into researching on what we had to do.

I had a great experience when doing this task, and I really ejoyed many aspects of it.

MY INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO THE IDEA / THOUGHTS ABOUT THE GROUP CHOICE.

Personally, I feel that the thought of filming an opening sequence of the "FOUND FOOTAGE" sub-genre of horror was a great idea. I saw this as an opportunity to boost the image of this type of sub-genre, as it is not a popular sub-genre. 

This was a very smart and vital choice that the group had made, because it was our chance to be unique from the rest of the class, who were doing typical sub-genres of horror, using villains and blood etc. Though these might be the face of horror in general, the Found Footage sub-genre is more interesting. In EVERY horror film, a tripod is used. However, the majority of Found Footage films are filmed using a video camera, and that being controlled by hand as well, giving the person holding the camera freedom. Using a tripod is limited, and using a handheld camera is limitless in terms of rules.

Also, I had contributed an idea to my group that there should be more shots of "THE FAMOUS ESPERO APARTMENT", rather than myself as the news reporter. This is the exact feedback our media teachers had given to us. I had also recommended when my shots should be suitable in our opening sequence, and when they should appear.

Overall, I would say that I felt confident with what the group chose to film upon, as we all had the same approach and feelings towards it. The Found Footage film we had done allows us to think outside the box and be creative. This is my most favourite sub-genre of horror and I feel that the group had made an excellent decision on what topic we should be filming on. I believe that this was the correct step that the group had taken.

ABOUT FOUND FOOTAGE.

"FOUND FOOTAGE" is one of the sub-genres for horror. It usually revolves around a a missing tape from a very long time ago. The footage that is found, is usually the last records and evidence of the catastrophic events that had taken place beforehand. The people who had filmed that footage, are usually missing or dead.

Found Footage films have a huge advantage over many other horror films. One of the main reasons is freedom. 

In Found Footage films, you have the ability to control the camera, and can take the audience with you on a mind blowing journey. Films that are not found footage, are limited to where the tripod takes them, and can not move in any desired direction.

CLOVERFIELD.

In "CLOVERFIELD", the first 2 minutes of the opening sequence, the production logo is shown, therefore telling the audience who had produced the film. We are not immediately introduced to the main character, but are looking at the POV of the "could be" main character. His face is not shown, but a part of a narrative is shown. The man may be hiding his identity, in order to reveal it later on in the beginning of the film. The man shows the audience an even further insight to what he can see. We see something very iconic that indicates where he is. The New York skyline is where he is looking at, probably indicating that he wants to do some damage. The lighting is quite dark and the use of the location, sets the scene as we now know where he is. We do not know why, but from the dark lighting and his camera angle, we can infer that his intentions do not look very bright.




PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.

Another example would be 'PARANORMAL ACTIVITY". In this film, the camera is quite shaky and wobbly at the beginning. Despite the fact that it does NOT look professional on screen, it may add to the realism and the feeling of being scared and nervous. I felt that the person holding the camera, needs to learn how to caress and guide the camera, rather than being inconsistent and tired. The beginning of these opening sequence are quite slow paced, as the character may still be getting used to the camera and trying to adjust it as well.

REC.
In the first 2 minutes of "REC", the production company's logo is presented. This appears in a glitchy effect, again, reminding the audience how this has aspects of "FOUND FOOTAGE". The glicth effect has a different meaning. A glitch is mainly viewed as a negative feauture, and is often seen as a distruption, which portrays an image of violence and an unsettling situation in the upcoming scenes of the film. Later on in the opening scene, we are introduced to a female presenter, who is in charge of an eveing show. She is holding a microphone, and is talking in a very professional manner. 

After the setting of the scene, we are introduced to the main character of the film, who will lead the story of the film onwards and guide us through what is going on. The main character was the last person in the 2 minute opening scene, which is an indication to the audience that this character is BIG, and will want us to follow and embark on a journey with that character. There is Juxtaposition between the presenter's jolly attitude, in comparison to the dull and low key lighting. This signifies how expectation versus reality can be seen between 2 aspects in a scene. The low level lighting also connotes how the evening is damaged and broken down. 

In horror films, low level lighting is a must, just to create effect, build up of tension and also to make the audience feel uncomfortable and out oftheir comfort zone.

HORROR CODES AND CONVENTIONS.

CHARACTERS:

1. Hero
2. Villain
3. Princess
4. Female
5. Children
6. Clowns
7. Mum and Dad
8. Killer
9. Friend
10. Soul

SETTINGS:

1. Haunted house
2. Forest
3. Woods
4. City
5. Hotel
6. Run down areas.
7. Streets

PROPS:

1. Bloodied Knife
2. Crayons
3. Mask
4. Gun
5. Doll
6. Crucifix
7. Microwave
8. Random objects
9. Doll house
10. Mirrors

MISE EN SCENE:

1. The camera shows how close ups, POV shots and low and high angle shots can be used. The POV shot shows the audience what YOU are looking at with your own eyes. Also, the close up emphasise facial expressions whilst the low and high angle shots concentrate on the level of power or timidness.
2. The sound is a mix of diegetic and non - diegetic. Whispering, creaking floor boards, screams, phone ringing, spine chilling high and low pitch music, rustling, wind, shouting, demons communicating with each other in their own language, 
3. The lighting is mainly low - key. In horror films, black is the most dominant colour because of it's pure nature. irregular shadows forming and pitch, dull atmosphere signifies death and/or danger. The absence of light puts the audience into shock and in constant awareness of their surroundings.
4. For editing, shot reverse shots are used between the hero and the villain. Fast pace cuts are used to build action and tension.

NARRATIVE:

1. The story and tempo of horror films are quite slow, so that suspense can gradually build up over time, causing a more eager and curious approach from the audience.
2. Sometimes there are fast paced scenes to establish the relationship between the hero and the villain. They both fight directly and indirectly, eventually making one of them die ardor the other dying straight after.

FILMS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE KEY POINTS:

1. The Purge
2. The Blair Witch Project
3. Saw
4. A Nightmare On Elm's Street
5. Final Destination

THE INITIAL OUTCOME OF OUR OPENING SEQUENCE - "THE FOOTAGE".

PRODUCTION NAME: "AHA PRODUCTIONS".

[News presenter]: Good morning and welcome to BBC World, my name is Jamie Wang and this is breaking news. Two British vloggers, Julia Rose and Sandra Park who are well known to be paranormal enthusiasts, 

[Enthusiasts]: Hey guys, it’s Julia and Sandra here with yet another paranormal adventure for you guys.
[News presenter]: Have been presumed dead after months of searching when a 911 call had been placed from Rose's phone in the well known Espero Apartment.
[Enthusiasts]: We are visiting...THE ESPERO APARTMENT!!!
[News presenter]: This was the same place where 50 years ago, a young girl by the name of Theresa Thaw

[Enthusiasts]: Yes, the abandoned place on Brick Lane in downtown LA where the famous Theresa Thaw had been found dead.

[News presenter]: had also been found there with slashed wrists, rumoured to have been pregnant.

[Enthusists]: Apparently, her lover had left her or she got pregnant or something.

[News presenter]: No one has heard from the vloggers since then. 

[Enthusiasts]: WE'RE HERE! 
[Sandra]: Rose, Rose, I don't think that this is a good idea.
[Julia]: Why we have done this before. 
[Sandra]: This doesn't feel like the other times, I'm having a bad feeling about this.
[Julia]: Don't be so scared, nothing will happen, I'm here.
[Sandra]: Yeah, I guess you're right, but if anything happens, I'll sue you.
[Julia]: Fine *weakling*

[News presenter]: A video camera had been discovered at the scene along with some footage.
[Enthusiasts]: Oh my God, guys look at this place [flips camera], it’s so weird.
[News presenter]: an eerie figure can be seen
[Julia]: What was that San? San? Sandra? This isn’t funny, come out!
[News presenter]: revenant of Theresa Thaw?
[Julia]: OH MY GOD *mobile phone, try to call 911* WHAT IS HAPPENING?! Sandra please stop with the jokes PLEASE!!! WHY DID WE COME HERE?
[News presenter]: What happened to the girls and will they ever return?
[Julia]: SANDRA *screams* camera drops

FILM NAME: "THE FOOTAGE".

This is our script, which was made by Anam mainly, then Alex, then myself when I had joined the group.

As a group, we had decided to come together and choose to do an opening sequence on "FOUND FOOTAGE" of  horror. This was simply because w were inspired by "THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT", and also because it is a topic which is not heavily looked upon. It is an unpopular genre of horror, so as a group we all had the same aim to revive it. Also, we wanted to be unique and different from the rest of the class. We wanted to be the outcast, so that our class look at and appreciate us on our approach to this sub - genre of horror that no other group in the class has chosen to do.

The two girls vlog their journey to the "FAMOUS ESPERO APARTMENT", and then have a short disagreement with one another, about going inside. They were on a mission to find out about the Theresa Thaw's case and jus to explore in general, as they are paranormal enthusiasts. Just a while after they going, Sandra Park goes missing, and then Julia Rose begins to panic. Jump cuts will be made during the editing process, but also in the final outcome, as a view of past and present needs to be shown. The 2 bloggers will introduce themselves, once the news reporter has said his part about them. Julia Rose tries to make a phone call to the police, (911)but can not, due to her not being able to find her own phone. Both of the girls disappear, and the camera drops as a result of this. "THE FOOTAGE" appears.

This script was altered we continued to film.

The areas of concern were, the film looking like a trailer due to the jump cuts. Also, the cutting technique. This is mainly because the cuts need to be precise and accurate. 

The 2 minute mark is absolutely comfortable. Going over would mean that the opening sequence is revealing too much information.

Overall, we felt that the script was very good, and the LESS use of the news reporter, means that the entire opening sequence can be full of suspense and fearfulness.