Friday, 11 November 2011

Horror Genre Questionnaire

1. What is your favourite film genre?

2. Do you enjoy the horror genre?

3. How often do you watch horror films a week?

4. How much would you expect to pay to watch a film in the cinema?

5. How much would you expect to pay to purchase a film on DVD?

6. Do you enjoy a real life based horror or a fiction horror?

7. Who's your favourite actor?

8. What's your favourite horror film?

9. Which type of horror do you enjoy out of the tension builder or the straight up jumpy type?

10. Do you enjoy deaths in the horror or would you enjoy a character being haunted?

11. Who's your favourite director?

12. If your favourite director didn't direct a specific film would you still watch it, or would you think you wouldn't enjoy it?

13. If you could think of a subject for a horror film, what would you make it about?


Friday, 4 November 2011



In my research on horror movies i looked at three different films and how their sense of horror. Firstly, paranormal activity demonstrate their horror by playing with the viewer's mind which is really effective way to scare the viewer's because they cant actually see the 'demon'. Non-diagetic sounds are placed in the film to exaggerate what the makers want the viewers to think is happening. An example of this would be when you can hear footsteps walking up the stairs but there is really nothing there, this gives the audience a false sense of security due to them having no clue what is going to happen. So, when the noises obscure noises occur the tension is built and they know something will happen but they dont know when or where. This will be considered in the horror extract because its a unique type of horror, this is because its very un predictable for the exact time something is going to happen so the audience is left clueless.


I also researched the film 'Texas Cainsaw Massacre' which is different to 'Paranormal Activity' due to the fact that 'Paranormal Activity' is more psycological than anything due toit being about spirits that are unable to be seen by the naked eye. Whereas, this film is about a man who has gone crazy and targets a group of teenagers and plots to kill them. Also this anatagonist uses props to kill the victims and in the above you cant see whats going on.

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Opening and Title Sequence of 1408  

00:14 - Black background with a simple bold font in white stating 'Dimension Films' in block capitals. Alongside this is a downsize in font size white writing with out being bold which says 'Presents' in block capitals. The colour black connotes scary, evil and gives off a negative feeling. Also the non-diagetic sound inserted into this part back up the point of being a horror genre film.

Repetition of credits under the same basis...

00:28 - Fades from black to an extreme long showing a long and deserted road in the pitch black with low key lighting of a side road light. This is a stereotypical set for a horror genre film as it sets a negative mood and lets the audience know its hard to see and anything can be waiting in the shadows. Also the use of 'Pathetic Fallacy', which is where the weather is used to represent a certain mood and in this case the heavy rain is setting a miserable/negative mood.

00:30 - On the same image a white, bold font shows up on screen with the name of the actor 'John Cusack'.

00:33 - Reptition of the white, bold font showing the name of the actor 'Samuel L. Jackson' while panning to the right where in the distance a car can be seen approaching the camera.

00:40 - Car approaches directly infront of the camera with the same white font, but with an increase in font size with the title of the film '1408' in the bottom right of the screen beside of the car. Ghostly shadows effect on the title represents clearly that this film is based round a ghostly form which clearly is stereotypical for a horror genre.

00:45 - The actor first introduced gives off a sense of confusion to the viewers as he approaches and goes past a sign, as he stops after he passes it and reverses to read it again.                                                                              

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Production Company Logo's Part 4 (Universal and 20th Century Fox)

'Universal is one of the biggest production company's around as they have made big hit films ever since they became big in 1915 even though they were founded in 1912. They have made well-known films such as; 'Jurrasic Park 1, 2 & 3', 'Children of Men', 'Hot Fuzz' and many more. The logo of universal is a black background which is seen to be space with a coloured and relatively detailed graphic of the Earth glowing around the outside. Also the word 'UNIVERSAL' is in big bold capital letters, in a bright colour and stands out in the centre of the screen. This logo connotes they are high in the industry due to the logo being set in outer-space.


'20 Century Fox' is also a very big production company that produce well-known films as well as TV series. This comapny was founded in 1935. Some examples of well-known films they have produced would be  the 'Star Wars', 'Predator', and 'Speed' films. Also an prime example of a successful TV series produced by this company would be 'The Simpsons'. This logo is surrounded by spotlights which is an original use of graphic to connote the fact that they are in the spotlight and well-known for what they do. Also by having a big bulk in the centre of screen that has the name of the company on it, connotes the fact that they are a big company. Again, the use of gold in the bulk suggests that they are at the top of their industry due to the colour gold usually connoted a 1st place or quality (jewellery).
20th century fox (2009).png
Production Logo's Part 3 (Warp Films and Retro Films)

'Warp Films' is another small company but have also made some popular films and TV series. This production company was launched in 2001. Such as the film 'This is England' and the series 'This is England 86'. Which were both big hits on the screen and well-known. The logo is again quite basic with the the black and white colours, suggests the simplicity. The graphic of a globe with a thick lightening style graphic going through the middle also suggests the simplicity due to them being basic pictures. They have also produced some short films like 'Scummy Man' and 'Dog Altogether'.

'Retro Films' is another small production company who specialize in short films. This company was established in 2004. Some of the short films they produce are; 'Dark Voice', 'Stones', 'Desire' and a few more. Again the logo is quite simplistic which connotes their low profile company. The well known movie related peice of equipment called the clapper is simple but effective that straight away gives off the idea that they are involved with the film industry with out reading the name. Again the colours black and white connote the simplicity.
retro films dean wayne evans
Production Company Logo's Part 2 (TakeTwo Productions and Vertigo Films)

'Take Two Productions' are quite a small production comapny who have only managed to produce three films in recent years. Those three films are 'Salut' made in 2009, 'AIR the musical' made in 2010 and 'Play On' made in 2010. The logo in simple with two capital 'T's in opposite directions but lined up next to each so the top of the two 'T's meet to form a strip of film. This connotes the fact that they obviously make films, the simplicity of the logo indicates that they are not a huge production company. We can tell its simple due to the basic colours (black and white).

'Vertigo Films' are also a less known production company than the leading ones such as; 'Paramount Pictures' and 'Dreamworks' etc. This production company was founded in 2002. These have made more productions than 'Take Two Productions' though. For example, 'Vetigo Films' made films such as; 'Street Dance 3-D', 'The Firm' and 'Football Factory' all successful and well-known films. The logo is simple with their company name in big bold black writing with a simple font. But with an orange background to the logo, this suggests that the films they make are much more interesting and the catch the eye of the viewers. For example 'Football Factory' catches the eye of the viewer due to its basis on a well-known sport football and the violence behind the scenes of the games is energizing which catches the eye.


Production Company Logo's (Paramount & DreamWorks)

Paramount Pictures is a well-known American production company and their logo suggests this fact too. Due the graphic being the summit of a mountain with the word 'Paramount' literally at the peak suggests they are at the peak of their industry. The clouds in the back background also distinguish the height of which the peak of the mountain is at. Also the stars that surround the word 'Paramount' indicates that the films that make are top 'star' quality, it also suggests that there are many stars or well-known actors in their productions which does attract a larger audience if the actors are recognized and repected in the film industry.Paramount started producing films in 1912 with a movie called 'Les Amours de la Reine Élisabeth' Paramount pictures have films like; 'Paranormal Activity 1, 2 & 3', The fighter, Little Focker's and many more.

Dreamworks Animations is quite similar to 'Paramount Pictures' with the connotations of the images on the logo in the sense that again it is set far up in the sky indicates again that they are one of the best at what they do. By showing the moon in the logo will show people that they are good at what they do and make quality films just by common knowledge due to everyone knowing the moon is way up high. Also by using a primary colour in the majority of the logo (a rich dark blue) shows the simplicity of the animations made yet the quality in the end product is top quality. Dreamworks was founded in 1994, and there first film they made was 'The Peace Maker' in 1997. But to this Dreamworks have made some well known films such as; 'Collateral', 'The Ring One & Two', War Of The Worlds' and many more.

                                    



SE7EN Title Sequence Analysis

1 - 5 - An extreme close up on a book open with a hand in the background preparing to turn a page. The book also looks like an old book. With white horror style font in the bottom right hand corner.

6 - 7 - A plain back background with the same white horror font with the production company’s name ‘An Arnold Kopelson Production’.

8 to 10 - In this shot there is some white gridded paper with blue lines on, but in the center there is a page stuck on the gridded paper of two hands that are deformed which may have occurred through having their fingers broken. Also the same horror font fades in with the words ‘A Film By David Fincher’ in the top right hand corner
11 – What can be seen as a drill bit in someone’s hand with some material either on a finger or in the hand deliberately placed to maybe disguise fingerprints.
12 – An old razor that makes a sudden shudder movement, but all that’s happening is its opening to allow a new razor to be inserted which indicates gives off the impression that the build up isn’t a nice themed movie.
13 – A pen knife that is being folded out ready to cut something which again gives off the impression of violence
14 to 15 – A plan black screen with the same white horror jagged edge font with the actor’s name ‘Brad Pitt’ just left of the centre of the screen.
16 - A razor drawn from the pen knife is being used to cut someone’s fingerprints which would only really be done to disguise fingerprints
16.5 – the same razor is being moved about at the fingertips of someone to give a clearer view on what it was that cut the skin from the fingertips
17 – Another shot of skin being taken from the fingertips of the same person
18 – A black background with the same white horror font with the name ‘Morgan freeman’ in the same position as ‘brad pitt’ was placed.
19 to 21 – A tea bag is being placed into a cup of water, obviously to make a cup of tea. This gives off a sense of normality in that shot.
21.5 – Pieces of paper with an illustration of a face in much discomfort, but is smudged a lot
22 - The tea bag mentioned earlier being moved about in the cup of water to make the cup of tea.
23 - 25 – a black background with the same white horror font with the title of the film ‘se7en’ on the right hand side in the middle of the screen. This has an effect to enlarge bigger into the centre of the screen then decrease in size back to its original size and position.
26 - 28 – a dirty notebook on a table with a hand moving towards it to open it with the ‘se7en’ still to the left of the centre.
 28 – a close up on the notebook actually opening with dim lighting effects throughout to indicate the notebook does not contain good things.
28.5 – 30 – is a close up on the bottom of the book so the viewer does not see the content which gives off a sense of mystery, also the same font of writing with the name ‘Gwyneth Paltrow’ at the bottom just right form the centre. And on the left hand side starting from top to bottom there is ‘THE S’ in the same colour as the background but indented effect.
30.5 – black screen still with ‘Gwyneth Paltrow’ on screen.
31- 35 – A side on view of something being written in the notebook shown earlier but it is at the angle so you can’t make out exactly what is said. Also towards the end of this shot the same font with ‘Richard Rowntree’ in the top right of the screen.
 35.5 – That sideward view shot fades to a page of writing upside and on also adds another fade with more sideward’s writing but going opposite ways to the back ground, this gives off a sense of confusion and mystery due it not being confined and organised.
36 – A red back ground with 3 objects that look similar to matches lying across what looks like a table. A frequency wave pattern is just above the centre of the screen with a lot of more darkened effects to produce the image of blood and danger.
37 - 38 – A shot of a liquid but with the effect of having a red background to the shot indicates that the liquid could be blood; also something falls into the liquid which causes ripples across the screen.
38.5 – A black background with the white horror font of ‘R. Lee Ermey’
39 – A stream of film being cut with dark lighting in the back ground to indicate the character is up to something mischievous
40 – A picture being held in a hand and the edges of plain white are being cut, a slight bit of light is seen to glimmer from by the shadow looks like a window onto the page/book.
41 – Black background with white horror font, ‘John C. McGinley’
42 – A transparent material is being lined up on a set of apparatus and to be cut, which looks like some sort of sticky tape.
43 – The picture that was being cut up earlier is in someone’s hand on top of the notebook which is open on a page. 
44 – The notebook has now no writing on a page and the hand is moving the picture over towards the blank page and sliding it across to a specific position on the page.
45 – An extreme close up on a white piece of material with green printing on it; the extreme close up focuses on the word ‘GOD’
46 - 48 – Black background with the same white horror font ‘Julie Araskog’ and ‘Mark Boone Junior’
48.5 – photograph of what looks like a dead woman with the characters fingertips running along the bottom of the picture which shows he is not phased by the graphic of a dead person.
49 – A shot of newspapers and articles at the bottom but on the top is some handwriting below the bottom of another photograph.
50 – Flashes back to the 48.5 shot with the fingertips finished the run across the bottom of the photo and leaving the shot.
51 – 52 – a sideward view of a page full of small handwriting, the page is also being turned over to show that someone is looking through this writing.
53 - 55 – fades to black with the same white horror font ‘John Cassini’ ‘Reginald E. Cathey’ and ‘Peter Crombie’
56 – 59 – Then flashes to another black background screen with the same white horror font ‘Hawthorne James’ ‘Micheal Massee’ and ‘Leland Orser’
1:00 – A finger running over a specific word and smudging it out, almost to the purpose that the character doesn’t want to viewer to see the word. A sense of mystery
1:01 – a fact page about pregnancy with certain words being coloured over in black pen so the words cannot be seen.
1:02 – 1:03 A book with blank pages being flicked through at a fast pace
1:04 – 1:05 – a black background with the same white horror font ‘Richard Portnow’ ‘Richard Schiff’ and ‘Pamala Tyson’
 1:06 – a dark grey coloured background with the characters ‘C-24’ marked in white right in the centre of the screen.
1:07 – 1:09 – Another page of writing with a black marker pen going over specific words so they are unable to be seen; sense of mystery again.. Why is the character doing this?
1:10 – 1:13 – an illustration of a shirt haired man getting his eye line marked over in a black marker pen so we are unable to see his eyes; The same white horror font stating ‘Casting By’ ‘Billy Hopkins, Suzanne Smith Kerry Borden’ Then when the writing disappears it flick to having the whole of the illustration colours in so the face is unable to be seen.
1:14 – 1:15 – an extreme close up from the mid point of the pens point of view showing the pen writing something down on a piece of paper.
1:16 1:18 – A shot split into half horizontally where the top half is red and the bottom is the normal vision colour. The top half looks like a picture is being placed into this liquid and pulled back out again, this is the same liquid as what was mentioned before with the red background which could indicate blood? With the same white horror font ‘Music by Howard Shore’. And the bottom half shows a page of paper being written on with a side view.
1:19 – The stream of film that was mentioned earlier is being placed on a blank page in a notebook and then the notebook being closed.
1:20 – 1:21 – A document being placed into the notebook same white horror font ‘Costumes Designer by Micheal Kaplan’.
1:22-1:25 – black background with the same white horror style writing ‘Edited by Richard-Francis Bruce’
1:26-1:27 – What looks like the equivalent to a ring binder is being put onto the notebook also with the white horror font, ‘Production Designed by Arthur Max’. On the bottom of the screen in the centre which stays on the screen through the fade to a black background.
1:28 – Another close-up on the ring binder being stuck onto the note but form the opposite angle as before.
1:29 – Close up of a page in the notebook being turned over to find a different colour page up side down with larger sized hand writing that’s smudged.
1:30 – Red background close-up image of a strip of film in a character’s hands in movement
1:31 – A close up of a page being turned from one image of a dead female to an image of a dead male with a contraption that is inserting into his head.
1:32 – There is a fade from the dead male to another image of a character with their arms crossed across the top half of the body with each hand resting on the opposite side shoulder.
1:33 – Quick fast image of the blank paged book mentioned earlier
1:34- Black background with white horror font writing ‘Director of Photography Darius Khondji’ which flickers from the top of the screen to the bottom and then back up.
1:34.5 – Same writing stays on screen but the image cuts to the blank paged book half open.
1:35 –Same white writing stays on screen but cuts back to a black background image.
1:36 – A close-up image of a thin metal rod is running in between a characters finger and thumb.
1:37 – a close-up image of an image inside the notebook but then having another page turned on top of it, and this page has writing on it.
1:38 – The same thin metal rod as a close up running through the characters finger and thumb but in a slightly different angle facing diagonally to the right of the hand.
1:39 – 1:40– a black background with the same white horror style font, ‘Co-Producers Stephen Brown, Nana Greenwald and Sanford Panilch’.
1:41 – Back to close-up of the blank paged book in the same angle as before.
1:41.5 – a shot of the notebook with white page full of small writing in a black pen.
1:42 – We find out the thin metal rod is a needle and there is an extreme close-up of a thread being fed through the eye of the needle.
1:43 – 1:45 – Dark background but with one image fading in and out of itself that consist of the left shoulder from the back of a male. With the same white horror style font ‘Co-Executive Producers Lynne Harris, Richard Saperstein’.
1:46 – 1:48 – A character is sewing holes through the documents to keep them together which shows they are linked and should be kept together.
1:49 – 1:51 – Black background with same white horror style font ‘Executive producers Gianni Nunnari, Dan Kolsrud, Anne Kopelson.’ Going from right to left in the centre of the screen.
1:52 – 1:54 – A panning shot looking over various documents in a close up image. With the same white horror style font ‘Written by Andrew Kevin Walker’, which also fades into a black background after with the writing still there.
1:55  – A close up of a document with a photograph of a male with his eyes blocked with black ink from the marker pen mentioned earlier, alongside a sketch of the photograph, with a hair in some tweezers being placed on a thin round material.
1:56 – cuts to the page being turned over where there is small size black handwriting all over the page with a smaller piece of paper being placed onto the page.
1:57 – an extreme close up on a bandage around the characters thumb and the stitching being pulled away.
1:58 – 1:59 – Fades to a black background with the same horror style font, ‘Produced by Arnold Kopelson, Phyllis Carlyle’.
2:00 – 2:01 – The word ‘GOD’ mentioned earlier is picked up by a pair of tweezers in an extreme close-up shot.
2:02 – A repeat of the same shot mentioned before with the pan across various documents in an extreme close up.
2:03 – 2:06 – A black background with the same white horror style font ‘Directed by David Fincher’.
2:07 – Cuts to an establishing shot going down to ground level from high up showing a street in the daytime with in white writing ‘Monday’ in the top right corner.
2:10 – Fades to black.

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Preliminary Task

This is the preliminary task that we was set, the aim of this task was to film an opening of a door and part of a conversation between two people/characters. Our group used a still image from the back of the first character on screen, this is so not too much is given away in the first shot and to give off a sense of mystery to the viewer as they want to know what the character looks like so they can distinguish whether the character is a protagonist or an antagonist. We also used a close up on the hand opening the door, this focuses the viwers attention on the door opening and builds tension as the viewer also doesn't know what to expect inside due to the hand and the door panel being the only two things in shot. The 3rd shot was again a still shot showing the first character walking from near on the center of thes hot to the left towards a table, this is simply there for a build up before the viewers get to see the purpose scene and who or what is waiting on that table for her. Another still shot of the character sitting down was added in to create more tension due to it taking longer than real time to see what's happening, so the viewers are at that point where they just want to see the purpose but by adding another shot to the build up creates more tension. From then on in there several close ups on the first female character and the second male character having the conversation.