Welcome to my A2 blog. I hope you enjoy reading through my process beginning with pre-production research and planning, travelling through production work and post-production editing, ending with an evaluation. In this course I want to develop my leadership, listening, communication, creative and film skills in order to develop my skills even further from the AS course. Thus we have discussed our weaknesses from the AS and planned to produce an unique Film trailer in the genre of 'Film Noir.'
Unfortunately, we have found out that we are unable to film at the local church, because of understandable concerns on behalf of the Parish Church Council. Therefore, we face a challenge to search for other locations, preferably Church's (so that we do not need to change our ideas.) We will attain research by visiting local Church's and asking whether it would be a possibility to film there. Our main aim is to have some shots before Christmas so this process will be short and quick.
1. Interrogation room. We've taken our school theatre as a possibility due to its potential for lighting the scene.
2. Potential crime scene, we thought this would be a good area to shoot the crime scene because it's an open space with trees around it which gives us space for mise-en-scene
3. Ambience shots, the pines are really tall therefore they'd be good for capturing wind whispering through trees.
4. This is an establishing shot of the forest, looks very plain and boring without any mise-en-scene. For mise-en-scene we'd have detectives roaming the area.
7. This would be for interior ambience.
6. This is a small ditch in the forest, it is big enough to fit Hayden's body, it'd be ideal for the shot of the dead victim.
7. This would potentially be a shot of the detective or a character getting into the pond to take a dead body out of the water.
This location would be great for the detective to walk down the path with a lantern in his hand to light his way, creating a sense of mystery.
Can use two cameras for a slightly different angle and more footage
Without any emotional cues from the actors, a reliance on editing tricks is increased. For example, music and close-ups
It is more effective if the characters have an objective. When they are not using dialogue, this should be shown
Explore the use of the camera movement and motion (steadicam or hand-held)
Always consider the 180 degree rule, but if it is discreet and the choice of the shot works effectively without confusion, this rule can be broken or experimented with
In our production, we will explore characters objectives and their body language behind this, whilst specifically following the 180 degree rule because we do not want confusion but we are keen on shot-reverse-shots. Furthermore, I think that our production will mostly be steady, but the beginning shots of the artefacts and the objects in the Church will be hand-held in order to allow extreme close-ups and a variance in angles. Lastly, we may use two cameras for more footage depending on the teachers rule and how popular the Nikon's are.
1. Deadly Night: This title would refer to the night-time setting and the dark low-key lighting used within the generic Film Noirs and Horrors. The use of the word 'deadly' connotes the innocent deaths that take place throughout the narrative, and the stereotypes of a Vampire (our antagonist.) This title should provide the audience will pleasure, specifically entertainment from the 'Uses and Gratification Theory' because they would expect a sinister and climatic mood.
2. Vampire Night: This title is informative and specific because it is clear and it makes the narrative already quite obvious. The Vampire killings occur at night, so the title is very self-explanatory. However, this name does not leave the audience with anything to think about, which would prevent audience capture and interest. Additionally, this title is not generic for a Film Noir because there is no incorporation of an adjective, meaning that it would not relate to our conventional narrative.
3. Nightfall: This title is short and sweet, whilst the use of the 'night' signifies the time of the murders and the theme of darkness. Also, the 'fall' will connote how the innocent victims fall to their death in the hands of the Vampire. Lastly, this title creates a sense of failure, perhaps the protagonists or the antagonist. As a result, this will lead to audience anticipation because they are not aware of who will fall.
4. The Dark Detective: This is a conventional Film Noir title, as their is a mention of his name that makes the audience consider more why he is a dark character. The lexical choice of 'dark' also implies that the Detective goes through a transition and change in his usual attitude towards the law, perhaps he has began to use darker methods to solve his cases. Lastly, the alliteration creates a sharp sound, signifying that this character will have a flaw.
5. The Vicious Vampire: Again, alliteration is used to emphasise the represented villain within our Film, whilst being conventional for Film Noir. The use of the word 'vicious' connotes harshness, evilness and anger being stereotypical for a Vampire and an antagonist. As well as this, this alliteration enables the audience to be entertained because the title could be easily exaggerated, making the character sound instantly cool and quite tongue-and-cheek which is want Film Noir is often all about and what we desire.
6. The Night Hunter: This title seems effective because it sums up the roles of Vampires and their desires to suck on blood because of their blood-thirst. The use of 'the' creates a sense of importance, the 'night' signifies the time of day this character completes their hunt and the lexical description of 'hunter' connotes a savage and secretive character. Therefore pleasuring the audience because we want to know who the night hunter is and who the victims are. All of these connotations represent a dark character, as well as highlighting a predatory-like demeanour.
7. Night-Stalker: This title links to the predatory representation of the 'night-stalker.' However, the term stalker modernises this title and emphasises that this character will be presented as creepy and weird, so the audience will already have expectations and judgement. Again it provides audience enhancement because it is not clear of whom the night-stalker is, for hype. Plus, I think that it is another short and sweet title that will certainly attract the audience and force them to desire to want to know more.
8. The Bitter Kiss: This title connotes that the Vampire takes his victims, by seducing them and killing them. Furthermore, the 'bitter(ness)' will signify how the character is cold. We would use this title to surprise the audience as it clearly represents a negative character and kiss, but we will present the Vampire as softer and more humorous for a twist, again creating the tongue-and-cheek effect.
9. Down to the Sacred Grave: This Film title could show how the killings have more of a sacrificial element, creating a religious aspect. This would link to our desire for our film narrative and themes. It is clear that the character is killing for blood and survival, in a old and traditional manner. 10. The Dark Wanderer: This final title appears to be strong because it incorporates the 'dark' and evil connotations simultaneous to the secretive and humorous character. As well as this, the use of 'wanderer' seems to modernise the title, juxtaposing the old fashioned Film Noir style also involved. Overall, I think that this title is also effective for contradiction and twists in the way that it shows importance and quietness, perhaps making it more stylistic.
We have conducted some research and decided to share it on social media in order to fully widen the amount of research we can attain. Social networking research is vital and widely used nowadays because so many people are associated with it.
We have sent this email to our friends and other students for a younger demographic response as well.
