JD - More Ideas for Opening Sequence

For the opening sequence I had the idea of including a flashback. If we showed the boy finding his grandads old 35mm, then as he picks it up there is a flashback to when his grandfather was using the camera. We could still use all our original ideas, such as the boy taking pictures of people and developing the pictures in the darkroom), but I feel that a flashback would make the opening more surreal and add more depth.

JD - BBFC Ratings

The BBFC states that for a 15 rated film:

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadisticor sexualised. Imitable behaviour and dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language
There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment isappropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely tobe acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.

SA, RB, JD - Preliminary Task & Animatic for film opening

The Preliminary task helped us to get an idea of what kind of angles and camera movements we want to use in our film opening. This animatic shows our storyline and what kind of angles and camera movements we will use.

RB - Summary of Genre Analysis

To summarise the findings of our genre analysis we are going to be incorporating the dark and sinister moods of the horror genre however we will also be inegrating the low key lighting and the use of shadows that are familiar with the conventions of the noir genre. As our film will be set in modern times, we are hoping it will feel like the modern, yet noir/horror 'Momento', with some aspects of 'The Omen'.

Feedback #2

Well done - this is shaping up to be evidence of A grade planning. Keep up the good work.

SA - Ideas for Opening Sequence

Ive seen on horror films that the colour is sometimes drained out and I gave this a go on photoshop with some pictures. It is to do with the vibrancy, if you put the vibrancy all the way down if leaves some parts with drained colour and others in greyscale. I like this as it is a mixture of black and white and colour, which can help to highlight the important parts in colour.

SA - Possible Location

I found this tree tunnel over a road in Pembury and I thought it would be a good location.
Tell me what you both think.

SA - Audience Research - Survey Monkey

To conduct our audience research we will use surveymonkey.com to post up a survey and get people to complete it, which will help us gauge what our target audience likes and prefers. It will help us to advance our opening so that we go in a specific direction towards what our audience wants, as this is the most important thing when planning and making a film opening and film.

Here are some screen-shots of our survey on the website:

JD - Mood Board

SA, RB, JD - Treatment for Opening Sequence

Set in modern times, Danny Muggeridge is an average 17 year old and is also an amateur photographer who uses his old style 35mm film camera, given to him by his grandfather, to take photos of what ever takes his fancy, just like any unsuspecting photographer. However he soon discovers the dark side to his innocent snapping, when people in his pictures start to disappear, first in the photos, then soon enough in real life. As he develops the photos in his dark room, some of the people don't appear, they are just white spaces, signifying they are insignificant and worthless. At first he thinks it is a coincidence that the people he takes pictures of disappear a few days later, but after the second time he starts to become worried and fears for the people he takes pictures of. He tries to stop, but an uncontrollable urge forcibly makes him clip down the shutter button, it is like he is taken over by a 'spirit' when ever he is near his camera.
He seeks help in his friends, but they are no use. He is then approached by an old, weary looking man when under the control of the 'spirit', who with one touch breaks the trance-like state he is in. This old man is very mysterious and doesn't give too much away about his identity or why he is helping Danny, but the only thing Danny is thinking about is the fact that someone is actually helping him.
He is helped to overcome the spirit, although the course doesn't run smooth and many people die due to his prediction-like photography, he tries to discard his camera as it is clear is has a curse, but without great ease. He speaks to his grandfather who overcame the spirit, but at a great price, he is subsequently very weak and close to death. Danny is determined to break the curse, and with the help of the old man he eventually does.
The ending sets it up so that there can be a sequel, Danny eventually becomes rid of the camera, however it is not destroyed and a month after he is finally rid of it, it is found on a river bank by a child who takes it back to his father, the father restores it and the ending frame is of a picture being taken of the little boy, and the audience will know what will happen to him soon.

RB - Moodboard

SA - Mood Board