E: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The Four F's 

1. FORMAT

Choices in the design of the posters/DPS that is continuous in every issue. These design choices define the overall look and feel of the genre; these consist of the logo, cover lines, size of the DPS/poster itself, department headers and other features that must be consistent in looking the same in each issue of the magazine.

2. FORMULA

The formula of a poster/DPS is known as the editorial content or what is in the media. This consists of the types of article, the length, and the departments in the front and the back of the book (parts of the magazine that are consistent in each issue).

3.  FRAME

The size of the frames for the outer page margins and gutters. Magazines can use the same margin size throughout their magazines; although magazines can vary their width, for example, using tall top margins for features to set apart the well. If these margins are used, the magazine must stay consistent throughout issues as a rule. Therefore my DPS needs to reflect itself otherwise it'll look inconsistent. 

4. FUNCTION

The message the magazine is trying to send to the audience and the goals which the posters/DPS are trying to achieve.


Film Poster:
How my poster and film match:
When making my poster I used the same conventions and symbolism's in order for audiences to be able to recognise a link between my poster and film.
Pendant - the pendant is a very important aspect of the film as it represents the possession, the demon and the consequences of the female protagonist's discovery. Therefore, audiences will be able to recognise the pendant from the film in the reflection of the protagonist's eye.
Font - the font of the tagline is very similar to that of the opening titles of the film; the main title font is also similar in the placement as both are in the lower right corner with 'around' on a line on its own.
Colour - the use of red is consistent within my poster which is reference to the red of the box found in the attic. This also represents danger and fear which is representative of my genre of horror which is also clearly represented in the film throughout.
Deconstruction of poster: 
Masthead:
'Don't Turn Around' - I made the title in a large, bold font with contrasting colours. The white and red draw the audience in as it is placed on a relatively dark background. The font is in capitals to emphasise the urgency and importance of the message behind the title; the boldness of the masthead really signifies it's importance on the poster. It in the bottom right hand corner as then it does not distract from the main image and the reflection, as the audience's eyes will be drawn to the image first as it is quite eye-catching and then they'll be drawn to the title.
Sell line:
'You'll never be the same' - connotes a sense of mystery and dread. The tagline is also in a dark red font which links it not only with the title but the box within the film. The symbolism of the red is the same as it is for the title; it reminds individuals of blood and danger, and due to the sinister tone of both the title and the tagline, they correlate well and emphasise the fear factor.
Colour scheme:
Red/white/black - a lot of dark, deep colours which are conventional in the representation of horror within the media. It evokes the idea of something hiding in the dark.
Image:
Reflection of pendant in the protagonist's eye. Within a lot of horror film poster's I researched eyes were a common image; from the eyes we can represent fear and shock, as well as making a direct address with the audience which can draw them in but also make them feel uncomfortable, just as horror's do. The pendant was an important feature to include as it is the beginning and end of all the strange occurrences and possession until the demon that possess it defeats the protagonists. Here I provide the audience with an insight into what they'll see within the film, also foreshadowing the dark nature of the pendant itself.

Film DPS
How my DPS and film match:

The box and pendant - this correlates with the importance of these items within the film.
The white fine font - similar to the font within the opening titles of the short film.
Deconstruction of DPS:
Images used - screenshot of movie scene evokes what the audience will be viewing; it also introduces to the audience to the female protagonist and demon entity, as well as showing reference to the pendant again thus further signifying it's importance. Large image of the box showing how there are images within and the pendant; as well as showing how the box has a mirror suggesting that although you shouldn't turn around you may be able to see the entity in a reflection without any consequences.
Colour - the red, like the poster, ties in with the red of the box within the film as well as what it symbolises and therefore it's link to horror.
Review/article - typically within DPS's for films there is one main article and quotes of other reviews by other magazines or reviewers that are then also included. I included two captions from other articles with one star rating. I also included details about the production company and wrote an article concerning their debut short film and their success in it or whether it was worth viewing. I also had banners within my DPS and split the article to only one side so that the text was not an overwhelming factor of the DPS but the pictures were acknowledged also.
Segment - Also typically within film magazine's they'll have segments about either the best films of all time or, as I did, films to look out for in the coming year. I made the segment into a top 10 to signify how the film had been chosen and included in a list with a variety of other films, rating it number 5.





Synergy - how it was used:
Synergy is the simultaneous release of different products in different forms of media to promote the main product, in this case a film, to increase popularity and therefore ratings and value. My poster and DPS are promotional forms of media for my film, therefore they would be released at the same time as one another to promote the final product of my film before it comes out; this would be spread through magazines, online articles, online adverts, adverts in magazines, billboards and within places like cinemas. Usually a trailer would also accompany this for a film release. Therefore, my media product would be promoted widely before being released and more individuals would be aware of it and will consider watching it.
Enigma codes and how I avoided revealing any spoilers:
Both my poster and my DPS was made with caution to avoid revealing too much about the plot; it only introduces the audience to aspects of the film but does not tie them together or explicitly state what occurs. The audience are unaware of the significance of the pendant or it's effect and so there is still a sense of mystery and unknown to the film. Unlike many conventional horror films I avoided using images or language to spoil or reflect the ending of the film to thus avoid any spoilers. The article only reflects the film and its success rather than the breakdown of plot, therefore successfully avoiding any spoilers for the audience, giving them the chance to interpret and question the content thus intriguing them into discovering what happens and viewing my film.
Intertextuality:
As mentioned in a previous post, through research of conventions and other promotional methods of horror films it is difficult to not incorporate this into your own work; I was inspired by supernatural horrors like 'The Amityville Horror' which I believe is reflective and is therefore representative of an example of intertextuality.

E: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Forms and conventions:

Within my media product, I have included many forms and conventions of supernatural horror that a typical and common of this genre. The sub-genre of supernatural horror plays on our fears of the unknown, unexplained and the distortion of what we see as normal in our everyday lives. I have incorporated this within my own film in an attempt to clearly convey the genre and for it to be easily interpreted by the audience without question. In supernatural horror the main convention is a paranormal entity with dark and cruel aims, which are usually inflicted upon the main protagonists. This is specifically followed in my own short film as the supernatural entity of a demon, not only possess' the female protagonist, but brings harm to both the present and previous protagonists. Here it is clearly represents the danger of paranormal entities, inciting fear into the audience as its the question of the power of these entities and the threat they could pose to our everyday lives, which ties in with the conventional fear of the unknown. This is mainly represented through the plot itself, which had to be shortened and summarised as the film was to be around five minutes; the use of mise-en-scene and sound were also very important in the unfolding of the plot in a short amount of time. The use of dark tones, costumes, lighting, symbolism through props and the diegetic/non-diegetic sound effects/music in minor key really constituted to the fear effect and conveyance of the genre. Another convention I followed when making my film was the relatable protagonist lead, that the audience can compare themselves to and to have the ability to imagine being in her position thus making the fear more vivid and individual to them. Usually this character's qualities/personality is introduced slowly over a full movie production period, although due to my project being a short film, I only incorporated the qualities that would give the audience a sense of the unknown and induce tension as they know something is going to happen from her odd behaviour.
The supernatural genre relies on the distortion of the character's lives through this evil entity that has to power to control a person; strange occurrences, violence and death are major elements in evoking the fear factor and presenting the genre clearly as the occurrences are down to the paranormal. Within my film and many others this is shown through the protagonist targeted by the supernatural and the relationship they have with their own mind. I represent this through the breakdown of stability and mania that the main protagonist experiences as she enters her new home and finds this pendant. The slow demise of her sanity builds up the tension and question-ability of how far she will be pushed by the demon and the outcome. Through editing, using quick cuts, flash transitions, incorporating non-diegetic orchestral music and more, I believe the film was successful in conveying it's specific genre. The build-up was important in such a short film as it had to be done correctly to ensure the plot didn't feel too rushed and overwhelming. I went against certain conventions within my short film, as usually in supernatural horrors the main focus is on the entities and the dialogue which conveys the plot clearly and increases the terror; although within my short film the decision was made to having very little dialogue and focuses on the mise-en-scene, music score, sound effects, shots and how with the editing we could convey our plot and provide the fear factor without the need for explanation in dialogue. The focus on aspects such as these brought in factors of the psychological/thriller genre.

Deconstruction of film:
0:00-1:00
Camerawork:

• mid-shots
• long-shots
• tracking shots
• panning 
• zoom in 
• zoom out
• a mix of hand-held and steady cam

With this camerawork I was able to establish the location/setting, introduce the audience to the characters and set the tone for the film. The shots were stabilised creating a false sense of security for the audience as the filming was not erratic or symbolic of something unnatural happening. The majority of shots were the mid-shots which really helped in establishing the introduction to film; it is a simplistic shot yet effective as I didn't want to distort the audience too early on. 

Editing and Sound:

• cuts - quick 
• the transition of clips - ordering 
• diegetic sound effects - car, attic door, 'demon' breathing/whispering 
• non-diegetic music - minor key - orchestral 

Mise-en-scene:

• box -deep red 
• shadows/dark lighting 
• grey tones in setting and clothing 
• costume - simplistic
• no extravagant makeup - more believable for the audience
• setting - suburban home - small town

1:00-2:00
Camerawork:

• long shot
• low angle 
• over the shoulder 
• birds eye 

Editing and Sound:

• quick cuts 
• diegetic sound effects - ladder squeaking, box closing, light switch 

Mise-en-scene:

• casual clothing 
• bedroom - nighttime - limited lighting - warmer lighting 
• red box 
• pendant - focused on - emphasises its importance 

2:00-3:00

Camerawork:

• mid shot
• over the shoulder 
• low angle - close-up
• low angle - showing shadow
• panning - reveals demon in reflection
  

Editing and Sound: 

• Suspenseful non-diegetic music - orchestral 
• transition - fade to black as demon moves in front of shot 
• quick cuts

Mise-en-scene:

• bedroom - desk - old fashioned wallpaper 
• red box
• pictures 
• pendant 
• everyday clothing again 

3:00-3:55

Camerawork:

• mid shot
• tracking shot 
• over the shoulder

Editing and Sound:

• non-diegetic music - minor key
• dialogue "are you alright?" - signifies behavioural change

Mise-en-scene:

• every day clothing
• pendant 
• laptop

3:55-5:00

Camerawork:

• mid shots
• close up - faces and gun
• high angle - pendant dropping 

Editing and Sound:

• Quick transitions - demon appearing/disappearing 
• quick cuts
• flash transitions 
• 'kill him' whispering - voice overlay later added to the film - representative of the demonic possession 
• black screen with 'kill him' voice over -  impactful 
• minor key/high pitched non-diegetic orchestral music
• black and white - representative of flashback scene
• gun shot diegetic sound effect

Mise-en-scene:

• pendant 
• gun
• everyday clothing 
• flashback clothing - smartly dressed representative of the character's age and signifies they're from the past 
• limited lighting - subtle scene - soft lighting - use of shadows/dark - evokes danger and fear of what is in the shadows
  
  

Comparison to existing texts:
The main plot and idea was inspired by films such as 'The Amityville Horror'(2005) with the story by Jay Anson and directed by Andrew Douglas. 'The Amityville Horror' follows a similar plot in a family moving into a new home and there being a satanic, demonic entity in the house that possess our male protagonist, George Lutz, to make him want to murder his family, which had also happened years prior with the previous owners of the house. Andrew Douglas reveals to the audience the backstory of the previous owners and their son murdering the whole family because a demon made him, therefore from this the audience are already aware and this foreshadows the events about to unfold. Where as, within my film 'Don't Turn Around', the revelation that the occurrences are cyclical and have happened with the previous owners is revealed at the end of the film, which was done to shock the audience and give the impression that it will happen again; furthermore, within 'The Amityville Horror' George Lutz and his family leave the home before it is too late, where as our main characters get the same fate as the previous owners and die at the end. Therefore, I believe our ending is very effective in evoking the fear factor as there is not a lot of the backstory or origins of the demon explained, unlike conventional full-length feature horrors, and therefore the mystery and fear of the unknown fuels the overall horror of the film. Similarly both films also follow what appears to be the spiral of the protagonists mental health into mania and aggression, which are conventional attributes conveyed in horror as violence/anger are not desirable in a character/person, thus making the characterisation have more of an impact and making the audience fearful. Within 'The Amityville Horror' the camerawork is also very steady, and establishes each scene effectively; I tried to include this within my short as well, but also because it is such a short film I wanted to use a wider variety of shots. Overall, my film 'Don't Turn Around' follows many typical conventions of supernatural horror films, especially in terms of the characterisation and plot.

E: What have you learned from your audience feedback?

With the completed edit of my film, I wanted to gain relative feedback to see how an audience would react when consuming the film. I had a few friends and family members view the film and answer some questions concerning what they thought, how it could be better and what was good. I wanted to use a variety of open and closed questions through interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups. The individuals I picked for my audience feedback are from a variety of ages and some match my target audience.
I collated all of their responses from the different methods of gaining feedback and have summarised their responses below:

When initially seeing the opening sequence of my short film, what genre did you think it was?

1. Horror
2. Fantasy
3. Horror
4. Horror
5. Thriller 
6. Unsure initially 

Did the Double Page Spread and Poster support your idea of the genre or did it convey another?

1. Yes
2. No - I then recognised it as a horror
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. No - I saw more horror elements but some aspects still appeared to be a thriller 
6. I now can recognise the movie more as a horror

Would you watch the film from seeing the poster/DPS or just the opening sequence?

1. Yes - I was intrigued by the poster 
2. Yes - the article and poster didn't reveal too much but really sold the film to me 
3. Yes - I am an avid fan of horror and although the poster and DPS were effective, I would watch the film despite it
4. Maybe - the poster and opening sequence is intriguing but the DPS article hinders my decision to continue watching the whole short film
5. Yes - the poster appears really professional and the opening sequence grasped my attention and I want to see how the story unfolds in such a short amount of time 
6. Maybe - I'm not a fan of horror and rarely watch it but if it was a genre you enjoy then I believe many people would want to watch it. 

What was your first impression of the film? In terms of quality of content - mise-en-scene, editing, sound, and camerawork? 

1. I really liked the opening of the film, it really set up the genre with the box in a dark room and the sounds of whispering. It created a lot of tension, especially with the quick cuts from scene to scene, as an audience you didn't know what to expect. The setting I really liked as it was simplistic and didn't need explaining, the shots were nice in showing clearly what was happening in each scene. If I wasn't aware that it was made by a amateur group I would think it was relatively professional. 
2. At first I wasn't really sure what was going on as the plot to begin with leaves a lot unexplained and doesn't reveal anything until the last few scenes. I realise this was intentional to build up suspense but for me it felt like the plot was a bit lacking and I couldn't get into it very much. But the presentation and appearance of this film is satisfying and looks very professional.  
3. The characters seemed like normal people so it was easy to relate with them which I liked; the supernatural demon also appeared believable as the costume and make-up wasn't over the top and in some ways we as humans are our own demons so the presentation of the demon in human form really represented a deeper meaning for me. I really like the use of sound (music) seeing as there wasn't a lot of speech between the characters.
4. In the opening sequence I was really intrigued but I was also skeptical of what to expect from a short film. I was surprised that the plot worked so well and it didn't feel rushed; there looked to be a lot of effort put in to the setting and camera angles so it'd be something I would be proud of it I made it. 
5. The film appears professional like the poster; it appears to be edited well and despite thinking it was a thriller at first the music and clear presentation of the demon made me think otherwise. I really liked the incorporation of the gun also because its a very harmful tool in the real world and so it really brought the plot down to earth rather than having the demon magically kill them both.
6. As I'm not a fan of horror I was skeptical of whether I'd like the film and the plot, I wasn't a fan of the way everything is revealed at the end as I'd prefer something at the beginning to foreshadow the end and get me excited to continue watching. I could tell it wasn't a professional film as sometimes the camera was shaky but it was ok overall. 

What did you like and didn't like? (the best part of the film contrasted to the worst) - Therefore, what can be improved or what would you like to see changed? 

1. I really like the opening with the box and the ending with the sequence. The bit I didn't like so much was maybe the part in the attic. To improve this I think there could've been a longer scene up there, using lighting to really make it look scary but apart from that I was happy watching it.
2. I enjoyed the shot of the demon/ghost's shadow on the ceiling and the flashbacks. There wasn't any specific scenes I didn't like but the lack of dialogue made the plot a bit confusing at times. I would incorporate a short but detailed script that would convey more to the audience the genre and fear in the characters lives. 
3. I liked most of the film, just at times there was no music or dialogue and it just felt like I was watching a home movie. I'd like to see use of sound throughout if there's no dialogue, or if there is intentionally no sound have the sound in the actual scene be more relevant.
4. I didn't like the scene between the couple, it felt rigid and that there relationship wasn't close which made the plot less convincing as you'd expect the boyfriend to be more distraught at his partner's badly changed behaviour with no explainable reason. I would also add in a couple of scenes where both leading characters discuss the pendant and their findings online as well as showing the distraught manner of them both. Although I understand that it is a short film and not everything can be covered as in a full feature length film. 
5. To improve I'd invest in better equipment for sound and image just to ensure a more professional look. Despite that the film is good for the level at which it was made; there were a lot of good transitions between scenes and it was clear that the makers of the film were pushing themselves with angles and shots. 
6. I actually liked this short horror, although it had scary bits and jump scares the overall plot wasn't too bad for myself. In my personal opinion I'd add more thriller elements but that's because as I said before I don't entirely enjoy horror. 

Would you recommend this film to others or even watch it again? 

1. Yes 
2. Yes 
3. Yes 
4. Yes 
5. Maybe - it was good but the quality put me off a bit
6. Maybe - its not something I'll regularly be watching but I wouldn't mind viewing it again

Reflection:

When reflecting on the findings of my audience feedback, despite their being some criticisms, the individuals who matched my TA gave the most positive feedback and so even though taking on-board these criticisms for future projects, I won't be changing anything within my main film and the ancillary tasks of the poster and DPS. I agree with the criticism that dialogue would have added a lot to the plot and deliverance of the film, although I am still happy with the final outcome of the film. There were a couple negotiated readings when it came to genre and what I thought would be effective within the film wasn't enjoyed as much as intended. If the film was a full feature length then I would definitely incorporate more of a backstory and explanation to the demon itself, but as it was only five minutes long I didn't want to make the film too busy and overpowering, that is also why the dialogue wasn't as important in the production. 

If I was able to do it again, I would attempt to add more suspense with jump scares and scenes showing the demon acting out, showing its full power; as well as including more sound effects within the sequence at the end to evoke the trapped soul of the protagonist and her regret at finding the pendant to evoke empathy between the characters and audience.  

Flow of emotion:

Fear: the box with the sound effects at the beginning and the cut to black evokes fear within the audience as it brings in the element of the fear of the unknown straight away. The jump scares in the attic door opening and introduction to the demon through the mirror also increase tension and fear for the audience. The low angle shot of the shadow of the demon also is effective as it makes the audiences feel inferior to the supernatural entity; this also evokes fear as you can not tell what it is or its intentions as it has no script and just attaches itself to the female protagonist.

Flow of meaning:

At what point is the meaning apparent to the viewer?

At the end of the film, the flashback sequence with the present day signifies the moment where the plot is revealed and the meaning is apparent to the audience. From the feedback many mentioned how the ending was a favourite part of the film, mostly because it gave some backstory to the plot, made it more complex and revealed the plot clearly. This flashback sequence signifies the correlation of the pendant, the demon and the house owners and how there is a pattern to it. 

E: How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Within my research, planning production and evaluation of my short horror film I have been able to use a variety of media technology, computer software, and programs, including ones I have used previously and some that are new to me. From this I have been able to expand my knowledge and experience thus helping me improve and push myself within my coursework.

For editing my short horror film I used the software iMovie; this program was entirely new to me as I had no previous experience using it before. I was able to practice editing clips on this software; learning how to cut, use different transitions, upload clips, edit the sound, add in diegetic and non-diegetic music and sound effects, filters, and adjusting the speed of clips. From this practice I was able to apply this to the actual editing of my film, therefore I, along with my group, edited the film to the best of our ability.
Effectiveness:
iMovie was very useful in allowing me to edit my film, to make it appear on a professional level, as it was very good quality. It is also a very easy to use software and so the editing went well and I was able to work best with this program.
Opportunities:
By using iMovie I was able to expand my editing knowledge and skills, as I had previously only used Final Cut Pro. It was interesting to get to experiment with another program, to see what different techniques/effects it could provide for my film. With the help of my group, who had used the software previously, and YouTube tutorials, I was able to use the software effectively
Limitations:
The only limitations I faced while editing was the lack of my experience with iMovie; it was easy for me to make mistakes with the sound or cutting of the clips, but this improved over time and so was not a major limitation. Also, by working with a group, we were able to help and advise each other within the editing process as we shared the responsibility equally.
How did this technology differ from my prelim?
For my prelim I used Final Cut Pro; iMovie is a similar software, although I found it a lot easier to use. The software I used for my final short film was much more trustworthy in it's saving of my work.
When was I most dependent on this piece of technology?
I was very dependent on the software, iMovie, throughout the whole process of planning and production, as without the editing program the film would be a broken story line with harsh transitions. Also, the plot would lack the effective fear factor needed represented through the addition of non-diegetic music and sound affects.
What have I learned that can be applied in the future?
The method of editing, experimenting with different transitions, speeds of clips, the incorporation of sound, filters and other techniques, can be used if I use other programs or decide to use the same program to edit my future work. The experience has enlightened me to the complexity of editing a film and having it become the end product I intended it to be.

For documenting all of my coursework planning, production, research, construction and evaluations, I used Blogger. This way my posts are easily accessed and my film and ancillary tasks can be uploaded easily.






For creating my Double Page Spread I used the picture/document editor Canva; on this website/app there are a variety of templates you can use to create a wide range of media products. On here I found a template I liked and that matched the type of template I had seen in my research of film double page spreads.
Effectiveness:
The selection of templates available was very helpful in letting me expand in my creativity in what I could do with my DPS. The set up was simplistic and very easy to use; the image uploads, text and editing was very good quality and helped my DPS appear professional.

Opportunities:
I was able to expand in my creativity as there were so many templates to choose from and manipulate; I had used this editing program before and so there were no new opportunities in expanding my knowledge in use of Canva, although it was a chance to develop in these skills.

Limitations:
The limitations I faced whilst making my DPS with this editing software was the complexity of viewing an already made template and editing/changing the whole thing to make it how I want. This occasionally disrupted what I was trying to produce, although the simplicity of the software helped with this and I solved the issue after a couple practice runs creating my DPS.  

How did this technology differ from my prelim?
I did not use this type of technology for my prelim as it did not require any image editing. Therefore, this technology widely differed from the Final Cut Pro software I used to edit my preliminary short film. 

When was I most dependent on this piece of technology?
I was most dependent on this piece of technology during the production and editing of my film as I was able to capture images and write an article concerning the content of the plot. 

What have I learned that can be applied in the future?
The techniques of editing, following a template and conventions of a film DPS, as well as the structure and writing of the article can be applied to further projects.

I used the other editing software of Pixlr to create my movie's poster. On this software you can upload images, overlay them, add text, add filters, edit the brightness/contrast and a lot of other common editing techniques. It is a simplistic, easy to use software that produces high quality editing, thus making my work appear on more of a professional level. 

Effectiveness:

Pixlr was very useful in letting me create my movie poster, its simple set up and execution let me be creative with my work with ease.

Opportunities:

As the program is so easy to use I was able to change and improve my poster quickly and without struggle when there was something I was unhappy with. The vast amount of editing tools the program provides also allowed me to expand in my creativity as well as experiment with different forms of my poster.

Limitations:

I didn't face many limitations in using Pixlr as I had used it on multiple previous projects. 

How did this technology differ from my prelim?

I did not use this type of technology for my prelim as it did not require any image editing. Therefore, this technology widely differed from the Final Cut Pro software I used to edit my preliminary short film. 

When was I most dependent on this piece of technology?

I was most dependent on Pixlr during the production and editing of my film as similar to that of my DPS I was able to use my film's content and research as a basis of my ideas for my poster. Which altogether made the planning and production of my poster a lot easier.  

What have I learned that can be applied in the future?

My editing techniques have improved in experimenting in overlaying images and conveying genre and the fear factor through images, which could be applied to any future projects that I take on.

To film and take the images for my film I used the Nikon D5300; I use this camera regularly in other projects as well as in my spare time. It is an easy to use camera, with a good quality lens that created professional looking shots.

Effectiveness:

This camera was effective in my production as it provided me with the technology to create my film with ease. 

Opportunities:

Through the production of my film it provided me with the opportunity to gain more knowledge and advance in my skill of using the camera effectively and to it's full potential. 

Limitations:

There were no limitations as I had previously used this camera and the modes and adjustments were easy to use and change for what I aspired to film. 

How did this technology differ from my prelim?

For my prelim, I used a less advanced camera, which showed within the quality and execution of the film. Therefore, the use of the Nikon D5300 represents the advancement in technique and production.  

When was I most dependent on this piece of technology?

I was most dependent on this specific piece of technology within the production of my film as it was a valuable aspect in creating my short film. 

What have I learned that can be applied in the future?

My camera knowledge has expanded in how to use certain lighting modes as well as how to execute shots as to how I intended them to be. 

Horror Production Poster Analysis and Research

Within all supernatural horror posters they contain a character, whether it is the protagonist or supernatural entity. The common shots used are close-ups, mid-shots for profiles and characters or long shots when including the location/setting within the poster. Through creating a direct address with the audience in having the character's eyes facing forward the audience are more likely to feel uneasy as their expression commonly evokes fear. The colour scheme used within each horror poster is also very significant; black, red, white and dark/pale blues are frequently used. Red symbolises death, danger and the devil, black symbolises mystery, the unknown and also death, white contrasts well with these colours to keep the posters simplistic and clear. Light blues and dark blues gives the poster a cold feel but can also represent heaven which is in contrast to the demonic supernatural themes within the films.

Within my own poster, I edited on Pixlr, I used dark shadows, black white and a dark red. The colours I used are important to the representation of the film as the title and image do not reveal a great deal about the film at first glance; as red symbolises danger, death and the devil individuals are more likely to see the text's colour to signify to the genre of film. Red can also be said to represent violence and blood thus representing a gory horror. The use of white breaks up the posters structure as there are a lot of dark elements included; the white grabs the audience's attention and draws further attention to the dark red.
I used an image of the female protagonist staring directly into the camera; by doing this the intensity of the direct address and stare of the character evokes to the audience a sense of intrigue yet uncertainty. I edited the image to make her face and eye brighter than the rest of the image, and having her hair dark enough that it fades into the background of the poster; this places emphasis on the protagonists face. I did this because I wanted the audience's attention to be drawn towards the reflection of the pendant, which is a major symbol within the film itself, to also evoke intrigue for the audience as well as the fear of the unknown as they are unaware of what the pendant symbolises. The tag line 'you'll never be the same' was chosen to foreshadow the content of the film in that the pendant's power/the acknowledgment of the demon is all consuming and will change a person, whoever they are. The audience are left to question exactly what this means provoking a sense of mystery, encouraging them to watch the film.

Final A2 Short Horror Film Production - by Niamh Towerton, Toby Lyles and Henry Ankomah

Toby Lyles
Henry Ankomah

Horror Production DPS

Horror Production Poster

Storyboard

The first scene - reveals the box. This makes the audience question the significance of the box and evokes a sense of mystery.
Mid-shot - fade to black with sinister diegetic sound effect - representative of the 'demon'.

Mid-shot/tracking shot - female protagonist coming home - setting the scene - intro to characters - moves into main plot - establishing shot - normality of everyday life - relatable to the audience - sense of the unexpected about to unfold







(scene cut out of final production)
moving in - showing how previous owners had died - relation to protagonists - a sense of empathy

Night time - mid shot/close-ups - the introduction to the strange occurrences - diegetic bang sound effects - no dialogue - follow the female protagonist investigating the attic - intro to independence of character, she does not wake her boyfriend - intrigued



 

Panning shot to show the attic hatch has opened - realisation that was what the sound was - darkness evokes mystery and fear of the unknown - non-diegetic music in minor key to emphasise suspense

Variety of shots of female protagonist entering the attic - mid/long/over the shoulder/birds-eye view
Discovery of the box - small intro into what it contains - takes it downstairs to investigate further - audience will recongise the box from the beginning - dramatic irony - they know it is something to be fear - increases tension





Focus on the pendant - the appearance and introduction to the demon through the reflection in the box - groups the significance of the pendant with the demon

change in character - represented in this scene - the possession - the demon is now always presented to be by the female protagonist whispering in her ear
tracking shots of normal everyday tasks but with the demon  always being present

research into the necklace - realisation of the demonic entity that may possess it - audience already know its too late









close-up/mid/over the shoulder - murder/suicide scene
flashbacks contrast with present - cyclical nature - demon over the shoulder with pendant

 

death of protagonists - drop of pendant - open ending - suggests the cycle starts again