Solutions to problems

How I created solutions to these problems

CAMERA ISSUES, NOT MEETING POSSIBLE DEADLINES? - The way I dealt with this issue was by focusing and adding to my blog work whilst a camera was not available. When doing my coursework, I was fortunate enough to have my teacher provide me with an online checklist of all I needed to put on to my blog. At that moment in time, I had completed everything I needed to do up to the extra camera work so I asked my teacher to review my blog so I could possibly do any extra work. I also took initiative and did more analytical work and completed my storyboard so I could add more content to my blog whilst I waited to do more with my practical work.

ISSUES WITH CONTINUITY - To fix this problem I decided to get all the characters in my short film and decide on a day which we would all be available at so we could film my entire media product in one. This would not only fix this problem but also avoid the problem from occurring again in the near future. To add on to that, the main reason as to why continuity was a problem was because my main character changed her hairstyle, so I decided when I filmed for her to wear a head-wrap, so even if there was a slight possibility that I had to re film and she had changed her hairstyle again, it would not have effected my work since she was wearing a head wrap to cover her hair anyways.

UNAVAILABLE PROPS - To fix the issue, I simply decided to use an alternative to the mask by using what was available to me - this being a drama mask. 

Problems encountered.

Problems encountered?

I will discuss any issues that I encountered below and how I solved these problems in the next blog post I make.

CAMERA ISSUES, NOT MEETING POSSIBLE DEADLINES? - One major issue that I encountered nearer the end of filming was there not being a camera unavailable. This was not due to anyone's fault, it was due to the fact that at the time a lot of people also had to do their filming, which was completely understandable. Despite this, it put a little strain on my work and left me at a point where I wasn't sure what step to take next whilst waiting for a camera, as I did not one to simply leave my work on hold as I could fall behind/not meet possible deadlines.

ISSUES WITH CONTINUITY - Another issue I encountered concerns the continuity. What I mean by this is that many times I had to re-film scenes mainly due to the fact my main character/antagonist changed in physical appearance more than once (specifically changing their hairstyle). I understand that I could have shot my entire media product all in once to avoid this happening in the first place, however, this was not possible due to the fact that not all the characters/props were available at the same time. 
This did cause a minor strain on my work cause it would mean I had to constantly re-film and delete previous scenes due to the continuity being bad, as she cant have one scene looking a particular way and the next one like a complete different person.

UNAVAILABLE PROPS - Linking up to the issue of continuity above, similarly, I also had issues with props not coming in on time or being available. For example, my original plan was to order a scary creepy mask for the antagonist to wear (due to the fact I didn't have access to actual professional face masks or makeup to create a proper scary villain), however, even though I ordered it, it not only came out later than expected but also not the way I expected. This evidently did put a strain on my work because I had to rethink of how the antagonist would be represented in an effective way. 

Test Footage

When filming for my short film, I tried my best to implement as much off my research into horror and short films into my actual end product. This was to ensure that my end product fit into the standards and conventions of not only horror films, but also short films.

POINT OF VIEW SHOTS 1) So the first thing I wanted to feature the most into my work was POV shots (point of view shots). I wanted to feature these because not only were they a convention of horror film angles but also, I believe are extremely effective. This is because putting the audience into the perspective of the character takes the fear factor into the next level, because every emotion that the main character experiences also reflects and is put onto the audience - this being a vicarious experience. Below you see a screenshot of point of view shot in my film. I decided to do a point of view shot in the first reveal of the antagonist. I felt to use this shot in this specific scene because in my eyes it would be one of the most scariest scenes, so I wanted to get the most emotion out of the audience in every possible way. I also did point of view shots when the main character was in the living room looking for the possible threat, as this would add tension and suspense - the emotions I hope to get out off the audience.

LOW-KEY LIGHTING 2) One thing I wanted to feature for definite was low key lighting. This is because it is one of the main and most important conventions in horror films, not only does it create atmosphere but just set the entire mood. In the screenshot down below you will see me using low key lighting. I used it in this specific scene (the introduction/reveal of the antagonist) as it would be excellent in adding unto the fear factor.

MIS-EN-SCENE 3) Mis-en-scene is a major key in film that help set the entire scene and is so important you get it right, it can either make or break your film. For example, you could be watching a horror film, but if the setting is in a pretty, innocent appearing area in pure daylight with no dark or possible threatening atmosphere, it will (in most cases) be ineffective in creating fear factor. 

In order to make my film effective, I decided to have single, small shots of items within the house to create atmosphere and possible subliminal hints. In the screenshot(s) below you will see some of these mis-en-scene shots and there meaning behind it.

I put this 'there's no place like home' and also the bible as I believed it was effective in creating a false sense of security as these are items that stereo-typically connote safety and security (specifically the bible as religious symbols/items signify that God/a protector is with them). However this will juxtapose with the actual narrative as the woman will clearly be in danger and not protected.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOTS 4)

Over the shoulder shots are effective in horror films because they give off the impression that the antagonist/victim is being watched. This is effective because it adds fear factor in the scene as it the audience would be aware that character would be watched but they wouldn't. We would know they would be in potential danger but they would not, this increasing the suspense as we would not know what would occur afterwards. I demonstrated this in the first couple of scenes when the Mum was on the laptop.

SHOOTING THROUGH/IN OBJECTS 5)

Shooting through/in objects is effective because not only are you showing the isolation of the character, but you’re also creating a voyeuristic and unsettling feeling by shooting through objects, as the audience cannot see the full frame of the scene and can basically can only see ‘snippets’. I use this camera angle in the very beginning when the camera is placed within the cupboard and we see the character open it and get it out. 

Storyboard draft

Production Meetings

Because I was working independently and not within a group, so therefore I did not have any necessary production meetings as I did not have to discuss the production with anyone else apart from my the people who were acting within my short film. 

Filming Notes - Evaluation of Filming – Major Changes

Whilst filming, major changes actually occurred which impacts my initial idea. When I decided to my filming on the Sunday, I was originally going to do an entire scene outdoors before having the second half of my short film inside my house.

On the Saturday (day before filming), whilst doing my final storyboard, I realised that if I was to film outside it would not only be very difficult (due to the sun setting really early therefore there wouldn’t be much light – not good enough quality) but also wouldn’t represent a horror film or link up to horror conventions.

This is because I would have to film just before sunset, so one convention of low-key lighting would not be met and also because the typical mise-en-scene just didn’t create any real element of fear, as it was not an isolated or particular threatening location. This made me change my mind last minute and decide to do all of my filming indoors, a decision which I do not actually regret.

Another change that occurred during filming is the fact my narrative was no longer going to be based on a doll but instead on an internet supernatural Facebook stalker who uses nursery rhymes to lure people in and eventually kill them. I feel as this would be more effective as it works on the idea of a something very innocent and aimed for children (nursery rhymes) and puts a dark twist on it. The name of the short film would be 'DON'T ACCEPT', linking up to the idea that you should not accept or reply to this internet stalker.

Overall, the actual process of filming was done over different days, this being due to the fact some days certain people couldn’t be available to film whilst others could and realizing that certain props were needed before filming could continue.

This did put me at risk in the sense that my continuation could be potentially off however I made sure that was not the case by looking back at the previous clips to match the mise-en-scene/lighting perfectly.In conclusion, although having major changes, the filming process was actually a brilliantly challenging experience which I enjoyed.

Pitch Feedback

Pitch feedback from magrethxx