Filming Journal: 31st January 2011

Location: Mac Room

Time: 8.55am-10.55am

This morning our whole group viewed the title sequence so far and the progress in which each of us had come to. We looked at what we felt we needed to improve and started changing the speed of some clips, such as the last clip where somebody's shadow is walking past the camera, as we felt slowing this clip down, it may make it more eerie. The group also decided to change the speed of the child drawing and ripping the teddies apart so that the audience are able to see that there is something wrong with the child.

Behind the scenes of making the title sequence...

We made this video to show the footage of the behind the scenes of making the title sequence. Megan, Me, Amy, Scott, Grace and Joe are shown in the video working together with different roles to finish the sequence. We also thought that we would film this footage to show the process in which we had to do to produce the title sequence, while showing things that were going wrong as well as good.

Animatic

View more presentations from Laura Pound.

This animatic shows each stage in the storyboard in which has been created and drawn.

Deciding the font in which we want...

Amy began to start on the process of deciding and added the font for the names and title of the film to the title sequence. She got developed and improved fonts of 'dafont', until she found the one which looked the best with the storyline of our film.

Casting and production team...

The casting and production group

View more presentations from Laura Pound.

Filming Journal: 24th January 2011

Location: Mac Room

Time: 8.55am-10.55am

In our two hour lesson we began to put the last footage onto the title sequence. We decided to change the idea of using a mirror and someone walking past it to the footage of the title sequence because we were having trouble filming the young boy looking into the mirror and someone walking past. This is when we decided to film round Megan's house an extra part when the young boy has his back to the camera, laying on the bed when a shadow walks past him and the camera. We also added blackouts in the title sequence to allow it to flow easier and for other people to understand the title sequence more.

Order of our titles..

Distributor: Universal Studios

Production: Sharpie Productions Ltd.

Characters names/actors:
Starring… Scott as Harry, Grace Covil as Grace

Film name: Walking with the Dead

More actors/actresses: Dakota Fanning, Harrison Ford, Matt Lanter

Music by: Megan Ellis

Costume designer: Laura Pound

Editors: Amy Clement Hayley Laurence

Production designer: Amy Clement

Written by: Megan Ellis

Produced by: Hayley Laurence

Directed by: Laura Pound

Filming Journal: 20th January 2011

Location: Mac Room

Time: 11.25-13.25...

During the lesson, we decided that we didn't to add a few clips which didn't come out very well when looking at the edited piece. This is when we decided to re-film the mirror scene round my house tonight and re-film the scene of the front of the fridge which begins the titles approaching the sequence.

Orphan Title sequence...

I decided to research the title sequence of the the horror film, 'Orphan', as I felt we needed to look into more horror films which involve children as their main role. I also felt that this would be a good film to look at as the child bases her murders in the film from her drawings. I felt that this linked to our title sequence as the child in our film is also drawing disturbing images. From first observation of this title sequence I also realised that the whole of the, 'Orphan' is based of the child's drawings from using neon light, showing that they have linked the sequence to the storyline.

The sequence begins with the company logo of, 'Dark Castle', which is covered by different coloured neon paints, which look as if they have been thrown over the logo. The music used in this part of the sequence sounds also quite eerie, connoting to the audience that it could be a horror/thriller film. The first image in which is shown to the audience is a drawing of a Bible, the drawing looks quite rushed and not very neat, the connotation to this could be the idea of it being a child's drawing, showing that the film could involve a child. The text of one name then emerges into another, but seems to have a flicker effect, which could connote the idea of something being jumpy or distorted in the film.

A blackout screen is then used, during this the music changes and seems to become more intense, which gets the audience more captured in the title sequence and makes it more horror-like as a film. The music changes when the next image is shown, it becomes louder and more intense which makes this part of the sequence quite eerie, which seems to also create suspense. The change is the image with is seen as a drawing, flickers and when the shot becomes darker the neon colours show a much more disturbing image compared to the lighter image of the child. The neon colours show drawings of scissors and knives, which have a denotation of being sharp, but the connotation of being dangerous, causing death. These images are also around the neck of the drawing, showing that as the neck is a dangerous area to cause pain.

The next clip shows a drawing that I feel looks a little like a ribbon, which could link to the mine character of this film. There is a rough drawing of a group of people in a square building, the connotation to this could be idea of idea of these people being a family. When he images goes to a dark light again, and begins to flicker the image has neon pen marks which show drawings of fire and there is a cross. This could represent the idea hell maybe as the cross symbolises religion and heaven, way as burning it could connote the opposite: hell. The fire could also connote the idea of the family or house burning. As the image flickers the drawings of the people disappear, which could be a connotation to them dying. showing the film could be a horror/thriller as death could be involved. There is then a five second blackout screen, which then links to the title of the film, 'Orphan', the text starts of as being simple black font and then flickers. linking to the rest of the title sequence and turns into neon light which has scratched text.

Once looking at the different codes and conventions of the title sequence of the film, 'The Orphan', the audience are able to understand that the genre of the film seems to be a horror, as it shows representations and connotations to death, and the title sequence as a whole is very dark.

Filming Journal: 17th January 2011

Location: Mac Room:

8.55am-10.55am...

After we had filmed around Megan's on Thursday, once we got back into school of Monday morning we began to look at the footage in which we produced. We began to edit and look at the different shots in which we liked, and others in which we felt we could improve. We felt that most of the footage which we filmed worked well, the only section which we felt we needed to improve was the scene at the end when the young boy looks into the mirror and someone walks past the camera. I then thought of the idea of filming the mirror scene around my house as I have a wider mirror which would work better once filmed.

Evidence of Recce...

These are the images in which we have taken to show the rooms and parts of the house in which we will film in our title sequence production...

This is the living room/kitchen in which we will use to film the boy walking to the fridge.
This is the setting in which we will use to film the light shining on the boys bedroom.
This is the same setting as above, however this is the scene with the lights on.
These are the stairs in which we will film the boy walking up into his room.
This is a shot which shows the boys bedroom and the stairs.
This is an image of the boys desk, which is used to draw the images of people dying.
This is an image which shows the boys bedroom, where he rips the teddies and draws the pictures.

Researching the Music...

While looking through different music examples on youtube, I found a sample which I felt we could use as a template before making our own piece of music to fit the title sequence. I decided to pick 'The Omen's' title sequence music as a starting point on the research of music and it too has the same film genre as ours. I also wanted to look at a horror which involves a child, this is when I decided that 'The Omen' would be a good film to look into.

Filming Journal: 13th January 2011

Location: Megan's House

Time: 3.00pm - 8.00pm

Today, we are filming the title sequence of our film production, 'Walking with the dead'. As Me and Megan are the two people in the group who are involved in the filming, we are the two who are going to work together to film the whole title sequence tonight. We are aiming to get to Megan's at 3pm to set up and sort out all of the props. Then at 5pm the main actor who is playing 'Harry', will arrive and filming will begin. Grace is also coming to be in the film in short clips, camcorder and tripod have been sorted. Let filming begin!

Developments...

We started to look on Garage band at possible sounds for our Title Sequence. The sort of sounds to be featured in our Title Sequence are quite eerie sounds, to make it seem quite dark and sinister. Sounds that link to children will also be featured, such as keyboard music/nursery rhymes. We have also thought about featuring a child breathing.06/01/2011:

Also in the lesson, another idea for something that could be featured in our title sequence came about. We were discussing the ending to our Title Sequence, when we stumbled upon the idea of the main character writing a message on a mirror. We would have him actually write on an acetate sheet, so that we can also get a shot, as if the camera is in the mirror. We would put the acetate over the camera lens, and he will write onto it, so that we can see him actually writing it. For the message that is going to be written, we thought about a couple of ideas. At first I thought it would be good to say something quite dark, so I suggested 'it's all her fault' but after discussion, we came up with 'it's all your fault.'

The Cast...

Scott Smith - Actor (Harry)...

Grace Covill - Actress (Grace)...

The group (including some roles)...

LauraPound...Director/Storyboards/Filming

Amy Clement... Producer/Brief and treatment/Editing

Megan Ellis...Director/Sound/Filming

Hayley Laurence... Producer/Typography/Editing

Our film classification...

While researching the different film classifications, I felt that the certificate of a 15 would match the ideology and main theme of the film in which we are planning on creating the title sequence for.

Suitable only for 15 years and over
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

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

Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) 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, may be acceptable by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate 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 to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

British Board of Film Classification...

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
Parental Guidance General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.
Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.
Suitable only for 15 years or over No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.

Storyboard by Laura Pound...

Meeting Minutes and Production Journal...

For our meeting minutes and production journal we began to fill in a data sheet to help us get ready for the filming and editing of the title sequence.

Typography Ideas...

Typography

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type, type design, and modifying type glyphs.We have been looking into different fronts that we could use for the titles in our title sequence.The name of our film is "walking with the dead", and as our film is a horror the font will need to be eerie, we also thought about trying fonts that look like a child has written it, or it has been scratched into something. We use the website "dafont" to try different styles of fonts and this is what we came up with;

Whilst we was looking for fonts for the main titles, we came across type writer fonts that would look good for the titles during the title sequence. Amy and I decided that it would be good if we show the insertion point and the letters being typed into the shot.

Order of Storyboard...

Shot 1: Camera movement is still while the boy walks up the hill. Sound of footsteps (3-4 seconds).

Shot 2: Boys cuts across view of house to walk up the driveway into the house. (3-4 seconds).

Shot 3: Handheld camera follows behind the boy giving the idea that someone is following him. (2 seconds).

Shot 4: Camera shots from other side of door. Show door opening and boy walks in ( walking towards camera). (10 - 11 seconds).

Shot 5: Camera shot of the hallway and the child putting down their school bag

(showing the idea that he comes across as a usual child). ( 5 - 6 seconds).

Shot 6: Boy opens fridge to get something to eat. When the fridge door shuts the titles begin to show. Music changes tone. (2 seconds).

Shot 7: Camera pans in on the fridge and the beginning of the credits. (2 seconds).

Shot 8: The camera (handheld) then follows the child as he walks up the stairs. (7-8 seconds).

Shot 9: Light beams out of the other room and boy runs upstairs into his room which is very dark, camera pans into child's dark room. (5-6 seconds).

Shot 10: BLACKOUT SCREEN. Sound of child breathing. (3 seconds).

Shot 11: Camera starts of an image in which the child is drawing, and then pans onto another image. Then all the images on the wall; disturbing images in which the child has drawn.

(10-11 seconds).

Shot 12: Camera begins to start on individual drawings, which show different names and credits of the film. (10-11 seconds).

Shot 13: Teddy bears which are sitting on the shelf have been changed in some way by the child, such as heads missing. Pan onto one of the teddies to see yet another credit. (5-6 seconds).

Shot 14: Close up shot of an image of his hand destroying the teddies. (5 seconds).

Shot 15: Camera pans from the image of the teddy to the mirror, the other side of the room.

(3 seconds).

Shot 16: Child writes, 'It's your fault' on the mirror, with the reflection of his face at the side of the mirror. (5 seconds).

Shot 17: Someone walks in front of the image of the boys face and text on the mirror, music builds up. (6 seconds).

Shot 18: BLACKOUT SCREEN. Title sequence ends, film begins. (3 seconds).

General Information of ideas...

- Horror based film.

- Title: Walking with the dead.

- The main characters: Grace who is 19 years of age, her younger brother Harry and his imaginary friend.

- Release date: October time (due to halloween).

- Target audience: 16 to 26 years of age.

- Production company: 'Sharpie' productions.

- Distribution: Universal.

Storyline: Follows Todorovs theory.

Equilibrium is... Harry's being normal with his 'imaginary friend'

Disruption is... Harry's behavior changes.

Notice is... his sister notices the change.

Resolution... his sister takes him to a mental institution, starts hurting people and is sent home and is told he is fine.

New Equilibrium is... ends with him at home with his sister walking in the door and then walks out as a man.

The title sequence development...

Starts off with a shot of the house looking bright and normal. Harry then comes home from school doing the normal boy stuff - putting his bag down, runs up the stairs to his bedroom and there's a notice of change.

What is a title sequence?

'A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members.' A title sequence is also used to simply show the audience the main ideologies of the film, for example the genre of the film and the target audience.

Timeline of Horror films...

1950- God, man and devil - Joseph Seiden(director)
1951- Bride of the Gorilla – Curt Siodmak (director)
1952- The Black Castle – Nathan Juran (director)
1953- Donovan’s Brain – Felix Feist(director)
1954- The Mad Magician – John Brahm(director)
1955-Dementia – John Parker(director)
1956- Invasion of the body snatchers – Kevin McCartney(director)
1957-Voodoo Island – Reginald Le Borg(director)
1958- Dracula – Terence Fisher(director)
1959- Beast from haunted cave – Monte Hellman(director)

1960- House of terror – Gilberto Martinez Solares(director)
1961- The mask – Julian Roffman (director)
1962- The Phantom of the Opera - Terence Fisher(director)
1963- The Birds – Alfred Hitchcock(director)
1964- The haunting – Robert Wise(director)
1965- Die, monster, die! – Daniel Haller(director)
1966- Chamber of horrors – Hy Averback(director)
1967- A taste of blood – Herschell Gordon Lewis(director)
1968- The Ghastly Ones – Andy Milligan(director)
1969- Taste the blood of Dracula – Peter Sasdy(director)

1970- The horror of Frankenstein – Jimmy Sangster(director)
1971- The Devils’s Nightmare – Jean Brismée(director)
1972- Death line – Gary Sherman(director)
1973- The Exorcist – William Friedkin (director)
1974- It’s alive! – Larry Cohen(director)
1975- Trilogy of terror – Dan Curtis(director)
1976- The Omen – Richard Donner(director)
1977- The Hills have eyes – Wes Craven (director)
1978- Halloween – John Carpenter(director)
1979- Alien – Ridley Scott(director)

1980- Friday 13th – Sean Cunningham(director)
1981- Eyes of a stranger – Ken Wisederhorn(director)
1982- The thing – John Carpenter(director)
1983- Psycho II – Richard Franklin(director)
1984- Razorback – Russell Mulcahy(director)
1985- Midnight Hour – Jack Bender(director)
1986- Witchboard – Kevin Tenney(director)
1987- Mirror of death – Deryn Warren(director)
1988- Waxwork – Anthony Hickox(director)
1989- Skinned Alive – Jon Killough(director)

1990- Child’s play 2 – John Lafia(director)
1991- The People under the stairs – Wes Craven(director)
1992- The Untold story – Herman Yau(director)
1993- Frankenstein – David Wickes(director)
1994- In the mouth of madness – John Carpenter(director)
1995- Night of the scarecrow – Jeff Burr(director)
1996- Scream – Wes Craven(director)
1997- The Shining – Mick Garris(director)
1998- Psycho – Gus Van Sant(director)
1999- The blair witch project – Daniel Myrick(director)

2000- Final desination – James Wong(director)
2001- Jeepers Creepers – Victor Salva(director)
2002- The Ring – Gore Verbinski(director)
2003- The texas Chainsaw massacre- Marcus Nispel(director)
2004– Saw – James Wan(director)
2005- The Exorcism of Emily Rose – Scott Derrickson(director)
2006- One missed call – Manabu Asou(director)
2007- 28 days later – Juan Carlos Fresnadillo(director)
2008- The Strangers – Bryan Bertino (director)
2009- Saw 6 – James Wan(director)
2010- Let me in - Matt Reeves (director)