Planning - Film Decision #8

 

The Decision Blog

Group Members

Camilla Zayas

Sofia Valdes

Jasmin Cueto

      

We are all contributing to the planning and filming while Camilla will research, Sofia will provide resources like the setting, camera equipment, etc, and the editing will be on Jasmin but will also be divided between all three members to capture the editing element in our film while leaving out stress and pressure on just on of us.

Comedy, Horror, Drama

For our film, we choose the horror genre as the film will be based off a horror story while still incorporating drama and comedy elements.

Justification

We chose the horror genre with a mix of drama and comedy to provide depth in our film and for it to be entertaining for the audience because it effectively uses codes and conventions to create an experience of suspense, fear, and psychological unease in the audience, while having its slight dramatic and comedic elements. The analysis of the scene in Terrifier demonstrates an understanding and visual of how these established techniques can be applied to make a quiet, atmospheric terror rather than relying mainly on loud, sudden shocks.

Filming

For camera work, the project will incorporate shaky handheld shots to create a sense of realism and show the audience a panicked point of view. Extreme close-ups on characters' faces will capture their fear and emphasize gruesome details. Wide-angle shots will demonstrate a sense of isolation and expose vulnerability within a large, unsettling environment. 

Point-of-view shots from the victim's perspective will build suspense and place the audience directly in the same view at the characters. Medium and close-up shots will also be used to focus on the villain's unsettling stillness and the victim's growing discomfort, as seen in the Terrifier example.

Editing

In terms of editing, quick cuts will be used to punctuate high-tension moments and jumpscares. The production will also incorporate slow pacing, mirroring the Terrifier scene, to build an unease feeling before a scare. Cross-cutting will be used to build dramatic irony, showing the audience a threat approaching one character while another remains unaware.

Sound will be the use of non-diegetic, eerie music to create an ominous atmosphere and deep suspense. Sudden loud noises, in conjunction with quick cuts, will be used so that the audience is startled with jumpscares. Heavy use of silence will create moments of intense tension, making the audience anxious about what might break the quiet. 

Additionally, minimal dialogue so that it emphasizes unsettling silence.

Mise-en-scene will be low-key and dark lighting to create shadows and a sense of mystery. 

The narrative will explore themes such as the fear of the unknown, isolating characters to increase their vulnerability, and focusing on the protagonist's desperate urge for revenge.

 

Backup Choice

If there was to be an issue in producing our initial film genre idea, we will choose to do a backup genre of an action film thats consists of fighting scene and other related scenes. This would work as it would consists of all the elements we already plan to use for our production while keeping it entertaining and fun to do.

Target Audience

Our target audience that we feel would be more likely to be interested and want to continue watching are students who can relate to the characters/subjects in the film and have interest for horror stories, leading to it being aimed at more in late middle school to high school students.

In addition, its aim being towards teen with personal issues that can connect them in a way that relates to their life, imaging the characters of our story, is also towards the coming of age students that our genre will attract viewers with feeling and suspense to give a thrill people so commonly love.

Representation

Our film opening will represent people and issues as it will clearly demonstrate the typical personal issues teens deal with such as bullying and self-esteem with more that the target audience can relate to. This allows a clear representation of the characters, how they are, and their vague background.

The film while challenge the typical bully stereotypes and usual victim while adding mini twists to it to add more personality to the characters for more depth and emotional attachment. This will effectly connect with the audience as it would make them feel more attached and never at unease with the plot twists of the film.

Early Vision

Our first ideas consist of a story of school bullies and relationships dynamic with another or the victim. The film will include some comedic input to keep it interesting as well as including suspense as a tone to keep it unexpected and pursued viewers to continue to watch and enjoy. We have not exactly panted a setting we want to incorporate in our film, but will most likely utilize our school hallways and classes while using other setting like a house, playgrounds, and other public places as part of our mis-en-scene.

Challenges

The challenges I expect during all of the filming, editing, and overall tasks when making the film are getting the angles and takes right, making sure they match and go together smoothly, editing to put everything together, and the sound during the film, such as any background that interferes with the story of the film.

 Another big challenge that can affect the film negatively is scheduling a certain time and date to work and produce our film, but will be worth it in the end. We are familiar with each other, therefore it should easier to work together and produce our film to the best of our ability.

The strength my group brings is Sofia's camera, bringing better quality of the film to really see the story clearly as well with the feelings it'll give with the clearer quality, Jasmin's past editing skills and knowledge to add ontothe cinematic piece and use all the cinematic elements to influence the story, and Camilla's thorough research and information she collects on how to add onto and put the story together.