Log Diary 1 - 29th September 2015

At the start of todays lesson I have created a mood board for all horror sub genres using thing link. I have also made a presentation on emaze about iconic horror characters that fall into each sub genres. I have also made a prezi on the iconography of horror. As well as this I have done a powerpoint on the different film theorists that I have researched about. Lastly, for my development work I have made a mood board on the iconic psychological horrors.

After this, I will need to make a presentation on stock characters and situations and then a narrative timeline.

Besides my development work, i have written a thirty minute essay answer.

Iconic Psychological Horrors

Film Theories

Iconography of Horror

Iconic Horror Characters

Sub-Genre Mood board

Question 1B - Thirty Minutes

The Conjuring For my advanced media project I had to analyse the codes and conventions of different trailers that could influence my personal horror trailer. The product that I will be evaluating is ‘The Conjuring’ trailer as it really influenced my ideas. The trailer shows a family who has a haunting in there house, and are helped by some type of ghost hunters/demonologist who are trying to get rid of the spirit. I believe that the theories of Todorov, Propp and Strauss are incorporated in this trailer. This is because the trailer applies these theories to a certain extent. Firstly, Todorov stated that all films have an: equilibrium, disequilibrium and a resolution. This is when there is a happy beginning followed by a disruption which is then solved at the end. I believe that this was applied to ‘The Conjuring’ trailer to a moderate extent. This is because it started off with a minor disequilibrium of the ghost hunters searching for a ghost. This automatically makes the audience know something wrong is happening, but it then transits into a slight equilibrium; as there isn’t a happy event taking place but there isn’t a disruption. During the equilibrium, there is a dialogue of the characters introducing themselves, this makes the audience familiar with them and feel able to confide in them throughout the trailer, alongside this there is a non-diegetic upbeat music playing in the background. Subsequently, the disequilibrium takes part as the background music has stopped playing and there are quick cuts and close ups being used to build tension of the evil spirit haunting the house. There is also a resolution in the film but it is to a slight degree. This is because The Warrens are trying to help the family but the final resolution isn’t included as it will spoil the movie for people who are excited to watch it. Secondly, Propp believed that every film has seven archetypes originating from Russian Fairtytales. In this trailer I believe that only three of these characters are applicable, as fairy tales and horror films are made based on entirely different codes and conventions. The first character that is in the trailer is the villain. This is the evil spirit, in the trailer she is hardly seen except from one scene. This is done to make her ambiguous, making the audience more frightened by her. In the scene where she is seen there is dark lighting and her makeup is very bloody and her hair is roughly hanging down her face. This is done to juxtapose her with the other archetype characters, the victims of the trailer; the family. The young girls tend to wear white night gowns and their hair is neatly done. This idea of the juxtaposition between these two characters links with Strauss’s theory of binary opposites. He believed that every film has a group/ people against each other. This is applied to this trailer to a major extent as the whole trailer depicts the battle between the good and evil characters in the film.

Quick Angela Storyboard

On my transition booklet, the 'ANGELA' story is slightly different in my storyboard. So I quickly made one for my new story using pictures online.

DEADLINES

Initial Pitch for Angela

Angela Pitch from Mariamqt

My Initial Angela Poster

Mood board

Todorov Theory

Initial ANGELA practise trailer.

The two A2 exemplar trailer analysis:

Paralysis:
Camera - The first technique I noticed was the use of a slanted angle, the student used this to show some disorientation and confusion for the audience. This was to create a sense of mystery in the horror. Another effect that was used was a negative filter, this was used to create an eerie shadowy atmosphere. It also links with the sub genre of psychological horror because the evil spirits tormenting the victims normally have a hidden face.
Editing - An action match was used in one of the clips. The first camera shot was the boy's mum and then it shot what she was looking at. This was used to show the audience exactly why the mum was frowning, the painting that her son drew was rather frightening. As well as this, there were  a few quick cuts towards the end of the trailer, this was used to help build up the pace and also it showed how severe the boy's scary thoughts were.
Mise-en-scene - Different settings were used, for instance the boys house, then his school. This was done to help us see that this is a trailer as it has snippets of different scenes. Also the setting of the boy lying down on the sofa and the man questioning was very realistic. The positioning and the background of the room made it immediately obvious that he was having a meeting with a psychiatrist.
Sound - The non-diegetic music used in the trailer created quite a suspense feeling, it was also very creepy, fitting into the genre of horror. Also the dialogue is very simple and minimal, this is good as it makes the audience want to hear more. Additionally, trailers only need a minimal amount of dialogue as the text overlays narrates what's happening.

Caution:
Camera - The first camera technique used in this trailer is a low angle on the 'killer'. This is done to make the audience immediately know that this character is the antagonist. It also makes the audience feel inferior to him as they're looking up to him. There are a lot of close ups used on the killer this makes him more mysterious because no one knows who he is as they're just seeing some specific body parts.
Editing - When the scenes cut, the transitions used are very fuzzy, it seems as if it symbolises the end of someone's life. This is quite possible as he is in a empty school suggesting he has killed a lot of students.
Mise-en-scene - The gas mark used for the killer was very good, this is because it made him unknown, the only thing we know is that, he's a man. This creates a general fear towards all men. Also the setting of the trailer felt rather unrealistic as horror stories don't really take place in a school.
Sound - The diegetic sound of the blood dripping, makes it obvious to the audience that this man is a killer, it also makes us sympathise with the person he has killed as we are seeing their blood.