Horror Opening Sequence

Guidance on Evaluation
Questions
L6 Coursework
1. In what ways does your media film use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media films?

– Our media film does use forms of real products while subverting forms with other
features. Our villain like real horror is not shown until the end, leaving the viewer
with a heightened feeling of suspense as he is shown through jump cuts and angles
that do not show him fully

– Our villain himself is subversive of the horror genre, being a male of around
70years old, unlike most texts who use an agile younger character who is able to
deceive the group of victims until the end.

– Our horror film has been influenced by trend setting media films that defined the
genre. This can be related to Alfred Hitchcocks ‘Psycho’ in the villain walking
down the stairs holding a knife
 How does it represent
different social groups?
– The victims within our film were teenagers
playing the roles of actual flatmates. This can
then reflect the social group of the actors, as
teenagers. However, the actors were portraying
characters older than themselves, as not to
confuse the audience with the younger actors not
being able to live by themselves within law.
However, they are the typical horror victims,
younger characters who would

– In subverting the genre, our villain was an older

male aged 76. This then generates a sense of
surprise as the villain shown in the end is not the
typical representation of a villain. He is however
a white male of British origin and can therefore
be typical of horror films.
 What kind of media institution might distribute your
media product and why?

• Our film is similar in style to that of recent horror films rebooting a dead franchise or genre much as Danny
Boyle reinvented the zombie horror with 28 Days Later and that the Saw series created itself a niche
market in ‘gore-norgaphy’ in its excessive violence. Following this, ‘The Sharpest Lives’ can re-invent the
slasher genre, subverting the trends set by unpopular teen slasher films with its predictable storylines and
trends. We could then seek institutions such as Fox Atomic or Twisted Pictures. Both feature films of
strong violence and products that do not follow trends, finding an audience with 28 Days/Weeks for Fox
Atomic and Saw with Twisted.
• We would hope that the film could seek audiences with its non-conventional storyline and actors, therefore
finding enough audience to fund a cinema release.
• Our film could seek franchising if the concepts within the film catch on. Audiences could want to follow the
exploits of our 76 year old villain, creating a series of films much as audiences follow the stories of Jason
Vorhees, Freddie Krueger or more recently Jigsaw, all of which created roles that are legendary in the
horror genre, of which our actor could achieve the same status. Merchandising could be a possibility with
the villain’s knife, masks, books, video games, mugs and clothing all being a possibility. As we direct our
film at the 15-21 age group, yet make it accessible to all, anything is possible to tap into the audience
• The mise-en-scene of our film is similar in style to conventional horror with a dark, dank setting. After
pushing our first victim into a basement cellar, our hidden villain knifes the victim in the back several times.
Props are essential, with a large knife being the murder weapon, dripping blood over the set. Lighting also
creates a sinister atmosphere as no natural light and little artificial lighting.
Who would be the audience for your media product?

• Our target audience would be 15-21 year olds, as represented by our

two victims, however, we would hope that the audience is more open,
as represented by our 76 year old villain. This would then represent two
extremes, pulling in audiences within the gap to witness the older villain
taking on younger victims.
• Our film can be related to Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary ‘Psycho’ in the
stairs and knife action. As the violence is not held back initially, it can
also be compared to the new-wave of gore based horror, pioneered by
Saw, Hostel and Final Destination. We could then aim to divert
audiences from these films to ours as well as those who are tired with
the dated teen slasher genre which is in need of a reboot of the original
slasher, with our film taking inspiration from the original slasher,
therefore looking at Psycho.
 How did you attract/address your audience?

• We attracted our audience with both victims playing the role of younger flat mates.
This can then reflect a socio economic group of B C or D with enough money to
rent their own flat. However, since they are sharing, group C could be
represented, as they liken the victim’s situation to their own, making the film more
suspenseful as they could see themselves represented too closely. Since both
victims are male, we would aim our film at younger males. However, since it is a
slasher, many would be going with partners, as to terrify close friends or family.
• Our film features several, ‘edge of your seat moments’ yet the door closing by our
villain would hopefully scare all members of the audience. Our film also targets
our 15-21 age group as once our first victim is dead, our second wakes late, not
knowing what is happening, late in the afternoon, a situation that many of our
audience could liken themselves to.
• Point of view shots are used, as to put the audience in the position of the villain
with the walking down the stairs and first victim stabbing, making the audience
feel more uncomfortable with close up gore and violence, rather than shots that
hide this from view.
• The audience are allowed to witness the first stabbing from the point of view of
the villain, yet are not allowed to witness the throat slashing or second victim
stabbing, establishing further suspense as audiences are left wondering ‘did he
really slash his throat?!’
• Our audience are interactive with the film, placing them in the action with point of
view shots. This then creates a personal interaction with the audience, placing
them inside the head of the villain.
• Suspense is created after the first stabbing with the soundtrack and hints as to the
whereabouts of the villain. After coming down the stairs, our victim sees blood on
the floor, yet does not notice the villain behind the door. This then provides the
audience with information, making them omniscient as they know where the villain
is and the danger the victim is now in, placing them on edge as he is in huge
danger.
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing the product?

• Although not being professional, the hardware that we used was enough to
create a product that had impact when combined with soundtrack and special
effects.
• We did encounter problems with the space where we filmed. Initially, we had
planned an axe based murder sequence. Yet, when entering the set, the ceiling
was too low to swing an axe over the villain’s head. We then had to adjust the
script into a knife based murder. We also encountered problems with shots,
having to refilm sequence as initially we showed an armless pillow, clearly not
the victim we intended to show.
• All effects within the film were created ourselves, creating fake blood to spill
from the mouth and placing a lamp alongside the knife to create a glint.
• Following the title card, the effect of aging created a climatic ending as the
bleeding mouth of our victim was placed with an aged, dark effect to finish with.
iMovie was essential in our film, using its software to edit and place in sound,
with constant rearranging to achieve the correct sequence.
Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel
that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full
product?
• Discuss the planning stage, the research into the genre, storyboarding
and explain how this detailed planning helped you the produce a horror.
I.e. you knew what shots you needed to capture and what order to edit
it in. This helps the process to be smoother.
• With proper research into our genre, we went back to basics with the
original and masterpiece horror, Psycho influencing our film with its
suspense and camera shots. We were able to use storyboards to plan
our eye opening shots and many other shots. We realised we needed
point of view shots as well as close up and specially placed shots to
create our film, establishing a suspenseful and visceral final product.
• All shots have improved from prelim stage, with better framing, camera
placing and lighting as well as all mise-en-scene to create our film.
• Our confidence did improve greatly, in the hope that we could create a
suspenseful and horrific film that shocks and terrifies its audience.
 Youtube Response
• After placing the video on youtube we received the following
responses:

We received praise over the effects and sound,

indicating that the project had been a success.

However, some noted that a more developed plot would have

been better, with a much further thought out backstory to
enhance the video and explain why there is a villain and his
motives.
 Thanks for Listening

• Alexander Mussard
• Candidate Number 3085