2. The main plot The main plot as a following story is that a teenage boy is kidnapped and is forced to be induced with illegal, experimental drugs by a strange, psychotic man. The victim is locked in a spare room, under surveillance to note down any effects of the drugs. During this time that he is affected, he sees many disturbing things that he cannot undo. As he battles the demons within his mind, he realises its too late to try and escape as its impossible to. He tries to free himself from under the grasp of the kidnapper and nearly succeeds, yet at the last moment where he has nearly escaped, he tragically dies in the fire that he created.
3. The Opening We planned to first open with some eerie music, and a pan of the tools used to induce the drugs. It would then fade into another shot of the kidnapper looking at a monitor of the victim. From there, the camera angle would be from the CCTV camera within the room watching the victim stir. The camera then moves in an upwards pan of the body and during this, we have flashbacks of the kidnapping and being forced to induce the drugs. It then reaches a close up of the eyes and when they open, he is in another place (the woods.)
4. ..continued.. He then sits up in a shock, and jumps up, looking around, scared. He gets a glimpse of a girl standing there, face down. The camera moves from behind, from the left side of the neck, to the right and in between its movement, she disappears. Then, a sound of a wailing girl is heard above the eerie music, which he then tries to find. As he faces the girl crouched down, she looks up and shakes her head violently. He jumps back, and he wakes up in the room, where the eerie music cuts out. The kidnapper enters, punching him and leaves without a glance back. As the victim runs to the door, slamming the door as he begs for help, the music creeps back in and as he turns around, the girl appears behind him.
5. Inspiration ? We got some inspiration from the music video (see below), as it included weird, grotesque images. Also, the film, “The Grudge” gave us ideas for creepy movements and make up/costume design. Lady GaGa – Bad Romance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I
6. Conventions of horror films The typical conventions of a horror film are: Leading female victim Use of knife/gun as weapon Eerie music Victim home alone Setting of the woods
7. Target Audience We made a questionnaire and researched what conventions of horror films appeal to our target audience (teenagers). The results concluded that gory, disturbing images were not as popular as thrillers, and that the stereotypical female victim is too cliched and boring.
8. Setting We used Sam’s bedroom, completely emptied to use as the room where the victim is kept. Also, we used a small alleyway as a flash back, showing the kidnapping. In addition, we used the setting of the woods to create an isolated area, matching the tension of the moment where the victim experiences side effects. We felt although the woods is a stereotypical convention, it still created the desired effect on the audience.
9. Costume & Make-up For the male victim we used dark red, dark purple and black eye shadow to create a black eye. Also, we used a little bit of PVA glue, dried out onto the cheek, and red lip gloss to give an open wound look. For the costume, we kept it neutral with a plain white t-shirt and jeans to look ordinary, and to create a connection with the audience. For the kidnapper, we used a plain white shirt tea-stained in little areas and mud-stained, to give a dirty, ragged look.
10. Costume & Make-up For the creepy girl in the woods, we used black eye shadow around the eyes to give a dark, sinister look. Also, we used hair grease to look gross and disturbing. This is where the inspiration from the grudge is used.
11. Marketing We planned to design posters to reach to the target market, as it is cheap and quick to complete. Also, as we researched where do the audience hear about films, we decided to upload the opening to a blog and on www.youtube.com , one of the most visited websites by teenagers.
12. Problems? As the project went on, there weren’t many problems. However, we did struggle to find an appropriate time for everyone of the group to film. This was resolved as we designated one day of the half term to complete the filming and any outstanding tasks.
