Props Research

Props are used to provide extra information about a character and allow the audience to learn more about them. Props are also used to add more detail to a character's costume. Some examples of stereotypical props used in horror and thriller films include knives, saws, masks and dark clothing. These are because they are objects that may be lying around and easily accessible for the antagonist within the film. This makes the audience feel even more on edge as they are probably items that they own. Dark clothing and masks help to keep the identity of the antagonist a secret from the audience as well as from the protagonist. It is common for a horror antagonist to have one specific weapon as a trademark to their character. It makes them recognisable during franchises or even just throughout the film. The use of things such as dark clothing create a contrast to the protagonist so that they easily stand out to the audience. 

     

In our film, we will be using dark clothing for the antagonist and a classic weapon at the end. This will help the audience to identify the antagonist from the very beginning of our film up until the ending. It will also keep the antagonist's identity a secret, which will add to the tension and impact of the opening. We will also continually use a mobile phone throughout to connect with the target audience as our generation are very much glued to their phones. This, along with our actors and setting, will help the audience to relate to our film on a more personal level. 

Behind the Scenes: Location

Below are photos that I have taken of our chosen location for the film opening. These are photos from around our school. We have chosen this location because we think it is suitable for our story but also because it is readily available and easy to access at appropriate times to film. Using the free periods we have, we are able to film without anyone in the background or anyone making too much noise. I have taken photos of areas around the school that specifically relate to the opening of our film and of places that are tangible for us to film in during school hours. However, these locations are not for certain, as we may have to change our minds due to possible circumstances on the day. I chose to take photos of the general school, of the girls toilets and of one of the computer rooms as they will all feature in our film. 

Production Titles

   

Above are the production titles that we made for our film. We used Adobe Premiere Elements to create these and to make them look as professional as regular production titles on other films. We started by each finding an image that we thought would look good as a title. We then thought of a name to go with the pictures. Putting the image into Adobe and adding the title was quite easy, as it was entirely our opinion on how we wanted it to look. Choosing and adding an effect made our titles look more professional. We chose effects that we thought would make them look polished and create a smooth transition. 

I like these titles as I think they look like any other production titles on a regular film. I think we used Adobe well and have started to learn how to use it more effectively, which will help when coming to edit our opening two minutes. 

Opening Title Sequences Research and Analysis

The usual order for an opening title sequence is:

Name of the studio that is distributing the film.

Name of the production company responsible for making the film.

A (Producer’s Name) Production.

A Film by (Director’s Name).

Starring (Main actors’ names).

Film title.

Featured cast members.

Casting by.

Music, composer, or original score.

Production designer.

Editor or Edited by.

Producer, produced by, and executive producers.

Writer or written by.

Director or Directed by. 

The opening titles for "25th Hour" are very continuous in the way they look. They are all the same font, possibly to connote to continuity within the story of the film. The camera moves away from the blue light throughout the credits, creating an establishing shot of the city but also making the audience wonder what it is. It creates the feeling of moving away from something, also connoting to the story within the film. The contrast of the white of the font with the primarily blue scene makes it stand out to the audience. The thinner and condensed font makes it look neat and together, but also is small enough to not take away from the scene. The line under '25th' is reflecting a date as well as the time. This gives the audience context into the film. The ominous nature of the title makes it seem appropriate for an older audience. The way that the titles are avoiding the light is interesting as it makes it seem reminiscent of something and like a light at the end of the tunnel, reflecting the drama in the film. 

The opening titles for "Monsters, Inc." encompasses what the film will be about. The use of the doors throughout hint at a possible theme within the film. The bright colours against the black background hint at the child target audience but also the black background hint at the nighttime and monsters underneath beds, as the film shows. The colour draws the children in and makes them want to watch more. The font throughout is very curly and looks as if it has been written out. This, along with the drawings of the doors and the monsters, connote to the target audience which means parents are more likely to let their children watch further into the film. The dark blue of the font against the black in the top picture stands out against the coloured doors. The blue blends into the darkness just the same as the monsters in the film. The eye in the door instead of the letter 'p' in the production title is important as it also connotes to the theme of monsters in the dark.

The opening sequence of "Vertigo" is interesting as the font is very different to other thriller movies. The font, in white and capitals, reflects more of a sports team or something more action rather than thriller. The white against the redness of the background throughout the sequence makes it stand out to the audience. The way the eye spirals into more of the titles, creating a wave of patterns, shows the audience that it will be a psychological thriller and will play with their minds. The red also connotes to the idea of blood and death, showing that the film is for an older audience. The close ups of the facial features, specifically of the eyes, make it also seem psychological, like its focusing on the inside workings of the person, i.e. in the brain. The list of names against a more solid background is very classic for older films though now it has become of lesser use. In this film, there is no establishing shot sequence as with most films now, making it seem even more mysterious whilst watching, as you don't find much out about the story.