Ancillary Task - The Return Film Poster

We have chosen to use a black background as it has connotations of death and evil as well as creating the effect of the images being in the shadows. This creates an enigmatic feel about who each character is and what has happened to them. The images we have chosen do not give any major information away but create the idea that the characters are scared and are targets Eg. The picture of Rizwana gagged hints at violence. The centre picture is the main picture and it establishes Tovia as a main character as the image is larger and more central than the other two.

The main title is white on the black background which matches the theory of binary oppositions: good/evil and life/death. Both of these are common conventions of horror/thriller themes and are present in our trailer.

We have included our institutional information such as the Miramax logo and our own production logo as well as a website, twitter and Facebook page. This hints that the film may have a more modern audience, who regularly use the internet and have Facebook and twitter accounts- a younger, teenage audience.

Our Production Logo

We wanted to create a subsidiary production logo that represented our thriller/horror film trailer. We came up with 'Blade Productions' as the name of our production logo as we wanted the audience to become aware earlier on in the trailer that our trailer is a thriller/horror genre. We felt that the audience will become aware straightaway after looking at the production logo of what our film is based on. It is violent and contains events in which the characters are killed in disturbing ways.

This is a common convention of horror/thriller films; the knife however connotes more conventions of the horror genre in comparison to thrillers where more guns are used.

The red use of colour for the blood effect connotes danger and violence; this suggests to the audience that the film is based around people being hurt and their life being at risk by a mysterious killer. The image of the knife used in the production logo suggests that the characters/victims in the trailer will be brutally tortured and killed. The use of the drain indicates that the girls have no way of escaping and that their lives are going down the drain. The black colour used in the drain connotes mystery and death, indicating that the trailer brings up questions in the audiences mind of what could happen to the three victims. Also, the black connotes the fact that the audience are unaware of who the killer is, making them want to watch the film at the cinemas for the motives of the killer for hunting down the three victims in particular as well as the killers identity.

The fact that there is a high key low contrast of use of lighting around the plug hole with blood dripping down, indicates the future of the victims in the trailer suggesting that they don’t have anywhere to hide and trapped underneath the plug hole. This indicates that the victims could be confided in small spaces and there is no way that they can get away from this nightmare. As the victims are three girls, the plug hole could represent the vulnerability of the girls as they are seen as easy target from the killers prospective as they won’t be able to fight back and defend for themselves, suggesting that the killer sees they life as being worthless and he is pouring any traces of their memories down the drain.

The colours of red, white and black are conventional for horror/thriller films due to their connotations of danger, death,blood, good and evil.



Rough Cut Edit

Return rough cut from Emily Jesson on Vimeo.

When presenting our rough cut edit to the rest of the class they gave us some positive feedback on our good variety of shots, which helped create interest and representations of character types eg. a high angle shot of the victim, presenting them as vulnerable. However, they also told us that we needed to improve both our sound and our main title. Our sound so far consists of continuous music which seems fine, as well as sound stings which we need more of and to improve the timing of. These are significant as they emphasise the fast sequences of shots; creating a greater impact. Also they told us we may need a voice over or  some more dialogue, to help with narrative exposition and also to create a break in the music. The music at the end of our trailer is too sudden so we need to make it gradually more dramatic and reach a crescendo. The font for our main title needs to be changed as it does not fit with the themes in our trailer or conventions of the horror/thriller genre.

Adding a few more shots to establish the narrative is further needed, for example, close up of newspaper clipping and flashback of us at school laughing. Also an authorative voice to do the voiceover the titles to also establish the narrative further. However feedback was highly positive and many key features of our trailer such as effects, flashes and sound stings were commended.

When putting the filming together on pinnacle, we decided to split the scenes of the three characters and integrate them in editing as we are creating a trailer. This is so it creates a more effective result and indicates to the audience that the film is a trailer as it looked like an opening to a film. We did this by integrating the Killer's actions of holiding the knife and scraping it against the wall and sticking victim's photos in the scrapbook to break up the scenes and to indicate to the audience what is going to happen to each victim. Thich makes it appear more interesting and intriguing without giving too much of the story away and creating enigmas.

We felt that some of the shots were too long, so we decided to cut them down and make the editing fast, we felt this would create more of an impact and grab the audience's attention. Also, we didn't want to give away too much of the plot to the audience as we wanted them to go the cinemas to watch the full film to see what will happen to the 'victims' and whether or not the killer will be caught.

Another improvement, we decided on was that we had far too many fades to blacks/whites, this made the trailer appear inappropriate as there was a fade after each shot which didn't make the trailer appear as effective. So we decided to get rid of some fades to black/white, after doing this we felt that this made the trailer flow better and have more of a purpose eg. a white fade before the flashback.

Construction Stills From Filming

In our trailer we have been trying to create a variety of shots and sequences; including match on action, tracking shots and a fast series of close ups. These all make the trailer more interesting and appealing as well as creating the tense atmosphere that is common in horror/thriller trailers. 

There is a series of fast close ups of Tovia in the car; creating a fast paced sequence with very brief white transitions & sound effects inserted to create more feeling of horror and tension.

There is the use of match on action in order to create continuity- contrasting to some of our more jerky jump cuts.

We use match on action of Tovia getting into the car as well as her getting out of the car; which took a while to edit as we had to have the car door in the right place.

 

We also have used some long shots to establish the location and to create a contrast to the close ups and medium shots-

therefore creating a larger variety of shots and meanings.

We have used close up stills of photographs which break up the shots of action as well as creating narrative exposition. We have torn up the photographs, stabbed them with a knife and drawn on them- each defacing them, representing the killers violent intentions and making it clear that they are targets.

We shot a match on action edit on the stairs ending with a close up of Tovia's face- showing her facial expression whilst she screams.

This is part of a fast paced series of shots, creating a tense atmosphere that is a common convention of horror/thrillers.

We have close ups of the knife being dragged across a wall and added sound effects showing elements of violence and hinting at the idea of blood and gore without showing it - which is a common convention of horror trailers as the trailer itself cannot contain unsuitable material for the audience.The killers body is in the shadow therefore making his identity stay hidden, creating an enigma whilst using the darkness to connote evil.

Construction- Technical decisions and any difficulties encountered

We had to film some shots again as we accidentally recorded over them and we are in the process of working out the shots we lost so we can make sure we have everything we are going to need. We decided that we were going to film shots in the different locations with different lighting in order to create the impression of different times of day. We also did this as it is common to have chiaroscuro lighting in horror films- which we have chosen to use in some shots (Rizwana’s close ups)  in our trailer.

Construction- Any Changes to Plans

After our first successful filming session we discussed when and where we would film the next lot of shots. We decided to change our original plans of filming in a wood to filming in a cemetery as it would create the right atmosphere for our trailer. As well as this it would be near a specific road we wanted to film some other shots on so we could get more done. This improved the overall organisation of our group and enabled us to use our time better.

Also we decided to film some of Rizwana’s close ups, again and change the lighting and also her makeup to make it look more affective. When we did this we liked the results and decided we would use the second lot of shots. We also decided that we would film the opening scenes somewhere else- in a less public place( an empty rural path) ; due to the use of a baseball bat as a weapon. This way no-one could see us and get the wrong idea.

Filming Day Four

Today we filmed the shot of Tovia waking up in bed which follows on from the shot filmed previously of Emily being killed. This has a large impact as it creates a fast and strong rhythm to the pace of editing therefore adding to the drama of the trailer. We also filmed the opening establishing shot, the long shots of Rizwana and the point of view shot of the baseball bat. The point of view shot was difficult to film as we tried to film it a different way, with the camera to the side of Tovia swinging the bat, but that didn't work well either. We decided that the POV shot was more effective and if we put a fade to either black or white afterwards it could look more effective.

Filming Day Three

Today we filmed the shots of Tovia in the car which are important shots as they show Tovia with a chance of escape therefore creating enigma as to whether she does actually escape. We use long shots, medium shots and close ups to see Tovia's face. One of these close ups was hard to film as we had to film an extreme close up of a reflection of Tovia's eyes in the rearview mirror, but after a few tries we were successful. Also some of the filming involved putting the camera on the dashboard in order to film a close up of Tovia's face in the front seat. This series of shots create a fast action sequence that is commonly seen in the end of trailers like in ours. We also filmed the shots of Emily in an empty car park which seemed a suitable location as we filmed it so she would look like she was walking towards a car.

Filming Day Two

Today we filmed the shots of Tovia when she is being chased and then dragged down the stairs. This involved filming long shots, medium shots and close ups to see Tovia's reaction and fear. We also filmed the close up of the photographs of us all on a table at Emily's garage where the lighting is chiaroscuro.We had the killers hands drawing on them, tearing them in half and the knife stabbing them. This series of shots as well as creating a tense feel, helps create narrative exposition- explaining the story and establishing that the three girls are targets.

Filming Day One

Today we filmed the shots of Rizwana when she is tied up. We filmed a lot of close ups of her face and hands and extreme close ups as well, in order to create a variety of shots. This will make our trailer more interesting and appealing through creating the tense atmosphere that is a common in horror/thriller trailers. We had problems with the lighting as if we turned the lights off it was too dark and the camera wasn't picking anything up. Then we used a torch with a blue tint to it making the lighting seem dark and cold.

Planning- Music and Sound

Music is very significant in trailers as they get across to the audience what type of genre the trailer is. The sound helps build up tension and add emotion to trailers such as horror, as the sound becomes fast paced and more dramatic the audience immediately know that something bad is going to happen.  Looking at chase scenes in many horror and thriller films we noticed that the music in the background is not necessarily instrumental and has a deep and dramatic drum beat as though it is the heart beating like in 'fear factor' from audio network, which makes the pace seem very fast and dramatic.

We searched for non-copyrighted sites for soundtrack; we found two very good sites: SoundCloud and Audio Network. We were looking for a range of sounds which we could use for different sections of the trailer as each part told a different story. We first found some slow mechanical sounds for the opening establishing shot, although it was slow it still created tension and anticipation for something bad to happen. The sound we used was 'stakeout' from audio network.

We also wanted to use mechanical, scratching sound effects similar to the ones used in the opening of Se7en. We quite liked the buzzing sounds of when the killer sticks the victim’s photos from newspapers which makes it quite nerving and disturbing for the audience as it would make them believe that the girls are in danger. The sound we used was a section taken from 'Death blade' from audio network.
We cut parts of 'death blade' out that we didn't need and just used the repetitive, metalic sounding music to create tension.

For the cemetery scene of Tovia running, we wanted to add some chase music which would make Tovia running more dramatic and will help the audience understand that she is running away from the killer. The sound will also add mystery and enigma’s as the audience will be left wondering why Tovia is running and who is this mystery person chasing her.  The sound we used was 'phobia ',  from audio network combined with 'fear factor'.

We also needed to find some dramatic sound stings. We decided that we would use parts of different music we had found such as the fast, high pitched violin sound which was taken from 'hell on earth' from audio network.

We downloaded sound effects from sound bible as well as using some of the ones on pinnacle. We used them in some cases to add emphasis to dramatic events such as when Tovia is grabbed in the car. However we needed less a dramatic sounds when Tovia stabs him with a pen.

The screams I came across before were quite short and didn't create the suspense we wanted.  We wanted a long scream which will act as a sound bridge to the end of the trailer to create mystery and enigmas of what could possibly be happening to the female victim. When trying to cut the sounds an bring them to together so that the screaming sound is longer, which made it sound wrong. It was very difficult trying to find a scream effect that would fit into out trailer, I came across a scream sound from findsounds.com and the sound that I thought best fitted our trailer was the female scream. This was much more appropriate and we didn’t have to do any changes to the sound as it fitted with Tovia screaming when she is being dragged down the stairs. 

Title -analysis

The style of title we chose to use was red, serif and on a black background. This is the font we used on in our production and for our ancillary tasks- creating a recognisable identity for our trailer. It is red due to connotations of blood and danger as well as creating a contrast to the interim titles which are white. The black background is a common convention of horror/thriller films due to connotations of death. We used the same shine effect on the title as we used on the miramax logo but in white as we like the eerie effect it created.

Planning- Titles- colors, fonts and effects

In our trailer we are planning on having titles near the start for narrative exposition; instead of a voice over as we didn't think we could get our voices to sound realistic n terms of trailer expectations which usually uses a deep masculine voice-over. It is common in trailers to have overlay titles over establishing shots which is a possibility for our trailer. However it is also common in horror trailer to have a fade to black and then white on black titles due to the connotations of good, evil, life and death. Also the titles are sometimes red as red has connotations of blood and death which are common conventions of horror films.

There is usually some sort of eerie flickering effect on the title as well which adds to the atmosphere and themes in the film.

For our trailer we are going to have titles in between shots on a black background with white eerie serif font much like the font used for the Dream House trailer.

 Our Titles For Our Trailer

-How far would you go to get revenge

-On the people who ruined your life…

-Picking them off one by one

-Will revenge be served or…

-Or will any survive?

-‘Remarkable horror, will have you at the edge of your seat’ – Empire

These titles will create narrative exposition therefore helping explain the story to the audience as well as creating enigmas to be answered in the film. This makes the audience more likely to want to see the film leading to greater box office appeal and success.

Our first ideas for titles:

Our 'coming soon' title as it is quite simple but also matches conventions of horror/thriller films with the white font on a black background; connoting good versus evil as well as the red connoting danger.

We have decided that our main title- 'The Return' is going to be white with a glowing effect to create an eerie atmosphere and add to the enigmas created in the trailer.

As well as this the title will flicker adding to the overall effect of anxiety and tension.

Planning- Locations

Dark interior-school

Where the killer is looking at and cutting up the pictures.
Where we can film his POV shot- close up.

Props for this location: Desk or table required. Newspapers / pictures, knife, black marker pen, gloves, desk lamp.

Other dark interior-school

Where Rizwana can be tied up and gagged. Must be able to film close ups, tracking shots and high angle shots.

Props for this location: Gag, makeup

Car

Film inside car and outside car.

Use for match on action.
Gives a sense of hope for escape. Film from outside window, from backseat and in front seat.

Stairs-school

Must be able to drag Tovia down filmed from bottom and from top- match on action. Good location as it shows an escape attempt. Can be filmed on stairs at school.

Props for this location: Gloves for killers hands.

Exterior- woods- The Plunge -Edenfield

Creates a sense of isolation. Can film Tovia running with us of long shots and medium shots. Enables the use of a variety of shots not just close ups as well as a variety of locations.

Props for this location: None

Exterior- cemetery-Haslingden
Can film Tovia running with us of long shots and medium shots.

Enables the use of a variety of shots not just close ups as well as a variety of locations. Creates an eerie atmosphere and seems fitting to the negative vibe throughout the trailer.

Props for this location: None

Exterior-Road/street- Rawtenstall

Must be able to film from both sides of the street and be able to see killer behind Emily in the background.

Cannot be too crowded.

Props for this location: None

Interior- Bedroom- Tovia's house

Must be able to film a long shot and medium shot. Tovia Wakes up (in bed, gasping and breathing heavily and screaming.

Planning- Props

The use of black gloves help hide the killers identity as well as giving him a more calculating character which makes it overall more ominous. 
We are using the gloves in all shots invloving the killer but there will be more of a focus on them in the close up of him looking at photographs.

We also used a fake knife as a prop as knives are commonly used in horror films as they present the idea of violence.

Compared to guns, knives seem more violent as it makes the deaths seem more personal as well as bloody. We used a fake knife in a private place so that we were not in public with a knife. It was fake for safety reasons as a real sharp knife could be dangerous.

The baseball bat is presented as a weapon that can injure someone but not kill- therefore linking to the idea of kidnapping. We use this when the killer abducts Rizwana.

We also need to use photographs

of the victims in order to help create narrative exposition as well as making the killer seem more calculating.

Storyboard

Storyboard from Emily236

Planning- Cast and Costumes

Rizwana- Victim number one. Female, conventionally most victims are female as traditionally they are seen as the weaker gender. Costumes such be casual every day wear but should be fairly feminine. As she is being held captive and has been a target of violence, we are going to use makeup to make her look more representative of a victim.

She will also be wearing a gag to show that she is trapped and unable to get away and make her appear more helpless.

Emily- Victim number two. Female, conventionally most victims are female as traditionally they are seen as the weaker gender.

Costumes such be casual every day wear but should be fairly feminine. She is walking down the road as though she is walking somewhere so she will be carrying a bag to make it more convincing and as though she is completely unsuspecting.

Tovia- victim number three. Female, conventionally most victims are female as traditionally they are seen as the weaker gender. Costumes such be casual every day wear but should be fairly feminine.

However, in the shot where she wakes up in bed she should be wearing nightwear which is suitable for that situation.

Killer- At most points you only see what the killer is doing or just their hands. Therefore black gloves will be needed. Also in the shots where you can see the killer, they will be wearing all black- a black hoodie (with hood up) and trousers as well as having their face covered. Therefore the identity of the killer is hidden therefore creating enigma in the trailer making the audience more likely to want to see the film.

Why do we need a shot list, script and story board?

Storyboard- The storyboard is important as it helps the directors and camera men keep track of all the different shots needed and helps them visualise them beforehand so they can see if they work or not. Also they are important as they can help when deciding when to put in sound effects or soundtrack and different transitions whilst editing. The storyboard will help us as a group to keep organised on what shots we have filmed and what shots we need and whether they look good in a particular order and whether they get the right impact across whether it’s to build tension or to create a feeling of calm. In our opening a story board is specifically important as there is no dialogue so creating a specific mood and tone is important.

Shot list- the shot list is important as it helps the director and camera men keep track of all the shots needed and make sure that they have enough filmed and enough shots to create a specific mood and feel. It also helps them decide on a structure for the shots although some shots may be added in after and some used more than once like the master shot.

Script-The script is important for the actors as it is needed for them to know what to do, say and where to be. In our opening the script is important as Tovia will need to know how to act in specific shots to create the feeling of tension.

Planning- Script

[EXT. HILLY FIELD - DAY TIME]

PAN/TRACK shot

 360 angle establishing shot of a hilly field (Fade to black)

CUT TO:

TITLE:

On fade to black – title: ‘How far would you go to get revenge…’

CUT TO:

[INT.SCHOOL: CLASSROOM/CANTEEN]

RIZWANA, EMILY AND TOVIA:

FLASHBACK: Long shot of us three laughing and bullying

CUT TO:

TITLE:

On the people who ruined your life…

CUT TO:

KIERON:

FLASHBACK: Medium shot of Kieron cowering in the corner

CUT TO:

[INT.SCHOOL CORRIDOR]

STAFF MEMBER:

Close up of newspaper article about killer being sent to psychiatric unit

CUT TO:

KILLER:

POV shot of baseball bat swinging toward camera (Fade to black)

CUT TO:

[INT. SMALL ROOM/CUPBOARD – DARK]

RIZWANA:

Extreme close up of Rizwana’s eyes looking scared. (Fade to black)

CUT TO:

RIZWANA:

Close up of Rizwana’s face, gagged (Fade to Black)

RIZWANA:

Tracking shot of mascara running down face.

                                                       CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close-up shot of killers gloved hands, cutting up newspaper clippings of victim (Rizwana).

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of Killers hands picking up a knife. FADE TO BLACK.

CUT TO:

RIZWANA:

Medium shot, tied to a chair with rope and gagged (mumbling), looking around (moving head side to side to show Rizwana establishing where she is) scared. (Tense, slightly fast paced music in background)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up, Low angle shot of killer’s feet walking towards Rizwana. Fade to black.

CUT TO:

KILLER:

High angle shot of tray of torture weapons and killer picking up knife. FADE TO BLACK.

CUT TO:

Ellipsis flickering shot.

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of hand with knife touching Rizwana’s face (Fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close-up and then POV shot of Killer’s gloved hands sewing an old and dingy scrapbook with needle and thread. (buzzing sounds, flickering effect) FADE TO BLACK.   

                                                     CUT TO:

TITLE:

‘Picking them off one by one...’ (Fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of killer’s hands and photographs of Emily (dissolve to black)

CUT TO:

[EXT. ROAD- DAY TIME]

EMILY:

Medium shot of Emily walking down the road towards the camera with killer behind her (fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of killer’s hands and photographs of Emily (dissolve to black)

CUT TO:

High angle, close up of Emily being grabbed from behind (fade to black)

CUT TO:

EMILY:

Tracking shot of Emily looking extremely scared (fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Medium shot of knife coming down (filmed from below) - sound sting then fade to black Emily’s scream

CUT TO:

TITLE:

‘Will revenge be served or…’ FADE TO BLACK.

CUT TO:

[INT.BEDROOM – DARK]

TOVIA:

Medium shot, Tovia Wakes up (in bed, gasping and breathing heavily and screaming to continue Emily’s scream, close-up scared look on her face.

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of killer’s hands and photos of Tovia (flickering effect)

Zoom into extreme close up of photo of Tovia (flickering effect)

CUT TO:

TITLE:

‘Or will any survive?’ (extremely quick fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close up of killer stabbing photo with a knife (fade to black)

CUT TO:

 [EXT. FOREST- DUSK]

TOVIA:

Long shot of Tovia running. Fade to black.

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Medium shot of Tovia running through woods (fade to black)

CUT TO:

KILLER:

Close-up of Killers hands holding a black marker pen and drawing a line across Tovia’s eyes (picture)       

CUT TO:      

 (EXT: CEMETARY- DARK)

TOVIA:

Medium shot of Tovia running through cemetery towards camera (match on action from previous)

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

POV 180 shot of Tovia looking round panicking

CUT TO:

 On fade to black: ‘Remarkable horror, will have you at the edge of your seat’ – Empire

CUT TO:

[INT.HOUSE]

TOVIA:

Long shot of Tovia running up the stairs and being dragged back down

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Medium close up of Tovia being dragged down the stairs-match on action from previous (from top of stairs) (fade to black)

CUT TO:

[EXT.ROAD]

TOVIA:

Long shot of Tovia running and getting into car

CUT TO:

[INT. CAR]

TOVIA:

Medium shot of Tovia getting in car, opening door/holding handle

TOVIA:

Medium shot of Tovia getting inside car (match on action)

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Close up of Tovia fumbling with car keys, trying to put in the car.

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Medium shot of Tovia looking in mirror (Scared) (fade to black)

TOVIA:

Close up of Killer grabbing Tovia from behind in car- from back

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

From front of car, close up of Tovia’s face (scared) in front seat (fade to black)

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Extreme close-up of Tovia’s eye, (wide open and scared) FADE TO BLACK.

CUT TO:

TOVIA:

Close up of Tovia’s hand sliding down inside car window (covered in blood)- filmed from outside of car.  

END.