This is the statement of intent where the group member's tasks are divided.
Statement of Intent
This is my research for the genre research
My group and I have decided to create a film opening in the genre of horror. Here's my research into codes and conventions that are used in the openings of texts from this genre.
Typical conventions from the horror genre:
Films from the horror convention typically include specific elements in Camera, Sound, Editing, and Mise-en-Scene.
- Camera
Camera angles such as close up shots, establishing shots, low angle, high angle and dutch angle. There are also camera shots such as panning, dolly, tracking and crane. These camera elements help create scary or eerie atmosphere for the audience or help with the buildup leading to a jumpscare as well as the jumpscare itself. For example, a fast dolly movement can create a feeling as if something is travellling at a threateningly fast paced, posing danger to the characters.
- Sound
Eerie music, screaming, stabbing sounds, loud shaky breaths, as well as whispers are the typical examples of the sound elements in horror. These elements help the audience feel immersed in the film. Non-diegetic sounds such as scary music or high pitched violin sound help increase the intensity to further make the film more thrilling and scary for the audience
- Mise-en-Scene
typical Mise-en-Scene would include isolated areas, blood, gore, abandoned areas, or underground. In typical horror films, there would be the "damsel in distress" or the "final girl". The antagonist could be stalkers, killer clowns, evil spirit, or stranger danger. Dimly lit areas are also a mise-en-scene of traditional horror as it reduces the vision of the surroundings which keeps the audience on edge of the unknown, with a possible jumpscare right around the corner. It builds tension and suspense for the audience and makes them more immersed in the story and scene.
- Editing
Elements are transitions, special effects, shot, and pacing. Different types of transitions can help set the mood. It helps portray the characters thoughts and feelings. Special effect is also very important to horror movies as if it comes across as fake or cheap, it would be ineffective to the audience and would only bore them. It sets the tone and atmosphere. Furthermore, shot placement creates a feeling of mystery and suspense, it could be in chronological order or in any order based on what the director is aiming for. Lastly, the pacing of a horror movie needs to be in such a way that keeps the audience intrigued and immersed into the film. Its a critical part in grabbing the audiences attention and keeping them hooked throughout the film.
Horror movies have a wide variety of elements that make them terrifying for the audience. Things that make a horror movie terrifying are Suspense, Fear of Death, Scary locations, Scary creatures of monsters, and Fear of the Unusual.
These are the 2 films that I chose to research on in detail
Producer: Blumhouse
Distributor: Netflix
What conventions does it conform to?
The movie follows the stranger danger trope where the protagonist comes across and becomes involved with a deranged, dangerous serial killer. It also follows typical horror films where they are in an isolated setting which makes it difficult for the main character to escape or seek help. Lastly, they use a found footage style, using a handheld camera work, following a documentary-like approach to create a sense of realism.
What conventions does it subvert?
Usual horror films typically have the victims become increasingly fearful, but instead, in creep 2 the protagonist are curious and composed more than expected. Her almost fearless behavior subverts to the final girl trope. Additionally, this film humanizes and almost sympathizes the villain by showing their wholesome or vulnerable moments to add complexity and creates a deeper understanding of him to the audience.
What representations are there? (people/places/events)
Creep 2 represents the disturbed, charming and manipulative, as well as someone who is confident and assertive. it also represents a classic horror setting of a cabin in the woods. Lastly the event represented in the film is about power and control. How the antagonist tries to terrify the protagonist, but to no avail as her reactions subvert to his expectations.
What technical elements are used to give meaning to the representations?
The hand held found footage style significantly affects the role in enhancing the realism of the film. The handheld camera and raw footage mimics the mc's documentary project, making the events feel more natural, pulling the audience into the tense and creepy interactions between the characters. For the lighting, natural lighting was used to add to the realism. Dimly lit scenes were also used, which increases the tension and creates an unsettling atmosphere for the audience. Additionally, silence is often used in the film to create awkward or uncomfortable moments.
The movie conforms to several horror conventions, specifically the home invasion subgenre. The film follows a typical setup where a family’s sense of security is shattered by external intruders. The theme of dualism, where characters have a dark or hidden side, is a classic horror trope that the movie leans into. This mirror imagery, along with unsettling body doubles, evokes familiar fears of identity and hidden selves, which is a common theme in psychological horror. The use of suspense, eerie settings, and violence to create terror conforms to traditional horror movies.
While Us conforms to several horror tropes, it also subverts expectations. Unlike many home invasion films where the antagonists are foreign intruders, the villains in Us are the family's own doppelgÃĪngers, w hich makes the threat more personally and psychologically disturbing. Furthermore, this movie brings up social class and discusses serious topics such as inequality in America. This subversion of horror’s typical focus on individual terror allows to explore collective societal trauma.
In Us, the central representation is the family at the heart of the story: an upper-middle-class African-American family enjoying a beach vacation. The doppelgÃĪngers, "Tethered," represent the oppressed underclass people who live underground and are literal reflections of the main characters. This symbolizes the divide between the privileged and the unpriviliged. Events such as the doppelgÃĪngers rising from the shadows reflect the idea of suppressed people or parts of society reclaiming their space. The film reflects a broader commentary on class divide, with the Tethered embodying those who live in the margins of society, ignored and neglected.
Jordan Peele used several technical elements to give meaning to these representations. The cinematography often features reflections, mirrors, and symmetrical framing to reinforce the theme of duality and mirror imagery. Lighting contrasts between the aboveground world and the dark, shadowy underground where the Tethered live, visually depicting the divide between social classes. Sound design, including the haunting remix of “I Got 5 on It,” contributes to the eerie atmosphere and deepens the film's psychological tension. The editing enhances the sense of duality, especially in the choreographed fight scenes between the main characters and their Tethered doubles, where the action mimics a mirror image.
These are the 6 other films that i analyzed more broadly, with interesting elements that i may use to my film
Target audience, and how are they appealed to?
The target audience for Evil Dead Rise would include fans of horror, specifically ones that are gory and enjoy intense supernatural elements. People who enjoy dark humor, extreme violence and brutal horror films are also targeted. This film attracts its target audience with its intense and graphic violence and its fast paced action.
What would you like to use in your opening from this?
I like how it subverts against some horror movies such as being in the middle of a city instead of somewhere isolated. It also subverts against other stereotypical films by having the parental figure possessed instead of the friend or relative. This makes the story more interesting. Our film will also subvert and take place in the middle of a city and not in a rural area. Furthermore, i like how this film uses camera angle techniques such as closeups to capture the feeling of claustrophobia. The contrast lighting used also helps emphasize the difference between danger and safety. Lastly, they use sounds such as whispering or voices that signals the audience of the presence of the evil entity.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I'd avoid overwhelming the audience with too much violence in the beginning so that the violence can be more impactful later on. Additionally, instead of showing the whole extent of the demonic force right away, I'd prefer to tease it and letting the antagonist and story unfold overtime.
Target audience, and how are they appealed to?
The target audience for chainsaw massacre are primarily horror fans, particularly those who enjoy slasher films and fans of the original Texas Chainsaw franchise. Younger teenager audiences who are familiar with modern horror films are also targeted, as the movie involves elements like social media influencers and current social issues. The film appeals to its audience through intense violence, suspense, and the return of the iconic villain, Leatherface. The use of graphic gore, fast-paced action, and modern characters helps draw in both long-time fans and newer viewers who enjoy high-stakes horror with modern themes.
What would you like to use in your opening from this?
I personally like the final girl trope, in which this movie conforms to. I like how this film uses tension and suspense right from the start, building anticipation for the audience. The isolated setting makes the film much more scarier and dreadful.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I'd like to avoid having too much gore, especially in the start of the movie. Scaring the audience with only gore and not taking the time to build proper suspense and jumpscares for a proper scare would make the film shallow. I think audience should be immersed and understand the plotline and understand the characters on a deeper level. That way, the audience will be brought to their emotions and they would morelikely have a reaction.
Target audience, and how are they appealed to?
The target audience consists of young adults and fans of psychological thrillers, survival horror, and puzzle-based games. The film appeals to this audience by combining the tension of a high-stakes survival scenario with the challenge of solving intricate puzzles, much like real-life escape rooms. The concept of being trapped in life-threatening environments resonates with viewers who enjoy suspense and intellectual problem-solving. The diverse group of characters also helps reach a broader audience, allowing viewers to connect with different personalities.
What would you like to use in your opening from this?
I like the fact the film starts with a hook by introducing a scene that involves danger. This creates suspense from the beginning and grabs audience attention. The film effectively creates tension by introducing an unknown threat early on, which pulls the viewers into the story and makes them curious about how the characters will escape.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
Target audience, and how are they appealed to?
This film appeals to fans of gothic horror, supernatural thrillers and romance horror. It appeals to young adults who enjoy suspense mystery and dark romance, particularly vampire lore. There are also themes of female empowerment which can appeal to modern audiences.
What would you like to use in your opening from this?
I like how the tension is slow and the plot is introduced as this beautiful and charming appearance, but then it was shown an underlying sense of dread, mystery as if something was off but still not giving too much away to the audience.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I'd avoid revealing the supernatural elements too early. That can take away the suspense and building mystery. I'd prefer to keep the audience guessing for longer and being more subtle on unsettling scenes.
Target audience, and how are they appealed to?
The building of suspense in this film is clever and effective. The film creates a growing sense of unease by gradually introducing the myth of Candyman through whispers, shadows, and subtle references before the violence escalates. This slow reveal keeps the audience intrigued without giving away too much. The use of reflections, mirrors, and shadows to foreshadow the killer’s presence is highly effective, as it creates a creepy, disorienting visual style. I also like the use of eerie sounds and the deafening silence that is used to create tension and keep the audience on edge.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
The target audience of the Unholy includes fans of supernatural horror, religious-themed horror or anyone interested in stories including religious elements such as miracles, demonic possession, faith, and satan. The unholy mostly is about the terrifying similarity between the holy mary and the devil, revealing the sinister truths under miracles.
I like their use of eerie and tense atmosphere where they slowly reveal the underlying sense of mystery and sinister intentions. Although our film will not be about religion or beliefs, i do like the fact that the film uses props such as statues or sacred places to add to the unsettling atmosphere which creates a feeling of dread and mystery for the audience. Lastly, it's effective that they made sure their beginning is a slow subtle supernatural event in the beginning, which keeps the audience intrigued without spoiling too much and giving away the real mystery. I like the way this film uses a lot of dark and shadowy visuals which helps create a foreboding atmosphere. I will definitely put similar eerie sounds or noises to create an unsettling atmosphere to keep the audience on edge.
I would want to avoid having too many jumpscares so that it can be more effective in scaring the audience. In the trailed, they also revealed the antagonist and the lore too early which lessen the suspense. I would instead keep my antagonist a bit of a mystery, revealing very little about him including his intentions and danger level. This will keep the audience on their toes and scare them more effectively.
Terrifier 3 (2024)
The target audience of Terrifier 3 are adults who love horror movies, especially ones that show violence and gore. Terrifier shows horror elements of supernatural, "the chosen one", creepy clowns, and psychotic killers. Terrifier 3 is about art the clown, the killer that shows up in the previous terrifier movies.
I like the introduction of the movie where the film makers immediately catch the attention of the audience with a suspenseful tension such as unsettling atmosphere and unexpected silence. I also like that the film shows the feeling of uncertainty that was felt by the girl in the beginning, where she was unsure of her safety and if it was a threat or not.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I'd like to avoid too much violence in the beginning to not have the audience desensitized of the violence that will be there throughout the movie. This would make the gore more effective and give more shock factor for the audience.
Venom; The Last Dance (2024)
What would you like to use in your opening from this?
I like how the movie starts with a slow unsettling vibe, showing the protagonist in an intense spotlight. The movie immediately starts with a continuation of the end credits scene from the previous venom movie.
What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I'd want to avoid having too much dialogue in the beginning as it tends to come off as boring or detract from the intended atmosphere. I also think that they explained the intentions or plot a little too early. I'd rather keep the audience guessing for longer before revealing the main intention or threat. Some parts of the movie effects also appear fake which can affect the enjoyment when watching the film.
- What genre am I working in?
The genre we are planning to work in are Horror, Mystery and Noir.
- Do I want my music video to be niche or mainstream?
We plan to make an independent film and blumhouse would probably make because it targets a smaller audiece, has a low budget and is realistic to our project.
- What company would mostlikely produce my media text in the real world?
Blumhouse as we plan for our film to be found footage psychological horror, films which they mostly do
Self-Reflection: Blumhouse offers many good horror movies ranging from ones that subvert to the genre and ones that conform to it. As my team choose to make a horror genre that is handheld, i think blumhouse productions would be the one to produce our film
This is my preliminary research
this research was done to help with our understanding
This is my weekly progress and plan for this year
Week 1
This week we learned about industry and audience. We learnt about the producer of the films, which are companies who makes them, then the distributor which are companies who help spread the films to the exhibitors, which are platforms or places that people go to in order to consume the media provided such as the cinema, netflix, HBO+ and Disney+. We also planned a bit and gathered ideas on what genre we want our film to be for this project. I am doomed.
Week 2
This week we began our research into the genre of our film. We used examples from the opening of horror movies and analyzed it according to what we like, dislike, its conformity and what it subverts against. We looked more into horror genre and discussed and contemplated a lot of things.
Week 3
This week we talked about media consolidation, vertical and horizontal integration. Media consolidation is the ownership of other media companies. Vertical integration is the ownership of multiple companies in different sectors (production, distribution, and exhibition). Horizontal integration is the ownership of multiple companies from the same sector whether its production distribution or exhibition.
Week 4
This week i finished and polished my 2 big research and 6 small researches in genre. I got a 95 which im very satisfied with bc i did know (a little too late) that i wasn't using enough media technical terms and was too lazy to polish all 8 so i only inputted a few. Me and my team has different ideas on the movie. I think we should conform to most of the tropes, but not entirely. Our film will subvert the isolation feature and probably more features such as psychological harm instead of physical (paranoia, schizophrenia) We also did statement of intent.
Week 5
This week, we are going to be doing storyboard and script. My group has to think of the location scout because we plan to do it in the forest, and it isn't easy finding a place to shoot in Bali, especially because we're doing the horror genre. Me and shannon did the storyboard. First, it's going to be fire crackling, then a shadow will zoom past it making the fire dim a little. It then cuts to 3 teens (1 girl and 2 boys) inside the tent playing board games. One of the boys will then get out to retrieve food in the car, this is where the killer will inch closer and closer to him. By the time he sees the killer in the reflection it is far too late, and it cuts to black with a slashing sound. Then it cuts to the girl alone panting and running, chased by the killer. I really like this plot so i hope we find a good location for the camping area that won't disturb other people especially because we'll have a screaming scene.
Week 6
This week we're going to be focusing on the project (finishing up some blogposts, and making all the blog posts needed). I changed positions with kenneth on the script (which i will be doing now), and Behind the Scenes (which he will be doing now). We were given a sheet of paper with checklists on all the blogposts needed to be done. Shannon is doing the storyboard. im going to do the screenplay as well as the location scout. for the location, i chose taman festival bali because it is abandoned and creepy.
Week 7
This week is review and exams. Media studies exam is next week and this week we're just focusing on completing our work and planning for our filming scenes. We've already planned the spot and created as well as altered the storyboard accordingly to our likings. These media classes are also for people who hasn't completed any part of their blog or has missing assignments. For most my team though, we finished with everything and basically have free time.
This term went well. Although the final project could've been better, we did our best and learned from our mistakes. I hope term 3 will be better with practice and a deeper understanding of film making.
Term 3
Week 1
This week we learnt about new media and technological convergence. New media is media that requires internet such as smartphones, laptops, computers. Old media are TVs, radios and newspaper. Technological convergence is the combination of multiple functions to be made into one device to improve efficiency, such as smartphones and social medias. This week we also did a horror movie scene recreation although the scene we were recreating was only a speech scene. This practice helps us improve our filming skills as well as putting the acting skills to the test. We had some trouble getting the timing of the speech right, but it wasn't a bad try.
Week 2
This week we learnt about editing, we tried to edit a simple scene that our teacher has recorded the scenes for. We revised some editing techniques, did some media text analysis, reviewed some theories we've learnt such as hypodermic needle, uses and gratification and also two step flow. We also learnt about social learning, cultivation theory, desensitization, dominant oppositional and negotiated reading. This saturday we are going to film our project scene so i hope we can do a good job.
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
This blog post contains the work I did in my lesson on how to successfully edit. My teacher filmed the footage but I edited it together. M...
