Film Project Pre-Production

For our official film we are creating, it will be a Horror/Thriller. This is because we want to experiment with the typical codes and conventions that make up this genre as well as interoperating it into our own way of how we see Horror/Thriller. But during this time we must firstly think about them.

Codes & Conventions:

Lighting 

Mostly Low Key/Back/Side lighting is used to create shadows, distort either characters/scene or create an eary, suspense feeling towards the audience.

Sound

 Synchronous to exaggerate a sound (Breathing). Orchestral sound to create the atmosphere. Ambient sound to create background noise. Dialogue for the character and speech to manipulate the characters voice to interpret who that character is.

Camera work

High or low angle to create a nightmare effect. Close Up to show a characters feeling. Long Shot to set the scene of what is happening. Point of View to create a more lifelike feeling and gets the audience to question what will happen next. Tracking shot can be used to follow a particular subject.

Editing

Cuts can be used to show the different viewpoints. Cross Cut to link something in particular to another. Jump Cut to create dramatic tension.  Fast pace following the characters running.

Beginning

Before a Zombie apocalypse can happen there must be first an outbreak which consists of a Brain Parasites, Neurotoxins, Rage Virus, Nitrogenises or Nanobots.

Ending

After a Zombie apocalypse there is either a Vaccine to cure the infection, the zombie’s eat/kill each other or they die into extinction.

Time of day

Within a Horror/Thriller film, the time of day is mainly were the sun is setting or during the night.

Secluded area

A place which is well know however the location are empty with no one to help the characters (Woods, City/Town, Campsite, House in the middle of nowhere)

Stereotypes

The main stereotypes are the Hero, Victim, Villain (Depending on the film), Teenagers/Adults (Most get killed), Police Officer (Good or Bad), Threat (Zombies) etc.

Group

At the beginning of the film there is often one person fighting for survival. Then when travelling, they find a small group and stay with them (Sometimes they find a bigger group and stay with them. However not common)

Weapon

An item that can be used if there is danger (Gun, Crowbar, Bat, Knife, etc)

Transport

There is not always a means of transport but when there is it’s a Car, Coach, Motorbike, rarely a Boat, Train or something airborne.

Communication

There is mostly no way of contacting others due there is mostle power cut (Phone battery has died, Phones broken or there is no service) however there might be a way through using the radio through broadcasting if there are electricity to send the transmition.

Zombie appearance

Distorted body, Dirty Ripped/Torn clothing, Blood on them (Little/A lot), Blood shot eyes and Decaying/ Rotten clothing.