Planning: 2 Possible openings to iWatch

The first possible opening that we came up with is that the film opens straight away with the group of friends and family are gathering at a graveyard where he has been buried for his funeral and the friends discover an iPhone playing Joshes video there. The film then goes to the opening titles. 

The second possible opening is where the friends are gathered at a field where his ashes have been scattered and they go to pay their respects, however the peace is disturbed when they hear his voice and discover his iPhone, which is playing a video of him at a party. It then goes to opening titles. 

Research: Target audience feedback

Once we had collected 10 different answers regarding the opening to our teen horror film, iWatch.  The next responses that are included in this post are the 5 that we thought had the best responses. 

The first response we had was from Giac who is an 18 year old media student that goes to Kettering Buccleuch Academy. This was his response that we thought we could use in our opening of iWatch:

The next response we had was from Deet. He is 17 years old and enjoys horror films. This was his response and we thought we could take extracts from to include in iWatch: 

The third response was from Sophie who is 14 and loves all genres of film and is a passionate art student: 

The next response was from George and we thought his answer was really good and it gave us a lot of ideas to include in the opening of our horror film: 

The last response was from 16 year old Sam. Who again said that we should set it in a graveyard, which was also suggested by Deet: 

Research: iWatch opening survey

We've decided to create a question on survey monkey, to collect different ideas for an opening for our horror film, iWatch. You can complete this question by clicking here.

Research: Sharing our pitch with our targeted audience

The film is based around a boy, named Josh who has recently and unexplainably died and his friends, Lola, George and Rosie are visiting the place where his ashes had been scattered. All 3 of them go silent to pay their respects and all of a sudden they hear the voice of Josh who has died. They look around and discover what they think is Josh's iPhone on the floor playing a video at a party that he took before he died. One of the friends picks up the iPhone and he looks through all of the videos that he has on the iPhone. As they scroll through, they find videos of each of them in their everyday lives. Thinking it was Josh being weird and taking videos, they find another video that was taken of Josh, which is filming him getting ready to go to bed. The friends are really confused about what they just saw and now know that it wasn't Josh that was filming them, it must have been someone else..

Planning: 60 Second Pitch

This is the script for our 60 Second Pitch:

60 Second Pitch: iWatch

Becca: We're Dench films and my name’s Becca

Tayla: And my name’s Tayla

Holeigh:  And I’m Holeigh and this is our 60 Second Pitch on our teen horror film. 

Becca: iWatch is the working title for our horror film and our targeted classification for our audience will be a 15. 

Tayla: We decided on this because the film is based around a boy who has recently and unexplainably died and his friends are visiting the place to which they scattered his ashes .

Holeigh: All of them go silent to pay their respects and all of a sudden they hear the voice of their friend who has died. 

Becca: They look around and discover what they think is his iPhone on the floor playing a video at a party that he took before he died.

Tayla: The friends pick up the iPhone and look through all of the videos that he has on his iPhone. 

Holeigh: As they scroll through the videos, they find videos of each of them in their everyday lives. 

Becca: Initially they thought it was him taking videos, they find another video that was taken of the boy filming him getting ready to go to bed. 

Tayla:The friends are really confused about what they just saw and now know that it wasn't him that was filming them, so who exactly is watching? 

Holeigh: If you enjoy horror mysteries then you should watch iWatch. 

To watch our 60 Second Pitch, click here.

Planning: iWatch

iWatch is the working title for our horror film and our targeted classification for our audience will be a 15. We decided on this because the film is based around a boy who has recently and unexplainably died and his friends are visiting the place to which his ashes are scattered. All of them go silent to pay their respects and all of a sudden they hear the voice of their friend who has died. They look around and discover what they think is his iPhone on the floor playing a video at a party that he took before he died. The friends pick up the iPhone and look through all of the videos that he has on his iPhone. As the scroll through, they find videos of each of them in their everyday lives. Thinking it was him being weird and taking videos, they find another video that was taken of the boy filming him getting ready to go to bed. The friends are really confused about what they just saw and now know that it wasn't him that was filming them, it must have been someone else..

Planning: Brainstorm

Research: Conventions found in horror films

In today's lesson, we looked at three different teenage horror film openings, Dead Mary, Dead Wood and Wrong Turn. We looked at all the typical conventions featured in horror films. Some of these included, secluded location, character investigates a strange noise or a character inexplicably falls over. 

Below, is the sheet we filled in whilst watching the openings of each film. 

We learnt from doing this that we should not use so many of these conventions within our openings. Between all three openings, they were all set in a secluded location and they all have fake scares within them. However, both Dead Wood and Wrong Turn, someone dies in the first 5 minutes. The film opening with the most conventions within it is the Wrong Turn. 

Another convention however that was not on the list was that, all three openings both had a male and female characters. There was no particular pattern to whether who died first, or who was the target. 

Research: BBFC

We have been asked as part of our research to look into the BBFC. We have been asked to do this because when we create our horror film opening we have learnt that you can't include certain things if you want a certain age certificate. For us, our targeted audience is teenagers, from 15 years on, so to be able to get a wider audience, you can't include certain things, so we have to be very careful in what we include in our opening.

About the BBFC:

The British Board Classification is an independent , non- governmental that is funded through the fees it charges for the viewing of films. The BBFC classifies films on behalf of the local authorities who license cinemas under the licensing act 2003. The BBFC also classifies video games which are released under the the Video Recordings Act 1984. The BBFC will not classify material which it believes to be in breach of the criminal law. The BBFC will carry out its responsibilities through appropriate use of the classification categories, particularly in order to protect children from any harm which may be caused. If necessary,however, the BBFC may cut or even reject a film or video work.

About the guidelines:
The guidelines, have particular regard to changes in public taste, attitudes and concerns and also, changes in the law. The guidelines are not a legal document. If any issues occur, they will be dealt with by the BBFC in line with their standards that are implied in the guidelines. 

U-Universal- Suitable for all
Discrimination: No discriminatory language or behaviour, unless clearly disapproved of. 
Drugs: No reference to illegal drugs or drug misuse. 
Horror: Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause anxiety in young children. 
Imitable behaviour:  No dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. 
Language: Infrequent use of mild language.                                 
Nudity: Natural nudity, no sexual content.                                                  
Sex: Mild sexual behaviour, for example, kissing.                                       
Theme: Must be appropriate and sensitive for young children.                                                      
Violence: Mild violence only. 

PG- Parental Guidance- General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Discrimination: Discriminatory language and behaviour is unlikely to be unacceptable unless clearly disapproved of or in educational or historical context.
Drugs: References to illegal drug use must carry a suitable anti- drug message.
Horror: Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. 
Imitable behaviour: No detail or potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. 
Language: Mild bad language only. 
Nudity: Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. 
Theme: Where more serious issues are featured nothing in their treatment should condone unacceptable behaviour. 
Violence: Moderate violence without detail, may be allowed, if its justified by its content. 


12/12A- Suitable for ages 12 and over
Discrimination: Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. If its aggressive its unlikely to be acceptable. 
Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised.  
Horror: Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent. 
Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which can be copied, or appear harm or pain free. 
Language: Moderate language is acceptable. The use of strong language must be infrequent. 
Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief.
Sex: Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. 
Themes: Mature themes are acceptable, but must be appropriate for young children. 
Violence: Moderate violence is allowed, but should not be dwelled upon in detail. 

15-Suitable for only 15 years and older
Discrimination: The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. 
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug taking. 
Horror: Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. 
Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which can be copied.
Language: There may be frequent use of strong language. The strongest terms may be acceptable if justified by the content. 
Nudity: Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. 
Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. 
Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. 
Violence: Violence may be strong, but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. 

18- Suitable only for adults
The consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at '18' the BBFC's guidelines concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. However, these are the more likely exceptions: 

• Where the material is in breach of criminal law. 
• Where material or treatment  appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals, or through their behaviour, to society. 
• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context.

R18-To be shown only in licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years old
The "R18" category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults in licensed sex shops. The following content is acceptable: 

• Any material which is in breach of the criminal law.
• Material likely to encourage an interest in sexual abusive activity.
• The portrayal of any sexual activity which involves lack of consent.
• The infliction of pain or acts which may cause lasting physical harm, whether real or simulated.
• Penetration by any object associated with violence or likely to cause physical harm. 
• Any sexual threats, humiliation or abuse which does not form part of clearly-consenting role-playing game.

Research: Horror Film Audiences

Why do people enjoy watching horror films?

The easiest explanation to this question is to look at how horror films are viewed. Horror was one of the first genres to be created and has been a huge success through the decades. It has been said that the enjoyment of horror is down to "terror psychology, morbid curiosity and an unconscious likeness to reality." Some people say that the enjoyment of horror films come from excitement, fear and the adrenaline rush. However, others have said that horror films are enjoyed through the bonding and socialising with others. In a statement by Mark Kermode he explains that, "Within certain certain circles, the very value of watching these films, or at least the value of saying certain things about the viewing experience, is to assert that they do not frighten but only amuse within certain contexts, it would be inappropriate to admit to being frightened by horror films." So it is safe to say that fear is not the biggest factor to why people enjoy watching horror films. 

It has been said that more mainstream audiences find pleasure in horror films through the concept of fear through others surrounding them. When people are asked why they enjoy horror films, the majority reply with the excitement or adrenaline rush. This makes sense as it makes the audience aware of the surreality in horror films, which manipulate the audience's fear into thinking that they are having an thrilling experience with no actual danger within the activity, despite being afraid and watching what is on screen. 

In an article about this, Tania Moleski explains that it is not the films that are scary, but it is the cultural statements, repressions and taboos on a subconscious level that makes us afraid. So, when the audience are watching a horror film, they repress their emotions and therefore it makes them think that they are more primal, so they enjoy it more, because they think that it is cool to act in a certain way when watching horror films and it allows them to show that they are afraid but enjoying it at the same time, this is what causes us to smile or laugh when we are being scared as it is the way that when we repress our emotions, that is the most common way of how people react, only a small amount a genuinely terrified. 

                   

Research: Audience perceptions and expectations

We were told to produce a survey that would help give us a better understanding of what audiences expect to see in horror films and what they enjoy about them. I created 10 questions that would give me an idea of what I should include within my horror film opening. 

The majority of people that answered my survey were aged between 14-16, which is what I wanted as the targeted audience for my opening is teenagers from around 15 years old. However, I did get other people from other ages to fill in my survey. 

14 out of 20 people that completed my survey, were female. This isn't the greatest response that I could of got because I would of preferred to have an equal amount from both genders to get a wider variation in my results. 

One of the questions I asked was if they enjoy horror. 6 people said they didn't and 14 people said they did, I also asked why and the replies were all similar. For no, it was because that it was "too scary," or they "feel uncomfortable to watch them." Another answer for no was that not all horror films have a clear storyline. However, for yes, a lot of people answered that they "like the supsense" and how they "keep you on the edge of your seat."

2 people said that their favourite horror film was Carrie, which is a 1976 supernatural horror, which is about a 17 year old girl who is continually teased and bullied, but discovers she has telekinesis and is pushed to the limits on the night of her prom. Sinister is 3 people's favourite film, which  is about a crime- writing author who finds home videos in the attack of his new house. As he ventures on to other home videos, the videos become more real. As the audience we see that there must be some sort of curse. The writer and his family can't handle life in that house, so they move back home, but they don't realise the curse has followed them home and their are terrible consequences for discovering these tapes. Quite a few people put that they couldn't choose a favourite horror film. This helps me see, that people enjoy quite supernatural horror films and ones that involve a fictional villain that people don't believe is real.

Another question that I asked was what scares people most in horror films. A large majority answered that music was the thing that scared them the most in horror films. The next most popular answer was fake scares and things that make you jump. Other people replied saying that the villain was the thing that scared them the most. This helps me see that music is a very vital convention that I need to concentrate on, when making the opening to my horror film. In the clip below, you will see how music and editing can completely change a perfectly non- scary children's film.

The most popular type of horor film is a serial killer, with 11 people answering with this. Zombie films are also popular, with bloodthirsty being one of the least favourites with only 2 votes and vampire horror films the lowest with no votes. However 2 people did skip this question, so I didn't get to see what their favourite type of film is, maybe that may have slightly changed the results. This helps me see that the most popular type of horror film is one with a serial killer in it, so its up to me and my group whether we want to go with a popular choice, as its likely that people would wanna see it. Or do we go for one that brings a whole different concept to horror with different villains?

The tension built and the storyline in a trailer is the reason why most people go to watch a horror film. The actor/ actress being another reason to why people go to watch horror films. This helps me to see what I need to concentrate on when making my horror film opening.

The victim's house (with 8 votes) or a haunted house (with 6 votes) seems to be the most popular place for a horror film to be set. The woods seems to be a less popular place for it to be set as it only has 4 votes, but the least popular is a lake with only 1 vote. But again, someone skipped the question. this helps me see what people prefer for a horror film to be located, but once again, do we decide on a whole different location?

The most common conventions that people expect to see in horror films are blood, murder and fake scares. An interesting answer that someone gave was that a typical convention that they expect to see is "bad acting skills." Which I personally agreed with, as the following video clips will show you, however I don't think this applies for ALL horror films. This may not be something that I need to have 100% focus on when making my opening, as it is only 2 minutes long, but it definitley is something I need to focus on.

Horror appears to be a genre that people don't tend to watch that often, only three people answered saying that they watch horror films "once a week." This helps me to see that I need to make a horror film opening that if it was made into an entire film, that people would want to watch more often then typical films.