Planning: Location Planning

We have decided as a group that we would like the opening of iWatch will be set in an open field, to create the feel of an empty desolate place that is eerie and makes the audience suspicious. Luckily, all members of our group live fairly close to each other and we all live relatively close to the location we have decided to use for our horror film opening, which is completely accessible for all of us and our cast. Below are some pictures of the location:

As you can see, it is a very open space that is surrounded by trees. This picture was taken on quite an overcast day in the late afternoon, which is what we're hoping for when we film. This is because from the picture, you can see that it creates quite a dreary and eerie effect, yet it still creates mystery and tension, just through the weather.

   

Here, is a picture of a tree that we are hoping to use as the memorial for the victim for the opening of iWatch. We chose this because, it stands out from all the other bare, dull trees that surround it. This makes it seem very out of the ordinary and helps add mystery to the opening. The picture on the right shows a picture of the pathway leading up to the tree. This makes filming very easy and practical, as it is clear to the audience that as the figures are walking, you will be able to see the tree poking out from all the trees as well as the open space around it.

This picture was taken on a separate occasion, despite this, I have simply included it in this post as an alternative to the tree above. However, I don't think that this tree is more of a memorial as the other one. Also, it doesn't create the same effect as the tree above because it is a lone tree and doesn't stand out as much. The reason we used this as an alternative was for the particular appearance of the tree. As you can see, it is very bare and thin, which makes it look quite creepy, however it is not as accessible and wouldn't work practically to film with considering the area it is.

Planning: Screenplay

1. Exterior: Open Field: Afternoon 
-The audience see an empty field with trees surrounding it
-DENCH Productions 
-Three blurry figures appear on the screen 
-The figure walk up to a tree and stop
-They place a picture frame next to the tree
-A candle is lit and is placed that to the picture frame
-A Phone is playing a video and the figures walk over to it
-One of them pick it up and watch the video 
-They look around as they hear a rustle in the bushes
-Curious, the figures walk back over to the tree and the candle has been blown out and the picture inside the picture frame has been replaced
The faces of the figures are now revealed to the audience
-iWatch

Research: Music and sound effects in horror films

The reason that people get scared during horror films is the music and sound effects that help create tension. If these audio features were not used during horror films, they would simply not be as scary. If you were to turn the volume down when you are watching a horror film you would realise the significance of well-composed music and sound effects that help create a truly terrifying experience. 

Simon Boswell is famous for his involvement of music in  classic horror films. He has said that "Music in horror films is probably more powerful than in any other genre, so its good for a composer to do them because he can be very influential on the action." This is because of the natural, quick pace of horror films. The main purpose of all horror films is to scare it's audience and it is impossible to do this just through the visuals. Music should never distract the audience from the visuals on the screen, to do this the music should fit in with the action so it is not seen as a different part of the film, it should only be used to intensify the events in the film.
Orchestral  music is probably the most popular type of music used in horror films as it has been used since the creation of horror as a genre. Horror as a whole has a very dynamic range and that is why orchestral music is used so often as it allows the composer to create new and various compositions to fit in the film. Orchestral music also appeals to a wider audience, therefore it allows the film to help convey emotions and certain events.

However, orchestral music is not the only type of music used within horror films. Rock and metal music is often used as it creates a dark and mysterious mood that suits the certain visuals of the film. American Psycho uses 80's pop music which creates an ironic atmosphere and allows the audience to experience juxtaposition in film with the use of both music and visuals. Some people may think that by using this type of upbeat music it decreases the fear, however I believe that it creates more tension because it's such an unlikely convention to use in horror films.

In the majority of horror films there is an audio sequence. for example, the long build up of strings as the victim slowly approaches a door. Or for example in Jaws, you have two notes and it creates tension. This is because whenever audiences hear an audio sequence they are able to recognise that something is going to happen. However, not all horror films use this type of audio sequence. Another common sequence is that music is composed to follow certain events or movements in the film. King Kong is the most famous for using this concept, as the music rises and falls in direct movement with King Kong as he climbs up the Empire State Building. Psycho's famous "Shower Scene" is another prime example of this as the sharp strings are in direct movement with the slashing knife.

In many horror films, a certain melody is played to make the audience aware that the killer is around. For example in Friday the 13th, whenever Jason is around there is a very eerie sound that is played every time the Jason appears or is about to appear. Also, in the Halloween series, there is the same 3 note piano melody that was composed to allow the audience to know that Michael is around and ready to kill. These symbols are vital in horror films and the audience begin to expect them to be played.

Sound effects or SFX in horror films are used in horror films as the tie closely to the events that are played within the film. In most films, they are used to signify and make certain actions stand out. These sound effects tend to be very over- exaggerated. SFX also help increase the power and intensity of movements and actions, which is very important in horror films as they help create an obvious audio-visual experience.

Another sound effect used is called "Ambient Sounds," which are sounds that are joined to create background noise. Cricket sounds are commonly used in horror films, but in reality are only found in certain parts of the World. But as an audience it is so commonly used in horror films, we know that it is used to signify night time.

Speech in horror films is often manipulated to scare us. Speech manipulation is used to alter the pitch of someones voice to make it sound darker. For example, Scream uses a deep, rugged, yet scary voice to help identify the killer, despite us not actually seeing him. 

Planning: A treatment for the opening 2 minutes of iWatch

• The film starts with an establishing shot of an empty field.  
• DENCH Productions appears on the screen. 
• This then fades out into a black screen and the diegetic sound of the wind begins to play. 
• The black screen then fades to an empty field where the music gradually gets louder. 
• The next clip is three blurry figures walking up towards the part of the field where Josh's ashes were scattered. 
• It then cuts to a close up of a blurry picture frame being held in someone's hand. 
• After that, it then focusses on the picture frame and then the audience get to see Josh's picture for the first time, identifying the victim. 
• This then focusses out again and blurs. 
• It then cuts to them walking and someone putting the picture frame down. 
• The next clip is an extreme close up of one of the figures lighting a match, this can be seen as a false scare. 
• As soon as the match is lit, the music comes to a sudden stop.
• The only sound for the majority of the opening will be diegetic sounds of the wind.
• They then light a candle and place it next to the picture frame. 
• The next clips are extreme close ups of each of the figure's face. 
• This helps us to show the emotion, therefore the relationship's between the figure's and the victim (for example; someone's teary eyes, someone's sniffly nose and someone else's  quivering mouth.)
• Now it is silent, they hear Josh's voice and look at each other, then look around and discover an iPhone on the floor about 3 metres away from where they are standing. 
• There is a close up shot of the iPhone, not seeing what is on the screen. 
• It then cuts to a point of view shot over the shoulder's of one of the figure's.
• As a group, they all go to the phone and one person picks it up. 
• There is a close up of that person's hand slowly picking up the phone.
• A close up of the phone playing a video of Josh at a party and his face is shown in the video to identify to the audience that it's the same person.
• It then cuts to an long shot of the friends crowding around the phone, but from behind them there is a rustle of the bushes and they suddenly turn around. 
• The music then gradually begins again as they all walk back to the picture frame. 
• A point of view shot is used focussing on the picture frame and a blown out candle. 
• The next cut is a close up of the picture frame that has been replaced by a picture of a group of four people including Josh, however his face has been crossed out. 
• As an audience they are now aware of the figure's identities as there is a panning shot of each of there faces in focus for the first time and they realise that they are the same people in the picture. 
• Meanwhile, a heart beat is introduced when they return to the picture frame and increases as it gets closer to the opening title.
• It then suddenly cuts to black and iWatch gradually appears on the screen with a picture of the Apple sign covered in blood is shown underneath it, something like this: 

or something like this: 

And we would have iWatch written underneath it. We could recreate it by getting a stencil of the Apple logo and then splattering fake blood or red paint around it on a piece of paper and then write iWatch underneath it in fake blood.