Codes and Conventions (group)

Media students identify three categories of codes that may be used to
convey meanings in media messages: technical codes, which include
camera techniques, framing, depth of field, lighting and exposure and
juxtaposition; symbolic codes, which refer to objects, setting, body
language, clothing and colour; and written codes in the form of
headlines, captions, speech bubbles and language style.

By the term 'code' we mean a communication system which contains
elements which have an agreed meaning and which can be combined
according to agreed rules. This could be the English language, Morse Code, a
traffic policeman's hand signals, film etc.

A code must consist of:
• a set of signs which carry meaning
• a set of agreed rules for combining those signs together

The main conventions of a thriller/horror opening sequence is enigma to keep the viewer interested, set the scene (where and when the events in the film are happening), Identify the main characters and a brief view of there personality the final main convention of a horror/thriller opening sequence is the narrative.

The codes of a thriller/horror are extensive there are a huge amount to choose from. The main ones i believe to have an impact on the opening sequence are the lighting (low key and mysterious), the music (tense and unsettling) and quick cut transitions between shots to portray subconsiously the intensity of the film to come.

Dialogue

At the beginning of our opening sequence we are trying to create a sympathetic feel for the father so no dialogue will be used and non diagetic background music will set the tone and induce sympathy from our audience. The unsettling non-digetic backgroung music will be also used instead of digetic sound until the young girl begins to sing, we are doing this to make the viewer begin to be tense, unsettled and be drawn into the film.

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Draft Shot list

Shot No.	Shot type	Description and analysis
1	Establishing shot (ELS)-	Father figure from the back sitting on a bench looking out over the lake with the sky at the top of the shot. We are using this shot to show the viewer the surrounding and to set the scene of where the character is sitting in contrast to the open surroundings present. The characters facial features will be hidden from view and out of focus to create some enigma and uncertainty for the viewer.
2	Extreme long shot-	This shot is still of the man but more of the sky in sight. This shot will be filmed for approximately 2 hours sitting stationary around the time in which the sky changes from vibrant blue into orangey sunset. People will be walking past the man which will be sped up to show that time is passing him by quickly. We are using this shot to portray to the viewer that the characters lifetime is nearly up and everything seems to being going quickly for him. It also symbolises him missing the girl in the scene later on in the opening sequence by showing him not doing anything to help as he can't (he feels helpless)
3	Close up-	We are using a close up of the man to show who he is to the viewer the close up will show his face in focus and detail. You can also see the characters emotions. We have included this scene to show the lost and unknowing upset feeling he has.
4	Extreme Close Up	This shot is put in place to show the characters deep emotion in his eyes and a tear rolling out of his eye and dripping down his face. This shot will show the severe feelings and emotion he is feeling without letting him seem weak. Enigma is created in this shot to make you want to understand the reasons for him crying.
5	Close up	This Close up shot is a picture of the characters daughter. A drop of water (a tear) then drops onto the picture creating continuity and helping the shots to flow better. This shot then gives reason the characters strong emotion. the viewer will then have some theory of the reason he is crying over his daughter.
6	Extreme close up	Back to shot (4 )
7	Long shot	Girl figure shrouded by darkness. Shot will be zooming in onto her face which will become more clear as half her face will by lit up with the low key lighting coming from either left or right (Not decided). We have used low key lighting to make the viewer feel uncomfortable and tense this is one of the main codes of horror. Not being able to see the girls facial features fully will create strong enigma (key convention) this will keep the viewer on edge and interested. The female character will be matched by the viewer to the previous scene of the pictures of the mans daughter.

Hiring a Camera

We have been thinking of hiring out a camera instead of using the schools basic ones that they supply free of charge. We wanted a second opinion so we asked Scott who studies media studies at university. He opted for a reasonably priced camera with advanced zoom which we have looked furthur into and after desginating dates and times we will hire the camera out.

Here is the chosen camera specified by Scott;

Actors

We have been told by Scott that hiring actors from an agency would significantly boost our overall mark. Due to insufficient ammount of time, we tried getting one of our fellow younger students from drama to hopefully participate in our production in hope it will aid their portfolio.

Continuing from this we went to see Mrs Micilock who is head of drama at this specific time. She said she will look furthur into this matter and get back to us.

Costumes and Props

In the first scene, the father figure is sitting on a bench which lasts for a couple of hours as the sky changes from blue to a hazy sunset. His clothes will be scruffy as he has let himself go due to the loss of his daughter. Stubble and droopy eyes shows lack of sleep as well. We will use a picture as a prop also.

The girl in the corner will be wearing dark ragged cloths as the colour black has connotations of evil and darkness. Also symbolically shows danger to the audience.

The main majority of the scene will be at cuckoos hollow on a chosen bench looking out of the lake. We will not be needing any props as the bench is already there for the publics leisure.

Risk assesment

If the weather changes and prevents us from shooting to protect the continuity we will have to wait until the weather conditions match to show good continuity withing our opening sequence.

If the child we use is under the age of 16 we will ask permission from the parent or guardian. We will also keep them informed of progress. If we cannot obtain a young actor and permission we will be forced to use a family member instead.

Injury to us or actors	Contact relevant people, obtain emergency contact numbers from everybody involved. In serious cases call an ambulance
Severe weather	Delay filming until the weather has subsided
Weather changes	If the weather changes we will also have to delay filming to keep good continuity of the shots and the opening sequence
Illness	Try and shoot anyway unless the person  who is ill is playing a major part in the production
Camera is late arriving	If the camera is late arriving we will have to contact the people involved and update them as progress continues
The camera brakes	We will take out insurance on the camera

Research into Titles

We have researched our titles thouroghly. We have decided to use a red theme in our titles to portray to the customers, that the film is going to be dangerous and may contain blood. the titles will be large and centered to show the importance of Titles. The titles will also cut out quickly rather than having a slow transition to show the high tempo of the film and make the viewer subconsiously anxious.