Amy Bullmore- Media Studies

The Others  For my credits research I chose to do 'The Others' as it a film from the genre of horror, which is useful as I can use it as an example or template for the titles for my own opening sequence. The credits lists the main star and then the title, two important pieces of information put together. The main star is separated from the rest of the cast because Nicole Kidman is a well-known actress, recognised by the audience. The credits is only features for 3-4 seconds because it is a brief overview and it is the end credits that will include all of the details, as the opening credits are meant to be short so that it acts as an introduction and the audience can watch the film as soon as possible. Whilst these credits are being displayed, the music is eerie and classical, which can reflect the codes and conventions of a horror film. Furthermore, the background is drawings and art of children and characters looking scared, a common emotion in a horror film.

Institution: The definition of an institution in terms of media is an organisation that is responsible for media text. In terms of film, this can include companies such as 20th Century Fox or New Line Cinema , which are involved in the production and/or distribution of the film. Above are example logos from film production companies and institutions. These are usually featured before the film actually starts, and most are recognisable, e.g. Walt Disney Picture, especially if they are part of the Big 6. Institutions are an important part of the film industry, producing new films and ideas to be put on screen for an audience. Examples: An example film is the conjuring, in which before the film starts both the Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema logos are presented to the audience. This is commonly found in films before the film starts, to give credit to the companies for the work that they have been involved in with the making of the film. Like with The Conjur...

This picture is a visual representation of the mindmap I made on the codes and conventions on the genre of horror, and includes characters, a location and some example films.

The Hunger Games Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, the Hunger Games is an action/adventure which was released in 2012 and created by Lionsgate. Because it has the certificate 12, the audience is teenagers, particularly girls, as there is a strong female protagonist that the can look up to and idolise. Fans of the actress and the book series may also watch this film. In the opening sequence we are given information about the history and how the Hunger Games was created, as well as what it actually is. This is presented to the audience as text on the screen, with a simple font and not bright colours. The font isn't cursive or looped, which connotes seriousness, as the Hunger Games is a serious topic within the narrative. This is also supported by the simplistic colours used: black and white. The background is black which can connote darkness and sincerity through the message, and the white text can connote hope, as the protagonist tries to return to a new equilib...

For my audience research I interviewed 4 four people who I felt were part of my target audience in order to obtain information and their opinions on horror films. My target audience: Primary: Teenagers and young adults (15-25), Generation Z, Group E, Male and Female Secondary: Parents of those children (30+), Generation X. Niche: Fans of supernatural elements and fantasy. The audience research is useful because it has helped me gain an insight on how my target audience think and their views on the genre of horror. With this info I am then able to apply that to my opening sequence in order to make sure it appeals to them. For example, with the question on what sets apart one horror film from another, participants gave detailed and relevant answers which I can apply to my own narrative, making that stand out and generate interest from an audience as well as gaining their full attention. On some questions I made sure that they were closed so that I could get a variety of dif...

The Dark Knight The Dark Knight is an action film released is 2008, and is the sequel to Batman begins, which was released in 2005. The film was created by The Warner Bros. and stars Christian Bale and Heath Ledger. The film reaches out to teenagers, and adults, especially male, and those who are interested in previous comics and films, as the film is rated 12. In the opening sequence, the audience is introduced to the antagonist, The Joker, which is different from most films as they usually establish the scene or introduce the protagonist. Throughout the clip we learn more about The Joker through other characters as they mention him, and he is only revealed at the end of the sequence when he takes of his mask, and realise that the Joker goon was actually himself. This shocks the audience as it's a big reveal, and they had been trying to piece together what was happening in this scene, but then the main villain is revealed to them. In the opening scene, the character of The...

After writing my treatment I made a treatment brief, which included vital parts of information in which I would present to my class to gain feedback and their thoughts on my idea. I got a variety of questions and feedback which I have thought about, which has resulted in me making amendments to the plot of my horror film and the ideas I had presented or not included in my brief. One piece of feedback was about my plot and the idea of having two students filming for their media coursework, which was said to come across as quite amateur towards the audience. Because of this, I am changing my plot to make it more creative, something that stands out and generates interest within viewers. Instead of having two media students filming, I have decided that the two girls come across the house in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees, however it is quite close to them. This confuses the characters as there are no main roads or towns near this area, and yet their maps say that it is only ...

Horror Codes and Conventions Research Shown above is a mind-map listing out different codes and conventions of a horror movie, which is the chosen genre for my opening sequence. It includes the categories: Costumes, Visual. Location/Setting, Props, Sub-Genres, Example films, Characters and Sound/Music. Listed within these categories are features that an audience may expect to find in a horror film, for example the location of a dark forest.

Opening Sequence Treatment: A cliché horror movie consists of a haunting, ghosts or demons, ready to thrill the audience. Some films have a unique selling point, but others are put into this category where you find out that they are all relatively the same, for example Paranormal activity and The Woman in Black. With my opening sequence, I have added a twist to the horror element; no ghosts scaring a family to death, but some supernatural features such as witchcraft to engage and have the audience on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happens next. The story that I have created is called The Child Keeper and is set in present day, as I feel that it is most appropriate because the characters will be using modern technology in order to reach their goal within the story. According to Todorov’s narrative theory, the story starts with the equilibrium in which two media students who need to film for an opening sequence for their media coursework. They have chosen the genre o...