Evaluation Activity 1

The above pictures are placed in a reverse order:
1. The title of the film
2. Settings/Location
3. Costumes and Props
4. Camera work and editing
5. Title, font and style
6. Story and how the opening sets it up
7. Genre and how the opening suggests it
8. How the characters are introduced
9. Special effects



The Title of the Film

The title of our film is 'LEGACY' and unlike most opening sequences we decided to go against the typical and we put or tile at the end. This was a good idea because it keeps the audience in suspense and also draws them in to wanting to continue watching. The title 'LEGACY' was written in Arial font format and in blood red large font, this connotes a danger, blood and violence which falls into the codes and conventions of horror genre.

Settings/Location

The Settings/Locations that we chose to film on was Havering College H Block and the car park. We chose to stay here because it was convenient for our cast and us as we all attend Havering College, we also felt that when it was dark on camera it appeared to be spooky and creepy and the atmosphere fell in to the correct thriller/horror genre. we filmed in various of places in College one of which was the computer room in H block where the first murders take place; the murders are of two students doing work on a computer. After that we filmed the two remaining students running through the hallway of H Block and outside through the entrance of H Block.
Also in H Block another brutal murder takes place in the lift. The scene continues outside and we see the students run away from the antagonist and to the car park for safety. The antagonist walks calmly after them, this also uses typical codes and conventions of a horrors because the antagonist never chases their victims, they usually stroll and somehow catch them very easily making them seem effortlessly clever and in charge. the killer finds them and unluckily gets hit by a car making the audience assume he is dead. All of these locations are shot when its dark outside as this falls more in with the thriller/horror genre and another thing is that it is completely empty with no students anywhere and the car park being empty is also typical of this genre as well, as there is never anyone around to help at times when they are needed.

Costumes and Props

We used a plastic knife and a plain white plastic Jason imitation mask fit within the thriller and horror genres. these were used by the antagonist Alex. They gave the audience a sense of fear, terror and fright and we also wanted then to recognise the mask as it looked similar to the Jason Mask in Friday the 13th.

We used a plain pair of blue overalls and the students wore casual wear for costumes , the reason we told our cast to wear the casual clothing is because our cast roles where college students and we wanted to make it realistic so in order to do that they would need to wear their usual day to day outfits. Overalls fit in with the horror genre because most antagonists wear clothing they can easily get dirty/blood in.

Camerawork and Editing

The shots, the movements and also angles that were used in our opening sequence were carefully thought out and used by the three of us, the director, me the camerawoman and the editor. I mainly did the camera shots and angles seeing as the camera person was my role so I was always behind the lense, at first it was a little difficult but after a while I got used to it and began to enjoy it. Then it was time for Faraz to edit.

Title Font and Style

We decided to use the font style Arial because it is bold and clear, it also conveys to the audience a feeling of threat and hazard, we used red as this colour conveys danger, blood and brutality. it also goes very well with the black background colour as it is clearly visible, noticeable and highlighted. It is similar to the title of the film 'IN HELL' and also Stephen King’s horror film 'IT'.

Story and How the Opening Sets it up

Our opening begins with action were two people being brutally murdered and a third being killed in the lift scene. we started it this way to catch the audiences attention straight away luring them to keep watching, it also persuades them to watch it more because their curiosity forces them to want to know more about the storyline.

Our opening sequence also keeps the audience at the edge of their seats when Alex is run over at the end many may assume the hit had killed him, so when Toby comes to check the killers pulse and you see the killer suddenly arise from the "dead" and the title of the film appears. This gives a feeling of anxiousness and suspense and leaves the audience dying to know more. When Alex strangles Toby is also uses the typical codes and conventions of a horror because it shocks the audience making them jump and feel vulnerable to fear.

The Genre and how our Opening suggests it

We came to the conclusion that our opening sequence is both Thriller genre and the Horror genre. we have many codes from both these genres and have used them clearly in the opening sequence. the fast paced action may suggest that it is a horror, but also the brutal murders may suggest it is a horror.


Characters and how they are introduced

In the beginning of our opening sequence we have to spoken words so characters are introduced by their actions, we let the audience decide who they believe is the antagonist or protagonist.

As a group we went against the genre our lecturer provided for us but we are glad that we went ahead with it as we have recieved a great deal of positive appraisal from our classmates, teacher and others who have voluntarily viewed the end product.
Alex is introduced as an antagonist because the first thing we see him doing is killing, so straight away the audience assume he is the ONLY bad guy (which is not the case).
Toby and Carla are introduced as fearful protagonists as throughout the film they are fleeing from Alex afraid of what he will do to them. they are represented as victim and the audience will feel pity towards them.


Special Effects

The editor did not use any major special effects in our film, the only slyly special effect we used was filming a car coming towards the camera, then filming Alex walking into the road, the falling to the ground. this was edited to make it seem as if the car hit Alex and a loud sound is added to give the audience a fright.