Pre-Production: Location Recce

Prepared by:	Faiza Wasim	Date:	10th November 2016
Location Details:	Bedroom  66 Woodland Lane, Middlesex, London EC2A 4RR
Scene to film:	(Refer to shooting script) Shot 1-6, 9-13

 

Setting the location of our film within a bedroom holds many advantages, firstly being that it set within a controlled environment. This is important as not only does this makes it easier for our group to film however this also prevents any possible weather or filming issues. We are currently filming during autumn time which means that the weather is unpredictable leading to an increase in the chances of rain therefore my group and I have decided that the best way to defeat this issue is to set our film within an interior location such as a bedroom. This overall will decrease the chances of our digital equipment being damaged and prevent us from filming with a wet camera lens which can possibly disturb the clarity of our film.  Therefore, by filming the majority of our trailer within this controlled setting, we are able to provide a better quality of footage and more easily create our final piece. 

The bedroom displayed above will be shown to be the bedroom of our main character Jenna and will be used within various scenes throughout our trailer. The bedroom will be used as a tool for us to convey certain ideas which we would like the audience to pick up on such as the personality of our main character, which we will portray through the use of furniture and colour of the setting. As shown within the images above, it is evident that the bedroom is dominated by colours such as whites and browns which are displayed through the use of decoration for example; the bedframe, curtains, pillow cases, side table and bed sheets. Traditionally, the colour white holds connotations to purity, innocence and safety therefore suggesting to the audience that Jenna is Carol Clover’s idea of the “final girl". This is as the “final girl” commonly holds associations to the colour white through the use of her clothing or setting. This is evident in previous horror films such as “Halloween”, “Friday the 13^th” and “Scream”. By also incorporating this within our own trailer, we are following the traditional codes and convention of horror therefore building up tension and fear throughout the audience.   

Due to a tight budget we are unable to invest in advanced equipment such as professional microphones therefore we have to be reliant on the camera which we will be using, to pick up on the character’s dialogues. If filming within an exterior location however, dialogue will be hard to hear as it will be competing with background noises from the environment such as cars, pedestrians or the weather. This will cause challenges for us when it comes to editing as we will have to waste time on extracting vocals from the footage which overall not only make it inconvenient for us however also very time-consuming. This can be avoided however when using an interior setting such as a house to set our horror as by filming within a controlled environment we are able to prevent any unwanted sound or presence which will make our trailer more effective. 

Lastly, the bedroom presented above belongs to me therefore this promises easy access for my group members and I to film when needed, making filming more flexible for us. As we are filming within a controlled environment, we do not need to rely on the sunlight to film; instead we can control the lighting of our setting by either dimming the light in order to create an eerie effect or using high key lighting by increasing the amount of light used. 

Prepared by:	Faiza Wasim	Date:	10th November 2016
Location Details:	Fuldham Rd, Kensington, London SW11 9SG, UK
Scene to film:	(Refer to shooting script) Shot 7-8

Graveyards traditionally hold connotations to death, the paranormal, darkness and danger therefore foreshadowing the common themes within our trailer. We believe that by incorporating this location within our trailer; we are following the traditional codes and conventions of horror therefore overall producing a more effective piece of work. Filming within a graveyard is quite a common theme within the horror genre which is evident through films such as The Omen and Friday the 13^th. Therefore, we believe that by following in the footsteps of such films and using this location within our own work, we also will be able to create a sense of fear and tension amongst the audience as they did.

Religion is very prevalent within the horror genre, featuring themes of life and death, spirituality and the idea of good versus evil. Religious artefacts such as satanic, voodoo or most commonly, Christian symbols are used within horrors in order to emphasize the key themes and concepts and to foreshadow upcoming events. These religious objects can be very powerful symbols that can add depth and meaning to a story therefore we believe that by also incorporating such themes within our horror, it will be more effective. Similarly, death also is naturally pervasive in horrors and is countlessly represented through objects, such as gravestones, coffins, skeletons and religious imagery. My group and I therefore decided that by setting the location of our film within a graveyard, we are able to present such themes to our audience through the use of religious symbols presented through metaphors. This therefore allows us to convey central themes and concepts such as Levi Strauss’ narrative theory of binary opposition by presenting a theme of good versus evil; good being presented through religious symbols and evil being represented through the concept of death.  

In comparison to the interior location of the bedroom, we may face many challenges when coming to film within the graveyard. As mentioned previously, we are currently filming during autumn time meaning the chances of rain are extremely likely however unlike our first location which provides shelter, filming within an exterior location means that we must be weather aware. In order to face this problem my group and I have decided to regularly check the weather before we finalise a date to film in order to be aware in advance of any unexpected weather changes so we are prepared and geared with the right equipment. However, if for any reason my group and I find ourselves with no other choice but to film during these conditions, we will tackle this problem by investing in a rain sleeve for our camera and its lens to prevent a blurry camera lens and to ensure we have a high level of clarity for our film. Rain commonly connotes to human emotions such as sadness, depression or despair. I believe that by attributing human emotion and conducting it to an aspect within nature such as rain, it is extremely effective as almost are able to use the weather as a tool in order to foreshadow upcoming dangers to our audience. 

Prepared by:	Faiza Wasim	Date:	10th November 2016
Location Details:	Fuldham Rd, Kensington, London SW11 9SG, UK
Scene to film:	(Refer to shooting script) Shot 11

I previously mentioned within my shooting script that scene 11 of our horror trailer, will feature a point of view shot of our character, Jenna, running away from something/someone within a dark, secluded alleyway. An alleyway is a long dark narrow lane which usually runs behind old buildings or houses in some parts of towns and cities. This type location often holds connotations to isolation and danger as it is seen as the home of thieves, evil spirits, monsters and the unknown. 

Setting a scene of our trailer within this specific location would be extremely effective as alleyways are seen as dark, mysterious places which contain unseen dangers. Although we are only featuring this location within one scene of our trailer, we believe that if accompanied by some darkness and fog we will be able to successfully create an unsettling atmosphere and build up fear amongst the audience. Through the use of low-key lighting we will be able to create dark shadows and unfamiliar shapes in the blackness which we believe will make viewers feel extremely vulnerable and frightened as darkness often makes the audience feel uncomfortable due to it evoking their childhood fears.

The alleyway presented above, is attached to my back garden which promises easy access for my group members and I to film when needed, overall making filming more flexible for us. As mentioned previously, alleyways are often seen as unsafe, therefore if members of my group and I were to film in a dark, secluded alleyway in the middle of nowhere, we would be exposed to extreme danger. Therefore, by filming in an alleyway which is in close proximity of my house, offers my group members a sense of security and safety especially when it comes to filming within the dark.