Pre-Production: Casting Auditions

The video presented above shows the auditions which my group and I held in order to find a suitable and professional actress to partake within the production of our horror trailer, ‘Visions’. 

Within our horror teaser, we do not have any dialogue present, therefore, we are heavily reliant on the body language and facial expressions of our actors in order to present our message clearly to the audience. My group and I, however, felt that it is easier to assess acting abilities through the actors performing lines rather than acting out gestures. Therefore, within the audition, we instructed the actors to read the following lines; “I'm seeing things that aren't real. I'm seeing things that I shouldn't see. I'm dreaming things that I've never seen. This surgery was supposed to make me normal.”  The lines which the actors read out were from the 2008 American supernatural horror film ‘The Eye’. The plot of the film revolves around a young female called Sydney Wells who has been blind since she was five years old due to an accident. After going through a surgery of cornea transplantation to recover her vision, she comes to find that she's having strange visions and with the help of Dr. Paul Faulkner, she begins to find out the truth behind her visions. The plot of the film, ‘The Eye’ holds many similarities to our own plot, therefore my group and I believed that it was helpful to use this script as a basis to judge the acting abilities of our candidates. 

My group and I were extremely impressed actress, Estina Lauretta’s, audition as not only did she conduct herself in a professional manner however it was clear to us she that she had a strong sense of passion and willingness to act. We, therefore, came to the decision to hire her as the lead role of Jenna Johnson as we believe she will perform this role with confidence and enthusiasm.  On the other hand, although we realised that actress, Sakura Suzuki, came across shy within her audition, we still believe that she also has a strong passion for acting and therefore will be suitable for the role of Rachel Johnson. The actress explained to us that when it comes to performing lines, she is quite shy however acting out gestures and facial expressions are her strength. The issues regarding the actress' confidence, are therefore tackled as our script does not require our actress to speak however it is solely based upon her ability to act out certain gestures.

It was essential that both actress' which we hired for the role of character's held either similar or the same ethnicity as we need to make apparent to the audience that both these characters are related. Therefore, by hiring two actresses which are both from an Asian background will be effective in portraying to the audience that these characters hold a mother and daughter relationship. 

Upon reflection, I believe that along with instructing the candidates to perform lines, we also should have also asked them to act out the gestures they will be performing within the teaser trailer in order to grasp a better understanding of their acting abilities. However, we overall feel confident with both of the choices which we made and believe that each actress will carry out her role confidently and professionally.  

Pre-Production: Personal Release Forms

Pre-Production: Location Release Form

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.

Pre-Production: Risk Assessment

HAZARD	PERSON WHO MAY BE HARMED	PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE DAMAGED	RISK CONTROLS ALREADY IN PLACE	FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED TO CONTROL HAZARD	RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL
Fake Blood	This can potentially cause harm to the actor who it is applied to. This is as if applied near the areas of the mouth, the actor possibly could swallow the artificial blood causing harm. Moreover, artificial blood may cause irritation and rash to sensitive skin due to containing toxins and chemicals.	N/A	Before purchasing the artificial blood, we must in advance ask any of the actors which is it being applied to if they have sensitive skin or any possible allergies.	We must ensure that we purchase non-toxic blood which is sensitive skin and allergy friendly. In order to do this we must ensure we purchase the blood from a trusted and safe store.	HIGH
Contact Lenses	Contact lenses may cause a high level of damage for the actor who is applying them. This is as if the actor constantly reuses the lenses, this may lead to serious dangers and infections such as  Conjunctivitis, irritation of the eyes, swollen eyes and in severe cases lead to blindness.	N/A	Before purchasing the product, we must in advance ask the actor applying the contacts if they have sensitive eyes which are prone to irritation and if they are possibly allergic to the material of the contacts	Before applying the contacts, we must ensure that the actor is properly aware of the possible risks and the way in which they can be avoided. This can be done by going onto the NHS website and reading possible ways which we can reduce any risks. Before purchasing the product we must also ensure that it is non-irritant and sensitive friendly which we will do by purchasing the product from a trusted and safe store.	HIGH
Lighted Candles	Everyone within the location.	This may cause harm to anyone/ anything in or within close proximity of the location.  This includes, props, equipment etc. This is as we are filming within a bedroom, the candle will be near fire prone objects and materials such as mattresses and bedding. Therefore if accidentally tipped over, the bedroom could be set alight which can possibly lead to a house fire to occur.	We must make sure we purchase a nonflammable candleholder which are sturdy and difficult to tip over. Furthermore, we can place the burning candle at a distance from any fire prone objects such as the bedding in order to prevent it catching fire.	Whilst filming, we must ensure that the group are aware of where the burning candle is located, preventing any chances of them going in close proximity of it and accidentally tipping it over. The person who is handling the burning candle also should ensure that they are wearing suitable clothing material which does not catch onto fire easily.	HIGH
Cable Wires	This can possibly lead to danger for everyone within the location as cables and wires can be serious tripping hazards and since wires carry electricity, they pose a shock and fire hazard, too.	N/A	Before group members arrive at my house, I will ensure to remove any loose cable wires  on the floor of my bedroom in order to prevent any accidents.	When filming, we must ensure that there are no loose cable wires in sight in order to prevent any tripping or falling over. However, before filming we will ensure that every group member is made aware of the whereabouts of cable wires and must make sure we do not film close to any cable wires.	MEDIUM
Graves	N/A	If not careful, my group and I possibly could cause damage upon graves within the graveyard due to either accidentally stepping on the grave itself or ornaments, decoration or flowers placed around them.	In order to ensure that we prevent any damage to graves, my group and I must carefully plan where located in the graveyard we would like to film.	We must make sure that when filming in the graveyard, we be as quick as possible in order to prevent to the risk of damage.	LOW
Sudden Rain	N/A	Sudden, heavy rain may possibly cause water damage to digital filming equipment such as our camera. This can also lead to the quality of our filming to  as effected as sudden rain can lead to us filming with a wet camera lens which can possibly disturb the clarity of our film.	Before setting out to film within our exterior location, we must check the weather before hand in order to see if rain is expected. If so we can reschedule our filming to another day where there is less chance of rain.	In order to reduce damage to our digital equipment, we possible could carry emergency rain equipment such as an umbrella or a raincoat. We also could purchase in a rain sleeve for our camera and its lens in order to reduce the chances of filming with a wet camera lens and any damage.	LOW

Pre-Production: Animatic Storyboard

I initially created a storyboard, which is a sequence of drawings matched together with some camera directions, dialogue and sound, to present the shots which I plan to use for the production of my trailer. I then decided to create an animatic storyboard, which is an animated version of my horror trailer as this allows me to pre-visualise my film before production actually begins.  

To create my animatic storyboard, I started off by placing all of the drawings from my storyboard into an editing software called 'iMovie', and then chronologically ordered them with their correct timings. I then added some transitions such as 'Cross Dissolve' and 'Fade to Black' between each of my shots and lastly placed a horror soundtrack over my images to test whether or not the sound and images work effectively together. Through this task I was not only able to gather a rough idea of what my production may look like, however I was also able gain an understanding of which certain things do or do not work and ways I can improve these issues.

Pre-Production: Storyboard