Horror Opening Sequence Rough Cut

When creating my rough cut I used Final Cut Express software to edit my footage rather than using iMovie. This was because when using Final Cut I have more options when it comes down to using effects etc.

Feedback for my Rough Cut

After showing my rough-cut to my media teacher, we both decided that the opening sequence is a bit slow and needs more camera, for example point of view shots. I have decided that it would be a good idea if I filmed a point of view shot of the killer stood outside the girl's house peering into her window while he is on the phone. Another point she also made was at the point when the actress is going to open the front door the clip was really dark and couldn't hardly see what was going on. Also, I think it would make more sense if there was a bit of a back story behind the sequence which would explain why the girl is being stalked, an example could be a psycho ex-boyfriend or someone who holds a grudge against her.

Taking this feedback into account, I then went onto correcting my footage. Below shows you a before and after screen grab of a clip where I adjusted the brightness and contrast to lighten the footage as it was too dark to see what was going on. The picture on the left is before the edit and the picture on the right is after the edit.

After much thought, I have to come to a decision that I wont be having a killer in my horror opening sequence and by doing this it will play on the audience's fears by making them question who or what is after the victim. This subverts the stereotypical conventions of our typical horror movies by not having an antagonist in the sequence.

Assessment Ten - Call Sheet

This is my final draft of my call sheet for my horror opening sequence.

Call sheet final

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The call sheet shows my plans of where I am going to film, the cast I am going to use, and props and costume.

Horror Opening Sequence Call Sheet

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Assessment Nine - Animatic

Here is my animatic of my horror opening sequence. This gives you an idea of what my opening sequence will be like shot by shot.

Assessment Eight - Plot Outline

The following plot outline will be the one I will be using for my horror opening sequence. This will give you a general gist of the story.

• Open scene with a phone ringing (close up)
• Girl answers the phone and carries on with the conversation while the institution logo appears. *play incidental music*
• Carry on conversation then put the phone down then the girl hears a knock at the door. She answers it but there's no one there. She walks outside and has a look round then goes back in the house. (the phone rings again)
• The girl says something to the effect of 'are you gonna give up now because i'm finding you rather annoying, you're not even funny!'
• The girl goes back to watching a horror film
• The phone rings again
• Girl has an on-going conversation with the killer trying to scare her. *incidental music*
• Girl runs and checks to see if the doors are locked
• Hears a knock at the backdoor, goes outside and finds that there's no-one there and goes back inside and locks the door. At that moment the girl see's the killers reflection in the window .
• Girls ducks underneath him and starts to run and shouts out 'HELP!'
• Killer grabs a knife from the kitchen and makes his way upstairs but walking quickly.
• Girl is half way up stairs when the killer grabs her foot and stabs her in the leg then kicks him which makes him stumble down the stairs.
• Killer chases her in the bathroom with a struggle.
• They both have a bit of a battle until the killer stabs the girl and she falls to the floor.
• The girl reaches for his mask *point of view shot*
• As soon as the killer stabs her again the opening sequence goes straight into the title of the film then the credits comes after.

Assessment Seven - Influences

These horror films I chose to use on my moodboard influenced me into making my final decision for my horror opening sequence.

Assessment Six - Film Classification

Suitable only for 15 years and over

No one younger than 15 may see a '15' film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a '15' rated video work.

Drugs - drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote drug misuse.

Horror - strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable Behaviour - dangerous behaviour, for example suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language - there may be frequent use of strong language for example 'fuck', however the strongest terms such as 'cunt' may be acceptable if justified by the context.

Sex and Nudity - nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.

Theme - no theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropiate for 15 year olds.

Violence - violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayed of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Assessment Five - Institution Research