Our final task was paramount to the success of me and my group because it provides a demonstration of the skills I have learnt and the different skills I have utilised during the few months that I have been studying AS level media.
Personally, I found the final task one of the hardest and most stressful parts of the coursework and there would be things I would change if I had the chance to complete the final task again. However I now will explain the problems we faced as a group and how we finally overcame them, producing the final task that we were all pleased and proud of. Firstly I began planning our final task and began concentrating on the questionnaire results to discover the most popular genre of film and who their favourite director was. These questions in particular were helpful during the planning of the final task because they told me what genre of film and director was popular and therefore this meant if we wanted our final task to be well-liked, we could choose the most popular genre and replicate the shooting style and ideas of that particular director. I found the most popular genre was horror and this one of the major reasons I chose to use horror as a major theme in my final task, however it also helped that I am interested in the horror genre and have watched a vast range of horror films, so I thought my vast knowledge on the horror genre would assist the chances of my groups final task being successful. After choosing the genre of film, I analysed several film openings and 3 entire horror films, so we had thorough knowledge on what a typical horror film should look like. It also gave me a chance to refresh my knowledge on horror films and gave me some good ideas to utilise in the final task. During analysis I noticed how some horror films, such as ‘Jeepers Creepers’, use a certain technique to confuse and disorientate viewers so that when the villain is introduced this increases the fear factor for the viewers.
‘Jeepers Creepers’ opening began in an extremely bright and at first analysis, picturesque landscape. This contrasts with most horror films because a frequently used convention in horror films is dark lighting and isolated, sordid settings. I realised the benefits of opening the film in the unconventional way because it makes your film original and also disorientates viewers as it is not what they anticipate, so me and my group decided to also use this technique after our title sequences to also disorientate viewers. Another idea I got from the evaluation of the films was a masked villain; all of the films I evaluated used this common convention of the horror genre and I noticed it was extremely effective. This convention was effective because it adds an element of mystery to the drama and keeps audience members guessing who the villain is, therefore engaging them, which is why we also used this convention in our final piece. After analysing films, me and my group concentrated on the planning of our sequence and exchanged ideas, discussing the codes and conventions used in horror films and which were effective and which were not. My group finally came up with an idea which we all agreed and were happy with and we chose this idea for several reasons. Firstly a big part of the initial idea was the location; we decided to have the location in a school because it is a location which is relatable to the audience, and therefore this makes it scarier for audience members, also it meant I had a safe and secure place to film in, rather then a potentially hazardous one, so we could follow the briefing of our final piece. Finally it allowed us to film at any time, rather then us setting out to a particular location which would take up crucial time – it was extremely convenient and allowed us more editing and planning time. As our idea was in a school we decided to
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Final Task
Finally I have finished the final task and most of the coursework. Although it was extremely challenging and stressful, I am now glad it is mostly comeplete and all I have to do is my evalution and auidence feedback. I will post these in a few days time!
Monday, 2 March 2009
The Script:
(A bunch of girls begin walking down the corridor after the bell has just gone)
Girl 1: Are you coming to Laura’s house after school Jess? We’re all watching a film and getting a pizza.
Jess: Ah you know I would love too, but I have to go to the library to finish my coursework! Its due in tomorrow and I think I should start it otherwise I’m going to get so behind!
Girl 2: Jess! You’re so geeky! Come on its just one night!
Jess: No I really need to start it… I think you can all survive without me for one night!
Girl 1: Ah ok then, if you change your mind call us!
Jess: Ok see you tomorrow? Have a good night!
(Jess continues to walk down the corridor, entering the library. After attempting to start her work she looses interest and is finally the last one left in the library. Becoming sleepy, she falls asleep and is awoken abruptly in the pitch black tied up and gagged. She struggles and is interrupted by the door opening, the masked murderer entering the library. He walks towards her with a weapon and we hear her muffled screams as it fades to blackout…)
Girl 1: Are you coming to Laura’s house after school Jess? We’re all watching a film and getting a pizza.
Jess: Ah you know I would love too, but I have to go to the library to finish my coursework! Its due in tomorrow and I think I should start it otherwise I’m going to get so behind!
Girl 2: Jess! You’re so geeky! Come on its just one night!
Jess: No I really need to start it… I think you can all survive without me for one night!
Girl 1: Ah ok then, if you change your mind call us!
Jess: Ok see you tomorrow? Have a good night!
(Jess continues to walk down the corridor, entering the library. After attempting to start her work she looses interest and is finally the last one left in the library. Becoming sleepy, she falls asleep and is awoken abruptly in the pitch black tied up and gagged. She struggles and is interrupted by the door opening, the masked murderer entering the library. He walks towards her with a weapon and we hear her muffled screams as it fades to blackout…)
Character Profile
Character Profiles:
Jessica Jones aged: 17
Gender: Female
Hobbies: Enjoys spending time with friends and going out to the cinema.
Music: Indie, classical
About her: Jessica attends Oldbury high school and is currently at 6th form studying Maths, Biology, and Chemistry and is trying to get in Liverpool University as a Veterinary nurse.
Features: Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, 5”3
Links to the killer: the murder grows an obsession towards the character due to the fact she is always in the library. Which is were the murder is located.
The ‘Mask’ Murder
Gender: Male
Age: 20
About him: He’s used to be a care taker at the Oldbury High School. Over the years he grew a close relationship with a student which is forbidden. The head of year sacked him for having a relationship with an underage girl. Due to his obsession with that student and not being able to see her, He snuck in and lived in the library where he’s cleaning tools were.
Over the years she left and he never saw her again. Couple years later a New Year group of 6th forms joined Oldbury High School. A current student who joined the 6th form looked very similar to the student he loved. He grew an obsession with Jessica who was always located in the library. Knowing that she would be leaving year 12, he couldn’t bear losing her like he lost he’s old lover, so he seeks to kill her so she will forever be with him. He kills her in the library one day after school where she needs to complete her courswork
Couple years later, it’s the anniversary of Jessica’s death and a bunch of 6th formers decided to investigate. The ‘Mask’ Murder finds outs which is his motive not to be found out, which is why he kills them.
Jessica Jones aged: 17
Gender: Female
Hobbies: Enjoys spending time with friends and going out to the cinema.
Music: Indie, classical
About her: Jessica attends Oldbury high school and is currently at 6th form studying Maths, Biology, and Chemistry and is trying to get in Liverpool University as a Veterinary nurse.
Features: Blond Hair, Blue Eyes, 5”3
Links to the killer: the murder grows an obsession towards the character due to the fact she is always in the library. Which is were the murder is located.
The ‘Mask’ Murder
Gender: Male
Age: 20
About him: He’s used to be a care taker at the Oldbury High School. Over the years he grew a close relationship with a student which is forbidden. The head of year sacked him for having a relationship with an underage girl. Due to his obsession with that student and not being able to see her, He snuck in and lived in the library where he’s cleaning tools were.
Over the years she left and he never saw her again. Couple years later a New Year group of 6th forms joined Oldbury High School. A current student who joined the 6th form looked very similar to the student he loved. He grew an obsession with Jessica who was always located in the library. Knowing that she would be leaving year 12, he couldn’t bear losing her like he lost he’s old lover, so he seeks to kill her so she will forever be with him. He kills her in the library one day after school where she needs to complete her courswork
Couple years later, it’s the anniversary of Jessica’s death and a bunch of 6th formers decided to investigate. The ‘Mask’ Murder finds outs which is his motive not to be found out, which is why he kills them.
Synopsis of Film
Our group have completed a synopisis of the film and have done a detailed overview of what will happen throughout the whole film:
Opening: School
We see a young group of teenage college girls, chatting among their peers walking down the corridors. The bell goes to indicate the end of the school day and the friends question plans for the evening. One girl insists she has to stay behind to finish her coursework and heads off to the library. Upon starting her work in a corner of the library, she gets tired and falls asleep slowly. Woken up with a start, she realises she is tied up, gagged, dazed and confused. Attempting to escape she is interrupted by the door opening by a masked villain holding a weapon. He slowly walks towards her and we can hear the diegetic sound of her muffled screams… (Fade to blackout)
Beginning: 2 years later, the anniversary of Jessica’s death and a group of friends begin to speculate on what actually happened, bearing in mind the murderer had never been caught. Strange events begin to occur in the school which only the group of friends notice, such as masks being left in the library and bells and fire alarms malfunctioning. Slowly, one by one they are forced to stay behind after school due to the incidents which they are accused of. They are put in isolated detention room all together and teacher hears a noise to leaves them to investigate.
Middle: An hour later, they begin to question where the teacher has gone and one friend goes to investigate. Walking down the deserted corridors, the lights are switched off and she notices the toilet light is open. Checking herself in the mirror, she sees the teachers tie from the corner of her eye. Bending down to pick it up she sees some blood on the tie, realising the teacher has been murdered. Standing up to escape the masked murderer is behind her, grabs the tie and strangles her with it, killing her. Then we are taken back to detention room where 2 friends remain. Wondering why the teacher and friend have gone so long, they decide to both investigate further deciding to start in the library. Realising the date is the two year anniversary of Jessica’s death, they become scared and begin to panic. All lights are switched off and they hear a crazed laughter, and the library door opens. They both run and hide under desks.
Ending: The murderer realises they are hiding and slowly walks up and down the library desks, periodically peering under them, increasing tension in the room. When he is about to look under the table that the main character is under, the other friends accidentally knocks off the book shelf, causing it to collapse, alerting the murderer. He runs over to her and grabs her by the throat, slowly strangling her until her death, all in front of her friend. The main character, realising she is about to be found gets up and pushes another book shelf onto the murderer, then runs out. Running down the corridor, she attempts to leave the school but all doors are locked. Grabbing a fire extinguisher she hides behind a corner, waiting for the murderer. She hears him approaching and hits him with the extinguisher, knocking him out. She then carries on hitting him with it, finally killing him. She manages to escape and the last shot is of the police approaching the school, with the girl cowering inside. However we are then shown another masked murderer, leaving the school through a different exit, escaping the police. Therefore there were two murderers and the main character only killed one, leaving enough room for a sequel…
Opening: School
We see a young group of teenage college girls, chatting among their peers walking down the corridors. The bell goes to indicate the end of the school day and the friends question plans for the evening. One girl insists she has to stay behind to finish her coursework and heads off to the library. Upon starting her work in a corner of the library, she gets tired and falls asleep slowly. Woken up with a start, she realises she is tied up, gagged, dazed and confused. Attempting to escape she is interrupted by the door opening by a masked villain holding a weapon. He slowly walks towards her and we can hear the diegetic sound of her muffled screams… (Fade to blackout)
Beginning: 2 years later, the anniversary of Jessica’s death and a group of friends begin to speculate on what actually happened, bearing in mind the murderer had never been caught. Strange events begin to occur in the school which only the group of friends notice, such as masks being left in the library and bells and fire alarms malfunctioning. Slowly, one by one they are forced to stay behind after school due to the incidents which they are accused of. They are put in isolated detention room all together and teacher hears a noise to leaves them to investigate.
Middle: An hour later, they begin to question where the teacher has gone and one friend goes to investigate. Walking down the deserted corridors, the lights are switched off and she notices the toilet light is open. Checking herself in the mirror, she sees the teachers tie from the corner of her eye. Bending down to pick it up she sees some blood on the tie, realising the teacher has been murdered. Standing up to escape the masked murderer is behind her, grabs the tie and strangles her with it, killing her. Then we are taken back to detention room where 2 friends remain. Wondering why the teacher and friend have gone so long, they decide to both investigate further deciding to start in the library. Realising the date is the two year anniversary of Jessica’s death, they become scared and begin to panic. All lights are switched off and they hear a crazed laughter, and the library door opens. They both run and hide under desks.
Ending: The murderer realises they are hiding and slowly walks up and down the library desks, periodically peering under them, increasing tension in the room. When he is about to look under the table that the main character is under, the other friends accidentally knocks off the book shelf, causing it to collapse, alerting the murderer. He runs over to her and grabs her by the throat, slowly strangling her until her death, all in front of her friend. The main character, realising she is about to be found gets up and pushes another book shelf onto the murderer, then runs out. Running down the corridor, she attempts to leave the school but all doors are locked. Grabbing a fire extinguisher she hides behind a corner, waiting for the murderer. She hears him approaching and hits him with the extinguisher, knocking him out. She then carries on hitting him with it, finally killing him. She manages to escape and the last shot is of the police approaching the school, with the girl cowering inside. However we are then shown another masked murderer, leaving the school through a different exit, escaping the police. Therefore there were two murderers and the main character only killed one, leaving enough room for a sequel…
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