Preliminary Task Practical
Brief
The task set out was a continuity task to produce a short clip of a character opening a door, walking across a room and sitting down to exchange dialogue with another character. Within this piece we had to incorporate the following criteria:
- It must obey the 180-degree rule (explained below).
- The film must demonstrate match on action.
- Shot/reverse shots must be used.
From the above list we matched the compulsory scenes to the features. These were decided on how appropriate we believed they would be with the scene. Furthermore, this allowed us to already revolve a plan around the following decisions:
- A character opening a door - The change of setting from walking through the door would be less obvious and confusing if match on action was used and edited tightly for continuity.
- Walking across a room - This would also show continuity if shots of this scene followed the 180-degree rule.
- Sitting down to exchange dialogue with another character - Short/reverse shots while exchanging dialogue would be more appropriate for this scene. This is because it will support the interaction between the two characters. The 180-degree rule should also be followed during this scene too, in order to keep the audience less distracted by the constant movement of the camera.
Research and Planning
Initially we watched some film extracts and previous preliminary task examples to introduce us properly to the task. Upon watching director Tobe Hopper's 1974 film opening to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", we were inspired by the unsettling suspense of the flashing camera images to create a horror.
Below are some conventions of horror, which we hoped to conform to:
As we had to produce our preliminary film within school, we were limited in locations and props. This meant we had to subvert to certain horror conventions like a creepy setting.
Yet, an external prop of a simplistic mask was brought in to conform to the convention of the unknown villain.
Although there is something haunting of a masked figure invading the usual normalcy and safety of school, we planned to end with a comedic conclusion.
Consequently, the following storyboard was made:
The plot we formed was about a victim being chased by a masked figure, who reveals themselves to be just a classmate wishing to give back the victim's ruler. Hence, the title "The Ruler Of The Mask" was decided as a play on words, which would add to the comedy aspect after watching.
Other ideas like a scene of the victim panting after the door scene and more reaction shots were discussed but not finalised, so I did not include these in my storyboard.
Apart from the essential shots the task asked us to include, we mainly focused on the chase scene, which is a prominent horror convention. We planned to include flickers of images influenced by the iconic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" opening.
Production
We assigned Emma Fuller to act as the victim and Caitlin Willis as the masked figure. While, Angel Limbu and I filmed and helped behind the scenes.
While filming, our group followed fairly strictly to the storyboard. We even seemed to film in chronological order. We should have filmed all the scenes of one location and then move to the others. Even though there were three locations, it meant we did waste time moving around a lot. The locations included:
- The indoor corridor and stairs - Used for the initial jump scare and conform to a convention of long corridors, usually used in chase scenes.
Above: Over the shoulder long shot.
- The outdoor stairs - This was used for the chase scene which was mainly filmed handheld in both Emma's and Caitlin's point of view.
Above: Mid shot obscured by location.
- The classroom - This was very light and open allowing for a wide pan and movement of the camera for shots to follow the 180-degree rule.
Above: Long shot.
When following the storyboard we did make slight alterations that we thought were either more sensible or easier to film in the remaining time left.
Most of these modifications occurred during post-production, however, some shots were filmed differently.
During the match on action scene we were going to use a long shot of the victim, Emma, running to the door and fumble with the keys. We liked the keys idea as it conformed to the convention in horrors that the victim makes silly mistakes at the worst times.
On the other hand, the long shot on either side of the door, that would have shown her isolation, was changed into a mid shot. This was because a mid shot would make it clearer to see the keys and her desperation. This was further supported by the extreme close up shot.
From up to down: Extreme close up, mid shot and another mid shot.
Altogether this match on action scene consisted of three shots. We felt we could have made this more complex and could have inserted a high angle shot of her walking under the threshold with the high angle enforcing her vulnerability. However, we thought this obvious change in camera position was too noticeable and we were running out of time.
Though, we did manage to film the panting scene discussed. This act of relief is like a false sense of security before another suspenseful jump scare. Most horrors include something similar where a jump scare takes place after you think the victim is safe.
Above: Mid shot.
The other scene we filmed differently was the final scene. Instead of there being an extreme close up of the ruler being slammed on the desk, we continued using the extreme close up of Caitlin's hand to not only reach for the ruler, but also to pull it out.
From up to down: Over the shoulder shot, extreme close up and back to the same over the shoulder shot.
The ruler was, therefore, slightly out of frame due to the extremeness of the close up. This caused ambiguity over the object she pulled out.
It is only by the over the shoulder shot of Caitlin slamming it on the table that the ruler will deny the audience's expected reaction of it being a weapon. Consequently, with the ironic contrapuntal, threatening diegetic slam of the ruler and the casual dialogue of the 'villain', this will make the clip comedic.
The mid shot of Caitlin pulling off the mask to speak was also removed, as we just continued with the over the shoulder shot due to lack of time.
Above: Over the shoulder shot.
Altogether we filmed 18 shots, not including outtakes, with a wide variety of angles and movements including a tilt and a pan.
From bottom left to top left, then top right to bottom right: Close up of feet tilts into a mid shot and a long shot pan around the room.
Both of these were incredibly hard to film. This was because the tripod was stiff so we had to move the camera instead. If we had more time we would have redone these as they were shaky and looked mediocre.
Post-production
With all of these clips we had to edit them in "Final Cut Pro X" for continuity, especially with editing within the 180-degree rule.
For our group we found this process took the most time as we had to first learn the basic skills before editing. We also wanted to incorporate non-diegetic sound parallel to the frightening concept and emphasise diegetic sounds with recorded sound effects like heavy breathing. Hence, we spent a lot of time selecting and layering these sounds.
I believe all the sounds we chose were fitting and we used the fade feature along with multiple layering to make the sound more custom to certain scenes. The fade is evident below as the ringing, suspenseful and parallel non-diegetic sound quietens into a loud whoosh sound that acts as the jump.
After this, there is the addition of a gasping diegetic sound which supports the consequential close up reaction shot.
Above: A close up reaction shot.
Another diegetic sound we heightened with external sound effects was during the panting scene. This was enforced with the use of a heavy breathing sound. The only issue with this was that we didn't trim or fade the beginning of the clip enough. Therefore, while Emma had her teeth gritted, there was still a breathing noise. Though, we kept the diegetic sound of the keys jingling and these were still prominent over the breaths.
This scene was followed by the pan of the room. Upon watching the recorded clips we noticed that the lighting between the start and end was different, despite, continuously recording throughout the shot. Because of this and the dead set decision to include flickering black screens influenced by "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", we decided to utilize them again.
To use these without seeming too repetitive, we decided to add tension by shortening the length of the black and the clips between them as the pan concludes with the jump scare. A non-diegetic loud smashing glass sound was used in a similar way to the whoosh sound for this abrupt effect.
Above: An extreme long shot.
During these sporadic flickers, we received feedback offering the idea that it would be more distinct and effective if a blinking lightbulb sound was also used.
As said earlier, this effect was also used in the chase scene, however, many thought this was successful with just the sound of a heartbeat in time with the black screens.
To achieve this tension, we had to split up the point of view clips and close ups of the feet into many sections and deleted every other two. This helped to produce a brusque and snappy feel with the heartbeats. To isolate the heartbeats we muted the sound from the clips, apart from the rash and sudden ending of the jingling keys.
Most clips were muted and instead accompanied by non-diegetic sound. This prevented background noise, which would have made the audience aware of other students and make the victim seem less in jeopardy. Though background noise is unavoidable and some could be heard during the dialogue, as this was filmed in the busy period of lunch.
Alternatively, when Emma is walking into the room and sitting down, there is a lengthy, tedious pause. To improve, we should have extended previous sound clips and then, like before, fade into the speech.
On another note, the dialogue scene was edited very well and obeyed the 180-degree rule. The most successful bit was when Caitlin was grabbing the ruler. Although this only included two shots, the insertion of the extreme close up was connected properly with the over the shoulder shots.
The match on action of the door was also edited and displayed continuity that made it an easy watch.
This scene also included an insertion of an extreme close up shot. In the storyboard we planned on using the extreme close up of the keys first, but then decided this would be too much of an obvious location change to the previous point of view shot of Emma running from Caitlin outside. Therefore, we cut the mid shot into two sections and seamlessly incorporated said extreme close up in the middle.
In conclusion, all of the essential requirements were executed, however, overall I would like to have manipulated the clips with more creative effects to make the task more unique. For example:
- Changing the saturation of the video - This would not only obscure the lighting issues but also apply an eeriness to the film.
- The use of filters like CCTV - To make the audience aware that they are helplessly watching the scene unfold from a third person perspective.
- More apparent flickers of light - To further develop the suspense and makes the purpose of the black screens clearer.
We did use titles and credits, but these were last minute decisions which in the end were unsuitable due to childish, ill-suited typography.
Above: Mid shot.
Outcome
Below is the finished video of our preliminary film. Later it was noted that the title of the video, "The Ruler Of The Mask" did not match the title of the uploaded YouTube video "Ruler Of The Mask".
Audience's Feedback
After viewing our preliminary clip twice, we were provided with mixed responses from class members. Firstly, it was agreed that our group covered all of the criteria the task requested and as well, it had a very clever narrative that made use of the limited locations creatively. The match on action and general continuity was efficient in keeping with a smooth short film only interrupted purposely by the uneasy thrill of the chase scene, which most approved of with the help of the powerful sounds.
Though some sounds needed to be tweaked to have a greater impact. As commented on before, the breathing sound did not match with the presented image. Other examples were picked out, counting the out of time jump scare sound and the humorous gasp.
The wide variety of camera angles, specifically the handheld turn to a point of view long shot of the masked figure in the corridor, were also mentioned. Many found the use of camera angles strong as it built up suspense to the more simplistic, and therefore more predictable, jump scares. Furthermore, the conventions we conformed to made it very easy to understand the horror genre. So, this made the comedic ending more unexpected, despite, the comical gasp and occasional smiles in serious scenes. While other criticisms, including the amateurish, unsteady introductory tilt, made the film unintentionally amusing.
Though it was pointed out that if we were to conform strictly to horror conventions, we should have made the villain walk slowly in the chase scene, yet still be directly behind the victim. This would complement the inexplicable mystery of the masked figure. Nevertheless, the concept and effort was sill commended.
Personal Comments
In conclusion, I found the preliminary incredibly entertaining. The opportunity to understand the construction of films allowed me to develop new skills and gain confidence in my own suggestions, which can only benefit myself in the future.
If we had more time I would have made the following changes:
- Make the chase scene shorter and snappier.
- Reshoot the shaky pans and tilts.
- Develop the flashes of light to add a better suspense.
- Include a range of camera angles and sound during the conversation scene.
- Reshoot the match on action of the door with more shots and to remove the clumsy rebound of the door at 00:48.
Above: Mid shot.
In the future I hope to learn from the feedback and take time communicating with my group so we all agree on what we are doing before thinking on the spot and rushing. I also hope that these future films would allow us to use not only more time but also a wider range of locations and props that can conform to a genre, rather than working with what we had.
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