Similar to my own- 28 weeks later

28 Weeks Later

In this clip you see a group of survivors who think they are safe but when attacked not sure what to do.

The genre is clearly horror and sci-fi. Although again the genre isn’t the same it is a possible way i could shoot my film.

The mise-en-scene is important is quite important in this clip as everything looks to be basic and no electronics. It can be broken down in to: props, costume, and body language. The props in this clip are just basic things that most people have in a house food, chairs ect. The fact there is lit candles rather than lamps and other electric devices suggest that there is no electricity so it could be mid stage in the events. This adds a weird feel to the film as electricity has became an everyday thing you need, this makes the audience feel like it would be strange to go to a time like that.

The costumes used in the clip are very casual style clothing. This suggests they aren’t well prepared in case of an attack from anything, it also suggests that they left most clothe behind. This makes the audience think that they are more than likely going to get attack and possibly killed. The body language is also important as it is quite arrogant and cocky, as if to say we won’t get attack and if we do we’ll survive. This suggests to the audience that they will surely die.

The camera angles used are mainly close ups and medium shots. This was done so that each of the characters could be introduced and make you feel sorry for them. The audience relates to the characters through these shots as you can see what kind of person they are. The close ups mainly focus on facial expressions. This allows the audience to feel more like they are in the room with them.

The film stock is a digital recording which is strange way to film but it works for this film as it gives a strange tone and effect. This makes it seem like it was done for artistic choice as it makes it look like everything is infected including the air. The lighting is high key and this helps to create this overly flushed tone which makes everything seem infected. Also the light being overly flushed suggests that they don’t leave the house much. This makes the audience wonder why they don’t and what is so bad.
So therefore in conclusion even though it isn’t the same genre it has given me some ideas for shooting my film in a good way without needing to much money.

Similar to my own- 28 Days later

28 days later

In this clip you see the main character wake up in a hospital bed wondering what is going on.

The genre of this clip is a sci-fi style horror.  Although this is not my chosen genre it is another film that is close to the style I want my film to be like.

The mise-scene is again important as is meant to be a deserted city. The main aspects are: props, setting and body language. The props are used well as you can at all times see something on the floor which gives you the opinion that everything happened quickly. The fact there is papers on the floor suggest there was a large amount of panic going on whilst the pandemic was happening. This gives a sense of fear for the audience. The fact things haven scattered about suggests there was rioting going on. This gives the audience the opinion that this is quite realistic.

The setting is very good as it looks completely deserted and that nobody has been around for a while. This alone makes the audience feel worried as they are used to seeing London as a never stopping city. The fact it show key points in London and that they are also deserted suggest whatever has happened it has either killed everyone or they have been evacuated. The body language of the main character is good as it makes him seem worried and unknowing of what happened to make London like this. This allows the audience come into the realism of the situation and imagine the emotions he is feeling.

Camera work in this scene is mostly establishing shots. These are used extremely effectively as they show key noticeable points from London, this gives you the impression the entire UK looks like this. This again allows for the audience to believe in the situation. There are some close-ups of his face, these shows you the fear he is face waking up in this seemingly ‘new world’.  This amounts to making an immersive viewing of the film.

The film stock is a digital recording which is strange way to film but it works for this film as it gives a strange tone and effect. This makes it seem like it was done for artistic choice as it makes it look like everything is infected including the air. The lighting is high key and this helps to create this overly flushed tone which makes everything seem infected. 

Similar film- I am Legend

I am Legend

In this clip it starts off with a news story and then cuts to New York in which some kind of event has happened and you see will smiths character driving around with a rifle.

The genre of this film is clearly sci-fi but is also a zombie film but there is no aspect of that in the clip the opening sequence is good as you a large amount of establishing shots and this is what I will be using in my film.

The mise-en-scene is important as there is a lot going on in each shot. The key factors are: props, setting. The props are important as you see a deserted city in which there is abandoned cars and a verity of other things scattered about. This gives an aspect of realism and this could happened in a blind panic and people a fleeing. There is also the rifle is key prop as you don’t know why he needs a gun as there is no kind of enemy in the area. This makes the audience wonder why he is doing so and questions that. This will also make the audience seem at the edge of their seats as they don’t know when the first one will appear.

The setting is also very important as from the surroundings you know something bad has happened as everything looks wreaked and broken down and overgrown. This effect suggests the events that caused this must have happened a while ago as it looks like the city was long a deserted. This makes the audience feel a sense of realism as it you can see a time scale of how long it takes for things to turn bad and that it doesn’t take much.

The camera angles are mostly establishing shots the ruins of New York. This establishes the scene and makes the audience feel like this could happen anywhere at any point. There are some close ups of Will Smiths character who looks like he is concentrating or looking for something. This adds suspense to the audience as they want to see what he looking out for.

The film stock for this film is 35mm this is important as it makes it look high quality and detailed. This is important for a film like this as the details of the city could hold key items for the audience to see. The lighting is a high key lighting it is meant to look like natural lighting it looks overly light which could have conations of something bad happening when it isn’t lit up. This could also signify that it if there is some kind toxin in the air that has somehow caused this.

So therefore although it isn’t the same genre the film techniques used have gave me ideas on how i should film.

Opening similar to my own- Walking Dead

Walking Dead

In this clip you see rick waking up in the hospital and trying to figure out what has happened.

The genre of this isn’t the same but is the same type of shooting that I want use for my film. This will give me an idea on whether it will be easy to do so and an idea on the type of props I will need.

The mise-en-scene is extremely important to this clip as they indicate to rick that something has happened to world while he has been out. The key points are props, costume, setting and body language. The props are important as they are action codes for what has happened whilst rick has been in the hospital. One of main ones is the dead women in the hallway, this is important as its one of the first indications of something bad happening. This is an enigma code as it is a clear signifier to the audience that she has either been eaten alive or killed as a zombie and but as rick doesn't know this. This adds a fear factor into the audience.  Another key prop is the flowers as they give you an aspect on how long he has been in the hospital as they have wilted. This adds a sense of realism as you now know he has been out for a while and is confused on what has happened. This then adds a sense of fear to the audience as if this had happened to them they would be scared and fearful on what they’d find out side.  

The costume is only ricks that you see but it is still important as it is a hospital gown. This adds realism to the situation as then you know he has been left alone the hospital thinking he was dead. This adds tension as this could happen to anyone.  The make-up on the corpse is good as it looks realistic and old. This adds realism and fear to the audience. Body language is good in the clip even though you only see ricks. His movement is quite slow and staggered like he is dazed. This adds realism as you’d expect this kind of thing if you’d been ‘asleep’ for that long. Both these factors create fear and realism for the audience and then as a side product you have an expectation of something going to pop out and attack him at any moment.

The setting is another important factor to consider. The setting is chaotic and messed up this make it seem like many a thing could have happened. This allows for the audience to guess what is going to happen in the episode. The mess could be seen as a signifier to the audience that that this is a representation of the entire world. This is a clear enigma code for something has happened to the entire world.

The camera work in this sequence is good as it mostly focuses on Rick so this helps the audience know that he is the focus of the episode. The use of close-ups on Rick shows the fact he is injured and still in pain. It also shows the fact he still looks sick in the hospital and how dazed he is and wondering how long he’s been out. The high angled shot of the room shows the fact it is clean and tidy in comparison to the rest of the hospital. The lighting is high key this shows the detail in Ricks room. Then it contrasts to a low key hallway with the light flashing. This contrast could be an enigma code of the his room being safe and from that hallway onwards isn’t.

Inspiring scene- Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the dead

In this shot you see the main characters waking up and being completely oblivious to the zombies around them.

This film is a clear zomb-com film as shown from the mise-en-scene and cinematography.  It helps me to research this as I want to do a zomb-com and although this is shot in a different way in which i want to do it, it still helps me in seeing the best way to establish the fact there is zombies.

The mise-en-scene has been done well in this sequence. It can be broken down into sections props, costume, setting and body language.  The props in this sequence are very good in their use of being an enigma code, as Shaun can’t see any of them. You see a range of different props used all were in the previous sequence and Shaun hasn’t realised it. This indicates to the audience two things that he is in a rout and he is quite stupid for not seeing it. One of the props is the bloody hand prints on the fridge it is done well as they look realistic and the fact he opened the fridge and still managed to not see it adds a comedic value to the clip. This use of props will make the audience feel like it less like a horror and more a comedy.

The costume in this clip is good but not very important as they have made it just look like a normal day so Shaun is just wearing work clothes. But this then adds a sense of ‘normality’ as he thinks its going to be a normal boring day. The clothing on the zombies is also quite casual this suggest that the infection happened over night. This adds tension and fear as it puts the fact the world could end over night into the audiences mind.

The setting is good as it as everything has been placed well so it is in sight of Shaun. Then setting seems to make everything look the same as the average day in and day out. This adds a sense of realism to the situation. The fact everything has been laid out the same way as before just destroyed helps again to suggest it happened quite quickly. The fact each item is placed in sight of Shaun adds comedic value as you think he is an idiot as he is just oblivious to it all.

The body language in this clip is good but not as important. The zombie’s body language is mostly in the background but is good as you can distinguish that they are zombies by their movement, which is like a stumbling slow walk. This adds a sense of fear as it isn’t a normal human’s style of movement. Then Shaun’s movement is quite similar in the slow movement and quite stumbling like this suggest it is taking the Mick out  how the normal British public is in a rout so it is like we are zombie’s already.

The camera work in this clip is mostly one constant tracking shot of Shaun going to the shop and then back. This good as it make it look flowing and smooth and it means it has a calm pace. This makes the audience feel more relaxed. There is a range of angles used most of them are medium or long shot this is so you can get the set in with the character this gives an impression of what has happened and that fact he is oblivious makes people relax more as it seems quite funny. There is one close-up used and this is used to focus on Shaun’s face he sleeps and wakes up. This is quite a personal shot which makes the audience feel for the character as he still seems quite stupid and possibly having a hangover.

The film stock in this clip is 35mm this gives the film a clear and crisp image which makes everything look better and puts better detail on the enigma code props and setting. This helps the audience in seeing what has happened to the environment. The lighting in this clip is high key lighting which is made to look like natural lighting. This helped to highlight the enigma codes.

So in conclusion although it isn’t shot in a similar way as I want to it has been helpful in showing me a good way to approach the comedy part of my film.

Opening Scene- Resident Evil Apocalypse

Resident Evil Apocalypse

In this clip from the film it is the opening scene, in this sequence you get a flash back and then you discover the type of film it is and you make your judgments on the film.

You know the genre of the film as most people will have seen the previous film. But if they didn’t they would understand it from the flashback sequence which explains the previous film. This aid’s the an audience that hasn’t seen the film as they see extreme shots of violence and gore this so gives the audience the opinion of a horror. Then the close-ups of the infected settle the opinion of it being a zombie horror.

The factors I’m going to consider are mise-en-scene, cinematography and editing. These are the most important factors of this films intro. As the flashback part of the intro is a mixture of those micro features which create the impact.

The mise-en-scene can be broken down into four sections for this sequence: costumes/makeup, body language, setting, props.  These help create the tone and theme of the film.

Costume is a mild factor as there isn’t much focuses on key characters much. There is mild focus on some costumes as just after the flashback you see people in hazmat suits, this suggest people to them there is something inside the room that is bio-hazardous. This makes a person wonder what is in there and adds tension for a viewer as most people will assume those hazmat suit people will die. Then this contrasts to the next parts of the sequence as they see people in casual everyday kind of clothes. The main point is the make-up as there is on a characters eye which has colour change eye contacts; this adds a Sci-fi/ supernatural type of feel. This makes a weird kind of feel to the film. This has connotations of leading to the main villain in the film. The colours keep on to the eye which makes it seem like it is her natural kind of colour.

Body language is also important to the sequence as there is a lot of focus on eyes and being casual. The focus on the eyes is important as they contrast from each other as firstly there are the umbrella eyes then a focus on her normal eyes. This makes it seem like something has happened to her to make the eye colour change which makes it seem very Sci-fi. After the umbrella eye you see a comic book stylisation of an eye which then fades out, this is referenced when you see her eyes again and comic book style eyes zoom out and her eyes become normal again. This makes the audience wonder what has went on to make her eyes like this and why they did it. It can also make the audience think of it as an enigma code that may be explained in a later in the film or a sequel.

Setting is also quite important as the film is based in a different universe to the normal world, it is also important as the films are based on a game which means they don’t want to make the fans not make it accurate. It is based in a town called Racoon city which is a made up area in America that makes it less realistic and instantly means people careless about the people of that town dying. When you see this town you instantly assume it is a stereotypical American town with suburbs and paper boys ECT. Then this contrast to the fact it’s made up town which makes the audience feel sorry for the people of the town as it’s a normal and unsuspecting town.

Props are mildly important as well as they are used and focused on in shots. In one shot there is a focus on a radar type device. There is focus on the radar as in the plot it is needed. It is a clear use of action code, as it instantly shows you there are zombies and a lot virus. Also it adds impact to the costume of those in the hazmat suits. This also again gives an enigma code to those who may not understand the genre as there is a clear text showing the ‘T-virus’ which is a the cause of the virus this can also be used as an action code for a viewer of the previous as they will know what is going to happen and are clued in to the theme and story of the film. The bar also moves so it as when you see the bar going up and down you instantly know something bad is going to happen to those people.

There is a range of camera angles used in this sequence the main ones are establishing shots and extreme close-ups. The establishing shots that are used create an image of a normal everyday stereotypical American suburb this creates the image that it can happen anywhere in the world, so it adds a sense of realism to it. This then adds fear for and tension for the audience as they know what will happen to this nice area. The close ups are important as it focuses on her eyes which adds w strange feel as normally you wouldn’t see something from this close-up in real life so it can be an un-nerving shot. The focus on the eyes has many connotations as it then zooms into her eye as if we are entering her mind and then flashback is in her mind then zooms out from her eye.  This has connotations of her having mental problems and having being scared from the past events. There is also a use of camera movement. The most noticeable one is a tracking/zoom towards one hazmat suit person. This adds fear as you can see and imagine the fear he was in, as you assume you seeing it from a point of view of a zombie. This is again an odd shot as it is an unnatural kind of movement which links into a sci-fi supernatural kind of genre to the film.   

The film stock is quite important as it is a high budget film and they want everything to be clear on the camera so they used 35mm, which does all of this. It is important as it can draw more attention detail to the zombies and the expression of each of the characters. The light is used well as when you see Raccoon city it is high key like natural lighting. This adds the effect of normality. The colours have been used well as the colours of the characters eyes are red and white. These are the colours of umbrella. This is an action code to what the film is about as most people who have seen the previous know who they are. The framing of the each shot is good as they always have a focus in the shot and there is no guess work on what it is that is the focus. They do this by close-ups or it being the only thing in frame. This helps the audience as they can just relax and not have to question everything so it is an example of ‘leave your brain at the door cinema’.

The editing plays a huge role in the flashback sequence as there is a large amount of transitions and effects off the flashback. During this sequence you see a graphic of the umbrella logo which is table shaped. This makes the audience think it is a sci-fi film which has connotations for people thinking themes going to include high tech devices. Then there is circle of frames that come up like frames of a shot and spin around on the logo. This again gives a sci-fi feel but is used very well as it makes it original for most films to do something like that. The spinning around looks confused at some stages so this could have connotations of her mind being crazy and confused, as it appears we are inside her mind.  This helps the audience feel for her as they see the fact she seems to be going crazy thinking about the previous events and they were horrific. There is also a large amount of quick cuts used this sets a pace for the film and makes the audience think it is going to be a quick paced film with a lot of action and events. This makes the audience think it could be an action as most action films use these types of cuts.

So therefore in conclusion the film comes across as many different genres but is primarily a zombie film as they are the key point of the film. Each of the micro features make the audience has judgments on what is going t happen in the film. So therefore it is a good intro for a film of this type of genre.

Opening scene- Zombieland

Zombieland opening scene

In the clip I used from Zombieland, it is the opening credits where there is little speech with some voiceover to explain what the film is about.

You know this film is a Zomb-com as the voice over uses strong language when describing the theme and you see a zombie character in the first shot. This shows a basis for what you expect from a film of this genre.

Mise-en-scene

The setting of the film is a stereotypical area which looks normal area in the country but this applies to a general aspect of having equilibrium at the start of the film, this is strange aspect to add to the film as the film is based mid apocalypse. In each shot you realise it is a mass of different places in America that is shown. You don’t know the place they start off in from the opening all you know is its in America. This plays on the mind as you see clips of places from around America and see what the Zombies have done to it and how it’s like this everywhere in America.

The performance isn’t shown much in this clip to shown as you don’t see any main characters. But the zombie characters are well preformed as each zombie moves in the same as each other: in a stumbling fashion, forceful and ‘wanting to eat someone’. This is very good as you need quite believable kind of enemies that make it look better when watching the film. Also in each shot there is a clear shot of people’s faces where it shows the intense fear of getting chased be a monster that wants to kill you. This again makes a film more believable to a viewer and makes them possibly feel more in tune with the characters.

The costume of each character is generally all casual as it’s meant to be an average day when the infection spreads. This has a naturalistic effect to the film which means a person will feel more relatable to a character. The costume for the zombies is done very well as there isn’t an over use of each style as each zombie has a different aspect to another E.G more blood dripping, ripped clothing or blistered skin. All zombies have grey skin this makes them seem different and less human like which means the audience think it is ok if they die. This also allows the audience to distinguish when someone is changing into a zombie or a zombie from a healthy human.

The characters aren’t shown in this clip but you hear Columbus’ (Jesse Esseinburg) voice as he explains what happend to the world is. You know he is a main character as he refers to himself for staying alive a lot. This allows for people to become attached to characters straight off as in this genre you normally like to see a lot of deaths to opening sequence to hopefully set the tone for the film.

The props used in this sequence are mainly just everyday items like; milkshakes and briefcases. Although there is a handgun used which is explained by the voiceover as an example of one of his special rules. This also uses stereotypes as Americans stereotypically have a lot of access to guns. Also there is a lot of blood used throughout the clip; like zombies spewing blood, from dead bodies and when some crashes. This over use of blood shows that the genre is comedy as a typical comedy film over uses everything to the highest level and this makes it look funny.

Cinematography

In this clip there is a wide range of aspects used as with a stereotypically Hollywood blockbuster it is shot in 35mm which means it has a good crisp image which allows everything in shot to be seen by the audience. This helps the horror aspects as the zombies look better than if they were shot in a different quality. The aspect ratio for this film is 2.35: 1 which is again typical for a Hollywood film. The lighting is high key generally quite natural except for the night time shots in which it was being lit buy light in the scene.

There are a lot different shots used. At the start there is a zoom out which transitions into a hand held shot as the camera focuses on the zombie coming towards it. This adds a sense of fear into the viewer and a hand held shot is an unnatural shot and makes the audience uneasy. Then in the voice over parts there is tracking of the ‘fat guy’ as he runs from the zombie and of the woman as she fails to kill the zombies. This adds a first person feel to the shot as makes the audience feel like they are part of the film. Then as the music starts it goes in slow motion but still uses tracking shots and mostly at long shot distance. Again this adds fear aspects into an audience member as you would be doing something similar in that instance.

Foundation Production Portfolio Proposal

My chosen field is is a film. The genre will be horror with zombies with the aspects of comedy in it as in more recently . The audience will be teenagers of our age (16-17) up until age 25.

For a possible zombie film it will be the beginning so there will be either no infection or not many visible zombies. This will allow for it to be easier to make and also alto cheaper as I wont have to buy many props or costume design stuff.

The types of shots will use will mostly be establishing shots to set up the environment. This allows for more tenson to be caused as it will look like a normal everyday kind of environment. There will be most likely a use of close-ups and medium shots to help establish characters.

Inspiring Sequnce- Resident Evil: Afterlife

Inspiring Sequnce: Resident Evil: Afterlife

In this clip you see Bennett steal Alice’s plane to reach a boat. This causes zombies to break though and Alice must protect the others and herself.

The fact there is a female lead in this film goes against all normal iconographies as normally women aren’t expected to be the more heroic character as most of the time they aren’t taken seriously in their roles. Mila does this well as she is a strong lead in this film as her character Alice and this is shown by her comfortableness when around zombies, using a gun and in the more tension building situations. The fact it goes against all normal iconography gives this film a more original theme to it and it attracts both a male and female audience as they both are not likely to have seen a film of this specific genre before. 

The character choice is good in this scene as each person in this clip has a relationship to some person there. Here is very obvious that most of the group have used a gun before as the moment they get into action. This is a good icon to have in a sequel to in a genre as you’d expect the survivors to become more experienced with the weapons. The main character in this scene is Alice this is obvious from here body language as she leads the group by telling them to ‘get in’. You can also tell this as when she shoots it calm and she kills a lot of zombies with improvised tactics. The other main character in this scene is Claire she is confident with a gun and helps Alice get guns and she is also good using a gun meaning she has been trained. You can tell from both of their body languages that they have been trained this is due to the fact their stances are professional stances which give the optimum field of view and rotation. This shows the actors have been taught the stance and made it work into this scene. The fact they choose Mila Jovovich as the main character is good as she is a strong female lead and this film is based on a female lead. You get this impression from the fact she takes charge over the group in this sequence and tells them what to do.

The lighting in this scene is important as it is very dark and an eerie tone which the films tone as it is a zombie apocalypse. The fact it is dark means it has connotations of horror and death. It also signifies a no hope kind of situation.

The setting in this film is very similar to the normal iconography as it was a highly populated area now over run by zombies. Though normally in any kind of horror/disaster it has a land marked area like New York and the statue of liberty. This means they went against the norm and shot the film in Los Angles instead this is different so it makes it more original. In this scene you see them on a roof top which hasn’t been done many times this makes it good as it shows they don’t want to be written off as a franchise that just looks at other films and re-works their ideas in theirs. The fact they are on a roof top also makes the fact a large group of zombies are running towards them more scary as there isn’t very many exits that won’t have had zombies blocking them. This then adds a tension feel and a wonder if they will survive.

The costumes are good in this film each person has a casual look for each characters persona as Luther west wears a sleeveless and he was a basketball player then compared to Bennett wears a suit as he was a film director. The costumes for the zombies are very interesting as all the zombies have different costumes. The zombies’ clothing looks old and dirty this signifies that the apocalypse has been happening for a while. The makeup for the zombies is very well done. The colour of the zombie skin is like a grey/blue colour which makes the zombies look inhuman and this also adds fear to the viewer as this signifies death.

The sounds in this clip are good as there is the non-diegetic sound of the mass amounts of zombies moaning. This adds a fear factor as this signifies there are a lot of zombies and death could come soon. Also there is music it is quite at first as the zombies start arriving but as more zombies come the music gets louder. This adds suspense as the music is escalating and you don’t know what is going to happen. There is also the music as Alice jumps over the side and blows up all the zombies and she is falling it is very calm and relaxing as it doesn’t have a beat to it. This is not normal in a zombie film so this goes against the normal iconography.

 

Preliminary task- Storyboard

Preliminary task- Storyboard write up

The first shot will include Joe, Ryan talking then in the same shot you see Ryan fall in the background, and then we run down the corridor. Hopefully the audio will allow for us to hear panting on the camera audio. I will use a dolly camera stand to run down the corridor after a pan around from Joe.

The second shot we switch that holds the camera to allow for a reverse shot as we talk and walk through the door. The shot will be hand held and as we walk in a few steps in the door slams.

The third shot we climb on the table. 

Fourth there we pan around the room and then focus on Joe and we switch camera holders. The audio should be able to hear the panting.

Fifth shot pans to Joe and he gets grabbed.

Sixth shot I focus on Joe’s legs failing and it suddenly stops.

Seventh shot the camera focuses on the flashlight then turn the camera to self.

Eighth shot the camera looks at a nose in the room and then I turn and focus on the shadow.

Ninth shot I pretend to fling the camera up and Joe pretends to get the camera to land and then it focuses on my legs failing.

Tenth shot I will have the shadow disappear out the room and slam the door.

Throughout the scene there will be a faint heart beat that will get louder and louder until the last shot.

My preliminary task

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKDdb6scGXE
Here is my preliminary task.