R16 - Audience Survey Analysis

Audience survey: Film poster and radio trailer from Sharmila664

From the results that we recieved, it ultimately gave us ideas on how to plan our film and what we should include. For example, it was evident that our audience would prefer to see a horror film with the sub genres of comedy, psychological and thriller as opposed to gothic. This is ideal as we said, because we were already planning on doing a psychological, however just needed help with combining another one just to be less conventional and make our film more enticing for our audience. 
The research for our poster and radio advert also gave us beneficial feed back as we now know that we have to make it extra special to make it stand out for our audience. We have a different opinion to our audience, and ultimately, the audience's opinions matter just as much as ours. Initially we wanted our poster to be brown and dirty, however the audience would much rather see a red and black poster, of blood and darkness. This is why this concluded research will overall help make our film better.

R15 - Film Review: Insidious 3

The third part to an exhilarating horror film attracts most kind of audiences from youngsters to even adults with much more important things to do. Continuing on from the sequel, creating the third film was a lot more challenging in the ways they had to keep the audiences engaged and make it worth while as they did for the first and second. Yet, some audiences may believe it was a better film than both, as well as nowhere near compared to the others. 

Starting off with a young wannabe actor, Quinn Brenner, she appears at the door of the recently retired, Elise, in hope that she could help her make contact with her late mother, who died of cancer. She tells Quinn to take a seat after she is refused more than 10 times because Elise had retired from any sort of job. 

Elise urges Quinn from trying to contact the dead on her own. She tells her, "Do not do this yourself. If you call out to one of the dead, all of them can hear you". However predictably, it is almost obvious that Quinn will do it anyway. This is where the main plot begins and makes the audience eager to see what it is she'll do next. 

Quinn returns home disappointed and still believes that 'someone wants to talk to her, who is not here anymore'. So, she attempts connecting to her mother on her own. She starts speaking to the walls and starts calling her mum, could she actually make contact with the dead? Here, the audience was expecting see some sort of contact with the dead but as she didn't, the audience expect a much more larger scare for when she does. 

It is during her audition that she sees a figure waving out at her that distracts her focus. Later, whilst walking on the road towards her friend's car, she is again distracted by this figure and this distraction leads to an accident, completely shocking the audience and leaving her wheelchair bound with fractured legs. 

The settings of the film are more of a horror drama as opposed to a conventional horror film. The pace of the film initially is quite relaxed and it is very slow, however once it builds up gradually, more things start to happen which makes it more interesting for the audience. The film picks up pace once Elise finally returns from her psychic retirement and enters the realms of the other plane, "The Further," to save Quinn. 

The sound effects as well as the production quality of the film are average for a typical horror film, yet at certain times like when Quinn suffers a car crash, that the sound becomes most significant when mirroring what occurs on screen. The diegetic sound effects of the crash and the glass shattering is key, which the producers managed to get spot on in creating a whirlwind of an accident.

The mise-en-scene of the location and lighting played a huge aspect of this film. Th settings were conventional to the gothic genre of a creepy dark building but also had settings of reality, such as a cluttered apartment, and places we are accustom to in our every day life. This is probably why is scared the audience more, than if it was constantly in an eerie setting. The fact that all these horror events were occuring in a normal place alerts the audience for when they're by themselves, as it almost makes it seem like these ghosts can appear from anywhere, if you're watching the film. Similarly, the lighting was also used to it's full advantage. At night in the apartment, the lighting was very dim, almost making it hard to see clearly. Thus, this enhanced the horror quotient and added to the viewing experience.

As a whole, personally, I thought the film was a tad disappointing. With high expectations created from the previous films, I had in mind that the film could potentially be a copy of the previous, however I think the producers had created a first and second film better compared to the third. Even though the film had a few effectively well-times jump scares, the film overall was a let down for what members of the audience like myself, were expecting.

R14 - Film Trailer Analysis: Ouija

(2014) 

The trailer starts off with a wide two shot of two girls outside a house at night time, with very dim lighting coming from the lamp post. The diegetic dialogue consists of the girl saying "are you sure you don't wanna come out tonight?" thus connoting that the second girl will be at home alone at night time which foreshadows that something bad is going to happen. Her use of costume presents gives the representation that she is a teenager, as she is wearing simple jeans and a tshirt. The darkness within the first scene of the trailer adds an automatic eerie sense to the trailer, foreshadowing that something bad will happen. As the trailer progresses, the suspense rises as the door closes by itself in an eye level shot, and soon after, high pitched background music can be heard. The sound effect of the door creaking shut creates an uncomfortable atmosphere.

The continuity editing of shows the girl walking around the house, up the stairs, trying to figure out where the non diegetic noises are coming from. The lighting used, shows her in very dim lighting with only lights from lamps allowing the audience to see her. However the background music intensifies and the frame cuts to a body (the girl) hanging herself in an eye level shot from her staircase. The use of the music helps us understand how to insert music into our radio trailer. When we are leading up to a climax or a disruption, we need to intensify our music to help the audience understand who it is they should be afraid off. 

A non diegetic heart beat sound effect is played in the background as a non diegetic dialogue of "I don't think this is a good idea" is spoken by a girl which is stereotypically considered the weaker gender. Her tone of voice and mode of address implies that despite being scared, she is curious to find out, whatever it is that she is doing. The frame then moves onto a blank screen with a red and black musty background as the text says "some call it a spirit board". Non diegetic sounds of children laughing is heard faintly adding more intensity to the trailer. After fading in for a few frames, it then fades into another slide with text saying "it has existed for centuries... It is used to communicate with the other side". The use of editing here presents a flow within the trailer, and gives the audience time to read the text without it moving too fast. The effect of this is so that the audience have to watch the trailer, due to the purpose of, if they don't they'll miss what the trailer said, which will make them more nervous and anxious to continue watching. This increases the suspense much more largely the audience become aware of the fact that they are talking about an Ouija board, and automatically know the 'risks' of it. 

The shot then moves to a bird eye view shot of all the teenagers looking around at each other each other whilst kneeling around the table, and then at the ouija board. A loud non diegetic bang is heard as the lights go off by itself and the music becomes louder. The glass moves by itself in a close up shot and the diegetic sound effect of the door shutting, scares the teenagers. The dialogue starts again as you can hear the girl say "this thing... is haunting us" with a more frightened and panicked tone of voice, which is then followed by another non diegetic scream. 

The shot then moves onto a mid shot of a girl flossing through her reflection in the mirror through an over the shoulder shot. in the next frame, she then ends up with a sewn mouth as she tries to scream. The use of editing here, surprises the audience as it isn't what they were expecting. Likewise, the fast paced shots, doesn't allow the audience to think about what will come next as the frame fades to the next so quickly. The conventions of a horror film can be seen here, as even though she is in her own home, supernatural things happen, containing blood - a conventional aspect of the horror genre. The frame then moves onto blood on the wall as a little girl walks down the stairs holding an old scary doll by it's leg. As she gets to the bottom, the suspenseful music dies down and a loud non diegetic scream is heard, also a conventional horror theme. 

The clip then finishes as 'Ouija' appears establishing for a few seconds. Once that fades off, another slide with text appears saying "keep telling yourself it's just a game" as well as 'coming soon'. The editing effects make the audience question their own selves about Ouija boards and how they believe it is just a fanatic. 

The use of sound used in the radio trailer is significant in how it represents the film. It has a constant use of background music, and effective use of silence, influencing my ideas for a radio trailer. Likewise, the sound effects of the screams is equally as effective as it is played when you least expect it, making the audience jump without even needing them to see what is happening. The titles within the film emphasis on the horror genre as the background colour is a dark murky red, with an olga effect making the outer corners black. The font used to present 'Ouija' seems classical, despite being a modern film however sticks to the conventions of the horror genre. The tagline also consists of the same font and colours, keeping to the theme of the film.

R13 - Film Trailer Analysis: Paranormal Activity 3

(2015)

The trailer starts off with the non-diegetic dialogue of “Katie… I want you to concentrate”. The mid shot presents two girls, one sitting colouring and the other, confusingly staring at the screen with her head tilted to one side. Both are wearing traditional white nightgowns which can normally be associated with horror films as females are often in nightgowns; perpetuating their femininity and innocence. The effect on the screen connotes that it is a recording being watched, as the visual effects often flicker across the screen as if of a recording of a screen. The dim lighting in the room connotes that this could be at night which is also often commonly linked with horror.

The frame then moves onto the computer screen, which confirms that it is a recording of a screen. The handheld recording effect moves onto a character who is dismissive to believe in the supernatural as he excitedly says there’s “paranormal videos in a box from the basement”. This foreshadows the movie to the audience as if they know of the Paranormal Activity films from beforehand, they’ll know what to expect as this is the way the film has branded itself. The shots focusing on the man are shorter than the mid shots focusing on the girl’s face on screen. When he picks up his little girl, in the background the ghostly girl is still visible connoting that she has something to do with the man and his child later on in the film.

As the hand held camera shots continue, sinister music fades in. His daughter says “there’s noises in my room” connoting her youth and innocence of being scared. A non-diegetic scream his heard as the screens go blank making the audience jump at the sudden shock. Text saying “This October” fades onto the screen in grey font with a black background which shows the audience it is around the time of Halloween; a key time of horror. The frame then moves onto high angle over the shoulder close up shots of the man opening the box on their front doorstep and discovering more videos connoting this is happening in their own home. A non-diegetic dialogue of a woman’s voice says “I’ve heard of spirit photography before, I’ve just never seen it in person” suggesting that it is the wife.

Whenever something appears on screen, a loud sting is played as the music intensifies. Throughout, there is a range of loud and quiet non diegetic screams. The music quietens down as the frame comes onto a point of view shot where he can see the back of his daughter and her reflection in the mirror. He says “what are you doing here?” as the establishing shot focuses on his daughter and as she turns her head in the mid shot, the suspense music increases louder. As soon as the visual and diegetic sound of the mirror cracking occurs, the frame goes onto a black screen.

Another non diegetic sound of “bloody Mary” occurs and the hand held shots move onto the two girls in the bathroom. The music again intensifies adding to the suspense in the audience. The bangs of heavy drums add to the volume of the intensity. The frame moves onto a dark room with an open window and a frightened woman. A black figure suddenly emerges from the window and the diegetic high pitched scream moves along to the oncoming short shots. The short frames could be so that the viewer doesn’t know what is coming next, making them more vulnerable to being scared. The loud, distressed music ends the trailer with the non-diegetic speech of ‘bloody Mary’. Two screens fade in giving more details about the film.

In every way, this film conforms to the stereotypical conventions of the horror genre. It's lighting is used in a variety of ways; dim, bright etc, and whatever time of day it is representing, it is visible in the film trailer. The use of mise-en-scene is also significant, as the costume fits the part of the trailer, and the characters perfectly. The 'normal' adults wear stereotypical clothing, for example jeans, tops and colours that compliment their gender. On the other hand, the little girls in nightgowns can be seen as a social deviance, as in this day and age, you would expect them to wear pyjamas, however it is clear now that it is conforming to the horror genre. 

The pace of the action packed trailer is fast throughout. Even though at the beginning of the trailer, clips of recordings is presented, there are moments within the trailer especially the bedroom scene where the ghost flies through the window where the cuts are short paced and fast. This adds to the ambiguity presented of the trailer as the audience do not know what to expect - a convention of a horror genre. 

The Paranormal Activity title is now very well known, as it is normally associated with home recordings of supernatural movement. Therefore because this is the third film, the audience automatically know that it is Paranormal Activity, due to the same style of the film that has been continued for all three films. The camera style mark is now symbolic for the film which has now continued for the trilogy, establishing them as a brand as well as a film. 

R12 - Poster Analysis & Film Review: Sinister 2

On the 1st September, I went to watch Sinister 2 in Cineworld. Generally I'm not a 'horror fanatic' as I get frightened watching the trailers on TV let alone watch them on the big screen. Somehow I managed to buckle myself up allow myself to sit for an hour and 50 minutes of what I thought would be constant loud noises and shocks.  

In order to not have nightmares, I pretty much had my coat almost over my face the whole time however if I had known that the film wasn't in fact too scary and was just gruesome, I think I would've managed to watch the film without jumping. 

The film starts off with a clip (seeming like it was recorded on an old handheld video camera) of a family being hung on crosses in a corn field and being burned alive. Although low camera angles are generally used to connote the victim and their point of view. This links to when the next frame is of Dylan (one of two brothers - Zachary) waking up from a nightmare. This already entices the audience to believing the whole horror film will be based around him. The camera then zooms out revealing another boy, with scars on him (Milo) causing the first jump within the audience. 

Essentially, the film is about a wife and her two sons trying to escape their abusive father/husband, and in order to do so, hide in a vacant house with a church where there was recently a murder.  In the supermarket, Courtney (the mum) spots one of her husbands friends and desperately tries to escape. 

On the other hand, a private investigator (a friend of one of the people that died in the church) was closely investigating what had happened even though the case had closed. He investigates the numerous of murders and burns down the houses in which other murders had taken place in before another family moves into them. He arrives at the farm house to destroy it but soon realises Courtney and her sons are staying there. 

As it turns out, Milo and his ghostly friends all murdered their families (Super 8), creating a video of the whole process and now want Dylan to do the same. Zach, who gets increasingly jealous craves the super 8's attention. Dylan refuses to watch any more videos after already seeing families being eaten by alligators, electrocuted in a flooded kitchen, buried alive in the snow on Christmas day, and the church murder - nailed by the wrists and feet to the floor with rats placed on their abdomens, and covered with communion goblets which are heated with coal, forcing the rats to escape by eating their way through the abdomen. The Super 8 then turn their attention to Zachary, to carry out the murder.

The deputy advises Courtney not to leave the farmhouse as it may look weird in her custody battle although his actual motive was to prevent a massacre of the family's taking place. (The murders occurred only after the families fled the homes where the previous murders had occurred). However after he leaves, Clint (the husband) comes forcing them to go back with him otherwise she will lose custody of her children.

The next day, the family are out having a picnic and Zach starts setting up the camera to create his film. After realising Zach had poisoned them with a drink, Dylan texts the Deputy for help. By the time he comes, Zach had already carried out one the murders; his father by burning him alive on the cross, and was making his way towards Dylan. However the deputy pushes him out of the way with the car and unties both of them. Zach gets angry and chases them through the fields into the house with a sickle where the super 8 create chaos by throwing things making it harder for them to hide. Just before Zach kills Dylan and Courtney, the Deputy throws the camera out of Zach's hand causing the video camera to break. As he runs to check if there's another camera to finish his film, the Super 8 tell him how mad Bughuul is going to be. At the end, the deputy goes to collect his things from the motel he was staying out when Bughuul appears, causing the last jump of the film.

Overall, there were parts of the film I didn't really get however that is probably due to me not watching the first Sinister. If I had understood the plot properly, I probably would've had a better understanding of who Bughuul (the bogey monster) was and why he made children murder the families. The film was very all over the place, and it was until I watched it for the second time, that I understood the plot properly. At first, the scene was between the policeman and the researcher, who just found the old ham radio, which was then followed by the children leaving. The sounds from the ham radio was quite frightening as it stuck to the general horror conventions i.e. a crackling radio, children's voices, laughing and crying etc. However this did add a little chill in the atmosphere and made the film seem a whole lot more creepier despite the fact that I had no idea what was going on.

On the other hand, Zach's death was very quick and sudden and the film just felt like it had stopped with the shortest ending ever. In a matter of seconds, he was burnt alive yet the anticipation leading up to it made the audience ready for a much more accentuated death, however he was just touched and then turned into ashes. Stereotypical camera angles were used, such as a high angle to show his vulnerability and him feeling intimidated by the ghost children and Bughuul but the ending was quite a let down compared to the build up of the film. It didn't feel like the climax ended the way it should have. According to the reviews the film got around a 30 mark out of 100, and 16 critics had said it was nowhere as good as the first film. 

In my opinion, I think the hype about this film was much more than how good the film actually was. Although I'm glad the film wasn't scary, the plot was predictable and you could almost tell when you were going to be scared which defers from the usual conventions of a horror to surprise when you least expect it. There were parts of the film like when the deputy went back to his colleague and heard the recording on the old ham radio of murders related to Bughuul's work and at the end where the ham radio appeared again that I didn't get and there was too much going on in the storyline. The ending however led me to assume that there would be a Sinister 3, however I personally do not think there should be another one.

• The 'olga' effect makes the movie poster add a more spooky and dark element to it
• 'Sinister' is the same font as the previous film to continue it's branding and trademark
• On the '2' there is a drawing of 2 people being hung, looking like it's been drawn by a child to add the the theme of a child being the murderer
• The blood on the wall is a conventional aspect of horror films which in this case is creating the face of Bughuul. It is centred so that it us the first thing you can see
• One of the boy's is touching the mouth of Bughuul however turning his face away yet the other is standing straight with a distorted face connoting that the innocence of children will always belong to him. 
• There is a barcode pin in the left bottom corner so audiences have another form of finding out more information about the film.
• Other texts are either in white or red to stand out against the black.
• Social networking sites are listed at the bottom so that audiences can get in touch
• The grey dark dirty wall has cracks in between - dirt and brokenness assuming it's an abandoned house, also associated with horror films. 

R11 - The Human Centipede 2

From this, I learnt that some films break the regulations of the BBFC causing it to not be released in cinema due to the distress it can cause and for it's unfit audience. 
Even by watching the trailer i personally found it distressing and uncomfortable to watch as the main character relies on the main fears of the other characters to pleasure his own gains. 

However it wasn't the content of the film that got it banned, it was the basis of the film. 
The first Human Centipede film was based on a surgeon who kidnapped 3 victims and created a centipede amongst their bodies. The sequel is about a man who becomes sexually obsessed with the DVD of the original film.  In essence, the film is considered 'obscene' and 'absurd' which was thought to generate disgust amongst the audience. This is the reason why it was rated 18, as it focused too much on the sexual arousal and humility of the characters to be a 15 rated. However it was still released on DVD despite being banned from cinema's as it would put them in discomfort. I personally agree with the rating as even from the trailer, I think the content of the film is far too discomforting for anybody less than an adult to watch. Even for an adult to watch it, I find it very gruesome to think about who could even watch it. 

R10 - BBFC

Classification/Regulation

The BBFC classification decisions are all based on the published guidelines. These guidelines have come from: extensive public consultation, research and the current views on film, DVD and video game regulation.

Theatrical released films are normally classified by two examiners using published guidlines however most decisions are ratified by a senior examiner. If the examiners are in doubt or fail to agree with each other, the piece/work may be seen by other members of the board including the Director and presidential team. 
  
DVD's are normally viewed by one examiner, although opinions from other examiners may be required for more difficult works. The examiners must take notice of a variety of issues when making decisions such as:

• drugs
• horror
• discrimination
• language
• nudity
• imitable behaviour
• sex/sexual violence
• theme
• violence

Likewise, they also consider context, the tone and the impact the work will have on the audience e.g. how it will make the audience feel. In addition, they also consider the release format, such as, DVDs watched at home, as there is a higher risk of under-age viewing.

Certification

•  Suitable for all

Parental Guidance

Cinema Release suitable for 12 years and over

Video release suitable for 12 years and over

Suitable for 15 years and over

Suitable for only adults

Adults works for licensed premises only