AICE Media Studies Blog

    After we presented our midterm submission we got both positive and negative comments. Our classes loved the concept and the plot line but felt at times that the film was moving very slow. There would 2 minutes without any major action. Moreover, the camera shots throughout the film were very shaky and the audience picked up on that. Both classes loved the innovative use of a grey filter on the film, to create suspense and a darker mood. Additionally, the camera zooming was able to heard through our shots, introducing a unprofessional aspect to out film. The film also was more similar to a short film, then a introduction. Since the main actor was killed at the end, our audiences questioned where the film was going if there was more. Both classes loved our main character, and his confidence could easily be seen throughout the film. Our dialogue throughout the film was also unnecessary and sounded forced. Therefore, after meeting with my partner we decided to re-film our enti...

Location 1: 4250 Swift Road Run Off River (wide shot)- Weston, Jayden, and Jaxson are playing on and round the treehouse overlooking the river (close-up)- Jaxson is playing with a car in the treehouse and pauses to look over the edge (shot reverse shot)- behind leaves to Jaxson back gain  (wide-shot)- Jaxson running across the yard towards the sound he heard. (close-up)- Jaxson looking out into the ravine (mid-shot)- conversation between Jaxson and Jayden (close-up)- Jayden looking out into the ravine Location 2: Southside Elementary (wide-shot)- Jaxson running to his bike after school (mid-shot)- Jaxson riding his bike in multiple takes Location 3: Macintosh Forest (close-up)- Jaxson looking into the forest (wide-shot)- Jaxson running, show trees and scale (mid-shot)- Jaxson walking up to ominous bridge (shot reverse shot)- bushes to Jaxson back gain (close-up)- Jaxson reaching out

    During the casting for our film, my partner and I decide it would be best to cast younger children. The younger children make the story more believable, as there is already theoretical evidence on children seeing supernatural beings.  Overall, we searched for innocent-looking actors, who had the best availability.    First and Foremost, for our main character we searched for a innocent and young boy. He had to be confident and ambitious, to truly drive our story along. We chose to use a little boy named Jaxson, who is a family friend of Christine. Since we both already knew Jaxson, he overall, was more comfortable during the filming process. He was truly excited to be a part of the film, allowing the filming process to be both effective and exciting. Jaxson is young but is able to comprehend and follow instruction. In our film we only had one main character as we wished to produce a feeling of isolation. This overall, added to the horror aspect of the film...

     While we were filming in the forest we took many takes from within bushes and close to the ground to add to the appear of being watched. Throughout the filming process we still had lots of fun, to keep our actors happy.

    Between the intersection of Shade and Grove and Shade and Sunnyside lies a ravine. This ravine is surrounded by vegetation, making it very secluded. It also had a few bridges which could have been used for our film. Overall, this location had more negatives then positives for our film. There was graffiti underneath the largest bridge that introduced profanity. The ravine itself also caves in and it fairly dangerous to walk through. Since we were filming with children both of this aspects introduced liabilities to the filming process. Lastly since the ravine was directly underneath a busy road, there was unpredictable background noise that would have hindered the audio of our film.

   Last year, Christine and I volunteered for a 5k at this location. We instantly noticed the beautiful scenery and the quiet atmosphere. There are many bridges, which added a eerie feel. This was essential to a horror film. Within the forest there were many dead trees, as well as many stunning spots. This allowed for us to film in certain spots to create a certain mood throughout the film. We overall, decided that this location was best, as it was vast and gave a realistic appeal. The many paths and trails allowed us to create a ominous mood for the film.

    In front of Christine's house is a large and imposing creek, which was ideal for our film. This creek had many walking paths around it, allowing for interesting camera shots and angles. The creek also had a treehouse, which added a friendly and childlike atmosphere when needed. Moreover, our younger actors also lived in the area, making them more comfortable filming in a familiar place. Although this location was also placed on a busy road, we decided that it was the most ideal filming location for film. It introduced a eerie atmosphere when needed, but allowed our actors to be comfortable. It also had many pieces of vegetation, allowing for seclusion and realism. Overall, this location was easily accessible and provided everything we needed to produce a successful film.

    During the writing of the script, I focused on following the professional script template. I tried to be as detailed as possible, so the actors would know exactly how they were supposed to perform. I also tried to explain each shot, to have a smooth production process. Although this script does have everything the film should have, it is bound to be changed once filming begins. This is due to the time management and ideas that will arise when the cameras start rolling.    Much of the dialogue is simple and quick. This allows the storyline to quickly move on, and hopefully reach and not exceed the time restrictions. Moreover, many of our actors are younger and simpler lines would be easier for them to learn and correctly say during filming. This overall, creates a productive and success filming process for this film.

THE CLAIMING ACT 1 SCOUTED LOCATION: 4250 SWIFT ROAD RUN OFF RIVER (WIDE SHOT) WESTON , JAYDEN, AND JAXSON ARE PLAYING AND WORKING ON A TREEHOUSE LOOKING OVER A RIVENE. (CLOSE-UP) WHILE JAXSON IS PLAYING HE HEARS SOMETHING AND FOLLOWS THE SOUND. HE CONITNUES TOWARDS A ISOLATED SECTION OF THE RIVENE, FOLLOWING THE SOUND. AS JAXSON GETS CLOSER TO THE MOVEMENT… JAYDEN SEES JASON DOWN BY THE RIVINE AND FOLLOWS HIM. (MID-SHOT)                           JAYDEN JAXSON! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? JAXSON I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING JAYDEN YOU KNOW MOM AND DAD DON’T LIKE IT WHEN WE GO DOWN HERE…ITS DINNERTIME JAXSON OKAY (CLOSE-UP) JAXSON LEAVES BUT JAYDEN STAYS BEHIND. SHE LOOKS IN THE DIRECTION JAXSON WAS LOOKING SECONDS BEFORE AND CALMLY WALKS AWAY, TOWARDS THEIR HOUSE. ACT 2 SCOUTED LOCATION: SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WIDE-SHOT) JAXSON LEAVING SCHOOL AND RUNNIGN ...

ACT 1 SCOUTED LOCATION: 4250 SWIFT ROAD RUN OFF RIVER (WIDE SHOT)  PAT, JAYDEN, AND JAXSON ARE PLAYING AND WORKING ON A TREEHOUSE LOOKING OVER A RIVENE. (CLOSE-UP)  WHILE JAXSON IS PLAYING HE HEARS “LAUGHTER”, AND FOLLOWS THE SOUND. HE CONITNUES TOWARDS A ISOLATED SECTION OF THE RIVENE, FOLLOWING THE NEW SOUND OF RUSTLING BUSHES. AS JAXSON GETS CLOSER TO THE MOVEMENT… JAMIE (MUFFLED) HEY GUYS, LUNCH'S READY! (WIDE SHOT)  PAT MAKES HIS WAY TO THE HOUSE. JAYDEN BEGINS TO MAKE HER WAY INTO THE HOUSE BUT STOPS AND TURNS TO SEE JAXSON NEAR THE WATER... (MID-SHOT)                            JAYDEN JAXSON! DINNER IS READY…WHAT ARE YOU DOING? JAXSON I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING JAYDEN YOU KNOW MOM AND DAD DON’T LIKE IT WHEN WE GO DOWN HERE…ITS DINNERTIME JAXSON OKAY (CLOSE-UP)  JAXSON LEAVES BUT JAYDEN STAYS BEHIND. SHE LOOKS IN THE DIRECTION JAXS...

     "Fathom" is a short film inspired by the "Slender Man". It starts off with an older gentlemen's voiceover, during the action of the same man looking angrily looking through papers. Then he flashes back to years before, to a traumatic chasing scene in dark woods. It shows a younger girl being taken by a faceless, abnormally shaped man, "the slender man". The screen fades to black and viewers are left to wonder what happens next.      This film uses many techniques to create an amazing final project. First and foremost, many camera shots and editing techniques are used to effectively create a suspenseful horror film. For example, the film used a eye line match technique in the beginning to effectively show the older man's distress and anxiety over the situation with the Slender Man. A hand-held camera was also used in the chase scene to show the stress of the situation and the hectic running that was taking place. Moreover, a low-angle shot...

    In Stephen King's "Children of the Corn" little of the story is told in the first few minutes, it instead acts as a hook for the film. In the first few minutes there is a happy diner scene that quickly turns horrifying , when a group of kids kill everyone, except a little boy, in the diner. This is essential as it convinces viewers to continue watching  to know more about the mysterious chi ldren.   This film uses many camera shots and editing techniques to successfully make a unnerving opening scene. For example, wide shots are used to show the drought and how their corn and church is a large part of their community. This allows for the viewers to characterize the community. The beginning of the film has many long takes and once the killing begin it transitions to short, abrupt takes. These takes show the quick nature of the killings. There are many close-ups throughout the film, to show the quick and dramatic change of each person's emotions before and after...

    "9" is a 2009 computer-animated science fiction film. Little of the story is told in the opening credits, but it does establish the esstenial idea of human civilization dieing off but life must remain, in some way. It shows the creator of new life, both evil and bad, and alludes to the importance of the little dolls to maintain life on earth.     This film uses many camera and editing techniques to create a unique and amazing final product. For example, in the opening scene many short takes are cut to show the lapse of time and the importance of each step in creating the dolls. The short takes also show the precision that the creator is using to make the doll.  In addition, many close-up shots are used in the first few minutes, this shows the small size of the dolls and the immense importance of each part of their creation. A wide-shot is also used to show the small size of the dolls and the destruction surrounding the characters. This film uses many camer...

    "Saw" is a 2004 horror film and in the opening scene little of the story is told. Viewers are left with two guys chained in a dark room, with a strange smell around them. Although this scene gives little information about the plot, it acts as a hook for the movie; as it draws viewers in. The film leaves viewers wondering why? and how?, consequently encouraging them to continue watching the film.    "Saw" uses many camera and editing techniques to show a scary and interesting opening scene. For example, in the first seconds a close-up is used on a man in the water, who abruptly jumps up. This gets the viewers attention and makes a clear point that something is wrong, as the character's face shows anxiety. Moreover, a high-angle shot is used while the man is in the bathtub, to show the lack of control and helplessness that the man has. Furthermore, a hand-held camera is used, to show the anxiety and stress of the situation. A eye line match is also used when...

    During the opening of "Death Note", a horror film, little of the story is told, but it sets up the school status of the main characters for the rest of the film. This is essential, because later in the film harassment and bullying plays a key role in the killing and decision making of the characters. The social status of the individuals determines if they live or die.     The film uses many camera shots and editing techniques to create a unique and successful final product. For example, the film uses a camera on a track to slowly and precisely show the emotions of each high school student. This sets the sad and depressing mood for the rest of film. There are also many close-ups throughout the beginning of this film that show each individual and their own lack of care or lifelessness. There is an over-the-shoulder shot between Light and the cheerleaders, showing the relationship that will be prominent later in the film. Moreover, there are many short takes throu...