Prop List

• Torches (the characters will be holding the torches)
• Mobile Phones (for the characters to communicate with each other)
• Video player (the characters will be shown watching the old footage of Slender Man on this video player)
• Slender man notes (these notes will be found scattered around at the location)

We decided to use a limited amount of props to emphasise the horror. This idea is portrayed in 'The Blair Witch project' (which is one of the films that inspired us) where the characters only have a hand-held camera. Therefore, our Horror trailer will follow and relate back to conventions of real Horror movies/trailers.

Time Lapse

Here is how the time-lapse looked when I increased the contrast levels and decreased the brightness.

However, when I done this, I found that the clip was unclear and blurry.

This was the clip after I added the 'thunder  bolt' sound effect. But I hadn't taken out the natural sound effects that the video camera picked up whilst it was recording. Therefore the clip sounds uneven.

Here is the completed time-lapse, where I took the natural sound out (using iMovie) and used the 'thunderbolt' sound effect. I decided to upload the final version onto YouTube so that I can receive feedback that may be useful for the Horror trailer. 

This time-lapse will be included in our horror trailer. However, when editing, we will cut some of it out as it will be unnecessarily long.

Editing the time-lapse on iMovie

I decided to edit the time-lapse on iMovie because I find easier and quicker to use, compared to Windows Premiere.

Step 1: Firstly, I dragged all of the footage onto the timeline so that i could edit it. I then highlighted the beginning of the footage and deleted it, because there wasn't much clouds shown in them.

Step 2: I then highlighted all the remaining footage and double-clicked on it to change the duration to 10 seconds.

Step 3: I did not no how to change the contrast and brightness levels on iMovie, so I decided to go onto YouTube to see how to.

I then discovered that to change the contrast and brightness levels, I have to double-click on the sequence and go onto 'video' where I can alter the exposure, brightness, contrast and saturation levels.

Step 4: Next, to add sound effects, I typed 'thunder' into the search bar and dragged the 'thunder bolt' sound effect onto the sequence.

Time-lapse

Using a VC9 (Cannon HD video camera) and a tripod, I decided to film a time-lapse to test out whether it will combine together with our trailer effectively. However, for our final horror trailer, we will shoot it at our location.

I recorded the scenary of the sky, clouds and trees for 2 hours from 10am to 12pm.
Once I get the footage converted on a hard drive, I will then edit it using iMovie to speed it up and MAYBE change the contrast/brightness levels.

Test Shots - Quick Zoom

In one of the clips of our trailer, there will be quick zoom up to Slender Man (villain). This will be the first time the audience will see him in the trailer, which I think will look effective and will create suspense.
In the test video, we used a hand-held camera and ran up to the subject. The footage was then sped up on iMovie.

Test Shots - Running Scene .

Our trailer consists of a lot of fast action scenes, so we decided practice and record various clips of someone running. From watching other Horror trailers such as 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre', we noticed that  in order to keep the speed of the action going, the camera shots and angles change rapidly. 
In the video, we placed the camera on different angles, such as a close up of the feet, medium shot of the legs and a high angle shot to show that the person is running.
The footage was then edited and manipulated on iMovie.

Test Shots - Conversation.

• This was a practice shot which includes medium/close up shots, over shoulder shots and shot-reverse shots of two people having a conversation. 
• For our Horror trailer, when editing, we will cut out all of the background diegetic sounds, expect the two voices.
• In many horror movies, there are mostly one-line conversations between the characters. So this is something that we will consider when we record our Horror trailer.

Locations

In our group, we decided to walk around locally and take pictures (using an SLR camera) of the locations of some of our shots.
Here are a few images that we captured;

This will be the abandoned house that the 4 teenagers will break into. However, the house doesn't look quite abandonded, so this is something that we have to consider.

This is an alleyway where the victim (final girl) will be running through. It will be shown through a long/medium shot. We will shoot the clip at a later time than this, so that it is dark.

These shots will be where the teenagers are shown exploring the strange area.

Confirming our Film name

I decided to ask 10 people in our sixth form (target audience) which name they'd prefer for our film out of the ones that we came up with as a group.
Here where the results;

Finally, we had decided to name the film 'Slender Man' as it is simple and pronounceable. Also, our target audience are young adults, therefore it will be likely that they have heard of 'Slender Man' (from word-of-mouth or internet) and they'll briefly know what the film is based on.

Deciding on a movie (trailer) name

Our initial idea for the name of our horror trailer/movie was 'The Man'. But we had decided to think of other potential names, as 'The Man' was too basic and did not reveal what the movie will be about.Here is a brainstorm of our ideas;

• The majority of the names we brainstormed were in German and Old English.
• 'Der Schlanker',  'Der Ritter' and 'Der Grosmann'- these names relate back to The German legends of Slender Man as they are all tranlations of 'Slender Man' in German.
• If we were to name our film one of these names, then the audience will assume that the film holds its history.
• However, we have to consider that our target audience are young adults and they will be familiar with the term 'Slender Man' (as has become an internet meme) rather than 'Der Ritter' or 'Der Schlanker'.

Shooting schedule

Day 1 of shooting

Shots	Location	Duration	Cast	Props	Description
Shot 1	Woods	20 mins – 3-3:20pm	Trees	No props	Long shot To show audience where the location is
Shot 2	Woods	30 mins 3:20-3:50pm	Michael	No props	Long shot/ Handheld Running from Slenderman
Shot 3	Woods	2 hours 3:50-5:50pm	Taylor (final girl)	No props	Zoom shot Her running away
Shot 4	Woods	20 mins 5:50-6:10pm	Diegetic noises	Vocals
Shot 5	Woods	20 mins 6:10-6:30pm	Slenderman	Suit, mask	Long shot/Extreme Long Shot Him waiting and stalking

Feedback from our target audience

These are few questions that I asked a few sixth form students, in relation to our spoof horror trailer. Here is on student's response;

(1) Did you get scared from watching the trailer?
     Yes, it made me jump at the end when the music got dramatic and the masked man was shown.

(2) What did you like about the trailer?
I thought the clip where the victim was getting chased by the villain looked suspenseful and effective.

(3)What do you think could have been added? E.g. sound effects, props, characters etc.
I think that that there could have been more characters shown and also natural sound effects too.

(4) Did the teaser trailer make you want to watch the film?
Yes I would. I found the trailer quite scary, however I think if there were more characters shown and more footage then it would have been better.

Video response of spoof trailer 'The Man'

Here is a short video response to my spoof trailer. I chose to ask someone who was around my age group as it appeals to my target audience and that way I could recieve useful feedback and constructive criticism.

Slender Suits - The Documentary of Slender Man

Here is a video from YouTube that had been uploaded. It is a documentary about Slenderman.

'Stories indicate that victims who have ran from Slenderman can never escape'

In this YouTube documentary, the mise en scene emphasises the horror as it was shot in the forests surrounded by tall trees and darkness.

 At 0:45, there is a low angle pan of the trees, and my group was inspired by this type of shot. After watching this video, we are considering to use the panning shot within our own horror trailer, as we will be shooting a scene in the forest too.

Storyboard

Here is a scan of our story board. It includes all of the camera shots, and a short description of what each scene will include.

However, when we are ready to start filming the scenes, our choice of shots and camera angles may change. Therefore, these may not be final order and choice of shots.

(1) -Wide & Establishing shot of forest
      -slow suspenseful drone (non-diegetic music)
     - This may be the opening of our trailer as it shows main location
(2) -Panning through the forest/ extreme long-shot
     -suspenseful drone continues. More non-diegetic music plays over
(3)- Production logo 'LIONSGATE'
    -Black screen with logo displayed
    -Logo will fade out as the music continues to play
(4)-Long shot of abandoned house
    -mystical music starts playing
(5) -Two-shot of the 2 characters discussing whether to go into the abandoned house
     -Their voices are heard (diegetic sound)
     - After there short speech, dramatic music will start. This will enhance the drama and tension.
(6) -Shot-reverse shot of the 2 characters' extended conversation

(7) -Close up of box (which will be underneath the table)
     - Teenagers in background
     -There will be a diegetic sound of a creaking door as they open it
(8) -Medium close-up of 2 teenagers (although all 4 teenagers are there, only 2 are shown) watching the old footage that they discover in the box
     -No sound effects. Only the sound of the footage will be heard, to emphasize its significance.
(9) -Handheld shot/long shot
     -Old black & white footage is shown in full screen
(10)-Mid-shot of all 4 teenagers reaction after watching the footage.They are frightened and also confused
(11) -Extreme-long shot of the final girl running through forest
       -Music speeds up to emphasise the situation
       -Also, a close up shot as the final girls runs whilst holding a handheld camera facing towards her feet.
       -Natural sound. Breathing, panting
(12) -Extreme long-shot of forest, with Slender Man shown disguised in it
      - Medium shot of Slender Man wearing suit. A handheld camera will run up to him (into a close-up shot)
      - Rising drone music
Here is an image I found called 'Dark Alley'on http://taenaron.deviantart.com/art/Dark-Alley-182627126 by a photograpgher named Taenaron. I thought this image was striking and a location like this will be perfect to shoot in, as it like a scene out of a horror movie. The image is similir to one of our shots (shot 12), where Slender Man will be standing in the distance.

(13) -Black screen with 'THIS SUMMER' displayed in white
       -Text is then faded out whilst music gets louder
(14) -Medium shot of legs running
       -Natural sounds: breathing/screaming/panting. Possibly a non diegetic heartbeat
       -Medium close-up shot of final girl screaming
       -Extreme close up of face sweating and crying
(15)-Drone sound plays again
      -Black screen with 'DON'T' displayed in white
      -Text is then faded out whilst music gets louder
(16)- Long-shot of Slender Man standing in forest
       -High angle of two characters looking frightened and vulnerable
(17)  -Black screen with 'LOOK' displayed in white
        -text is faded out
   

(18) -Black screen with 'BACK' displayed in white
       -Text is faded out
(19)-Extreme/long-shot of camera panning, until Slender Man is shown.
      -The music will be quiet until Slender Man is seen
(20) -Black screen with 'SLENDERMAN' shown in a different colour and font to the other texts
(21)-Black screen with 'Coming Soon'/Date or release
      - Text will fade out
(22) -Extreme long-shot of a tiny light seen in distance
       -Light gets brighter and bigger as it moves closer to camera
       -Natural sound: stepping on leaves, footsteps
(23)- This will be the final shot where the final girl runs past camera (medium/long-shot)
      -Natural sound: crying, panting

Working on our Story-board

Here is a few images of the making of our story-board.

While creating our storyboard, we watched our spoof traliler to get an idea of which camera angles look effective. So we decided to have a range of different camera shots/angles. We also watched other trailers on YouTube such as 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and 'Saw' to acknowledge what we have to include in our storyboard.

Rather than black and white, I decided to colour in the storyboard to make it clear and to understand the mise en scene.


 












We did the drawings as detailed as possible and clearly thought through the scenes we want to include and what type of angle and shot we will include them with.