Filming Practice *what are you doing*

In todays lesson we practised our film techniques. Once I was put into a group we then had to create a scene where the phrase 'what are you doing here' was said. We were able to choose the atmosphere in which the phrase was said. The first atmosphere that 'what are you doing here' was stated was an angry atmosphere. The second was suprised, and last was nervous.The purpose of this task was to make sure we understood different camera angles and the way in which certain angles can connotate certain feelings to the audience. We learnt how to steadily hold the camera and keep it in place.

Research target audience and similar films

Similar films to the one we have created the opening two minutes to, include:
-The poltergeist
-The sixth sense
-Paranormal Activity (1,2,3 and 4)
-Insideous
-The others
-Possesion
-Lady in the water
-The Gathering

The target audience for the films above are either 15 or 18 this is because the genre of film is not suitable to be viewed by anyone below those ages because of its content.

Research and Planning - Soundtrack Research.

For our film we have researched eery sound effects and songs played by instruments such as the piano. We have also researched songs sung by small children because a cliche used in most horrors have a small child either singing or speaking slowly with an echoey effect creating a tense atmosphere throughout the film. I came across the perfect soundtrack that was easy enough to replicate on the piano (deck the halls) it is a well known christmas song which it why we thought it would be appropriate. However, when our idea changed so that the time of filming was no longer christmas we were no longer able to use deck the halls. So instead, to still fit in with the theme again, we willl use a babys lullaby, which the audience will hear more than once in the opening two minutes.The lullaby is more suited to the plot then deck the halls. Jess and I are very happy with our new soundtrack.

Research and Planning - Film Certificate

The U logo on films represents Unrestricted Public Exhibition, suitable for all age groups. Films

under this category shouldn't negatively affect children under the age of 4 years old. The films under this certificate should include:
-No Drug Innuendo
-No Nudity
-Mild prafanity or crude humour
-Mild sexual references
-Educational or family-orientated themes
-Mild violence





The PG logo stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children.












The 12A logo stands for accompanied and 'advisory, 12A means that anyone aged 12 or over can go and see the film unaccompanied. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult (eg someone over the age of 18), who must watch the film with them.

The 12 logo is just for videos, DVDs and games. The 12A logo is for films only.




No-one under 15 is allowed to see a Certificate 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a Certificate 15 DVD or video game. Parents are warned that Certificate 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age, Certificate 15 films could include any of the following:
-strong violence
-frequent strong language
-portrayals of sexual activity
-strong verbal references to sex
-sexual nudity
-brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
-discriminatory language or behaviour
-drug taking




No-one under 18 is allowed to see a Certificate 18 film at the cinema or buy/rent a Certificate 18’ rated DVD or video game. No ‘18’ rated works are suitable for children.

-very strong violence
-frequent strong language and/or very strong language.
-strong portrayals of sexual activity
-scenes of sexual violence
-strong horror
-strong blood and gore
-discriminatory language and behaviour

Researching and Planning - Mood Board

Research and Planning - Filming and Editing.

During our filming, we were faced with many complicatons at the start, such as how to get a steady hold of the camera to create the best effects we can to our characters and script.

Day One: After filming only scenes one and finding that it was going to be a lot harder than expedcted Jess and I stopped filming, and agreed to continue after better planning.
Day Three: After Jess and I had discussed what we were going to do differently about how we filmed we started a fresh and filmed scenes one to three.
Day three: we managed to finish filming all scenes.
Day Four: When we started to edit we realised lighting and movement was still a problem and so Jess and I borrowed a tripod and tried to film at different times of the day so that the lighting would be different from previous tries.
Day Five: Once everything had been filmed we started editing, this consisted of us changing lighting, adding transitions, sound effect, and trimming certain scenes.

Research and Planning - The Script

Shot 1
-Miramax (eery music)

Shot 2
- camera zooms towards the front door. Once inside the house the camera then follows through the hallway into the dining room where the mother in the past is writing a letter about her suicide.

-Voiceover (shanie) - Im sorry, I didnt mean for things to end up this way. But I cant cope, its too hard looking after her on my own. nobodys helping me and nobody is listening. I tried, I really really tried, and I love her but I have to put a stop to this now.  

- Baby starts crying.

Shot Two
-the camera then follows her footsteps up the stairs. the camera will flash so that you can see to black, until she reaches the top of the stairs.

Shot Three
Shanie then suffocates the child. (lullaby plays)

Shot Four
-Shanie overdoses.
-Screen turns to black
- Baby still crying

Shot Five
-Natasha: welcome to our new home sweetiepie, from now on it is going to be just us.
-Nastasha leaves the room once placing her daughter into a standing play area, whilst she leaves to get the childs walker from the boot of the car. Once she is out of the room harriet (the daughter) has caught the attention of something, the camera then pans out so the audience can see what she is looking at. It will reveal that she has caught the attention of shanie. Who has returned to the house.