The document provides details on the planning and research for a film analysis video on the movie "Ghost Stories." It includes a mind map identifying key concepts - arrogance, denial, guilt, and dream symbolism - to analyze. It also outlines the planned structure, with sections discussing each concept. Research needs are identified as analyzing other film analysis videos, researching the identified concepts, and finding relevant film clips. The intended audience is those over 18 interested in horror films. The style aims to be dark and mature to fit the horror genre.
2. Evidence of idea generation – mind maps - topics:
Ghost Stories Film Analysis
Arrogance:
The concept of arrogance will be discussed
in the analysis of the film as I feel that this
links in very well with the core character
and the way he perceives his own life.
Arrogance has a lot of connotations with
the concepts of pride and being full of
ones self. As Goodman is quite prideful in
the film, I feel that this will be a good
thing to talk about.
Denial:
The concept of denial should also
be discussed in the film analysis as
it connects with the biggest twist of
the film and helps to give some
clarity into how this character
perceives the world around him.
The core focus of his denial will be
his own insecurities and lack of
confidence.
Guilt:
The concept of guilt will also be analysed and
how the protagonist processes his guilt
throughout the film. This also links in with the
plot twist that appears at the end of the film. As
guilt is also the strongest underlying factor to
this character and is quite possibly the reason
why he is in denial and arrogant in the first
place; this point is the most important factor to
his character.
Dream Symbolism:
This is an ad on to the end of the
analysis that discusses the subtle
meanings to what appears in his
head. Analysing the mise-en-
scene.
3. Evidence of idea generation – mind maps - styles:
Ghost Stories Film Analysis
Colour Scheme:
The colour scheme for the film Ghost Stories is mostly
black and white with red and some of the more natural
colours associated with clothing e.g. blue, green and
white. The black and white colours are used to show a lack
of emotion or a lack of life which works with a movie
about the unquiet dead. The more casual and lighter
colours are shown on the characters to contrast the dreary
atmosphere of the background because the characters are
alive and the background is filled with ghostly shapes.
Essentially the colours used are meant to show the
contrast between life and death. As my product will be
using clips from the film I decided to design the colour
scheme based on this fact
Fonts:
I don’t really plan on using font that
much for this project however, I may
include some more basic fonts at some
points to clarify certain things or to act
as introductions to certain sections
however, the video may not possibly be
long enough for this to even be added.
Voice:
The tone of voice that I will use will be slightly
darker and quieter compared to normal. This is
because the topic of discussion is a horror film so its
perfectly reasonable to use a similar tone where
the voice is concerned. The age range will also be
18 and over because of the subject matter. No bad
language will be used in film analysis but, some
scenes may startle some of the audience.
General Setup:
The clips presented in the film
will be presented in a way that is
relevant to what is being
discussed on screen; they will be
used as examples. During
moments of narration, clips from
the trailer will be shown or other
scenes as they become
appropriate. Some examples will
be shown during narration to
save time.
4. Concept Boards: Images
A range of ideas to take forward in to production. Should include images, colour schemes and font choices. Could include
mock ups and evidence of existing design work which is inspiring you.
5. Concept Boards: Colour Schemes
A range of ideas to take forward in to production. Should include images, colour schemes and font choices. Could include
mock ups and evidence of existing design work which is inspiring you.
The colour red can be used to draw attention to certain parts of the scene; use red circles in the video. This colour may also pop up throughout
the video in some of the film scenes that will be included in the film such as, in the form of blood or just a simple colour tinge the colour also
appears on most of the posters. The black colour does crop up quite a lot in the film and will appear quite a lot in the video for this reason. Grey is
also a prominent colour that appears in the film to show Goodman's over casted viewpoint of the world. The blue colour is used to place
emphasis on the supernatural aspects. The colour is seen on most of the film posters. I may end up using the posters in the analysis video for
some of the still images. White is another colour that pops up on its own throughout the film and in the poster. Its used with the babies crib to
connote innocence and virtue. I imagine this colour will just pop up in the film clips. A darker shade of grey does appear during the flashback
sequences as they all occur at night so the grey colours all appear to be darker. The brown colours appears at certain instances throughout the
film as well , especially in the first case and the sewer scene after the third case. The shades of this colour do change depending on the scene of
course with the lighter browns being at the start
6. Structure:
A plan for your video. What is the purpose of the video, what is you intended direction, what are you trying to say?
Intro- brief discussion mentioning the point of the video. Ask questions/step into the viewers shoes first. Following this, add a title screen for the
title. SPOILERS WHEN DISCUSSING FILM
Part 1: Intro-The intro will start off with a greeting and an overview of the film and the character. Important plot details will also be discussed
here. As the analysis of the film is about the protagonist, a basic overview of him will be given here. All of the important plot details will also be
discussed.
Part 2: Arrogance-Here, the more nefarious parts of his personality will be discussed in relation to his history. How his family and school life
effected his view of all belief systems. Use evidence to support his arrogance. Plot points that relate to his arrogance would be substantial.
Part 3: Denial-Aspects of his personality that show signs of denial. The ending plot twist is a very good point for this. The ending itself
encapsulates this point in its entirety as well though, foreshadowing towards this can also be talked about here.
Part 4: Guilt-Moments in the film that exemplify his guilt. Related to the denial sequence but, moments that express his bottled up guilt rather
than his denial will be talked about. Some of the foreshadowing is related to his guilt so this will be discussed. How the other characters
personalities represent parts of his guilt. The suicide attempt.
Part 5: Dream Symbolism-Seen as the story take place in his head while he is locked in/comatose it would only make sense to utilize information
from the internet regarding dream meanings/symbolism. Normal symbolism will also be discussed here.
Visual: The visual elements for the analysis will simply include moments from the film that are important to what is being discussed. When there
is narration the sound from the video footage will be cut out so the narration can be heard clearly. Every time an example from the film is
needed, the respected clip will play along with its audio. As clips can be hard to come by, some images or other scenes will be used as filler
instead. Title cards will be used when the focus of the video shifts to another point. Maybe some title cards for quotes.
7. Content research:
What materials and info do you need for your production? The core of a good factual project is doing the background work in
terms of researching the topic and getting the right contributors. Use this and additional slides to collect this. Reference your
sources.
For the contextual information I will research some analytical videos as they
prove to be very useful where the factual project is concerned. The general
setup for them will be generally quite helpful. Research into the topics
mentioned in the mind map above will give me the information needed to
make this project fly; make sense. Researching dreams will also help when
trying to develop the dream symbolism segment and will help to provide
more evidence for guilt, arrogance and denial using props and locations that
appear throughout the film. Information on the director and actors isn’t
necessarily important however, briefly mentioning the actors ability to
portray the role will be nice filler or be a nice touch at the end of the film.
There isn’t much I need when it comes to outside clips regarding interviews
or otherwise but, I will need to find some clips of the scenes that are
necessary for the film analysis; examples to prove points that will be
discussed in the analysis and visual elements that will be used during
narration. The scenes used will vary depending on what’s being discussed in
the analysis. Narration that describes Rifkind will be backed up with Rifkind
etc. These scenes will most likely be found on youtube.
8. Planning
• I will be using my own voice and visuals from existing clips and footage because having the visuals stay as scenes from
the film will allow the analysis to flow much smoother into each section/when examples are being made to the
audience.
• I will need clips from the film for the visual elements. I will need to create a script for the narration as that can not be
improvised. I will need to do some research into meanings for dreams and on other topics that are presented.
• My intended audience is 18 and over seen as that is the age rating for the film. The gender doesn’t matter at all in this
case as there is nothing either gender would dislike. Because of the topic, it would only make sense for the film analysis
to be based around the audience that enjoys horror films. Especially ghost stories, the film the analysis is based
around.
• I intend to go for a more mature and dark style. Using the basic analytical formulae and hopefully synthesize this idea
with the way creepy pasta channels tell their stories which will result in an analysis that should hopefully be fit for a
horror film.
• I have decided to make a film analysis because it has become a fairly well known and recognised format on Youtube
now; the narration over film clips is the most common and saves Youtubers from having to show their faces plus it
makes it more engaging for the viewer
Editor's Notes
Add in:
List of potential focuses for analysis for the piece, literally list them with 10-20 words to justify each point, e.g. Grief – the theme of grief is prevalent in the film and links with other similar films from within the genre, for example….
Try and think of 4 or 5 potential focuses for you analysis, my suggestions are: Themes, production context, director, actors, setting, genre, visual style (easily more than 5!)
Add in:
50 words on tone of voice to fit the intended audience for the piece [18-24 year olds?]
50 words on use of film clips to illustrate points made in script
Add in:
50 words on content research about the film – what do you need for contextual information? Mention: Quotes from the director, info on the production contexts (budgets, choice of actors, etc)
50 words on potential contributors or obtaining clips (audio or video) of actors, directors in conversation/interviews to support your points
Remember, you just need to say what you will research, no the actual evidence of this, just list it and why you might use it, like I’ve listed above
Basic planning info [about 20 words per point):
I will be working as voice and visuals from existing clips and footage because….
I will need the following: clips, a script, references from books/other videos/theory/interview excerpts/etc
My intended audience is…
My intended style is…
I have decided to do it this way because...”it’s a recognised format on YouTube now, people use it as a springboard to other analysis and exploration of the subject of film. Other examples are….”