2. Genre
The genre of our two minute film opening is a Thriller with a sub genre of Horror.
The typical conventions of a horror film include: dark lighting, slow audio, red and black colouring, as well as
low lighting in a certain area (creating shadows and an overall mysterious setting).
Angles in Horror/Thriller films tend to vary. For example, canted angles can be used in order to create
confusion as well as disorientation, long tracking shots can be used to create tension, and point of view shots
to portray what the protagonist/antagonist is looing at. Depth of field are also often used to blur the
background and to focus the attention to the protagonist. We aim to include these in our film to ensure that
there is a build up of tension and suspense.
Furthermore, slow editing is another aspect which successfully creates suspense and an unsettling feeling; the
audience senses because nothing has been at fast pace for a while, something bad is going to happen.
Therefore, we will try to include this in the opening.
3. Pitch-Narrative
The film opening will begin with a young girl asleep in bed. She is awoken by a strange noise
coming from outside her room. She gets out of bed and looks outside in various rooms to find
The source of the disturbance. Unsuccessful in her attempt she returns to her bedroom and
Continues sleeping. She later hears another noise, but this time it’s coming from inside her
Room. She looks up as she is sure she could hear footsteps walking into her room but no-one
Is there. She lies in bed but this time she hides, as she is scared and she can hear the noise
Again but louder, so she looks up. The end of the film opening will show a figure standing in
The doorway of her room representing the Antagonist and the film will end.
4. Target Audience and Story archetypes
Our target audience are both male and females aged 12 and over.
The story archetype that our Horror/Thriller film will fit into will be flight and pursuit. The unidentified Antagonist will be
Terrorizing and pursuing the Protagonist in a seemingly subtle way through showing her that they are present in the
House by making disturbing noises to wake her up.
The audience will know that there is an Antagonist present because we will include disturbing sounds to show that there
Is another person in the house and due to the Protagonist’s confusion and concern that there’s someone else In the
House, it’s clear that they are unwelcome in the home-dangerous.
We will end the opening sequence on a cliff hanger- the Protagonist’s appearance will partly be shown, to shock the
Audience and make them wonder what happened next. This will not only shock the audience but it’ll lift tension and
Ensure that the audience are intrigued.
5. Mise En Scene
Our film opening will be located in an ordinary house to create a sense of realism.
The interior of the house will be slightly antique, yet modern at the same time. In order
To create a mixture of both antique and modern, we will add antique props such as
Dolls or old-fashioned furniture. By setting the film opening in a house it will comply with
The conventions of a thriller, as it is realistic yet eerie.
We will be working with natural lighting for the film, which will entail waiting until it’s night time to be able to film.
The reason for this is so as the setting looks as realistic as possible and shows the audience that it is night time. We
Will add extra light where it’s needed- from lamps, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to see much on the camera. Also,
Using dim lighting will accentuate facial shadows and will add to the eeriness of our film.
The main filming areas will be in the Protagonist’s bedroom, the hallway and the dining room.
