The student proposes a short horror film in a found footage vlog style to combine their interests in filmmaking and graphic design. They want to research films like "Grave Encounters" and "Blair Witch Project" for inspiration and posters like "Saw" and "Halloween" for style. The goal is to leave audiences feeling creeped out and unsure by building tension through panicked characters, increased music, and flashes in the background. Shooting in a home-style video format will make the story feel more real and immersive.

1. C0
Tell me in no more than 20 words, what is your FMP
idea?
A short horror film, only 5-8 minutes, in a found
footage vlog style.
Why have you decided to make it? I’ve recently developed an interest in horror and films
in general, so I think it would be really fun to not only
research and plan, but produce too. I would also love
to design some posters using Photoshop, so this
combines my interests in graphic design and
filmmaking.
What about your project makes it important to you? It’s important to me because I’m really into the genre
and filmography, plus I’ve always loved story telling so I
love the opportunity to show that in film. It’s also
important to me because my love of film has come
from my friends and the conversations we’ve had,
especially about horror, so the idea of doing a short
film with all of them is meaningful to me.
Outline some of the initial influences on your
idea/work and some potential research targets
(remember, research isn’t just a paper based activity)
In terms of found footage a film influence would be
‘grave encounters’, a film that was shown to me in
September. Additionally I’ve been told my idea has a
Blair Witch style vibe, so that would also be a good film
for research. In term of poster design, I really like the
‘Saw’ posters, alongside the ‘Halloween’ posters
because of their signature style and overall creepiness,
which would make them perfect for my research.
What effect do you want to have on your audience
when they see your project?
I want the audience to be left feeling really creeped
out and unsure. I want it to be something that will
leave an impact and have you thinking about it for a
while. For example, I want it the audience to be able to
have long discussions about possible theories and the
overall film, whilst also not leaving the film too open
ended. When I think of how I want the audience to
feel, I think of how I see horror films and the things I
like to say when talking about them.
Describe the tone/mood/style of your project [which
production techniques/characteristics are you
employing?]
The style of the video will be very home like and real,
as the entire project will be shot like a personal vlog.
The mood will originally be quite bright with an under
tone of creepiness, like that feeling off something
being off but you can’t tell what. Then as it progresses,
it will become more and more tense. I will do this by
making the characters more panicked, increasing the
music tempo and volume, more jittery filming, flashes
of things in the background that aren’t quite right, the
use of Foley like twigs snapping, running etc.
Why have you decided to make your project in this
style?
I feel like a home-style type video will make it seem a
lot more immersive, like it actually happened,
especially seen as there are no outright paranormal
elements. To me, I always find horror films that could
be real a lot scarier and they unsettle me for longer,
which is what I’m hoping to achieve with the audience.
I feel as though the vlog like camerawork and the
increase in tension with the feeling of something not
being right (which most people have experienced at
least once) will help with this a lot.