The document discusses elements of horror films and two potential plot ideas for a student horror film project. It provides details on the plots, which involve teenagers discovering spirits in an attic or children being stalked by a serial killer while home alone. Recommendations are given for soundtracks, locations, directing techniques like editing, cinematography and mise-en-scene to create tension and scare audiences. Requirements like equipment, actors, props and location permission are also listed.

1. Pitch
Katie Burke

2. Research
Horror is a genre of film that wants a negative reaction from
viewers, this is done by playing with the audiences fears. All
horror films are created to scare the audience, whether it’s by
using a jumpy, creepy or gory scene. Horror films often make
films based on nightmares, fears and terror of the unknown and
plots are commonly of supernatural origin in the everyday life.
Some examples of relevant elements used in horror films are
ghosts, demons and serial killers.

3. Plot Ideas
1
Teenagers find secret place in the loft
of a family house where there are old
children's toys, they investigate and
unlock spirits from the past, there’s a
flashback to what happens in the past
to inform audience, they then find
information e.g. old pictures and a
map to the nearby library, it’s their
mission to follow the instructions given
to save themselves and the family from
being killed, they have been on a timer
since they revealed the hidden place.
Scary things happen throughout the
time they have. The flash back is where
a different group of kids dealt with the
same situation and ran out of time.
2
Kids are home alone, the news is on in
the background about a serial killer on
the lose, they all plan to go out but
then their plans change when the hear
noises and want to investigate, there is
someone in their home but they think
that it is each other making the noises
so they think its a game until they
hear screaming and one girl is missing.

4. Soundtracks
Plot 1
There is score sound throughout the
trailer, for example the woman in black
use ‘crossing the causeway’ but there
could be sounds of creepy clockwork
sounds to show timer and sounds of
old children's toys.
Plot 2
Eerie score music throughout the
trailer like the score which is used for
the trailer to MAMA.

5. Location
Plot 1
A house with a loft that is accessible.
A library that can be used in the
evening to get the right lighting for
the horror genre.
Plot 2
Somebody's house that is accessible
to use for majority of filming..

6. Direction
Editing
• Short, jumpy clips that quickly
move onto to one another. This
makes the trailer dramatic.
• Enhanced music at peak narratives.
• A fade or dissolve transition may be
used when showing a trough in the
trailer which calms people for a
short time then using a horror
scene straight after has a greater
impact in the audience.
Cinematography
• Establishing shot to show full
length of setting.
• Low key lighting to create tension
and the correct atmosphere. Small
areas of light for shadows.
• May use close ups to show facial
expressions e.g. a victim who is in
fear or the suspect to make people
jump.
• Over the shoulder shot to make the
suspect unseen.
• Wide angle shot , this exaggerates
the distance that is shown and
allows people to enter the scene.

7. Linking to my ancillary
task
• Same colour scheme
• Use the same font throughout
• Mise-en-scene is done for all areas at the
same time.
• Think about location for each, do we want it
the same?

8. What will I need?
• MAC pc
• iMovie
• SLR Camera
• Garage Band
• Appropriate actors
• Dark clothing and makeup
• Any props that may be used
• Location permission