1) The document describes the process of creating a short horror film by a student film group. 2) They researched conventions of horror films and used different camera shots and angles to create suspense. 3) While the film met the goals of warning about online strangers, areas for improvement included acting, sound, and allowing more time for planning.

1. Unit 2 Task 8
By Tasnuva Niha

2. The Brief
The aim of the brief was to produce a short film of horror genre targeted towards the teenagers nowadays to
warn them the dangers of trusting strangers titled “The devil’s Playground”. The product has to be 5 to 7
minutes long. As the film is of horror genre, it needs to have the codes and convention of a horror movie.

3. Aims of the product:
The product is a short film of the horror genre to warn teenagers of the dangers
of talking or meeting strangers on social media. The product is for teenagers
nowadays who are so engulfed in social media that they do not worry or know
about the demerits and the far stretching problems that can come with it. The
short film my group made was about two teenagers who meet a new boy and
easily become friends with him with out properly knowing him. The story
supports the fact that how easily we trust people. The film was a metaphor of
social media where we meet a lot of strangers and trust them too easily give
them our personal information.

4. Organization:
To meet the conditions of the brief we researched through different horror movies for example :
“Scream”, “ Final destination”. From these movies we got ideas about conventions and cameraworks of
the stereotypical horror movies. From these movies, we also researched how to make a scene look
dramatic or bring the horror genre.
The camerawork was keenly observed and we made our own powerpoints showing the cameraworks
and conventions of these horror movies which further gave us proper knowledge of the horror genre. We
researched camera shots used in horror movies.Furthermore, we researched all kinds of camera shots
to use the best ones for our short film. It was helpfull as we could easily decide what shot to according to
the scenes.

5. Organization:
We also researched the mise en scene. The colour symbols and costumes were our main focus. The mise
en scene also included lighting, We researched how bright and dim lightings can be affected by the film’s
storyline and genre. The location used in horror movies was the main focus as we had to decide a
location to shoot the movies. We gave importance to the settings as it is essentials to create suspense.
We also researched different theories related to horror movies. For example”The Male Gaze Theory”.
These theories were really helpful as they gave us an idea about how to attract audience.

6. Organization:
After we were separated into two men teams, we made our own plots. Each team had two plots. So that
we can have choices before about the story. We also included the budget and all necessary stuff which
gave us a clear idea about cons and pros of each plot.
Our team came up with a plot about
We also made our own brainstorm pages where we included all the things we want in our short film. The
brainstorm was really helpful as it gave us ideas for the plotlines we created.

7. Planning:
Organisation:
Pre - Production:
We were split into teams, our group consisted of myself Tasnuva, Reisha, Caitlin, Josh and Kai.
We researched about the horror genre and discussed about how we can bring it in our movie to meet the
requirements of the brief. So we chose the school as the set for our film as the audience ( teenagers) can
then relate to it. We decided on our plot which will be how two teenage girls meet a new boy and very
easily put their trust in him without properly knowing him. So the girls and their schools work as a
metaphor for social media where we meet new people everyday. So we decided to show the dangers of
trusting a stranger using the horror genre. For this reason, we tried to make it more suspenseful and
thrilling. To reflect the narrative conventions of the horror genre we decided to include a murder which
will metaphorize the danger of believing strangers more clearly.
Our group was split into different roles. I had the role of acting one of the girls. It was decided that all of us
will also help with the camerawork.

8. Planning
Production:
All the members in our group had different roles to play to successfully make a great film. My Role was to act
as one of the girls. I have never acted in my life. Yet I tried to give my best performance as Alice. To be honest,
It wasn’t that hard to play the of a character who is a normal school girl just like me.
I also helped with the camerawork. I did a point of view shot. The shot was used to show the situation from
the actors’ point of view. I moved the camera at a 180’ , so that it looks like we were searching for the thing
that made the noise. At some point, I shaked my hand and with thaat josh made a noise to show how the girls
got starlet suddenly . The sound and the my hand shakes the camera at the same time, which contrasted with
each other and created a suspenseful situation.
I also helped decide my teammates on shot we were using the shooting of the film.
Overall I tried my best to be as helpful as possible and tried to contribute in making a good film.

9. Planning
Production:
During the shooting of the film, the members of my group constantly switched roles between camera person,
acting and directing. We also discussed about the shots we have to use for each scene.
After the movie was finished, we started with the editing.
All the members of our team helped with the editing work. All the members of the group also gave feedback to
each other . It made our editing even more better. Also it shows each scene had some kind of contribution from
every member in editing.
The editing part was specially fun as all of us had fun doing it. It also gave our film the final touch it needed. All
of us participated even when they were not doing the editing. We were looking at the edited movie to see if there
are any scopes of improvement. It helped greatly as we noticed stuff that the editor did not notice. So we were
able to help each other during their editing.

10. Areas of Improvement:
In my opinion, our film would have been even better if we could use a bigger variety of camera shots. But
because of the movie being a horror movie we used shots that goes with the genre for example point of view
shot which was used in the film to show the situation from the girl’s point of view. It was used to create the
suspense. However it could’ve been better if we could use some establishing shots to set the plot for example
shots of the school from outside. The camera was shaking too much. The cameraman’s laughter was audible in
the movie. The camera shots were used at wrong time.
It could've been better all the members could cooperate with each other rather than giving their opinion the
most priority. It was a major hole in our teamwork. Also there were problems with deciding what camera shot
to use or what should we do to fit all the things we wanted to show in a short film. It shows our lack of
preparation, also shows the issues with our teamwork.
We showed the murder of the girls in a passive way. We did not show any kind of blood or ghoury scenes
related to the murder. It would have better if we could show it in a rather direct yet non-violent way.

11. Areas of Improvement:
The sound could have been better. The dialogues were not audible. Noises could be heard at the
background. Also the sound effect at the beginning of the film was too hyped which does not go with the
horror genre.
The actors were all looking at the camera. Acting was too stiff. Some of the dialogues did not go with the
situations. There were big pauses in between the dialogues. The dialogues were unprepared and
scattered which might cause confusion to the audience.
Also we rushed a lot of things because of our first plot being cancelled. So it would have better if we could
have made the film with some more time in our hands.

12. Strengths:
I think the things we did well was:
1. We followed the plot of our film. The scenes follow a chronological order. ( The scenes follow the plot,
follows a linear plotline meaning the film doesn’t have any flashbacks or it doesn’t go back and forth in
time. This makes it easier for the audience to understand. )
2. We used lots of different types of camera shots. ( We used the camera shots according to the needs of
scenes. So we decided on shots that would be perfect for the scene and make it better Also we used alarge
variety of shots.)
3. All the members of our group tried to play their role properly. ( Every one of us tried to do our jobs to our
full potential. Even if it was Reisha and mine’s first acting atampt, we tried to keep it as natural and
realistic as possible. Caitlin and josh also tried to keep the movie on plot and tried to finish it as soon as
possible as the director and the assistant director. Kai helped a lot with the camerawork who joined our
team halfway through. )
4. The film relates to the theme from the brief. ( The film gives a clear massage to the audience about
strangers being dangers. So our film meets the demands of the brief.)
5. I think we were properly able to present the idea of strangers being dangerous.
6. I think our film goes with the horror genre.( The presentation of the murder scene and the suspense
created by the cameraworks and sound effects covered a lot of conventions of horror movie)

13. Strengths:
7. We presented the murders in a non-violent way. We did not show any kind of ghoury scenes. It will be
helpful as the target audience are teenagers. Too much violence might have a negative effect on them.
8. Even though we did not have sufficient time due to our plot change, we tried our best to show all the
necessary things in the movie. We tried our best to give the film the convention of a horror movie. We
also tried our best to meet the demands of the brief.

14. Evolution of a scene from the film:
The Scene i chose to evaluate is the scene where the girls are walking through the corridor of the main hall.The
scene is an important aspect of the film. In my opinion, the scene had the most variety of shots and created a
base for the building suspense which was really important. From this scene the film takes a turn to the horror
genre.
The camerawork we did for the scene was versatile and thoroughly planned.For the scene we used a wide shot at
the beginning to show that the three of them were walking through the corridor of the main hall. Then it slowly
zooms in to girls’ back.Then the camera focuses on the girls’ faces. In the meantime Josh ( Mason) disappears
which is shown through a sudden zoom out showing the whole corridor.Then we used a point of view shot which
moves at an angle of 180 degrees to show that the girls’ are looking for Josh. Than the cameraperson shakes her
hand slightly with a Thud sound created by us , it gives a perfect effect of surprised and scared.
The camera work would have even better if we could add some more types of shot to crezate the suspence. For
example a parallel shot to show the girls’ scared expressions at the same time.
Our dialogues were not prepared beforehand.So it would have been if we could write some dialogues that would
suit the situations.

15. Evolution of a scene from the film:
One thing i have learnt from the process of filmmaking with my team is that we should always be
prepared as we might have to change plans at last moment.
Also from the evaluated scene, i have learnt that i should give more importance shots that focuses on the
actors facial expressions as it determines the audiences reactions towards the scene. Even we used a
wide range of shots for the scene, we did not focus much on the expresions of the girls after hearing the
noise, which might leave the audience confused as it does not show if the girls are scared or susrprised
by the sound.
The thing we could have changed was to add a shot that takes a closer look at the girls’ reaction for a
longer time. We could have added a close up shot. Another demerit of the scene was that we tried to use
a lot of shots in just one scene. Due to our cameraperson not being a professional, it might look packed
and there is a chance that people might not be able to keep up.
One of the things we had to be careful about is the camera angle that we used. If we could