Production diary

Production diary:

Date: Props/equipment used:

What was filmed: People in filming: Individual contribution:

Tuesday 21st October 2014

Camera to film Tripod Rocking chair (prop) Old clock (prop) Photograph (prop)

A panning camera movement from one part of the room (main location) to the other, to show various objects mysteriously moving by themselves, such as rocking chairs swinging and a photograph falling over.

None of the actors can actually be seen in the footage that was filmed, but Libby and James did move various objects out of shot, to create the effect that they were moving on their own.

My individual contribution to this footage was filming the second panning movement of the photograph falling over; I also made sure the rocking chair was swinging before filming took place. I set up the location so it was appropriate for filming (moving away unrelated props)

Tuesday 28th October 2014

Camera to film Tripod Door (prop)

A mid shot was filmed of the door slamming. This was made to look like the door was slamming on its own, thus creating a conventional scary effect.

Once again, none of the actors could be seen in this footage as the scene was to show mysterious things going on within the house, therefore we made the door look like

My individual contribution to this footage was filming the scene. I filmed this several times to make sure that the end result was conventional. I also

it was slamming on its own. However, James was stood behind the door out of shot to slam it shut.

had the assistance of Libby to help, with both of us deciding on conventional camera shots and effects.


Camera to film Tripod Make-up to make the character look possessed/in distress.

A mid shot/high angle was filmed of James’ character shaking nervously in the corner. This scene was a flash forward to show the audience that something is going to change.

The only person that could be seen in this shot was James, this was so he looked vulnerable and distressed thus hinting to the target audience that something bad is going to happen within the film.

My individual contribution to this scene was setting up the area to make sure it was safe. I also made the room have a use of low key lighting.


Camera to film Tripod

A mid shot/close-up of Libby’s character was filmed for this footage, this showed her screaming at something that cannot be seen, therefore foreshadowing and suggesting that there is a demon presence around her.

The only person seen within this footage was Libby. This is because she is supposed to be on her own in a room, perhaps hiding from the ‘demon’, and therefore shows the target audience her vulnerability (which is conventional)

My individual contribution to this scene was simply setting up the location so it looked appropriate, I also provided ideas on how the footage should be shot (camera angles, lighting, composition…)


Camera to film Tripod Blanket (prop)

This footage was of Michaela’s and James’ characters. It showed Michaela asleep in a wide shot at night time with James then entering the room and standing in a still position watching her. This suggests that he has now become possessed and Michaela may be a future potential target within the film.

The actors within this scene were Michaela and James. Michaela is the main protagonist within the film and James is the antagonist. This is contrasting between the two characters and shows that Michaela is the most vulnerable within the scene, which is conventionally found in horror films.

My only individual contribution to this footage was acting in the scene.



The scene was a mid shot/close-up of Michaela’s character screaming whilst sat huddled up in her room. This helps to tell the target audience that perhaps her house is haunted and she has now seen a demon/demon activity.

The only personnel that could be seen within this footage was Michaela, this was done because it implies that the character is scared and lonely (further conveyed through her screaming).

My individual contribution to this footage was acting in the scene. I also helped to set up the location such as the low key lighting and camera position.


Camera to film Tripod Door (prop) Door handle (prop)

This footage was of two short takes that would be put together to make one scene. This was of Michaela’s character trying but failing to get out of the house (Shown through banging and shaking the door), and the other short take was filmed from the other side of the door to show the door handle rattling, creating a scare factor for the target audience.

The first short take shown within this scene only had Michaela in it, this is because she is seen to be the last surviving character and is trying to get out of the house (showing isolation and fear, which is conventional). The other short take did not feature any of the actors but was instead a recording of the door from the other side, showing the door handle rattling but failing to open.

My individual contribution to this footage was acting in the first short take whilst also deciding the composition of the shot. I also helped to set up the scene to make it look conventional and appealing.

Wednesday 29th October 2014


Two panning movements of the setting to show that nothing within the house was moving or haunted.

None of the actors were in this scene as it was just footage of the setting that was being filmed.

My individual contribution to this piece of footage was the panning movement to show the setting. I also made the room have a use of low key lighting by closing the curtains and setting the scene up.


Camera to film Tripod Camera (prop)

A wide shot was used for this scene to show Lauren’s character setting up one of the cameras one the window sill that the group of friends used to record the any haunted activity in Michaela’s house.

Lauren was the only person shown in this footage. She was shown to be setting up the cameras around the room to capture any demonic/haunted activity. (This is often conventional for found footage/paranormal horror films)

My individual contribution to this footage was helping to direct the scene, in the sense of camera position and acting.


Camera to film Tripod Camera (prop)

A wide shot was used for this scene to show Lauren’s character setting up one of the cameras one the television that the group of friends used to record the any haunted activity in Michaela’s house.

Lauren was the only person shown in this footage. She was shown to be setting up the cameras around the room to capture any demonic/haunted activity. (This is often conventional for found footage/paranormal horror films)

My individual contribution to this footage was helping to direct the scene, in the sense of camera position and acting. I also helped to set up the setting to look suitable and appealing.


Camera to film Tripod Laptop (prop)

An over the shoulder shot and then a wide shot was used for this footage. The scene showed the whole group

All four of the actors could be seen in this scene, which shows that they had come together as a group and nothing

My only individual contribution to this scene was the acting.

of friends watching the footage that they had recorded the night before to see whether any strange happened or not. (in this footage nothing did happen)

horrifying or distressing had happened to anyone yet.


Camera to film Tripod Laptop (prop)

An over the shoulder shot and then a wide shot was used for this footage. The scene showed the whole group of friends watching the footage that they had recorded the night before to see whether any strange happened or not. (in this footage mysterious things did happen)

Lauren, Libby and Michaela were the main actors within this scene with James walking in later asking what had happened on the footage (the group saw things moving and James watching Michaela whilst she slept) this tells the target audience that James is now singled out from the group and has taken the form of the antagonist although he does not know this himself.

My individual contribution to this scene was acting and also helping to direct and set up the location, such as low key lighting and camera positioning.


Camera to film Tripod Stairs/rail (prop) Make-up to make the character look possessed

A wide shot was used for this scene to show Lauren’s character running down the stairs whilst James’ character was stood behind her at the top of the stairs looking over her (he has now become possessed) as Lauren’s character is running away the gets closer to the camera to show her fear and vulnerability.

The two actors within this footage was James, as the antagonist, and Lauren as the protagonist. This shows a conventional contrast between the characters and implies that James’ character is the one with dominance and strength within this scene.

My individual contribution to this footage was recording the scene and directing. I decided on the use of low key lighting with a small light at the very top of the stairs and the composition of the scene.


Camera to film Tripod Make-up to make the character look possessed Make-up to show that the character is dead/had been in distress

This scene was a wide shot/tilt and showed Libby’s character to be dead on the floor with James’ character standing over her, suggesting that he is the one that killed her due to him becoming possessed by the demon presence in Michaela’s house.

Libby and James were the two people that were acting within this scene. This was to show the conventional contrast between the protagonist and antagonist whilst also hinting towards the fact that James’ character had caused harm to Libby’s.

My individual contribution to this footage was recording the scene and directing with some guidance from Libby and Sophie.


Camera to film Tripod Phone (prop) Make-up to make the character look possessed

A mid shot/wide shot was used for this footage to show a phone ringing in the house. Michaela’s character goes to slowly answer to phone (showing she’s the last surviving protagonist) James’ character then suddenly appears and grabs her by the shoulder, thus foreshadowing to future events.

The main actor shown within this film was Michaela as she went to answer the film and ask in worry what’s happening to everyone. James later on appears in this scene too, still controlled by the demon and is seen grabbing Michaela.

My individual contribution to this scene was the acting.


Camera to film Tripod Make-up to show that the character is in distress and close to death

This scene was a close-up on Lauren’s character to express her vulnerability due to the fact that she is very close to death, this is conventional for horror films and suggests that James’ demonic control has played a part in this.

Lauren is the only person to be shown in this scene as she is very close to death and therefore in a distressed/isolated position. The fact that she is also on her own shows the target audience that she has been left for dead. (presumably by James’ character)

My individual contribution to this scene was making sure that the lighting and camera angle used was conventional.


Camera to film Tripod Make-up to make the character look possessed

This footage was a short take of a close-up on James’s character to show he was possessed and a dominant character within the film compared to all of the other characters (who are now dead or trying to escape) this is conventional for a horror film.

James is the only actor that can be seen in this piece of footage. He is seen to be covered in dark make-up and pale skin which shows that he is possessed and has become a dangerous character.

My individual contribution to this scene was setting up the location so it was appropriate

Wednesday 12th November 2014


This scene was a wide shot of all the characters walking home, discussing the idea that Michaela’s house may possibly be haunted. The scene ends in the group deciding to stay round Michaela’s house for the weekend to see whether anything does actually happen.

All four actors can be seen within this footage as it is the first scene that shows them all within the trailer. (therefore before anything dangerous happens to any of them)

My individual contribution to this scene was the acting.

Wednesday 12th November 2014


An establishing shot and panning movement was used for this footage for the opening scene within the trailer. This is

No one was shown within this footage as it was an establishing shot of the location for the film.

My individual contribution to this scene was helping to direct to ensure that we all chose a conventional

to show the main location for the film and set the story for the target audience.

location and camera work.

Wednesday 29th October – I took pictures for both of my ancillary products on this day because all of the actors were already dressed conventionally with make-up used so they would look either possessed or in danger. Once I had taken these pictures I decided on which would be best for my poster (I decided on Lauren’s character covered in blood as this offers continuity between the trailer a nd the poster) and an image of James’ character as the antagonist for my magazine cover. Monday 10th November – I began to make my poster, editing my image to make it look more conventional for the horror genre (a black and white effect with a slight ‘fuzzy’ detail to it, relating to the found footage/home recording effect of my production). I then found fonts that I wanted to use on my poster, from previous planning and audience research, and added this in appropriately to my poster. Wednesday 12th November – I began to edit my footage in preparation for my final production, this including cutting out any extra scenes that I did not need/feel were conventional for the horror genre, and cropping clips to make them an appropriate length for production for my trailer. I also carried on with the production of my film poster, creating a conventional layout and adding in all of the extra details such as release date and billing block. Friday 14th November – I finished the production of my trailer, adding in various transition and titles and now just need to add in the music at a later date when I have decided on the most conventional sound track that could be used. Tuesday 18th November – I began the production of my magazine cover , creating a name for my magazine (I decided on ‘EXTREME’ as I feel like this is conventional for the horror genre but also acceptable for the form of a normal/film magazine). I also edited my image to make it look more conventional for the genre and form.

Wednesday 19th November – I finished the production of my poster, adding final details to make it look more conventional, of form and genre, and appealing to my target audience. I also finished production of my magazine cover, adding in cover lines and extra deta ils such as price, date, and the main cover story. Friday 21st November – James made our studio logo that will be used to create our brand identity and continuity between the productions products. Throughout this process me and Libby offered ideas on what would look conventional and professional.

Documents

Production diary