Pitch script

1st part: Set up front screen and introduction to whole pitch

After being set the task to create a short film, we plan to collaboratively direct a five minute piece with the concept being a psychological horror. ‘The Set Up’ as we shall call our piece is going to explore the psychological aspect and play on key conventions of this specific genre to lead the audience into a false sense of knowledge. The intended audience will be those who enjoy the ‘edge of your seat’ type horror that has the viewer in constant suspense of what is about to happen. The main idea of the film is of building to the climax whereby the audience will be shocked by the twist to the plot. Key horror conventions will take place throughout to signify the supposed genre and only until the very end will it become clear that these horror stereotypes for example sound, have allowed the viewer to become caught up in the theme and make the wrong assumptions as to the ending of the short film. This presentation will discuss our plot and an in depth analysis of this as well as an understanding to our approach as the creators and directors. We will then show you a filmed scene for an insight into ‘The Set Up’ and our means of camera shots, accompaniment further devices that build suspense.

2nd part: Plot explanation

Sian to speak

3rd part: Introduction to 10 shot analysis

To explain the plot in further detail, we plan to discuss ten key shots throughout the short film. Each shot is significant for a specific reason, using stereotypical horror conventions to build suspense and enhance fear among the audience.

4th part: 10 shot talk through

Sian to speak

5th part: Our approach to the film

Our initial ideas for a short film were always going to be based around the genre ‘horror’ as we felt we could make this effective with key horror conventions. Our idea for a psychological horror was also almost immediately decided as we wanted to not only use obvious horror aspects but to create a gripping storyline which would confuse the viewer until the short film comes to its resolution. This will ensure that the audience do not lose interest and are left in constant suspense. The specific storyline we will portray is our own invention using horror conventions to create fear and suspicion of a bad conclusion in the mind of the viewer when really signs were always present to indicate the ‘surprise’ at the end. Our approach to the filming and sound will be the main focus of the film as these will be what create the most tension whereas props, specifically the knife and the phone, not forgetting the isolated setting are things which the viewer associates with the genre ‘horror’ and are therefore they support the predominant aspects e.g. eerie accompaniment and cantid angles which break the equilibrium. The links in the film to the ‘surprise’ ending will be cleverly placed to seem like conventions of a horror film. E.g. The phone call that takes place between the protagonist and

another character seems to be threatening due to the clever use of misleading language and the main characters reaction. However, we know this to be a party guest who is ringing a friend to ask for directions once the story has unravelled fully.

6th part: Filming and technology

From directing this short film, we will have full control of the lighting and shooting as well as the soundtrack. We will have one person playing the main character, a male whom has not been specified at this stage, and we will also need many extras, minimum of ten. Through the planning stages both members of the group have worked collaboratively suggesting concepts for plots of a short film. Although Sian had the initial idea for the ‘Surprise’ psychological ending, I came up with many of the signs and codes used throughout to make the audience let down their guard as to what is actually going on e.g. the phone call with dialogue relevant to both the horror theme and the surprise party theme.

As an aspect that can make or break a film, the soundtrack will be of primary concern. To fit with common horror conventions that will allow the audience to be unintentionally mislead into a genre type we will use tension building music and natural sounds to portray the reality of each shot. The buzz tracks main aim is to build tension and create a sense of fear of the unknown among viewers.

The lighting will need to be tended to allowing the audience to understand the night time dark setting which plays on general horror conventions; darkness represents the unknown a factor which will further challenge an audience’s fear of the unknown.

To yet again keep to the horror conventions, we will include cantid angles, slightly off centre and tilted which suggest something concerning the scene is not quite right. We will also be filming close ups of the protagonist as he is the only character for most of the five minutes and it is important that the audience have a complete understanding of his mood changes and fear to further build overall tension. Tracking and over the shoulder shots will also be present to allow the viewer to see exactly what the protagonist can. However, they will see all situations from a completely different perspective by knowing some things which the male character will be oblivious to. This inclusion should create a closer relationship with the audience and build their interest in the plot.

Sian and I shall split all practical work equally to have joint input into the piece and this in itself will create a greater piece with more ideas to explore. However as a photographer and with more skill and knowledge Sian will film predominantly for our film, with myself helping to direct and control lighting. We will both have input into the direction and editing of the film to play off of each other’s ideas and aims for the piece.

7th part: Film scene

Now, we will show you a scene from our short film which displays our ideas for the accompaniment and how we can use this to build suspense.

8th part: About the filming and funding

The project will be funded entirely by the directors being Hannah Holden and Sian Williams with camera facilities donated by Ravenswood School’s media department. The short piece must be

filmed over a period of time however to try and avoid any continuity error, each scene at least will be filmed in one day. The more filming possible in one day, the better as it is important to keep the same lighting throughout to improve the fluidity and therefore pace of the short film. Natural lighting will play a key role in our piece to keep a realistic feel to the piece, another aspect which will rely quite heavily on keeping the time period of all filming to an absolute minimum. We hope to film the whole piece in the maximum of a week to have time before for appropriate and detailed planning with time after filming to edit and to piece together an effective short film.

We have aimed to finish all appropriate planning by the end of October to leave a small amount of time for any changes to be corrected if we find plans unsuitable. By November we hope to be filming our piece in the aim to get it finished in one of the first couple of weeks allowing anytime in the rest of the month for extra filming and corrections and to start the editing stages. With time at the end of this month to spare we hope to create two different types of advertisement for our film and by December we hope to have the finished product of ‘The Set Up’.

9th part: Q & A

If you have any final questions about our short film proposal then we will be happy to answer them.