Evaluation

Question 1 – What were the aims of the script and the 9 key frames?

The aim of my script was to create a convincing prequel to Paranormal Activity called Paranormal Activity the beginning, my aim was to create a resolution scene for the film to set up the next films by showing the who the unseen presence was and why they will come back to haunt Katie and Micah in the films sequels.

As now days it is hard to try and shock the viewers I wanted to keep the same cinematography technique that is used in the films sequels as it would allow the audience to feel like they were in the detectives shoes. The documentary style of the hand held camera, would help to give the feel that we are watching their personal camera and seeing the events through there eyes as well as it being relate able to the audience. The detective also has a computer set up which on screen is the views from the CCTV cameras she has set up within the house so she can observe the goings in multiple rooms from one place.

I picked the key moments to convey my macro area of cinematography to come across in my 9 frames. My 9 chosen frames help to portray the same style by you being able to see through the camera viewer as the detective gives his introduction to where she is and why she's there. As well as at the end when she has been trapped by the fire and dies with the tape still running and her eyes still open, metaphorically the camera looking in to her soul.

The most important of the 9 frames is the first and last ones as they portray my macro the best with the first one showing the detective logging the details of where and when it is and the last picture shows the the detective lying dead on the floor, eyes wide open looking in to a still running camera.

Question 2 – What codes and conventions identified in the textual analysis essay were used in the script and 9 key frames?

The main theme I took from the two films I analysis was the haunted house I knew this would help to portray the horror theme to the audience and keep it in since with the previous films. I also knew use the fact that the main events always happens in the night and to a women in a vulnerable position this would help the horror/thriller genre to develop. This meant that the colours of the film would be dark such as black and blue I knew this is a iconic part of a horror film. This would fit in well with my script as it would help to keep up the suspense, tension and mystery within the scene, it will also help to heighten the effect of the sounds that would be used such as the squeak of the mouse. I kept the cinematography technique of the hand held shaky camera as it would help to kept consistency between the films. I had the actress who played the detective wear a blazer so she looked smart and believe able as a detective on a job. As well as setting the desk up where she would be monitoring the house from with different technology making the scene more realistic. I knew that the house would not be a suitable place for a fire so I had to choose parts of the scene which didn't incorporate the fire scene as it would not be possible to have a fire in the chosen location.

Question 3 – How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames?

When looking for the location to set my scene in I knew it had to be a big house with lots of rooms so that there was somewhere for the detective to walk so she could be trapped by the unseen presence. It had to look convincing and fit in with the genre of horror. I knew that the house would not be a suitable place for a fire so I had to chose parts of the scene where the fire would not be seen. Before I found the location I was going to used I wanted to have the detective making her first video diary entry outside the house and walking in with her last bag of equipment. After finding the location I was apparent that this wasn't the best idea as it would made more sense for the detective to start the video inside and then the audience see her setting up the last parts of her equipment. Looking for a house that would fit the typical haunted house, horror theme that would also help to connect the films together. This made me think more about the elements of the haunted house and extra parts I could add to the script to make it more realistic. 

Question 4 – How successful as the script and 9 key frames in achieving the aims?

I think I chose the right film from the two I analysed to create a prequel for and that the script had a good storyline that could be expanded to a longer film and fits in nicely to the sequels that are already out. I think the way I pictured the first and last picture on the 9 frames worked well as they showed the cinematographic technique that I wanted to keep from sequels. I feel that the 9 frames could have been improved by having more realistic props, and by using a wider range of camera angles to help create a more authentic scene. If I was to do this coursework again I think I would of developed the storyline more within the scene then what I did such as by creating more suspense within the night by having more events seen to happen caused by the unseen presence before the scene ended with the detective dying.