Creating the animated Psychosis Title/Risk Assessment

Using Sony Vegas Pro 11, I have created the title of psychosis. The typography I've used is called "PRETEXT". I did not download this font, as this was already installed onto my laptop. I have used this type of text, since it is bold, and it looks distorted. I have also decided to use white text, to suggest a monotone atmosphere. I have created two examples to mess around with the effects.

The first title, I used the effect to have the text shine through the whole screen, to shine back and show the title. This was done using the "radial blur" effect.

In this title, instead of using the radial blur to blend the title in, I used a "linear blur" effect.

Below are the effects I have used to create the second title.

Also, as a group, we have created a risk assessment to ensure that our safety when filming becomes a priority. Injuries that may occur when filming would not only be detrimental to the health of the actor, but it will slow down the production of our trailer as a result. Therefore, it is essential that risks are thoroughly analysed, and precautions are being put in place. Below is the risk assessment that we have completed. This is to be carried with us when filming at all times.

Script Writing Practice

In a program called "Celtx" to help give us a better understanding of script writing. Script writing will be vital, since it will allow us to keep track of what we have to do when we start to film. It is essential to understand that the more planning that goes into writing our scripts, then the less hassle there will be when it comes to filming. The script that we produce will be the document that the filming will be strictly working off from, as opposed to a storyboard, which is just a brief outline of the story with some visual representations. Below is a screenshot of the sample script that I've produced:

What have I learned?

I have learned the basic formula on how to write a script. This includes what to include in headers, such as where the scene is set. I have learned that abbreviations are used for whether the scene is taking place inside or outside (INT. and EXT. respectively). Also, since this program is very friendly towards beginners, I am able the construct the script using a drop-down menu. For example, it has preset templates to construct the dialogue and action lines in a script, which makes it very easy to construct a script.

Initial ideas

These are the points that we've come up with so far for our trailer:

• To be mainly based in a school setting, since we can take advantage of the time that we have in media lessons to film
• Relationship between the two people being expressed through candid shots (handheld camera). This is to suggest a casual, yet modern way of expressing nature within the relationship.
• To use the conventions of a normal, unidentified genre in the beginning, then slowly fade in to the horror genre. This would be through the use of an upbeat tune, then suddenly dropping to miserable, more shallow type music. It can also be represented through sounds of nature, to sudden striking, and more horror suggestive sound effects.
• Trailer to be included in the killer’s point of view.  This would be done mainly through voiceover and point of view shots. Point of view shots will be done through the use of handheld shots as well, but will be shown as an ominous character.
• Constant sudden cuts to black, to keep the viewer expecting what might happen next. These may also be used with a sudden cut of music to build the suspense and catch the viewer off guard/in a false sense of security.
• Static shots and video effects to be more suggestive of the horror genre.
•  Abductions to be taken place in quiet, lonely areas, so to the outside world, the mystery of their whereabouts is emphasised
• We  aim to challenge the convention
•  Name of the film trailer is to named “Psychosis”. However, this may change after questionnaire results

Based on Todorov's theory, I have used ways of establishing an equilibrium and disruption.

Equilibrium

The equilibrium will be set with a slow pace, and clips will be in chronological order based on what the storyline is. This will help establish characters, the story, and scenery, so that the audience understands the motive behind the killings that happen on the second part of the trailer. This will also sly away from the horror genre, and set a calm tempo, so that we could catch the viewer off and use false sense of security, much like Dale & Tucker vs Evil has done. This section will last about 1 minute after the first 10 seconds of information (like green screen and production logo).

Disruption

Unlike the equilibrium, this will be much more fast paced in terms of shots, and possibly music to help build tension up to a climax, and leave the viewer on a cliffhanger. This will also be in non-chronological order, and much more panic will be displayed in these scenes as it is a convention of a horror trailer (seen in such trailers like SAW 3D).

How have planned to structure the trailer (in brief terms):

• Scene establishing the urban environment
• Scene establishing the main characters in this. This would be the killer, and her relationship. Scenes will include footage of the two characters that suggest a relationship, and the photo taking scene. 
• Scene establishing how the disruption arises. This will include where the picture is taken, and is sent to her partner. 
• Also, this will be done through the social scenes, where the phone with the pictures is dropped. At this point, the mood of the scene will change from a happy, joyful, to a more eerier atmosphere. This will be done through a change in song, where we intend to use the song "Mad World" when the epitome of the disruption starts. This may also be supported with an intertitle to introduce the change in atmosphere.
• We will include the scene of where Rachel walks into school, and she gets humiliated by her peers since the picture would have spread. This may be done in point of view shots, so that the viewer could emphasise with the sudden reactions given to her by random members of the school. However, this will be placed as an enigma code since she doesn't know the extent of how far the pictures has spread. Also, mentions of the picture spreading may be used in dialogue to suggest the extent of it.
• We will then cut to scenes of more point of view shots where it leads to herself committing suicide as a result of the social pressure and humiliation that has been placed on her. This corresponds with the inspiration to our trailer, since Amanda Todd killed herself in a similar situation. Scenes suggesting her death will also be used, such as hanging feet from the ceiling.
• Scenes of her coming back to life will also be used. This may include handheld shots that would help establish the character. For example, a handheld shot could be used to show the friendly nature between a group of friends who want to create a video for a bit of fun. However, in the background, shots of Rachel, the killer, can be shown to establish that she's come back to life.
• After this, the pace will pick up and become more chaotic to build up a climax. These will include faster and quicker shots, and maybe more abrupt (for example, more sudden reaction shots may be used, and sudden cuts to black may be used)

Intertitles may also be used as a use of anchorage. This will help tell the story, if the scenes itself do not suggest enough. A voiceover from the protagonist may also be used throughout, so the viewer can empathise with their thoughts.

Semiotics Theory

Semiotics is "the study of signs that help us deconstruct Media Texts". What this means is that we look at representations within media texts (any outlet of media), and we use them to understand the subtextual meaning of that media text.

When considering about semiotics, there are 9 terms that are relevant to this:

Anchorage
The fixing of a set of meanings, often found in an paragraph or magazine. This means that producer directly tells the viewer of their intentions. Common examples of this are captions under a photo, or through other pieces of written text. We don't to intend to use this since this isn't a still piece of media text. A voiceover may be considered.

Arbitrary Sign
Where the signifier has no connection to the signified e.g Snow and Christmas, as everyone already implies that both events are most likely to occur in the Winter period. Another example would be Autumn and falling leaves. In relation to our trailer, this may be used in running shots and heavy breathing, to imply that they are running away from something that they're scared of.

Codes
A system of signs, languages or symbols that allow audiences to decode meaning. In simpler terms, this is a collaboration of signs to implement a meaning behind it. Examples usually derive from technical and symbolic codes, or narrative codes. In our trailer, we will collaborate a variety of shots to ensure that it is known that the girl who commits suicide is the killer. This will include running shots, distorted shots, and possibly an eerie voiceover.

Content Analysis
A way of decoding meaning by breaking down and studying the different elements of media texts


Conventions
The expected format of a media text e.g A tabloid, broadsheet newspapers, or genre conventions in film or TV. Right now, we are trying to follow and challenge the conventions of the horror genre, as I've explained previously.

Culture
Often understood through the different system of communications produced by language/media and the arts from different countries. I will talk about cultural globalisation and how it affects my media work in a later blog post.

Connotations
The various meanings/suggestions produced by the sign. For example, in our trailer, we could use destauration of shots to show the colour and vibrance being sucked out of life. We could further evaluate and say that this is the life of the protagonists that are suggestively being abducted. It could be said that they become much more weary of their surroundings, and become cautious of their own well being rather than enjoying life as they did before.

Decoding
The Process where meaning is deconstructed or 'read' by audiences

Denotation
The physical form of the sign.


How can this be applied to my production?

Storyboard for final trailer

This is the storyboard that we've created for our final piece.

Make up testing

An extra curricular program called "Film's Cool" allowed us to meet very popular movie stars. They help us out with inside tips in the movie industry, and we had Christine Blundell come in to help us with make-up designing.

Christine Blundell owns a make-up academy, which teaches people how to work effectively with cosmetics. She has also worked within the production of various James Bond movies, and her popularity has gone to as far as winning oscar awards! We were very greatful to have her in, and share her knowledge with young, aspiring student such as ourselves.

We then took what we've learnt from her session in Film's Cool and tested it out, so that we get an idea of what sort of effects we want to create for our horror trailer.

Here, we used a red colouring and maple syrup solution to create a thick blood effect. We also messed with monotone make up to emphasise the bruising on her eye, and to help create a burn effect.

These type of effects could be used in a scene of a fight, where the victim may end up like this. This could be over a dispute over a social event. Moreover, in relation to our idea, effects like these could be implemented in the antagonist's lair, where the antagonist begins to mock and beat up their unfortunate victims.

2nd Synopsis

"Natalie Armstrong, once a fun, bubbly, and beautiful girl, had decided to escape a world of torment by committing a suicide.  Trusting the man she loved, she would send revealing pictures of herself to him, only for her world to drastically turn upside down.  Her existence becomes immortal, and her paranormal rise from the grave comes with only one intention – vengeance."