We were given a simple task to go out and film a short horror sequence with no instructions, from doing this we learnt the do's and don'ts of filming a horror film. Here they are:
Do's
1. Be sure to plan before you film.
If you plan what you need to film before you begin, it will give you a more detailed idea of what you actually need to do instead of just going out and filming what you think would be good. It will also help you film and edit things in the right order, you won't get confused about which shots go where. Whereas, if you don't plan, when it comes to filming and editing, putting things in chronological order will be very difficult. It also helps you stick to the brief you are given, which is mentioned further down the page.
2. Be sure to use a tripod.
Using a tripod will make the scene look professional and it stops the camera from shaking around, like when you are filming handheld. When you are using a tripod, things can become a lot easier to film because you can get the camera into different positions and keep it there, it makes it less of a struggle to film at different angles and/or heights.
3. Stick to the brief.
Sticking to the brief will make sure you have done everything that needs to be done. If you always stick to the brief you will know managers of film companies will be happy with the work you have done. It will also make sure that everything is included that needs to be and you won't get anything wrong or miss anything out during filming as it will have been planned for you.
4. Always use appropriate props.
This is key when it comes to horror, you must be using weapons such as knives. Never use guns in a horror, they do not fit with the horror theme, using guns fits better in an action movie. Knives are better in horrors as they are create more gore which is what the audience wants to see. Using appropriate props also includes fake blood, if you do not use it, the scenes you film would definitely not be realistic, but also using the right amount and the right consistency is key to a good gory scene. For example, when filming a stabbing, you won't need too much, just around the wound, on the knife and some more liquid like blood, to create a puddle around the victim to make it more realistic. However, if you're filming a massacre, you would need a lot of blood, with the right consistency to be able to splatter it everywhere.
5. Use a simple storyline.
A storyline is the key to making the perfect horror, however if you over complicate the storyline it may lead to confusion when it comes to editing and watching, keep the story line simple so it is easy to create and easy to follow. You don't want to confuse the audience, because then they won't enjoy your film, which is most probably the point in creating the film in the first place, to please your audience.
6. Wear costumes that match the script.
A costume is one of the most important things in horror, it tells the audience who that character is and if they are good or bad. If you have a story about a clown but the clown is not in a clown outfit then it will confuse the audience and will not match the script. You also need to use the right colours and styles to fit the characters. If you have a villain wearing white, it isn't going to match the theme of them being a killer, its the same with if you have the victim wearing black, the roles would be reversed and it would confuse the audience. White represents innocence and happiness whilst black represents death, so having the colours in the wrong place will confuse you when filming, and will confuse the audience when they watch it as they won't know which character is which.
7. Cast well or it could affect the overall film.
Casting is so important when it comes to horror, you need to make sure you have the right person for the role otherwise it may not look right to the audience. For example, male and female roles, horror films normally have a male as the killer and a female as the victim. If you reverse the roles, even though it seems completely ridiculous and a little bit sexist, it wouldn't seem right to the audience and may confuse them as to who is the killer and who is the victim.
8. Keep It Simple!
Often, the best ideas are the most simple! Your film can be exciting and contain atmosphere while being a really simple story line! Whenever you plan your film, don't get too wrapped up in your own little world, trying to make the film fantastic with all these plot twists whilst actually making your film boring, dull and confusing! Just keep it simple, and it makes it a lot easier for the audience to understand and follow along with, but it will also make it a lot easier for you as well when filming. There's nothing worse than getting lost in the middle of filming and having to go back to the beginning because it just lengthens the filming time and you may end up not meeting your deadline.
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Dont's
1. Do not deface property you don't own.
This is a massive thing, defacing things that you do not own can end in a disaster. You always need permission to film on private property and make sure you look after the area you are in because defacing private property may, though it sounds extreme, get you arrested.
2. Don't pan too much, this is called 'lazy filming'.
Having a different range of shots and angles keeps the audience intrigued with the film. If you pan too much, it will make you seem lazy and will most probably make your audience feel sick after a while. Make sure you include different angles and movements with your camera, and as we've explained before, ALWAYS USE A TRIPOD because most of the time you will not want shaky camera movements. Sometimes this is acceptable but only if it goes with the theme of your film.
The 180 degree Rule
The 180 degree rule is a camera technique that must be followed when filming to show continuity and make a scene more fluid. The rule states that a camera must stick to one side of an imaginary line but can have free movement along this line. If the camera is to flick to different sides of the line it disconnects the relationship between the characters and objects on screen. The 180 degree rule is a basic and simple guideline for effective filming.
The Importance:
The 180 degree rule is a camera technique that must be followed when filming to show continuity and make a scene more fluid. The rule states that a camera must stick to one side of an imaginary line but can have free movement along this line. If the camera is to flick to different sides of the line it disconnects the relationship between the characters and objects on screen. The 180 degree rule is a basic and simple guideline for effective filming.
The Importance:
- The scene the is filmed has a professional approach and final finish. This means the content,that is edited together,looks more fluid meaning it has a better flow. This allows the audience to feel involved in the scenes - e.g conversations, they feel as if they are apart of them.
- The 180 degree rule gives the audience an opportunity to build a connection with the characters on the screen and feel the relationship between the characters/objects.