Final Cut

Production Update

I have added the same music from the intro to the end of our piece because it sounds good and makes it seem more as if it's the end of that section.

Production Schedule

Production Update

Following our feedback we have been changing certain aspects of our product; we have added another voice over to introduce our documentary, I have also cut out a section in the clip where we put head torches on as we didn't like how it sounded, and I have made the transition over the screams at the end a bit smoother.

Production Update

After receiving feedback on our first cut, we have gone back to start using this feedback to improve our product. We have changed the transition between the talking heads as we didn't like how it looked. We have also re-done the censoring, sped up the waiting scene. We also cut parts out and changed the location of some shots as we felt it was too long, and rushed as we tried to get a lot of content into a short time.

So far for our final cut I think that we have managed to improve the quality of our work.

Non-Corporal Entity Association First Cut with Feedback

Holding Shots Steady

- Hand held shots fit the style of the documentary

- Some shots are too shaky

- Only steady when it's meant to be

- Intentional shaky camera, some shots are shaky though

Framing of Shots

- Group shots framed very well, could have more individual focus through-out the house

- When shaky camera wasn't used, use of shots was decent

Appropriate Material for Task

- Clear conventions used for the style

- Smiling too much

Selecting Mise En Scene

- Clear use of props and setting to create an atmosphere

- Lighting and contrast needs to be adjusted

- Effective low-key lighting, but sometimes too low-key

- Lighting too dark

Editing for Meaning

- Could be developed by ensuring shots are structured to fit the tone

- Smiling/laughing

- Good use of contrast to create supernatural effect

Varied Shots Transitions and Post Production Effects

- After effects (night vision) needs to be added

- Censoring needs to be fixed as it doesn't cover the words, fast forward needs to be added

Use of Sounds

- Sound needs to be consistent across the piece

- Very loud, clipping, laughing

- Add in another voice over

- Effective music

- Censoring wasn't very good

Use of Titles

- Some unfinished, a clearer title sequence could be added

- No introduction voice over

- Good Channel 4 clip

Overall Comment

- Some high quality footage has been produced and a level 4 can be achieved with the addition of more work

- Could use more voice, and some shots can be sped up and shortened. But overall very good.

Target Audience

Age: Teenagers (12+)

12+ is the most suitable age because the documentary is based on ghosts which people of all ages, but specifically teenagers may be interested in; teens are the main audience as they may relate to the characters better due to them being a similar age. I think that it isn't scary enough to classify it as a 15, it does contain some strong language, however this is censored. Sometimes documentaries on the supernatural can use quite complicated terminology, but all dialogue is simple enough for it to be understood by 12 year olds. This may interest all ages because ghost stories and films have been around for long enough that they have gained a large audience, meaning our documentary would likely be successful.

Gender: All

Our documentary isn't aimed at any specific gender, however it has more females in the cast which could be argued to attract more males to the audience. The story doesn't follow any specific character and is about the whole group, so this is why it is aimed at no specific gender.

Social Class/Social Group:

There is no specific social class, but the social group would be those generally interested in the supernatural as this is the documentary's focus. The social group watching this would be watching this later in the evening (for example, around 9pm) as this is a peak time for watching TV, it is also the time that documentaries in this genre are typically aired.

Ethnicity: No specific ethnicity

We created this documentary with no specific ethnicity in mind, so it is aimed at any ethnicity.

Demographics: C1, C2, D, E

C1/C2 = Lower middle class/skilled working class: supervisory or clerical, junior managerial, administrative or professional, skilled manual workers. I think this class would fall in our target audience because these workers have time to watch this documentary and may be in the target social group.

D = Working class: semi and unskilled manual workers. This class may because this class would have more time to watch this documentary as they may not have to work in the later evenings, and they may be in our target social group.

E = Casual/lowest grade workers: state pensioners or widows, those at lowest level of subsistence. This class may be our main target audience as they have the most time to sit and watch this documentary, and this is the class that our characters fall into; they are just students that are trying to become famous using this documentary. This audience may be able to relate better to the characters.

Psycho-dynamics

The main psycho-dynamic would be the spectators. This is because they are watching the documentary due to their interest in the matter, which is our main target audience. The second psycho-dynamic would be the joiners because they are the people who aspire to be like the characters in the documentary and it may peak some viewers interests to go on investigations of their own with some friends. They are also people who join through social networking sites where the 'team'  would be posting their latest adventures.

Production Update

We have now completed filming all scenes, and are currently editing the new scenes into our first cut.

Production Update

We have now filmed all four of our talking head clips (characters: Liz, Lucy, Raven and Grant) and have begun to start editing our first cut.

Locations

Intro

We thought that this location would be good because it's in a graveyard and this would help to give our opening a more supernatural effect. Also the lighting in this area gave us very extreme colours on the camera which again gave a good effect.

Talking Heads

We chose this location as it gave us a blank background. The room also had a large light and this cast a shadow on the wall, which personally I liked and made it look more ghostly.

Journey

We chose this location as it was a narrow path with lower lighting which would make it creepier, however it also gave us a very high colour contrast which I don't really like, however it does add to the supernatural effect.

Haunted house

We chose this location as we were allowed access to the garage where we filmed all the house scenes. I liked it because its very creepy and quite dark inside, and what would seem a good spot to be haunted.

Characters & Costumes

Sophie - Liz - Manager

Liz is dressed in casual clothes that are practical to show that she is always on the go to find haunted areas to investigate, and looking for equipment to use.

Ashleigh - Lucy - Medium

Lucy is dressed in clothes typically related to spiritual people, such as long skirts. Lucy believes she has the ability to contact the dead.

Molly - Raven - Technician

Raven is dressed in Black clothes and dark makeup to reflect her gothic style. Raven shows a lot of interest in the supernatural, but also likes the technical side of the work.

Harry - Grant - Head Cameraman

Grant is dressed in casual and practical clothes like Liz as his job requires him to run around setting up equipment and getting good angles. Grant only joined the group for money.

Script

Talking Heads

Sophie - My name is Liz, and I am the manager of the Non-corporal Entity Association. My job is to find locations for us to investigate, and make sure our equipment is up to date. I have a gut feeling that we are going to be big! This is where our career begins!

Ashleigh - My name is Lucy, and I'm the team's medium. My job is to advise the team on any supernatural activity, and to communicate with the lost spirits.

Molly - My name is Raven, and I am the technician. My job is to monitor the recordings that the equipment gives me; like the thermal and EMF readings. I just love the supernatural, its like...My life. 

Harry - My name's Grant, and I am the head cameraman. My job is to make sure the cameras are in the optimum positions to get the best footage. I am pretty much just here for the money really. (Interviewer - You know you're not getting paid, right?) What?!

Voice Overs

Up next is the Non-Corporal Entity Association, a team of ghost hunters going on their next adventure. This may contain some strong language and viewer discretion is advised.

Earlier this week I received an anonymous e-mail regarding this "haunted house". After doing some research I decided to get my team to check it out.

Journey *

Molly - How far is it?
Sophie - I have no idea. It's just down this path and then we're at the haunted house.
Harry - (Sarcastically) Looks pretty creepy to me. 
Sophie - Oh my God, it's too far, I'm going to have a f***ing heart attack.
Molly - It's about f***ing time!
Ashleigh - Whoa, I can definitely sense something here.

Haunted House **

Harry - So are we going to set up base here?
Sophie - Yeah, that seems like a good idea.
Ashleigh - I sense a great spiritual energy coming from down here.
Molly - Is that a basement? It's so dark!
Ashleigh - There's definitely something down here.
Molly - Ready?
Sophie - Let's go!
Molly - Where should we put the camera?
Sophie - I think over there. Then we can catch anything coming down.
Molly - Oh, there's lights! Do the work? Yes! We have power.
Sophie - I think I've found another location.
Molly - Yes!
Sophie - I'll e-mail the owner now.
Molly - Get on that! ... We've got something! It's down there in the basement! ... Come on guys, it's freezing. ... Lucy do you know where it is?
Ashleigh - It seems to be coming from that corner.
Molly - Quick! Grab the head torches! ... Are you sure it was in that corner?
Ashleigh - Yes, It's definitely over there.
Molly - Oh my God, the bottles floating!
Sophie - Oh s**t!
Molly - Oh my God, what was that?
Harry - I don't know, oh my God! It's behind you!
Ashleigh - What?
Molly - What's wrong with her?
Harry - She must be possessed
Molly - Oh no! We need to exorcise her! Get the Holy water! (Exorcism follows)
Ashleigh - Why am I wet?
Molly - You were possessed!
Ashleigh - I'm epileptic you sh*ts!
Harry - How was I supposed to know that?
Molly - Idiot. Are you ok?
Ashleigh - Ow.


* Some of this has been removed for the final cut
** Includes adlibs and some removed for final cut

Shot List

1. Slo motion walk & falling over
2. Posing & title
3. Talking heads - Sophie
4. Talking heads - Ashleigh
5. Talking heads - Molly
6. Talking heads - Harry
7. Location & narration 1
8. Location & narration 2
9. Location & narration 3
10. POV journey to location 1
11. POV journey to location 2
12. Arriving at the house
13. Surveying the location
14. POV setting up equipment 1
15. POV setting up equipment 2
16. Fast forward sun setting
17. CCTV of house with time & location 1
18. CCTV of house 2
19. CCTV of house 3
20. Scanners beep
21. Team goes to investigate room
22. Team finds room very cold
23. Team sees a floating chair
24. Team freaks out & runs, dropping equipment
25. Someone holding up chair
26. Team talks about what happens
27. Harry takes photo, Ashleigh gets possessed (epileptic fit)
28. Ghost runs into a wall
29. Team carries Ashleigh outside & douse her in Holy water
30. Team exorcises Ashleigh
31. Ghost opens door
32. Team screaming
33. Door closes on the ghost
34. Team Screaming
35. After the break...

Animatic

Production Pitch

Documentary Research - Ghost Adventures

Ghost Adventures is a documentary film that is 87 minutes long, created by Zak Bagans and Nick Groff in 2004, and it inspired the hit TV series with the same title. The target audience of this documentary film are fans of the supernatural and thrill seekers, because it is said to include the creepiest footage ever caught on tape.

In this documentary, Zak Bagans, Nick Groff and Aaron Goodwin visit the Old Washoe Club in Virginia City and the Goldfield Hotel in Goldfield, Nevada; two of the most notorious haunted sites in the Country. During the height of their existence, the two locations were the scene of rape, murder and other crimes, which the team believed was a "recipe for trapped souls". During the film, the team witness a full-bodied apparition, a poltergeist and more evidence pointing to the supernatural's existence.

In this documentary, many establishing shots are used to show the creepy locations that the team will be investigating. This is typical of many ghost hunting products as it creates a tense ambiance by using dark or harshly lit areas of the location. They also use night vision like most other ghost hunting documentaries, because it allows the audience to see in the dark (which is most likely to happen on a ghost hunt). POV shots were used at different points as it makes it look to the audience like they are there with the team, therefore making it a spookier experience.

Our product will be similar to this in the camera angles that we use; we will use several establishing shots to show the audience our location, and we will also be using night vision and POV shots. This overall will make our product more successful as it will suit the ghost hunting genre.

Link to IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2637720/?ref_=tt_rec_tt 

Documentary Research - Ghostfacers

Ghostfacers is an American web-series spin-off created by Eric Kripke, and was aired in 2010 with 10 episodes. Each episode is around 30 minutes long and is posted weekly. The target audience of this web-series are fans of the American horror/fantasy/drama called Supernatural, due to the fact that this is where the show originated.

Ghostfacers are a fictional group of ghost hunters created by the show Supernatural. After their original reality show TV pilot within the show was destroyed by the characters Sam and Dean Winchester, the Ghostfacers continued their quest for the supernatural and fame in their separate web series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At4HgxwAfzQ, this is a teaser clip for the documentary series that was released online, featuring a major character from Supernatural. This was released to bring more attention to the upcoming series. This clip has used night vision which is typical of a documentary on the paranormal, as is hand-held camera which was also used. Most of this clip is hand-held camera because it is meant to look like it is first person, from the characters points of view. This entire scene was also filmed in a poorer quality and at some points the fourth wall is broken to show the characters talking to the other characters, but also the audience. At the beginning of the clip, text is used and appears on the screen in a typewriter like way which is used to make it look like an undercover mission; this makes the whole product more comedic because of the way lines are said and what action occurs.

Our product will be quite similar to this one because we are using many of the same techniques; night vision and hand-held camera. This is because our documentary was formed on the same idea of it being a spoof documentary, meaning that it is meant to look funny and fake for the idea of comedy.

Cast
Austin Basis - Kenny Spruce
A.J. Buckley - Ed Zeddmore
Brittany Ishibashi - Maggie Zeddmore
Travis Wester - Harry Spangler

Link to IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1647865/

Initial Research

March of the Penguins

March of the Penguins was released on the 22nd of July 2005 and was directed by Luc Jacquet. Production companies involved in this production were National Geographic Films, Bonne Pioche, Wild Bunch, Alliance de Production Cinematographique, Buena Vista International Film Production France, Canal+ and L'Institut Polare Franҫais Paul-Émile Victor. The intended target audience for this documentary are those interested in the environment, geography students, or a more mature audience. Students in particular may benefit from this documentary because of the information it provides. This is a direct cinema documentary; where an event is recorded 'as it happens' with minimal interference from the film maker (sometimes called 'fly on the wall' documentaries).

Barthes

Enigma code - survival, life vs. death, love story
Action code - suggests walking a long distance, close ups of loving penguins suggests mating, bird flying closer and screeching suggests attack.
Semantic code - cold signifies death, chicks signify life.
Symbolic code - good/bad (chicks hatching/chicks dying), funny/serious (penguins sliding on their bellies/harsh winter)
Cultural code - funny/cute actions create emotional connection with audience, when penguins audience feel sympathetic, when chicks hatch audience is excited/feels adoration


Todorov

Equilibrium - summer in ocean, swimming and eating.
Disruption - winter is coming, journey to find mate, longer, colder nights, birds and seals attack.
Recognition - penguins huddle for warmth, fathers store eggs, mothers travel for food.
Restoration - eggs hatch and grow up, mothers return with food, ice begins to melt.
Resolution - family time, summer returns, penguins return to ocean for food.

Levi-Strauss

Penguin vs. leopard seal
Ritual vs. penguins
childless mother vs. fruitful mother
Violent weather vs. new life

Propp

Hero - Emperor penguins
Villain - Weather, leopard seals, birds
Father/keeper - Emperor penguins
Princess/prize -  Eggs, chicks
Donor - Fish (food)
Dispatcher - Instinct
Helper - Other penguins
  

TT Closer to the Edge

TT Closer to the Edge was released on the 22nd of April 2011 and was directed by Richard De Aragues. Production companies involved in this production were Isle of Man Film and CinemaNX. The intended target audience for this documentary are those interested in motor sport as that is the main theme of the production. This is a compilation film documentary; where the film comprises an assembly of archive images such as real news footage. It is also a talking heads documentary; where testimonies are recorded about people, events or social movements.

Todorov

Equilibrium - repairing engines, preparing for race
Disruption - the TT race, stalling the car, racer dies
Recognition - beginning race, coming 2nd
Restoration - final race, guys gets in an accident
Resolution - guy doesn't die in accident

Levi-Strauss
Life vs. death
Driver vs. driver
Win vs. lose

Propp

Hero - Guy Martin
Villain - Other competitors, death/injury
Father/keeper - The TT race
Princess/prize -  Winning the TT race, trophy
Donor - Wilson Craig 

Production Review

Production Group:
Ashleigh Woodberry, Harry Goodman, Molly Weiss

Chosen Production Task:
Documentary

Ancillary Tasks:
Radio Trailer, Magazine article

Finalised Ideas So Far:
Ghost hunting spoof documentary, talking heads

Work Produced So Far:
Planned idea