Font Ideas/ Research

 Hey!! So since the idea that I have for this film opening is a little bit hectic, I think the best case for me is to try to make the font as simple as possible. Maybe i'll do a bold color, but I really don't want to take away from the scene by using something to intense. These are some examples of fonts that i'm interested in:

This font is definitely a more traditional typewriter kind of font but I feel like it could make the movie seem more like a psychological horror while not taking away from the action since the text kind of replicates what you would find on an official piece of paper. I also feel like the typewriter font implies that there is something more sinister or dark underneath the surface which could fit really well in our narrative. I think it's a very nice contrast and I would really like to test it out once done with filming.

This font on the other hand seems very minimalistic which I argue might actually make it scarier. Almost like American Psycho, like perfect and simple, yet full of darkness. However, I think it might be a little to simple and might seem confusing in front of all the action happening so I don't think I will go this route. 

I picked this font simply because I thought it looked really fun and really fit into the whole 80s vibe of a slasher so I might actually consider doing it. This filter makes me think of the 'Se7en' credit scene and how the font went really well with the rest of the shots and didn't distract at all from the rest of the scenes so I think this is a really good option that i'll have to test when I have all the footage. I think this might actually help tie the whole thing together and maybe add to the tone of the film.

I think that if we make the block letter a bright color and the inside line white, there could be a really cool neon effect that could look awesome in the film. I'll have to see but even just plain, I think would fit perfectly into our story.

This font seems very dark and would definitely match the energy of a horror movie, however it does actually reminds me a lot of Dracula or something more gothic so I doubt i'll go this route only because it's not really the vibe of my film. 

Movie Credit Research

Hey! So for this research, I need to analyze movie openings and of course, I chose to do some of my favorite movies: Vertigo, Se7en, and Juno. I am very interested in mixing artistic elements into some classic horror/slasher genre conventions, so hopefully this research can add some more inspiration. Although these are all very different movies, I enjoy a lot of different aspects from each of these movies and hope to share them with you!

Vertigo:

So this opening I think is going to be the biggest inspiration for my piece. This opening not only sets the tone for the rest of the film, but also reflects what will later occur in the film. I love how disorienting it is and the use of color in the sequence.

Firstly I would like to talk about the colors used in this opening. The use of the color red to represent the lust and danger along with the black which creates a sense of mystery, are both used effectively to introduce the viewer to the themes of the story. But one of the things that I like the most about this movie is how it begins in very pale colors, but once the camera got closer to the eye it turned red. This created a sense of dread, especially as the eye went wider. It almost feels like the camera got covered in blood and even though this film is not explicitly a 'bloody' kind of horror film, this shot makes you eager to see what happens in the film. 

Since i'm hoping my film to be a psychological horror, I really enjoy how the use of graphics help nod to the movie title 'Vertigo' but not just the medical condition, but also metaphorically. The opening of this film with the help of graphics kind of foreshadow the fate of the main character and his struggles. The whirls also kind of remind me of how an obsession becomes and how it just pulls you in. 

And lastly, the use of music was crucial to really making this opening as good as it was. The haunting and calm tune that begins but suddenly booms when you see the title card makes you feel uneasy and disoriented. To be completely honest the music matches the scene so well I could not think of anything else that could replace it. The graphics along with the music however, further reinforces the idea of obsession since the music almost sounds like it's pulling you in too.

Se7en:

Although I don't think this style would be good for my film, I really adore this credit scene and think it's probably one of the coolest ones i've seen. I think it's super unique and so many ways and it almost reminds me of the American Horror Story show's intros.

Firstly, I would like to talk about the camera shots of the opening. I love how gritty, dark, and grunge it is and I think a lot of it could be due to the camera work. The use of extreme close ups and the constant motion of the images, creates a sense of uncomfort and almost makes it feel like a found footage kind of movie. The credits includes some pretty disturbing images like strange photographs, needles, and drawings that are packed together to create something that seems like a disturbed mind to disorient the viewer.

The font used for this opening is also perfect, and it sets the tone for the rest of the film.

It's shown in a jagged font that resembles maybe rough handwriting or a typewriter, which contributes to the almost raw and eerie feeling of the sequence. This choice definitely challenges traditional opening titles, and the roughness of the font, combined with the overwhelming visuals, creates a sense of discomfort for the viewer.

As soon as I watched this film I recognized the song closer by nine inch nails to be the mysterious song in the opening. This song has been warped a little bit with industrial and mechanical sounds in the background which not only adds to the original song, but pairs very well with the disturbing visuals. This choice of sound almost heightens the feeling when you are watching this scene and almost lets the audience know that the film you are about to watch is not a conventional one.

Juno:

Although this movie is very different from the other two, I choose to include this film in my research because there is something from the opening that really stood out to me and I want to at least attempt to replicate it in my film opening.

I really like the mixed medias used in this, the use of real footage and animation mixed is such a creative way to make a shot or scene look even more visually interesting and is guaranteed to hook the viewer. But what I especially love, is how this movie transitions into the animated sequence. As Juno walks by a tree, everything from the tree beyond is animated. I would really like to use that to introduce the credits in the scene of my movie. In my case, the beginning of the film takes place in the forest, so as the camera tracks the character and passes by a tree, a new credit will appear.

I think like Se7en, Juno does a great job at not playing it safe and finding the perfect font to fit in the world that she lives in. During the animated sequences, the font almost looks like it could be a part of the earth that she is living in because of how fitting it is. The use of bright colors and colorful drawings also reminds the viewer that this is very obviously a teenage girl despite the difficult events that follow. Also, her wardrobe almost reminds me of a cartoon character which I argue makes her fit the world drawn around her even more.

Schedule for Final Project

Before I plan on how i'm going to organize myself and this project to get done in a little less than 7 weeks, I think it's important to identify the major categories: research, pre production, production, post production, revise, and the CCR.

Week 1: Research

-Analyze other horror film openings and take what you like from them and create a list of it.

-Finalize what genre your doing and start to try to develop a plot

-Start brainstorming locations you could use, props, actors, etc.

Week 2: Planning

-Create a script or at least the basis of one

-Create a storyboard when script is finalized about the shots I want to use

-Set locations and have actors set and the days we will be filming

Week 3: Pre Production

-Create vision boards for each character that includes their wardrobe, characteristics, personality

-Get lights, clothes and props that I want to use for the day we film

-Also find non copyright music that I think will fit nicely into the scenes

Week 4: Production

-Finally film!

-Put all of the scenes together to get a basis of the film

-Cut down on the clips and begin to record foley audio

-Actually edit fully and determine if any scenes need to be reshot 

Week 5: Post Production

-Finish editing and add finishing touches

-Analyze first edition and determine if me and my partner are happy with it

Week 6: Revise/CCR

-See my partners edition of the edited video and decide which one we would like to use most

-Work on the CCR's

Week 7: Submit

-Submit the project!

Researching film openings

Hey guys! So me and my partner are both very interested in using a certain trope in the horror genre: the opening kill scene. We feel like this is one horror genre convention that never gets old and it's also even more common in the sub-genre we are interested in which is slashers! However, to do it justice, i've researched 3 famous opening horror scenes and analyzed what I liked and would want to incorporate into my film! The films are Scream (1996), Jaws (1975), and Suspiria (1977).

Scream

So the scream franchise obviously cemented the opening-call kind of kill scene into media considering countless movies made afterwards that were copied in the exact same way. But i'm not interested in including a call from an unknown killer into my opening because it's simply just unoriginal, so these are other things that I saw in the opening that I enjoyed even more!

Since the promos for the movie heavily used Drew Barrymore, I actually really liked that they killed her character off in the beginning. As the viewer, it made me excited to see in what direction the movie would go in, considering most people thought she would be the main character of the film. I think using an almost 'false' main character could be really fun for my film and I might include it!

I'm also a fan of how they included talking about horror films in the film itself. I've always enjoyed references to different other pieces of media in movies, but I think having a conversation or in this case a questioning about horror facts is smart considering your target audience is horror fans. It's also exciting and frustrating at the same time to see the characters in the film struggle to find the answer to the killer's questions when you know the answer! The movies plays on the viewer's knowledge of horror movie tropes by having the killer taunt the victim over the phone. This creates an eerie sense of suspense and self-awareness about the genre which is further enhanced by the scene's realistic portrayal of fear. Watching this scenes almost makes you wonder how you would act in this situation.

Jaws

The Jaws opening scene almost feels like a slasher with all the suspense and anticipation created for the first kill. Similar, to the Scream opening scene, these films take situations that you could very easily find yourself in, and adds a sinister twist to it.

 

However, on the contrary to the full victim POV that we saw in scream, I really liked the POV of the killer that was used in jaws. It's also proven that audiences fear the unknown rather than something they can see. I definitely want to to use that element into my film! I want my killer to remain mysterious to add more fear and anticipation into the scene. The camera’s point-of-view from the shark's perspective creates a sense of being stalked, and this absence of the killer forces the audience to imagine the danger, making the actual reveal more frightening. This strategy was also used in the film 'Longlegs.'

Also, the use of sound in this scene is very strategic. The famous jaws tune creates a signal for danger, which builds tension as the girl swims alone in the ocean. The repetitive, escalating sounds creates a sense of anxiety and dread. The music amplifies the fear of the unseen threat, making the audience anticipate the attack long before it occurs. I'd like to add a sound or tune in my film opening that will add to the suspense the audience will feel while viewing!

Suspiria

Although not a slasher, the Suspiria opening scene holds a lot of very unique and artistic approaches that I would like to include in my project.

Firstly, like Jaws, I think that Suspiria really does a great job with the use of sound. The chaotic noise in the opening scene of the rain, airport, cars, adds a lot, especially in horror movies. It creates an overwhelming feeling in the viewer and almost makes you feel overstimulated. Along with the dreamlike music, it makes the viewer feel disoriented, like they are in a nightmare.

However, the thing I loved the most in this film and it's opening, is the use if lighting and color. Nowadays, this isn't really seen in modern movies, but the use of the vivid and harsh red and blue lights, creates an unsettling environment. Maybe it's because it's so out of the ordinary, but it makes everything seem all the more dangerous and enhances the shadows of all the surroundings. The unique architecture and choice of color of the ballet studio however, also helps emphasize this and almost makes you feel like you are entering something hellish. 

 

Picking a Genre

So i've thought about 2 possible genres but i'm leaning more towards one of them. Horror and Coming of Age. I think realistically, it would be easier to do a Coming of Age film, but I find myself drawn more to a horror opening. I just think that horror movie openings can be so unique, I would like to give my take on it. It can show you the end of the story, or just the beginning.

Coming of Age: 

A coming of age movie is centered around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturation with a strong focus on a central character arc. These films follow a singular protagonist as they “come of age,” meaning they progress into the next stage of their life. These films follow 3 characteristics: Character growth, Dialogue, and Social commentary. The character growth means that these films usually follow a character realizing their future, which drives their development from an innocent child to a perceptive young adult. The dialogue means that coming of age films focus on the interior lives and emotions of the characters, rather than an outside action or adventure that’s driving the narrative. And lastly, social commentary means that these films address issues that teens face today.

Coming of Age movies are so liked by many because of how universally relatable they are. Everyone experiences personal growth, identity exploration, and the challenges of transitioning from youth to adulthood. This allows viewers to reflect on their own lives and resonate with the characters' struggles and successes, often through comedy, moving moments, and emotional depth. This allows for the film to not only be entertaining, but also meaningful.

Example: Booksmart - 2019

Booksmart is a great coming-of-age movie because it mixes comedy with a real and emotional story about friendship and growing up. It follows two best friends, Amy and Molly, who worked hard in school to get into great schools, but realize they never had any fun while everyone else did, and they got into the good schools. Wanting to make up for it, the night before graduation, they go on an adventure determined to go to a party. The movie stands out because of its realistic and funny script, and puts a female spin on a male-dominated teen movie trope like the movie Superbad and Project X.

Horror:

Horror movies frequently explores themes of death, the supernatural, and existential dread. Ghosts, demons, and other supernatural entities are common in horror films, serving as metaphors for deeper fears about death and the afterlife. Some common horror tropes are: jump scares, creepy children, haunted houses, final girl (a lone survivor), found footage/documentary-style storytelling, evil entities possessing humans. 

Horror movies usually have a dark and creepy atmosphere, lots of suspense and tension, and themes like death, the supernatural, and feeling alone or helpless. A big part of horror is the fear of the unknown, like an invisible danger, a mysterious villain, or something that can’t be explained. This fear comes from the natural instinct to be scared of things we don’t understand. Horror movies also take normal things and make them scary by changing how they look or act, making the familiar feel weird and unsettling. Many horror films also use shock and gore, like blood and injuries, to get a strong reaction from the audience.

Horror movies are loved by many because they keep you on the edge of your seat and make you feel excited and scared at the same time. They play on deep fears and build suspense, making the viewer feel like they are in the film. No matter what the movie is, horror movies push limits and make you think in new ways. They also let people experience fear in a fun and safe way without actually being in danger. And the horror genre is always being evolved in new ways, using cool stories and visuals that stick with you after the movie is over.

Example: The Substance - 2024

The Substance is a great example of a horror movie because it combines creepy body horror and gore with a crucial message about how society is obsessed with staying young and looking perfect. Demi Moore does an amazing job playing a famous aerobics influencer who takes things way too far to keep her youth, making her character both relatable and super scary. The movie has crazy visuals and a smart story that sticks with you even after it’s over. With the world so obsessed with botox and ozempic, this is a scary but true horror film that I think most people can relate to in some aspect.

Citations: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-coming-of-age-movie-definition/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/coming-of-age-movies

https://raindance.org/unveiling-the-essentials-of-horror-key-elements-and-their-cinematic-uses/#:~:text=Horror%20frequently%20explores%20themes%20of,about%20death%20and%20the%20afterlife.

Transitioning into the Portfolio Project

 We have finally begun the most important project of the year!! As soon as this project was assigned I immediately knew what genre I wanted to do: Horror! We did some research on film openings and these notes that I took really helped me figure out what it was exactly that I wanted to do. 

To develop purpose, I would like to create mystery or allude to conflict, establish tone, and establish setting/background. I think that these strategies will work best for my kind of film and although I don't know exactly what I'm doing yet, I have gotten inspiration from other film openings during my own research and the nearpod we were assigned. 

The film opening that stood out to me the most was Ladybird and I would like to mix some of those stylistic choices into my film. I started out by researching A24 horror film openings since I thought that might be useful and I actually got a lot of inspiration from 2 modern horror films, "X" and "Pearl." I really enjoyed the artistry behind each of these and liked how they incorporated the time period into them. I also liked the pacing but I think since I only have 2 minutes for this project, I won't be able to do something like that. Also, I like how unsettling the character pearl seems right off the bat, so i'm definitely going to establish the characters in my film opening to be off putting because I think it adds so much context to the film.

I think i'm definitely interested in making the movie take place in the 70s or something like that. I also really enjoyed how in the opening for X, the film begins as a square and then expands to the rest of the screen. I want to incorporate that into my opening. 

I'm also planning on creating mystery mainly using mise-en-scene elements and sound. I think that those 2 things can really make or break this opening and by creating a mysterious and scary environment with the setting, set design, props, will really help establish context and a background for the viewer. And the mysterious soundscape will be difficult to tackle, but I think that the horror genre has established some common conventions that will help guide me a little.

Blog Posting - Music Marketing #2

 

This is the process of how my group and I filmed our music video!