Film

Project Proposal
We have been given the task of creating a short movie which will also need to have a soundtrack
added to it. This movie will need to consist of using diegetic, non-diegetic and Foley sounds. In order
to do this, we have decided to work in a group of 4 and we have decided to do a type of film that is
freaky and has a lot of suspense within it.
What makes an effective film?
1. Smoothness between scenes - In order for the film to be effective the transition between
certain scenes need to be smooth, if they are not smooth it could mean the audience would
become confused about it and lose interest. But also when a scene is changing to the next
one the music also has to follow in the transition, especially if the scene is completely
different to the last one.
2. Perfectly timed sound effects An example of a poorly timed sound effect is that if we have
a dog within a film and its mouth moved to bark but there was no bark, but the bark would
come 4 seconds after when the dogs mouth is closed. This isnt good because it proves the
fact that the bark isnt generic but also it shows that the film has been badly produced and it
can lose the essence of suspense if it a horror film.
3. Music to fit the theme In our case we are creating a horror film so the music would have to
link to that genre. This type genre has a creepy aspect which would involve instruments such
as; Violins, Electronic pads, Bass Drum, Deep Bass and low frequency trumpets. So if a horror
film has instruments such as; Acoustic Guitar, ukulele, flutes and steel drums it would give
the song a summer vibe and this wouldnt make sense to a horror genre. When it is a correct
music genre which fits with the film it creates a really good feel to the film.
4. Structure: Beginning, middle and end The film needs to have a strong structure as it can
help within the story of it but also make it entertaining to the audience as it shows that the
film has been properly planned and it is a good film. By having it structured it is also better
to the producers as they will know what they are doing for that certain section, either the
beginning, middle or end.
If our film project has these points within it and done
correctly then it will be an effective film which will be
entertaining to our audience.
Storyboard
The first step for creating this short film was to draw a
storyboard which we will use as a guide when we start
filming. The idea behind this is that the film follows a
structure and means we will avoid repetition and have
complete control over what we are filming.
Resources
Firstly, we need to make sure that we have all the
resources and props we need for the film. These are
cameras (using our phones camera), clown suit & mask,
scare masks and realistic make up such as fake blood
and even face paint can be included in this.

Filming plan
Once we have all the resources, we will head out to a small forest which we have chosen to
fit the theme of the short film to assess the best places to film it, consider health and safety
aspects and danger points. Doing this before we start to film means we can gain or lose any
ideas and see if it will work which will save time when it comes to filming and means the
process will be smooth.
The first part we will be filming is the start of the film where a girl is walking through the
forest we will be filming her feet and then slowly bring the rest of her body into focus. As she
is walking through the forest we will add foley in when we make the soundtrack for the film
with twigs snapping and leaves crunching to add the soundscape of the film. The next phase
of the film is that the camera will extend to the back of them and there will be no face shown
to add to the dramatic, horror theme of the film. The girl slowly turns round and stops dead in
her tracks as the clown comes up behind her. There will be a brief conversation between the
girl and the clown which makes the girl even more scared as the clown will talk in a strange
voice followed by an evil creepy laugh.
The clown will never run and chase the girl, he will only walk calmly and we will use clever
filming and editing it to make it appear that wherever the girl goes, the clown follows her
without even seeming to move very far. The camera will flick to person they're looking at and
the girl will start walking fast, then into run and then comes up to a tree and the clown jumps
out of no where unexpectedly to both the audience and the girl to scare her. The girl runs the
opposite way then stumbles over a stick/tree stork. in fear and ends up falling down.To end
the film dramatically there will be a scream that echoes out and a shot of the clown walking
away carrying a weapon with blood on it and the girl will be lying dead in the middle of the
forest.
Editing
We will make sure we film around 15 minutes of footage so that we can pick out the best
parts and cut it down so it fits between the 5 and 10 minute time limit. Once the filming is
complete and we have chosen the best parts we can then start to edit it thoroughly in iMovie
making sure it is in chronological order, it fits the storyboard and the transitions between
scenes and camera angles is smooth.
Creating the soundtrack
After the editing is completed we will export the movie from iMovie and import it into Logic
Pro X, extracting the audio and get to work on the soundtrack for the film. We will make sure
the soundtrack fits the theme of the film. We will overdub speech, use foley and use Logic
and Massive sounds to create a soundscape. We will use a variety of instruments such as
violins, electronic pads, heavy bass and heavy kick drum. The idea for the kick is that there
is a filter applied to it to make it a sub kick so that the audience really feel it as if someone is
playing a kick right in front of them. One thing we need to be aware of when creating the
soundtrack is if there is any speech, when we overdub the speech it needs to be in-sync with
the film creating a realistic effect.
The purpose of a professionally made soundtrack is that the audience connect with the film,
feel like they are completely emerged in the film and the soundtrack sets the tone for the
film. If the soundtrack doesn't fit the theme or sound effects are in the wrong places or the

wrong sound effects are chosen, it will mean the soundtrack does not fit with the film
properly creating a poor resulting film.

Health and Safety

When filming our short film there are many health and safety aspects that would
need to be taken into account. When filming we need to be safe and make sure that
no injuries are caused.
One of the health and safety measures that would need to be taken into
consideration would have to be the fact that we are filming in the woods and there
could be many hazards around. One of the hazards would be sticks and roots, we
need to make sure that no sticks and roots are around on the floor. The reason that
this needs to be looked into is because if there is a stick on the floor someone could
trip over it and then this could cause an injury. This is the same with roots, if roots
are sticking out the ground when the cast members are running then they could trip
and hurt themselves. To prevent this from happening we can make sure that we look
over the area that we are going to film in and check that there aren't any sticks or
roots around that can cause hazards, if we are in an area that has any sticks then we
can change area or move the sticks away.
Another health and safety issue could be the weather. If we are filming in rainy
weather then the ground could be slippy and muddy, this could mean that if we are
filming a scene where there is running the actor/actress could slip on the mud and
hurt themselves. As well as this if the weather is too hot then the actor/actress could
overheat. Also if the weather is cold then the cast and crew will need to where
appropriate clothing, as they would be standing still a lot of the time and even in mild
weather conditions they could catch a cold. To prevent this from happening we can
bring warm cloths with us all the time when filming, also we could check the weather
forecast before filming so that we can see whether we would need warm clothes or
not.
Additionally, a third health and safety issue could be time. If we are rushing to finish
filming, then hazards could be caused. This is because if we are rushing then we
could not be paying attention to surroundings and people could take more risks. To
prevent this from happening we need to make sure that all the planning and prep for
the film is done quickly so that we have enough time to film properly, therefore
reducing the risk of injuries.
A fourth health and safety hazard could be the time of day in which we chose to start
filming. For example, if we are filming at night we need to make sure that we bring
lighting with us so that we can see around us because if we cannot see where were
going then we could trip or run into something. To prevent this from happening we
could make sure that we are filming in the day time or make sure that we bring lights
and torches with us.
Furthermore, another hazard could be bags and coats lying around. If we are
bringing bags and coats with us and we leave them in the way of us film or the

actor/actress, then they could cause a trip hazard. To make sure that a hazard isn't
caused we need to ensure that all our bags and coats are put away and arent lying
around, or put far away from us.

Timeline
26th April week 1
Start by discussing ideas,
including what genre the
film will be, where we are
going to film it, and how we
are going to do it. Once we
have that we will look at
short films and film trailers
of the genre we choose for
some inspiration.

27th April week 1

More detailed planning will
commence. This includes
drawing up a short story
board to help us out when
we go out and film as well
as finalising where we are
going to film. Get together
props for the film making
sure they are appropriate
for the theme of the film.
Considering any health and
safety aspects as part of the
planning process (e.g not
falling in a lake)
3rd May week 2
4th May week 2
Editing the video will
Still working on the video
commence. This will be
making sure that the
done using Final Cut Pro
transitions between scenes
which is an upgraded
is smooth, the best takes
version of iMovie with more are used and that the
options, more effects and
effects applied are in the
will give the video a much
right places. We also will
more professional look
need to make sure the
which, in turn, will result in scenes are placed in the
a professional product.
correct order.
th
10 May week 3
11th May week 3
After the video is complete Once the sound effects are
and the audio is extracted, recorded and put in the
we will then start acting on right places we will then
the ideas we came up with record the voices and get
in week 2 and putting them them edited properly
into practise. The main
making sure the voices are
sound effects will be
synced up properly with the
recorded today and put in
visuals whenever there is
the correct places. These
speech. After this is done
include whispers, water
we will start adding to the
dripping, leaves crunching
soundtrack over the top of
and screams.
this adding substance and
atmosphere to the film.

28th-29th April week 1

Filming commences at
Brooklands Lakes, Dartford.
We will select the best
places to film considering
health and safety aspects of
the area if there are any
lakes or logs lying around in
the forest where we film.
Another thing to consider is
other members of the
public when they see the
character holding a weapon.
5th-6th week 2
Start thinking about ideas
for the music/soundtrack to
match the visuals while the
video will be finalised. The
original audio will be
extracted from the video
ready to start producing the
sound track for the film.
12th 13th May week 3
By this date, all of the sound
effects and voices will be
completed including the
editing of those key aspects
of this project. The
soundtrack will be in the
middle stages making sure
that the tempo changes
accordingly with a change of
pace on the visual. We may
have to include weather
effects where appropriate
too to make the film
realistic.


17th May week 4
The film will be complete by
this date including the visual
editing, all sound effects,
speech, and the entire
sound track for the film.
This will commence the
start of the directors cut.
We will start this by writing
up a script. This will be
thoroughly done making
sure we cover all aspects of
analysis and justification of
how and why we did
everything in this project.

18th May- week 4

We will record the speech
for the directors cut on this
date and have all of it
finished so editing can
commence the next day.
This will be relatively easy
recording it scene by scene
as it was written the
previous day so when it
comes to editing it will be
simple as they will be in the
correct order.

19th-20th May week 4

On the 19th the editing of
the directors cut will be
started and completed in
the same day so we have
the 20th to upload allowing
for time if there are any
technical issues when it
comes to uploading our
work. There is a potential
that the file size could be
too big to upload at first so
we may have to allow time
to compress the files too.