The document summarizes the research and creative process behind creating a title sequence for a horror film. It discusses conventions of the horror genre discovered through analyzing the title sequence of Dawn of the Dead, including settings, lighting, camera shots, costumes, and themes. Locations around the university were used to film scenes adhering to and challenging genre conventions. Editing software was used to professionally assemble scenes with sound, transitions, and a cliffhanger ending to engage viewers and tie into the larger film.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real
media products?
EVALUATION: QUESTION 1

2. Before we began to create a title sequence on the horror genre, we did some thorough research
into the conventions of a typical horror film and its title sequence. I looked at and analysed the
title sequence for Dawn of the Dead which gave me a better understanding of sound, lighting,
editing and mise en scene. Doing this research gave me some inspiration and some ideas of
what we could include in our title sequence. As a result of this I was able to bring some
knowledge to my group, which was used when planning our title sequence, for example, the low
angle shot which is used to make the main character look vulnerable to the villain. Overall, this
research gave me a really clear understanding of the genre I had chosen to do my title
sequence on. I had a much improved knowledge of understanding on what was included in
horror films and the different props and costumes used in the horror genre.

3. From my research I discovered that the typical horror setting was often the same in most horror
films. After looking at many different horror films such as, Dawn of the Dead, The Ring and The
Exorcist, I noticed the main setting was in a small urban area which was usually isolated, with lots of
dark alleyways. Moreover, they are also filmed in abandoned houses. This creates a feeling of
isolation and vulnerability for the protagonists.
For our title sequence we filmed in a few different locations. Firstly, we filmed on the side of the
main road in the dark. However, it wasn’t very isolated but it was set in a small urban area like many
horror films. This location did challenge the conventions of a horror setting, but we still created a
horror atmosphere, in terms of darkness of the setting. In addition, our second filming location was
under a flyover bridge, where there is a narrow road. It was very dark and isolated which created
the perfect setting to create a feeling of isolation. Finally, we filmed our last part of the sequence in
a house. Like many other horror films, the protagonist usually feels safe when in his home, however
we had the villain kill the main character in his house, which matches the convention of a horror film.

4. In my research I discovered that mainly low key lighting is used for a number of different reasons.
Firstly, it is used to create shadows and a dim hue. This is often used in horror films to create a
sinister feeling. In our title sequence we used a lot of low key lighting from sources such as
street lights, which cast a nice glow over the setting. I also found out that lighting is often set at
eye level or lower to the ground than the subject. We never really used that theory, the lighting
where we filmed was usually good enough to create a low key lighting effect, however, we did
use the torch of our phones to create more light when the setting was to dark to capture a good
enough image. We didn’t have any equipment to alter the lighting so we had to do what we could
in order for it to look good.
This is a picture of a
scene with low key
lighting to create a
shadowy effect.

5. In our title sequence we used a variety of different camera shots. From my own research I was
able to gain a really good understanding of the different camera shots and movements used in a
horror film. I noticed that a lot of horror films use close ups. The close up shot is used to show
emotion on the characters face. They also use a lot of high angled shots looking down of the
protagonist, to make him look vulnerable to the villain. We used this shot really well when we had
Zak (Max) walking up the stairs whilst we filmed looking down on him. Moreover, handheld camera
shots are used as it creates a shaky camera effect, which relates to how the protagonist is feeling.
We used this shot when Zak (Max) is walking up the stairs whilst Sam followed him up with the
camera. This shot shows the fear of the protagonists face and the shaky handheld camera creates
tension. Finally, we used a tracking shot as this is used to create the sense of being followed. We
used this when Zak (Max) walks across the bridge. In the Dawn of the Dead title sequence there is
an establishing shot at the beginning so we can see the location of where it is filmed. We filmed an
establishing shot but in editing decided to get rid off it as it didn’t fit in with the rest of our sequence.

6. From horror films I looked at, I noticed that the villain was often very similar in terms of
costume within each one. They usually wore all black and stood out as the villain. In our title
sequence, our cloaked figure played by Adam, wore all black with a black cloak, black, skin-
tight mask and carried a machete. The black colours represent power, death and mysterious.
This portrays our cloaked figure as nobody knows who he is and he is capable of death. A lot
of horror villains carry some sort of weapon to make them appear stronger and more
powerful. In our title sequence we have a machete. This is similar to the film Scream in which
they have knives.
Our two other characters, Max and James, portray two ordinary teenagers from off the street.
They wear ordinary casual clothes. This is so they are relatable to the audience. It also
shows how the villain can attack anyone around.

7. In our film we decided to challenge the convention of horror by going against the
final girl theory. The final girl theory suggests that there is often a female survivor
at the end of horror films. However, in our title sequence we didn’t include any
female characters, but there will be female characters in the film itself. We
decided to go against it to make it different and unique. Our film uses the Binary
opposition theory, basically good vs evil. This is because it involves a good
character who is unfortunately killed by an evil character.
Our title sequence uses the colour red for the title as this symbolises blood and
anger. It involves a lot of sound as this is used to create suspense and tension.
Our title sequence makes you want to carry on watching as it is left on a bit of a
cliff-hanger as the audience don’t know what will happen next with the cloaked
figure. Our title sequence is called Pallium which is Latin for cloak. This is to make
it appear more mysterious and makes it stand out over the word cloak.
Our film links very closely to the title sequence as the antagonist is killed then the
his friends are left to discover what has happened and who is doing this.

8. We used the Mac computers to edit our title sequence to make it appear
professional and free flowing. It took us many editing sessions to finally complete
it. We tried to perfect it each editing session by adding different transitions and
effects, along with sound. From the research and after analysing the Dawn of the
Dead title sequence, I was always trying to make it as professional that. We added
different dialogue and ambient sound to create a realistic piece. We used
transitions to make the title sequence flow and make it more fluent. Otherwise, the
each scene would have gone on for too long and it would be very boring.