Lights Out Short Horror Film

Lights out is a short horror film that is roughly 2 minutes long. It was produced by the public and wasn't part of any major production/ distribution company therefore being made on a very little budget. It was first brought to my attention via Facebook as it was shared on my news feed. I instantly made a connection with the film and decided to do an analysis of it as I am in the exact same shoes as the people who made it, in terms of budget, actors, equipment etc.

The story starts with an establishing shot of a block of average flats, setting the scene for the audience. This also enlightens me on the fact that the producers haven't gone to any extravagant locations to film, they've literally used their own living space.

Next we see a mid-shot of the actress coming out of what appears to be the bathroom and walking along the hallway to the light switch. The mine-en-scene is her dressed in ordinary female bed wear and what you would expect to see in your average flat, i.e a coat stand.

As the actress turns on the light, that is when we first see the appearance of the 'villain' in the dark at the end of the hallway. We see no details, such as the face, gender, clothing, or figure of said villain, just a silhouette in the dark. This is the exact same effect Im trying to achieve as it 'plays on peoples everyday fears'. It will also make the viewer jump at the same time, but not in the incredibly dull way jump scares do as in the paranormal activity films. This also stays with the audience and leaves a lasting impression with them when they get home. Oddly, theres also no music played throughout the film, amazingly this actually adds to the suspense even more as it kinda makes the viewer feel like they're actually there in the film!

Im considering using this similar effect in my film as I think it gives the film a unique twist and creates a more realistic feel for the audience.

We then see the actress turn the light on, to find the figure gone, she turns it off to see it return, this happens a few times. The camera angle is that of an over the shoulder shot, giving the impression that we are stood behind her, this camera angle also doesn't change throughout the 'light on, light off'. This creates the effect of being frozen in place and unable to take your eyes off the hallway. Id like to use this effect to in my short horror film as it creates the 'as if you're actually in the film' feel Im aiming to create.

On the fifth time she turns the light off, the creature appears in a different but closer spot, making the audience jump again but not as a cheesy jump scare.

We then see the horror in the actresses face via mean of a close up camera shot. Out of fear she tapes the light switch shut to leave the light on as she sleeps, this also plays on peoples fears, especially kids as they leave the light on as they are afraid of the dark.

Film Network- Film Making Guide

I was sent a link to a film making guide on the BBC website about how to make a good short film.

Reading the website has helped me decide on my final film idea by telling me what to do and what to avoid. To avoid involve: using friends who aren't talented actors in my film as apparently one bad actor can ruin a film considerably, thankfully, lots of my friends study drama and performing arts so I have no worries there.

I was also told to avoid clichés as it will ruin the film and make it predictable and subsequently boring. So, I have used original ideas of my own anyway and I said in my pitch that I would avoid clichés such as jump scares like they did in the paranormal activities. However, one interesting piece of advice I found was: even if you are using an unoriginal idea, try looking at it from a different perspective and use the idea to tell your version of events rather than recreate the original directors story, by doing this you could possibly end up with a completely different narrative altogether.

When it comes to script writing for short films, its harder because you no time/ have to develop your characters quickly and condense your story. Short films are ruined by over written/ under developed scripts all the time. Once the script is written, I've been told to ask strangers and friends. I can do this by posting my script on social media sites etc and ask friends in person. I've been told to ask strangers as well as friends as friends may be to scared to give constructive feedback, in case of offending me.

I've also been put at ease on my target viewers, as the article tells that audiences are mostly subjective and only appeal to a certain niche over a mass audience.

Another and perhaps the most important piece of advice on the website, is that short films have to grab the audiences attention from the start, I've taken this on board and consequently changed my film idea. I had originally intended on having a gradual build up however my new idea opens on a high to capture the audience then gradually build up again to its final climax.

Feedback on pitch

 

This is the feedback I got back from my pitch for the short horror film I'm going to produce.

 

I'm going to edit my pitch and upload it to my blog soon, however this is a quick 'things to consider' at the minute.

I was told to consider my settings on where to film, with proposed scenes shot in London, I was told to take into account the fact that London is a more populated area so people may be more likely to take action against something they perceive as dangerous. This goes against my original idea, as I felt that people in London would be less likely to be shocked at the sight of someone filming because London is one of the 'film hubs' of the world.

However, with the current threat level being 'severe' of a terrorist attack in London, I've decided to not film there as people may be a bit more cautious and likely to call the police should they see something out of the ordinary- https://www.mi5.gov.uk/home/the-threats/terrorism/threat-levels.html

Ideas for Short Horror Film

I've had several idea for my short horror so I've decided to list them all and ask for feedback from friends on what would be the best and efficient film to produce. Here they are:

Dreams can come true:

A film about a boy who has nightmares of demons tormenting him, torturing then finally killing him. He awakens to find out it was just a dream. At school he keeps seeing the demon from his dream throughout the day, reflections in mirrors, windows, has visions of the demon becoming the teacher etc. He goes to bed the next night and is suddenly awoken to find the demon at the bottom of his bed, ends on cliff hanger.

St'orker:

A girl is on her way home from school and keeps thinking she is being followed. She looks over her shoulder only to see no one there, as she carries on walking, she becomes more and more paranoid that someone is behind her, in her desperate bid to get home she takes a short cut through a graveyard and hides behind a headstone, to her horror she sees a hooded man walk through the graveyard looking for her, enlightening us on the fact that she was indeed being followed. She waits for him to go before running home and convincing herself that he was just some pervert. That night she's home alone doing work when she looks out of her window and thinks she seems someone walk past. She locks the doors, runs upstairs and calls her parents, she peers out of the window again to see him at the bottom of the drive. She then hers the stalker open the gate and try the door handles, by this point she's to scared to call the police and the sounds have all gone quiet.

Conversion to Short Horror Film

I have decided to change my idea from a music video to a short horror film.

The reasoning behind my choice is because I have more experience in the film industry over the music and I'm now working alone. To create a music video I would probably need more than one person to help film, edit, etc.

However, I've previously produced short horrors solo before, so this will be nothing out of the norm for me and working alone will actually help for this task rather than hinder me.

There's also been an influx of short horror films being shot in the North of England, not far from where I live:

http://www.castingnow.co.uk/auditions/acting-auditions/dreamscape-a-film-about-a-young-woman-who-has-had-nightmares-11962

http://www.castingnow.co.uk/auditions/acting-auditions/main-actor-19-26-for-independent-horror-film-able-to-speak-w-11749

This will allow me to get extra help should I need it, I could also email local directors for advice and tips on how to get an overall quality product.