Production - Second Filming Session Completed

All filming finished.

Editing will be done over the Easter break.

Production - Filming Canceled

We were unable to film today due to he weather conditions. As we had to continue from where we left of from, we needed snowy conditions but there was no sign of snow. We thought about restarting the filming but after a long discussion we decided not because the previous footage were too precious.

Production - Second Filming Schedule

Our second filming session will be tomorrow morning (26th March).
Filming Location - Park

Production - First Filming Completed

We have completed out first filming session under snowy conditions successfully. During the session we captured about 3 minutes of footage. We are estimating that only about 20 seconds of footage from the 3 minutes will be good enough for the final cut so we will have to go back and do more filming at the location.

Production - Filming Cancelation And Reschedule

We were unable to do any filming yesterday as a member of our production team wasn't well enough. After a short discussion, we have decided to reschedule the session for Monday (25th March), where we will have 2 hours to complete our first filming session.
Filming Location - Park

Production - Filming Schedule

Friday 22nd March 2013 (Action Day)

After school. (14:30)
We will try to complete all of the filming required for the opening sequence in this time period but we are aware that we may not achieve this objective. The filming will be done in and around the school. Then John will work on the editing over the weekend and next next week. It is expected to be done by Wednesday 27th.

Horror AND Action

"Horror is a film genre seeking to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's primal fears. Horror films often feature scenes that startle the viewer; the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes. Thus they may overlap with the fantasy,supernatural, and thriller genres

"Action film is a film genre in which one or more heroes are thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases. It tends to feature a resourceful character struggling against incredible odds, which may involve life-threatening situations, an evil villain, and/or being pursued, with victory achieved at the end after difficult physical efforts and violence." 
                                                                                             (Wikipedia)  

Currently, I think we will cover the horror aspect of the film very well in the opening sequence. However, I don't think the action aspect of film has been covered in the opening sequence. Therefore, we will have to think of more ideas that will cover both genre of the movie.

Common Rules of a Zombie Film

Origin

Most zombie movies do not have a set origin for what started the epidemic of the dead coming back to eat the living. Most will suggest that it was part of a governmental experiment, a satellite crash, or some strange type of sickness.

There is also the common idea that, "There is no more room in Hell," or that the End Days are upon us. This apocalyptic view is used more often then not as a suggestion. The viewer is left to wonder what caused this issue.

Physical Appearance

Zombies usually show a drawn pallor with varying degrees of decomposition. All walks of life are represented including some that could be considered as humorous.

Diet

The dead will feed on the living. Once a body has grown cold, the zombies will stop feeding on it.

Movement

Since the zombies have to relearn how to move, their movements are usually very jerky. For the most part, their movements are slow, and they can be easily outrun.

Destruction

There are two ways to destroy a zombie. You either have to burn the body, or destroy the brain. The most common method is to shoot it in the head. Committing any other type of damage will cause the zombie to keep coming after you.

Racism

Racism is not present in zombie movies. No matter what races people are from, they are able to have issues with each other without ever bring up any kind of racist issue. All of the people do what they can to eliminate the problem, or to find safety without making race an issue.

Help Does Not Come Until the End

The main characters are left to fend for themselves until the bitter end when help finally arrives. When help does arrive, it is usually too late for most of the main characters as they have fallen to the zombies, or to mistakes.

The Z Word

Most zombie movies will not use the word, "zombie." This is something that was originally established by Romero, and has continued for the most part until today. There are some instances where someone will use the word, and then be corrected by someone else.

As stated before, there are instances when some of these rules are broken. That can add a new sense of horror since the viewer of the movie has already sat down expecting these certain rules to be followed. Twenty or thirty years from now, most of these rules will probably still apply.

Movie Title

This is our current film title. At first, we considered to use 'Wasteland' as our film title. We decided to change it because we think 'Dead Rise' instantly gives an idea to the audience that the movies is heavily based on zombies.

Filming Location

The first part of the opening sequence will be filmed in the school (Ravens Wood). This is a ideal location for this part because it represents the characteristic of the main character. The character will then escape from the school after the news breaks out. (We still haven't decided on the exact scenes that will be filmed in this location).

The second part of the opening scene will be filmed in the park near the school. This is one of the nearest open space outside the school. The character will be running down the alleyway, seen in the picture above. Once inside the park, he will receive a special message.

Production and Cast

We have decided that just two people will be enough to film our opening sequence. John will be the cameraman and he will also edit the film while I will play the main character.

Music Ideas for Opening Sequence

Opening Sequence (Idea 2)

In a detention, teacher goes out

(10mins later) massive bang

gets up, look through door window (view of legs)

goes out to investigate, dead body (teacher)

back to the room to get the phone, picks up the phone

goes back out, teacher at the door

slams the door shut

goes out the back door

back gate of the school locked

goes to the front gate

park, walk towards the bench and sit down

walking dead appear from behind the bush
run up the slide
find a bomb
throw it
flashing of light
walking dead gone

DEAD RISE

Opening Sequence (Idea 2)

[Companies name and logos]

On a computer, on facebook
about to post
repetitive clicks
'page not available'

go downstairs
check the router
dead
power cut

walk outside (daylight)
everyones' vanished
person in the distance, walking closer
walks faster (zoom in the person)
blood!

go back into the house
power back on, tv turns on
news channel - 'Dead Rise!'
'Make your way to this 'unit' for safety' (10 miles away from the current location)
{walking dead bangs on the door}

grabs backpack, with supplies
goes out through the back door
{black screen for 2secs}

park, walk towards the bench and sit down
walking dead appear from behind the bush
run up the slide
find a bomb
throw it
flashing of light
walking dead gone

DEAD RISE

Feedback

From Mr. Jackson

More Evaluation - relevance to the film
                              link every post to your film 

Current grade - C/B

'XXL - zombie'

WYRMWOOD - An Australian Zombie Film (Independent)

Age Rating - Examples

LAND OF THE DEAD

Land of the dead was made in the year 2005 by director George A Romero. The story of ‘Land of the Dead’ deals with a zombie assault on Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, where a tyrant run government exists. The survivors in the film have fled to the city. The city is protected on three sides by a large river and on the other by an electric barricade.

Rating

‘Land of the dead’ is the first movie in the ‘living dead’ series to receive an MPAA rating for its theatrical release. Romero had said he would film two versions; an R rated cut for the theatres and first DVD, and an unrated cut for the second DVD release. Both DVDs were released in the United States on 18 October 2005. Rumors suggested that Romero shot alternate gore scenes for the theatrical release, but this is not entirely accurate. The more extreme instances of gore were obscured by foreground elements filmed on bluescreen, so that these overlayed elements could be easily removed in post production for the unrated DVD. Other ways used to obscure blood in order to get an R-rating were achieved by simply trimming the grislier shots by a few seconds, by digitally repainting blood so that it is more black than red, or by digitally painting the blood out altogether.

In Canada the film was rated 18A and 13+ in Quebec. In the UK the BBFC rated it a 15 in both theatrical and unrated versions. Although the unrated was sold as an 18 certificate due to its bonus features. In Germany both versions were rated 18. Due to this the unrated version was more widely available. The film was banned in Ukraine.

Shaun Of The Dead

Shaun of the Dead is a British horror comedy directed by Edgar Wright in 2004, starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, who also helped to write it with Wright. Simon Pegg plays Shaun, a man attempting to get some kind of focus in his life as he deals with his girlfriend, his mother and stepfather. At the same time he has to cope with an apocalyptic uprising of zombies.

The film was rated 15 in Britain and R in the US.

ZOMBIELAND

Zombieland is an American zombie comedy directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick in 2009.

The film stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as survivors of a zombie apocalypse. Together they take an extended road trip in an attempt to find a sanctuary free from zombies, following a set of “rules” designed to keep them alive where others have failed, killing zombies in a variety of creative ways while trying to “enjoy the little things” in a ruined world.

Zombieland was rated:-

• 15 in the UK
• R in the USA ========
• 16 in Ireland
• 13+ in Canada
• 18A in Canada
• 15 in Norway
• R16 in New Zealand
• 15 in Sweden
• 16 in Netherlands
• 18 in Ireland
• 18 in South Korea
• R-13 in Philippines
• 18A in Canada
• 14 in Peru
• 16 in Argentina
• 16 in Germany
• 14 in Brazil

A History Of The Title Sequence

The sequence includes all the names of title designers who had a revolutionary impact on the history and evolution of the title sequence. The names of the title designers all refer to specific characteristics of the revolutionary titles that they designed. This film refers to elements such as the cut and shifted characters of Saul Bass' Psycho title, the coloured circles of Maurice Binder's design for Dr. No and the contemporary designs of Kyle Cooper and Danny Yount.

Art of Title Design

Film Certificate

According to the BBFC:
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ - British Board Of Film Classification



Certificate 15

Theme
A 15 certificate rated film always has a theme, but must be suitable to the audience. Hence fourth no theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.

Language
Language is also infrequent, with a few references to strong language, and the strongest language is only justified if it is in context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity
Nudity is allowed in sexual context, but no strong detail is shown. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context in a 15-certificate film.

Sex
Linking with nudity, sexual content is also shown and is allowed to be portrayed, but with no strong detail. However there may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Violence
Violence can be strong but with no focus or dwell on the infliction of pain or injury that has been caused. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Imitable techniques
Dangerous techniques e.g. combat, hanging, suicide, weapons that are easily accessible and self-harming should not be focused on to much in imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should also not be glamorized or portrayed as ‘cool’ in order to not influence the audience.

Horror
Very little gore is shown within horror, but strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs
Drugs and drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse in anyway and once again much no glamorize this or portray it in a way that looks acceptable in order not to influence the audience.



Certificate 18

BBFC findings show that at the age of 18 a person should be entitled to see whatever they wish as they are an adult. However exceptions include the promotion of dangerous acts (both to the individual and society). certificate 18s also cannot risk harm to individuals or to society, or involve sexual violence that could support sexual assault. Explicit sexual content is only shown if the context can justify it.


The difference between a certificate 15 and certificate 18 film.
The main contrasts between an 18 certificate film and a 15 certificate is the detail and the explicitness of the context. In a an 18, sexual content is much more explicit and violence is in much more detail. Strong gore and violence is more obvious, in a lot more detail and more extreme in an 18, along with the use of very strong language. Even so, in both a 15 and 18 the content must be justified by the context.

Budget of Highest Grossing Horror Movies

This list shows the budget of top 20 highest grossing horror movies of all time. The two movies with the lowest budget (Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project) are presented in the style of 'found footage'. The Blair Witch Project is known to popularized this style horror movies.

IMBd User Ratings - Shaun of the Dead

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IMDb User Ratings - Planet Terror

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Inspirations

The 20 Highest Grossing Horror Movies Of All Time (U.S.)

20. Saw II (2005): $87 million 

"Saw II" is the most successful film from the "Saw" franchise, which includes seven movies. It starred Donnie Wahlberg and Beverly Mitchell, with Tobin Bell playing the villain, Jigsaw. 

19. Scream 3 (2000): $89.1 million

"Scream 3" is part of the four film "Scream" franchise. The movie stars Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox. 

18. The Haunting (1999): $91.4 million

This late '90s film is a remake of the 1963 film. It starred Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Owen Wilson.

17. The Others (2001): $96.5 million

"The Others" starred Nicole Kidman and was released the same year she and Tom Cruise divorced.

 16. Sleepy Hollow (1999): $101.1 million

"Sleepy Hollow," directed by Tim Burton, starred Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. It is the sixth highest-grossing Burton film out of the 16 he has directed.

15. Scream 2 (1997): $101.4 million

"Scream 2" was released a year after the original "Scream" and was directed by Wes Craven, who directed all  four films in the franchise.

14. Scream (1996): $103 million

"Scream" won the MTV Movie Award for best movie and reportedly used about 50 gallons of blood during production. 

13. Paranormal Activity 3 (2011): $104 million

"Paranormal Activity 3" is the highest grossing of the four film franchise, so far . Many of the scenes shown in the trailer were not featured in the actual movie, angering many fans.

12. Interview with the Vampire (1994): $105.3 million

This horror film starred Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Kirsten Dunst. It was also nominated for two Oscars in the best art direction-set decoration and best music/original score categories.

 11. Paranormal Activity (2007): $107.9 million

The first film in the "Paranormal Activity" franchise grossed $9.1 million in the U.S. during its first week in theaters. It broke the record for the highest-grossing weekend for a film playing in less than 200 theaters.

10. The Grudge (2004): $110.4 million

The first in the three film franchise was inspired by a Japanese film and had the same director as the Japanese original.
 

9. The Village (2004): $114.2 million

This film starred Sigourney Weaver and Joaquin Phoenix. It was nominated for an Oscar in the music category.

8. Van Helsing (2004): $120.2 million

"Van Helsing" starred Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Grant. The movie earned $65 million during its first week out on DVD, representing more than half of its theater revenue. 

7. Shutter Island (2010): $128 million

This Martin Scorsese directed horror film starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo. It is Scorsese's second highest-grossing film, behind "The Departed."

6. The Ring (2002): $129.1 million

"The Ring" is a remake of a 1998 Japanese film. More than two million copies of the DVD were sold in the U.S. during its first day of release. 

5. The Blair Witch Project 

(1999): $140.5 million

All lines in this horror film were improvised and almost all events were on-camera surprises. It is one of the most successful independent movies of all time.

4. What Lies Beneath (2000): $155.5 million

"What Lies Beneath" stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was directed by Robert Zemeckis while his other film "Cast Away" was on break waiting for Tom Hanks to lose weight for his character.

3. The Exorcist (1973): $232.9 million

"The Exorcist" is based on a 1971 novel about a real life exorcism from 1949. Maxim and Entertainment Weekly have voted this film the scariest movie of all time.
 

2. Jaws (1975): $260 million

This Steven Spielberg directed film won three Oscars (best film editing, best music, and best sound). Spielberg named the shark from the film "Bruce" after his lawyer. 

1. The Sixth Sense (1999): $293.5 million

The highest-grossing horror movie of all time stars Bruce Willis and 11-year-old Haley Joel Osment. It was nominated for a staggering six Oscars, including best director and best picture.