- learn how to story board
- understand the rules of title sequences
- produce own storyboard of title sequence
How to storyboard for indie films- article
The article suggests the storyboarding is an effective way of cutting down budgets for filmmakers who's budgets are limited, but still have high standards for the film. For example, once a storyboard is made, they may decide to move locations around or change scenes in the film, which can cut the cost if the locations are closer to each other, or if it is decided to use cheaper equipment. It can help to plan out a film which is useful for budgeting. This is a major strength of storyboarding, as the point of view of the article is from a professional storyboard artist.
The Dying Art of the Horror Movie Title Sequence
This article suggests that title sequences are not as prevalent as they used to be, saying that they are a 'dying breed'.
A title sequence gives the films title, as well as the credits for the cast and crew involved. It also sets the tone of the film before it starts.

A Nightmare on Elm Street introduces the main character Freddy Krueger, without giving too much away. The credits include the iconic glove being assembled.
An example is The Shining, which uses long-winding overhead shots of the family's road trip to the Overlook Hotel while the ominous music plays and the credits are shown. It gives an overall sense of dread which forbids the entire film.
However title sequences are less commonly used in film today, which could be a style choice, or that surveys show audiences prefer not to see them.
David Fincher's film Se7en brought title sequences back into fashion. The best title sequences should give a hint of the theme of the text, creating an uncomfortable and uneasy atmosphere for horror films. They reveal pats of the main characters, usually the monster or serial killer, without revealing too much.
Title sequence- They Come At Night
Set in a child's bedroom, shots of common fears such as monsters.
Ends with parent reading a book to the child, closing the book to the film title.
http://soundbible.com/tags-horror.html
Music box/ jack in the box
teddy bear- fake blood/strangling/ pulling
shadows of monsters
baby photos- with filters
wooden/ old fashioned toys
creepy nursery rhymes- hush little baby- youtube
Script writing notes
Scene heading
Horror crash course
Notes
C. Robert Cargill
1. Characters are the most important
2. Write what scares you
3. Make sure something scary happens regularly
The Conjuring opening
4. Use comedy as a tension release for the audience
If the sub-genre is science fiction it must make logical sense
Characters should make logical choices
C. Robert Cargill
1. Characters are the most important
2. Write what scares you
3. Make sure something scary happens regularly
The Conjuring opening
4. Use comedy as a tension release for the audience
If the sub-genre is science fiction it must make logical sense
Characters should make logical choices
Horror screenplay outline
1.
Unravelling the terror- do you have an opening
that defines the movie?
2. The entry point- who will be involved in these terrifying escapades and what are they dealing with?
2. The entry point- who will be involved in these terrifying escapades and what are they dealing with?
3.
Before it goes to shit- what's a norm al day look like on this world?
4. The horror sets in-what horrific thing sets our characters off on their journey?
5. The uneasy path- everyone is together, what keeps them moving this way?
6. Walking over broken glass- how do our heroes deal with the problems as they go?
7. Through the dark cave- do you have a B-story?
8. Reassess the terror- you’re in the middle, is there another way to get out alive?
4. The horror sets in-what horrific thing sets our characters off on their journey?
5. The uneasy path- everyone is together, what keeps them moving this way?
6. Walking over broken glass- how do our heroes deal with the problems as they go?
7. Through the dark cave- do you have a B-story?
8. Reassess the terror- you’re in the middle, is there another way to get out alive?
9.
People are going to die- things begin to fall
apart, let the body count rise and show how they deal with it
10. The fall- the worst thing happens, something so bad you don’t think you can get up
11. The hidden clue- what do your characters discover that they never saw before?
12. Race to the final girl- the series of scenes that carries us towards the thrilling finale
13. The moment of relief- did they make it out alive? Has life returned to normal?
14. Where do we go from here? Show the world in a new light and hint what’s next.
10. The fall- the worst thing happens, something so bad you don’t think you can get up
11. The hidden clue- what do your characters discover that they never saw before?
12. Race to the final girl- the series of scenes that carries us towards the thrilling finale
13. The moment of relief- did they make it out alive? Has life returned to normal?
14. Where do we go from here? Show the world in a new light and hint what’s next.
Synopsis
· A brief telling of a screen story in written form containing all the important elements- characters, storyline and major incidents- from beginning to end in chronological order
· There are three lengths: full page, very short paragraph and sentence.
· Written in third person, present tense- telling the story
· Characters are introduced with short, vital and memorable descriptions
Structure
· Log-line- a short but captivating summary of the screenplay’s plot
· Synopsis- using acts
· Notes- optional notes and context details
· Should establish the major characters and their lines of conflict, what is at stake for these characters, the settings in time and space, and the major turning points of the story
· Should indicate the film’s structure- how the film begins, develops and ends
· Must include: the event, the decisions and actions the characters make, the obstacles and barriers they encounter and what they do about them, whether they win or lose, and where we leave them in the end
·
Where would the film take place?
· What’s the most surprising thing that could happen in the scene?
· Brainstorm three different ways it could begin
· Apply narrative theory
· Play it on screen in your head
· Write notes
· A brief telling of a screen story in written form containing all the important elements- characters, storyline and major incidents- from beginning to end in chronological order
· There are three lengths: full page, very short paragraph and sentence.
· Written in third person, present tense- telling the story
· Characters are introduced with short, vital and memorable descriptions
Structure
· Log-line- a short but captivating summary of the screenplay’s plot
· Synopsis- using acts
· Notes- optional notes and context details
· Should establish the major characters and their lines of conflict, what is at stake for these characters, the settings in time and space, and the major turning points of the story
· Should indicate the film’s structure- how the film begins, develops and ends
· Must include: the event, the decisions and actions the characters make, the obstacles and barriers they encounter and what they do about them, whether they win or lose, and where we leave them in the end
· What’s the most surprising thing that could happen in the scene?
· Brainstorm three different ways it could begin
· Apply narrative theory
· Play it on screen in your head
· Write notes
1.
Introduce the protagonist as soon as possible
· Most effective through action, reaction or failing this, through dialogue
· The audience doesn’t have to see every part of the character but provide some semblance of who they are
2. Make sure you establish the genre
· It’s important to include some references to horror early on
· E.g. brief mentions of props or visual signifiers or genre that can establish setting and expectation for an audience
3. Create conflict immediately
· Utilising conflict near the beginning of the script can be an effective way of establishing pace, tone and narrative and is widely used in modern filmmaking
4. Send your protagonist on a journey
· Establishing some form of journey for the protagonist early on allows an audience to engage with a quest, making things interesting and creating a ‘stake’ for people to be interested in
· This journey does not need to be large or especially important and could just be a small emotional or physical journey
· The journey should allow the audience to appreciate how the protagonist approaches the journey it will be effective
5. Make it visual
o Establish the strong visual nature of the script and do so at the beginning of the script to help create style and tone for the rest of the script
· Most effective through action, reaction or failing this, through dialogue
· The audience doesn’t have to see every part of the character but provide some semblance of who they are
2. Make sure you establish the genre
· It’s important to include some references to horror early on
· E.g. brief mentions of props or visual signifiers or genre that can establish setting and expectation for an audience
3. Create conflict immediately
· Utilising conflict near the beginning of the script can be an effective way of establishing pace, tone and narrative and is widely used in modern filmmaking
4. Send your protagonist on a journey
· Establishing some form of journey for the protagonist early on allows an audience to engage with a quest, making things interesting and creating a ‘stake’ for people to be interested in
· This journey does not need to be large or especially important and could just be a small emotional or physical journey
· The journey should allow the audience to appreciate how the protagonist approaches the journey it will be effective
5. Make it visual
o Establish the strong visual nature of the script and do so at the beginning of the script to help create style and tone for the rest of the script
Notes:
o
Denote the time and place where a scene takes
place
o The first part states whether its inside ‘INT.’ or outside ‘EXT.’ or ‘INT./EXT.’ if both inside and outside
o The second part refers to the setting, e.g. a house, plane, farm etc. and has to be capitalized
o Third part specifies the time of day in relation to the prevailing lighting conditions that are envisioned, for example ‘DAY’ ‘NIGHT’ ‘AFTERNOON’ ‘DUSK’ etc
o The first part states whether its inside ‘INT.’ or outside ‘EXT.’ or ‘INT./EXT.’ if both inside and outside
o The second part refers to the setting, e.g. a house, plane, farm etc. and has to be capitalized
o Third part specifies the time of day in relation to the prevailing lighting conditions that are envisioned, for example ‘DAY’ ‘NIGHT’ ‘AFTERNOON’ ‘DUSK’ etc
o
Example- INT. COCKPIT)- DAY or EXT. MILITARY
BASE – FRONT GATE- DUSK
o To be more specific with shots use phrases like ‘ANGLE ON’ or ‘CLOSE ON’ to preface the subject of the shot- avoid using too many articles
Action
o Describes everything that is happening within a scene outside of dialogue
o To be more specific with shots use phrases like ‘ANGLE ON’ or ‘CLOSE ON’ to preface the subject of the shot- avoid using too many articles
Action
o Describes everything that is happening within a scene outside of dialogue
o
The three things that should always be
capitalized are the initial appearance of a character with dialogue, sound
effects and plus objects producing the sound if present and camera directions
o If the dialogue spoken my a character is off-screen it must be specified by ‘JOHN (O.S.)
o If a character is not on screen but the source of their dialogue is then the voiceover must be specified e.g. ‘HENRY (V.O.)’
Parentheticals
o If the dialogue spoken my a character is off-screen it must be specified by ‘JOHN (O.S.)
o If a character is not on screen but the source of their dialogue is then the voiceover must be specified e.g. ‘HENRY (V.O.)’
Parentheticals
o
Parenthetical direction is inserted into
dialogue to describe what a character is doing while they speak
o Shouldn’t include punctuation or be capitalized
o If describing multiple actions they should be linked together
o Never end a piece of dialog with a parenthetical
o Shouldn’t include punctuation or be capitalized
o If describing multiple actions they should be linked together
o Never end a piece of dialog with a parenthetical
Transitions
o Describe how each scene leads into the next e.g. ‘FADE IN’ or ‘FADE OUT’
o Includes cuts and specifies the type of cut e.g. ‘CUT TO BLACK ‘SMASH CUT’ TIME CUT
o Describe how each scene leads into the next e.g. ‘FADE IN’ or ‘FADE OUT’
o Includes cuts and specifies the type of cut e.g. ‘CUT TO BLACK ‘SMASH CUT’ TIME CUT
jh
Are you able to continue with your current idea under Covid-19 restrictions?
I should be able to continue with my current idea as I could change small aspects of my film so that I would follow the restrictions. For example, I need a classroom setting for one of my scenes, but I could easily film this at home instead. I only need 5 actors so I can use friends or family that are avaliable. Regarding props, I only need basic things that I have at home, but I also may need a green screen for one of my scenes. The only issue is that it would be useful to use the schools Macs to edit the film, but as for filming, I can film under the Covid-19 restrictions.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p9dh8MQTM2axddAAuBlp6xpekVjXLfoa/view?usp=sharing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WOYI7lVbXQ viscous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxDi3kE0Cc 3:36
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs5zQBBOXrA the jigsaw
Task 2
Example 1- Viscous
Best parts
• Personally I think the best scene in this short horror film is the last scene, as it plays on a typical horror idea that the monster is behind the victim, so she checks behind her, but it ends up in front of her- I think this is something that I could use in my work
• I also like how throughout the film the colours are dull and cold, which creates a more uncomfortable tone which I could also use in my film
• The sound in this short film was very effective, in some parts it was almost silent, which exaggerated small sounds such as putting the knife down, whereas other parts were
• I also think the plot to this short film was good, as always kept the audience on edge
Worst parts
• I think that seeing the ghost of her sister at the end wasn’t needed- it would’ve been better to leave it to the audiences imagination what she looked like, and the film could’ve ended with what happens to Lydia
• I also think that the film makers could’ve added more detail to the sisters character and hint at what happened before she died
• The worst scene in my opinion is when Lydia is in her bed and she is frightened by the pile of clothes- this is very cliché and wasn’t very scary for the audience in my experience
Inspiration for my film
The main thing I am going to use for inspiration from this film is the camera work and the mise-en-scene, as I think both were very effective in setting the tone of the film. I will try and use mid shots, placing the character either in the middle or the side of the frame, so it creates mystery of what else is there. I will also use different lighting and colours, making the scenes look dull and cold which is unsettling for the viewer.
Example 2- 3:36
Best parts
• I really like how this short film was planned out, specifically how the audience experiences everything through the woman’s perspective and they are encouraged to feel what she does
• My favourite scene is where the ambulance lights are flashing along with the sirens, as I think it is successful in helping the audience experience what the character did. It puts life into a different perspective as the woman was dying in that scene, which is hard to experience
• The last scene is also effective as it completely contrasts the tone of the entire film, which signifies how the character is now at peace, and she doesn’t have to deal with the pain that she did before. I think the mise-en-scene specifically is used effectively in that scene.
• Another aspect of this film that I particularly liked was how the man seemed like the evil character at the start, however as the film progressed it was evident that he actually cared about the woman and was trying to help her.
Worst parts
• Although stated to be a horror I think that its more psychological than scary- the plot is interesting but it doesn’t frighten the audience
• Also the scene where blood runs out of the tap was a bit random and in my opinion didn’t fit in with what was happening in that part of the film, although I like the idea of it.
• There wasn’t much explanation to what happened to the baby, as its assumed that the woman was pregnant yet there were sounds of a baby crying, so it didn’t really make sense
Inspiration for my film
I really liked the storyline of this film and how it was planned out to be more psychological than scary. I think that I can use this when creating my film, as often when trying to make a low budget horror, it is hard to scare the audience, so making more of a psychological horror will be more effective and frightening without using jump scares.
Example 3- The Jigsaw
Best parts
• The storyline is the best part of this short film, as the plot twist was unexpected and shocked the audience
• The last scene is definitely my favourite as the sound, editing, camerawork and mise-en-scene were all effective, especially the last shot where there is a focus pull on the man in the background
• I also like how the first few shots are of the man’s normal life and the tone of the film completely changes when he enters the shop, as it immediately signifies that something is disturbing about it
Worst parts
• In my opinion the scene where the man drove home was too long, and had little significance other than the weather changing- I think that something else could’ve happened in this scene
• I also think that the mise-en-scene could make the man’s house slightly more uncomfortable maybe using more cold colours instead of warm colours, and making the house more dim
Inspiration for my film
In my film I would like to have a plot twist similar to this one that scares the audience. Doing this I can scare the audience without using jump scares, as suggested before. I also think that using a specific prop to base the film on is a good idea, and I could use this in what I create.
Task 3
1. The film starts with the quote ‘ in-between life and death every soul must understand and repent their earthly sins’ with the sound of a heart rate monitor. This immediately catches the audiences attention. It then cuts to a woman waking up with a voiceover about dreams she has. This introduces the main character, and suggests that her is something that isn’t quite right about her from the start. One of the first few shots is a close up of the characters face which are commonly used in the horror genre as they can make the audience uncomfortable. The shot is also quite dark, and her duvet cover is
a dark red colour, connoting blood or death that is typical of horror films and could hint the audience at what happens in the film. 2. The first shot of the film introduces a character, implying that she is the main character and the plot is focused around her. As suggested previously, from the introduction of this character, it is suggested that there is somethin
g wrong with her, as the first thing she says is ‘I’m afraid to close my eyes’. It seems as though she’s talking to a therapist, further suggesting she has a mental illness of some kind. All of the shots in the beginning are of the woman on her own, suggesting she’s lonely, or that she’s in her own world due to her mental illness. She also appears to have a daughter, but at first she only appears in her dreams. Through this the audience see the story from the woman’s perspective, as it is later revealed that she killed her daughter, and the same thing happened with her husband. The tone of the scenes of the woman’s everyday life versus her dreams contrast each other; her everyday life looks dull and dark whereas her dreams are bright and colourful, suggesting that it is more of a fantasy, even though she thinks it’s a nightmare. The only dialogue is between the woman and her therapist, emphasising her loneliness. It also seems as though she talks to herself where voiceovers are used. 3. The narrative of this short film is non-linear, as at first the audience experience what the woman does, and the narrative follows what seems like her everyday life, however, at the end the truth is revealed about her life and the narrative makes sense. This is effective because the woman seems like the victim from the start and the audience sympathise with her, but at the end this switches when its shown that she killed her husband and daughter. This could be seen as a realistic narrative because it could happen in real life, as many people could experience mental illness to this effect, even though it is exaggerated to make it a horror film. Horror comes through this narrative as there’s a gory plot twist at the end which explains the entire film and why the woman experiences those dreams. The narrative is reinforced through mise-en-scene as the setting is constantly dark and gloomy when the woman is alone, suggesting how she is suffering. There are often scenes with red as the main colour which suggests how she’s in pain, but could also represent how she is reminded of her daughter’s death. 4. The film ends with the woman’s death, as she understands what she has done. There is a sense of completion because throughout the film she is confused as to why she has this reoccurring dream, but at the end she learns that she killed her family and then dies herself. This is different to other short horror films as they are usually left without a sense of completion to scare the audience, however this is a psychological horror that focuses on the mind of one character so completion is needed. The ending left the audience sympathising with the woman because she admits what she did and it’s also evident that she has a mental illness. I found it difficult to identify the message of this film, it could be to raise awareness as the woman is clearly delusional and has little perception of reality. Overall I think that the ending shows the woman finally understanding herself and being at peace with what she’s done as she finally accepts the truth.
a dark red colour, connoting blood or death that is typical of horror films and could hint the audience at what happens in the film. 2. The first shot of the film introduces a character, implying that she is the main character and the plot is focused around her. As suggested previously, from the introduction of this character, it is suggested that there is somethin
g wrong with her, as the first thing she says is ‘I’m afraid to close my eyes’. It seems as though she’s talking to a therapist, further suggesting she has a mental illness of some kind. All of the shots in the beginning are of the woman on her own, suggesting she’s lonely, or that she’s in her own world due to her mental illness. She also appears to have a daughter, but at first she only appears in her dreams. Through this the audience see the story from the woman’s perspective, as it is later revealed that she killed her daughter, and the same thing happened with her husband. The tone of the scenes of the woman’s everyday life versus her dreams contrast each other; her everyday life looks dull and dark whereas her dreams are bright and colourful, suggesting that it is more of a fantasy, even though she thinks it’s a nightmare. The only dialogue is between the woman and her therapist, emphasising her loneliness. It also seems as though she talks to herself where voiceovers are used. 3. The narrative of this short film is non-linear, as at first the audience experience what the woman does, and the narrative follows what seems like her everyday life, however, at the end the truth is revealed about her life and the narrative makes sense. This is effective because the woman seems like the victim from the start and the audience sympathise with her, but at the end this switches when its shown that she killed her husband and daughter. This could be seen as a realistic narrative because it could happen in real life, as many people could experience mental illness to this effect, even though it is exaggerated to make it a horror film. Horror comes through this narrative as there’s a gory plot twist at the end which explains the entire film and why the woman experiences those dreams. The narrative is reinforced through mise-en-scene as the setting is constantly dark and gloomy when the woman is alone, suggesting how she is suffering. There are often scenes with red as the main colour which suggests how she’s in pain, but could also represent how she is reminded of her daughter’s death. 4. The film ends with the woman’s death, as she understands what she has done. There is a sense of completion because throughout the film she is confused as to why she has this reoccurring dream, but at the end she learns that she killed her family and then dies herself. This is different to other short horror films as they are usually left without a sense of completion to scare the audience, however this is a psychological horror that focuses on the mind of one character so completion is needed. The ending left the audience sympathising with the woman because she admits what she did and it’s also evident that she has a mental illness. I found it difficult to identify the message of this film, it could be to raise awareness as the woman is clearly delusional and has little perception of reality. Overall I think that the ending shows the woman finally understanding herself and being at peace with what she’s done as she finally accepts the truth.
Preproduction material
Script
Synopsis
Eden, a typical English teenager is woken up by her alarm. As she goes about her everyday life she remembers the weirdly specific yet somewhat terrifying dream she had of a girl being kidnapped and held hostage. Thinking nothing of it, she carries on her day, but as she goes to eat breakfast she overhears the news on TV, a report of a missing girl is headlining. Assuming that it’s just a coincidence, she proceeds to go to school. She finds herself distracted in lessons, often unable to hear anything due to the white noise drowning everything out.
The unusual school day comes to an end and she returns home and starts to feel dizzy, then deciding to get a glass of water. She looks in the mirror above the sink and at first sees her own reflection, then she starts to hear the piercing white noise again. An image of the helpless hostage in her nightmare appears in the mirror almost like a glitch, and both Eden and the girl are staring at each other through the mirror. Eden instantly recognises the girl from the photo on the news and begins to feel the pain from the girl’s tied up wrists and bruises on her face. She splashes her face with water and returns to what seems like reality. By this time it’s night, however Eden continues to have visions of the girl and almost feels what she feels, like a psychic connection. The pain becomes more intense, so much so that she feels the cuts and bruises the girl has yet there are no marks. She scavenges her cupboards for pain relief pills but nothing seems to work, because she feels the pain but it doesn’t exist.
Still convinced she’s being delirious, Eden decides to go to sleep to distract her from the suffering she’s going through. In her sleep she visions the girl again, this time trying to escape. Eden copies the movements of the girl as she tries to untie herself. She wakes up at around 6am barely feeling the pain she felt before. Not being able to go back to sleep she goes for a walk, feeling free for the first time. Eden and the girl are both seen running, celebrating the freedom they regained.
The girl that was held hostage was running through the woods, away from the place she was held captive. Not too far away from her another girl is forced into the boot of a car. Amelia, an average English teenager, wakes up.
One paragraph synopsis
Eden has a dream of a girl being kidnapped. She tries to forget but instead begins to experience the girl’s pain, however there are no scratches or bruises on her skin. Is there a connection between the hostage and the average teenager?
Log-line
Eden’s nightmares turn into reality as she can’t escape the girl she dreamt being kidnapped.
Shot list
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