Pitch script

1st part: Set up front screen and introduction to whole pitch

After being set the task to create a short film, we plan to collaboratively direct a five minute piece

with the concept being a psychological horror. ‘The Set Up’ as we shall call our piece is going to

explore the psychological aspect and play on key conventions of this specific genre to lead the

audience into a false sense of knowledge. The intended audience will be those who enjoy the ‘edge

of your seat’ type horror that has the viewer in constant suspense of what is about to happen. The

main idea of the film is of building to the climax whereby the audience will be shocked by the twist

to the plot. Key horror conventions will take place throughout to signify the supposed genre and

only until the very end will it become clear that these horror stereotypes for example sound, have

allowed the viewer to become caught up in the theme and make the wrong assumptions as to the

ending of the short film. This presentation will discuss our plot and an in depth analysis of this as

well as an understanding to our approach as the creators and directors. We will then show you a

filmed scene for an insight into ‘The Set Up’ and our means of camera shots, accompaniment further

devices that build suspense.

2nd part: Plot explanation

Sian to speak

3rd part: Introduction to 10 shot analysis

To explain the plot in further detail, we plan to discuss ten key shots throughout the short film. Each

shot is significant for a specific reason, using stereotypical horror conventions to build suspense and

enhance fear among the audience.

4th part: 10 shot talk through

Sian to speak

5th part: Our approach to the film

Our initial ideas for a short film were always going to be based around the genre ‘horror’ as we felt

we could make this effective with key horror conventions. Our idea for a psychological horror was

also almost immediately decided as we wanted to not only use obvious horror aspects but to create

a gripping storyline which would confuse the viewer until the short film comes to its resolution. This

will ensure that the audience do not lose interest and are left in constant suspense. The specific

storyline we will portray is our own invention using horror conventions to create fear and suspicion

of a bad conclusion in the mind of the viewer when really signs were always present to indicate the

‘surprise’ at the end. Our approach to the filming and sound will be the main focus of the film as

these will be what create the most tension whereas props, specifically the knife and the phone, not

forgetting the isolated setting are things which the viewer associates with the genre ‘horror’ and are

therefore they support the predominant aspects e.g. eerie accompaniment and cantid angles which

break the equilibrium. The links in the film to the ‘surprise’ ending will be cleverly placed to seem

like conventions of a horror film. E.g. The phone call that takes place between the protagonist and

another character seems to be threatening due to the clever use of misleading language and the

main characters reaction. However, we know this to be a party guest who is ringing a friend to ask

for directions once the story has unravelled fully.

6th part: Filming and technology

From directing this short film, we will have full control of the lighting and shooting as well as the

soundtrack. We will have one person playing the main character, a male whom has not been

specified at this stage, and we will also need many extras, minimum of ten. Through the planning

stages both members of the group have worked collaboratively suggesting concepts for plots of a

short film. Although Sian had the initial idea for the ‘Surprise’ psychological ending, I came up with

many of the signs and codes used throughout to make the audience let down their guard as to what

is actually going on e.g. the phone call with dialogue relevant to both the horror theme and the

surprise party theme.

As an aspect that can make or break a film, the soundtrack will be of primary concern. To fit with

common horror conventions that will allow the audience to be unintentionally mislead into a genre

type we will use tension building music and natural sounds to portray the reality of each shot. The

buzz tracks main aim is to build tension and create a sense of fear of the unknown among viewers.

The lighting will need to be tended to allowing the audience to understand the night time dark

setting which plays on general horror conventions; darkness represents the unknown a factor which

will further challenge an audience’s fear of the unknown.

To yet again keep to the horror conventions, we will include cantid angles, slightly off centre and

tilted which suggest something concerning the scene is not quite right. We will also be filming close

ups of the protagonist as he is the only character for most of the five minutes and it is important that

the audience have a complete understanding of his mood changes and fear to further build overall

tension. Tracking and over the shoulder shots will also be present to allow the viewer to see exactly

what the protagonist can. However, they will see all situations from a completely different

perspective by knowing some things which the male character will be oblivious to. This inclusion

should create a closer relationship with the audience and build their interest in the plot.

Sian and I shall split all practical work equally to have joint input into the piece and this in itself will

create a greater piece with more ideas to explore. However as a photographer and with more skill

and knowledge Sian will film predominantly for our film, with myself helping to direct and control

lighting. We will both have input into the direction and editing of the film to play off of each other’s

ideas and aims for the piece.

7th part: Film scene

Now, we will show you a scene from our short film which displays our ideas for the accompaniment

and how we can use this to build suspense.

8th part: About the filming and funding

The project will be funded entirely by the directors being Hannah Holden and Sian Williams with

camera facilities donated by Ravenswood School’s media department. The short piece must be

filmed over a period of time however to try and avoid any continuity error, each scene at least will

be filmed in one day. The more filming possible in one day, the better as it is important to keep the

same lighting throughout to improve the fluidity and therefore pace of the short film. Natural

lighting will play a key role in our piece to keep a realistic feel to the piece, another aspect which will

rely quite heavily on keeping the time period of all filming to an absolute minimum. We hope to film

the whole piece in the maximum of a week to have time before for appropriate and detailed

planning with time after filming to edit and to piece together an effective short film.

We have aimed to finish all appropriate planning by the end of October to leave a small amount of

time for any changes to be corrected if we find plans unsuitable. By November we hope to be filming

our piece in the aim to get it finished in one of the first couple of weeks allowing anytime in the rest

of the month for extra filming and corrections and to start the editing stages. With time at the end

of this month to spare we hope to create two different types of advertisement for our film and by

December we hope to have the finished product of ‘The Set Up’.

9th part: Q & A

If you have any final questions about our short film proposal then we will be happy to answer them.