Our first attempt to brainstorm ideas looked like this:
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| Potential Opening Planning: 1
For each of our three ideas, we gave a brief outline of what they would include. However, we did not give more insightful details such as the victim's name and the exact locations. Our mistake was quickly pointed out, and this structure to follow was written on our sheet:
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For each potential opening we gave an answer to:
1.) Who?
-we answered this with what our victim would be called and their age. Their gender was evident by their name.
2.) What?
-we answered this question with a brief but concise synopsis and timeline of how the opening would play out.
3.) When?
-we answered this question with what time of day the opening would take place, as well as the time of year. We also included the day (Tuesday, Friday etc.) to give extra detail. Whether this will prove useful or necessary is yet to be determined.
4.) Where?
-we answered this question by stating where the opening would take place, and the conditions of the location. For example, potential opening 2 takes place in a small, cold and dingey room.
I will answer the final question, 'why?' now.
Opening 1:
We decided that our victim should be a man and the villain a female as it challenges the stereotypical horror convention of a female being a victim as they are considered weak and vulnerable as opposed to men. Males are usually the villains as they are capable of doing more harm than female villains. However, we have reversed the roles for the reason stated above: to challenge the convention. For this potential opening, our victim (Barney) is walking along a bridge, possibly returning home from a friends house. He stops, checks his phone for signal and when he cannot find any he throws his phone into the water out of frustration. He stops for a while and looks out over the water. Suddenly, he hears/sees something suspicious and decideds to investigate. Whilst in the water, he is attacked by the villain (Maisie, although the audience does not know who the villain is) and is strangled. His limp body is then dragged off. The audience are left unsure as to whether the victim is dead. We designed the opening this way as it uses some of the typical horror conventions an audience would expect to see, such as the phone having no signal and therefore removing a source of contact. The victim also decides to investigate the mysterious noise/sight instead of being sensible and running away. The opening takes place near midnight. It will be very dark at this time of night and therefore increases the risk the victim is taking. It also creates and eerie atmosphere for the audience. The scene takes place on a bridge where water flows underneath. This is significant as water is dangerous and is a possible hazard for the victim. It is also a long drop from the bridge to the water, which creates another source of danger.
Opening 2:
Just like opening 1, our victim is a male, and therefore we challenge the convention again. Our victim is tied to a chair, with his mouth taped over. It is clear that he is a in a helpless position and is desperate to be found. As he starts to struggle in his chair, the ropes around his wrists and ankles begin to loosen and he eventually breaks free. As he almost reaches safety, he is confronted by the unknown (to the audience) assailant. It is then heavily implied that he is killed. This opening challenges another well known and heavily used convention of the victim almost making it to safety before being caught. We can also use fast paced editing to increase the tension and suspense. The opening takes place in the day as the victim can see sunlight. However, the room he is being held in only provides artificial lighting. We designed this opening to be set in a small, dingey and poorly lit room. On the walls are newspaper articles that detail murders of the villain's past victims and pictures of couples, and one of the victim in particular. The size of the room is important as it creates a claustrophobic feel. Possible signs of exit are almsot non existant which makes the audience feel hopeless for the victim. The newspaper articles and clippings also increases the fear factor; it is really sinister and shows that the villain is not a first time killer. Clues are also given away about the killer's identity.
Opening 3:
Opening 3 also has a male victim and female villain. Our victim Paul is 32 years old and has just said goodbye to his date at his door. He begins to tidy away the mess in the kitchen. During the process, he spills a glass of red wine. He then receives a text from his date, saying she has left her bag at his house and that she is returning to collect it. He opens the door as she arrives with a knife in his hands. Paul is then murdered by the person at his door. The villain's identity is kept a secret. We had Paul spill red wine as the colour red is symbolic of blood and this foreshadows that something dangerous is about to happen. This opening takes place at about 10/11 p.m on a Friday. It is set at night as it gives a more eerie, dangerous and secluded feel. The scene takes place in a house, which gives the audience a false sense of security. It is clearly the victim's house as he is clearing away the mess and is very comfortable. By not revealing the killer's identity, it leaves the audience in suspense and it ends the opening on a cliffhanger.
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