Storyboarding

In order to help plan out my short film in more detail I have created a storyboard which is shown in the image below. Storyboarding is a way of pre-visualizing my film as they depict each shot I want to use in it in order which enables me to better structure my film. It also helps me to use a variety of shots to ensure that the film is as visually engaging as possible. Whilst helping me to plan it further and structure it storyboarding also helps me to create a shooting schedule as I will have a clearly plan of what I want to shoot and which actors I will need to film in those shots.
In my storyboard I have written additional information such as type of shot, lighting and advice to actors all again to help me visually plan my film.
Below are the first two sheets of my storyboard.

Initial Scripting

Before storyboarding my film I need to define my idea in greater detail. I have therefore written an initial script of my film which has helped me to plan out my film's complete narrative and to start thinking about the shots which I'll show in my storyboard.
The script is also helpful as, although it may change or altered, I can still give it to my cast so they have some indication about the type of character they're playing, what the plot is and to familiarise themselves with their lines.
Below is a Slideshare presentation of my initial script.

Moodboard

In order to help me plan and create the shots, atmosphere, character representation, location, conventions and influences in my short film I have created a moodboard on the online site Glogster.
The images and words included on my moodboard will help me define my ideas, plan in detail and ultimately create my short film.
Below is an image of my moodboard.
To see the moodboard full size please click this link: http://www.glogster.com/bluebird14/moodboard/g-6l9ihn7oqhic7rnm9agbua0?s=nameglog
 I also presented my moodboard to my Media class to gain their feedback which is imperative as they are my target audience for my film as they are young adults.
Below is an image of my presenting my moodboard to them.

Location Shots

To practice my composition of shots and think about locations I have taken a number of shots where I'm planning to shoot my film.Whilst taking the photos I have experimented with the exposure of the shots and the perspective to try and make the images seem more foreboding and therefore fit the comedy horror genre.  I have also taken some images of props and people in the location that I want to film in to see how they look.

I have taken location shots as it will help me create my storeyboard and plan my shots to enable to film it as effectively as possible. 

Below is a Photobucket presentation of most of the shots I took. 

4 Images I Liked

A film is made up of thousands of still images and each one of these images need to signify something to the viewer. To ensure that each of my shots has been thought out and created artistically to encourage my readers to get my preferred reading I have researched four images that I like for various reasons. and this will help me to compose my shots.
The first is an image from Magnum photographer Ansel Adams of a lake in the mountains. I really liked the atmosphere created  in this image by the reflection of the sky in the water and the use of black and white which emphasises the ominous clouds and would like to use highly atmospheric shots in my short film.

My next image is one from photographer Annie Leibovitz, I really like the framing of this shot and the representation of the person covered in wrinkles which is very enigmatic and emotive; it feels like a true representation of the person and I would like to represent the people in my film as effectively.

Next is an image from Man Rey which I like becasue of the effective use of thirds, unusaul posing and use of lighting. I would like to experiment with similar lighting in my film with the foreground lit but the background dark and ominous.

My last image is another from Annie Leibovitz becuase of the styling, composition and the way it's framed by the trunk of the van, I would like to use good framing like this in my film.

Conventions of Horror Comedy/ Horror Spoofs

Before being able to define and begin storeyboarding my idea for a short film I need to fully understand the conventions of the genre I have chosen to create. I have done this because being able to understand the conventions will enable me to construct my narrative effectively.
Below is a mind map made on SmartDraw that shows some of the conventions of comedy horror/horror spoofs. I have defined these conventions from the short film I deconstructed as well as from other films and TV programmes such as 'A Touch Of Cloth'.

Spoof Inspiration

Whilst researching spoofs I watched a programme called 'A Touch of Cloth' which is a comedy series that parodies British crime drama written by Charlie Brooker and Daniel Maier.
I loved this series because it's ridiculously silly and light hearted but extremely well made with a cast usually known for being in serious crime dramas. It's similar to films such as Sean of the Dead due to the way it references other films, genres and the conventions of it's own genre whilst constantly poking fun at them. The use of wordplay and outlandish puns juxtaposed to the serious and deadpan acting creates constant comedy whilst a stereotypical yet engaging plot keeps the viewer watching.
The production of this programme is fantastic with each shot containing a number of visual puns and paraodies that creates a visual feast for the viewer that has to be watched at least twice to fully appreciate it. The comedy whilst often being very silly and Monty Python-esque also includes a lot of satire that plays off of stereotypes within our society.
I would love to try and use some of the features of this programme in my short film such as the clever wordplay, satirical comedy, careful planning of shots and very good acting.
Below is the trailer for the series.

Pre-Planning Short Films

Before defining my idea for a short film I first need to research some, preferably of the genre I am wanting to create to fully understand the conventions of short films and what makes a short film successful as that will help me to create my own successful short film. Below are two deconstructions of short films.

Deconstructions of Short Films on Prezi

Short Film Ideas

Whilst thinking of ideas for short films I created a Bubbl mindmap of three ideas I'm considering all connected to horror which is the genre of short film I have decided to make.
I've chosen to make a horror film as I've already studied it in my Genre Theory post and I would like to experiment with the conventions of the genre to try and create a tense and engaging short film. Horror films also tend to have quite simple plots which I feel is important to have in a short film as there is not enough time for complicated plot twists.

However one of my ideas combines horror and comedy which is an increasingly popular genre hybrid with films like Sean of the Dead, Attack the Block, Hot Fuzz and Scary Movie combining the genres to great success. That idea would enable me not only to use the conventions of horror films which I have outlined in my Genre Theory post but also to subvert them. As I have learnt from Genre Theory audiences can become saturated by certain genres if they do not evolve and by combining genres I may be able to create a more engaging film.