Horror Film at DVinfo.net

Christian Hede Madsen · October 20th, 2003, 08:42 AM

Hi Ewerybody.

I am new to this place, but I really like it.

I will ask you a couple of questions about shooting Feature Films. I am working, with my friend, on making our first feature in DV( Sony Pd150).
It is going to be an experimental Horror-film, called NIGHTMARES.
I would like to ask you guys and girls, if there is any advice you could give me about shooting , lighting and editing. Maybe something you have experienced yourselves?
Any answer will be appreciated.

Stephen Schleicher · October 20th, 2003, 09:07 AM

Watch all the horror films you can get your hands on... Get the really good ones, the really sucky one, the ones from the 1950's, the ones they show on MST3K. Examine what you like and don't like about each one - Lighting, camera angle, etc.

Then study on how to emulate those shots. Look at all of the films today that are using shots similar or a direct rip-off of other films.

And finally... write the best damn horror story you can. Story is everything, all that stuff I mentioned above is just extra.

Chris Hurd · October 21st, 2003, 07:26 AM

There is no one way to do it -- there are so many different styles, an andless variety. I think Stephen said it best, the story is everything.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 21st, 2003, 09:41 AM

Thanks guys.

Yeah I know story is important, as a matter a fact I just found the right story yesterday. I was up until ca. 2pm, just writing the story down( not the script).
I am very happy about the story and I am looking forward to write the script.

Ryan Gohlinghorst · October 21st, 2003, 10:58 AM

Your shooting/lighting/editing style should be based somewhat on the subject matter. Now that you've got the story idea on paper, start thinking about different visuals to go along with those ideas. As you write your script, jot down any ideas that come to mind.

The tone of the story will help dictate the look and feel of the movie. Take your time with this and let us know how things are going for you.

Good luck!

Christian Hede Madsen · October 21st, 2003, 11:07 AM

Yeah I know that all the technical stuff has a lot to say.
I have actually allready thought a great deal about it and when I know the house as I do( the house is the only location in the film) I have a great opprtunity to go around in the hose and plan shots.
I will let you know how it is going.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 21st, 2003, 11:50 AM

I was actually just wandering about something: Are any of you editing in Final Cut Pro? (because I am) and are you having any advice at achieving the "Film Look" in that program???

Stephen Schleicher · October 21st, 2003, 01:22 PM

I use FCP all the time. You might want to try the Instant Sex look and see if that does anything for you.

Your alternative is to keep bugging Red Giant about making their Magic Bullet Suite work in FCP.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 21st, 2003, 01:48 PM

I may be stupid...what is the Instant Sex Look??

Stephen Schleicher · October 21st, 2003, 02:15 PM

Duplicate your video layer. Change the Transfer Mode of the upper layer to Overlay, Screen, Add, etc. Change Opacity to taste.

Boyd Ostroff · October 21st, 2003, 02:44 PM

You might want to look at DVfilm Maker which is an adaptive deinterlacer which will turn your 60i footage into pseudo-30p. You can download a free trial at their website. It runs as a little standalone program, not an FCP plug in however.

Also, you might want to search the forums here for Martin Munthe. He is a frequent poster who has done some really handsome horror film work using the PD-150.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 22nd, 2003, 12:27 AM

I have already tried it at home( sex-look) and it worked fine, and combined with great lighting it works fantastic. I am starting on my script today...

Stacy Principle · October 22nd, 2003, 01:16 AM

Remember story first, then storyboard.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 22nd, 2003, 02:13 AM

Don`t worry. I have used a lot of hours finding just the rigth story and location. Filmmakers are first of storytellers...At least in my oppinion.

Christian Hede Madsen · October 22nd, 2003, 10:34 PM

I was wondering if any in this forum have been making a horrorfilm...short or feature? I would like to hear your stories about cameras, filters light and so on.
Any answer will be highly appreciated.

October 20th, 2003, 08:42 AM	#1
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	Horror Film Hi Ewerybody. I am new to this place, but I really like it. I will ask you a couple of questions about shooting Feature Films. I am working, with my friend, on making our first feature in DV( Sony Pd150). It is going to be an experimental Horror-film, called NIGHTMARES. I would like to ask you guys and girls, if there is any advice you could give me about shooting , lighting and editing. Maybe something you have experienced yourselves? Any answer will be appreciated.

October 20th, 2003, 09:07 AM	#2
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	Watch all the horror films you can get your hands on... Get the really good ones, the really sucky one, the ones from the 1950's, the ones they show on MST3K. Examine what you like and don't like about each one - Lighting, camera angle, etc. Then study on how to emulate those shots. Look at all of the films today that are using shots similar or a direct rip-off of other films. And finally... write the best damn horror story you can. Story is everything, all that stuff I mentioned above is just extra. __________________ Stephen Schleicher www.stephenschleicher.com

October 21st, 2003, 07:26 AM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	There is no one way to do it -- there are so many different styles, an andless variety. I think Stephen said it best, the story is everything. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 21st, 2003, 10:58 AM	#5
Ryan Gohlinghorst Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Mankato, Minnesota Posts: 104	Your shooting/lighting/editing style should be based somewhat on the subject matter. Now that you've got the story idea on paper, start thinking about different visuals to go along with those ideas. As you write your script, jot down any ideas that come to mind. The tone of the story will help dictate the look and feel of the movie. Take your time with this and let us know how things are going for you. Good luck! __________________ http://www.horsefilms.com "I like Mankato just a little bit better than any other town in the world." -Sinclair Lewis

October 21st, 2003, 01:22 PM	#8
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	I use FCP all the time. You might want to try the Instant Sex look and see if that does anything for you. Your alternative is to keep bugging Red Giant about making their Magic Bullet Suite work in FCP. __________________ Stephen Schleicher www.stephenschleicher.com

October 21st, 2003, 09:41 AM	#4
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	Thanks guys. Yeah I know story is important, as a matter a fact I just found the right story yesterday. I was up until ca. 2pm, just writing the story down( not the script). I am very happy about the story and I am looking forward to write the script.

October 21st, 2003, 11:07 AM	#6
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	Yeah I know that all the technical stuff has a lot to say. I have actually allready thought a great deal about it and when I know the house as I do( the house is the only location in the film) I have a great opprtunity to go around in the hose and plan shots. I will let you know how it is going.

October 21st, 2003, 11:50 AM	#7
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	I was actually just wandering about something: Are any of you editing in Final Cut Pro? (because I am) and are you having any advice at achieving the "Film Look" in that program???

October 21st, 2003, 01:48 PM	#9
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	I may be stupid...what is the Instant Sex Look??

October 21st, 2003, 02:15 PM	#10
Stephen Schleicher Regular Crew Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 188	Duplicate your video layer. Change the Transfer Mode of the upper layer to Overlay, Screen, Add, etc. Change Opacity to taste. __________________ Stephen Schleicher www.stephenschleicher.com

October 21st, 2003, 02:44 PM	#11
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	You might want to look at DVfilm Maker which is an adaptive deinterlacer which will turn your 60i footage into pseudo-30p. You can download a free trial at their website. It runs as a little standalone program, not an FCP plug in however. Also, you might want to search the forums here for Martin Munthe. He is a frequent poster who has done some really handsome horror film work using the PD-150.

October 22nd, 2003, 12:27 AM	#12
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	I have already tried it at home( sex-look) and it worked fine, and combined with great lighting it works fantastic. I am starting on my script today...

October 22nd, 2003, 01:16 AM	#13
Stacy Principle New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 9	Remember story first, then storyboard.

October 22nd, 2003, 02:13 AM	#14
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	Don`t worry. I have used a lot of hours finding just the rigth story and location. Filmmakers are first of storytellers...At least in my oppinion.

October 22nd, 2003, 10:34 PM	#15
Christian Hede Madsen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gudhjem Denmark Posts: 93	I was wondering if any in this forum have been making a horrorfilm...short or feature? I would like to hear your stories about cameras, filters light and so on. Any answer will be highly appreciated.