Location research

We thought that Reigate would have been an effective location to film our horror movie because there was a range of different locations and surroundings within a close radius of each-other where different shots would maintain relational editing; for example there is a archaic arched tunnel which is dimly lit during the night and is surrounded by un-trimmed trees and ivy with rock slanted sides with writings and marks etched into them. In addition, a five minute walk would take you to the Reigate pet cemetery among the priory park- and near to the Reigate woods.

The next possible location i analysed for my film was the Leatherhead and Fetcham interlink where there is the 'Mill Lane'. Here too, there is a tunnel- which we especially wanted to include because tunnels can  often connote a way of escape- or ongoing struggle or tension. Tunnels are typically a differentiating or alternative route- which we could juxtapose with our idea that there is no other route or escape in our horror film. Also, being a relatively close location, Leatherhead would be an effective location to use because i know it well and it is close, allowing filming to be initiated over an array of days so our filming is not rushed and we can return to the location at different days within the same time period to get the most effective clips as possible. There is also picturesque features of the location like the actual millpond- a large pond stretched across the landscape which could be a sincere juxtaposing feature with the horror genre of our film. often in films, features that are seemingly beautiful can be those with the deepest horror or fear...and water in the millpond can be associated with all kinds of fear- even the inclusion of the theme of drowning and hydrophobia. Also, there in addition to human characters in the film there can be the inclusion of animals with the wildlife that thrives in the habitats near the millpond. Often, there are many swans, which can be seen as a contrast to use with the delicacy and beauty of these creatures and the dark themes of our film. Also the use of pathetic fallacy with the weather often causing a mist or fog to form over the marshy areas of the mill lane and pond itself would too create a scary atmosphere and would reject the need for additional props like a smoke machine for the mise-en-scene to make the atmosphere feel more chilling. This particular location is sparsely populated and unlike more urban locations like London or even close towns and cities, the quiet serenity of this Leatherhead location would be effective to film at without distractions including passers by, external noise and visual pollution and destruction of natural surrounding aesthetics.

we also analysed locations where there were pavement markings making pathways look like quiet roads, so that we could include roadside scenes and aspects of roadside danger in a safe and careful manner. There were many quiet roads that we analysed within our local town,Leatherhead, especially down Barnett wood lane, Mill lane and Highlands road..however these roads are only almost un-used towards the night so our filming to be particularly safe would have to commence during the night to assure every aspect of safety is considered, and so that no passing cars cause a distraction to our filming or make it seem less realistic in the quiet almost uninhabited setting we want to be perceived.