Thriller evaluation 27/03/09

Having completed the task, being our two minute thriller sequence, I feel more than satisfied with the work that my group and I have put in. We learnt much, having tutorials for different aids like Final Cut pro, Live type and Soundtrack, which we used to edit, manipulate and enhance our piece.Before we initially started the filming process, we looked at various other thriller openings for example “the shining” and thriller openings that other groups created and this stimulated ideas in our group. We took into consideration what they had in common- the conventions they held were very particular.www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw23KM3-Ry8 - 75k- the opening sequence of “the shining” The conventions typical of the thriller genre are to do with the editing for example, quick cuts and camera angle changes. We find that the use of shadows, mirrors and stairs are also conventions of thriller movies. However, music that creates atmospheric tension is also typical of this genre. We included many attributes associated with real thrillers and this is clear, first and fore-most in the shot types. We used low and high angle shots to emit the vulnerability of the main character- teenage girl Corinne, and low angle shots-, which made villain, Jordane, seem bigger and more menacing. We used these in the setting of out thriller opening- in the living room and from the top of the stairs. Setting the thriller in our main characters home added realism and makes It even teffifying for the audience. This is because we all associate our homes with safety – out haven that when we arrive back from college and work, know is safe and there is no fear of being watched or that someone will invade our privacy. So setting it in the house I think is shocking as it can arouse questions. Are we really safe in our own homes or is this just something that couldn’t possibly happen? We looked at other shot types, which we think, made our thriller typical of the genre it holds. Shot-reverse-shot is effective when showing contrasting reactions between two or more characters. We used this shot type with our main characters at the end of the scene in the bathroom when our villain confronts the young teenager- the climax of the sequence. Extreme close-ups are included in our sequence, more at the end however when teenage girl Corinne comes face to face with antagonist Jordane. Definitely, something intended to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Hand-held camera movement also creates uncertainty, a lack of steadiness and if there is any action, using the camera hand-held creates fast-paced action. Looking at the conventions that thrillers hold, to make them the distinctive genre they are was really helpful. Getting a good insight into the type of camera movement, shot types, even settings, and props gave us ideas to work with and develop. There are just two main characters in our opening sequence being perpetrator and the indefinite victim. If it were to become a proper film (middle and end included) then other possible characters would definitely be considered – maybe myself or Abdul. The characters in our thriller are Jordane and Corinne,- Corinne was representative of the typical, stroppy teenage girly girl living in London in a well presented house. Jordane however, being the antagonist was representative of a black male armed with a knife. We are all fully aware of the spree of black knife crime that has been apparent in London for some time now; we decided to portray Jordane as this stereotypical character. The media are more than aware of this “black on black” epidemic, and we touched on something sensitive and thought- provoking. Basing our work around such a surreal issue appeals to many people. It can relate to some- and make others think. I think that because our thriller touches upon something found mainly in London and the UK (black on black problem fundamentally) it could be distributed in cinemas in the UK –not a Hollywood blockbuster as such but just as a small independent UK release. I think people would be intrigued and interested in our work as it’s definitely a different take (everyone’s work is different right?) on the subject. In terms of who our thriller is particularly aimed at, I would say it definitely is not a limited range of people. Teenagers like us who filmed the work- college students,- university students even between the ages of say 17 and 25. People who aspire to make something of themselves - with ambition but who can have a laugh as well (the amount of funny takes we had! We could have compiled those into a “on the set of Illicit content!”). More importantly however, people who enjoy watching thrillers and being made to jump. Let us say for example; Curtis, 18, currently studies at university and loves watching movies with his girlfriend. In particular- thrillers! Why? Because he loves watching her jump about, scared to use the bathroom on her own! This is all done through the high level of anticipation that thrillers incur – and this is what makes them so very successful. It is the heightened climax- the red herring even. The cliffhangers and the suspense. We attracted our audience with the characters we used- who are ordinary students with no background of mental issues and nothing that makes them in relatable yet indifferent. Corinne. The typical teenage girl with the pink room and the make-up still on her face (and somewhat smudged!) From yesterdays, party….ect (the majority of girls could relate to that scenario. I certainly did!) To market our thriller, I would suggest making some leaflets first of (as it will be an independent UK release) and distributing those in colleges and universities maybe. Obviously, the internet is a terrific way to publicize your work- we could make our own site and get some feedback from the public, leaving a comments section. Moreover, we could put a little trailer up, enticing people with the beginning sequence we created. The World Wide Web is also great for internationally marketing work as we for example; we could use YouTube and other sources where videos can be posted to popularize our material. As mentioned above, I definitely learnt much whilst doing this project. This is the first time I have used blogging before to record (if I am to consider journalism in the future blogging is an imperative tool) what I have done in class and the first time I used Soundtrack. I did media last year so final cut pro and live type were somewhat familiar to me, though the lessons lead by Mickey were helpful too. Looking back to when we first started this project, we did spend some time being educated on the basics from using the camera to editing and finalizing the soundtrack and so on. We did a match cutting exercise-, which can be used to underline a connection between two separate shots. We storyboarded ideas and drafted ideas. Then we drafted again (so full of ideas!) and finally had something we wished to film with. We blogged every lesson the steps we took in the learning and filming process and post-production. I found blogging a great way of getting the things we learnt down and it’s also insightful to see what others went through in there productions and you can learn from others indefinitely. I hope we get a good grade- as a group we all added our energy and inspiration- which made our thriller what it is. I love our work, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far. u

Issues we overcame! NO sweat really was it....

I must note that although our work has been completed and we are sure to get a good grade (:D!), our completed work wasnt finished without issues which we overcame...the major issue being the fact that we had to start all over again after just a few scenes in the lessons in Feburary when we were filming. When we returned to college the following thuesday to look at and edit the filming we did at my house (the first setting we chose to film our work) we realsied that it didnt make much sense at all- and on that dissapointing note- started all over again!
But. No sweat! We started immidietly, meeting at Corrines house to start again- fully aware of how behind we were (compared to our peers) and filmed everything in 1 day! And to add to our own suprise at how fast we worked- returned to college on the first day of half term which was a Monday to edit our work. We found it worked really well- made sense of course and we edited quickly. We also encountered minor problems when compiling our soundtrack. Well I had said I would do it (because I could make it at home on my keyboard- yes I play piano.. :)) but I couldnt transfer the work I had made on a USB unfortunately so in the end the group made one using the software at college. I was kinda dissapointed because I made a really good piece which I think would have fitted well- and the fact I made it made me feel that I had achieved someting for the group work we had done. But no worries we finished everything and I just thought Id blogg on the problems we faced as its important to mention thoses too. isnt it :)

28 Febuary 2009... deadline was yesterday! was it met...

Unfortunately i wasnt in thursday's media lesson but this was due to reasons that are out of my hands.We worked well however considering the major changes in terms of location and storyline that occured. We have the finished piece- entitled "Illicit content" (I hope i spelt that right..). Alex was fundamentally in charge of the credits. We looked at a range of fonts, colours and types of text to find the right one for our sequence. Yet, as our thriller already ran slightly over 2 minutes, the credits would have to played over the sequence instead of haveing say, a black background for the credits.
I took the opportunity during Andrews lesson to go down to the music department and see if I could create a suitible soundtrack for our piece. I had originally made one at home on my Yamaha keyboard but as its pretty old, there was no way of somehow getting the music onto a floppy disk to use. But anyway, I tried to re-create the piece but it was a tad too upbeat for what our sequence consisted of. So, Im hoping that the others took the opportunity in Annabels lesson to create that on the sound track software the rest of the class used. I found it very easy to get to grips with so I hope they did too. Her are just some of the many range of shots we included in our thriller:
1)A long shot of the Corinne’s house (establishing shot)2.) An extreme close-up of the doorbell as it is being rung3.)A close up of Corinne’s face as she sleeps4.) A close up the a clock to show time passing4.)Various angled shots of Corinne’s journey down the stairs enabling us to have some math cutting5.) A close up of Corinne’s hand as she opens the door6.) A low angled close up f Corinne hand on the mouse7.) A close up of the water and plug as the bath is being filled up8.) A high angle of the intruder’s feet entering the house with a panning camera movement.9.) Medium shots of Corinne in the bathroom10.) Shot reverse shot between Corinne and the intruder as he enters the bathroom11.) An extreme close up of the intruders mouth as a demands for the secret information( from two different angles)12.) A medium shot of the intruder from the side showing the knife in his hand. Entitled "Illicit content", the sequence is about an intruder who needs something out victim and main character Corrinne has (is posted) he enters the house and corners her in her bathroom before brandishing a kitchen kniofe and saying "wheres the content?" "wheres the Illicit content?"

As I do not play a part in the thriller as a character, I took the oppotunity to assit in the directing and filming of the sequence. I think my handheld camera movement is improving :D which can only be a good thing, true?
I'd like to congratulate my group because I think in the short space of time we had (and considering we started from scratch less than 2 weeks before the deadline!!) we managed to create something different and Iv'e learnt alot- more than I bargained for anyway. I just hope when tuesdays lesson comes the piece is completed- soundtrack and all. We'll see. I'll write again real soon.
And to my group....
Sorry Iv'e missed a few lessons guys.. :) x

22nd Febuary 2009

Having planned and created our opening sequence, which involved creating our pitch and sharing ideas, we started the filming process. We decided to shoot the footage at Corrinnes house instead as it is a bigger airier space. Through the course of our filming, we changed a few things- a few ideas came to light and other things that we thought would work we scrapped. We had alot of filming to edit (filming took just over 2 weeks!) which we started on the first day of the half term (Monday16th Febuary).
I think we had a great range os shot types- we used some match cuts and low and high angles to emitt mystery and questions. I think we succeded in not giving too much away but also keeping the audience intrigued too.
We have yet to create a soundtrack that matches out opening, but we can make a start on that on tuesdays Media lesson.

The pitch for our thriller! 27/January 2009

Having had a brief discussion the lesson earlier on what the beginning of our thriller opening would contain, today our task was to pitch our idea for the opening sequence. We are required to write a script emitting our developed ideas.
Our narrative is based on a vulnerable girl, getting ready to go out in the afternoon jumping in the bath. Our key images and icons that will be used are feminine based- modelling pictures and bright fairy lights. We will use these to emphasis the girlish, vain teenage girl.

Our opening is set within an intimate location, in this instance my house. In particular, the upper level of the house- the bedroom and the bathroom. The home is seen, as a "safe haven" so setting it here will be effective, as we do not usually associate our homes with danger and mystery. In addition, we will be filming outside the house (providing an establishing shot) as our intruder lurks- waiting for the right moment. Another location we will be filming in is Tesco's- to show the audience that the Mother clearly is not the one venturing toward the house.
Music is another crucial aspect of our thriller opening. We have not made a final decision on whether we will use the college's own copyright free music or whether we will create our own as I have a keyboard at home, but that decision will be made in due course. It is imperative that out soundtrack matches with the opening in terms of the atmosphere it creates and how different sounds signify when something will significant occurs. We will have the music synchronized in time with the action. We aim to create lots of tension and mystery with the music we include- we want to scare our audience and leave them on the edge of there seats.

Our aim is to create a good film that will attract and engage many viewers. The target audience is young adults such as teenagers and we decided this because as teenagers we are aware of the things in which teenagers can relate to and therefore we will be able to use key features such as props in which teenagers are aware of and have an understanding of. This means teenagers will be able to recognise the key features, plots, themes and characters, which will help them to gain a better understanding of the film; it will make our film more realistic and therefore more thrilling and tense. In addition, we feel that our film will appeal to a much wider audience because it is based on everyday life events, which most people go through e.g. getting ready to go to a party. Furthermore, the opening is set in an intimate setting (home). Our thriller is aimed to scare our audience and leave them breathless and on edge.

For the lighting, we decided we would use natural light and standard everyday lighting. This is because we wanted to make our film look realistic and ideal for an intimate homely setting. One of our ideas is to shoot the film opening in the night and this is because darkness and night conotate mystery, crime, evil, and we felt that shooting the film in the dark would be conventional to a thriller film. We may also use white fairy lights in the bedroom scene and this is to help the audience get a wider understanding with the character thus making them develop a relationship with the character.

in terms of camera work we decided that we would use a range of camera shots the most dominant being close ups and extreme close ups. This is because close ups create a sense of drama and tension. It also reveals crucial information such as a characters emotions and feelings. An example of a close up that we will be using is of the door handle as it opens. This will create tension as the audience are left wondering what and who is behind the door and why they are there. We also have the idea to start our film with an establishing shot of a house party/ gathering/drink up, followed by an establishing shot of the main characters house. The establishing shot of the house will be filmed as a long shot and this is to help reveal the setting and the theme of the film. We may then use a medium shot or a close up of the main character getting ready and this will inform the audience whom the main character is. We will also have a range of different shots of imagery that has connotations of youth, femininity and vulnerability. We will also use high angles to shot character subordination, powerlessness, and fear. We are going to use a point of view shot to suggests that their is somebody else inside the house which we feel would be effective in creating suspense which will leave the audience guessing and wanting more.

15th January 2009..Initial research analysis and camera practice

In that lesson from what I recall we spent time identifying exactly what a thriller was and what conventions make a thriller what it is. I learnt that the intended aim of a thriller is to create feelings of anxiety and a sense of uncertainty amongst the audience. How do thrillers do this though? Well, the main character (potential victim of some psychological turmoil) is often unaware of the danger he/she may be in. Only we as the audience know what is happening or what will inevitably happen and this makes thrillers that much more effective, being we know something that the character doesn't. Tension created in thrillers will reach a heightened climax as the character may find themselfves on what seems an impossible mission to safety or an escape from a villian in some instances.

6th Janauary 2009..candy

On the 6th, we watched a dcoumentary on film openings and their effectiveness in capturing a audiences attention. Presented by Thomas Sutcliffe, the documentary gave great insight into succesful conventions that film dire
ctors may use when filming an opening sequence. According to Jean Jacques Benieix a good film opening should leave the audience woundering what will happen next. An example of a succesful film opening, is when the film starts with the end of the film breifly, then back to the begining to show the audience how it all started. We saw this particular type of opening in a film with Robert De niro in which after walking to his car- he became a human fireball! Then the film started offically showing us how the stort progressed to that stage. I learnt that a succesfull opening should arouse many questions that the film will then have to answer. It should also give hints in the begining certainly fore-shadowing future events that may occur.
According to Stanley Kauffmann there are many different ways a director could use an opening sequence to arouse question. He uses the classic opening of an establishing shot- useally filmed by a long shot or low angle. These kind of openings show the audience where the sequence will take place. It is generally accepted that openings sequences will have first and fore-most and exterior shot (showing location on a bigger scale) followed by an interior shot (whether it's within an intimate location or elsewhere).

20th January 2009

? Key Images and Icons..Settings and Locations..music ?

Having had a brief discussion the lesson earlier on what the beggining of our thriller opening would contain, today our task was to pitch our idea for the opening sequence. We are required to write a script emmiting our developed ideas.
Our narrative is based on a vunerable girl, gettin ready to go out in the afternoon-jumping in the bath. Our key images and icons that will be used are feminine based- modelling pictures and bright fairy lights. We will use these to emphasis the girlish, vain teenage girl.
Our opening is set within an intimate location, in this instance my house. In perticular the upper level of the house- the bedroom and the bathroom. The home is seen as a "safe haven" so setting it here will be effective as we don't useally associate our homes with danger and mystery. Also, we will be filming outside the house (providing an establishing shot) as our intruder lurks- waiting for the right moment. Another location we will be filming in is Tesco's- to show the audience that the Mother clearly isn't in the one venturing toward the house.
Music is another crucial aspect of our thriller opening. We havn't made a final decision on whether we will use the college's own copyright free music or whether we'll create our own as I have a keyboard at home, but that decision will be made in due course. It is imperative that out soundtrack matches with the opening in terms of the atmosphere it creates and how different sounds signify when something will signifiant occurs. We will have the music syncronised in time with the action. We aim to create lots of tension and mystery with the music we include- we want to scare our audience and leave them on the edge of there seats.