Preparing to shoot!

As I have created my risk assessment, I have decided to arrange all acts, props and set(s) as soon as possible. I have decided to use my own home to film in (verisimilitude). The room I used had not been used in a while and became a type of storage space. I had to tidy the room quite a bit, and move larger pieces of furniture into the hall, out of sight from the camera, framed images on the wall and books that didn't bring the minimal theme I had in mind for my miss en scene. I left items that had been stored in the room such as the war time paintings and the old clock because I felt they were interesting, and would make the audience question my character: Why does she have these types of images?, Why does quite a modern, young woman have an old style clock?

I ended up using two actresses (at first, I only used one). The black and white shots are of myself whereas my coloured character, who we see more of the Mollie Greaney.

Task 12 - Audience Research

Audience Research with Fay Troote - age 17.

1. What is you favorite film?

• The Others

2. Who is your favorite actor/s?

• Keira Knightly
• Johnny Depp

3. What actors do you hate?

• Cameron Diaz
• Robert Downey Jr.

4. What are your favorite TV programs?

• The Vampire Dairies
• Awkward.
• The Carrie Diaries 

5. Who do you watch films with?

• Friends and Family

6. Whats films do you watch and when?

• Christmas films at Christmas 
• I don't watch thriller films at night because I get too scared
•  I always watch a horror/thriller film with someone 

I have come to the conclusion that people who watch thriller films are not always violent or dark people- that they can enjoy other genres of film, music or TV and still want to watch dark thrillers.

Foundation Portfolio Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment of Foundation Portfolio.docx

Task 11 - Certificate Ratings

Universal - All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.

Parental Guidance - All ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for young children. May contain mild language and sex/drugs references. May contain moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy).

12A - (Cinema only.) Introduced in 2002. Films under this category are considered to be unsuitable for very young people. Those aged under 12 years are only admitted if accompanied by an adult, aged at least 18 years, at all times during the motion picture. However, it is generally not recommended that children under 12 years should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sexual violence may be implied or briefly indicated.

12 - (Home media only since 2002.) 12A-rated films are usually given a 12 certificate for the VHS/DVD version unless extra material has been added that requires a higher rating. Nobody younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game. The content guidelines are identical to those used for the 12A certificate.

15 - Only those over 15 years are admitted. Nobody younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category can contain adult themes, hard drugs, frequent strong language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context.

18 - Only adults are admitted. Nobody younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Films under this category do not have limitation on the bad language that is used. Hard drugs are generally allowed, and explicit sex references along with detailed sexual activity are also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context. Very strong, gory, and/or sadistic violence is usually permitted. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is eroticised or excessively graphic.


I think my film would be certificated as an 15 or 18 because if I were to continue my film, I would like to include a lot of violence and gory scenes to fit with my genre as most genres do not cater for market below these ages due to the tendencies of plot. 


Wikipedia. 

I don't think very gory violence will be shown in my film, so I would class mine as a 12 due to the slighting morbid themes.

Wikipedia. 

Task 10 - Conventions of a Thriller Film

Conventions of a Thriller Movie Opening from shona_r

Task 9 - Title Sequence of 'Se7en'

The first nine shots in the title sequence of ‘Se7en’ features close ups of objects that our character who we do not know yet is using. This inability to unmask the character makes the audience uneasy   yet intrigued.

·      The first shot shows a close up of the top of a book. We do not know what is written in the book if anything at all. In small text, the name of the producers company can be seen. The white font contrasts with the darkness of the scene but not too much that the mystery the shot gives us.

·        The second shot is a high angle looking down on a very detailed drawing of two hands. This suggests that the character the film opens with is a talented artist. Here we see the name of the director but the font used differs to that of the first shot. It is messy, looks creepy and like a child has written it.

·        The third shot is a close up of fingertips holding what seems to be a razor blade. This gives the audience a sense of worry as razor blades on their own (ie, not attached to a razor) are linked to violence and harm. There is not text on this shot meaning the audience are meant to focus in on the razor blade.

·        The fourth shot is of a typewriter underneath a table. Showing the typewriter partially hidden gives the impression that the item is deliberately placed there to be out of sight. The title of the movie suggests that the movie could be based around the typewriter. The font is again messy and scratched giving a sense of unease.

·        The fifth shot is a close up of a pile of pages or papers, maybe cryptic as we can also see a form of decrypting device being held by the hand on the right of the shot.  This shows the audience that this unmasked character definitely has something to hide. Again, no text is overlaid onto the shot so the audience can concentrate on the actions within the frame.

·        The sixth shot is a high angle close up of another drawing, this time of a man. The hands we see are working on the picture. Because of this, the audience now wonder why this character is drawing and documenting people. Credits of the casting directors in the white, edgy font are carefully placed so they do not interrupt the audience’s view of the sketch and the actions of the hands.

·        In the seventh shot, we see a close up of the fingers working on something. The finger nails look old, dry and damaged. Along with what seems to be small nails attached to a piece of tape, it is suggested that the character is creating something. Credits lay over the top of the tape, making the audience interested in what the hand is using.

·        Shot 8 is a close up of the fingers sewing two pieces of newspaper. Shot 9 is the same newspaper but being cut with a pair of scissors. The cuts we can see already been cut suggest that they are strategic and that the character is trying to form something.  The character is making something but we do not know what yet.

The end of the title sequence leaves the audience with more questions than answers- very common of thriller openings. I can tell this is a psychological thriller and I am really intrigued to watch the rest of     it.

I chose to analyse this title sequence due to the use of close up of actions and also items which are part of the general miss en scene but on this close up, look more sinister than they were before when they were seen as part of the whole concept. 

http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/#

Task 8 - Iconic sounds from thriller films

Silence

• It creates suspense
• The audience become uneasy and are more perceptive to being scared due to loud noises 

Rain/Thunder

https://soundcloud.com/black-biz/rain-sound-effect

• Creates a dull and dreary atmosphere
• It gives the effect of unhappiness

Eery Whistling/Singing

https://soundcloud.com/callummccarthy/rcj-thriller-sound

• Is backed up by creepy music but the whistling/humming can still be heard
• The tune of the humming is familiar creating a personal connection with the audience 

Music that drastically changes tempo

https://soundcloud.com/eyadstudio/thriller-sound-effect

• The music dramatically starts then whistles out only to return sharply and loudly
• Frightens the audience and puts them on edge 

I feel I might use silence in my film to create suspense as I think it is very effective. I also think that music that changes tempo drastically is effective because if it is drastic enough, it will alert the audience suddenly and create confusion. 

Task 7 - Typical Synopsis of sub genres of thriller

Psychological Thriller:
Psychological thrillers concentrate on the mental and emotional states of the characters. The plot is written to confuse and mis-lead the audience's mind and produces suspense. Plot twists that you don't see coming usually occur. A good example of a psychological thriller is 'The Silence of the Lambs'. The convicted cannibalistic psychopath Dr. Hanibal Lecter. This character does not follow the routine slasher tactics and that is what I think is most chilling. I want to use this creepy character in my foundation portfolio.


Crime Thriller:
(This sub-genre usually closely links to psychological thrillers) Crime thrillers follow the criminals more than the police forces working against them. These films usually contain murders, chases, exploding cars etc. The criminal is always one step ahead of the law until the end when they are usually caught by an obsessive police officer . An example of this is 'The Italian Job' where a British gang plan to rob a bank in the Italian Alps with Minis.


Spy Thriller:
Our main character in a spy thriller (usually the spy) has to carry out a mission in which he faces usually powerful, rich and evil villains or a large organisation with evil intentions.  The spy must use this skill to overcome hurdles and finally save the day. An example is 'The Tourist'. The film follows a spy and a civilian trying to escape from an evil organisation in Venice, Italy. At the end of this film you are left confused with a major cliffhanger which could also not be a cliff hanger. Its confusing but I love them so i would like to leave a subtle one at the end of my movie introduction.


Conspiracy Thriller:
A conspiracy thriller concentrates on a hero confronting a large corporation who have hidden their alternative motives within the company and on the outside, seem to be 'do-gooders' to the public. Our hero usually works within the large company and discovers something (because our hero is very skilled in IT etc.) and recognizes their illegal behavior and is then discovered, and hunted down.

• My film opening will most likely fit into the crime thriller sub genre due to the murder that will occur because I do not intend to follow the crime force more than the criminals/victims at least within the first 2 minute opening. 

Task 6 - Audience Expectations

I interviewed 10 people in their teens and asked what they would expect to see from a thriller film. 

"What would you expect to see from a thriller film?"

1. Mollie

   -fast paced scenes

   -action

   -suspense

2. Gigi & Sophie

   -death

   -a massive plot twist

   -good looking villain

3. Claudia

   -points of silences

   -music that matches the frame

   -murder

   -catastrophic event

4. Ella

   -to be scared

   -blood

5. Miranda

   -tense music

   -build up

6. Priya

   -to be scared / put on edge

7. Emily

   -a major, suprising event

   -running

8. Alexa
   -the camera being hand held - natural angles
   -really quiet creating suspense and angst
 
9. Jenny
  -dull lighting
   -shadow
   -non-realistic

10. Ben

   -feel the tension rise

   -mystery

   -chase

11. Austin

   -mystery

   -ends on a cliff hanger/bad ending

I have highlighted in bold everything I think will be most engaging to my films' audience. Dull lighting will defiantly engaged the audience as they have to look more closely at the frame which, if the contrasted with something that will put them on edge, say a knife, this will be most effective. 

Production Company Animation example

Here is one example of a possible production animation.

11 Shot Analysis - Contageon

Shot 1

Shot 1 is of a coffee mug fro m a high angle. This suggests that it is morning. A male voice (diegetic) is heard from off-screen.

Shot 2

Shot 2 is a low angle shot of who we can assume is our main character looking tired and concentrated on what we can assume is the coffee mug below us. The voice of the man continues.

Shot 3

Shot 3 contrasts with our last close up shots taking the audience far from our character to see her actions. She struggles to pick up the mug, dropping it- this suggests that the character is ill and that the film follows her illness.

Shot 4

Shot 4 is a wide shot from a different angle. Our second character - the previously speaking man comes into frame to assist her. There is a sense of panic in the man's voice and fast pace action caught by this wide angled shot.

Shot 5

Shot 5 seems to be a mirror of shot 4 as it is a wide shot but we now see the opposite side of the characters. The two characters move across the frame in shot 5. She sits on the stool in the foreground but then falls.

Shot 6

Shot 6 follows her falling onto the ground with a close up. I think the 'thump' sound is non-deigetic because it sounds too loud to be diegetic.

Shot 7

Shot 6 quickly cuts to shot 7. The close up of the second characters face enables us to see his sense of worry. We can only hear him telling somebody off frame to go away.

Shot 8

Shot 8 is a mid-shot of a young boy in a door way. He is the person our second character was telling to go away. We can still hear out second character telling him this.

Shot 9

We return back to a similar shot like shot 7.

Shot 10

Shot 9 is a close up of the young boy. We can see a worried and upset expression on his face as she looks to another area of the room. The voice of the second character can still be heard.

Shot 11

Shot 10 is a mid shot although the audience's view is partially blocked by the set. This creates a mood of unease as the audience has too look through a smaller frame (such as round a corner or through a window). Here we can hear more movement of our firs character who is ceasing.

• I like how in shot 11 the audience has to bend round corners to see the action in the frame. Because this creates mood, it would be an easy yet effective shot to use in my foundation portfolio. 

11 Shot Analysis - Taken

Shot 1

Shots 1- 9 are old video footage of a five year old girls birthday. This sets the contact for the film - it is about a family. Some credits lay over some frames showing the production company's name. Non-diegetic plays over the top the top of diegetic noises such as people's voices and singing. The music overlaid is slow and creepy giving to the audience a feeling of suspense and that something bad will happen to the family/child who is in most shots. The shots

Shot 2

change from being long to quickly cut and/or sped up suggesting tension and giving the audience a sense of angst.

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Shot 7

Shot 8

Shot 9

Shot 10

Shot 10 is a close up of our main character although we cannot see his face and only his figure due to the lighting. The light we can see that reflects off his face tells us that he has his head back - relaxing or sleeping. The creep music music stops abruptly when we quickly cut to this shot. We hear him sighing, showing signs that he is disgruntled.

Shot 11

In the transition from shot 10 to shot 11 we hear rustling and movement as we see him reach for the side lamp. This shot provides us with a full body view of our main character in this wide shot. The shot is silent except for the rustling of the item in his hand and the flicking of the lamp switch.

• I really like the contrast in shots 1 - 9 as there is a large contrast between the creepy backing music and the happy occasion of a birthday. This could be a very interesting to use in my foundation portfolio. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFwluOnr4I4

11 Shot Analysis - Inception

'Inception' 2010

Shot 1

Shot 2

The first two shots of the film Inception are the company credits. Dramatic 'thumping' music can be heard.

Shot 3

Shot 3 is a establishing shot. The only sound you can hear is crashing waves hitting the rocks. This rythen of this diegetic sound mathes the sound of the company credits creating a mellow transitions.

Shot 4

Shot 4 is a close up of waves crashing. You can still hear the sound of the waves fluently.

Shot 5

Shot  5 is of our main character's face. He wakes up and we can see the distressed look on his face clearly looking out of the frame , giving the audience a sense of worry and intrigue. We can still only hear te waves crashing.

Shot 6

Shot 6 is a mid-shot of a small child bending down in the sand of the     same beach. We now know that this is who the main character was  looking off frame too as we now match his eye line (or pov). The sound of the waves is quickly dulled and our attention is drawed to the sound of the laughing child.

Shot 7

Shot 7 is a close up again of our main character taking his eyeline away from the children , collapseing, laying back down into the sand to rest. As soo as the shit transitions, we return to the loud crashing waves.

Shot 8

Shot 8 is a wide shot of the an older girl going the young boy in the same place as shot 6. This shot also functions as an establishing shot. As the sound of the waves quietens, the girl's voice occurs but becomes muffled.

Shot 9

The sound of the waves return to see our blood shot eyed main character raise his head to look back at the children questionably and with worry. Because of the use of a close up, we can see the tension and gives us a clue that something is going to happen to the children.

Shot 10

Shot 10 is a mid shot of the two children who turn and run from our main character. The waves are quiet and as they run further, their voices quieten.

Shot 11

Shot 11 is a close up of our main character. It shows him lower his head and fall asleep/die- we are unsure. The sound of the waves have returned.

• Because the shots are alternating, this becomes an example of parallel editing. 
• The change in lighting per shot shows contrasting from dull to light showing mood
• I want to use in my film, similar shots of the children. They are seen from a distance and because we only see the back of their head, they have to real identity. I want to use this similar style to force the audience to wonder 'who is this main character?'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4
http://mediastudiesa2km.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/nine-frame-analysis-foo-fighters.html

Shot by Shot Plan of my Foundation Portfolio

I decided that after initially filming this idea, it was not clear enough that my film was a thriller. I decided to add black and white shots of someone digging a grave. This added to the sense of mystery.

Task 4 - The History of the Horror Genre

(1) "It is customary to trace the origins of the horror film in ninetieth-centuary gothic literature."

There is a recognisable pattern throughout horror films that have continued throughout the centuries- terrifying audiences. 'The Manor of the Devil' was considered to be the first horror film created by Georges Melies in 1896 and influenced the silent films that followed in the teens and twenties of the twentieth-centuray. The first were developed by Thomas Edison - 'Frankenstein' in 1910 and Gieeseppe de Liguoro - Dante's Inferno in 1911.

But real horror only developed after the conclusion of WW1, based on the distruction in Germany. The great grandfather of the horror genre was the film 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari', directed by Robert Wiene in 1920. Instead of using natural light to produce shadow, it was painted onto the set in very curved and dramatic waves which gave a very unforgettable look (see fig 1). This became a very popular form of cinema and did very well for the German film makers post war-time. Another example is 'Nosferatu' in 1922 (see fig 2).

Figure 1 - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

Figure 2 - Nosferatu

'The Sixth Sense' produced in 1999 is the second highest grossing horror movie producing $293.5 million. It was nominated for six oscars including best director and best picture.









The first is 'Jaws' in 1975 directed by Stephen Spielberg and bursed $842,758,600. Spielberg won three oscars (best film editing, best music and best sound).

• I don't plan on painting my scenery but I will be painting my own props.
• I love how creepy Nosferatu is, especially as it is such an iconic film in the genre. 
• Clearly, much of the 'horror' in horror films is created by sound and lighting which is something I will plan for carefully in my own product. 

(1) The Horror Genre, Paul Wells

(2) Vimeo - The History of Horror

Task 3 - Conventions of Thriller films

Titling 
Most thriller films I have studied seemed to have their titles/credits over a black screen with non-diegetic music in the background to set the eery scene. They either gradually appear on the screen, matching the tempo of the music or suddenly appear, jumping onto the screen, both of which fortells what is going to happen later in the film. 




Framing of a Shot
The most typical shot used in thriller films seems to be a close up usually used to build suspense or to concentrate on the character's emotions. It can also be used to engage the audience as if it where in the film - making the audience loose concentration of the whole area surrounding the character, to only surprise the audience later with a stab in the back (quite literally, seen in Scream 3) . 



Mise en Scene
The set and therefore location depends on the sub genre and plot of the film. Although, busy atmospheres such as urban areas or busy streets are commonly used which creates a busy establishing idea for the audience. Lighting in most thriller films seems to be dull for the majority of on screen time. Shadow is used to create an eerie atmosphere or to represent evil or/and darkness within someone.

Editing

Jump shots are commonly used during a thriller film to convey multiple actions that are happening at a fast pace. This allows the audience to assume events and actions but also create a tense atmosphere, especially when used dramatically after a slow or paused shot. Awkward shots (such as underneath a person) are used also. 

Sound

The majority of thriller films have non-diegetic music playing in the background creating a sound bridge to create the intended atmosphere. The use of silence also plays a key part in adding suspense and mystery. Sharp, loud noises are also used and paired with jump shots to scare the audience. 

Key Elements of Plot

• Suspense
• Attack
• Murder
• Monotone drone
• Good vs Evil
• Red herrings
• Isolation
• Dramatic irony

Characters

The villain usually seeks a form of power, is willing to endanger large numbers of people or to just break the law, usually relentless, powerful or fuelled by revenge. Villains as such are often features in spy thrillers such as James Bond. In other films, the villain is quiet, fits into society and aloof. In these types of films, the villain is usually more sadistic, creepy and evil - worse if you ask me. 

The hero/protagonist may be unsuspected by the audience and/or other characters such as in 'Children of Men'. The film usually concentrates on these two character's relationship. 

The damsel in distress usually does not occur as a secondary person to the hero/protagonist and is instead, merged with the hero/protagonist. 

In some cases, such as that in the movie 'The Silence of the Lambs' and the Tv show 'The Blacklist', the main villain is not always prominent. In 'The Blacklist', Raymond "Red" Reddington holds all the characteristics to clarify himself as the villain. He is on the FBI's most wanted list, he withholds information for his personal gain, has murdered several people as well as under the watch of the FBI and still perform illegal actions. Yet, due to the circumstances of the plot, he is seen more as the hero, saving the day at the last minute and helping to catch the criminal.

Enigma  & Red Herrings

The enigma, in other terms is the puzzle either one or more characters seek to solve. The enigma drives the plot forward and is essential in this genre. Red herrings are intentionally used to develop characters- usually the villain. They are false clues in the form of common sense (think crime thriller), used to confuse the audience and keep their engagement in the mystery of the plot.