In our opening to the thriller we are looking to use many conventional sounds to create effect and suspense. Sound can be used to build suspense or dictate the mood of an audience. In the opening of our Thriller clip we are going to use contrapuntal sound. This is where the sound does not match the scene it is being played in. As our victim is walking home we have jolly light music being played.
The effect of this is that it lulls the audience into a false sense of security before we begin to build the suspense.
When the victim is home we have used Non Diegetic sound to put a news recording over the top. This is talking about a number of unexplained murders in the local area. By using this sound it is an example of foreshadowing and begins to build the suspense with the audience as they wonder whether that recording will be significant later on in the Thriller opening.
The suspense is built further through the use of more non diegetic sound as we plan to include some low pitched tense music. This will begin once the main character has turned on the TV. The music will become higher pitched as the scene moves on which will slowly build the suspense and increase the tension amongst the audience.
When looking at the film "Halloween" there is the use of a sound from a clock. As the character gets closer and closer to the danger the clock begins to chime. We wanted to emulate that and felt that it was extremely successful in building suspense during the film Halloween. For us to build suspense we used a similar technique and used the timer on the microwave. We showed the timer on the microwave counting down from ten and using the beeps from the machine it was effective in building tension. As the numbers got closer to 0 and the beeping became faster the tension was upped.
The music continues at a higher pitch building as the main character goes up the stairs. The sound of his breathing can be heard. The effect of this is that it creates fear amongst the audience and empathy as they can see how scared the character is which makes the feel as though they would not like to be in his situation. It helps create a relationship between the audience and our main character.
Thursday 19 December 2013
1) Research into Cinematography - Ms Miller. ------------------
Cinematography is the art or technique of movie photography, including the shooting and development of the film. The different camera shots used can help the audience establish the genre of the film. It can also dictate the mood and tempo of the scene and create different atmospheres and emotions from the audience. It is clear in the film The Purge that the shots have been effectively used as suspense and tension is created throughout the scene.
At the very start of the trailer there is an extreme long shot looking across the empty roads. It shows the audience that the city is deserted and that everyone is taking shelter. This immediately creates a sense of eeriness and suspense. The audience are wondering where everyone is and it makes it seem like the calm before the storm. They would also be wondering why everyone is hidden and what they have to be scared of.
There is then a clip of the family sitting around in their front room. A high angle shot is used in this clip. It makes it seem as though the family are being watched and makes them seem vulnerable even in their own home. It also makes the audience feel as thought the family are unsafe and makes them wonder who or what could be watching them.
During the beginning of the trailer there is a series of shots from a CCTV camera. During these clips there is an ariel shot used. This shot shows a large area on the streets with a couple of fires starting out. There are also hooded men walking and standing around. By using this shot the audience see that there is a large amount of chaos and trouble on the streets. This could create a sense of fear for the audience by showing them that things are out of control and that their is a sense of danger because no one is safe. It also creates a relationship between the audience and the main characters as they would be scared for the family having to defend themselves against the chaos.
Later on in the clip there is a close up shot used. The close up shot is of the gun. The shot emphasises the importance of the gun and the shows the man senses that he is in danger. This also shows the audience that their is going to be trouble and that the weapon will be needed. This builds suspense as the viewer is waiting for the violence or conflict to begin. It also makes the audience wonder why the gun will be used and what for.
The long shot is used in the clip when the camera shows the entire outside of the house with the dark sky behind it. By using this shot it makes the house seem vulnerable against the outside world and very open. The dark skies make the background seem scary as we do not know what is waiting in the dark. This makes the audience feel uneasy as they sense the house in not safe. This helps to create tension and build suspense. The setting of the home also makes it more relatable for the audience and they can empathise with the main characters.
Another close up is used later on in the film when the boys arm is hovering over the disarm button. This creates suspense and a great deal of tension. It also puts the audience on edge as they know the boy should not press the button. The fact it is a close up also shows the importance of the button and shows it is the turning point of the entire film.
As the clip progresses there is use of a deep focus shot. The main character is standing at the wall in front of the camera and a masked intruder is lurking behind him. The man is out of focus whereas the intruder is in focus. The focus shows the importance of the intruder as he is very dangerous. The clip is used to create a great deal of tension and fear with the audience as we can see the intruder coming but the man in the film can not. This also creates empathy as the audience want to help the characters situation but cannot.
When the attacker lunges for the man later on in the clip a low angle shot is used. The camera is looking up at the attacker. This angle makes the attacker seem dominant and in control. It also makes the audience scared for the character as he seems powerless and weak compared to the person attacking him.
12) Risk assessment - Ms Georgiou -------
The risk assessment was important for the safety of the group so that we were aware of any possible dangers why filming and that we were aware of these and ready to take precautions against them.
11) Filming schedule- Ms Georgiou ------------
Our group members were;
- Lucy
- Ravinder
- Reece
- Myself
We planned to film on the 27th of November, 3rd December, 4th December and 11th of December.
We made a schedule so that we could manage our time and work more efficiently and get more done in each of the filming sessions.
Shot
|
Date & time
|
Location
|
Content /Action
|
Shot type & Duration
|
Costume/ hair/ make up
|
Iconography
|
Personnel
|
Equipment
|
1
|
27.11.13
4:00
|
Lucy's house
|
Establishing the scene by showing Reece entering the house.
|
High angle shot of Reece entering the house makes it seem like he is being watched.
|
Sports wear on to show what he has been doing.
|
The familiar setting of a house which makes it relatable to the audience and therefore more scary.
|
Cameraman and Actor.
|
Digital camera, Tripod.
|
2
|
27.11.13
4:15
|
Lucy's house
|
looks into the house from outside as though he is being watched
|
Long shot which makes it seem as though he is being watched
|
Sports clothing
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera, Tripod, Train station lighting.
| |
3
|
27.11.2013
4:55pm
|
Lucy's house
|
The victims on the opposite platform chatting and giggleing.
|
Long shot, into zoom of the main victim. Last 8 seconds in total.
|
Girly outfit, Hair style down.
|
London underground sign, Phone.
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera, Tripod.
|
4
|
3.12.2013
5:10pm
|
Lucy's house
|
Girls running down the stairs and getting on the train.
|
Low angle, into over the shoulder shot. Lasts 9 seconds in total.
|
Girly outfit, Hair style down.
|
London underground sign, Phone.
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera
|
5
|
3.12.2013
4:30pm
|
Lucy's house
|
Girls on train chatting and giggling.
|
Mid shot, Lasts 4 seconds.
|
Girly outfit, hair down.
|
Phone, Train map.
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera.
|
6
|
3.12.2013
4:40pm
|
Lucy's house
|
The victims taking pictures using the camera.
|
High angle shot, lasts 2 seconds.
|
Girly outfit, hair down.
|
Phone, Train map.
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera, Tripod.
|
7
|
3.12.2013
4:50pm
|
Lucy's house
|
Filming the girls talking, but can see the antagonists reflection within the window of the train sitting next to her.
|
Mid shot, Lasts 4 seconds.
|
Victims as stated prior, Killer dressed in all black, long coat, scream mask.
|
Scream Mask
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera.
|
Lucy's house
| ||||||||
9
|
4.12.13
|
Outside Lucy's house
|
Killer in the window of the train, next to vicitm. Swaps places with what was boyfriend.
|
Midshot, Lasts 10 seconds
|
""
|
Scream mask.
|
Cameraman
Actors
|
Digital camera.
|
10
|
4.12.13
|
Lucy's house
|
Girls reaction, then her trying to get of the train.
|
Reaction shot, then into Longshot of the carriage, Zooms in on open button she is pressing.
|
N/A
|
Scream mask. Open Button.
|
Cameraman
|
Digital camera, bin bag.
|
Tuesday 17 December 2013
12) Production Roles- Miss Miller ---------
In order to create a film there are numerous roles which need to be fulfilled. The most important of these are the following;
- Producers
- Directors
- Actors
- Director of photography
- Music producers
- Screenplay writer
- MES Co-ordinators
- Editors
Production roles help make the filming and editing of the film more organised and structured. If each person knows their roles they can each focus on their responsibilities and complete the tasks quicker and more efficiently.
In my group there was myself, Lucy and Ravinder. We each allocated ourselves roles so that we could know what our jobs were. I was appointed as the Director and the Director of photography. This meant I was in charge of directing what happened in each scene and filming the scenes with the camera. This meant I needed to know how to use the camera and know about the different shot types and the effect each of these created.
Lucy was given the role of Editor and she was also helping to direct the film. We chose to allocate Lucy the editing role because she knew how to use the editing software and was the most confident out of the group to edit.
If we had done anything differently I think we would have allocated the roles more evenly between the three of us. Also we would have made each of our roles clearer from the beginning as some of us were unsure of the roles we were meant to be doing which led to confusion. This is why in some cases like the Production role there were two of us allocated to this role which meant at some points our ideds conflicted.
Reece was allocated the role of actor as he had taken drama and was the best at acting out of us. We appointed him as he was a male and we wanted to break the codes and conventions of thrillers, which we achieved by appointing Reece.
Ravinder had the role of screenplay writer but did not contribute effectively so me and Lucy organised what would be said on the film. We had to do this as Ravinder did not attend a couple of the filming sessions so me and Lucy had to work around that.
I think in my particular role of director of photography I carried it out well. There is a good variation of shots in our opening and they each create their intended effect on the audience. I also feel like I carried out the producer role well as each scene looks professional and well presented to the audience.
Although we have not yet edited me and Lucy will be in charge of music production. This will make the editing process a lot easier as we will known what jobs we have to do which will minimize the time it takes. We will need to put in the non diegetic sound like the voiceovers and the suspensful music at parts of the clip.
11) Opening scenaration- Miss Miller -------
The opening of our clip begins with the main character, Reece, walking into the house. A high angle shot is used to show him coming in the door and turning on the TV. The high angle shot makes it seem like Reece is being watched which straight away builds the suspense.
A panning shot is used to show Reece walking across the front room. It shows us more of the room and shows us Reece is home alone. It makes him seem alone and the audience will see him as vulnerable.
Reece pulls a pack of ham out of the fridge and stabs it with a knife. There is a close up shot on the knife which places emphasis on the weapon and makes the audience wonder whether it will be used later. It is an example of foreshadowing.
As Reece takes the food out of the microwave we used a reaction shot to show Reece's reaction to the noises upstairs. By showing a close up in this shot we see his scared facial expression which creates empathy amongst the audience and far as they will be wondering what the noise upstairs was as well.
We then used a long shot to show Reece walking out of the kitchen towards the stairs. The long shot made Reece look vulnerable again and alone in the house. A low angle shot was then used over the shoulder of Reece to show him walking up the stairs. The shot made the upstairs of the house look sinister an intimidating. It would have created fear and suspense amongst the audience as Reece got closer and closer to the top of the stairs.
As he comes to the top of the stairs a high angle is shot is used to show him on the final few steps. Like the shot earlier on in our opening it makes Reece seem like he is being watched. It also makes the audience feel like he is not alone in the house and it is an example of hidden identity as the audience do not know who it is watching Reece.
We used a slow timing of shots as Reece came up the stairs because we wanted to build the suspense before the climax. The climax comes as Reece begins to climb the second flight of stairs. We used a mid shot to show him with the door behind him. The door slams which acts as the climax and is intended to make the audience jump.
After the door slams the timing of shots became much quicker to up the tempo and make the clip more suspenseful. We used a series of long shots to show the doors slamming down the corridor of the house.
After the doors slammed we used another reaction shot from Reece to again create empathy and fear amongst the audience. As he runs down the stairs we used a low angle shot to show him coming down but as he gets to bottom he stops.
The timing of shots then slows again so that we could recreate the suspense. The long shot of Reece walking into the kitchen lasts for around 6 seconds which builds the suspense as he is asking who is there.
Reece then ran out of the kitchen and fell over. For this scene we used a mid shot. When showing his body on the floor we used a high angle shot to make him seem vulnerable and in danger.
We used a POV from Reece when he ran out the house. As he runs up to people you can see them ignoring him as though he isn't there. By using a POV it made a relationship between the audience and Reece by giving an insight into what he was thinking. We wanted to create empathy with the audience as they could feel his frustration and franticness at being ignored by the people in the street.
Reece than walks back in his house to find his own dead body. For this shot we used a mid shot of his legs walking slowly to the body. The slow pace of this scene built the suspense and emphasised the importance of what Reece had just found.
When Reece's dead body is on the floor we did a close up shot tracking across his body. We done this very slowly to build suspense as we reached his head. As the shot reached Reece's face we held the camera over his head for a few seconds before Reece jumps.
.
A panning shot is used to show Reece walking across the front room. It shows us more of the room and shows us Reece is home alone. It makes him seem alone and the audience will see him as vulnerable.
Reece pulls a pack of ham out of the fridge and stabs it with a knife. There is a close up shot on the knife which places emphasis on the weapon and makes the audience wonder whether it will be used later. It is an example of foreshadowing.
As Reece takes the food out of the microwave we used a reaction shot to show Reece's reaction to the noises upstairs. By showing a close up in this shot we see his scared facial expression which creates empathy amongst the audience and far as they will be wondering what the noise upstairs was as well.
We then used a long shot to show Reece walking out of the kitchen towards the stairs. The long shot made Reece look vulnerable again and alone in the house. A low angle shot was then used over the shoulder of Reece to show him walking up the stairs. The shot made the upstairs of the house look sinister an intimidating. It would have created fear and suspense amongst the audience as Reece got closer and closer to the top of the stairs.
As he comes to the top of the stairs a high angle is shot is used to show him on the final few steps. Like the shot earlier on in our opening it makes Reece seem like he is being watched. It also makes the audience feel like he is not alone in the house and it is an example of hidden identity as the audience do not know who it is watching Reece.
We used a slow timing of shots as Reece came up the stairs because we wanted to build the suspense before the climax. The climax comes as Reece begins to climb the second flight of stairs. We used a mid shot to show him with the door behind him. The door slams which acts as the climax and is intended to make the audience jump.
After the door slams the timing of shots became much quicker to up the tempo and make the clip more suspenseful. We used a series of long shots to show the doors slamming down the corridor of the house.
After the doors slammed we used another reaction shot from Reece to again create empathy and fear amongst the audience. As he runs down the stairs we used a low angle shot to show him coming down but as he gets to bottom he stops.
The timing of shots then slows again so that we could recreate the suspense. The long shot of Reece walking into the kitchen lasts for around 6 seconds which builds the suspense as he is asking who is there.
Reece then ran out of the kitchen and fell over. For this scene we used a mid shot. When showing his body on the floor we used a high angle shot to make him seem vulnerable and in danger.
We used a POV from Reece when he ran out the house. As he runs up to people you can see them ignoring him as though he isn't there. By using a POV it made a relationship between the audience and Reece by giving an insight into what he was thinking. We wanted to create empathy with the audience as they could feel his frustration and franticness at being ignored by the people in the street.
Reece than walks back in his house to find his own dead body. For this shot we used a mid shot of his legs walking slowly to the body. The slow pace of this scene built the suspense and emphasised the importance of what Reece had just found.
When Reece's dead body is on the floor we did a close up shot tracking across his body. We done this very slowly to build suspense as we reached his head. As the shot reached Reece's face we held the camera over his head for a few seconds before Reece jumps.
.
Sunday 15 December 2013
10) Inspirations- Miss Miller ----------
STATE- Why do we need inspiration before we can create something? Where can we take inspiration from? Where have you taken inspiration from in realtion to your thriller?
ELABORATE- What sequences have you looked at and what inspirations have you taken from them? How were they inspiring? How will you try to incorporate these ideas into your opening sequence, whilst making them your own?
EVALUATE- How was your research useful in terms of getting ideas for your narrative? How have various inspirations made your sequence better?
Before we began creating our thriller film opening we looked at other thriller films to discover more about different ways each film builds suspense. By looking at typical codes and conventions of thrillers it helped us choose what we wanted our film to be like.
When looking for inspirations from other films out group liked the way that suspense was build within the film paranormal activity. This gave the inspiration to use a spirit or ghost for our film. We chose to use a spirit in our thriller opening because we felt that there was more we could do if the antagonist was not seen. If the antagonist had been a visible monster there would have been less we could have done with the character. By using the ghost it meant we could use things like slamming doors and lights turning on and off which are things that are used in paranormal activity to successfully build the suspense.
When deciding on the setting of our film I looked at films like the strangers, the purge and paranormal activity. All of these films had the setting of a house. We used this as inspiration and decided to use the house as our setting for our thriller opening. The setting of our house we felt would built the suspense more effectively within the audience. We felt this because the setting would be relatable for them and this would also help create empathy and build a relationship between the audience and main character because they could see themselves in that situation.
Another thing we looked at for inspirations was the questionnaire that we produced. This asked people numerous questions about things they preferred to see in thriller films and thing that were most effective in building suspense. This gave us inspirations for what we wanted to include within our opening and what things would attract our target audience. For example if the majority of our target audience said that a spirit or ghost was more scary than a monster than we would use that as these are the kind of people we are aiming the film towards. The questionnaire was extremely important in giving us inspirations because it looked at every aspect of the film including setting, characters, music, suspense building and sounds used in the film.
ELABORATE- What sequences have you looked at and what inspirations have you taken from them? How were they inspiring? How will you try to incorporate these ideas into your opening sequence, whilst making them your own?
EVALUATE- How was your research useful in terms of getting ideas for your narrative? How have various inspirations made your sequence better?
Before we began creating our thriller film opening we looked at other thriller films to discover more about different ways each film builds suspense. By looking at typical codes and conventions of thrillers it helped us choose what we wanted our film to be like.
When looking for inspirations from other films out group liked the way that suspense was build within the film paranormal activity. This gave the inspiration to use a spirit or ghost for our film. We chose to use a spirit in our thriller opening because we felt that there was more we could do if the antagonist was not seen. If the antagonist had been a visible monster there would have been less we could have done with the character. By using the ghost it meant we could use things like slamming doors and lights turning on and off which are things that are used in paranormal activity to successfully build the suspense.
When deciding on the setting of our film I looked at films like the strangers, the purge and paranormal activity. All of these films had the setting of a house. We used this as inspiration and decided to use the house as our setting for our thriller opening. The setting of our house we felt would built the suspense more effectively within the audience. We felt this because the setting would be relatable for them and this would also help create empathy and build a relationship between the audience and main character because they could see themselves in that situation.
Another thing we looked at for inspirations was the questionnaire that we produced. This asked people numerous questions about things they preferred to see in thriller films and thing that were most effective in building suspense. This gave us inspirations for what we wanted to include within our opening and what things would attract our target audience. For example if the majority of our target audience said that a spirit or ghost was more scary than a monster than we would use that as these are the kind of people we are aiming the film towards. The questionnaire was extremely important in giving us inspirations because it looked at every aspect of the film including setting, characters, music, suspense building and sounds used in the film.
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