Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Planning Opening Credits- Miss Georgiou
When we being to edit our opening scene we will have to create opening credits. Opening credits within films let us know of all of the actors names who will be in the film and who the director of the film is. Opening credits are important to films as usually it will set the scene of where it will be based and ultimately prepares the audience to what may occur later on within the film. They are also important as they tell us the production name and the company in whom produced the film.
When we looked at opening credits for thriller films, we looked at the film 'Se7en'. When analysing the opening credits of se7en I looked closely at:
The editing styles used within the opening sequence of se7en includes many jerky movements. This enhances the effect to the thriller as the quick and unsteady movements of the writing makes the audience feel on edge and uneven as to what may happen throughout the film. Ultimately, we are led to believe that something bad will happen due to the jerky movements making it feel like we have only seconds until something will jump out as us or make us scared. This creates suspense and tension as we want to know what may happen and what is to come, this therefore engages the audience and makes them aware to what may happen.
The conventions of a thriller are used throughout this opening sequence often. However, the main one being low key lighting. This is used throughout the whole opening sequence and it convetnional to the thriller genre as it creates an eerie and tense atmosphere and the audience are led to think something possibly is going to happen. The lighting focuses on the main prospects what is included in the scene
The editing styles used within the opening sequence of se7en includes many jerky movements. This enhances the effect to the thriller as the quick and unsteady movements of the writing makes the audience feel on edge and uneven as to what may happen throughout the film. Ultimately, we are led to believe that something bad will happen due to the jerky movements making it feel like we have only seconds until something will jump out as us or make us scared. This creates suspense and tension as we want to know what may happen and what is to come, this therefore engages the audience and makes them aware to what may happen.
When we looked at opening credits for thriller films, we looked at the film 'Se7en'. When analysing the opening credits of se7en I looked closely at:
- The colours used in the opening sequence (focusing on the colour of the credits).
- The Style of the credits
- The thriller conventions used which make it clear to the audience that they are watching a thriller.
- The order in which the roles appear on screen.
The editing styles used within the opening sequence of se7en includes many jerky movements. This enhances the effect to the thriller as the quick and unsteady movements of the writing makes the audience feel on edge and uneven as to what may happen throughout the film. Ultimately, we are led to believe that something bad will happen due to the jerky movements making it feel like we have only seconds until something will jump out as us or make us scared. This creates suspense and tension as we want to know what may happen and what is to come, this therefore engages the audience and makes them aware to what may happen.
The conventions of a thriller are used throughout this opening sequence often. However, the main one being low key lighting. This is used throughout the whole opening sequence and it convetnional to the thriller genre as it creates an eerie and tense atmosphere and the audience are led to think something possibly is going to happen. The lighting focuses on the main prospects what is included in the scene
The editing styles used within the opening sequence of se7en includes many jerky movements. This enhances the effect to the thriller as the quick and unsteady movements of the writing makes the audience feel on edge and uneven as to what may happen throughout the film. Ultimately, we are led to believe that something bad will happen due to the jerky movements making it feel like we have only seconds until something will jump out as us or make us scared. This creates suspense and tension as we want to know what may happen and what is to come, this therefore engages the audience and makes them aware to what may happen.
The conventions of a thriller are used throughout this opening sequence. However, the main one being low key lighting. This is used throughout the whole opening sequence and it is a highly generic convention to the thriller genre as it creates an eerie and tense atmosphere and the audience are led to think something possibly is going to happen. Also, the lighting focuses on the main prospects on what is included within the scene. This creates suspense for the audience which will engage them within the opening scene.
Within the opening scene, the colours used were conventional to the thriller genre as they all represented death, innocence and purity. The first colours noticed were grey and white. The colour white represents innocence and purity reassuring the audience that everything may be ok. Although, the grey colours could suggest that something may go wrong or that something may be coming to an end such as a life. Another colour that is used here is the colour black. Black is usually referred to as an evil, dark colour presenting something negative. Therefore black used here portrays that there will be death and sins withheld within the film. Another colour that is used, only once, is red. Red can be seen as the colour of blood and danger which represents to the audience that there may be a bloody murder involved within the film and preparing the audience for what is to come. Red also presents danger in which can portray that the film may be based around something dangerous and many dangers may occur.
Another convention used within se7en's opening scene is the use of diagetic sound, it makes the opening scene more intensifying and mysterious. It creates a more fictional yet realistic approach to the film. Sound is highly conventional to the thriller genre as it makes everything more engaging for the audience whilst increasing the audiences tension and making them more scared.
The order of titles is very simple. It introduces the opening sequence to the film whilst introducing the characters and directors to producers and camera men.
The order of the opening sequence goes as follows:
- Title and production
- Characters- Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman
- Title of the film- Se7en
- More characters
- The director
- Producers
- Company name
- Actors
- Title
- Directors (twice)
- Music Producers
- Costume Designers
- Editors
- Production team
- Camera operators
- Co-Producers
- Producer
- Written by.
As noticed, the Directors name is mentioned many times in this opening sequence as they want to inflate the importance of whom has made the film happen. The main actors were shown first to show the audience whom was in the film and inflate their importance as well as the directors.
I then looked at another films opening credits to give me more of an idea on what to include when it came to my opening sequence. The next film I analysed was Insidious, seen below, made in 2010 in which contained many conventions to a thriller. This opening sequence contained many different colours, all being very dark such as red, black, dark blue, white and grey. These colours contrast with eachother and make everything bolder and makes things stand out. The main generic conventional colours used within the opening scene are red and black. These colours connote darkness and blood, which implies to the audience something will happen throughout the film and therefore makes the audience sit on edge. These colours are effective as they are very reflective of the thriller genre and make the audience feel scared right from the beginning of the film. The red colour on the writing makes the audience think there are going to be alot of spooky scenes. However, the contrasting colour, white, suggests the innocence of the victim, whom may be murdered or injured within the film.
Another feature included in the opening scene is low key lighting. As well as being highly conventional of the thriller genre, it is effective for the opening scene of this film. It is made sure that the audience are unable to see the whole of the background, setting a mysterious atmosphere from the beginning which may carry on into the film.
The style of credits in Insidious are relitavly simmilar to the the film Se7en. It introduces the opening sequence to the film whilst introducing the characters and directors to producers and camera men.
The order goes:
- Association with- Stage 6 films
- Alliance Films
- Global Presentation
- Haunted Mones Production
- James Wan Film (director)
- Film title
- Actors
- Casting by
- Costume Design
- Music by
- Edited by
- Production Design
- Director of photography
- Co-producer
- Executive producer
- Produced by
- Written by
- Directed by
The way in which Insidious' credits are shown, is noticably different to Se7en. They have ensured that the company they are partnered with have come up before anything else. This shows their importance in the film and it allows for the audience to know who the film was created by. It then goes on to the directors and actors in which is highly as important. Unlike Se7en, Insidious includeds all the poeple in whom had an input towards the film, including the directors of photography and the costume designers.
Within my group and I's thriller sequence, we will look at our research into opening credits and use the connotations which will include the colours of red, black and white. We have decided to use these colours as we wanted to make the audience feel as if danger is about to happen, which is connotated through the colours red and black. Because of this, the audience are led to experience the three S's, Suspense, Shock and Surprise. We have planned the order of the credits carefully as we wanted to make sure that the most important people who had most input when creating the sequence would be put first. This abled the audience to see who made the film and who were partnered with for 'sponsers'. Low key lighting will also be included within the sequence to emphasise on the thriller genre and on the darkness of the thriller which will make the audience more engaged within the film.
The order of our credits will go as followed:
- Association with
- HCF Film
- Director
- Film Title
- Actors
- Costume designer
- Music by
- Edited by
- Production Design
- Co-Producer
- Executive Producer
- Written By
- Directed By
Doing this research into opening credits, it has helped us to come up with our own opening sequence order which is completed to a different standard to the others. We have made sure we have included the conventions of the thriller genre. We have also included the main elements for the opening in way that we are able to ensure everybody involved within the sequence has a mention in the opening sequence of our thriller.
Within the opening scene, the colours used were conventional to the thriller genre as they all represented death, innocence and purity. The first colours noticed were grey and white. The colour white represents innocence and purity reassuring the audience that everything may be ok. Although, the grey colours could suggest that something may go wrong or that something may be coming to an end such as a life. Another colour that is used here is the colour black. Black is usually referred to as an evil, dark colour presenting something negative. Therefore black used here portrays that there will be death and sins withheld within the film. Another colour that is used, only once, is red. Red can be seen as the colour of blood and danger which represents to the audience that there may be a bloody murder involved within the film and preparing the audience for what is to come. Red also presents danger in which can portray that the film may be based around something dangerous and many dangers may occur.
Another convention used within se7en's opening scene is the use of diagetic sound, it makes the opening scene more intensifying and mysterious. It creates a more fictional yet realistic approach to the film. Sound is highly conventional to the thriller genre as it makes everything more engaging for the audience whilst increasing the audiences tension and making them more scared.
The order of titles is very simple. It introduces the opening sequence to the film whilst introducing the characters and directors to producers and camera men.
The order of the opening sequence goes as follows:
- Title and production
- Characters- Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman
- Title of the film- Se7en
- More characters
- The director
- Producers
- Company name
- Actors
- Title
- Directors (twice)
- Music Producers
- Costume Designers
- Editors
- Production team
- Camera operators
- Co-Producers
- Producer
- Written by.
As noticed, the Directors name is mentioned many times in this opening sequence as they want to inflate the importance of whom has made the film happen. The main actors were shown first to show the audience whom was in the film and inflate their importance as well as the directors.
I then looked at another films opening credits to give me more of an idea on what to include when it came to my opening sequence. The next film I analysed was Insidious, seen below, made in 2010 in which contained many conventions to a thriller. This opening sequence contained many different colours, all being very dark such as red, black, dark blue, white and grey. These colours contrast with eachother and make everything bolder and makes things stand out. The main generic conventional colours used within the opening scene are red and black. These colours connote darkness and blood, which implies to the audience something will happen throughout the film and therefore makes the audience sit on edge. These colours are effective as they are very reflective of the thriller genre and make the audience feel scared right from the beginning of the film. The red colour on the writing makes the audience think there are going to be alot of spooky scenes. However, the contrasting colour, white, suggests the innocence of the victim, whom may be murdered or injured within the film.
Another feature included in the opening scene is low key lighting. As well as being highly conventional of the thriller genre, it is effective for the opening scene of this film. It is made sure that the audience are unable to see the whole of the background, setting a mysterious atmosphere from the beginning which may carry on into the film.
The style of credits in Insidious are relitavly simmilar to the the film Se7en. It introduces the opening sequence to the film whilst introducing the characters and directors to producers and camera men.
The order goes:
- Association with- Stage 6 films
- Alliance Films
- Global Presentation
- Haunted Mones Production
- James Wan Film (director)
- Film title
- Actors
- Casting by
- Costume Design
- Music by
- Edited by
- Production Design
- Director of photography
- Co-producer
- Executive producer
- Produced by
- Written by
- Directed by
The way in which Insidious' credits are shown, is noticably different to Se7en. They have ensured that the company they are partnered with have come up before anything else. This shows their importance in the film and it allows for the audience to know who the film was created by. It then goes on to the directors and actors in which is highly as important. Unlike Se7en, Insidious includeds all the poeple in whom had an input towards the film, including the directors of photography and the costume designers.
Within my group and I's thriller sequence, we will look at our research into opening credits and use the connotations which will include the colours of red, black and white. We have decided to use these colours as we wanted to make the audience feel as if danger is about to happen, which is connotated through the colours red and black. Because of this, the audience are led to experience the three S's, Suspense, Shock and Surprise. We have planned the order of the credits carefully as we wanted to make sure that the most important people who had most input when creating the sequence would be put first. This abled the audience to see who made the film and who were partnered with for 'sponsers'. Low key lighting will also be included within the sequence to emphasise on the thriller genre and on the darkness of the thriller which will make the audience more engaged within the film.
The order of our credits will go as followed:
- Association with
- HCF Film
- Director
- Film Title
- Actors
- Costume designer
- Music by
- Edited by
- Production Design
- Co-Producer
- Executive Producer
- Written By
- Directed By
Doing this research into opening credits, it has helped us to come up with our own opening sequence order which is completed to a different standard to the others. We have made sure we have included the conventions of the thriller genre. We have also included the main elements for the opening in way that we are able to ensure everybody involved within the sequence has a mention in the opening sequence of our thriller.
Thursday, 13 March 2014
Saturday, 15 February 2014
Thursday, 13 February 2014
AS Evaluation- Question 7
The purpose of the Preliminary task was for my group and I to begin to understand and learn how the camera, tripod and editing software worked. The purpose of doing a preliminary task was for us to use the equipment for the first time and when it came to filming, then, we were able to know how everything worked and would therefore have no troubles when it came to filming and editing our sequence. I believed that the preliminary task was very useful for me as I believe that I learned a lot, especially about the editing software and camera. I got to grips with the technology I would be using to create my sequence. I also believe that without the preliminary task, the filming and editing process would of been a much more difficult task to complete, but with my prior knowledge, it was an easy process.
When the group and I first got given the camera and the tripod, we were unsure of how to use them correctly. For example, we were unsure of how to zoom in and out on the camera. We were also unsure of how the camera attached to the tripod. In order to overcome these problems, myself and my group took it in turns to film. I was the first person to film the first part of the clip, I made sure that I was holding the camera steady and I ssuccessfully zoomed in and out. As well as making sure of these things, I used many different camera angles when filming. I did this as when it came to filming the thriller sequence, I knew how to manoeuvre the camera correctly to create different angles. I also did this to test out the different angles that we could use and then see which ones looked good and then ones that wouldn't work as well.
The tripod was the next piece of equipment that my group and I had to use within the preliminary task. When we were first given the tripod, we were all unsure of what use this would have for us when filming. Myself and my group believed that the tripod would not be needed when filming our thriller sequence. However, from the preliminary task, we understood that actually the tripod would come in great use in order to create different cinematography effects. We used the tripod in the preliminary to create a steady long shot angle. This is seen when I am sitting on the floor and Freddie Conway, one of my group members walks in past me. Because of the success this had on the preliminary task, we encorporated this angle into our final sequence. During this task, we also learnt how the camera successfully attaches to the tripod, how the tripod can be used and how to manouvre it correctly.
The final part of the preliminary task was to edit the clips we had filmed during the task. The editing software we used was Final Cut Pro X. This part of the task enabled us to see how the software worked and what had to be done to edit the clips together and make the clip run smoothly. The software at first looked hard to use, however, having time to look at it and practice on it we were able to use it successfully by the end of the task.
Overall, from the preliminary task to my final product, I feel like I have learned a lot during the process. When filming for the final product, the process of this was quick and easy as I had previous knowledge on how to use the camera. During filming, I learned a lot more about the camera I was using. I learned that you could turn the screen around, so, when you were filming yourself, you could see what you were doing. This became extremely helpful with the handheld and close-up shot of the main character running as Heather was able to see what she was doing, enabling for the frame to be successful. The next thing I learned whilst filming for the final product was about the editing software. During the preliminary task, editing was a difficult task to complete as I had never used it before. However, because of my previous knowledge I had some idea of what had to be done. I learned a lot about Final Cut Pro X when editing. The first thing was the effects that could be put over the top of the clip. I added an effect on my sequence in order to create an eerie feel as the effect darkened the film. The next thing I learned was about the sounds that could be included and also taken away from the sequence. My group and I decided to add a soundtrack over the top of the sequence in order to create an eerie and suspense building feel. We downloaded the sounds onto the computer and then imported them onto Final Cut Pro X. The next thing I learned to do was deduct sound from the sequence. I wanted only the soundtrack to play at one point of the sequence, when the character is running away. In order to do this, we had to turn down the sound from the original clip and turn the volume up of the soundtrack. I was unaware this was possible, yet, whilst editing I found many things that could be done.
I believe that the preliminary task was effective and extremely useful for my group and I as we learned the basic skills of how to film and edit and then use these skills when filming for the final product. However, looking back at the preliminary task and the final product, I feel that my skills had developed vastly.
When the group and I first got given the camera and the tripod, we were unsure of how to use them correctly. For example, we were unsure of how to zoom in and out on the camera. We were also unsure of how the camera attached to the tripod. In order to overcome these problems, myself and my group took it in turns to film. I was the first person to film the first part of the clip, I made sure that I was holding the camera steady and I ssuccessfully zoomed in and out. As well as making sure of these things, I used many different camera angles when filming. I did this as when it came to filming the thriller sequence, I knew how to manoeuvre the camera correctly to create different angles. I also did this to test out the different angles that we could use and then see which ones looked good and then ones that wouldn't work as well.
The tripod was the next piece of equipment that my group and I had to use within the preliminary task. When we were first given the tripod, we were all unsure of what use this would have for us when filming. Myself and my group believed that the tripod would not be needed when filming our thriller sequence. However, from the preliminary task, we understood that actually the tripod would come in great use in order to create different cinematography effects. We used the tripod in the preliminary to create a steady long shot angle. This is seen when I am sitting on the floor and Freddie Conway, one of my group members walks in past me. Because of the success this had on the preliminary task, we encorporated this angle into our final sequence. During this task, we also learnt how the camera successfully attaches to the tripod, how the tripod can be used and how to manouvre it correctly.
The final part of the preliminary task was to edit the clips we had filmed during the task. The editing software we used was Final Cut Pro X. This part of the task enabled us to see how the software worked and what had to be done to edit the clips together and make the clip run smoothly. The software at first looked hard to use, however, having time to look at it and practice on it we were able to use it successfully by the end of the task.
Overall, from the preliminary task to my final product, I feel like I have learned a lot during the process. When filming for the final product, the process of this was quick and easy as I had previous knowledge on how to use the camera. During filming, I learned a lot more about the camera I was using. I learned that you could turn the screen around, so, when you were filming yourself, you could see what you were doing. This became extremely helpful with the handheld and close-up shot of the main character running as Heather was able to see what she was doing, enabling for the frame to be successful. The next thing I learned whilst filming for the final product was about the editing software. During the preliminary task, editing was a difficult task to complete as I had never used it before. However, because of my previous knowledge I had some idea of what had to be done. I learned a lot about Final Cut Pro X when editing. The first thing was the effects that could be put over the top of the clip. I added an effect on my sequence in order to create an eerie feel as the effect darkened the film. The next thing I learned was about the sounds that could be included and also taken away from the sequence. My group and I decided to add a soundtrack over the top of the sequence in order to create an eerie and suspense building feel. We downloaded the sounds onto the computer and then imported them onto Final Cut Pro X. The next thing I learned to do was deduct sound from the sequence. I wanted only the soundtrack to play at one point of the sequence, when the character is running away. In order to do this, we had to turn down the sound from the original clip and turn the volume up of the soundtrack. I was unaware this was possible, yet, whilst editing I found many things that could be done.
I believe that the preliminary task was effective and extremely useful for my group and I as we learned the basic skills of how to film and edit and then use these skills when filming for the final product. However, looking back at the preliminary task and the final product, I feel that my skills had developed vastly.
AS Evaluation- Question 2
Within my sequence I included 3 characters throughout the scene. The first character and whom is only seen twice throughout the sequence is the boyfriend of the main character, his name is George. The main character in our clip is the innocent girl whom is home alone, her name is Heather. The final character is the killer, who kills George.
Each character within my sequence is represented differently and uniquely, each to portray different characters of everyday life.
The first character we are introduced to is the main character in my sequence is Heather, she is portrayed to be an innocent girl. This is inferred through her clothing and actions. The clothing in which she wears is her pyjamas, I decided on pyjamas I believed it portrays her innocence fully as she is unaware that something is around her, it also makes her look extremeley vulnerable. Her actions also portray her innocence. When the audience are introduced to her, she is cooking and preparing food, this is refelctive of her age and as well as her innocence and independency. I included this character in my opening scene as I believe tht she is conventional to the thriller genre and would increase the audiences awareness to the sequence. Another reason to why my group and I included her within the opening is to appeal to the targetted audience, with her being 17 years of age and the target audience being 15/16, therefore being almost te same age, it increases the realistic feel of the sequnce and the dramatic feel.
The next character included in the sequence is the killer, although being played by a girl, we dressed the girl in to boys clothing in order to present the killer as a boy. We dressed her in a baggy jumper and jogging bottoms, we did this because the stereotypical clothing that boys wear are tracksuits. Also, because of the baggy jumper, we were able to hide the girls face successfully and hide the killers identity creating a myseterious feel. Throughout the sequence we were not able to see the killers face, this creates the character to be scary and leads the audience wanting to know more about him. When thinking about certain social groups within society, this character links to them. The mysterious and uncertaincy which the character represents, links to social groups as such groups also present mystery and uncretaincy to society. Adding such a dramatic character to the sequence builds to the effect of the dramatic twist.
The last character is murdered victim. As we are not shown this character often, he has no dialogue, the audience are unable to know what his purpose is. By showing him murdered, the audience are led to believe that he must of done something wrong or upsetting in order for this to happen. My group and I included this character into the sequence to present fear to the audience. When the audience see him dead, they are led to believe that something may happen to the girl. This character also links to certain social groups.
Within our scene gender is represented in a stereotypical way. This is shown to us in many different aspects through most of the characters. The girl is shown to be oblivious to what is around her and that someone is in her house. This portrayal of the girl enhances the stereotype of girls, seen to be silly and oblivious. Again, the next stereotypical aspect of gender is shown through the killer. The killer is shown wearing a tracksuit with the hoody covering his face as we are unable to see his face. His clothing is stereotypical of boys as the clothing is associated with boys and what is typical of what they would wear.
Each character appeals to the intended audience. This is because the characters within the sequence are teenagers and the audience we have aimed the sequence is teenagers, also. Because the characters and audience are the same age, the audience can relate to the sequence and feel a sense of realisation as they are led to believe that it could happen to themselves. The rating, my group and I decided, would be a 15. The narrative in which we had decided to go with for our final sequence, allowed for the audience to build relationships with the characters. The young girl home alone relates to teenagers of her age and her gender. With her being home alone, this can relate to many teenagers as they have been in the same situation. This then builds the fear as they could believe that it may happen to them. The characters may also appeal to the audience, I believe this as the characters and the audience are the same age group and will therefore be interested and what to know more and watch the thriller. The way in which the characters are portrayed could also appeal to the audience, the intimidation of the female character makes the audience interested and will want to know more.
Each character within my sequence is represented differently and uniquely, each to portray different characters of everyday life.
The first character we are introduced to is the main character in my sequence is Heather, she is portrayed to be an innocent girl. This is inferred through her clothing and actions. The clothing in which she wears is her pyjamas, I decided on pyjamas I believed it portrays her innocence fully as she is unaware that something is around her, it also makes her look extremeley vulnerable. Her actions also portray her innocence. When the audience are introduced to her, she is cooking and preparing food, this is refelctive of her age and as well as her innocence and independency. I included this character in my opening scene as I believe tht she is conventional to the thriller genre and would increase the audiences awareness to the sequence. Another reason to why my group and I included her within the opening is to appeal to the targetted audience, with her being 17 years of age and the target audience being 15/16, therefore being almost te same age, it increases the realistic feel of the sequnce and the dramatic feel. The next character included in the sequence is the killer, although being played by a girl, we dressed the girl in to boys clothing in order to present the killer as a boy. We dressed her in a baggy jumper and jogging bottoms, we did this because the stereotypical clothing that boys wear are tracksuits. Also, because of the baggy jumper, we were able to hide the girls face successfully and hide the killers identity creating a myseterious feel. Throughout the sequence we were not able to see the killers face, this creates the character to be scary and leads the audience wanting to know more about him. When thinking about certain social groups within society, this character links to them. The mysterious and uncertaincy which the character represents, links to social groups as such groups also present mystery and uncretaincy to society. Adding such a dramatic character to the sequence builds to the effect of the dramatic twist.The last character is murdered victim. As we are not shown this character often, he has no dialogue, the audience are unable to know what his purpose is. By showing him murdered, the audience are led to believe that he must of done something wrong or upsetting in order for this to happen. My group and I included this character into the sequence to present fear to the audience. When the audience see him dead, they are led to believe that something may happen to the girl. This character also links to certain social groups. Within our scene gender is represented in a stereotypical way. This is shown to us in many different aspects through most of the characters. The girl is shown to be oblivious to what is around her and that someone is in her house. This portrayal of the girl enhances the stereotype of girls, seen to be silly and oblivious. Again, the next stereotypical aspect of gender is shown through the killer. The killer is shown wearing a tracksuit with the hoody covering his face as we are unable to see his face. His clothing is stereotypical of boys as the clothing is associated with boys and what is typical of what they would wear.
Each character appeals to the intended audience. This is because the characters within the sequence are teenagers and the audience we have aimed the sequence is teenagers, also. Because the characters and audience are the same age, the audience can relate to the sequence and feel a sense of realisation as they are led to believe that it could happen to themselves. The rating, my group and I decided, would be a 15. The narrative in which we had decided to go with for our final sequence, allowed for the audience to build relationships with the characters. The young girl home alone relates to teenagers of her age and her gender. With her being home alone, this can relate to many teenagers as they have been in the same situation. This then builds the fear as they could believe that it may happen to them. The characters may also appeal to the audience, I believe this as the characters and the audience are the same age group and will therefore be interested and what to know more and watch the thriller. The way in which the characters are portrayed could also appeal to the audience, the intimidation of the female character makes the audience interested and will want to know more.
AS Evaluation- Question 1
When planning for my opening scene, I looked into the conventions of the thriller genre. I did this in order to have more of an understanding of what to include in my own thriller, to make sure that I could produce a sequence that can be as successful as it could be. By researching into the conventions of the thriller genre, it gave me a wide look into what I could include in my sequence to make it run smoothly and to see what would work well within my narrative.
One of the main, and generic, conventions which ran through most of the thriller films in which I had analysed was the use of a female victim. This was noticed in Paranormal Activity, Drag Me To Hell, Physco and The Human Centipede, these films were all sucsseful in their portrayal of a female victim. Because of this, I believed that a female victim would be most suitable for my narrative. Also, with use of the female victim within each film, they related back to their intended audience, because of this, it increased the fear and tension within them making the audience feel vulnerable. Another generic convention of this genre is low key lighting. Within all thriller films I had watched, each film contained usage of low key lighting. Films included, Incidious, Sinister and Saw. The low key lighting that was included in each film built the tension vastly as the lighting manipulated the audience into feeling fearful and somewhat vulnerable. With the effect that the low key lighting had on these films, I incorporated it into my sequence in order to increase the eerie feel. The last generic convention within the thriller genre is iconography. The use of iconography within thriller films allows for the audience to have more understanding of what is happening and what potentially may happen. Iconography is used within every thriller film in order to to engage the audience and to ultimately make them fearful towards the scenes happening in front of them. I noticed iconography in The Shining, The Human Centipede, Sinister and Saw. Each of these films use different iconography within them, but, yet, all still portray fear and suspense.
Within my thriller sequence I followed the generic conventions and applied them in to my sequence. The main character in my sequence was a teenage girl in whom is home alone at night time. I thought carefully about how my group and I wanted the girl to look and what she should wear. My group and I decided to dress her in pyjamas in order to make her look vulnerable and an easy target, however, clothing didn't play a huge role in the portrayal of vulnerability as the stereotypical view on teenage girls is seen to oblivious to what is happening around them and vacant. This view of teenage girls is proved correct within my thriller as when the lights cut off, she looks around in shock as she is unaware someone is in her house. Ultimately, I used a teenage girl as I thought it would create tension and build the fear factor.
The next convention that was included in my sequence was the use of low key lighting. The sequence was set in a night setting in order to create a mysterious and tension building atmosphere. In order to follow the convention of low key lighting, we had to film late at night, I wanted to create an eerie atmosphere which would make the audience feel uncomfortable in which I believe my sequence creates.
Another convention included within the sequence was iconography, the iconography that we used was a knife. The present the knife to the audience, to allow them to know there was a weapon within the scene, we scrapped the knife along the kitchen work top which made a sound that would repeat and play on the audiences mind. We used a knife within the sequence as my group and I believed it was the weapon that was most conventional to the thriller genre. Using the knife, we were able to create a fearful atmosphere and make the audience feel on edge as to what the knife may be used for.
Setting is another generic convention used within my opening scene. Within many thriller films that I had analysed used a house as the main setting, so, we decided we would make the setting in a house also. The house setting within my thriller and other thrillers gives the film a sense of reality. It leads the audience to sit on edge and make them believe that what is occurring within the sequence could happen to themselves. The household setting makes the sequence also more mysterious, making the audience wonder how the killer got into the house and what may happen next. Also, as the girl is home alone, we know that she has no one to help her if something happens, this therefore increases the fear within the sequence
Another convention that is noticeable within my clip is the use of minimal dialogue. During the chase scene, there is minimal dialogue and the only words heard is the girl shouting 'George' in panicked voice. The use of minimal dialogue allows for the fast pace of the chase to build. The
audience are led to focus fully on what is going on within the scene, not being distracted by anything. My group and I believed minimal dialogue would be effective within scene as it portrays the fear to build and allows the audience to build a relationship with the main character.
The last convention is the use of the clothing the characters are wearing. Clothing helps in the representation of the characters and it allows for the audience to understand more about the characters. We dressed the girl in pyjamas as we believed it portrayed a sense of innocence and vulnerability. The killer is dressed in baggy clothes in which are able to hide his identity. The use of the clothing in which they are wearing allows for representations to be made clearly. The girl is represented to be vulnerable and innocent and the killer is represented as mysterious and scary, this is achieved through the use of clothing.
I believe that my opening sequence defines the thriller genre. The elements that were used within my sequence, make it clear of the thriller genre. Firstly, the low key lighting gives the audience an indication that there is something suspicious going on, creating a mysterious feel. Within the sequence there is also use of handheld and close- up shots. These shots give the audience a clear view of the victims emotions and panic. By adding these to my thriller, this leads for the audience to feel emotion towards her and are also aware of what the girl is feeling herself. These shots are very definitive of the thriller genre as what the girl is feeling reflects onto the audience. There is also very limited dialogue within the sequence, again, this defines the thriller genre as the use of no speech makes the sequence fast pace and we are just able to concentrate on what we re being shown.
When looking at my thriller sequence, it can be compared to many thriller films. The first in which it can be compared to is The Shining. Within The Shining there is use of iconography, low key lighting, and a chase scene, all in which is seen in my sequence. Although, the iconography is different from my sequence to The Shining's, it still portrays the same fearful effect. The chase scene from The Shining is fast pace with many different camera angles in which is reflective of my sequence. The Shining also uses long shots and handheld movements in which our clip sequence uses, in order to pick up the pace of what is happening. With use of the long shots in my sequence, we are able to have a clear view of the victims surroundings.
One of the main, and generic, conventions which ran through most of the thriller films in which I had analysed was the use of a female victim. This was noticed in Paranormal Activity, Drag Me To Hell, Physco and The Human Centipede, these films were all sucsseful in their portrayal of a female victim. Because of this, I believed that a female victim would be most suitable for my narrative. Also, with use of the female victim within each film, they related back to their intended audience, because of this, it increased the fear and tension within them making the audience feel vulnerable. Another generic convention of this genre is low key lighting. Within all thriller films I had watched, each film contained usage of low key lighting. Films included, Incidious, Sinister and Saw. The low key lighting that was included in each film built the tension vastly as the lighting manipulated the audience into feeling fearful and somewhat vulnerable. With the effect that the low key lighting had on these films, I incorporated it into my sequence in order to increase the eerie feel. The last generic convention within the thriller genre is iconography. The use of iconography within thriller films allows for the audience to have more understanding of what is happening and what potentially may happen. Iconography is used within every thriller film in order to to engage the audience and to ultimately make them fearful towards the scenes happening in front of them. I noticed iconography in The Shining, The Human Centipede, Sinister and Saw. Each of these films use different iconography within them, but, yet, all still portray fear and suspense.
Within my thriller sequence I followed the generic conventions and applied them in to my sequence. The main character in my sequence was a teenage girl in whom is home alone at night time. I thought carefully about how my group and I wanted the girl to look and what she should wear. My group and I decided to dress her in pyjamas in order to make her look vulnerable and an easy target, however, clothing didn't play a huge role in the portrayal of vulnerability as the stereotypical view on teenage girls is seen to oblivious to what is happening around them and vacant. This view of teenage girls is proved correct within my thriller as when the lights cut off, she looks around in shock as she is unaware someone is in her house. Ultimately, I used a teenage girl as I thought it would create tension and build the fear factor. Another convention included within the sequence was iconography, the iconography that we used was a knife. The present the knife to the audience, to allow them to know there was a weapon within the scene, we scrapped the knife along the kitchen work top which made a sound that would repeat and play on the audiences mind. We used a knife within the sequence as my group and I believed it was the weapon that was most conventional to the thriller genre. Using the knife, we were able to create a fearful atmosphere and make the audience feel on edge as to what the knife may be used for.Setting is another generic convention used within my opening scene. Within many thriller films that I had analysed used a house as the main setting, so, we decided we would make the setting in a house also. The house setting within my thriller and other thrillers gives the film a sense of reality. It leads the audience to sit on edge and make them believe that what is occurring within the sequence could happen to themselves. The household setting makes the sequence also more mysterious, making the audience wonder how the killer got into the house and what may happen next. Also, as the girl is home alone, we know that she has no one to help her if something happens, this therefore increases the fear within the sequence
Another convention that is noticeable within my clip is the use of minimal dialogue. During the chase scene, there is minimal dialogue and the only words heard is the girl shouting 'George' in panicked voice. The use of minimal dialogue allows for the fast pace of the chase to build. The
audience are led to focus fully on what is going on within the scene, not being distracted by anything. My group and I believed minimal dialogue would be effective within scene as it portrays the fear to build and allows the audience to build a relationship with the main character.
I believe that my opening sequence defines the thriller genre. The elements that were used within my sequence, make it clear of the thriller genre. Firstly, the low key lighting gives the audience an indication that there is something suspicious going on, creating a mysterious feel. Within the sequence there is also use of handheld and close- up shots. These shots give the audience a clear view of the victims emotions and panic. By adding these to my thriller, this leads for the audience to feel emotion towards her and are also aware of what the girl is feeling herself. These shots are very definitive of the thriller genre as what the girl is feeling reflects onto the audience. There is also very limited dialogue within the sequence, again, this defines the thriller genre as the use of no speech makes the sequence fast pace and we are just able to concentrate on what we re being shown.
When looking at my thriller sequence, it can be compared to many thriller films. The first in which it can be compared to is The Shining. Within The Shining there is use of iconography, low key lighting, and a chase scene, all in which is seen in my sequence. Although, the iconography is different from my sequence to The Shining's, it still portrays the same fearful effect. The chase scene from The Shining is fast pace with many different camera angles in which is reflective of my sequence. The Shining also uses long shots and handheld movements in which our clip sequence uses, in order to pick up the pace of what is happening. With use of the long shots in my sequence, we are able to have a clear view of the victims surroundings.
Monday, 10 February 2014
Planning sound- Miss Miller
During our planning process, we have to plan precisely what is going to be included within our final narrative to make it as effective as possible. Sound is very important in films as it creates an understanding of the narrative and atmosphere for the audience. Thriller films especially rely on sound as they need to create suspense and anxiety throughout there film. Also they rely on their music because their footage is limited as there is many scenes where not much is going on and suspense needs to be created until something is revealed. My group and I needed to make sure that the sounds we used were effective and that we matched the sounds to the images seen, also, putting a soundtrack over the top to create more suspense and build the tension.
The first sound in which my group and I were confident that we were going to use was the use of silence. We had noticed that silence is frequently used within thrillers as it helps to build tension by leaving the audience feel on edge which is very conventional. We thought it would be good to include silence within our thriller clip because of this reason. When adding silence to our opening scene, we thought it would be good to add it when the girl sees the male in her house. We believed this would be effective as it would contrast from the soundtrack being played constantly, so, adding immeadiate silence would show and portray the shock and fear the girl is feeling. My group and I hope that when the silence is heard, this would overwhelm the audience as they were not expecting it to happen. This leads the audience to feel nervous as to what may happen next and in the rest of the clip.
The next sound in which we are going to include in our sequence is non-diagetic sound. This is sound that is not related to the clip yet added on in the editing stage. We will be playing an eerie, repetitive soundtrack throughout the clip. The repetition of the sound leads the audience to believe something is going to happen at anytime, however, although it is seemed something is going to happen as the music is leading to this, nothing does happen. We will layer two soundtracks on top of each other, this creates a layered more intense sound to our opening sequence and ultimatley increasing the fear.
The last sound in which we will be using is Parallel sounds/ On-screen sounds. These sounds are when the images and what we can hear complement each other. We have decided to use parallel sound frequently throughout our clip. The first time we will hear this sound is when the girl is cooking, when she is stirring the food. This sound, along with the non-diagetic sound playing in the background, will allow the audience to focus on the girl and nothing else around her. The next time we will hear it will be when the knife is scrapped along the surface of the kitchen. Again, this allows the audience to focus on the knife and what may happen with the knife. As well as hearing this sound, it allows for a chilling effect to run through the audience, the sharp, eerie sound of the knife makes the audience sit on edge and draw the audiences attention in on what may lead. The audience may feel nervous with these sounds being heard and they may feel nervous for her.
Now that we had planned the sounds which we would be using, in order to find the right sounds in order to produce a thriller opening in which the group would be confident with, we found a website name Freesound.org which had many sounds we could choose from. From diagetic sounds to non-diagetic sounds. The sounds we found from this website enhanced the original sounds that we could hear, therefore increasing the tension and suspense. Once editing is finished, adding the sound will be the main thing that builds suspense and makes the audience feel something.
The first sound in which my group and I were confident that we were going to use was the use of silence. We had noticed that silence is frequently used within thrillers as it helps to build tension by leaving the audience feel on edge which is very conventional. We thought it would be good to include silence within our thriller clip because of this reason. When adding silence to our opening scene, we thought it would be good to add it when the girl sees the male in her house. We believed this would be effective as it would contrast from the soundtrack being played constantly, so, adding immeadiate silence would show and portray the shock and fear the girl is feeling. My group and I hope that when the silence is heard, this would overwhelm the audience as they were not expecting it to happen. This leads the audience to feel nervous as to what may happen next and in the rest of the clip.
The next sound in which we are going to include in our sequence is non-diagetic sound. This is sound that is not related to the clip yet added on in the editing stage. We will be playing an eerie, repetitive soundtrack throughout the clip. The repetition of the sound leads the audience to believe something is going to happen at anytime, however, although it is seemed something is going to happen as the music is leading to this, nothing does happen. We will layer two soundtracks on top of each other, this creates a layered more intense sound to our opening sequence and ultimatley increasing the fear.
The last sound in which we will be using is Parallel sounds/ On-screen sounds. These sounds are when the images and what we can hear complement each other. We have decided to use parallel sound frequently throughout our clip. The first time we will hear this sound is when the girl is cooking, when she is stirring the food. This sound, along with the non-diagetic sound playing in the background, will allow the audience to focus on the girl and nothing else around her. The next time we will hear it will be when the knife is scrapped along the surface of the kitchen. Again, this allows the audience to focus on the knife and what may happen with the knife. As well as hearing this sound, it allows for a chilling effect to run through the audience, the sharp, eerie sound of the knife makes the audience sit on edge and draw the audiences attention in on what may lead. The audience may feel nervous with these sounds being heard and they may feel nervous for her.
Now that we had planned the sounds which we would be using, in order to find the right sounds in order to produce a thriller opening in which the group would be confident with, we found a website name Freesound.org which had many sounds we could choose from. From diagetic sounds to non-diagetic sounds. The sounds we found from this website enhanced the original sounds that we could hear, therefore increasing the tension and suspense. Once editing is finished, adding the sound will be the main thing that builds suspense and makes the audience feel something.
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Opening Sceneration- Miss Miller
When filming our opening scene, we made many changes from our original narrative. My group and I had developed on some more ideas that we could include within our scene and therefore, thought it would be a good idea to include them. We added them to our opening scene as we believed it would create a suspense building feel and appeal to our audience more.
The first frame in our opening scene we are shown a long shot of the house, with it zooming in also. We thought that the long shot and the use of the zooming in would be effective for the audience, emphasising the house and ultimately making them focus on it. The sound here is diagetic sound in which is a soundtrack in which we believe creates an eerie feel making the audience feel uncomfortable and leading them to wonder what may be happening within the house.
Going on to the next frame, we used a dissolve effect. This effect allows for a smooth transition between the frames making it more professional and easy for the audience to understand. The next frame shows a mysterious figure walking towards the house. The camera is from the point of view of the house. With the previous frame playing on the audiences mind, wondering why the house is so important, the man walking towards the house makes the audience feel on edge with what may happen. It makes the audience question what is in the house and why the man is walking towards it. The sound again is the soundtrack in which is heard in the previous frame. The eerie feel is being carried on allowing for a fearful atmosphere to build. The transition into the next shot is again a dissolve.
The next shot shows a man sitting on a garden chair, smoking. The cinematography used here is a handheld, point of view (POV) shot. The use of the POV shot makes the audience want to know whose point of view it is of. With what has already been shown to the audience, they are likely to believe it is the mysterious man. As the shot is from a Point Of View, this automatically builds the tension within the frame as it makes the audience want to find out more. We added this shot here in order to make the audience scared on the mans behalf, then, allowing for the audience to build a relationship with the character already.
The next frame then goes into the house in where the man was walking towards. This frame shows a girl cooking. She is in her pyjamas and looks like she is home alone. We dressed this character in pyjamas as it portrays vulnerability and innocence. The sound is still the soundtrack with occaisonal on screen sound of the pots and pans moving. This sound makes the frame more realistic and gives a sense of reality. This frame ultimately introduces the victim.
The editing going into the next frame is quick. We used quick editing in order to pick up the pace of the scene. As the action and drama starts to begin, quick editing sets the scene of the fast pace of what is going to happen next. The frame shows the floor then suddenly a light switches off. The off screen sound of the light switching off again gives a sense of reality, yet, makes the audience suspicious to who turned it off and why it switched off.
The next frame is highly typical of the thriller genre. The camera shot is again a point of view, looking down at the knife which is scraping across the kitchen surface. There are many typical elements of the thriller genre used within this frame. The iconography in which we decided to use, a knife, allows for the audience to believe that something bad is going to happen to the victim. The diagetic sound of the knife scraping across the surface makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they know that ultimately something bad will happen with the knife making the frame more eerie. This frame allows for the tension and suspense to build.
When the girl hears the knife, she looks up towards the camera. Looking into the camera lens is effective as the previous shot is a POV, this makes it seem she is looking into the killers eyes. She then screams and begins to run out of the house. As the camera follows her, this again makes it seem as if the killer is following her out of the house and chasing her. This makes the audience feel scared for her, again, building the relationship with the characters. The editing here is quick with the frame changing quickly, because of this quick editing the pace of the scene is quickened allowing for the action and drama to build.
The next frame is a long shot of the girl running onto the street, away from her house. The use of the long shot here allows for us to see her surroundings. There is no body around and is dark, this shows her vulnerablity to the audience, showing she has no where to go. A few seconds into the frame we are able to see the mysterious man following her. This makes the audience sit on edge as she is being followed by him and we are aware he is armed with a knife, making the audience know something bad is potentionally going to happen.
The dissolve into the next frame shows a point of view shot of the girl running away from the man, yet, we can still see him behind her. The close up POV shot, makes it clear of the emotion on her face, which is portraying fear and panic. We are able to know how the girl is feeling through her facial expressions and we are therefore able to sympathsise with her. The sound being used is the eerie soundtrack again. The repition of this soundtrack plays on the audiences minds, making them feel uncomfortable and on edge. This frame only lasts for 5 seconds then we are introduced into a new frame.
This next frame is a high angled shot of the girl. She is sitting on the floor curled up into a ball. The high angled shot and her body language portrays to the audience her vulnerability. The body language in which the girl is doing makes the audience understand they way that she is feeling, she is scared of what is going to happen and is scared of the man. The scene then takes a dramatic twist, the man hands her the knife. We added this twist into the scene as we believe it would make the audience question even more what is going to happen and why the man is handing her the knife. This twist, we believed, was unexpected which is why we thought it would be effective. The high angled POV shot, with the man handing her the knife makes her seem smaller than she is, portraying her innocence. When she is holding the knife, her facial expressions still portray to us that she is scared of what is going to happen,
The next frame is again unexpcted. The long shot of the two characters holding hands walking back to the house allows for the audience to then believe that the girl isnt the victim anymore. Yet, with knowledge from the previous frames, the audience know believe that the man in the garden may be. This frame we are able to see the knife being held by the girl, making it seem as if she isn't vulnerable anymore but more evil.
As the two characters are walking into the distance, the frame then cuts into the garden in where the character George is. We are seen a close up of his face in which has blood over it. We used the close up here in order to see the damage that has been done to him, enabling the audience to feel sorry for him. This close up shot of the male is conventional of the thriller genre as it adds dramatic effect, we are able to see that he is dead and this creates tension for the audience.
The frame then zooms out from his his face, leading down to his feet then fading away into darkness. The zooming away creates an emotional detatchment from this character. The zooming out connotes that the character is not important and therefore we are able to know that he creates no importance to the scene. Another reason in why we added the zooming out was to portray the scene coming to an end. This frame includes a handheld shot, this handheld shot creates a sense of chaos portrayed through the jerky movements of the camera.
Overall, the use of cinematography and editing within our opening sequence creates an eerie atmosphere and creates the tension and suspense in which we wanted to create. We used handheld and POV shots throughout the clip in order to heighten the thriller effect.
Going on to the next frame, we used a dissolve effect. This effect allows for a smooth transition between the frames making it more professional and easy for the audience to understand. The next frame shows a mysterious figure walking towards the house. The camera is from the point of view of the house. With the previous frame playing on the audiences mind, wondering why the house is so important, the man walking towards the house makes the audience feel on edge with what may happen. It makes the audience question what is in the house and why the man is walking towards it. The sound again is the soundtrack in which is heard in the previous frame. The eerie feel is being carried on allowing for a fearful atmosphere to build. The transition into the next shot is again a dissolve.
The next shot shows a man sitting on a garden chair, smoking. The cinematography used here is a handheld, point of view (POV) shot. The use of the POV shot makes the audience want to know whose point of view it is of. With what has already been shown to the audience, they are likely to believe it is the mysterious man. As the shot is from a Point Of View, this automatically builds the tension within the frame as it makes the audience want to find out more. We added this shot here in order to make the audience scared on the mans behalf, then, allowing for the audience to build a relationship with the character already.
The next frame then goes into the house in where the man was walking towards. This frame shows a girl cooking. She is in her pyjamas and looks like she is home alone. We dressed this character in pyjamas as it portrays vulnerability and innocence. The sound is still the soundtrack with occaisonal on screen sound of the pots and pans moving. This sound makes the frame more realistic and gives a sense of reality. This frame ultimately introduces the victim.
The editing going into the next frame is quick. We used quick editing in order to pick up the pace of the scene. As the action and drama starts to begin, quick editing sets the scene of the fast pace of what is going to happen next. The frame shows the floor then suddenly a light switches off. The off screen sound of the light switching off again gives a sense of reality, yet, makes the audience suspicious to who turned it off and why it switched off.
The next frame is highly typical of the thriller genre. The camera shot is again a point of view, looking down at the knife which is scraping across the kitchen surface. There are many typical elements of the thriller genre used within this frame. The iconography in which we decided to use, a knife, allows for the audience to believe that something bad is going to happen to the victim. The diagetic sound of the knife scraping across the surface makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they know that ultimately something bad will happen with the knife making the frame more eerie. This frame allows for the tension and suspense to build.
When the girl hears the knife, she looks up towards the camera. Looking into the camera lens is effective as the previous shot is a POV, this makes it seem she is looking into the killers eyes. She then screams and begins to run out of the house. As the camera follows her, this again makes it seem as if the killer is following her out of the house and chasing her. This makes the audience feel scared for her, again, building the relationship with the characters. The editing here is quick with the frame changing quickly, because of this quick editing the pace of the scene is quickened allowing for the action and drama to build.
The next frame is a long shot of the girl running onto the street, away from her house. The use of the long shot here allows for us to see her surroundings. There is no body around and is dark, this shows her vulnerablity to the audience, showing she has no where to go. A few seconds into the frame we are able to see the mysterious man following her. This makes the audience sit on edge as she is being followed by him and we are aware he is armed with a knife, making the audience know something bad is potentionally going to happen.
The dissolve into the next frame shows a point of view shot of the girl running away from the man, yet, we can still see him behind her. The close up POV shot, makes it clear of the emotion on her face, which is portraying fear and panic. We are able to know how the girl is feeling through her facial expressions and we are therefore able to sympathsise with her. The sound being used is the eerie soundtrack again. The repition of this soundtrack plays on the audiences minds, making them feel uncomfortable and on edge. This frame only lasts for 5 seconds then we are introduced into a new frame.
This next frame is a high angled shot of the girl. She is sitting on the floor curled up into a ball. The high angled shot and her body language portrays to the audience her vulnerability. The body language in which the girl is doing makes the audience understand they way that she is feeling, she is scared of what is going to happen and is scared of the man. The scene then takes a dramatic twist, the man hands her the knife. We added this twist into the scene as we believe it would make the audience question even more what is going to happen and why the man is handing her the knife. This twist, we believed, was unexpected which is why we thought it would be effective. The high angled POV shot, with the man handing her the knife makes her seem smaller than she is, portraying her innocence. When she is holding the knife, her facial expressions still portray to us that she is scared of what is going to happen,
The next frame is again unexpcted. The long shot of the two characters holding hands walking back to the house allows for the audience to then believe that the girl isnt the victim anymore. Yet, with knowledge from the previous frames, the audience know believe that the man in the garden may be. This frame we are able to see the knife being held by the girl, making it seem as if she isn't vulnerable anymore but more evil.
As the two characters are walking into the distance, the frame then cuts into the garden in where the character George is. We are seen a close up of his face in which has blood over it. We used the close up here in order to see the damage that has been done to him, enabling the audience to feel sorry for him. This close up shot of the male is conventional of the thriller genre as it adds dramatic effect, we are able to see that he is dead and this creates tension for the audience.
The frame then zooms out from his his face, leading down to his feet then fading away into darkness. The zooming away creates an emotional detatchment from this character. The zooming out connotes that the character is not important and therefore we are able to know that he creates no importance to the scene. Another reason in why we added the zooming out was to portray the scene coming to an end. This frame includes a handheld shot, this handheld shot creates a sense of chaos portrayed through the jerky movements of the camera.
Overall, the use of cinematography and editing within our opening sequence creates an eerie atmosphere and creates the tension and suspense in which we wanted to create. We used handheld and POV shots throughout the clip in order to heighten the thriller effect.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Evaluation- Miss Georgiou
Question 1:
When planning for our opening scene we looked into the conventions of the thriller genre. We did this in order to know what to include in our thriller, to make sure that we could produce a clip that was a successful as it could be. By looking at the conventions of the thriller genre, it gave us a wide look into what we could include in our clip and what would work well within our narrative.
One of the main ad generic conventions in which ran through most of the thriller films in which I had analysed was the use of the female victim. This was noticed in paranormal activity, drag me to hell, physco and the human centipede. These were all very successful in their portrayal of the female victim. They all related to their intended audience and because of this, it increased the fear and tension within the film making the audience feel vulnerable. Another generic convention of this genre is low key lighting. Within every thriller film that i watched there was use of low key lighting whether is was for a scene or throughout. Films such as incidious, sinister and saw included low key lighting. These films were all extremely tension building and fearful as the low key lighting makes the atmosphere tense and eerie. The last generic convention within the thriller genre is iconography. Iconography allows for the audience have more of an understanding of what is happening and what may potentionally happen. Iconography is used within every thriller film in order to engage the audience and make them fearful to what is to come. I noticed iconography in The Shining, Human Centipede, Sinister and Saw. Each of these films have different iconography within them but, yet, all portray fear and suspense.
Within our thriller clip we followed the generic conventions and applied them within our opening sequence. The main character within our clip was a teenage girl in whom is home alone at night time. We thought carefully about how we wanted the girl to look and what she would wear. We dressed her in pyjamas in order to make her look extremely vulnerable and an easy target, however, this is already portrayed as the stereotypical view on a teenage girl is vulnerable and oblivious to what is around her. This view on the teenage girl is proved correct within our thriller as she is unware someone is watching her until all the lights cut off. We used a teenage girl as we believe it would create tension and mystery. The next convention in which was used was low key lighting. We set our opening in a night setting in order to create a mysterious and tension building atmosphere. In order to follow this convention we had to film late at night, we wanted to create the eeriest atmosphere in which we believe we created. The last convention was iconography. The iconography that we used was the use of a knife. To present the knife we scraped it along the kitchen work top which made a disturbing sound. We used the knife as we believed it was the weapon most conventional to a thriller. Using this, we were able to create a fearful atmosphere and make the audience feel on edge as to what may happen, making them feel scared on the girls behalf.
My group and I believe that our opening sequence defines the thriller genre. We have created a clip in which collides with the codes and conventions of a thriller. The elements in which we used within our clip make it clear that this is a thriller clip. First of all, the low key lighting that is used gives the audience an indication that there is something suspicious going on, creating a mysterious feel. Within the clip there is use of handheld shots and close ups. These shots and angles give us a clear view of the victims emotions and panic. By adding these to our thriller clip, we are making the audience aware of the emotion and what the girl is feeling. This is definitive of the thriller genre as the emotions in which the girl is feeling then reflects on the audience making us feel sorry for her. There is also very limited dialogue within our opening. Again, this defines the thriller genre as the use of no dialogue makes the clip fast pace in which is used within many thriller films.
When looking at our thriller clip, it can compare to many thriller films. The first in which i noticed was The Shining. Within the shining there is use of iconography, low key lighting and a chase scene all in which are included in our opening. The iconogrpahy used is different from our clip to the clip from The Shining yet it still portrays the same effect which is fear. The chase scene from this clip is fast pace with many different camera angles in which is reflective of our opening scene. The clip uses long shots and handheld movements, in which our clip uses also. With use of the long shots we are able to have a view of the victims surroundings enabling the audience to know what the victim could ultimately do.
Question 2:
Within our film we had 3 characters throughout. The first character and whom is only seen twice throughout the whole clip is the Boyfriend of the main character, his name is George. The main character in our clip is the innocent girl who is home alone and is unaware of what is going to happen. Her name is Heather. The final character in the clip is the killer in whom kills Heathers boyfriend.
Each character within our opening sequence is represented differently and uniquely. The main character Heather, is portrayed to be an innocent girl. This is inferred through her clothing and actions. She is wearing pyjamas in the scene in order to present that she is unaware of her surroundings and making it seem like she extremely vulnerable. She is again presented to be innocent by what she is doing, when we are introduced to her she is cooking. From her actions, it seems that she is independent and responsable, this reflects her age in which is 17. We included this character in our opening scene as we believe it is conventional to the thriller genre and would increase the fear. Another reason in why we included her is to appeal to the targeted audience, with her being 17 and the intended audience being 15/16, they are almost the same age, therefore making the whole clip more realistic and dramatic.
The next character is the killer, although being played by a girl, we dressed the girl up in boy clothes in order to present the killer as a boy. As we are never able to see the killers face, he is represented to be a mysterious and somewhat scary character. Not being able to see his face adds to the scariness and suspicious feel of the scene. We included the killer into the scene as we wanted the audience to feel scared. Adding such a dramatic character to the scene builds to the effect of a dramatic twist.
The last character is the murdered victim. As we are not shown this character often and he has no dialogue, we are unable to know what is purpose is. Although, by showing him murdered, we are led to believe that he must of done something wrong or upsetting in order for this to happen. We included him within the scene to portray fear. When we see him dead the audience are led to believe that something else is going to happen to the girl.
Within our scene, gender is represented is a stereotypical way. The female within the scene is portrayed to be oblivious to what is happening around her. This is stereotypical within the thriller genre as females are always seen to be more vulnerable than men. However, the killer is very stereotypical because of his gender. Within the thriller genre, the killer is always seen to be a male in which is reflected in our scene. He is wearing a large jumper and baggy tracksuit bottoms in which is very stereotypical of the gender.
Each character will appeal to the audience as they are all teenagers and the target audience is teenagers also, with the rating being a 15. The teenagers themselves watching the sequence would be able to engage with the characters more as its seen to be realistic and gives the sequence a sense of reality as it could potentially happen to them.
Question 3:
Question 4:
When planning our thriller we had to think about our target audience. A target audience is important to consider when making any film as you are able to know what things you can and cant put in your film. Without thinking of our target audience before we started to film, we are not able to plan and film our thriller as we could of included things in which may not be aloud to be shown for a certain age. The target audience gives us an outline and idea of how much gore and offensive language in which we could put into our thriller. The target audience of our thriller is teenagers with the rating being a 15. We decided to make our thriller a rating of 15 as we believe that because of the characters within our clip, the audience would be able to relate to them. The audience would feel as if it has a sense of reality and could therefore happen to them. Also, when looking into target audiences, we believed that rating it as a 15 would be the most appropriate thing to do as we could include as much gore and explicit scenes as we thought would be necessary.
When discussing our thriller film, we believe that it appeals to our intended audience. The narrative of our thriller is engaging to the audience, it makes the audience want to know what is going to happen next. For instance, when the killer hands over the knife to the girl it makes the audience want to know what the outcome will be. Also, the age of the characters appeals to the audience as they are roughly the same age. The soundtrack in which we used in our clip is extremely eerie and suspicious, because of the repition of the sound, the audience are led to think that something is going to jump out at anytime. This is appealing the audience as it increases the fear. Another way in which our thriller appeals to the audience is through the use of the camera shots. We have a variety of camera shots within our scene, because of the variety, we are giving the audience the complete view of what is going on. For example, when a long shot is used, we are giving the audience the view of her surroundings and what is around her, letting the audience know what is going on around her. Another example is the usage of close up, we are able to show the full emotion of her by her facial expressions. This appeals to the audience as they feel as if they are aware fully of whats going on, making them seem involved within the scene. The mise-en-scene elements within our clip are also appealing to the audience as it engages them even more. The use of lighting is extremely noticable within our scene, the low key lighting, being part of mise-en-scene, is making the audience sit on edge as the lighting portrays an eerie and suspicious feel. This is appealing to our audience as the fear factor is increased in which they want to see.
Question 5:
When my group and I were planning our opening sequence, we collected primary research in order to give us a wide view of what the thriller genre expects. Collecting primary research was essential to our production as it gave us a wide view of what we should include within our thriller sequence in order to create a successful opening. When researching we did a variety of things, analysed thriller films, looked into film certificates, researched into the narrative theory and carried out questionnaires.
When we analysed thriller films, this helped us gather inspirations and ideas in which we could include in our opening sequence. When we looked at the thriller films in depth, this gave our group a good understanding of what is expected to be included within a thriller film. Because of this research, we gathered lots of information and tips on what to be included and when it came to filming, we included these into our clip.
The next bit of research that we did was looking into age certificates. This helped our group when planning to film as we knew what we could include within our clip and what we couldn't include. Also researching this abled us to decide what age certificate we should put our clip into. We decided together that it should be a 15 as this certificate allowed us to include the things in which we wanted without it being unsuitable for the certain age.
During the planning process for our thriller, we carried out questionnaires in which we gave to 40 people. The questionnaires allowed us to ask questions to the audience, asking them what they would like to see in a thriller and what would make it successful, as well as more questions. The questionnaire enabled us to have a wide view on what the audience wanted to see and from their feedback, we were able to include specific details into our thriller in order to make it successful and scary for the intended audience.
The research in which we carried out before starting to plan our thriller was extremely helpful as it assisted us with our planning. The thriller films that we analysed helped with our planning as it gave us ideas in which we could put into our own clips. The thriller films that we watched gave us inspiration with what to do within our thriller, therefore, making the planning process easier to do. The research into age certificates also helped with our planning as we were able to sucessfully identify what age to rate our thriller and making the frames suitable for the viewers. Again, the questionnaire results helped us extremely well as we were able to find out what we should include in our thriller to make it successful as it could be.
Question 6:
When researching, planning, filming and editing our thrillers, we used a variety of technology in which was neccessary to use in order to get the tasks complete. Some of the technology that we used was Blogger.com on the computer, another website for downloading the sounds in which we wanted to include in our thriller, we also used the camera and the tripod in order to film, we then used an editing software called Final Cut Pro X in which we were able to edit our thriller on.
Before we began filming we were able to have the chance to use the camera and tripod. We found this useful as the group had a good understanding of how the camera and the tripod worked. In order to learn how they worked, we set up a scene within the school grounds and filmed a conversation of two people. By doing this, we were then able to know how the tripod manouvered and how to use the camera succsessfully. We also learnt how to place the camera on the tripod.
When it came to filming our trhriller, we planned to use a variety of different camera shots in order to make it more interesting for the audience. However, there were some shots in which the group and I found difficult to film. The hardest one to film was the high angled shots. This was because the tripod did not extend high enough in order for it to be a high angled shot. However, we overcame this by making a member of the group stand on a chair and point the camera down, making sure that they were holding it steadily keeping the scene fluent.
The editing software that we used was named Final Cut Pro X, this software allowed us to edit our clips and put them together to make the scene run smoothly. The software had many devices in which abled us to make our clips look like a thriller. For example, it allowed us to dim the lighting in the clips, enhancing the effect of the low key lighting. Another thing it was able to do was add credits into the scene, adding these were a good touch to the thriller genre as the font in which we decided to use was extremely eerie and typical of what the font should look like in the thriller genre. Another element in which we was able to do was the transitions between shots. Instead of going straight from one clip to another, by adding effects in between each transition made the clip flow better and made it look more professional.
When editing I learnt many new things in which I had never done before. A thing in which I had learnt was how to crop moving images. One of the clips from our scene had something noticable in which we didnt want to show, the only way to get rid of it was by croping it. I searched on the software and found where it said crop and I then cropped it. I had never been told how to do this and i taught myself how to do it. However, during the editing process I noticed that I had some weaknessess. Importing the clips from the camera was one of my weaknessess, once the clips were imported onto the computer, it took me a long time to find them and so successfully upload them to Final Cut Pro X which was a disadvantage because it then look a longer time to edit. My strengths, however, when filming were adding effects to the clips. In order to create a thrilling feel, we believed that we had to add some effect to the film for this to happen. When looking through the different effects, I believe that the one i chose was the most suitable one, making this one of my strengths.
One area of the thriller film in which refelcts my editing skills was the credits. My group and I decided that i would be in charge of placing the credits in the film. The credits in which i chose, i believe, were the most successful credits that I could of chose in order to create a thrilling effect to the audience.
Question 7:
The next bit of research that we did was looking into age certificates. This helped our group when planning to film as we knew what we could include within our clip and what we couldn't include. Also researching this abled us to decide what age certificate we should put our clip into. We decided together that it should be a 15 as this certificate allowed us to include the things in which we wanted without it being unsuitable for the certain age.
During the planning process for our thriller, we carried out questionnaires in which we gave to 40 people. The questionnaires allowed us to ask questions to the audience, asking them what they would like to see in a thriller and what would make it successful, as well as more questions. The questionnaire enabled us to have a wide view on what the audience wanted to see and from their feedback, we were able to include specific details into our thriller in order to make it successful and scary for the intended audience.
The research in which we carried out before starting to plan our thriller was extremely helpful as it assisted us with our planning. The thriller films that we analysed helped with our planning as it gave us ideas in which we could put into our own clips. The thriller films that we watched gave us inspiration with what to do within our thriller, therefore, making the planning process easier to do. The research into age certificates also helped with our planning as we were able to sucessfully identify what age to rate our thriller and making the frames suitable for the viewers. Again, the questionnaire results helped us extremely well as we were able to find out what we should include in our thriller to make it successful as it could be.
Question 6:
When researching, planning, filming and editing our thrillers, we used a variety of technology in which was neccessary to use in order to get the tasks complete. Some of the technology that we used was Blogger.com on the computer, another website for downloading the sounds in which we wanted to include in our thriller, we also used the camera and the tripod in order to film, we then used an editing software called Final Cut Pro X in which we were able to edit our thriller on.
Before we began filming we were able to have the chance to use the camera and tripod. We found this useful as the group had a good understanding of how the camera and the tripod worked. In order to learn how they worked, we set up a scene within the school grounds and filmed a conversation of two people. By doing this, we were then able to know how the tripod manouvered and how to use the camera succsessfully. We also learnt how to place the camera on the tripod.
When it came to filming our trhriller, we planned to use a variety of different camera shots in order to make it more interesting for the audience. However, there were some shots in which the group and I found difficult to film. The hardest one to film was the high angled shots. This was because the tripod did not extend high enough in order for it to be a high angled shot. However, we overcame this by making a member of the group stand on a chair and point the camera down, making sure that they were holding it steadily keeping the scene fluent.
The editing software that we used was named Final Cut Pro X, this software allowed us to edit our clips and put them together to make the scene run smoothly. The software had many devices in which abled us to make our clips look like a thriller. For example, it allowed us to dim the lighting in the clips, enhancing the effect of the low key lighting. Another thing it was able to do was add credits into the scene, adding these were a good touch to the thriller genre as the font in which we decided to use was extremely eerie and typical of what the font should look like in the thriller genre. Another element in which we was able to do was the transitions between shots. Instead of going straight from one clip to another, by adding effects in between each transition made the clip flow better and made it look more professional.
When editing I learnt many new things in which I had never done before. A thing in which I had learnt was how to crop moving images. One of the clips from our scene had something noticable in which we didnt want to show, the only way to get rid of it was by croping it. I searched on the software and found where it said crop and I then cropped it. I had never been told how to do this and i taught myself how to do it. However, during the editing process I noticed that I had some weaknessess. Importing the clips from the camera was one of my weaknessess, once the clips were imported onto the computer, it took me a long time to find them and so successfully upload them to Final Cut Pro X which was a disadvantage because it then look a longer time to edit. My strengths, however, when filming were adding effects to the clips. In order to create a thrilling feel, we believed that we had to add some effect to the film for this to happen. When looking through the different effects, I believe that the one i chose was the most suitable one, making this one of my strengths.
One area of the thriller film in which refelcts my editing skills was the credits. My group and I decided that i would be in charge of placing the credits in the film. The credits in which i chose, i believe, were the most successful credits that I could of chose in order to create a thrilling effect to the audience.
Question 7:
Saturday, 11 January 2014
Rough Cut- Miss Miller
Whilst editing our opening scene our group created a rough cut of our final piece. A rough cut is important to consider when making a media product as it gives you a chance to share your work with others to gain constructive criticism from them and then to help make it better. The rough cut should be similar to the final piece so the audience can give their feedback and opnions in a fair way. If our group had not of made a rough cut and sent our final piece of without any feedback, then the clip may of not shown its full potential as
there could of been many improvements to be made.
Audience feedback is extremely important to consider as it gives you a chance to get an honest opinion on our opening sequence. As well as the feedback being honest, it is also un-baised as it is coming from someone outside of our group in whom has never seen before. The audience can give you productive critisicm to help us improve on elements that may not be working well. Audience feedback allows us to understand what the audience exactly want to see, allowing for us to improve it and make it suitable for the audience.
When showing our rough cut, we did it through the use of a presentation. My group and I created a presentation, we showed this in our class. This allowed them to get a better understanding of our clip, so they would then be able to give us some more constructive feedback. The presentation included:
- What our group narrative was
- How we decided on the narrative
- What our final narrative is
- Our individual narratives
- What we wanted to create, adding how we think we did
- How conventional it was to the thriller genre
We then presented this to the class along with showing them our rough cut of our thriller sequence. When receiving feedback, we were told that we had many strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths included:
- Conventional to the thriller genre- low key lighting
- Good variety of shots used- high angles, low angles and handheld etc.
- Shot distances- Close ups, long shots, extreme close ups
- Good use of sound- builds up tension and suspsense.
- Good suspense building- again conventional to the genre
- Use of characters- relating to the audience.
Although we had a lot of strenghts, we did have some weakenesses:
- Not enough credits used
- Same colour of credits throughout- needs to change more/ more variety
- Music the same throughout- Needs to have more changes to build tension.
Because of the feedback that we had recieven and there noticably some weaknesses to our thriller, we then started to think about how we could improve these weaknesses and therefore had to make some changes. An element that we decided to change was the music, we changed it when the scene got more dramatic. For instance, when the girl is running away from the killer, we made the music more sinister and faster to emphasise the situation. We made sure the credits were suitable for the thriller genre and therefore made them more eerie.
The feedback ultimately will help our group and I with finalising our thriller opening sequence as it has given us an idea of how to improve our clip. We now have an understanding of how the audience will react to our thriller when it has been completed. By changing and adjusting certain elements, we can make our thriller sequence the most effective it can be.
Because of the feedback that we had recieven and there noticably some weaknesses to our thriller, we then started to think about how we could improve these weaknesses and therefore had to make some changes. An element that we decided to change was the music, we changed it when the scene got more dramatic. For instance, when the girl is running away from the killer, we made the music more sinister and faster to emphasise the situation. We made sure the credits were suitable for the thriller genre and therefore made them more eerie.
The feedback ultimately will help our group and I with finalising our thriller opening sequence as it has given us an idea of how to improve our clip. We now have an understanding of how the audience will react to our thriller when it has been completed. By changing and adjusting certain elements, we can make our thriller sequence the most effective it can be.
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