The main piece of feedback that we received from the group when pitching our idea was to think about significant elements in greater detail to make the production more precise and exact. To do this, we will need to pay specific attention to detail when storyboarding.
Another problem that we were enlightened to was to make sure that we show the right bits of the storyline without giving too much information away too quickly.
Sound was also highlighted as a problem that we need to address. One way that we could overcome this problem is to fit a rough soundtrack to the storyboard and evaluate the rough cut in order to make a more efficient soundtrack. Also, pay attention to sound effects that need to be exaggerated such as: The sound of water dripping at the beginning of the sequence, Snooker balls colliding and doors slamming.
Friday 28 January 2011
Thursday 27 January 2011
Final Thriller Ideas
Our Idea
Consists of, a hostage being held captive in a dark room, with a swinging light, the captive has a bag over his head and is confused to where he is, a dramatic cut showing the hostage's girlfriend being taken away. Other features we want to include is a flash back of a happy time of the two characters playing snooker, and the sound of the snooker balls smashing will be the the transition between that scene and the current hostages scene. We also want to include the still images of happy times of the couple to use with the dramatic thudding in between changes, as the hostages moves his head back and fourth.
from 3.50 - 4.02 in this clip you see a set of flashback images of a happy time in the fighters life, we really liked this idea and want to incorporate it in our idea.
Sub genre
For our final idea, we have decided on the genre of crime thriller.
We've decided this because we think our ideas relate to the crime genre by the use of weapons, and flash backs of chase scenes, common features associated with crime films.
Fonts, Texts and Graphics
For the credits of the characters names and actors we want to use bold fonts and fonts that stand out, we also want to put our credits on items in the scene for example showing a bold white font on a card. This would add to the mysterious atmosphere of the piece.
Location
We have planned to use a garage of a friends for the dark room in the opening scene, we would also film the rest of the shots in this area, using the local sports centre for the snooker table scene.
Characters
Carl - young man being held hostage for holding a secret, engaged to his former girl friend, leads a pretty ordinary life and works for the CSI.
Katie- Carl's girlfriend, innocent but used as a threat to Carl if he doesn't tell his secret, he doesn't tell this secret and this results in her dying a tortured death.
Killer- Suited man, mysterious character, nothing much is known about him other than it is his mission to get Carl's secret.
Costume
The Hostage: ripped, torn, blood covered white shirt, with suit trousers, black shoes, black bag covering his head. (black room scene) in the snooker scene he would be wearing the same clothes, but not ripped or torn.
The Girlfriend: Casual clothes in the snooker scene, with the prop of the wedding ring, shown in her blood covered hand as she falls to the ground.
The Killer: Dressed in a full, formal suit like a hit man for example
Lighting / Colour / Mood
In the scenes of the capture and death of Katie low, dark lighting will be used, to reflect the mood of the characters.
In the happy flashback scenes brighter lights and colours will be used to reflect the happy mood and lives of the couple and to emphasise the dramatic change in their present situation.
Music and Sound
We are planning to use strong sound effects
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Tom's ideas for thriller opening
The first idea is the idea of torture, to make this idea work brilliantly you need to locate the room in a quiet dark and damp place to give the sense of real loneliness, the room will have to contain nothing but a chair and the person. I got my idea from the saw films which almost always the opening starts with someone alone in a dark room. We could use panning shots to emphasize just how fragile the person is inside this room. we can then follow this up by someone coming into the room and then the camera can go down to the floor from a position which would be of the original characters eyes. This would lead the audience to think that the person has been attacked or killed and then all can be revealed later in the film, this is used in many opening sequences and is very affective and very common, but since are character isn't dead this will make our piece unique, this twist could be that the persons view that you see go to the floor would be the person who walked into the room. This would lead to a mistaken identity and mess with the viewers mind throughout the opening turning it to a psychological thriller.
Idea number two, this idea is to use a montage in the opening to quickly show the important parts in the persons life which may have something to do with the murder, all the pictures will either be with his girlfriend or family or him doing something important like taking over a business etc. The photos will have editing on it like circles around him in a group of people and writing but you wont have time to read the writing before the picture changes. The pictures will get quicker and quicker and will change and slowly fade until a picture of him dead comes up with a loud noise and this title of the film come up and that will be the opening of the sequence.
My third idea is to have an animated opening where the names come up on playing cards, this would be if we used the idea of a gambling/crime thriller, the cards would come onto screen and there will be some colours in the background but nothing too fancy. This would just be a basic opening and will give the viewer a clear idea that the film is going to be about gambling and if the use of bullets ripping through the cards will indicate crime.
Idea number two, this idea is to use a montage in the opening to quickly show the important parts in the persons life which may have something to do with the murder, all the pictures will either be with his girlfriend or family or him doing something important like taking over a business etc. The photos will have editing on it like circles around him in a group of people and writing but you wont have time to read the writing before the picture changes. The pictures will get quicker and quicker and will change and slowly fade until a picture of him dead comes up with a loud noise and this title of the film come up and that will be the opening of the sequence.
My third idea is to have an animated opening where the names come up on playing cards, this would be if we used the idea of a gambling/crime thriller, the cards would come onto screen and there will be some colours in the background but nothing too fancy. This would just be a basic opening and will give the viewer a clear idea that the film is going to be about gambling and if the use of bullets ripping through the cards will indicate crime.
Three Opening Sequence Ideas- Jess
One idea i thought might work well for a thriller would be in a location in a remote area, with nothing significant surrounding it, making the characters in the scene come across as vulnerable to their surroundings (a common feature of a thriller). We could use panning shots to establish the location, also through point of view shots of the characters, helping the audience to feel although they are in the scene.
This idea could also lead to using a non-linear narrative into flash backs of the characters journey before they ended up here, for example a flash back of a chase scene, using close ups of the shoes, i have seen examples of this in other students opening sequences, and i think it works effectively.
A second idea could be having it being set in a normal, everyday location, much like the idea behind the thriller "birds" which strongly suggests butting the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The story line could be made mysterious through the use of close up shots of body features such as eyes (a body part commonly associated with psychological thrillers). Using the idea that the main character has a secret that has a central theme of identity- mistaken identity.
A third idea could be making our thriller into a sub-genre adding for example adventure into our thriller giving it a different aspect and a stronger storyline towards a quest.
Our group have a story line in mind for a final idea
This idea could also lead to using a non-linear narrative into flash backs of the characters journey before they ended up here, for example a flash back of a chase scene, using close ups of the shoes, i have seen examples of this in other students opening sequences, and i think it works effectively.
A second idea could be having it being set in a normal, everyday location, much like the idea behind the thriller "birds" which strongly suggests butting the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The story line could be made mysterious through the use of close up shots of body features such as eyes (a body part commonly associated with psychological thrillers). Using the idea that the main character has a secret that has a central theme of identity- mistaken identity.
A third idea could be making our thriller into a sub-genre adding for example adventure into our thriller giving it a different aspect and a stronger storyline towards a quest.
Our group have a story line in mind for a final idea
cover lesson- opening sequence analysis
P1-01 Dead Runner
Dead runner was a good opening sequence, it used a wide variety of camera angles and camera movements. One of the most memorable shots within the opening is the close up of his eyes, Eyes are a common feature often associated within thrillers. The music is really effective as it builds tension and makes the clip feel very real life. Another effect feature is the repetition of the rope of the floor, this comes across as very mysterious.
p1-02 Daiquiri
Daiquiri used the use of various camera editing techniques to make it dramatic, the use of faded colour on the girl in the forest scene this lets the audience know that the girl in the shot is confused to where she is and how she is feeling. Close up shots of the female's shoes are used, this adds to the distortion. The use of a cliff hanger at the end of the scene is a common feature of thrillers.
Dead runner was a good opening sequence, it used a wide variety of camera angles and camera movements. One of the most memorable shots within the opening is the close up of his eyes, Eyes are a common feature often associated within thrillers. The music is really effective as it builds tension and makes the clip feel very real life. Another effect feature is the repetition of the rope of the floor, this comes across as very mysterious.
p1-02 Daiquiri
Daiquiri used the use of various camera editing techniques to make it dramatic, the use of faded colour on the girl in the forest scene this lets the audience know that the girl in the shot is confused to where she is and how she is feeling. Close up shots of the female's shoes are used, this adds to the distortion. The use of a cliff hanger at the end of the scene is a common feature of thrillers.
Friday 14 January 2011
Salt
During the first opening of the film Salt we were able to identify many of the common features of Action Thriller Films.
The first feature we were able to identify is the way the main character is mistaken for someone else- a common feature of Action Thriller Films.
The use of violence throughout the opening of the film is very noticeable with the use of weapons such as guns and grenades also. The use of blood than your average thriller is used during the scenes when she is beaten.
Manipulation of the Government is a noted feature we found
The film on a whole is very fast paced and the actions come quickly one after another much like the minds of a character in an Action Film.
The use of non-digetic sound adds to the tension and action of the piece making the viewer feel very tense about the actions that are taking place.
High-Value-Motive is used also the use of secrets and the way we are unaware of what secrets are going to be told and who is telling the truth makes it a very tense film to watch. Another feature of Action Thriller Film
The first feature we were able to identify is the way the main character is mistaken for someone else- a common feature of Action Thriller Films.
The use of violence throughout the opening of the film is very noticeable with the use of weapons such as guns and grenades also. The use of blood than your average thriller is used during the scenes when she is beaten.
Manipulation of the Government is a noted feature we found
The film on a whole is very fast paced and the actions come quickly one after another much like the minds of a character in an Action Film.
The use of non-digetic sound adds to the tension and action of the piece making the viewer feel very tense about the actions that are taking place.
High-Value-Motive is used also the use of secrets and the way we are unaware of what secrets are going to be told and who is telling the truth makes it a very tense film to watch. Another feature of Action Thriller Film
Codes And Conventions Of The 'Crime' Genre Of Thriller Films
Crime Thrillers
Protagonist
Outsider, often have characteristics of antagonists.
Tragedy
Motivation, line between right and wrong is blurred.
Variety Of Characters
Gangs or pairs of criminals, dopey sidekick, eccentric.
Topics
Often include crimes of a number of crimes; - Murder; Kidnap; Robbery.
Narrative follows the planning and execution of crimes - not always successful.
Protagonist
Outsider, often have characteristics of antagonists.
Tragedy
Motivation, line between right and wrong is blurred.
Variety Of Characters
Gangs or pairs of criminals, dopey sidekick, eccentric.
Topics
Often include crimes of a number of crimes; - Murder; Kidnap; Robbery.
Narrative follows the planning and execution of crimes - not always successful.
Thursday 13 January 2011
Notes on the opening sequence of memento
Within the opening sequence of memento, many traditional aspects of 'psychological thrillers' are used, such as; The reversing of time, creating a non-linear narrative, this happens at the very start of the piece, making it disrupt the continuity. Flash backs in the sequence are used to create the sense of memory and how the main character cannot create new memories, this 'flaw' he has, makes his conception of reality hard to understand, this also makes our sense of time confused.
Through the use of the photographs makes him not immediately perceptible. This also makes his character unreliable, the character is unpredictable, yet the viewer is invited to identify him. This makes him vulnerable, heartless and dangerous, lonely and unstable (points all linked to his traumatic memory). This creates tension.
The use of high pitched string instruments (non-diegetic sound), instantly creates a great sense of tension. Although the calm music is the complete opposite of what is happening in the scene, it creates a unknown atmosphere, making the viewer experience the tension also felt by the characters in the scene. The diegetic sounds in the clip are mainly of the gun shot and of the shaking of the photograph, these sounds make the scene seem very realistic making the extraordinary happen in the ordinary world.
Panning shots used in the room establish the location, they are also from Lennie's point of view so the viewer is invited to empathise with him. Other shots used such as the close of of Lennie's face as the narrator speaks, relate back to the traditional aspects of psychological thrillers (eyes being a common imagery).
The mise en scene of the piece is created with the use of the tattoo's covering the characters body, this helps us understand the characters 'flaw' and links into the memory as his body is used as a notebook to remember key information.
Through the use of the photographs makes him not immediately perceptible. This also makes his character unreliable, the character is unpredictable, yet the viewer is invited to identify him. This makes him vulnerable, heartless and dangerous, lonely and unstable (points all linked to his traumatic memory). This creates tension.
The use of high pitched string instruments (non-diegetic sound), instantly creates a great sense of tension. Although the calm music is the complete opposite of what is happening in the scene, it creates a unknown atmosphere, making the viewer experience the tension also felt by the characters in the scene. The diegetic sounds in the clip are mainly of the gun shot and of the shaking of the photograph, these sounds make the scene seem very realistic making the extraordinary happen in the ordinary world.
Panning shots used in the room establish the location, they are also from Lennie's point of view so the viewer is invited to empathise with him. Other shots used such as the close of of Lennie's face as the narrator speaks, relate back to the traditional aspects of psychological thrillers (eyes being a common imagery).
The mise en scene of the piece is created with the use of the tattoo's covering the characters body, this helps us understand the characters 'flaw' and links into the memory as his body is used as a notebook to remember key information.
Psychological Thrillers
The conventions of psychological thrillers are:
- Central Theme Of Identity
Mistaken identity, stolen identity, dual identity, doppelgangers, confused identity.
- Perception Of Reality
Seeing the narrative from the perspective of multiple characters. A character having a different perspective of what is and isn't real compared to the norm established in the film.
- Memory
The torture of an individual with a traumatic memory. The trauma of a specific lost memory.
- Stream Of Consciousness
This is a device often used in psychological thrillers to give an insight to the psyche of a particular character - usually the main protagonist.
- Unreliable Narrator
Psychological thrillers often play on the idea of the inherent trust placed in the narrator or the central character that the narrator follows.
- Technical Devices
Flashbacks & Repetition is editing is common.
- Imagery
Eyes are a frequent motif.
- Central Theme Of Identity
Mistaken identity, stolen identity, dual identity, doppelgangers, confused identity.
- Perception Of Reality
Seeing the narrative from the perspective of multiple characters. A character having a different perspective of what is and isn't real compared to the norm established in the film.
- Memory
The torture of an individual with a traumatic memory. The trauma of a specific lost memory.
- Stream Of Consciousness
This is a device often used in psychological thrillers to give an insight to the psyche of a particular character - usually the main protagonist.
- Unreliable Narrator
Psychological thrillers often play on the idea of the inherent trust placed in the narrator or the central character that the narrator follows.
- Technical Devices
Flashbacks & Repetition is editing is common.
- Imagery
Eyes are a frequent motif.
Tuesday 11 January 2011
Analysis Of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" Opening Sequence
The opening sequence for this film is comprised mainly of moving images of birds with an overlay of text. There is tense, string music being played behind these images which tells the viewer the type of genre that the film is. There is also the sound effects of the movements of the birds making the birds the main focus of the sequence. The transitions of the words when they are changing are slow and gradual fades which fits with the mysterious theme of the opening sequence.
The sound is made up of a deep tone that repeats with a similarity to the daunting 'Jaws' soundtrack. This is used well to create the suspense theme that is commonly associated with the thriller genre of film. There is also sounds of Birds 'squawking' in an aggressive manner.
This Shot is an establishing shot of the main character which shows her walking in an abrupt fashion across a zebra crossing. This used to give an impression of this character. The impression is that the character is posh, sightly vulnerable to the male eye.
This shot shows a mid shot of the main character as she just finishes watching the birds, the way she is looking back over her shoulder suggests her curiosity towards the events that are happening around her.
Overall the opening sequence sets the scene for the film. It uses the establishing shots and introduces the main character we're also able to get a good impression of the type of character she is.
The sound is made up of a deep tone that repeats with a similarity to the daunting 'Jaws' soundtrack. This is used well to create the suspense theme that is commonly associated with the thriller genre of film. There is also sounds of Birds 'squawking' in an aggressive manner.
This Shot is an establishing shot of the main character which shows her walking in an abrupt fashion across a zebra crossing. This used to give an impression of this character. The impression is that the character is posh, sightly vulnerable to the male eye.
This is the first time in the film that we see the birds, although seeing birds outside in something you would see in an ordinary world, the fact that it is a sudden thing and appears to be pretty random and we know, as the viewer that this is something extraordinary is going to happen with these birds.
Overall the opening sequence sets the scene for the film. It uses the establishing shots and introduces the main character we're also able to get a good impression of the type of character she is.
Thursday 6 January 2011
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