Lola

Evaluation Question 7

Evaluation Question 6

Evaluation Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

Our aim was to attract the audience using music that gradually increased in tempo, drwing out the suspense and tension so that the audience were engaged. We also tried to use a diverse range of shot sizes and camera angles to try and avoid repitition and keep the audience interested. The face of the main actress 'Lola' was never shown fully to create a sense of enigma, and hence making the audience question who she is and what she has done. I have gathered a range of different feedback from class members as well as people who have never seen the finished piece before, in order to gain a perspective of what worked well for the thriller genre, and what aspects could have been inproved for dramatic effect. 

I found that the main positive piece of feedback was from our opening production title, that we created on Adobe After Effects. They said that it created a 'professional' feel and demonstrated skill, also because other groups didn't have opening sequences like this, it made our thriller stand out from the rest and grasped the audiences attention. Our group worked hard to make sure that our thriller looked as clean and professional as possible and I think that this 'Time Warp Entertainment' title really made our thriller appear unique from others.

Other positives were that the audience enjoyed the music used throughout as it created suspense and tension, as it built up into a crascendo. The music was unusual and therefore created a creepy and strange atmosphere adding to the thrilling nature of the piece. They also said that music wasn't to loud and overpowering which was good because it didn't take away from the thriller itself. The only criticism for the sound was that there good have been some more ambient sound. We had a small amount of ambient sound such as birds tweeting and the sound of a perfume spray, however there could have been more added throughout to create more dimension and depth in the sound. People also thought that the titles were simple yet effective and worked well, they didn't add too much horror and they didn't take away from what was happening which is important when adding titles as you don't want them to be too overpowering. Other criticisms were that we could have shown even less of the dead body in the built to build even more tension and get the audience to ask more questions, because this is only the two minute opening, we don't want to give to much away.    

I have recorded myself quoting what some of my audience said about my thriller

 

 

Evaluation Question 4

 Who would be the audience for your media product?

What certificate should our thriller be rated?

Evaluation Question 3

 What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

As our media product is revolved around the thriller genre, I think that a media institution that caters for that type of genre would be the best for distributing a product like ours as they would know the correct type of marketing to create a 'buzz' around our product, attracting thriller fans and even people who wouldn't typically watch thrillers. If we wanted our thriller to be distributed as more of an independent film then, a smaller media institution based in the UK would be good, especially a company that focuses more on dark, and psychological thriller films and tv series. For example, Optimum Releasing is perfect for distributing films like that, such as 'Submarine' and 'This is England'. These films are probably seen to be more quirky and artistic which I think works well with psychological thrillers and is why Optimum Releasing would know just how to market our media product effectively and bring in the targeted younger audience. The most realistic option would be a small institution that distributes low budget films and so Optimum Releasing would be the best option as they are used to distributing lower budget independent films like ours and know how to target audiences. In the opening weekend, 'This is England' grossed £207,676 in the box office, demonstrating that it wasn't a worldwide phenomenon, however the film was popular amongst certain audiences. Therefore Optimum Releasing would be a sensible company to distribute my film because it is low budget and appeals more to a niche audience.  

 

 

 

 

However if we wanted to broaden our opportunities of our media product then a larger media institution located in the UK would be a good option, as the larger media companies have better reputations when it comes to promoting and distributing films, drawing in all different types of audiences. A good example of this would be Film Four, a well known media institution that distributes films in the UK and Ireland, earning a revenue of $2.63 billion, with films ranging from action packed sci-fi's like 'Star Trek' to coming of age classics like 'Easy A'. The array of films that are distributed are so broad that any film released by them would be sure to become a hit. Film Four is partnered with Warp Entertainment where they challenge British and International films by creating new ones on a lower budget, with the intention of expanding their niche audience. Therefore even though our thriller would probably belong more with an independent media institution as it is quirky and artistic, I think that larger institutions would be able to distribute our film as a popular blockbuster. 

 

Evaluation Question 2

Evalution Question 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

We tried to challenge the idea that in thrillers and films in general, the focus lead is usually a man, however in recent years films have been going against this norm and have been showcasing females in protagonist and antagonist roles demonstrating how society has changed and portraying women as strong and independent. Therefore, we wanted to have a woman play a darker and more mysterious character to create interest and a contrast to the typical thriller.
To create something that really resembled a professional media product that contained elements of the thriller genre tried to make our thriller opening build in tempo, creating suspense and tension until the crescendo at the end, for the crescendo we added in the sound of a sinister laugh, to shock the audience and add a creepy atmosphere. These sinister, almost crazy style laughs are typically seen in thrillers as they tend to add a sense of mystery. The use of shot montages are often used in films especially thrillers, so we tried to do our own take of that be editing short second clips together of a girl putting on her make-up to build up pace as well as drama, in order to show as much as possible without giving too much away.

Lola Final Edit

Application of audience feedback

The main criticism from our audience feedback was that they didn't like vignette effect that we added to our second draft as it was distracting and the edges were quite blunt and so drew their attention away from the actual video. So we tried to feather out the edges of the white boarder to make it look more seamless and have resemblance to a flashback, however the vignette still looked out of place and didn't really add anything to the final piece, so we removed the effect entirely. We also took on advice from our teacher which was to space out the titles as they appeared choppy. Therefore, we dragged out the titles and added a cross dissolve so that they faded out slowly so as not to draw attention away from what was happening on the screen.

Second Draft and Vignette Effect Feedback

Lola (second draft)

How to create a Vignette Effect

We wanted to add a white vignette effect on our second draft to make the effect that this opening scene is a flashback, as it was set 1 year ago from the present. So in order to create this effect which watched a youtube video tutorial in order to help us.
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Using the cutting tool (Editing)

During the editing process the cutting tool was one of the most important tools needed in order to turn our raw footage into something that could be considered a thriller movie opening. We all found the cutting tool simple to use so were able to contribute to a large majority of editing each. The main place where we needed to use the cutting tool was when we needed to make sure there was continuity in our thriller by cutting out unrealistic things.                                                      

Creating a Title (Editing)

As we need to add tittles to our opening sequence we need to make sure that all of the titles are the same font and colour so that our oepning looks professional. We created titles for cast members names etc. and decreased the size so that they would fit in the corners. Also, we changed the corners in which we added the titles regularly so that the sequence looked more diverse and interesting.

Then, for the larger titles that named the production company, we increased the size and centered the font so that it looked symmetrical and professional. We found that the large sans serif font stood out the most, especially the white as it bounced of the background. This type of title is seen in a lot of student films along with professional blockbusters.

Analysis of Thriller (Se7en)

Now that I have finished my first draft I thought that it would be a good idea to analyse some more thriller opening so that I can take aspects and add more dimension and complexity to my thriller, hopefully showing more skill and resulting in a higher grade. Therefore I am going to analyse the thriller Se7en

Title Created on After Effects

This is the finished title that we made on after effects. I think it turned out well and will really make our thriller stand out once added to the opening.

Making a Title on After Effects

I have watched a number of different title tutorials on youtube in order to be able to create a moving title screen before the actual thriller starts. My group and I wanted to do this because we thought that it would make our thriller appear more professional, and it shows some skill and resourcefulness.
This is the first video that we watched in order to help us create a title with a spotlight and a faded galaxy background.


We did have some initial problems and we had to carry out multiple attempts in order to recreate something similar as neither of us had ever used this program before. However I do still think that our turned out well and will still give our thriller a professional feel, adding drama at the start. We found that this video wasn't detailed enough and so searched for specific videos on YouTube to help us with the spotlight tool. For example we found this video very helpful:


We really found this video helpful for focusing on the spotlight tool in general as we had trouble following the first video. Also9, we wanted to add something extra to our title using a zoom, however we weren't particularly sure of how to do this so we found another helpful video which I think really gave our title a dramatic edge which is common at the start of high drama films especially thrillers.

Editing

In order to edit all of our loose footage my group and I used Adobe Premiere Pro, which wasn't too difficult as we had already had some practice from our preliminary task. Everyone in our group edited a section whilst everyone was giving input and creative design ideas that we hadn't previously thought of to improve the look of our thriller. Editing went smoothly for the most part and we were able to get the first draft up by the deadline by staying after school to get some last minute editing done. We also added sound and titles to our thriller in the editing of the first draft which helped us create a picture of what our final edit would actually look like. During the editing stage we noticed some shots that we really liked because the lighting was good and they were in focus, however some of the shots were dull and slightly blurred as they were out of focus, such as the pan on the staircase scene and the smirk during the close up of the lips at the end. To make sure that the editing process runs more smoothly next time, we made a list of all of the different shots that we will need to re-film, so that we won't miss any out. After we had edited our first draft and was happy with the quality so far we asked for audience feedback and made a few tweaks here and there to make the continuity and fluidity of a thriller better and smoother.

Filming

On the day of filming my group and I all went the first house location to film the bedroom scene for our thriller. When we arrived at location we set up the tripod and turned on the camera, whilst making sure that the backdrop was clean and how we invisioned it to be. We each did a shot at a time so everyone did at least 3 shots each. For the most part the filming went smoothly and we were able to film most of the shots successfully in focus with good lighting. However as the filming continued the light began to fade so the lighting in the last few shots weren't exactly the same as the firsts shots and so the shots didn't look very professional. Also we did have some troubles focusing on some of the extreme close up shots, so to resolve this we changed the shot angles so that are thriller had diversity but also look clean and professional. On the second day of filming we filmed the staircase scene which was a little more difficult as it is hard to light a staircase properly. However, the filming went much quicker during this shoot and we got more shots done in a shorter amount of time, showing our efficient time planning. Although, some of the shots did come out looking a bit rushed as they weren't all in focus, and the dull lighting really showed. Another problem in which we need to solve is that we took still shots instead of slow upward pans during the close ups of the object on the stairs. 

What we will do differently when we refilm?
When we refilm we are definately going to make sure that we use a lighting kit during filming so that the backdrop is lit and not dull. This will make sure that the lighting is the same in every shot which at the moment it is not. Also we are going to make sure that the continuity is right because when we watched our original footage back items moved around in the background and some things just didn't make sense. Therfore we need to be aware when filming, if we do it in a different order that everything will add up when we edit it in the correct order.

First Draft Feedback

First Draft

Shot Plans

Risk Assessment

(Irena's Work)

Mirror Shot

In our thriller shot we want to have a mirror shot similar to this but the face will be unfocused and the back of the head will be in focus. This shot from Shutter Island and jumped out at me when I was analysing the opening scene, and is something that I am going to try and recreate with some adaptations in my thriller opening.

Props

Staircase Scene:

• Broken bottles
• Broken picture frame
• Flowers
• Vase
• Scarf
• Clothes/jewellery
• Anniversary Card

Bedroom Scene:

•  Red lipstick
• Red nail varnish
• Clothes
• Earrings
• Perfume
• Rings
• Mascara
• Shoes

Costume

In our thriller we wanted our costume to be representative to everyday life to add to the verisimilitude of our thriller, although we added extra touches to give the audience an impression of who the character is. The main female character is going to wear black jeans, a black top and a blush pick faux fur coat. The all black basic outfit creates a sense of mystery and darkness, which hints at secrets and deception, which I thought went well with the entire thriller genre. The outfit is comfy and casual, although the fur coat added over the top creates a sense of luxury and feminises the character as well as demonstrating power.

As for extra touches, we wanted the character to apply her makeup throughout the opening of the thriller, to allow the audience to gain an almost concrete idea of who she is. The character is going to be wearing a dark red lipstick as well as expensive jewellery to demonstrate that she is a strong, independent women. I think that this style of costume is perfect for our targeted audience because it is young, playful and yet still remains quite everyday.

The other character in our thriller, won't have his outfit on show as he will be half buried under the duvet sheets, however one of his arms and legs will be visual and so we also needed to take into account what he was wearing. We decided to dress him in all black to create again a sense of mystery and imply secrets. The colour black could also used to represent death and darkness which is typical in the thriller genre. We were thinking of adding a trickle of fake blood down his hand, however we thought that this touch might have made our thriller boarder onto the horror side, and we also wanted to keep the narrative fairly ambiguous as to not give to much away right at once.

Recce Shots

Below are different recce shots that we took from each of our houses, We will compare the pictures and decide which location would be best to film each scene. We don't have to film every scene in the same house so having multiple options will make sure that we have the most suitable location.

    

These were the recce shots for the shots that will require a dressing table and mirror. We will not be using the third location as the mirror is to large and doesn't have a table underneath and so wouldn't work well with our concept. We liked the first shot but we thought that the lighting was to yellow and there isn't enough space around the desk to be able to film. Therefore we are going to shoot the mirror scenes in the second shot seen above, as it has good natural lighting and has a large mirror and desk with enough room to film. 

                     

For the scene where a bed is involved we wanted a double bed, therefore, the location in the first picture isn't suitable. We did like the middle shot and thought that the décor in the room would compliment the narrative that we are going for, however the room doesn't have the right layout that we wanted, so we chose shot 3 for the location as it had good natural lighting and the double bed was in the perfect position behind the dressing table and mirror. 

          

The stairs scene is a crucial part of our thriller and so the decision of where to film was well thought out. We decided not to film in the fourth location above because we wanted a more neutral coloured carpet and a banister that could be seen through. We liked the first and seconds shots because of the banister, however the lighting is a bit yellow as there is no natural light. Therefore we are going to film in the third shot location as during the day there is a lot of natural lighting, it has a neutral carpet and has the type of banister that we wanted.


      


We are going to have an establishing shot of a house at the beginning of our thriller opening, and so we needed to pick the most suitable location. From the third we really liked how the trees framed the shot as it adds and eerie wintry atmosphere, however we were looking to film a detached house to create more of an isolated feeling. We liked the isolated look of the first location however we thought that the surroundings appeared dull and boring, which won't catch the audiences eye. Therefore we are going to film in the second location because the house is detached but can still be seen to be in a suburban neighbourhood and has greenery and a long drive which we think will look great on camera.

 

                                                                                                 



Storyboard

(Completed by Lucy, Irena and Mollie)

Filming Schedule

This is our filming schedule for the next 2 weeks, we are trying to film only on 2 days as we have a limited amount of days when everyone including actors are free to film. We are filming for both days in the early afternoon so that we have a good amount of daylight to film in. Even though we have a limited time to film both scenes I think that we will be able to film everything in time as we are spreading the filming evenly and aren't changing location at all in each day. We do have two different locations but they are filmed on separate days.


Equipment List

• Tripod
• Reflectors
• Camera
• Lights

Analysis of Student Titles (E Grade)

Titles

• Academy Pictures Presents
• AE.J.R Production
• A Film By:
• Emily Maunder: Director & Editor
• Jamilla Dumbuya: Cinematographer
• Ruby Gevaux: Sound Recorder
• Starring: Shane, Abi, Rhea, Shansel

Voice Recording of my Analysis

Analysis of Student Thriller ( E Grade)

Camera

There isn't much shot diversity in this thriller opening in terms of camera angles, as the majority of it was filmed in mid shot. Filming everything in mid shot make the thriller lack excitement and can appear long and boring, also making the scene look unprofessional and messy. The lack of close ups and extremes close ups definitely limits this thrillers potential. 
Sound 

I do think that the sound works well in this thriller to create a distinct atmosphere. The chilling non-diegetic music definitely fits the thriller theme as the creepy music creates an eerie and tense environment. However I don't really think that the dialogue adding anything to this opening at all as the script was vague and didn't hint at anything to come in the narrative at all. A narrative enigma is usually good in the opening of a thriller however in this case I don't think that the dialogue was really needed.
Mise-en-Scene

There is low key lighting in this thriller opening which is typical of a thriller to create a mysterious and sinister atmosphere. The darkness with the warm glow of the street lights adds an eerie effect, however in the final 30 seconds or so, it is really dark with only torch light which makes it hard for the audience to actually see what is going on which makes the scene look amateur. Also, there wasn't any significant props in this thriller opening which makes the scene quite bland and not interesting, as there isn't anything being shown that had connotations of a typical thriller.  
Editing

In this thriller opening there is only straight cut editing used to transition between different shots. This limits the grade the this thriller could achieve and makes it look unprofessional and boring. The straight cuts almost drag out the narrative and don't add any excitement to the thriller at all. Therefore the use of editing in this specific thriller opening isn't the best as no substance or depth has been added. 

Analysis of Student Titles (A Grade)

Titles

• Blue Moon Cinema
• A Suburban House Production
• Daniel Barron
• Rebecca Welbourn
• Emma McCarthy
• James Hammett
• Grace Adamson
• Casting Niamh Cooper
• Costume Design Alyssa Watling
• Music Emily Barron
• Editing Emily Barron
• Director of Photography Alyssa Watling
• Produced by Emily Barron and Alyssa Watling
• Jessie Donkor and Niamh Cooper
• Filming Jessie Donkor
• Directed by Emily Barron

Analysis of Titles

Voice Recording of my analysis

Establishing Shot

In my thriller I want to have an establishing shot at the beginning of the scene to set the scene and automatically create a tense atmosphere. For the establishing I want to have a shot of a house, so that the audience know where the events are happening. When analysing other students thrillers from previous years I found an establishing shot that I liked of a house with white titles across the screen, so I want to recreate a similar shot in my final thriller.
This is the shot:

Questionnaire Analysis

Narrative

Analysis of Student Thrillers (A Grade)

Analysis

Mise-en-Scene

In this thriller the main character is wearing slippers and a dressing gown, which is seen to be typical of everyday. The use of this costume creates a suspicious effect as we wouldn't suspect anything strange to happen by a man in his pyjamas. This type of costuming makes the audience ask questions which is crucial for a thriller, as it creates tension and a sense of mystery.

The props in this thriller are Barbie dolls and workshop tools, creating creepy and eerie atmosphere. The Barbie dolls are obscure and unusual in this setting as they don't fit in with the everyday location and costuming which adds to the suspense and tension, typical of thrillers. This creates an eerie atmosphere and makes the audience ask questions because we are unsure about what is gong to happen next.



Editing

Throughout this thriller opening there are quick black and white flashes with inserts of disturbing inserts of broken and deformed dolls. These jumpy flashes give the audience and insight into what is going to be lurking in the shed, building the tension and adding to the already apparent suspense. Automatically a thrilling atmosphere is being produce as the audience wait until he turns the door handle and reveals what disturbing objects lie behind the creaky door. This style of editing is typically seen in thrillers to create a spooky atmosphere.

There are quick cuts during a montage of shots of different tools that could be found in a shed. The montage of shots were edited to be in black and white creating a contrast in colour and making the opening more eye-catching and draws the audiences attention. The shots of the different industrial equipment could have negative connotations of torture or danger, which creates suspense and tension which is typical of thrillers. The fast pace in the montage also provides short burst of almost excitement and is a complete juxtaposition to the slower pace cuts in between. 

Camera

There are a lot of close up and extreme close up shots in this thriller opening which adds diversity and excitement. Also these types of shots, where hands are shown to be doing things created questions being asked as the small amount seen in the shot doesn't give away much of the narrative. The use of close up shots also makes the filming look a lot more professional than if the entire opening was in mid shot. 

Sound

There is little dialogue in this thriller opening which creates an eerie and suspense filled atmosphere as a narrative enigma is created. Instead of all dialogue, there is an almost angelic light hearted song in the background which creates a weird and mysterious effect as we wouldn't associate that type of music with thrilling suspense. However it can typically be seen is psychological thrillers creating and eerie and creepy atmosphere making the reader question what's happening, and question their own thoughts. This quirky music style makes this thriller opening look professional and creative because they haven't just used a loud dramatic song bordering on the horror side of the thriller genre. 



Actors

Actors

Girl: Marisa Onorati: We chose Marisa because we wanted a woman who would make a strong, powerful women who could be cold and austere. The ideal person to play the character Lola is a feminine young women who still remains slightly innocent to appeal to all audiences.

 

Dead body: Jordan Brightmore: We chose Jordan because we needed a masculine hand and arm which will appear sticking out from underneath the bed sheets.

 

 

Questionnaire

(Irena's Work)

Brainstorm

(For my final thriller video, I am going to be working in a group of 3, with Irena Mileva and Mollie Ridgard)

Mise-en-Scene
Initial Ideas

Prelim Final

This is our final edit for the preliminary task^^

Evaluation
I think that our preliminary final edit was successful, in a sense that our vision was recreated, the filming and editing went smoothly and we didn't come across any significant problems. I think that the music that we added in the background worked well with the final piece and is faded in and out well. I also think that we used costume and props efficiently and the location worked well with the narrative because the kitchen scene was a casual, everyday location. As well as mise-en-scene, I think that our narrative and dialogue was created and created tension and suspense which is typical of a thriller, the limited dialogue make the reader ask question which is a positive. We also used a range of different shots which adds to the depth and complexity of our final edit, making it look more professional.
If I was to identify weaknesses to  our final edit, i would definitely say that the editing could have been more seamless and smooth, as it can appear a bit jumpy at times and the different shots don't transition into one another as well as I would like, so when it comes to my real thriller introduction i will focus more on continuity editing. Another weakness could be that the ambient sound in the background is a bit loud and doesn't match the other music, as well, in some parts you can hear people speaking in the background. To resolve this in the real video i could record the ambient sound separately and just mute the noise recorded on the camera.

Prelim Editing

Our group edited with Adobe Premiere Pro, having not used it before we were able to pick up the technique relatively quickly with some help from the teacher. Everyone in our group had a chance to edit and everyone contributed ideas of how to improve or editing style. In our video we were sure to use suitable transitions between cuts to create a fluidity and make the editing look professional, as just a series of straight can appear to be jumpy and not smooth.  During the editing we didn't really have any major issues, the only minute problem we faced, was when we were editing in music and struggled to fade the music out slowly so that is wasn't just a blunt cut off. However, after playing with it we were able to fade the music out so that it fused well with the visual editing. I think that our editing was successful as we edited in the original 2 hours that we were given and managed to upload it to youtube without any complications. The only section that I wasn't particularly happy with was the light switch frame, as the editing was slightly jumpy and wasn't a very good example of continuity editing. Therefore in our actual thriller opening I will keep this in mind, making sure that all of the editing throughout is fluid. 

Prelim Filming

On the day of filming our group had to ensure that we had a structured plan so that we could manage our filming time efficiently. Originally, we had planned to film our video in an ordinary classroom, however the lighting was dark and yellow, so we wanted to change location. Also, we didn't feel like the classroom background complimented the narrative. Changing classrooms did mean that we lost some of our time, as we only had 2 hours to complete our filming. We then decided to film in a food technology classroom as we thought that the kitchen background is more typical of everyday and added to the verisimilitude.

In our first location we actually managed to film 2 shots, one of which was actually used in the final cut, when the protagonist flicks the light switch. We also filmed an action match of the plastic cup falling on the floor in the classroom, however when looking back at our footage we realised that it would look odd and out of place if the floor was different, so we made sure to re-film that section in the food technology room. However, this did mean that we had a range of different shots to work with, which came to be an advantage when it came to editing.

When filming we tried to focus on the dialogue scene, as that was a significant requirement for the preliminary. We made sure to film the conversation in a range of different shots, such as a two shot, a shot-reverse-shot and an over the shoulder. The variety of different shots makes the editing stage easier because there are options. Also the different shots and angles add depth and dimension to the final video and creates more fluidity. We worked efficiently as a team, and took it in turns to film, making sure that we ticked off all of the shots that we had planned. Our teamwork was also efficient when it came to finding solutions to any problems that we faced, for example one of our panning shots wasn't working and didn't fit well, so we all came together a a team and suggested new ideas that would work more effectively.

Costume, Location and Props (Prelim)

Costume Location and Props
In our video we won't be using many props as we want to keep the focus on the dialogue and the eerie and tense atmosphere. Having a small amount of props still makes the scene look realistic and doesn't clutter the environment creating an unbalanced backdrop. The only props we will be using are a plastic cup for when the protagonist drops it on the floor when she is shocked to see the antagonist. The hollow sound of the cup when it falls to the ground and the splash of water, will add to the drama and tension of the scene, when there is a dramatic pause. We will also be using a fake knife in our video to create drama and give a good representation of what is thriller is all about. The fake knife will only be seen in the last final seconds of the scene when the antagonist says 'you'll soon find out', adding to the tension by creating a dark and sinister atmosphere which is seen as typical of thrillers and horrors.

Plastic Knife

Plastic Cup

Costume in our video will be simple and realistic to everyday which reflects our kitchen setting.The protagonist will be wearing an basic outfit of jeans and a top to add to the verisimilitude of the scene, because that type of casual wear is typical of everyday. The antagonist will also be wearing a simple costume, mainly consisting of dark clothing and subtle make-up. We don't want the costumes to be to over the top as it could make our video appear comical when the aim is to film a serious and tense scene.

 For the location of our video we will be filming in a kitchen scene, using a food technology classroom. We decided to film in this location because it makes the scene look more realistic and not out of place as a kitchen is typical in an everyday scene. Originally we were going to film in an English classroom, however we moved location as we didn't think that a typical classroom was an appropriate setting for our tense and dramatic scene and didn't fit the narrative.

Images From:
http://www.essimo.co.uk/weapons-for-kata-self-defence/plastic-knife/prod_88.html
http://www.shindigz.com/party/hot-pink-16-oz-plastic-cups/pgp/9web9036

Prelim Planning

Narrative
For preliminary task I am working in a group of four and have to film a short clip of someone walking through a door and having a conversation. In our video we have to include a shot-reverse-shot with at least four lines of speech, a person walking through a door and an action match. The storyline, costumes, props and location are all up to us.
In our group we decided on the genre of thriller. The basis of our video is, a woman is walking into her kitchen to fetch a glass of water and is shocked to see a murderous villain waiting for her arrival. The two characters end up having a heated conversation, and the scene is left on a cliff hanger as the killer hints that something bad is going to happen to her.

Structure
Below is a written storyboard of the structure of our film, including shot angles and sizes as well as sound.

In our preliminary we will be using a series of techniques such as, shot-reverse-shot, close ups, extreme close ups, slow motion, over-the-shoulder shot, a pan and a tracking shot.

Script
We are going to have a small amount of dialogue in our prelim film as we want to create suspense and tension, using dramatic pauses. 

Lucy(protagonist):''Fancy seeing you here''
Marisa(antagonist):''What have you done with her?''
Lucy(protagonist):''Why don't you come over here?''
Marisa(antagonist):''What have you done with her, where is she!?'
Lucy(protagonist):''Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough...''

We want the protagonist to repeat her lines of speech to build tension and drama, as well as emphasising and drawing attention to the idea that someone is missing, automatically making the audience ask question, which is typical of a thriller.

Sound                                                                                                 

In our preliminary video we will be using sound effects, such as footsteps, and a cup dropping on the floor. We will also be using music in the background to create tension and add drama and suspense. This is the website we will be using to source our copyright free music is http://www.freesfx.co.uk/music/ The sound in our video will be key to create the perfect atmosphere. We aim to create a tense, mysterious and sinister ambience.

Shutter Island (Thriller Analysis)

 

Camera                                                                                          

There is an over the shoulder shot of Teddy Daniels where he is looking in the mirror at his reflection. Typically, when a character is staring intensely at their reflection in a mirror, usually something is wrong or they are thinking about something. The way he stares right into his own eyes might imply some internal conflict within him and perhaps hints at a big reveal about his character. These types of shots, when using a mirror are typical of thrillers as they reveal a characters emotions and imply a dark hidden secret adding to the tension and making the audience ask questions, which is key in a thriller.
An establishing shot of a ship is used right at the beginning of the scene to create an eerie and mysterious atmosphere to set the scene. The shot is complete with a dark mist and grey sky which is seen a lot in thrillers as it creates a spooky and almost chilling ambience. The establishing is used to set the scene for the entire film, so it is importance that it creates a large impact because it informs the reader in some cases of what is going to occur within the film.

Sound 

In this scene there is the ambient sound of rattling chains, heard when Teddy is walking through the boat. This type of chiming and clashing sound creates a sinister and spooky atmosphere as rattling chains can be associated prisoners or slaves being locked up and trapped, which create tension and makes the reader question what that boat is or was used for. Rattling chains are used a lot in thrillers and horrors and they have connotations of torture and fear, again building the drama and tension.
There is also non-diegetic music in the background of this scene that slowly builds tension and creates an eerie atmosphere. The sound is a dragged out  low pitched sharp noise which is apparent throughout and stays at a constant volume and pitch. Even though this non-diegetic sound doesn't build into a crescendo, tension is still created in a less obvious way, as the dull low pitched sound keeps the audience's suspense at a continuous rate until the next scene, dragging out the tension and drawing the audience in.

Mise-en-Scene

The costume in this scene is old fashioned, both characters are wearing long duster coats and hats, which add a sense of mystery. This is a popular costume choice in thriller as the old fashioned style creates a more mysterious or even creepy atmosphere which are typical conventions in thrillers. As well, the hats and long coats insinuate that Teddy and Chuck are detectives which again adds mystery and makes the reader ask questions about what will happen later on in the narrative.
The location is key to create an eerie and almost ambiguous setting as the foggy establishing shot of the boat creating a narrative enigma straight away as we don't know what is to come from that foggy boat scene. The scene isn't necessarily in low key or high key lighting, and instead is grey and dull but still bright again adding a unusual, strange and mysterious atmosphere which is typical of thrillers.

Editing 

The most significant editing in this scene is probably the flashbacks because they give the audience an insight into the narrative of the film which gets the reader asking continuous questions. The flashbacks also create a tension and sense of drama as they insinuate more to come, adding a hint of mystery because we want to know what happened in Teddy's life and how that will affect the narrative. The flashback also portrays him as the focal character and adds suspense as the audience questions his motives.