As a group we went through all of our inital ideas and discussed which on we liked the most and which one could be used. We ended up not chosing any of our original ideas and came up with a new idea for our opening.
We wanted to stick with a phycological thriller and discussed different movies which we liked and wanted our opening to be simular to. In the end we all agreed that we all wanted our opening to be like the movie 'Watchmen' we all really like the tention and suspense it creates throughout the opening.
Our idea...
(photocopy of idea here)
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Our continuity review
This lesson our continuity task was reviewed by our media studies teacher and our peer group.
After watching our continuity task the class and teacher agreed that our work was at a level 2, 24 out of.
Positives
We included a variety of different shots, camera angles and movements in our continuity film which were each very effective.
Long shots
Close ups
Mid shots
low angle
Tracking
Tilting
An over the shoulder view
Also the sound was pretty good, although the background noise got a bit loud at times. Also the framing was very good, apart from one point when person A walks into the room.
Negatives
Broke 180 ° rule
Different errors that need to be looked out for, the ending when you hear a loud voice in the background that should of been edited out.
Editing choice/ position of shots - needed to be more carefully thought- (TI)
Overall I am very happy with the comments and I will be taking everything on board for when I start to film and create the film opening. Whilst creating the story board I will be thinking more carefully about the different shots and why they are being used. Also I will not break the 180 ° rule a this is a must. I will think carefully about mise-en-scene as I know how important things like colour can be. I will make sure that the light and sound is perfect whilst filming and editing because if you can not either see or hear whats on screen then you will loose interest, this is why I need to look into this more carefully and not make the same mistakes in my continuity task.
After watching our continuity task the class and teacher agreed that our work was at a level 2, 24 out of.
Positives
We included a variety of different shots, camera angles and movements in our continuity film which were each very effective.
Long shots
Close ups
Mid shots
low angle
Tracking
Tilting
An over the shoulder view
Also the sound was pretty good, although the background noise got a bit loud at times. Also the framing was very good, apart from one point when person A walks into the room.
Negatives
Broke 180 ° rule
Different errors that need to be looked out for, the ending when you hear a loud voice in the background that should of been edited out.
Editing choice/ position of shots - needed to be more carefully thought- (TI)
Overall I am very happy with the comments and I will be taking everything on board for when I start to film and create the film opening. Whilst creating the story board I will be thinking more carefully about the different shots and why they are being used. Also I will not break the 180 ° rule a this is a must. I will think carefully about mise-en-scene as I know how important things like colour can be. I will make sure that the light and sound is perfect whilst filming and editing because if you can not either see or hear whats on screen then you will loose interest, this is why I need to look into this more carefully and not make the same mistakes in my continuity task.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
What is the BBFC?
What is the BBFC? The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912, they decide what age rate the film should be. The BBFC are very important as they help prevent underaged children from watching violent innaporpriate films.
rated 15
Allows to show moderate sexual, violent gory activity. 15 rated certificate tend to allow moderate violence, gore and sexual activity. However not in explicit circumstances and it must be of relevance. Drug taking is not banned however it cannot be promoted to be seen in a positive way.
rated 18
18 rated certificates permit a wide range of gore, violence, sexual activity and drug taking (not to be promoted.) The difference between the two certificates lies not in context of themes; mainly in explicity.
Information from: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/downloads/pub/Guidelines/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202009.pdf
Triller opening ideas
As a group we discussed different story ideas for what our thriller opening could be about, Here are the two ideas which we liked. 
Continuity task
In our course work groups we had to create a short film up to one minute long showing a conversation between two people, Below shows the shot list which we followed by.
Person A walks up to a door
Handle is opened / pulled
Shot of person A walking through the door
Shot of person B sat down
Shot of person A sitting down next to them.
Shot of person A asking person B if they are ok?
Reverse shot (CU) of person B replying?
Two shot of person A and B – person B asks person A a question
Shot of person A’s reaction and answer
Shot of person B’s response.
This may be reapeated and varied as conversation develops – think
carefully about this part. The scripting is important here!
Shot of person A getting up.
Shot of person A walking away.
Shot of Person B. Person A exits through same door as entrance.
While producing the story board we came up with a few of our own ideas to make the sequence more engaging and fun to watch. We found two actors, the films location was in the LRC, we decided to shoot there becuase it is a big area and was always available.
Here is our final story board.
Person A walks up to a door
Handle is opened / pulled
Shot of person A walking through the door
Shot of person B sat down
Shot of person A sitting down next to them.
Shot of person A asking person B if they are ok?
Reverse shot (CU) of person B replying?
Two shot of person A and B – person B asks person A a question
Shot of person A’s reaction and answer
Shot of person B’s response.
This may be reapeated and varied as conversation develops – think
carefully about this part. The scripting is important here!
Shot of person A getting up.
Shot of person A walking away.
Shot of Person B. Person A exits through same door as entrance.
While producing the story board we came up with a few of our own ideas to make the sequence more engaging and fun to watch. We found two actors, the films location was in the LRC, we decided to shoot there becuase it is a big area and was always available.
Here is our final story board.
Walk on the Wild Side opening Analysis
Walk on the Wild Side -1962 Edward Dmytryts
Mise-en-scene: The audience is introduced to a section of the location which looks like a building site where a black cat makes its way out of one of the concrete tunnels. The cat is shown walking through various fences and tunnels which could suggest that the cat is powerfull and has no barriers. Later on in the sequence we are introduced to a second cat which has white fur, the two cats then fight which shows good against evil. Like in most thriller films good against evil is an iconic plot. There is a strong use of binary opposition used in the fight scene as the fight shows black against white which connotes a sense of good against evil.
Titles: The titles shown are both in serif font and capitals, in white again the dark background on screen showing strong binary opposition.
Editting: The editing is very slowpased it shows many dissolves and tracking shots of the cat, this creates suspence as it makes the audience curious to what happens next. The slow pased editting speeds up during the fight scene reinforced by various jump cuts.
Sound: There is non-diagetic music played through out the sequence, it helps create excitment during the fight scene and also keeps the pace through out the sequence.
Camera: We are introduced to a close up of the black cat which is centralised in the center of the screen. We get many low angle shots of the cat walking around which helps to make it look very empowering, and we also get a birds eye view shot of the cat.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Filming practice
In our Course work group we were given a camera and a tripod to practice filming and to help us get used to the camera, we then were given an excersise which was too shoot different shots, movements, camera angles and views. This excercise really helped us all to really understand how to use the camera provided but more importantly how to film.
Camera angles: High angle, low angle
Movements: Panning, tilting, zoom in, zoom out
Shots: Extreme long shot, long shot, mid shot, close up, extreme close up
Views: Birds eye view, worms eye view
Camera angles: High angle, low angle
Movements: Panning, tilting, zoom in, zoom out
Shots: Extreme long shot, long shot, mid shot, close up, extreme close up
Views: Birds eye view, worms eye view
Initial ideas
As a group we wrote many creative ideas to help create a clearer image of what our thriller sequence could possible be about. Here is a mind map we created to show the different ideas of what the storyline could be about.
Premiere Pro cs3
Premiere Pro cs3 is a timeline based video editing software which we will be using to edit and create our thriller opennings. This software will allow us to add different transitions such as adding music or sound effects, different titles, animations, cuts, fades and wipes.
Before now I haven't used Premiere Pro and I am still learning how to use it correctly, however I am certain that this software will help to create a great thriller openning.
Before now I haven't used Premiere Pro and I am still learning how to use it correctly, however I am certain that this software will help to create a great thriller openning.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The Village Opening Analysis
The Village 2004 - Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a shot of silohetted tree branches on a dim morning sky background, itu uses binary opposition and gives the impression of evil against innocence. The tree branches are bear which shows that it is winter, this also supports the idea of the sequence giving out a cold sense. The lighting is very low key which also iconic in a thriller film, it not only creates a very sinister sense but it also creates suspense as darkness is symbolic to evil.
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a shot of silohetted tree branches on a dim morning sky background, itu uses binary opposition and gives the impression of evil against innocence. The tree branches are bear which shows that it is winter, this also supports the idea of the sequence giving out a cold sense. The lighting is very low key which also iconic in a thriller film, it not only creates a very sinister sense but it also creates suspense as darkness is symbolic to evil.
Titles: Titles are shown ontop of the shot, the text is a white colour which gives a very sinister and cold feeling. It also is a sanserif font which is used in most thriller film title sequences.
Sound: Non-diagetic music is used throughout the sequence, the music uses instruments such as flutes which create an eerie, and earthy which fits with the shots of the forest trees. The non-diagetic music also sounds very misterious and spooky which also fits with the shots of the dark scary looking forest.
Sound: Non-diagetic music is used throughout the sequence, the music uses instruments such as flutes which create an eerie, and earthy which fits with the shots of the forest trees. The non-diagetic music also sounds very misterious and spooky which also fits with the shots of the dark scary looking forest.
Editting: The editting in this opening is iconic to the thriller genre, the slow paced editing creates suspense which is also iconic to the thriller genre.
Camera: The director has used slowpased panning move up the tree and tilting to look up at the trees.
Sin City opening analysis
Sin city 2005 - directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a centralised women wearing a red dress, as she has been shot in the middle of the screen this shows the audience her importance. Her backless strappy dress shows alot of skin which can suggest that she is vunerable, her red dress is a symbolic signifer as it connotes danger which reinforces the idea of her being vunerable. The sequence uses iconic thriller methods through out the opening. One iconic effect is the use of lighting, the low key lighting not only creates a very cold sense but it also builds up suspense, as shadows are casted and parts of the faces are dark which also creates a sense of mystery.
Titles: No titles were shown during this opening, this is uncommon for a thriller openning. Perhaps this is because they want us to be entirely focused on the story line rather than who starred and directed the film.
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a centralised women wearing a red dress, as she has been shot in the middle of the screen this shows the audience her importance. Her backless strappy dress shows alot of skin which can suggest that she is vunerable, her red dress is a symbolic signifer as it connotes danger which reinforces the idea of her being vunerable. The sequence uses iconic thriller methods through out the opening. One iconic effect is the use of lighting, the low key lighting not only creates a very cold sense but it also builds up suspense, as shadows are casted and parts of the faces are dark which also creates a sense of mystery.
Titles: No titles were shown during this opening, this is uncommon for a thriller openning. Perhaps this is because they want us to be entirely focused on the story line rather than who starred and directed the film.
Editting: The editting through out the sequence is also typical in a thriller genre, panning and zooming in on the characters has been used to create a very slow paced effect which is iconic to a thriller genre as it creates suspense and mystery. The editting speeds up when various straight cuts are used to show the converstation between the two characters.
Sound: Ambience sound of the city streets is also included, this makes the scene seem realistic and more engaging for the audience. Non-diagetic jazz music is played through out the sequence.
Camera: The opening begins with a centralised long shot of woman looking out at the city view. When the man walks behind her he is not centralised but is put to the left which could suggest mistery. Jump cuts and close ups are used to show the conversation between the two characters to make it more realistic.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
The Birds opening analysis
The Birds 1963 - directed by Alfred hitchcock
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a shot of silohetted birds flying visiously across the screen, this builds a very uncomfortable feeling for the audience. This is also creates a strong sense of binary oppoision as it shows the birds in darkness which suggests evil on a white sky background which shows innocence. Moving on we are introduced to a new location and the character, the location is a busy city street of San Fransisco, The character is a young blonde woman who is introduced by establishing shots and tracking which helps show her importance.
Mise-en-scene: The opening begins with a shot of silohetted birds flying visiously across the screen, this builds a very uncomfortable feeling for the audience. This is also creates a strong sense of binary oppoision as it shows the birds in darkness which suggests evil on a white sky background which shows innocence. Moving on we are introduced to a new location and the character, the location is a busy city street of San Fransisco, The character is a young blonde woman who is introduced by establishing shots and tracking which helps show her importance.
Titles: Throughout the extract cold blue coloured titles appear on screen, the cold blue which creats a cold sinister feeling.
Sound: Diagetic sound is also included throughout the sequence, the sound of squawking birds and flapping wings reinforces the uncomfortable feeling which the audience feels throughout the sequence as the high pitched squawking from the birds is not a very nice sound to listen to.
Editting: Iconic thriller editing is used at the end of the opening where a fade cut is used to establish the shot of a women. Jump cuts are used later on in the sequence to show the conversation between the shop keeper and the woman.
Camera: The establishing shot of the blonde woman shows her importance, what also reinforces this is her postion which is in the center of the screen. Also the camera pans along as she walks across the road into the pet shop.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Thriller research
Thriller is a broad genre of film and television which includes many different types of sub-genres. Such as an action thriller, drama, horror, phychological and many more. There are varitey of sub-genre films such as. Horror/thrillers such as "Dawn of the Dead". Sci-fi/ Thriller such as "Alien" action thrillers such as "James Bond". These films are examples of different sub-genres and all include a sense of suspense and tention and follow the same codes and conventions. They use iconic signifiers which show that they all come from the same thriller genre such as guns .
Thrillers use many different codes and conventions that they must follow in order to fit into its genre, these conventions must be included to provide thrills and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. To achieve this the film must generate both suspense and tention inorder to create a successful film and also to engage with the audience. Commonly tention is built up when the main characters is in a dangerous situation.
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