Day 3:
This was the most productive day of filming, and hopefully we filmed everything we need. We planned for this to be our final night of filming, and we shot all of the inside scenes, and the outside scenes by the front door, with the character rushing to get her keys in and unlock the door.
We worked efficiently I feel, and got most of the filming done. We filmed the scenes in the doorway first, and then the living room and kitchen scenes.
Problems:
Our tripod was missing a piece that was needed to attach the camera to it, we didn’t realise until we actually came to film the scenes. As we were filming in the evening, there wasn’t anything to could do to solve the problem, so we just had to try and work around it. It was our final night of filming, so we just had to film the shots hand held, but tried to keep the camera as steady as possible, and I personally don’t think it’s that obvious that the tripod wasn’t used inside the house. We still got the shots we needed.
Something else that we struggled with, was getting the cat to co-operate (I now know why to never work with animals when filming).
Holly’s cat, Paris, was supposed to sit on the kitchen worktop, with the saucepan on the floor, to show that she had knocked if off and the character’s relief that it wasn’t as bad as she had thought. Although this was fine when we took the pictures for the storyboard, she decided that she wasn’t happy with the arrangement when it came to getting the shots of her we needed.
Even after milk and treats, she still kept moving before we had the shots. However, in the end we did get brief clips of what we needed, it just took a little longer than we anticipated.
We tried to get varied shots, such as high angle, over the shoulder, point of view, etc. and I feel it went well.
If we notice shots that are missing when editing the footage, we will have to borrow the camera again, to get anything that we missed, but hopefully this won’t be necessary.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Filming Diaries...
Day 2:
On the second night of filming, we did less than on the first night, because we just got any other shots that we felt we needed, this was still on the outside scenes.
Obviously, we had to use exactly the same costume and props that we had on the previous night of filming.
Something that we struggled with on this night, was waiting while people walked past the set (as it was outside), with their dogs in most cases. However we only had to wait for a few seconds so it was easily resolved.
We re-shot any shots that we weren’t happy with, and overall it went well.
On the second night of filming, we did less than on the first night, because we just got any other shots that we felt we needed, this was still on the outside scenes.
Obviously, we had to use exactly the same costume and props that we had on the previous night of filming.
Something that we struggled with on this night, was waiting while people walked past the set (as it was outside), with their dogs in most cases. However we only had to wait for a few seconds so it was easily resolved.
We re-shot any shots that we weren’t happy with, and overall it went well.
Changes in the production schedule due to illness…
Unfortunately, I got ill when we were supposed to be doing the rest of out filming, and this meant that we were behind schedule because I was unable to film.
I did feel guilty that I was putting the two of us behind, and didn’t want to let Holly down, but it was something that couldn't be helped, and filming carried on as it should have done, just a few days later.
I don’t think it had too much of an effect on the schedule, because I feel we still have time to sort out everything else that we need.
I did feel guilty that I was putting the two of us behind, and didn’t want to let Holly down, but it was something that couldn't be helped, and filming carried on as it should have done, just a few days later.
I don’t think it had too much of an effect on the schedule, because I feel we still have time to sort out everything else that we need.
Filming Diaries...
Day !:
Our first day of filming, did go well, but it could have gone better.
The problem we faced, as simple as it sounds, was getting the camera to fit on the tripod and stay there. Once this had been sorted, we started to film the outside scenes.
We got the bus scene filmed, but as we were waiting further down from the stop, a boy came to wait for the bus. This caused complications for us, as we didn’t have permission from him to be shown in the film. Fortunately. Having seen the footage back, we will be able to edit it so he can’t be seen, and this problem will be resolved.
Also something we had to be careful with, was not getting anyone on the bus in the shot, but luckily, the bus stop we used was the last on the bus route, so there wasn’t anyone apart from me on the bus and this made things easier.
We got a variety of shots, but most were done using the tripod. After we had the shots we needed with that, we moved on the using the handheld camera technique. This gave an effect of someone else walking behind the character and the camera being there view.
We also filmed point of view shots from the characters perspective, with the camera turning in a circular motion at the same point the character turns around, so the camera is acting as her eyes.
I feel this night of filming was productive, even though it ws really old.
Our first day of filming, did go well, but it could have gone better.
The problem we faced, as simple as it sounds, was getting the camera to fit on the tripod and stay there. Once this had been sorted, we started to film the outside scenes.
We got the bus scene filmed, but as we were waiting further down from the stop, a boy came to wait for the bus. This caused complications for us, as we didn’t have permission from him to be shown in the film. Fortunately. Having seen the footage back, we will be able to edit it so he can’t be seen, and this problem will be resolved.
Also something we had to be careful with, was not getting anyone on the bus in the shot, but luckily, the bus stop we used was the last on the bus route, so there wasn’t anyone apart from me on the bus and this made things easier.
We got a variety of shots, but most were done using the tripod. After we had the shots we needed with that, we moved on the using the handheld camera technique. This gave an effect of someone else walking behind the character and the camera being there view.
We also filmed point of view shots from the characters perspective, with the camera turning in a circular motion at the same point the character turns around, so the camera is acting as her eyes.
I feel this night of filming was productive, even though it ws really old.
The Script...
WATCHING
SCENE1. EXT. BUS STOP. EVENING.
ADELE IS WALKING OFF THE BUS AND STARTS TO WALK INTO AN ALLEYWAY.
SCENE2. EXT. ALLEYWAY. EVENING.
SHE WALKS INTO THE ALLEY, WHEN HALF WAY THROUGH THE ALLEY WAY SHE STARTS TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING HER. THEN SHE STARTS TO WALK FASTER AND STARTS TO BREATHE HEAVILY. SHE LOOKS AROUND AND JUMPS TO THE SIDE OF THE WALL CONFUSED. SHE STARTS TO WALK FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL SHE GETS OUT OF THE SMALL, NARROW AND DARK ALLEYWAY.
SCENE3. EXT. THE STREET TOWARDS HER HOME. EVENING.
ADELE WALKS FAST TOWARDS HER HOME TO SAFETY, SHE KNOWS SHE IS CLOSE AND STARTS TO FEEL BETTER BUT STILL WARY ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. SHE IS AT HER HOME AND JUST WANTS TO GET INSIDE THE HOUSE. CLOSE UP ON THE KEY AND HER HAND SHAKING, THIS SHOWS PANIC AND STRESS.
SCENE4. INT. IN THE HALLWAY. EVENING.
CLOSE UP ON THE HAND LOCKING THE DOOR. HIGH ANGLE VIEW OF HER FALLING TO THE FALL IN RELIEF AND HER JUST SITTING THERE FEELING RELIEVED. SHE THEN HEARS A BANG IN THE KITCHEN AND LOOK INTO THE LIVING ROOM IN FEAR.
SCENE5. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.
SHE WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM SHOWING THE FEAR ON HER FACE, CLOSE UP SHOT. WE ALSO SEE THE TV AND IT TURNED OFF. SHE THEN GOES TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FIND…
SCENE6. KITCHEN. EVENING.
TO SEE THE CAT ON THE SIDE WITH AND POT PUSHED OFF THE SIDE ONTO THE FLOOR. THE CAMERA THEN FOCUSES ON ADELE FACE SHOWING THE RELIEF ON HER FACE FROM THE CAT POINT OF VIEW. AND THEN A VIEW BACK TO WHERE ADELE STANDING WITH A SHOT OF THE CAT ON THE SIDE WITH THE POT ON THE FLOOR, A SHOT REVERSE = SHOT. SHE THEN STARTS TO HEAD TOWARDS THE LIVING ROOM.
SCENE7. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.
SHE NOTICES THE TV HAS BEEN TURNED ON WITH SNOW ON THE DISPLAY. SHE FEELS SHOCKED AND UPSET KNOWING SOMEONE ON SOMETHING IS IN THE HOUSE, THE LIGHTS THEN START TO FLICKER WHICH MAKES HER SHOCKED AND MORE SCARED. SHE HEARS CREAKING ON FLOORBOARD ON THE STAIRS AND GOES TO HAVE A LOOK. SHE LOOKS AROUND THE CORNER- HIGH ANGLE SHOT AND THEN BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND YOU SEE HER GET PULLED UP THE STAIRS BUT YOU DON’T KNOW BY WHOM. HER HAND STARTS TO DISAPPEAR AROUND THE CORNER, AS SHE CAN’T HOLD ON ANY LONGER.
SCENE1. EXT. BUS STOP. EVENING.
ADELE IS WALKING OFF THE BUS AND STARTS TO WALK INTO AN ALLEYWAY.
SCENE2. EXT. ALLEYWAY. EVENING.
SHE WALKS INTO THE ALLEY, WHEN HALF WAY THROUGH THE ALLEY WAY SHE STARTS TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING HER. THEN SHE STARTS TO WALK FASTER AND STARTS TO BREATHE HEAVILY. SHE LOOKS AROUND AND JUMPS TO THE SIDE OF THE WALL CONFUSED. SHE STARTS TO WALK FASTER AND FASTER UNTIL SHE GETS OUT OF THE SMALL, NARROW AND DARK ALLEYWAY.
SCENE3. EXT. THE STREET TOWARDS HER HOME. EVENING.
ADELE WALKS FAST TOWARDS HER HOME TO SAFETY, SHE KNOWS SHE IS CLOSE AND STARTS TO FEEL BETTER BUT STILL WARY ABOUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. SHE IS AT HER HOME AND JUST WANTS TO GET INSIDE THE HOUSE. CLOSE UP ON THE KEY AND HER HAND SHAKING, THIS SHOWS PANIC AND STRESS.
SCENE4. INT. IN THE HALLWAY. EVENING.
CLOSE UP ON THE HAND LOCKING THE DOOR. HIGH ANGLE VIEW OF HER FALLING TO THE FALL IN RELIEF AND HER JUST SITTING THERE FEELING RELIEVED. SHE THEN HEARS A BANG IN THE KITCHEN AND LOOK INTO THE LIVING ROOM IN FEAR.
SCENE5. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.
SHE WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM SHOWING THE FEAR ON HER FACE, CLOSE UP SHOT. WE ALSO SEE THE TV AND IT TURNED OFF. SHE THEN GOES TO OPEN THE DOOR TO FIND…
SCENE6. KITCHEN. EVENING.
TO SEE THE CAT ON THE SIDE WITH AND POT PUSHED OFF THE SIDE ONTO THE FLOOR. THE CAMERA THEN FOCUSES ON ADELE FACE SHOWING THE RELIEF ON HER FACE FROM THE CAT POINT OF VIEW. AND THEN A VIEW BACK TO WHERE ADELE STANDING WITH A SHOT OF THE CAT ON THE SIDE WITH THE POT ON THE FLOOR, A SHOT REVERSE = SHOT. SHE THEN STARTS TO HEAD TOWARDS THE LIVING ROOM.
SCENE7. LIVING ROOM. EVENING.
SHE NOTICES THE TV HAS BEEN TURNED ON WITH SNOW ON THE DISPLAY. SHE FEELS SHOCKED AND UPSET KNOWING SOMEONE ON SOMETHING IS IN THE HOUSE, THE LIGHTS THEN START TO FLICKER WHICH MAKES HER SHOCKED AND MORE SCARED. SHE HEARS CREAKING ON FLOORBOARD ON THE STAIRS AND GOES TO HAVE A LOOK. SHE LOOKS AROUND THE CORNER- HIGH ANGLE SHOT AND THEN BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND YOU SEE HER GET PULLED UP THE STAIRS BUT YOU DON’T KNOW BY WHOM. HER HAND STARTS TO DISAPPEAR AROUND THE CORNER, AS SHE CAN’T HOLD ON ANY LONGER.
Production Schedule...
Here is the newest version if the production schedule, with everything we have done so far. The '/' signs, show the completed tasks before the filming.
Here is the second version of the production schedule with some of the information inputted.
Here is the second version of the production schedule with some of the information inputted.
Production Schedule...
This is my first draft of the production schedule. Obviously, it will be edited over time as our plans change, and the filming gets done.
Monday, 7 March 2011
STORYBOARD:
Rather than trying (and failing) and draw pictures of the different shots we wanted, we went out into the filmimg location in our own time, and took pictures of our planned shots, uploaded them, and added the detail of what was happening.
The finished Storyboard:
The finished Storyboard:
PLANNING: Summary of the film as a whole...
The plot for the film is about a girl who is being followed – hence the title ‘Watching’. We first see her walking home from work at night and there is someone in her house, taunting her. However, this is the climax of the film at the start to keep the audience interested.
After this, when the girl is pushed against a wall in her house (we don’t get to see who it actually is that is in the house – to keep up the suspense) our scene ends, but the plan for the film is to take a ‘crime drama’ route.
After this, we plan to have the next scene (this won’t actually be filmed), as a crime scene of the house where the character lived, with police and detectives securing the crime scene. We want to have the story following the girl as she is kidnapped (we didn’t want to kill her off as then the film loses impact and suspense). By having the police trying to uncover the story of who has taken her and why, the audience find out the information as the police do and are kept interested.
After many near catches, but not succeeding, in the end the detectives do find the girl and it is uncovered why the kidnapper took her in the first place.
Suspense is kept up all through our film, but then all ends are tied and everything is revealed to satisfy the audience at the end.
After this, when the girl is pushed against a wall in her house (we don’t get to see who it actually is that is in the house – to keep up the suspense) our scene ends, but the plan for the film is to take a ‘crime drama’ route.
After this, we plan to have the next scene (this won’t actually be filmed), as a crime scene of the house where the character lived, with police and detectives securing the crime scene. We want to have the story following the girl as she is kidnapped (we didn’t want to kill her off as then the film loses impact and suspense). By having the police trying to uncover the story of who has taken her and why, the audience find out the information as the police do and are kept interested.
After many near catches, but not succeeding, in the end the detectives do find the girl and it is uncovered why the kidnapper took her in the first place.
Suspense is kept up all through our film, but then all ends are tied and everything is revealed to satisfy the audience at the end.
PLANNING: Summary of the opening of the film...
Our film will be called ‘Watching’ and will be about a girl who is being followed by a sinister character. The start of the film will be the climax, when the girl finds someone in her house, after she suspects she is being followed home from the bus stop after work, late at night.
The character, Adele, is first seen getting off a public bus and walking home in the dark and hears footsteps behind her, she speeds up, but so do they. The audience see her walking down an alley which is dimly lit by a street light. She turns around, terrified, and we use a range of shots; a point of view shot (for when she turns around to look over her shoulder), and over the shoulder shot, a long shot and stedicam. She rushes to her house and struggles to get the key in the door fast enough. Once inside, she slams the door behind her, and slides to the floor, relieved that she is safe.
Even though the girl is inside her house, there is still things taunting her, for example, when she is sitting on the floor with her head in her hands, leaning against the door, she hears a loud bang coming from the kitchen. The audience know that she is in the house alone, because she had to unlock the door. She slowly gets up, and reluctantly walks to the kitchen door – she opens it quickly, preparing for the worst, and sees the family cat sitting on the kitchen floor with a saucepan by its side. There is a shot of her, to see her relief as she realizes she is not in danger.
However, this is not the case because she then walks into the living room to see snow on the TV after it was turned off when she walks into the house. Next, the lights flicker on and off without anyone touching them.
Really scared, she doesn’t know what to do, but walks out of the room to go upstairs, and sees a shadow in the corner of her eye, she turns around and gets pushed against a wall. There is then a black screen with the title.
The ideas we have for our thriller have many things in that are typical of the thriller genre. The lighting will be very dark, and we will have footsteps as if someone is being followed that can be seen in a lot of thriller films. The ‘snow’ on the TV screen is typical of a horror/thriller and so are the lights flickering.
The camera shots we plan to use are really varying. We hope to use close-ups, medium shots, long shots, the handheld technique, low angle, over the shoulder and point of view shots.
The character, Adele, is first seen getting off a public bus and walking home in the dark and hears footsteps behind her, she speeds up, but so do they. The audience see her walking down an alley which is dimly lit by a street light. She turns around, terrified, and we use a range of shots; a point of view shot (for when she turns around to look over her shoulder), and over the shoulder shot, a long shot and stedicam. She rushes to her house and struggles to get the key in the door fast enough. Once inside, she slams the door behind her, and slides to the floor, relieved that she is safe.
Even though the girl is inside her house, there is still things taunting her, for example, when she is sitting on the floor with her head in her hands, leaning against the door, she hears a loud bang coming from the kitchen. The audience know that she is in the house alone, because she had to unlock the door. She slowly gets up, and reluctantly walks to the kitchen door – she opens it quickly, preparing for the worst, and sees the family cat sitting on the kitchen floor with a saucepan by its side. There is a shot of her, to see her relief as she realizes she is not in danger.
However, this is not the case because she then walks into the living room to see snow on the TV after it was turned off when she walks into the house. Next, the lights flicker on and off without anyone touching them.
Really scared, she doesn’t know what to do, but walks out of the room to go upstairs, and sees a shadow in the corner of her eye, she turns around and gets pushed against a wall. There is then a black screen with the title.
The ideas we have for our thriller have many things in that are typical of the thriller genre. The lighting will be very dark, and we will have footsteps as if someone is being followed that can be seen in a lot of thriller films. The ‘snow’ on the TV screen is typical of a horror/thriller and so are the lights flickering.
The camera shots we plan to use are really varying. We hope to use close-ups, medium shots, long shots, the handheld technique, low angle, over the shoulder and point of view shots.
PLANNING:
After doing the research tasks, we had to move on to start planning the opening of our own thriller film; Watching. (This title is subject to change, depending on the results of the questionnaire).
Equipment list:
• Mac computers- to edit the footage.
• Camera digital standstill- to be able to show locations and photos of what the place is like.
• Video cam cord- to film the footage for the opening.
• USB- to store the files and documents.
• Tripod- to keep the shots steady and smooth when filming.
• Microphone- for the music if needed.
• Tape/memory card- to store the footage
• Final cut- editing software
• Garage band/music software- to apply music to the film
Cast list:
Courtney is going to be the character in the film, the character is about 18 year old girl, named Adele; the character is going to be is someone who is scared of walking home in the dark as she thinks she being followed. Once she at home she is relieved, only to find that strange things are happening at home. Paris the Cat and Lucky the Dog are extras, and appear in the house when Adele gets home.
Location:
The location of the filming we are doing for the film Watching, is located in Muxton. There is a bus route that goes into Muxton and through the road at Fieldhouse Drive the character Adele is first seen getting off the bus and walk to an alley way which is also in field house drive to get to another road called Meadow Road where she lives. The house is also located in Muxton in Meadow Road. We don’t need to get any permission for our film as we are using places that we know we can film at without permission as it not anybody property. The access of this area is easy and the house we allowed to use it very easy to access as the property belongs to someone we know.
Costume and props:
Props: everyday living furniture e.g. TV, saucepan, keys, lighting. This is to give the place a feel of an ordinary house, everyday living so the audience can relate to the house and everyday living but kind of creeps them out with the tension that is built throughout the film.
Other props are a bag when she is walking home.
Costume: smart clothes, skirt, a top, leggings and dolly shoes.
Who is the film aimed at?
The film is aimed at people over the age of 15. There will be minor violence in the film, so people who don’t like violence wont be offended and those who do like violence will be satisfied. It will be targeted to a young audience as the main character is about 18years old.
I think that the film we are making will appeal to both men and women, as the film genre is a crime thriller. It is for people who enjoy mind-puzzling films, and who like to try and solve a crime along with the detectives.
Certificate:
I think the film that we are making should be a 15 because it has got small amounts of violence near the start of the film. Also throughout the film there might be strong language. In our film there might also be some weapons that will be used by police officers/ figures of authority. But it won’t have too much strong detail on violence, language and weapons they won’t be promoted or encouraged in our film and by what the BBFC suggest there can be some in the film just as long as it isn’t in much detail, promoted or encouraged. With the language, it can be strong, but it won’t be really strong language, so we won’t have to justify it, as it won’t be particularly extreme or used often.
Equipment list:
• Mac computers- to edit the footage.
• Camera digital standstill- to be able to show locations and photos of what the place is like.
• Video cam cord- to film the footage for the opening.
• USB- to store the files and documents.
• Tripod- to keep the shots steady and smooth when filming.
• Microphone- for the music if needed.
• Tape/memory card- to store the footage
• Final cut- editing software
• Garage band/music software- to apply music to the film
Cast list:
Courtney is going to be the character in the film, the character is about 18 year old girl, named Adele; the character is going to be is someone who is scared of walking home in the dark as she thinks she being followed. Once she at home she is relieved, only to find that strange things are happening at home. Paris the Cat and Lucky the Dog are extras, and appear in the house when Adele gets home.
Location:
The location of the filming we are doing for the film Watching, is located in Muxton. There is a bus route that goes into Muxton and through the road at Fieldhouse Drive the character Adele is first seen getting off the bus and walk to an alley way which is also in field house drive to get to another road called Meadow Road where she lives. The house is also located in Muxton in Meadow Road. We don’t need to get any permission for our film as we are using places that we know we can film at without permission as it not anybody property. The access of this area is easy and the house we allowed to use it very easy to access as the property belongs to someone we know.
Costume and props:
Props: everyday living furniture e.g. TV, saucepan, keys, lighting. This is to give the place a feel of an ordinary house, everyday living so the audience can relate to the house and everyday living but kind of creeps them out with the tension that is built throughout the film.
Other props are a bag when she is walking home.
Costume: smart clothes, skirt, a top, leggings and dolly shoes.
Who is the film aimed at?
The film is aimed at people over the age of 15. There will be minor violence in the film, so people who don’t like violence wont be offended and those who do like violence will be satisfied. It will be targeted to a young audience as the main character is about 18years old.
I think that the film we are making will appeal to both men and women, as the film genre is a crime thriller. It is for people who enjoy mind-puzzling films, and who like to try and solve a crime along with the detectives.
Certificate:
I think the film that we are making should be a 15 because it has got small amounts of violence near the start of the film. Also throughout the film there might be strong language. In our film there might also be some weapons that will be used by police officers/ figures of authority. But it won’t have too much strong detail on violence, language and weapons they won’t be promoted or encouraged in our film and by what the BBFC suggest there can be some in the film just as long as it isn’t in much detail, promoted or encouraged. With the language, it can be strong, but it won’t be really strong language, so we won’t have to justify it, as it won’t be particularly extreme or used often.
Questionnaires...
This is the questionnaire:
Questionnaire - The Thriller Genre...
What is your Gender?
Male □ Female □
What is your age?
15-20□ 21-25□ 26-30□ 31-35□ 36-40□ 41-45□ 46-50□ 50+□
Do you like Thriller films?
Yes □ No □ They’re okay □
What is your favourite type of Thriller?
Crime □ Action □ Psychological □ Horror □ None of the above □
Why is this your favourite?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name three thrillers you have seen.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why do you like watching Thriller films?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which thriller would you rather see from the title below?
Watching □ Behind the Shadows □ Stalker □
How long would you expect a Thriller film to be?
60-90 minutes □ 91- 120 □ 121+ □
What types of main character would you prefer to see?
Villains □ Heroes □ Victims □ Police/Detectives □
RESULTS:
Questionnaire - The Thriller Genre...
What is your Gender?
Male □ Female □
What is your age?
15-20□ 21-25□ 26-30□ 31-35□ 36-40□ 41-45□ 46-50□ 50+□
Do you like Thriller films?
Yes □ No □ They’re okay □
What is your favourite type of Thriller?
Crime □ Action □ Psychological □ Horror □ None of the above □
Why is this your favourite?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name three thrillers you have seen.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why do you like watching Thriller films?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which thriller would you rather see from the title below?
Watching □ Behind the Shadows □ Stalker □
How long would you expect a Thriller film to be?
60-90 minutes □ 91- 120 □ 121+ □
What types of main character would you prefer to see?
Villains □ Heroes □ Victims □ Police/Detectives □
RESULTS:
Analysis of the Questionnaire results:
40% of participants thought that 'Watching' was the best title for our opening, therefore, this is the one we will use because we want a title that will appeal to the audience.
I also noticed that the ones that picked the action and crime thrillers as their favourite were men, and I think this is interesting because there is a slight stereotype that males prefer action films. This data reinforces that theory.
Most of the people who took part in my quiz said they liked thrillers because they were exciting, and I would agree with this statement, because that is the purpose of most thriller films - get keep the audience tense and intrigued.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Detailed Analysis of three film openings...
GOODFELLAS:
Sound
Jazz music is played after the men kill a man brutally – this is unnatural because happy music shouldn’t be played in such a horrible situation. This makes the scene even better because it makes the audience uncomfortable, doing what a thriller wound do. It could also be showing the audience what nice lifestyles the gangsters lead.
During the credits, there are sounds of cars driving on a motorway – this is subtle, but it introduces the audience to the first scene of a car driving.
There are environmental sounds when the man is being shot, such as insects making noise and traffic passing by, and this makes the scene feel more realistic.
Editing
The place and time of the scene are added at the bottom in white writing at some points of the opening. This makes it easier for the audience to follow what is going on, without being confused.
The opening credits are simple – black background with white writing.
The title ‘GOODFELLAS’ is written in capitals and in red, by using red they are showing there will be danger and blood involved in this film.
Mise-en-scene
The men are wearing shirts, jackets and trousers, which is a stereotype that gangster people where these kind of clothes. The setting is good too, because you can’t see any houses or passersby, and this also links to the stereotype that gangsters pull over in empty places to sort out ‘business’.
It is difficult to tell much of the mise-en-scene because of how dark the scene is.
Camera Movement
The camera zooms in on the boot of the car, when there is banging coming from it. This suggests the importance of it, because when we see the man inside the boot being killed, the audience can assume what the rest of the film will be about.
The way the camera moves from behind the car, to beside then in front of it, it looks as though the camera is actually a car changing lanes.
There is a close up shot of one of the characters, to show the audience his reaction to what is happening.
Lighting
Immediately, the film starts in the dark, with a car with red lights on it. This shows from the very start, that the film will be dark too and the red lights of the car symbolise bloodshed and danger.
The red lights are used to brilliant effect because when the car boot opens, they shine on the ‘gangsters’ and this makes them appear even more sinister.
Sound
Jazz music is played after the men kill a man brutally – this is unnatural because happy music shouldn’t be played in such a horrible situation. This makes the scene even better because it makes the audience uncomfortable, doing what a thriller wound do. It could also be showing the audience what nice lifestyles the gangsters lead.
During the credits, there are sounds of cars driving on a motorway – this is subtle, but it introduces the audience to the first scene of a car driving.
There are environmental sounds when the man is being shot, such as insects making noise and traffic passing by, and this makes the scene feel more realistic.
Editing
The opening credits are simple – black background with white writing.
The title ‘GOODFELLAS’ is written in capitals and in red, by using red they are showing there will be danger and blood involved in this film.
Mise-en-scene
The men are wearing shirts, jackets and trousers, which is a stereotype that gangster people where these kind of clothes. The setting is good too, because you can’t see any houses or passersby, and this also links to the stereotype that gangsters pull over in empty places to sort out ‘business’.
It is difficult to tell much of the mise-en-scene because of how dark the scene is.
Camera Movement
The camera zooms in on the boot of the car, when there is banging coming from it. This suggests the importance of it, because when we see the man inside the boot being killed, the audience can assume what the rest of the film will be about.
The way the camera moves from behind the car, to beside then in front of it, it looks as though the camera is actually a car changing lanes.
There is a close up shot of one of the characters, to show the audience his reaction to what is happening.
Lighting
The red lights are used to brilliant effect because when the car boot opens, they shine on the ‘gangsters’ and this makes them appear even more sinister.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Detailed Analysis of three film openings...
SHERLOCK HOLMES:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ7ArosUUf
Mise-en-scene
The costumes are fitting to the time period, as the film is set in the early 1900s, so the costumes show this, with smart clothing (Watson in particular). The very first shot is of Holmes jumping off something and doing a flip, so this implies from the very first scene, that the film will be full of action.
The woman lying on the table that is being kept hostage is wearing white, and this is important because it shows that she is vulnerable, innocent and pure.
The man in a black hood stood over her shows power and the fire around the scene symbolises danger.
Camera Movement
The camera zooms in slowly on Holmes’ face when we is narrating, so the audience can see his face more clearly as he is going through his thought process.
There are close up shots on the man Holmes plans to fight, the close ups are effective because it means we can see what exactly Sherlock plans to do as he says it.
The camera work looks simple, with clean cuts, but it works effective following Holmes as he tries to find his way through the building.
There is a low angle shot when Holmes at the top of the building looking down, and it shows he is in the dominant position which sets a base for the rest of the scene when
Lighting
Again, like a lot of thriller openings, the lighting is very dark and some parts it is hard to make out certain things. This contrasts to a lot of the rest of the film where the lighting is bright. The beginning of the film is darker than the rest of it, because it is setting the story and introducing the characters.
The fire and the candles add light to the dark setting, but in a natural way (there isn’t use of unnatural light, that the audience can see), and this works well.
Editing
There is a jump cut from Holmes to the girl on the table.
The camera cuts from Holmes to the scene below, this is called a ‘cross cutting’ technique – where the scene shows two things happening at the same time.
Slow motion is added on the parts where Holmes is attacking the man, to add emphasis to what he is doing.
Sound
The sound is very staccato, with sharp stabs of sound occasionally.
Diegetic sounds are added, to fit with the slow motion, like bones cracking for example and this adds emphasis.
There are also non-diegetic sounds in the scene, like the creaking of the lantern, and this makes the scene still feel realistic. This is also done by using environmental noise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ7ArosUUf
Mise-en-scene
The woman lying on the table that is being kept hostage is wearing white, and this is important because it shows that she is vulnerable, innocent and pure.
The man in a black hood stood over her shows power and the fire around the scene symbolises danger.
Camera Movement
There are close up shots on the man Holmes plans to fight, the close ups are effective because it means we can see what exactly Sherlock plans to do as he says it.
The camera work looks simple, with clean cuts, but it works effective following Holmes as he tries to find his way through the building.
There is a low angle shot when Holmes at the top of the building looking down, and it shows he is in the dominant position which sets a base for the rest of the scene when
Lighting
Again, like a lot of thriller openings, the lighting is very dark and some parts it is hard to make out certain things. This contrasts to a lot of the rest of the film where the lighting is bright. The beginning of the film is darker than the rest of it, because it is setting the story and introducing the characters.
The fire and the candles add light to the dark setting, but in a natural way (there isn’t use of unnatural light, that the audience can see), and this works well.
Editing
The camera cuts from Holmes to the scene below, this is called a ‘cross cutting’ technique – where the scene shows two things happening at the same time.
Slow motion is added on the parts where Holmes is attacking the man, to add emphasis to what he is doing.
Sound
The sound is very staccato, with sharp stabs of sound occasionally.
Diegetic sounds are added, to fit with the slow motion, like bones cracking for example and this adds emphasis.
There are also non-diegetic sounds in the scene, like the creaking of the lantern, and this makes the scene still feel realistic. This is also done by using environmental noise.
Detailed Analysis of three film openings...
As the opening to my film will only be two minutes long, I tried to look at the first two minutes (or over, depending on where seemed like a good cut off point) of the films I decided to study. I chose to look at Shrooms, Sherlock Holmes and Silence of the Lambs.
SHROOMS:
Opening Credits: In Shrooms, the opening credits are simple – black background and white writing. They are coming forward and don’t last long, they are effective they aren’t too complex. Heavy breathing can be heard over them and then the film starts.
Camera movement
When we see the shot of the castle, it is at a low angle – suggesting that the building may have superiority over anyone who dares to go near it. There are many extreme close ups during the first part of the scene, such as when we see what looks like blood oozing from an object that appears to be a bucket or some sort of container.
There is an image of a hand soaked in blood and it appears to be shot with a fish eye lens effect – focusing on a certain image and not the background.
The camera pans across as we see the girl running through the woods, following her to see where she is going.
The close up shots on the eye are there to intimidate the audience. The long shot of the woman hanging is needed to get in the whole image, whereas the other shots are more effective when you can’t see the whole picture because it leaves more to the imagination.
I like how there are a wide range of shots in the opening scene.
Sound
The music is very important. From the very beginning there is a low drone sound (even from the opening credits). The music is orchestral, but extremely eerie. Sound is added as the names appear and it fades as the names fade. When the director’s name is seen, the sound of heavy breathing starts.
There are many noises added in that make the scene seem like a nightmare: the sounds of children crying, a girl screaming, man groaning, chains moving, cogs tightening, and wind all add to the effect that the character running is in a living hell.
Throughout all of these diegetic sounds, there is always a low drone and the sound of the girl’s heavy breathing as she tries to run away from something.
Mise-en scene
The props in the opening scene are so important because they show why the girl might be scared, and in turn scare the audience. Shots of blood and violence automatically make the audience wonder what has happened and why. The jump to the castle is effective in creating a sense of abnormality because the windows look very elongated, which looks unnatural – the castle-type building looks like something you would rarely see in real life. The thick bag over a child’s head has a smiley face on it, and I think this is even more disturbing than if it were a sad face, because in the situation, it would seem impossible to be happy, so the unnatural feel is more menacing.
The costume of the girl looks like jeans and a jacket – and this is normal for a young girl, so the audience are left wondering why she is scared and running away.
Editing
There is a jump cut very soon into the scene, the camera jumps from the girl running, to a scary castle – this could be to show what she is running away from.
The shots in the house look like they have been edited so that there is a very low saturation and the objects being shown look grey showing coldness, but the red blood can still be seen – showing the importance of bloodshed in this film.
Lighting
The lighting is very dark from the start, which instantly suggests that the film will be dark too. There is a black glow around the castle and this shows the importance of it and how dark and sinister it is, because it’s the only thing seen in the shot. There seems to be a blue tint in the woods, which gives the feeling of abandonment and coldness. The lighting is dark all the way through, even when the characters are on the plane, there still seems to be a slight darkness, and this could suggest that there are darker situations to arise.
SHROOMS:
Camera movement
There is an image of a hand soaked in blood and it appears to be shot with a fish eye lens effect – focusing on a certain image and not the background.
The camera pans across as we see the girl running through the woods, following her to see where she is going.
The close up shots on the eye are there to intimidate the audience. The long shot of the woman hanging is needed to get in the whole image, whereas the other shots are more effective when you can’t see the whole picture because it leaves more to the imagination.
I like how there are a wide range of shots in the opening scene.
Sound
There are many noises added in that make the scene seem like a nightmare: the sounds of children crying, a girl screaming, man groaning, chains moving, cogs tightening, and wind all add to the effect that the character running is in a living hell.
Throughout all of these diegetic sounds, there is always a low drone and the sound of the girl’s heavy breathing as she tries to run away from something.
Mise-en scene
The costume of the girl looks like jeans and a jacket – and this is normal for a young girl, so the audience are left wondering why she is scared and running away.
Editing
The shots in the house look like they have been edited so that there is a very low saturation and the objects being shown look grey showing coldness, but the red blood can still be seen – showing the importance of bloodshed in this film.
Lighting
The lighting is very dark from the start, which instantly suggests that the film will be dark too. There is a black glow around the castle and this shows the importance of it and how dark and sinister it is, because it’s the only thing seen in the shot. There seems to be a blue tint in the woods, which gives the feeling of abandonment and coldness. The lighting is dark all the way through, even when the characters are on the plane, there still seems to be a slight darkness, and this could suggest that there are darker situations to arise.
AS Media Studies Coursework – Questions/Answers
What is the purpose of the opening to a film?
I think the opening of a film needs to introduce the characters to the audience, set the scene, and grab the audience’s attention, and keep it.
What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
The director can use a range of camera shots – short scenes with lots of cuts.
A handheld camera moving with the character, can sometimes give the impression that the audience are in the same position as the person in the film, and this could heighten emotions.
Adding music and sound effects in climatic parts could also add suspense.
How do you think a thriller film is defined?
A thriller is something that literally ‘thrills’ the audience. It creates suspense, and keeps the viewers ‘on the edge’ at all times – leaving them to wonder what will happen to see if their predictions are correct.
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
The films that I think of when I think of the thriller genre are probably some of the most well known thrillers, such as: Goodfellas, Momento, Psycho, Fight Club, The Dark Knight, Rear Window, Silence of the Lambs and Se7en.
The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres – what different types of thriller films do you think exist?
I think there are also: Crime thrillers, Psychological thrillers, Political thrillers, Moral confrontation thrillers, Supernatural thrillers, Legal thrillers and Disaster thrillers.
What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film?
The usual conventions for a thriller film are shocks for the audience, mysteries, puzzles and enigmas, intrigue, cliff-hangers. Also the use of dark, impressionistic lighting, victims and familiar objects and places becoming menacing or dangerous.
What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?
I think the audience relish in the intrigue of what will happen next, they are kept on the edge of their seats and love the suspense that is created through the camera angles, music and overall impression of the film.
What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?
I think a horror film has more gore and violence, and is designed to scare you, but not make you think about the plot a great deal. A thriller, however, doesn’t (in some cases) have as much gore, but it makes you think about the story, keep you intrigued and makes you use your brain more to unearth the story behind what you see on screen.
Using the internet, research the ‘top 50 thriller films’. Look at the top twenty – which ones have you watched? If it’s not many, why do you think this is the case?
Out of the twenty top thriller films, I have only seen five of them (Inception, The Dark Knight, Fight Club, Se7en and Silence of the Lambs). It’s not many, but I think I do watch a lot of thriller films, but maybe they are more modern and are not classed as some of the greatest of all time. I am interested in watching more of the top thriller films, I just haven’t got round to it yet.
Using the internet, find three posters for three thrillers. Complete a brief semiotic analysis of the posters. What colours are used, what kind of imagery, taglines, certificate, narrative?
The poster is very confusing, with parts of a building at all angles, and the same with the characters. Some are even standing upside down. This could symbolise that the film will also be just as confusing and you will have to try and work it out, just as you do with the poster.
The use of the colour red, for the title suggests the film also has darker meanings, and that there will be an element of danger to the film – this is done very subtly though, so it suggests that the film won’t be full of violence, but there will be references to it.
The actors name ‘Leonardo Dicaprio’ is at the top in the biggest letters, so it shows that he is the films biggest star.
The tagline ‘Your mind is the crime scene’ is effective because it does what a good thriller should do: it makes the audience think about what they are being told.
This poster is very effective and one of the most well known thriller posters. Multiple elements suggest danger. The use of red behind the background suggests danger, as does the gun in the foreground.
The woman lying on the bed looks seductive, but also mysterious. She is wearing red lipstick, a black dress and heels, so she looks business like and the cigarette looks like something you would see years ago. The look on her face tells us she is someone not to get on the wrong side of.
The yellow contrasts with the red well, making it stand out and the overall presentation of it, makes it look like the front of an old magazine. The names down the side rather than at the top, also suggest the poster is from years ago, when actually the film isn’t as old as the poster makes it out to be.
This poster is one of the most interesting I have seen in the thriller genre – it doesn’t follow the stereotypical characteristics of many other thriller posters.
The font where the title is written, is in lower case, rather than capitals, this could suggest that the title doesn’t need to grab the attention of the audience because the picture has the power to do so.
The picture of a girl with an insect over her mouth is, I would say, more disturbing than any actual gore. It’s unnatural and the way she looks so innocent and vulnerable makes it even more strange. She doesn’t appear to be wearing make-up but there is a red-tint to her eyes, which suggests danger. The insect over the mouth also suggests and inability to speak, which links to the title, ‘the silence...’ Overall I think this poster speaks for itself.
I think the opening of a film needs to introduce the characters to the audience, set the scene, and grab the audience’s attention, and keep it.
What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
The director can use a range of camera shots – short scenes with lots of cuts.
A handheld camera moving with the character, can sometimes give the impression that the audience are in the same position as the person in the film, and this could heighten emotions.
Adding music and sound effects in climatic parts could also add suspense.
How do you think a thriller film is defined?
A thriller is something that literally ‘thrills’ the audience. It creates suspense, and keeps the viewers ‘on the edge’ at all times – leaving them to wonder what will happen to see if their predictions are correct.
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
The films that I think of when I think of the thriller genre are probably some of the most well known thrillers, such as: Goodfellas, Momento, Psycho, Fight Club, The Dark Knight, Rear Window, Silence of the Lambs and Se7en.
The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres – what different types of thriller films do you think exist?
I think there are also: Crime thrillers, Psychological thrillers, Political thrillers, Moral confrontation thrillers, Supernatural thrillers, Legal thrillers and Disaster thrillers.
What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film?
The usual conventions for a thriller film are shocks for the audience, mysteries, puzzles and enigmas, intrigue, cliff-hangers. Also the use of dark, impressionistic lighting, victims and familiar objects and places becoming menacing or dangerous.
What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?
I think the audience relish in the intrigue of what will happen next, they are kept on the edge of their seats and love the suspense that is created through the camera angles, music and overall impression of the film.
What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?
I think a horror film has more gore and violence, and is designed to scare you, but not make you think about the plot a great deal. A thriller, however, doesn’t (in some cases) have as much gore, but it makes you think about the story, keep you intrigued and makes you use your brain more to unearth the story behind what you see on screen.
Using the internet, research the ‘top 50 thriller films’. Look at the top twenty – which ones have you watched? If it’s not many, why do you think this is the case?
Out of the twenty top thriller films, I have only seen five of them (Inception, The Dark Knight, Fight Club, Se7en and Silence of the Lambs). It’s not many, but I think I do watch a lot of thriller films, but maybe they are more modern and are not classed as some of the greatest of all time. I am interested in watching more of the top thriller films, I just haven’t got round to it yet.
Using the internet, find three posters for three thrillers. Complete a brief semiotic analysis of the posters. What colours are used, what kind of imagery, taglines, certificate, narrative?
The poster is very confusing, with parts of a building at all angles, and the same with the characters. Some are even standing upside down. This could symbolise that the film will also be just as confusing and you will have to try and work it out, just as you do with the poster.
The use of the colour red, for the title suggests the film also has darker meanings, and that there will be an element of danger to the film – this is done very subtly though, so it suggests that the film won’t be full of violence, but there will be references to it.
The actors name ‘Leonardo Dicaprio’ is at the top in the biggest letters, so it shows that he is the films biggest star.
The tagline ‘Your mind is the crime scene’ is effective because it does what a good thriller should do: it makes the audience think about what they are being told.
This poster is very effective and one of the most well known thriller posters. Multiple elements suggest danger. The use of red behind the background suggests danger, as does the gun in the foreground.
The woman lying on the bed looks seductive, but also mysterious. She is wearing red lipstick, a black dress and heels, so she looks business like and the cigarette looks like something you would see years ago. The look on her face tells us she is someone not to get on the wrong side of.
The yellow contrasts with the red well, making it stand out and the overall presentation of it, makes it look like the front of an old magazine. The names down the side rather than at the top, also suggest the poster is from years ago, when actually the film isn’t as old as the poster makes it out to be.
This poster is one of the most interesting I have seen in the thriller genre – it doesn’t follow the stereotypical characteristics of many other thriller posters.
The font where the title is written, is in lower case, rather than capitals, this could suggest that the title doesn’t need to grab the attention of the audience because the picture has the power to do so.
The picture of a girl with an insect over her mouth is, I would say, more disturbing than any actual gore. It’s unnatural and the way she looks so innocent and vulnerable makes it even more strange. She doesn’t appear to be wearing make-up but there is a red-tint to her eyes, which suggests danger. The insect over the mouth also suggests and inability to speak, which links to the title, ‘the silence...’ Overall I think this poster speaks for itself.
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