Within our group, we produced a rough cut of of opening sequence that would be presented. From doing this, we can gain comments and opinions from peers, which will make us better our opening sequence from taking comments on board. Following on from this, we will also be able to edit out any mistakes that were made. Our rough cut can be watched here.
Audience feedback is crucial, as we need to be aware of what they want to see and what they don't want to see and how to engage them with the narrative. From showing the peers our rough cut, we can change certain elements, based on the audience's opinion. This further links to our target audience of 15+ as our rough cut was shown to that age group. From doing this, we discover what our chosen age certificate like and dislike about our opening sequence. The audience may also gain a deeper understanding of why certain elements are added into the sequence. Fundamentally, grades can be heightened as the audience are an influence and their opinions are considered.
Presenting our rough cut means that we can discover different successes and identifies what should be kept and what she be deleted. Furthermore, this was extremely helpful as any further steps are decided if we were confused before which overall, helps us proceed in the editing process.
Positive points gained were:
Good use of contrapuntal sound.
Clear narrative.
Good use of iconography and costume (wedding dress).
Variety of shots.
Good use of music and sound effects.
The shooting is appropriate to the task.
Transactions between frames.
Good use of conventions.
Plot twist.
Good acting.
Good font for narrative.
Creates suspense.
Negative points gained were:
Clear dialogue.
Sound chops and changes too often in the middle.
Use more suspenseful music leading up to the final killing scene.
More conventional thriller music
Less dialogue.
More low key lighting
Clearer narrative at the end of the scene
Shorter transitions
Thriller font, less neat.
Transitions are not needed.
Soundtrack only when needed.
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Sound discussion- Miss Miller
Sound within every film overall is extremely important. As without sound, the storyline would be confusing and would not make sense to the audience. Thriller films should conventionally, scare the audience and make them feel certain emotions such as fright and sadness. Sound adds to this as different sounds can be used to surprise the audience such as screams, put them in suspense by the use of eerie music or make the audience understand the sequence by using dialogue. Overall, sounds are needed to link to what they are watching, which will cause them to feel negative emotions and engage with the narrative.
Contrapuntal sound will be used through scenes of the bride playing a wedding CD of what was meant to be a song at her wedding, 'Every breath you take' by The Police. Although this song is known to be reminiscent and positive/based on love, the mood is also quite negative. The audience will listen to the music and will gain a sense of negativity which links to what they are seeing on the screen. Also, the song relates back to a happy memory, which contrasts to what the audience see on screen. The audience will build a relationship with the character as they would want to understand the narrative and that the wedding day was ruined. This is conventional to the thriller genre as music is played to create a negative atmosphere, and come sometimes contradict what the audience see on screen, causing them to engage with the narratives and characters within the scene.
The next sound used is wedding bells, which is a non-diegetic technique. This will be used when there are close ups of the bride crying and again when the groom/victim is walking up the stairs.. This relates back to the wedding day, but links to the sequence as the wedding failed however, the audience are not sure why making the engage with the narrative and characters. From eerie wedding bells, the audience will feel suspense and sadness, as the day was not a success and they are scared and excited to find out why. The eerie wedding bells are played as the victim is walking up the stairs, as he was the groom, the sound highlights the mistakes he has made and may foreshadow his death. This is conventional to the thriller genre as this sound engages the audience as suspense rises, and the audience feel tense and engaged by the mood set by the music.
Non-Diegetic sound is used through eerie music soundtrack which will play through most of the sequence, for example, when the bride is in a dark secluded room. This signifys the bride's emotions to the audience, causing them to feel empathy for her and the audience/character bond to strengthen. The tone of the music causes the audience to be left in suspense, and again emphasise with the bride as she is alone in a room, after realisation of the narrative and the ruined event. From this sound, the audience see first hand the bride's deteriorating mental state. The music would imply how the killer is feeling, causing the audience to be placed in her position or allows them to see how dangerous or harmful she can be. Eerie music is conventional to the thriller genre as it builds suspense and this non-diegetic sound is commonly added before a negative event takes places, making the audience more shocked afterwards.
Silence will be used at the end when the killer is behind the door. Leading up to this, sound and dialogue was running all the way through, however leading up to the big event, silence is added to contrast with the other sound techniques, highlighting the scene's importance. Silence makes the scene more tense, making the audience feel the same and left worried for the victim's safety as that is where the opening sequence ends. Silence is used in the conventional thriller and is extremely popular as it intensifies the audience's emotions and the overall tone of the sequence and is a well known sound technique to create a negative ambience.
The chosen sounds for the opening sequence are effective as they are all conventional to the thriller genre and engage the audience with the overall narrative and characters. The use of eerie music for example, highlights characters feelings, causing the audience to feel empathy towards them. Fundamentally, these sounds build tension and suspense and furthermore shock the audience when linked with correct scenes, as they maked the sequence more interesting for the audience.
Opening scene analysis- Miss Georgiou
The purpose of an opening sequence is to create the idea of a narrative and to introduce the genre. Also, the opening should interest the audience to make them to want to continue watching. An opening sequence should contain Mise-En-Scene, characters, suspense and an enigma. In this post, I will be analysing the Halloween opening sequence and will discuss the cinematography used, editing, the use of sound, conventions, the narrative and the representation of characters.
Cinematography:
The Point of View camera shot is used when the killer is killing the victim. This specific shot gives the audience an in depth view of the situation and shows how the characters think and feel. The point of view shot is very personal, which could link to the killer's relationship to the victim as we later discover that they are siblings. The point of view shot is typical to a thriller as it used to involve the audience and make the scene look less structured and adds an eerie theme.
Handheld camera work is used when the killer walks through the door. This is used to make the scene more personal and to make the audience feel uneasy, like we are the prey as this killer is in charge. Also, this foreshadows the killers identity as he confidently walks through the house, highlighting the fact that he lives there. This links to a conventional thriller as the handheld aspect causes the killer to seem very strong and a higher and more terrifying status as apposed the the victim.
An eye level shot is used when the boyfriend leaves. This causes the audience to worry about his girlfriend's fate as she is upstairs alone as he leaves. Also, the killer is close to him in this shot therefore, we worry about him too. This shot also confuses the audience and foreshadows the brother being the killer as the boyfriend looking straight at the killer, not suspecting a thing. This links to the typical thriller as this shot creates a sense of fear and suspense.
Zooming out is used at the end when the parents and killer are standing outside the house. Zooming out causes the house to now look small, highlighting the fact that the sister is dead inside. As the house and family are now looking small, it could highlight the killers past and that he may kill again. Also, the effect of zooming out shows that family meant nothing to the killer and highlights the death of his sister. This links to the conventional thriller as zooming out can be used to make certain objects look small and to create as sense of misfortune.
Editing:
A jump cut is used when the killer takes the mask off. This could either highlight the end of something terrible i.e the killing of his sister or the beginning of him going on a murdering rampage and the mask being a motif. This further worries the audience and causes the feeling of uneasiness. The jump cut helps the mask signifying danger and the killer taking the mask off causes him to become a child again for when his parents return. This links to the conventional thriller as the editing used helps to show the motif of hidden identity and the killer's thoughts and actions, causing the audience to react to what the see on screen.
Timing of shots is used when the killer goes to stab the victim. The pace was slow but was then picked up as the girl was being stabbed. The slow pace builds suspense and the audience worries for the victim.The picked up pace as the girl is stabbed makes the whole situation worse and makes the girl's death more violent and meaningful. This surprises the audience as the editing was a slow pace before hand.
This links to the conventional thriller as timing of shots is typically used in death scenes and chase scenes to make the mood tense and shocking, making the audience feel the same.
Sound:
Parallel sound is used when the victim screams. Parallel sound means that the sound fits what the audience is seeing. Therefore, we would typically hear screams if a person was being hurt. Furthermore, the audience feels empathy towards the victim and realise how tragic her death is and sense the power in which the killer possesses. This relates to the typical thriller as parallel sound is used to highlight the situation and the significance of the character's death.
Contrapuntal sound is used when the girl is singing. This type of sound is the opposite to parallel. This is used when the sound does not link to what the audience sees on screen. Therefore, we do not expect her to sing before she gets killed. We could also debate that the contrapuntal sound foreshadows the killer being the brother as that is the complete opposite of what we thought would happen. This highlights the lack of safety in her own home and the fact she believes she was safe but she is not and that her brother is the killer. The audience feels uneasy about this as the setting and typical female character it too familiar. The audience is now aligned with the victim as both she and the audience are unaware that her brother is the killer. This links to a typical thriller as the use of different aspects are used to make the audience connect with characters in this case, sound.
Diegetic sound is used when we hear the clock. This creates suspense as the audience
want to know what will happen next and the clock sound creates a nervous and tense atmosphere.The sound of the clock could also mean counting down to her death which makes the audience fear for the victim. This is linked to a conventional thriller as without the sound, the scene would be pointless and would have a lack of effectiveness. This relates to the conventional thriller genre as this certain sound builds suspense and fear.
Conventions:
The dark settings for example the house, signal a lack of hope and loneliness. The fact that the house is dark and the killer is the brother shows a lack of trust and shows the audience that everything isn't as it seems. This relates to a conventional thriller as typically, settings like houses are uses to create a lack of safety or to create a sense of fake normality to the audience. The fact that the setting is dark is also conventional as it adds to the lack of safety and our amount of empathy for the victim.
Another convention used is the use of costume for example, the masked killer. This highlights that the killer's identity is hidden adding a mysterious theme and causes the audience to worry. The characters in the opening sequence act normally towards the character which therefore shows their closeness and can later link the killer to being the victim's brother. This relates to the conventional thriller opening as more often that not the killer's identity is hidden as it adds to the feeling of suspense and would surprise the audience when the killer's identity is found.
Narrative:
The enigma is that the killer is a child as that is surprising and isn't really used in thrillers often. The fact the child is the killer raises different questions and theories for example, the point of view camera work is too high up for the killer to be a child. But, it is most likely that the child was the killer as he is holding the knife at the end, wearing the costume and the characters for example victim's boyfriend, allows him to walk around the house openly. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the enigma is strange and makes the audience want to continue to watch the film once the enigma is presented in the opening sequence.
The mask is used again highlighting the killer's hidden identity. The killer turns out to be the child and when the child wears the mask, the he seems to be taken over. Therefore, the audience would want to continue watching as the mask and child are presented in the opening, therefore the film will follow his story and the audience would want to find out more about him. This links to a conventional thriller as the mask signifies what is yet to come and foreshadows death and a lack of safety and possibly the child finding safety and a wanting to murder people.
Lastly, the setting for the opening sequence is an American, suburban house which we believe will be safe and would portray as sense of innocence. But it does the opposite and creates a sense of false security. This makes us feel sorry for the victim and highlights that everything isn't as it seems. Also, as the house is typical is shows that everything else is the opposite, foreshadowing that the meaning of family means nothing to killer and he goes against it. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of a normal setting scares the audience as they may believe that this could happen to them.
Representation of characters:
The use of the couple is stereotypical. They are obliviant to the killer showing their status compared to the killer's as showing a sense of uncertainty and lack of security when the couple are in the house. The are typical to the thriller genre as usually a couple is added in some way or the idea of the romance sub-plot. The male of the relationship knows the killer as he acknowledges him in the hall, foreshadowing that the killer is the girlfriend's brother. The female is the typically pretty and has blonde hair, showing her as being innocent and the typical target.
The parents arrive at the end at the typical American house, which furthermore creates a sense of fake normality as we see that they come home after the killing of their daughter. The parents are confused at the situation as are the audience.
We discover that the boy is the killer which is new to us as he is a child that has just murdered his sister. The killer usually has an air of confidence and brutalness which the boy strangely now needs to possess as the killer. The child wears a stereotypical clown mask, which is ironically childlike and almost shows that he is hiding who he is to his family and the audience and in fact, he is not childlike, he is a killer which confuses the parents at the end. The hidden identity relates to the conventional thriller as the audience and characters which are the parents in this case, are surprises and are left wanting to know who the killer is.
To conclude, from this research I have identified what a good opening sequence to a thriller should include and this research has helped me and influenced me to make my own thriller. I uncovered different micro elements that are extremely important to a narrative such a representation of characters and the belief that characters should be conventional yet unique/interesting to the audience and have a back story. Also, I now realise what my opening should contain which I didn't really before therefore, I now have a much clearer outlook due to my detailed analysis.
The Point of View camera shot is used when the killer is killing the victim. This specific shot gives the audience an in depth view of the situation and shows how the characters think and feel. The point of view shot is very personal, which could link to the killer's relationship to the victim as we later discover that they are siblings. The point of view shot is typical to a thriller as it used to involve the audience and make the scene look less structured and adds an eerie theme.
Handheld camera work is used when the killer walks through the door. This is used to make the scene more personal and to make the audience feel uneasy, like we are the prey as this killer is in charge. Also, this foreshadows the killers identity as he confidently walks through the house, highlighting the fact that he lives there. This links to a conventional thriller as the handheld aspect causes the killer to seem very strong and a higher and more terrifying status as apposed the the victim.
An eye level shot is used when the boyfriend leaves. This causes the audience to worry about his girlfriend's fate as she is upstairs alone as he leaves. Also, the killer is close to him in this shot therefore, we worry about him too. This shot also confuses the audience and foreshadows the brother being the killer as the boyfriend looking straight at the killer, not suspecting a thing. This links to the typical thriller as this shot creates a sense of fear and suspense.
Zooming out is used at the end when the parents and killer are standing outside the house. Zooming out causes the house to now look small, highlighting the fact that the sister is dead inside. As the house and family are now looking small, it could highlight the killers past and that he may kill again. Also, the effect of zooming out shows that family meant nothing to the killer and highlights the death of his sister. This links to the conventional thriller as zooming out can be used to make certain objects look small and to create as sense of misfortune.
Editing:
A jump cut is used when the killer takes the mask off. This could either highlight the end of something terrible i.e the killing of his sister or the beginning of him going on a murdering rampage and the mask being a motif. This further worries the audience and causes the feeling of uneasiness. The jump cut helps the mask signifying danger and the killer taking the mask off causes him to become a child again for when his parents return. This links to the conventional thriller as the editing used helps to show the motif of hidden identity and the killer's thoughts and actions, causing the audience to react to what the see on screen.
Timing of shots is used when the killer goes to stab the victim. The pace was slow but was then picked up as the girl was being stabbed. The slow pace builds suspense and the audience worries for the victim.The picked up pace as the girl is stabbed makes the whole situation worse and makes the girl's death more violent and meaningful. This surprises the audience as the editing was a slow pace before hand.
This links to the conventional thriller as timing of shots is typically used in death scenes and chase scenes to make the mood tense and shocking, making the audience feel the same.
Sound:
Parallel sound is used when the victim screams. Parallel sound means that the sound fits what the audience is seeing. Therefore, we would typically hear screams if a person was being hurt. Furthermore, the audience feels empathy towards the victim and realise how tragic her death is and sense the power in which the killer possesses. This relates to the typical thriller as parallel sound is used to highlight the situation and the significance of the character's death.
Contrapuntal sound is used when the girl is singing. This type of sound is the opposite to parallel. This is used when the sound does not link to what the audience sees on screen. Therefore, we do not expect her to sing before she gets killed. We could also debate that the contrapuntal sound foreshadows the killer being the brother as that is the complete opposite of what we thought would happen. This highlights the lack of safety in her own home and the fact she believes she was safe but she is not and that her brother is the killer. The audience feels uneasy about this as the setting and typical female character it too familiar. The audience is now aligned with the victim as both she and the audience are unaware that her brother is the killer. This links to a typical thriller as the use of different aspects are used to make the audience connect with characters in this case, sound.
Diegetic sound is used when we hear the clock. This creates suspense as the audience
want to know what will happen next and the clock sound creates a nervous and tense atmosphere.The sound of the clock could also mean counting down to her death which makes the audience fear for the victim. This is linked to a conventional thriller as without the sound, the scene would be pointless and would have a lack of effectiveness. This relates to the conventional thriller genre as this certain sound builds suspense and fear.
Conventions:
The dark settings for example the house, signal a lack of hope and loneliness. The fact that the house is dark and the killer is the brother shows a lack of trust and shows the audience that everything isn't as it seems. This relates to a conventional thriller as typically, settings like houses are uses to create a lack of safety or to create a sense of fake normality to the audience. The fact that the setting is dark is also conventional as it adds to the lack of safety and our amount of empathy for the victim.
Another convention used is the use of costume for example, the masked killer. This highlights that the killer's identity is hidden adding a mysterious theme and causes the audience to worry. The characters in the opening sequence act normally towards the character which therefore shows their closeness and can later link the killer to being the victim's brother. This relates to the conventional thriller opening as more often that not the killer's identity is hidden as it adds to the feeling of suspense and would surprise the audience when the killer's identity is found.
Narrative:
The enigma is that the killer is a child as that is surprising and isn't really used in thrillers often. The fact the child is the killer raises different questions and theories for example, the point of view camera work is too high up for the killer to be a child. But, it is most likely that the child was the killer as he is holding the knife at the end, wearing the costume and the characters for example victim's boyfriend, allows him to walk around the house openly. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the enigma is strange and makes the audience want to continue to watch the film once the enigma is presented in the opening sequence.
The mask is used again highlighting the killer's hidden identity. The killer turns out to be the child and when the child wears the mask, the he seems to be taken over. Therefore, the audience would want to continue watching as the mask and child are presented in the opening, therefore the film will follow his story and the audience would want to find out more about him. This links to a conventional thriller as the mask signifies what is yet to come and foreshadows death and a lack of safety and possibly the child finding safety and a wanting to murder people.
Lastly, the setting for the opening sequence is an American, suburban house which we believe will be safe and would portray as sense of innocence. But it does the opposite and creates a sense of false security. This makes us feel sorry for the victim and highlights that everything isn't as it seems. Also, as the house is typical is shows that everything else is the opposite, foreshadowing that the meaning of family means nothing to killer and he goes against it. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the use of a normal setting scares the audience as they may believe that this could happen to them.
Representation of characters:
The use of the couple is stereotypical. They are obliviant to the killer showing their status compared to the killer's as showing a sense of uncertainty and lack of security when the couple are in the house. The are typical to the thriller genre as usually a couple is added in some way or the idea of the romance sub-plot. The male of the relationship knows the killer as he acknowledges him in the hall, foreshadowing that the killer is the girlfriend's brother. The female is the typically pretty and has blonde hair, showing her as being innocent and the typical target.
The parents arrive at the end at the typical American house, which furthermore creates a sense of fake normality as we see that they come home after the killing of their daughter. The parents are confused at the situation as are the audience.
We discover that the boy is the killer which is new to us as he is a child that has just murdered his sister. The killer usually has an air of confidence and brutalness which the boy strangely now needs to possess as the killer. The child wears a stereotypical clown mask, which is ironically childlike and almost shows that he is hiding who he is to his family and the audience and in fact, he is not childlike, he is a killer which confuses the parents at the end. The hidden identity relates to the conventional thriller as the audience and characters which are the parents in this case, are surprises and are left wanting to know who the killer is.
To conclude, from this research I have identified what a good opening sequence to a thriller should include and this research has helped me and influenced me to make my own thriller. I uncovered different micro elements that are extremely important to a narrative such a representation of characters and the belief that characters should be conventional yet unique/interesting to the audience and have a back story. Also, I now realise what my opening should contain which I didn't really before therefore, I now have a much clearer outlook due to my detailed analysis.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Opening scenaration- Miss Miller
In this post I will be discussing the narrative of my opening sequence. Overall, the narrative is about a groom that leaves on the wedding day, which is not explained why in the opening, adding to the mystery. The bride is left heartbroken, on what was meant to be the happiest day of her life. Because of this, she cuts herself off from her loved ones, and sits by herself in a dark, secluded room. Because of this, her mental state deteriorates. As her mind starts to wonder, she becomes crazier by the day and starts to blame everybody at the wedding for what went wrong, she sets out to kill them.
The first frame shows the bride sat in her wedding dress and veil in a dark secluded room. This is the first frame, and to show the setting and the bride, a panning shot will be used. Panning shows the whole room and shows the atmosphere as it will be dark and miserable, highlighting the narrative and the character's emotions to the audience. As this is the first scene, it should make an impression, and should make the audience continue to watch the rest. The music played will contribute to this as it is eerie, making the frame filled with suspense. The use of low key lighting in this scene highlights the bride's mental state and negative thoughts, causing the audience to engage with the narrative and characters.
After this, there is a flashback frame were the bride prepares for the wedding with her bridesmaid. The lighting in this frame is bright, causing the bride's emotions to be signalled to audience, lighting is a useful device to use to portray this and is conventional to the thriller genre. The frame will be filmed handheld, highlight the flashback and a possible wedding video. Flashback and happy memories are shown through the use of sound, as wedding bells and positive dialogue can be heard.
Next, we see the bride watching the balloons. Here, the audience sees the use of iconography through the ruined wedding props. The balloons have writing on them such as 'Eternal love' and 'together forever' highlight the sense of irony, further making the audience emphasise with the character. A canted angle is used in this frame to show instability and uneasiness, making the audience feel the same and also portrays the character's emotions.
After this, we see a flashback of the groom and friends preparing for the wedding, this is shown through cinematography and the use of handheld camera work to suggest flashbacks. Lighting also contributes to this as it is high key, showing brightness and hope. This makes the audience suspicious as this is not typical in thriller genres, this foreshadows danger and a sense of false safety and the idea that what is to follow is unknown to the audience and character which links them together.
After this, there is a flashback frame were the bride prepares for the wedding with her bridesmaid. The lighting in this frame is bright, causing the bride's emotions to be signalled to audience, lighting is a useful device to use to portray this and is conventional to the thriller genre. The frame will be filmed handheld, highlight the flashback and a possible wedding video. Flashback and happy memories are shown through the use of sound, as wedding bells and positive dialogue can be heard.
Next, we see the bride watching the balloons. Here, the audience sees the use of iconography through the ruined wedding props. The balloons have writing on them such as 'Eternal love' and 'together forever' highlight the sense of irony, further making the audience emphasise with the character. A canted angle is used in this frame to show instability and uneasiness, making the audience feel the same and also portrays the character's emotions.
After this, we see a flashback of the groom and friends preparing for the wedding, this is shown through cinematography and the use of handheld camera work to suggest flashbacks. Lighting also contributes to this as it is high key, showing brightness and hope. This makes the audience suspicious as this is not typical in thriller genres, this foreshadows danger and a sense of false safety and the idea that what is to follow is unknown to the audience and character which links them together.
Following from this, we see an extreme close up of the bride's eye after the groom says 'how do I look?' This is ironic and shows she is watching over him, making the audience feel uneasiness when usually, this should be comforting. The camera shots helps to show that the bride is untraditional as there is make up streaming down her face. Furthermore, the audience will emphasise with the character, as they start to realise the negative effects that the ruined event had on her.
She is flicking through the wedding album (this is where we were going to include credits) and is crossing off all of the faces with a knife or sharp object (the audience is unaware why but mostly guesses that she has killed these people) she has flash backs of killing each person she crosses off and flashback of her wedding to highlight her mental state. Through this, different sounds would be used for example church bells and the vicar saying wedding vows would be played to create an eerie atmosphere also, contrapuntal sound would be used as a song would play in the background.
After the killing flashbacks, the audience is returned back to the book in the next frame as the bride circles the grooms face. This shows and implied murder, and the audience are left in suspense. Eerie and tense music is played, to create that ambience and to make the audience engage with the narrative. The audience are put in the killer's mind set and are unsure who they support as both the killer and victim have done wrong.
In the next frame, a long shot is used to show the victim in his house with his new partner. The groom walks up the stairs and is unaware of what is to follow. Low key lighting is used to show his uncertainty as it portrays a lack of hope and safety and overall foreshadows a possible death. Eerie church bells are played to highlight the ruined event and to show the significance of his mistakes.
The very last frame includes the bride/killer appearing at the door as the victim opens it. Mise en scene is incorporated to this as she is positioned so close to him, it highlights the lack of escape and hope, making the audience feel uncomfortable and fearful. Low key lighting is used once more to show the negativity of the situation and both the bride/killer and the groom/victim's shared emotions. Overall, silence is is used also to increase suspense and the victim's fear. This scares the audience as silence can be conventional to the thriller genre to show the ending of something such as, the end of a life.
These elements have made my sequence conventional to the thriller genre as they have been used popularly, and have helped make thriller films a success. An example of this is the use of sound, as using the correct sound sets a certain atmosphere such as tense, and can make the audience connect with the characters and understand the overall narrative. Lastly, low key lighting is hugely conventional, and highlights different characters emotions to the audience and shows a range of different negative situations that can occur.
After the killing flashbacks, the audience is returned back to the book in the next frame as the bride circles the grooms face. This shows and implied murder, and the audience are left in suspense. Eerie and tense music is played, to create that ambience and to make the audience engage with the narrative. The audience are put in the killer's mind set and are unsure who they support as both the killer and victim have done wrong.
In the next frame, a long shot is used to show the victim in his house with his new partner. The groom walks up the stairs and is unaware of what is to follow. Low key lighting is used to show his uncertainty as it portrays a lack of hope and safety and overall foreshadows a possible death. Eerie church bells are played to highlight the ruined event and to show the significance of his mistakes.
The very last frame includes the bride/killer appearing at the door as the victim opens it. Mise en scene is incorporated to this as she is positioned so close to him, it highlights the lack of escape and hope, making the audience feel uncomfortable and fearful. Low key lighting is used once more to show the negativity of the situation and both the bride/killer and the groom/victim's shared emotions. Overall, silence is is used also to increase suspense and the victim's fear. This scares the audience as silence can be conventional to the thriller genre to show the ending of something such as, the end of a life.
These elements have made my sequence conventional to the thriller genre as they have been used popularly, and have helped make thriller films a success. An example of this is the use of sound, as using the correct sound sets a certain atmosphere such as tense, and can make the audience connect with the characters and understand the overall narrative. Lastly, low key lighting is hugely conventional, and highlights different characters emotions to the audience and shows a range of different negative situations that can occur.
Monday, 2 December 2013
Inspirations- Miss Miller
Before creating a film, it is important to have an element of inspiration. From inspirations, it is possible to take a few ideas and make them your own to create something unique and creative. In relation to my own thriller, I have taken inspiration from a number of different thriller films which I have spoken a great detail about in the past.
Firstly, I took inspiration from the film 'Orphan'. This is because the character is unknown, as the killer is an older woman trapped in a child's body. This is very unsuspecting and intrigues the audience. Furthermore, this causes the audience's interest for the characters and narrative to increase. Because of this, I decided that the killer needed to be interesting and needed a back story. This film inspired me as the importance of the audience/character relationship was highlighted. I analysed this film when I created a post based on editing styles (which can be read here). The editing styles used where typical of the thriller genre, therefore they inspired me to used them in my thriller opening.
I also took inspiration from the film 'The Shinning'. Overall, it is my favourite thriller film and is arguably known to be the best thriller of all time. Knowing this, the analysis and research of this film should be included. Therefore I decided to analyse this film (here) as it is a good inspiration to have because of the popularity this film possesses. The setting is extremely fitting to the thriller genre as it is dark and secluded. The mental state and wildness of the character can be represented through the setting which inspired me. The killer in my opening sequence is driven mad, and I think this can be shown through the setting. Also, within the post I analysed an extremely well known scene. The scene incorporates tense but excitement building music, which can be used to interest the audience. The scene also includes iconography (a hammer) highlighting a sense of fear and danger. These aspects are conventional to thriller genre and provide a tense atmosphere in which the audience responds to.
I also analysed the film Prom night and discussed the use of cinematography within a clip (can be read here). The film in the beginning, creates a sense of normality and builds false hope as they are all getting ready for a party. Within my sequence, I incorporate this by adding in flashbacks of people preparing for the wedding. This is an inspiration for me as it creates a sense of normality/a possible light hearted atmosphere. But as the film is a thriller, this raises suspicion and the audience continues to feel uneasy. Furthermore, through the film, the audience emphasise with the characters the analysed shows show why this can be. This includes close ups of the victims face, to show the audience her negative emotions and highlights the negative and frightening aspects of the situation.
My research resulted in being extremely helpful through the planning stage/getting ideas for a narrative. We chose popular, well known thriller films and took aspects of them and made them our own. As they are popular films, they inspire us and furthermore show what makes a thriller film so successful. As ideas were sparked from popular thriller films, the audience would be able to enjoy the sequence more.
Firstly, I took inspiration from the film 'Orphan'. This is because the character is unknown, as the killer is an older woman trapped in a child's body. This is very unsuspecting and intrigues the audience. Furthermore, this causes the audience's interest for the characters and narrative to increase. Because of this, I decided that the killer needed to be interesting and needed a back story. This film inspired me as the importance of the audience/character relationship was highlighted. I analysed this film when I created a post based on editing styles (which can be read here). The editing styles used where typical of the thriller genre, therefore they inspired me to used them in my thriller opening.
I also took inspiration from the film 'The Shinning'. Overall, it is my favourite thriller film and is arguably known to be the best thriller of all time. Knowing this, the analysis and research of this film should be included. Therefore I decided to analyse this film (here) as it is a good inspiration to have because of the popularity this film possesses. The setting is extremely fitting to the thriller genre as it is dark and secluded. The mental state and wildness of the character can be represented through the setting which inspired me. The killer in my opening sequence is driven mad, and I think this can be shown through the setting. Also, within the post I analysed an extremely well known scene. The scene incorporates tense but excitement building music, which can be used to interest the audience. The scene also includes iconography (a hammer) highlighting a sense of fear and danger. These aspects are conventional to thriller genre and provide a tense atmosphere in which the audience responds to.
I also analysed the film Prom night and discussed the use of cinematography within a clip (can be read here). The film in the beginning, creates a sense of normality and builds false hope as they are all getting ready for a party. Within my sequence, I incorporate this by adding in flashbacks of people preparing for the wedding. This is an inspiration for me as it creates a sense of normality/a possible light hearted atmosphere. But as the film is a thriller, this raises suspicion and the audience continues to feel uneasy. Furthermore, through the film, the audience emphasise with the characters the analysed shows show why this can be. This includes close ups of the victims face, to show the audience her negative emotions and highlights the negative and frightening aspects of the situation.
My research resulted in being extremely helpful through the planning stage/getting ideas for a narrative. We chose popular, well known thriller films and took aspects of them and made them our own. As they are popular films, they inspire us and furthermore show what makes a thriller film so successful. As ideas were sparked from popular thriller films, the audience would be able to enjoy the sequence more.
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Risk assessment and filming schedule- Miss Georgiou
Risk assessments.
Before filming, it is crucial to have a planned risk assessment to avoid any mistakes and highlights the importance of health and safety. I have made a planned assessment of all the negative aspects that could occur and how to avoid them.
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The first hhazardto avoid is trailing wires from the different equipment. We can prevent this by using gaffer tape to secure any leads, preventing anybody to trip over then leads leading to injury. Next, we realised that our use of a weapon as iconography can be a hazard. Handling the knife can be a hazard and to prevent this, we uncovered that we should use a fake knife when filming to prevent any hazards. The use of fake blood can also be considered a hazard seeing at it can be knocked over, and spilled on any of the equipment or costumes, accidently. To prevent this from happening and to stop any possible damage, we will make sure that the bottle is closed at all times and is stored away properly. Lastly, we became aware that filming in a church may not go to plan. To prevent anything, we will either be cautious and ask for permission or film outside.
Before filming, it is crucial to have a planned risk assessment to avoid any mistakes and highlights the importance of health and safety. I have made a planned assessment of all the negative aspects that could occur and how to avoid them.
The first hhazardto avoid is trailing wires from the different equipment. We can prevent this by using gaffer tape to secure any leads, preventing anybody to trip over then leads leading to injury. Next, we realised that our use of a weapon as iconography can be a hazard. Handling the knife can be a hazard and to prevent this, we uncovered that we should use a fake knife when filming to prevent any hazards. The use of fake blood can also be considered a hazard seeing at it can be knocked over, and spilled on any of the equipment or costumes, accidently. To prevent this from happening and to stop any possible damage, we will make sure that the bottle is closed at all times and is stored away properly. Lastly, we became aware that filming in a church may not go to plan. To prevent anything, we will either be cautious and ask for permission or film outside.
Planning schedules.
Before filming, it is also important to make a planned schedule. This is so that every member of the crew is aware of where they need to be, and so that everything goes to plan. Below is my filming schedule. Some of the shots were filmed before others and didn't fit this plan completely, due to lighting at different times of the day.
Before filming, it is also important to make a planned schedule. This is so that every member of the crew is aware of where they need to be, and so that everything goes to plan. Below is my filming schedule. Some of the shots were filmed before others and didn't fit this plan completely, due to lighting at different times of the day.
To conclude, the use of a risk assessment will prevent any hazards that may harm a member of the crew or that can potentially ruin any equipment. Lastly, the use of a filming schedule will help the production of the sequence run smoothly, as filming will be well organised.
Shot
|
Date
& time
|
Location
|
Content
/Action
|
Shot
type & Duration
|
Costume/
hair/ make up
|
Iconography
|
Personnel
|
Equipment
|
1
|
21/11/2013
between 3.00pm-6.30pm |
A dark secluded bedroom and
|
The bride alone in the dark secluded
room, reminiscing on the ruined wedding
|
Five seconds-ten seconds |
Wedding dress, and veil.
|
|||
2
|
21/11/2013 between 3.00pm-6.30pm
|
A brightly lit room.
|
Flashback to preparing for the wedding.
|
Handheld. (continues for a number of shots)
|
Wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, neat hair and make up
|
Wedding balloons
|
Two actresses, director, director of photography, costume and makeup
|
Camera
|
3
|
21/11/2013
between 3.00pm-6.30pm |
A dark secluded bedroom.
|
The brides eye, to show negative emotions
|
Messy, badly applied make-up
|
||||
4
|
26/11/2013
between 4.30pm-7.00pm |
Living room
|
||||||
5
|
||||||||
6
|
***
|
Dark, secluded room
|
||||||
7
|
||||||||
8
|
26/11/2013 between 4.30pm-7.00pm
|
Outside, window from the kitchen
|
The bride looking into the wedding, implied going to kill the victim
|
Extreme close up
|
Wedding dress, veil and smeared make up.
|
Actress, producer, director of photography
|
Camera and tripod
|
|
9
|
26/11/2013 between 4.30pm-7.00pm
|
A living room.
|
"Groom" run away with the bridesmaid and are watching TV together
|
Casual clothes
|
||||
10
|
***
|
Dark, secluded room.
|
Bride circle's the groom's face in the wedding book.
|
Close up
|
Wedding dress and veil.
|
Pen and wedding book
|
Actress, director of photography
|
Camera and tripod
|
11
|
26/11/2013
4.30pm-7.00pm |
Bathroom/outside the bathroom door
|
"Groom" opens the bathroom door to find the killer standing there.
|
Wedding dress, veil, messy hair and smeared make up
Victim is wearing casual clothes. |
||||
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