Comments on thriller opening rough cut

This is the feedback given to us from our class mates and by our media teacher.

• Good Shot angles
• We need to make the shots darker
• POV shot of Heidi running was good but to long
• Tracking shot of Heidi needs to be more fluid
  
• Jump cut between two feet was good
• Speed up hand held cam of Heidi running
• Speed up when Heidi waits and views the field
• Villain in black was good
• Clear difference between protagonist and antagonist
• Shot in the bush was good

What we thought of the feedback given to us

• We agree that Heidi's head cam is to long and we can either speed it up or cut some of it out
• When Heidi stops at the entrance of the field we are going to speed it up to make it look like it was a quick decision to go into the field

• When Heidi runs and we are tracking her we need to make it flow nicely with a transition to the head cam shot.

Rough cut Thriller Opening

Call Sheet

Our group is going to film on the two following dates:

Joe is going to pick up the camera and tripod directly before we want to start filming on the certain dates.

We have decided to use Long Road and a field of Long Road as our location for filming. We will get to the location by walking. The Road and field is a public location and as we are near a road be will take health and safety considerations such as being careful of traffic.

We are filming our opening to a thriller film during the day. The time of day that is going to be portrayed in our opening to a thriller film will be at the end of a college day - so about late afternoon. Therefore no artificial lighting will be needed.

Heidi will be our main character in our film portraying a young girl who is being obsessively stalked and Jamie will act as the stalker. Liberty will play Heidi's college friend and Joe will act as a passer-by in our film. All members of our group will be involved in acting in the opening. A short script will have to be memorised in advance for Heidi and Liberty's characters when they are talking on the way home from college.

All of the group apart from Heidi will be part of the film crew. In the first scene with Heidi and Liberty, Jamie and Joe will be directing and filming the scene. When Jamie comes into the scene as the stalker Joe will continue with the camerawork and directing. When Liberty goes home in the scene she will then become part of the film crew and help Joe film the scene. Liberty will then film the scene where Joe comes into the scene as a passer-by and from then on Liberty and Joe will film and direct the scene where Heidi is running away from her stalker through the field.

In terms of props we will need a black hoody which Joe is in charge of bringing for Jamie to wear during his scenes so he can portray a dark disturbed stalker. Other props that will be used will be Heidi's bag which she will bring in herself and a bracelet that she will already own.

Our back up plan if bad weather disrupts filming is to continue with other work on our thriller film. We can work on the soundtrack and blog work as back up if bad weather disrupts our plans.

We are going to need two filming slots over two days to film our scenes. In our first day of filming we should capture the scenes that will take place on Long Road. In our second and last day of filming we will capture the field scenes where Heidi and Jamie will be involved in a chase scene.

The shots we are going to cover during our opening to a thriller film will include:
FIRST DAY
- establishing shot of Heidi and Liberty walking down the road introducing the location
- medium shots
- long shots
- over the shoulder shots
- shot-reverse-shots
- close ups

SECOND DAY
- tracking shots
- extreme close ups
- long shots
- canted angle shot
- low angle shot
- high angle shot

Sound we will need to capture includes diagetic sound such as the traffic, the train and the conversation between Heidi and Liberty.

Evaluation on feedback from other groups

We agree with all the comments and suggestions we have been given, it is all constructive criticism. After reading the comments we will complete our ideas and expand on them using the feedback given. We will focus on adding detail about camera shots, sound, props and location. We need to put in more descriptions for the main and most important shots.

Finalised Idea for Thriller Opening

Our opening sequence to a thriller film will be two minutes long. Our group has decided to call our thriller film "The Prowler". Below is an outline of the two minute opening split up into ten second sections.

0-10 seconds - establishing shot from the stalkers point of view watching Heidi and Liberty walking in front. This is shot in a long shot which slowly zooms in to a medium shot of Heidi and Liberty talking. The camera then zooms into a extreme closeup of Heidi's face.

11-20 seconds - Heidi turns around with a confused expression on her face (close up) she then turns back around. Over the shoulder shot of Liberty saying bye, this reverses to an over the shoulder shot of Heidi saying bye. There is then a tracking shot of Heidi's feet walking along, the music will become heavier and more intense at this moment.

21-30 seconds - There will be an over the shoulder shot of Joe walking past Heidi, he gives Heidi "the eye" and wolf whistles after he walks past her. There is then a long shot showing Joe walking towards the camera, who then bumps in to the stalker, but we only see the back of the stalker dressed all in black. As this happens Joe makes a disgusted and confused face.

31-40 seconds - Heidi becomes suspicious of the man after Liberty has left her and she is by herself. She keeps looking behind her and begins to panic and starts to walk faster. A close up will be used to show the confusion in her face and a medium shot will also be used so that the audience can see her surroundings and her turning around showing her vulnerability. The music will stay intense and eerie.

41-50 seconds - The stalkers feet are tracked on the camera whilst Heidi starts to walk even faster as she panics we will use shot reverse shot of the walking feet. Next there will be a shot of the stalker's point of view then an over the shoulder shot to show Heidi's point of view. The music is building as this happens.

51-60 seconds - Heidi starts running and her bag and bracelet fall to the ground on the side of the road as the action becomes frantic. The scene moves over to the field just off Long Road where tracking shots from behind Heidi will be used and medium shots to show the new location.

61-70 seconds - A shot of the bracelet and the bag which had fallen to the ground is shown. A close up will be used on these objects. There will be a point of view shot from Heidi's point of view - this shot should show how worried and scared she is.

71-80 seconds - In this part of the scene there will be a side on shot (profile shot) of Heidi running through the field. This shot should show the vulnerability of the protagonist as she will be running through an open field. A close up shot on the stalkers feet will be used to emphasise to the audience that he is still involved in the scene and acting as the antagonist to Heidi.

81-90 seconds - There will be a close up of Heidi's face as she is running away from the threat that is the stalker. Here, she turns back to look where the stalker is as her credits will appear here saying HEIDI PORTER where we will use slow motion when she turns back.

91-100 seconds - Heidi continues to run away from the man who she realises is obsessed with her and looks for somewhere to hide as she realises she cannot continue to run away as she will eventually get too tired. A high angle shot will be used on Heidi as she tries to find a a place to hide. A tracking shot will be used of the stalkers feet as we get a feeling he is getting closer to the protagonist.

101-110 seconds - Heidi finds a tree to hide behind to rest after running away from the stalker. She thinks she is safe - but she is not - the stalker is nearby! A close up shot will be used on Heidi's face to show here emotion where she will be feeling scared, vulnerable and cold. A medium panning shot is then used to show where the tree is, in comparison to where the rest of the scene was shot.

111-120 seconds - There is a close up of Heidi's face where a black flash will be used and after this appears the stalkers hand will appear over Heidi's face. The stalker will be wearing black gloves and the bracelet Heidi dropped. The film title, 'The Prowler', will appear out of the stalkers hand and the opening will end with a white fade.

Panic Room Titles Analysis

After viewing the "Panic Room" opening titles, we did not think that the titles were very effective as they merged into the background and did not contrast effectively. The titles did not give a clear indication to what the genre of the film was going to be as the titles were dull. The music however was very eerie which did give an indication that the film is going to be of the thriller genre. On there own, the titles do not give the audience an indication to the genre - music is needed. The backdrop behind the titles are scenes from New York, where the film is set. The scenes are filmed from and aerial view showing the tall buildings and skyscrapers acting as an establishing shot which tracks past buildings. This gives the viewers an indication to where the film is going to be set but does not give an indication to what genre the film is going to be. Therefore we have come to the conclusion that it is not an effective opening sequence.

This is our storyboard for our thriller. This is not the complete storyboard, however this outlines the most important scenes in our thriller. We outline the duration of each scene and the type of shot used.


This is our shot list. The shot list explains the camera shot's we will be using in our two minute opening sequence to a thriller film. It explains the types of shots used and the action of the camera. Also on the shot list we explain the location, props and costumes used in each shot.

Garageband Soundtrack for Thriller Film

This is Jamie and Joe's thriller soundtrack that they have recently made in the lesson. The soundtrack follows conventions of a soundtrack in a thriller film.

Our Ident

This is our own ident that we created using photoshop. We are not very pleased with it as it does not have the desired effect therefore we will not be using it in our Thriller Opening.

Mise-En-Scene in our Thriller Film

Props
In our opening to our thriller film we will be using the following props:
- Bag - used to show that Heidi has just been to college and is walking home.
- Bracelet - this will be a symbolic part of the scene where Heidi loses her bracelet as she is running away from the stalker. Later on in the opening the stalker is seen wearing this on his wrist when he covers Heidi's face with his hands.


Setting
Our opening to a thriller film will be located along Long Road and the field off Long Road. Heidi's friend Liberty goes off down her road to where she lives, which is a side road off Long Road.

Lighting
The lighting in the scene will be natural lighting of that along a road surrounded by tree's.

Make Up
There will be no make-up used in the scene as we are trying to convey the natural look in the
scene.


Costume and Colour
The stalker will be wearing black clothes in the scene to show he is the antagonist who is after a innocent girl. Other characters in the scene will be wearing normal everyday clothes.

Antagonist and Protagonist Examples

The protagonist we are going to analyse is Harrison Ford from the film "The Fugitive". Harrison Ford in the film was wrongly accused of murdering his wife. When his bus fell onto a train track he escapes and goes on the run. He is like Heidi because they both are on the run from somebody trying to catch them. Heidi is on the run from an obsessed stalker whilst Harrison Ford is on the run from a sly detective.

The antagonist we are going to analyse is Robin Williams in the film "One Hour Photo". Robin Williams plays a stalker who works in a supermarket, but process' the photos that people bring him. He focus's on one family and follows them around taking photos. He is like our antagonist who follows Heidi wanting to get her. Also our antagonist will look very weird and creepy after makeup like also Robin Williams does in the film.

Pitch for Thriller Film

1) Which sub - genre is it and how is this shown through the conventions.
A) Psychological thriller - Drama / Mystery, Danger is on a mental level rather than a physical level initially, One solitary character is in a mental conflict.

2) Suggested locations and reasons why?
A) Long road and a field near by.














3) Description of narrative
A) A girl and her friend were walking up Long road with bags full of shopping. The girls friend then leaves down to the road to her house. when the girls approaches her corner she encounters the stalker. You can not see the stalkers face because of his hood blocking her view. Heidi is then approached by two passers by who wolf whistle. she turns round and gives a cheeky wink. The two passers by then get approached by the stalker who looks at them straight in the eye, but you do not see his emotion because he is wearing glasses. Heidi then susses out the stalker is still folliwing her and starts to run. She drops her bag leaving her bracelet hanging out. She runs into a field and hides then the stalkers hand comes round the side of her face and grabs her.

4) Actors and characters
A) Heidi = main character - the girl getting chased
Stalker = TBC
Liberty = friend of Heidi
Joe / Jamie = passers-by

5) Intertextuality - will you reference any films
A) TBC

6) Titles and how will your credits appear
A) After asking our class which film title was most appropriate they thought that The Prowler was the best. The credits will appear as Heidi is running. The scene then turns into slow motion whilst the credits come up. they will be in a big bold font and then dissolve out.


7) Music / Shots
A) When the scene starts there is normal to happy music.

8) Certificate
A) 15

Dreamworks Ident

This ident is shown at the beginning of the thriller film Minority Report. The"Dreamworks"ident is imaginative as it has incorporated the moon as the "D" in the word dreamworks.

15 Certificate Film

A film that is classified by the BBFC as a '15' should not be watched by anybody under that age. Also when the film is released to shops it can only be bought by people aged 15 or above.

In terms of discrimination, the film as a whole should not use any discriminatory language or behavior.

Drugs can be shown to be used in a '15' film but the film as a whole should not promote or encourage drug misuse.

Dangerous behavior in a '15' film such as hanging or suicide should not dwell on detail so that it can be copied. The use of weapons should not be glamorized.

There may be a frequent use of strong language in a '15' film with the strongest language being allowed if justified by the context. Repeated and aggressive use of strong language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity should not be shown in full detail in a '15' rated film if used in a sexual context although if used in a non-sexual and educational way there are no constraints on nudity in a '15' film.

In a '15' film strong violence is allowed but it should not dwell on pain and injury. The strongest scenes of violence are unlikely to be acceptable along with scenes of sexual violence. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be minimal and have a strong contextual justification.

In terms of a theme in a '15' film - no theme is not allowed to not be used provided it is appropriate for 15 year olds. In terms of horror in a '15' film, a strong threat of horror can be used unless it is sexualized or violence which is sadistic.

Analysis of Past Student Thriller

AUGUST 13th

This opening sequence to a thriller film was produced by Long Road media students.

Throughout the film we thought they held a steady shot when appropriate and also they used a wide variety of shot distances which keep the audience interested and amused in the clip. They used an appropriate soundtrack in the opening sequence to indicate the action thriller genre. They also introduced the setting of the film and introduced the main characters via the chase scene. They used the titles appropriately and the narrative structure looks to be established as the film goes on. The chase scene reveals that the theme of the film is on a bank robbery.

Acheiving A Top Grade

MARKING CRITERIA LEVEL 4 - 48/60

Demonstrate excellence in the following:

• holding a shot steady
• framing a shot including/excluding elements as appropriate
• using a variety of shot distances
• shooting material appropriate to the task
• selecting mise-en-scene
• editing so that meaning is appropriate to the viewer
• using varied shot transitions and effects
• using sound with image
• using titles appropriately
  

In an opening sequence:

• introducing the main characters
• revealing the themes of the film
• introducing a setting/location of the film
• have an idea of the narrative structure
• the music should indicate the genre of the film
• indication of the characters personalities
  

Sound Terminology

• Diegetic - we can see where the sound is coming from e.g. traffic noise, radio, TV, dialogue
• Non - Diegetic - sound effects
• Sound Bridges - it links two scenes
• Character Themes - music associated with a certain character
• Asyncronis Sound - contradicting sound
• Narrator - talks the audience through the storyline
• Ambient Sound - natural background noise e.g. birds and traffic
  

Action Thriller

Action Thriller Conventions

• Obvious antagonist
• Race against the clock scenario
• Features more violence than other sub-genres
• Disruption to equilibrium requires one protagonist to use action to solve it.
• Protagonist must be skilled in combat and physically fit.
• Usually involves characters of the opposite sex to drive the narrative.
  
• Their loyalty will be questioned.
• Double crossed.

Examples of action thrillers include:
Hostage, Equilibrium, Iron Man, Blood Diamond, Taken, I Am Legend, Matrix,
The Fugitive and the Bourne films.

Die Hard 4.0

The obvious antagonist of the film is the man who set the fire sale attack on the computer systems of the USA. The obvious antagonist helped the FBI make the base where all of the stock exchange codes are and now wants to take revenge on the FBI for sacking him over a dispute whether the systems could handle an attack.

The race against the clock scenario is when Bruce Willis is trying to find the man who set the fire sale, before he gets away with all of the money from the USA systems. The fire sale gives control of the USA's computer controlled infrastructure to the man. If Bruce Willis does not capture this man in time the USA may never regain this power.

There is more violence in action thrillers then there are in other sub - genres. Bruce Willis will do anything to get his daughter back from the fire sale makers, and doing so kills a lot of men in very violent ways. At one point he kills a woman by driving a truck into her and down an elevator shaft.

There is disruption to the equilibrium when the fire sale goes off and they turn off the power and gas. They also get rid of the shares at the stock exchange causing inconvenience to the people who own shares in the businesses. Also the disruption hits Bruce Willis as he is trying to escort a well known computer hacker, who may be connected.

Political Thriller

Political Thriller - conventions

• Threat is set against a backdrop of political power struggle.
• Plots are designed to give political power to someone.
• Opponent characters are set up to try and prevent people receiving power.
• Two sets of character - 1st set: office/suits 2nd set: out on the scene

Examples of political thriller:

• Vantage Point
• Air Force One
• Mission Impossible
• JFK
• Munich
• The Interpreter
• Blood Diamond

Film for analysis - Blood Diamond

Blood diamond meets the conventions of a political thriller by a threat which is the diamond. One of the characters found and hid the diamond, which the white diamond smuggler wants to take and sell on. It is a political threat when the government try and stop them and the rebels are also out to stop them.

The plots are designed to give most of the power at the start to the rebel leader and his army. After a while the white smuggler teams up with the African government to try and stop the rebels, which eventually leads to the government with all the power.

The opponent character is the rebel leader who stops the government regaining power of the rebel army. Also an opponent character is the black man who found and hid the diamond. Running away from the rebels to find his family, which shows a lack in power to the rebel leader.

The first set of characters are the diamonds buyers in England, who only stay in England and do not go out to Africa to find out what has happened. Also the higher commander in the government army is seen in a far away house not seeing the action, but the rebel leader is always in the action and he is highest up in the rebel command. The second set of characters are the soldiers who are in the action the whole time. Also the diamond smuggler and the black man are always in the action running from the government and rebels looking for the diamond.

Se7en Analysis

In class we watched a short clip from the thriller film "Se7en" and made notes about the Micro- Elements used.

Mise-en-Scene
There is a scene in a house with a dead body lying on the floor, the lighting is very dark and gloomy. When the detectives go outside the house it is raining and the lighting is very grey and dull. This type of lighting is very typical of a Thriller film, even when it may not be night time in the scene, the lighting is still dark.

The clip starts with a man in a very ordinary flat or house getting dressed. The next scene he is in a very dirty and shabby house where there is a dead body lying on the floor. The characters played by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt are detectives and are looking around this house as it is clear a crime has taken place. Thriller films are known for being set around a crime so again this film meets a convention.

The character played by Morgan Freeman is dressed smartly in a suit with a black tie. The character played by Brad Pitt is also in a shirt and tie however is in a leather jacket which makes him look slightly less important and more
youthful.

Sound

Camera Angles and Movement
In the short clip we watched there were many camera shots used. These shots included the over the shoulder shot which gave the audience a sense of being in the position of the character and therefore can relate to them. This is a convention in a thriller film. There were many close ups in the short clip which shows the characters emotion. A medium shot was used in the scene; this allows the audience to see the character in shot and their surroundings as well. When the detectives are walking down the path in the rain a tracking shot is used which follows the characters. This makes the audience feel part of the conversation when the camera follows them. A low angle shot is also used - this shows that they are important figures in the film as the shot gives them dominance. It also portrays them to be the protagonist characters. When the detective is in the bedroom their is a long shot. This shot shows us the whole bedroom and the character laying in bed. We can see what is going on in the scene. A close up is then used on a ticking metronome which gives the character something to listen to when trying to get to sleep so he can focus his mind. This detail gives the audience an insight into the characters personality.

Editing

The editing in the opening titles of the film was very fast paced which indicates to what the film is going to be like - a fast paced thriller film.