Script

2 characters:  character 1 unknown, character 2 michael.
location: dark room, and forest.

Script
Ext and Int


Starts with (nondiegetic sounds) panting and as we see Michael, the first character, which at this point is unknown is running though the forest. The scene cuts to and from the unknown character in a room (dark room) looking at photographs and newspapers cutting of Michael. The opening scence continuously cuts from Michael running away from something, and the unknown character 'stalking' Michael. Michael is running in panic and in fear of the unknown character, and this emotion continues until towards the end of the opening scene where Michael falls over with the camera in hand, which is then left on floor tilted and michael is no longer seen, and the last shot is of the unknown character coming up close to the camera to make the audience feel tense.

By Saffron.

Storyboard

By Sam Saffron and Michael

Extra:
Our storyboard doesnt contain alot of detail but we are hoping that through the pitch and the script it will help to show a better and give a better understanding of our idea's. Aswell as help from the mindmap, which shoes a breif outline of what we were hoping for. As a group we are all happy with the storyboard however due to filming conditions and health and safety etc, we may decide to later on change a few shots, or maybe the ordering of them as it could be hard to film and possibly too hard for the audience to comprehend.

By Saffron

Film Company logo

BBFC classifications

Classicication 15

No one younger then the age of 15 may see a '15' rated cinema, and no one younger then '15' can rent or buy a '15' movie or game.  Cant endorse discriminatory language or behavior. Don't promote or encourage drug use. Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Dangerous behavior should not be very details enough for 15's to copy.  Strong language is allowed frequently.  Nudity allowed but no strong detail to sexual contact. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on inflicted pain.






Classification '18'

No one under the age of 18 may see a 18 rated film in cinema, and also must not rent or buy and 18 rated video.  Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence. Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals.







Saffron Sam Lindsay and Michael Especially Michael

Feedback from presentation.

Things we need to work on:

- Where would we progress from when the camera is dropped?
- Think about creating shadows
- Thinking about lighting
- Health and safety

Positive feedback

- Delivery of presentation was good
- Lots of detail
- Confident with every part
- Good ending
- Good detail of genre conventions
- Applied conventions well

Planning for Pitch Part 2 (Thriller Opening Sequence)

Characters
The main characters in our opening sequence do not appear in the sequence, they are not explored until later on in the film. The identity of the character in our opening sequence is unknown. We have decided to have it set out this way to add suspense from the very beginning of the film.

Suggested Locations
A forest implies isolation from civilisation, which scares the civilised person. A dark room is also a proposed location, as humans are generally afraid of the dark because it implies the unknown which humans are scared of.

Pitch

Narrative of opening sequence

• starts as a hand held camera (used for effect)
• shots of a unknown characters face, and feet, not giving away who the character actually is
• no introduction to any main characters
• running through forest- scene
• only dialogue is screams and ''help me''. 
• shots of a shadow lurking around in trees
• use of tv cutting out as a erie effect 
• insipred by 'blaire witch project'

Overall, its a pshycological thriller, with hints of mystery and perhaps horror. The opening scene starts with the title sequence (short) followed by a character which is unknown, panting whilst running through the forest, clearly running away from something but its not shown what, non diegetic sounds of heart beating, and shots of the characters face cutting in an out with the tv white noise, and also shots of s mysterious character looking through pictures, and negatives and newspapers,  as part of the title sequence. Nothing else of the narrative is revealed, the scene ends with the camera being dropped on the floor and the camera still recording.

Subgenre 

Conventions:

Psychological thrillers narrative usually contain a character with some kind of mental illness or issue, the thrillers usually contain twists in the film, also emotions or feelings are explored, also characters discovering reality, the core of the narrative is situated round the mind, themes of identity and also the characters are normally in search for their purpose. 

- From this we was hoping that through the opening scene the audience would be able to gather it has something to do with a psychological thriller, its all about mind games making the genre obvious, also with the main characters not being shown directly at the beginning of our film.


When thinking about the subgenres, we thought about what other thrillers made up come up with our idea, we found that momento and parts of blair witch project have helped us to construct our opening sequence. 
Looking at the opening sequence of momento you can see from our narrative ideas which parts we have came up with from inspiration.

Film production logo

Dreamworks

Lionsgate

Disney Pixar

Warner Brothers

A production logo is generally used by tv production companies, and movie studios to brand what they produce, they are normally seen at the beginning of a movie, or sometimes at the end of a television programme. Within movies they are usually played during, before or after the title sequence. The most famous film logos, are 20th centry fox, Paramount pictures, Walt disney pictures, Warner brothers, Dreamworks etc.

Antagonist and Protagonist

Antagonist
An antagonist (opponent/villain/enemy) is usually a character, group, or institution which are against the protagonist(hero/heroine).  Generally a story/film consists of an hero fighting or defeating a villain, which are recognized as being the antagonist and protagonist. The antagonist can sometimes be regarded as a threat, or an obstacle that the protagonist has to tackle. However sometimes a producer makes the film/story in the antagonist point of view so in which the protagonist would be the supposed ''antagonist''. Antagonist usually provides the stories conflicts.
Protagonist
The protagonist is usually the main character, but it is known to also be a kind of helper for example the male hero who rescues a ''damsel in distress'' so in that case its not always the main character, but is one of them. The protagonist is usually the centre of the narrative and whom the audience share empathy with. The protagonist is usually faced with the threats, or obstacles that the antagonist presents to him/her. There is also a thing called a '' false protagonist'' for example sometimes in film, something will offer the character as a protagonist, and then dispose of that making it ''false''.





Antagonist and Protagonist in the trailer.
Prom night could be classed as both physiological and crime/action thriller, because of the narrative. In the trailer although we never get to see the characters face we can see who is the antagonist ( by costume, props, fact people are scared, running etc), and the fact the character is killing people and is looking for one particular character which is seen to be the ''damsel in distress'' but also, although its just a trailer it seems to the audience that the police officer/detective is the protagonist as he is trying to save the 'damsel' so it shows him as being the supposed 'hero' of the film and trying to find the protagonist by reassuring the damsel (victim) that she will be safe and that he is looking for the villian.

Soundtrack.

Thriller Soundtrack

Evaluation

We decided to use dark and intense sounds and beats to create our soundtrack, we wanted to create an effect so it made the audience feel tense, and maybe be able to relate this to the actual film for example things like 'jaws', the iconic sound of him coming. Which the audience can easily recognize. We hoped that our soundtrack would have a similar effect. Also being able to give an erie atmosphere, we also thought that it could be used for any kind of thriller for example, psychological because of the use of the piano, crime or action because of the percussion making it a little more upbeat and fast, like a chase scene, or even a political thriller because the sounds all added together make a good combination and could be used for political, because its got a range of high and low tones, also slow and fast paced sounds. We think our soundtrack is most like 'Catch me if you can' as its upbeat and fast in some parts and slower in others trying to show the character changing and running, and we think because of our soundtrack having fast and lively tones it makes it very similar.

B

Analysis of sound in thriller opening sequences.

Catch me if you can:


Sound within Catch me if you can
From the beginning of Catch me if you can it uses a non-diegetic background track to introduce the genre of thriller. It is fast paced and lively, but also adds a hint of mystery, its also used to go together with the images on the screen which is ''cartoon like''. Towards the end of the title sequence a sound bridge is used to lead it into the opening scene. It also relates to the genre of its Sub-genre Crime thriller, its fast paced and jumpy like the usual convention of a Crime thriller. The idea is meant to show a man being chased so this ongoing non-diegetic soundtrack shows this, and also the add of the boom at the end of the title sequence adds to the effect.


Surface



Sound within Surface
The sound used within surface is tense, and there is a part which uses a women gasping, and fast paced cuts of radio/ tv static sounds (white noise), also an underlying faded mysterious non-diegetic soundtrack which gradually goes up and down throughout the opening sequence. There is an almost dark aura to represent its genre of a psychological thriller. There is also short small sounds of thumping, doors squeaking, screaming noises it adds to the thriller atmosphere of the genre.


Se7en



Sound within Se7en
Se7en uses a non diegetic soundtrack to opening of the film, also harsh percussions to get a pulse raising atmosphere, aswell as using fades up and downs to add to the visuals at particular times of the title sequence, when there are visuals of the the photographs and writing there is a use of the tv static which seems to be commonly used in thriller film opening sequences to create tension and mystery. Also as these sounds are being played there is also a faded background track being played just softer and quieter then it started at the beginning of the sequence.


By Saffron Sam and Michael 

Openings of Panic Room and Rear Window

The opening of Panic Room consists of calm, areal shots of New York city, contrasting with the creepy dramatic music. After a time, the music becomes more fast paced, but still dramatic, which against the unfitting footage of a normal day in New York, creates an unsettling sensation. It implies that everything is not quite as it seems.
The opening of Rear Window consists of light, jazzy, energetic music with footage of blinds opening. It is perculiarly unfitting for the thriller genre, and seems to lull the viewer into a false sense of security. Both openings use unfitting micro-elements, but to create different macro elements.

Marking Criteria

Video
Level 4

• holding a shot steady, where appropriate;
• framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate;
• using a variety of shot distances as appropriate;
• shooting material appropriate to the task set;
• selecting mise-en-scene including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting;
• editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer;
• using varied shot transitions and other effects selectively and appropriately for the task set;
• using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set;
• using titles appropriately.

Research and Planning
Level 4

• there is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience;
• there is excellent organisation of actors, location, costumes or props;
• there is excellent work on shot lists, layouts , drafting, scripting or story boarding;
• there is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning;
• time management is excellent

This is the highest level possible to achieve for this unit, and these are the marks that we have given to the past students blog that we have analysed - Q1-07 from last year.

Research and planning
overall i have given this group a Level 4 for their blog although they had some elements of Level Three quality.

Video

• they have excellently held the camera steady where appropriate, and unsteady in appropriate places
• they have used a variety of shot distances, 
• it is very appropriate to the task which has been set
• there were a large amount of shot transitions, such as fades and such
• they have created a professional looking title sequence at the beginning, with a special 'jjr' productions logo sequence
• they have used sound with images and editing appropriately
• the soundtrack is very good, and very fitting for the sequence.

Planning and research

• they have done excellent research into similar products, what a thriller is, their potential target audience
• there is excellent organization of the actors, they have clearly thought hard about the setting of their preliminary task as they have pictures of other possible locations.
• they have clearly done allot of preparation as they have a rough plot idea
• they have planned what they are going to film in each session

By Lynsey, Sam and Michael.

Difference between Horror and Thriller

Horror

• Often young cast, involving young children as it gets the audience more scared and tense.
• Generallly alot of violence or blood.
• Main focus of narrative generally murder or violence or torture.
• Sometimes multiple victims for example 'saw'
• Sometimes involves some kind of detective.
• Most characters do not survive when they ask ''who's there?'' or when a character investigates a strange noise.
• Main props used are knives for example ''Scream'' ''Halloween'' etc.

Thriller

• Mature cast, can often be well known 'expensive' actors.
• A detective can often be the lead in the film.
• the victim is not always clear to the audience
• Set in ordinary places, cities or suburban areas
• Often overlap with mystery storylines.
• Stalkers are often used.
• Characters involved in twisted relationships, or a love triangle.
• Complex narrative structure with false paths.
• Themes of identity, voyerism and mirroring

Pshycological thrillers

Conventions of a Psycological thriller

Pshycological thrillers narrative usually contain a character with some kind of mental illness or issue, the thrillers usually contain twists in the film, also emotions or feelings are explored, also characters discovering reality, the core of the narrative is situated round the mind, themes of identity and also the characters are normally in search for their purpose.

Examples of Psycological thrillers

by Saffron

Saffrons Media homework

Its difficult to state a definition of a thriller as they have many genres, although there is one convention they all share which is the obvious one, to ''thrill'' the audience.Thrillers can be divided into categories, i.e., action thrillers, psychological thrillers, millitary thrillers, spy
thrillers, etc.


Action thrillers
They often have elements of mystery thriller and also crime thriller.Generally includes a race against the clock, containing lots of violence, an antagonist, usually contains lots of guns, explosions, large elaborate set for the  action scenes to take place. The narrative relys on action. Examples of this are, ''James bond films'' ''Resivoir dogs'', ''The bourne series''.





Crime thrillers
Generally set in cities or busy local places (crowded areas) to give the impression of a secret world, they use music which create suspense, usually set around FBI or police, with hints of mystery thriller, due to some kind of murder or attack, lots of establishing shots are used to show locations, or to set the scenes in which things are taking place, close ups are regularly used in crime thrillers to show significant detail or expressions. Examples of Crime thrillers are, ''Sin city'', ''The untouchables''  ''Se7en''.






By Saffron

Political Thriller.

Examples of Political Thrillers:
'The contender', 'All the presidents men', 'Air force one'.

Political thrillers are very similar to the normal thriller genre the difference is, it includes involvement of political differences, issues, or problems. It can also involve hints of other genres like action and crime, but still remain a political thriller.

Conventions-

• Where the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him or her.
• There is generally a 'pretend hero/heroine' someone the audience believes will be good but turns out to be either an antagonist or just a helper.
• Innocent people are brought into and involved in the political world or issue.
• They use many locations often making it focus on other countries and/or cultures.
• A character trying to prove their innocence.

Air force one is an example of a political thriller, although it is set on a plane, the narrative is a hostage situation due to political issues. The trailer we have uploaded shows things that conforms to the conventions of a political thriller, things like the non diegetetic sound of the American national anthem. The main character being the president, and his family and security are being held hostage by a foreign terrorist group that wants a General released from prison.


Saffron and Sam

Lyndsay and Saffron

Saffrons media homework.

Comparing the opening sequence of 'Resivour dogs' and 'Inception'.

Looking at the openeing scene of 2010's Inception, we can see that it uses many of the codes and conventions of a thriller move for example, clearly showing that the narrative is centered around a crime (usually murder), this is shown through the use of the micro elements, mainly mis-en-scene, and camerawork. Props are used such as guns, weapons etc this connotes danger, violence, death etc. Also things such as jump cuts, (to show fast paced movements), high anlges/low angles showing particular characters (protagonist and antagonists). There is also a big use of special effects, (pyrothetics)to create explosions making tension, and showing danger, also used to start or finish a chase scene. This all addds to just one of the conventions of a thriller. Other conventions such asthe protagonist often ends in peril, the theme of identity , the protagonist having a weakness which is later explioted by the antagonist. All these other conventions are used to show the genre through the opening scene During the first 3 minutes of Inception unusually the first shot is of the sea which the audience cannot immediately tell what the genre is because the sea isnt seen as something likely to be in a thriller movie as it it represented as being calm peaceful, but then all this is contrasted within the next 20 seconds because there is a close up of what seems to be the victim (although also the main character) who has clearly been washed up, so this shows something bad happeneing. The use of bullet tme to slow down a shot of children playing starts to create tension, and non diegetic background music to emphasise that tension adding to the feel of the genre.


UNFINISHED.

Thriller preliminary task

 Saffron, Lyndsey and Michael

Evaluation Preliminary task.

What we learnt from the preliminary task.
From previously doing a childrens film preliminary task it made it easier for us to understand what we need to ensure of when doing the thriller task. Although we came along some difficulties we learnt from these, and we learnt that we need a more quiet area to film other wise there is too much background noise needed to be edited.In the future we will ensure that the area has minimum amount of noise, so that the dialogue is clearer. We also realised after filming that we needed to have better continuity by making the shots slow, buy not making them cut drastically, for example, close up, jump cut to extreme long shot. When using the lift in our task we found it difficult because it was hard to film without having the doors openeing and closing at the wrong time, but as a group we feel it worked well as it gave a good effect. Also we think that the use of background music which we added when editing gave a better effect as a thriller.

Camera work
Camera work was our main area of focus we tried to use many shots, to create better continuity by using things such as establishing shot, to show the audience the setting and the surroundings, we used reaction shots to emphasise emotion and expression. We used long shots to show everything in the mis-en-scene, we used over the shoulder shots to show the reader the characters point of view and what they are looking at, to make the audience feel more involved and more connection to the narrative. We tried to use high angle shots when looking at the victim to make it seem more vulnerable and show him as being weak, and inferior, and used low angle shots for the other character to show them as being more superior ( powerful, healthy, strong etc). We did not use any movement in our camera work, because we did not make it as if something was moving towards a character, or chasing a character etc. We tried to ensure eye level in our shots.

Mis-en-scene
The costume we used was basic, just to show ordinary characters, no antagonist or protagonist was being shown, mearly the body language is what set to show the victim (michael). The costume was modern although not stereotypical, it also shows the class of the characters, which would help to create realism for the audience. We did not use props as we felt it was not nessacary in our task because the story line was basic, but productive.

Editing
As a group we used basic editing such as background music to create an effect on the audience to make the genre of thriller more clear, also we added a small effect to the dialogue of the victim just to show his struggle to speak, which we wanted to emphasise as much as possible.

Sound
We mainly used diegetic sounds, such as the sound of the doors opening and general background noise and dialogue, we added some non diegetic background music. We muted some diegetic sound because there was too much background noise which was not needed because it made it difficult to hear things such as the noise of the button, dialogue and other general diegetic noises.

Improvements
In the future, if we had time to improve then we would use our time to continue editing things like the sound, and adding special effects to show more of a ''thriller feel'' to the task. Making it more of a mystery, so that the audience would feel they want to continue watching. Also we would try to improve on making the camera shots better and making them flow better so that continuity flows better, as we feel that our coninuity didnt work as well as we had hoped.


Sam and Saffron

Storyboard

This is our storyboard, which we had to change slightly, due to the fact we had the idea of a character walking down the stairs, and then opening a lift, so we changed this to walking down a corridor to the lift, we also cut out some dialogue and changed a few camera shots and angles.

Saffron Lyndsey and Michael