As we planned in the beginning that we were going to film in one day all together, we did film on this weeks tuesday. We decided to do it at once as our thriller opening was just located at one place and there was not much change of location which made it very convenient for us to film. As we didnt have many locations to film our task was manageable however, out thriller opening is quite different as it uses just a house as its main location. So on this day of filming we faced a little bit of problem with the laptop and phones as in this scene the characters were supposed to talk on webcam so it took us a bit of a time to figure that out. As a result, we used one iphone and one laptop to shoot that scene. The timing and the time of the day was good for our filming as we wanted to film in a little dark to create and effect and tension about the settings. Overall, it all went quite well but i think we might have some bits which might need re-filming which we will get done somewhat this week to make sure we get it done before the deadline.
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Monday, 23 November 2015
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Poster analysis- IMPROVED
Thriller movie poster analysis
This poster has been printed using desktop publishing. The portrait movie poster of 'The Third Man' draws the audience's attention by it's eye-catchy, colourless title graphics because a colourless poster emphasises the darkness of the movie and tells the audience what the movie's genre is, just by the colour used in this poster, a thriller. The title graphics are 3/4 white and 1/4 black. Black symbolises evil, sorrow, death whereas white symbolises good, joy, life. The title graphics foreshadows the movie will portray good and bad fighting against each other and the amount of colours been used on the title graphics shows how much times good or bad side will win. The target audience is mostly likely to be adults, preferably middle aged adults onwards rather than other age groups because they are attracted to the tense, the thrill of the genre.
The key images been used on the poster is a man with a hard expression in his face. The colours been used in his face are black and white and there is a significantly more about of black on his face than there is white. This could tell the audience that he's 'The Third Man', the person who seems to be the villain in the movie that cannot be trusted. This image is been used because it's made to confuse the audience to thinking this person been used on the poster is the bad guy. The poster wants people to think differently to what will actually happen in the movie, the poster wants to draw the audience in by exaggerating what will actually happen in the movie, which will create tension in the audience's mind as into what will actually happen, which is a thriller code and covention.
The purpose of this poster to be presented into this way is to make the audience think the movie is scary, intimdating but in reality the movie story plot could be completly different from what the poster protrays. The most important colours and the only colours really that are used in the poster are white and black. These colours are significant because it tells the audience that they'll be a constant fight between the force of good and evil throughout the movie. They were chosen so the audience knows more about the movie without giving too much away by displaying neutral colours. The poster makes me think the movie,by judging by the character's emotionless facial expression and titled head, will be about a man who has gone through some trouble and is tracking down the person who had done so.
The positioning of the character seems to be slanted and his head is diagonally opposite the edge of the poster shows that he feels scared and intimidated in some way. There is probably something right in front of you that he is trying to hide from or someone he is going to kill that happens to be close to him. There isn't an enigma being presented in the poster.This picture has two pictures made into one, the first picture is the picture at the back and the second picture is the picture of the man. The background picture looks very spooky and makes it seem more horror like, like there is someone inhumane coming to get him and the second picture is the man himself. The man, who happens to be the main character of the movie(all posters display main characters or the most significant main character in the poster). The key image is a still image from the film, it is part of one of the most intense scenes in the movie, which is most prominent in the thriller genre.
This poster tells us there will be lots of action, the genre is thriller and the attitude of the film will be very negative, all of this came from the colours that was used in the poster itself and the character's facial expressions. There isn't a catch or tagline in the poster. The poster didn't list a website because it has made in the 20th century and websites didn't exist then. There isn't a certificate. The poster includes the credits and information. The poster displays people's names in the right hand side going down with a white font as it shows these are the good people in the movie who fight the bad. The written text does indicate the target audience by the font of the writing of 'The Third Man' is very organised and neat, which adults normally are. But if it was suitable for children then the font would be messy and unorganised.
The visual hierachy is our eyes are drawn to the straight lines. The main image is the man's eye the audience looks directly at the eye first. The credits and production is at the bottom of the poster. The actors' names are at the top left hand side, going vertically down.
This poster tells us there will be lots of action, the genre is thriller and the attitude of the film will be very negative, all of this came from the colours that was used in the poster itself and the character's facial expressions. There isn't a catch or tagline in the poster. The poster didn't list a website because it has made in the 20th century and websites didn't exist then. There isn't a certificate. The poster includes the credits and information. The poster displays people's names in the right hand side going down with a white font as it shows these are the good people in the movie who fight the bad. The written text does indicate the target audience by the font of the writing of 'The Third Man' is very organised and neat, which adults normally are. But if it was suitable for children then the font would be messy and unorganised.
The visual hierachy is our eyes are drawn to the straight lines. The main image is the man's eye the audience looks directly at the eye first. The credits and production is at the bottom of the poster. The actors' names are at the top left hand side, going vertically down.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
Gender representation
A study on gender representations in thriller films with analysis
In thriller movies, there is a clear division between male and female. In most thriller movies, men are the main protagonist that helps save the helpless woman, he's strong, protective, good-looking and he's allowed to look at women as an object for e.g. James Bond movies. Whereas, the woman are not independent(they need a masculine figure to survive), they are always the heroine, they are always pretty so they can be used as a object by the male. I will outline the gender representations in different thriller movies.
Firstly, the movie 'Brick' clearly emphasises the sterotypical view of how woman and men should be presented. This is shown at the start of the thriller opening when the protagonist is praying with his hands clanked together tightly whilst this helpless, dead young female is on the floor, which shows that he feels angry that he failed to protect her perhaps is desire went before his protection for this girl. Similarly, the movie 'Drive' presents the protagonist to be dominant and has all the ultimate power through voiceover and very intense music. The car mechanic refers the car as a 'woman' as the car is the protagonist's possesion thus emphasising how woman are objects and are men's property.
Moreover, the thriller opening of the movie 'Heat' presents the protagonist to be mysterious as the audience is left with doubts in our mind what he is trying to stop due to the intense music. He obviously has the ultimate power through his gait, facial expressions and body language. This character is known to be one of the typical characters presented in thriller films. Similarly, the
film 'Leon' presents men to deal things quickly through violence and terror, which inevitably makes them evil and dominant. These two movies haven't included women in the thriller opening sequence, which shows the gender division of roles.
Millers Crossing also presents the protagonist to be obsessed with money, and if anyone disrupts their money they would fight back through violence. In this movie, men are presented to be untrustworthy as business deals never has a finished solution but rather one benefits and the other doesn't. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy also presents their protagonist assessed to finish another man's business through a mission and conspiracy. It presents woman to be helpless as a young woman with a child gets shot but her baby is still alive, which makes us question why.
Whereas, Donnie Darko doesn't have any gender represenations in the opening sequence as it presents the main protagonist, which is a male, to be helpless. He is unsure where he is when he is riding his bike but soon becomes more confident like any other person during his journey. This thriller movie opening takes away the sterotype of only woman to be seen as helpless. This movie thriller opening could be compared to 'Brick' as both Donnie Darko and the helpless woman were on the floor, which presents their status in society in some sense or even their authority in society.
Most of these movies identify men as being dominant, stong, brave and intelligent when comes to scenarios that occur. But in my thriller opening sequence we want to break the sterotype however this sterotype must be applied at our thriller opening to give the audience a clear description of how the main protagonist is like. The movie that gave us most inspiration for our thriller opening sequence is Donnie Darko as the main protagonist is helpless and meek but gains his confidence after, which in some sense, is the same for our main protagonist.
The thriller opening sequence 'The Machinist' presents the main protagonist to be strong, dominant and ruthless as his many scars and cuts in his face or in his body convey this sterotype of male characters being so. However, the opening sequence of the film 'The Silence of the Lambs' presents the female protagonist to be dominant and strong, which most movies do not present thus making the audience wonder why.
In thriller movies, there is a clear division between male and female. In most thriller movies, men are the main protagonist that helps save the helpless woman, he's strong, protective, good-looking and he's allowed to look at women as an object for e.g. James Bond movies. Whereas, the woman are not independent(they need a masculine figure to survive), they are always the heroine, they are always pretty so they can be used as a object by the male. I will outline the gender representations in different thriller movies.
Firstly, the movie 'Brick' clearly emphasises the sterotypical view of how woman and men should be presented. This is shown at the start of the thriller opening when the protagonist is praying with his hands clanked together tightly whilst this helpless, dead young female is on the floor, which shows that he feels angry that he failed to protect her perhaps is desire went before his protection for this girl. Similarly, the movie 'Drive' presents the protagonist to be dominant and has all the ultimate power through voiceover and very intense music. The car mechanic refers the car as a 'woman' as the car is the protagonist's possesion thus emphasising how woman are objects and are men's property.
Moreover, the thriller opening of the movie 'Heat' presents the protagonist to be mysterious as the audience is left with doubts in our mind what he is trying to stop due to the intense music. He obviously has the ultimate power through his gait, facial expressions and body language. This character is known to be one of the typical characters presented in thriller films. Similarly, the
film 'Leon' presents men to deal things quickly through violence and terror, which inevitably makes them evil and dominant. These two movies haven't included women in the thriller opening sequence, which shows the gender division of roles.
Millers Crossing also presents the protagonist to be obsessed with money, and if anyone disrupts their money they would fight back through violence. In this movie, men are presented to be untrustworthy as business deals never has a finished solution but rather one benefits and the other doesn't. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy also presents their protagonist assessed to finish another man's business through a mission and conspiracy. It presents woman to be helpless as a young woman with a child gets shot but her baby is still alive, which makes us question why.
Whereas, Donnie Darko doesn't have any gender represenations in the opening sequence as it presents the main protagonist, which is a male, to be helpless. He is unsure where he is when he is riding his bike but soon becomes more confident like any other person during his journey. This thriller movie opening takes away the sterotype of only woman to be seen as helpless. This movie thriller opening could be compared to 'Brick' as both Donnie Darko and the helpless woman were on the floor, which presents their status in society in some sense or even their authority in society.
Most of these movies identify men as being dominant, stong, brave and intelligent when comes to scenarios that occur. But in my thriller opening sequence we want to break the sterotype however this sterotype must be applied at our thriller opening to give the audience a clear description of how the main protagonist is like. The movie that gave us most inspiration for our thriller opening sequence is Donnie Darko as the main protagonist is helpless and meek but gains his confidence after, which in some sense, is the same for our main protagonist.
The movie Se7en presents male to be helpless and unworthy in the opening sequence thorugh Morgan Freeman's fragile body laying down on the bed whilst he slowly flicks an arrow on a timer that creates tension, whether or not he is worthy of anything. Similarly, the thriller opening sequence of 'Bourne Identity' presents the main protagonist to be worthless and helpless as he is relying on men who bet occassionally to help his health gradually function properly, which makes us question men could be worthless as well as females.
The thriller opening sequence 'The Machinist' presents the main protagonist to be strong, dominant and ruthless as his many scars and cuts in his face or in his body convey this sterotype of male characters being so. However, the opening sequence of the film 'The Silence of the Lambs' presents the female protagonist to be dominant and strong, which most movies do not present thus making the audience wonder why.
These movies from my own research helps me identify how our antagonist in our thriller opening sequence should be like. However, these movies have a clear distinction of the different ways of how men can be seen as dominant. The thriller opening sequence of 'The Manchinist' and the 'Silence of the Lambs' give me a clear overview of how our stalker, a peculiar antagonist should be presented however we don't know who he is and what his identity is so he is an unknown antagonist in the thriller opening sequence.
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| Long shot in the movie 'Brick', which emphasises the different character's dominance in society and what it resulted to. However, this shot also presents the young man to be helpless as the dead girl on the ground. |
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| Long shot in the movie 'Drive' conveys the main protagonist to be a typical masculine character as the mechanic refers his car to a 'she', which clearly displays the distinction between male and female. |
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| Extreme close up of the movie 'Leon', which the antangonist is showing his colleague who he wants him to get killed and the constant close up and reserve shot of the two characters and this man creates suspense as well as tension. |
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| Medium shot of the movie 'Millers Crossing', which this man is desperate to get help from his friend so he can deal with his business enemy. His bodyguard represents his status in society and how much people feel intimidated by him in some aspects |
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| Long shot of the movie 'Donnie Darko, which makes the audience wonder if the person laying down on the floor is female or male as well as are they alive. This shot presents us lots of doubts in our mind |
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| Medium shot of the movie 'Se7en', which presents this character to be very fragile and helpless as he is unable to function properly or move things to a sufficient speed. |
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| Close up of the movie 'The Bourne Identity', which presents this main protagonist to be nearly dead or perhaps dead thus presenting men to be helpless and dependent. |
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| Close up of the movie 'The Machinist', which presents this character to dominant as he threw someone that he supposedly killed but his scars make him seem helpless in a sense as someone must have punched him thus he is a innocent character. |
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| Medium shot of the movie 'The Silence of the Lambs', which shows this female is not intimidated by these men and she looks a bit manly through her sweatshirt with sweat covered on it. |
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| Long shot of the movie 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', which the main protagonist gets shot for his betrayal whilst the main antagonist's wife or lover gets shot so he automatically runs for her for his loss. |
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
Camera angles
Rhythmic Editing
Rhythmic editing when you are manipulating the length of time each shot remains on the screen, When the length of a series of shots (i.e. the pace and rhythm of the editing) is varied, different effects can be achieved or enhanced.
The snippet of a movie represents ''Rhythmic Editing'' in this movie clip we can see that the director has manipulated the length of time so that each specific shot remains on the screen. Also in this video clip you can see that the pace of each scene changes, some are really fast and some are used in slow motion. This adds effect to the Rhythmic Editing.
Wipe
Wipe editing involves one shot replacing another, travelling from one side of the frame to another.
This clip above represents what is meant by Wipe Edit, as you can see its a sudden ''wipe'' from one scene to another.
Montage
A montage is a single pictorial composition made by juxtaposing or superimposing many pictures or designs.
The clip above is from the famous movie of ''Psycho'' as you can see in the clip above the director has used Juxtaposing by having two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. You can see this in the clip where the women is being constantly stabbed by Psycho.
Shot Reverse Shot (Shot/Counter shot)
This is used in film where one character is shown looking (often off screen) at another character and then the other character is shown looking 'back' at the first character.
The clip above is from the famous movie The Lord Of The Rings, in this Scene you can se Gollum and Sméagol having a one to one conversation with each other. While having the conversation you can see that the director has used Shot reverse Shot when Gollum is having is split personality conversation.
Continuity Editing
Continuity editing is the predominant style of editing in cinema and television. The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over discontinuity of the editing process and to maintain continuous and clear narrative action.
The first 50 seconds of this video shows us what a Continuity edit is. The flame which goes round and forms a continuous circle is what a this edit resembles as the director is adding affect on what the flame is forming and what it means.
Eye-Line Match
And eye-line match shot is the first two shots a character looking off screen at something and the second shot shows the object/character being looked at. Both shot/reverse shot and eye line shot ensure that even if the characters are not in the frame together we re sure of their whereabouts.
The video clip above shows the women staring deep into something which is off screen however the camera then turns to the painting that the women was looking at to add that eye-line match affect.
Graphic Matching
Graphic matching is where you use a smooth visual transfer from one shot to another.
The Link above takes you to a Tug of war video which represents a Graphic Matching example. In the video you can see that there is a smooth visual transfer from one shot to another, as shown in the video the pulling of the rope is transferred from shot to shot.
A Long Take
A long take shot is a long shot however its longer than your usual shot.
The image above shows you a Long Take shot, it may look like a normal long shot however it is Longer than an usual long shot.
A Long Take
A long take shot is a long shot however its longer than your usual shot.
Script edited
Script edited
The script was changed as we were unable to find a little girl to play the role "Adelina" and we wanted to make the antagonist ambiguous therefore the audience would be more gripped into who is the antagonist and what is their relationship with Maya.
INT. MARY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – EVENING
The script was changed as we were unable to find a little girl to play the role "Adelina" and we wanted to make the antagonist ambiguous therefore the audience would be more gripped into who is the antagonist and what is their relationship with Maya.
INT. MARY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – EVENING
Mary is in her bedroom talking to her friend, Maya, via webcam gossiping about the day’s events.
MAYA:
“Did you hear about what happened in Maths today?”
MARY:
(Confused)
“No…what happened?
MAYA:
(Overjoyed. Exaggerated hand flap. Talking really fast without a stop for breath)
Oh my god! So basically Daniella found out that Monica’s been trying it with Max telling him to break up with Jess( gasps for breath) so she can have him all to herself so Jess confronts Monica all like (imitating Daniella in a silly voice)” Shut up and stay away from my boyfriend.”
MARY:
(Gasps, slightly giggling)
NO WAY, SHUT U…
Accidently throwing the cup of coffee in her hand resulting it to spill on the floor.
(Eyes closed. Mumbles under her breath)
Shi…
MAYA:
Oi, what happened?
MARY:
Mary squints her eyes in annoyance.
(Speaking slowly through her teeth)
“The stupid coffee spilt everywhere.
As she attempts to wipe the coffee off her of top, Mary’s phone buzzes, she receives a text message.
MAYA:
Oh, but anyway then Je…
(Maya’s voice fades into the background, music gets louder)
MARY:
(Looks at the phone confused. Frowning, whispers to herself)
“Unknown?”
Mary positions herself right on the bed. Unlocks her phone and reads the text message which reads “Aren't you going to clean that up?” Eyes open wide, frowns, slowly turns her head around, scanning the room.
MAYA:
… Don’t you think?
MARY:
(Speaking quickly, still frowning)
Erm—yeah…
MAYA:
(Giving a disapproving look)
Were you even listening to anything I said?
MARY:
(Marry speaks slowly and nods her head)
Yes.
(Looks down, frowning)
Maya’s phone buzzes again, closing her eyes she slowly picks up her phone, she receives another message from the unknown number which reads “I’m not there, look harder”
(Drops her phone onto the bed, frowning harder, exhales loudly through nose)
MAYA:
You’re not even listening to me innit? (Looks up at Mary, curiously) are you okay…?
MARY:
(Speaking quickly, shrugging shoulders)
“Uh—yeah—I’m fin…
(Stops talking, looks at Maya curiously)
Maya squints, face closer to the screen
MARY:
(Squints her eyes, speaks slowly in annoyance)
Maya, what are you doing.
MAYA:
(Smirking, raising right eyebrow)
Swear you’re home alone?
MARY:
(Tilts head to the side, speaking slowly, looks confused)
I am…
MAYA:
Oh, I could have sworn I saw someone walk behind you… (Puts hand on head, thinks hard) but don’t worry I’m probably just seeing things (slightly laughing, shrugs, shakes her head) Anyway what was I saying again?
Mary turns her head really fast. Turns back to the face screen.
(Mary leans in closer to the screen, getting off the bed) “Hold that thought whilst I wash my hands”
(Mary slowly walks half way out of the room)
MAYA:
(Shouting) Ugh fine then (rolls her eyes) but hurry up, (voice starts to fade) I need to get off in a bit…
INT. MARY’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – EVENING
The bathroom is dark and cold, the only visible light which can be seen is the dim light coming from the landing. Walking slowly into the empty bathroom, Mary turns to the sink in order to wash her hands.
MARY:
(Humming tunefully under her breath, turning on the tap and starts to wash hands with head hung low)
Mary, finished washing her hands, hears a bang on the window to the right of her)
(Mary eyes and mouth are wide open. She frowns, placing her hand over her mouth. Mary turns around frantically, leaning her body onto the sink. A hand print in imprinted onto the window.)
Sound
For our final piece, we decided to use a specific sound that will convey the genre of 'Anonymous' and what it will be about. So, this copyrighted horror music will captivate our audience even further by its intense, sinister sound thus making the audience wonder how does the music have some parallel relationship with the movie plot. The sound we got is straight from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOrxwqvfD2E
We hope to use all of the music contents of this copyrighted music piece but we will cut up un-necessary sound in order to keep the continuity going in our thriller piece. But, of course we will dim the music down when it isn't an intense, up-beat scene. For example, when Mary is talking to her friend Maya but the music will still be prominent as a background music. We chose this music over other copyrighted horror playlists as this piece has a innocent noise to it like a doll being played, which will inevitably use at the end of our piece. Our piece is quite childish through the young actors used and the scenery presents the innocence of the character in a sense. Thus, this song does present this incredibly well.
We hope to use all of the music contents of this copyrighted music piece but we will cut up un-necessary sound in order to keep the continuity going in our thriller piece. But, of course we will dim the music down when it isn't an intense, up-beat scene. For example, when Mary is talking to her friend Maya but the music will still be prominent as a background music. We chose this music over other copyrighted horror playlists as this piece has a innocent noise to it like a doll being played, which will inevitably use at the end of our piece. Our piece is quite childish through the young actors used and the scenery presents the innocence of the character in a sense. Thus, this song does present this incredibly well.
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Filming problems
The problems we may face when we are filming is when we are filming the scene where a mysterious person is standing behind Mary whilst she is cleansimg her face in the bathroom. As the shot perfection of this particular scene could either go bad or good. This problem can be overcomed by shooting two different shots at different times and merge them together through our editing, which will cover our imperfections in this scene.
We also may face
We also may face
Filming day 1 review
Wednesday 12th November 2015
We didnt start filming on this day as we realised it is better to film in one whole day rather than only 2 periods. As if we film on two different days at two different times the content will be a little different and there will be a difference after its put together. In order to avoid that we decided to film in one day so its easy for us to do all the shots and know where it needs to be how. We will have all our costumes and props and cast ready to do it on that day. Another reason we couldnt really start our filming was that we didnt have any kid who plays the role of the protagonists little sister. Hopefully, on that one day of our filming we will be fully ready with all the equipments and cast to film in order to avoid any in convenience.
So our group decided if it was better if we started filming on a Sunday as it was a day where we could all fit and concentrate more thoroughly on our work.
Sound- old
For our psychological thriller we will need music which would create a sense of tension and allow the audience to relate to it. It should symbolize the suspense of who is actually behind all the chaos and causing problems in Mary's (protagonists) life. Mostly the music we will be using will be non-digetic which won't be heard by the characters but the audience. It will be playing in the background to create a mood amongst the audience of the setting and the storyline of the film. Some of the music which we might be using is below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKO0ap3g5s0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPGrsdrnsCo&list=PLUi56N9RcnjClLk61PArFB8M-uNyIcjk2&index=16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG2rPzkNGOY - Be used definietly
We might also need some soft music when Mary puts her little sister to bed. As thats where the suspense will start to build because nobody was supposed to be home but it turns out the little sister was home all along. This will create tension and make the audience think about the plot and the anonymous texts that Mary recieves. Some of the music to link to that is below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUZeSYsU0Uk#
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZWGH0ougJI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKO0ap3g5s0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPGrsdrnsCo&list=PLUi56N9RcnjClLk61PArFB8M-uNyIcjk2&index=16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG2rPzkNGOY - Be used definietly
We might also need some soft music when Mary puts her little sister to bed. As thats where the suspense will start to build because nobody was supposed to be home but it turns out the little sister was home all along. This will create tension and make the audience think about the plot and the anonymous texts that Mary recieves. Some of the music to link to that is below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUZeSYsU0Uk#
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZWGH0ougJI
Focus Group Pitch
Who was we showing our ideas to: We decided to share our ideas to a group of 15 years old in order for them to understand what we are doing for our film and to see what they wanted as they were our target audience.
What we did exactly: We gave a short brief overview of what our story was about by explaining what will happen scene to scene, who our characters were, the target audience and the genre. We asked the year nine class what ideas they would like to be incorporated in this thriller psychological piece and how this would work exactly. The class either tweaked our piece involving the antagonist, storyline and so forth or they changed our opening piece completely. This is good for us as we needed constructive criticisms in order to make our piece better as a whole especially the opening sequence.
How this contributed to our opening sequence? We realised that what our opening storyline sequence was missing psychological code and coventions such as the human mind as we didn't exactly make it clear enough how the antagonist is her sister or a random stalker is the antagonist or maybe her sister's doll is the antagonist therefore we must show attributes to consider each factor as to how they may be potrayed to be the cause of Mary is slowly losing her mind.
Evaluation
During our period in the focus group, some of the comments we were given were horrendous as they didn't apply to the psychological thriller genre. It would have been better if we approached a more older year, possibly a year 10 or 11 as their age group fits more around the age requirements and they will be able to provide more reasonable answers into how we can enhance our thriller opening. Whereas, most of the comments given were reasonable but they wouldn't be incorporated in our thriller opening. We did identify few satisfactory comments that we will incorporate in our opening sequence. However, this focus group helped us figure out how to improve our ideas to a more better sequence so we will be able to fit our target audience's needs.
Script
Script:
INT. MARY’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – EVENING
Mary is in her bedroom talking to her friend, Maya, via webcam gossiping about the day’s events.
MAYA:
“Did you hear about what happened in Maths today?”
MARY:
(Confused)
“No…what happened?
MAYA:
(Overjoyed. Exaggerated hand flap. Talking really fast without a stop for breath)
Oh my god! So basically Daniella found out that Monica’s been trying it with Max telling him to break up with Jess( gasps for breath) so she can have him all to herself so Jess confronts Monica all like (imitating Daniella in a silly voice)” Shut up and stay away from my boyfriend.”
MARY:
(Gasps, slightly giggling)
NO WAY, SHUT U…
Accidently throwing the cup of coffee in her hand resulting it to spill on the floor
(Eyes closed. Mumbles under her breath)
Shi…
MAYA:
Oi, what happened?
MARY:
Mary squints her eyes in annoyance.
(Speaking slowly through her teeth)
“The stupid coffee spilt everywhere.
As she attempts to wipe the coffee off her of top, Mary’s phone buzzes, she receives a text message.
MAYA:
Oh, but anyway then Je…
(Maya’s voice fades into the background, music gets louder)
MARY:
(Looks at the phone confused. Frowning, whispers to herself)
“Unknown?”
Mary positions herself right on the bed. Unlocks her phone and reads the text message which reads “Aren’t you going to clean that up?” Eyes open wide, frowns, slowly turns her head around, scanning the room
MAYA:
…Don’t you think?
MARY:
(Speaking quickly, still frowning)
Erm—yeah…
MAYA:
(Giving a disapproving look)
Were you even listening to anything I said?
MARY:
(Marry speaks slowly and nods her head)
Yes.
(Looks down, frowning)
Maya’s phone buzzes again, closing her eyes she slowly picks up her phone, she receives another message from the unknown number which reads “I’m not there, look harder”
(Drops her phone onto the bed, frowning harder, exhales loudly through nose)
MAYA:
You’re not even listening to me innit? (Looks up at Mary, curiously) are you okay…?
MARY:
(Speaking quickly, shrugging shoulders)
“Uh—yeah—I’m fin…
(Stops talking, looks at Maya curiously)
Maya squints, face closer to the screen
MARY:
(Squints her eyes, speaks slowly in annoyance)
Maya, what are you doing.
MAYA:
(Smirking, raising right eyebrow)
Swear you’re home alone? You got a boy over innit?
MARY:
(Tilts head to the side, speaking slowly, looks confused)
I am…
MAYA:
Oh, I could have sworn I saw someone walk behind you… (Puts hand on head, thinks hard) but don’t worry I’m probably just seeing things (slightly laughing, shrugs, shakes her head) Anyway what was I saying again?
Mary turns her head really fast. Turns back to the face screen.
(Mary leans in closer to the screen, getting off the bed) “Hold that thought whilst I wash my hands”
(Mary slowly walks half way out of the room)
Maya: (Shouting) Ugh fine then (rolls her eyes) but hurry up, (voice starts to fade) I need to get off in a bit…
INT. MARY’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – EVENING
The bathroom is dark and cold,
Monday, 16 November 2015
Opening sequence- Donnie Darko
Thriller opening- Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko is about a troubled teenager is plagues by visions of a large bunny rabbit that manipulates him to commit a series of crimes, after narrowly escaping a bizarre accident. This film is based on a scientific concept of tangent universe. The introduction focuses on our central protagonist, as in most films, with only slight indications of other key characters or events.
Code and coventions
The use of pathetic fallacy is used to strengthen the gloomy and ominous amosphere of the opening sequence. For example, when Donnie was looking at the sky and the sky was very dark; which could foreshadow what will happen next and also more importantly how the story is like.
Usually in psychological thrillers, the most significiant code and coventions potrayed continously is the protagonist's reality, perception, mind, existence, identity and death. So far, we can see Donnie Darko's perception as he's looking around his surrondings like he's trying to search for something.
Sound
The opening sequence was mainly effective due to the extensive intense sound used. The sinister, orchestral music clearly emphasises the story plot. This non diegetic sound enables the audience to realise how isolated the protagonist is and the way he is acting is conveying his vulnerabilitiy extremely well. This is also conveyed through the addition use of a new setting showing where Donnie's occupation is and he is surronded by lots of people; the use of rock, depressing song emphasises Donnie's mood.
Transition/editing
There are multiple fast and jerky edits used in this thriller opening and are often placed in non chronologically; which emphasises the protagonist's mentality. But, there are some slow edits used especially when Donnie is looking at the scenery; which could show that Donnie is astonished by the scenery the same way a child is thus showing how severe his mental state is; this creates enigma. This can often confuse the audience whilst simultatenously keeping them in suspense as they want to know more about the character throughouly. There is aclear transition when the light is used to change the setting
Camera angles/shots and movements
In most thriller psychological opening sequences , they want us to have a brief understanding of the main protagonist, which worked effectively through its camera angles and movements. The camera movements used throughouly in this opening sequence is Pan(horizontal movement, left and right), which conveyed Donnie Darko's emotions and feelings. For example, the camera goes towards the tree and then we can see a helpless person laying down on the ground, which makes the audience question whether or not the person is dead, so already 20 seconds of the opening sequence has created tension. The other camera movement used is Follow(the camera physically follows the subject at a more or less constant distance). For example, the camera goes towards Donnie(very fast paced to low paced), which makes the audience wonder why he's on the floor thus automatically creating supense and tension. After this, it goes around to convey his feeling. The shots that are used firstly is very blurry then becomes more visible. The long shot becomes closer to Donnie Darko. The over the shoulder shot is to show the audience what Donnie is looking at then automatically goes to a close up to convey his emotions and feelings about the scenery. There are some POV shot to give the audience a view on how Donnie is feeling
Mise en scene
Tension has been built mostly using the mise en scene. I will display different ways mise en scene has been conveyed to grip the audience's attention and undoubtfully leave them in a cliff hanger.
In most thriller psychological opening sequences , they want us to have a brief understanding of the main protagonist, which worked effectively through its camera angles and movements. The camera movements used throughouly in this opening sequence is Pan(horizontal movement, left and right), which conveyed Donnie Darko's emotions and feelings. For example, the camera goes towards the tree and then we can see a helpless person laying down on the ground, which makes the audience question whether or not the person is dead, so already 20 seconds of the opening sequence has created tension. The other camera movement used is Follow(the camera physically follows the subject at a more or less constant distance). For example, the camera goes towards Donnie(very fast paced to low paced), which makes the audience wonder why he's on the floor thus automatically creating supense and tension. After this, it goes around to convey his feeling. The shots that are used firstly is very blurry then becomes more visible. The long shot becomes closer to Donnie Darko. The over the shoulder shot is to show the audience what Donnie is looking at then automatically goes to a close up to convey his emotions and feelings about the scenery. There are some POV shot to give the audience a view on how Donnie is feeling
Mise en scene
Tension has been built mostly using the mise en scene. I will display different ways mise en scene has been conveyed to grip the audience's attention and undoubtfully leave them in a cliff hanger.
 |
| This appears to be in the middle of nowhere as there are no cars, houses or people nearby the person laying down the floor. This is the starting of the initial location of the film. This shot automatically creates tension because the audience are probably wondering why there is someone laying down on the floor in the middle of nowhere. |
 |
| This shows Donnie is wearing his pyjamas and his bike is laying down the ground thus showing he wanted to get away from his surrondings. The sky shows that it is early in the morning(sunrise) therefore Donnie must have been away all night, which captivates the audience's attention into what drove Donnie to get away. |
 |
| Donnie is familar with his surrondings that is why he is smiling so secretly as his memory to this certain place is coming back to him, which makes the audience wonder how Donnie is like as this particular moment only gives a small portion on how Donnie is like. The scenery also gives some sinister feeling as the colour of the sky is purple; and purple usually represents evilness, which could in a way make us wonder if Donnie is the antagonist in the film. |
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| This place is familar to Donnie Darko because of the rapid fastness of his way to these surrondings. This scene could be used as a wake-up call to Donnie's reality as the other scene was him relaxing whilst this is a very homey, busy place where routines are always the same. |
Friday, 13 November 2015
Cast list
Cast #1
Character: Mariam (Mary) Ayub
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Name: Faiza Wasim
Age: 16
Nationality: Pakistani
Skin Colour: Brown
Faiza had been selected to the role of the main protagonist Mary. In terms of role suitability she matches the role because she is the same age as the character. She doesn’t reinforce the stereotype though as she is Asian brown and the character is White-American. This is because we couldn’t find someone who was white and American and we also thought it would be a good idea to subvert the stetreotype as these days we hardly see any brown characters playing the role. In order for us to get Faiza in to character she will put some light make up on and will be dressed in a casual yet girly night wear.
Character: Mariam (Mary) Ayub
iName: Faiza Wasim
Age: 16
Nationality: Pakistani
Skin Colour: Brown
Faiza had been selected to the role of the main protagonist Mary. In terms of role suitability she matches the role because she is the same age as the character. She doesn’t reinforce the stereotype though as she is Asian brown and the character is White-American. This is because we couldn’t find someone who was white and American and we also thought it would be a good idea to subvert the stetreotype as these days we hardly see any brown characters playing the role. In order for us to get Faiza in to character she will put some light make up on and will be dressed in a casual yet girly night wear.
Cast #2
Character: MayaName: Raima Uddin
Nationality: Bengali
Skin colour: Brown
Raima had been selected to play the role of the second main character Maya. In terms of role suitability, she doesn’t really fit the role of the character but we are going to make her look like it with the help of some make up and clothing. She is not the perfect match but she is the same age as the character which makes it easier for her to get in to the character and make it appealing to the audience. We couldn’t find a Filipino brown girl and however as Raima wears a hijab it makes her totally subvert the stereotype of most of the thriller films as we never see a hijabi girl as the main protagonist.
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