This is our final sequence after editing, following the feedback given and finishing off. From the previous draft we have added titles, contrast and saturation to the shots to enhance the scenes. Overall we are pleased with our final sequence and we think we met our set targets.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Evaluation draft deadline mon 22nd 9am, final deadline mon 29th 9am
Thriller Film Opening Sequence Evaluation - 1500-2000 words
PowerPoint uploaded to moodle
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge conventions of real media products?
What conventions of professional products have you used in your own film? (narrative conventions, character conventions, genre, camerawork, sound, editing, special effects, mise-en-scene? Use screen grabs of your own sequence to illustrate each example where you have followed conventions or gone against (challenged) conventions. Also use images from the films that have influenced you where relevant.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups? (gender, age, ethnicity etc.)
Compare a character in your sequence to a character in a professional film (use images). If you have included a villain/victim character, does the character follow conventions of characters in professional films. For example, is your villain male? Is your victim female? Therefore how are you representing gender?
3. What kind of media institution would distribute your media product?
Discuss similar professional films and their production companies (use images of the films and logos). Which production Company do you think would distribute your film? (if it was professional and if you had made the full film).
4. Who would be the audience for your media product? (BBFC and target audience) Use images from a similar product with a similar target audience. Remember that target audience is not the same as classification.
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
Refer to Significant moments in your sequence where you have tried to generate a response from the spectator (a close up to encourage identification with a character, music that encourages the spectator to feel suspense, tense, visceral reaction etc.) What techniques have you used to encourage the spectator to want to see the rest of the film? (Clues about narrative, character, etc.) Use screen grabs of your own sequence.
6. What have you learnt about the technologies from the process of constructing your product?
(blog, camera equipment, editing software – Final Cut Express, istopmotion, Garageband etc.) Use screen grabs/photos of all these things. Be very specific about tools/effects/techniques learnt not just ‘I have learnt a lot about the software’
7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to your final product?
Discuss your second preliminary task that you did in a week before starting Thriller. Discuss what you have learnt since then about construction of micro elements in order to create meaning, how to use different techniques, practical skills etc. How have you built on your knowledge that you learnt from the prelim task? Use screen grabs of your prelim task and your sequence where relevant.
PowerPoint uploaded to moodle
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge conventions of real media products?
What conventions of professional products have you used in your own film? (narrative conventions, character conventions, genre, camerawork, sound, editing, special effects, mise-en-scene? Use screen grabs of your own sequence to illustrate each example where you have followed conventions or gone against (challenged) conventions. Also use images from the films that have influenced you where relevant.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups? (gender, age, ethnicity etc.)
Compare a character in your sequence to a character in a professional film (use images). If you have included a villain/victim character, does the character follow conventions of characters in professional films. For example, is your villain male? Is your victim female? Therefore how are you representing gender?
3. What kind of media institution would distribute your media product?
Discuss similar professional films and their production companies (use images of the films and logos). Which production Company do you think would distribute your film? (if it was professional and if you had made the full film).
4. Who would be the audience for your media product? (BBFC and target audience) Use images from a similar product with a similar target audience. Remember that target audience is not the same as classification.
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
Refer to Significant moments in your sequence where you have tried to generate a response from the spectator (a close up to encourage identification with a character, music that encourages the spectator to feel suspense, tense, visceral reaction etc.) What techniques have you used to encourage the spectator to want to see the rest of the film? (Clues about narrative, character, etc.) Use screen grabs of your own sequence.
6. What have you learnt about the technologies from the process of constructing your product?
(blog, camera equipment, editing software – Final Cut Express, istopmotion, Garageband etc.) Use screen grabs/photos of all these things. Be very specific about tools/effects/techniques learnt not just ‘I have learnt a lot about the software’
7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to your final product?
Discuss your second preliminary task that you did in a week before starting Thriller. Discuss what you have learnt since then about construction of micro elements in order to create meaning, how to use different techniques, practical skills etc. How have you built on your knowledge that you learnt from the prelim task? Use screen grabs of your prelim task and your sequence where relevant.
Friday, 12 March 2010
Rough Cut Feedback
Overall the narrative is good, a well thought out idea and presented well. However, we feel the duration of some of the shots at the end are a bit quick when it's trying to show a desolate area. The sound effect between the voice overs is slightly repetitive and if there could be varied sound effects used for this (white noise) then it would be less repetitive. Finally, the last shot does seem a bit random and the spinning will surely have to be done by man which contradicts the statement that no one is left.
S252
we think that the sound has been used really well. we like the sound effects used in between the radio broadcasts, and the broadcasts themselves. however we think there needs to be more movement within the video footage. i found myself looking away from the screen and just listening to the broadcast. there also needs to be more consistency within the shots. overall, we liked it.
S2-53
We liked the use of the news reporting scene's. We liked the camera's angle. We did not see the point in showing us a chimney (or any other blank a lifeless areas) at the start of your sequence. The sound effects in between the broadcast's were very good. There needs to be some movement within the scenes. We found ourselves looking away from the screen, because we found it sex visually uninteresting. We thought it was more like a horror than a thriller. like 28 days later.
S2-54
we think it is really good, however the credits should stay on for longer so as we can read them. the sound track is really, good, and the way it is in between the broadcasting makes it more tense. the black an white bike tyie is slightly random because of the colour change but yeah it is good.
S2-49
We think that entire sequence is really effective especially the soundtrack. We like the way you have put the still images in conjunction with the extracts but we would have like to have seen more moving footage. We also think that perhaps by putting your own soundtrack and sound effects it could raise your overall mark. The last point we would like to make is that we think that the editing should speed up towards the end to build tension and suspense.
S252
we think that the sound has been used really well. we like the sound effects used in between the radio broadcasts, and the broadcasts themselves. however we think there needs to be more movement within the video footage. i found myself looking away from the screen and just listening to the broadcast. there also needs to be more consistency within the shots. overall, we liked it.
S2-53
We liked the use of the news reporting scene's. We liked the camera's angle. We did not see the point in showing us a chimney (or any other blank a lifeless areas) at the start of your sequence. The sound effects in between the broadcast's were very good. There needs to be some movement within the scenes. We found ourselves looking away from the screen, because we found it sex visually uninteresting. We thought it was more like a horror than a thriller. like 28 days later.
S2-54
we think it is really good, however the credits should stay on for longer so as we can read them. the sound track is really, good, and the way it is in between the broadcasting makes it more tense. the black an white bike tyie is slightly random because of the colour change but yeah it is good.
S2-49
We think that entire sequence is really effective especially the soundtrack. We like the way you have put the still images in conjunction with the extracts but we would have like to have seen more moving footage. We also think that perhaps by putting your own soundtrack and sound effects it could raise your overall mark. The last point we would like to make is that we think that the editing should speed up towards the end to build tension and suspense.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Rough Cut of Thriller Opening
This is a rough cut of our thriller opening sequence.
We have experimented with positioning of titles and would like feedback on which is the most appropriate for our sequence. We have also experimented with video effects on the last four shots and would like feedback on which one looks back. We would also like feedback on shot duration, continuity of the soundtrack and synchronizing our sequence.
We have experimented with positioning of titles and would like feedback on which is the most appropriate for our sequence. We have also experimented with video effects on the last four shots and would like feedback on which one looks back. We would also like feedback on shot duration, continuity of the soundtrack and synchronizing our sequence.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Thriller Analysis- Bourne Ultimatum
The opening sequence for this film suggests alot, gives you a good idea of the plot & is very mysterious. The start of the sequence explains what has happened in the previous films; lost his identity- had it stolen,injured, how his loved ones throughout the films have been murdered, his past destroyed and now people are set to kill him!
This opening sequence is very short and very detailed to ensure you get a good underdtanding of the film. Because of that, you don't need to have seen the previous two films to understand this one.As the sequence starts off you see jason bourne walking injured away down a underground/train station escaping police,or so it seems. He then boards the train but jumps off in order to loose the police. Further on in the sequence bourne manages to escape the police and he attempts to first aid his arm or leg after an bloody injury.As he is aiding himself a russian officer enters the room in which bourne is in,armed and ready to kill. Bourne talks to him and says a line which is remembered through the film; ' My argument is not with you'.. Throughout the end of the sequence a flashback of something that happened to him plays,which brings back memorys that he has lost. I think it is meant to explain why the russian police etc are after him.
Mise En Scene- within this sequence is very mood setting. It highlights the theme running throughout and makes it simple to relate to. It is action/thriller therefore it is quite a dark setting and rather dull. This makes sense for it to be dull and boring because of the theme.. Everything within the shots of the opening sequence are either mysterious or have something to with the plot i.e passports,guns etc..
The sound in the sequence is non diegetic,it is being played for effect,to create tension and to build up fear.. Coming from more than one character. It is not drowning in sound it is just there running quietly in the background.The main sound is jason bourne himself, the characters dialouge and the cars etc.
The camera work looks handheld for some of it because it is following him through where he is going to hide. There is some panning shots.These give the adventure thriller feel, because they make it edgy and tense.
As the trailer progresses,it flashes from different camera angles and shots such as high angle,close ups & extreme close ups. These particular camera shots/angles are particularly good because it shows the viewer all the key points of the trailer i.e. Characters handling guns, bursting through buildings and intense situations & converstaions. There are also some handheld shots where it shows Bourne confronting with the people who are after him. Using a handheld shot exagerates the tensness of the particular moment being filmed.
It shows some fast high angled panning shots of different countrys (birds eye view & floor level) and him talking to people who are trying to help him escape and get rid of these people who are after him and want him dead. This explains that the film is a complex film with alot to be understood,this is obvious just from the trailer. The shots throughout this entire sequence are all flashing back and forth with no continuous scene footage,although it all comes together to ensure you have an idea of what the plot will be and how eveything pans out.
The genre of this film is spy/adventure/thriller. With the particular type of camera work and shots that are used througtout the trailer it expresses these genre's well therefore making it easy to understand the pace of the movie.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Target Audience/Certificate
For our thriller opening sequence our target audience will be 15-25 year olds. We decided the target audience after taking into account the genre of our film, plot/summary and the events. Therefore our film being a thriller about an epidemic it is suitable for this age range. A younger age range would mean that it may be confusing as there is no particular chronological order of events in the sequence. Our sequence does not contains nudity, discriminatory language and actions, frequent strong language, sexual violence or strong horror scenes so it is not necessary to rate it 18 years of age or above.
Our film sequence is most likely to be classified as a 15 by the BBFC meaning that it is suitable for the viewing of 15 year olds and over.
The following information is taken of the BBFC site (http://www.sbbfc.co.uk/categories_15) :
What sort of issues might I find in a ‘15’ film, DVD or video game?
Our film sequence is most likely to be classified as a 15 by the BBFC meaning that it is suitable for the viewing of 15 year olds and over.
The following information is taken of the BBFC site (http://www.sbbfc.co.uk/categories_15) :
What sort of issues might I find in a ‘15’ film, DVD or video game?
‘15’ works are stronger than '12' or ‘12A’ rated works and could include any of the following:
• strong violence
• frequent strong language (eg 'f***').
• portrayals of sexual activity
• strong verbal references to sex
• sexual nudity
• brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
• discriminatory language or behaviour
• drug taking
Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (eg 'c***'), although continued aggressive use will not normally be passed at ‘15’. For more detailed information on the ‘15’ category click here to read the BBFC guidelines
Evaluation questions
These are the questions that have to be included in our powerpoint evaluations :
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
5. How did you attract/address your audience?
6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?
7. Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Opening Titles
Just before we started filming, I decided to try and make a title opening.
I started by creating the text and image on Adobe Photoshop CS3.
Next I imported them into Final Cut Express and edited them with a few fades and ended up with the finished screenshot below.
I then added a soundtrack underneath the opening which is shown in the screengrab below.
Which finally resulted in the end product, shown in the video below.
I started by creating the text and image on Adobe Photoshop CS3.
Next I imported them into Final Cut Express and edited them with a few fades and ended up with the finished screenshot below.
I then added a soundtrack underneath the opening which is shown in the screengrab below.
Which finally resulted in the end product, shown in the video below.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
The Road Opening Titles
The Road is a 2009 action thriller directed by John Hillcoat. It is an post-apocalyptic film set in North America. After a unnamed cataclysm which destroys all civilization and nearly all life on Earth, a father and son attempt to move south to warmer climates or possible sines of life elsewhere.
Sound
In the first few seconds of the opening titles, the sounds are reflective or the idyllic background. Calming peaceful noises like birds singing and soft piano. The sounds of animals such as the birds singing, a dog barking and the horse breathing heavily reflect how the setting is filled with life and emphasises significant signs of civilisation. The music changes dramatically in the scene when the man wakes up in the middle of the night. It switches from soft calming sounds to loud rumbeling ones. Both diagetic and non-diagetic sounds are used. For example sounds like screaming and shouting from outside and deep rumbles (all very opposite to the ones, earlier in the titles). Sound is used well to build up the tension when the camera shots flash from the worried close up face of the women to the sleeping dirty one of the man. Once again, non-diagetic sounds such as deep rumbeling and the wind wherring violently are used to give the audience the feeling of emptyness.
Camerawork
In the beginning of the sequence there are a number of flash camera shots, mostly of the garden and beautiful trees and plants. There is a close up of vivid colorful flowers and a bright yellow tree in the garden of a home. These images introduce the comforting and radiant depiction with the sun shinning crisp and clear. The audience are straight away made to feel relaxed and in a pleasant ambiance. Next there are flash close ups of a blonde pregnant women smiling and a man patting a horse. He is very affectionate and gentle towards the animal, showing he is passionate about the environment and other living creatures. All the way through the first opening scene the camera shots have great significance on the rest of the film, lots of closeups on a turned on light and a door slowly closing. These are metaphorically important, with the light showing there is electricity and the door , secuirty. After the scene in the middle of the night, the camera uses a crayne shot of the man and boy sleeping rough with dirty clothes and bedding. Just before the titles THE ROAD appear on screen, there is an over shoulder shot of the man standing overlooking the decelate hills.
Mise en scene
The background for a majority of the opening titles is particularly amicable and tranquil. The variety of clear stunning pictures of different plants help with the portrayal of this image. Fantastic flowers with vivid visual colours on a stunning backdrop. Because the women has a glowing appearance it reflects her healthiness and being pregnant magnifies the perfectness of these scenes. Her being pregnant helps build the characters up with great effect. In the scene where the man wakes in the night, alot of the background is particularly different. Outside the windows there is fire and red light, this portrays danger. This is duplicated in the very last shot when the man looks at the surrounding landscape, which is particularly symbolic in connection with the first minute of titles but it is at the other end of extreme. Now there is no life, the trees are bare, the clouds are dark and everything is bleek. The contrast between these shots set more of the storyline and engage the audience, making them want to watch more of the movie.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Storyboard
This is a picture of a close up shot of the main character in our sequence. It is then last shot of the sequence because it will make the audience want to carry on watching the film, as it builds suspense and generates questions.
This is the first sheet of our story board. It includes various medium shots of Cambridge, busy areas and shots of newspapers illustrating swine flu, this gives away clues to the narrative.
The last sheet of our story board is mostly empty areas of Cambridge which is contrasting to the first part of our sequence. We will try and show drastic changes between the first and last part of the sequence as this will give away clues to the narrative.
We will try and use our story board as a guideline for our filming so that we make sure that everything is in order and we stick to our idea.
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Developing final idea
Soundtrack Experiment
As we got closer to shooting the film I decided I should start to contemplate making a suitable soundtrack for our sequence. This was just an experiment to create a disorientating feel and to see how easy it would be.
After some feedback, I have realised that this track may be too complicated and the Thriller should have a more simplistic soundtrack to fit it, otherwise the two will differ too much.
Overall this experience has helped me with GarageBand and helped me realise that a soundtrack does not have to be complicated to be effective.
Screengrab of Soundtrack
Taken Opening Titles
Taken is a 2008 action thriller with Liam Neeson as one of the main roles. Neesons daughter Kim played by Maggie Grace goes travelling around Europe with a friend and gets captured by slave traders while in Paris, France. The main plot of the film is of Brian, (Liam Neeson) a former CIA operative pursuing his daughters captors and her freedom. Both of the young girls are captured by the Albanian Mafia who are significantly involved with the illegal sex trade in Paris.
Mise en scene
The beginning of the opening titles starts with Twentieth Century Fox fading onto the screen,slowly moving centrally and then fading out to a black screen. The setting for a considerable period of the opening titles is the kitchen of this American family. It has a regular family and homely feeling, where it is evident for the audience to acknowledge the love and warmth within the room. Also the footage of the girl opening her present is particularly colourful but when the man wakes up in his room, it is gloomy. The difference between these two settings is particularly vivid, due to the quick flash camera shot. Moving from a pleasant and happy perfect picture to a dark dingy depressing image.
Sound
When the young girl is opening her present, there is a high pitched eery music which is integrated into the sequence. A slow piano comes in to create the sense of emotion. The music is connected with the footage, it's an old family movie, and the music reflects this because it creates a sense of remembrance and emotion. As the girl opens her present, the mother is asking the girl if she likes her gift, she replies with elation. The girls all the way through is laughing with excitement.
Camerawork
In the opening titles the camera style is a hand held shooting, to create the image of a home movie. This style of filming emphasises the amateur effect with the home movie style, this provides the realistic footage. As the girl opens the present with frantic excitement, the camera zooms in to show the joyfulness on her face. The camera shots from then on are in a fast flash sequence, the girl has a birthday cake brought to the table and then she is seen blowing the candle out. Following this, just as she blows the candle, the image dramatically and effectively flashes to a man asleep on a sofa in a dark room. These rapid shot changes result are successful in building tension and drama. Contrasting images of the bright family kitchen to a bleak lonely room is clever and creative. Before the TAKEN titles appear on screen, the man turns on the light and walks out of the room. To conclude this scene, there are two extreme close ups,one, a framed picture of a girl and the other a karaoke machine in a catalogue. The picture of the girl has already got the audience engaged, because they can connect the young girl and the one in the picture frame. Also all of these camera shots , of the young girl and the picture frame set the scene and characters of the film well.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Planning for filming
Costume
There are currently no characters starring in our opening sequence, but if we do have characters the costume will be kept to casual clothing. With conventional long black coat or big black boots.
Props
The props that we may need are clothing ( black long coat or boots) if we decide to have a character in our sequence. We are going
Lighting- effect & equipment
I think we should try ans achieve low key lighting when wee show Cambridge as empty. And high key lighting when there is people to show life and action.
Sound
Sound effects will be used in our sequence to create suspense.
Sound effects such as wind to emphasize lifeless atmosphere in the beginning of the film.
Make up/ hair
The character that may star in the film will have to look scruffy and carefree.
List of equipment
Camera , Tripod , Microphone,
Times and Dates you want to film, including a back up plan
Monday 8th February - 3:25 after college
Tuesday 9th February - 9:00 before college
Wednesday 10th February - 2:00 after college
Thursday 11th February - 4:10 after college
Locations
For the first part of our film we need to film deserted areas of Cambridge. So we are going to try and find quite areas around Cambridge during the day.
Some ideas for locations include:
-Addenbrookes underground path
-Street near the train station
-Train station bike areas
-Quiet streets after the train station near mill road
For the last part of our film we need to film busy areas of Cambridge to emphasis busy atmosphere and link it to the first part of the film.
Some ideas of the locations included the following:
-Town centre
-Grand arcade
-Parkers peace
- Station
These are a few places in that we are thinking of using to film the busy shots of Cambridge
Production Roles
Camera - Londie Ncube
Sound Editor - Lewis Shepherd
Director - Ben Shimmens
Editor - Ben Shimmens
Location Manager - Alex Irvine
Test photos/ footage
We used footage like this, as we wanted long panning shots, and also shots that gave the feeling that the place was deserted.
There are currently no characters starring in our opening sequence, but if we do have characters the costume will be kept to casual clothing. With conventional long black coat or big black boots.
Props
The props that we may need are clothing ( black long coat or boots) if we decide to have a character in our sequence. We are going
Lighting- effect & equipment
I think we should try ans achieve low key lighting when wee show Cambridge as empty. And high key lighting when there is people to show life and action.
Sound
Sound effects will be used in our sequence to create suspense.
Sound effects such as wind to emphasize lifeless atmosphere in the beginning of the film.
Make up/ hair
The character that may star in the film will have to look scruffy and carefree.
List of equipment
Camera , Tripod , Microphone,
Times and Dates you want to film, including a back up plan
Monday 8th February - 3:25 after college
Tuesday 9th February - 9:00 before college
Wednesday 10th February - 2:00 after college
Thursday 11th February - 4:10 after college
Locations
For the first part of our film we need to film deserted areas of Cambridge. So we are going to try and find quite areas around Cambridge during the day.
Some ideas for locations include:
-Addenbrookes underground path
-Street near the train station
-Train station bike areas
-Quiet streets after the train station near mill road
For the last part of our film we need to film busy areas of Cambridge to emphasis busy atmosphere and link it to the first part of the film.
Some ideas of the locations included the following:
-Town centre
-Grand arcade
-Parkers peace
- Station
These are a few places in that we are thinking of using to film the busy shots of Cambridge
Production Roles
Camera - Londie Ncube
Sound Editor - Lewis Shepherd
Director - Ben Shimmens
Editor - Ben Shimmens
Location Manager - Alex Irvine
Test photos/ footage
We used footage like this, as we wanted long panning shots, and also shots that gave the feeling that the place was deserted.
Friday, 29 January 2010
Analysis of Opening Sequences
Heat:
Sound:
There is a combination of different sounds that creates tension throughout the opening sequence. The sound is also heightened at certain periods, e.g. the heart monitors in hospital. In the beginning the sound is soft and slow and sets the scene in LA. The music gets quicker when the main character reaches the hospital and walks through the many corridors.
Camera Shots:
The camera shots are quick and rapid, some seem to follow the way the character moves. This makes the audience feel as if they are the main character and are walking in his footsteps. It also heightens the tension throughout the sequence and makes the whole piece feel more urgent. At the end, there are a lot of close-ups of what the long haired character (Val Kilmer) is carrying in the box.
No Country for Old Men:
Sound:
Throughout the duration of the sequence, the majority of the sound was dominated by a narration/voice-over. There is also subtle hints of environmental sounds underneath the narration. A soundtrack kicks in when there is the fight in the police station and the music is sharp and tense to symbolize the environment in which the scene is taking place.
Camera Shots:
There are long and medium shots that capture the landscape in which the narrator is describing and the duration of the shots are not that long. During the fight scene there are lots of shots of the same episode, but they are taken from lots of different angles to give different perspectives of the scene.
Carlito's Way
Sound:
At the beginning of the sequence the only sound that could be heard was a gunshot that occurred twice. After that, cinematic music started and continued throughout the entire sequence, until the last few shots when the main character narrates until the sequence finishes.
Camera Shots:
There are not a great deal of shots throughout the sequence, just long continuous shots that pan around the main action that is occurring. The camera spins around to disorientate the audience and make them feel like the main character who has just been shot. The final couple of shots were switching between the main characters face and a poster that is the only thing in the sequence that is in colour.
Sound:
There is a combination of different sounds that creates tension throughout the opening sequence. The sound is also heightened at certain periods, e.g. the heart monitors in hospital. In the beginning the sound is soft and slow and sets the scene in LA. The music gets quicker when the main character reaches the hospital and walks through the many corridors.
Camera Shots:
The camera shots are quick and rapid, some seem to follow the way the character moves. This makes the audience feel as if they are the main character and are walking in his footsteps. It also heightens the tension throughout the sequence and makes the whole piece feel more urgent. At the end, there are a lot of close-ups of what the long haired character (Val Kilmer) is carrying in the box.
No Country for Old Men:
Sound:
Throughout the duration of the sequence, the majority of the sound was dominated by a narration/voice-over. There is also subtle hints of environmental sounds underneath the narration. A soundtrack kicks in when there is the fight in the police station and the music is sharp and tense to symbolize the environment in which the scene is taking place.
Camera Shots:
There are long and medium shots that capture the landscape in which the narrator is describing and the duration of the shots are not that long. During the fight scene there are lots of shots of the same episode, but they are taken from lots of different angles to give different perspectives of the scene.
Carlito's Way
Sound:
At the beginning of the sequence the only sound that could be heard was a gunshot that occurred twice. After that, cinematic music started and continued throughout the entire sequence, until the last few shots when the main character narrates until the sequence finishes.
Camera Shots:
There are not a great deal of shots throughout the sequence, just long continuous shots that pan around the main action that is occurring. The camera spins around to disorientate the audience and make them feel like the main character who has just been shot. The final couple of shots were switching between the main characters face and a poster that is the only thing in the sequence that is in colour.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Planning For The Thriller - Brainstorm of |Ideas
First idea:
Character 1 wakes up in the room clueless of his surroundings. He touches the back of his head to find blood (which in our case was brown sauce).
Character2 then comes onto the television screen to talk to character1.
Character1 is afraid and has been somehow put in that room by character2.
Character2 then informs Character1 of where he is and threatens him in some ways.
Idea Development:
Character1 could be tied up and fighting to be let loose.
Second Idea:
Psycho woman is cooking up soup to go and give to tied up character.
At the end it rewinds quickly all the way back to the start.
Most of filming time is taken up by shots of her cooking the soup etc.
The sequence should be full of close ups and play around with the viewer's senses.
Idea development:
Filming of the setting could build tension.
Third Idea:
Shows Grand Arcade during the day really busy and then towards the end of the night it's empty with two lonely characters walking around.
This will be a clue to the narrative of the film.
Idea development:
We could film cars and people and speed them up to speed up time. One character could be stalking the other.
Message through face-book of meeting at grand arcade.
Character 1 wakes up in the room clueless of his surroundings. He touches the back of his head to find blood (which in our case was brown sauce).
Character2 then comes onto the television screen to talk to character1.
Character1 is afraid and has been somehow put in that room by character2.
Character2 then informs Character1 of where he is and threatens him in some ways.
Idea Development:
Character1 could be tied up and fighting to be let loose.
Second Idea:
Psycho woman is cooking up soup to go and give to tied up character.
At the end it rewinds quickly all the way back to the start.
Most of filming time is taken up by shots of her cooking the soup etc.
The sequence should be full of close ups and play around with the viewer's senses.
Idea development:
Filming of the setting could build tension.
Third Idea:
Shows Grand Arcade during the day really busy and then towards the end of the night it's empty with two lonely characters walking around.
This will be a clue to the narrative of the film.
Idea development:
We could film cars and people and speed them up to speed up time. One character could be stalking the other.
Message through face-book of meeting at grand arcade.
Friday, 22 January 2010
Logo Movie
At the beginning of our thriller video we were briefed that we had to make a logo title video.
To start, we made a picture on Photoshop CS3 by combining layers of text and a picture of a red ball.
Secondly, we then imported all the layers into Final Cut Express and combined them on a time line and used the "add motion keyframe" tool so that the logo now had movement as can be seen in the movie below.
Finally we made our own soundtrack on GarageBand and added it to the movie clip to create the final Quicktime Movie.
We decided on the name BALL Productions as the word BALL uses all of our initials as the first letter.
To start, we made a picture on Photoshop CS3 by combining layers of text and a picture of a red ball.
Secondly, we then imported all the layers into Final Cut Express and combined them on a time line and used the "add motion keyframe" tool so that the logo now had movement as can be seen in the movie below.
Finally we made our own soundtrack on GarageBand and added it to the movie clip to create the final Quicktime Movie.
We decided on the name BALL Productions as the word BALL uses all of our initials as the first letter.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Evaluation of Student Thriller
"The Beginning - P2-40"
After watching this title sequence we gave this project a grade of 'Level 3 - 40 marks'
We decided on this grade because
After watching this title sequence we gave this project a grade of 'Level 3 - 40 marks'
We decided on this grade because
- The Soundtrack creates suspense and is edited well to fit the images
- Simple text effects are impressive
- Flashing text and images in time with beat of the music, suggest heartbeat sound.
- Well framed shots
- Variety of distance shots - worked with the images to create continuity
- Climax was good, with the music and the fast rewind effect.
Evaluating other students thriller sequences!
'Processed-P1-50'
After watching this title sequence we decided to grade this at level 3- 37 marks.
We thought that:
- It was conventional but remained unique.
- The whole sequence was well edited which made it look professional.
- It was proficient in the use of mise-en-scene, the objects, lighting and setting was well selected.
- Titles where used appropriately and made it appear well thought out.
- All the editing was continuous and this meant that the meaning was apparent to the viewer.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Vertigo Title Opening
Vertigo Title Opening:
The title sequence starts with a close up of a woman. She looks scared and this carries the stereotype that the woman is vulnerable. By showing a shot of her, it also gives of the attitude that she will be involved in this movie. The colour red usually appears a lot throughout the sequence giving a sense of danger to the film.
There is then a close-up of the eye and this represents fear and confusion by continually twitching from side to side. The text Vertigo then appears out of the eye and at the point the music suddenly becomes loud and reaches its climax.
There are then a series of shapes which start off small and far away which creates the illusion that the viewer is at a high angle (linking in with the theme of the film). The shapes gradually spiral closer towards you. Making the viewer feel as if they are getting a sense of Vertigo and falling into the shape, like falling towards the ground.
Throughout the opening titles, the sound is very tense and dramatic. This is done by using various instruments, namely strings and synth. These create the forbidding atmosphere.
2) How does it conform to conventions of thrillers?
One way it conforms is that it uses the idea of the 'Achilles Heel', which is that the main character has a weakness of some description and this will disadvantage them throughout the film. In this film, it is clear that the main character will be scared of heights of have a case of Vertigo.
Also in the opening of Vertigo, the convention of having the female character objectified is strong. She is shown as being tense and nervous, even scared. This shows that she is most likely going to be the vulnerable victim throughout the duration of the film.
Cape Fear
1) What clues does the sequence give you about the film ( Micro & Macro)?
The mise en scene in the opening sequence gives us various clues about the rest of the film. various faces and other things such as birds suggest that the film may be based around these ideas. The continuous images of water suggest that the setting of the film may be based around this. the faces revealed in the opening sequence suggest that they may be characters that feature in the film, maybe the protagonist and antagonist. I think the opening titles gives away the clues that leave the audience questioning, o they have to watch the rest of the film.
2) How does it conform to conventions of thriller?
The music used in the sequence is a conventional thriller soundtrack and his works to create tension and prepare the audience for the film. The soundtrack contrast which elaborates the musical score. This build suspense and builds an atmosphere.
The lighting in the sequence is very dull, with use of dull tone colours which is conventional as it sets the scene for thriller films. Another conventional technique that the film uses is the mystery. Although the sequence gives several clues away to the views. These are limited so that the viewer continuous to watch the film to see what happens. This builds a mystery for the audience as they become curious about the several ideas that are given away in the opening titles.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Opening thriller sequence - Briefing/Conventions
Enigma - mystery for audience- convetionally revealed before end of narrative
Narrative - Often complex (twists/unexpected)
Protagonist and antagonist (villain or a force)
-Often has a flaw or weakness, has to overcome( Antagonist uses this against them).
-Similar characters
Sound- contrasts, elaborate musical score
-suspense and tension and silence
Sub genres of Thriller
(specific genres within larger category of thriller)
Supernatural Thriller e.g. Paranormal Activity,Sixth sense
Hybrid(mixture of genres)
Drama Thriller, Action Thriller, Romantic Thriller, Crime Thriller e.g. Se7en, Godfather.
Sci-fi Thriller e.g. Star Trek
Thriller are not to be confused with Horrors. Horrors are more bloody, frightening which is most of the time contrasting to Thrillers.
Narrative - Often complex (twists/unexpected)
Protagonist and antagonist (villain or a force)
-Often has a flaw or weakness, has to overcome( Antagonist uses this against them).
-Similar characters
Sound- contrasts, elaborate musical score
-suspense and tension and silence
Sub genres of Thriller
(specific genres within larger category of thriller)
Supernatural Thriller e.g. Paranormal Activity,Sixth sense
Hybrid(mixture of genres)
Drama Thriller, Action Thriller, Romantic Thriller, Crime Thriller e.g. Se7en, Godfather.
Sci-fi Thriller e.g. Star Trek
Thriller are not to be confused with Horrors. Horrors are more bloody, frightening which is most of the time contrasting to Thrillers.
BBFC 15 and 18 Ratings
The B
BFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification.They are an independent and a non-governmental body. It is the organisation legally responsible fro film classification in the United Kingdom. They are responsible for the current certificates like PG,U and 12 etc.
Suitable only for those aged 15 and over.
Nobody younger than 15 can see a 15 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15 rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game.
18 Suitable only for adults.
Nobody younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18 rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game.
*Information taken from the BBFC website and Wikipedia
Friday, 8 January 2010
Prelim Task
The sequence we made for our preliminary task had to include the following shots: Establishing shot, close-up shot, match on action shot, shot reverse shot and long shot. We had to storyboard a short sequence that included all of these shots. Our final was a minute long after the editing process on Final Cut Express. The equipment that we used included a camera, tripod and the computer software. We used linear editing which means the order of events was clear to the viewer.
The hardest thing about the Preliminary Task was continuity editing, we had difficulties making sure our sequence was smooth and flowing throughout. The Preliminary Task has prepared us for the Thriller sequence.
The hardest thing about the Preliminary Task was continuity editing, we had difficulties making sure our sequence was smooth and flowing throughout. The Preliminary Task has prepared us for the Thriller sequence.
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