Thriller - Planning

Firstly our group started by making a list of some ideas which would suit the thriller genre. Ideas including someone being chased, a stalker victim, and a hostage. When we had our list of ideas we decided to go for a paranormal thriller. One of our group members (Emma Ford) mother's owns a business called 'Haunted Happenings' We decided to take advantage of this and use one of her venues, Tutbery Castle, where she holds events as the set for the opening to our thriller. We then created a mind map, which is seen in the picture above, about the smaller details which will be in our thriller. In our mind map it included the camera shots angles and positions, the cast, the mise en scene, the sounds and editing. Everything which is going to influence our opening to the thriller.

After gathering all of our ideas we started designing storyboard which, when filming, we will follow.

Storyboard

The first shot will be of the gates of
Tutbury Castle which is where all our filming will take place. It will be a straight shot of the gates, which slightly jolts. This will be followed by a very quick flash from a birds eye view of lots of pairs of hands on a table, as if they are about to do table tipping. The room will be low lit which will hep build suspense for the audience. After the quick flash of the shots it will cut back to the gates which will be opening, the camera will then move through the gates asif walking through them. In the background you will be able to hear footsteps. The shot will then pan left to some gravestones, setting the scence for the audience. The camera then zooms in headstones, being able to see the writing. This will also add horror to the scene as it makes it obvious to the audience what the film is potentially about. The shot then pans right across the front of the mansion.

The shot will then cut to the front of the mansion door, it will be a straight shot. The shot will stay the same but people will walk onto the shot and open and walk through the door. Similar to the previous shot of the table tipping, there will be a quick flashing image of a ouija board, the flashing images foreshadows what is going to happen in the rest of the film. The shot will then go through the door and there will then be a slow panning shot of the first room which you walk into. Half way through the slow pan of the room there will be a flash of a glass with two hands touching it at the top moving really fast across the table. There will then be an establishing shot of the castle which will jolt.

Opening Credits, The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

(up to 2 minutes)

The Dark Knight was directed by Christopher Nolan and was produced in 2008. The story line follows Batman, and other people trying to serve justice as they are faced with an anarchist causing trouble throughout Gotham City.

Editing

There is many uses of editing throughout the opening of the The Dark Knight, this helps create tension for the audience. The first shot of the production company logo, DC Comics is black and dark, it is followed my what looks like an explosion but instead of being orange like fire it is also black and grey, which creates a feeling to that audience about darkness, it also links to the title. Many cuts are used throughout the opening scene. The quick cuts make the audience feel like there is a lot of things happening all at one time. The cuts switch from different locations, starting at the building where the window is smashed then the floor then back to the multi-store building, followed by the car. It builds up tension for the audience as they know that everything is going to merge together making one ultimate climax, however the audience are unsure what that is going to be.

Camera shots, movement and positioning

The camera work is very important in helping build tension in the beginning of a film. In this film there are many different camera shots,, movement and positioning which help build tension for the film. The first shot is an establishing shot of the roof of a building, surrounded by other tall buildings, instantly setting the scene for the audience is in a city. However it makes the audience question why they are on the roof and not on the ground. The camera pan forward slowly zooming in on one particular building, the audience then questions what is important about this building. Then when the window suddenly breaks it becomes obvious to the audience that something unexpected is going on inside of the building. When the shot has been cut onto the inside of the building the camera pans left around the back of the man, this allows the audience to see that there is two men wearing masks, which automatically makes the audience think that there is a crime. As there are two men it makes the crime seem bigger than just one person, this creates tension for the audience as they are in suspense about what the crime is. An over the shoulder shot is used of the man shooting the wire across each of the buildings, the over the shoulder shot also allows the audience to see some of the room which he is in. This makes it clear to the audience what is happening. It also makes the audience realise they have some high-tech equipment suggesting that this is an important action. Also suggests to the audience that they are not amateurs and using the equipment easily suggests they have done it before. The shot then cuts from the room to somebody standing on the ground, the camera is behind them, his face is totally hidden and gives no clues to the audience, this creates mystery for the audience as they begin to question who he is, his relevance and why he is there. The mask which the camera zooms in on which is in the persons hand leads the audience to make a link, therefore them knowing that he is a part of the crime. An example of when a long shot is used includes when the two people are using a sky wire between the two buildings. The long shot allows that audience to see the height of where they are, making the audience see that the people are not afraid of danger as they can see its high up and dangerous.

Mise en scene

Mise en scene creates the atmosphere for what the audience can see in the opening of the film. In the thriller genre it often helps to build tension and suspense for the audience. The most noticeable and important piece of costume used throughout this scene is the clown mask. It straight away implies to the audience that they are the criminals as they are trying to hide their faces. It gives a clear impression that the people are going to commit a crime, the gloves also imply the same thing. The car which pulls up to pick up the man who is on the ground seems like quite a big car, this suggests that there is more people involved that the three people we have already seen. The car does not seem expensive which could reflect the people involved's wealth, or that they are trying to fit in. When the people are in the car the light is low lit, and more natural light, this creates shadows over the peoples faces making their identity even more hidden. However you can see that they have a small hand gun which showing wherever they are traveling to may involve violence. This creates tension for the audience as they are eager to know where they are going. Also when the camera changes the audience can see that the man in the front seat is also preparing a gun, this suggests that it may be soon when they are going to need it building suspense for the audience.

Opening credits, Thir13en Ghosts

(First 2 minutes)

Thir13en Ghosts was directed by Steve Beck in 2001, a remake from the original produced in 1960 by William Castle. The story line follows a unique collector's nephew as he investigates some of his late uncle's collections unaware one these is a group of ghosts. The opening sequence to film leaves many questions for the audience leaving a sense of mystery and tension, typical of the thriller/horror genre.

Editing

One of the factors which helps create tension throughout the opening to the film includes the use of editing. The first shot which is of the Columbia advert, a well-known producer and distributer company. Normally the shot is colourful with warming colours, however an effect is used which makes the colours dingy and dark, almosts seems like grey scale is used. This instantly creates a feeling of unhappin

ess and negativity for the audience, as the first shot is made to seem dull implying the rest of the film is going to follow a similar feeling. The font in which the credits are written in are bright, fiery orange which contrasts to the dark background which are shown throughout the opening shots of the film. The relevance to fire suggests to the audience that fire might have a relevance in the rest of the film. When the title 'Thir13en Ghosts' comes on the audience instantly makes a link to fire and ghosts, suggesting hell, implying to the audience that evil is going to be in the film. Another use of editing which is used in the film includes the fades. There is a fade used from one set of cars to another, this makes the audience feel surrounded as there is a lot of broken cars round them. The dark atmosphere and cars creates a scary atmosphere for the audience as there is a lot of things for somebody or something to hide behind, or possibly for them to hide behind.

Mise en scene

The cars which are surrounded by the audience is all part of the mise en scene which is another factor which helps create tension and questions from the audience about the film. The setting is quickly established as straight away the audience can see that they are in a car scrap yard. Even though the audience are aware where they are it still creates questions, why are they there? Also it is obviously night time as it is dark which makes being in a scrap yard more unusual. Making the audience wonder why they are there so late. The mise en scene also relates with the editing. As the lorry breaks through the gates there is a burst of sparks. This links with the font of the credits as there are more factors which implies fire has an importance. The audience can see the big black cars, which are all the same and have an orange logo on the side of the door. This suggests to audience that even though the have broken in to the scrap they are still a professional business and are obviously there for something important. This creates tension as they wonder what is so important that they have to be there at night and in such a hurry. This idea is supported when the people all get out of the cars as they are all dressed in the same black coats and boots. The uniform creates a feeling of authority for the audience, which they relate to the police or FBI. This suggests that there is a crime or something which is not right happening, explaining why it is important that they are there.

Camera shots, movements and positioning

The camera positions, movements and shots help create the atmosphere for the audience which the mise en scene is trying to create. There are a range of different shots used throughout the sequence. The first shot which is used is at a low angle looking up at a car which is dangling. Instantly the audience can see that it is night time as the can see the sky, also that they are in a car scrap yard. The camera circles, giving the audience a detailed view of what is around them. A high angle is then used to show the lorry and cars which come in to the scrap yard, being at a high angle allows the audience to see all the vehicles in the same shot. A close up is used of the car window as it pulls up, it is a tinted window, which adds suspense for the audience as they are eager to know who is going to come out of the car. Once the people are out of the car and they have opened the car boot an over the shoulder shot is used which allows the audience to see the equipment which they have. This suggests more than the FBI as they have high-tech equipment suggesting something scientific. This creates more question for the audience as there first impressions were obviously incorrect. A shot which is used which helps create the ergency of the task includes a mid shot of the bottom of the people's legs. They are running which suggests whatever they are doing has to be quick.

Sound

As well as the visuals which are used sound is a key factor in building suspense and tension for the audience. When the clip begins there is no non-digetic music and all the audience can hear is the wind. When the credits come on there is a sound effect which is used emphasising them. The digetic sound is throughout the clip until the people get out the car. Then a sound track is used. Which starts quite quickly from the beginning but as more people are around and running the pace picks up and gets louder which follows the feeling of ergency and importance. It creates tension from the audience as it makes them question whatever they have to do are they going to complete it successfully as it seems like the climax of the song is approaching.

Opening Credits, Se7en

Se7en - Opening Credits

The film Se7en, produced in 1995 and directed by David Fincher follows two detectives through the investigation of a serial killer using the seven deadly sins as his motive. The opening sequence to the film builds tension, and suggests ideas to the audience about the rest of the film.

Camera shots, movement and positioning

Camera work is one of the factors which helps build tension in the opening sequence. Extreme close ups are used widely throughout the clip. At the beginning of the clip the first shot is an extreme close up of the top of a thick book with a hand blurred in the background. The audience first question the relevance of the book, what book it is, why they are reading it and who is reading it. However the shots are quick and quickly cut to the next shot in a matter of seconds. Leaving the audience little time to create more questions just based on the book as the next shot is of a pair of a hands, which seem old as they are wrinkled and fingers are bent. Throughout the entirety of the clip all of the shots are close ups and there is no establishing shot which is typical of films to set the scene for the audience, however having no establishing shot helps build tension throughout the opening sequence as it creates more questions and possible answers about where and who they are. On the other hand some shots do give hints to the audience about possibilities of the film. The shot of a picture of a dead man suggests to the audience a crime has commenced therefore, could be at the crime scene or at the view of the investigator. There are many shots of writing and texts in a book, however they are from different angles. Whilst the man is writing the shot is from the side, seeing the pen as it touches the paper, however further on in the clip shots of the text are from behind as if you are looking down to read the book. This suggests the different perspectives of the film, and possibly the detectives as they are trying to approach the case from all angles. Near the end of the clip there is a panning shot of many books on a bookshelf, this suggests to the audience the opening shot is in a library. Already from the first sequence the audience knows that books and writing is a main theme throughout the film.

Sound

Another aspect which helps build tension through the opening sequence is the use of sound. Throughout the clip there seems to many different layers sound track. There is a constant base in the background which is continuous throughout the entire clip. Which consists of two beats and then a cymbal. What overlaps this continuous beat however is what helps build tension as it is constantly changing in pitch and tempo. At the beginning of the clip it starts with the what seems like an explosion or a harsh sound which then introduces the background sound. This explosion time sound also carries throughout the clip. It often is followed by a scream, which sounds female, which is a contrast to the picture which is seen on the screen as it is male, suggesting to the audience that there is more than just the one murder. Towards the end of the clip the tempo increases and a heavier base comes in. This makes the audience feel something is about to happen and the music is building up to the climax. Then the base cuts out and there is one line of lyrics, where a male voice says 'You get me closer to God' this line is shown right after the word 'God' is cut out of a newspaper article. Suggesting to the audience that the film is going to have a religious influence.

Editing

Editing is important in the opening sequence for Se7en. There any many edits which are repeated throughout the clip to create effect. Quick straights cuts are used widely throughout the clip. Allowing the clip to show a lot of different shots in a short space of time. Which seems ironic as the audience gets shown a lot of clips yet still knows little information about the film as nothing is established. The cuts often show the same thing from a different angle, for example when the fingertips are holding the small blade, three cuts are used but show the same thing only from a different angle, this links in with the idea of seeing the film from different perspectives, like the detectives are trying to do. The quick cuts also creates excitement for the audience as they are quick and fast, which could relate to the killer as they obviously haven't captured him if they are still investigating the murder, suggesting he is quick and is out smarting the police. Another edit which is used throughout the clip is when the shot in the screen seems as if it is jumping. Which typically in a film would not be expected as normally they run smoothy. However the jumping is done purposely to create a feeling for the audience of uncomfortableness as it makes the clip seem rigid and disturbed. Which follows the theme of the film as somebody unknown has caused eruption, as the police haven't found them yet.

Mise en scene

Mise en scene is a key factor in portraying a feeling for the audience. In the film Se7en mise en scene is used to create tension for the audience. The mise en scene leaves an unclear view for the audience and the clips leave many lingering questions. This is used as an effect for the audience as it leaves them in the unknown and left questioning, helping to build tension. The close ups and dim lighting creates the mystery of what, who and why the shots which are chosen have been used as the opening sequence to the film. For example throughout the clip the books which have shadows on from the hands which are opening, reading and writing in them creates tension for the audience as they want to know the relevance of the book, and what book it is.

Planning Preliminary Task

On the 18th of January we started planning ideas for out prliminary task. Will was absent from our group so me and Frankie started drafting ideas. The ideas we came up with ranged throughout genres, icluding thriller, rom-com and comedy. We eventually came up with an idea which we then drafter on a storyboard, making notes thourhgout on camera angles, sound and dialouge.

The setting would be in a coffee shop where it seems like a normal day.

An establishing

shot ofr the coffee shop

would open the sequence, then a man (Will) would walk on to the camera and put his hand out to open the door. The camera would then zooe in onto Will's hand, making it an extreme close up of Will opening the door to the coffee shop. The camera would then do a straight cut to a mid shot of a woman (Frankie) at the tillsw, buying herself a coffee, strugling to carry all the things that she has in her hands. The camera then pans to see the woman walking swiftly towards the exit as if she is in a hurry. As she's waloking towards the camera it is a long shot. Then a cut back to Will who just entered the coffee shop. A quick cut is then used to a side shot of both Franki

e and Will you see them both bump into each other

resulting in Frankie spilling her coffee on herself. The shot then cuts to a close up of Frankie's face when she realises that her top is ruined. She looks up at Will, wh

ere he then uses the first peice of dialouge. As he speaks it is an over the shoulder shot, over Frakies shoulder on Wills face, then alternates as she replies. All in a mid shot. After a breif conversation she barges past hime, like she really h

as to be somewhere, and she walks out the door. Frankie is in a long shot, however Will is close to the camera so you can see his reaction as she walks out the door.
Dialogue:

W: Hey

F: Hi

W: I'm so sorry, will you let me buy you another?

F: Just move!
The sound throughout the back of the clip starts with normal digetic sound, of background people in the coffee shop. When Will and Frankie bump into eachother typical romance music comes on as they both look up at into each others eyes making the audience believe it will be the typical film where they fall in love. Howeber when she says 'Just move!' the music cuts out, sounding like a needle down a record played, to show the shock from Will as she was rude to him. The followed by the background noise coming from people in the coffee shop as she walks aw

ay.

Day 1 filming

On the first day of filming we made sure that we had all the appropriate props, such as a coffee cup whcih Frankie would use to spill on herse

lf. We used to lower site cafeteria in school as it has a til which looks similar to one which people would find in a coffee shop. We filmed the beginning of the sequence which included the establishing shot of the coffee shop, will grabbing the door handle, and him walking into the coffee shop. When trying to view the shots we had just taken they wouldn't play. After experimenting with the camera and re-recording shots after changing the settings on the camera we were still unsuccessful. Therefore we went back to the classroom to find hyelp from the technical team. He advised us to use a different camera, however time was pressing short and w

e wouldn't have had time to record the whole sequence, with the help of other groups for the background people in the coffee shop. Therefore our group decided we would start again at the beginning of next lesson, and check the camera to mak

e sure it works properly.

Day 2 filming

On the second day we realised that there were similiar story lines which we could follow which would be easier to film than our first peice, which would require less props, extras and less editing. Therefore we came up with out second story board which had a similar story line however different setting.

The first clip will be of Will, who will be walking towards the camera, down the corridor. It will be a full body shot until he eventually gets to close then the camera will pan round and follow him as he gets closer to the door. When he gets close to the door the camera angle will cut to the other side of the door where you can only see Will through the glass in the door. This will be followed by another cut which will be an extreme close up of Wills hand pushing the door to open it. There will then be a long shot of Wills whole body coming through the door. There will then be a cut to Frankie who will be deep in concentration at her phone whilst walking towards the door. At the last second before Frankie notices she is going to bump into Will she looks up and notices that there is going to be a collision. There will be a close up of Frankie’s shocked face. The shot will then be from the side getting both of their bodies in full perspective to see them bump into each other. These shots will be quick and will jump cut very fast to show how fast they were going when they bumper into each other. There is then a slow motion shot of all of Frankie’s books and work falling to the floor by their feet. They both pause then both rush down to try and pick up the folders, this is at a low angle and is a mid shot but you can see their whole bodies and Frankie’s work on the floor. There is then a side, long shot of both of them looking closely at eachother, making eye contact as if they are both bedazzled by each other. Will then starts the dialogue, it is a mid shot of Will allowing the audience to see his emotions and facial expressions.

‘Hey’

Will says it in a slightly surprised tone.

Frankie then replies, within the same shot, a mid shot, however holding her folders.

‘Hi’

She replies with a sarcastic tone The shot then cuts back to Will where he is apoligising. With a slight stutter as he is embarrassed he walked into her.

‘I, I’m really sorry’

Frankie’s reply then shocks Will, as he expects her to be understanding however she comes across rude.

‘You gonna’ move then,

Frankie then barges past Will and opens the door, you can see the back of Frankie over Wills shoulder, allowing the audience to see Wills expression as she is walking away from him. Will then carries on walking the way he was going in the first place, and the door closes behind him, you can see Frankie walking out through the crack of the door then through the glass. It slowly fades out.

Day 1 editing

After completing all the filming which we needed for this task. We then uploaded our clips onto Adobe, where we then began editing. As a group we all contributed ideas of things we could edit in to improve our task. We also overcome hurdles together as non of us were very familiar with the program. Eventually after experimenting with different ideas and figuring out the program we completed our preliminary task.

The Final Product

Overview

Overall I believe our group worked very well as a team. Even though Will wasn’t present on the first day of planning, everyone made lots of contribution towards our video and the thoughts and ideas behind it. I think our preliminary task does shows many different camera positions, angles and movements. Including, low angle, over the shoulder, panning, extreme close up and long shots. If our group had more time I think background sound or music would improve our piece. I think the idea about sound in our first storyboard would have still fit with this sequence. Therefore if we could improve I would suggest adding music.