Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Questionnaire
Thriller Questionnaire.
Name: Age: Gender:
1: What is your favourite thriller out of this list?
Seven Jaws Silence of the lambs Red eye Other……………
2: What is your least favourite thriller out of this list?
Seven Jaws silence of the lambs Red eye Other…….
3: What makes you scared?
Ghost Gang violence Death Claustrophobia spiders
4: What’s in a thriller that makes it enjoyable for the audience to watch?
Tension Complex storylines violence mystery investigation
5: What’s your favourite colour?
Red Green blue Yellow Pink Black
6: When watching the opening credits, do you prefer simple text or more complex text?
Simple Complex
7: Do you prefer the main characters to be…
Male Female Both Not bothered
8: Do you think tension building music adds to the thriller atmosphere or is it a give-away?
Adds to it Give-away
9: What do you believe an opening sequence should have to keep the audience’s attention?
Concealment Action Tension Dialogue Distressing images
10: Would you rather have a character you can relate to?
Yes No
11: What would you like to see in a thriller storyline?
Crime Murder Abuse Torture
12: Do you prefer the plot to be a mystery or more exposed?
Mystery Exposed
13: Do you find that the lighting could change the mood of the thriller, for example: dim and dark lighting?
Yes No
14: would you prefer white on black graphics or more complex?
White on black Complex
15: would you prefer to be introduced to the main character in the opening sequence?
Yes No
16: what noises do you find scary and builds tension?
Beating sound Ticking Rumbling Footsteps other
17: what noises do you find least scary?
Beating sound ticking rumbling Foot steps other
18: What is your favourite font?
Thriller Thriller Thriller Thriller
19: What is your least favourite?
Thriller Thriller Thriller Thriller
20: Would you prefer the storyline to be realsitic or supernatural?
Realistic Supernatural
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Production Schedule
Production Title: Deadline
Students: Jessica Ogden, Natalie Litherland , Salif Ballo ,Luke Giwoowee
Date Production Started: 1st November 2010
Treatment Started: 15th November 2010
Shooting Started: 3rd December 2010
Rough Cut Submitted: 17th December 2010
Final Tape Completed By: January 2011
Equipment required:
Sony camera, tripod, battery, tape main leads, jib.
Transport required:
Public bus service for both shooting days
Crew:
Camera person: Natalie Litherland , Salif Ballo ,Luke Giwoowee, Jessoca Ogden
Director: Jessica Ogden
Actor: Patrica Allen
Props: Knife, kitchen towel, man’s coat, key ring with family picture on it, radio, glass of water , bin bag
Students: Jessica Ogden, Natalie Litherland , Salif Ballo ,Luke Giwoowee
Date Production Started: 1st November 2010
Treatment Started: 15th November 2010
Shooting Started: 3rd December 2010
Rough Cut Submitted: 17th December 2010
Final Tape Completed By: January 2011
Equipment required:
Sony camera, tripod, battery, tape main leads, jib.
Transport required:
Public bus service for both shooting days
Crew:
Camera person: Natalie Litherland , Salif Ballo ,Luke Giwoowee, Jessoca Ogden
Director: Jessica Ogden
Actor: Patrica Allen
Props: Knife, kitchen towel, man’s coat, key ring with family picture on it, radio, glass of water , bin bag
Thriller Genre
Codes and conventions of thrillers
Notes:
Definition:
Both literal and film based genre that contains build-up of suspense. Mystical aspects are used to engage reader’s interpretations of events.
Sub Genres:
· Psychological
· Crime
· Supernatural
· Action
· Erotic
· Horror
· Political
· Drama
· Disaster
CK Chesterten, British Author Martin Rubin ‘Thrillers 1999’ John Cawelti ‘The Exotic’
Modern genre set mainly in urban environments ‘poetry of modern life’
Transform the ordinary to the extraordinary
Northrop Frye; The heroic romance
Hero is nearly always an ordinary person like the viewer
The ordinary person is forced to behave in extraordinary ways because of his or hers circumstances
‘Moves the world in which ordinary laws of nature are slightly suspended
Enchanted Forest= Normal modern city
Modern city= Enchantment and mystery
Introduction of the unfamiliar
Artefacts/objects/props from the middle-east or orient
Location
WH Matthews – Mazes and Labyritiths Pascal Bonitzer- Partial version
Origins- Greek Mythology
Hero in a thriller often finds them-selves in a predicament
Faced with mazes full of twists and dead ends in order to reach the villain
Could be literally or a metaphorical for the narrative
Audience are presented with hero’s puzzles and problem solving
Audience only see so much, elements are hidden
Blind spots are introduced to build suspense and leave unanswered questions for the audience
What we don’t see is just as important as what we do see
Character is placed in an ‘unlimited prison’
Lars ole saurberg- concealments and protraction
Suspense works in two ways, pulls the audience in two different directions
Concealments- deliberately hiding something from the audience
Protraction- deliberated delaying of a suspected outcome i.e. bomb explosion, a planned killing
Noel Carroll- The question – answer model
Audience are presented with questions that they wait in suspense for the answer i.e. will the hero die? Who is the killer?
1. Probability factor- a ‘sure thing’ is less exciting than the battle against odds
2. Moral factor- morally right outcome increase involvement
Analysis: The opening scenes of 'Silence of the lambs'
Analysis of: Opening scenes from ‘Silence of the lambs’
Narrative structure:
Linear structure
Beginning: We are introduced to a woman climbing up a mountain and running through the forest on a misty day, it’s unclear to the audience what and why she is doing
Middle: It’s obvious this woman is doing some sort of agility course/ training as she climbs over a climbing frame taking her once suspected vulnerability away
End: She is stopped by a unknown character to go and see someone, we then know she works for the FBI or some kind of public service as it is displayed on the unknown characters hat and as she runs through campus of all these people either training or working the building.
Thriller codes and conventions:
Like most thrillers silence of the lambs use question and answer model to make the opening sequence watchable and suspense as the audience want to find out answers for example
· What is she doing?
· Why is she running?
· Is she getting chased?
· What time is it?
Similar to questions and answer model the example of her looking left and right before going right leaves the idea of mazes and labyrinths- is she going the right way?
Camerawork
Throughout the opening credits the shots are very long to show distance with the use of long panned shots. The first opening shot is a crane shot as the camera crosses the tress going from high to low.It cuts to a long shot of her a girl in the distance climbing up the hill through the fog. The use of close ups of the characters feet as she runs through the leaves could be precieved as her running away from someone.The establishing shot of the training base changes the whole perspective of the character through th e opening sequence as it adds power and strength to the character which contridicts to the medium long shot of her running which could be percieved as her running away from the killer, meaning the use of a point of view shot. To captures this vunerablilty in this character they use tracking shot of her running, music also builds alongside to create suspense as she picks up speed.Mise-en-Scene
Natural light is used to show either morning or dusk in the opening sequence. Your first impression of the character seems to be the stereotypical vulnerable girl on her own in the woods but her style in her running contrasts with that last image as it’s not frantic but calm and collected. Her surrounding ads to this idea of vulnerability as all those trees around her make her seem small and vulnerable. The climbing frames 
Obstacle course is a signature point in opening scene as all vulnerability fades away as you understand why and what she is doing, suddenly changes from stereotypical vulnerable girl to more in control, strong woman as she is interrupted by a guy wearing FBI cap insinuates she is either working for the FBI or training to be an FBI agent.
Sound
Fade in of instrumental is heard before image comes on the screen. The use of music is a calming sound which doesn’t create suspense or tension, it’s not anything iconic either, relates the surrounding very calming morning music. The only diegetic sound in the sequence is her breathing and the slight crunches of leaves underneath her feet to show it’s only her running by herself. It’s unusual the choice of music as it doesn’t add tension to scene meaning no danger is going to happen to this girl yet.
Editing
There is very little editing other than variety in camera shots and when the opening image of the trees fades in other than that it is very editing s as it only uses long takes. Comparing ‘silence of the lambs’ editing to other thrillers such as ‘Jaws’ or ‘Se7en’ it doesn’t come across as a thriller nor does
Graphics
At the start of the opening credits we are told the location of this character but the graphics are almost miss able as its only small and in the corner but throughout the rest of the opening credits the text was central of the screen and plain as its just black , bold, capital letters with white shadowing to contrast on the background image
Analysis: The opening scenes of 'Red Eye'
Narrative structure:
Red eye is linear structure
Thriller codes and conventions:
In Redeye they use such codes and conventions as concealment from the audience; hiding things from the audience creates an on edge atmosphere as the audience are faced with unanswered questions
· Who is stealing his wallet?
· Does he know it’s getting stolen?
All this adds and creates suspense to the thriller atmosphere. We later find out the main character is the romantic hero as she is forced to do extraordinary things to save her life.
Camera work:
The use of a slow zoom on wallet focus’s the audience attention to show this is important or has some significance, the panned shot of family photos and then a close of picture of girl in graduation uniform - 1. Indicates she has some importance 2. Shows she has intelligent in a wealthy family. Quick cuts are used to add to the atmosphere of danger and suspense when the action begins between the movement of the cargo, to the opening and relieving this mysterious metal box inside. The different shots of different hotels blue prints and images of rooms are to gives the impression of someone investigating/ spying? - Which we late find out the main character works in a hotel.
Mise-En-Scene
I.D. card
Sound
We are introduce to a heartbeat / pounding sound which blends into the sound of a plane as the credits come on relating to the airport theme. Soon as the first scene starts the music stops suddenly but then a low beating sound restarts again as the camera pans across the family pictures- using non-diegetic sound to insinuate something is going to happen now or with the people in the pictures. Throughout the credits the music played is non-diegetic which is upbeat and intense to add to the tension to the atmosphere.
Editing
Long cuts are used instead of quick shot ones; instead they use music to create the suspense and tension. The build-up of intensity in music and loudness are used to create tension instead of fast cuts like ‘se7en’. Credits fade out
Graphics
The graphics are very simple - white on black, central of screen and capitalised which fades in and out. The title contrasts with simple graphics as its 3d, red, bold and capitalised. The red in the title signifies danger. The name of the film relates back to the aeroplane theme as that’s the name of the plane the main character gets on to which is the source of the thriller.
Treatment
Treatment
Synopsis:
The expression of ‘two- faced’ has just got a more extreme. A normal working day woman finds herself battling with her inner demons as she is faced at a crossroads between good and evil.
Treatment:
Beginning: Close up of Veronica preparing a glass of water before a long shot of her walking up stairs then the camera pans to her going from the stairs to the bathroom. Medium close of her to get some sleeping pills out of the bathroom cabinet reverse shot of her looking into the mirror before leaving the room to go to bed. As she gets in bed extreme close up of her hands picking up pills then camera follows as she takes a sip of water and she falls asleep. From a birds eyes view you see Veronica in the middle of the night tossing and turning before it cuts to black and white which is the beginning of the non-linear structure. Strobbing is used to show her getting out of bed but to disorientate the audience by showing one half of her still in bed and the other moving. Cutting to a panned low angle shot as she walks across the landing to the bathroom gives the character a different strength and power to the scene. As you see through Veronica point of view seeing her reflection in the mirror shows a difference in facial expression being cold and motionless. As it cuts to her quickly walking down stairs to kitchen there is a close up of her wrapping a mysterious object into a kitchen towel and placing her bag, the use of concealment leaves the audience guessing what is to come, as she is begging to leave you see a full shot of the character from the back revealing her size and height. The door slams behind her, and then sees her walking down her drive into the distance. When she returns you see her walking back up the drive from the bedroom window, to show a passing in time, when she does come through the door the camera pans to follow her walking up the stairs. As she drops the bag on the bathroom side an extreme close is used to make this a significant shot in the opening credits. The camera pans again round her as she walks to her bedroom and door closes behind her. The camera is back in colour again as medium close up shows Veronica waking up in hot sweats, as you see a close up of her face her expression has changed again from that cold, motionless from before. As she goes back to sleep it cuts back to black and white again signifying a change in scenario it cuts to a close up of her pulling keys out with an extreme close up of image of keying with a family picture- with her not on leaving the question who are these keys as the door slowly turns and creeks building up suspense you here an alarmed voice from a far shouting ‘Who’s there?’ it quickly cuts to door slamming behind her and all you can hear is someone screams leaving the audience to decide what’s happened. You see a behind shot of walking from the house with a coat over her shoulder which she didn’t have before. As it cuts back to her going home she drops coat in to a bin bag and throws it under the stairs, the camera pans as she walks up the stairs and into her bedroom. It cuts back to colour as she wakes up and looks to her alarm clock, close up of time to show the passing from night to day. As she goes to the bathroom she turns the radio on whilst getting ready she overheard the radio saying how the ‘Glazebury serial killer strikes again’ reaction shot shows her facial expression being shocked about the news, showing she is oblivious to the night antics. As she continues to get ready she reaches in to her bag to get lipstick but knocks the bag over by accident and the blood stained kitchen towel falls out she picks up the cloth and looks in the mirror cutting to black and white again to show the same the cold motionless expression from before slowly changing to an evil smirk.
Middle: Veronica can’t understand why she has found this or why she has discovered a coat which belonged to the Jones- who was the last serial killer victim. She realises that the time of her night terrors began was when murders began also. She hides camera all round her house and discovers the atrocities she has committed. She sends herself to a mental clinic to keep the public safe but her split personality is still taking over and somehow still committing these murders.
End: The police try to intervene and assonate Veronica but because it’s her split personality the cant kill an innocent person, they try to do an exoticism on Veronica to get rid of this evil spirit but it still doesn’t work. For the public sake Veronica ends up doing suicide.
Monday, 29 November 2010
The camera angles used:
The camera angles used:
Panned shot; strobbing shots; Low angle shot; High angle shot; Point of view shot; Medium Shot; Extreme close up; Close up; Long shot; Static shot; Extreme long shot; Bird’s eye shot; Medium close up; DCU; Full shot; Medium long shot
1. Close up of the cupboard as veronica takes a glass;
2. Close up of the tap as she fills it;
3. Birds eye view as she turns;
4. Medium shot of her walking to the door from behind;
5. Medium long shot of her walking through the door;
6. Full shot of the cupboard in the bathroom;
7. Close up of the cupboard handle as she opens it;
8. Close up of the pills from the inside of the cupboard;
9. Close up of the pill box as she takes a couple;
10. Medium long shot of veronica shutting the cupboard;
11. Medium shot of her walking back until she stares in the mirror;
12. DCU of veronica’s face in the mirror;
13. Medium long shot of her looking in the mirror;
14. MLS of her turning around and walking out the bathroom;
15. Long shot of her walking out the bathroom into the corridor;
16. Birds eye view of her at the bedroom door;
17. Long shot of her walking into the bedroom;
18. Close up of her leaving the pills and glass of water on the dressing table;
19. Medium shot of her turning around to do her hair;
20. Close up of the pills and glass of water as she takes her pills;
21. Medium close up of her taking the pills;
22. Full shot of her walking to her bedside;
23. Birds eye view of her going to sleep.
24. She’s in bed its birds eyes view shot,
25. Then for when she’s getting out of bed it's mid shot,
26. Her feet on the floor its close up,
27. Then low angle shot for her walking across the landing,
28. Medium shot of her going into the bathroom,
29. Close up when she's in the mirror,
30. Long shot of her leaving the bathroom,
31. Close of up the knife then
32. Extreme close up of the towel going around the knife,
33. Mid shot of her putting the knife in the bag,
34. Full shot of her putting her coat on,
35. Close up of her,
36. Long shot of her leaving through the door
37. Mid shot of the door slamming shut
38. Then extreme long shot of her walking down the street from the window
39. Close up: Veronica waking up
40. Extreme Close up: Veronica distressed facial expression
41. Medium shot: Veronica going to sleep
42. Close up: Veronica rolling over in bed
43. (Black and white)
44. Long back view: Veronica standing at door
45. Camera pans: To show Veronica from a different angle
46. Extreme close up: of Veronica reaching into pocket
47. Low shot: Of Veronica pulling keys out
48. Extreme close up: of dangling family photo key ring
49. Medium side shot: Veronica walks to open door
50. Point of view shot of putting key into door
51. Medium shot (from inside house): of door with being able to see Veronica silhouette through the glass
52. Low angle shot: Of Veronica feet walking into house
53. Bird’s eye view shot: as Veronica walks through door frame into hall
54. Point of view shot: as Veronica looks at family key ring
55. Point of view: as she looks upstairs
56. Camera pans: as veronica starts to walk forward
57. Extreme close up: as Veronica reaches to close the door
58. Long back shot: of Veronica closing the door
59. Long shot: of outside the house’s front door
60. (In black and white)
61. Medium shot: back view of Veronica with coat over her shoulder
62. Close up: of Veronica hand turning handle
63. Long Shot: back view of Veronica walking to the cupboard
64. Point of view: from the bin bag- seeing Veronica bending down to pick up bag
65. Side shot: of Veronica opening bag
66. Point of view shot: from inside the cupboard looking at Veronica silhouette
67. Medium shot: inside of the cupboard with just the bag inside and door shut
68. Panned shot: as Veronica walks from kitchen to bathroom
69. (In colour)
70. Medium Shot: Of Veronica waking up
71. Point of view shot: As Veronica turns head to look at clock
72. Extreme close: up of clock
73. Static low shot: Veronica getting of bed and walking past the camera
74. Long shot: Veronica walking back from the bathroom to the camera
75. Panned shot: Veronica moves from corridor to bathroom
76. Extreme close: of hand turning radio on
77. Medium close up: of Veronica getting ready whilst listening to the radio
78. Extreme close up: of Veronica facial expression
79. Medium shot: as she reaches for bag
80. (In black and white)
81. Low angle shot: on bag on floor with objects all over the floor
82. Panned shot: of objects on the floor
83. Close up: Veronica picking up object (knife wrapped with kitchen towel)
84. Point of view shot: Veronica looking at her reflection in the mirror
85. Extreme close up: Veronica facial expression changing.
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