Goodbye

I have really enjoyed making this Thriller Film and I beleieve that is was a succuess. Although we faced several obstacles like weather conditions, disagreemnats and change of ideas we were able to stick together in order to complete the assignment. Creating the blog was also a great experience as it allowed myself, subject tutor and family check up on my progress.

There's nothing I would change about this task everything went well and I had fun.

Best of all I completed the Film on time!!!

WATCH OUT FOR (Stalker 2)

Evaluation

As part of my Media Coursework I had to create a opening sequence for a Thriller Film. The sequence had to be approximately two minutes long and aimed at a 15 or 18 certificate audience. In order to under-go this task I had to create a blog that highlighted the process (production and construction) of creating the film as well as general research about Thrillers.

My Thriller Film is about The victim has been captured by the villain due to significant events that have occurred between the two in the past. Unaware of why they have been captured, the victim attempts to run away from the villain. However, there are a range of obstacles in the way. A range of text messages, e-mails, letters and code have been set for the victim that needs to be revealed in order for them break free.

1) In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop Or Challenge Forms And conventions of Real Media Products?
In creating my Thriller one of my aims was to ensure that my ideas reflected real Thrillers. In order to achieve this I researched Thriller Conventions. The Thriller Conventions simply outlined/highlighted the common elements that create and allow a Thriller to be what it is. There are twelve conventions in total and my film attempts to cover one of them.
In addition, I also researched and analysed the work of famous Thriller film director and producer Alfred Hitchcock. In doing so I watched two of his films Psycho and Family Plot and recognised in great use of film language. This inspired me to incorporate some of his work into my film. For example Hitchcock’s work was based upon suspense and psychological genres. My Thriller is similar to this due to the fact that both the camerawork and music appears to be sinister.
On the same note, my research of ‘Different Types of Thrillers’ and ‘What A Thriller Is?’ allowed me to develop my knowledge and understanding of this media product. The different types of Thrillers enable me to establish the types of thriller target audiences preferred. Which was important for the making of my film.

2) How Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Media Groups? and 3) Who Would Be The Audience For Media Product?
Due to the fact that my Thriller is aimed at certificate 15 or 18 it is therefore essential to have a target audience of the same age (teenagers and young adults). I have created a female character of the same age group within the sequence. The character is portrayed as a young, vulnerable and defenceless girl who is commonly exposed to danger. Such techniques allow the audience to relate to the character more.

3) What Kind Of Media Institution Might Distribute Your Media Product And Why?
Media institutions have developed over the years and therefore means of distribution has also changed. After reviewing the results of the questionnaire I came to a conclusion possible media institutions that may distribute my product would be Cinema’s, D.V.D’s and Blue-Ray. One reason why I would allow these institutions to distribute my film would because cinemas have better quality of picture and sound when viewed on the big screen. The same would apply to legal D.V.D’s and Blue-Ray copies. If the quality of film is good it will encourage individuals to watch the film and enjoy the use of special effects. The second reason is because cinema tickets sales, D.V.D and Blue-Ray profits partly go to the movie which will increase its ratings.
Viral marketing could be another means of distribution because it encourages more individuals to pass on the message about the film; via internet, word-of-mouth or e-mail.

5) How Did You Attract/Address Your Audience?
In order to attract, entice and engage my audience I was able to use a range of transitions, sound and video effects to create my Thriller. I was able to divide/split the shots within the sequence in order to keep the audience wondering what is going to happen next. I achieved this by placing a title sequence between a two shots or a split shot and inserting a transition between the two. My choice of music was sinister because it was fairly quite at the beginning and gradually increased in volume. It also matched the visual images on the screen. I also added video effects in certain parts of the sequence in order to create different outcomes as well this I allowed the audience to view the action from different perspectives through the use of camerawork (over the shoulder and point of views). Although these features enabled me to address the audience, they were also the new things I learnt through the production of the film.

6) What Have You Learnt About Technologies From The Process Of Constructing This Product?
In addition to the above I also learnt the use of sound in order to create a greater effect for the audience. For example, the sound used from Moby Gratis allowed me to understand the use of non-copyright music that gives the film a more professional feel or appearance. on the other hand, the screaming diegetic sounds created by the character engages the audience to watch the film.

7) Looking Back At Preliminary Task, What Do You Feel You Have Learnt In The Progression From It To The Product?
From the preliminary task to the construction process of my film I gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the technologies worked. By this I mean that I learnt how to eliminate sudden jumps between shots by replacing them with transitions (cross dissolves and fades).I was able to select and adapt both the sound and video effects in order to reflect the genre of film. On the same not I was able extract sound created within the film world and replace it with appropriate music in order to move the narrative along.

Lights, Camera, Mission Complete

Congratulations!

We have completed the Film. After all that decision making we have decided to call the film 'Stalker'.

It's Never To Late - Questionnaire

Then lost documents have now been retrieved and all along it was in the classroom.

Prior to creating the Thriller we created a questionnaire for a group of 6th Form students. The aim of the questionnaire was to gain a knowledge and understanding about one's opinions towards Thrillers. The results we gained were very essential to the production of our film due to the fact that it enable us to create film suitable and enjoyable for the target audience. In addition we also had to ensure that the content of the film was suitable for the 15 or 18 certificate.

Lights, Camera, Action Take Two

From Producers to Directors to Actors to Editors and all that in between and back again. We like to call this not just the ‘Circle of Life’ but the Circle Of Film Life’. This is our second day of shooting and we are so excited and ready to start. We don’t have much time left so we went straight into. Our knowledge of Thriller types came into play as we established that we had created a Psychological Thriller. As it places the audience into the mind of a villlian. Although we were able to establish that there were different types of Thrillers, finding one that best described our Thriller was amazing.

Lights, Camera And Editing

After shooting the first part of our sequence we decided to go back to school and edit what we have done. We came together as a group in order to complete the task. In doing so we all had an input to what we felt was good and what was bad. Although there were some disagreements, we were able to resolve them to create the perfect opening sequence. Our editing process involved us uploading our film 'so far' onto the IMac computers. Using the iMovie software we were able to cut and copy parts we felt were relevant into our scene.

Lights, Camera, And Action. Take One Again.

We have started shooting our film and it's going well. The characters play their role well and everything is falling into place. What we have created follows the genre of film. It is so much fun working together as a group attempting to establish the best possible ways to create our opening sequence.

Lights, Camera, Action - New Ideas

Previously we watched Danny Boyles 'Slumdog Millionaire' due to the fact that it is a British Film and we are studying the British Film Industry in conjunction with the Thriller genre in Media. We were able to use the movie as inspiration towards our opening sequence.

We also realised that watching films made by Alfred Hitchcock e.g.(Psycho) he limited the amount of characters he used in order to create an intense atmosphere for his audience. It turn we narrowed down the amount of characters from four to only two. Characters include; Christopher Morrison and Felista Kubuka. This will allow the audience to establish who is the villain and the victim.

Previously we had difficulties in finding a location to shoot the opening sequence. In order to prevent this form happening, we decided to use a location/setting that was always avaialbe. The only solution we came up with was to use my house; and thats what we did. This enabled us to add more action and drama to our Thriller.

Moby Gratis

Moby Gratis was the used that allowed me to upload music onto the Thriller. Moby Gratis supports the work of independent and non-profitable film makers. As a student I was entitled to this priviledge and simply signed up to use there music. Moby Gratis has a selection of non-copyright music.

Music Ideas Include:
Aerial
Ana
Brandish
Sighted
18
Drug Police
Strata
She's Asleep
Across

Lights, Camera and Action - Take One

Our first day of shooting the opening sequence was very difficult; this was due to the fact that our initial setting (cemetery) was occupied. Other initial ideas included a graveyard, forest or abandoned buildings e.g. house or church. We therefore went around looking for other alternatives for us to shoot our film.

Another problem was the weather and lighting conditions. As a group we preferred to shoot the sequence between dusk and the night. Due to the season and time change it became difficult to follow our initial plans. For example, on this day it was raining and the scenes we wanted to shoot outside could not be done. In turn the lighting conditions were too bright to shoot during the day. As a result our filming was postponed.

Animatic

An animatic is a storyboard of graphic images or illiustrations organised in a sequence that shows a motion of clips.

Thriller Ideas

Below is a mind map that shows our possible ides for our Thriller Film. The mind map provides us with ideas that could be covered during the filming process.

Ideas could be altered in due course.

Storyboard

I began my storyboard for the Thriller. The storyboard is a sequence of illustrations or drawings designed to show the possible shot I am going to create in the Thriller. The storyboard will also show how I am going to film my Thriller as well as give the audience an idea of what he Thriller will convey.

Planning

In order to begin the process of making our Thriller we met as a group to discuss the brief and research into similar media texts and target audiences.

Here is what we came up with:

Description Of The Brief
Making a 2 minute opening sequence for a Thriller.

Target Audience
Teenagers - 15 onwards
People who enjoy watching Thrillers
Men
Young Adults

Questionnaire For Audience
Creating 10 questionnaires and distributing them to students in year 12 and 13.
The aim of the questionnaire is to establish data that will help us create our Thriller film.

Issues And Problems
Deciding on our initial ideas

Research and Similar Media Texts
Influences from Alfred Hitchcock
Slumdog Millionaire - opening credits

Preliminary Exercise

It was a SUCCESS.
The short film sequence will created was a success as it followed a range of techniques we were given by Mr Johnson.

We were given the following techniques:
Continuity: shots are edited to follow a sequence.
Match of Action: ensuring that camera shots fit together. e.g. character eating and then a shot of what they are eating.
Shot/Reverse Shot: one shot reacting to another e.g. two shots of a conversation - reaction shot shows the over the shoulder shot followed by a close up of the others reaction.
The 180 Degree Rule: two characters or objects in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects, this is known as crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side is known as the reverse angle.

These techniques enabled us to complete the making of our short sequence. In addition, by finding the definition of each technique allowed us to understand and establish the use of each.

Take One: The Dress

In order for us to practice camera techniques (camera movements and shots) we were set a task whereby we had to create a short sequence for a film. The aim of the task was show our editing and filming techniques as two people have a conversation. We also had to follow the actions and movements of both characters as they enter a room, walk across he room and begin the conversation. Prior to making the sequence Mr. Johnson showed us techniques that could be used in order for us to create the camera shots and movements. In addition to the camera techniques he mentioned (close up's, long shot and over the shoulder shot) we were entitled to use any other shots in the film. These camera techniques may appear several times in our Thriller Film.

We shot the sequence several times as it allowed us to have different shots from us to choose from.
After the sequence was complete we began our editing process. This consisted of us putting several shots together so that they followed a sequence of events. It was simply done by cropping and extending a few shots. A few transitions were added to the film in order to provide it with a more professional feel. Although this was a difficult process we made sure that shots appear in the correct order and were precise with the action and movements made by the visual image on the screen. Some parts of the sequence we re-shot do to the fact that it was not consistent with the film.

Production Meeting 3

During our third meeting, we came together and simply analysed the work of Hitchcock's work. We decided that we were going to use some of the ideas and feature of his work and incorporate it into our Thriller. We also made altered a variety of our initial ideas and put the together to make put final idea.

Final Ideas
Storyline
The victim has been captured by the villain due to significant events that have occurred between the two in the past. Unaware of why they have been captured, the victim attempts to run away from the villain. However, there are a range of obstacles in the way. A range of text messages, e-mails, letters and code have been set for the victim that needs to be revealed in order for them break free.

Setting(s)
Forest
Cemetery

Prop(s)
Weapons

Character(s)
Aicha Ouattara
Christopher Morrison
Pui-San Wong
Felista Kubuka

Sound(s)
Church choir
Creaking doors
Footsteps
Soundtracks

In addition to our final idea we also decided to use Todrov Theory of (Equilibrium, Destruction, New Equilibrium and Resolution) in the making our Thriller.
Changes could be made in due course.
.

Changes could be made in due course.

Hitchcocks Trailers

I have watched a variety of Hitchcock’s Trailers in order to gain a clear understanding to what his films are about. In doing so we see a short montage of clips and the stars/characters within the film.

The Psycho Trailer inspired me most of all because Hitchcock describes the synopsis/plot to his own film; therefore allowing the audience to form visual images or their own. Unless you watch the film, you will not know if your assumptions were correct.

Alfred Hitchcock and Film Language

After watching a range of Hitchcocks Trailers I have decided to watch the entire movie of both Psycho and Family Plot. In doing so I was able to establish Hitchcocks use of Film Language in specific scenes.

Elements Of Film Language:

• Lighting and Colour
• Sound
• Use Of Camera (Camera Framing/Movement)
• Mise-en-Scene (Setting and Props, Costume, Hair and Make up, Facial Expressions and Body Language, Lighting and Colour and Positioning of Characters and objects within the frame).
• Editing

Lighting and Colour
Lighting is used to give a particular scene a very realistic approach/look or to bring out the dramatic nature of it. In addition lighting is used in order to achieve a variety of effects. We tend to associate these different lighting styles with different genres.
For example in Family Plot, his use of white on black made the light stand out and allowed the audience to remember this as an significant part of the film. In addition to this scene, near the end of the movie, the fire coming from the burning car, once it went over the cliff, was highlighted by the use of colour in the film. Without colour, the fire would not be as brilliant as it appeared and only would look like varying shades of grey. In Family Plot, Hitchcock uses colour to highlight certain aspects of the movie and to set the mood throughout the movie.

Sound
Sound is a broad element within Film Language as it involves diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, parallel and contrapuntal sounds and sound bridges.
In Hitchcocks Psycho a range of similar sounds are being played throughout the film. In the opening sequence of the film the non-diegetic sounds being played are decribed as being rapid and quick; creating as sense of rushing or running, possible hurrying up as time is running out. As the film continues the sounds played are still non-diegetic however, it is only played to move the narrative along or to show the audience that something has happened or is going to happen.

Use Of Camera
The use of the camera is a combination of camera framing and camera movements.
Camera Movements consider the ways in which the visual image or action on the screen is being followed in order to gain the audiences attention. Furthermore, the camera movement simply directs our attention to a particular viewpoint.
For example; The opening scene of Psycho shows the camera moving slowly from a distant view of the cityscape of Phoenix into a close-up of the hotel room window.
On the other hand, camera framing relates to the visual images we see on the screen and the frame that they are within on the screen. It tends to concentrate more on how far the camera is from the subject and from the angle the shot is taken in.

Mise-en-Scene
Mise-en-Scene is an element of film language that is used establish a genre of a film. The french term meaning 'What Is In The Frame' is a combination of the following:

• Setting and Props
• Costume, Hair and Make Up
• Facial Expressions and Body Language
• Lighting and Colour
• Positioning of Characters and Objects within A Frame

After watching 'The Hotel Scene' in 'Psycho', I noticed that Hitchcock created an atmosphere whereby the small room holds, two chairs, the lamp table, coffee table, and chest. On the lamp table is a lamp, the only source of light in the room and which creates the key light within the scene. The characters' positions within the room and how they are lit by this single source create different assumptions for the audience.

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock was a British born Film Director and Producer born in1899 in Leightonstone. He became Britons most famous filmmaker (1920's) of Thriller Films which were associated with suspense and psychological genres. In the 1930's Hitchcock was established as an Thriller Filmmaker. Before leaving us in 1980, Hitchcock was able to direct more than 50 films in his career which went over 60 years of his life. These films included:

• Rear Window (1954)
• Psycho (1960)
• The Birds (1963)
• Rebecca (which he won an Oscar for 'Best Film' in 1940)
• Family Plot (1976 last film)

Thriller Conventions

In order to under-go the making of our film we had to establish the conventions of a Thriller. Thriller conventions are simply the common elements or factors that create or allow a Thriller to be what it is.

1. Crime at the core of the narrative (often a murder).
2. Complex narrative structure, false paths, clues and resolutions.
3. Narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
4. A protagonist (main character in a film or story) who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist (a character that is against the protagonist).
5. Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
6. Themes of identity.
7. Themes of mirroring.
8. Themes of voyeurism (looking).
9. Protagonist with a 'flaw' which is exploited by the antagonist.
10. Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist psychological state.
11. There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.
12. Mise-en-Scene which echoes/mirrors the protagonists plight.

Thillers

What Is A Thriller
A Thriller is a genre of story or film that is based upon protagonists who's main aim or achievement by the end of the narrative/storyline is to be seen as more-powerful than the antagonist. In order to achieve this obstacles such as suspense, cliff-hangers, fear and action are placed into the narrative/storyline so that the genre could be achieved.

Types Of Thriller
The Thriller types are also knows an Thriller Sub-Genres'. Apart from/ instead of having the one genre, there are an additional 15 sub-genres that Thrillers can be accounted for/that can be included.

Action Thriller: Films associated with this genre use elements of mystery and crime which occurs behind/after the action. Furthermore, the genre allows the audience to recognise the race against time, as well as clearly identifying who the antagonist is. The use of violence in these films are emphasised with the use of elements of film language (guns, explosions and large set pieces). Examples of Action Thrillers include James Bond Films and The Transporter.
Crime Thriller: This particular genre involves films that focus on criminals rather than the law(police officer). Crime thrillers are a mixture of crime films and thrillers that present suspense which may lead to a crime(s) that have been a success or failure. Crime thrillers usually emphases action over psychological aspects. Typical storylines are based upon murders, robberies, chases and shootouts. Some examples include Seven and The Godfather
Drama Thriller: Storylines of Drama Thrillers tend to be slower and involve a range of characters with twist and turns to the plot. Examples include
Horror Thrillers: The characters of this genre tend to be in conflict that are seen by the audience as being mental, emotional and physical. The main aspect of a Horror Thriller is the continuous use of fear throughout the film. As the storyline progresses the main character(s) become a victim of 'what is being feared' (monster). Well known examples of Horror Thriller include the Saw Franchise, Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, Psycho by Hitchcock’s and Silence of the Lambs.
Psychological Thriller: Well known examples include Hitchcock’s Suspicion, Shadow Of A Doubt and Strangers on a Train, The Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment and The Talented Mr. Ripley Jude Law, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett.
Other Thriller genres include Conspiracy, Disaster, Eco, Erotic, Legal, Medical, Political, Spy, Supernatural and Techno-Thriller

Production Meeting 2

Each individual within our group were assigned a different convention of the initial ideas/of the initial ideas to study/look at/analyse. After studying/ looking at/ analysing the specific conventions we came together and came to these conclusions. We also made sure that conclusions/ideas reflected Thriller films/movies.

Storyline(s)
Storyline 1: Both the victim and the villain have a secret past. The villain has captured the victim and will only set them free after conquering a chain of events.
Storyline 2: The victim discovers a crime scene and is unaware that they are the next target.

Setting(s)
Forest
Graveyard
Cemetery
Abandoned buildings e.g. house or church

Prop(s)
Weapons

Title(s)
Death Trap
Disturbia
Distorted
Flashback
Hidden Agenda

Character(s)
Aicha Ouattara
Christopher Morrison
Pui-San Wong
Felista Kubuka

Sound(s)
Church choir
Creaking doors
Footsteps
Soundtracks

Production Meeting 1

Our first production meeting simply outlines what we are going to do/ the process of creating our Thriller Film. In creating our Thriller Film we are going to look at such things as the initial idea which involves the following conventions:

• Storyline
• Setting
• Props
• Title
• Characters
• Sound/Music.

We are also going to study/research famous British Filmmaker and Producer Alfred Hitchcock. In regards to Hitchcock we are going to study his work and his use of Film Language (Lighting and Colour, Sound, Camera Movement, Camera Framing, Editing and Mise-en-Scene). By doing so, we will, have an insight into the key conventions of a Thriller Film. His use of film language will inspire us to create our own Thriller.

The key conventions of a Thriller Film will also be considered in the making of our film. This would give us an insight/break down into what our film must contain. Therefore a general overview/study of Thriller Films is essential.

Hitchcock's famous films were based on suspense and psychological thriller genres.

In doing so we assigned ourselves different Thriller movies/films to watch. We then came together and adapted several different aspects of each movie that inspired us to produce our own Thriller. We gradually came up with different ideas for our final outcome.

Possible changes would be made to our final outcome in due course.

Welcome

Introducing the four members of our group:

Aicha Ouattara

Christopher Morrison

Pui-San Wong

Felista Kubuka

Together we are producing a Thriller Film for our Media Studies Coursework.