Feedback From Ainsworth Dennis

  

During the first days of the editing process we decided to get some feedback of what we have done so far. We can then take into consideration what has been said which may help us later in the process of editing, to get it just right!

Planning - Target Audience

As a group we decided upon what our target audience would be due to the content in which will appear in the opening sequence of our thriller. However, we also discussed who would more likely be attracted to our film. Since our opening sequence will contain flashes of blood and a dead body getting dragged, we thought about making the film a 15 parental guidance. We predict that it will be favored by teenage boys more as they tend to watch these type of films often. This could be a form of an inherited audience. Also our title 'The Executioner' gives the genre of the film away therefore will attract an audience interested in Thriller/Horror. 

Art Of The Title

The title opening sequence in Buried really attracts my attention. This is because straight away the non-diegetic sounds creates a thrilling atmosphere. I think it is suitable with the special effects as well. "The type isn;t rising. We're sinking" Personally I think music and the title sinking have a good connection. 

Fonts and colours are really effective too. White fonts really stands out. I would like to use something like this for my movie opening. However I want to use titles on a black screen at the beginning. This is a stylized title sequence. 

What I like about the title of the movie is that it looks very attractive. Also it looks like there is dirt on the writing. I would like to use something like this for the title of my opening sequence "The Executioner" The position of the text is also something that strikes my mind. It isn't in the middle of the screen. It more to the bottom right. I think this is more effective as it makes the audience think about why it's there. Is it significant?

I also like the effects of the titles fading. I wouldn't mind using this however I would make it fade from side to side instead of going fading up. 

Planning: Title Sequence Inspiration

After watching a lot of film opening such as Taking of Pelham 123, Buried, Enemy of the State and many more the two most influencial title sequence are Seven and Momento.

the titles in Momento started with a black screen with blue titles. Then it follows with a narrative opening title sequence.

This is a very good idea to use. It starts off with the important names such as: Production company, Directors and so on and then it follows with the least important names and titles. We want to use something like this for our opening sequence. However we do not want any title to overlap to another shot. So if we do use this in our one then we will make sure one title goes on one shot and a different shot goes on another shot.

Another movie that influence us a lot is Seven but this time it isn't the titles. It's the book in the beginning. 

We want to use something similar to the book. In our one we are going to se an old dirty diary that belongs to the killer. There will be a shot of the pages in the diary flipping. We might put some titles on the page but again that might overlap in between shots.

If we do use the title sequence like in Seven then our writing will be in red instead of white. This is because we want to create a bloody thrilling atmosphere.

Planning - Camera Shot Practice

We choice to film and edit this small scene in which will apear in our final product. we chose to create this scene in order create a strong visual interpretation of what types camera angles we may use. Also it helped to choose a type of pace in which the scenes will be for the scene we have chose to create a slow pace in order to create suspense of the body being dragged. As we have a tight schedule, we thought that practising  the filming would be a good to visualise and be well prepared when coming to the real filming.

Planning - Skateboard for tracking shot.

Our location which is Abney Park Chapel has very un even floors and because we want to use a tracking shot in our opening sequence we know it's going to be difficult. So we decided to use a skateboard. We are planning to put the camera on the skateboard and move the skateboard about for the tracing shot. hopefully this will make the shot more smooth.

Planning - 180 Degree Rule

During the planning process our group started to think about different camera angles, one of the areas we agreed that we all struggle with is the '180 degree rule' therefore we did some research on this particular area and found a really useful poster in which helped us to understand this better.

In filmmaking, the 180° rule is a basic guideline that states that two characters (or other elements) 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, it is called crossing the line. The new shot, from the opposite side, is known as a reverse angle.

EXAMPLE:
In the example of an action scene, such as a car chase, if a vehicle leaves the right side of the frame in one shot, it should enter from the left side of the frame in the next shot. Leaving from the right and entering from the right will create a similar sense of disorientation as in the dialogue example.

Planning: Costume and Props

We are planning to use these costumes. The leather jacket which the killer will wear. however because we were behind on schedule we didn't haven't had time to get our hands on one. Everything else like the gloves, diary, white sheet to cover the body and the skate board is in our possessions to use.

Instead of using an actual leather glove we will be using a normal black coat. We will throw some fake blood on it to make it look like a real serial killer's jacket.

We might rip up the gloves a bit so it looks scruffy.

To make the dairy look realistic we will use tea bag so it looks dirty. We will write random names on it and drawings to make the killer look sick.

The white sheet will be use when the killer covers the body. We thought of Using it with a match cut. there will be an over the shoulder shot of the killer throwing it, then it will switch to the front of the body where the sheet will over the camera, thus covering it and ending the opening sequence. This will also happen in slow motion.

Planning - Storyboard

During the planning process of the production of our fina media product, we created detailed storyboard in order to create a strong visual aspect to what was going to be produced. We also found this very useful when filming as this was used as a guidance in order to film the opening of our media product. However we also went against our storyboard whilst filming as our group thought that a different type of shot may have worked better due to being there and visually deciding what shots where going to be where and how they would be developed in the presence f the building in which we would be working in.

Storyboard sheet 1.

Storyboard sheet 2.

Storyboard sheet 3.

Planning - Animatic

                                                 
Our film opening has a range of different shots and camera movement. The first shots shows the scenery of the location that the character is in. We then see a long shot of the chapel followed by a left to right camera tracking movement which leads to the front gate. After this shot we are going to use a dissolve to create a sense of thriller atmosphere leading to a close up of the main character. After, it cuts to a close up of an old diary followed by a very slow zoom where the body is being dragged. We then cut to different angles of the body being dragged. 

Planning - The Treatment

The opening of the "The Executioner' is based upon the antagonist whom is a serial killer and his victims which are carefully recorded in his diary. For the opening we have opened the storyline up in which, we gather a sense of location in which is significant as there are many biblical symbolic references which may apply to our understanding of this character a little more. The location may imply his sinister ideology of placing his victims within an old ruined church. As the story progresses we gather a better understanding of this character, as we see who his victims are and why he's killing them which soon applies to the killing of his family. We see many flashbacks of his sinister actions as the story progresses. Towards the end we discover he the antagonist is mentally ill and dies whilst in a psychiatric unit. He dies by stabbing himself repeatedly, we later discover that we was taking hard drugs in which, also lead to his death.

Planning - Location

During locating, reviewing and confirming our location, our group chose 'Abney Park', Our group went to see exactely where and the envirnment in which we will be filming. During our search we found what was to be thought as the perfect location for us and will suit what our opening sequence contends. Our group found a chapel located in the middle of Abney Park grounds, however the chapel was locked therefore our group contacted the site manager and came to an arrangement whether we could use this as our location. We then found out that this site is occasionaly used as a filming location for many. Once we contacted the sitye manager we found out that a cost was to be included. Student rates are £20 / hour to use the chapel, however we came to an arrangement of £75 for 4 hours filming time on Saturday 25th Febuary 2012 at 4pm - 8pm. Our group wanted to keep to a budget of no more than £50, However we came to an aranngement and decided to go with £75 as we really wanted this location to film our opening sequence.

Location: Abney Park - Chapel

Time: 3.30pm - 7.30pm

When: Sat 25th Feb 12

Costs: £75 - Media department pays 50% of costs.

Media department: £35

Students: 37.50/4 = £10 Each.

Our final Confirmation Email

Hi Zubeir

Many thanks for agreeing to the £75 and thanks for letting me know about the generator.

See you on the 25th. Feel free to call me on my mobile if you have any immediate questions.

Regards

John.

Production Schedule

In order to achieve our final deadline, us as a group had to create a production schedule in which provided the dates of when we planned, filmed, uploaded videos and edited. This really helped our group as it provided a tight schedule, in which kept us, as a group organised. 

Storyboard remake of 'Killers' scene

We watched the opening of the film Killers.This is the original video:













And this my recreated version of it as a storyboard:

As you can see, despite the opening clip being very short, there are many types of shots and they are from different angles. All of these carefully created components construct a very effective opening to the film.

Analysis of students' thriller opening

Group 31. Czarina Baticos, Dennetta McKain, Kim Nguyen, Thao Ngo from 283goswell on Vimeo.

The opening of a student film I’ve decided to discuss is Four Walls. I’m going to do this through the 4 key aspects which are mise en scene, editing, use of camera and sound.

Mise en Scene:
The location where Four Walls is set is one of its strongest successes. The enclosed environment creates an eerie atmosphere and portrays the theme of entrapment.  The props such as the knife and pictures allow the audience to interpret the situation. We are instantly introduced to an enigmatic character, and they seem like a psycho which is depicted through her body language. The bloodstained, ragged and dirty clothing imply that she may have been trapped for a long time. Finally, the lighting is very dim, which suggests she is enclosed physically; this reinforces the theme of entrapment.  The props such as the knife and blood imply gory violence and this is maybe foreshadowing later events of the film.

Editing:
The special effects such as writing coming off the page, the ghostly effect of the different shots of the actor, and the transitions (fade) all help in order to create a sense of surrealism and detachment of the character from reality which further adds to the entrapment.

Camera:
There are many different camera shots, mostly close ups, which show the character’s facial expression and show that they are being driven mad due to being trapped in this secluded, unknown (to the audience) location. This is one of my favourite parts to the opening because we never see any outside view of the place, which adds to the suspense and keeps the audience anxious to know what is going on.

Sound:
One key element in the success of Four Walls is the sound as it creates suspense and builds tension. The non-diegetic sound effects added create a sense of mystery. The Foley sounds of the girl banging on the metal walls are very realistic and works perfectly in time with the actions, which is why at first glance, it may not be very noticeable. Finally, the music also really helps to engage the audience as it is creepy and suspenseful. 

Planning - Pitch In Movie Format

Planning - Pitch

Unfortunately we cannot afford £100 therefore we have replied to his email telling him that we want to work within a £50 budget and what he has to offer within that value. We are thinking of other locations in case this doesn't workout. 

Camera movement - Ideas

Camera movement is an important part to create meaning in a film. I had an idea of using a specific movement which will be very effective for our thriller opening and we can't do it because we don't have the right equipment to create this shot. However, with the program after effects, it has a function that can allow you to stabilise a video that it not smooth. 

Audience for thrillers

Different audiences watch different types of thriller genres. For example, men would enjoy watching an action thriller because they enjoy fight scenes, suspence, and fast paced action. Women however, prefer to watch an  emotional, normal paced films like romance thrillers and comedy thrillers.

The genre thriller also has an age rating between 12 and 18 which shows that thrillers have content such as blood and violence. Thrillers tend to have a lot of violence which makes the films mostly 16-18 which means that thrillers are mostly for adults.

Strange days, is a thriller film that has a "pov shot scene" where three men go to steal all the money from a shop. The film has inappropriate language, violence and threatening. It also, has props such as, guns which makes this film inappropriate for an audience under 18.

Art of The Title

Film: Se7en

The opening of the thriller I have chosen to analyse is Seven, released in 1995, produced and directed by Kyle Cooper. One of the first things I noticed is that there is a lot of editing in this opening title sequence, Kyle Cooper uses frequent cutting rate with jump cuts from one slide to another to portray the fact this film is fast paced and dramatic, with a fair amount of action in the narrative as he seems to be preparing for something. In the foreground there are names that flash up, including the lead actors as they are key selling points of the film. This sequence was filmed in the colour of black and white and also ‘sepia’ which may reflect on the underlying darker tone to the narrative. The abrupt flashes of the colour red could  imply something of greater darkness could happen later, due to the fact the colour red is often associated with the connotations of death and violence. 

The narrative opening emphasizes details in certain objects; this is a captivating technique which I think works well to engage with the audience. The font used in the opening sequence is in a ‘handwritten’ style, just like the writing seen on the paper. It creates a great connotation between them and an atmosphere of danger and violence. The names in the titles are initially shown on a black background and then the background changes to detailed, close-up imagery. I like the use of this technique as it enables the audience to still see the names clearly but it does not steal attention from the imagery.

The music is also used for the same effect as the imagery and editing. It starts off quite slowly and quiet with an underlying beat that stays the same all the way through, enhancing consistency in the title. Gradually other sounds start to play while building up tension as well as rhythm and loudness. We also hear noises that associate themselves with the imagery behind them e.g. the turning of the pages of a book.

Finally, I enjoyed the way the images are revealed to us in this opening title; they are all connected to each other, giving some clues to the narrative of the film but they do not give too much away. They are enough to give the audience an idea of the the movie and keep them intrigued. This is a perfect balance because it gives more than enough to keep the audience interested but not enough for them to know the story of the film. We see images of pages of books, pens writing on paper, a series of close-ups on hands and scissors cutting film and pictures. Certain words were also highlighted, which imply that those words may hold great significance to the narrative later on in the film. The close-ups and extreme close-ups work like a montage to engage the audience without giving too much away, for example if mid shot of a character had been used, the audience would have been less interested because it may have revealed too much and lose suspense. This is a technique I admire and hope to use in our opening to a thriller film.