Key Concepts

With regards to the four key concepts my thriller opening has been inspired by the research tasks that I have carried out and other thriller films that I have watched since beginning the course. In this post I will be explaining the different key concepts and where my ideas stemmed from.

Genre
The genre of my film opening was in the brief that I was given. So I knew that I would be doing a thriller film at the outset. Essentially, to aid me in fitting the thriller genre I completed audience research.

Audience
My thriller research conveyed to one that my main target audience would be teenagers aged 14-17 and adults over 26 years old. However, when thinking about audience I also had to consider how my audience would be viewing my thriller opening. Primarily, I decided that it would be online due to the small scale of my production - thus, my thriller will be uploaded to Youtube once it is finished. I believe the majority of people that watch my thriller opening will already have an interest in thrillers - this is because 71% of my audience said that they enjoyed watching thriller films. I took this into account when producing my thriller as I was able to use more subtle thriller conventions that a keen thriller film audience member will be able to identify. 

Representation
I was inspired by Helmut Nickel's White Hats Black Hats theory when thinking about how I was going to represent the characters in my thriller. I felt that by putting Efa (Heather) in a white top she would be conveyed as innocent, pure and clean - this would be paired with her blonde hair which has stereotypical connotations of angelic behaviour to represent her as the 'good' character. In contrast, I decided to put the Masked Murderer (Sean) in all black clothing to demonstrate the opposite - that he is evil, dark and concealed. Again, this would be paired with his black hair to convey the ultimate evil character. As mentioned in a previous post, I was going to paint the Masked Murderer's mask black but I eventually decided to keep it white as I felt that it emphasized his twisted behaviour by suggesting that he chooses to believe he is a good person (as he chose the mask). In the woods scenes I decided to put Efa into a red coat, this conveys danger, death and violence to the audience. 

Semiology
Semiology is the theory of the functions of signs and symbols. I found it quite difficult to include signs and symbols in my thriller opening as well as the directors did in other thrillers that I watched. One could suggest that the white mask is a symbol of a pure, hidden evil as the white has connotations of purity and the mask is concealing the Masked Murderer's identity. Additionally, the natural setting could be a sign of the of the Masked Murderer's life. The multiple trees that entrap Efa convey his cunning ways of trapping innocent people - this is mirrored by the branches, leaves, ivy and roots all being wrapped around in an almost suffocating way. Additionally, the low lighting signals to the audience that the goodness - represented by the light - has left the Masked Murderer and he is now evil due to the crimes that he has committed. 

Final Props List

Newspaper Clipping

After I'd established that I wanted to add an extra scene with a newspaper clipping I had to make the newspaper. I used Adobe Photoshop CS3 to import the template of the Daily Mail newspaper and then started to input my own front page story. Below is a screen shot of my work using Adobe Photoshop CS3. On the right hand side in the bottom corner the layers that I used are visible. I had to use multiple text and picture layers to make my newspaper look as realistic as possible. On the left hand side the tools that I used can be viewed. I used the cut, text, rectangle, crop, zoom, hand and mouse tool. Essentially, I have used Photoshop a couple of times but it took a while for me to get used to it as at home I have paint.net. The reason I decided to use Adobe Photoshop CS3 is because I wanted to use a range of different programmes when making my thriller opening.

Here is the original copy of the newspaper that I found on Google:

I liked this newspaper because the title was large and bold which gives the audience the opportunity to read it clearly. Also, the story in the top banner suggests elements of violence with "spanked" but it adds a more relaxed feel to violence. 

Extra Scenes

After reviewing my footage I decided to add 2 extra scenes due to the fact that I felt my thriller opening was to ambiguous. So, I have decided to add one shot of a newspaper that I made being thrown onto a table. On the newspaper there will be the headline "Masked Murderer Strikes Again". I decided to use the word "Strikes" because it is quite a vicious word so it suggests to the audience that the Masked Murderer is a violent man. Additionally, I have decided to use a template of the Daily Mail newspaper because it is a very well known newspaper. What's more the Daily Mail quite commonly reports on stories that are quite significant as it's a national newspaper as opposed to just a local newspaper. This demonstrates that the story is quite big and thus enhances the impact of the opening.

Furthermore, I have decided to add another scene after the newspaper being thrown onto the table of the Masked Murderer cutting out the article and hanging it on the wall (where he already has multiple articles of his previous murders). I believe that if the man is wearing some type of gloves it is suggested that his finger prints - and therefore identity - is being concealed. Moreover, I was inspired by the Se7en film opening to use light and dark to convey the good and evil in the MM. Therefore, I will use a shot where the light is scarce to demonstrate that he has very little good in him.

Finally, I have decided to use a closing shot of the blood running off the knife. This is the shot where the title will appear (Run). It will further enhance the red colours that convey the danger and violent nature of the MM. This will fade out to a black colour (which is where the opening ends and the film continues). Below is an extra storyboard for these shots.

Shot List

There is only one shot which is not accounted for on my shot list as I got my inspiration from seeing the newspaper lying on the table. I decided to add a shot of a made up newspaper with a headline which describes what happened to Efa. I am thinking about including it after the Title part of the sequence.

In depth: Locations

I chose to film in the woods because my audience research told me that 74.2% of people thought it would be the most effective in creating a sense of isolation and entrapment.

Dialogue in "Run"

Crucially, I have decided to make my thriller opening without any dialogue except one word; "Run". Essentially this means that I will be using non-diegetic sounds - music - instead of diegetic. I feel that with my thriller opening this will be more effective in terms of building suspense because a sense of panic will be able to be achieved through the use of music. Additionally, during my thriller research I found many thriller openings used only non-diegetic sounds, which I felt worked more effectively than scripted dialogue. I think that if I was to write a script or use diegetic sounds the overall soundscape would seem fake and set up.

However, as previously mentioned I have decided to use one word in my opening; "Run". I have decided to do this because I feel that the music will create an appropriate sense of tension - which is what a thriller is supposed to do - and the speech will break this sense of tension. Thus, the audience are left anticipating what might happen as they have been broken from their initial emotions/thoughts. The Masked Murderer (played by Sean) will be the person saying "Run". It will be said with quite a rough/husky voice as I want the Masked Murderer to appear like a violent or psychotic man. Essentially, I will need to make sure that this is done well in order for the effect that I want to be correct.

One film that used solely non-diegetic sounds - i.e. music - was the Psycho opening sequence. Although I didn't particularly think the opening sequence for this film was very well produced I liked how the sound (combined with the lack of moving film images) created a sense of urgency and therefore suspense. I would like to get a sense of this in my thriller opening. Significantly, I am juxtaposing all of my other thriller opening research tasks by doing this but I wanted to challenge some of the typical thriller conventions.

Animated Storyboard

This is my animated storyboard to give me a rough idea of how the shots will look and if the music track goes with the film clips. I had to add more angles and shots in because the opening wasn't long enough. I think my finished one will be longer still due to the fact that I will film things from different angles and perspectives so I'll have more opportunity to experiment when editing. Overall, this took me just over 2 hours to make, edit and upload to Youtube. I made it using paint (for the drawings) and Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10.0 (to edit). I used Jake Sanderson's music track in the background and edited it slightly so that it fitted better with my opening. Overall, I think that it turned out quite well and helped me with how I'm going to film and edit my actual clips. 

Music/Soundtrack

This is a piece of music that I have found to be the non-diegetic soundscape for my thriller opening. I decided to use it as it builds tension and suspense very well. The composer - Jake Sanderson - has given anyone permission to use it as long as he is credited somewhere (see evidence below). I will edit the track slightly to fit my film better. To do this I will use the Sony Vegas Forge Audio Studio 10.0. At some points I will also have silence and some speech so I will have to cut the track and make it quieter in some areas. Jake used Finale Printmusic to compose this track.

EVIDENCE:

Locations

My audience research told me that it would be more effective to have a woodland location in my thriller. So, taking this into consideration, I have decided to use the 2 closest and least populated woodland areas. I had to choose somewhere close as if it rains I need to be able to get home quickly so the equipment doesn't get damaged. Additionally, I had to pick areas that weren't populated because of noise pollution and the fact that  Sean will be wearing a mask and carrying a knife so I didn't want to get into any sort of trouble for having a harmful weapon.

LOCATION 1:

This location is about 10 minutes walking distance from my house. It's quite a small section of woods next to a disused concrete enclosure. I don't think there'll be many people around at this time except dog walkers or cyclists. However, as I'm filming mainly in the afternoon I expect that many people will be at work so hopefully there won't be many people in the background. This area is also quite sheltered by tree coverage so I believe that if it rains a little bit we will be quite sheltered. 

LOCATION 2:

This location is also a 5 minute walking distance from my house. It's another small section of woods next to the TM pond. I know that there won't be many people at all in this section of the woods as many people travel to the other section to walk their dogs etc. This area is less sheltered so it would be harder to escape from the rain if it did rain.

LOCATION 3:

This is the house location in my house. I included the bag in the photo so I could see where to place it. I feel that it will work well, however, I have to take the sign off my door as it spoils the shot! I think the white doors work well in enhancing the innocence. The red bag also conveys that she is in danger. 

This is where the scene in my house will be when the kettle is boiling. I included the flask so I can see where it will be placed in the shot. 

This is a high angle shot of the flask. I was just playing around with what it would look like when filming. I'm unsure if I will use the flask in my actual production yet as it doesn't fit in as well with the continuity of the film. 

Revised Filming Schedule

Due to difficulties with the mask arriving from Amazon in time I have had to revise my filming schedule to later this week. I decided that Wednesday would be an appropriate day as the weather looks promising on the BBC website and it is now darker more early on in the afternoon for my dusk shots. Below is a rough filming schedule for the day and the weather report from the BBC. I'm hoping that it won't be raining for too long around midday as I want the woodland to be looking wet and dull but I have to be weary of damaging the equipment.

Transitions, Editing and Inspirations

In my thriller I have decided to use a range of different transitions and effects in order to build suspense and tension. I have decided to use jump cuts in some areas to speed up the shots of the action - this makes the actions more hidden and the audience feel mystery. My inspiration for this was the Se7en opening sequence, which I thought used jump cuts effectively to create tension. For the scenes that flash back in time I have decided to use white fade outs and white fade ins. Essentially, this signals to the audience that the action is happening at a different time as this is well known indication. I have seen this done in many films and TV programmes so this is where I got my inspiration from. Furthermore, I have chosen to do a black screen with a black fade to some white text because I thought the Body of Lies opening was extremely effective when it showed the bible quote. I thought instead of showing a bible quote - as it has nothing to do with my thriller - I would almost make it seem like a thought in the back of Efa's mind. Lastly, I am using a match cut between Efa's scream and the kettle because I thought the Psycho shower scene's match cut was particularly effective in keeping the continuity of the film smooth.

Rough Filming Schedule

This is my rough filming schedule. I decided to film on Monday as the weather seems promising for the right lighting and overall look that I want. I also wanted to be very careful that I filmed before halloween as I am doing a small bit of night time filming and don't want noise pollution or people in the background of my shots. Additionally, I was wary that filming a video with someone in a mask and cloak with a knife around this time may be a bit risky as I wouldn't want onlookers to think that my cast are dressed for halloween or that we are using the knife to hurt anyone. 

I have decided that I will film the scene in my house and the daytime scene in the afternoon - before dark and then film the dusk/night time scene in the evening as the clocks go back and it will be getting dark sooner. Below is a table with my suggested filming time, location, props and people. Moreover, there is a screenshot of the weather forecast however, I will have to wait and see the actual weather on the day.

Props and Equipment Planning

This is my props and equipment list. I made 2 separate lists to ensure that I didn't forget anything. I will be borrowing the equipment from school on Friday 26th October 2012 and returning it on Monday 5th October 2012. I won't need any lighting as I am filming in the daylight and editing in the night time effects. Also, I won't be using the tracking dolly as the ground is too uneven in the woods so it won't have the smooth effects that I want in my thriller.

Props

• Luggage bag
• Crumpled clothes
• Kettle
• Cloak
• White mask
• Knife
• Flask 
• Map
• Red coat
• White blouse

Equipment

• Tripod
• Sony Handycam HDR-HC9
• Mini DV Tape

Character and Costume Planning

Efa

Efa is the young woman who witnesses the masked murderer murder someone. I chose the name Efa because it has a meaning of "alive" - which is ironic because she is running away from death. Efa will be played by my friend Heather. She takes drama for a-level so I cast her as this character because I know that she will play the character effectively. I want Efa to be an unassuming and gentle character - thus enhancing the suspense that the audience will feel towards her. I chose a female victim as opposed to a male one because my audience research told me that most people thought that having a female victim character would be more effective in creating tension. Heather has blonde hair which has connotations of innocence and an angelic persona so I think this will work well if I leave her hair down and possibly in curls. In terms of costume, I want Efa to be wearing something white in the initial flash back scenes as this conveys her to be innocent when she witnesses the murder. However, when she is in the woods in the latter parts of the thriller I will put her in red and white. This is to demonstrate to the audience that she is in danger but she is still the innocent character. An example of her outfits would be as below:

Masked Murderer

The masked murderer is a psychotic male. I chose to make the murderer a male because my audience research conveyed that people thought a male psycho would be effective in creating suspense and tension. I chose for the murderer to be masked because I felt that by hiding their expression the tension would be increased because it is unclear to the audience who the murderer is - thus their identity is concealed. I have cast my 15 year old brother - Sean - to be the masked murderer because he has been in various drama productions and I feel he could play the character well. He won't have to do much in terms of facial expression because he will have a mask on for the whole film except the last scene - but the audience will only see his mouth. I want the masked murderer to be wearing a dark costume which conceals his identity. This means that my characters will be following Helmut Nickel's black hats white hats theory. I will buy a black cloak and a mask for Sean to wear in the scenes that he is in. An example of what this would be:  

Thriller Film Storyboard

This is a scanned copy of my thriller story board. I planned out the basic shots and transitions that I wanted to do when filming and editing. I can use this to help me when I'm filming. I used a working title of "Run" as I am yet to brainstorm title ideas. 

Decided Plot Synopsis

A young woman is eye witness to a  masked murderer killing his next 2 victims. In a state of shock, she returns home, packs her things and attempts to escape the criminal. However, when she is reported missing her name and pictures are all over the news - so the masked murderer is able to find her. One day she is all alone and trying to plan where to go next on the run from the masked murderer - who will take her as his next victim if found - her worst nightmare comes true. They come face to face.

Labels

Attached are all the labels that I will need to make the navigation of my blog easier.

Planning Lesson 1 : Thriller Idea Brain Storm

Thriller Film Ideas

IDEA 1:

A creepy music box tune plays in the background whilst a close up of the spinning doll on the music box comes shows. The scene cuts to a girl in white walking through a forest/empty field (establishing shots/extreme long shots to show vulnerability). The girl is stumbling and the editing begins to get faster (more jump cuts). It becomes apparent that she is being followed or watched and that she is injured. She slumps against a tree and there is a mid shot that then cuts to a close up. An extreme close up of her eyes, pans left behind the tree and the audience see a dark/hooded figure. This light and dark costume for good and evil follows Helmut Nickel's theory of white hats/black hats. When the hooded figure is shown a loud noise is played so that tension is built. The girl attempts to get up and stumble away. The penultimate shot is a point of view shot of the hooded firgure getting closer and closer to the girl until it is right over her and her heavy breathing can be heard. Finally, the scene ends returning to the music box and the spinning figure slowly comes to an end, the box is shut by someone with black leather gloves.

and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B39S3vUmalA
Examples of creepy music box music.

IDEA 2:

The scene begins with a black screen and a slow mumbling, cracked voice talking. It then cuts to a long shot of a girl in an empty room's corner curled into a ball. There is a blue-ish hue over the clips and the girl carries on talking over the top of the clips. It is recognised that she is some sort of psycho. She peers out of the blinds hung up on the window (blinds are similar to bars which is typical thriller iconography). It is apparent that she is keeping tabs on someone when there is then a close up of her messy handwriting in a diary/book. There are jump cuts of her moving around a lot and then there is a close up shot of her talking into the recording tape. This is a very rough idea so exact shots and angles haven't been fully thought out.