7/10/10
Today we began storyboarding our thriller opening using the drawing tablet connected to the computer. We created the images in photo shop, then inserted them into a PowerPoint presentation so we can write notes alongside the drawings, about camera shots and other film techniques. It was quite hard to get used to the drawing tablet at first, so we created simplistic stick-men drawings, but hopefully they still show our ideas for the thriller opening.
Friday 8 October 2010
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Thriller Opening Planning
5/10/10
We were put into groups for our thriller openings. In my group is Holly and Daisy. We discussed lots of ideas, and eventually came up with an idea each.
Daisy's idea was an opening based around a girl biking home after work in the dark and its raining (running water- thriller theme). She is being followed by a car. She speeds up, and so does the car. As she stops, the car slows down to stop beside her. The scene cuts to black for a few seconds, then you see a quick glimpse of the car again, fades to black etc.
We discussed this idea, and about the background information of the girl, who was likable, but shy, works in a pub, goes to college. the character in the car is a drunk for the pub.
Holly suggested an idea of a girl walking her dog in the woods, and being followed by something mysterious. The dog senses something else, barks and runs off, leaving the girl very scared. there are shadows, heavy breathing, and twigs snapping. Then there is a black figure that runs past quickly right in front of the screen. Both these ideas are of the horror sub genre.
My idea was more action; there are four men sitting around a table, playing poker, smoking etc. Then one of then falls out of his chair, onto the floor, dead, after taking a sip of water. one of the other men turns over his cards, revealing a winning hand.
6/10/10
Today we chose which of our ideas we were going to develop further into a thriller opening. We decided that my idea would be too difficult to do, creating the right-looking characters, and the correct setting for that kind of film. We also said that Daisy's idea would also be quite difficult to do, as we don't know anyone that can drive that could do it, and it is also hard to film in the dark.
We then could develop Holly's idea further. We discussed the scene in more detail. We worked on some background detail, that the thing that's actually following the girl is not actually a being, but more of her conscience, because shes done something wrong (that would be shown in the rest of the film as it goes back on itself, a few days before). We began making a storyboard which we will complete next lesson using the Macs.
We were put into groups for our thriller openings. In my group is Holly and Daisy. We discussed lots of ideas, and eventually came up with an idea each.
Daisy's idea was an opening based around a girl biking home after work in the dark and its raining (running water- thriller theme). She is being followed by a car. She speeds up, and so does the car. As she stops, the car slows down to stop beside her. The scene cuts to black for a few seconds, then you see a quick glimpse of the car again, fades to black etc.
We discussed this idea, and about the background information of the girl, who was likable, but shy, works in a pub, goes to college. the character in the car is a drunk for the pub.
Holly suggested an idea of a girl walking her dog in the woods, and being followed by something mysterious. The dog senses something else, barks and runs off, leaving the girl very scared. there are shadows, heavy breathing, and twigs snapping. Then there is a black figure that runs past quickly right in front of the screen. Both these ideas are of the horror sub genre.
My idea was more action; there are four men sitting around a table, playing poker, smoking etc. Then one of then falls out of his chair, onto the floor, dead, after taking a sip of water. one of the other men turns over his cards, revealing a winning hand.
6/10/10
Today we chose which of our ideas we were going to develop further into a thriller opening. We decided that my idea would be too difficult to do, creating the right-looking characters, and the correct setting for that kind of film. We also said that Daisy's idea would also be quite difficult to do, as we don't know anyone that can drive that could do it, and it is also hard to film in the dark.
We then could develop Holly's idea further. We discussed the scene in more detail. We worked on some background detail, that the thing that's actually following the girl is not actually a being, but more of her conscience, because shes done something wrong (that would be shown in the rest of the film as it goes back on itself, a few days before). We began making a storyboard which we will complete next lesson using the Macs.
Saturday 2 October 2010
Question 6- What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this project?
In constructing this preliminary project i have learnt many things about producing a short film. Firstly, I learnt how to use a film camera properly, as i had never used one before, and the importance of using a tripod to keep it still. The tripod was very useful when moving a camera in a certain direction, as it stayed still while moving, so was still. I learnt that it is helpful to film a shot more than once in case something went wrong with that first go, and that will save us having to re-shoot it during editing. We found it fairly easy to create the actual shot types that we'd learnt about.
With editing, we were still getting used to using the software, so we learnt a lot. The program that we'd used was very easy and simple to use, so we found it quite straight forward. We selected the shots that were right for the final film, and cut them so they fit smoothly together. we then added a few transitions, such as fade in and fade to black and white. we added a sound effect of the telephone ringing, which actually turned out really well. We also added other sound effects and music to certain parts of the film, which we found quite difficult at first to get the hang of. We also added a title shot at the beginning, and also end credits.
I have learnt a great deal about film production through this task, and it has been really useful to use the equipment for the first time.
With editing, we were still getting used to using the software, so we learnt a lot. The program that we'd used was very easy and simple to use, so we found it quite straight forward. We selected the shots that were right for the final film, and cut them so they fit smoothly together. we then added a few transitions, such as fade in and fade to black and white. we added a sound effect of the telephone ringing, which actually turned out really well. We also added other sound effects and music to certain parts of the film, which we found quite difficult at first to get the hang of. We also added a title shot at the beginning, and also end credits.
I have learnt a great deal about film production through this task, and it has been really useful to use the equipment for the first time.
Friday 1 October 2010
Thriller Research
Yesterday we looked at the opening 3 minutes of three thriller films.
The Book of Eli2009
Directed by the Hughes brothers
Starring Denzel Washington
Sub-Genre: Post-apocalyptic action
This opening was set in dark forest. There were lots of shadows, a classic feature of Thriller films, and the trees surround the action in this scene to make them look like bars, symbolising being trapped and isolated. The colours used in this scene were mainly blues, greys and black. There was a heavy wind sound in the background, which actually began before the film had started, signifying a feeling of isolation. The are what seems to be falling leaves, or ash, from the sky throughout this scene. This could symbolise falling society. The camera runs along at ground level, giving us a view of a gun, and a dead body, which overall gives us the idea of the the theme of death. I think the camera films at this angle to give us an idea of being a forest animal, watching the following events, but also to give us an impression on how the main character lives, which as we see later on in this scene, is quite primal, and creature-like.
A cat comes into the scene, which could possibly signify innocence; a victim which is also a typical thriller character. This scene seems to move at a slow pace, which builds up suspense.
Then the character is introduced. He is breathing heavily, indicating anticipation, as if something is about to happen. You do not see this figure's face, and so you are unable to determine whether he is a good or bad character. The whole scene gives the impression of watching, and being watched, another typical Thriller theme.
Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt
This opening begins with the sound of some kind of simple percussion instrument that has a slightly tinny sound, and guitar. This creates a really eerie sound, and the impression of mystery, and things not being all that they seem. There is running water, a typical thriller them. There is a dead girl, which means death, and also she is a victim, a venerable woman. The sewer tunnel which is where we see first symbolises trappment, darkness, and isolation. The main character seems very isolated and also, unlike classic thriller themes, he also seems like a victim in some ways.
There are several camera angles in which we see the boy's feet. This could be the point of view of the dead girl, lying on the ground and watching everything he does from ground level. The next scene we see is set a few days earlier, as the boy as he receives a letter from the dead girl. A public telephone rings, which seems odd as we don't expect to get calls to phone booths. This adds mystery to the scene. The girl on the other end of the phone sounds scared, hurt, either emotionally or physically, which again makes her seem like the victim. We do not know what she is talking about, which adds suspense as we want to find out why she is so upset. Then a fast, black car drives past. This is obviously the bad guy, as the driver also flicks a cigarette out the window, which we associate with baddies. The cigarette is filmed on the floor as it still burns away, symbolising a life burning away.
Gothika
The Book of EliDirected by the Hughes brothers
Starring Denzel Washington
Sub-Genre: Post-apocalyptic action
This opening was set in dark forest. There were lots of shadows, a classic feature of Thriller films, and the trees surround the action in this scene to make them look like bars, symbolising being trapped and isolated. The colours used in this scene were mainly blues, greys and black. There was a heavy wind sound in the background, which actually began before the film had started, signifying a feeling of isolation. The are what seems to be falling leaves, or ash, from the sky throughout this scene. This could symbolise falling society. The camera runs along at ground level, giving us a view of a gun, and a dead body, which overall gives us the idea of the the theme of death. I think the camera films at this angle to give us an idea of being a forest animal, watching the following events, but also to give us an impression on how the main character lives, which as we see later on in this scene, is quite primal, and creature-like.
A cat comes into the scene, which could possibly signify innocence; a victim which is also a typical thriller character. This scene seems to move at a slow pace, which builds up suspense.
Then the character is introduced. He is breathing heavily, indicating anticipation, as if something is about to happen. You do not see this figure's face, and so you are unable to determine whether he is a good or bad character. The whole scene gives the impression of watching, and being watched, another typical Thriller theme.
Brick
2006Directed by Rian Johnson
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt
This opening begins with the sound of some kind of simple percussion instrument that has a slightly tinny sound, and guitar. This creates a really eerie sound, and the impression of mystery, and things not being all that they seem. There is running water, a typical thriller them. There is a dead girl, which means death, and also she is a victim, a venerable woman. The sewer tunnel which is where we see first symbolises trappment, darkness, and isolation. The main character seems very isolated and also, unlike classic thriller themes, he also seems like a victim in some ways.
There are several camera angles in which we see the boy's feet. This could be the point of view of the dead girl, lying on the ground and watching everything he does from ground level. The next scene we see is set a few days earlier, as the boy as he receives a letter from the dead girl. A public telephone rings, which seems odd as we don't expect to get calls to phone booths. This adds mystery to the scene. The girl on the other end of the phone sounds scared, hurt, either emotionally or physically, which again makes her seem like the victim. We do not know what she is talking about, which adds suspense as we want to find out why she is so upset. Then a fast, black car drives past. This is obviously the bad guy, as the driver also flicks a cigarette out the window, which we associate with baddies. The cigarette is filmed on the floor as it still burns away, symbolising a life burning away.
Gothika2003
Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz
Starring Halle Berry
Sub-Genre: Supernatural/ HorrorThe opening scene begins with slow, cello music, before the film actually begins. This creates a very spooky, creepy impression on the audience, so they know that the rest of the film is likely to be quite scary. This music also creates anticipation, wanting to know what will happen that will make the audience so scared. The opening credits are white/ blue on black; typical horror film colours. They fade/ disappear backwards, to signify real life separating from supernatural, also something running away, trying to escape. The girl talking appears to be the victim of this film, but she also seems quite crazy and phycho. The woman interviewing her by contrast seems quite controlled, and organised, portraying her as the heroine of this film. The are a lot of dark shadows, creating a mysterious atmosphere, like the is something that is being hidden. These two women are in a cage. This is a typical thriller theme, the idea that they are being trapped, or possibly either protected from the outside, or to protect us from what is inside. The scene is shot to make us feel like we are watching from outside the bars, as innocent onlookers being protected from what is being kept inside.
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