Laura Court-Jones AS Media Studies
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Monday, 31 January 2011
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Production: Audience Research
After completely our rough draft, we showed our opening title sequence to two members of our focus group. Both Lauren and Holly really liked it, but were confused about the ending. However this is the exact effect we wanted, a twist at the end, to make the audience want to carry on watching it.
Production: Editing
We have know been editing for a week and a half, and we have got a basic outline of shots on our time line that last for a minimum of 2 minutes.
Monday, 10 January 2011
Organisation: Filming Updates
Yesterday we completed our second day of filming. We had everything we needed costume etc. At the last minute we decided we would take a step ladder to the woods with us so we could get higher angled shots. Also we thought it would be more comfortable for Sophie- Jo, our actress, if we brought bin liners to put on the floor as the woods was damp. We took some more post production shots of us filming. Everything went according to plan. Altogether we now have about 11 minutes of footage to sort through in the editing process.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Organisation: Filming Updates
Today we filmed all shots in the house with Sue and Jess, the day went really well, with both the actors, and myself and Kate enjoying ourselves all day. Once in the location we found there were many different places we could film to get a variety of shot angles, and we took more shots than necessary to ensure we would have enough for the title sequence. We both found the camera relatively easy to work once it was all set up, and as we had made sure the battery was fully charged the night before, there was no problems at all.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Organisation: Shotlist for Sunday 9th
SHOT 1 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's mouth, all you can hear is her breathing heavily.
SHOT 19 : Whip pan of her hair in the wind
SHOT 2 : Camera Tilt/ Pan downwards see what Sophie is wearing and her feet walking
SHOT 8 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's shoes as she starts to walk a bit quicker.
SHOT 12 : Hand-held shot of attackers feet walking
SHOT 18 : Hand-held shot of Sophie's feet as she runs from her attacker
SHOT 25 : High Angle shot of someone's feet walking up to her on the floor
SHOT 13 : Whip Pan up to the back of Sophie in the distance
SHOT 3 : Pull away, long shot, see Sophie from her attackers point of view, hear a branch snap, and sophie turns around.
SHOT 4 : Match on Action shot, handheld we cut back to Sophie's POV of her looking around behind her.
SHOT 5 : High Angle shot We see Sophie start to walk quicker through the woods.
SHOT 14 : Tracking shot of Sophie suddenly starting to run behind her
SHOT 15 : Tracking shot of Sophie running from in front of her
SHOT 20 : Medium Whip Pan from the side, see all of her body running.
SHOT 21 : Match on action shot of her feet, she falls and trips over
SHOT 22 : High Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 23 : Medium shot from the side of her lying on the floor
SHOT 24 : Low Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 26 : Long Shot of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 27 : Medium Shot of the front of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 28 : Panning Shot of Sophie walking off to the right
SHOT 19 : Whip pan of her hair in the wind
SHOT 2 : Camera Tilt/ Pan downwards see what Sophie is wearing and her feet walking
SHOT 8 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's shoes as she starts to walk a bit quicker.
SHOT 12 : Hand-held shot of attackers feet walking
SHOT 18 : Hand-held shot of Sophie's feet as she runs from her attacker
SHOT 25 : High Angle shot of someone's feet walking up to her on the floor
SHOT 13 : Whip Pan up to the back of Sophie in the distance
SHOT 3 : Pull away, long shot, see Sophie from her attackers point of view, hear a branch snap, and sophie turns around.
SHOT 4 : Match on Action shot, handheld we cut back to Sophie's POV of her looking around behind her.
SHOT 5 : High Angle shot We see Sophie start to walk quicker through the woods.
SHOT 14 : Tracking shot of Sophie suddenly starting to run behind her
SHOT 15 : Tracking shot of Sophie running from in front of her
SHOT 20 : Medium Whip Pan from the side, see all of her body running.
SHOT 21 : Match on action shot of her feet, she falls and trips over
SHOT 22 : High Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 23 : Medium shot from the side of her lying on the floor
SHOT 24 : Low Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 26 : Long Shot of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 27 : Medium Shot of the front of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 28 : Panning Shot of Sophie walking off to the right
Organisation: Shotlist for Saturday 8th
This is our Shotlist for Saturday 8th. All these shots are the ones that we will be filmed in the house. These are the types of shots we plan to film, however it is likely when filming that we will also take other shots that we find will work more effectively,
SHOT 6 : Cut away to Sue and Jess walking to the front door.
SHOT 7 : Match on action of Sean and Sue walking into the house from opposite angle.
SHOT 9 : Cut away back to house see Sean and Sue sit down on sofa .
SHOT 9 : Cut away back to house see Sean and Sue sit down on sofa .
SHOT 10 : Medium close up from behind Sean and Sue watching TV.
SHOT 11 : Panning shot to turn around and see Sean and Sue happy on the sofa.
SHOT 16 : Close up Sean and Sue's faces, all happy.
SHOT 17 : Pan up to the counter above them to see pictures of Sophie and them.
Organisation: Filming Updates
We have now booked the cameras, and are filming all scenes, with Sue and Jess, in the house on Saturday 9th December and all scenes in the woods, with Sophie, on Sunday 10th December.
We will have a photographer with us whilst we film, who will take pictures of the production of our opening title sequence.
We will then begin editing the following week.
We will have a photographer with us whilst we film, who will take pictures of the production of our opening title sequence.
We will then begin editing the following week.
Organisation: Cast Update
Unforchunatly one of our cast, Sean Taylor, is unable to make the dates we have booked the camera for; as there is no other times we can film, we have had to replace him. Instead of having a husband/wife, father/mother family set-up at home, whilst Sophie is running through the woods, we will now have a mother and a younger child/sibling relaxing at home.
Jessica Cook is 12, and is part of a young actors group in Stourbridge. She will play the younger sister of Sophie and the daughter of Sue
Jessica Cook is 12, and is part of a young actors group in Stourbridge. She will play the younger sister of Sophie and the daughter of Sue
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Organisation: Risk Assessment
This is our Risk Assessment. We will be shooting on two consecutive days; on Saturday we will film all shots in the house. On Sunday we will film all the shots in the woods.
Monday, 3 January 2011
Audience Research: Updates
We showed our focus group our animatic so they could see what our final piece might look like. We wanted to give them the opportunity to make any last comments for improvement before we shoot.
Lauren Hornabrook:
"I can tell that there will be some kind of chase scene, I'm a bit unsure of what is chasing her but i guess that could make me want to see the rest of the film. I love the fact its set in a wood and it's dark and gloomy, you can definitely tell the film will have something dark about it"
Richard Emsley:
"The music fits in really well, especially the last few shots. The music is eerie and its really effective with those shots, it leaves a kind of cliffhanger in opening. It puts a twist on this 'innocent' girl we think we are seeing running away and it looks slightly creepy. I can see the idea of switching back to normality where you see the woman on the sofa, i think this is a good idea and will look a lot clearer when you actually shoot it"
Holly Adams:
" I think you've created a really interesting character, it seems like the film will be kind of twisted. Because not a lot is given away in the opening it makes it seem more exciting. There are places where i think there is a lot of silence and maybe sound could be put there, probably non diegetic. I do think the 'chase' music works really well and you can tell its a chase because the shots start to speed up slightly. However i do this it will look more realistic when its filmed. "
Emma Parker:
"I like the idea of two simultaneous scenes, you can tell by the setting and the lighting that one is dark and one is supposed to be 'normality' The sequence with the close ups of her face is really effective, also shots from a distance make it looks like somethings watching her. Its clear to me that shes running from something that's watching her. I really like the shot of the phone on the floor, its slightly blurry so it looks like shes running away really fast"
Lauren Hornabrook:
"I can tell that there will be some kind of chase scene, I'm a bit unsure of what is chasing her but i guess that could make me want to see the rest of the film. I love the fact its set in a wood and it's dark and gloomy, you can definitely tell the film will have something dark about it"
Richard Emsley:
"The music fits in really well, especially the last few shots. The music is eerie and its really effective with those shots, it leaves a kind of cliffhanger in opening. It puts a twist on this 'innocent' girl we think we are seeing running away and it looks slightly creepy. I can see the idea of switching back to normality where you see the woman on the sofa, i think this is a good idea and will look a lot clearer when you actually shoot it"
Holly Adams:
" I think you've created a really interesting character, it seems like the film will be kind of twisted. Because not a lot is given away in the opening it makes it seem more exciting. There are places where i think there is a lot of silence and maybe sound could be put there, probably non diegetic. I do think the 'chase' music works really well and you can tell its a chase because the shots start to speed up slightly. However i do this it will look more realistic when its filmed. "
Emma Parker:
"I like the idea of two simultaneous scenes, you can tell by the setting and the lighting that one is dark and one is supposed to be 'normality' The sequence with the close ups of her face is really effective, also shots from a distance make it looks like somethings watching her. Its clear to me that shes running from something that's watching her. I really like the shot of the phone on the floor, its slightly blurry so it looks like shes running away really fast"
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Planning: Animatic
This is our Animatic storyboard, which gives us and our focus group a vague idea of what our storyboard will look like. We will show this to our focus group and collect feedback.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Organisation: Time Management
On Sunday 12th, we took our main actor, Sophie, out to our location and took pictures for our animatic storyboard, and for our risk assessment. However, the camera we were going to use was out of battery, and we couldn't find the charger, so had to use my mobile phone. Then there was problems uploading the pictures on the computer from my phone, as I don't have a USB lead. Instead we had to load them via facebook, and this took more time then expected, and so didn't get our pictures saved until the 14th.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Organisation: Shotlist
This is our chronilogical shotlist. This shows the types of shots we want to use and will film. It also shows the order in which we want to put them in when we come to the editing process after we shoot. However this is only a rough draft and if some shots don't give us the effect we want when filming; we will try a different shots.
SHOT 26 : Long Shot of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 27 : Medium Shot of the front of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 28 : Panning Shot of Sophie walking off to the right
SHOT 1 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's mouth, all you can hear is her breathing heavily.
SHOT 2 : Camera Tilt/ Pan downwards see what Sophie is wearing and her feet walking.
SHOT 3 : Pull away, long shot, see Sophie from her attackers point of view, hear a branch snap, and sophie turns around.
SHOT 4 : Match on Action shot, handheld we cut back to Sophie's POV of her looking around behind her.
SHOT 5 : High Angle shot We see Sophie start to walk quicker through the woods.
SHOT 6 : Cut away to sue and sean walking to the front door.
SHOT 7 : Match on action of Sean and Sue walking into the house from opposite angle.
SHOT 8 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's shoes as she starts to walk a bit quicker.
SHOT 9 : Cut away back to house see Sean and Sue sit down on sofa .
SHOT 10 : Medium close up from behind Sean and Sue watching TV.
SHOT 11 : Panning shot to turn around and see Sean and Sue happy on the sofa.
SHOT 12 : Hand-held shot of attackers feet walking
SHOT 13 : Whip Pan up to the back of Sophie in the distance
SHOT 14 : Tracking shot of Sophie suddenly starting to run behind her
SHOT 15 : Tracking shot of Sophie running from in front of her
SHOT 16 : Close up Sean and Sue's faces, all happy.
SHOT 17 : Pan up to the counter above them to see pictures of Sophie and them.
SHOT 18 : Hand-held shot of Sophie's feet as she runs from her attacker
SHOT 19 : Whip pan of her hair in the wind
SHOT 20 : Medium Whip Pan from the side, see all of her body running.
SHOT 21 : Match on action shot of her feet, she falls and trips over
SHOT 22 : High Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 23 : Medium shot from the side of her lying on the floor
SHOT 24 : Low Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 25 : High Angle shot of someone's feet walking up to her on the floorSHOT 2 : Camera Tilt/ Pan downwards see what Sophie is wearing and her feet walking.
SHOT 3 : Pull away, long shot, see Sophie from her attackers point of view, hear a branch snap, and sophie turns around.
SHOT 4 : Match on Action shot, handheld we cut back to Sophie's POV of her looking around behind her.
SHOT 5 : High Angle shot We see Sophie start to walk quicker through the woods.
SHOT 6 : Cut away to sue and sean walking to the front door.
SHOT 7 : Match on action of Sean and Sue walking into the house from opposite angle.
SHOT 8 : Extreme Close Up of Sophie's shoes as she starts to walk a bit quicker.
SHOT 9 : Cut away back to house see Sean and Sue sit down on sofa .
SHOT 10 : Medium close up from behind Sean and Sue watching TV.
SHOT 11 : Panning shot to turn around and see Sean and Sue happy on the sofa.
SHOT 12 : Hand-held shot of attackers feet walking
SHOT 13 : Whip Pan up to the back of Sophie in the distance
SHOT 14 : Tracking shot of Sophie suddenly starting to run behind her
SHOT 15 : Tracking shot of Sophie running from in front of her
SHOT 16 : Close up Sean and Sue's faces, all happy.
SHOT 17 : Pan up to the counter above them to see pictures of Sophie and them.
SHOT 18 : Hand-held shot of Sophie's feet as she runs from her attacker
SHOT 19 : Whip pan of her hair in the wind
SHOT 20 : Medium Whip Pan from the side, see all of her body running.
SHOT 21 : Match on action shot of her feet, she falls and trips over
SHOT 22 : High Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 23 : Medium shot from the side of her lying on the floor
SHOT 24 : Low Angle single shot of her lying on the floor
SHOT 26 : Long Shot of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 27 : Medium Shot of the front of Sophie leant against the wall
SHOT 28 : Panning Shot of Sophie walking off to the right
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Time Management
At the moment we still need to take photos for our photo storyboard. Kate and I have decided to do this in our desired locations on 12/12/10. We can then quickly produce our anematic in the lesson after.
Audience Research: Updates
We showed our focus group our storyboard. We wanted to know if they liked our idea and storyline. We will listen to their comments and interpret them into our final piece
Lauren Hornabrook: "I think the last shot of the girl suggests a twist in the tale. The setting of the woods is very traditional of a thriller genre. The running sequence sounds exciting and scary."
We showed part of our focus group our cast list and props and costumes and this what they had to say:
Emma Parker: "The parents cast in the role , as they are already a married couple, will be comfortable together and as they are in their own home it will appear even more realistic.
Lauren Hornabrook: "I think the last shot of the girl suggests a twist in the tale. The setting of the woods is very traditional of a thriller genre. The running sequence sounds exciting and scary."
Holly Adams: " I think the sequence will really capture the audience. One shot in particular, the last one, looks like it would be really effective because it gives the start of the film a sense of mystery."
We showed part of our focus group our cast list and props and costumes and this what they had to say:
Emma Parker: "The parents cast in the role , as they are already a married couple, will be comfortable together and as they are in their own home it will appear even more realistic.
Rich Emsley " I think the young girl cast for the main character is perfect. She looks innocent and also looks like she could have a dangerous side, in many thrillers characters are not what they seem"
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Organisation: Props and Costumes
Costume/Prop Source Potential Cost Person in Charge
Flowery dress - Lauren Hornabrook N/A Kate Parker
Wooly tights - Sophie - Jo Lusted N/A Sophie- Jo Lusted
Brogues - Sophie- Jo Lusted N/A Kate Paker
Wooly Scarf - Laura Court-Jones N/A Laura Court-Jones
Jacket/Coat - Holly Adams N/A Laura Court-Jones
Costume/Prop Source Potential Cost Person in Charge
Winter Jumper+
Jeans +
Slippers - Sue Parker N/A Kate Parker
Mens Jeans +
Mens winter Jumper - Sean Taylor N/A Kate Parker
Flowery dress - Lauren Hornabrook N/A Kate Parker
Wooly tights - Sophie - Jo Lusted N/A Sophie- Jo Lusted
Brogues - Sophie- Jo Lusted N/A Kate Paker
Wooly Scarf - Laura Court-Jones N/A Laura Court-Jones
Jacket/Coat - Holly Adams N/A Laura Court-Jones
Costume/Prop Source Potential Cost Person in Charge
Winter Jumper+
Jeans +
Slippers - Sue Parker N/A Kate Parker
Mens Jeans +
Mens winter Jumper - Sean Taylor N/A Kate Parker
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Organisation Casting
Sophie-Jo Lusted
Age: 16
For our title sequence we have decided to cast Sophie-Jo Lusted for the main character of Isabell Hartley. She is currently studying Performing Arts at Worcester Sixth Form College, therefore has an interest in acting and agreed to do the part. She is very reliable as she has
near perfect attendance.
Sue Parker
Age: 47
Sean Taylor
Age: 48
We interviewed a range of parents and found that Sean and Susan, as a pair worked perfectly and suited the role as Isabells parents.
Monday, 6 December 2010
Storyboard Synopsis
We will start with a variety of shots of our main character "Isabell Hartley" running through a wood. There will be close ups of body parts, we will never see her face when she is running. We will take some shots from behind her running with a hand held camera. Hopefully we will establish that there is someone chasing her. Our sequence will then start to cut to her family in the living room watching T.V happily. We will have paning shots of baby pictures or Isabell. We will have alternating shots of Isabell running and the family. We will then see Isbabell fall over in the woods, then a shot of someones feet. Afte this the title of our film will fill the screen and then fade away. Our last shot will be of Isbabell lent against a wall smirking in a creepy way.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Genre Research Summary
From the research we have done, it seems that thrillers commonly have block titles that fade in and out slowly. Often the titles are simple, either in black and white. The titles used in 'The Usual Suspects' is a prime example of this effect.
A mix of non diegetic music and diegetic sounds are often used in thrillers to create a eerie, spooky effect. 'The Usual Suspects' uses examples of this. The main opening sequence music; is slow orchestral music, the main instrument used is a violin. Diegetic sounds at the end of the sequence are used to set the scene and bring the audience back to reality.
In the opening sequence to 'Arlington Road' the character introduced at the beginning, is distressed and maybe in trouble, we assume this because his shirt is blood stained. The music in the background highlights a sudden suspense and shows the characters panic. In 'The Usual Suspects' only one character is established at the end of the opening sequence; although he has no lines the dark lighting makes us assume that he could be a dark, evil character.
The Mise-en-scene in the final shot of 'The Usual Suspects' uses fire in the background, often symbolises danger in thrillers. The lighting is also dark, and creates a shadow effect.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Audience Research Focus Group Meeting Analysis
From the feedback we got from our focus group we have decided what ideas we had that would work and would attract our target audience. We also found elements of our ideas that we would need to alter to suit our target audience. We have chosen to keep the theme of family from our moodboard. We will use it as our main theme. Our focus group commented that close family relationships are common in thrillers they have seen.
Audience Research Focus Group
These are people in our focus group and their comments on our Genre Moodboard, and ideas.
Lauren Hornabrook - Aged 17
" I like the idea you have of using a family, because its always more traumatic when something happens to a close family in a film. Lots of thrillers use families in them. My favourite genres are Romantic Comedy, Comedy and Horror. ' Typically in Romantic Comedy's there would be two people who meet, fall in love then something happens to rock their relationship but it normally ends happily. I thought the title sequence of 'The Usual Suspect' made the film look like it would be spooky, but it was a bit boring and repetitive. From the title sequence it looked like fire and water might have something to do with the storyline, the film defiantly is set up to look dark and spooky. "
Emma Parker - Age 19
I liked the moodboard, I thought there was a lot on their that typically represents thrillers. However I was a bit confused by the picture of the dummy, maybe this is supposed to represent children, but there already was a picture of a child. My favourite types of films are chick flicks, thrillers and indie films. In a thriller typically there would be murder, children being kidnapped. I liked the 'Arlington Road' opening sequence I thought it was quirky, I didn't like 'The usual suspects' I thought it was a bit boring and unimaginative. In 'Arlington Road' we are set up to think that the boy is the one of the main characters, so I think the film might have something to do with children"
Richard Emsley - Aged 20
I thought the genre moodboard was effective, it had scary and creepy images. I like to watch horror and thriller films most of the time. Things you would typically see in these genres would be death, supernatural quite a lot of the time ghosts and monsters. In most films there is some kind of superhero character who 'saves the day'. I liked both the opening sequences they were both effective in different ways, but I found 'Arlington Road' more intense and more interesting to watch because the there was lots going on at once. Judging by this opening sequence I think maybe the story is set in a typical American neighbour hood 'gone wrong' or something about it not right or 'normal'.
Holly Adams - Aged 16
"I like the moodboard, there are certain images that really remind me of thriller movies. My favourite film genre's are romantic comedy and horrors. In romantic comedy's the main story is normally a love story and something dramatic happens to break them up. However normally they get back together in the end. I didn't really like either of the clips, none of them really interested me I found' Arlington Road' confusing and 'The usual suspects' boring and uninteresting. I couldn't really tell what was going to happen in either of the films but that they were both going to be a bit creepy and weird."
Target Audience
This is our target audience mood board, and what we consider our target audience to be interested in. Our target audience will be 16-24 year olds, in the pyschographic group of mainstreamers. However, it may appeal to a more individualistic audience. On the socio-economic scale our audience will be of B, C1 and C2, and will be mixed gender
Monday, 29 November 2010
Film Openings - Genre Specific Analysis
Our chosen genre is Thriller, therefore we chose to analyse the thrillers: 'Arlington Road' and 'The Usual Suspect'
'The Usual Suspect'
The opening title sequence for 'The Usual Suspect' starts with a empty black screen, a few seconds after the non diegetic music starts. The music is slow, eerie orchestral music, straight away we are presented with mystery and darkness. This type of music is typical of genre thriller. The titles slowly fade in , in block capitals and fade out in a light blue they stand out but give a simple bold effect, however the music is the main element that that audience can focus on. By this point the audience can establish that the tone of the film would be very dark and sinister and typically a thriller.
As the titles continue, in the background we see a vile on light reflected on water moving across the screen. As the titles go on; more and more viles of light appear, again moving. This effect could be interpreted as an enigma, the audience do not know what is causing the light, however from the music we automatically assume its something 'evil'. This is the only thing we see in the title sequence, the fact that we only see this effect and darkness; in itself could suggest that the film has a very dark narrative.
Towards the end of the title sequence the time and place of the film is set. This sets the scene and gives the audience an understanding of what is happening at the start of the film.
Towards the end of the title sequence the time and place of the film is set. This sets the scene and gives the audience an understanding of what is happening at the start of the film.
After the time and place is set, suddenly we see a close up of a bunch of matches being lit. . This effect is sudden and contrasts to the slow, dark sequence beforehand. This could suggest there might be an element of shock and suspense in the film, features typical to a thriller. Also as an audience we associate fire with danger which could further highlight clues on narrative themes set up in this opening. The Diegtic sound of the matches is also used to set the scene, the non diegetic music is faded out. This signifies to the audience that we have started the narrative.
The final shot is a 'reversed match on action shot' we see a medium close up a man lighting a cigarette with the match. The lighting is very dark in this shot, only natural light is used. The opening shot is also set at night, all this is typical to a thriller genre, the audience are brought into a 'spooky'. Diegetic bell chimes are playing in the background, adding a eerie affect to the shot. Consequently, a burning fire sound is also playing and we see vague flames in the background. This could add to the earlier idea of danger.
The character shown is wearing dark clothing, and looks scruffy which could indicate or enforce the common theme of darkness and evil. Typically in thrillers an 'evil' character is often dressed in dark clothing to make them look sinister.
'Arlington Road'
'Arlington Road''s opening titles begin with a man shouting about a young boy as he makes his way down a hospital corridor .He is wearing a blood-stained white shirt and looks distressedbut not dangerous, unlike the stereotypical creepy character you would get in the opening of a thriller, we are presented with this ordinary looking man, who is showing concern for the boy. There is missing information of how he got blood on his shirt, who is this boy and what exactly happened? This establish's the genre as a thriller. We are left with the man shouting at the nurse, 'I don't know his name!', which then heightens the mystery surrounding this character. This is a prime example of how Barthe uses his clever theor of enigma code. We as the audience, just like the man, want to know his name and his story.
The titles take a more traditional sinister approach,that you would expect from a thriller film. The white picket-fence is typical to an American Neighbourhood, however it is in harsh - colours black and red, colours we would associate with danger, violence and blood. The camera effects used throughout help to set a mystical mood. Cleverly they have taken everyday neighbourhood objects, and turned them into spooky, unnatural things. These shots again show what would be an ordinary looking neighbourhood, but in black and white ; however the black and white roles have also been reversed, normally with this effect, the sky would be white and the house black, but by turning this on its head, its creates a rather spooky, scary shot. Again making every-day scenes of American life fit within the thriller genre.
The scene with the man in the hospital uses both non-diegetic and diegetic music; the non diegetic music of the surrounding hospital makes it more realistic, whereas the rising of tempo in the diegetic music allows tension to build. Non-diegetic music is very stereotypical of 'Thriller' genre films, as it can unnerve the audience and help introduce them to the genre. The diegetic music used for the rest of the sequence is very creepy, unnerving and at times uncomfortable to listen too, the audience can clearly connate that this film isn't going to be a cheerful chick flick, but a sinister and dark film.
The titles are all in black and white, and sometimes, like in this example change from black and white, reflecting perhaps, how quickly people can change from one thing to another, or something not always being as it seems. The simple colouring of the titles doesn't distract from the background images, however they still make enough impact to be noticed by the viewer. The font is very bold and square, there are no round edges to suggest playfulness, but only the blunt straight lines, conatating harsh elements to the storyline, which we as an audience expect, considering this genre
Genre Moodboard
This is our Genre Moodboard for our chosen genre - a Thriller. The purpose of this moodboard was to inspire us and help us to develop further ideas for our title sequence. We collected images that we typically associate with thrillers.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
First Ideas
Our chosen Genre is Thriller, it is for a demographic of 16 to 24 year olds. The social class we are aiming at is C1, C2, D. Our psychographic group will be main streamers. I am working in a pair with Katherine Parker.
From Concept to Screen - Dexter
The ideas that were used to create Dexter, were based upon presenting everyday things with a sinister importantance. Eric Anderson took the idea of things that we normally see as mundane, and looked into them in detail he then recontentualized them,' to find that they can actually be presented as violent and sinister within themselves.
The letter forms in DEXTER are not written normally, two of the letters are the wrong way round; however we can still read this. Anderson explored this idea that we can see what it says on the surface but if we flip it around it's as if something is wrong; this has then been reflected in the character of DEXTER because he becomes a serial killer.
These are some of the images used in the final title sequence. Some of the extreme close up's use a shallow depth of field to clearly show the violent texture of the object or action. Some of these clips were shown in slow motion , again highlighting the violence.
The original music Eric Anderson chose was an Xploding Plastix track. He thought the track was extremely powerful, fast paced and felt it showed alot of aggression; however the shows creators felt it had to much of a violent feel to it. Instead they wanted to use a more
The letter forms in DEXTER are not written normally, two of the letters are the wrong way round; however we can still read this. Anderson explored this idea that we can see what it says on the surface but if we flip it around it's as if something is wrong; this has then been reflected in the character of DEXTER because he becomes a serial killer.
These are some of the images used in the final title sequence. Some of the extreme close up's use a shallow depth of field to clearly show the violent texture of the object or action. Some of these clips were shown in slow motion , again highlighting the violence.
The original music Eric Anderson chose was an Xploding Plastix track. He thought the track was extremely powerful, fast paced and felt it showed alot of aggression; however the shows creators felt it had to much of a violent feel to it. Instead they wanted to use a more
Monday, 22 November 2010
Research: Analysis of the Opening of Juno
The mise-en-scene of large houses, and well-kept gardens clearly shows a middle-class neighbourhood in America, and we automatically assume this is where she lives; further connoting that she must be well-brought up. However her clothing is simple, and the use of the bright coloured red jacket ensures she stands out and immediately stays in our head as the central figure. The runners, dressed in stereotypically American sporting clothes, run past her; she seems oblivious to them, completely caught up in her in own world, not fitting in with the others.
The animation effect and primary colours used, suggests a childish, quirky theme throughout. The sunny D cartoon has a yellow coloured label matching the titles, connoting to the audience that the titles are important, and as a part of the sunny D cartoon is the same colour, this must have great significance in the rest of the film. Sunny D is a stereotypically a child’s drink, which empathises her age, and innocence.
The use of the flashing title appearing next to the girl, establishes her as the main character, and enhances the audiences understanding of her name. The font that the titles are written in, is similar to those we see in comic books, and in teenage doodles. So as an audience we make this link and suspect that this film is primarily about teenage life.
The non-diegetic music has a folk theme and helps to heighten the audiences understanding of genre and the low key feel of a US independent film. It has a childish tune and a relaxing film, which empathises her innocence and mundane lifestyle. The lyrics of the song, ‘if i was tree growing tall and green, all i want is you to shade me and be my leaves’, suggest an element of romance in the film.
The leaves falling onto the ground place the film in its season, autumn, and the colours used along with the font suggest an Indie, quirky genre for the film. However we also expect a coming of age, teen-drama genre, as it is a teenager that we are privileged towards.
Research: Key Conventions
In an opening title sequence to a film, 'key conventions ' are used to help set the scene. They give the audience an idea of predominant themes in the film also it gives us slight insight into the main characters lives. The genre of the film is also established. Typically the name of the production companies is normally shown first, along with the name of the film. For example 'Brick'.
The details of the cast and crew are often shown when the film actually starts, some films may use the actors name along with a sequence of the character they are playing. The writers and directors are normally specifically mentioned. An indication of place of time is also set, this could be enhanced with the music which could also create a specific mood for the narrative. A particularly effective way of getting the viewers interest; is to use an enigma. Enigmas are unanswered questions which intrigue the viewer, which are often then answered later in the film. Many films use this technique, for example 'London to Brighton'. We are drawn into the drama of 'running away' As an audience we don't know who they are running from and why they are going to Brighton. Enigmas also then set up narrative expectations to what might happen in the rest of the film.
Exposition is another technique often used to tell the viewer more about the character and help set the scene. For example in 'Kick Ass' a voice-over is used throughout the title sequence to provide a running commentary on his life, as an audience we are shown that he is a geeky, average and maybe slightly 'lost' teenager who's oblivious to the opposite sex the mise-en-scene also plays an important part in also telling us this, he is dressed in brightly coloured clothing and wears glasses. The tone and genre of this film is obviously a teen comedy. We know this because of the non dietetic up beat and quirky music. Also in the titles, is a animated sequence gliding through clouds like a super hero. This tells us the film has a childish theme to it and even in the opening titles suggests an idea of superheroes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)