Belated prelim task video!

Opening credits ideas

Seven:

This opening is very effective as it has a very particular order in which most opening credits are adapted around; it starts with the name of the production company, then the name of the producer and director, the main actors names and finally the name of the film. During the credits, there are a number of blackouts which draw attention to the white writing as white and black are very contrasting colours suggesting there is a battle between good (white) and evil (black) in the film- possibly a battle of conscience. Whilst the credits are running there are images jump cutting inbetween the text, this is very important as these images set the mood of the film and connote a feeling of disruption and deception. I will use these opening credits as an influence for my thriller opening as this is the look I would like my thriller opening to have.

Wolf creek:

The credits of wolf creek are at the end of the film unlike 'seven' although this is a very common way of showing the credits and it is also very effective! The clip starts with a panning shot of one of the main characters- it is in slow motion and there is no sound- this creates the illusion that the character is in a dream world and he feels numb and self contained.This cuts to a blackout which reveals writing (white) in a font which is very similar to different sized magazine cuttings used to make ransom letters- this strikes fear in the audience. This cuts to a beautiful low angle shot of the murderer walking into the unknown in the australian outback (where the film is set) which is very mysterious and adds enigma as the audience does not know whether there is going to be a sequel to the film or not. This is the cliff hanger which is simple yet effective, it cuts to the list of credits after a long shot of the murderer walking in the outback. The credits start with the main characters names which immedietly draws attention to the actors/actresses, after this there is a long list of all of the other actors then the producer, director, cinematography ect. This is a very effective way of showing the credits yet it does not apply to my thriller opening directly as the credits are run at the end of the film, i will use the idea of the strong cliffhanger and the structure of the credits as an influence for my thriller opening.

Shooting schedule

Thursday 26th January 2012 5pm-7pm

Update: Monday 30th January 2012 8am-830am

Monday 6th february 2012 4pm-5pm

We have decided to film at least 10 minutes of raw footage, this will enable us to film a variety of shots in a selection of angles as we wish to do more than one edit of our thriller opening. It will also give us many shots to choose from so we do not have to re-do many shots which we will then edit to our two minute restriction. We think that we will achieve this footage in two hours but if we need more time we will complete the rest before the end of january so we are able to start editing as soon as possible. We are editing both the thriller opening and the alternative opening together as we think it is important to work as a team.

Thriller music possibility

This is a possible soudntrack for our thriller opening, it sounds chilling and we think it will be very emotive when paired with our footage. If we should choose to use this soundtrack we will contact the composer as he has requested not to ask for permission but to credit him in the video and send him the finished product.

Photo storyboard

Shot 1) close up of Jennifer's face

This shows she is just 'coming round' and is discovering where she is- It shows her emotion at the time (confusion and dissorientation).




Shot 2) Panning shot (tilt) of Jennifer's body
                                                 

This Shows the audience that she is tied up and she is just realising her situation. The tilt shot is showing her dissorientation.

Shot 3) POV shot

This is a flashback showing someone with painted fingernails and a ring placing a tool on top of a table. The painted nails show that it is a woman.

Shot 4) POV panning shot

These shots show Jenny's surroundings from her point of view as she begins to piece together what has happened to her. She notices a table of tools.

Shot 5) Extreme close up

Shows a door handle with an annonymous hand trying to open the door.

                                                  

Shot 6) Medium close up

Shows someone trying to get into the room, creates fear and tension.

                                          
Shot 7) Medium close up- POV

Shows a phone ringing from the pov of Jennifer, the phone is on the floor a little way from Jenny, she realises it is her phone.

Shot 8) Close up

Shows a finger pressing the 'end call' button, the red nails are the same ad the ones in the flash back which links the thriller opening together.

Witness 'murder scene' analysis- unfinished

Witness is a drama/romance/thriller released in 1985, directed by Peter Weir starring Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas. It had a budget of $12 000 000 and made $4 539 990 in the opening weekend. Witness is about a young Amish boy who witnesses a murder in the toilets of a city train station (Philadelphia).

The clip starts with a medium shot of the boy, it is slightly low angle which shows his significance within the mise-en-scene, his face is framed with a large hat which signifies his Amish heritage- this could represent his innocence as it resembles a halo. His costume is monochrome and the colours blue and black are usually associated with pain and bruising, this could suggest there is going to be violence within the film and some of which could be directed at him. The expression on the child’s face shows that whatever he is looking at is completely new to him and he is not used to being exposed to objects like that, it shows him completely awestruck but slightly nervous. The colours in the scene are dull and the background of the shot is blurred which could suggest that the boy is from a very sheltered background and is finding it difficult to take in his surroundings.

The next shot is a low angle medium close up of an angel statue; this could be classed as a POV shot from the boy as it looks very intimidating and powerful, especially as the boy is so small in proportion to the statue. The angel statue is holding a wounded person in its arms which shows that the statue is a kind of guardian; this would truly astound the boy as he would not get to see art work like this in his community so he may think of the statue as his guardian angel. The symbol of the halo (the boy’s hat) is shown again in the next shot which is confirming that the angel is going to ‘watch over him’, in other word it is implied that he will need help in the near future. The non-diagetic sound is also adding to the feeling of astonishment and admiration.

The cutting to and from the boy to the statue personifies the statue as it seems like the boy is waiting for a reaction from it. The boy seems to feel a true connection with the statue and this is also shown through the camera movement, the shots remind me of shot-reverse-shot which is usually used between people during a conversation- this is why the statue can seem to be personified.

This cuts to an over the shoulder, high angle shot of the boy, interestingly it is over the statues shoulder which could show that the statue is watching over him like a guardian angel. This shot shows the boys insignificance as in proportion to his surroundings he seems extremely small, this is also shown by people pushing into him as they pass, as if he is invisible and no one notices him. This also foreshadows the events which happen in the toilet. From this angle the audience can see how different and out of place the boy looks compared to everyone else which shows that he is clearly not comfortable with his surroundings. The boy’s mother then comes into shot and looks worried, she hurries him away but as they are walking, the boy turns back to glance at the statue which shows he feels slightly attached to it.

This cuts to a long, slightly low angle shot of the mother and the boy, there is an amazing vanishing point in the shot which connotes danger around the corner, this feeling of danger is accentuated when the boy walks into the vanishing point to use the toilet.  

This cuts to a medium, slightly low shot of a man standing in a toilet, he turns, nods and smiles towards the boy confirming that he has just entered the room.

This cuts to a slightly high angle shot of the little boy as he looks at the man and smiles; this indicates his innocence and naivety. As the boy starts walking towards the camera, he disappears out of the shot making the audience momentarily nervous. The mise-en-scene is filmed in a grimy public toilet which has a very good vanishing point which could hint at the action about to happen. Once again a slightly low/long shot has been used to show the size of the room, this is important as it is a very isolated place which is a classic thriller convention.

This cuts to a medium, slightly low shot of a man standing in a toilet, he turns, nods and smiles towards the boy confirming that he has just entered the room.

This cuts to a slightly high angle shot of the little boy as he looks at the man and smiles; this indicates his innocence and naivety. As the boy starts walking towards the camera, he disappears out of the shot making the audience momentarily nervous. The mise-en-scene is filmed in a grimy public toilet which has a very good vanishing point which could hint at the action about to happen. Once again a slightly low/long shot has been used to show the size of the room, this is important as it is a very isolated place which is a classic thriller convention.

Costume ideas

These jeans are very casual and can be worn on a day to day basis which is perfect for Jennifer as the thriller is based on a normal day. They are also very basic so they do not show much of jennifers personality which could reflect a lost/ hidden identity. We are using contempry fashion for our thriller to indicate the modern era.

This jumper is an example of casual knitwear worn in the winter. This kind of jumper is worn on a day-to-day basis which relfects the normality of the setting in our thriller as it is based on a normal day after Jennifer finishes 6th form.

These leggings are also a possibility for Jennifer's costume as they are casual yet they can reflect a vibrant personality suggesting she is a strong person. These leggings are animal print which suggests that she is good at surviving.

This coat is an example of a warm winter coat worn on a normal day, it is casual yet stylish which fits in with teenage fashion.It is plain and has no bold colours which can suggest a passive character.

The costume for the main character is strongly influenced by the clothing worn by most teenage girls of 15-17 years old. We decided to use this so the target audience (teenagers) can identify with the character which makes the thriller opening much more realistic. The film '4321' directed by Noel Clarke and Mike Davis was released in 2010, the film is modern and was released recently so we have based our costume ideas on Joanne played by Emma Roberts.