Pre-production Planning by Charlotte - Original Ideas

Pre-production Planning by Charlotte, Chris, Cristina and Ghislaine - Anamatic of storyboard

Pre-production Planning by Ghislaine - Lighting

To create the shadow of the killer on the steps we will be using borrowed lighting equipment. For all the other shots we will either be using normal house lights or the natural day light, aswell as borrowed lighting equipment.

Pre-production Planning by Ghislaine and Chris - Health and Safety

• Be careful when using the kitchen knife.
• Be careful when using the ladder to create the high angle shot.
• Be careful shutting the car door.
• Be careful of tripping on carpet and or steps. 
• When using the lighting equipment, we will make sure we wear correct gloves and use sandbags to stable the light.
• Remember to shout "lights on" and "lights off" whilst using the light.
• Make sure all wires are not in the way or are taped down.

Pre-production Planning by Ghislaine and Charlotte - Props Needed

Props that will be used:

• A Car (Mini Cooper 1)

• An Oven
• A Knife
• A Key
• A Television
• A Telephone
• A Sofa
• A Kitchen (location)
• A Front Door
• A Fridge

All these props are already at our filming location.

Pre-production by Charlotte and Cristina - Opening Synopsis

Ghislaine the first victim, on arrival to her home she spots that her gate has been opened. Thinking this is odd as she remembers locking it. Once she is in her house, things start mysteriously going wrong such as the oven beeping, missing phone calls and her car alarm oddly goes off. She thinks nothing of it as it has happened previously. Little does she know that a person from her past perculilary has once again entered her life.

Pre-production Planning By Chris, Charlotte, Cristina and Ghislaine - Risk assessment and location permission/agreement

- Risk assessment form.

We have recieved permission to film in this location.

Pre- Production - Location Imagery Charlotte

Here are some location possibilities...

 

 

    We will be using this location for filming it is a house, which fits the narrative of our film. This location will be used throughout the filming of the opening to our thriller.

pre-production Planning by Chris, Charlotte, Cristina and Ghislaine List of Roles

List of Roles

Storyboard Artist (Draws Storyboard to group's plans) - Ghislaine

Location Scout (Selects locations and organises to shoot there) - Charlotte

Prop Manager (Organises Props for shooting) - Everyone

Directors of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming) - Chris & Charlotte

Camera Operator - Charlotte & Chris

Actors -
Ghislaine as 'The Victim'

             Cristina as 'Mr Killer' (confirmed)

Heath and Safety Managers - Everyone

Pre- production Planning By Charlotte - FILM Synopsis

The story tells the tale of a local serial killer who is on a murderous rampage after a close relative of 'his' recently committed suicide. He believes everyone is out to get him and is ready to strike at any moment. A series of unfortunate events in his life leads him to start on an outburst of murderous crimes. His victims include members of the public who he has known his whole life and who he thinks could have treated him better in the past. The story follows a long line of murders. Is anyone good enough to catch him?

Research Task Cristina Figueira-Carrillo

What is a thriller?

Alfred Hitchock Master of suspense?

Films i've chosen:

The Lost Boys 1987

El laberinto del fauno/ Pans Labyrinth 2006

Donnie Darko 2001

Pulp Fiction 1994

The Godfather 1972

The lost boys:

In the first minute of the thriller we see a wide shot of the ocean and its ripples we also see on the left side the reflection of the moon this also emphasises the isolation of the ocean at night. It is a high angle shot which gives you the impression of a bird haunting its prey. Within the same minute we also see an establishing shot of the fair (boardwalk) which set’s the scene and location of the opening.

We get to see the fair during the day and night which still gives off the creepy atmosphere because of all the props used to create this affect for example there is missing children’s posters and signs symbolising a unnatural happening which no one is aware of as such.


The off screen diegetic sound at the begging is of children laughing and whispering which set’s the scene of the unnatural world which humans are unaware of.

El laberinto del fauno/Pans Labyrinth:

It starts off with a canted angle of a girl which zooms closer revealing blood going back into her nose, throughout the whole shot we hear her panting very loudly but with no life left inside of her the whole shot is not in chronological order as it has started at the end and it’s working its way backwards. Also in this scene the camera is zoomed into her eye which dissolves from the black of her eye to another world.

There is a narrator explaining the ‘fairytale’ between both of the worlds the lighting in the world we see through the girls eyes is dark and mystical when is not like fairytales at all on the other hand when there is another dissolve from the low angle of the sun leading to the ‘real world’ it is very light and peaceful but we know the audience know this is not true and in reality the ‘fairytale’ world is where the character is happiest.

Near the end of the scene there you can see the rule of thirds where the car is positioned to be shown but also a close up of a mythical creature again showing the two different worlds.


 
 
 
 
Donnie Darko:

There is an establishing shot of a person lying in the middle of the road the diegetic sound is peaceful which confuses the audience as you don’t know why he is in the middle of the road.

From this scene the atmoshpere you get is peace and afamily life as there are parts which are slowed down to show the relationships with each character.

There are alot of pan’s and zooms in this opening sequence mainly on the man we find at the beginning in the middle of the road this enables the audience to understand he is the main protagonist.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pulp Fiction:
 

The beginning mainly consists of a two shot between a couple in a cafe the mise en scene suggests that they are neither upper or working class as they are talking about robbing banks. There are alot of shot reverse shots and also by there body langauge especially the female characters you can see she is madly in love and doesn’t care about anything as she is very calm and interested in the crimes he’s speaking about which shows she is crazy. This is then shwon again at the end of the opening as they are about to rob the cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GodFather:

 

It starts off with a eyeline close up of a man which then very slowing starts to zoom out whilst he is talking, this leaves the audience puzzled as you can not see the location where he is until quite later on in the shot.

It then reveals he is talking to someone else behind a desk there is a over the shoulder shot not revealing to much of the other character but enough to see he is important. Also there is no sound only that of the dialog between the two characters shwoing the conversation is very important.

Research Task - Charlotte Newell

What is a thriller?


The films I have chosen to anaylse are:

Redeye (2005)
Duel (1971)
Panic Room (2002)
Marnie (1964)
Psycho (1960)
The Simpsons - 'Cape Fear' - (1993)

Please Click On Name For Film/ Television Information & See Side Bar For Each Clip

Redeye (2005) 
(Director - Wes Craven)

The first 2 minutes of the thriller starts with some keys and a wallet being left next to framed pictures of family photographs. The wallet then is taken by somebody else you can tell this by the speed in which the character is moving. The camera then changes location to frozen fish in crates. And then changes again to some building foundations and photographs of buildings. It then follows a specific crate which is then opened to reveal a large metallic box.

The mise en scene suggests something mysterious is going on as the normal activity at a fish mongers would probably not consist of carrying metallic boxes. The costume/hair/make up used is plain as it is suppose to be realistic and helps the audience understand that it is set in the 21st century.

The non diegetic sound used is fast pace and builds throughout. The sound is also parallel as the image used complements the sound as the characters are all rushing during their activities.

Cinematography includes many close ups and deep depth of field is used in these shots so that the audience is able to focus on specific objects as well as it's surroundings. Fast camera movement is used to make the sequence seem as if the characters are rushing into a plan. Also the restricted framing helps use enigma codes by the audience questioning about what will happen next.

My response - Although the first couple of minutes are not terribly thrilling, the audience become aware of something building up this is shown by sound and camerawork. In our team film, I hope that we can make great use of the available sound sources such as 'garageband' to build up tension through our piece.


Duel (1971) 
(Director - Steven Spielberg)

The beginning sequence acts a beginning of a car jouney. All of the cinematography in the 2 minutes is completely POV (point of view) shots. The only characters seen so far are the passersby walking across the road. The cinematography used throughout the piece is simple but this adds to affect of the narrative being as simple.

The sound throughout the sequence is diegetic as the only sound is the cras and men talking though the radio. It is diegetic as both the audience and the character can hear the sounds. Having no non diegetic music makes the sequence simpler but this overall makes it seem more sinister.

The mise en scene used is similar to the mise en scene used in 'Redeye' as it meant to seem realistic.

My Response - Although it doesn't really seem thrilling, it's simplicity makes it seem mysterious. In accordance to our team film I hope that our narrative can be simple but overall effective in it's aim as being a thriller.

Panic Room (2002) 
(Director - David Fincher)

The beginning of film starts of with the titles includes close up shots of a city - this is shown through lots of buildings. The titles include the establishing shot of the city, most likely in America. The characters are then shown round a house that is 'on the market' but won't be for sale much longer. They look round.

The Cinematography includes many medium shots taking mostly likely on a dolly which they are following. A MCU of 'Jodie Foster' confirms to the audience that she is the main character (most likely the protagonist). Close up shots are used when they enter the house to establish the main characters.

The main sound used is diegetic as it is general background noises anyone would hear in a city such as casr horns, people walking and general chatter. A soundbridge connects the titles to the first shot of the characters. Other diegetic sounds include the character's dialogue.

The mise en scene that is used is used to make the scene realistic in the 21st century. The costume/hair/make up support the fact that they character are just random American citizens. The lighting used in the first location (pacing down the street) is ambient as it represents everyday life. The lighting changes when the characters enter the house to signify that they have changed location (low key with lots of shadows).

Even though the first two minutes don't really build up to anything, I have seen the film and quite enjoyed it. The beginning sequence does inform the audience who the main characters are and the location.

Marnie (1964) 
(Director - Alfred Hitchcock)


'Marnie' starts with a close up of a yellow bag being carried by a women in a railway station. The camera then changes location completely to a man in an office.
To begin the camera is static and basically just watches the women walk away as the shot begins with her a close up and ends with as an extreme long shot. After the change in location to the office the camera stays static. There are many MCU's and 2shots as a man is talking to what looks like the police about a robbery.

The mise en scene used is realistic to the era like many films of the thriller genre. The women's costume is smart but the yellow handbag she uses is noticable which implies this as a key prop. Her hair is described as black and brunette in the same scene which suggests that she maybe hiding something behind her different coloured hair. The lighting used in the sequence is ambient to make it seem realistic.

The sound in the sequence before it changes location is merely the women's footsteps at the railway station. The little amount of sound makes the women's character seem a bit out of the ordinary.The other diegetic sound is the dialogue of the man complaining about how he has been robbed by a woman (which is most likely the woman in the previous shot).

The beginning sequence is so simplistic, but it really works. Although a robery doesn't sound too menacing and probably wouldn't usually be of the thriller genre, from the beginning sequence the audience are aware that the narrative will include so much more. In accordance to our team film, I hope that we can make an equally effective piece.

Psycho (1960) 
(Also Alfred Hitchcock)

The sequence starts with the establishing shot of a city. It then informs the audience that the date is 'Friday, December, The Eleventh' and that it is 'Two Forty Three Pm', which helps the audience set the scene. The camera then shows a close up of a window, which includes restricted narrative and enigma codes as the audience are not sure what is in the window and will start to raise questions.

The cinematography includes close ups of the two characters that we find in the room. The camera then pans round to show them lying on a bed. There are many MCUs of the characters to establish their roles in the sequence.

The Mise en scene includes a hotel bedroom full of hotel like furnishings, the couple are wearing normal realistic clothes. The lighting is hard to mention as the film is in black and white but this overall adds to its' simplicity.
The sound used is diegetic dialogue. Although non diegetic music is used before a couple of characters are introduced, this is used to build up the character's dialogue.

The beginning of 'Psycho' seems harmless as it just shows a woman and her lover talking and then her arriving at work, but with a name like 'Psycho' this film obviously has more characters and a wider narrative in store.



The Simpson's - 'Cape Feare' (1993) 
(Director - Rich Moore)

The show starts as well known characters Lisa and Bart are watching TV which includes 'The Itchy and Scratchy Show'. Bart then recieves a letter through the post saying 'Die Bart Die'. This is how the narrative can be distinguished as a thriller.

Cinematography includes close ups of the characters faces to see the expressions and reactions of certain situations such as when Bart receives the first note, a close up is used to see his face which has a scared emotion.
The colours used throughout the piece are bright and abnormal, as the piece is animated the narrative is unrealistic. This is shown by the characters being yellow. The main sound throughout the show is the diaglogue which is diegetic.
Although this is a very funny episode, the beginning scenes don't seem to raise as many questions (include enigma codes) as other films/tv shows of the thriller genre have, this is because we as the British public are so used to these characters we know no harm can come to them.

Research Task - By Chris Jennings

Dark Knight - Superhero crime thriller
Information on Dark Knight -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_(film)
Theme –

• Dark Knight is set in a city where people at the start are attempting to rob a bank (set up). They break into the bank but then they start killing each other (confrontation) then at the end of the scene the bus drives off with the money with only one robber left (resolution).

Camera work –

• There is a high angle zooming in shot of the city at the beginning of the scene which gives of a good effect showing the audience where the film is taking place and soon as one of the skyscrapers glass windows break it gives a suspenseful meaning as to think whats going on.

Mise en scene –

• The setting of the opening scène is in a bank where a robbery is taking place.

• Props used are guns and items that would be in a bank.

Sound-

• Sound used in the opening scene to the dark knight is an action packed use of sound with sound effects used for the guns an outside world of the city.

Mood –

• The mood of the opening of the film is an action packed thriller type of an opening as the robbers are murdering each other till one is left .

Character –


There are no main character the only characters you see are the robbers but you don’t know what they look like as their all wearing clown masks and the people that where in the bank the time of the robbery .


The effect of the opening to the audience is that the shock and interesting questions that drag the viewer like why they are robbing the bank and as well why the robbers are killing each other. Technique is would take from this is a question asking opening which would make the viewer think about what’s going on to drag them into watching the entire film .

knowing - Sci-fi thriller

Information on Knowing - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knowing_(film)
Theme –


• The theme of the opening of the scene is set in the past of the present date (as of the black board).

Mise en scene –

• The setting of the opening is a school in the playground and within the school in a classroom

• Props used are items that would be placed in a classroom (chairs , tables , black board)

Mood –

• The mood of the opening of the film is a mysterious strange opening with the girl looking weird writing a page full of numbers.




Camera work –

• In the opening scene to Knowing there is a close up shot of the girl in the playground as she’s staring up into the sky.

• As well there is a panning shot of the classroom when registration is taking place.
Sound-

• The music used in this scene is a mysterious sound to go with the mysterious scene of the girl while writing the numbers on the paper.

Character the school girl –

• The mysterious strange school girl who is an odd girl who seems to be in her own world when in the class room as seems to be an outsider from the rest of the class. The class are shocked to hear she’s won a class competition and when the class are drawing pictures for the capsule she writes down a mysterious page full of numbers.

The effect of the opening to the audience is that it mysterious and a supernatural type of opening that makes the audience think why and make the audience intrigued into the whole film by watching the opening scene .

Only analsyed upto 4mins 20secs

Knowing 2009 part 1
Uploaded by TheAFGProud. - Watch feature films and entire TV shows.

The Simpsons – Cape Fear


Link to watch Simpson episode - http://repka.tv/video/4930

Mood


• The mood of the Simpsons episode is a fast pace, use of threat and of course comedy of story as of the murderous Sideshow Bob trying to Kill Bart Simpson. The best part of the entire episode which uses a thrilling type is the part when he is writing threatening letters in blood in his cell

Mise en scene


• Setting is partly in the jail where this mysterious person is writing the letters, and the Simpsons house where Bart Simpson is opening the thrilling letter.


Sound


• The sound of when Side show Bob writing his threatening letters there is a type of music that gives the effect of suspense and scariness to the scene.

Theme


• The theme of the Simpsons episode is a thrilling murderous type of episode as a person wants to kill Bart Simpson.

Character – Side Show Bob


• Evil murderous character


• Committed to killing Bart Simpson any way possible he’s that obsessed he’s tattooed (Die Bart Die) on his body.


• Writes a number of threatening letters to Bart saying he’s going to kill him.


• Bart’s family are forced to relocate as of his evil scheme of killing Bart.


Camera work


• Camera work used is the opening part is when the camera is only focused on the hands of Sideshow Bob with close ups used to create a thrilling sense towards him making him seem an evil character without seeing his face and without him making any sounds.




Eagle Eye – Sci- fi action Thriller

Information on the film - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Eye

Theme –


• The theme of the film is an governments central computer that controls two normal citizens to do its dirty work by destroying and killing the president.

Sound-

• Sound used in the opening scene is a suspenseful noise as two children are running up a hill right at the beginning of the scene to show suspense of a group of car driving to an undeveloped town at the bottom of the hill.


• When the government are deciding to bomb the building where the terrorists from the car are gathering as more suspenseful and action sound is used to give the audience a thrill as it’s an unrestricted narration as we know the government bomb the people.


Character –


• There is no main character used in the opening scene as such only the army (government) talking about what to do about the terrorists and which the computer says it’s a high risk.

Camera work –

• Camerawork used in the scene is high angle shots form the point of view from the spy plane gives a good look to at as it shows what the army is seeing.

Mise en scene –

• The setting where this takes place is the Washington D.C and Bagdad in a remote area.

• The prop that is mainly used is a spy plane that spies on the terrorists.

Mood –

• The mood of the opening of the film is a thriller and exiting action film of an army deciding whether to destroy or leave a group of terrorists at a ceremony.

The effect this opening gives to  the audiance is an action and suspenful thrilling intoduction to the film .

The technique I would use in the opening of my own thriller would to  create a suspsenceful opening to lead the audiance in .

Disturbia – Paranoid Thriller
Information on Disturbia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disturbia_(film)
Theme –

The theme of the opening of Disturbia is a father and son fishing (set up) turns upside down in a horrible surprising car crash (the confrontation) that kills the farther (resolution).

Camera work –

• Camera work used in the opening scene is a extreme close up of the father and son after their first crash this camerawork shows their facial expression of scared and shock but the viewer can’t not see what’s going to happen because its not on the screen so we know less than the character does.

Mise en scene –
The setting used is a remote place with a river and mountains in the background.


• A prop used in the scene is a car which ends up being smashed of the road into a big pile up in the middle of the road.

Mood –
 The mood of the opening of the film is a thrilling suspenseful sad opening to the film with a father and son time turns upside down when they crash their car and the Farther dies.

Sound-

• Sound used in the opening scene is a loving use of music as the farther and son bond while fishing. Then as the scene goes on the music changes into a climax type creating a worrying sound then a silence as the car crashes and the farther dies.

Character –

• We do not no much about the two characters but they do mention that they are farther and son having bonding time while fishing.

The effect it gives to the audience is a horrific unseen thrill when the car crashes and the farther dies as a result. Technique is would take from this is to make a shocking opening to my own thriller opening.

V for Vendetta -Dystopian,science fiction thriller

Information on V for Vendetta - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta_(film)

Theme –



• The theme of the opening scene is set in a medieval time era where the film starts of with a man being chased (action code), then he’s finally caught by the guards, then following that is sentenced to be hanged.

Sound-

• Sound used in the opening of V for Vendetta is action chasing use of music with sound effects of people yelling and crowds yelling when the hanging is taking place.

Mise en scene –


• The setting of the film is in medieval times in an English town/city.

Camera work –
• In the opening scene there is a shot when the hanging is taking place where there is a nice zooming in close up of a girl in the middle of a crowd.

Mood –

• The mood of the opening to the film is a suspenseful mystery thriller opening.

Character –

• There is a main character but we don’t know his name only thing we know is that he’s being chased then is caught and sentenced to be hang in a public viewing which was a shocking event. But as well a voiceover is used when he is being hung and the camera is on a girl in the crowd making us think it’s her thoughts.

The effect of the opening to the audience is that a shocking start as the man is being chased and caught then suddenly sentenced to be hang which is shocking and not understandable as the viewer doesn’t catch what is going on.