What Films Do You Most Associate With A Thriller Genre Film?:
Saw IV:
2007 horror film
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
Final Destination (mentioned 5 times):
2000 supernatural thriller
Directed by James Wong
Disturbia:
2007 thriller
Directed by D. J. Caruso
39 Steps (mentioned twice):
1935/1959 British thriller
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (1935) and Ralph Thomas (1959)
Silence Of The Lambs:
1991 phycological suspense thriller
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Seven (mentioned twice):
1995 American crime film
Directed by David Fincher
The Manchurian Candidate:
2004 American thriller
Directed by Jonathan Demme
The Dark Knight:
2004 action superhero film
Directed by Christopher Nolan
American History X:
1998 American action film
Directed by Tony Kaye
The Generals Daughter:
1999 action film
Directed by Simon West
Kiss The Girls:
1997 American thriller
Directed by Gary Fleder
Along Came A Spider:
2001 American mystery film
Directed by Lee Tamahori
James Bond – Quantum Of Solace:
2008 British action thriller
Directed by Marc Forster
The Day After Tomorrow:
2004 apocalyptic science-fiction film
Directed by Roland Emmerich
What Are Your Favourite Films That You've Seen In The Past Years?:
Pineapple Express:
2008 American stoner action comedy film
Directed by David Gordon Green
Dude, Where’s My Car?:
2000 comedy film
Directed by Danny Leiner
Slumdog Millionaire:
2008 British drama film
Directed by Danny Boyle
Wrong Turn:
2003 horror film
Directed by Rob Schmidt
Role Models:
2008 American comedy film
Directed by David Wain
Final Destination:
2000 supernatural thriller
Directed by James Wong
I,Robot:
2004 science-fiction film
Directed by Alex Proyas
Casino Royale:
2006 British action thriller
Directed by Martin Campbell
Forgetting Sarah Marshall:
2008 American romantic comedy
Directed by Nicholas Stoller
The Dark Knight:
2008 superhero film
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Pirates Of The Caribbean – At World’s End:
2007 adventure film
Directed by Gore Verbinski
James Bond – Quantum Of Solace:
2008 British thriller
Directed by Marc Forster
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Timeline For Deadlines
Week Commencing 16th February:
Meet up and draw our main task storyboard
Brainstorm some locations to film our main task
Week Commencing 23rd February:
Agree on the location and check it out.
Discuss props and costumes that are needed
Week Commencing 2nd March:
Begin filming main task
Week Commencing 9th March:
Finish filming main task
Week Commencing 16th March:
Begin editing with Windows Movie Maker/ Adobe.
Week Commencing 23rd March:
Finish editing
Begin evaluation
Before Monday 20th April Deadline:
Upload everything onto blogs
Week Commencing 16th February:
Meet up and draw our main task storyboard
Brainstorm some locations to film our main task
Week Commencing 23rd February:
Agree on the location and check it out.
Discuss props and costumes that are needed
Week Commencing 2nd March:
Begin filming main task
Week Commencing 9th March:
Finish filming main task
Week Commencing 16th March:
Begin editing with Windows Movie Maker/ Adobe.
Week Commencing 23rd March:
Finish editing
Begin evaluation
Before Monday 20th April Deadline:
Upload everything onto blogs
Evaluation
Any one can watch a film. In the book “how to read a film” written by James Monaco in 1977 he states that “even a cat can watch a film. If we are to make sense of the film, however, we must learn to comprehend the images with which we are presented”. So we decided to choose to make a Thriller as we believed that all the research we had done for it would help us to make the most effective Thriller. This would help us understand the James Monaco quote, as we would understand the use of the images on the screen and why they had been used. Also as it was winter when we began filming we thought that it would be a good setting for the particular genre. So we got to grips with researching and filming. A Thriller is a genre that uses the conventions of things like close ups, dark and atmospheric lighting, quick edits, dingy and isolated settings, minimal characters and sound effects. These conventions makes it easy to identify a thriller. Silence of the Lambs is a very good example of a Thriller as seen in my reseasrch.
We had planned to give this a age rating of 15 but based on the opening I believe it would probably be a 12 as there is no strong language, no detailed violence etc. However if we carried this film on after the opening e would try and add in some conventions of a 15 certificate film. The expected audience for this film would be a person who would enjoy Thriller films and doesn't mind the odd bit of scaring. We put Lizzie who played "Jess" in a pink hoody as pink is a stereotypical girly colour and it seems that it's usually the girly helpless, "damsell in distress" that gets hurt or kidnapped by the baddy.
What did we learn from our preliminary?
We learnt how to use windows movie maker properly and made finer cuts in the main task as you can see by comparing prelim to main. Lighting had to be perfect otherwise it could potentially ruin the whole film. In the prelim the light lit up part of the room which made it look unrealistic. It also blacked out the prisoners face and made it hard to see. We learnt most of all not to leave things until the last minute for example we could not find a location for the prelim film until we had to practically hand it in. But overall the preliminary film was a good leanring curve as we then realised what we had to work on and make better to create an effective opening for a Thriller film.
Problems/ constraints:
Editing:
Adobe kept crashing so we had to use windows movie maker- this was not as advanced or effective as Adobe.
Finding sound effects were difficult as the website with sound effects were blocked by school. This meant that I had to find them at home and put them on a memory stick which to longer therefore wasting time in media lessons.
Filming:
We had to film in the dark so we had to wait until around 5.00pm to begin filming and didnt have long before it got too dark. We had a very tight slot between about 5.00pm and 6.00pm so we had to keep stooping and starting.
Camera wasnt charged sometimes so we had to charge and wait again.
We couldn't find the correct costume that fitted the character so it took time finding that.
Background noise- cars, shouting etc.
We had planned to give this a age rating of 15 but based on the opening I believe it would probably be a 12 as there is no strong language, no detailed violence etc. However if we carried this film on after the opening e would try and add in some conventions of a 15 certificate film. The expected audience for this film would be a person who would enjoy Thriller films and doesn't mind the odd bit of scaring. We put Lizzie who played "Jess" in a pink hoody as pink is a stereotypical girly colour and it seems that it's usually the girly helpless, "damsell in distress" that gets hurt or kidnapped by the baddy.
What did we learn from our preliminary?
We learnt how to use windows movie maker properly and made finer cuts in the main task as you can see by comparing prelim to main. Lighting had to be perfect otherwise it could potentially ruin the whole film. In the prelim the light lit up part of the room which made it look unrealistic. It also blacked out the prisoners face and made it hard to see. We learnt most of all not to leave things until the last minute for example we could not find a location for the prelim film until we had to practically hand it in. But overall the preliminary film was a good leanring curve as we then realised what we had to work on and make better to create an effective opening for a Thriller film.
Problems/ constraints:
Editing:
Adobe kept crashing so we had to use windows movie maker- this was not as advanced or effective as Adobe.
Finding sound effects were difficult as the website with sound effects were blocked by school. This meant that I had to find them at home and put them on a memory stick which to longer therefore wasting time in media lessons.
Filming:
We had to film in the dark so we had to wait until around 5.00pm to begin filming and didnt have long before it got too dark. We had a very tight slot between about 5.00pm and 6.00pm so we had to keep stooping and starting.
Camera wasnt charged sometimes so we had to charge and wait again.
We couldn't find the correct costume that fitted the character so it took time finding that.
Background noise- cars, shouting etc.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Note Plan For Main Task Storyboard
Shot 1:
Still shot. Lizzie King comes through door and fills up glass.
Medium close up on her drinking- hand, upper body, face.
Shot 2:
Switch to black and white shot of Lizzie in corridor (english) running and pushing open door on the right hand side.
Shot 3:
Still shot from corner of room. Long shot. Shot of Lizzie swinging the door open and looking aroundthe room as if looking for someone.
Shot 4:
Quick cut back to corridor. Still shot. Lizzie runs across camera shot and pushing open another door on the other side of the corridor.
Shot 5:
Cut to corner of another room. Still shot. Very long shot. Lizzie comes in looks around again desperately
Shot 6:
Cut back to corridor. Running with camera following Lizzie as she runs towards double doors. Tilted frames at some points.
Shot 7:
Cut to extreme close up of Lizzie's face as she runs through double doors.
Shot 8:
Fade in white to medium shot of Lizzie outside by trees. Looking confused- where she is and how she got there. Calls out name- "Jess". Fades into next shot.
Shot 9:
Switch back to colour. Close up of Lizzie's hand as she lets go of glass of water. Slow motion.
Shot 10:
Close up of the glass of water hitting the ground and splashing towards the camera. Fade back into next shot.
Shot 11:
Cut to shot of Ami stood behind Lizzie Mclean who is kneeling on ground with head down. Long shot.
Shot 12:
Cut to close up of Lizzie King- head and shoulders, slightly to the right of the camera. Breathing hard looking scared.
Shot 13:
Back to Lizzie Mclean kneeling on ground but Ami has dissappered from the shot. Long shot. Car goes past and Lizzie collapses onto the floor just as the car passes her.
Shot 14:
Back to Lizzie King who runs past camera.
Shot 15:
Running with camera towards Lizzie Mclean- Point of view shot. Lizzie King breathing hard.
Shot 16:
Switch to shot from behind Lizzie Mclean as Lizzie King runs to her to see if she's ok. Fade into next shot.
Shot 17:
Colour. Medium close of Lizzie Mclean sat on sofa in living room. Says "Liz?" wondering if she's alright because of the glass dropping. Gets up and walks past camera.
Shot 18:
Close up of Lizzie King. Lizzie Mclean comes into shot behind Lizzie King and asks if she's ok. Lizzie King looks up and says I'm fine in a shaky voice. Fade out to black.
Note Plan For Main Task Storyboard
Shot 1:
Still shot. Lizzie King comes through door and fills up glass.
Medium close up on her drinking- hand, upper body, face.
Shot 2:
Switch to black and white shot of Lizzie in corridor (english) running and pushing open door on the right hand side.
Shot 3:
Still shot from corner of room. Long shot. Shot of Lizzie swinging the door open and looking aroundthe room as if looking for someone.
Shot 4:
Quick cut back to corridor. Still shot. Lizzie runs across camera shot and pushing open another door on the other side of the corridor.
Shot 5:
Cut to corner of another room. Still shot. Very long shot. Lizzie comes in looks around again desperately
Shot 6:
Cut back to corridor. Running with camera following Lizzie as she runs towards double doors. Tilted frames at some points.
Shot 7:
Cut to extreme close up of Lizzie's face as she runs through double doors.
Shot 8:
Fade in white to medium shot of Lizzie outside by trees. Looking confused- where she is and how she got there. Calls out name- "Jess". Fades into next shot.
Shot 9:
Switch back to colour. Close up of Lizzie's hand as she lets go of glass of water. Slow motion.
Shot 10:
Close up of the glass of water hitting the ground and splashing towards the camera. Fade back into next shot.
Shot 11:
Cut to shot of Ami stood behind Lizzie Mclean who is kneeling on ground with head down. Long shot.
Shot 12:
Cut to close up of Lizzie King- head and shoulders, slightly to the right of the camera. Breathing hard looking scared.
Shot 13:
Back to Lizzie Mclean kneeling on ground but Ami has dissappered from the shot. Long shot. Car goes past and Lizzie collapses onto the floor just as the car passes her.
Shot 14:
Back to Lizzie King who runs past camera.
Shot 15:
Running with camera towards Lizzie Mclean- Point of view shot. Lizzie King breathing hard.
Shot 16:
Switch to shot from behind Lizzie Mclean as Lizzie King runs to her to see if she's ok. Fade into next shot.
Shot 17:
Colour. Medium close of Lizzie Mclean sat on sofa in living room. Says "Liz?" wondering if she's alright because of the glass dropping. Gets up and walks past camera.
Shot 18:
Close up of Lizzie King. Lizzie Mclean comes into shot behind Lizzie King and asks if she's ok. Lizzie King looks up and says I'm fine in a shaky voice. Fade out to black.
Monday, 20 April 2009
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Thriller Research
Name: Memento (2000)
Age Certificate: UK 15
Genre: Mystery Thriller
The titles appear over the background of a man holding a photo. We have the image of the photo and the only the hands for 1 minute 10 seconds, he shakes it every so often indicating it's just been taken from a polaroid camera. We do not realise that the scene is going back in time until around 1 minute 08 seconds. All the shots are extreme close ups, very intimate- a convention of a thriller. The editing sends the image from colour to black and white, indicating maybe a flashback or a memory- another convention you may see in a thriller.
Name: Alien
Age Certificate: UK18
Genre: Horror Sci-Fi Thriller
It starts of dark and atmospheric, very fast pace camera shots and edits- one picture to another completely different one in the blink of an eye, to keep the audience on their toes. All the people in the opening were running, everythings going very quickly. The music uses sound effects to sound like screaming making the audience fear for the characters. There is lots of action in a very short space of time and then it suddenly ends into silence. Throughout the opening the volume is very loud right up until the last bit.
Name: Slience of the Lambs
Age Certificate: UK 18
Genre: Psycological Horror Thriller
Opening scene: Very low bassy sound in the music but also quite a high pitched sound. The contarst between sounds may indicate all is not well. This is followed by a young girl running through a dark, misty forest which is typical atmospheric weather for a thriller. We automatically wonder what is happening and why she is running. Is she perhaps being chased, and if so why and who by? We then realise that she is doing an asault course and is not really in danger. Yet.
Audience Research
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' as defined below.
where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' as defined below.
In the case of videos and DVDs, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way in which they are experienced, the Board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which are covered by the Video Recordings Act.
Sex Education at ‘18’
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Theme:
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language:
There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity:
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex:
Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence:
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques:
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror:
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs:
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language:
There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity:
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex:
Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence:
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques:
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror:
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs:
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
Theme:
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language:
The use of strong language (eg 'fuck') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity:
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
Sex:
Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence:
Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques:
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror:
Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs:
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language:
The use of strong language (eg 'fuck') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity:
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
Sex:
Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence:
Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques:
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror:
Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs:
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.
Friday, 10 April 2009
Preliminary Production Log
November 2008
Friday 28th
· Received the briefing of the Media film task.
· Discussed possible genres and storylines. Genres included: Horror, Thriller, Comedy, Romantic and hybrid: Horror thriller.
December 2008
Wednesday 3rd
· Continued thinking about a storylines.
· Researched our chosen genre: Horror Thriller. This included watching the opening of thrillers and noting down typical conventions of a thriller. Got tips on how to create an effective thriller using generic conventions. These included; close ups, dark and atmospheric lighting, quick edits, dingy and isolated settings, minimal characters and sound effects. Also researched on the BBFC website what makes a particular age certificate etc.
Friday 28th
· Received the briefing of the Media film task.
· Discussed possible genres and storylines. Genres included: Horror, Thriller, Comedy, Romantic and hybrid: Horror thriller.
December 2008
Wednesday 3rd
· Continued thinking about a storylines.
· Researched our chosen genre: Horror Thriller. This included watching the opening of thrillers and noting down typical conventions of a thriller. Got tips on how to create an effective thriller using generic conventions. These included; close ups, dark and atmospheric lighting, quick edits, dingy and isolated settings, minimal characters and sound effects. Also researched on the BBFC website what makes a particular age certificate etc.
Friday 12th
· Agreed on a storyline we all had a good input into and began drawing up a storyboard including: Type of shot, length of shot (to make sure we had the right amount of footage).
Saturday 13th
· Watched more Thriller movies and continued to make notes.
This helped us by being able to add these conventions into our film to create a more effective product.
· Researched into audience and what ages would enjoy and be aloud to watch particular types of films.
January 2009
Wednesday 14th
· Finalised storyboard.
· Discussed costume and props, these included: Police detective inspector: Smart black trousers, black/ white shirt, black high heel shoes and long black coat. Prisoner: Plain blue overalls, black and white scarf and grey pumps.
Friday 16th
· Established setting by walking round different places in and outside of school in both the light and dark to see how it looked and fitted in to the chosen genre.
Wednesday 21st
· Brought our costumes into school to make sure they were appropriate and made adjustments where necessary.
Friday 23rd
· Continued with more research into genre and audience by creating a questionnaire and handing them out to everyone in each of our forms. We received back around 70-80 replies.
Wednesday 28th
· Established setting baring in mind the thriller conventions.
Friday 30th
· Began filming using the schools camera, tape and tripod.
February 2009
Wednesday 4th
· Continued filming and finished around 1/3 of the product.
Friday 6th
· Stayed after school until around 6.00pm as we needed an empty corridor which would be difficult to get in a normal school day.
· Finished all we needed to film for our preliminary.
Wednesday 11th
· Began editing using Windows Movie Maker.
· Discussed music and sound effects that we may need and concluded that the natural sounds we didn’t edit in sounded good enough for what we wanted.
FINISHED PRELIMINARY TASK
Questionnaire
These are the questions that appeared on our questionnaire for the audience research:
Circle the following which apply to you:
What age group are you in?
· 11-15
· 16-20
· 21-25
· 26-30
· 31-50
· 50+
Gender:
· Male
· Female
Employment status:
· Student
· Full-time employment
· Part-time employment
· Unemployed
How often do you go to the cinema?
· At least once a week
· 2 or 3 per month
· 1 per month
· 1 per 6 months
· 2 or 3 per year
· 1 per year
· Less often
· Never
What genre of film do you prefer to watch?
· Action
· Adventure
· Comedy
· Crime
· Drama
· Horror
· Musical
· Thriller
· Science-Fiction
· Romantic
Why do you prefer this genre to the others?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What films do you most associate with a thriller genre film?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What are your favourite films that you've seen in the past year?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
These are the questions that appeared on our questionnaire for the audience research:
Circle the following which apply to you:
What age group are you in?
· 11-15
· 16-20
· 21-25
· 26-30
· 31-50
· 50+
Gender:
· Male
· Female
Employment status:
· Student
· Full-time employment
· Part-time employment
· Unemployed
How often do you go to the cinema?
· At least once a week
· 2 or 3 per month
· 1 per month
· 1 per 6 months
· 2 or 3 per year
· 1 per year
· Less often
· Never
What genre of film do you prefer to watch?
· Action
· Adventure
· Comedy
· Crime
· Drama
· Horror
· Musical
· Thriller
· Science-Fiction
· Romantic
Why do you prefer this genre to the others?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What films do you most associate with a thriller genre film?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What are your favourite films that you've seen in the past year?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
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