Analysing Raw Footage

Here is the practice shoot which we did to test our camera angle and movement ideas, see whether our idea created tension and what we needed to change/improve for the future.

Camera Angle/Movement

A camera angle we enjoy is the close up of the confidential files and when the file opens, blocks the camera, then closes again. We find this builds tension as it highlights the importance of the files and it seems to make the files a character in itself, which is to emphasise the importance of them. We also use a close up of the files when the woman character is walking with the files. This is once again to signify the importance of these files, and that the woman may be in danger as a result of having possession of these files.

       











However, we wanted to test out a long tracking shot which lasted around 20-25 seconds. We had issues discussing whether this was too long and whether it should be included, so we wanted to try it out. In the end we decided it was a little too long, but we still wanted to have it involved in one way or another. We are going to edit it and see whether it can have a fast motion effect.

Was Tension Created?

Our opinion on the practice shoot is that we did create suspense and tension by the end of the shoot. It left the audience asking questions and was quite scary. However, there are many points which we want to change. We don't want to spend as much time in the office watching the woman packing the files, as we believe this is quite irrelevant and doesn't create suspense or tension. Additionally, we do not want to see the criminals face. This is to enrapture the audience in finding out who he is and to keep his identity a mystery. Finally, we do not want to have such a revealing ending, as many questions answer themselves which is unnecessary.

These are some examples which we think give too much away:









However, we did end up liking this slow tracking shot of the criminal walking away, but we do not want to include the upcoming dialogue that the character says. Maybe we could have this shot before he meets the woman? This could be a greater method of creating mystery and suspense.

Finally, after compiling this footage, we decided that our original idea of including an elevator must happen. We have ideas to use a security camera type footage with a big angle from inside the elevator which would be quite unique and interesting. We believe we can play around with an elevator and maybe has it as our main location for our upcoming thriller, as it has potential of causing some suspenseful and shocking shots, which would be enrapturing for the audience.

Mood Board

Here is the mood board we created. Our main theme wanted to be fear and murder, with a predator like feel to it, and for a very professional feel so be involved with it also. 

Minute Meetings

Minute meetings

19/11/14

Individual Targets

Simone: Wear businesswoman get-up

Nick: Bring in camera to film

Freddie: Wear all black clothing + ask about briefcase

What we did

Today, we continued to do our storyboard, however we didn't quite finish it but we have an idea of how to. We also discussed the location for our practice shoot, and yet to decide whether to include the car park or not.

Good v.s Bad

GOOD - We introduced brand new ideas such as a briefcase + confidential documents and also different shot types we could use such as a low angle. 

20/11/14

Sup, todays media stuff:

What we did

We filmed our practice shoot, became familiar with the camera equipment and we got an idea of which shots we like and which shots we didn't.

Targets

Our targets are to decide which exact shots we want to keep for the real Thriller sequence. Also, we need to go over the footage and get a general idea of what we like and don't like.

GOOD V.S BAD

GOOD - We liked how we tracked our shots, and our progression of ideas.

BAD - Timed walking scene a bit better.

24/11/14

what we did today

We came up with our synopsis and opening sequence which we will present to Matt. Also filmed some short visuals to show matt.

Targets

To take on as much advice from matt as possible so we can try to make our idea as good as we can make it. 

Good

We liked what we finished with and are excited about pitching

Bad

We were undecided on how our synopsis should end for a while

2/12/14

What we did

We finished our storyboard plans and discussed our final ideas

Targets

To complete our final storyboard with all our improved ideas and for Nick to send us all the footage of our test shoot 

GOOD V.S BAD

GOOD - Our original idea has evolved into something very different, we are all very involved in adding and tweaking ideas.

BAD - Alex needs to send us all the mood board.


10/12/14
Today, we decided on which actors we wanted to have in our thriller and what costumes we would want them to wear. This is because we want our actors to fit the stereotype of the type of characters we are going to have- a businesswoman, a spy-like character and a scary thug. 

Similar Media Texts

Here are two video games which will be similar to our product. They are both incorporate the genre of thriller with a small incision of action. They are also similar as they both include an assassin/spy type character which will be involved within our thriller too. These 2 video games are Metal Gear Solid V and Hitman Absolution, made in 2015 and 2012.


Here is Casino Royale made in 2006, directed by Martin Campbell. The main actor is Daniel Craig and the film was made by Columbia Pictures. This film will be similar to ours as once again there is an inclusion of a spy type character, and there is lots of violence and mystery within the storyline.












Here is Leon made in 1994, directed by Luc Besson. The main actor is Jean Reno, and it was made by Gaumont, a french film producing company. Once again, this film has an assassin who is extremely professional it was he does. This is the impression that we want our character to have, so this film has huge inspiration for us.













Here is the final component of the Bourne Trilogy: The Bourne Ultimatum. It was directed by Paul Greengrass and was made in 2007. The main actor is Matt Damon and the studio which produced it was Universal Pictures. In this film, there is a top agent who is ruthless and very good at what he does. Similar to Leon, this is the impression we what our assassin to have, so this will be a similar media text to ours.

Finally, this is the film Hitman made in 2007, directed by Xavier Gens. The main actor is Timothy Olyphant and it was produced by Twentieth Century Fox. This is most likely the most similar film to ours as the character in our thriller is called a pitman, as is this character. Also, the costume for our male character is going to be focused on being similar to this, especially the red tie. This is because this film most definitely shows off how professional and ruthless the hitman is, which is what we want with our male hitman.

Storyboard for our Thriller

Here is the storyboard we created for our thriller.

Intended target audience and how you will attract them

Age

The target age range of our thriller is 18-23 year olds. This is because the certificate for our thriller will be at least a 15 as there is lots of gore and as a result of the level of violence we have.

Gender


The gender we are aiming our thriller at is males.

Why

This is because there is lots of guns and action, and one of our main characters is a merciless male figure. Our thriller is also quite similar to video games such as Hitman:Absolution, which our target audience will like as they would play video games quite often. Our young male audience like action and death, and the mystery of our male actor. They will also like the briefcase which we plan to include and the whole story about what's inside.

How we intend to attract them in the first two minutes

We intend to attract our audience straight away by having a really tense scene which ends up with an unexpected event. This could be a death of a character or a significant event which alters the narrative drastically.

More Genre

What is a Hybrid Genre?

A hybrid genre is a mixture/combination of different genres. For example: Action-Thriller, Romantic-Comedy.   

Why is Genre used? 

Genre is used to classify each film made into categories, which is a way of targeting specific audiences for which the film is made for. These genres additionally provide multiple varieties of films which allows for people of all ages to enjoy movies, depending on the genres which they like. 

 What are genre Conventions?

Genre conventions are inclusions in a film to help the audience associate that film with its genre. For example, conventions of horror include jump scares, scary setting etc. These different genre conventions are illustrated through the use of camera movements, the editing, the sound used and the mise-en-scene in the films.

Thrillers

What is a thriller genre?

A thriller film is a film which is created to thrill the audience, and is done so by leaving the audience with questions and for them to wander what will happen next, and normally finishes with a shocking twist or a powerful ending.  

What are the main Conventions of a Thriller?

The main conventions of a thriller are: Suspense, Tension, mixture of slow and fast paced, Powerful ending, and normally includes an exciting and unpredictable twist.