Final Version

Evaluation

Overall we feel we have created a reasonably good thriller opening considering the lack of time we had to make it (due to circumstances). However, because of this we have had to make compromises with some of the features we were hoping to include e.g. the flasing images and flickering. Another part we feel could have been better was the dietetic soundtrack as it is very broken up, making it amateur sounding and lacking in continuity. Through we were very pleased with how the titles look (the font and how they fade in and out). We have met all our aims in the plan of the time making for the film.

example of soundtrack

Silent Hill:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU2URHwzrNo

Class Feedback

Bear in mind we had one lesson to upload all our footage from filming and put it in order, and do a small amount of editing so some parts may not sound/look as good as they could be. But then this is only the rough cut version.

We did an exercise where by the whole class looked at each others work and wrote down good and bad points about our work. Below are some of the comments we receieved.
Sound:

-When Alice is walking on her own the sound of heavy breathing was really effective and was a good way to create creepy atmosphere.

-Good natural sounds of the forest-sound would be good, can hear the sound of voices at very start.

Editing:
-Some shots could be shorter

-Tiles will go well in multiple shots
lower some of the levels of sound to make the background clearer

Mise en Sene:

-Realistic (likes bob marley)

-Location is effective as it is a thriller

Camerawork:
-Different style of camerawork, worked well, gave a sense of atmosphere.

-Hand held worked well, made viewers feel more like you were the characters.

-Angle of Alice running was very effective.

-Good shot of guy in background.



OVERALL:
We think that the film will look a lot better when there is a diagetic soundtrack and credits will make it look more professional.

Filming

On the 6th of march we arrived at our location , at around 9 am. Our filming session went fairly smooth, however we did have 1 or 2 complications. The main problem we had was trying to get the dog to bark. We tried everything, but unfortunately the dog wasn't having any of it. Although, the rest of our footage was perfect, everything we had in our shot by shot list, we managed to film. And most of this footage, was of very good quality. As a group we are very happy with how our filming session went, everyone was on time, and everyone knew what role they where having to play. Everyone contributed towards our footage, and we all made a 100% effort towards it.

During this weeks lessons, we intend to upload our footage, and begin to start the editing process. We have already started to produce the music for the final piece.

Test Footage

We have filmed this rusty chain dripping, turning up the contrast to make it seem more abstract and creepy, also bring down the brightness to achieve as similar effect. fo shizzle

Location Report

Location:

We intend to film in the ruins of a Norman Castle in Cheveley Park stud (just outside the village of Cheveley) the castle is in a wooded area; an ideal location for the project. Fortunately, the location of our opening is reasonably close to where we all live, so will not be too much trouble to get to. One of the main features of our film is what we thought was a well, through further research we learned it was in fact an Edwardian fridge.

Permisson:

• No permission is needed for us to use the forest as the location for our thriller.
• The still images we will be using will be taken at various locations around college and at the castle

Extra Information On the Castle and its' History:

The castle building stood on a rectangular platform surrounded by a formidable V-shaped moat. The moat was probably always dry. Parts of the coarse stone in which the castle is made with still remain visible

It is thought that it originally contained a variety of timber structures, including the lord's main hall and other buildings such as a chapel, kitchens, store rooms and accommodation for guests and retainers, some of which were probably set against the inner face of the curtain wall. The ward has not been excavated or significantly disturbed, and the buried remains of these buildings are considered to survive well. Access to the interior was provided by a drawbridge across the centre of the north western arm of the moat. The castle is thought to have been built by Sir John de Pulteney, financier and four times Mayor of London, who was granted a licence to crenellate the dwelling place of his manor in Cheveley in 1341. The resulting structure, which is the only Edwardian castle in Cambridgeshire, is more likely to have served as a mark of Pulteney's status than as a military stronghold, and to have provided a prestigious hunting lodge as the centre piece of a deer park established shortly thereafter.

We feel the unique History of the castle adds something extra special to our film.

Analysis of "Kill Bill" Action Thriller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo8ZM7PyRzU




kill Bill is a Quentin Tarentino film, released 2003 and starred uma thurman.
The films uses a lot of other influences such as such as martial arts films , Japanese chanbara films, exploitation films and Italian spaghetti westerns; an extensive use of popular music and pop culture references. it also uses a lot of directing techniques such as black and white used in the scene where uma is buried alive and animation is used in the sequence in which one of the characters background is explained.

Storyboard

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analysis of 'lord of war' political thriller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d0d6qgsvTw&feature=related

the movie follows Yuri Orlov, an arms dealer supplying weapons to Liberia. Pursued by an Interpol agent he begins to question he morality of his work.

The movie uses a LOT of narration to tell the story at hand. this makes the viewer feel more involved as it seems that the main character is talking to the viewer and makes you feel almost in place with this man. there is very also very little music in the movie which further adds to the sence of realism. there are also a lot of long shots (for instance the opening sequence camera) which means that the viewer isn't alienated by to many camera angles.

analysis of 'colateral' crime thriller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5M_Ttstbgs
taken from IMDB:
"A cab driver finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer as he makes his rounds from hit to hit during one night in LA. He must find a way to save both himself and one last victim"


the cinematography of collateral is its strongest element. it uses a lot of point of interest shots (for instance the coyote scene) which imply more than they seem and makes good use of the night to create a dark and dreamy atmosphere. the music also plays and integral part of telling the story and always its in with the action on screen. there is also very little orchestrated music, most of the music being mainstream music such as audioslave and groove armada.

Analysis of 'memento' psyclogical thriller

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vS0E9bBSL0


Memento chronicles the story of Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories, as he attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. the narrative of the movie is crucially important as the story is told backwards with the beginning of one scene being the end of the next. this means the viewer must remember the previous scene for the next scene to make sense and there are also scenes in Leonard's bedroom which reveal the story up to the beginning (if you are talking about the movie chronologically). its a clever psychological trick which draws the viewer in and makes the viewer sympathize with the main character.

Details of Filming

Here are some pictures I took from the location of our film, the top left is where the shot at the beginning of it, as we walk towards the castle. I have also taken a picture of the well from close-up and far away.


We intend to film in the Cheveley park stud which is just outside the village of Cheveley. We intend to be filming at around 4 on both evenings. We have arranged to meet at Cheveley primary school, which is fairly near where we intend to film. Luke is responsible for bring the dog, and all necessary items, such as the lead for the dog, treats etc. Alice will be in charge of the camera equipment and for bringing it to the filming location and also the speakers in which the characters which will be playing music out of: "Don't Worry" by Bob Marley. This music will actas a contrapuntal device.
We have all exchanged telephone numbers to arrange a meeting location. From there we will walk to the location.

Analysis of Action Thriller "Casino Royale"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfc9GLxlhEw&feature=related

the opening sequence of casino royale conforms to the tradition of previous bond movies and uses a specially composed piece of music "you know my name" by Chris Cornell. the opening sequence is abstact and uses casino cards and roulette tables to hint at the narritive. it also coveys what genre the movie is.

Taking lives soundtrack

the music for the opening sequence was made to try and sound 'acoustic' and 'folky' which bodes well with the setting of the opening sequence. the orchestral sound implies suspense and mischief. the sound fades out when the characters speak so dialog can be heard.

Shot list

Establishing Shot: At the beginning we will use an establishing shot to introduce our characters and location. The camera will then pan round the forest at an 80 degree angle to reveal the location in which the thriller set.

Over the shoulder shot: This will be used when the dog becomes distressed and the charecters, discuss the situation.

Reaction shot: This will be used as the characters reaction to both the dog playing up and when it runs off. This will lead to the audiences realization of the troubled situation. We will also use this particular shot when the characters discover the creepy location to reiterate their frightening dilema.

Mid shot: This shot will be used regularly throughout the film to illustrate the storyline. For example: at the beginning where we zoom in on the well and of perhaps the characters.

Long shot: This shot will also be used to show the well from a distance and also when the stalkers silhouette is on the hill.

High angled shot: This will be used as the camera looks down into the creepy well to create a sense of disorientation.

Low angled shot: This will be used as we look up onto the man on the hill, this will clearly illustrate the characters vulnerability.

Point of view shot: When we look down into the well, as we look around the forest and as the dog runs off.

Close up: we will use this as we flicker from images. To build up suspense and tension.

Initial Idea for our thriller.

We have decided on a creepy location in which to set our opening, it is in Cheveley Park Stud at the ruins of a castle surrounded by woodland. We have decided to split out group into two actors and two cameramen. We thought it could begin with the characters walking their dog in the woods, then upon arrival at the castle grounds, the dog starts to play up and bark. This confuses and worries the two characters as their dog is normally an animal of pleasant manor. They try to figure out whats distressing the dog, so they attempt to head back. On their journey home they begin to hear noises all around e.g. sticks breaking, leaves rustling etc. The dog becomes so frightened that it runs off, forcing the two characters to follow. The dog leads them to a creepy underground well.
We will illustrate this basic plot with flashing images of the bars of the well, branches of trees, a shadow etc. to suggest this storyline so as not to reveal too much to the audience. It will start with creepy music whilst establishing the location to portray the genre of the film, it will then go to the characters playing diegetic upbeat music through hand held speakers. then as the characters start to realise their frightening dilema, the upbeat music slowly fades into the creepy music we heard at the start.

Logo Creation

This is the production log that we have created and edited on Photoshop and then added it into Final Cut so that we could edit it. We decided on 'storm productions' as we felt it fitted in with the thriller theme adequately.

Thriller Pitch

This is a combination of our ideas, we have put together various pictures from Google that encapsulate our thoughts and ideas for this project. We have chosen various creepy, shadowy images to portray the atmosphere. From this task we have decided on the creepy location of the ruins of a castle in Cheveley Park Stud.

Analysis Of The Shining.

Music/Sound: the music is fundamentally erie. it contains sound effects that are reminiscent of people screeching which indicates there is a horror style element to the movie, and a trumpet sounds. there is also a "pingy" sound effect throughout the sequence which further adds to the atmosphere.

Camera Work: the sequence starts with a flyover camera angle of a lake which fades to a overhead sequence of a car driving down a road in the forest.

The actual opening sequence does not introduce any main characters as such, but does introduce the location of the mountains. This can be seen as being far away from everything, where anything can happen. And judging by the music, things aren't all happy. We see and follow this car as it goes in and out of this mountain pass, through the valleys, with this amazing back drops of massive mountains and cliff edges, which also adds to the feeling of being away from most life.

Editing: The way in which the credits roll up is very classic as the names scroll from the bottom of the screen right up to the top. This is all happening while the live action following the car is going on. This is a typical way of showing the credits as it conforms to normal conventions of film.