this is our final thriller
Showing posts with label Alyssa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alyssa. Show all posts
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Institutional Research
What is a film distributor?
A film distributor is an individual or a company which is responsible for the releasing films into the public. This is either theatrically (showing in the cinema) or for home viewing (DVD, Bluray, Video-On-Demand, TV programmes or for download). A distributor may do this indirectly (through sub-distributors or theatrical exhibitors) or directly (through owning the theatre or distribution network).
Paramount Pictures:
Founded in 1912, Paramount Pictures is an American film and television production/distribution company; it is located Hollywood and it is the second oldest existing American film studio (behind Universal Studios).Paramount is ranked as one of the largest movie studios (top grossing). Paramount pictures has distibuted huge films such as: The Italian Job, Mean Girls, Transformers, Paranormal Activity and Twilight. It makes over £300million a year.
Universal Pictures:
Founded in 1912, Universal Pictures is the oldest American movie studio that is still in production today (Paramount is the second oldest). The production studios are located at Plaza Drive in Universal City, California. It has distributed films such as; Billy Elliot, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Love Actually, Bruno and Doom. Universal Pictures is the longest-lived Hollywood studio.
20th Century Fox:
Founded in 1915, The Fox Film Corporation was started by entreprenuer, William Fox. He created this by the merging of a distribution company and a production company. For many years, 20th Century-Fox was claimed to have been founded in 1915 but recently it emerged that it was founded in 1935. It has distrubuted films such as: Star Wars and Avatar; and has also distributed shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy.
Momentum Pictures:
Founded in 2000, Momentum Pictures is one of the leading independant motion picture distributors in the UK and releases around 20 films a year. The company is owned by Paramount and is based in London. It has distributed films such as: The King's Speech, P.S I Love You, Amelie and Lost in Translation.
Which would be the best to distribute our film?
Overall, all of the researched distributors release all genred films from U's to 18's. However, I think that the most appropriate distrubutor that would apply for us would be momentum. This is because it is not as big as the others and is mainly based in the UK.
A film distributor is an individual or a company which is responsible for the releasing films into the public. This is either theatrically (showing in the cinema) or for home viewing (DVD, Bluray, Video-On-Demand, TV programmes or for download). A distributor may do this indirectly (through sub-distributors or theatrical exhibitors) or directly (through owning the theatre or distribution network).
Paramount Pictures:Founded in 1912, Paramount Pictures is an American film and television production/distribution company; it is located Hollywood and it is the second oldest existing American film studio (behind Universal Studios).Paramount is ranked as one of the largest movie studios (top grossing). Paramount pictures has distibuted huge films such as: The Italian Job, Mean Girls, Transformers, Paranormal Activity and Twilight. It makes over £300million a year.
Universal Pictures:
Founded in 1912, Universal Pictures is the oldest American movie studio that is still in production today (Paramount is the second oldest). The production studios are located at Plaza Drive in Universal City, California. It has distributed films such as; Billy Elliot, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Love Actually, Bruno and Doom. Universal Pictures is the longest-lived Hollywood studio.
20th Century Fox:Founded in 1915, The Fox Film Corporation was started by entreprenuer, William Fox. He created this by the merging of a distribution company and a production company. For many years, 20th Century-Fox was claimed to have been founded in 1915 but recently it emerged that it was founded in 1935. It has distrubuted films such as: Star Wars and Avatar; and has also distributed shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy.
Momentum Pictures:
Founded in 2000, Momentum Pictures is one of the leading independant motion picture distributors in the UK and releases around 20 films a year. The company is owned by Paramount and is based in London. It has distributed films such as: The King's Speech, P.S I Love You, Amelie and Lost in Translation. Which would be the best to distribute our film?
Overall, all of the researched distributors release all genred films from U's to 18's. However, I think that the most appropriate distrubutor that would apply for us would be momentum. This is because it is not as big as the others and is mainly based in the UK.
Thriller Opening Feedback
Once we had completed our 'rough cut' for our opening, we then all down together (the class as a whole) and watched the rough cuts individually to get feedback on what was working and what wasn't. As a group we decided on three questions that we wanted to ask the whole group as critical feedback. Our three questions were based on issues that we had already discovered about our thriller opening:
1. It is evident that our opening is quite confusing; do you think that this is a good thing or is it too hard to understand?
2. We've been having difficulties figuring out where the credits should go. Whats your opinion?
3. Do you think the different shots work changing from black and white to colour?
ROUGH CUT THRILLER OPENING:
Feedback:
1. 'It doesn't seem to be that confusing. It's obvious that the character is going to do something bad (commit suicide) and is having flashbacks of something that has happened. But we don't know what she is narrating on which makes us want to watch it even more.'-Nick
'I think it's good that it's not very understandable because thats what the openings are for'- Kim
2. 'It would look good if you added the credits as part of the background because you don't want to take the attention away from the intreguing storyline. Maybe a more floaty font will look good aswell'-Jake
3. 'The black and white does look good because it emphasis' that it's a dream; but you should either add black and white to all of the flashbacks bits or make it look more gloomy by adding shadows and stuff'-Joe
Teachers Feedback: You need to add in the music, credits and sounds effects. Make the editing alot sharper and snappier and try to shorten some of the clips so it doesn't drag along too much. Having more consistant effects will make the mise en scene alot more interesting and watchable.
Feedback Response:
We found this feeback very useful and constructive so after this seesion, we made a 'to do' list:
- Finish making flashback scenes black and white and then go back and darken the scenes alot more. This is to add more emphasis on the dark flashbacks the suicidal character is having.
-Add in the credits into the background of the bathroom scenes after trying out different types of fonts and colours on the scenes.
-Make and add in the music (from garageband) and compliment this with sound effects.
-Try and cut down each section as much as possible, trying to overall remove 30 seconds of film.
-Add in more voiceovers so it doesn't cut out and a random point.
1. It is evident that our opening is quite confusing; do you think that this is a good thing or is it too hard to understand?
2. We've been having difficulties figuring out where the credits should go. Whats your opinion?
3. Do you think the different shots work changing from black and white to colour?
ROUGH CUT THRILLER OPENING:
Feedback:
1. 'It doesn't seem to be that confusing. It's obvious that the character is going to do something bad (commit suicide) and is having flashbacks of something that has happened. But we don't know what she is narrating on which makes us want to watch it even more.'-Nick
'I think it's good that it's not very understandable because thats what the openings are for'- Kim
2. 'It would look good if you added the credits as part of the background because you don't want to take the attention away from the intreguing storyline. Maybe a more floaty font will look good aswell'-Jake
3. 'The black and white does look good because it emphasis' that it's a dream; but you should either add black and white to all of the flashbacks bits or make it look more gloomy by adding shadows and stuff'-Joe
Teachers Feedback: You need to add in the music, credits and sounds effects. Make the editing alot sharper and snappier and try to shorten some of the clips so it doesn't drag along too much. Having more consistant effects will make the mise en scene alot more interesting and watchable.
Feedback Response:
We found this feeback very useful and constructive so after this seesion, we made a 'to do' list:
- Finish making flashback scenes black and white and then go back and darken the scenes alot more. This is to add more emphasis on the dark flashbacks the suicidal character is having.
-Add in the credits into the background of the bathroom scenes after trying out different types of fonts and colours on the scenes.
-Make and add in the music (from garageband) and compliment this with sound effects.
-Try and cut down each section as much as possible, trying to overall remove 30 seconds of film.
-Add in more voiceovers so it doesn't cut out and a random point.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Thriller Opening Rough Cut
Even though we are still in the process of editing we converted and submitted our 'rough cut' through youtube to be watched in a feedback session with the whole of the class.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Editing Ideas and Process
Editing Ideas:
When it came to editing, we found it difficult to come up with a plan of how and what we wanted to do to our clips. After researching different editing techniques, we found this video on youtube. It is an editing sequence made by an AS media student who used final cut as the editing programme. We thought that this was relevant to us because we are also using final cut and we have a woods scene in our opening sequence aswell:
There are many things in this video that we want to be in ours. Firstly, from 0:29-0:35, the 'Alice In Wonderland' character is walking towards the camera. The lighting has been darkened quite alot and the figure has been made to look jittery and almost ghostly like.
Editing Process:
When we first started to edit our clips, we have over 40 clips to go through. After choosing all the right ones we needed to make our sequence, we then began to put them in order and cut them down to the right timings.
When it came to editing, we found it difficult to come up with a plan of how and what we wanted to do to our clips. After researching different editing techniques, we found this video on youtube. It is an editing sequence made by an AS media student who used final cut as the editing programme. We thought that this was relevant to us because we are also using final cut and we have a woods scene in our opening sequence aswell:
There are many things in this video that we want to be in ours. Firstly, from 0:29-0:35, the 'Alice In Wonderland' character is walking towards the camera. The lighting has been darkened quite alot and the figure has been made to look jittery and almost ghostly like.
Editing Process:
When we first started to edit our clips, we have over 40 clips to go through. After choosing all the right ones we needed to make our sequence, we then began to put them in order and cut them down to the right timings.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
What is a Thriller?
What is a Thriller?
A Thriller is a genre of film, and television that uses tension, excitement and suspense as the main elements. A thriller film is made to stimulate the audience's moods which could include giving them a high level of anticipation, anxiety and uncertainty. The also tend to be quite fast paced and adrenaline-rushing. In general, thrillers tend to include plot twists, cliffhanger, a villian character and often, a heroic character. Examples of thriller films are: The Shining, Se7en and the Bourne Supremacy films.
What are the main aspects of a Thriller?
What should a Thriller opening include?
A Thriller is a genre of film, and television that uses tension, excitement and suspense as the main elements. A thriller film is made to stimulate the audience's moods which could include giving them a high level of anticipation, anxiety and uncertainty. The also tend to be quite fast paced and adrenaline-rushing. In general, thrillers tend to include plot twists, cliffhanger, a villian character and often, a heroic character. Examples of thriller films are: The Shining, Se7en and the Bourne Supremacy films.
What are the main aspects of a Thriller?
There are many conventions which go into a thriller film, but mainly they normally include either:
- A character/characters in conflict with either themselves or another character.
- Psychological confusion and danger aswell as physical.
- Dramatic and mysterious storylines
- Confusion over what is make believe and reality (dreams).
- The fear of death in comparison to the fascination of death.
- The battle between characters (e.g. good and evil)
- The want from a character to discover their purpose
- Unwanted or lonely characters who blame the world for their problems.
- Characters with physcological problems.
What should a Thriller opening include?
Monday, 5 March 2012
Changes in Thriller Opening
We decided to change our idea of our thriller opening. The main reason we done this was because there were quite alot of health and safety hazards with our idea and it was difficult to film. However, we quickly came up with a new idea to compliment the murder/suicide scene which we were going to originally include aswell. The first thing we done once changing our idea was researching new influences:
New Influences and Comparisons:
Because our thriller opening has changed so it is focusing mainly on the suicide, we thought it would be appropriate to do more research on suicide based openings. Kidulthood was the perfect example for us to compare our thriller opening too because it involves a young girl much alike out initial idea. The clip from 3 mins 40 secs onwards shows the same atmosphere and tension that we wanted to be in our thriller.
The different shot types are a big aspect of this seen which we particularly admired. The sharp and shortly cut camera shots create a more confused atmosphere. This scene also causes the audience to feel alot of sympathy for the suicidal character and makes us wonder why she is wanting to do it. We then used this scene as an influence to draw out new storyboard:New Influences and Comparisons:
Because our thriller opening has changed so it is focusing mainly on the suicide, we thought it would be appropriate to do more research on suicide based openings. Kidulthood was the perfect example for us to compare our thriller opening too because it involves a young girl much alike out initial idea. The clip from 3 mins 40 secs onwards shows the same atmosphere and tension that we wanted to be in our thriller.
Storyboard and Role allocation:
This new storyboard show our new idea for the thriller opening, just in less detail. We included these specific shots in the storyboard because they are the shots that show the most key parts of the opening (the most interesting shots e.g. the pan shot). The next thing we done once changing out idea was to give each person in the group specific roles for the filming process. We had to change this mainly because we needed more acting involved in the new idea: Acting roles:
Suicide character: Emily Huelin
Evil character: Eloise Fuggle
Dead character: Yasz Webb
Technical Roles:
When it came to designated the technical roles, we decided that it would be most benficial if we shared them equally. Because 3 out of the 4 members of the group are going to be acting at different times, we will all take part in the filming process (including hair, make-up, lighting etc) and in the editing process (including making the music).
Music changes:
Even though our first idea included us using music from Knife Party productions; with our new idea, we thought it would be more original to use music that we have made ourselves on GarageBand. This is because we wanted to be able to fit in specific sounds in different places and this wouldn't be possible with using an already made track. The type of music we are now wanting to use is low toned, heavy, dark music which builds up as different things are revealed. Also, with the different shots going from the bathroom scene to the wood scene, screeching sounds will be added to give it a jumpy feel. Unlike the first idea, we decided to add in some dialogue as an overall voiceover. This voiceover is going to be the suicidal character talking about the events that have occured and why she wants to kill herself. However, it is going to be as if she is talking to herself, so she will not reveal any specific information. An example of the voiceover we want to use in the opening is the begining of the 'We Found Love' music video by Rihanna and Calvin Harris. We also created a script for the new idea:
Script (rough):
Suicidal character:
Why would I want to give anyone the horrible thoughts I'm having.
(Pause and heavy breathing)
I just have to do it. (pause)
Theres no turning back now.(pause)
Things would never be the same. (pause)
No one would ever believe me if I told them anyway. (pause)
But they will all find out soon, it will happen to everyone. (pause)
Then everyone will feel like this. (pause)
So I need to leave now, before things get worse.
Deciding on Certificate
When deciding on the classification of thriller opening we had to consider many things. We used the BBFC (British Board of Film) to use as a guideline. The BBFC is a non-governmental organisation, which is funded by the film industry. It is responsible for the classification and censorship of films within the UK. It has a statutory requirement to classify DVDs, videos and some video games. The classifications are:
The U sign stands UNIVERSAL. This means that it has been all ages admitted. This means that the film does not contain anything unsuitable for children over 4.
The PG sign stands for PARENTAL GUIDANCE. Like Unviversal, this means that it is all ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under the age of 8. It may May contain mild language, sex/drugs references and moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy thoughts).
The 12A sign stands for suitable for children the ages of 12 aslong as they are accompanied by an adult. This was only introduced to cinemas in 2002. Films under this category are said to be unsuitable for young people.. It is not recommended that children under 12 should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, soft drugs, moderate swear words and moderate violence/sex references.
The 12 sign stands for nobody younger than 12 can watch the film. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, use of strong language, brief nudity, sexual activity, and moderate violence.
The 15 sign stands for only those over 15 years are admitted. Films under this category can contain adult themes, drugs, strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and sex activity.
The 18 sign stands for only adults are admitted to watch the film.Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.
After looking at the different aspects of each certification, we then looked at the openings and certifications of different thriller and non-thriller films to compare to ours:
-Kidulthood: 15
(The reason we looked at a film such as kidulthood is because the opening scene involves a suicide which is related to our thriller opening)
-4,3,2,1: 15
-Se7en: 18
-The Bourne Supremacy: 12A
-The Shining: 18
-No Country For Old Men: 15
-Inception: 15
From looking at these different film opening, it appears that thrillers are generally certificate 15. However, more gruesome films which involve more blood are 18's. Our thriller opening does not include and blood or gore so the certificate 15 seems to be the most appropriate for us to use. Our opening involves a suicide which is less gruesome then the suicide in Kidulthood which is a 15, which is another reason why we decided not to certficate it an 18. However, because it does include a 'death' and quite intimidating music, we did not think it would have been appropriate to certificate it a 12 or a 12A.
The U sign stands UNIVERSAL. This means that it has been all ages admitted. This means that the film does not contain anything unsuitable for children over 4. The PG sign stands for PARENTAL GUIDANCE. Like Unviversal, this means that it is all ages admitted, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under the age of 8. It may May contain mild language, sex/drugs references and moderate violence if justified by context (e.g. fantasy thoughts).The 12A sign stands for suitable for children the ages of 12 aslong as they are accompanied by an adult. This was only introduced to cinemas in 2002. Films under this category are said to be unsuitable for young people.. It is not recommended that children under 12 should watch the film. Films under this category can contain mature themes, soft drugs, moderate swear words and moderate violence/sex references.The 12 sign stands for nobody younger than 12 can watch the film. Films in this category may include infrequent drugs, use of strong language, brief nudity, sexual activity, and moderate violence.The 15 sign stands for only those over 15 years are admitted. Films under this category can contain adult themes, drugs, strong language, moderate-strong violence/sex references, and sex activity.The 18 sign stands for only adults are admitted to watch the film.Hard drugs are generally allowed, and strong violence/sex references along with strong sexual activity is also allowed. Scenes of strong real sex may be permitted if justified by the context.After looking at the different aspects of each certification, we then looked at the openings and certifications of different thriller and non-thriller films to compare to ours:
-Kidulthood: 15
(The reason we looked at a film such as kidulthood is because the opening scene involves a suicide which is related to our thriller opening)
-4,3,2,1: 15
-Se7en: 18
-The Bourne Supremacy: 12A
-The Shining: 18
-No Country For Old Men: 15
-Inception: 15
From looking at these different film opening, it appears that thrillers are generally certificate 15. However, more gruesome films which involve more blood are 18's. Our thriller opening does not include and blood or gore so the certificate 15 seems to be the most appropriate for us to use. Our opening involves a suicide which is less gruesome then the suicide in Kidulthood which is a 15, which is another reason why we decided not to certficate it an 18. However, because it does include a 'death' and quite intimidating music, we did not think it would have been appropriate to certificate it a 12 or a 12A.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Thriller Opening Analysis
The Shining
The thriller that I have chosen to analyse is the Shining. The Shining is a film made in the 1980's by a director called Stanley Kubrick. It is starring Jack Nicholson, Shellet Duvall and Danny Lloyd. The opening begins with a dramatic, eerie trumpet sounds which is then built up with additional instruments such as a xlyaphone. The music in the first couple of minutes already builds up the tension and causes the audience to begin to feel confused already. In contrast to the music, the imagery of the opening scene seems to be quite pleasant scenerey which consists of mountain sides, rivers and roads. The opening begins by going quite quickly throughly the river and round the mountain which then reveals the car which is driving. This makes audience feel as if we are trying to catch up with this character in the car. These action shots are then moved to a birds eye view of the car which is driving to this unknown location. The music and scenery together arise many questions; but the main one is, where is the person that we are following going. However, the bird eye view shot of the car makes us feel for whoever is in the car because they have a sense of vunerability which is built through the sharp edged music. When the credits are first introduced, the contrast between the background and the vibrant colour of the names appearing on screen are quite sharp. This thriller opening is unlike others in the way that it doesn't reveal the characters in the first 2 minutes.
Questionaire (Alyssa)
Question 1. What is your favourite thriller film and why?
- Ana, 17: The Shining, its so scary!
- Shaunagh, 16: Harry Brown because its modern and its set in London.
- Amy, 17: Seven because it has Brad Pitt in it.
- Nate, 19: Definitely Seven because it has a twisted storyline which confuses you and always keeps you thinking.
Question 2. Who is your favourite thriller actor/actress and why?
- Ana, 17: I don't really know many thriller actors but I liked Jack Nicholson in The Shining
- Shaunagh, 16: Probably Jack O'connell because he was good in Harry Brown and Skins.
- Amy, 17: Brad Pitt because he is such a good actor, all the time.
- Nate, 19: Matt Damon because he always makes it seem so realistic.
Question 3. Whats your favourite film opening for any genre and why?
- Ana, 17: I liked the film Tangled's opening because I like fairytales when they tell a story at the beginning but then go back to the beginning of the story for the whole film.
- Shaunagh, 16: The beginning of Adulthood is good because its a massive party scene and it gets you in the mood to watch a modern, fun film.
- Amy, 17: Not too sure really, I like loads of films. But my favourite film is Anuvahood definitely!
- Nate, 19: I like the beginning to the South Park movie because its intriguing, and funny.
Question 4. What would you expect to see in a thriller film?
- Ana, 17: Lots of blood and mystery.
- Shaunagh, 16: A good looking man character who works out a problem.
- Amy, 17: Someone who has mental issues, a physco.
- Nate, 19: Crime and mystery but not too much blood and gore.
Question 5. What do you think a thriller opening scene should consist of?
- Ana, 17: It should raise lots of questions and reveal the main characters slowly
- Shaunagh, 16: It should have the killer if there is one, but shouldn't show it's face
- Amy, 17: The credits and load music to build the atmosphere
- Nate, 19: It shouldn't have much in it because thrillers are all about people thinking for themselves.
- Ana, 17: The Shining, its so scary!
- Shaunagh, 16: Harry Brown because its modern and its set in London.
- Amy, 17: Seven because it has Brad Pitt in it.
- Nate, 19: Definitely Seven because it has a twisted storyline which confuses you and always keeps you thinking.
Question 2. Who is your favourite thriller actor/actress and why?
- Ana, 17: I don't really know many thriller actors but I liked Jack Nicholson in The Shining
- Shaunagh, 16: Probably Jack O'connell because he was good in Harry Brown and Skins.
- Amy, 17: Brad Pitt because he is such a good actor, all the time.
- Nate, 19: Matt Damon because he always makes it seem so realistic.
Question 3. Whats your favourite film opening for any genre and why?
- Ana, 17: I liked the film Tangled's opening because I like fairytales when they tell a story at the beginning but then go back to the beginning of the story for the whole film.
- Shaunagh, 16: The beginning of Adulthood is good because its a massive party scene and it gets you in the mood to watch a modern, fun film.
- Amy, 17: Not too sure really, I like loads of films. But my favourite film is Anuvahood definitely!
- Nate, 19: I like the beginning to the South Park movie because its intriguing, and funny.
Question 4. What would you expect to see in a thriller film?
- Ana, 17: Lots of blood and mystery.
- Shaunagh, 16: A good looking man character who works out a problem.
- Amy, 17: Someone who has mental issues, a physco.
- Nate, 19: Crime and mystery but not too much blood and gore.
Question 5. What do you think a thriller opening scene should consist of?
- Ana, 17: It should raise lots of questions and reveal the main characters slowly
- Shaunagh, 16: It should have the killer if there is one, but shouldn't show it's face
- Amy, 17: The credits and load music to build the atmosphere
- Nate, 19: It shouldn't have much in it because thrillers are all about people thinking for themselves.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Class Pitch (Video)
we decided to film it because it was easier to explain our ideas in person then typing them onto the blog
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Music Influences
The videos below are all representing the genre of music we are hoping to use for our Thriller opening. These are all modern and have a storyline to them.
Thriller Influence and Ideas
For our thriller opening we have many different influences. We decided to mainly focus on modern, english made films when looking for influences. A specific director we are looking at it Noel Clarke. Noel Clarke is an actor, director and writer from England who has made films such as: Kidulthood and 4321. The reason we have had such an interest in his work is because he focuses on specific the gang culture in England which is what we would like to focus our thriller opening scene around. The video below is showing the opening scene from a film by Noel Clarke called Adulthood. We chose this opening scene as an example because we think that it represents the sort of scene that we want to be showing in our opening scene of a thriller.
The main part of this video that we are focusing on is from 1 minute 20 secs to 1 minute 45 secs. Even though this is only a small section, the party scene is quite busy, flashy, loud and seems to be a good atmosphere.This is what one half of our opening scene is going to consist of in contrast to the murder aspect which we are also including in it.
The main part of this video that we are focusing on is from 1 minute 20 secs to 1 minute 45 secs. Even though this is only a small section, the party scene is quite busy, flashy, loud and seems to be a good atmosphere.This is what one half of our opening scene is going to consist of in contrast to the murder aspect which we are also including in it.
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