(Evaluation) Part 8 - Reflective Analysis Of Preliminary Exercise
Thursday, 6 May 2010
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(Evaluation) Part Seven - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
(Evaluation) Part 6 - How did you attract/address your audience?
How did you attract/address your audience?
My target audience for my thriller are people between the ages of 15-30; I feel that my thriller has reached this target audience. I know this as I included a non-linear narrative because, the "survey monkey" responses told me, that this is what my target audience wanted to see. I gained this knowledge through thrillers they suggested such as "Memento", which has a non-linear narrative.
Whilst planning, I decided to conceal the killer which I got from watching the thriller film Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007). This film probably has a similar target audience and I feel that concealing the killer was a good choice of mise-en-scene. If i was to reveal the killer in the opening sequence, i think that it would have not appealed to my target audience, seeing as they can already come to a conclusion of what will happen. However, looking at my feedback it was said that they wanted to see the killer, "...We should see the guys face, under the mask" I disagree with this statement, as it would have gone against the whole concept of my thriller. I chose to disguise the antagonist as it does not reveal to the audience who it is which makes it conventional. Also, I feel this disguise will attract my target audience as it will draw them in to watching the thriller, in order for them to find out who it is. Moreover, having a disguise for the antagonist will leave the audience asking questions about the thriller which is what thrillers aims to do; as a result this makes my thriller conventional.
"Typography not relevant to thriller" Again, I disagree with this statement made, I feel the typography worked well with my thriller. I think this because my sub-genre is Legal/Stalker Thriller; therefore the typewriting typography with the sound adds to the sense that it is a legal thriller. Also as legal documents will be typed, this connotes to the audience the sub-genre and possibly where the thriller is set. Therefore it will appeal to my target audience as it they will have a sense of what to expect. The audience know what to expect but not a lot is revealed, making it conventional.
During planning, I thought about having a red herring, which we included, having D.I Sharma acting as if he was the antagonist, which worked as from the feedback they assumed that D.I Sharma was involved with the crime, "the officer being called out the room will have something to do with the incident".
According to audience feedback, the majority agreed that the "graphics and sound works well together." and also the "continuous use of flashbacks, through out." The audience feedback proposed that this made the thriller successful, suggesting that a Non-linear narrative appeals more to my target audience. Also, having fast pace cuts was suggested that it worked well, "pace of the shots was a technical strength, as it was quick".
From the audience feedback, I know that my work could have been improved by making the lightening in the office scenes better, by trying to feel most parts at the same time, to avoid ligthening change. I know this as it was suggested that "lightening changes in the office scenes.."
My target audience for my thriller are people between the ages of 15-30; I feel that my thriller has reached this target audience. I know this as I included a non-linear narrative because, the "survey monkey" responses told me, that this is what my target audience wanted to see. I gained this knowledge through thrillers they suggested such as "Memento", which has a non-linear narrative.
Whilst planning, I decided to conceal the killer which I got from watching the thriller film Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007). This film probably has a similar target audience and I feel that concealing the killer was a good choice of mise-en-scene. If i was to reveal the killer in the opening sequence, i think that it would have not appealed to my target audience, seeing as they can already come to a conclusion of what will happen. However, looking at my feedback it was said that they wanted to see the killer, "...We should see the guys face, under the mask" I disagree with this statement, as it would have gone against the whole concept of my thriller. I chose to disguise the antagonist as it does not reveal to the audience who it is which makes it conventional. Also, I feel this disguise will attract my target audience as it will draw them in to watching the thriller, in order for them to find out who it is. Moreover, having a disguise for the antagonist will leave the audience asking questions about the thriller which is what thrillers aims to do; as a result this makes my thriller conventional.
"Typography not relevant to thriller" Again, I disagree with this statement made, I feel the typography worked well with my thriller. I think this because my sub-genre is Legal/Stalker Thriller; therefore the typewriting typography with the sound adds to the sense that it is a legal thriller. Also as legal documents will be typed, this connotes to the audience the sub-genre and possibly where the thriller is set. Therefore it will appeal to my target audience as it they will have a sense of what to expect. The audience know what to expect but not a lot is revealed, making it conventional.
During planning, I thought about having a red herring, which we included, having D.I Sharma acting as if he was the antagonist, which worked as from the feedback they assumed that D.I Sharma was involved with the crime, "the officer being called out the room will have something to do with the incident".
According to audience feedback, the majority agreed that the "graphics and sound works well together." and also the "continuous use of flashbacks, through out." The audience feedback proposed that this made the thriller successful, suggesting that a Non-linear narrative appeals more to my target audience. Also, having fast pace cuts was suggested that it worked well, "pace of the shots was a technical strength, as it was quick".
From the audience feedback, I know that my work could have been improved by making the lightening in the office scenes better, by trying to feel most parts at the same time, to avoid ligthening change. I know this as it was suggested that "lightening changes in the office scenes.."
(Evaluation) Part 4 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
(Evaluation) Part Two - Who would be the audiences for your product?
Target audience
Age: 15-30
Gender: Both, however due to an all male cast in the opening we aim it towards a male audience.
Ethnicity: All races, despite not having all races represented.
Social economic group: B-D, we chose this SEG, as thrillers require intelligence, therefore people with a professional career job (‘B’) such as teachers, and also people with an unskilled labour (‘D’) will enjoy watching thrillers.
Social class: Working – middle class, as people in this class tend to watch thrillers.
Locations: Mainstream (as we have chosen to have a Hollywood distributor due to not having any controversial themes which Niche, independent intuitions have.)
Existing Media Consumptions: Watch horror films, TV programmes such as Prison Break, 24 and CSI.
Habits and lifestyle: People who frequently watch thrillers and enjoy that specific genre. Also people who like to read yet still have an extrovert personality.
In order to research in to my target audience during pre-production I conducted a survey. The survey will tell me various information to do with thrillers, in order for me to use the information in my production. I found out that the majority of people who was interested in thrillers took the survey were in the age range 15-30. Also, they enjoyed watching thrillers that involved a psychological theme, stalker and a legal theme. With this information i used young actors to fit the age range, and for the psychological i used red herrings, twists and clues. To involve the stalker theme, the antagonist was concealed and followed Mr. Harris and for a legal theme it was set in a police environment.
Age: 15-30
Gender: Both, however due to an all male cast in the opening we aim it towards a male audience.
Ethnicity: All races, despite not having all races represented.
Social economic group: B-D, we chose this SEG, as thrillers require intelligence, therefore people with a professional career job (‘B’) such as teachers, and also people with an unskilled labour (‘D’) will enjoy watching thrillers.
Social class: Working – middle class, as people in this class tend to watch thrillers.
Locations: Mainstream (as we have chosen to have a Hollywood distributor due to not having any controversial themes which Niche, independent intuitions have.)
Existing Media Consumptions: Watch horror films, TV programmes such as Prison Break, 24 and CSI.
Habits and lifestyle: People who frequently watch thrillers and enjoy that specific genre. Also people who like to read yet still have an extrovert personality.
In order to research in to my target audience during pre-production I conducted a survey. The survey will tell me various information to do with thrillers, in order for me to use the information in my production. I found out that the majority of people who was interested in thrillers took the survey were in the age range 15-30. Also, they enjoyed watching thrillers that involved a psychological theme, stalker and a legal theme. With this information i used young actors to fit the age range, and for the psychological i used red herrings, twists and clues. To involve the stalker theme, the antagonist was concealed and followed Mr. Harris and for a legal theme it was set in a police environment.
(Evaluation) Part One - Brief
The brief required me to produce the titles and opening of a new (thriller/horror) fiction film, which lasts a maximum of 2 minutes. Also, the brief require me to produce all the video and audio material with the exception of music or audio effects taken from a copyright free source. My title of my thriller is called “Evidence” I chose this title as it connects with the storyline and sub genre of my thriller. In the opening sequence Mr. Harris is giving a witness testimony to D.I Sharma, however Mr. Harris is afraid to give evidence to the crime he has witnessed and is hesitating. Also, we see his thoughts through the flashbacks of Mr. Harris. As D.I Sharma leaves we see more of the flashbacks and then Mr. Harris feeling sick, with him throwing up in the washroom. The opening ends with Mr. Harris being attacked in the washroom. The sub genre of our thriller combines three sub-genres; this is explained in further detail in our treatment – Narrative section. The main and obvious sub genre is Legal thriller, it is clear that our thriller is legal as it involves Police officers which are shown through mise-en-scene (costume and location). Our thriller uses the psychological sub-genre which is evident as we use twists, red herring and clues which will confuse the audience’s mind, also with Mr. Harris being a confused character adds to the sense of a psychological sub-genre. The third sub-genre is stalker; this is seen through the mise-en-scene of the antagonist which is concealed and also through how he follows Mr. Harris.
Thriller Music Research
Friday, 26 March 2010
The website I used : http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/132333
The Bride Of Frankenstein
• The music throughout varies.
• Opens slowly, gradually becoming loud. The pitch is very high, making it conventional as it conveys that something is just about to happen in the storyline that will make the audience scared. The music then goes down to a very low pitch, possibly done by drums having a loud ‘bang’, which also signifies that it is thriller. This also happen again at 0.41, having the loud bang makes it effective as it makes the audience feel aware that something crucial, scary is about to happen. The pitch that increases, once again, but then the tone comes down leaving just an echo in the background, which gives a creepy feel to the film, making the audience frightened yet draws them in to keep watching.
• At around 0.56 – 1.22 the music sounds casual as if to say that it is a normal day but still anything can happen.
Hello Zep - Saw Soundtrack - By Charlie Clouser
From the beginning we get a sense from the music it is creepy. The beat through out is the same however there are times where the pitch varies as well as the volume (for example between 1.20-1.40) the pitch and volume is high. The music uses a lot of echo, which adds to the feeling that it is creepy. From 2.23 and onwards the music is very loud, and fast pace, it also sound as if it used a rock style to it, at this point. The fast pace and loudness signifies the panic that is happening in the particular scene. The music towards the end, finishes with an echo.
Friday the 13th Soundtrack 01 - Main Theme
The music from the bggining is very fast and high pitched. After a while the music becomes low and an echo is used, howver it then becomes high pitched again, possibly indictaing that something is just about to happening. From 0.20 the pitch is very high and fast pace, also the sound makes it evident to the audience that something "scary" is happening, or is about to. This happens throughout the soundtrack.
Jaws (John Williams):
The music opens very low, deep and slow, but then the pace increases and becomes louder with the use of drums, with the music being dark, bleak and pessimisitic you feel that something is about to happen, in this case " the shark attacking", the music ends loud, slightly faster than the rest.
Hellraiser (Christopher Young):
The music is very deep and slow as it opens, connoting the ype of genre the film is. The pace contiues to be slow, and seems 'creepy' making it conventional. As it goes on more instruments are involved and become much louder to the rest, and also becames slightly faster.
The Exorcist
The music throughout is the same, and makes people feel uneasy as it seems to be like a "hypnotic" sound of music, then there is a bang/hit which makes the audience jump. This style is used through out. The sound is creepy and is associated with a typical horror/thriller film.
Nightmare on Elm Street (Charles Bernstein):
Overall the sound for this movie is very creepy, and from the beggining you get a feel that there is something not right and makes you feel scared, the "breathy" sound makes you think something supernatural is there, and also the radio signal noise makes the audience feel scared, as that usually happen in a place where there is NO signal (somewhere that no-one goes), making it feel more eerie.
The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith):
The music opens with like a "chanting" which gets louder, as it goes on. It sounds like a ritual, or some sort of "demonic" activity. Overall the music makes the audience feel firghtened, due to the ghostly/ supernatural sounds in the clip.
The Bride Of Frankenstein
• The music throughout varies.
• Opens slowly, gradually becoming loud. The pitch is very high, making it conventional as it conveys that something is just about to happen in the storyline that will make the audience scared. The music then goes down to a very low pitch, possibly done by drums having a loud ‘bang’, which also signifies that it is thriller. This also happen again at 0.41, having the loud bang makes it effective as it makes the audience feel aware that something crucial, scary is about to happen. The pitch that increases, once again, but then the tone comes down leaving just an echo in the background, which gives a creepy feel to the film, making the audience frightened yet draws them in to keep watching.
• At around 0.56 – 1.22 the music sounds casual as if to say that it is a normal day but still anything can happen.
Hello Zep - Saw Soundtrack - By Charlie Clouser
From the beginning we get a sense from the music it is creepy. The beat through out is the same however there are times where the pitch varies as well as the volume (for example between 1.20-1.40) the pitch and volume is high. The music uses a lot of echo, which adds to the feeling that it is creepy. From 2.23 and onwards the music is very loud, and fast pace, it also sound as if it used a rock style to it, at this point. The fast pace and loudness signifies the panic that is happening in the particular scene. The music towards the end, finishes with an echo.
Friday the 13th Soundtrack 01 - Main Theme
The music from the bggining is very fast and high pitched. After a while the music becomes low and an echo is used, howver it then becomes high pitched again, possibly indictaing that something is just about to happening. From 0.20 the pitch is very high and fast pace, also the sound makes it evident to the audience that something "scary" is happening, or is about to. This happens throughout the soundtrack.
Jaws (John Williams):
The music opens very low, deep and slow, but then the pace increases and becomes louder with the use of drums, with the music being dark, bleak and pessimisitic you feel that something is about to happen, in this case " the shark attacking", the music ends loud, slightly faster than the rest.
Hellraiser (Christopher Young):
The music is very deep and slow as it opens, connoting the ype of genre the film is. The pace contiues to be slow, and seems 'creepy' making it conventional. As it goes on more instruments are involved and become much louder to the rest, and also becames slightly faster.
The Exorcist
The music throughout is the same, and makes people feel uneasy as it seems to be like a "hypnotic" sound of music, then there is a bang/hit which makes the audience jump. This style is used through out. The sound is creepy and is associated with a typical horror/thriller film.
Nightmare on Elm Street (Charles Bernstein):
Overall the sound for this movie is very creepy, and from the beggining you get a feel that there is something not right and makes you feel scared, the "breathy" sound makes you think something supernatural is there, and also the radio signal noise makes the audience feel scared, as that usually happen in a place where there is NO signal (somewhere that no-one goes), making it feel more eerie.
The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith):
The music opens with like a "chanting" which gets louder, as it goes on. It sounds like a ritual, or some sort of "demonic" activity. Overall the music makes the audience feel firghtened, due to the ghostly/ supernatural sounds in the clip.
Pre-Production - Daily Filming Sheet
This is a break down of all props that I will need on each of the filming dates that I have set;
27232796 Daily Filming Sheet Number One
27232805 Daily Filming Sheet Number Two
27232821 Daily Filming Sheet Number Three
27232796 Daily Filming Sheet Number One
27232805 Daily Filming Sheet Number Two
27232821 Daily Filming Sheet Number Three
Pre-Production - Production Schedule
Once my Shot list was complete, I could develop a production schedule. Before placing all dates I have spoken to actors to confirm that they can come on those specific dates;
27232774 Production Schedule
27232774 Production Schedule
Pre- Production - Actors
I will only be using three actors in my opening scene. However, as an extra back-up I have placed two actors on standby should they need to be used at extras.
P.C Sharma
Michael Harris
Jamie Chandler will pay Mr. harris. The added advantage of playing such a key role is due to that fact that I have a personal attachment to the project, I will be willing to give as much as time possible.
P.C Chandler (Photo unavailable)
I will be using Matt Fenn to play the part of P.C Chandler. Matt has the perfect look for the part, with a small frame and can play a timid character very effectively. Furthermore, Matt is willing to give his spare time over the next few weeks and I have taken a note of when he is free during lesson time.
Extras
Although these may not be necessary I have asked two people to play extras, or to act as a back-up should any of the above be unable to perform.
Jessica Sharma (Female)
Taylor Ironmonger (Male)
Therefore, In terms of cast I feel that all problems are dealt with as I have selected very committed and most importantly reliable people which is key for the production. As previously stated, I will contact all above with details of when we shall be filming and if they have any issues with these dates, they will be changed accordingly .
Pre- Production - Found Locations
I will be using a found location for my thriller. In the opening I will only be using a total of two different locations; An interview room & a Men's washroom/lavatory. I have focused on trying to get all my locations within the school area, this way the locations are easily accessible which will be key for timing etc.
Interview room
For this I need a room that is relatively dark in order to increase the thriller effect. When searching around the school I found a 3rd Drama Class room that is only used if the others are overcrowded.
As you can see the blinds can be closed and the room is fairly large so we can use any area of it as we like as this scene will mostly be shot in close ups. For this room, we will need to place a table and two chairs, both of which the drama department have. I have told them the rough dates for filming, '22/02/10 up until 16/03/10'. They stated that these dates will be acceptable. However, once I have had a meeting with my production partner and a detailed schedule has been produced, I will contact the drama department to confirm. Yet, I feel that just letting them know that we would like to use the room will be enough for now as I am confident that it shall be free at times during lesson and most certainly after school.
Men's washroom/lavatory
For this location there was two different possibilities;
Washroom Number One;
This was the first washroom that I looked for. It is open throughout the day so we would be able to use it to film. However, the only problem with it is that it is the day washroom and we will be likely to be disturbed multiple times, which is something that we would like to avoid. Furthermore, the blue interior will decrease the tension of the scene, therefore it is our 2nd choice.
Washroom Number Two;
After searching the school further I discovered the evening boys toliet. This is locked throughout the day so I was unable to attain photographs. However, I soon enquired about using the room, I told the teacher incharge of the rough dates and he said that it will not be a problem at all as there are no evening events during that time and it will not be used in the day time, he has granted permission to use the washroom and told staff to unlock the toliet for us exclusively. Therefore this location is perfect as;
We will not be disturbed as nobody has access to use the toliet.
It has a white interior, with a slightly dirty look.
It is in school and can be used at ANY time over the next few weeks as we have asked permission.
Pre- Production - Treatment
Title
Working title of ‘Evidence’
• Evidence is a key theme and is strongly connoted in the title
• Moreover, evidence is often related with crime investigations, which suggests our legal thriller sub-genre.
• It is short and concise, with is conventional for the genre.
• It is clear and hints towards the themes, without giving much away.
Narrative
My thriller is a hybrid of sub-genres (legal thriller/physiological thriller/stalker thriller). In this brief summary I will state which specific areas include one of the three sub-genres stated.
Michael Harris is an average working-class male, until when in his work office he witnesses a gruesome murder. Not one to break convention, he goes to the police to tell them what he has seen (Legal Thriller). During the interview, there is a break due to Michael feeling ill. Alone in the Men’s washroom he is threatened by a masked male (Stalker Thriller). He is told to drop his statement or he shall be killed. However, Michael decides to take a stand and steps into the role of the protagonist by sticking by his statement. His life will never be the same again. He is consistently threatened and chased. He finds help in two police officers P.C Sharma and P.C Chandler. In the conclusion, they think they have located the killer, they go to a location. However, this is where the twist is revealed...P.C Chandler in the killer. He murders both P.C Sharma and Mr.Harris and covers up both of the murders. He is never to be caught.
Click here to see a more structured Narrative description and the process that lead up to me developing this particular plot.
Furthermore, this unconventional ending of the antagonist getting what they want and in effect beating the protagonists resulted from watching the thriller film of Se7en (David Fincher, 1995)
I feel that this unconventional ending could act as a USP, as the audience are powerless to stop the injustice and will leave them consistently thinking about clues and why they did’t realise that P.C Chandler was the killer. (Physiological thriller)
Target Audience
Representations
• The main protagonist is the person giving evidence as we follow his quest to escape the people who are trying to kill him (Michael Harris). We are looking for him to not represent any particular group so that it is easier for the audience to relate. This will increase the verisimilitude as the audience will find it easier to place themselves in his daunting situation. This introduces elements of a psychological thriller (Which was the 2nd highest preferred sub-genre) as it will leave the viewer feeling uneasy, even after watching the thriller.
• Our antagonist is the masked killer(P.C Chandler). His identity is not revealed until the conclusion. However, through the little dialogue that he does have (whilst he is masked) the audience will understand that he is extremely intelligent. The best way to describe the antagonist’s role is through Vladimir Propp’s Theory on characters. Throughout the narrative the audience will be under the impression that he is the 'Helper' but at the end it will be revealed that he is actually the 'Villain'
Below are the names and descriptions of the characters.
Michael Harris - (Main Protagonist)
P.C Sharma (Akshay Sharma) – He is the character that will be interviewing Mr.Harris in the opening. He will be ‘The Helper’ using Propp’s theory; he will consistently look to support Mr.Harris in his quest to escape from the killer.
P.C Chandler – (Main Antagonist). As this character is two different identities I have broken it down.
Police Officer – He will be very feeble and timid. This is key as his timid nature will act as a red herring due to the fact that the audience will never suspect him as the killer. Furthermore, due to this timid nature he is treated with little respect by other police officers, this explains why he is angry and results to murder.
Unknown Killer – Identity is never revealed until the end where all clues are revealed and identity shown (click here to see how I will conceal his identity). Unknown killer will not have much dialogue but when he does, his accent will be changed and he will be very confident (P.C Chandler living how he would like to.)
Style and Iconography
Camerawork
The camerawork in the opening scene will be used to build tension as little will be revealed by using close ups. I obtained this idea from watching the brilliant thriller What Lies Beneath (Robert Zeneckis, 2000)
A specific idea that I had was that the opening 30 seconds where Mr.Harris is giving a statement to P.C Shields the camerawork is very restricted with lots of close-ups. However, when P.C Chandler knows on the door, his entrance is presented in a long shot to emphasize how feeble he is.
Sound
Adding upon this idea of P.C Chandler breaking the tension in the opening sequence, music will be key to portray this. Firstly, when researching what sound to use I discovered this YouTube video. This emphasizes how important sound can be when trying to build tension. Therefore, just as Michael Harris is about to tell P.C Shields what he saw; the music will build and build. And P.C Chandler’s entrance will cause the music to stop.
Costume/Props
My costume will be very clear, for example my police jumper as shown in my Production Log Week 3
(Jamie Chandler's Production Log)
Technology
• We wanted to include foreshadowing, by having a light flicking on and off in the toilet. This could be done in the editing stage on the iMac, or we could use a strobe light.
• Furthermore, we would like low key lighting (pathetic fallacy), but some of the locations this will not be possible. To overcome this problem we could relocate or we could edit the lighting on the iMac.
Institutions
Due to the complex plot of my film I feel that it would be produced by a subsidiary of Hollywood. However, due to my mainly English audience, the perfect example would be ‘Working Title Films’ which is a subsidiary of Universal Studios. A perfect example is the comedy-horror hybrid ‘Shaun Of the Dead’ is one of their films; it features English accents and English setting, much like my film. The reason as to why my thriller wouldn’t be an independent production is for the simple fact that it is not conventional for that type of production. Independent films are often very controversial, for example Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting.
Distribution
Following the path of ‘Shaun Of The Dead’, the film was distributed main by Universal Pictures in over 10 countries. However, multiple other companies including ‘Rogue Pictures’, may want to distribute my film.
Exhibition
My film would be exhibited in most mainstream cinemas such as the major company of ‘Vue’. Once being released in England, the film would then be shown in America. However, it may be adapted for American release, for example this was done with Working Title’s film ‘The Boat That Rocked’ whose title was changed to ‘Pirate Radio’ to appeal to an American, mainstream audience as it connotes more about the storyline. I also believe that my film would be released on home release through DVD, which is brilliant as thriller films are more entertaining the second time of watching due to the realisation of clues throughout the plot.
Working title of ‘Evidence’
• Evidence is a key theme and is strongly connoted in the title
• Moreover, evidence is often related with crime investigations, which suggests our legal thriller sub-genre.
• It is short and concise, with is conventional for the genre.
• It is clear and hints towards the themes, without giving much away.
Narrative
My thriller is a hybrid of sub-genres (legal thriller/physiological thriller/stalker thriller). In this brief summary I will state which specific areas include one of the three sub-genres stated.
Michael Harris is an average working-class male, until when in his work office he witnesses a gruesome murder. Not one to break convention, he goes to the police to tell them what he has seen (Legal Thriller). During the interview, there is a break due to Michael feeling ill. Alone in the Men’s washroom he is threatened by a masked male (Stalker Thriller). He is told to drop his statement or he shall be killed. However, Michael decides to take a stand and steps into the role of the protagonist by sticking by his statement. His life will never be the same again. He is consistently threatened and chased. He finds help in two police officers P.C Sharma and P.C Chandler. In the conclusion, they think they have located the killer, they go to a location. However, this is where the twist is revealed...P.C Chandler in the killer. He murders both P.C Sharma and Mr.Harris and covers up both of the murders. He is never to be caught.
Click here to see a more structured Narrative description and the process that lead up to me developing this particular plot.
Furthermore, this unconventional ending of the antagonist getting what they want and in effect beating the protagonists resulted from watching the thriller film of Se7en (David Fincher, 1995)
I feel that this unconventional ending could act as a USP, as the audience are powerless to stop the injustice and will leave them consistently thinking about clues and why they did’t realise that P.C Chandler was the killer. (Physiological thriller)
Target Audience
Our thriller is aimed at people aged 15-30, and both genders. We chose this age range as from a survey the responses we got was from people in this category, and also we thought that thrillers appeal to both male and females, therefore we decided to go for both genders. The thriller will be targeted at people who are interested in films, especially those that are intelligent as our thriller at times may require the audience to think and use their intelligence in order to understand the storyline. Our target audience will probably already be watching horror films, also TV programmes that include similar elements for example those like, 24, lost and prison break also watch programmes that involve the law (police officers, investigations etc). Our target audience will be in a working to middle class, and in the social economic group, B-D. We choose this specific SEG, as our thriller requires people who are intelligent, therefore people in the B category, and the others will watch it as it appeals to them through the conventions we will use.
Our film will appeal to them because of the narrative. The narrative we will use will allow us to be creative in production, especially through editing and special effects which will be used to create suspense. Also having to think about what is going on and have to use own intelligence is our unique selling point, as most people do not want to be a passive audience but a proactive audience.
Having analysed the response from others, we know that our audience enjoy Action and psychological thrillers, which we may Hybrid the two genres. We also realised that our audience like movies like the dark Knight, The usual suspects, Memento and 2012, and they said that they enjoyed the unexpected twist in the usual suspects, 2012 creating suspense and Memento the non-linear narrative. We will use these specific elements in our thriller in order for it to appeal to our target audience.
Our film will appeal to them because of the narrative. The narrative we will use will allow us to be creative in production, especially through editing and special effects which will be used to create suspense. Also having to think about what is going on and have to use own intelligence is our unique selling point, as most people do not want to be a passive audience but a proactive audience.
Having analysed the response from others, we know that our audience enjoy Action and psychological thrillers, which we may Hybrid the two genres. We also realised that our audience like movies like the dark Knight, The usual suspects, Memento and 2012, and they said that they enjoyed the unexpected twist in the usual suspects, 2012 creating suspense and Memento the non-linear narrative. We will use these specific elements in our thriller in order for it to appeal to our target audience.
Representations
• The main protagonist is the person giving evidence as we follow his quest to escape the people who are trying to kill him (Michael Harris). We are looking for him to not represent any particular group so that it is easier for the audience to relate. This will increase the verisimilitude as the audience will find it easier to place themselves in his daunting situation. This introduces elements of a psychological thriller (Which was the 2nd highest preferred sub-genre) as it will leave the viewer feeling uneasy, even after watching the thriller.
• Our antagonist is the masked killer(P.C Chandler). His identity is not revealed until the conclusion. However, through the little dialogue that he does have (whilst he is masked) the audience will understand that he is extremely intelligent. The best way to describe the antagonist’s role is through Vladimir Propp’s Theory on characters. Throughout the narrative the audience will be under the impression that he is the 'Helper' but at the end it will be revealed that he is actually the 'Villain'
Below are the names and descriptions of the characters.
Michael Harris - (Main Protagonist)
P.C Sharma (Akshay Sharma) – He is the character that will be interviewing Mr.Harris in the opening. He will be ‘The Helper’ using Propp’s theory; he will consistently look to support Mr.Harris in his quest to escape from the killer.
P.C Chandler – (Main Antagonist). As this character is two different identities I have broken it down.
Police Officer – He will be very feeble and timid. This is key as his timid nature will act as a red herring due to the fact that the audience will never suspect him as the killer. Furthermore, due to this timid nature he is treated with little respect by other police officers, this explains why he is angry and results to murder.
Unknown Killer – Identity is never revealed until the end where all clues are revealed and identity shown (click here to see how I will conceal his identity). Unknown killer will not have much dialogue but when he does, his accent will be changed and he will be very confident (P.C Chandler living how he would like to.)
Style and Iconography
Camerawork
The camerawork in the opening scene will be used to build tension as little will be revealed by using close ups. I obtained this idea from watching the brilliant thriller What Lies Beneath (Robert Zeneckis, 2000)
A specific idea that I had was that the opening 30 seconds where Mr.Harris is giving a statement to P.C Shields the camerawork is very restricted with lots of close-ups. However, when P.C Chandler knows on the door, his entrance is presented in a long shot to emphasize how feeble he is.
Sound
Adding upon this idea of P.C Chandler breaking the tension in the opening sequence, music will be key to portray this. Firstly, when researching what sound to use I discovered this YouTube video. This emphasizes how important sound can be when trying to build tension. Therefore, just as Michael Harris is about to tell P.C Shields what he saw; the music will build and build. And P.C Chandler’s entrance will cause the music to stop.
Costume/Props
My costume will be very clear, for example my police jumper as shown in my Production Log Week 3
(Jamie Chandler's Production Log)
Technology
• We wanted to include foreshadowing, by having a light flicking on and off in the toilet. This could be done in the editing stage on the iMac, or we could use a strobe light.
• Furthermore, we would like low key lighting (pathetic fallacy), but some of the locations this will not be possible. To overcome this problem we could relocate or we could edit the lighting on the iMac.
Institutions
Due to the complex plot of my film I feel that it would be produced by a subsidiary of Hollywood. However, due to my mainly English audience, the perfect example would be ‘Working Title Films’ which is a subsidiary of Universal Studios. A perfect example is the comedy-horror hybrid ‘Shaun Of the Dead’ is one of their films; it features English accents and English setting, much like my film. The reason as to why my thriller wouldn’t be an independent production is for the simple fact that it is not conventional for that type of production. Independent films are often very controversial, for example Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting.
Distribution
Following the path of ‘Shaun Of The Dead’, the film was distributed main by Universal Pictures in over 10 countries. However, multiple other companies including ‘Rogue Pictures’, may want to distribute my film.
Exhibition
My film would be exhibited in most mainstream cinemas such as the major company of ‘Vue’. Once being released in England, the film would then be shown in America. However, it may be adapted for American release, for example this was done with Working Title’s film ‘The Boat That Rocked’ whose title was changed to ‘Pirate Radio’ to appeal to an American, mainstream audience as it connotes more about the storyline. I also believe that my film would be released on home release through DVD, which is brilliant as thriller films are more entertaining the second time of watching due to the realisation of clues throughout the plot.
Pre- Production - Thriller Research
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
A broad genre of literature, film, television that consists of several and sometimes overlapping sub-genres, are called ‘Thrillers’. They are recognized as thrillers through fast pacing, frequent action, and heroes who must ruin the plans of more powerful villains. Thrillers use literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliff hangers.
The trailer for The Others:
I then watched a few horrors, just so i could see how different the two genres are. One horror film i watched is the Original Saw Movie.
If it "thrills", it is a thriller. As the introduction to a major anthology explains,
| “ | ...Thrillers provide such a rich literary feast. There are all kinds. The legal thriller, spy thriller, action-adventure thriller, medical thriller, police thriller, romantic thriller, historical thriller, political thriller, religious thriller, high-tech thriller, military thriller. The list goes on and on, with new variations constantly being invented. In fact, this openness to expansion is one of the genre's most enduring characteristics. But what gives the variety of thrillers a common ground is the intensity of emotions they create, particularly those of apprehension and exhilaration, of excitement and breathlessness, all designed to generate that all-important thrill. By definition, if a thriller doesn't thrill, it's not doing its job. | ” |
—James Patterson, June 2006, "Introduction," Thriller Watched a few thrillers so I could get an idea of what I am expected to produce. these thrillers are, Paranormal activity, Phone booth, Final Destination and The Others. | ||
I then watched a few horrors, just so i could see how different the two genres are. One horror film i watched is the Original Saw Movie.
Continuity Exercise - Evaluation Of Past Students Work
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Having watched the three video clips and evaluating them, I know that I need to work on the editing and use a variety of different shot types in order for my clip to be conventional to the genre and make it understandable through editing.
Evaluation of Past Student Productions
Continuity Exercise - Evaluation Of Continuity Exercise
Good Points:
The digital technology, has clear shots and there was a good use of 'match on action'. Also, camera angle was good and the over shoulder was used well.
For the creativity, it was an original story line that would happen in some teenagers life, so therefore they would be able to relate to it. Also by the actors wearing regular clothes, adds the sense of reality to it. In addition, the ending was creative, when the hands separated was blurry.
For Post-production, the graphics used was good and the music set the mood. Also the music flowed with the suspense of the story line, for example 'the heartbeat' used at various points added to the feel that the teenager is nervous, this adds to the tension of the story line. The graphics at the beginning was good, the way the title came together and then faded out.
The research and planning was done very well, for example, taking one of the actors 'sukhvir' out of her free time to come and film. Also, getting the room as I had to ask permission before filming there.
Bad Points:
I could have used a better setting to film, to make it more believable and help set the scene more.
Some of the shots did not flow as well as it should, (for example the close up of my face and then the over shoulder.)
Improvements:
If I was to film it again I would film it in a living room, so it will be more realistic and help set the scene for the audience. Also, I would make sure the editing flowed well to make it seem more professional and well done.
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