Final Thriller Opening

This is our final thriller opening, 'Alone'

Evaluation

In what ways does my media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

After looking at the trailer for 'hide and seek' this gave us our main inspiration for our own opening, this thriller itself tends to focus on a young girl which is similar to ours. We used the idea of outside lighting, the brightness of it all to reflect the mood of this particular scene, to show the contrast and to reflect the little girls behaviour. We also used the idea of sound, the soundtrack in 'Hide and Seek' began off with a slow sound of the piano,it then reached a climax when the action starts to happen which again is what we used with our soundtrack 'save the hero'. It began whilst the child was slowly swinging but by the time we shadows had started it was more louder and powerful creating a more dramatic atmosphere building the tension which is what we wanted at this point.
We also identified lighting as a key convention of a thriller, we used this to the fullest by creating a shadow effect, we used a dark background with light in the foreground to do this, we were then able to create two dark shadows. We think this was really effective and suited the genre of our opening. As it showed the father repeatedly attacking the mother, but not in too much detail this was almost more haunting, as the characters could not be identified, the audience didn't know what they looked like which gave a sense of mystery. Films like 'No country for old men' used a similar technique by creating violent scenes but no really showing the audience everything, this was an idea we adapted to our own thriller with this shadow effect. Also the use of the baseball bat in shadow for shows the extremity of this mans attacks on this woman - the sort of character he is and helps the audience to see this.
Editing also played a big part in our opening, having looked at others and seeing how fast cuts speed up a scene and create more tension we decided to use this in ours. Alternatively we also used slow motion to show the intensity of some parts. By cutting away to two different locations this enabled us to show the contrast between what was going on in our thriller opening it also enabled us to show what was going on and start to tell a story. We also used slow motion when the soundtrack got to different lines, this to emphasise the innocence and just how alone this little girl was. We also though this would entitse the audience even more, and we found this to be extremely effective.


How does your media product represent particular social groups?

With our thriller opening there is a certain focus on social class, in particular a lower social class, this can be identified through the mis-en-scene of the room the shadows are based in, the fact its so empty and dingy. These are the type of people that can only just get by, this would of been made clearer further on into our thriller. The domestic violence shown is committed by the male figure, this itself a representation. The contrast of this huge strong man attacking a smaller, weaker woman. The representation of the typical young girl; blond hair, blue eyes, the use of the white dress and her being at a park showing the child in her, a naive side.


What kind of Media institution might distribute your product and why?

We did some research into different media institutions to find out which kind of one would be most likely to distribute ours. There are mainstream producers making mainstream films, these aimed at an extremely wide audience, yet smaller producers which cater for a more niche market aiming for a specific audience by making there films. For example you have your Hollywood studios making films to be distributed all over where as UK films which cater for a smaller market. By making a 'Thriller' we are immediately restricted to the size of our audience as our film would only be viewable by 15+. So as far as publicity for film would go it would not be advertised on children's channels as this is not the audience our product is aimed at. We looked at similar thrillers such as 'Hide and Seek' because this too was a physcological thriller, and found the distributors of this particular thriller to be 20th Century Fox. So this would be an option for our thriller. '20Th Century Fox' is hugely known worldwide so for our thriller to be distributed by this particular institution would give our film the global recognition. Also Physco - an award winning thriller was distributed by 'Paramount Pictures' up until 1968 and then 'Universal Pictures' up until this present day. So any of these would also be a great media institution to distribute our product. Again both well known and global. However because our film is low-budget, institutions like this may not be interested in our film, they want something that's going to sell in this case films that have millions spent on them and their effects. So other options could be Film four, this aims for a more niche and highbrow market by showing a mixture of old and new independent, art house, British, foreign language and specialist cinema, along with some critically-acclaimed Hollywood films. This distributor almost ticks all the boxes for the sort of brief we are going for with our distributor. Any of the above discussed is a possibility for our film.



Who would be the audience for your market?

I briefly touched on this topic in the last question, we would be aiming for a more niche market due to the age certificate and genre of 'Thriller'. Having a certificate of 15 obviously we would be aiming for age group of above that, similar to 'Hide and Seeks' this being age 15-25. We are not aiming for specific gender, our thriller would be watched by both. We also understand that not everyone enjoys thrillers so our audience would be people that are particular into them but also more complex ed plots and can grasp an understanding of our film and the phsycological reasons behind our characters actions.


How did you attract/address your audience?

Firstly to actually draw recognition to our film, we would show a series of advertisements on ITV, Channel 4 and E4, these shown after 9 to make sure they were seen by the right age group. To address our audience through the film, we set it in a location (park) that was natural to everyone, turning an innocent situation into something far more intense. The initial feelings towards the little girl were sympathy and curiosity, as if there were so many questions people wanted to ask about her e.g. 'What was wrong with her?', this immediately got our audience hooked. We also saw the idea of using a child instead of an adult was much more effective as people immediately feel more towards a child. By then using the shadow seen, showing violence, there was sense of mystery as to who were these people, there faces weren't visible - so it was almost like to find out what was actually happening the audiences' only solution was to keep watching! Also the idea of domestic violence is something that can commonly occur, although people don't think about that, in any ordinary family, someone could be the potential victim of this. We showed how the actions of another can effect someone else's behaviour, without their knowledge. It kind of makes the audience think and take in a life lesson.


What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Throughout this media project we've have come across so many different and new things that we've had to work with and learn how adapt them to our own work. The whole process has been completely new to me. I've definitely learnt how amazing technology is today and that most things are capable. Firstly using the camera's before the preliminary we originally filmed a short 2 minute sequence exploring different camera angles, putting the theory we'd learned about all the different types of shots into action. It was a lot simpler than i though it would be, and gave us so much more confidence using the camera's for the real thing. We discovered which shots gave us the most effective filming and arranging a series of different shots also worked really well, depending which effect we wanted to create. When it came to editing, it was the also the first time we had ever used these 'Apple Laptops' so the way they actually worked was trickier to get used to, when it came to using the editing software on there i was amazed how easy it actually was, we got to play around and figure out what each effect did, and how to make different transitions. I learnt that editing was the part that really made the film into what it was. However it was time consuming, but worth it. It was more difficult to make sure you cut shots in the right places so you had smooth transitions from one shot to another, and didn't look like you'd just put it together. I learnt how slow motion and alternatively speeding a shot up was and by using them in the right places was extremely effective. But by getting plenty of practice before it actually came to editing our film it was pretty easy to do. I also found out how to add a soundtrack and how this could suddenly change and create a mood. The endless possibilities technology gave us was brilliant, we could do almost anything, so i would say technologies are almost vital in the media.


Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Our preliminary task was basically a short conversation between two people sitting either side of a table, although it was a simple idea, it provided us with the steps we would need to ultimately create our opening. It enabled us to practice different shots and use them to their full potential creating the best possible effect. First in creating our preliminary was deciding on an idea and then putting this idea into a storyboard so we knew exactly what we were doing and exactly what shots would be needed. It was no good to deciding all this when we were actually filming, so i would say I've learnt how important initial planning is into creating something successful. Setting time limits and deadlines is also extremely useful so you know exactly what your doing and when - there is no stress involved you can just get on with the task in hand. By delegating certain roles to team member's was also extremely successful and was more definitely more efficient. Also from our preliminary task, we learnt it was best to get more footage than needed rather than just enough, this gave us some to play about with and add in if we felt it would be more effective. Every aspect of our film opening had to be planned in detail whether it be the locations, props etc.
The actual filming of the preliminary gave us a firm understanding of how best to use the camera, so when filming our opening we knew exactly what we doing, exactly how to position it and how to create the effects we wanted. This made it quicker for us to get the shots we actually needed. We were confident using the camera as well as the software. Having previously used different effects and added in title pages and music, we could get straight on with doing it for our opening, and making it the best it could possibly be. We even learnt how to share our thriller opening and make it viewable to an audience by uploading the video onto 'YouTube'.
Overall I feel my understanding of everything has continuously developed since the preliminary task, this enabled me and the rest of my group to create a really effective opening and show off everything we'd learnt in the past - it also really tested our skills. However we were able to overcome any problems that occurred with minimum amount of fuss. So i would say the preliminary was key to creating our opening and helped us to excel in every aspect of it.

Hide And Seek Trailer

The Thriller movie 'Hide and Seek' was our main inspiration, the fact it included a little girl fitted with the idea of ours, as we too had a the main character of a young girl. We looked a the trailor of this to see what conventions they had used we found lighting to play a big part aswell as sound. Both of these build tension creating a particular atmosphere. We found the sound to be stonger when action was taking place.

Perliminary exercise

Before filming our final thriller opening, we filmed a preliminary exercise to help practice our skills to make a more succesful opening. This really helped devlope our learning and in how to use different technology.

Basic Plot

The basic plot of our opening is based on three characters. A young girl and her parents. It is clear by the opening that domestic violence plays a huge part.

Our opening focuses on two scenes the park, which sits the lonely, innocent, little girl and a dark room which shows anger, violence between the little girls parents. However this is only shown in shadows as we thought this would be a lot more effective and not give away too much. We wanted to keep the audince guessing and give a sense of curiosity as to what is actually going on. It may not be clear to the audince that this man and woman are infact the girls parents but we want the story to unfold as it gets further into the film. The little girl appears innocent now however, the past can make someone who they are in this case, this little girl grows up, differently, due to the actions of her parents. Our thriller explores the physcological reasons behind the little girls behaviour and why she does what she does, starting from the very beginning.

Analysis of Thrillers

Focussing on two particular thrillers, 'No Country for Old Men 'and 'Phonebooth' two very contrasting thrillers.



In 'No Country for Old Men' the representation of the actual killer is almost sickening, a man not phased my the extreme acts of violence he commits throughout the thriller. However we are not shown every detail, the audience knows what happening but some bits are not shown. For example the part where we do no see the victim but just the puddle of blood as the killer lifts up his legs. In a sense this makes it more haunting. The extremes a man will go for for money.




In this particular scene aswell just shows the superiority of the killer and what he was capable of. As an audience we know this but the man behind the counter has no clue, this make the scene even more tense.





However 'Phonebooth' is completely different, it isn't your typical thriller. The film is based in once location and one only, a busy street in the centre of a city, in a phonebooth in broad daylight. Not your particular conventions but the way this works is it plays with your mind, we don't know who the killer is and the fact we only hear his voice makes it more haunting. However the audience begins to sympathise with the victim although the killer believes he deserves this. There isn't any gory killings, the killer doesn't do a lot but its the fact we don't know what he's going to do or where he is until the nearer the end. The fact the right killer is not caught in the end only leaves the audience on a cliff hanger.

Thrillers: Sub-Genres

We researched thrillers and within the genre there were several sub-genre's, we found that thrillers can be in many different forms.

• Action thriller: In which the work often features a race against the clock, contains lots of violence, and an obvious antagonist. These films usually contain large amounts of guns, explosions, and large elaborate set pieces for the action to take place. These films often have elements of mystery films and crime films but these elements take a backseat to action. Notable examples are the James Bond films, The Transporter, and the Jason Bourne novels and films.

• Conspiracy thriller: In which the hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. The Chancellor Manuscript and The Aquitane Progression by Robert Ludlum fall into this category, as do films such as Three Days of the Condor, Capricorn One, and JFK.

• Crime thriller: This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal(s) rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasize action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses are central ingredients. Some examples include The Killing, Seven, The Godfather, Reservoir Dogs, Inside Man, and The Asphalt Jungle.

• Disaster thriller: In which the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc., or nuclear disasters as an artificial disaster. Examples include Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen, Tremor by Winston Graham, and the 1974 film Earthquake.

• Drama thriller: In which the story consists of the elements of a thriller and drama film. These films are usually slower paced and involves a great deal of character development along with plot twists. Examples include The Illusionist, The Interpreter and The Prestige.

• Eco-thriller: In which the protagonist must avert or rectify an environmental or biological calamity_often in addition to dealing with the usual types of enemies or obstacles present in other thriller genres. This environmental component often forms a central message or theme of the story. Examples include Nicholas Evans's The Loop, C. George Muller's Echoes in the Blue, and Wilbur Smith's Elephant Song, all of which highlight real-life environmental issues. Futuristic eco-thrillers are of the science fiction genre that propose ideas that will or may occur and include such works as Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy and Ian Irvine's Human Rites Trilogy and Dasavathaaram.

• Erotic thriller: In which it consists of erotica and thriller. It has become popular since the 1980s and the rise of VCR market penetration. The genre includes such films as Basic Instinct, Dressed to Kill, Color of Night, Eyes Wide Shut, Fatal Attraction, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and In the Cut.

• Horror thriller: In which conflict between the main characters are mental, emotional, and physical. Two recent examples of this include the Saw series of films and the Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later. What sets the horror thriller apart is the main element of fear throughout the story. The main character(s) is not only up against a superior force, but they are or will soon become the victims themselves and directly feel the fear that comes by attracting the monster's attention. Other well-known examples are Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Thomas Harris's The Silence of the Lambs.

• Legal thriller: In which the lawyer-heroes/heroines confront enemies outside, as well as inside, the courtroom and are in danger of losing not only their cases but their lives. The Innocent Man by John Grisham is a well known example of the type.

• Medical thriller: In which the hero/heroine are medical doctors/personnel working to solve an expanding medical problem. Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, Michael Crichton, and Gary Braver are well-known authors of this subgenre. Nonfiction medical thrillers are also a subcategory, comprising works like The Hot Zone by Richard Preston. Films such as Awake are other examples of medical thrillers.
  
  
• Political thriller: In which the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. The success of Seven Days in May (1962) by Fletcher Knebel, The Day of the Jackal (1971) by Frederick Forsyth, and The Manchurian Candidate (1959) by Richard Condon established this subgenre. A more recent example is the 1980 film Agency.

• Psychological thriller: In which (until the often violent resolution) the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. The Alfred Hitchcock films Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, and Strangers on a Train and David Lynch's bizarre and influential Blue Velvet are notable examples of the type, as is The Sixth Sense by M. Night Shyamalan and The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith (who also wrote Strangers).

• Spy thriller: In which the hero is generally a government agent who must take violent action against agents of a rival government or (in recent years) terrorists. Examples include From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming, The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, and television series such as Mission: Impossible and 24 (the latter demonstrating a break from the norm by Robert Ludlum, as it is as much a psychological thriller as a spy thriller).

• Supernatural thriller: In which the conflict is between main characters, usually one of which has supernatural powers. Carrie by Stephen King, Unbreakable by M. Night Shyamalan, and Torchwood are notable examples of this genre. This type of thriller combines tension of the regular thriller with such basic horror oriented ingredients as ghosts, the occult, and psychic phenomenon; the supernatural thriller combines these with a frightening but often restrained film.
  

• Techno-thriller: A work that usually focuses upon military action, in which technology (usually military technology) is described in detail and made essential to the reader's/viewer's understanding of the plot. Tom Clancy defined and popularized the genre with his The Hunt for Red October, and is considered to be the "Father of the Technothriller".

Second Day Of Shooting

April

Due to peoples busy schedules we ended up filming the room scene at chloe's instsead we used the back wall on chloe's landing and this seemed to work pretty well.
It took us a while to figure out how to light up the backwall so we got the shadows the way we wanted. We used a number of lamps and tried to reflect them onto the wall to create the shadow effect. We did eventually get them to look right and effective. Chloe and her brother played the parts of the mother and father we managed to have her brother shadow looking alot larger than chloe's representing his dominant superior character in contrast to chloe's weakness.
We also used the baseball bat in some shots this was really effective.
This took us a fair few hours to do but we were happy with the results.
We even added in a shot of chloe slumped at the bottom of the stairs and did a tightening shot on this, just so we had a lot of options and thing we could edit and add in if needed.

Feedback

Feedback was really important and good to get a range of people's opinions our thriller opening to see what our audience though of it whether it needed to be improved and how we would go about it. To do this we took our thriller into class to get some constuctive criticism.

The positive feedback we got consister of:

• Good matching of the action to soundtrack.

• Great locations that fitted with our opening.

• Smooth transitions.

• Shadows really effective.

• Variety of shots.
  

• Soundtrack was a great choice.

• Good choice of chacter costume.

• Lighting really effective.

Criticism:

• Could of made it a little bit longer.

• Title pages on too long.

• Could of been a smoother transition on one of the first shots.

This helped us a lot as we managed to adjust the timing of our title pages and edit the first couple of shots to get everything right. However we kept the timing of our film the same as we didnt want to add anything else to our opening.
Overall, i was really pleased with the feedback we got, having the feedback come from our tagert audience aswell 15-18 really helped and made us feel satisfied with our opening and confidence we had got it right.

Possible thriller names

Thinking of a title for our thriller was one of the last things we did, we wanted something that stood out would entise the audience but also simple and snappy. Something that would fit with our thriller. These are some of the name we came up with.

• The UN-needed

• Un-Wanted

• Neglected

• Alone

• Lonely

• Burden

We finally decided on 'Alone' as we though this was the most effected and fitted with the plot of our thriller opening and the little girl being alone.

Shot list

A shot list was important to have as we needed to make sure we got everything we needed and every possible angle of the little girl in the park, so we put together the shots we wanted to have. This was important so when we came to edit we could create a certain speed to the shots and control the mood to our opening.

• Long Shot (Little Girl)
  
  
• Establishment Shot (Park Scene)
  
  
• Medium Shot (Little Girl swinging)
  
  
• Close Up (Little Girl;s facial expressions)
  
  
• Tracking Shot (Little Girl swinging)
  
  
• Low Angle Shot (Looking Up at Little Girl)
  
  
• Cutaways (From Little Girl to Two Shadows)
  
  
• Two Shot (Shadows Fighting)

• Zooming ( To emphasise and certaing person/object)
  

• Reverse zoom ( To show more of the location)

• Handheld (Unsteady image, add a sense of panic)
  

Editing

Once we had finished all our filming we then had the task of editing it all. Editing was extremly important as this is the part that would actually make our thriller opening. We managed to time every shot the our soundtrack to make it look really professional. Of course there were some shots we decided not to use.

We didn't include the shot of chloe on lying at the bottome of the stairs and in the end we didn't use the shots of the little girl (Teylor) singing the lullaby, they simply weren't needed.
We then had to add in the the film titles we kept it simple with black background and small white writing.

Once finished editing we were concerened our thriller opening may of been too short but we decided not to add any thing else as it really didnt need anything else and we didnt want to ruin it.

Cancelled shooting

Our first hitch was the fact we had to cancel one of our shootings, we had originally planned to do the first location on the 20th February, however due to the fact our child actress couldn't make it we then had to prospone this to a different time, fortunatley she was avaliable the next date we had planned it for!

First Day of Shooting

February

Our first day of shooting was pretty successful althought quite time consuming.
We decided on the park in Gnosall as this was more sucluded and had better scenary in the background which fitted better with the atmosphere we were trying to create.
Despite the park being pretty busy as it was in February half-term we managed to get all the shots we needed.
Our child actress Teylor we had on one of the park swing's we then began to film from several different angles to get every shot possible to see which would work best, we had tracking shots, close up's, long shots.

This was the park scene done, and originally we had planned to film the room scene in Georgina's back shed that we had tunred into a room with sheets on the walls and tried to create the dingy look.
Unfortunatley we ran out of time that day as we had planned to film the other part straigh after so would have to do that another time.

Lighting

We really wanted to show the contrast between our the lighting on our two locations. The park and an ordinary room. The lighting would help reflect the mood of the shots.

Filming outside in the park was pretty easy to get the right mood we wanted. We needed to show the fact the little girl was pure and innocent so we filmed at midday when it was brightest with few clouds. This was exactly the effect we wanted - the daylight representing the good side.







On the other hand we wanted the complete opposite, almost darkness in the room and only enough light to see shadows of people. The mood here obviously dark and creating a sense of evil, bad. This completely contrasting from the park scene and representing the mood of these characters and actions.

Film Classifications

Most thrillers are usually rated at a 15 or 18 so we researched what the difference was between these and what each classification consists of to help us with our thriller opening. And making it suitable for our audience.

'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Violence

Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Imitable techniques

Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

'18' – Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
• the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' as defined below.

In the case of videos and DVDs, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way in which they are experienced, the Board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which are covered by the Video Recordings Act.

Possible Soundtracks

Sound really makes an atmosphere and creates a certain mood so we needed something that would enchance our opening and make it into a thriller.

Some possibilites we put together were:

• Everytime you go away - Brian McKnight
• How to save a life - The Fray
• Never felt this way - Alicia Keys
• Nothing else matters - Lucia Silvas
• Save the hero - Beyonce

We also wanted the child to be singing a twisted lullaby to give that edge to our thriller opening and add to this specific genre.

We were basing it on 'Hush little baby'

Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to buy you a mockingbird.

If that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's going to buy you a diamond ring.

If that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's going to buy you a looking glass.

If that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's going to buy you a billy goat.

If that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's going to buy you a cart and bull.

If that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

If that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

If that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little boy in town.

So hush little baby, don't you cry,
Daddy loves you and so do I.

Obviously we do not plan to use all of these lines, but picking out the ones that relate.

Mis-en-scene

Character costumes

We didnt have set costumes for the mother father because there actions were only going to be shown by shadows clothing wasn't neccessary.

However for the child we wanted innocence to be portrayed so we decided on the colour white as our theme for the young girl.

• Long, flowing, white dress
• Ribbobs/bows in her hair
• Pink cheeks

this picture shows the sort of look we were going for with the character of the little girl.


Props

• Swing
• White dress
• Bows
• Baseball bat
• Rug
• Large light
• Old sheets
• Old furniture
  

The room was to look very dark and empty so we didnt need many props inside of the room we just wanted a dingy basic room.
We only really needed to use the one wall for the shadow effect so the idea we were going to would look similar to the drawing below.




The park pretty sterotypical of your park so we needed nothing doing to that.


The ideas for lighting are on a seperate link!

Locations

We decided on two main locations for our opening, these being a park and a room.
The park where we would film the innocent child and the room for the mother and father.


Park:

• Desserted
• Surrounded by tree's
• Old squeaky swing
• isolated
  
• Tall blades of grass

We chose the park as it is associated with young children it shows innocence of children and there naiveity.





Our second location would be a dingy room.

• Old, Scruffy
• Dark & Dingy
• Dirty
• Shadows projected onto wall behind

We chose this as we wanted to create a complete contrast from the park, from daylight to a darker mood. From Children laughing and playing to violence and shouting.

Character Ideas

Our thriller opening was to be based on 3 characters, a mother, a father and there daughter.
Domestic violence was to play a huge part within out opening so we needed characters that would fit with this idea.

Male character

• Big built
• Dominant part
• Reasonably old 40's

Female character

• Mother figure
• Vulnerable
• Small, defenceless
• Worn down

Young child

• innocent
• Small girl
• White dress
• Pink bows
• Pale skin blonde hair

This was the brief we set ourselves for each character, and managed to find people to fit each of these!
:)

Our Initial Thriller Ideas

We brainstormed all possible ideas for the opening of our thriller:







After discussing each idea and how we successful each thriller opening would be we decided which would be our final idea.






We chose this as we believed it would be most effective aswell as which we would be capable of producing.

Conventions Of A Thriller

Initially we looked at conventions of thrillers to see what made a thriller and how we could use these conventions in our own.

Some conventions we noticed :

Sound - A certain piece of music can build tension and create a certain atmosphere.

Editing - Lots of quick cuts, these speed up the pace, also the use of different camera angles.

Lighting - By creating shadows and using dark lighting - this creates a dark mood.

Cliff Hangers

Strong violence

Physcological reasons behind main character's actions.

Audience hugely involved manipulated by twists.