I have attempted to produce a film trailer of the Thriller genre that is aimed to set up the narrative, several enigma codes and capture a large audience for the actual film should it be produced. This was attempted using a variety of techniques.
To achieve the effects we gave in our pitch we developed known media conventions of thriller by developing the three codes; Technical, Symbolic and Written. We used Technical codes to add depth to our film; we used the technical codes from our influences, such as Alfred Hitchcock, that suited our genre. Our use of camera techniques developed the Enigma code of our piece, by not showing the face of the person following the young girl. The Enigma codes were enhanced by the use of symbolic codes, such as the tension that was created between the two actors as the hooded figure walks into the room slowly. This also created suspense as the target was also approached slowly. To Incorporate Technical codes we also used tracking, with a dolly, on a floor with a repetitive design. This was to create a rhythm within the piece in the way the music sounded and the soft sound of the shoes on the floor. To challenge the conventions of a modern thriller, we used a slightly shakier camera work. This was to subvert the common ideals of a thriller; that it should be slick. The shakier camera work also reflected the mental state of the young girl being chased and juxtaposed the idea of calm within the ‘chaser’. Symbolic codes were also included to create enigma codes and tension. To create symbolic codes we used darker clothing for the ‘chaser’ and brighter clothing for the girl, this allowed us to saturate the film and get further distinction of the characters. We also made use of body language between the two characters, such as when the actor with the coat enters the room and places the hand on the shoulder of the girl at the piano, she tenses her back.
This gives a representation of a minority within society, the people that are noticed less and given less thought to, and ignored: As they are hidden away by society, therefore by showing a small portion of society we do not create an archetypal subject matter. This means the audience cannot connect directly with the subject matter, allowing them to form their own opinions on the subject, not those that are preconceived creating a subject matter that applies more to an active audience; who develop their own ideas about the narrative and the relationship of enigma codes within the media text. Through allowing them to have an insight into the life of someone who has been socially outcast and how their past affects the way they live their life more strongly than those who are not mentally disabled.
The Range of topics and enigma codes used within the piece allows them to appeal to a wider audience, set as a film this gives it an institution from which it can be sold. However to not associate our work with a global company, and create expectations for our film that fulfill that institutions ideas and also the audiences expectations. We would prefer for it to be produced independently of an institution such as the BBC or Channel 4. This also allows our film to be free of expected plot twist, used in an institutionalized film. Which ensures that the film has a fresh feeling, and is more of a psychological thriller as well, and is not stereotyped , showing a lack of conformity. Our genre although a hybrid in the majority denotes our audience, who in terms of a demographic, would be a wide range ageing from young adult , 18 to the older adult, 60 or potentially older. Although there is a certainty about our type of audience, the audience most regularly associated with a psychological thriller is an active audience. Within any piece of media there are codes and conventions that relate to the type of audience, those mostly associated with the genre and audience of a psychological thriller is the hermeneutic code. This code relies more on questions raised by the audience and how the audience is unsatisfied with the narrative until the answers are revealed. Causing the type of audience that will be attracted to our movie a more active audience that understands the hermeneutic code, and the way in which our narrative makes use of plot hints and enigma codes and how they link to this theory. Our piece of film is also similar to a trailer of a film. Therefore through the use of the various enigma codes found in a well publicized trailer allows the film to be received by a wider audience, consequently attracting a larger audience.
During the creation of our film we made use of the Mac facilities within school. Since the Macs have software for editing sound and cutting film, they are more practical to use instead of windows. This process and also the use of Macs were new to us, so we made the most of our time when making our preliminary and ‘finding our feet’ more then than in our actual project. From cutting the scenes we wanted we began to add in individual transitions to make the film our own. We also imported two sound tracks that are used over our opening, this is in addition to the few we used from the software’s own database.As we used the Macs for a long time when reworking from our initial to newer plan for the plot, it gave us more experience with them as we became familiar with the software. However we did have some problems such as exporting the film so that it was in a format that we could use on YouTube. These problems also occurred with making sure the format was compatible over Mac’s and Windows PC’s as well.
In progression from our preliminary to our main task, and the production of our final product, we have found that the process of working on the Mac's initially and for our preliminary task, enabled us to use the Mac's more competently. Thus achieving our final goals with reference to the narrative and effect the piece has on the audience. When producing the final piece we were also able to look into, why directors use certain shots and how they cut for effect, then employing these techniques on our own film. Such as including varying shot type and it’s relation to the mise en scene. These techniques gave us a deeper insight into the film industry and specific terminology that is used that can be then transferred into our final exam. Overall I feel we have achieved our main goals and although there were some improvements made at a later date, in response to feedback. Our aims were achieved in giving the audience an Artaudian and surreal depiction of mental illness and segregation.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Filming.
Due to the complexity of our original filming idea we were unable to complete it before the beginning of the new school year, when we came back in January. This has therefore lead to problems between re-takes, revision and the filming. So we have now decided to change the idea to make it more simple, and easier to film whilst still maintaining the wide use of multiple shots, and types of filming to give our two minute opening full effect.
We have now adapted our idea so it is more complex as a story line but adds simplicity to filming.
Our newer idea maintains the plot - that a young girl develops an intense friendship with an older man. But however at his death she ends up in a downward spiral. This plot was incredibly thin and lacked levels of intensity that it had the potential for. So to add to the story we began to include the idea of mental illness and considered potentially using schizophrenia. We then decided to maintain this to add depth to our plot and therefore the opening two minutes will be more effective as a beginning, revealing parts of the plot and setting up the relationships for later in the story.
Our new two minute beginning goes as follows;
It begins with feet walking down a corridor (we use close up tracking) following the feet and letting them move away appearing to zoom out. (so the body ,without the head is shown in a mid shot).
It then appears that the person is holding a tray and moves into a room. (reverse tracking is then used as the tray holding person moves through the door). To improve continuity.
They then place the tray down gently on a sideboard. (This is done using a close up shot to create an intimacy as a mood for the scene.)
Over the action in the beginning classical music is played and it's apparent it is from the person within the room as it gets louder the closer the person walking gets. However the music stops as the door is opened.(This creates an uneasiness within the intimacy of the scene and sets the scene and gives the audience a false insight into what they think the plot may contain).
The person entering the room after the placing down the tray now touches a young girl on the shoulder. she is young with long blond hair. (This gives the audience an idea of perversion and leads their thoughts to those many would assume.) Showing that the film can convert assumption.
The young girl now runs out of the room during this her face is never shown this disconnects her from the action and gives the appearance of the fourth wall. As she runs she is followed to the door by the man who watches her go.
Her footsteps are then seen running toward the camera and the she passes and is show as moving away. Her feet then move away in the opposite direction. as this happens it returns to the first image of the man walking toward the room. This is then interjected with short bursts of a darker shots that show the same image but in a different tone. Almost like a flash of a darker image within the white and purity of the original.
This is then emphasised as the original follows the newer darker version, This is seen for the audience throughout the repetition for example when the tray is put down for the second time it is thrown and when the man puts his hand on the shoulder of the young girl images are used that make the girl appear to her dark hair and as she is touched on the shoulder it becomes apparent the touch was more friendly and that the girl doesn't like the intrusion. At this point she runs away after turning and snarling at the man who touched her. He then follows her in a calm manner as she runs and follows her into the toilets, where she has run, and puts his hand out to her. She is then shown as the blond girl again and takes her out of the room and they walk down the corridor together fading away slightly as the title appears.
This as the beginning subverts the audiences idea of stereotype and how they stereotype the man to be perverted and not helping her in any way. This also leaves us with alot of ideas to explore with the full plot and therefore leads to a sense of suspense for the audience as the plot has not been fully explained to them in the opening.
We have now adapted our idea so it is more complex as a story line but adds simplicity to filming.
Our newer idea maintains the plot - that a young girl develops an intense friendship with an older man. But however at his death she ends up in a downward spiral. This plot was incredibly thin and lacked levels of intensity that it had the potential for. So to add to the story we began to include the idea of mental illness and considered potentially using schizophrenia. We then decided to maintain this to add depth to our plot and therefore the opening two minutes will be more effective as a beginning, revealing parts of the plot and setting up the relationships for later in the story.
Our new two minute beginning goes as follows;
It begins with feet walking down a corridor (we use close up tracking) following the feet and letting them move away appearing to zoom out. (so the body ,without the head is shown in a mid shot).
It then appears that the person is holding a tray and moves into a room. (reverse tracking is then used as the tray holding person moves through the door). To improve continuity.
They then place the tray down gently on a sideboard. (This is done using a close up shot to create an intimacy as a mood for the scene.)
Over the action in the beginning classical music is played and it's apparent it is from the person within the room as it gets louder the closer the person walking gets. However the music stops as the door is opened.(This creates an uneasiness within the intimacy of the scene and sets the scene and gives the audience a false insight into what they think the plot may contain).
The person entering the room after the placing down the tray now touches a young girl on the shoulder. she is young with long blond hair. (This gives the audience an idea of perversion and leads their thoughts to those many would assume.) Showing that the film can convert assumption.
The young girl now runs out of the room during this her face is never shown this disconnects her from the action and gives the appearance of the fourth wall. As she runs she is followed to the door by the man who watches her go.
Her footsteps are then seen running toward the camera and the she passes and is show as moving away. Her feet then move away in the opposite direction. as this happens it returns to the first image of the man walking toward the room. This is then interjected with short bursts of a darker shots that show the same image but in a different tone. Almost like a flash of a darker image within the white and purity of the original.
This is then emphasised as the original follows the newer darker version, This is seen for the audience throughout the repetition for example when the tray is put down for the second time it is thrown and when the man puts his hand on the shoulder of the young girl images are used that make the girl appear to her dark hair and as she is touched on the shoulder it becomes apparent the touch was more friendly and that the girl doesn't like the intrusion. At this point she runs away after turning and snarling at the man who touched her. He then follows her in a calm manner as she runs and follows her into the toilets, where she has run, and puts his hand out to her. She is then shown as the blond girl again and takes her out of the room and they walk down the corridor together fading away slightly as the title appears.
This as the beginning subverts the audiences idea of stereotype and how they stereotype the man to be perverted and not helping her in any way. This also leaves us with alot of ideas to explore with the full plot and therefore leads to a sense of suspense for the audience as the plot has not been fully explained to them in the opening.
Friday, 19 December 2008
Media Prelim. /Youtube
Our Preliminary Video is now is now finally on youtube. The link is below.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OvOzyH_fmAA
This is in addition to being in the video bar to the right.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OvOzyH_fmAA
This is in addition to being in the video bar to the right.
Friday, 12 December 2008
Filming Schedule Original
Tuesday:2pm onwards Bodlian museum scene; first 12 shots from storyboard.
Friday:3pm onwards; Shot 13 and last 12 shots, all exterior, interior Pitt rivers museum; 3 shots.
This was our original film schedule but unfortunatley due to continuity and daylight timings we needed to change our hours. This therefore means that we hope to film from 12 on monday, and have changed our plan for filming inside the pitt rivers museum as part of it is closed. As a result we are now going to show the young girl and elderly man walking around the iconic streets of oxford rarther than filming it inside.
Friday:3pm onwards; Shot 13 and last 12 shots, all exterior, interior Pitt rivers museum; 3 shots.
This was our original film schedule but unfortunatley due to continuity and daylight timings we needed to change our hours. This therefore means that we hope to film from 12 on monday, and have changed our plan for filming inside the pitt rivers museum as part of it is closed. As a result we are now going to show the young girl and elderly man walking around the iconic streets of oxford rarther than filming it inside.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Film Synopsis
The film begins when a young unprivaledged girl steals from an elderly man. However upon catching her instead of teaching her a lesson by calling the police, he gives her a lesson in history. He then takes her under his wing, giving her the attention she craves and providing him with the company he needs; from this a deep relationship is formed.
However when his demensia gets worse he is prevented from seeing her. She goes to find him, when she eventually does she is told that he is very ill and unable to see him unless she is a family member. She tries to explain to his carer their relationship, she replies by saying that he has done the same with many other people; teaching them more about the world.She then turns to stealing once again and playing truant. George; the elderly gentleman then one day remembers her again; and has a chance of meeting her in the location they always use to meet at; at the bench of his dead wife.
Yet when he gets there he doesn't remember the times they had together and therefore talks to her like a stranger. They have an argument where she talks about the things they have done together, which triggers his memory. He tells her about his demensia and they continue their sharing relationship for another 2 weeks until his poingaint and emotional death.
Months go by and she decides to visit the museum where they first met, when she gets there she sees a young boy smoking on the wall; she decides to teach him a lesson in life...
However when his demensia gets worse he is prevented from seeing her. She goes to find him, when she eventually does she is told that he is very ill and unable to see him unless she is a family member. She tries to explain to his carer their relationship, she replies by saying that he has done the same with many other people; teaching them more about the world.She then turns to stealing once again and playing truant. George; the elderly gentleman then one day remembers her again; and has a chance of meeting her in the location they always use to meet at; at the bench of his dead wife.
Yet when he gets there he doesn't remember the times they had together and therefore talks to her like a stranger. They have an argument where she talks about the things they have done together, which triggers his memory. He tells her about his demensia and they continue their sharing relationship for another 2 weeks until his poingaint and emotional death.
Months go by and she decides to visit the museum where they first met, when she gets there she sees a young boy smoking on the wall; she decides to teach him a lesson in life...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Our First Film Ideas
Basically this is just a kind of update about what we think were going to do for our final film. The basic idea is that we have is to do a hybrid, but we don't know how quite to describe it. So we are calling it an emotional Rom-com. We took inspiration from Venus- with Peter O'Toole and Educating Rita- with Michael Caine and Julie Walters
The plot for our first two minutes goes as follows; A young girl bumps into an older man (stereotyped) outside a museum, as she moves past he catches her wrist and the audience sees she has stolen his wallet. He tells her he will call the police ect. She offers him EVERYTHING for him not to but does so subtly. He declines slightly taken aback, and instead says he wont if he can teach her a lesson himself. He then takes her into the museum where he shows her various exhibits and explains all of them,( we thought this scene would be from one angle and sped up and slow at two separate moments once when he shows her shrunken heads that were in the harry potter film, that she says she hasn't seen. and also when she says she hates bees and he explains the infinity equation to her) during this you see the girl get more excited and enthusiastic. Showing her a thriving from the attention that is evidently so rare. They then leave and go their separate ways with her thanking him. however after only walking a short while she turns back as she found his wallet in her pocket as she never gave it back (signifier of forgetfulness). Upon returning it to him he is with a carer who explains he has been looking for him and he doesn't know who she (the girl) is. This confuses her and she leaves upset. However upon holding his wallet he also hears a bee. And turns to her and shouts to her 'next week geography bee.' where she smiles and runs off he watches her go.
Yeah so basically that's it! Please leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions for us! Or anything you just want to say............
The plot for our first two minutes goes as follows; A young girl bumps into an older man (stereotyped) outside a museum, as she moves past he catches her wrist and the audience sees she has stolen his wallet. He tells her he will call the police ect. She offers him EVERYTHING for him not to but does so subtly. He declines slightly taken aback, and instead says he wont if he can teach her a lesson himself. He then takes her into the museum where he shows her various exhibits and explains all of them,( we thought this scene would be from one angle and sped up and slow at two separate moments once when he shows her shrunken heads that were in the harry potter film, that she says she hasn't seen. and also when she says she hates bees and he explains the infinity equation to her) during this you see the girl get more excited and enthusiastic. Showing her a thriving from the attention that is evidently so rare. They then leave and go their separate ways with her thanking him. however after only walking a short while she turns back as she found his wallet in her pocket as she never gave it back (signifier of forgetfulness). Upon returning it to him he is with a carer who explains he has been looking for him and he doesn't know who she (the girl) is. This confuses her and she leaves upset. However upon holding his wallet he also hears a bee. And turns to her and shouts to her 'next week geography bee.' where she smiles and runs off he watches her go.
Yeah so basically that's it! Please leave a comment if you have any questions or suggestions for us! Or anything you just want to say............
Monday, 24 November 2008
My Preliminary Task Evaluation
My prelim task group included Tom Martindale, Leila and myself. When planning our film short we chose to use thriller as a genre, this was because we found it easiest to portray in a short.
Our film was about someone who was looking for someone else and upon finding him attacked him, however you do not see the attack only a scream and the scene is cut short; To the next scene where the attacker stalks away with sirens in the background.We worked on the Macs successfully it took us a bit of time to get the hang of things like how to import the film and cutting it. But when we got the hang of it we re worked our cut film and worked well with the film we had.
This lead us to realise faults in our filming, where we had not filmed enough of some shots and taking more of them would be more productive as we had more film to work with. We also needed to work on continuity between shots.
Using the Macs was an important set up for our main filming task and as we used the Macs for a long time when reworking, it gave us more experience with them that may prove useful when cutting our final piece as we will be familiar with the software. However we did have some problems such as exporting the film so that it was in a format that we could use on YouTube. We are yet to put our film onto YouTube and storyboard onto our blogs due to software technicalities.We did not put any dialogue into our film however this was because we thought it would detract from the suspense of the main scene. In which the confrontation occurs.To conclude I think that the task went well and was a good learning experience, because of the steps we took we found easy although we have a few small tasks still to do, we now have the skills to do them and it is only a time problem.
Our film was about someone who was looking for someone else and upon finding him attacked him, however you do not see the attack only a scream and the scene is cut short; To the next scene where the attacker stalks away with sirens in the background.We worked on the Macs successfully it took us a bit of time to get the hang of things like how to import the film and cutting it. But when we got the hang of it we re worked our cut film and worked well with the film we had.
This lead us to realise faults in our filming, where we had not filmed enough of some shots and taking more of them would be more productive as we had more film to work with. We also needed to work on continuity between shots.
Using the Macs was an important set up for our main filming task and as we used the Macs for a long time when reworking, it gave us more experience with them that may prove useful when cutting our final piece as we will be familiar with the software. However we did have some problems such as exporting the film so that it was in a format that we could use on YouTube. We are yet to put our film onto YouTube and storyboard onto our blogs due to software technicalities.We did not put any dialogue into our film however this was because we thought it would detract from the suspense of the main scene. In which the confrontation occurs.To conclude I think that the task went well and was a good learning experience, because of the steps we took we found easy although we have a few small tasks still to do, we now have the skills to do them and it is only a time problem.
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