1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Our Thriller opening was highly influenced by other films, such as Se7en, and Strangers on a Train. However I feel our thriller challenges many sterotypical conventions of the thriller genre, and the British gangster sub-genre.
Some Films that influenced us included:
Red Road (Directed by Andrea Arnold)
Our storyline was strongly influenced by that of Red Road. This film also influenced the camera angle useds. As some shots of Eve seemed as though they were taken from cctv, just like in Red Road, however we used quick cuts with other varied shots, to stop it from looking like a cctv tracking shot. However unlike in Red Road, we broke conventions, by choosing to have a voice over instead of dialogue throughout. Meaning that the story is being narrated, rather than waiting for it to be told or shown by the characters. The eerie voice over also adds depth to our opening, and affirms it as a thriller.
We also used mainstream Film noir conventions although our opening is of independant British Gangster genre. We used Black and white for the stalkers shots, as this adds to his mystery, and the black, suggests isolation. We also used conventions of L.A noir for Harley's shots too, as we used lights coming through the blinds in the office, to add shadows to his face. However we didnt use these conventions throughout, and we stuck to the British Gangster genre, these being the only film noir techniques we used, for instance we did not use 1950s costumes, or have a sterotypical femme fatale, although it may be suggested that Eve played the femme fatale in our opening, she was not that of a typical film noir style.
We were influenced by the Film Se7en too. We used similar titles in our opening, as we put them over the action, so it keeps it fast paced. We also used a links of fast paced shots cutting between two different people, showing their stories are linked, which is also used in Se7en. However we decided not to use a soundtrack like in Se7en, as we feared it might make our opening look like a music video, rather than a film. However rather than just have a voice over, we added a soundtrack too, just like in Layer Cake, another film that highly influenced our production.
Although we may have used many different conventions from the thriller genre, i feel we also broke and challenged a few, such as rather than have the male character holding all the cards, and sugesting what will happen next, we decided to give this authority to the female character, eve. However she was obviously still under the power of the male, as she was running away from him, and being forced to leave everything behind. However her next moves, suggest the direction of the film.
We also broke conventions by never showing the Male characters face. This adds an heir of msytery, as well is meaning that it didnt matter if our actor didnt look too menancing, as his main influence was added through the voice over.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Other Thrillers that influenced our thriller
Thrillers that influenced, and have references in our thriller:
The opening squence of Se7en influenced our thriller greatly. Its opening is eerie, and uses quick editing and fast cuts to create this. We used this in our thriller opening by cutting between Eve and her stalker. Se7en also uses a lot of close ups linked with quick editing throughout the titles, we also used this to keep up the pace of our opening, and to stop it from being boring. We also kept the titles over the action, just like in Se7en, so that there was no black screen shots, to keep the opening energetic, and fast paced, as is our thriller. However we didnt use a soundtrack, we used a Voice over similar to the opening of Layer Cake.
The voice over is used to tell the plotline of the film, or history which is needed to prevent the viewer being confused. Layer Cake uses this to tell the History of Drugs, which is what the film is based on. We used a voice over, to add an eerie note to our opening, and inform the audience as to why Eve was on the run.
We used L'homme du train and Strangers on a train, for camera shots and angles, as both are set on trains. We used low angle shots of Eve's feet as shes walking to the train platform, this is also used in Strangers on a plane, which used low angle cuts of two people, tracking them through the train station. We also used fast cuts from both films, cutting between eve and her stalker, to show that their story is entwined.
- Se7en - Directed by David Fincher
- Layer Cake - Directed by Matthew Vaughn
- L'homme Du Train - Directed by Patrice Leconte
- Strangers On A Train - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
The opening squence of Se7en influenced our thriller greatly. Its opening is eerie, and uses quick editing and fast cuts to create this. We used this in our thriller opening by cutting between Eve and her stalker. Se7en also uses a lot of close ups linked with quick editing throughout the titles, we also used this to keep up the pace of our opening, and to stop it from being boring. We also kept the titles over the action, just like in Se7en, so that there was no black screen shots, to keep the opening energetic, and fast paced, as is our thriller. However we didnt use a soundtrack, we used a Voice over similar to the opening of Layer Cake.
The voice over is used to tell the plotline of the film, or history which is needed to prevent the viewer being confused. Layer Cake uses this to tell the History of Drugs, which is what the film is based on. We used a voice over, to add an eerie note to our opening, and inform the audience as to why Eve was on the run.
We used L'homme du train and Strangers on a train, for camera shots and angles, as both are set on trains. We used low angle shots of Eve's feet as shes walking to the train platform, this is also used in Strangers on a plane, which used low angle cuts of two people, tracking them through the train station. We also used fast cuts from both films, cutting between eve and her stalker, to show that their story is entwined.
Characters - New storyline
Final characters- after changing our storyline:
Eve: (played by Sarah Gamble)
Eve is the main character, she is on the run from a possessive stalker.
Character profile:
• Age: Eve is 16/17
• Height: 5 1”
• She comes from a middle class background.
• She is scared, and fragile.
• When on the train she comes across as moody, later on in the opening, it is revealed that this is because she is leaving everything behind to get away from her stalker.
• She comes across as innocent, this is reinforced by her name “Eve” as it is a biblical name.
• She has dark Brunette hair, suggesting a darker past.
• She is petite, this represents her vulnerability.
Stalker: (played by Harley Evans)
The stalker is a possessive, obsessive 20 year old man, with an errational obsession for Eve. He wont leave her alone, no matter how many times she turns him down, and has the creepy view that “if i cant have her, no one can”.
Character Profile:
• Age: 20
• Height: 5 8”
• Comes from a middle class background.
• The height difference between Eve and her stalker, reinforce her vulnerability, and his power over her physically, hence why she is running away.
• His mousy brown hair, show him to be something ordinary, and plain, however the trench coat he wears suggests there is more to him that meets the eye, and adds an heir of mystery.
Eve: (played by Sarah Gamble)
Eve is the main character, she is on the run from a possessive stalker.
Character profile:
• Age: Eve is 16/17
• Height: 5 1”
• She comes from a middle class background.
• She is scared, and fragile.
• When on the train she comes across as moody, later on in the opening, it is revealed that this is because she is leaving everything behind to get away from her stalker.
• She comes across as innocent, this is reinforced by her name “Eve” as it is a biblical name.
• She has dark Brunette hair, suggesting a darker past.
• She is petite, this represents her vulnerability.
Stalker: (played by Harley Evans)
The stalker is a possessive, obsessive 20 year old man, with an errational obsession for Eve. He wont leave her alone, no matter how many times she turns him down, and has the creepy view that “if i cant have her, no one can”.
Character Profile:
• Age: 20
• Height: 5 8”
• Comes from a middle class background.
• The height difference between Eve and her stalker, reinforce her vulnerability, and his power over her physically, hence why she is running away.
• His mousy brown hair, show him to be something ordinary, and plain, however the trench coat he wears suggests there is more to him that meets the eye, and adds an heir of mystery.
Actors
Eve:
I play Eve, the main character. She is a simple character who is on the run from a possesive stalker. She is frighetened and fragile yet determined to get away from who is chasing her.
We felt that I was best to play this role, as I fit the specification. My small height made me seem weak, and vulnerable.
However my dark hair makes me seem mysterious, and connotes darkness, thus death, and suggests a dark past.
Harley
The stalker is played by Harley Evans. We felt Harley fit the role, as he had a deep voice, as the main part he plays is the voice over in the opening, although he is on screen too, there is very little footage of his face, as we felt this added mystery, and captured the audience, as they may wish to find out more about the male, and want to see his face. We also keep his face hidden, as in alot of films it is more intimidating, if you cannot see your attackers face.
Script for voice over
This is the script used for the voice over Which is said by Eve's stalker (played by Harley Evans), and is played Throughout the opening, as it cuts between both shots of Eve and Harley. The voice over is used to capture the audiences interest while narrating the storyline, yet not giving too much away so that there is still an heir of mystery. It also adds an eerie element to our opening, and affirms it as a thriller.
'She is more beautiful than the last sunset of summer, or the first snow flake of winter, and she was mine but not anymore, she is gone, where? why? There is only one thing I know for certain, she will regret leaving me. I will be her biggest mistake! Her friends say I'm unstable, I'm obsessed, but the irreparable damage I will cause will make them understand. I will show them how it feels to be crushed to feel nothing, constantly numb. My heart is an open wound that wont heal. If I can't have her no one can. I make her suffer the pain I feel every day if only for a moment a second of what I feel, will make her understand how it feels to be me. I'm isolated, but I am not alone I am tormented by my thoughts constantly. I'm never fully conscious in a state of waking sleep. But now its her nightmare...'
Harley uses a deep voice while doing this piece, making the audience feel unease, as it represents how possesive he is of Eve.
The voice over is played throughout the opening, along with the soundtrack, and does not play throughout the whole thing.
'She is more beautiful than the last sunset of summer, or the first snow flake of winter, and she was mine but not anymore, she is gone, where? why? There is only one thing I know for certain, she will regret leaving me. I will be her biggest mistake! Her friends say I'm unstable, I'm obsessed, but the irreparable damage I will cause will make them understand. I will show them how it feels to be crushed to feel nothing, constantly numb. My heart is an open wound that wont heal. If I can't have her no one can. I make her suffer the pain I feel every day if only for a moment a second of what I feel, will make her understand how it feels to be me. I'm isolated, but I am not alone I am tormented by my thoughts constantly. I'm never fully conscious in a state of waking sleep. But now its her nightmare...'
Harley uses a deep voice while doing this piece, making the audience feel unease, as it represents how possesive he is of Eve.
The voice over is played throughout the opening, along with the soundtrack, and does not play throughout the whole thing.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Thriller audience research proposal
What I want to find out:
1. What do the audience think are typical thriller characters, and whether they are effective. (eg. Femme fatales, Gangster bosses etc.)
2. What sub-genre of thriller do the audience prefer (eg. Film noir, La Noir, British gangster etc)
3. What does the audience expect to see when they go to a mainstream thriller, rather than an independant. (eg differences in editing, special FX etc)
4. What are stereotypical thriller props, and whether audiences think they work well in modern film making (eg, hand gun, cigarettes, suave cars etc)
5. How costumes differenciate in the subgenres of Thriller, and whether they affect the audiences opinion of the film.
How I am going to find this out:
1. Interviews
2. Questionnaires
3. Email Interviews and questions
4. Online Surveys
5. Text interviews and questions
What I expect to find out:
1. The stereotypical characters, will be preferred by most audience types, however some will prefer something different, unusual and unconventional.
2. I expect film noir, and British gangster films to be amoung the most popular of the sub genres.
3. They expect to see a much more expensively, and professionally looking made film. With special FX and better editing.
4. They work well, as they are expected, but can be used in so many different effective ways.
5. Costumes are very important to a film, so if all the characters are dressed in things which don’t suit their character, the film will not be as effective.
1. What do the audience think are typical thriller characters, and whether they are effective. (eg. Femme fatales, Gangster bosses etc.)
2. What sub-genre of thriller do the audience prefer (eg. Film noir, La Noir, British gangster etc)
3. What does the audience expect to see when they go to a mainstream thriller, rather than an independant. (eg differences in editing, special FX etc)
4. What are stereotypical thriller props, and whether audiences think they work well in modern film making (eg, hand gun, cigarettes, suave cars etc)
5. How costumes differenciate in the subgenres of Thriller, and whether they affect the audiences opinion of the film.
How I am going to find this out:
1. Interviews
2. Questionnaires
3. Email Interviews and questions
4. Online Surveys
5. Text interviews and questions
What I expect to find out:
1. The stereotypical characters, will be preferred by most audience types, however some will prefer something different, unusual and unconventional.
2. I expect film noir, and British gangster films to be amoung the most popular of the sub genres.
3. They expect to see a much more expensively, and professionally looking made film. With special FX and better editing.
4. They work well, as they are expected, but can be used in so many different effective ways.
5. Costumes are very important to a film, so if all the characters are dressed in things which don’t suit their character, the film will not be as effective.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Final Shot List
Shot list:
Heres a list of all the shots (in order) that we hope to use when filming, this is the final shot list as we have thought over it several times, However this may be different from the final shots we come to use on the day of filming.
On Entering station:
1. Low angle shot of the girls shoes walking into Norwich city train station.
2. Zoom in to close up of large analogue station clock.
3. Sequential mid to long shots linked by jump cuts to show setting and passers by to imply the girls isolation in the large crowd and desperation to get away.
4. Close up of departures list
On Entering train:
1. A long shot above the girl to represent her isolation inside the station.
2. Lots of Side long shots of the main character and other passers by at the train station just before the character gets on the train.
3. Close up of the girls bagand belongings to show and empthasise that she is running away.
4. An extreme close up of characters hand, grabbing the handle bar of the trains door.
5. A jump cut and close up of the characters train ticket.
6. A mid shot facing character's rear as she boards the train. And as the character turns to sit down, the camera pans to the right and follows her from the outside of the train station while they get to their seat.
7. The camera is stationary while the train pulls out of the station, showing the train move.
On train:
1. Long shot (one end of carriage, filming character walk to seat)
2. Jump cut to side mid shot of character and empty seat opposite.
3. Extreme close up of coffee cup/magazine/ items on table
4. Close up of girl looking outside the window. Shows her isolation.
5. Jump cuts of scenery outside train
6. Jump cut to black screen title sequence initiated, background noise of train stopping
Heres a list of all the shots (in order) that we hope to use when filming, this is the final shot list as we have thought over it several times, However this may be different from the final shots we come to use on the day of filming.
On Entering station:
1. Low angle shot of the girls shoes walking into Norwich city train station.
2. Zoom in to close up of large analogue station clock.
3. Sequential mid to long shots linked by jump cuts to show setting and passers by to imply the girls isolation in the large crowd and desperation to get away.
4. Close up of departures list
On Entering train:
1. A long shot above the girl to represent her isolation inside the station.
2. Lots of Side long shots of the main character and other passers by at the train station just before the character gets on the train.
3. Close up of the girls bagand belongings to show and empthasise that she is running away.
4. An extreme close up of characters hand, grabbing the handle bar of the trains door.
5. A jump cut and close up of the characters train ticket.
6. A mid shot facing character's rear as she boards the train. And as the character turns to sit down, the camera pans to the right and follows her from the outside of the train station while they get to their seat.
7. The camera is stationary while the train pulls out of the station, showing the train move.
On train:
1. Long shot (one end of carriage, filming character walk to seat)
2. Jump cut to side mid shot of character and empty seat opposite.
3. Extreme close up of coffee cup/magazine/ items on table
4. Close up of girl looking outside the window. Shows her isolation.
5. Jump cuts of scenery outside train
6. Jump cut to black screen title sequence initiated, background noise of train stopping
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