Wonders of Life

On sunday BBC 2 broadcast a programme called wonders of life, it was presented by Professor Brian Cox and was explaining how life came about. It sparked my interest as the cinematography was just captivating. They used natural light to their advantage as they were moving around a lot and couldn't really use a 3 point lighting set up. It gave me ideas on how to use natural light to my advantage when we film our opening. Since where we are shooting it will be difficult to set up effective lighting. Also you can get some great lens flares when using natural light which can add some serious style to an image. The use of depth of field was also very effective and created some very artistic shots, definitely something worth taking into account when we shoot. Below are some of my favourite images from the show, the ones that really inspired me.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
                     

Link to the show!

VLOG Planning for Our Thriller

Preliminary Exercise

Location scouting

Here Dami and Sharina are looking for locations suitable for our group thriller opening.As a group we are interested in filming in a grave or church yard which is our first initial idea.

Dami and Sharina browse through various posters showing images of suitable locations for filming.Posters showing images of london streets,churches and church yards also canals and alleyways.

 From looking at the posters as a group we gained inspiration and ideas to film our opening in a church yard.We also used a map and various locations locally that as a group we are going to visit to see if the location is suitable for our opening.

Film Ident

 An ident is a short clip that is played at the beginning of the film to inform the audience of the company behind the film. Many famous ones include, 20th century fox, Warner Brothers and Paramount.

             

Inspired by all these idents I decided to make my own. I used Adobe After Effects and the whole process took around 3hrs including render time.

To star with I had to import my logo design into after effects, I then had to make it 3D, after that was done I had to create the background, which meant I had to create to solids and turn one into a 3D object, I then rotated it 90 degrees on its X axis to create the illusion of depth in the shot. The scene was shot with a virtual 35mm camera.

After that was done I added a fractal noise solid to create the effect of shadows and highlights on the logo. I then added the text gave it a wipe effects so it did not just intrusively appear on the screen.

I then key framed the objects movements so it looked like it was moving from behind the camera and into shot.

I then added a shadow to the floor which followed the same movements as the object and then I added lens flares to add to the effect and give it a bit more body as it looked fairly flat before.

I then rendered it out and got the final product, it was originally made at 2k resolution and the compressed file below doesn't really do it justice, but enjoy anyway!

Intertextuality

Intertextuality is the where media products reference other media products that writers and producers assume the audience will recognise. It can be done in a few different ways, parody being the most obvious. A parody is when a film makes fun of another film, the "Scary Movie" series does this very well by poking holes at horror films that were completely serious films.

"Scream"

             


"Scary Movie"

            

In the scenes from "Scary Movie" you can see they quite accurately recreated the scene from "Scream", from costume, to even the character and camera movements during the scene, you can tell it is a parody as they have changed some things around and also changed the dialogue to give a more humorous tone.
You can also note the reference to Prince (the singer), this is again a form of parody because they are making a mockery of Prince.



Intertextuality can lead to some actors being type cast, for example, Bruce Willis is known for playing tough guy action roles. He is in all of the Die Hard movies, he was in the film RED and both Expendables and more recently, Looper. He is cast in these specific roles because producers know that the audience will respond well to him as the character and they know he already has a fan base, which makes the film easier to market.

Target Audience for Thrillers

Target Audience for Thrillers

The average age  group of the target audience for a Thriller  is specifically  around 16-25 years. 

Different thriller's appeal to different age grous, however. For example, 

Films such as the final destination sequences and 28 days later appeal to young adults. 

When i first saw the advertisements for final destination, I assumed that the thriller was aimed straight for adults only, judging by the posters and the trailers: the film seemed to have a more mature, adult plot-line. However, after watching the series of films, i discovered that the final destination series of films, were actually more aimed towards young adults/older teens as they seemed to follow, loosely, the classic high school scenario as the films are mainly all based in high school and involve a group of high schools students which automatically appeals to a younger audience.  


 BLCK SWAN.

ortman as the main actress, who usually features in films that follow a similar target audience of elder teens/young adult When I first noticed the advertisements for Back swan, I assumed it would be be aimed at young adults as it features Natalie Portman, who uses features in films that feature the same target audience, which is young adults. However, after watching the film, my opinion changed as the film feature many disturbing scenes and sequences that may only be acceptale fo adult viewing. 

Target Audience For Thrillers

Target Audience for Thrillers

Psychological Thrillers

Thrillers for example normally appeal to adults also sometimes the younger audience.The average age group for the target audience is between 16-25 year olds. An example of a thriller aimed at a younger audience is Final Destination and Memento.

Memento is a psychological thriller ,the target audience for a psychological thriller is 18+ this is due to the fact they include a large amount of violence and psychological disturbing aspects also that they require a mature audience to be able to follow the plot and story line closely gaining an idea of what is going to happen.This may also be disturbing for younger viewers under the age of 16 and below.Most psychological thrillers come with a warning at the back of the DVD cover stating the age rating including a caption saying extreme violence and sexual scenes.

Memento was directed by Christopher Nolan.

Another psychological thriller with a similar target audience is Black Swan.Black Swan is aimed at a more female audience in comparison to Memento.Black Swan has a disturbing narrative as its aimed to play with the audience mind. Psychological films normally meets the need of a female audience as psychological films include much more of an emotional struggle rather than a physical and action based film for example Physco. Male audience are also interested in psychological thrillers as not all the protagonists are female such as Shutter Island and Phone Booth.

Romantic Thrillers
Thrillers vary as they can conclude a mix of elements from another genre for example romantic thrillers will attract an audience who enjoy watching the film with conventions containing both romance and thriller this may create a larger viewing of the film.
An example of a romantic thriller with conventions of comedy  is Mr and Mrs Smith which stares Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.Mr and Mrs Smith is in fact a preferred film of mine after viewing the film various times the target audience must be from a range of 16 - 25 year old as most likely they are most familiar with the main characters and have watched previous films.

Process of Editing out Preliminary exercise

Process of Editing out Preliminary exercise

To make editing easier for ourselves, we shot our clips in order. We then opened Final Cut Pro to put all our clips together. To make the clips precise, we had to cut out all the irrelevant parts to make sure that the whole sequence flowed well. This includes removing the sound in the background, and cut out the parts that weren't filmed well.

Here we have the scene where Sharina supposed to be angry with Ryan but nearer to the end she started to laugh. We had to cut it out so it wouldn't look silly and also to fit with the next clip properly.

Here we had to remove the sound. This was because whilst recording the clips the background noise started to increase because our fellow classmates were coming back into the classroom where we were filming. We also had this problem with the footage taken.

Prelim Exercise Storyboard

180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule regards the placement of the camera in relation to two subjects in a shot. It relies on an invisible line on which the actors are placed. The rule states that in one sequence the camera must stay on the side of the line it started at. This is done to prevent audience confusion as it may look as if the actors have switched places if the camera is placed on the opposite side of the line.

This rule however is not always followed, in "The Shining", Director Stanley Kubrick breaks this rule to confuse the audience on purpose, and add to the effect a psychological thriller has on the mind.

The Wilhelm Scream

This is the name of a stock sound that has been used since 1951 in over 200 films including Star Wars and the Indiana Jones series. The video below gives examples of the films that have used the sound and you can clearly hear how each scream sounds almost identical.

 

Arlington Road Opening Scene

This is the finished opening scene, the sounds match up quite well with the points in the film and the non diegetic music helps to create suspense, the diegetic sounds gives the piece a sense of realism and the exaggerated screams lighten the mood but just enough that you can still empathise with the characters.

Genre's and Subgenres

Genre: In film theory, genre is referred to as the term for a type, species, or class of compositionn. method based on similarities in the narative elements  from which films are constructed. Most theories of film genre are borrowed from literacy genre criticism. Film genres can be categorised in several ways.
Examples of this ae as follows: 

Sub-Genre: These are identifiable sub-classes of the larger category of main film genres, with their own distinctive subject matter, style, formulas, and iconography. 
Some examples of Thriller sub-genres are as follows: 

• CONSPIRACY THRILLER. 

This type of genre consists of some sort of hero or heroine who are stereotypically journalists or armature investigators who find themselves trapped in a very powerful organisation.

Examples of some conspiracy thrillers are: The Da Vinci Code, Deus Ex and Enemy of the State. 

• CRIME THRILLER. 

The hybrid between crime and thriller has created a more suspenseful account to showing successful and failed crime acts on film. 

Examples of some crime thrillers are:  The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge.

• ACTION / DISASTER THRILLER.

This particular genre follows a certain groups or persons survival in conflict with natural or artificial disaster like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes.

Examples of some action/disaster thrillers are:  Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Bourne Identity.

• FILM - NOIR.

Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylistic type of crime-drama or thriller that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. 

Example of some film - noir style of  thrillers are: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success.

• POLITICAL THRILLER

This sub-genre looks into the stability of a government and the reliance on a hero or heroine who must ensure the stability of the government that employs him in order to prevent a bad things happening. 

Examples of some political thrillers are:  Three Days of the Condor, JFK and City Hall

• PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER

This is the quintessential sub-genre of thriller that is implemented into all the sub-thriller genres. It plays with the audiences minds and produces suspense in film because it reflects the main characters conflict being mental and emotional hindered.

Examples of some psychological thrillers are: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver.

•  RELIGIOUS THRILLER

This subgenre connects the plots closely religious objects, institutions and questions.

Examples of some religious thrillers are: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code.

• SCIENCE - FICTION THRILLER

Science Fiction Thriller incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Traditionally, a Science Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and advanced technology.

Examples of some Sci - Fi thrillers are: Aliens, Inception, District 9

Introduction to Soundtrack

Introduction to Soundtrack

We were introduced to Soundtrack Pro as a group we used it to create and add a soundtrack to the chosen sequence that we had to put together in the correct order last lesson.We added various sounds that were most suitable to fit the key points in the clip.It took a while as a group to figure out  how to use the  software properly. At first we browsed through the sounds such as Violin,Piano,Vehicles also people sounds such as laughter which we found amusing as a group.We learnt how to fade in and fade out sounds to create a better effect.We also learnt how to import and export files into an out of soundtrack,it did take a while for us to find sounds to match with the clip.

Here we added sound onto the sound time line. We had to extend the sound to play for long enough to match the clip's length.The lines in the bars that are highlighted purple show when the sound has faded in and out.The green bars show the sounds added.

This shows us placing the exported soundtrack file into final cut.

Title Sequence Analysis

 Title Sequence Analysis

This analysis of the film opening of The Room Mate,shows how its not convential as the title sequence features at the start also the production cast appeared after the title and was shown for around 2.14 seconds this differs from the norm.In The Room Mate  title sequence the Ident is shown the production company logo appears, the purpose for this is to market the production company involved in the film first which then goes onto to introduce the film title and the following cast.There is such a strict order as it can differ to where the film title goes it normally nearly always appears in the middle this creates an organised and clear Title sequence informing the audience leaving the film Title and cast most important from the use of larger and bolder font.

Film Audiences

Film Audiences

• The film industry is interested in looking into the tastes and opinions of audiences through research such as surveys, focus groups and interviews.

• Because the film industry is a moneymaking business, it stays successful only by producing films that make a profit over and above their budget and marketing costs.

• Information from the audience describes the gender, age, ethnicity, the social group and region of the film audience as a whole and for popular film titles.

The target audience for a Thriller movie is 18+ due to the fact that they consist of alot of violence and other issues which may be distubing for the much more younger viewrs

Film openings

Genre & Sub-genre

Genre and Sub-genre

Genre is a way of categorizing media products e.g Films in groups by shared characteristics. This is when you have different types of areas in the media you are interested in for example, Romance is a type of genre, so you would expect to see Love or anything symbolizing love eg. flowers, hearts etc.

Sub-genre is when elements from other genres are combined together for example, seeing as Thriller is what you call and umbrella genre, you can come across a Comedy Thriller, Action Thriller, Romantic Thriller, Psychological Thriller and many more.

Genre is important to the film industry because it is what helps to attract the audience, so if the genre becomes successful it brings in more audiences. Successful genres are repeated time after time which make certain actors become synonymous with a particular Genres and Sub-genres eg. Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis and Jason Statham.

Genre is important to the audience because we have expectations based on our understanding of a certain genre. It gives us that sort of power where we can predict the films narrative, meaning we sort of know what will happen in the film.

I enjoy all thriller sub-genres but most all, Action thrillers inspire me because they have that 'action' throughout the movie but also the action tends to build up towards the end of the movie where the thriller comes into it. Also i like the feeling of knowing what will happen next so action thrillers do it for me personally. However, this sub-genre does not always make you think that you know what will happen as you watch the film, so having said that, i think this is the most inspiring Sub-genre.

An example of my favorite action thriller has to be The Dark Knight/Dark Knight Rises because it has action from beginning to end. 

 The editing and sounds help to accomplish the impact it has on me as part of the audience. I think this could influence my group and I's film opening because at the beginning of this film, it does not give much away which we are trying to portray however it does create suspense, which i enjoy in a film.

Types of Film Openings

There are various types of film openings type 1 -Narrative opening is an opening that introduces the key elements to the story.For example in the beginning of the shining the narrative opening shows a long journey with the main characters appearing in the car travelling to an isolated setting.The emotional tone is set through the music the camera is also at a birds eye view almost following the car.

Another example of a narrative opening is He loves me,he loves me not in this clip the we are introduced to the main characters, location and plot line. Mise en scene is used to portray the females feelings towards the male from the use of the excessive use of love symbolism for example, flowers, candles, hearts  and pink and red colours. The use of upbeat cheerful music represents her happiness and her interest in her love life. 

Trainspotting opening - The use of text blocks introducing character names the use of a monalogue informs the audience of the character talking about his attitude and lifestyle.Clear use of rapid editing and free frames also loss of cross cutting between scenes of the characters life.

Another type of a film opening is a discrete title sequence (separate title film) in the seven sins - wide use of post production all shots are taken in close up.The use of the props are used in a creative sense also use of background music a screaming female the discrete title sequence then leads onto a normal narrative sequence.

Titles over a blank screen (Donnie Dorko)- The production company begins with a title over names.

Black screens-Through weird Gothic font (font choices)and sounds gives out information through a black screen which then leads onto a conventional narrative opening.

Another type of a film opening is stylized opening -The taking of Pelham use of rapid editing the titles move across the screen like a train (visual recreation of a train) alot of special effects used.

Initial dolly shot tests

Dolly's are used to create smooth moving shots, these can be to follow a character, set up a location, add suspense etc. I recently purchased one and decided to do some test shots to try and muster up some inspiration for our film opening. Enjoy!

The black bars at the top and bottom help to give these clips a filmic look, high budget films do this by using expensive anamorphic lenses which stretch the footage, which is then un-stretched in post. I opted for the free method, in adobe premier I took a template of the black bars and placed it over my footage I then stretched it to match the duration of the clip and then as if by magic I got the letterbox effect.

Genre and Sub Genre

                                                       Genre and Sub Genre

Genre is the category the chosen film comes under,it is also the type or way of categorizing media products into groups shared characteristics.For example the film Mr Beans Holiday comes under the genre of comedy  as its purpose is to entertain and make the audience laugh as its comical.

Genre is important to the film industry as successful genres bring in an audience which are repeated,as a result of this certain actors become synonymous with particular genres and sub genres such as Tom Cruise,Bruce Willis and Jason Statham.

Here Tom Cruise features in Mission Possible also other various films with a similar genre such as action.

Within films repetition of the same genre is cheap and easy to do within genre actors are used to market the film.Genre is important to the audience as the audience have made an opinion of the genre of the film they are going to see.The chosen audience also have expectations based around our understanding of genre which allows the director of the film to feel smart also the audience feel confident that there going to get there moneys worth of viewing a film of there preferred genre. Also the use of the repetition of the same genre becomes predictable the film industry exploit this by repeating the same genre.

Sub Genre

Sub genre on the other hand is a hybrid which is an mixed of elements from another genre.For example within thrillers there is also a sub genre within that as there are romantic thrillers, Action thrillers also religious thrillers such as the Da Vinci Code also physiological thrillers  like physco and etc..

The Da Vinci code comes under the genre of thriller  but has a sub genre of religion as it  features in the trailer ,shows the importance of religion and belief based around the narrative.

The film Psyco also has contents that connote that the film is a thriller with a sub genre of psychological features within the narrative.

The chosen trailers I have chosen inspires me and interest me the most , they are my preferred choice of thrillers films as I would enjoy to watch as they relate to my interest preferably the sub genre of religion In which I can relate to as religion is an interest of mine.

Genre and sub genre influence my groups own film opening as it gives us an idea of what sub genre that we could include within our film opening aswell as using the genre thriller.The use of the sub genre makes the film opening more interesting to watch.While taking a look at the trailers of some sub genres i would prefer to re create a romantic thriller.

Genre & Sub-genre

Genre: This is a style or category of media product, it helps to let the audience know what they should expect from said product. For example from a comedy you would expect laugh out loud moments where as if it were a drama the audience may expect it to be quite serious.

Sub-genre: This, simply put is a genre within a genre, for example there are multiple sub-genres of the thriller genre, you can have, a psychological thriller an example of this would be "Psycho", you can have an action thriller and many others.

Genre is very important in the film industry as it determines what the film will be like, furthermore it allows a film to appeal to a specific audience, the larger the audience the more money there is to be made. For example the action genre has a very large audience so production companies are more likely to produce films in this genre, just this year alone over 30 action films were released, including, The Dark Knight rises, Taken 2 and The Avengers.

The genre that inspires me the most is the psychological thriller genre this is due to the way it manages to mess with your mind because it convinces you that the story could happen in real life, it is very disconcerting and also a real insight into the human mind. We seem to shake off ghost movies but when there is a sense of realism we then truly feel scared.

The Shining is one of my favourite examples of a psychological
thriller, it really does well at convincing the audience
this could happen in real life. The isolation factor of the
film being the most prominent way that the realism was
conveyed.

The Roommate

This analysis of the film opening of The Roommate shows how it is not a conventional film opening, however we still get a lot of information from it and the plot line is set up.

Types of film openings

Narrative Opening

He Loves Me, He loves Me Not     

   

In this clip the audience are introduced to the main characters, location and plot line. Mise en scene is used to portray the females feelings towards the male from the use of the excessive use of love symbolism for example, flowers, candles, hearts  and pink and red colours.The use of upbeat cheerful music represents her happiness and her interest in her love life.