During this task we were given the objective of researching into the production of one mainstream film that was produced by the big six and one indie film that was produced on a much more finite budget.
The mainstream film that I selected for research was The Girl On The Train(2016) which was produced by Tate Taylor. The indie film that I chose to research was Level Up(2016) which was produced by Heather Greenwood, Andrew Orr and Danny Potts. The research on the films was conducted within a template that was provided and once completed highlighted the differences in production between the mainstream and indie films.
The big six of the film industry generally produce films that are either sequels or remakes of a successful franchise, they also create un-original films with ideas that have been done several times before. This is because these types of films are a safe business option and are more likely to provide a high profit return. Indie films are generally the polar opposite of mainstream films, they usually contain more unique and creative plot lines and don’t employ repetitive and tired themes or plot lines much like the mainstream films do.
The main difference that I have noticed between an indie and mainstream film is the budget. The budget of an indie film is minuscule in comparison to that of a film produced by the big six, this is because indie producers have to source their funds from various locations, and they also need to spread their funds over various benefactors so as to ensure that they still maintain control over their film.
From this task I have learnt that it will be difficult to find the funds for making a thriller, and that I should aim to create a plot that is original and doesn’t follow the trends of a mainstream film.
In this assignment we were tasked with creating a timeline of the process of a film from the stages of conception to reception. This timeline was compiled of the headings Pre-Production, Production, Post-Production, Marketing and Exhibition/Exchange. Within the confides of each column we listed several key aspects of the specific part of the realisation of a film (e.g. marketing: Posters or Distribution: Cinema).
By conducting this research I have learnt that the production of a film is an extremely long winded and equally difficult task to complete. Because of the difficulties that producing a film involves it is very apparent that it is far easier for the big six to create a film than it is for an indie production company, this is because the big six are already well established production companies, they own the majority of the film industry market and they also have the finances to fund big budget films. The indie production companies however lack all of the qualities that I have just listed, which is why indie production companies experience difficulties when producing a film.
By completing this task I have made it easier to answer Evaluation Question 3: “What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?”, this will help me because this task has shown me the extent at which production companies must go to produce and release a film.
In this assignment our task was to watch a playlist of previous students work and to select one of the videos. This video was chosen because I felt that it was the most successful at meeting the assessment criteria.
The video that I selected and analysed was “The Butcher”. In my analysis of The Butcher I will be referring to the level ladder (see below). To view the level ladder click on it.
Holding A Steady Shot: During The Butcher the shots that are taken are very still and focused for example the low angle shot at the start of The Butcher is held very still with no movement, this implies that there is no escaping the powerful figure who is stood at the top of the stairs. All of the shots in the butcher are steady, but there is an apparent lack of movement through out the clip and it is for this reason that I don’t think that it’s an upper level 4 but I also don’t think that it is anything below a lower level 4.
Framing A Shot: In The Butcher the majority of the shots were framed to add tension and to highlight the significance and danger that is attached with the antagonist. For example at about ten seconds in there is a still shot of the victim, this is a good use of the rule of thirds and allows for the audience to focus its attention on the victim making his role obvious. I am assigning Framing A shot with lower level 4.
Variety Of Shot Distances: In The Butcher various shot distances are employed ranging from long shots to an extreme close up. For example at the end of the clip there is an extreme close up of the victims eyes as he is about to be murdered. Another example of the variety of shot distances is at the start of the clip when there is a long shot of the antagonist at the top of the stairs. Both of these shots convey different things. The extreme close up is used to illustrate the fear that the victim is experiencing, and shows that their fate is closely impending. The long shot is used to make it clear who the antagonist is. The distance between the antagonist and the camera also implies that the victim fate is close but not imminent. I am giving Variety Of Shot Distance a higher level 4.
Appropriate To Task: Throughout the entirety of The Butcher there are prevalent themes of a twisted and violent antagonist which conveys more general themes of cruelty and torture. This is portrayed very well by the antagonist and protagonist as they both play their roles very well. The antagonist seems very cold and driven due to his silence and swift movements. The protagonist (or victim)however is completely helpless and makes the audience hope for their inevitable fate (being murdered by the antagonist). It is for these reasons that I would assign the butcher a lower level 4
Mise-En-Scene Selection: The Butcher proves that the people who made it understand mise-en-scene quite well. This is clear in the choice of setting, costumes and props. For example the setting is well chosen as it really gives off feelings of being trapped and of being in grave danger, the dim lighting also adds feelings of dread. The props are simple yet effective for example on the table there is a tray that’s supporting various knives scalpels and various other sharp objects that are all neatly organised, this implies well thought planning and cared for preparation which leads the audience to believe that the antagonist is an intelligent and cold-hearted killer. From this I have decided that I would assign it with a lower level 4.
Editing For Meaning: The editing of The Butcher was very well done as all of the shots are ordered nicely so as to create a clear narrative that is simple and wont confuse the audience. The editing is done in accordance to the rules of editing such as the 180 degree rule and it also adheres to match on action. Particularly when the antagonist walks to the table that his tools are being kept on, after which it immediately cuts to the antagonist waving his hand over the selection which shows how he is pondering over which to choose. It is for these reasons that I think the butcher deserves a level lower level 4.
Shot Transactions: The shot transitions of The Butcher reflect that it belongs to the thriller genre. The transitions create a sense of impending danger and all of the transitions are ordered well and make sense for the audience. For this reason I am assigning shot transactions with a lower level 4.
Sound With Images: The sound effects used in The Butcher are synced very well with the images and narrative that the audience is exposed to. The sounds in The Butcher are simple yet effective for the purpose that they are serving for example when the antagonists face is made clear there is a crescendo of sound which shows the viewer that this is a dangerous character, this proves that the sounds matched with the images in The Butcher create a clear and understandable narrative for the viewer. I am giving Sound With Images an upper level 4.
Using Titles: The titles that are used in The Butcher are simple yet very effective, this is because they are all in serif style font and the words are rendered white. This combination of eye catching font with cold and simple colours gives the audience a sense of dread due to the titles connotations. For this I am giving Using Titles a lower level 4.
Unfortunately Vine was shut down after these videos were posted, this has led to technical difficulties impeding viewing.
I have filmed these vines to help me learn about different camera angles and how they convey emotion to the audience. This knowledge will help me when filming my thriller. The vines have also helped me understand how camera angles can make some characters appear to be vulnerable and some others to be superior.
Pan
This shot is used to show the scene and all that is going on within it.
Low shot
This shot is used to show that the character is vulnerable.
Extreme long shot
This shot is used to show that the character is isolated but important.
Tilt
This shot is used to show importance in a character and is also useful for introducing new characters.
Long shot
similarly to the extreme long shot the long shot shows importance and isolation in the character but to less of an extent than that of the extreme long shot.
For my second thriller analysis I watched the opening sequence to the film “Memento” so that I could better understand how the film grabs the attention of the audience within the first few minutes.
Techniques that I learnt from watching the opening sequence of memento was high camera angle shots to highlight that a character is vulnerable and the use of lighting to set the mood for the film.
For my first thriller analysis I watched the opening sequence to the film “The Hole” so that I could better understand how the film grabs the attention of the audience within the first few minutes.
Techniques that I learnt from watching the opening sequence of the hole was low angle shots to show vulnerability in characters, the use of sound effects to create a suitable atmosphere in accordance to the film.
As pairs we were tasked with creating a mind map that detailed the common conventions expected in a thriller film. The films that we used were Silence Of The Lambs (1991) by Jonathan Demme, and Seven (1995) by David Fincher.
The repertoire of elements that are included in the mind map are: The protagonist and antagonist, the setting, themes and iconography etc.
Click on the thumbnail bellow to view the mind map.
For this assignment I watched the first episode of the crime thriller Narcos, I did this so that I could better understand the common conventions of the thriller genre.
The plot of the first episode (the bare summary) was mostly giving backstory to the drug business of the time, the main characters and also some gunfights/busts to keep the viewers intrigued.
The main conventions that I took from watching narcos were:
Themes of violence and action
Gun fights and any other fight scenes
dangerous/exciting antagonist and protagonists
music, that conveys emotions and feelings of excitement and danger.
narration from the protagonist conveying his opinions and deepening his character
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