Ben Le Tocq (Media AS)

For this task we had to review some students previous thriller opening sequence. I chose to use ‘Replicate’ which was made two years ago.

Holding a shot steady

This was clearly shown as both moving and steady shots were presented clearly using a different range of focuses. It fits well with the crawling through the brushes.

Framing a Shot

A wide range of composition was used during the opening of this short clip. For example, the use of close ups and low angle shots. This links in well with the lighting and the background sounds when setting the scene.

Variety of Shot Distances

There was a complete range of shot distances used including cuts to action and jump cuts to show the movement of the antagonist approaching the victim. This is shown when the antagonist is closing in.

Appropriate to Task

I feel that this opening clip represents many conventional features that reflect the genre (thriller). I can see this as the actors are well directed and sustain a good role throughout the thriller opening.

MISE-EN-SCENE

There is clear and coherent design choices for this genre and this links in well with the good choice of setting. The costumes round off the area of Mise-en-Scene as they capture the idea of terror through rips in their clothing, and I also gain an idea that the protagonist was rushed to get dressed or even forced due to time.

Editing for meaning

This is one of the main areas where I feel that this opening of a thriller excelled. I believe that there was a complete narrative sense, excellent visual, rhythmic space and time relationships. The bond between spacing and visual is clearly highlighted through precise editing and cutting of the clips. A good example would be a smooth change in camera angles in the opening scene.

Short Transitions

These transitions are in logical order and are well selected representing the genre, moods and themes. A good example for this is the consistent use of the same sound which created the same mood expected from this genre. It also uses the traditional aspect of suspense which is found in most thrillers.

Sound with Images

The sounds are very strong, in sync with the chosen scene, they also reflect narrative events and rhythm very well. There is a good element of precision throughout. This can be represented by the heavy breathing of the protagonist during her escape.

Using Titles

The titles are conventional and effective, this presented a good sense of professionalism, therefore they echo the genre well. Some titles have been cleverly linked with the changing of a scene or have been included in a dramatic change. For example, swapping from the Protagonist to the Antagonist.

 

 

 

To understand the difference in production and distribution by conglomerates and independent filmmakers, I have also produced a case study of Spectre. Here, I have explored the production technologies and practices used by conglomerates, which has helped me notice the how they vary from methods used my indie producers.  It is clear to see that the larger conglomerates have spent their budget on mass distribution and top of the range production technologies.

Please click on the posters to view my work on the production and distribution of Spectre.

I have looked at the production and distribution methods used by independent films, using Locke and The Messenger as case studies. I have explored the ways in which these films were produced, including the budget, production technologies, and filming locations. In terms of distribution, I have explored the target audience, festival screenings, and release patterns. This research will help with the production of my thriller as we will be producing our films in similar ways, and if this were industry we would be distributing the films in similar ways as well.

Please click the posters below to view my work on the production and distribution of the films.

In pairs we made posters showing the timeline of a film from conception to reception, divided into five sections; production, post-production, distribution, marketing and exhibition/exchange. My partner was Harry and In each section we listed the different roles in each stage connected to the Life of a Film. As well as the different jobs, we also included different methods of marketing and distribution to get a better understanding of how a film reaches its audience.

From this task I have learnt what is involved within the life of a Film, there is many more jobs that I first imagined. By doing this task I now understand what is expected and how there are many things have to be done to get a film from conception to reception. This task will help me to produce my thriller as I know more about the task and it will also help me when answering evaluation question 3.

Close analysis of professional thriller 2 

I watched the opening sequence of ‘Shutter Island’ (2010) Scorsese. From this task I gained a better understanding of how important an opening sequence is as well as the precision and skilled editing that goes along with it. The opening sequence sets the tone for the film and in this case gave us an idea about possible future events. There are a couple of elements from this sequence that I hope to use in my thriller such as low key lighting and camera rolls. Although camera rolls may be unsuccessful it could be worth trying. A variation in lighting helps to add effects and tension to a scene, it also enhances some scenes where capturing the correct shot is difficult.

Please Click on the poster to view my analysis of this opening sequence.

This task was to allow us to gain an in-depth idea of how a thriller uses a large variety of techniques to create an effective product. After watching the opening sequence of thriller film The Hole I analysed the features used to get to grips with a conventional thriller and what it contains. I noted down both macro and micro features I saw and analysed their individual effect they created. This has helped me gain understanding of how different camera, sound, and editing techniques can be used to create meaning, and has also informed me that mise-en-scene is common to thrillers.

From doing this task I have learnt the key differences between marco and micro features and how to create a balance between these features. This task has given me an idea of what to do for our opening sequence and has also given me confidence when having to film my thriller and edit it. By doing this task it has given me an insight to the genre and a good base of what our opening sequence has to fit in with.

The Guvnors

To understand the conventional aspect of a thriller film I created a mind map that contains the various elements that are typical for the thriller genre. I used the trailer of the Guvnors trailer  to help me analysis the ways in which traditional aspects of a thriller work. Also this allowed me to gain ideas to use in my thriller opening I produce in the future. This task was useful because it broadened my knowledge and ideas as to what a conventional thriller contained. From this task I was able to understand more key words and explain them in depth.

The Guvnors

Summary:

The Guvnors is a violent thriller set amongst the clans and firms of South East London, bringing two generations together in brutal conflict. Starring Doug Allen and Harley Sylvester. The Guvnors is both love letter and hate mail to the alpha male. This story’s alpha is Mitch who lives buried in suburban London, having turned his back on his previous life of casual violence and intimidation as part of a legendary South East London firm. In the modern day he’s the doyen of respectability and quiet confidence, but Mitch used to be a Guv’nor. This film holds a mirror up to Mitch and shows him the monster once again, buried deep in both DNA and psyche, desperate to break out and wreak havoc.

This film uses many thriller techniques such as:

• Lack of sound for tension and suspense.
• Dark lighting which connotes the negative events.
• Viewpoints from both the protagonist and antagonists.
• A dead body due to the idea that thrillers are usually based on crime and mystery.
• Fights to show dominance and authority.
• Close up shots, this was often to show the emphasis on certain objects to signify their importance.

Kit Hannah, Kirsty Standring and I used a variety of camera angles in a short passage featuring Kristian Guillou and Joely Culverwell.

The brief for the preliminary task is:

“A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.”

This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.”

• I have used the following camera techniques: match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
• I used these techniques to create a sense of conversation between two individuals and build tension as if time is running out. This also allowed me to follow a character in shot.
• I have learnt to use the following continuity editing rules, match on action and attempted the 180-degree rule.
• I used these rules to create a smooth film that made logical sense, for example sudden jump cuts between different shots of one of the characters passing through a door was smoothed out by using a serious of different shots cut in to one another which establishes a smooth transition of time. The idea of the 180-degree rule is to only film characters in shot from one side so there relative positions in shot do not change between cuts, unfortunately we failed to present this rule as seen in our film.
• I have learnt to use the following tools/techniques in Premiere Pro, Import, Select, Razor, Drag Heading, Expand and Set in/out.
• I used these tools to to place my recorded clips into the editing suite and the project panel, select and move my clips into the timeline, cut clips, move clips around in the timeline, zoom in and out on the timeline to cut clips with accuracy and to cut selections of clips to be placed into the timeline in the source monitor.
• If I was to do this project again I would do some things differently, firstly I would ensure I follow the 180-degree rule correctly to ensure each character in frame stays in the same position on screen despite a changed angle, to achieve this I will only film on one side of the characters I am filming, as if there is a line between them that I cannot cross. Finally, I will ensure I film each shot that I need multiple times to improve the professionalism of my match on action and so that the cutting of clips is easy and there is more variety of shots.

 

Harry Bushby, Kristian Guillou and I experimented with different camera angles to help us learn and develop our techniques with a view on improving before filming our thriller. This task was important part of preparation having learnt about different camera angles. I now feel confident and will be able to use lots of different angles which benefit my thriller. Possible examples that could be used in the future:

Close ups: This is a very effective shot to show expression and the feelings of the actor.

The atmosphere: Very generic, however also another effective shot to use in our thriller because you can often establish the mood of the scene.

High angle shots: To give a different perspective of the scene, to add tension and shows the impact of the current environment.