During this task, I learnt about things which happen behind the camera in a big budget film. Here I found out about all the different roles needed and various production patterns. You can see the research I found out about the production and distribution of ‘Spectre’ by clicking the pictures shown above. The main difference between a conglomerate and indie is the budget. A conglomerate film has a much bigger budget than an indie film and therefore this is the reason they tend to have a better USP (unique selling point) like a famous actor/ director.
In my opinion, I think this task will be very useful in the future because it has taught me what actually goes on behind the scenes in smaller production films. Please click on the pictures above to find the work I have researched about the production and distribution of the films ‘Locke’ and ‘The Messenger’. The main difference between a conglomerate and indie is the budget. A conglomerate film has a much bigger budget than an indie film and therefore this is the reason they tend to have a better USP (unique selling point) like a famous actor/ director.
Please click on the Level Ladder above to view it bigger.
Holding A Shot Steady: Steady shots are used throughout this thriller clip, indicating that a tripod was probably used to film the majority of this. The only unsteady shots are done intentionally when the girl is running, this is to show us her POV and therefore we can almost experience what she is doing.
Framing A Shot: All the shots used seemed to be well though out and so in each frame we are only shown things which are necessary. A lot of the clips at the beginning are close- ups of the girls face, this adds to the tension we feel as we, as the viewer want to know her location.
Variety Of Shot Distances: A wide variety of shots are used throughout this opening sequence. For example we can see at the beginning that close-ups and a couple of extreme close-ups are used to display the girls emotion. However as the story continues the camera moves to long and medium shots, this allows us to discover the surroundings.
Appropriate To Task: This thriller seems to be appropriate to task and therefore represents many aspects of a conventional thriller. One thing that shows this is that they show both the protagonist and the antagonist, by showing us these people we can immediately try to write the story in our heads.
Mise-En-Scene: The costume that has been used for the protagonist seems to be ripped and distressed, this immediately informs us that she is the victim of this situation. Much like any other thriller, the protagonist starts off as the weaker character and then they start to gain more power. Next, we see the costume of the antagonist, he seems to be wearing quite a smart, formal suit. This shows us that he has a lot of power and therefore he is more superior than the other character. Low lighting is used in the beginning to add a sense of tension and suspense.
Editing For Meaning: During this clip the camera seems to edge closer to the antagonist as it progresses, each time we see him the camera appears to have moved closer. This allows us to identify that the antagonist is quickly catching up to the protagonist.
Shot Transitions: The transitions seem to be quite fluent as we follow the girls journey away from her captor. This allows us to not become confused by any sudden jumps and we almost feel like we are physically following her.
Sound With Images: Dramatic non- diegetic music is used throughout the entire opening sequence. This music almost sounds like a fast heart beat, therefore we can perhaps link this to the girl and her fear. Another sound we hear is the diegetic noise of the characters heavy breathing, here we can once again relate this to her fear and so this adds to the tension we feel.
Using Titles: At the beginning bold white writing is used, this gradually appears across the screen. The use of this dramatic writing is where suspense is initially created in this clip. However, as we continue through we see the titles become quite small, they are also in white because of this they become harder to read and therefore we tend to miss them as they appear on screen.
I would personally give this piece of work a level 4.
From this task I have learnt that it is very important to include a range of different shots in my thriller and that it is also necessary to get things like mise-en-scene and steady shots right.
Here we created a timeline that displays a films production from conception to reception. It contains the five different stages of a film, these are:
Production
Post Production
Distribution
Marketing
Exhibition and Exchange
I think this will help me later on when making my own thriller as it will inform me of the different people/ jobs needed at each stage of production, therefore this will make me more organised at deciding what aspects of the film need to be done and when. This task also helped us to understand the distribution stage in a lot more depth, and therefore this will help us to answer Evaluation Question 3 in the future.
In this task we had to analysis the beginning sequence to a particular thriller film, I decided to chose Shutter Island. From this task I learnt that a low lit setting immediately adds to the dramatic tension a viewer feels while watching a film.
Please click on the image to view my analysis of Shutter Island.
In this task I chose to watch the trailer to the films The purge: anarchy and Dawn Of The Dead. By making my mind map I feel like I know the conventions a lot better and therefore I can refer back to this mind map in the future as a useful resource (for example when I make my own thriller).
In this task we had to analyse the opening scene for The Hole (2001) Hamm. In this we had to talk about the narrative, character types, themes, mise-en-scene, camera and lighting, editing and titles and finally sound. From this task I learnt that from the beginning the narrative has to be slightly revealed for the viewer to become immediately interested. I also learnt that tension has to be built from the beginning as well, this is because this will drag the viewer in and they will therefore continue watching to find out what will happen.
Please click on the image to view the document of my analysis.
In this task we got to learn how to handle the camera and how to edit the footage we shot.
I have used the following camera techniques: Mid shot, Extreme close up, Long shot, Low angle and a POV shot.
I used these techniques to create a sense of/that: The viewer is actually there, they are able to view the characters from most directions and therefore this gives them a sense that they are there.
I have learnt to use the following continuity editing rules: Some of the rules I used was the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot.
I used these rules to: Make the viewer feel as if they are there, as they can see exactly what the actor is doing. This also allows them not to become confused as they are staying on the same side of the actors.
I have learnt to use the following tools/techniques in Premiere Pro: The razor tool.
I used these tools to: Cut the video up and therefore this helped the clips to have continuity to them.
If I was to do this project again I would do some things differently: The things I would do differently is that I would allow my self more time to film the clips. I would probably incorporate a few more different shots to make the scene more dramatic.
From this I learnt how to carry out the above shots mentioned and also how to edit in a particular way, so the shots make much more narrative/ logical sense. By doing this the viewer will be able to understand the plot more and therefore will be able to link particular props and scenes to particular characters. Due to this task, I will be able to use these techniques in my thriller in order to make it as interesting and professional as possible.
The thriller film that I watched was ‘The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials’.
In this film we get to see a group of teenagers (The Gladers) try to succeed in a major escape, after they unveil the truth about what their corporation are doing/ planning to do. The truth that the teens uncover inform them that this corporation is draining them of their unique talents of survival to help cure an out break of a disease (The Flare). However, after they succeed in their escape they come face to face with a number of obstacles which makes their journey for help a lot harder. One of these obstacles is the disease previously mentioned. This dangerous disease has become universal in the outside world and therefore is taking over. Although, when they finally overcome these challenges they meet a group called ‘The Right Hand’ they join them and together they fight WCKD to demolish their plan.
5 things that I saw in this film that are usually shown in thriller films are:
The theme involved the main character facing a quest.
A stormy night is shown towards the end of the film.
There are opposing teams who are fighting against each other.
There are innocent victims
Dark alleys/ buildings are shown throughout the film
From this I was taught that there are particular aspects of thriller films that are actually expected and are necessary. I learnt that in order to make a film known as a thriller you need to include these elements to indicate the genre. Moreover, in the future I will in fact be able to use this task to my advantage and remember what was needed to make my opening sequence a proper thriller.
Recent Comments