Questionnaire Results

Hannah and I asked 20 people our questionnaires, we asked 10 females and 10 males varying from the ages of around 15 to 45 (ish) 

We found that males mainly liked watching crime thrillers and women are more likely to watch a psychological thrillers. 

We received mainly positive comments about our opening thriller ideas; ''Your idea sounds like it will contain suspense'' was a frequent response, ''The idea sounds intriguing''. 

The main age range of people who tend to watch thrillers more we found was approximately 19-21 years of age.  

Thriller Planning

Narrative:

1.  Starts off in a dark, forest-like setting. There will be an establishing shot of the woods. There will be quick corresponding shots of the woods, and the man dragging along a large bag containing an unknown object inside. The man heading towards the ditch. There is then a forward tracking shot following the man.  
2. Cuts to a different shot of a young girl walking her dog
3. She is followed by the camera walking towards the man, shots switch between the girl and the man. She walks round the corner to see the man, he sees her, and she runs away, he follows her. 
4. The titles will then appear on a black screen. 

Props: 

 To complete the narrative we would like to do we are going to need to use props. The props we will be using is a large bag (black bin liner or old sports bag, still to be confirmed), filled with cushions or old clothes to make the bag appear to be filled with something. A ball for the dog to be playing with.  

Costume: 

The costumes will play a rather big part in our title sequence, the man will be wearing a tracksuit to show how he wants to remain a mystery. The girl will be wearing casual everyday clothes e.g jeans, hoodie, trainers, to add to the verisimilitude of the setting.

Actors: 

To complete our narrative we need three characters. A male character dragging the bag, this role is going to be carried out by Harry and we have arranged to have a back up in case he isn't avaliable - Jay. The reason we have chosen Jay or Harry is because they are often around and would be easy to get a hold of if any re-filming is needed to be completed.  The girl is going to be played by myself. We have kept our choice of actors simple and easy accessible incase something goes wrong. 

Questionaire

After we narrowed our ideas down to two, we created a questionaire to ask our peers what they thought of our ideas: 

We asked to following questions: 

• Which one sounds better?> 
• Which one do you think creates the most suspense? 
• Which one would you rather watch and why?

These are our results: 

 

We found that most people we asked generally prefered our first idea of the man dragging a bag across a dark forest setting. This created the most questions from the audiance as they wanted to know what happened. We have decided to use idea 1.

Thriller Planning Ideas

Brainstorming our ideas

Today we made a mind map to gather all our ideas together. Hannah and I came up with 4 main idea. After discussing these further we decided to pick between two of the the ideas. These ideas are: 

• A man dragging a large bag through a dark, forest-like setting, he soon sees that opposite him is a frightened looking young girl, watching what he is doing. The man then walks towards the girl before it cutting to a close up of the young girls scared face. 
•  A man sat in a messy office looking through lots of pictures before stopping on one picture and staring at it for a long time. He then puts the picture in his pocket, picks up a gun and leaves his house in a hurry. 

 The reason we chose these ideas is because we feel these ideas would create the most narrative enigma for the audience. As we have the location for these already available and basic costume that could be easily recreated if re-filming was necessary, we feel these ideas are the most simple, yet most effective.

Audience Questionnaire

Hannah and I created a questionnaire to found out who are target audience will be and what type of thriller they would like to see. Also, we wanted to find out their opinion on our thriller.

These are the questions we asked:

How old are you?

• 13-15
• 16-18
• 19-21
• 22-25
• 25-29
• 30+

Are you male or female?

• Male
• Female

How often do you watch thrillers?

• Daily
• Weekly
• Fortnightly
• Monthly
• Yearly
• Never

What is your favourite type of thriller?

• Crime
• Psychological
• Action

What is your opinion of this idea for a thriller? 

A man dragging a bag containing a mysterious object before dumping it in a wooded area. However after he dumps the bag he turns to see a teenage girl watching him. He then follows her to silence her!

Evaluation - Preliminary Task

Evaluation

Overall, I found our Preliminary task went surprisingly well. At first we struggled to work out what our narrative was going to be, then we came up with the conclusion of a confrontation between a  killer, and a girl who's relative has been harmed by the killer. We were originally going to use a normal classroom in the English block for our location, however after we started recording, we found that this was not the correct location as it didn't particularly make sense for a killer to random be in a  classroom.  We came to the conclusion that a more home-like setting would make more sense, as generally films with this narrative are usually based in a home setting. We decided to use a food technology room to make it seem like we was in a kitchen. This all adds to verisimilitude.

We all participated in the filming. The filming went well however we had to re-record some parts due to the room change and rules of continuity. After watching the footage we took in the classroom, we realised that the filming looked unsteady and unprofessional, so we decided that when we was to re-record it, we would use a tripod. The tripod made the shots looks much more steady and to a much higher standard.  We had to record the speech scenes several times so we were able to hear the characters dialogue loud and clearly.

This part particularly stood out to me. We started off with an over the shoulder shot of the girl walking into to the room where the killer is. This shot is complimented by non-diegetic 'psychedelic' music, in order to build suspense. There is then a jump cut to a close up of the girls feet, slowly walking towards the killer, still with the music. I believe this part of our preliminary task went noticeably well as it was exactly how we planned it, the music fitted well, the editing was fairly accurate, and it is simple yet effective.

We all took it in turns to edit our final product. It was rather time consuming trimming each clip to make it accurate, however once we had it made our task look much better. We also struggled to adjust the volume of the sound, however we managed to work it out. We decided to add a title sequence as we thought the practise would be very beneficial when creating our thrillers. Our title sequence was particularly good as we added some scary non-diegetic music, and had the title come on and off the screen 5 times at a fast pace. I fount that this had a very strong effect as it was not just still on the screen. It was almost preparing the audience for something to pop up and frighten them. It created tension.

I feel our preliminary task went surprisingly well, better then I thought it would have been, the narrative fit well with our choice of shots and music, however  I feel it would have been better and the narrative would have been clearly if we thought about mise-en-scene more, for example if the killer wore a more distinctive costume that demonstrates their character. I think the editing went the best, in comparison to the filming.

Final Preliminary Task

Below is our final product

Preliminary Task - Editing

Editing the Preliminary Task

In our groups, we split up into pairs, and whilst two of us started editing, the other two were searching for appropriate sounds to add to the piece, then we switched. Generally, we found the editing rather easy, however trying to sort the clips out to stick to the rule of continuity was quite time consuming. It also took us a while to sort the sound clips out and work out how to edit the volume on the editing programme. Once we added the sound to our piece, it made the piece seem much better and to a more professional standard. We also added titles to our preliminary task, as we thought this would be good practise for when we come to making our thriller title sequences. We played around with the different ways the titles could come on and off screen.

I feel that the preliminary task has helped me vastly in preparing for the thriller titles sequence as I now have a greater understanding of the editing programme e.g editing the sound, moving titles etc.

Preliminary - Filming

Filming the Preliminary 

When filming our preliminary task, we found it difficult to locate the correct room, as the setting of our footage was originally going to based in classroom, we chose to use a room which we pre-booked in the English block. However, after we started filming, we realised that this location did not particularly fit the content of our narrative. We came to the conclusion that a kitchen location would add to the verisimilitude of our narrative. As we decided to switch rooms, we chose to re-record some parts in order to stick  to the continuity of filming for example dropping the cup on the floor, if we did not re-record this part, the close up of the cup would have been on a carpet floor, and the long shot would have been a laminate floor. 

We decided to use a tripod when filming, as at first we hand held the camera, which resulted in shots that are rather unsteady shots. By using the tripod, it made our shots looks more stable and to professional standard. 

 

Preliminary Task - Plan

Preliminary Task - Plan
We were put into groups ready to begin the planning of the preliminary task. Ideas were suggested and it was eventually decided that the narrative would be about somebody confronting a killer in a room.
We drew up a storyboard to explain how each different shot in the film would be used. Below is a picture of this storyboard:

1. In the first shot, the door opens into a dark room and the background music playing is creepy to give a sense of dread. A forward tracking shot is used when the girl is entering the room. Another shot that is used is the close up of the girls hand when it has been placed on the door handle.
2. In the second shot, the girl turns the light on and is shocked to see the killer sat in the middle of the room, waiting for them. The shot of the killer will be a long shot so the audience can clearly see the killer sat in the room. There will be ambient sound when the light is switched on and there will be dramatic music playing to build up the suspense.
3. In the third shot, there is a close up of the girl walking through the door. She is carrying a cup and there is an action match of her dropping it and then seeing it hit the floor. There will be ambient sound from the noise of the cup dropping and then also the sound of her gasping as she sees the killer sat in the room.
4. In the fourth shot, the killer says to the character, "What a surprise to see you here." The killer continues to say this until the character asks in desperation, "What have you done with her?" This sequence is a shot-reverse-shot and there will be high angle and low angle shots used when it comes to the filming. There also will be music in the background. This music will be quiet but will build in tempo.    
5. In the fifth shot, the character stands by the door, shocked. The killer tells her to come over and she sits down opposite the killer. There is a backwards tracking shot as the character walks to the killer and it is also a point of view shot from the killer as the character walks towards her. The character's reluctant footsteps echo in the room as she makes her way to the killer
6. In the final shot, there is a shot-reverse-shot between the killer and the girl. When the girl is sat down, she repeats "What have you done with her?" and then the killer responds, "You'll find out soon." There is then a close up of the killer as they smile and the screen fades to black. At this point, the music is building up to a crescendo as the sequence reaches it's climax.

Mise-en-scene

- A cup, to be dropped

- A dark coat in order to make the killer look different from the girl, we are keeping the costumes simple and realistic in order to add to the verisimilitude. 

Setting

We are going to use food technology classroom. We decided to film in this location because it makes the scene look more realistic and not out of place as a kitchen is typical in an everyday scene. Originally,we was going to use a classroom, however after we started recording in there, we decided it did not seem the appropriate setting for the narrative of our task. 

The Lost Highway evaluation

The Lost Highway

The title scene starts with a fade in from a blank screen to a dark road, with the only lighting from the headlights of the car and the only image is the road markings. There is adventurous, fast and exciting non-diegetic music playing. The sound choice in a title sequence generally foreshadows what may happen in the film, as this music is adventurous and exciting it shows that the plot of the film may also be adventurous and exciting, the title sequence prepares the audience for the film. This also fits to the conventions of a thriller film as they make the audience feel excited. The fact the car is driving, with nothing else is sight other than the road marks automatically creates a sense of confusion, as there is no indication as to where the driver may be going, also the driver is driving rather fast, which may indicate that he is in a rush for some unexplained reason.The dark setting also creates anxious feelings, as anything could appear at any time. The title scene builds suspense.  After 10 seconds of just driving along the road, the titles begin, they fade in from a distance. The text colour is bright yellow which contrasts the darkness of the road. Once the titles have faded in, they pause,  rather large on the screen for around 4 second, and then fade away. The font is bold,big and simple. As the protagonist is pacing around his apartment a long take is used to demonstrate the slow paced nature of the opening scene that contains very little action. Also, the slow paced editing creates a tension build, therefore making the viewer feel on edge and anticipate upcoming events.  There is an eye line match when the bell buzzes, before there is a cut from the buzzer onto the main character creates tension and allows the audience to see the stress building within the man’s face. Another long take is used to follow the man around his apartment.

Titles: 

• Bill Pullman
• Patricia Arquette
• Balthazar Getty
• Robert Blake
• Natasha Gregson Wagner
• Richard Pryor 
• Lucy Butter
• Michael Massee
• Jack Nance

The title 'Lost Highway' creates mystery. The title does not give away much information about the plot of the thriller movie, however indicates several brief suggestions of what may occur. It also fits in the title sequence of the car driving in the dark. 

A Walk Among the Tombstone evaluation

A Walk Among the Tombstone

The film starts with a sound bridge of crime scene noises e.g people crying, sirens, fast cars etc. The screen is black with  the title 'New York City, 1991', this is just general information to help the audience understand the location and situation. The screen changes to two people, sat in the front of a car, the lighting is dark and their face are both covered by shadows, the dialogue between them suggest there is something wrong with the way officer/protagonist is doing his job. The ambient sound suggests that the plot is crime related, which sticks to the conventions of a thriller. The scene then changes to a pub, again, dark lighting, hiding the identity of the characters. There is an insert of what the protagonist purchases at the bar; a hot drink and two shots of whiskey, this may suggest he is a heavy drinker as previously he seemed as if he was working, it also may suggest police corruption as there is also an insert of his badge. The only light source is from the door, in which two men run through and shoot the bartender. This shows the general idea of what the movie is about; a protagonist of a police officer, and the antagonist of the criminals. The police officer chases after the criminals. Shot reverse shot is used when the criminals are trying to shoot the police officer, the criminals all in one shot, and the protagonist in a close up, this demonstrates his authority. The criminals are all shown to be in pain for example they are limping, some are moaning, whereas the officer was being shot at by 3/4 different criminals and he does not show any reaction. This shows he is not nervous and he is used to this type of situation, he know knows how to guard himself. There is sounds of cars, horns and guns, The criminals were wearing rather stereo typical American Gangster clothing; baggy shirts over vest tops, baggy jeans and trainers. The last criminal that is being chased ends up in dark stair way, there is a point of view shot of him struggling to run down the stairs. The protagonist stands at the top, aiming his gun towards him, A crescendo of non-diagetic mysterious music begins as he shoots the last criminal. Then a long distance, low-angle shot takes place whist the officer walks down the down the stairs, the shot highlights his role in the film, he is the powerful character his lots of control. The titles begin in the background. 'Exclusive Media Presents' and then 'Liam Nelson in A Walk Among the Tombstone'. It then fades out from him walking  down the stairs, to a woman's hair. The woman is lying down in a very white, isolated room. The colour white in this sense suggests she is dead, as it is a rather heaven like image that is shown. There is sad, piano music playing at this point. There are fast cuts of different images of this woman such as her hands and her eyes. Eventually it shows people watching over her and lying with there heads in their hands by her side. This may be essential to the plot. This happens alongside the rest of the title sequence: 

Title Evaluation  
''Exclusive Media presents..''
''in associtation with Cross Creek pictures''
''A Jersey films/double feature film productions''
''LIAM NEESON in....''
''A Walk Among the Tombstone'' 

•  Adam David Thompson
• Dan Stevens
• David Labour
• Olafur DarrI Olafuson
• Boyd Holbrok
• Brian Bradley
• Mark Consuelos
• Sebastian Roche
• Laure Birn
• Casting by Auy Kaufran CSA
• Costume by Betsy Heiman
• Music by Carlos Rifael Rilera
• Edited by Jill Savitt A.C.E
• Production Design by David Brisbin
• Director of Photography: Mihai Malaimare JR

Produced by

• Danny Devito
• Michael Stamberg
• Stacey Sher
• Brian Oliver
• Tobin Armbrust 

The first titles fade in and out which fits well with the calm music as he walks down the steps. The first title is at the top of screen, and when the name of film appears, it is larger and in the centre of the screen obviously showing the significance of this title in comparison to the others. The words are positioned in a rather strange way, the words are all placed on top of eachother (image below).  The choice of putting Liam Neeson name in capital letters is also significant as he is a very famous actor for this particular genre so it emphasis it.  After, the shot changes to a woman lying down, the other titles appear during this in different position on the screen, the shots of women are slow and like before the titles fade in and out.

Fright Night evaluation

Fright Night

The title sequence starts with fast, mysterious, adventurous music, it gets deeper after a few seconds. Then it shows the typical 'Dreamworks' start, however the editor manipulates the idea of the clouds in order the create a storm. The clouds are very dull, grey and dark in juxtaposition with the usual 'Dreamworks' starts, where the clouds are bright and fluffy. There is ambient sound of thunder and flashes of lightening. This automatically creates a sense of disjoint. Once travelled through the clouds, there is an isolated village, surrounded by fields. There is a high angle, long take shot of the village, slowly getting closer. There is then a jump cut to a long angle shot of a rather nice, modern looking house, The camera then pans to get a full view of the house. There is a sound bridge when outside of the house, firstly sounding like a angry man, however once you are able to see inside the house, we see it is the television. This builds tension. In the living room of the house it is rather dark, the television is on rather loud and there is a dog stood on the coffee table eating pizza. As this is a thriller and comedy this fits well as the sound bridge creates the idea that something frightening is about to happen as we view inside the house, however there is a dog eating pizza out the box, which is rather comical. The dog starts breathing heavily and jumps off the sofa as if it had heard something. We are shown from a handheld camera shot around the dark house, the camera moves towards the door of a bedroom, which is the only light we see at this point. The darkness creates tension and confusion. All of sudden there is a scream, and a change in music, The music sounds like a deep, fast heartbeat. The man who screamed hid under a bed. Only hearing his heartbeat and loud breathes. There is an insert of the creature hand. The insert shows the audience that the creature that is attacking him is not human. This also fits under the conventions of a thriller as it contains super natural events. and suspense, and the audience feel anxious, There is a crescendo then all of sudden the man gets dragged off the shot. We see a quick low angle shot of the creature. The use of the low angle shot shows the creature is frightening and in control at this point

The music completely changes, into a happy, country song. Whist the scene fades in to a satellite image of the village. There is then a jump cut to outside a house, with children playing, and people walking past. This shows a normal a village, as if nothing has just happened. The lightening is bright and cheerful.  
The titles choice 'Fright Night' instantly suggests something frightening happens during the film. The plosive sound of 'F' and 'N' creates an instant sense that something bad is going to happen quickly, and this foreshadows what actually happens.

Cast

• Anton Yelchin
• Collin Farrell
• Toni Collette
• David Tennant 
• Imegon Poots
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse
• Dave Franco
• Reid Ewing
• Will Denton
• Sandra Vergara
• Grace Phipps
• Chelsea Tavares
• Lisa Loeb

Directed by Craig Gillespie 

Story by Tom Holland

Editing by Marti Noxon