StoryBoard

We created a storyboard for our opening sequence so we know what shots we are going to use, when they will be used, their timing and what type of shot it will be.  This was a rough idea of what our opening sequence would include and was liable to change due to a change of our ideas and the location used.

Sound

This sound could be used whilst the door of the garage is being opened to reveal the murderer.  It could also be used when point of view shots are being used from the victims view, causing the audience to be panicked as the victim is.  This would show that the victim is scared and starting to panic.



This sound could be used throughout the opening to create tension within the audience as they watch the clip.  This sound would fit will with out opening sequence as it will make the audience worried, similar to how the victim will be feeling at that time.

Theses sounds are all copyright free, and I received them from the Freesound website.

Shot Lists

[We chose to use a close-up of Nicole's eyes; this is to show her panic when she believes that someone might be following her.  We chose a close-up because it shows the majority of her face, and doesn't give away too much of her identity, causing the audience to ask questions.]  [We used an extreme close-up of Nicole's fingers to show her multi-coloured fingernails.  This suggests that she is sweet and innocent, which in our film she is.]  [For the shot of Nicole's tied up feet, we decided to use a close-up.  This is because it shows that she is trapped, and cannot get away from where she is.]  [We also used a close-up to show Nicole's hands, which are tied together.  This is because it shows that she is trapped, and cannot get away from where she is.]

[This POV shot shows the killer looking at his hands, thinking back on what he has done, or what he might be about to do.  This shot shows one side of the killer's personality, while others show the other, evil, not bothered emotion.] [This is a close up of the murderer tapping his/her fingers, watching their victim from a distance.  This creates tenstion within the audiencem, making them ask questions about the murderer.  The tapping is very sinistar, and affects the heartbeat of the audience, causing it to speed up or slow down.] [This shot shows the killer pinning photos onto a wall, these could be either people he has already murdered, or his next victim.  The people he has murdered will have red crosses through them, to show they have been killed, and that they are being murdered one by one.  This creates an eerie atmosphere for the audience and makes us worry about the victim tied up.] [This mid-shot of the killer’s feet, shows him/her tapping their feet waiting for a specific moment in time. This creates tension and mystery, and also hides the characters identity.  The audience are left asking questions, e.g. where is (s)he? Who are they?]

'A Child's Nightmare' - A Synopsis of Our Film

The Film Synopsis on Prezi

Our Film Ideas

Audience Research 2

From our questionnaire, we know that our target audience is going to be aged between 16 and 21, as the majority of the people who responded to the questionnaire are aged within this range, therefore this would be most effective for that age group.

This question in the questionnaire confirms which type of thriller our answers perfered, from this was know that the majority of them prefer Psycological thrillers to Super Natural thrillers, 

so our opening sequence could be based on this.

This question helps us to decide what to include in the opening sequence, and also what/how they want to feel after watching it.

Audience Research 1

This is a blank copy of the questionnaire we created about our Genre for our Opening Sequence

 Genre Questionnaire

1.    Gender? (please circle)

a.    Male           

b.    Female

2.    How old are you?

a.    16-21

b.    22-30

c.    31-36

d.    37-45

e.    46+

3.    What is your preferred genre?

a.    Thriller/Horror

b.    Action Adventure

c.    Sci-fi

d.    Comedy

4.    What would you like the opening sequence to do?

a.    Draw you in?

b.    Be relaxing?

5.    Which type of thriller do you prefer?

a.    Psychological Thriller (Scream/The Shining)

b.    Super Natural (28 Days Later)

6.    Which would you prefer the opening sequence of a film to be?

a.    Fast and Exhilarating

b.    Slow and Dramatic

7.    Which type of music would you prefer?

a.    Deep and Ominous

b.    High pitched and Chilling

8.    Which would you prefer an opening sequence to create?

a.    Mystery

b.    Tension

Location Research

These are some photos of various locations which are suitable for our Sci-Fi/Thriller opening sequence

This area is very dark during the night, even with the street lamp.  It is deserted which suggests that people to no visit it often, and also there are over grown weeds on either side of the alley.  This suggests that the area is not very well looked after and that people are not bothered about it being there, or about what happens there.  It is fairly local which is an upside as it is easy to find, and get to.

This area is also run down, and not well looked after.  The litter suggests that people visit it more then the alley, however the beaten up, old garage is perfect for a Sci-Fi?Thriller as it is old looking, and creepy.

This image is good for a Sci-Fi/Thriller as it very well isolated.  It is surrounded by trees, bushes and fences which shows that no-one will see what happens there.  The fact that it is over grown shows that no-one cares about it, they do not know what happens there and also it is not visited often as it has not been kept in 'shape'.

Conventions of Our Genre

Conventions of our Genre; Sci-Fi/Thriller on Prezi

Genre 2

28 Days Later Analysis

The first few shots used, show a riot.  The fast pace and hand held camera shows panic and anger.  Background music and voice over is heard during this, these words are muffled which suggest that the riots are being recorded.  Also, the constant lines on the screen suggests that the clip is being recorded from another TV as this only happens then.

This shot continues to show the anger and panic of the characters that are involved with the riots.

This is the first shot we see of the monkey.  It is a mid shot and shows him/her watching the riots on different screens.  As an audience we are sympathetic for the monkey as (s)he is being forced to concentrate on something.

A pan is then used to view another camera, in this we see three masked characters who look like robbers.  We know they are in the same place as the monkey and the audience start to question whether they are there the help the monkey, or if they are going to make the problems worse for him/her.

The monkey banging on the side of the cage shows anger and stress.  This could have been caused by the flashes used by one of the 'masked' characters.  We feel sorry for this monkey as (s)he is trapped.

This female characters face is sad.  This suggests that her character is also sympathetic for the monkey and confirms that they are there the help them, instead of hurting them.  As an audience we now believe that these characters are all good and are vital in the film, as well as the monkey, due to the screen time that each has.

 This mid-shot shows a point of view shot of the monkey.  From this we know (s)he is panicked as the camera uses a fast crab to view the different screens.  As an audience we are sympathetic for the monkey as we do not know why (s)he is there, or if something is going to happen.

Genre 1

What Titles?

The opening titles tell the audience some of the actors and distribution companies involved throughout the film.  They also mention the designers etc.

For example, in the film The Sixth Sense, the first title shown is 'Hollywood Pictures' which is the distribution companies logo.  The logo is in the centre of the frame, and fades in as well as fading out.

After this, 'Spyglass Entertainment' is presented to the audience.  This is another distribution company which is also in the centre of the frame.  It starts with an extreme close-up of the 'Spyglass' and then zooms out to reveal the entire logo.

These distribution companies are then repeated in writing, they fade in from top to bottom and have a bold, serif writing font.  They are white against a black background and fade out at the end.

It then follows by showing the production company.

The first actors name we see is 'Bruce Willis' which shows that he is the main character.  It is placed in the centre of the frame.

We are shown the title of the film after the first actor, this also stresses that this actor plays the main character in the film.  It is in the centre of the frame and also introduced with a musical change.

The next actors name used, 'Toni Collette' suggests that this person plays the next most important person in the film.  And also for the following 3 actors.

The doubled up cast, shows that these are supporting cast.  They are important to the film but not as important as the other characters.

The clip then introduces the people behind the scenes.  They start in order that they are heard or seen, for example, we find out the actors names first so therefore the person who did the casting for the film is shown first, we then hear the music and see some editing.

What does a title sequence look like? Conventions?

The Spiderwick Chronicles Analysis

Films
Bridget Jones's Diary (Rom-Com)
Sixth Sense (Thriller)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (Adventure)

Similarities
• Both Thriller and Adventure use low key lighting which represents danger
• Adventure and Thriller create the sense of mystery
• The titles represent the themes of each film well
• The music in the Thriller and Adventure create tension causing the audience to feel unsettled

Differences
• Rom-Com had the slowest editing.
• Rom-Com had high key lighting, whereas Thriller and Adventure had low key lighting
• Rom-Com was light hearted whereas Adventure was dark
• Rom-Com used popular music unlike the Thriller and Adventure

Bridget Jones's Diary Analysis

 

Similarities and Differences Between a Thriller and Rom-Com

Film	Similarities	Differences
Bridget Jones's Diary (Rom-Com) Sixth Sense (Thriller)	·      Titles ·      Music ·      Distributing and Production Company logo ·      Interest the audience into wanting to watch the film ·      Neither reveal too much info ·      Both introduce the main character ·      Both establish the setting	·      Music is comical in Rom-Com but serious in thriller ·      More colourful in Rom-Com ·      Immediate introduction of characters in Rom-Com ·      Low key lighting in Thriller, high key in Rom-Com ·      Rom-Com uses pop songs whereas thriller uses orchestral pieces ·      Different target audience – change of set ·      Different character age for different genres and target audience ·      Less tense through music choice and editing (Rom-Com) ·      Not so many close-ups in Rom-Com