Opening Scene Narration -Ms G

Before making the opening scene for my thriller. It is very important to use some generic conventions towards thriller films as a baseline for what to include within my thriller, more importantly; the opening scene.

By stating "using generic conventions as a baseline for what to include". This is simply following a simliar structure and pattern of what thriller films include within their narrative and plan that even make up the narrative in the first place.
The reason why this appears to be a baseline and is also a generic convention towards all thrillers is because we will always be using some form of every mirco-element.
An example of one element called Iconography that will be included in our thriller will be the main character, a mid-shot focuses on him while he is holding a knife. This follows the generic convention of iconography used in thrillers as it involves including the use of at least one weapon (prop) at some point within the film.
Even a harmless kitchen utensil can be presented as a deadly weapon, this can give the feeling for the character that not even his own home is safe if even a simple utensil can now be turned into a lethal weapon that the killer may easily gain possession of.

Back to defining and explaining the opening scene for my thriller.
Before introducing the audience to the scene, an establishing shot will be required to give information and details to the audience where the whole scene is taking place first.
This is done simply by placing a camera outside the current location (Being a house) and fixing it in a static position by placing it on a tripod. The camera is then set to zoom in slowly and then editing will be used to insert a fade to black to give the illusion that the camera has now entered the house and then will cross cut to our first scene. (However the use of the fade to black transition will make the quick cross cut appear much smoother)

Establishing shot which shows the outside of the house, zooms in slowly after a few seconds delay...

...Which then cross-cuts to the new scene which is now inside the house.

A fade to black and then a fade from black will be used as a transition effect between the change of scenes.

Now following after the fade from black and the first scene inside the house which focuses on a door within a dark corridoor, this is where we present our main character of the film, who will simply open the door and walk into the home.

To the audience, how the lighting illuminates the corridoor and also the back of the main character, can present that he plays a major role within the film. This is also supported by how there is also a slight shadow that covers the front of him, which masks some of his appearance and can only discover more of the character by resuming to watch.

After the character walks a short distance after entering the house, a quick straight-cut is used and a small scene of a camera being dropped onto the floor with a grayscale filter used.

To the audience, the filter effect of the grayscale filter can imply this may be resorting to a memory or incident of the past, or more specifically, can start to raise questions if this relates to the current characters information. By using a camera, it should give the impression to the audience that the character has been involved with photography linked work. However at the same time, non-digestic sound in the form of a distant and eerie howl is applied as the camera is dropped at the start of the small scene, which then can leave audiences to question that the character may have experienced negative or frighting things during a possible photography carrer as the action of dropping an item can be caused by pure shock or frightened by something severely.

After the quick camera dropping scene, it fades to black and then fades out from black and resuming the current scene back inside the house, where the main character is walking but is now in the frontroom, with the camera facing the character's back.

As the character is walking, once again, after a few steps of walking the scene appears to change. However, rather than a straight-cut into another scene; a small scene of the character overlaps half of the screen where he appears to be sitting down and rocking.

But once again, this contains a greyscale filter, but with an added strobe light effect. This can one again imply to the audience this is a bad experience or memory, with the added effect of the strobe light effect though, it makes it seem as more of a faint memory than a "soild" memory such as the camera dropping scene where the screen does not flash within that scene.

Planning the shoot of my Thriller film - Miss Begum

Cinematography planning

Cinematography is important within films because it in a sense, sets the mood and prepares for what action ahead may take place within the scene, or can be used to mislead the audience into thinking what may happen next, does not actually happen.
One example of such a situation can include where a close up is used and focused on a door after a off-screen sound of someone knocking on the door is heard.
This then makes us believe that someone is at the door or is about to enter through the door, this is one way cinematography can present a narrative to us as well as allow us to see what is happening within a scene.
An example demonstrating where a long shot can be used can be where it allows the audience to see both the character and the room he is within, while still maintaining a fixed/static position.

Some of the conventional uses of cinematography in thrillers and what will also be included within our cinematography plans consists of the following;

Close ups: To help capture the facial expressions of the characters reaction to a certain point in a scene and to help display it more clearer to the audience to allow them to greater understand what the character is feeling as they experience the current moment unfolding in the scene.

Establishing shot: This will allow the audience to understand where the following scene will be taking place and can also allow the audience to get a rough idea of what may occur or what to expect within the scene if they survey the surroundings ontop of the point of focus which will be the location used. This can be linked with mise en scene as any iconography and settings that are in place (backdrops, etc) can ethier help the audience identify the general setting of the following scene, or can hinder them. Which can also be reffered to as misleading them into making them believe it is a completely different setting to what the following scene will include. A certain scene in the film "Kill Bill" has a perfect example of this;
Reference footage (Kill Bill)


Long shots and Mid-Shots: These types of shots will allow the audience to get a wide and good field of vision in terms of both seeing the character and certain aspects of mise en scene within the scene. (Iconography such as a weapon just in the distance behind the character, etc)
Long shots involve a greater distance than mid-shots, and these offer a greater field of vision, generally used to display a character walking around a room with the camera fixed in a certain postion that allows the audience to see both the entire room and the character exploring within it.
A mid-shot however zooms in closer on the character in general, allowing the audience to pick up more details of the character rather than the setting of the scene, but at the same time it is still included within the shot. The audience at this point may start to notice certain features or elements of the character, such as clothing used and body language.

Editing Planning

Editing is important in films because it can set the pace of a movie, for example; fast paced editing usually consists of a lot of cuts within a short period of time making the movie seem more fast paced, usually used in chase scenes in a thriller.

Some conventional uses of editing within thrillers usually include of;
- Fade to black; Usually consisting of a scene which then fades slowly to black, mostly after a main part of a scene has taken place, or to show the transistion from one day to the next, most likely included to be with a subtitle (On the next day...)
- Slow paced editing; Used within moments to build up slow suspense by using only a small amount of cuts, with mostly a longer time focusing on certain shots, for example, close up shots to display the characters emotion during the high suspensive moments within a thriller film scene before it then cuts and changes the shot.
- Fast paced editing; This is used within certain moments within a scene that act as a "quick burst" of events, consisting of many straight cuts and possible cross cuts if it involves two seperate characters in different scenes.
One example of using a cross cut with fast paced editing can be an employer is late for work, the camera cross cuts from the employer looking at his watch, to then the boss in his office looking at his clock, then back to the employer rushing out of the house.

While on the other hand, an example of fast paced editing consisting of straight cuts can include a use of an off-screen sound, where someone appears to be knocking on the door late at night, the camera focuses on the door as the noise of the knocking is played. Once the noise has finished, it then cuts to a close up of the character inside the house, displaying his/her expressions to the audience, which then cuts back to a mid shot where the characters back is facing the camera but the door is also in focus infront of the character, giving us; the audience, that the character is nervous on what to do in terms of answering the door or to ignore it.

Sound Planning

Sound is an important use in films because it is a mirco element that both adds and provides an atmosphere to a scene.

An example of using sound while following a generic thriller conention can include adding non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack which has a slow, tension building pace to it which is being used within a scene where a killer is slowly approaching to where the victim is hiding.

Another example of sound in use of a generic thriller can include using off-screen in a scene where a killer is approaching a victim. This can be heard in the form of footsteps being heard in the distance outside the current room the victim is in. Where the character (victim) stares at the door, in which the camera also cuts to a first person perspective view of a close up of the door in which the footsteps are played and increases in volume gradually, giving the impression that the possible killer is approaching the door and coming ever more closer to his victim. thus building slow tension in the process as it leaves the audience to question if the killer is toying with his victim, if the killer may approach the door but then turn away, or if the killer will go from a very slow paced walk to a run and rush straight into the room.

Opening credits and Typography - Miss Begum

What are opening credits?
Opening credits are a series of text, usually presented at the start and widely used in video games, television programs, but the one we are mostly focusing on is the movie industry or motion picture (movies/films).

The opening credits include members of the production, crew and cast. Usually they present the most important roles at the start of the opening credits, mostly well known actors, and then the producers, then director, etc, opening credits are sometimes included with music added in.

Their impact on the audience is varied, depending on both the genre of the movie, and the use of typography (Which i will explain further down). Typography both effects the use and way to represent the text to the audience, and in turn, should achieve a certain effect from the audience as well.

An example of how opening credits are used within motion pictures, Here is an example from "Se7en"'s opening credits:


- As mentioned earlier, the opening credits mostly follow a sequence of importance in terms of who is presented first from the production crew, For example; Once the production group name has been presented, It shows first the storyline writer's name, and a well known actor "Brad Pitt"
- The opening credits in Se7en are mixed in terms of both using a black screen with text, and then some parts where the opening credits are shown while the clip is still going, IE where the person is turning the pages of a book, the credits appear on clip showing more names of the cast while the scene is still moving.

Typography
Now we come to the topic of Typography, Typography is the art and usage of different ways to present text; which is then in turn used as opening credits within in example, our thriller movie we are producing.
By mentioning "different ways to present text", this is reffering to using for example;
- Different colours

- Size

- Font style

- Other variables

All of these different styles and ways to present them are not just used to generally make the opening credits look nicer and more suited towards the film it is being used in, but also to try to get certain effects from the audience.
An example of how opening credits may be used within a conventional thriller, within our thriller we are producing; here is an example of one of our scenes with opening credits included onto the clip.

Within this example, We are trying to achieve the effects of causing curiosity and slow-building suspense by presenting the opening credits one by one and by using the colour white, making the opening credits stand out from the dark edges/parts of the scene.
We have also used the font style of "Chiller", which suits the genre of thrillers, typically used with the colour red, it can be seen like the text has been written out or made from blood. But instead in this example, we have used white to give it a sort of ghostly appearance.
In terms of its size, we have made it just so that it is too large to cover up important view points of the scene (blocking out certain iconography within the scenes) and not too small that it cannot be seen.

Pre-Production Paperwork - Miss Begum

Pre-production paperwork is a set of documents, and guidelines which must be both produced, created, and handed out accordingly to the production team and cast. Not only providing set guidelines to follow for the production crew, they also provide both information and accessother factors such as possible risks and dangers prior to the location of filming (which is also a seperate document in pre-production paperwork, or more precisely; Location recce form and Location release agreement).

Production Schedule
A production schedule, which is part of pre-production paperwork. The production scheduel is in short; a summary of what is going to take place within the filming scheduel, which can be both helpful and very important if a production wishes to keep organised. The production schedule also lists any cast (actors) and specific crew members (such as for example cameramen who are required to be on site to shoot the film) who are required to be on that certain site of shooting. Which in turn, it also lists the location of where this will take place, and the time they will need to arrive.

Below is a rough copy of our current production scheduel (Subject to change at anytime)

Location Recce form
The location recce is another document that makes up the pre-production paperwork, which displays and informs all crew and cast about how to arrive to the location through the use of a visual map and directions and also contains specific reasons for the use of the location as well.

Location Release Agreement
A location release agreement is a contract or signed agreement which is given to an owner of property to acknowledge both their concent, in terms of them approving the use of their property within a production, and also certain terms and regulations that can come into effect if both agreed upon and what will be taking place within the property; for example a resident of a house, if the film takes place inside a home and they find a suitable house, they will give a location release form to the residents who both live and own the home. This is because the regulations within the contract state multiple bonds and rules if agreed upon; these always include the right to allow the producers and production team to actually use the property, both exterior and interior (outside of property or inside). And as mentioned, certain bonds such as the allowed use to ethier refer to the property in the production by its real name or a fictional name. Also including to pay for any damages and replacements if any damages occur during the production caused by ethier cast or/and crew.
It is important to note that locations such as forests and fields, that the location release form is sent to the council to allow the use of both filming equipment on scene as well as actual use of the location, also including simliar regulations as stated above. (ie; having to repair any damages that may be caused by the production)

Below is an example of an empty form that would usually be filled out. (and then usually handed out when the production have found a location)

Risk Assesment Form
A Risk Assesment Form is yet another document included within pre-production paperwork, which the producer must fill in and complete to show any risks and safety issues that may need a safety routine/programme for action if anything happens to go wrong or cause harm. The risk assesment form contains many set situations already entered into the form, all the producer has to do is write within the boxes that both show the severity (how harmful this can be), and if it will be present at the scene of recording.Here is an example of this below;

After the producer has completed filling in the boxes and details of the severity and present factor. If a risk, such as for example the use of weapons within the scene has a high risk factor (which is determined by how likely it will happen/appear on the scene (present or not)and the severity of the risk). It may require a programme of action. Below is a table of measurement used within the Risk assessment form to aid in working out the risk factor:

Once the producer has worked out the risk factor and if it states it requires a programme of action, The producer will then need to fill in a certain table which is also provided within the risk assessment form, mostly stated who is exposed to these risks within the scene and if they have been informed of these risks, and accept the programme of action to counter the risk if something bad ever happens:

Planning our production - Our Mise-en scene for our Thriller

Our Mise-en scene;

Settings and iconography
Within our group, we have discussed and then me; under the location manager role of our production have both agreed and comfirmed that the setting and location our film will take place will be both within and for one scene outside of the house(the establishing shot). To be more precise in terms of "taking place within the house", we will be using certain rooms usually used for leisure and relaxing; these will mostly include the use of the frontroom/living room and the bathroom (especially for a certain scene we have in mind which will be the main action point of this film), we will also be including the rooms inbetween as the main actor (Who is played by Chris) will be using to travel between the rooms (corridoor, stairs to bathroom).

Storyboard - Ms B

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard can be seen as a graphical organiser as it aids the film team and director pre-visualize following shots and scenes that take place within a section of a film. This can be seen as a similar concept that a script has as they both provide a plan to how the scenes will be carried out and what will be included in them, however it is not to be confused with one.
The main difference is how they present themselves, a script being just text based, focusing strongly on the dialog and converstations between characters, while a storyboard uses visual representations in the form of images and small notes of text such as the amount of seconds the shot will last for until it cuts to the next shot, this allows a stronger focus on mirco-elements such as cinematography (if the drawing contains just a face rather than a whole characters body, showing a close up is preffered rather than a long shot) and mise en scene such as the use of Iconography (are props also included in the drawing, as well as noting the postion of them within the scene).

An example of a script:

An example of a storyboard:

A storyboard in summary is essentially a sort of comic for sections of a film, displayed usually as a timeline from left to right with the shot/scene numbers included (increasing, starting from shot 1 to 2, etc). As partly explained above, it helps with the making of a production as it displays certain mirco-elements in use such as cinematography (camera angles, camera movements, etc) or iconography (including the use of props and their position in the scene). But it also aids in the making of the production as it also states additional information as small notes to the side of the images displayed per shot/scene.
These include;
- Shot/scene number: States where the current clip/scene fits within the storyboards timeline, as well as for example. If the current scene is shot 1, this states that this is the first scene to be recorded before then shot 2 is the next scene.
- Shot/scene duration: This displays how long the current scene/shot will be displayed for until it cuts to the next shot in the timeline, mostly stated in seconds.
- Sounds: Any audio clips that are required to be inserted through usually forms of editing. (non-digetic sounds are usually stated here for the editing phase)
- Actors: The characters to be included within the shot/scene.
- Location: What specific set or location the shot will required to be filmed in.



Our storyboard:

In relation to our storyboard compared to our final production piece. Many of the orginal scenes that were to be recorded have been cut, mostly for the purpose of length. (making sure it was around 2 minutes)
Many of the shots, such as shot 38 for example, have had different editing applied to them in terms of changing the original fade to black transition into a flicking white filter with a small cut to a clip of chris rocking back and forth again inserted into the shot before cross cutting to the next shot.

Reflection:
Overall, A storyboard can greatly help guiding a production in a general direction, and this can even be applied to our production piece as we have learned that a storyboard allows us to get a rough idea of both narrative and the ways in which we desire the following shots to include and consist of. This also helps as it reduces the time required to plan as it already gives a rough idea of what should be planned out for the following set of shots to record that will make up the sections of the film. As well as assist in editing as it includes some ideas on what to insert in terms of audio or editing such as transitions. (fade to black, etc)

Production roles

-- (For our production/film) --
Camera Operator - Bianca Saccone
Actors - Chris Smith, Jonathan Joannou
Sound technincian - Jonathan Joannou
Editors - Bianca Saccone, Jonathan Joannou
Film director - Bianca Saccone
Location manager - Jonathan Joannou
Storyboard orgniser - Bianca Saccone

Production roles within a film

Film director - The film director helps to manage the finances and budgets to use within a film (set amount of money to use on items such as props (iconography), etc). The film director also helps to resolve and issues raised which have not been resolved by the other roles and members in a production group, (such as a editor confused on how to edit a transition between 2 scenes, the director will need to explain what he wishes to add to the editor).

Producer - The producer devlopes a budget (which needs to be first approved by all/majority of the members in a production), which then in turn is then used for the entire production/film; usually these cover costs and expenses such as staff wages, rental payments to use certain sets, constructions (such as a stage), and costumes and makeup.
The producer also secures rights and regulations and ensures all members within the production are aware and know of these rights as well.

Artistic director - The artistic director is responible for artistic related decisions and choices, this excludes however being able to increasing costs above the set budget.

Set designer - The set designer designs the set/stage using scenery and stage props (iconography) based on input from and requests from the artistic director, who also sets the budget limit to use on purchasing these various items.

Costume designer - The costume designer both obtains and identifies neccesary costume