Preliminary work.

For our preliminary task, we were asked to film a short clip.  In our group, we discussed the different shots we could use, and then concluded on the shots we were going to use, in mutual agreement.  Together, we designed and created a storyboard providing a visual image with detailing at the side to show how we would complete our preliminary task, this also showed the audience what shots we were using at different times.  This helped our group learn what to do when we came to film our thriller, and allowed us to adjust to using a camera, it also helped us adjust more to working in a group effectively; everyone's views, ideas and opinions were taken into consideration.  This was positive and we have set a time on how long it will take us to film our preliminary work, so it does not disrupt our thriller filming.  Luckily, because of a detailed storyboard the preliminary filming was not difficult to do, as we already decided on our location, camera shots, mise en scene, sound and editing.
These were basic so the task would not be time consuming, however completed well.  My group also considered the 180 degree rule, this is where the camera does not go past 180 degrees, otherwise the filming will not make sense as the people involved, would have changed sides; consequently confusing the audience.  Therefore, our group strongly tried to avoid doing this, an example is below.

Influences

Title Sequence

Most, if not all, films have a title sequence. Whether it is at the start or near the end, sometimes in the middle! Typically, a title sequence is used at the beginning, it introduces the audience to what they’re watching, and the title often gives clues as to what the film is about. They have changed drastically from the beginning of films; previously it would be a plain black background with the writing expressing the name of the film and producers etc., however, nowadays the titles appear as layer on top of the moving film. The purpose of the title sequence is to make a first impression, which can result in whether a person continues to watch the film properly or not.  The 1950s saw the title sequences become more creative with the likes of Saul Bass and Maurice Binder who have become the biggest inspirations for title sequences since.  The soundtrack that goes with the title sequence is an important factor to it being good, for example, if a romantic comedy opened with a blank screen title sequence and in the background had an eerie soundtrack; it’s going to give the wrong impression for the film.

Saul Bass was an American graphic designer and one of the biggest trend setters for movie title sequences. Some of his greatest works include ‘Psycho’, ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Cape Fear’, two of which are thrillers, this makes Bass’ work significant and relevant to our project. Most of Saul’s works include a plain basic background with just names appearing and then finally the title, but the use of font completely changes the genre of the film.

For example ‘Goodfellas’ shows a bold basic font in caps lock but immediately we know this reflects the film.

In ‘Cape Fear’ the slight change in font (it’s more jagged and italic) completely changes the genre.

I think for our title sequence we’ll show part of the film for around 5 seconds, then a blank screen will appear and the title of the film will fade into the screen in a contrasting colour, lasting around 3-4 seconds. The film will continue for a few more seconds and the blank screen will appear again and only showing the names of the actors, then the directors. We want to keep it basic and raw because I believe it’ll add an edge to the film making it more of a psychological thriller with the use of a particular font.

‘Donnie Darko’ has been a big influence on our film, and the title sequence is again basic, with the title of the film simply appearing on the screen and then fading out into a white screen, without being to state of art, it still says a lot about the film, we like the use of simple impacts.

By Charlotte Mackenzie

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

1.      Gender

 Male                      Female

2.       How old are you?
15 or

under                    16-19                      20-25                  26-30                   30+

3.      What words do you think of when you hear the word thriller?

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4.      What sort of genre of Thriller do you like?
Disaster Thriller
Mystery Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Crime Thriller

Other

5.       Why do you like this type of Thriller?
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6.       Which Character is essential to the Thriller and why?
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7.       How often do you watch Thrillers?
Weekly
Once a month
Once every three months
Once a year
Never

8.      What do you like about Thriller films?
Twisted plots
Characters

Suspense

Being scared
(other)_______________________________________
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9.       Who do you prefer to watch in a thriller?

Male

Female

Child

10.   Do you prefer film in colour or black and white?

11.   What is the most eye catching thing on a thriller film poster?

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12.   Who do you normally watch thriller films with?

Family                            Friends                    On your own

13.   How do you think a thriller should open?

Death                      Chase                   Suspense                 Flashback               

 Everyday life

-By Alex Fresco