Thursday, 11 March 2010
Friday, 12 February 2010
Hi Shanice,
You Evaluation doesnt seem to work. Don't worry. Send the PowerPoint file to my email address at hknott@brit.croydon.sch.uk. At least if we have it we will be able to mark it.
Thanks,Hannah
You Evaluation doesnt seem to work. Don't worry. Send the PowerPoint file to my email address at hknott@brit.croydon.sch.uk. At least if we have it we will be able to mark it.
Thanks,Hannah
Friday, 5 February 2010
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Saturday, 12 December 2009
Filming
When filming at Shanice's house it took us a while to get used to using the camera again as we had to think carefully about how to set it up. After we set up we began to get our props together for the scene we would film (Ishmail in his house). Overall the filming went smoothly but we had to think carefully about the lighting and the angles we filmed at making sure the lighting stayed the same.
During filming in the dressing room scene, we had to redo many shot as we forgot some of the things that was needed to be included (e.g. the sign 'Mezza' on the dressing room door). As we went along we had new ideas, but at the same time we tried to stick to the storyboard. During filming the scene, the camera was hand held (point of view) so the camera had to be held steadily. We decided to have Ishmail holding the camera as he was the right height and it was at his characters point of view.
We filmed Meron coming through the backstage door scene. We had to gather around 7 people to be her fans (screaming for her at the backstage door). We had to film when these people when they were available, so we took out more time to book the camera. As well as finding the right day, we had to find the right time to film as the fans would have to make a lot of noise. The location chosen for this scene was near a class room, so we had to wait and film quickly as people were walking in and out of the class room. Overall this duration of filming went well.
Finally, while filming the whole opening we included outtake parts and backstage clips, for example, of Meron singing, interviews of how the filming is going and clips the that are not seen in the final opening. We hope to capture and edit the extra clips, to put on our blogs.
The filming process went well overall and we are glad with the outcome.
During filming in the dressing room scene, we had to redo many shot as we forgot some of the things that was needed to be included (e.g. the sign 'Mezza' on the dressing room door). As we went along we had new ideas, but at the same time we tried to stick to the storyboard. During filming the scene, the camera was hand held (point of view) so the camera had to be held steadily. We decided to have Ishmail holding the camera as he was the right height and it was at his characters point of view.
We filmed Meron coming through the backstage door scene. We had to gather around 7 people to be her fans (screaming for her at the backstage door). We had to film when these people when they were available, so we took out more time to book the camera. As well as finding the right day, we had to find the right time to film as the fans would have to make a lot of noise. The location chosen for this scene was near a class room, so we had to wait and film quickly as people were walking in and out of the class room. Overall this duration of filming went well.
Finally, while filming the whole opening we included outtake parts and backstage clips, for example, of Meron singing, interviews of how the filming is going and clips the that are not seen in the final opening. We hope to capture and edit the extra clips, to put on our blogs.
The filming process went well overall and we are glad with the outcome.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Production Schedule
This is our Production Schedule, where we specify, where we film, when when we film, what we film & who is included in the filming.
1. The first day of filming
Date: Friday 27th November
Time:4pm-5.30pm
Location: Shanice's House
We will be filming the scene of the man at his home. The character will be played by Ishmail. He will have to wear black/dark clothes (Black hoodie, black jeans, big boots) to show loneliness and no personality, it also makes him look suspicious (when wearing a hoodie).
The props we will be using on this date is,
- Big boots
- Black bag (with tools)
- Radio
- Pictures of celebrities
- A piece of black hair
- Clock
2. The second day of filming
Date: Thursday 3rd December
Time: 11.30pm-1.45pm
Location: Shanice House
We will be filming anything we have forgotten to include during our media lesson (As the teacher said we can use her lesson to film).
3. The third day of filming
Date: Tuesday 4th December
Time: 2pm-4.15pm
Location: The Brit schools Make-Up room
We will be filming the scene when the celebrity is backstage in her dressing room waiting for her body guard to come back. The celebrity is played by Meron (as she is the most suitable for the part). The singer (celebrity) in the film is very glamours /wearing sunglasses, high heals, expensive designer clothes. She acts very much like a diva (being bossy & knowing what she wants).
The props used for this scene are:
- Microphone
- Make-Up bag
- Water bottle
- Fruit Bowl
- Documents/papers
- A sign to say 'Mezza' on the dressing room door.
4. The fourth day of filming
Date: Tuesday 8th December
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Location: The stairs at the Media editing suite & The Brit schools Make-Up Room (corridor).
During this time we will be filming the scene when Mezza comes in from outside and fans are screaming for her. He bodyguard the escorts her through the corridors, to her changing room. She then tell him to go and find out what time she is going on stage.
The prop used for this scene is:
- Fans (screaming out 'Mezza' as she comes in from backstage).
By Meron, Ishmail & Shanice.
1. The first day of filming
Date: Friday 27th November
Time:4pm-5.30pm
Location: Shanice's House
We will be filming the scene of the man at his home. The character will be played by Ishmail. He will have to wear black/dark clothes (Black hoodie, black jeans, big boots) to show loneliness and no personality, it also makes him look suspicious (when wearing a hoodie).
The props we will be using on this date is,
- Big boots
- Black bag (with tools)
- Radio
- Pictures of celebrities
- A piece of black hair
- Clock
2. The second day of filming
Date: Thursday 3rd December
Time: 11.30pm-1.45pm
Location: Shanice House
We will be filming anything we have forgotten to include during our media lesson (As the teacher said we can use her lesson to film).
3. The third day of filming
Date: Tuesday 4th December
Time: 2pm-4.15pm
Location: The Brit schools Make-Up room
We will be filming the scene when the celebrity is backstage in her dressing room waiting for her body guard to come back. The celebrity is played by Meron (as she is the most suitable for the part). The singer (celebrity) in the film is very glamours /wearing sunglasses, high heals, expensive designer clothes. She acts very much like a diva (being bossy & knowing what she wants).
The props used for this scene are:
- Microphone
- Make-Up bag
- Water bottle
- Fruit Bowl
- Documents/papers
- A sign to say 'Mezza' on the dressing room door.
4. The fourth day of filming
Date: Tuesday 8th December
Time: 2pm-3.30pm
Location: The stairs at the Media editing suite & The Brit schools Make-Up Room (corridor).
During this time we will be filming the scene when Mezza comes in from outside and fans are screaming for her. He bodyguard the escorts her through the corridors, to her changing room. She then tell him to go and find out what time she is going on stage.
The prop used for this scene is:
- Fans (screaming out 'Mezza' as she comes in from backstage).
By Meron, Ishmail & Shanice.
Target Audience
Our thriller is based on the serial murders of young female stars, so it should generally appeal to fans of these types of celebrities, who tend to be young men and women, so this our target audience- A young audience ranging from teenagers to young adults (roughly 15- 25 year olds). However it may also appeal to older adults who are interested in this kind of plot. A suitable age rating for this thriller is 15.
It would be a mainstream film because the idea is that the celebrities in this film are international stars; even the singer we see in the opening of the thriller, who is British.
This film would be promoted on magazines, t.v channels and radio stations with a similar target audience, in order to create a buzz about the film particularly amongst the younger generation.
By Meron Addis
It would be a mainstream film because the idea is that the celebrities in this film are international stars; even the singer we see in the opening of the thriller, who is British.
This film would be promoted on magazines, t.v channels and radio stations with a similar target audience, in order to create a buzz about the film particularly amongst the younger generation.
By Meron Addis
Props List
For the filming of our Thriller opening, we will need a multiple of props to help bring the theme across (Thriller) and to bring out the key elements of what we are trying to put across during the opening of the film.
The props we will need to include in our filming will be:
- Big Boots - will be worn by the man in the film
- Black bag (with tools inside) - to show that the man is coming from somewhere where he has used weapons.
- Radio - for when the news report come on, to report about the murder
- Clock - to show the time he reaches in, which then relate to the time the murder took place.
- Posters of celebrities - that he has murdered or tortured, (the will have red 'X' on them, to show they have a victim.
- A piece of black hair - of he singer (celebrity) he has just been to.
- Microphone - to show that the girl is a singer
- Make-Up bag - which will be all over the dressing table, to show shes going to do something important and to show that she like to look good.
- Water bottle - to go on the dressing table
- Fruit Bowl -to go on the dressing table
- Document papers - for when she want to find out tour dates as the man walks through the door.
By Meron Addis
The props we will need to include in our filming will be:
- Big Boots - will be worn by the man in the film
- Black bag (with tools inside) - to show that the man is coming from somewhere where he has used weapons.
- Radio - for when the news report come on, to report about the murder
- Clock - to show the time he reaches in, which then relate to the time the murder took place.
- Posters of celebrities - that he has murdered or tortured, (the will have red 'X' on them, to show they have a victim.
- A piece of black hair - of he singer (celebrity) he has just been to.
- Microphone - to show that the girl is a singer
- Make-Up bag - which will be all over the dressing table, to show shes going to do something important and to show that she like to look good.
- Water bottle - to go on the dressing table
- Fruit Bowl -to go on the dressing table
- Document papers - for when she want to find out tour dates as the man walks through the door.
By Meron Addis
Character Profile
There are four main characters in our opening thriller:
1. The celebrity in our thriller is called Mezza, she is about 19 years old and is very diva-like. She is a successful singer who is into her looks. She is also very demanding, especially over her bodyguard.
2. Not much is known about the killers personal life. All we know is that he lives by himself in his flat with pictures of his victims faces on the wall. He wears heavy black clothing to keep himself anonymous. Throughout our whole piece, we never see his face.
3. Mezza's bodyguard is a big, kind hearted character who would do literally anything for her, even if they do sound impossible. He is also pushed around a little by Mezza.
4. News reporter (voice)
By Ishmail Salmon
Location Infomation
For our thriller opening we had to decide on a location. Based on our story line we decided that backstage of a theatre venue would be most suitable for the dressing room scene. Theatre's we have in mind is The Fairfield Halls, Battersea Arts Centre, The Warehouse Theatre or the Brit Schools make up room. We chose these venues because they will have the right format of a dressing room (i.e. with the lights around the mirrors and dressing table). To be able to film with permission in these venues, we will have to get into contact with the right people (as some of them may have showcases/events going on at this time).
In the scene where the fans are outside, we decided to film it backstage of the venue we are successful with. If we get into a professional theatre backstage we will use their corridors to film Meron walking. If we end up with the Brit make up room, we will film outside the Media editing suite (with Meron walking down the stairs) and outside of the make up room.
For the scene with the man at his home, the location was at Shanice's house as her house could be transformed to look the part and she had most of the background furniture (e.g. the sofa, white walls and some of the props).
In the scene where the fans are outside, we decided to film it backstage of the venue we are successful with. If we get into a professional theatre backstage we will use their corridors to film Meron walking. If we end up with the Brit make up room, we will film outside the Media editing suite (with Meron walking down the stairs) and outside of the make up room.
For the scene with the man at his home, the location was at Shanice's house as her house could be transformed to look the part and she had most of the background furniture (e.g. the sofa, white walls and some of the props).
Serial Celeb - Storyboard
This is the Storyboard for our opening thriller - Serial Celeb, where the shots are named and there is a description of each shot.
By Shanice Smith
Storyboard 1:
Storyboard 2:
Storyboard 3:
Storyboard 4:
By Shanice Smith
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Thiller Opening - Shot List
For our Thriller opening we will have specific shots we use (throughout), which are the following:
1. Close up shot - on the big boots of the murderer as the door opens.
2. Mid-shot - As he drops his bag on the floor
3. Close up - washes his hands under the tap
4. Close up - He turns on the radio (a red light comes on, to indicate the radio is on).
5. Long shot (from the back) - He walks across kitchen, to the living room (to the sofa).
6. Mid-Close up - of him sitting, with is head down (His face is not revealed, as there's a shadow)
7. Eye Level/panning shot- focus at his pictures (of his victims, he has killed in the past). He looks along the line, to the next victim.
8. (Flash back) mid-shot/high angle - The celebrity comes in through a backstage door
9. Mid-close up shot - of the man sitting in the same position, looking down
10. (Flash back) High angle/point of view - a view as if he's watching watch her and her body guard walk down the corridor
11. Mid shot - of the man sitting, he then reaches for his pocket
12. Close up of him putting his hand in his pocket
13. (Flash back) 2 shot - celebrity tells the body guard to go an get the running order for her, she then walks into her changing room.
14. Mid shot - He is now holding and looking at piece of someones hair.
15. (Flash back) Personal point of view - he walks towards her door (with her name on it), with his shadow outline on the door.
16. Over the shoulder shot - He stands up and puts the hair on the picture
17. (Flash back) Mid shot - The camera is looking through the mirror (while she looks in the mirror) the door opens (mid way).
18. Mid-close up - she turns around, with dialogue saying ' James, What took you so long? Have you confirmed our tour dates yet?'
19. Black out, and with a black surrounding, the picture drops with her face and hair on it. The title comes up.
1. Close up shot - on the big boots of the murderer as the door opens.
2. Mid-shot - As he drops his bag on the floor
3. Close up - washes his hands under the tap
4. Close up - He turns on the radio (a red light comes on, to indicate the radio is on).
5. Long shot (from the back) - He walks across kitchen, to the living room (to the sofa).
6. Mid-Close up - of him sitting, with is head down (His face is not revealed, as there's a shadow)
7. Eye Level/panning shot- focus at his pictures (of his victims, he has killed in the past). He looks along the line, to the next victim.
8. (Flash back) mid-shot/high angle - The celebrity comes in through a backstage door
9. Mid-close up shot - of the man sitting in the same position, looking down
10. (Flash back) High angle/point of view - a view as if he's watching watch her and her body guard walk down the corridor
11. Mid shot - of the man sitting, he then reaches for his pocket
12. Close up of him putting his hand in his pocket
13. (Flash back) 2 shot - celebrity tells the body guard to go an get the running order for her, she then walks into her changing room.
14. Mid shot - He is now holding and looking at piece of someones hair.
15. (Flash back) Personal point of view - he walks towards her door (with her name on it), with his shadow outline on the door.
16. Over the shoulder shot - He stands up and puts the hair on the picture
17. (Flash back) Mid shot - The camera is looking through the mirror (while she looks in the mirror) the door opens (mid way).
18. Mid-close up - she turns around, with dialogue saying ' James, What took you so long? Have you confirmed our tour dates yet?'
19. Black out, and with a black surrounding, the picture drops with her face and hair on it. The title comes up.
Thriller Opening - Overview
For our thriller openings, I am in a group with Meron and Ishmail. Together we planned and put together ideas of what out thriller opening could be about.
We came up with our final idea which is about a mysterious man that murders famous female Singer, Celebrities.
He reaches inside his home (we want to give the impression that he is coming in from doing something suspicious) and put down his bag, washes his hands, and tuns on the radio. When the radio is switched on, the news update is on. The reporter reports that there has been a murder of a well known singer. While the man sits alone in the dark on his sofa, flash backs occur.
The first flash back is of a celebrity with her bodyguard, walking through backstage doors (while her fans are outside, screaming for her). She then tell her bodyguard to go an get something for her. At this point the celebrity is all alone in her dressing room.
A shadow then appears in front of her door, he then enters in. The celebrity then turns and See's him and asks him 'Have you sorted out the Tour dates yet?'.
After, there is then a black out (where her picture drops on the floor, in a black surrounding). The titles then come up.
We had to present our ideas to the rest of our class mates, then receive feedback and ways of improvement. Changes we made to our idea was from having a TV News report to just hearing the news on the radio. This change was suggested because it wasn't going to be easy to make a TV studio. Presenting our idea helped improve our planning , because we received a lot of feedback/new and improved ideas to take into consideration. It also got us thinking about making our ideas possible to do practically.
We came up with our final idea which is about a mysterious man that murders famous female Singer, Celebrities.
He reaches inside his home (we want to give the impression that he is coming in from doing something suspicious) and put down his bag, washes his hands, and tuns on the radio. When the radio is switched on, the news update is on. The reporter reports that there has been a murder of a well known singer. While the man sits alone in the dark on his sofa, flash backs occur.
The first flash back is of a celebrity with her bodyguard, walking through backstage doors (while her fans are outside, screaming for her). She then tell her bodyguard to go an get something for her. At this point the celebrity is all alone in her dressing room.
A shadow then appears in front of her door, he then enters in. The celebrity then turns and See's him and asks him 'Have you sorted out the Tour dates yet?'.
After, there is then a black out (where her picture drops on the floor, in a black surrounding). The titles then come up.
We had to present our ideas to the rest of our class mates, then receive feedback and ways of improvement. Changes we made to our idea was from having a TV News report to just hearing the news on the radio. This change was suggested because it wasn't going to be easy to make a TV studio. Presenting our idea helped improve our planning , because we received a lot of feedback/new and improved ideas to take into consideration. It also got us thinking about making our ideas possible to do practically.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
"This is the Place" - A Short Thriller
"This is the Place" Is a (short) thriller/suspense film. I think it is a very good example of a short Thriller Film (opening), as it includes all the codes and conventions of a thriller film, including the shots (over the shoulder, close up, long shot etc), the music (which makes me watch in suspense to find out the plot), and the story line (which I think is clever and will engage the audience; making them want to watch more).
Thriller Music
Thriller music is included in Thrillers to bring tension and suspense to the film/moment. When the music is playing you expect something is going to happen (it sets the mood for the forthcoming action).
It's usually a slow orchestral track featuring strings, synthesizer sounds, oriental sounding percussion's, very melodic piano & smooth drums (if included). Action Thriller films tend to have fast music in the background as there's a lot of action etc going on.
Trailers usually have the slow orchestral music in the background as it intense the audience and makes them want to see more, its like a teaser.
It's usually a slow orchestral track featuring strings, synthesizer sounds, oriental sounding percussion's, very melodic piano & smooth drums (if included). Action Thriller films tend to have fast music in the background as there's a lot of action etc going on.
Trailers usually have the slow orchestral music in the background as it intense the audience and makes them want to see more, its like a teaser.
Production Companies
Production companies ( which can be big or small) are always in charge of the development/physical development of the film (or a radio show, a TV programme or performing arts). Some companies take responsibility of raising the funds by selling it to a film studio or showing it at a theatrical venue (an example of a theatrical distribution company is 21st Century Film Corporation, the are also a production company).
An example of a Production Company is Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is based in the USA although they are located all around America (California).
Its first founder was Carl Laemmle. Universal pictures produce many different genres of films including thriller films such as Jaws. It is very well know for the good production outcomes and high quality films, also by the well known actors they work with.
The film Jaws was made in 1975 and is a horror/thriller film. It was directed by Steven Spielberg. The film became well known and popular for its good production (making all the sharks etc, seem real to the audience). The whole production has been done well including the music, effects and the making of it.
This is an opening video for Universal Pictures.
An example of a Production Company is Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is based in the USA although they are located all around America (California).
Its first founder was Carl Laemmle. Universal pictures produce many different genres of films including thriller films such as Jaws. It is very well know for the good production outcomes and high quality films, also by the well known actors they work with.
The film Jaws was made in 1975 and is a horror/thriller film. It was directed by Steven Spielberg. The film became well known and popular for its good production (making all the sharks etc, seem real to the audience). The whole production has been done well including the music, effects and the making of it.
This is an opening video for Universal Pictures.
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Target Audience
Target Audience
Within the Thriller genre, the target audience can vary. It can depend on the kind of thriller film.
But for a gernenic thriller film the target audience can be from 16-25 (most of them being students). Although there may be people outside of the target audience that watch Thriller films.
Also most of the main characters are young adults which can lead to the target audience being 16-25. I would expect males to be more intersted and drawn towards the Thriller genre, although females can be drawn to thriller films (e.g. Romantic Thrillers)
Crime Thrillers (such as Memento, Se7en) target mainly a mature audience because violence, sex and drugs can be involved in it. Theres are certain sensorships for kids, because they can't do those certain things a Crime Thriller would include (because it would be illegal).
Classic Thrillers (any Alfred Hitchcock film) are aimed at adults but are rated PG.
Thrillers that include horror elements, would aim at younger and more female based. Films by M. Night Shyamalan such as The Sixth Sense, Signs etc are close to the horror genre (and horror films target teenage girls, from my research I have found this out).
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
American actor and producer Brad Pitt, was born on the 18 December 1963. He has be a part of many successful Thriller movies.
He has been nominated for 2 Oscars, hes had 23 wins and 43 nominations. He has won and has been nominated for awards in many categories.
In 1995, he acted in the crime thriller Seven and the science fiction film Twelve Monkeys, Which then earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting actor and an Academy Award nomination. In Seven many said "This is screen acting at his best", where Brad Pitt turns into a determined, energetic, creditable job as the eager young detective.
Sub-Genre - Sci-Fi Thrillers
Sub-Genre
Sci-Fi Thrillers
Most thrillers have the combination of most other genres including horror, conspiracy, and psychological tricks used to increase tension. Combinations are very diverse, including Sci-Fi Thrillers (Science Fiction Thrillers)
In Sci-Fi Thrillers it's usually set in the future, or in a historical past that denies facts of known information of history. Also they can have settings from outer space involving Aliens. Sci-Fi Thrillers will include stories that involve technology or scientific rules (e.g. time travel), discovery, new technology (e.g. Robots) or of new and different political or social systems.
An example of a Sci-Fi Thriller is Alien (1979)
When you watch the trailer immediately you know its a Sci-Fi Thriller as it captures the audiences attention from the start and has a setting with spaceships and aliens. There includes quickly moving shots, which makes the audience watch carefully (engaging), flashing lights and dark colours (Black and Green), These also put the audience on the edge and lets them know its going to be a scary film. Also by the way it splits up its shots going into the short sentences (where there's information about the film and persuading lyrics), they use bold white writing with a bold green outline surrounded by a black background, this makes the font stand out. The black can signify the darkness/space, the green can signify the aliens.
Alien is a perfect example of a Sci-Fi Thriller because of all the generic conventions it includes. It is very similar to the Thriller genre because of the way it creates suspense and tension! Shots used within the trailer are close up shots, where you can see the details of the characters expressions, and it shows the important objects used at the time (e.g. The spaceship). They also use long shot where you can see the setting of where they are.
180 Rule
180 Degree Rule
In professional filming the 180 Degree Rule applies while filming (with a digital video camera) two characters (for example having a conversation) where there is an imaginary axis. The camera stays within 180 degrees on one side of the axis. If the camera goes around to the other side of the axis the characters right/left will change (which can be quite confusing) it is called crossing the line. The shot from the opposite side, is called a reverse angle.
The characters should always have the same right and left, which is why we stay 180 degrees within the axis. The 180 Degree Rule is often used in conversations where Shot Reverse Shot is required and it is an important element required for a style of film editing called continuity editing. This way in dialogue you can always identify who is speaking or responding using their facial expressions.
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