Q7 Looking back at your premliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

What were the reasons for doing the preliminary task?
Q7 Looking back at your premliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

• Practise using the editing software
• Practise using the equipment (i.e the cameras)
• Working in a team/ communication skills
• Explore different kinds of shots

The demands for the preliminary task were different to the demands of the thriller opening task. The preliminary task simply asked us to film someone walking through a doorway and a short conversation whereas the thriller opening was much more complex. Firstly, the time in which we had to complete the thriller task was much longer than the preliminary task and we were able to spend more time on researching, planning, filming and editing. We were also encouraged to use a range of locations outside of the school premises this equated to more responsibility and independent working.

PRE-PRODUCTION.

In the preliminary task the need for extensive research and planning was not required as this exercise was a simple task in continuity and shooting a conversation between two characters.
Our group held an hour long planning meeting in which we discussed concepts and ideas.  We recorded these ideas and this set the pace for our overall plan for our short film.

This was not a complex process and we faced very little problems in the planning process. On the other hand, the thriller opening required lengthy research to create an in-depth plan and a broader understanding of how to shoot a film. We created a shooting schedule to outline the when we were going to be filming and who would be doing which roles on that day. We also created a storyboard which went into detail about specific shots we wanted to use and at which point in the opening they were going to appear. We also learnt about different techniques used to open a film and how other directors established different genres and themes in the opening of their films. These two planning techniques highlight the differences of the preliminary task and the thriller opening task and shows the increase of complexity.

PRODUCTION

Our preliminary task  helped us in our production because we had already familiarise ourselves with the equipment we were going to use in our final piece. We practiced using the digital cameras which helped us gained an understanding of the way they function which made it more efficient when it came down to shooting our thriller opening. We also explored different types of shots (close up, long shot, span etc.) and what effect they would bring to a scene. For example in our preliminary task we had an extreme close up on the action of two characters exchanging money for drugs and in the Thriller opening we had a close up of the menacing weapons that the kidnappers were going to use. Extreme close-ups intensive a moment in a film but also allows the audience to get a closer insight into the details of a scene.

Another advantage of the preliminary task also allowed us to enhance of teamwork skills. We had to distribute the work successfully and take advantage of the individual strengthens within the group.
I worked with a few of the same people in the thriller task as I did in the preliminary task which was helpful as we already knew how each other work.

The preliminary task gave us the opportunity to practice editing. We used Premiere Pro for editing both of our projects and our preliminary task allowed us to practice using the software. For example, we learnt how to add transitions (such as dip to white) and cut/trim our footage by making in/out point. We used these skills when editing our final piece but we developed our skills further by adding in titles/credits and also adding more sound effects and background music.

Our preliminary task also gave us an opportunity to learn from our mistakes throughout the process of making it so that we could avoid them in our final product and achieve a higher quality. For example, some on the original shots in the prelim task were shaky people we did not use a tripod to film it and this made the shot look unprofessional. In the Thriller task we ensured that we used a steady hand when we were doing handheld camera shots but we used the tripod for the majority of the shots. We also had some continuity errors in our preliminary task so we were more careful in our thriller film opening to avoid this issues. We also used the successful parts of our preliminary task and integrated them into our final piece. For example, we used similar shots in both pieces of work which included close-up shots of actions and main characters faces.

In conclusion, I believe that as an individual my skills and knowledge have developed massively during the process of both of these projects. I have gained experience with using production equipment and the editing software. I now understand the importance in thorough planning for a film and using the correct planning techniques. I have also learnt how to work efficiently in a group as well as becoming more confident with filming. Not only have I learnt how to do the practical skills required in filmmaking but I have learnt about the thriller genre and film noir.

Q6 What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Question 3: What kind of media Institution might distribute your media product and why?

WHAT DISTRIBUTION COMPANY WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR OUR THRILLER?

ABOUT CINEMANX:

• CinemaNX is an independent distributor company that distribute niche British films for specific audiences. 
• CinemaNX has distributed other thriller films such as 'The Disappearance Of Alice Creed' and 'The Decoy Bride'. 
• CinemaNX specialise in distributing films that are located in remote areas of the UK.

Our Thriller could be distributed by CinemaNX because there is a correlation to previous films distributed by this company which means they will have a clear understanding on how it would be best to distribute a thriller film. As our film was filmed in Norwich it would also work in our favour due to CinemaNX previously distributing films in the remote parts of the UK. The composition and style of our thriller is very similar to 'The disappearance of Alice Creed' with the storylines also being parallel (both involve two assailants abducting a girl). CinemaNX is the company that distributed 'The disappearance of Alice Creed' which means the company will have experience and understanding on how to distribute a thriller film. 'The disappearance of Alice Creed' casts three not very well known British actors and makes good use of small locations to create an impacting and powerful visual. This is very much like our film that only uses a few actors and low-key and low-budget location.

About Polygram:

• Polygram initially started off as a low budget based production company. They then grew by buying various independent production companies. From there they went into co-administration with Universal.
• They focus of low-budget and non-mainstream films which are usually British.
• Polygram have distributed lock,stock &two smoking barrels.

Our Thriller could be distributed by Polygram as this company had experience in non-mainstream, small low budget range of films that are usually British. My Thriller is a niche film located in the remote location of Norwich and is low budget. If we were to choose Polygram to distribute our film it could potentially have access to a international platform it is popular, due to Polygram having close links with the global conglomerate Universal. The expertise Universal offer would also be a positive we would consider when choosing which company we want to distribute our film. Polygram also has experience in distributing low budget Thriller films as it distributed Lock,Stock&Two Smoking Barrels.

WHICH CINEMA WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR OUR THRILLER?

It is important that the distributing company we choose has the ability to create a synergy with the cinema that our thriller will be distributed to. The way in which it is distributed to our chosen audience should enhance the audience that would go to that type of cinema.

Vue cinema is a fairly big company that attracts a wide range of audiences. It primarily attracts everyday working class viewers. People that would watch a standard action, drama, romance, war or thriller film. These viewers are not usually interested in the 'indie' films that would be showed at cinemas like CinemaCity. However the audience that would go to view would not usually spend huge amounts of money to go and see the big blockbusters that would be shown in cinemas such as Odeon. As our thriller film is low budget this would reflect on the pricing of the tickets and would therefore attract audiences that go to the Vue. Our thriller is also about an ordinary working class girl that gets taken from her home in the UK which makes the film relatable to Vue cinemagoers.


WHAT ONLINE PLATFORMS WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR OUR THRILLER?

Another factor we would obviously have to consider is the market appeal for our Thriller online. The BFI suggests that young people tend to chose online platforms for viewing film rather than going to the cinema. They use VoD and YouTube while older audiences still enjoy the traditional trip to the cinema, DVDs or Television. These factors must all be consider when deciding where it would be best to distribute our film and we will have to look closely at our demographic to assure we are distributing the film in the correct places for our target audience.

VIDEO ON DEMAND: I do not think Video on Demand is going to be a main focus for the distribution of our thriller. Mainly because the our demographic is older due to the violent, gory and psychological disturbing nature of our film. Video on Demand is typically watched by younger audiences however statistics show that there has been an increase in the number of older people using Video on Demand so we may look to use VoD as a means to of distribution.


Netflix is an American entertainment company that expanded into the European market in 2012. It specialises in and provides streaming media and video-on-demand online. In 2013 it expanded into film and television production, as well as online distribution.
Netflix has large young fanbase which makes me believe that this platform does not suit the demographic of our film. However I believe that the average age of viewers watching Netflix is increasing and as a result Netflix are showing a more wide range of
films such as independent films and homemade documentaries. Therefore our thriller may be ideal to add the diverse range of films that are being exhibited on this site.

 

Final Thriller Cut

Shooting Schedule

Chosen Locations

Chosen Locations

LOCATION 1 :
The first location is a street lit by the ambient light of street lights. We chose to film when it was dark and no one was around. This is a good opening shot as it shows the girls everyday surroundings. The street she lives on has nice houses which gives off the impression that she lives in a safe area and had a good upbringing. The fact she is smoking in the opening shot contradicts her 'nice' surroundings and gives the character an edge which makes the audience think there is more to this character than one would originally think. The dark street corner fits well with the thriller genre of our film as there is minimal visibility and lots of ambiguous shadowing.
This location is also perfect on a practical level for filming. It is easily accessible, with good possibility for a different range of close up and long distance shots. It will also be easy to maintain the 180 degree in this open space. The only problem that we may face is the lose of sunlight as filming goes on, but in the editing process this will be able to be adjusted.


LOCATION 2:

OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE
After the character finishes her cigarette she walks home which is our second location. This location is a bright building with lots of colour (i.e red brickwork and pine wood door). This makes this location seem welcoming and secure which is what would be expect of somebodies home. The house gives us further insight into the background of this character as it is obvious she is from a well off family. We want to emphasise this location seeming safe so when the assailants break into her 'safe place' as it makes the abduction more unexpected and frightening.
On a practical level this location has the opportunity for lots of interesting shots. For example as you enter the front door there is a mirror on the porch wall which I believe would be a swift and intriguing transition from the outdoors to the indoors if the character was to be filmed through the mirror when entering the home. When the assailants break into the house later on in the opening, I think it would be good to use the same angle for the shot to create foreshadowing.



INSIDE OF THE HOUSE (Kidnappers preparation space)
We covered a room plastic sheeting and used it for the location for the assailants preparation. This location is perfect as it was a blank canvas with only sofas in the room. The lack of feature to this room adds a clinical feel to the space as there are plain white walls with no decorations. This makes the location of the assailants unknown and mysterious. The room has a large bay window which casts an interesting shadow onto the wall from the light of the street. We plan to use this unusual shadowing and dappled light to create an interesting shot for the assailants to exit the room. This chiaroscuro lighting and shadow work will add to common connotations of the genre as they are conventions of film noir. The room also has a large door which makes a loud slam when closed which will be an ideal sound effect to be used to show the characters have left the room. They location/scene is loosely influenced by Alice Creed as the opening are similar in the fact that we see people preparing to kidnap someone. The only real difference being our location is not where the victim is taken.



LOCATION 3:

The victim is taken to a shed in an unknown location where she is tied up. This location is an ideal location for a thriller film. The shed has no window and therefore no source of natural light which could symbolise no hope as light is often a connotation of hope. This location is a tight space with only just enough room for the victim to be held. This in turn gives a claustrophobic feel to the scene which further accentuates an uncomfortable tone. 
The shed being such an enclosed space is going to limit us when it comes to shot variety. Long shots are not going to be an option in the location so I think close ups and extreme close ups are going to be most suitable. An extreme close up is going to be good to capture the frightened facial expression of the victim. This location give connotations of hopelessness as it seems as though the character has no way to escape the situation she has found herself in.

Treatment

TREATMENT:

At the start, all we see is darkness, a deafening silence over powers the scene, until its eventually broken with a women’s breath.  She lights the scene with her cigarette, and inhales deeply and pauses for a moment. All we hear now is the sound of a car passing on the wet road and a black bird singing, it’s becoming dark, and it’s getting late.  The young girl stands alone, her silver hair tied into two cute tails, while the rest of her hair remains down and straight. She’s dressed in a scarf and buttoned coat, wearing placid heads and ripped jeans, she remains still, looking around her as if she’s waiting for something. Next, all we hear is her cigarette bud hitting the ground and her shoe bottom scraping the ground, for her then to walk off and we hear her heels heading into the distance. She heads to her house now, closing in, she opens the front door, but due to being small, with some struggle. Once into her home, she heads to her room, where she sits, all remains still. From here, we have cut shots between what the female character known as EVA and the two kidnappers. At points where one kidnapper ties up her hair, Eva will be taking her two pony tails down. This will create a sense of danger with in natural, due to the fact two such evil people will be casually getting ready as would a young woman, this will create a great establishment of our characters. After a few of these cut shots between the two locations and three characters, it will have a sudden cut after the kidnappers finally get hold of Eva. It’ll then cut straight into a shot of Eva in what seems like a shed, injured and afraid. We’ll conclude with a close up on her blood shot eyes, to create the fear into the shot and to have the audience connect with the character, to then cut into the end to the name title straight after a single tear falls down her bruised blushed cheek.

Taking to influence of films, our film is very like ‘Alice Creed’ which is also a film which a young girl is kidnapped by two men (but in our case, it’s also a women). Like Alice Creed, which is a thriller, of which we are also doing, we have a young girl named Eva, who is kidnapped due to the purpose of payment. Again, our film will be like Alice Creed due to the set pace between cuts and shots, they’ll be quick and fast paced throughout, always letting the audience understand what is happening. Again, the colour pallet of Alice Creed is very musky and cold looking, which ours will also be based upon, due to it being filmed in the dark and in a damp environment. Finally, we’re going to aim for the same idea of their intro by not having any dialect and having the characters and mise en scene establish the scene and feed forward any connotations.