here is a link to my PREZI presentation - ENJOY!
http://prezi.com/d0zglgslgddo/media-studies-evaluation-of-thriller-film/
Monday, 2 May 2011
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
SUMMARY OF IDEAS
Our thriller film is simply, about a school girl who falls victim to an online paedophile posing as a school boy behind his computer screen, the audience have an inkling about him but do not know the girl is to be murdered.
The opening will be similar to the opening of se7en with flashing images that does not give away the plot completely but it will give an insight of what the film will be about. It will show short clippings of scenes and what the girl will go through. The couple meet on an online chat room, the girl has never been very confident with boys after the split of her mother and father. But she find's this online boy to be different; actually interested in what she has to say, he grooms her over time, paying her compliments that start to boost her confidence, calling her "beautiful", eventually pushing everybody and everything that once occupied her time, trusted and used to love away, and after a final argument and break down with her mum, he ends up being the only thing that she trusts and makes her happy.
Flashing images will include, the girls relationship with her mum, the girl constantly online and texting, her online "friend". The boy who’s face you never see and the ending of the girls life. We are doing this method to make the audience more intrigued and make them want to watch more without giving too much away.
4.3.2.1 similarity to Our thriller movie idea.
Clip from: 4mins 23seconds - 7mins 36seconds
This clip is taken from 2010 box office smash, 4.3.2.1 a Noel Clarke directed film. it is set in several locations and involves numerous flashbacks and cuts and dramatic rises and falls in tension.
this scene is of similar context to the storyline we are playing on, a boy posing to be somebody else behind a computer screen a luring a young niave girl in, with a complete make belief opposite lifestyle and existence, fuelled by deception and desirability - which shows the relevance and reality of the thriller genre fitting into real life.
MY AUDIENCE RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE
Audience Research
My Thriller Questionnaire
1. AGE:
16-18 19-21 22-25 26-30 31-40 41+
2.GENDER:
MALE/FEMALE
3. How often do you watch thriller films?
-NEVER
-ONCE A MONTH
-FORTNIGHTLY
- ONCE A WEEK
-ALL THE TIME IT IS MY FAVOURITE FILM GENRE!
4. What is your favourite thriller film?
5. Who is your favourite thriller actor and actress?
6. Which do you prefer, Blood and Gore Thrillers or psychological and puzzling Thrillers?
7.What appeals most to you in the Thriller film genre?
8. What kind of storyline would deter you from watching a Thriller film?
9.Who do you normally watch Thriller films with?
-Friends
-Family
-Pets
-Other
10. How many thriller films would you say you have watched in your lifetime?
- under 10
- under 20
-under 35
-under 50
-50 +
--------
Alec McFarlane
Q/A RESPONSES
1. AGE:
41+
2.GENDER:
MALE
3. How often do you watch thriller films?
-FORTNIGHTLY
4. What is your favourite thriller film?
SE7EN! amazing film!
5. Who is your favourite thriller actor and actress?
Morgan Freeman6. Which do you prefer, Blood and Gore Thrillers or Psychological and puzzling Thrillers?
Pyschological thrillers with plenty of puzzles and twists and turns that need solving.
7.What appeals most to you in the Thriller film genre?
Suspense and the mystery.
prolonged tension,
trying to solve the mystery.
8. What kind of storyline would deter you from watching a Thriller film?
9.Who do you normally watch Thriller films with?
-Family
10. How many thriller films would you say you have watched in your lifetime?
-50 +
----
Q/A RESPONSES
3. How often do you watch thriller films?
-ONCE A MONTH
4. What is your favourite thriller film?
The Omen
7.What appeals most to you about the Thriller film genre?
8. What kind of storyline would deter you from watching a Thriller film?
- Blood and Gore, excessive use of violence.
9.Who do you normally watch Thriller films with?
- Family and Pets
10. How many thriller films would you say you have watched in your lifetime?
- under 20
8. What kind of storyline would deter you from watching a Thriller film?
i dunnoooooo.
9.Who do you normally watch Thriller films with?
-Family
10. How many thriller films would you say you have watched in your lifetime?
-50 +
----
Q/A RESPONSES
Marcia Campbell
1. AGE:
1. AGE:
30-40
2.GENDER:
FEMALE
3. How often do you watch thriller films?
-ONCE A MONTH
4. What is your favourite thriller film?
The Omen
5. Who is your favourite thriller actor and actress?
Jack Nicholson6. Which do you prefer, Blood and Gore Thrillers or psychological and puzzling Thrillers?
Jack Nicholson6. Which do you prefer, Blood and Gore Thrillers or psychological and puzzling Thrillers?
- Pyschological Thrillers
7.What appeals most to you about the Thriller film genre?
- Mind games
8. What kind of storyline would deter you from watching a Thriller film?
- Blood and Gore, excessive use of violence.
9.Who do you normally watch Thriller films with?
- Family and Pets
10. How many thriller films would you say you have watched in your lifetime?
- under 20
PROP LIST
When filming our video production we are going to need,
There will be no cost implications, props can even be brought from home and acquirable from college.
- Laptop (E-MAILS)
- Mobile Phone (texts)
- School Bag
- Hoody
- Plastic Bin liner
- Hammer/rope
- pretty flower
There will be no cost implications, props can even be brought from home and acquirable from college.
OUR THRILLER SYNOPSIS
The plot
The beginning of our thriller is going to be fast paced with quick flashy images, to add to the tension and drama, some of the shots and scene are going to be so dramatic and flashy that it will be hard to tell what is happening, creating hysteria and a creepy, eerie atmosphere.
the story starts off when the young girl (Anna) starts talking to a boy who she has met through an online chat room. They then don't go a day without talking, through emails and text messages. The boy who she knows as -DarkKnigh24- always gives her compliments and makes her feel good about herself when nobody else does, although she has not yet seen a picture of him or spoke on the phone they plan to meet in a church yard, although Ben is not who he seems. Anna has to skip school to see him and after having a row with her mother the same morning, Anna storms out of the house and doesn't return that same night.
The beginning of our thriller is going to be fast paced with quick flashy images, to add to the tension and drama, some of the shots and scene are going to be so dramatic and flashy that it will be hard to tell what is happening, creating hysteria and a creepy, eerie atmosphere.
the story starts off when the young girl (Anna) starts talking to a boy who she has met through an online chat room. They then don't go a day without talking, through emails and text messages. The boy who she knows as -DarkKnigh24- always gives her compliments and makes her feel good about herself when nobody else does, although she has not yet seen a picture of him or spoke on the phone they plan to meet in a church yard, although Ben is not who he seems. Anna has to skip school to see him and after having a row with her mother the same morning, Anna storms out of the house and doesn't return that same night.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Planning begins next lesson: Tuesday 15th March
we will be filming during lesson and it will maybe run into the next lesson.
we already have the camera booked with tape and tripod
We need props and costumes for shooting on tuesday - hopefully we can complete scene one the computer scene and possibly some of the killer bits. some of the props for the scene include; black hoody, rope/hammer black bin linisr, car (see prop list for more details)
we will also need to film on Thursday 17th March in our afternoon lesson, and if all is not complete by then - the following tuesday.
It is vitle that we have all filming complete by the end of day three, as editing - adding in music and cuts are going to be a major part.
we will be filming during lesson and it will maybe run into the next lesson.
we already have the camera booked with tape and tripod
We need props and costumes for shooting on tuesday - hopefully we can complete scene one the computer scene and possibly some of the killer bits. some of the props for the scene include; black hoody, rope/hammer black bin linisr, car (see prop list for more details)
we will also need to film on Thursday 17th March in our afternoon lesson, and if all is not complete by then - the following tuesday.
It is vitle that we have all filming complete by the end of day three, as editing - adding in music and cuts are going to be a major part.
Filming days:
- Tuesday 15th March
- Thursday the 17th March
- & possibly Tuesday the 22nd of March
THE SCRIPT
The majority of scenes from our thriller, will have little to no dialogue, as the beginning will be dark and daring and quite fast paced, creating a stalker feel. However there are two quite important scenes where we shall need dialogue;
- The kitchen scene with Mum and Anna
- The friend scene with Anna and her friend
---
FIRST SCENE
The kitchen scene:
we set the scene in Dana's kitchen, which becomes the victim's house.
The Mum: Dana
Victim/Girl (Anna): Sophie
Scene; Its Morning, girl walks downstairs, puts on boots, picks up bag and wanders in into kitchen where her mum is drawing the curtains.
Mom: Morning,
Anna: Morning,
Mom: Why arnt you in uniform?
Anna: Its mufti day,
Mom: are you sure?
Anna: Yes mom,
Mom: Do you want some breakfast?
Anna: no thanks
Mom: I think you should have some breakfast (mom brings bowl and cereal over and sits down)
Anna: Don't we have any milk?
Mom: Yes its in the fridge,
Anna (gets up and goes to the fridge when her phones goes off)
Mom: (picks up phone, nosily and teasingly) who's texting you this early?
Anna: (grabs phone, agressively) get off!
Mom: (startled) whats wrong with you?!
Anna: (moodily/suliking almost) just don't touch my stuff!
Mom (grabs milk and puts back in fridge)
Anna: Whatever, I'm going to school! (Anna picks up bag, walks out and slams door)
The kitchen scene:
we set the scene in Dana's kitchen, which becomes the victim's house.
The Mum: Dana
Victim/Girl (Anna): Sophie
Scene; Its Morning, girl walks downstairs, puts on boots, picks up bag and wanders in into kitchen where her mum is drawing the curtains.
Mom: Morning,
Anna: Morning,
Mom: Why arnt you in uniform?
Anna: Its mufti day,
Mom: are you sure?
Anna: Yes mom,
Mom: Do you want some breakfast?
Anna: no thanks
Mom: I think you should have some breakfast (mom brings bowl and cereal over and sits down)
Anna: Don't we have any milk?
Mom: Yes its in the fridge,
Anna (gets up and goes to the fridge when her phones goes off)
Mom: (picks up phone, nosily and teasingly) who's texting you this early?
Anna: (grabs phone, agressively) get off!
Mom: (startled) whats wrong with you?!
Anna: (moodily/suliking almost) just don't touch my stuff!
Mom (grabs milk and puts back in fridge)
Anna: Whatever, I'm going to school! (Anna picks up bag, walks out and slams door)
SECOND SCENEThe friend scene, set outside in the back entrance to college.
Scene: Sophie passes through the gate to college and bumps into her friend who she hasn't spoken to in a long time and whose birthday she had forgotten...Friend: Amber
Victim/Girl (Anna): Sophie
the scene takes place inside college when friends bump into each other.
Friend: Anna (Taps arm)
Anna: Hello,
Friend: Where the hell have you been?
Anna: Iv just been really busy,
Friend: Are you still coming to my party Saturday?
Anna: Oh god I'm sorry i completely forgot i cant,
Friend: But you promised!
Anna: I'm sorry but iv got something else planned,
Friend: Oh you'v changed (Walks away)
Victim/Girl (Anna): Sophie
the scene takes place inside college when friends bump into each other.
Friend: Anna (Taps arm)
Anna: Hello,
Friend: Where the hell have you been?
Anna: Iv just been really busy,
Friend: Are you still coming to my party Saturday?
Anna: Oh god I'm sorry i completely forgot i cant,
Friend: But you promised!
Anna: I'm sorry but iv got something else planned,
Friend: Oh you'v changed (Walks away)
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Cast List
There are four members of our group:
The two main characters,
- Sophie
- Dana
- Amber
- Melissa
The two main characters,
- The Teenaged girl, played by:- Sophie
- Older man, played by:- Me
- Girls mother, played by:- Dana
- Girls friend, played by:- Amber
LOCATION REPORT
For our film production we shall be shooting at a variety of different locations.
We shall firstly need to take some photographs of e-mail messages sent between Dark knight 24 and our niave victim girl Anna, for these images which we shall be creating ourselves, we will need access to a computer, here we will create a continuos flow of e-mails between the two, to be slipped into our film in different stages later on. We could possibly use the learning resource centre in college for this, and or or my laptop as it is glossy, black and could create a sense of evil and eerie.
We will also need a natural kitchen setting - for this we shall be using a group members house, to film Anna's morning routine, getting up, talking to mum, and leaving for school; this scene shall be shot in broad day light, with natural light flooding through and a very early monring chirpy feel - a complete contrast to the thriller genre... whilst on the other side of nowhere, contrastingly, the night before the attacker (me) shall rise from his slumber and the audience will get a view of his night time routine which involves, stalking Anna's pictures, sharpening knives and packing the weapons he will use to attack her later on in the story.
we also need a natural setting to film where the murder takes place, somehwere open and natural, which can add to the realism of our story plot and
so we can bring back the message, hard-hitting and eery - this could happen to you -
For another part of the story we shall need a dark and secluded alleyway where the stalking commences, these shots will hopeully be blended in to created a fast-paced tense and dramatic scene, luring the audience in and keeping the suspense high.
so we can bring back the message, hard-hitting and eery - this could happen to you -
For another part of the story we shall need a dark and secluded alleyway where the stalking commences, these shots will hopeully be blended in to created a fast-paced tense and dramatic scene, luring the audience in and keeping the suspense high.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
THRILLER GENRE TARGET AUDIENCE, AND TARGET AUDIENCE FOR OUR FILM
There are different audiences for different film types.There is a divide in the market that suggests that young people are most likely to watch the thriller genre, research suggest that 75% of thriller-viewers are 16-25years of age. The thriller genre tends to target a young-adult audience - young adults. however some argue that the indepth puzzle solving theme attracts older viewers (25+) all in all, the thriller genre appear to appeal to a wide range of people of all ages and backgrounds.
For our thriller film we shall be exploring audience types and looking at targeting people between the ages of 16-25 as it is to do with modern technology - chat rooms and social networking sites, and mostly because our characters are young teenagers and their antics - allowing a pathway for connection with the audience who we have chosen to target, relating more to my current generation (16-18).
Age could also be consider as some films appear to target males more than females, for example 2011 box office smash BLACK SWAN has an initial female audience appeal, as it is to do with ballet and dance however the tale itself is far more thrilling... Black Swan has user ratings from both males and females, on average 6.2 females have watched the movie whilst only 4.5 males have plucked up the courage, although i personally think its the mild lesbian reference has attracted the male viewers.
The majority of our target audience will be made up of students due to the age range of our thriller, and also due to the fact that around 75% of the thriller film genre is watched and consumed by young people aged between 16-25.The interests of our target audience are demonstrated mostly by other thriller films they like.
For our thriller film we shall be exploring audience types and looking at targeting people between the ages of 16-25 as it is to do with modern technology - chat rooms and social networking sites, and mostly because our characters are young teenagers and their antics - allowing a pathway for connection with the audience who we have chosen to target, relating more to my current generation (16-18).
Age could also be consider as some films appear to target males more than females, for example 2011 box office smash BLACK SWAN has an initial female audience appeal, as it is to do with ballet and dance however the tale itself is far more thrilling... Black Swan has user ratings from both males and females, on average 6.2 females have watched the movie whilst only 4.5 males have plucked up the courage, although i personally think its the mild lesbian reference has attracted the male viewers.
The majority of our target audience will be made up of students due to the age range of our thriller, and also due to the fact that around 75% of the thriller film genre is watched and consumed by young people aged between 16-25.The interests of our target audience are demonstrated mostly by other thriller films they like.
HISTORY OF THRILLER GENRE
Here is a list of some the top classic Thrillers of the past fifty years, a decade by decade account of some of the best films that have lead to what we now watch and love today. starting in the 1950's when the thriller theme first became popular.
The 1950's key and leading thriller movies included; Vertigo, Rear window - Alfred Hitchock 1954 suspense movie, Touch of Evil, The killing - some of the most fantastic ever made.
In 1960's some of the key thriller movies of the time were; Pyscho, Point blank, night of the living dead, and From Russia with Love, James Bond - Gold Finger.
In the 1970's some of the leading thrillers included; Blue Velvet, Jaws, Chinatown, Alien, The exorcist and Taxi driver.
The 1980's included; the infamous Die Hard, The Shining, The Fly, Afterhours, PROM, The island and Manhunter.
It was in the 90's when we saw Brilliance and excellence and some of the best Thrillers - in my opinion, were produced; Pulp Fiction, Fight club, Sixth Sense, The insider, Kiss the Girls and Fargo.
It was in year 2000 when things just kept getting better.
The Dark Knight - amazing Christian Nolan movie, Along came a spider, Momento, Se7en, The Departed, King Kong, Exorcism of Emily Rose, Taken ect...
2010 has bought us even more fantastic Thriller movies and I cannot wait for the next fifty years! Inception, Black Swan, Buried, Let me in, Catfish, The Crazies, Devil, Zero, Takers and many many more!
The 1950's key and leading thriller movies included; Vertigo, Rear window - Alfred Hitchock 1954 suspense movie, Touch of Evil, The killing - some of the most fantastic ever made.
In 1960's some of the key thriller movies of the time were; Pyscho, Point blank, night of the living dead, and From Russia with Love, James Bond - Gold Finger.
In the 1970's some of the leading thrillers included; Blue Velvet, Jaws, Chinatown, Alien, The exorcist and Taxi driver.
The 1980's included; the infamous Die Hard, The Shining, The Fly, Afterhours, PROM, The island and Manhunter.
It was in the 90's when we saw Brilliance and excellence and some of the best Thrillers - in my opinion, were produced; Pulp Fiction, Fight club, Sixth Sense, The insider, Kiss the Girls and Fargo.
It was in year 2000 when things just kept getting better.
The Dark Knight - amazing Christian Nolan movie, Along came a spider, Momento, Se7en, The Departed, King Kong, Exorcism of Emily Rose, Taken ect...
2010 has bought us even more fantastic Thriller movies and I cannot wait for the next fifty years! Inception, Black Swan, Buried, Let me in, Catfish, The Crazies, Devil, Zero, Takers and many many more!
preliminary task
45 seconds long
i used final cut to edit my Preliminary task, which uses basic cuts, fades ect.
i used final cut to edit my Preliminary task, which uses basic cuts, fades ect.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Thriller Film Coursework Questions
What is the purpose of the opening to a film?
To capture the spectator, to draw them in and to get them involved and watching. the opening to a thriller film can also set the tone and help identify the genre, it could also be a passage to the ending, could be like a circle linkup.
What Techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
loud and dramatic build up of grand music - string instruments, drums ect. cinematography is intimate - focuses on certain bit, low key lighting, jump cuts and cross cutting, false shocks.
Define the term - thriller film?
'Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television that includes numerous and often overlapping sub-genres. Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more powerful and better equipped villains'
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
there are so many films that i have looked at that will fit into this theme, here are a few examples:
'Top 20 thriller films' what ones have you watched? if it is not many why do you think this is?
To capture the spectator, to draw them in and to get them involved and watching. the opening to a thriller film can also set the tone and help identify the genre, it could also be a passage to the ending, could be like a circle linkup.
What Techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
loud and dramatic build up of grand music - string instruments, drums ect. cinematography is intimate - focuses on certain bit, low key lighting, jump cuts and cross cutting, false shocks.
Define the term - thriller film?
'Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television that includes numerous and often overlapping sub-genres. Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more powerful and better equipped villains'
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
there are so many films that i have looked at that will fit into this theme, here are a few examples:
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY
IN THE NICK OF TIME
INCEPTION
SINGLE WHITE FEMALES
RANSOM
THE GLASS HOUSE
FLIGHT PLAN
DON'T SAY A WORD
CELLULAR
ALONG CAME A SPIDER
RED EYE
WHAT LIES BENEATH
What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film?
narrative,
charactrers
mise en scene
stars- have a massive influence and star appeal is a technique continuously used to maximise film appeal.
What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?
"Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as the main elements. The primary subgenre is psychological thrillers. After the assassination of President Kennedy, political thriller and paranoid thriller films became very popular. The brightest examples of thrillers are the films of Alfred Hitchcock. The cover-up of important information from the viewer and fight/chase scenes are common methods in all of the thriller subgenres, although each subgenre has its own characteristics and methods. Common methods in crime thrillers are mainly ransoms, captivities, heists, revenge, kidnappings"
"Horror films are unsettling movies that strive to elicit the emotions of fear, disgust and horror from viewers. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres. Horrors also frequently overlap with the thriller genre.
Horror films deal with the viewer's nightmares, hidden worst fears, revulsions and terror of the unknown.
Although a good deal of it is about the supernatural, if some films contain a plot about morbidity, serial killers, a disease/virus outbreak and surrealism, they may be termed "horror." Plots written within the horror genre often involve the intrusion of an evil force, event, or personage, commonly of supernatural origin, into the everyday world. Themes or elements often prevalent in typical horror films include ghosts, torture, gore, werewolves, ancient curses, satanism, demons, vicious animals, vampires, cannibals, haunted houses, zombies and masked serial killers. Conversely, stories of the supernatural are not necessarily always a horror movie as well."
'Top 20 thriller films' what ones have you watched? if it is not many why do you think this is?
- Pulp Fiction
- Inception
- The Dark knight
- Goodfellas
- Fight Club
- Rear Window
- Psyco
- The Usual Suspects
- The silence of the lambs
- se7en
- Memento
- Leon
- North by Northwest
- Double Indemnity
- M
- Taxi Driver
- Vertigo
- Terminator 2
- Elite Squad 2
- Alien
Overall i have watched 9/20 Thriller films from the Top 20 according to IMBD, i think this is because, i tend to watch the more science -fiction thriller films with my dad and brother such as Terminator 2 and Alien, as just forced habit, whereas ordinarily i would not go out to a shop and pick out that particular film to sit and watch. Films like Dark Knight and Inception I watched in the cinema when they were released, as there special effects and no expense spared action appealed to me the most. Se7en is a classic film that I watched at home and was totally Dad inspired as he enjoys the pyschological thriller with a puzzle to solve and chase scene, heavy action.
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