Questionnaire

1)     Are you male or female?

         Male                               Female

2.)  Which age catergory do you fit into?
     12-15       16-18        19-25            25+

3.) What type of thriller do you prefer?
     Psychological    Crime    Drama     Action      Legal       Horror

4.) Which type of location would you associate with a thriller?

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 5.)  What attracts you to thriller advertisement e.g colour, images

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6.) What are the three main things you expect in a thriller?

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7.)  Do you think a good opening to a film is important?
         yes         no

8.) Does an exciting film title attract you to watch it?
        yes           no

   

 

Post Production Preliminary Evaluation

Through our preliminary process, we faced a few problems with the camera we were using. We recorded our preliminary but had problems when we wanted to edit it as the camera was not compatible with the editing software we were using. We therefore had to record another preliminary using a different camera which was then successful.

We then started to crop the clips to make them the right length as we did not want clips that were too long as they would be pointless and become tedious. We then chose the music we would add to the video. We decided to use jolly background music as it fitted in with our light hearted video. We then looked at transactions and finally we added our names to the video.

The preliminary task has been very useful as we have learnt a lot about do’s and don’ts for our 2 minute thriller. For example, we have decided to use little or even no dialogue in our thriller because we don’t think it’s very effective and it takes away the professional feel of the film.

Overall we found that editing the preliminary was very useful to learn and get comfortable with using the camera and the editing software. It also worked well and really enhanced the clip.  

Production of our preliminary task

While filming for our Preliminary task we came across a few problems. Originally we had planned on our storyboard to film in the school hall, we had started to film on the back of the school stage like in our original storyboard. We used Match on action of Anna walking down the hall and up the stairs and again when she was walking up a ladder, this was effective as it the shots linked in well with the story as it made it seem as though Anna was lost. We then included shot reverse shot when Anna and Alex were having a conversation.

Therefore we had to come up with a different plan of where it could be filmed, we found a staircase that was empty that we could use in order to try at stick to our storyboard as much as possible. Firstly we made sure we included match on action, 180 rule and shot reverse shot. We decided that Anna walking up the stairs would be a good shot for match on action. Our first shot is of her walking from the bottom of the stairs, then from half way up. We used a tripod when filming this to keep the camera steady. As I walk into scene, we have a short conversation which is where we use shot reverse shot to be able to see the other persons reactions.

As a group we made sure we discussed all our ideas in order for everyone to include their own ideas. Filming for the preliminary task helped the group with working with a camera and how to film to make it seem professional, also making sure we included 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action as we could use this in our own thriller.

When we watched our preliminary task back we thought some things needed editing as some parts were a bit shakey. We also wanted to cut parts out and some takes that were wrong, and to add writing and music to introduce us to editing films in order to help us with our own thriller to make it as best as we can.

Pre-production of our preliminary task

When planning our preliminary task, we had to first start of by storyboarding our ideas.
We found this useful as we started to develop ideas on mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and editing; alongside with technical features such as how many seconds each shot will be and camera compositions.
By storyboarding our ideas the filming process will be more accessible, and we have a basis plan which could be developed if we face any situations when filming.

To get a better insight into what the task required we watched previous years preliminary videos and evaluated them. This was good as we started to understand the aims and objectives, and how we should go about this task. We found out things which were successful such as keeping it simplistic and original for example a coversation between a teacher and student. We also found out things which we should not do such as not using the correct equipment; groups who filmed with a hand held camera looked silly and unproffessional whereas when using a tripod clips looked sleek.

We had to incoporate the 180 rule, match on action shot and shot-reverse-shot into the task to show our understanding. whilst in the pre-production stage we had to share out roles and responsibilities equal; to make our group diverse and to take pressure off other members.

This was a fun stage as we got the chance to be creative, whilst getting used to what we will need to develop for our thriller.

Our Location

Here is a picture of our location. We thought it would be a perfect place to film a thriller as it fits the theme and also looks interesting and engaging.

Here is a picture of the back of the house, and also the land behind the house where the first scene of our thriller will be filmed.

We are all really happy with the location we have chosen as we think it has a lot of potential for creating a really great thriller. Also, there is a lot of land meaning we have a lot of space to get some really great shots.

BBFC

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is an independent, non-governmental body which has classified cinema films. Issues are raised such as discrimination, drugs, horror, nudity, sex, sexual violence, theme and violence when making decisions. They also consider how it makes the audience feel and act on audience behaviour.

"It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror." - http://www.bbfc.co.uk/

There is a wide audience but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work. A '15' rating film will include themes such as strong language, suitable violence (if too explicit; the film should be categorised as an '18') and topics that deal with descrimination.

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video work. An '18' rating movie will be very explicit; therefore it's only suitable for adults. Abusive themes will be explored and their maybe strong sexual content with heavy violence.

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’.  A '12' and '12A' is categorised when material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Psychographics

Psychographics is a way of categorizing an audience by their behaviour and personality traits. Psychographics labels a particular type of person and makes an assessment about their viewing and spending habits.

After looking at Young and Rubicon’s psychographic profile, known as their 4C’s Marketing Model. We have decided that our target audience best fits the Reformers group. I think that this group would mainly include teenagers over the age of 15, for example, college or university students.

Demographics

  A common method of audience research is known as demographics. This is the population of Britain broken down into six groups through income and status.

Producers use demographics to shape their text or product to appeal to a group with a known viewing  habits. Producers of a television programme about DIY would have a target audience with a C2 demographic. It does not tell you somethings they would like to know, such as how much money each group has to spend each week. Some skilled manual workers such as, electricrians and Plumbers earn more money then many teachers, however the money spent is not in the same way. Also, demographics only includes information about the main earner in a household so young people at home at home are not included for example.

Influences

When thinking of ideas for our thriller many films influenced us; our biggest influence is the film

the 'Black Swan'. Me and the rest of my group were fascinated in the way in which this film presents a split within someone's personality and the way in which the film is directed and edited to emphasises this. We will not be including the same themes as this film in our thriller as we do not want to replicate the film, but we will adapt our 2 minute opening to a thriller in a style which is used in this film.

Other films such as the 'Last house on the left' has inspired us for locational settings.

We are still in the beginning stages of our project but this is a basic summary of what direction we are planning to go in the future.

Sony vegas 9

We will be using our own personal editing software Sony Vegas 9 to edit rather than the school's software.
This will be a good opportunity to apply our own personal skills on a task which requires originality.
The program we will be using is quite advanced in comparison to other software so this will be a challenging task for us, but will great fun and rewarding.

"The Vegas Pro 9 collection integrates two powerful applications that work seamlessly together to provide an efficient and intuitive environment for video and broadcast professionals. This comprehensive suite offers the most robust and progressive platform available for content creation and production. With broad format support, superior effects processing, unparalleled audio support, and a full complement of editorial tools, the Vegas Pro 10 collection streamlines your workflow. From acquisition to delivery, from camera to Blu-ray Disc™, the Vegas Pro 10 collection delivers exactly what you need to produce outstanding results."

Starting the Preliminary task

 To help get used to using a camera, mise-en-scene, and using sound we have been told about our premliminary task. We have to design a storyboard for our own 30 second film. We have looked at the thriller 'Psycho' storyboard to help us design ours and think of a story. We need to include the 180 degree rule which is when two characters within the scene have to keep in the left or right side of the screen, if the camera passes the 'imaginary' line the frame will look mirrored, the positioning of the characters will change.

We also have to use shot reverse shot which is where two character are talking is the shot is going from one person talking to the others reaction.

We also have to use Match on action which is where you are filming from one angle then from another of the same thing. For example someone walking down the stairs, we could start to film them from at the bottom of the stairs then from the side or from above.

The preliminary task storyboard

This is the story board we created for the preliminary task. It shows a simple plan on how we will be filming and the shot we will use. The preliminary task should last about 30 seconds and we must include a match on action shot, shot reverse shot and a 180 degree rule.  Doing this will help us get used to using the camara and help us to learn what looks effective and what doesnt.