Storyboard Development

Before starting to plan our storyboard, we had to decide on the location of our opening. We decided our first establishing shot would be the one above. We decided on this location, because we wanted the idea of it starting out in a very open place, with lots of things going on. We then wanted the location to change to a more closed of and claustrophobic location. This ES shows this happening quite effectively. Also in the dark, the trees and bushes would create a scary atmosphere which is what we were hoping for.

We are going to film part of our opening from this angle. This is because it creates the idea of someone watching the character in the shot. The bushes are quite effective, as a way to create the idea of the killer being Hidden (the title for the film).

This is the last location for our film opening. we choose this place, because it has the idea of the character becoming very closed of from everything and almost trapped. This then reinforces the thriller genre, as the closed of feeling puts the audience on edge, as they get the idea something bad is going to happen.

This is a section from my storyboard. It shows the first two action shots of the opening. The first shot is a ES, which helps give the audience the idea of setting and also allows for us to develop the idea of everything being open and then gradually getting closed of as the openign develops. The non-diegetic music in this section is quite happy and light, this is too create the impression everything is normal and fine, which will put the audience on edge as they know a thriller is not stereotypically like that. This creates an enigma code for the audience, as they don't know what is going to happen.

This next section is the last two shots of the opening. They use hand-held camera, to help bring in the idea of Social Realist, but more importantly develop the idea of the character being followed by the killer. This helps create an action code, as the audience know something is going to happen. The fact the shot ends as an extreme close-up helps the opening finish as being very closed of. The non-diegetic music in this section has changed abruptly from the music at the start, it is now very sinister and creepy, which creates the stereotypical impression of a thriller film. It also reinforcing the action code, as the audience know something bad is about to happen. The creepy non-diegetic music also adds suspense to the opening. 

Audience Profile

The primary target audience for my film would be females aged 16-24, this is due to the main protagonist character being female. Also the age of all the characters in the film would be similar to this target audience, which would help the audience relate to the characters. However the thriller genre would stereotypically appeal more to a male audience, which is why our secondary audience would be males 16-24. Not only would the genre attract this audience, but also the use of female characters would cause a higher level of male interest for the film.

When thinking about my target audience's media use and how we could use this to attract them to the film, the first important place to publicise the film, would probably be through social networking. The majority of the target audience would have a social network site and would use it on a regular basis. Therefore if we were to create a Facebook page or app, or a Twitter feed about the film, we would be likely to target our audience.

We could also use television trailers to publicise the film. This would primarily be of effect on channels such as E4, because our target audience are more likely to watch programmes on channels such as this. We could link our film to youth programmes, such as Skins, as a way to reach our target audience.

Our target audience are also likely to regularly use the cinema. This could benefit us, as we could put trailers of our film on in the cinema. We could put the trailer on before a similar film, either a film in the same genre of thriller (e.g. Scream 4) or a film that is similarly targeting the young, teenage audience (e.g. Roommate Wanted ). We could also put posters of our film up in the cinema, as a way of attracting the desired audience.

We could also make use of iPhone apps and internet advertising, such as setting up an official film website, offering exclusive content and behind the scenes footage. This would attract the audience, as they are known to use their phones and the internet on a quite frequent basis, which will mean advertising in this way, will be an easy way to attract the audience.

Screen-shot inspiration for our film.

After we had looked at a good variety of different film openings in the genre of our film, we then had to use the research we had gathered from them to inspire our own film openings.
We then had to find screen-shot examples of different films, that had inspired us in each element of media language.
These screen-shots and analyse are shown below.

Representation

The film, Wanted, inspired us because it uses a female protagonist which is unusual for thriller films, as males are usually seen as the protagonist characters,

The idea of the female being the main character is effective as it makes the narrative more interesting. We decided to use a predominately female cast, in order to create the idea of breaking the stereotype in our film. I think this will also help us create a unique selling point for our film. 

Titles and Graphics

 We liked the font in Se7en, because it has a creepy effect and sets the mood for a thriller film. It puts the audience on edge as they are not sure what they are seeing and suggests the idea of mystery.
We decided to use a similar type of font as it would fit in well with our film because we want it to jump around and put the audience on edge. This title also uses numbers effectively. Our title also has numbers and therefore we decided to use a similar technique to this is order to incorporate numbers into our titles and graphics.

Camerawork

Extreme close ups give the impression that there is mystery in the scene. This has been done successfully in the opening to Dexter. We think we could use this similar technique in our opening, with the use of extreme close-ups.

Fish Tanks uses a hand held camera for their opening scene. We like this effect because it makes the film seem more realistic and if we use it in ours, it will give the effect of someone following. It will also help reinforce the idea of our film mixing the two genres of thriller and social realist together.

An establishing shot was used in the opening of Scream in order to show the setting. We will use an establishing shot in our film to show the creepy area the character is in and allows the audience to see more of the setting. 

Sound

The Scream opening uses mainly diegetic sound. This makes the film more realistic and allows for silences to create suspense. We will try to use the effect of just diegetic sound in our film, in order to grip the audience into the film and make them focus on the narrative. It will also help to build by suspense and mystery in the film.

Mise en scene

Typical thrillers use low key lighting to create an atmosphere full of suspense. This is true of The Prestige opening. We will use low key lighting in our opening, as it will create the right atmosphere for the film. The location of the opening is also in a dark and spooky place, similarly we will use a dark location for our film.

In our film, we want to bring in an element of social realist. To do this we will use urban clothing. Fish Tank was a good example of urban clothing, as the main character was kitted out in hoodies and trackies. We will take inspiration from this in the clothing of our characters.

Use of props creating an enigma code in Scream, was quite effective in drawing the audience in and creating a level of mystery and suspense over the opening. We decided to do this is our opening through the use a mobile phone, as we think it will cause the audience to question what is going on.

Editing


Fish Tank opening scene uses continuity editing. This creates an element of social realist again because nothing is being missed out. The audience sees everything chronologically. We want to use continuity editing in our film to merge the two genres of social realist and thriller together. It will also allow the opening to flow together easier, allowing us to establish narrative. It will hook the audience in and create a level of suspense over what is happening.

Investigate Real Media Products

The start of my coursework. I have now been told I will be starting to create and film my own film opening as my media studies coursework. Before I can begin it is important for me to understand the conventions of my chosen genre fully, so that I can use and develop these conventions in my own opening. To do that I have been asked to get screen shot examples of films in my chosen film genre and identify the conventions explored in each. My chosen genre was Thriller. I have included my screen shots below.

Dexter (TV Series)

-Male antagonist – men have the control and are the more violent gender. The tend to be the killers in thriller films.

-CU’s of props, such as rope, knife etc – suggest the idea of violence and murder playing a big part in the plot.

-Normal everyday clothes – idea of killer blending in with everyone else and not standing out. Making them seem like normal people.

American Psycho

•Male characters are very fit and healthy – showing power and strength over the situations.

•Male antagonist character – power, idea of being violent and brutal.

•Attractive male character – men attracted with the idea of wanting to be like him – females attracted by good looking appearance. 

Scream

•Female “victim” – women are made to seem vulnerable and innocent – they are the damsel in distresses, that always need looking after and protecting

•Male antagonist – they have the power and control, seem as more dominant – stronger and more authoritarian

•Female wearing light, pale feminine clothes – shows her purity and innocence. Makes her seem more vulnerable.

The Prestige

•Simple font for the title – contrasts the complexity of the narrative story

•Low-key lighting – idea of secrecy and the situation being wrong or violent.

•Dark locations – graveyard – linked to death and violence – clues to the narrative of most thrillers. 

Reservoir Dogs

-Smart clothing – idea of power, importance and wealth of the male characters.

-Blocking shows males in a group circle – idea of a team, working together. – higher sense of importance and power.

-Discriminating view of female characters – shows males to be the more dominant character – makes females seem inferior, less important.

 Die Hard

•Male protagonists – males are made to seem like the protectors and heroes of thrillers. – they have a sense of strength.

•Guns – idea of violence and death – linked to many thrillers

•Dirty clothing – idea of action, careless attitude of males over their appearance. Lack of time, showing the action and pace of the film.

Bourne Identity

•Male protagonist – protector, idea of strength and power – males are usually linked to danger.

•Shot of male character in dangerous situation – idea of male being brave and fearless – able to tackle anything without being afraid.

•Normal clothes – helps them blend in and not stand out in a crowd – idea of hidden identity, important in many thrillers

Eagle Eye

•Male character is made to seem like the protector – female made to look vulnerable and in need of looking after. Showing the power and strength of males and the innocence and weakness of female characters.

•Smart clothing – idea of power, importance and authority – showing the power males have in these situations.

•Blocking – male character behind the female in a protective stance – ready to come to females defence if needed. Shows women to always be in need of protecting and sheltering from harm.

The Usual Suspects

        •CU of flame being lit – idea of violence and fire – linked to death and crime

       •Male antagonists – males have power and control and a more violent personality

       •Low-key lighting – sense of wrongness and secrecy surrounding the antagonists.