Directors and Actors

Directors

Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock began his career in 1921, and ended it in 1976, 4 years before his death. During this 55 year career, he developed the nickname 'The Master Of Suspense'. Hitchcock mainly directed for psychological thrillers. He pioneered many thriller techniques in silent films and early 'talkies'. Hitchcock was a very successful thriller director, as he is still very well known and well loved for his work nearly 30 years after his death. The films he made were very skilfully created, and earned him a great deal of respect and credit within the thriller genre of film.

Martin Scorsese

Scorsese's career began in 1963, and is still on-going. He is known for being a director, actor and a screen write, which gives him experience in every role of film.

Some of his trademarks as a director are:

-beginning his films with clips or segments which actually come from the end or middle of the film.

-frequent use of slow motion and freeze frame.

-using main characters which are sociopathic and/or want to be accepted into society.

-using blonde leading ladies, which when seen through the protagnists eyes are often angelic or ethereal.

-using guilt as a prominent theme.

-slow motion flashbulbs and camera/flash/shutter sound effects.

Actors

Robert De Niro

De Niro began his career in 1963 and is still in his current career. He is very well-known for his collaboration with Martin Scorsese. He is also known for his method of action, and his portrayal of troubled and conflicted characters. This gives De Niro is a good example of a thriller actor, as he is able to provide the conventions needed in a thriller character through his acting skills.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is a very renowned actor, well known for his roles in 'The Fugitive' and 'Air Force One', two films, typical of the thriller genre. His career spans from 1966 to the present day. He acted in these two films during the 90's. From my research, I've seen that in the 80's and 90's, thriller films began to get a lot more popular, and widely filmed, than they were in 70's and years before.

Target Audiences

Generally, the target audience for thriller films would be within an age range of 15 to 30(+) years. This could also typically be of the male gender, however, a lot of females are attracted to the thriller genre as well. It also depends on the film, as the film has to be relevant to the desired target audience. There are some other things which need to be considered when writing a thriller film:

- if the target audience is going to be of people of a certain race or culture, then the film needs to be written properly to attract that audience. Also if it is going to be taken to another country, you need to consider whether to translate the speech using on-screen subtitles, or whether to alter the voice and language of the actor using a voice-over.

-the age range of the film also needs to be consider. The film needs to be properly age rated for the target audience. A 15 rated film cannot have humour, or aspects in it which are unsuitable for the desired age range.

Location, Set Design, Costume, Props and Music Research

I did some independent research on the typical locations, set designs, costumes and props from thriller films, and this is what I found.

Locations

Most conventional thriller locations will be a generically haunted place, like a house or a village. It will not usually be in a built up area, as being in a more 'cut-off' area, gives the audience the sense of being alone and isolated, with no sense of help or escape, resulting in the inevitable.

One film which breaks away from these conventional ideas is 'Phonebooth'. It's set in a city, and the main focus for empathy is the main male character, not the actual victim herself. Most thrillers will have the empathy focus on the victim of the film.

Set Design

Set design is very closely linked to location, in that usually the set is very isolated. However, set also shows how lighting can help set a scene. Generically, thriller films are lit in quite a dark fashion, using lots of shadows. Most of the time, any dark spaces would be created naturally, again using shadows, and the night time, to emphasise the feeling of intensity and isolation.

Costume

The costume for the main characters or victims of the plot will normally be quite ordinary, 'every-day' casual clothes, or smart clothes, depending on the character. This is because a lot of thriller film will be made to be fairly realistic, so that an audience can relate to it more easily. This makes and audiences reaction to the film more intense, creating a better atmosphere.

Props

Props that would be used in thriller films would be normally something inanimate objects, which could be a way of moving the story on. An example is a film called 'Ronin' by John Frankenheimer. A significant prop in this film is a silver metal suitcase. It obviously of important, and is used the whole way through the film.

Music

The type of music used would be that which builds tension, and is written to provide a sudden jolt when needed, to match the on-screen action. The music can help to build atmosphere if written well and used properly and in the right places. However, the absence of music can also sometimes help to add the overall atmosphere of the film.

180 Rule And 'Match On Action'

180 Rule

The 180 rule means that if you are filming two characters from one side, they will be in a certain position. If you then film from the other side of them, the two characters appear to change positions. If you do this, then this is breaking the 180 rule.

Match On Action

Match on action, is when you use more than one shot to show the same action. For example you could film someone standing up from a table. You could use a side medium shot to show the person beginning to stand up. You could then use a close up from in front showing the person finishing the motion. If 'match on action' is used properly then the action in the two shots will appear to flow continuously from one shot to another.

Evaluating Our Prelim Task

For our prelim film, we had to film someone walking through a door, sitting down with somebody else, exchanging a few lines of dialogue, and then walking back out of the door. In our film, we also included a small journey, and few more characters. The journey involved:

-dialogue between two characters asking for a pen

-the main character going on his journey through the school to find a pen

-another two characters exchanging dialogue and a pen is not found

-the main character leaving, and then the audience discovering that a pile of pens was concealed by the person who was asked for a pen

This is our film:

I feel that me, James and Joe worked well as a group. We came up with our initial idea relatively quickly, and then discussed more in depth as a group to develop the idea into a suitable length of film.
When developing our ideas, we also began to think of specific camera shots that we could use as well, which made the actual filming quicker, and easier. I think we were effective as a group, as we all contributed to the initial idea, and then discussed each shot and all the action as a group, to make sure that we got the optimum amount of skill and technical aspects out of each shot. Also, during filming, we all used the camera, focused the camera and acted as director of the shot, to give each group member and opportunity in each role. I think that my skills were more effective in the use and focusing of the camera, rather than director of the scenes, as I find it difficult to develop and initial idea once the practical work has started to take place.

If i had to do the prelim task again, I would think more carefully about the length of the journey before the action takes place, as the brief for the task was mostly based in the last 20-30 seconds of the film. If we had not included the last few seconds, then the film would not follow the brief. Also if we had not been brutal during the editing process, the journey would have been too long, and each individual shot would also last for too long, therefore not keeping the audiences attention effectively.

Editing The Prelim Task

After we had filmed the preliminary film, we had to choose and edit our films, so we could include the key points of the film and so that we could get the continuity of the film smooth and flowing.

First we loaded the tape from the camera into the tape deck, and we watched all of our footage the whole way though, so we had a chance to remember exactly what we had filmed the week before.

We then opened a program called 'Final Cut Pro' and then began to choose specific scenes from the footage. We had to make sure that we appropriately named each scene, and 'marked-in' the exact place where we wanted the scene to begin, and then 'marked-out' exactly where we wanted the scene to finish. We could be very specific with this, so we could make sure that no unwanted speech or action was included into the final cut. To do this, we had to press the 'Now' button on the screen, and then to stop press the "esc' button. This was a lot more rough because it depended a great deal on your reaction time, however you could then go on to specifically cut each scene to a millisecond.

After we had chosen each scene roughly, we added them into a film timeline, so we could see exactly where each scene was, and how long it was. In this timeline, we could move around each scene, to change the order, and reload a scene into the editing window, if it needed any further editing.

When doing the more intrinsic editing, we had to be very careful not to include any speech that wasn't needed, so that the final film flowed properly, and had no errors in it which would make it look unprofessional. It was very easy to edit the film, but sometimes we had to re-check each scene to make sure that the continuity was correct. When doing this cut, we found that there were some shots which were used for too long, and got boring after you had been watching them for a while, so we cut these out and made some shots a lot shorter, to make the film play at a faster pace, so therefore make it more interesting to watch.

This had created the final film, which could be played continuously, from start to beginning, with smooth transitions from the end of one scene to the beginning of another.

We then began to explore how we could add soundtracks to the film, using Sound Cut Pro. This allows us to upload our final film, and add music in along a separate timeline, so that we could make sure that all of the music was in the correct place, and we could cut the music when necessary. However, we did not get around to actually adding the sound track into the final film.

Before this editing process, I had no editing skills, and had done very little filming before. However, I found the editing process fairly simple, and I think that it will be easy to use in the future when editing the thriller film that we will do. Also, I have learnt how to use a video camera more effectively and most to my advantage. I can now properly focus a camera, to make sure that everything we want to include in a specific shot will be included.

Extra skills that I will need for the final thriller film will be, being able to include appropriate music into the film, being able to use a wider variety of more experimental shots and angles, and having the ability to pick out the key points which are most critical to the film, so therefore being able to edit out everything which is unnecessary. Also developing all the skills which I have learnt during this task will be important, as I will need to make sure that all the skills and technical aspects that I include in my film are to the highest standard that I can achieve.

Preliminary Task

We started to plan and film our preliminary task. The brief was to have someone walk into a room, sit down, exchange a few lines on dialogue and then leave the room again. First we got into groups of three, in my group was me, Joe and James. We all sat down as a group and discussed an idea which we could use, and developed it as a group. Once we thought of an idea, we talked about how we could use different shots and what else we could add into the film.

Our idea was to have our main character going on a journey to find a pen, but go on a very long journey, which comes to no conclusions - he does not find a pen.

The first shot we used was a two shot of our main character (Will) and another character(Cj). Cj asks Will for a pen, he feels to see if he has one, doesn't, so gets up to go and find a pen from someone else.

We then used a long shot to show Will walking from the field, towards the main entrance. With this shot, we had to make sure that the position Will stopped in from the first shot was the same position he started from when we were filming the second shot. We walked towards and to the side of the camera, and the camera panned to follow him walking to the top of the stairs.

We then had the camera underneath the stairs leading down to the main entrance, which filmed the backs of Wills feet walking down the stairs and then following him towards the door and showing him starting to open the door. This added the element of mystery, as the shot looks like someone was spying on him.

We then set the camera up at the top of stairs which showed the main part of the reception, including the main door, so we could see Will walking in. He walked through the main reception, and under the balcony towards the canteen, and the camera panned to follow him so it was clear the action was still following Will.

Then to show him walking through the canteen, we used a POV shot, so we could see first hand Will opening all the doors, what he was looking at as he was walking, and all the way to the lift, so we showing him pressing the buttons and walking into the lift.

We the used a long shot of the corridor upstairs, and Will walked from behind the camera, and up the stairs.

We then used a POV shot and a long shot to show Will trying to open the door. Then a POV shot from Wills point of view, to see James walking up to him, and revealing that he was trying to open the door the wrong way. James says 'Twit!' and then walks into the room.

The camera is then set up inside the room, so you can see the door and Will walking into the room, and Lucas who was sitting on an office chair with a crash helmet on. Lucas spins to face Will and flicks the face guard up. Will and Lucas exchange a few lines of dialogue:

Will - "Alright Dave?"

Lucas - "Alright?"

Will - "Have you got a pen?"

Lucas - "Oh no, sorry mate."

Will - "Oh, ok. See you later Dave!"

The conversation we also filmed using over-the-shoulder shots to show the dialogue.

We then used another medium shot to show Lucas spinning his back to the camera, and then there is a close-up on a big pile of pens behind him. We thought that this would add a sense of humor to the piece. We used this as a the last shot, as we thought that it would be effective to sum up the comedy within the piece.

Next lesson, we will begin to edit the piece to make it a continuous film.

An Introduction To Filming (Camera and Tripod)

We were introduced to the cameras that we would be using, and were taught how to properly use the camera and the tripod co-operatively.

The camera we were using was a HD Sony camera .

We then practiced with the camera, filming a few seconds of action of people in the group. We then got into groups of three. Along with me in my group was Shanice and James. We were given a short task to complete, and the brief was to film a journey within the limits of the school.

Our group had difficulty deciding exactly what journey to choose, so filmed two or three different journeys.

1) We went to the top of the stairs in reception, and filmed me walking down the stairs, though reception and underneath the balcony towards the canteen. We started with an over-the-shoulder shot before I walked down the stairs, and then panned, following me through the reception. As i was walking through reception, James walked into me, to create a two-shot. I carried on walking under the balcony and out of shot.

2) We then went to the stairs which are by the workshop and set the camera up at the top of stairs. We began with another over-the-shoulder shot before I walked down the stairs. When I got to the bottom James walked up them and I ran round the school so that I could get to the top of the stairs again. I then walked back down the stairs, whilst James ran round to get to the bottom. We did this to create a 'broken record' effect, so that I carried on walking from the top down, and James from the bottom up.

We then filmed a low angle, on the floor, of me walking out of the door to the stairs at the bottom and into the work shop. Then set the camera up inside the work shop, looking down toward the dock. I was hidden inside the cupboard, and we saw Shanice walking into the room. I then jumped out of the cupboard scaring her, and she screamed, and then carried on walking out of the room.

3) The last scene we filmed was a journey of Shanice going up in the elevator in the new building. We did a POV shot of her walking into the lift, and then a low angle of Shanice whilst she was in the lift. As a finishing shot, James filmed the ceiling walking down the corridor towards us, and then tilted the camera down so that me and Shanice came into shot. There were then a few lines of dialogue:

Me - "Where the hell have you been?!"

Shanice - "Don't ask!"

The last scene related back to the 2nd one as an end of the journey, but was still a journey in its own right.

I found this quite a difficult task because the film wasn't very long, so it was hard to initially think of an effective idea to use as journey.

Analysing The Opening Sequence Of Memento

We watched the opening sequence of the film 'Memento' a few times, and then discussed in the class the conventions of the film in accordance to a typical thriller and what we liked about it.

It was filmed in 2002 and was directed by Christopher Nolan. It starred Guy Pearce.

This film began with a black background, with white text in front of it. Then it changed to a close up on a polaroid of a dead man. Every minute or so, the polaroid was shaken, and every every time it was the polaroid got fainter and fainter. This gives the impression of time going backwards, and also tells us something about the character. He obviously has quite a hard personality as he is able to shoot this man in the head, and then stand there long enough to be able to take the polaroid and develop it before he leaves the room.

Also when the gun has just been fired, an over-the-shoulder shot is used looking from behind the killer. This gives an impressions of power and is quite an intimidating angle, making the killer look powerful. However, when the killer is sitting in a hotel room, a low angle is used, which could show that the killer is actually quite a vulnerable character.

During the first scene, showing what has happened, a lot of very close camera shots are used, which gives a feeling of disorientation, and you can't see properly where the action is. The order of event is quite unconventional, which gives a heightened feeling of disorientation.

This opening is very effective, as it leaves the audience wondering what actually happened between the killer and the vitcim, why he was killed and the events which led up to the murder.

An Introduction To Thrillers (Past Student Examples)

We discussed the thriller genre, and talked through the codes and conventions of thrillers. We established that the thriller is a broad genre of literature,film,and television. They can also involve sub-genres and become hybrids, for example and action-thriller. If a film thrills the audience, then it is classed as a thriller.

Some other conventions include:

-Unusual angles

-Flashbacks

-Tense atmosphere

-Ambiguous endings/ Cliffhangers

-Plot twists

-Realistic situations - can relate to the film

-P.O.V. of villain

-Fast camera work

-Villain character

-Dark lighting

-Climax

-Mystery/ Slow revealing plot

-Jumpy music

-Supernatural

-Puzzles

We then look at some examples of past student thriller films and discussed what we liked and what we thought could of been improved.

Passion Productions:

Passion Productions from BDC on Vimeo.

I liked this film a lot. It told enough of the plot line to make the audience interested when the aspect of mystery was added into the film. There were three characters in the film, but not a lot is given away about any of them. You don't know what happened to the father, you get the sense that something has happened to the girl but not what, and the voice-over obviously has something to do with the girl, but you don't know the connection. I thought that the use of black and white was effective.

Taken:

Taken from BDC on Vimeo.

I thought that the choice and the use of music in this piece was really effective, as it set the audience in the appropriate frame of mind for a tense atmosphere, however, it stops and starts quite abruptly in certain parts of the film, which spoils the atmosphere slightly. Although, the fact that the music stops very suddenly when the girl finds the photographs is very effective. I thought that the film ended in awkward place, but it does leave the audience feeling curious.

Introduction To Camera Angles And Movements

In this lesson, we began to learn about the different camera angles movements and shots that can be used during a film sequence.

1) Extreme Long Shot (ELS)

2)Long Shot (LS)

3)Medium Long Shot (MLS)

4)Medium Shot (MS)

5)Medium Close Up (MCU)

6)Close Up (CU)

7)Big Close Up (BCU)

8)Extreme Close Up (ECU)

9)Low Angle

10)High Angle

11)Worms Eye

12)Birds Eye

13)Canted

14)Eye Level

15)Two Shot

16)Over-The-Shoulder Shot

17)Point Of View (POV)

18)Pan -The camera lens moves from left to right and right to left. (The tripod stays still).

19)Crab - A shot going past a still object (action of a crab)

20)Tracking – A shot of a moving person or object, made by a camera moving forward, backward or sideways. E.g a camera follows a person moving. The camera is normally mounted on metal tracks so the whole cramera including tripod moves)

21)Zooming – The effect of a camera moving toward or away from a subject by using a zoom lens (getting closer or further away, but camera staying in the same place)

22)Tilt – A shot which tilts to the left, right, up, or down

23)PED–The camera moves up and down, but staying eye level (like an elevator)

Introduction To Me

My name is Nikki Freer. I chose to do AS Media, because I have developed an interest in T.V. and film, and I think that this course will be most relevant to my chosen strand. I've never really made any films before, but i'm hoping togain a lot more experience during this year.