Research- Using clips and analysing how it follows the conventions

Children of Men follows the following conventions;Firstly the are list of credits.We are introduced to idents for example universal studios. Secondly we are drawn to a blank screen. Thirdly, it uses various camera work to establish where the location is. It uses shots like Medium close up to identify the main characters, to add we know there is going to be a hero, which is very steroidal. In addition it is set in america where usually you would find film openings to be set at. From the start it is seducing the audience to watching it as the camera follows the main character and makes us want to follow on because we can see he is on to something. Fast pasting is used throughout the opening. And music is used to associate the idents.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wCTgUq6hzUk




( clip to be put up properly and images to come)

Research- Structure

Using structure in a film opening helps build the foundation and purpose of the opening.Through structure you want to achieve a short enjoyable opening that the audience can understand the message trying to be conveyed for example a film opening could have the "moral of the story" being there is no place like home. It is also to make the audience feel there was a conclusion and that it wasn't just a series of frames being put together.


 When structuring a Thriller film opening you have to think about the length of timing and how you apply structure to the film opening. The ways you could try apply structure is to think about the following: The Act structure- this is what determinisms what are the actions and acts within the opening.  Most films use three- five acts. A good way of doing it is by putting different actions into different acts. You would have to think what is the turning point that brings us to the act and what is the climax of it.  In  using this we are almost forming a begging and ending. 
Beging is what opens the film which then is coming to a conclusion and ends. However there could be the middle part Most significantly is the turning points. Furthermore the character arc  usually in a film opening characters don't have enough time to develop.This could be because within the opening of the film the character is not due to change in personality. As not much is given away. Film openings are almost like snapshots. Too add a conclusion of some sort is great as it helps the audience understand the film and if they understandable it they will enjoy it. 

Research- Analysis of previous student work

As part of my research I have looked at a previous students work. The work I took to analyse was Group 30 by Eleni Koutis, Klaudia Wozniak, Reem Ghirmay, Valeza Bakolli.


Firstly what is noticeable is the intertextuality of The Black swan and Creepy Ring Around The Rose. 
The sound used to start the opening is very effective as it empathises what we are watching, a ballet, we usually associate that twinkling sound with ballerinas (possibly played on a triangle.) It is diegetic because it comes from the object in the storyline. A little girls jewellery box that has a ballerina turning round.It is also the source music
This then foreshadows what is to come. Once it gets into the 53 second point we are introduced to a sound bridge of non- diegetic  heavy beatings on the drums, only used for a couple of  seconds.This sound effect is added for dramatic effect.

The jewellery box music is the centre piece of the sound 

In addition it  signifies change and bad things are to come. But then we turn again to the gentle sounds of triangles. To only be disrupted again by it falling apart and squeaky sounds start which follows by sounds of children's voice in a play ground. Where to me it evokes an image of it, coming from a park and there are kids on the Mary- go- ground. And to be ended by a inoccent child laughing in the traditional evil laugh used in thrillers/horrors.

Editing - Fade/dissolve 

example of  text-Company ident/ credits

Throughout the piece there is always some sort of editing being used. There are various cuts to show from  one location, dance studio to bedroom. Match cut that shows a familiar relationship between shots for example the match cuts of dance positions/moves. Also there is fading and dissolving. To add a superimposition is used to create a visual metaphor. This also represents invisible editing meaning it shows a narrative style.  Moreover it is compressed timing that is achieving through the cuts and fades. Throughout this opening, slow motion is key. As you can see the characters moves clearly and how elegant she moves her body, showing every detail. Moreover there is harsh lighting. Its very dark and creepy. Its trying to introduced the character but not showing her full identity and is trying to keep back something from the audience.   To add to the opening the group have added texts such as the company ident and credits which amplifies the conventions on film opening.  Nevertheless the tone of this opening is done through editing its very nerve racking and almost makes the hair on the back of your neck stand. What is the more is the freeze frame. This is used where there is a still photography of the character.


In keeping with their theme. The group had made great use of Mise-en-scene. the costume is very simple. The character is in a tutu. A stenotype of what a ballerina looks like. Including the fact her hair is also tied up. However as the scene changes the character is in a short simple white dress, this represents inoccent and purity which in fact is ironic.   The props include again the jewellery box, a doll which is of most significant. A red lipstick which is very typical in thrillers and horrors. As it represents danger and is a warning.

Camera- interesting shot of feet

Camera- Birds eye view

Camera- Wide shot

Equally the use of camera work is great as it is varied and not boring. And it shows the groups understand and knowledge of camera work. And this reflects from the film opening. The main movements of camera is a tilting up and down. Tracking in and out. Zoom out and in.They also use surveying pan.This is where the camera searches the scene. To build on the climax. Lastly there are different types of shots; A wide shot of the dance studio, A medium shot-close up and extreme close up of the character. However there is an interesting shot on the ballets feet. Also the camera angles of; High angle,eye level.




 (video soon to be put up) 

Research- Intertexuality

The concept of intertexuality is where texts are usually formed out of and prior other texts. So a intertexuality in a film we would focus on other and prior texts that have influenced the film in hand.Films would take other texts but make it into something new. Even if it is a little bit alike the one they used as influence. 


A example of a film that shows intertexuality is The Matrix. It has texts from Alice in Wonderland, Dark city, Buddhist.




(examples to come. i.e pictures )






Another example of a film that makes reference to another media text in a media product is The Roommate. What happens in the opening sequence is that we are introduced to the surrounding through an establishing shot. Which the cuts to a shopt of a shower head with water pressured out. We are then introduced to a young blond female whom we directly assume is a woman passively the victim.She gets in to have a shower and draws the shower curtain. The camera then slowly zooms out and pans acros the toilet. And we are shown a line of toilet cubicles. The camera then goes to a close of the door and focuses on the door handle as it is slowly pulled down. Then there is a jump cut to the female. We are then shown her in a sexual way. As the follow the camera as it slowly goes down her back spine. She then turns around and the focus is on her tummy and belly piercing. Which forebodes what is to come. The light suddenly turns of.She then puts a towel on and gets out to see whats going on. ........

Research- Audiences

In order for our group to make a successful thriller film opening we have to understand more about the thriller audience.Thrillers tend to target people who are into mystery with possible twists.  Whom like to work things out     ( dare I say it who don't quite get there.)  They never give up and is always trying to work out what is happening. Yet loving the elements of surprise. 

Thrillers usually are popular with the under 25s. With a higher percentage of it begin males, but not significantly.   However because most thrillers have adult material: High level of violence, Psychological issues. They are certificated for those of 18 years and over. Although some are moderate and would target those of 15 years above.   

So the age group we would look at would be 15-25 as we will not have high level of violence or psychological issues that wont be suitable for our age range. And targeting both genders. 

Research- Genre & Sub-genre

Genre is the term that is used to for a category, in this instants, Film. A sub-genre is sub-categories within the film genre.   These are the following examples of Sub-genres; Biopics, Chick-Flicks, Detective and Mystery, Disaster, Fantasy, Film Noir, Guy Films, Melodramas,  Road Films, Romance, Sports, Super natural,Thriller.


Examples of thriller sub-genre I would use to inspire me would be religious thriller, serial thrillers, action and adventure. 



CopyCat is a Psychological thriller where a agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective are working foregather to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers fro the past. 

(Not finished: to be continued as I couldn't find a clip)

Planning -first idea to film openings-

The idea I would like to go along with is influenced by the film Stepfather. It opens up with Grady Edwards(Dylan Walsh)transforming himself in the bathroom.  He shaves off his beard, dyes his hair, and takes out his brown contact lenses. He goes downstairs with his luggage and fixes himself peanut butter toast and coffee. As he leaves the house, the camera reveals the bodies of his wife and her three children. The reasons for wanting to follow in the foot steps Nelson McCormick (director) Is because we look at a lot of interesting shots. We know he is "sykotic" through the shot of the male grooming kit something about it has been laied out and well organised even though we know this we are still not given the full picture.  


With reference to: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/thestepfather/

Planning -audience

I believe the great target audience would be those aged 18-25 as they are the ones to keep in trend with watching films and favour thrillers and horrors especially. This is because they like to be scared and have their emotions played with. Thrillers and horrors usually engage them and are not boring. With thrillers involving a lot of violence and psychological issues it will be disturbing to those of a younger age. However our one would be certificated a 15+ as it wouldn't contain a lot of violence or of any nature that is not suitable for that age gap. 

Planning-costumes and props

To suit the type of location. I thought the following costumes and props will be ideal.

 Here we have both female and male wearing casual clothing this type of costume will suit the house. As it represents everyday life. And deceives the audience as it doesn't give much about their character. The reason for putting both genders is because we don't know yet as to who is acting so there is a example of both. 


The props they may have are accessories like scarf's, bags, jewellery and every day house hold appliances. Alongside photos around the house things that identify and gives character to the actors. 

 This is a uniform of a nurse. That would fit in great with the hospital theme. the props can including hospital equipment; exam light, stethoscopes,blood pressure  cuffs, fetoscopes, scales, resuscitation equipment. E.T.C

To add a patients costumes this is a great costume it adds no character it doesn't give away anything about the character but yet we can identify what their roll is. The fact its like a uniform also plays a big part. Adds mystery.








The girl in this picture is wearing a long dress that covers her fully giving no identification. And its a stereotype of what sykotic people would wear as they torcher others in thrillers.It is well suited to the graveyard location.

Planning-location

The location I  had in mind for out thriller opening were the following.

I thought that we could do our scenes for the opening in a Hospital operating room because its a great part of creating a dramatic and thriller scene.However this would not be able to work as we cant get consent to video in this environment as it is always functioning to help those who are sick.   Also it doesn't really follow the thriller conventions it is not a "stereotypical" scene.

A grave yard is a good location to act our scene as is adds suspense, curiosity and it foreshadows bad things to come however keeping the audience in the lurch.  The problem with this would be that we would have to film during the night and there will be no lighting. As during the day, it wont be effective.

 Another option I considered is a large house.This is a stereotype location and setting for a thriller. To be exact a psychosocial thriller. And it would be very convenient.

(More locations to come.) 

Extension work to Film Techniques: Alfred Hitchcock

To want to turn a boring film to a Hitchcock thriller. It would be great to take example from his notorious sequences seen from the characters view of point. And the liner simplicity of Hitchcock's plots. So the best thing to do with our thriller to avoid it being boring and dull we would have to show view points of our main characters and to keep the plots very simple.

Hitchcock's use of his secret weapon: Humour. How he created suspense in his films was through the use of both humour and tension. Therefore to take example of his directorial wit. We should try to make our characters quirky, include ironic situations, whimsical settings. To match the Hitchcock's brilliance. 

 The sound of Hitchcock. Hitchcock first used sound in the film Blackmail, 1929. He soon found the various ways he can manipulate sound and crated a lot of sound mixes. In order to give life to a flat film screen, we need to know how to bring a new dimension, great sounds.  

Thriller Techniques

Thrillers have two significant thriller openings ; False Plateau and Bomb Theory. False Plateau is more else like " a boy who cries wolf" The audience have been lulled in by given a false sense of security. It works through visceral effects- we are made tense throughout exceptions then made to relax then a SHOCK!!!!
For example in saw two boys are playing about and try to trick the people on beach by pretending to be a shark. Everyone is allured and everyone is safely on sand, There are officers with guns pointing to the shark but soon to find it was the two young lads. Who were actually scared. Whiles this is happening. A actual shark has come near to shore and knocks a guy of a boat. But once the others spot it. It was to late the shark had eaten him.


Secondly, a Bomb theory "Alfred Hitchock" believed the that the audience should know more than what the characters do. Because of this it makes them more engaged. For intenseness there would be a actor standing near a bomb but doesn't realise it on the other hand the audience can see it and end up shouting at the screen to move and try to inform the character and lead them to safety.

Thriller Techniques - False Plateau, Bomb Theory and Alfred Hitchcock

False Plateau 

When the audience is lulled into a false sense of security.

suspense builds up so the audience begins to think something shocking or big is going to happen, however nothing happens and is only a false alarm, as a result the audience is relieved and calm. Then the unexpected will come and shock the audience.

Here is an example from the film; The Stepfather (2009)

When this scene started, already we know something was going to happen as she told Susan that David looks like a wanted serial killer. 

Some parts of this scene seemed as if it was films as a pov shot as in the middle image, it looks like someone is watching her from behind, this gives off an eery effect.

By now we already know something bad is going to happen, we just don't know when its going to happen. When the woman goes back into the house and closes her door, just as she turns around, her cat jumps out screaming. Not only scaring the woman but it also made me jump. This was the false alarm. 

When the woman goes to look for the cat, she cat behaved really strangely, probably because it knew that David was in the house. Just as she gets up and closes the cupboard.. BAM! David appears.

He then grabs hold of her and drags her to the basement door and throws her down the stairs.

Starts around 03:15 - 04:50

Bomb Theory

This is when the audience knows more than the actual characters in the film and are made to be more engaged because of this.

For example in the film The Stepfather we were introduced the main character at the beginning and already knew a little of his character. However the mum is not aware of who he really is and what his intentions are whereas the audience does.

Alfred Hitchcock

(coming soon)

Shot by Shot remake - Collateral (2004) - Comparison of Original and Own Production