Meeting Discussion

Meeting Discussions

Date	Action	To be done by	By whom	Discussions
5/11/2012	Review individual storyboards	5/11/2012	Whole Group	Discuss ideas and concepts that group members have, reflect on the ideas and then create a group storyboard
7/11/2012	Planning the cinematography	6/11/2012	Whole Group	Our whole group discussed the cinematography we wished
8/11/2012	Create group storyboard	8/11/2012	Danniella Moulton	Merge group ideas together to create our final group storyboard
8/11/2012	Write opening scene narration	8/11/2012	Emma and Daisy	Me and Daisy discussed what to include in our opening scene narration and then wrote it up
12/11/2012	Character Representation		Emma, Danniella, Daisy	We all discussed how we would like the characters to be seen by our audience. This is vital to peoples understandings of the characters background and personalities
14/11/2012	Mise en Scene plan		Daisy, Emma and   Danniella	Before filming, we discussed where we would like our iconography to be placed and what effect it would have on the audience. Also, how the lighting will effect the film and the atmosphere created. We also talked about what we would like our characters to wear in aim to follow their representation.
15/11/2012	Film Schedule		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	We planned our film schedule carefully in order to follow a precise plan of each shot and location to do.
19/11/2012	Risk Assessment		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	A risk assessment was created to follow during our filming process. This is to measure the safety of people involved.
22/11/2012	Editing		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	We imported our footage into Final Cut Express and edited it together using transitions and effects.
10/12/2012	Searching for sound		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	We searched through the website freesound.org to find relevant sound that we could include in our thriller.
13/12/2012	Creating credits		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	We decided upon a font to use for our credits and then created them on Final Cut Express and arranged them where we anticipated.
19/12/2012	Audience Feedback		Daisy, Emma and Danniella	We screened our thriller film to our target audience and received positive and negative feedback.

Creating a meeting discussions table was important as my group could record everything we discussed about each action we wanted to carry out throughout our time creating out Thriller opening. Making this table allowed us to be organised so that the information was available if we needed to refer back to it at any time.

I think myself, Emma and Daisy worked well as a team as we were all aware of what we anticipated from our thriller film and we all had a rough idea of the final outcome we individually wanted. We all worked well together as we all gave our opinion and ideas when it was needed and we worked together as a group except when it came to complete the Opening Scene Narration in which Emma and Daisy done and I completed the group storyboard. This is because as a group we believed Emma and Daisy were more able to write the opening scene whereas we decided that I would be most successful with creating the group storyboard, as I am more artistic. 

Audience Feedback- Miss Georgiou

Audience Feedback 

Audience feedback is essential to carry out to see how successful our Thriller film is and if it appeals to out target audience of 15+. From the feedback we can also find out what exactly was successful and what we could improve on for future reference. We screened our production  to a classroom to our target audience of boys and girls of whom are 15+ where we received both some negative and positive feedback in which we shall take on board for if we next make a Thriller production. We then uploaded it to Youtube so we could get more feedback from a wider range of audiences and we also got different opinions from different ages.  This helped us out a lot so we know where we were successful and what points we should focus on more in the future. These are some of the feedback we got from the students in the class.

• "The transitions and effects used were effective as it informed me that a nightmare was taking place” – Jackie Jarvis
• “The use of low-key lighting is successful as it defines the thriller genre” – Drew Wyllie
• “I don't think the ending flowed well with the quality of the rest of the film” - Kai Tyler
• “There should of been a clear transition when it changed from the shot of the girls face to the nightmare” – Caroline Cheung

If I had an opportunity to do the production again I would make sure we followed the film schedule which we completed before we started to film, I would also like to be more involved in the editing process now that I have an idea of how to do so, finally as I know from the feedback I would use clearer transitions from different locations so the audience are clear its a different scene. I am pleased with the final outcome of our Thriller opening as I believe it includes the basic codes and generic conventions that a Thriller film should include to be a success. 

Individual Storyboard- Miss Georgiou

Individual Storyboard

For our thriller opening scene, each group member created their own storyboards whilst following the group narrative to see each of our ideas as to what we think our Thriller opening may look like. Within the storyboard I had to incorporate what kind of shots I had in mind, the transitions between each shot, the lighting, if we were going to have diegetic or non-diegetic sound and what exact sound that would be, the location, characters with in that specific shot, iconography within the framing and finally how we would edit that shot once filmed. 

I also had to describe what editing styles we would use and how that would link to the Thriller conventions within that shot and think how the audience would feel whilst watching, for example with fast paced editing it would create a chaotic atmosphere which would make the audiences intensity levels rise as they would think something is going to happen. Also how specific lighting would help within that shot as well like Low-Key lighting creates shadows which would create mystery with in the audience and build up suspense. I have added these points into my storyboard as it would make the audiences experience better whilst watching our Thriller.

Creating an Individual Storyboard allowed me to present my ideas to the group and once they had done theres we could incorporate each others ideas and change them around to make a better idea and a better understanding of what we all want from our Thriller narrative.  

Here is my individual storyboard that I have created: 

Editing Styles- Miss Frisendar

Editing Styles

Editing styles have a very important role when producing films. There are different styles of editing used for different aspects of the film, for example we use different transitions to flow into each shot to create a different meaning of what each scene is about. when wanting the film to create a tension we use fast paced editing, this makes the audience feel tense as we incorporate so much happening at the same time and it causes an sense of chaos and rises the audiences level of suspense, there is also slow paced editing which we use to show continuity of a scene.

Whilst we was designing our group storyboard we had to include what editing styles we wanted to use, including shots, angles and the transitions we wanted to use when changes scenes and settings, especially when we have a change of shot when the audience are led from the bedroom scene to the nightmare. We then had to discuss the pace of the editing, and where fast paced and slow paced editing would fit best. 

We have decided as a group to use slow paced editing during the house scenes which is conventional to a Thriller film as it increases the audiences intensity level a bit as they can sense something is going to happen. Whilst this is happening we are going to include straight cuts and smooth transitions between the actions of the actors, however we hope to include dissolve transitions when Billy and Evie fall asleep and the audience is being drawn into their nightmare. This is to help the audience know they are in a nightmare and they can then experience the nightmare from the actors point of view whilst watching.

Finally we have decided as a group we want to include fast paced editing during the nightmare in the forest scene as it will build tension and leave the audience on the edge of their seats as they should feel the chaotic atmosphere that the characters are experiencing during that scene. We would like to capture a variety of different shots from different angkes during the chasing scene especially a high angle shot from Billys' point of view to show he has the higher authority in this scene, this should enhance the audiences experience throughout the film and make them feel suspense and panic whilst engaging with the film. 

 

 

Thriller Sound- Miss Frisendar

Thriller Sound

In our opening Thriller scene we would like to include a variety of different sounds as they will emphasis the effect of the tension a thriller film has on the audience especially as we are going to incorporate diegetic and non-diegetic sound which is conventional to Thrillers and the film industry. We have researched into some Thrillers and saw how successful diegetic and non-diegtic sound was in them which influenced us with some sound we chose to use.
 

     We are going to include diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound throughout out opening scene. An example of diegetic sound the sound of the pill called Perteniam, fizzing in the water when Billy has dropped it into the glass, this is a parallel sound and will effect the audience by raising the intensity levels during this scene, it will also make the audience question who exactly Billy is going to harm, himself? or someone else? Another example of diegetic sound is when Billy is preparing the drink for Evie with the pill in it we are going to include the sound of a clock ticking. This should have an effect on the audience by showing them the passing of time in his mind. Also by this time the audience would have seen Billys Doctors report in our opening credits which notifies them that he has schizophrenia and is dangerous which will create a high level of suspense within the audience as they will now know he is plotting something bad in his mind. Another aspect of diegetic sound we will be using is the crunching of leaves during the chasing shot between Billy and Evie in the forest scene, we would like to use the sound of breathing along side with heavy breathing to support the fact that the characters are running, in addition to this the use of heavy breathing during the chasing scene in the nightmare connotes that the atmosphere during this shot is chaotic and this is a thriller convention and therefore has a sense that something bad may happen which creates a suspension within the audience. 
Finally, we are going to use a sound of a heartbeat at the beginning of the scene of the nightmare where we see Billy standing still looking straight towards the camera holding a knife to show the audience he is worried as to what he is actually going to do, but also the heartbeat could represent both Evie and Billys heart in the same rhythm as they're in the same nightmare and could be showing us their reaction to the nightmare before we go to the flashback. 

Another style of sound we will be using during our opening scene is some use of dialogue it will be when Billy is sitting on Evies bed and giving her the drink with the pill in it as he says it will make her feel better before she goes to sleep. 

There will be a use of non-diegetic sound during our soundtrack which we have yet decided to choose but we have been experimenting with sounds on the internet. We used 'freesound.org' for our sound throughout our Thriller, we found this website very helpful and had a wide range of different sounds that were good use to us. Weused these sounds for the footsteps when running through the forest. We also used garage band for our soundtrack during the beginning credits.

Film Schedule- Miss Georgiou

Film Schedule

A filming schedule is imperative to create before filming. This is because you have to consider the elements of the film before actually producing it. We had to consider each shot individually as shown in our storyboards as well as the time it would take to set up each shot and instruct the actors. Above is the film schedule we produced before the process. We included what the shot consisted of, date of which we filmed, the location, the action of shot, costume worn, hair style, make-up worn, necessary iconography, personnel and finally the equipment needed.

During the filming process, we only referred to our schedule a few times. This is because we wanted to follow the flow of the natural ideas that occurred to us. We changed a few shots to suit the conventions of thrillers for example we shot a close-up of Billy’s face whilst stirring the pill rather than a mid-shot to display his sadistic nature; this was because we thought a close up would have more of an effect on the audience as they can see the characters facial expression more clearly and could guess what may happen therefore could feel empathetic towards them.  

Group Storyboard- Miss Georgiou

Group Storyboard

When coming up with our idea of our Thriller opening, each member in my group created their own individual storyboards which portrayed their ideas for what they would like to be included in our Thriller opening scene. We then discussed as a group and presented our ideas together and chose the best parts of our storyboards ideas to create a final group storyboard. We decided together the certain shots that we believed would create the best effect for that certain scene once put together with all the other elements of our opening. For example we would include high angle shots to portray the antagonist has a higher authority as it is a Thriller convention and therefore would have an affect on the audience.

From our group storyboard it has allowed us to have full understanding  of what we want to achieve when we film our thriller opening. We also, feel a lot more prepared now we have a storyboard, because we have something to follow and refer to during the filming production including what camera shots we want to use and in what scene/location.



Our storyboards and narrative theory are conventional to a Thriller film as they both include the generic conventions in what make a Thriller film effective. In both we have included low-key lighting which creates an eerie effect and shows shadows which create a high level of tension within the audience throughout their experience when watching the film, also the use of diegetic sound we are planning to include is going to create a tense atmosphere as well within the audience as we are going to use a lot of screaming and heavy breathing during the running scenes of the nightmare, the heavy breathing also connotes the fact that there is a chaotic atmosphere during this scene. 

Opening Scene Narration- Miss Georgiou

 Opening Scene Narration

Our opening sequence for our thriller film will begin with a zooming in shot from the front door to the stairs then to an open bedroom door, to introduce the audience to the location of the scene. The sound that will be employed in this scene will be instrumental music and the shot will directly lead to the audience being presented with a mid shot of the boy putting a pill in his drink and mixing it. The sound used will be an enhanced sound of the boy mixing the pill into his drink and the editing style we will use to move to the next shot with be a straight cut. 

The next shot we will use will be an over the shoulder shot of the boy as he stands and progresses towards the door. The sound the audience will be able to hear will be the footsteps and the editing style used will be a straight cut to a panning shot of the boy walking to his sisters room which will straight cut to a close up shot of his feet, then an extreme close up shot of the glass in the boys hand, which will then straight cut back to the panning shot. 

The sound employed during the transitions between each of these shots will be instrumental music which will be at a low/medium constant pitch. This shot will then straight cut to a close up shot of his hand opening the door where the audience will hear the sound of the door slowly creaking open. This shot will then straight cut to an over shoulder shot behind the sister, seeing her brother walking in. At this point the sounds used will be natural sounds that are relevant to the scene. The editing style employed after this shot will be another straight cut to a point of view shot of the brother handing his sister the drink. 

The sound employed will be dialogue of the brother speaking "It's Perteniam, it will make you feel better" in an encouraging tone. After this shot it will straight cut to a close up shot of the glass and sisters mouth from the side as she drinks the dissolved Perteniam. The sound employed will be the gulping of her drinking the drink.

The next shot will be a high-angle split screen of both the brother and sister laying down in their separate beds with their eyes open. The only sound you will hear is the ticking of a clock. A straight cut will then be used to follow onto an extreme close up shot (also split screen) showing their eyes closed.

We aim for the above shots to make up around 45 seconds so that we have the remainder of time to show our main focus of the nightmare.

We as an audience will then enter their nightmare...

Following the house location scenes will be a series of shots put together with fast paced editing switching from one shot to another to signify the chase they are encountering. One of the shots will be handheld to present the disorientation and chaos of the situation and will also relate to abstract conventions. This handheld shot will be used from both Evie and Jordan's point of view to justify that they are both experiencing the same nightmare: Evie's through the side effects of Perteniam and Billy's through his lack of mental stability. 

Another type of shot we will use is an extreme long shot to display Billy chasing Evie and establish the location of the forest. The sounds heard in the nightmare will be a diegetic alone. Our diegetic sounds will include Evie's screams, Billy's heavy breathing and the crunching and rustling of leaves all used for dramatic effect. We aim to record sound separate to the visuals as we hope it will emphasise them more so therefore more effective.

We will also use another handheld shot of the camera spinning slowly at a height showing the trees of the forest from Evie's point of view also to present her confusion; another side effect of Perteniam. It will also display her paranoia that someone is chasing her. 

We are also interested in attempting to get a shot from Billy's point of view whilst wearing the mask. We would do this by placing the camera behind the mask but not too close that you do not see the outline of the mask itself but at eye level with the eye holes. This may not work out but we will try a number of methods in order for it to succeed but if this shot does not go to plan we will replace it with a handheld shot.

We are aware that displaying Billy stabbing Evie in the nightmare scene in the forest will difficult due to a number of different reasons therefore we have devised a number of shots we could use instead of typical high budget thriller shots which graphically capture it. Much like Hitchcock's famous shower scene in Psycho, we would like to follow the method of "each physical stab symbolises each cut and shot" We aim to combine a variety of shots and fast paced editing to make the stabbing as realistic as possible but we are also considering the safety of the actors whilst the knife is present. Shots will include a close-up of the knife dripping with blood, an over the shoulder shot of Billy stabbing Evie in the cheek and 

As the nightmare scene is not intending to be realistic, we are aware we would like a sense of surrealism to be captured throughout. We are especially interested in making some of our shots out of focused as we were inspired by the Saw opening when the character was disorientated therefore hope to employ this during the editing process.

We would like the nightmare scene to last a maximum of 1 minute in order to achieve it's purpose of thrilling our audience and keeping them engaged with fast paced editing hopefully keeping them on the edge of their seats in suspense. 

Once the nightmare has ended, we will employ a high-angle shot of Evie waking up in shock and panicking as she believed the nightmare was true. Due to the side effects of Perteniam, we will then show a panning shot of Evie running to  the bathroom followed by an over the shoulder shot of her looking in the mirror noticing she has a flesh wound on her cheek. This then causes her to vomit and this is where we would like to employ another over the shoulder shot of her vommiting down the toilet. The sounds used will be of her choking and spitting to add to the visuals. Once she has vomited, we will then use another over the shoulder shot of her looking in the mirror again, this time with no flesh wound. We hear her gasp. 

The final shot will be a repeat of Perteniam fizzing in the glass. We would like this to act as a motif to remind the audience of not only the film title but why the nightmare occured. As we are ending on this, we would like the audience to decide for themselves a number of things: "why did Billy harm his sister?" and most imperatively, "what will happen next?" and "I want to watch the rest!"

If we were not restricted with our opening having to be no longer than 2 minutes we would have liked to have had shots of Evie and Billy tossing and turning in bed showing their reaction throughout the nightmare. This would be effective if we used fast paced editing also with straight cuts from the nightmare to Evie to the nightmare to Billy etc. We may decide to capture these shots in our house location in case we have enough time to play with therefore add it in during the editing process. Although it would add to the effectiveness of our opening, the "flashback" shots are not vital.  

In conclusion, we are keen to experiment with certain camera shots whilst filming therefore our opening scene narration may not be exact to our final outcome. However, this is an outline of our ideas which we will follow whilst filming, some ideas of which we will use and others we will alter if we feel it is necessary. 
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