Evaluation question 1- script

Costumes and props

• We used this certain type of car being a ka as it is thought of as a more female car and is seen as womanly more than male.
• The bag, purse and phone were used to show the realistic events and to give an idea of the woman's belongings on a daily basis.
• We used two pictures to show the significance there was with the two women and the man.
• The costumes we chose for the fiancé was a black dress, long blue coat, tights and purple heel shoes, tis was so we could easily identify her. Also the other secretary woman wore a blue dress, a black coat, tights and black shows. Both these costumes show the sophistication.

Camera work and editing

• We added different affects over our opening to help with the thriller genre, this was done using final cut pro as we could experiment with ideas.
• There were different shots used when filming for the opening so all of the angles were covered, this helped with how the audience view the film and who they relate with.

Genre - how opening suggests it

• The genre for our film was thriller. This is shown in the opening by the low key lighting that we used and also the choice of location being isolated. 
• The soundtrack added in also gives off the idea that it is a thriller as it is quite mysterious but has an edge to it.

Evaluation task question 7 - progression

For this part of the evaluation i am looking at lighting, Foley and 180 degree rule.


Script:

• The preliminary task was the first opportunity we had to use lights to create low-key lighting, it was quite easy to do but adjusting this to the right level of brightness was harder. Compared to the final film we have made i think that the progress i have made with the lights was quite a lot as i understood the idea of low key lighting to create the atmosphere.

• Foley is meant to be recorded separately to the actual film, in the preliminary task the sound used was from the camera itself, this makes the sounds echo and doesn't sound very professional, in the final film we recorded the foley noises we needed using a mobile phone and added them in.

• The 180 degree rule was broken in the preliminary task as we were not as confident with what this was and how to keep to it. In the film we had a better understanding so we made sure that all the angles were shot correctly and that there were no errors with this.

Evaluation task - question 6, technologies

I have been allocated the task of talking about the following technologies that we used during our opening sequence.


Script:

• Foley is an important part of the film for defining the sounds around the location, adding foley into our opening sequence helped with the effects to make it realistic this was done using a mobile phone. The wind was added in the background to show the isolation of the location.

• As we filmed at night there was lack of lighting apart from the street lights above which did not have set the right lighting we needed, because of this we used the lights supplied to help create low-key lighting in the location and to create the right isolated atmosphere.

• Bubbl.us was used for brainstorming the ideas in the way of a mind map. We used this to put all of our ideas together to help with the research and planning of our opening sequence, by using bubbl.us it was easy to understand the thriller genre as it was clear to see.

Also i learned how to use final cut pro, i used this to put together different shots and incorporate them into one film.

Soundtrack screenshots

I was involved with making the soundtrack for the final film. I took some screen shots of the process from when we started, this was the first time i had used garage band.

this was the first screen shot when making the soundtrack, as this was our first attempt we experimented with different noises.

we added sounds from the screen shot to try to adapt the thriller genre, this changed throughout as some sounds didn't work with each other.

this next screen shot was after we had added and deleted different tracks.

we added in the movie track and this is how the beginning of our soundtrack looked as we decided not to have any sound at the beginning.

this was the finished soundtrack with the movie included so we could check that it all fitted and was in the right place.

The Foley was added in after this in various places in the film, we had to change some of the sounds as they were not as good as we first thought, but we found the best noises we could in the end an had re-record some of them.

Editing screenshots

This is when i first began editing on final cut.

Screenshot of the editing process for the film heartbreak.

The second screenshot shows the next part of the film and how much further i got with it.

The final picture is when i had cut the shots down with the razor blade to make the film shorter so it flowed better and there was room for the title sequence.

Weather checks

There shouldn't be a problem with the weather check as our thriller film is going to be filmed inside meaning that there wont be a reason for us to worry about this. Also the camera will not get ruined as it will be under cover.

Camera Shots

I have learnt about the different camera shots in a film and what they are used for. In a film every 3 shots there should be a close up, this causes mystery and suspense.

Establishing shot:

This shot is very wide across the scene, this give the audience a sense of knowing where they are. This is usually used at the start of the film to set the scene.




Long shot:

This is the shot that shows the character and the scene around them. The long shot shows the relationship between the two.





Mid shot:

This shot allows the audience to get to know the character as they can see more of them and their body language.





Two shot:

This shot shows the relationship between the characters in the shot, depending on how far apart or how close they are, gives us an idea of how they feel about eachother.




Close-up:

The close-up gives us more of an idea about the character, it also causes mystery as we cannot see what is going on around the character.





Extreme close-up:

This usually focuses on the characters eyes and expresses the emotion that character is feeling. This also gives more attention to the character to how they react.




Over the shoulder:

This shot gives the audience a look into more of what the character sees and focuses on the character whose face you can see.





Point of view show:

This gives the audience a direct look at what the character is seeing. It is a good shot to use but if overused can become too much.





In our thriller film we are most like to use long shots, point of view shot, close-up, mid shot and over the shoulder shot.

Risk assessment

I took part in making the risk assessment, I realise that a risk assessment has to be made so that you know what things you have to be careful of when filming. Also it gives you the opportunity to work out an alternative if something seems too dangerous or is not possible. This is also on the group blog.

Asset list, what I did

I looked through and sorted out the assets list and what we needed to include. I looked at the props and equipment as they are the most important things for making the film because without them we wouldn't be able to make the film in the first place. There are some pictures that are not on the group blog for the assets, this is because we have been unable to get the photos taken but will be doing that as soon as we can. From making the asset list I can see that it is a good job that we have been planning and coming up with the ideas because otherwise it wouldn't all go together well enough and there would be confusion.

Moodboard

I have looked and found images that are relevant to our genre of film and the idea that we are trying to get across. This mood board is a good way of remembering what we need to include and the sorts of things that are good for a film. I also put this onto our group blog.

Sound and Foley, Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sounds

I learned what is meant by Foley and that by including it into a film could give a good effect. An example of this is that say someone is walking and you cant hear the sound then you can record the sound of someone walking and put it in sync with the pictures. Foley can be created by just recording the sound of what the picture is trying to say and then adding it in. I also understand how to add the sound into a shot. This is done by recording the shot without the sound and then recording the sound separately. After this has been done you can change the sounds until it is the way you want it then include it to the sequence.

Diegetic sounds are those of which can be heard by a character within a film, an example is is a character speaks  or if a piece of furniture is moved. The character in the film an the audience hear the same thing. Whereas Non-diegetic sounds are those which cannot be heard by a character for example a soundtrack or a phone conversation that not all characters can hear. This is intended only for the audience.

By looking at different YouTube clips it helped me to understand what the terminology means and how including this in our thriller film would be beneficial to us and to the audience. By including Foley it will give a more defined specific sound to certain scenes and images.

Phone Booth

1)

This is a high angle which shows that the man is being watched. By using this angle it makes him look smaller and more subordinate.

2)

There is a close up of him taking off his wedding ring, this makes us think that something is going to happen between him and his wife.

3)

This is when the man is on the phone to the anonymous caller and being told that something is going to happen. Non-diegetic sound is used as we cannot see the caller but can only hear his voice. This creates mystery as we do not know who it is.

4)

A low angle in the point of view shot is used so show what he is seeing as he looks around trying to work out what is going on. This makes the audience feel more involved.

5)

During this shot both Stu and Pam (the women who we found out that he is cheating on his wife with) are in shot whilst the anonymous caller is on the phone to her. This causes suspense as we are not sure why he is doing this.

6)

We can see that Stu is feeling insecure and scared. A long shot is used so we can see all of his body and the way he is reacting.

7)

There is the red light on Stu's chest, we know that a gun is involved and is being aimed at him, this causes mystery as we do not know whether he would shoot him or not.

8)

We can see that a shot has been fired and a mid shot is used to make the audience see just enough around him and the fear and anger on his face.

9)

This frame we can see the gun that Stu has, it is still a mystery who the caller is and this remains a mystery. We can see that he has played with Stu's mind and this mid shot shows his body language and his mental state is not right.

Phone booth is a psychological thriller, the man in the phone booth is being blackmailed and his mind is being twisted and played with by the anonymous caller. We are unsure why he has targeted Stu but whatever the reason he seems to have been watching him.

What i took part in

I got the pictures for the costumes for our thriller film that we are thinking about using. The costumes that we have decided are well suited for our characters as they show what we are trying to say about them.

This is the ideas of the costumes. If we are unable to use these then we will have to change them but keep the same style for them.

Footloose opening, what I learned

From making the opening remake of footloose I understood how to use final cut better as we had to edit it and make sure we had the right amount of time. Also the titles were added which helped with the understanding of the opening. I also learned that it has to be planned and organised of exactly what is going to happen and all of the timing other wise it wont turn out right. We had to film some parts over to get it right. Overall I know how important it is for when we make our own opening of a film so we can get it right. I know from being in the opening that you have to practise what you are going to do before it is shot so that you don't have to keep going over and over,

25 Word Treatment

Our film is called Heartbreak.A husband and wife are happily married, but she finds out he is having an affair. Annoyed and angered she turns psycho and kills him. Unaware of the fact that the lover who he had an affair with witnessed this murder. The lover kidnaps the wife and black males her. This is a psychological thriller. Our film is a homage to obsessed and phone booth as these are both psychological thrillers.

The Dark Knight

In the first frame the scene is set for the film, we are given an overview of Gotham City Batmans home, this gives us an idea of what will happen, only from the camera view.

This next frame shows the audience the character of the story men in clown masks who are committing the crimes. This then links the audience to the joker who dresses like a clown. This is a big part as we know that the joker will be an important character.

In frame three we see a man from behind carrying a clown mask. We dont see the mans face which means that the audience are waiting to find out what   he is doing. The audience may assume that he is going to commit a crime.

We see that they are committing a robbery in a bank. It would be thought why are they robbing a bank, which would make the audience want to continue watching as they are intrigued.

In the fifth frame we find out that the men are skilled hackers. They are capable of using high tech equipment. Throughout they use props such as guns. This shows their position of power over everyone else.

They use a grenade to show their power, the actions of the criminals causes the man to panic, this shows that he is subordinate and doesn't own much power at this point. The camera is looking up towards the clown criminal which also shows the lack of power.

We see that that the criminals are bigger than just robbers. This creates mystery and suspense as we are not aware of how they came into being criminals.

This frame shows a well dressed smart, skilled man from the bank. Who is fighting against the men and that people are not as scared. This helps the audience understand what is going on in the scene.

We are shown the front of the mask but still we do not know who the man behind the mask is. This is still a mystery that the audience would be intrigued to find out.

Seven

At the beginning it is clear to see how organised the detective is as he has everything placed out in an order for when he picks it all up. Detective David Mills and Detective William R. Somerset investigate a series of murders relating to the seven deadly sins. 



These first two frames are used to represent Gluttony as we are not sure who the murderer is.











An obese man was forced to feed himself to death, this represented Gluttony. Each crime scene has a series of clues relating to other deaths and they believe they are chasing a serial killer. 

Fingerprints are found at the scene of the murder which represented greed.

Find an emaciated man strapped to a bed. He initially appears to be dead but it is soon discovered that the man, a drug deal and sexual deviant before he was captured had been kept alive by the killer for exactly one year to the day he was found. The victim, who soon dies after being found represents the sin of sloth. Unable to learn anything from the lifeless victim the detectives agree that these crimes have been planned for more than a year.




Detective Somerset is invited to meet Detective Mills wife, and Somerset becomes Tracy's confidant as she meets with him after the first few murders. Learning that she is pregnant but has not told her husband, Somerset confides in her his fear that the city is not place to start a family.

Somerset and Mills track down a man 'John Doe' who has frequently checked out books related to the deadly sins. When Doe finds the detectives approaching his apartment he opens fire on them and leaves, chased by Mills. Doe holds Mills at gunpoint, abruptly leaves. Investigation of his apartment finds clue leading to another potential victim. They arrive too late to find their 'lust' victim, a prostitute killed by a man. Forced by Doe to rape and kill her.

Sometime later they investigate the death of a young model whose face had been mutilated. Having chosen to kill her father than live with a disfigured face, she is the victim of pride.

As they return to the police station, Doe appears to them and offers himself for arrest, he has the blood of the model and an unidentified victim on his hands. They find out that he had been cutting skin off his fingers to avoid leaving fingerprints. Doe claims he will lead the detectives to the last two bodies and confesses to the crimes.


After arriving at a location, a delivery van approaches, Somerset intercepts the driver, leaving Mills and Doe alone. The driver hands over a package he was instructed to deliver at precisely this time and location. Mills holds Doe at gunpoint, Doe mentions how much he admires him. Somerset opens the package and flinches in horror. Doe reveals that the box contains Tracy's head. He represents the sin of Envy, he was jealous of Mills normal life and killed Tracy after failing to play husband with her.




He taunts Mills with the knowledge that Tracy was pregnant. Somerset is unable to contain Mills as he unloads his gun to Doe becoming the sin of Wrath.

Evaluation module 1 research portfolio

1- Complete - do we know who did what?
I think I achieved a level 3. I knew who was doing what in each task as we decided this and then wrote it on the blog, there is a bit more to be included.

2- Useful research and demonstrate learning or just copying? (researched what was asked?)
For the research i think a level 2 was achieved. There was some research we understood but it wasn't very detailed.

3- Care/creativity in the presentation.
I think that I have a level 2 for the presentation as it was clear but didn't have much originality it was just a block of writing instead of a video or poster.

4- Time management - does it look like 4hrs per student per week for 5 weeks?
A level 2 was achieved for the time management as it was mostly completed except for a few minor parts. But looking at the blog it doesn't look like 4hrs a week.

Improvements to be made?
To improve to get to the next level I think that i could make sure that my time management is better and make sure that I include clear presentations and have them more creative.

What have I done well?
I think that the preliminary task that we produced was good as it included everything that needed to be in the task and also the fact that before we started we didn't know much about using cameras or thriller films and then to be able to produce one ourselves is an achievement.

Overall i think that i achieved a high level 2 mark, this being 11/20.

Surveillance film

This film is a remake of how we interpreted seven. We created this on final cut pro. Dark lighting, scratchy films and shaky camera movements were used. All of these help to create suspense and mystery at the beginning of a film making it perfect for the thriller genre.

Thriller Plot

What was about to happen was far beyond what the girls would have expected. Four girls were just hanging around the park, when a  man in a long dark jacket approached them slowly, turning this way and that as if he was admiring each of them. One of the girls had recognised him from earlier on that night but not thought anything of it. He was stalking them! The mystery and suspense rises as the girls suddenly realise that this is not only a one off but in actual fact a life time disaster.