Planning Filming part III

Editing 2

We have started to change the order of the shots and think about what flows well, adding footage from the cafe scene. I am liking the way the ending is coming a long, matching the action of the door in two shots. Here are a few still shots and few seconds of footage.

Editing 1

Today we put all the footage we have so far together on the Mac. We have decided to use on Mac and edit from there. Declan's Mac has been chosen and as long as we all remember his login in details we will all be able to login in a edit, this means we can share the editing between us.

Here is the basic placing of our shots, we have left spaces where footage is still needed to be added in. The shots have started to be edited with the estate shots being slowed down to emphasis the establishing shot and making it more enigmatic.

Filming 2

We went out and filmed the cafe section of our thriller opening. For this section of filming I was acting as the witness along side Tommy (the killer), Lewis was filming and Declan was organising which shots we had to film.
The filming went really well and we got plenty of shots from a variety of angles shown below.

Filming Postponed

We were hoping to film the shots from the estate setting which we did not get the first time, however we have had to postpone this filming due to one of our actors being ill. We will be in touch with everyone involved through the Facebook page to rearrange when we can film. We also hope to get the cafe scene filmed Friday, this day was easy to organise as it was just the three of us and Tommy (the killer) who are needed.

The Café Scene Production Schedules

For the second part of our filming, which we plan to do tomorrow, I have created a production schedule which is more detailed then the initial shot list so we get a number of different shots which can be sorted through after filming. As the scene will be broken up with scenes from the flash back I am not sure whether it would work best to film the whole conversation then split it up in the editing section afterwards or to film the scene in the individual sections. Because of this we will film the scene both ways and then pick which works best later. However, making a production schedule table with that many scenes from each angle would be overly repetitive so the table includes all the shots we want with the scenes that we will shoot in a number of angles coloured in red.

Production Schedule – Café Scene
Shot Number	Shot Type	Description	Equipment	Props/ Costume
1	Mid/Close up over-the-shoulder shot	Over-the-shoulder shot, looking over the Killers shoulder	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
2	Mid/Close up over-the-shoulder shot	Over the shoulder shot, looking over the witnesses shoulder	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
3	Mid shot, eye-line angle	POV shot looking straight onto the witness	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
4	Mid shot, eye-line angle	POV shot looking straight into the Killer	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
5	Mid shot, low angle	Looking up to the killer, making him look intimidating.	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
6	Mid shot, high angle	Looking down onto the witness, taking his power	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
7	Mid shot, eye-line angle	Looking onto the pair at the table	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
8	Close up – extreme close up shot	Hand around a mug	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
9	Close up – extreme close up shot	Killers face twitches (signs of nerves)	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
10	Close up shot	Shoes under the table. (Linking with the shoes in the flash back).	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
11	Close up shot	Pan from Killer to the over-head lighting	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
12	Close up shot	Pan from over-head lighting to killer	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
13	Close up shot	Revealing the killers face.	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.
14	Mid over-the-shoulder shot.	Looking over the killers shoulder onto the witness as the mob enters the café.	Camera (canon), tripod	Café setting (tables, chairs, ect.), Coffee mug.

Overall Production plan

Here is a generalised production plan for the thriller opening, it is a little rough but does state the main points; shot type, shot description, duration, location and our back up plan.

Filming

Filming has initially been split into to two parts, the estate scene and the cafe scene. Though we will probably have to film extra shots, or re films shots which we have taken into account when planning. Our first filming sesh took part the other day and we decided to get the estate shot out of the way first as this was the most challenging due to the amount of people we have to organise and getting the light of the location right, as soon the evenings will get to dark.

During the scene myself and Lewis were filming, and Declan was acting as one of the mob members. We managed to get most of the footage, though will need to go back and film one or two other shots. Below are some stills from the day.

Survey Results (Tables)

He are the results from my survey on audience response and expectations to thrillers.

Audience survey results from panayimedia

Survey Results So Far

So far from my survey I have found that although the amount of people who watch thrillers between men and  women is actually fairly equal, there are more men who watch thriller. The audience age if roughly between 18 and 40, though my main target audience will be in the lower years, 18 to 25 years old. My results also show that the most preferred thriller is a psychological thriller, suggesting that the audience like to think about what is happening. The audience also expect to see some violence, however the preferred weapon would be either a knife or a Crowbar/Metal pole. These weapons flash or almost sophisticated as a gun, they are much more brutal if used to attack someone and can have connotations to thug culture.

I will continue to collect data, but also compare the data I have got so far with the other members in the group to see if there are any patterns with my data or even any adjustments I need to make to my survey to collect better data.

Division of Labour

With in the group we are all taking an equal interest and action into; Planning, Research, Filming and eventually Editing and Evaluating. This means the concepts, costume, storyline and shots have all been discussed and decided as a group. As well as the location for the cafe scene, in which we scouted as a group. 

At the moment here is a summary of what we've contributed during filming; 

Me; I will be involved in filming the scene using my own camera, this give a better quality then the schools. During filming a have been still shooting, getting a range of wide and mid shot of the action. I will also be acting in the film as the 'Witness'. 

Declan; Involved in planning the setting for the estate scene, also using his Drama A-level experience in planning out the actions of actors in certain scenes this is helpful as Declan will be acting so will be able to direct others easily. 

Lewis; Will also be filming as he also has a high quality camera, we want to get a lot of shots from different angels, especially with the estate scene. Lew will be more of a glidecam camera, moving into the scenes getting close up shots. Lew will also be showing Declan and I how to edit on Final Cut as he has had previous experience. 

.

Title Sequence

Titles and title cards can be distinguished as follows:

• A single title card contains one name credit. Typically used in opening titles to display the name of the lead actors and the creative people involved in the movie. Generally referred to as the above-the-line credits.
• A double title card contains two name credits. Typically is used to display the names of supporting actors and additional creative people involved in the movie.
• A triple title card contains three name credits. Typically used to display the names of additional supporting actors.
• A multiple title card contains more than three name credits. Typically used to name additional supporting actors or extras.
• A main title card displays the main title of the movie.
• Scrolling titles are titles that move sequentially in and out of frame, generally used as end titles.
• A lower third is a title placed on the lower-third of the screen (although there might be other screen placements you could consider), generally used to display the information—name and title—of a person being interviewed or a location.
• Subtitles are titles placed on the lower-third part of the screen (or sometimes on the top of the screen to avoid covering relevant information on-screen or previously existing lower thirds). These are generally used to translate dialogue in another language.
• Intertitles are title cards that display the time, place, prologue, or quotes. In silent films, an intertitle is often used to convey minimal dialogue or information that can’t be deduced from the talent’s body language or the scene’s settings.

- http://masteringfilm.com/giving-titles-to-the-types-of-titles/

The title sequence for 'Se7en' clearly inform the audience about the genre of the film. It uses cinematic features to subtly inform the audience about the serial killer even though he's not introduced until later on in the film. Features such as; quick editing, flashes of colour, the uncomfortable background noise, the scratched/flickering effect on the film and titles.

The title sequence for 'The Number 23' build tension with the use of music and the use of the number 23. It is clear that the number 23 has major importance  in the film and the director is making that obvious in the titles, as he links it to various historical events. Also the use of blood slowly covering the screen and an enigmatic element to the sequence.

The titles sequence for 'The Man With the Golden Arm' is one of the first films to be recognised for it's use of titles working with the actual film. The titles have lines jabbing into the screen at awkward angels, representing the needles that the addicted drug use punctures himself with. The lines also split the screen up to show how the man is stuck or trapped, we later learn the reasons for this in the film. However the titles sequence has real relevance to the film. 

Previous Student Work

Looking at previous student work is helpful to build  ideas and concepts that are actually possible to d, rather than looking at hollywood films which not only have a huge budget but the technology to do more. 

One New Message

In this film lighting is fairly consistent throughout and shots are normally well light. Lighting is used to direct the audience attention really well, in particular when the woman walks past the window. Here the light is limited and we focus outside as that is where the light is. 

  The only setting where lighting is limited is the bedroom, this may be because this is the room where he dies so the fact the only light comes from the computer screen making the room darker and an enigmatic feel. 

A range of shots and angles are used in the film, the start has wide angle shots lasting for some time, this creates tension. Then close up shots are used, mainly of the actors hand. 

Music is used really well in this piece, it adds to the video.

Overall the storyline is simple to follow which helps keep and build tension. The only issue I have with the video was that with the noise that comes in with the title it's unclear what actually kills the guy. However this may be deliberate to and confusion and mystery.

Cairo

Here lighting is limited because of the location and time they have chosen to film. This low lighting creates shadowing and a dark mysterious setting. Representative of the dark event that unfolds of murder and betrayal. 

Section with usees tint or other effect work really well in showing it's a flash back or POV shot. Also the effect of the gun flash is realistic. 

Shots are mostly wide, though they do include mid shots. More mid and close up shots could have been used in this film, in particular in the combat scene. This would have made this section look more realistic as with the zoomed out shot the audience is able to see that the punches aren't actually touching. This effects the believability and tension of the film.

The storyline for the video is very original and clear to follow. though the video has a longer run time then we are allowed. Also the video includes swearing, something we are not allowed in are thriller opening. 

The Withheld

This thriller opening had a really strong with a great title sequence using urban noises to set the scene, and the scratched effect to possibly highlight the vandalism. The storyline was good with great believability of the victim actor. The itself didn't appear to have much if any editing to the actual colour. However the pace and cutting was done to a good standard. The use of the phone calling as non-digetetic sound was effective as the continues ring would be uncomfortable for the audience, also the music was subtle but help build suspense. The fault with this thriller opening was when the scene cut to the other two character the lighting and mise en scene in that scene was totally out of sync with the rest of the video which meant it didn't flow. The acting skills of these two characters is also lacking, in comparison with the other 'victim' actor. 

Shot list

Here is our shot list, we hope to use a range of shots showing our skills and more advance concepts.

Storyboard

Here is the basic outline and storyboard of our thriller opening. 

Survey

In the group we decided to make individual surveys to give us a wider response from the audience survey. From the survey I will be getting primary research and direct information from a potential audience about the likes and dislikes with thriller films. This information will be used when creating the  opening scene to our own thriller film, as by using the suggestions and applying them to the knowledge of thriller conventions, learnt in class, it will make our thriller fit the genre better.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Group Organisation

We decided to create a Facebook event page so we could keep in contact with all our actors involved in the thriller opening, this was very useful not only to be able to tell everyone in one place about location and costuming, but people were able to tell us when they were free so we could see what dates were good for filming in one place. This made deciding dates for filming were arranged easily.