Shooting Day 15-01-16 (Friday)

Good Comments: from the shooting day: 

- Followed the schedule 

- Timing in filming each shot was good

- Everyone contributed to their job roles 

Could've been better:

- Some shots couldn't be filmed because rooms weren't available, had to improvise scenes 

- Technical problems with Go Pro (slowed down process slightly) 

- Quality of some of the shots could've been better - might shoot them again on the second shooting      day

These are some behind the scenes photos

Character Representation

Spy:
Our Main Character which is a spy was inspired by a mix of James Bond and Kingsman.

In terms of the plot we wanted our character to represent mysteriousness and contradiction/confusion in terms of identity between the 'normal' life and the 'secret' life, I got this inspiration from Dexter. 

Representation/Mood:
The mood in which we wanted to convey was seriousness and bravery, however we do not want our actor to be overdramatic with his actions as this does not illustrate the theme 'Thriller' so our actors had to always put on a straight face. 

We think that the pool shot is an important aspect in revealing and representing the identity of our main character, as falling into the pool is like cleansing the past, the secrets and who he was as well as the birth of a new identity. 

Lesson Planning / Production Meeting 12-012-16

In today's lesson, we planned out the action scene. To make sure we get the shooting done on time and that it goes as smoothly as possible, we have to plan the actions ahead. Gigi drew out a brief map of our location and we put down the spots where the actors have to be and where the fighting and shooting happens. After we had an idea of the blocking for the actors, we watched a video on 'how to film action scenes' then went downstairs to try the different angles and small camera movements, so that we can brief the actors on the actual day on what actions to do. One thing that we will have to be careful with is that when filming, we don't over exaggerate the camera movement as this can cause the actors to come of frame.

Here's a video of us trying to work out the angle/movements..some worked, some didn't. 

(No-one was harmed in this process...)

Summary

Lesson Planning / Production Meeting (08-01-16)

During this lesson, all three of us (Tanya, Gigi and Praewa) were present, we discussed about the problems that we may face on the day of the shooting, one problem that came up was time, as we only have around 4 hours to film, to solve this we have cleared our plans for the next day, just in case we need to use that day to film scenes which we did not have time to do. Another problem was the use of the pool and IF it rains what our second plan would be.. so we went to the school pool to block out the scene and found that it would be a great backup.

After having gone through possible problems, we finalized our roles and responsibilities and add them to the 'credits plan'. The final thing we did this lesson was choose 2 songs in which we thought created the mood/tone we wanted. 

This is a time-lapse of us researching, discussing, debating and coming to a conclusions. 

Lesson Planning / Production Meeting

In this meeting everyone in Golden Giant Films came together (Tanya,Gigi and Praewa) to fill in paperwork and decide on the shooting date, editing date and plan out the whole process. As well as this we contacted our actors to let them know about the timing/location and transportation.

Gigi working on the storyboard (very intense)

Work Experience

Over the christmas break, I had the chance to experience the film industry, this included going through the whole process of producing a film. (It's Confidential, so this is very brief)

Once having gone through the storyboard and overall summary of what's going to happen, I headed of to the studio where 'fitting' and trying the shot in which the director thought was most difficult, so on the actual filming day we would know the blocking (where to stand), and how it should be shot. This took MANY takes.

During the day of going through scenes, I got to observe the studio, and the items that were used in the filming process, one of the camera's used was called 'Weissman' , all the controls looked extremely complicated and the camera itself was very heavy, from day 1 of filming there were many terms that the director used that I was unfamiliar with.
From day 1 the crew have been friendly, and very professional, and I know that this has taught me many things about the life on set/film industry and has been very eye-opening. I think that this experience has opened up many opportunities for me, and has been very eye-opening.

Lesson 4 (10-12-15) Pitching Ideas Lesson

In this lesson each of the groups had to pitch ideas to another group, from this lesson Gigi and I got a lot of feedbacks on what ideas were good but also what could be improved or changed. 

Lesson 3 (08-12-15) Lesson Planning

During this lesson, we finalised the plot, and the different shots we wanted. After having done that, we brainstormed ideas in terms of where, when, and who we wanted to film, as well as list out the different symbolisation we can use. 

Lesson 2 (04-12-15) Planning

Editing:

I also thought about the different effects and editing that could be interesting, there's the idea of double exposure which I got from watching true detective opening, as well as Taylor Swifts 'Style' music video. 

Lesson 1 (1/12/15) Planning

In this first lesson we got into our groups (pairings) : Gigi and I, to plan and discuss the genre of thriller we wanted to do.
We went through many processes to find inspiration and a unique plot. We did this by watching a few movie openings we thought was interesting and seeing whether we can combine it/and twist it so that it fits in with the thriller genre.

These are some of the trailers/openings that we watched:

Skyfall: From this opening we liked the idea of having a slo-mo underwater shot, it also got us to think about the soundtrack used, and since Gigi and I both have a passion in creating music, it inspired us to perhaps compose our own.

The Imitation game: From this trailer it gave us more insight on 'spies' and from this we will develop ideas and make it, so that it fits the 'thriller' genre.

Our first brief plan

Children of Men

Children of men is a 2006 science fiction film. When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, Clive Owen becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population; he must face down his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger.

From this opening of Children of men,the director creates and reveals to us a cold and lonely tone to the setting. This is first conveyed to us through the protagonist whom is presented as a 'monochrome character' evidence is when he orders black coffee. The theme loneliness is revealed to us through a group shot of the hopeless faces of people who are gathered in the coffee shop looking up at the main focus, which is the tv screen, which can be seen as the 'source of sadness'by using a group shot,this emphasises the dullness and depressing atmosphere in the cafe. The tone of the opening is further shown through the use of diegetic sound of the heartbreaking news and small silent sobs and gasps can be heard in the background, this clearly suggests to the audience the mood that it is conveying(sadness). 

                                       

In terms of editing, there's very limited, only one or two cut scenes, there is a very continuous flow with no dramatic changes in camera angles,thus creating as well as this the camera is hand-held therefore making it seem like we are following the protagonist and the situation, as if we too are chasing for hope.

Credit-Structure

Order of the credits based on the movie 'Panic Room'

SuperNatural Research on Audience

We used a website call YOUGOV to find out more about the different traits of audiences who watch this genre, more specifically these movies.

Sub-gere Film Preparation

For the su-gere film. Ear,Gigi, ad I decided to do 'Psychological,Horror Thriller'

Dexter Credits

Dexter is an American television Crime/Drama series based on Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Main character Michael C. Hall. 

Dexter is a sociopath who doesn't feel things like normal people. He's also a serial killer. He was adopted and raised by a police officer who recognised what he was and, after having a serial killer escape to kill more innocent people, taught him to channel it by only killing other serial killers. He taught him extensively how not to get caught and how to behave like he's normal. He has his adoptive father's teachings or "The Code of Harry" that he follows. He works as a blood splatter analysis with the police department and has access to inside information and knows the techniques they use to catch people. A lot of the show focuses on how it feels to be him and how challenging it is just to appear normal. 

Denotation is the first level of analysis: What the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor. 

Connotation which is the second level of analysis, being what the denotation represents. 


Examples:



Denotation: A Rose

Connotation: Passion and Love






Connotation and Denotation from Dexter's Credit

Thriller Sub-Genre

What are Thrillers?

Thriller conventions

• Crime- people going missing (Gone Girl) 
• Secrets to be revealed: NARRATIVE
• Suspension 
• Enigma- mystery or puzzle: NARRATIVE
• Jump scares (Physical response to a sudden change in sound/images) : TECHNICAL ASPECT
• Emotional Stimulation - fear,anger,confusion: AUDIENCE RESPONSE
• sound effects- to create tension, combination of diegetic and non-diegetic: TECHNICAL ASPECT

when does THRILLER become a HORROR: 

• Gore,Blood 
• Supernatural (?) 
• Lack of mystery- little manipulation of information 

when does THRILLER become a ACTION:

• Little Story
• Excuse for action (set pieces) 

The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.

The narrative centres upon a crime e.g.. theft, murder 

The protagonist is fallible and has an achilles heal that is exploited 

Themes of identity are common mistaken identity, amnesia doubles/ gangsters 

Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring- manipulation of perspective 

A series of animus are set up- only to be solved at the end 

The audience is placed in the ambitious position of 'voyeur' 

Protagonist will be in peril/danger 

The narrative present extra-ordinary things in ordinary situations and settings.The micro-element are used to build suspense

Rear Window - Suspense and Meaning

Rear Window Opening:

What do we learn about the location and the main protagonist (Jeff) with this opening shot?

Dead Dog:

What do we learn about the world of Rear Window from this clip?

What have Se7en and Rear Window got in common?

• Killer
• Victims 
• Urban Suburban 
• Male protagonist, vulnerable/flawed (Mills anger issue, Jeff broken leg) 
• Killer X Protagonist interact for short time 
• Cynical,cold, uncaring world  
• Killer in control

Scary Films / Creating Tension [03.11.15]

Why do we watch scary films : 

• Test yourself
• We know it's not real
• To get a think
• To have physical response: Heart Rate, Adrenaline, Sweat
• Vent, anger,frustration 
• Everyone is a masochist 

Glen D Walters

What makes a film scary -

1) Tension,Suspense : created using narrative and filming techniques 

2) Relevance- The fears explored are relevant to the audience. They 'Believe' 

3) Unrealism- We know we are safe. We can experiment X explore

REAR WINDOW:

-1954
-Characters:
Jimmy Stewart- Jeff
Grace Kelly - Lisa
Raymond Burr - Lars Thorwal
Ethel Ritter - Stella

Creating Tension :
Jeffs (subjective camera)
1) When the killer is returning Jeff knows, we know, Lisa doesn't
2) We know+ Jeff knows - helpless (guilt)
3) Call the police- we know the police are coming- do they get there on time?
4) We don't know what they are talking about, we do not know how Lisa's handling it. How far is the killer going to go.
5) The killer realises he's being watched- what is he going to do?