I have research some movie posters in order to gain insight into what i believe will be the most visually effective for my final piece. From this research i have managed to narrow my options down to not only the ones which suit my genre though would suit my narrative to. As my trailer is predominantly about one female actress, i think it is crucial to only incorporate her into my film poster. As you can see all of the above only include one character of whom are in the center of the frame, this is powerful as we are not distracted by any other factors which may take attention of the subject in the frame. The eye line positioning also allows us to really build a connection with the person, this is enhanced by the use of closeup and the fact that it appears that they are staring at us also suits the thriller genre as it is unsettling. Another aspect of these images which i find interesting is the use of deformity constructed by the editing, whether its in the form of high contrast or cracking of the face, we can immediately tell that there is something sinister and unsettling about the subject, therefore enigma is created and this is before the audience even watch the film. I have also depicted that most thriller posters abstain from using bright colors and therefore tend to revolve around darker shades, this is powerful as we are instantly able to detect the genre though it also create tension as we are left questioning who or what may be creating the obscurity. Despite this, as you can see the color red as been integrated into a couple of the posters, this is a typical conventions due to its graphic connotations of danger and blood. When it comes to typography, it is clear that it is not that significant on the page and therefore is presented to use in smaller and daintier fonts, this is because the attention is aiming to be on the character. However my placing the typography below the face of the actor, our eyes are naturally drawn to it after, this ensures that the audience will be able to distinguish these important details. From doing this research i have decided to only include my protagonist in the frame, i also will adhere to the dark color schemes and smaller typography, in order to gain the best results i can.
My first day of filming was very successful, i manged to film shots from various scenes. I filmed in the evening as i planned, in order to create a more sinister atmosphere. I was initially worried about the light effecting the quality of my footage, however this was resolved by using street lights for the alley way scenes, this actually was really effective as it allowed me to experiment with different lighting techniques whilst still obtaining a sense of realism. I managed to film various shots of my protagonist in the alley way, from different camera angles and cut away. Therefore when i go to edit i will have many to chose from in order to gain the full effect, as i discovered i am better of having to much footage than not enough. I also drove through some country lanes, filming shots from inside and outside the car. The car lights were really beneficial as it allowed some detail to be revealed though still maintained aspects of mystery. I faced some issues with lighting from outside the car as the car lights predominantly focused on my protagonists legs, this made it uneven and visually dissatisfy, i solved this by also using a very bright torch to even out the exposure. I explored a variety of cut in shots of my driver, in order to give the audience some information as to whom he may be and to reinforce why she may be in the car. I also went to the bar to film numerous shots of my protagonist drinking alone in a bar, however after filming the shots i initially intended to, i realized that it may add more meaning if i show her drinking with an unknown person, i did this through over the shoulder shot, i really like these shots as they create tension. I used two costumes for these scenes, which i meticulously chose, they are both stereotypical of the type of person i want the audience to perceive her as, therefore i used a black leather skirt, black cropped top with ripped tights, this made my character look uncouth and highlighted her dark side. I also incorporated provocative red dress, which could foreshadow her evil side, this was also very visually enticing due to its brightness.
Here is my final script for my thriller trailer, i have brought all my research and planning together to give me a clear basis. From this i am able to identify exactly what i require for each shot including, lighting, camera angles, sound, editing and my actors hair and makeup. This is very helpful for my filming and will enable me to work in a more efficient manner. It was essential that i brought everything together into one document as i can now envisage it properly and i was able to depict issues which may occur so therefore i could build on the ideas and improve my original plan.
By making a location rationale i have been able to really think deeply into the locations i want to use and what effect they will have on my trailer. By doing this task i have actually changed some locations as when i went to convey what meaning they would add, i shortly realized that they didn't and therefore would be ineffective in my trailer. For example, i was originally going to film my protagonist drinking in a more upmarket, swanky bar near my house, however after deliberation i realized that this simply would not fit in with the representation i was trying to express to the audience. Therefore i had to think of somewhere more appropriate which was the brewery shop, i chose this location as it is somewhere my protagonist is more realistically likely to go. From doing this planning i have been able to establish layouts, lighting what type of shots will be the most powerful for my trailer with the resources i have. I have also thought about possible risks or considerations for the locations, this is essential and has helped me create my risk assessment as my priority that i film my trailer with no possible threats to the people involved in the production process. I will combine this with other aspects of my planning to create my final script.
I have clearly laid out a shooting schedule, this is so i have a precise outline of the shots i intend to take. By using this, when i go to film each shot i will know exactly what angles i hope to incorporate, what i want my actress to be doing and what equipment i need. By organizing my thoughts, when i go to start filming i will be more prepared and will spend less time deciding on what i think will look good and more time on actually filming the shots i have already spent a lot of time planning. Despite this i know that when im at the shooting stage, this may change slightly depending on what is more visually satisfying, however i have this as a base. I have been able to also set up dates and times which suit everyone involved, although this was difficult, the outcome is very positive as now i know exactly what im filming and when, this has definitely benefited my time management. This information will also make it a lot easier for me when i create my final script for my trailer as i already have determined a large proportion of it.
I have made a risk assessment for when i go to film my trailer, this is important as i can refer back to it to ensure that i don't face any unnecessary threats during filming. I have considered all my locations and shot types and depicted any possible hazard which could occur, i have from there analysed and evaluated any risk which could occur from this hazard and consequently proposed solutions to them. Not only is this crucial for my actors and production teams safety as this is a major concern for me, though it will also benefit my final piece,because i will not have to waste any time and i can just get on with shooting. I will ensure to print out copies of this risk assessment and give them to anyone involved in the production of my trailer to make sure that they are aware of what may affect them and how they can over come this.
There are many elements which hold great relevance in thriller films, i believe music is one of the most important aspects. This is because a movie can reveal so much with its soundtrack alone, it sets a tone or feeling that the director is trying to convey, and can provide us with so infinite of information, for example it has the ability to project a characters feelings, emotions, mental state and actions with just a few notes. Music can tell us when the climax of an event is going to happen or when a reoccurring thought (playing the same music) Consequently it has the reverse effect of telling the audience what emotions they should be experiencing to, without music dramatic events seem insignificant. From watching many thriller films, we already have a preexisting schemer's when concerning the music playing, for instance when we hear slow suspenseful music we can tell that it is creating tension, building up to an event. When action is occurring and we are meant to feel scared, the music becomes faster, the notes become shorter and more erratic. In the genre thriller we are not only presented with just music, though songs which incorporate lyrics, the tone of the voice can really effect our mood and set a darker more sinister tone. Sound effects are also used to create realism and emphasis events such as; wind, echoing noises, screeches, heavy breathing, crackling sounds and many more. I have done some research into sounds which i think would really benefit my trailer and add emphasis, here are a few examples;
1
Lyrics;
I was five and he was six We rode on horses made of sticks He wore black and I wore white He would always win the fight
Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down
Seasons came and changed the time When I grew up, I called him mine He would always laugh and say "Remember when we used to play?"
Bang bang, I shot you down Bang bang, you hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, I used to shoot you down
Music played and people sang Just for me the church bells rang
Now he's gone, I don't know why And 'till this day, sometimes I cry He didn't even say goodbye He didn't take the time to lie
Bang bang, he shot me down Bang bang, I hit the ground Bang bang, that awful sound Bang bang, my baby shot me down
I particularly like this song for many reasons, firstly the lyrics are extremely applicable to the narrative of my film, the emphasis of 'bang bang' could refer to a gun shot. The fact that a female is singing could suggest that she is the one using the gun, my plot is about a woman of whom is a serial kill so therefore the lyrics of the song will compliment the visuals. The frequent references to a male would also be suitable for my film and the unclear message it is trying to portray, from the song we cant really tell whom the victim is and this is exactly what i want to emphasis in my trailer. This could be effective using it as diegetic music that the protagonist is playing, then it slowly drifts into non diegetic as the scene changes, this would be alternative yet would still create the same atmosphere i intend to. The slow beat and weary tone of the females voice create an eerie, unsettling tone and is perfect for creating suspense. If i were to use this song for my trailer, i would use it at the beginning to create a creepy atmosphere, preparing the audience for further action.
2
I think this song is really effective, it gave me chills down my spine. The high pitch sound of the child's voice emphasizes his innocence, this provokes an emotion the audience to feel scarce and confused. The fact that the music is so painfully slow and the singer sounds calm, almost had the reverse effect of the audience as they would be left to wonder why this particular song has been chosen. This puts into practice Barthes theory of binary opposites as visually the audience would be seeing signs of danger and murder though the music would suggest different. The use of a child is typically a convention for he horror as they are seen as being the ultimate innocence and therefore suggesting that they are related to any brutality is uncomfortable for the audience to accept. Despite this i could still use this in my trailer as i could use a horror hybrid or even go against thriller conventions and adapt others. There has been examples of other thriller films where similar music has been used and the film is still effective and very much still a thriller.
3
This music is extremely disorientated, it is holophonic, which means that when listening wearing headphones is varies in which ear certain sounds come out of. I believe this track involves a lot of depth, the consistent undertone of the piano is extremely chilling, though the various sound effects over the top like the whispering, door slamming, tearing of a material, heartbeat and sharpening of a knife really make it complete. The variety of sounds are misleading for an audience as firstly you wonder why there are there and secondly where they are coming from. Even though they may not link to the visuals in my trailer, they would be beneficial in creating an enigma code and leaving the audience extremely disturbed. However i haven't decided yet if this would be perfect for my trailer as i think i need something that goes into a faster pace in order create more tension.
4
This music is very dramatic, the combination of screeching high pitched sounds and dramatic low
pitched
sounds of a drum go really well together. Even though they contrast highly they are effective in creating suspense as it leaves you not entirely knowing whats going on. The soundtrack would be
perfect for when my trailer get more sinister as it has connotations of
danger and brutality due to the heaviness and aggression of the beats. The sudden thumps would work well if synchronized with flash
cuts of significant shots such as someones face popping up or a murder weapon, this would make the visuals seem even scarier and create an enigma as to why there are there. The music is almost headache
inducing, this would work really well with the psychological thriller
genre as it would make the audience feel uncomfortable and as if they are inside of the insane persons mind. I think it would
work really well with my trailer as it is clear my protagonist is far from sane and this could foreshadow this effectively.
5
I would use this song as a whole piece due to the dramatic diversity within it. However i would take elements from it as they would be good for different shots in my trailer. At 1 minute 58 seconds a repetitive beat starts to play, this would be useful when the brutality starts to be revealed in my trailer as it is fast flowing and would help the action be portrayed in a forceful manner. I also like the music from 13 seconds until 1.13 as it is incredible eerie and it leaves you waiting for something to happen, their are certain peculiar sound effects inserted in which is there to distract the audience.
This research has really helped me come to grips with what music i think would suit not only the genre of my trailer, though the narrative to. By listening to a range of songs which usually associated with thriller films i can really get a widespread idea on which ones will enhance my trailer and those that will deduct tension. I have decided to use something unusual as it will be less predictable for the audience and they will not know what to expect, this is a vital element i am going to take into consideration when creating my final product.
Before going straight into planning what locations and mise-en-scene i am going to use in my trailer, i think it is vital to do some research first. This is because i need to become aware of specific conventions which will benefit my trailer and make sure i get the most out of filming without wasting any time. By delving so deep into the mise-en-scene for instance the positioning of actors and objects in the frame i have really gained knowledge which i had never even passed my mind, therefore i can apply it when i place my characters in the shot, ensuring that every single movement has a reason behind it. As a result of this i can create subtle enigmas which my audience can depict and question this should create tension. My research into lighting has also opened my eyes as it involves far more than i originally thought, especially in conveying characters emotions. From this i have decided that i am going to use back lighting in long shots, this is so the identity of the character is hidden,this is an important convention of the thriller genre as it creates suspense and leaves the audience ignorant. In some of the close up shots of my protagonist, i have decided that top lighting would be the most efficient, this sets a sinister atmosphere and creates the feeling that she is vulnerable and deprived of light which has connotations of positivity and purity.These are just a few ways in which i intend to use different lighting techniques, i will provide a full overview in my script. My research into costume and hair and make up has helped me realize that in a sense more is less, i have watched many thriller films and one similarity between them all is that when it comes to costumes, the protagonists just look like 'normal' people you would see on an every day basis. Though with this in mind, i do need to take in consideration my characters backgrounds and social roles, this is so i can reflect this by putting them in costumes which obviously foreshadow this. This is vital as my trailers just a snapshot of the film, this restricts me from building an in depth character profile which means i will need to play on stereotypes to make this clear to the audience. When taking into account hair and makeup, similar rules apply, however i do need to make sure that when i want to show that my characters have been hurt, the bruises and wounds must look realistic. I have identify a huge contrast between low budget and high budget thriller films, the makeup really does determine the realism which in effect can make or break a film. I am going to work on this for my trailer, i fortunately have a sister who has studied theoretical makeup at London of fashion, this will definitely help to enhance the quality of my trailer. When referring to props, i am hoping to use a shotgun, obviously this will have to be artificial, though i need to focus on ensuring that this is not made to obvious to the viewers as it will simply make it appear extremely amateur. I have put thought into other forms of props which i researched, for instance masks, i believe these are really impressive in thriller films as they make you feel uncomfortable as who's behind the mask is a secret which creates an enigma, however i am going to play around with this to see whether it improves my trailer or not. Finally by researching the conventional locations, i have been able to establish places in my are which could be suited the genre. I am definitely going to use quite stereotypical locations such as woods, country roads and alley ways, i have seen them illustrated in many films and for me they are definitely a powerful way of making the audience feel tense and scared for the safety of the protagonist. As you can see in the images in my slide share, a lot of these locations are photographed at night, this definitely amplifies the fears associated with them, from this i am going to do most of my filming later in the day to create a more nervous atmosphere.
I only have to ask ask for permission for one location, as my others are out in the public. I am fortunate as my request has been accepted and also the the times in which i suggested have also been agreed. This location is perfect for my filming, as due to the fact the business will be closed, i will be able to manipulate the layout of the furniture and brightness of the lighting in order to enhance my shots. I also have the choice to include extras to add to the realism whoever if they take attention away from my protagonist i can simply eliminate them, this is something i would have no control over if the establishment was open. The reason why i chose this bar opposed to any other one in my area is because it is quirky and has a more casual feel opposed to an upmarket flashy bar. I have purposely done this as my protagonist is working class, therefore this location appears to be more suited to her which will increase the realism of my trailer. The location is also extremely versatile as there is a spacious upstairs seating area, therefore i can film a various range of shots in it.
I sent this email well in advance of my shooting schedule, this is because Megan works full time so therefore her free time is really restricted. However she got back to me and we were able organize time slots where we are both available and can get some filming done. I chose Megan as she is 20, however looks quite significantly older as a result of this she will fit the profile of my protagonist. She has done modeling in the past, this is beneficial for me as it will eliminate and shyness in front of the camera and also she is likely to be able to pull different facial expressions depending on the mood i intend to portray. Because i am friends with Megan, it will make filming a lot easier as we will be more comfortable around each other and able to discuss ideas which will benefit the outcome but also point out if there's anything which may disrupt the final product in a constructive manner.
