research- into location and mise-en-scene for my trailer

       

Research into location and mise-en-scene from jemimawright97

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.