Prelimary Task - Car Insurance.

This is our Prelimary Task. This requirement allowed us to further our experience with the camera's before we completed out final piece. We experimented with the 'shot reverse shot' in the conversation element of the task and we looked at the '180 degree rule'. 

We had to involve the opening and closing of a door which allowed us to use a close-up and a medium shot from the other side of the door. 

During the conversation we used close-up shots to show the emotion is Carl and Oli's faces as they we're speaking. 

When Carl was walking towards the door we filmed the shot with a tripod and then again without a tripod to see which looked best. We decided the shot with the tripod looked better as it was sturdier. 

The editing of the task allowed us to look at what we could do using 'Final Cut'. This gave us more experience on the programme before it came to editing our final piece. 

Script

*Flashback scenes*
*Dylan's scene finds* the picture under the bed*
*Ellie comes home with Steve*

Ellie: Dylan, I'm home... (pause) Dylan?! (pause) Wait here Steve.

*walks upstairs*

Ellie: Dylan. Answer me when I talk to you!

*walks into Dylan's room where Dylan is lighting the picture*

Ellie: Dylan?! What do you think your doing?!

Dylan: GET OUT! GET OUT NOW.

*pushes Ellie out of the room, Steve runs upstairs*

Steve: What's going on?

Dylan: YOU. Why are you here?

Ellie: What are you talking about Dylan? It's Steven, I told you he was coming. What's gotten over you?

Steve: Are you okay?

*reaches out to help Ellie up*

Dylan: DON'T TOUCH HER.

*Dylan jumps on Steven and start's to attack him*

Dylan: I HATE you.! I f*cking hate you!

Ellie: DYLAN. Get off him NOW.

*Ellie manages to get Dylan off Steve and pushes him into his room.*

Ellie: I am so, so sorry about that. I don't understand what came over him. he's a good lad.

Steve: I think it's best if I leave

Ellie: No, no, no don't go. It's fine. Don;t go. COme one, it's fine, come downstairs.

Steve: But?

*Ellie and Steve go downstairs*

*Ellie and Steve sit downstairs. Stephe looks uncomfortable and nervous.*

Steve: I think I best be off now then.

Ellie: No steve, wait. Is it about before? Because he's been though alot and he is a good boy. I'm sure he didn't mean it. He'll pop round yours tomorrow and say sorry. Just give him time.

Steve: Are you sure?

Ellie: Steve, he's my son. I know him best. He wouldn't hurt anyone. Go and crack open the wine?

*Steve walks into the kitchen, unaware that Dylan is following him. He opens the kitchen door and it slams shut behind him. He opens the fridge, grabs the wine and shuts the door and Dylan is standing behind him with a knife.*

What certificate is my film?

In my initial research from the BBFC website I looked at the 12, 15 and 18 classifcations. This enabled me too see what the difference between the classifications are and where my film fits in.  

Horror

Our film doesn't involve much horror, and the parts of horror there is are not stadistic or sexualised.

Imitable Behaviour

Our film does involve a slight bit of dangerous behaviour including a fight of some sorts and a young boy holding a knife. This doesn't dwell on detail that could be copied and the knife, an easily accessible weapon, isn't glamourised.

Language

We only use a slight bit of strong language, which fits into the context so it would be suitable for the 15 boundaries.

Nudity/Sex

Our film involves no nuditiy or sex in our film which will fit into the 15 criteria

Violence

The violence in our film isn't  too strong and doesn't dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. There is nothing sadistic or sexual in the film and no gory images. This shows that our film does fit into the 15 criteria

Production Schedule

15th March

Film: Ellie walking into house with Steven

Dylan burning picture

Dylan fights back

17th March

Film: Kitchen scene, living room scene 

22nd March

Film: Flashback scene, with Michael

24th March

Upload film and being editing

29th March

Continue editing

31st March

Finish editing

Storyboard

Who is the film aimed at?

Our film involves Childhood problems, domestic violence and is certificate 15. This strongly influences who the film is aimed at. As a group we decided that the film will be aimed at people between the ages of around 16 to people who are in their early 40's. This is because of the involvement of children and domestic violence, which makes it more appealing to younger people.

The film also appeals to both genders. This is because the females may empathise with the issues faced by the characters, This would be appropriate for the uses and gratifications theory as the audience could empathise and use characters to solve their own problems.

Synopsis

Oli is a young boy who has witnessed his mom on the receiving end of domestic violenceon many occasions. 2 years later and his mom, Ellie, has a new boyfriend, Steve. Oli isn't happy about this from the moment he hears. He misses his dad, but wonders why he would ever hurt his mom and can't forgive him for what he has done. When Ellie brings Steve home one night, things take a turn for the worst. Oli's seriously messed up mind twists the realtionship into something it definatly isn't and Steve has to deal with the consequences.

Costume and Props list

Costumes

• Carl (Steve):  Red Checked Shirt, Jeans. 
• We chose this costume because Steve is just going on a date with Ellie and we thought this was quite appropriate as it is not too casual, but smart. 
• Oli (Dylan): School Uniform
• We decided to put Dylan in his school uniform because this will exaggerate how young he is and how disturbed his young mind must be.  
• Ellie (Ellie): Trousers and a T-shirt
• We thought this outfit would work for Ellie because she is on a date with Steve, but they are at home so it doesn't need to be too 'dressy'.
• Michael (Michael): 'tatty' Jeans, Polo shirt. ]
• We chose these for Michael because he needs to contrast to Steve as he is the 'bad' person in the situation and Steve is 'good'.

Props

• Knife
• This is for the Kitchen scene and will be a usual kitchen knife.
• Photo
• This will be a photo of Ellie and Michael for Dylan to burn in his bedroom scene.
• Lighter
• This will need to be just a simple cigarette lighter that Dylan will have got hold of, maybe from the kitchen drawer.
• Can of Becks
• For Dylan when he is in his room burning the photo.
• Bottle of wine
• This is for Steve to get from the kitchen for Ellie and him to drink.
• Two glasses
• These will just be sat on the side in the kitchen for Steve to get for him and Ellie.
• Can of Stella
• This is for Michael to drink when he is beating Ellie. We chose Stella because it is known as 'wife-beater' and we thought it would be appropriate.
• Cigarettes
• These are for Dylan to smoke in the bedroom scene.
• Tennis Ball
• The tennis ball is what Dylan is throwing at his wall when it goes under the bed and he likes the photo.

Location Report

Our film will be shot in two different houses. We will use the my house for the flashback scene with me and Michael where he is beating me up. This will help to distinguish the flashback from the more recent scenes. We will then use Carl's house as the recent home as the way it is layed out will work well with how we want to film. We will use the kitchen, stairs, living room and bedroom to shoot our film. It is also in the middle of an estate which will be good for the realism of the film.

Using Carl's house will also be convienient as it is close to college and easy to get too.

Cast Last

Steve: Carl Donaldson
Ellie: Ellie Wood
Dylan:  Oli Moore
Michael: Michael Kelly

Equipment needed

• Camera
• Tripod
• Tape
• Microphone

Summary of Ideas

Our film opening is going to fit under the 'Psycho-traumatic Thriller' sub-category. This means it will involve the main character trying to deal with past events, which causes them to commit crime. The film will begin with an engima. Michael will be beating up Ellie, which will completely throw the audinence into confusion. The film will them appear to turn back to normal until Dylan begins to see Michael as Steve.  The film will be a restricted narrative, meaning that we only know as much as the characters.  This will add to the pleasure for the audience, as they should be involved in trying to solve the mystery along with the characters. This is a common convention of thrillers and important for creating suspense.
The initial scene will use fast-cuts and sharp editing to show the panic and fear of the situation. This will also assist in shocking the audience in the first few seconds.  This fast editing will mean that the audience never really get a clear view of what is happening, adding to the confusion. 
When the film changes to a 'normal' atmosphere the film will use continuity editing,  which will show the normality of what's going on, but to contrast this when Dylan see's Steve 'change' into Michael the editing will change to quick and jumpy.  This helps to inform the audience that something 'different' is occuring.


Our main character, Dylan, has seen his mom being abused by his dad when he was younger. His mom eventually left his dad, but Dylan is still affected by what he has seen.  The film will use non linear editing containing flashforwards and backwards.  This also contributes to the confusion and mystery created. 
This will be shown as a flashback. Michael (Dylans Dad) will be beating up Ellie, and you will see that Dylan is watching. This scene will be filmed in Ellie's Kitchen. 
There will be some violence shown in keeping with the thriller conventions, however, the violence will not be extreme or extended, which is appropriate for our target audience.



When Dylan is about 15, his mom has a new boyfriend which Dylan imagines as his dad. This causes problems the first time he meets him. Ellie (Dylans mom) brings Steve (her new boyfriend) home to meet Dylan.


Dylan see's Steve as being his dad and tries to protect Ellie from him by pushing him and trying to make him leave. After Ellie succeeds in getting him to stay, Steve goes into the kitchen and doesn't notice Dylan watching him. After looking in the fridge for the wine, Steve sees him stood facing him with a knife in his hands.


This will be shown as present time, and filmed in Carl's house. We will use close-ups, medium shots and extreme close-ups to see the characters emotions and reactions. We will also use mood lighting when the atmosphere changes, so will the lighting.


The sound in our film will be used to contribute to the suspense.We will create music on garage band to go in the scene where Dylan is burning the photo of him and his mom and dad and the scene where Dylan is following Steve in the kitchen., there will also be music on the title sequence.
We will use garage band because when using music in films you have to be careful because copyright can be an issue if using music from a signed band. If they garage band music doesn't work out we can use music from unsigned bands. This could be found on myspace.

Poster Analysis

I analysed The Butterfly Effect poster because I think the way they use the skeleton x-ray and the butterfly wings are used together is a really good effect. I also think that the poster reflects the film really well. 

I analysed the inception poster because it doesn't seem to fit in with the usual conventions of a thriller poster. It's very disjointed and confusing which reflects the film really well. 

I analysed the 'Black Swan' poster because it looks and feels like a typical thriller poster.

Audience Discussion

Target audience is an important part of creating a Thriller film. More often than not thrillers are rated 15 or 18. This is because according to the BBFC certain things are not allowed to be shown in films with lower age classifications, such as in a 15 film violence is allowed but not if it dwells on the infliction of pain or injury. This is why films like se7en are rated 18.


The thriller genre has got a large target audience. I think that people over the age of 15 would enjoy the suspense and action involved in a thriller film but also people under the age of about 40. This is because older people probably wont want to watch a film where they are scared all the way through.

Seven - David Fincher 1995

 

• The initial camera angles seem 'off'
• The title sequence is long, as if it's revealing the film
• Metronome goes at the rhythm of the title sequence - indicates 'perfect timing and precision'
• Loud background noise when the action begins - hard to hear the characters talking.
• No music - just ambient sound.
• The rain is pathetic fallacy.
• Low Key lighting all the way through, almost grey scale. Mirrors 'theme' of the film.

Conventions of the thriller genre

The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008)

I watched the opening for Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' because it is a film I really enjoy and think it uses many media techniques. It is a sequel to Chirstopher Nolan's 'Batman Begins'.

Sound

• Non Diegetic:
• The begining music is mysterious, daunting and scary. It gets louder as we get closer to the action starting.
• The sound of the window smashing is much louder than the music.
• All the 'smaller' things sound much louder, like when the men land on the roof and the car breaks.
• The background music mirrors the tension, as it builds the music gets louder.
• Diegetic
• The speech is minimal which adds to the intensity of the scene.
• The voices when they do speak are muffled which adds to the 'unknown identity'.

Mise-en-scene

• The robbers are wearing masks. This makes the audience think about what is going on and who they are. These mirror the jokers face which is important throughout the film.
• They are all wearing similar clothes - suits and jackets, with gloves.

Lighting

• The film is initially dark, but it is day time. This adds to the intensity of the scenes.
• The lighting is all quite natural

Camerawork

• Close ups show the emotion
• Establishing shot of Gotham city which leads into a high angled shot of the men in masks which makes the audience suspicious of them.

Editing

• Editing is fast paced and shots are quick which adds to the suspence and speed of the scene.
• Continous

BBFC Film Classification

The BBFC is an independent company who classified silms on behalf of the local authorities who licence cinemas.  They classify the films into these categories:

'12A/12'

 12 and 12a classifications use the exact same criteria. These are given where the material is generally suitable for those aged 12 and over. The 12A category is used only for cinema films and the 12 is for video works. A 12A is where no one younger than 12 can see the film without an adult. Discriminiatory language or behaviour must be endorsed by the work as a whole, if it is agressive it is most likely to be unacceptable. Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and not glamorised or give instructional detail. Moderate physical and psychologiacl threat may be permitted, provided the disturbing sequences are not frequent. Dangerouse behaviour should not dwell on datil which can be copied or appear pain or harm free. Moderate language can be used, the use of strong language must be infrequent. Nudity is allowed, but in sexual content must be brief and discreet. Sexual activity must b briefly and discreetly portrayed. References should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Mature themes are acceptable but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. occasional gory moments may be permitted if it fits in with the conext. Sexual violence may only be implied or bridfly and discreetly indicated and must have a strong contextual justification.

'15'

No one younger than 15 can see a 15 film in a cinema. The work must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Drugs may be shown and drug taking may be involved but the film must not promote or encourage drug use. The misuse of highly dangerous drugs that are easily accessible is likely to be unaccepted. Strong threat and menace are allowed, unless they include sadstic or sexualised.Dangerous behaviour should not dwell on detail which may be copied. `they may be frequent use of strong lanuage, but the strongest terms may only be accepted if justified by the content. Nudity is allowed in a sexual content as long as it is not in strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sex. No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are likely to be unacceptable. 

'18'

No one younger than eighteen may see an 18 film in the cinema or buy or rent an 18 rated video. 

According to the BBFC website these are the guidlines for an 18 rated film:

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.