My brief, was to ensure of an effective thriller idea turned into an opening sequence. I worked with two other members to help create this thriller clip, who in which were Cara and Harry. My role within this sequence, was to be the en charade of the different techniques and methods which helped to make a successful and tension rising film which was conventional towards the thriller genre. We all had particular roles for each member of the group, however; we would all sometimes contribute towards a particular aspect of the thriller film if we felt we could help to make improvements, this represented the team effort which which outshines throughout the sequence.
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For my brief, I was to make an opening sequence in which related towards the genre of a thriller. I completed this task by using thriller conventions which made this genre effective and creative towards its theme. Generic conventions of a thriller film are all things which make the film effective and tension rising, an example of a typical convention of a thriller is the 'female victim.' This particular convention makes it easier for the audience to understand and then sympathise for this particular character as they are stereotyped to be seen as weak and unable to defend themselves. Another example of a successful convention is the character of the antagonist, which usually has a hidden identity. This makes it more of a mystery towards the motive of what he is trying to accomplish. Another example of a convention is the theme of 'low key lighting,' this editing technique allows the audience to interpret danger towards the protagonist and are safer to see what's going to happen. As these conventions help to make the audience understand more, then results to the sequence being a successful piece as the audience are able to create a bond with the characters and are able to sympathise for them more easily.
My media product is based on a young female victim who is taunted by a character who has a hidden identity towards the extent of a suicide attempt. To help make this narrative most effective, my group and I,(Cara and Harry) decided to involve a sweet, innocent character seen to be the protagonist who was tragically murdered by the antagonist. This made the audience more fearful of the antagonist and helps the increase the sympathy made for Brittany, making the opening sequence effective as the audience can create a bond with the characters. Me, Cara and Harry also used a range of editing techniques in which made this media product more effective and emphasised. We edited the colour of particular scenes to help create more of a dramatic effect. For example; for the scenes of Brittany on the bridge ready to commit suicide, we decided to slightly change the colour to an off bluish, purple colour which allowed the audience to understand that this is a very serious and upsetting scene.
This put more attention upon the audience towards the character as they question her motives as this is the first thing you see. This also helps the audience to understand how the character is feeling more clearly and visually. Another technique we used was sound to make scenes more thrilling with more tension and suspense built. We would add different types of non-diegetic sound throughout the sequence to help the scene seem more dramatic. The scene where Brittany is walking home from school is a successful scene which sound helped to make the scene seem more effective than it orginally was. Once the twig snapped, non diegetic sound would appear and helped the audience to feel on edge and are eager to see what might happen to the innocent teenager.
Me and my group followed a range of conventions towards a thriller in order to ensure it is effective. For example: female victim. This convention played the biggest role within the whole of the opening sequence as we thought it would be most important. By using this particular convention allowed the audience to clearly understand who is being perceived as the weaker character and who is the stronger character (antagonist.) By linking in within the female victim convention, we also decided to use antagonist and protagonist through out sequence. By using this, allowed the audience to understand who to emphasise for and who to feel threatened by. As the audience are then aware of characters roles and positions, they can then feel more involved within the narrative and the film as a whole, which makes an effective product.
Another convention was to use low key lighting, which gave a more tension rising effect and also allowed the audience to quickly understand that a character is in a dangerous situation. This convention would also then allow the audience to recognise the full potential of the antagonists strength whilst in the situation of darkness where no one would be able to find out. We also used tension rising, non diegetic sound throughout the opening sequence to provide senses of feeling uncomfortable and unaware for the audience to experience with certain characters such as Steve. Me and my group would also use things related towards the micro element of cinematography like zooming in towards the victims expression when in thought about her crazy stalker. We also provided props such pictures of a range of girls which I used from my friends. This would then highlight the crazy obsession he has and how creepy it makes it the whole sequence then become. The props made the sequence more effective and more creative in the terms of the narrative twisted story.
A real, successful media product within this particular genre of thriller would be the film of 'Halloween,' which is distributed by Universal Pictures. This film is similar towards my product of a media sequence due to the similar conventions. This film showed a range of effective conventions in which helped to make this film effective. All conventions were demonstrated throughout the film, ranging from the categories of cinematography, the soundtrack, the characters, the narrative to then editing styles. There was a lot of use of 'low key lighting' throughout the film, usually when the antagonist is on screen, this is used to represent the danger the victim is in and makes the antagonist seem more powerful and scary. This is effective as the audience could potentially also be in a dark room, i.e: in a cinema, which allows the audience to experience the same emotion as the victim character.
This shows the film to become relatable and the characters and audience can then have a relationship, which makes it an effective product. This specific convention is also used in my opening sequence to also represent more fear for the characters as they are seen to be more vulnerable and naive due to young age and also being in a dark, isolated area where anything can happen. This convention is shown in an example of the scene where the two characters of Brittany and Carol meet and form an instant bond. Where they are walking together and the only visible light sources are the street lights.
A real, successful media product within this particular genre of thriller would be the film of 'Halloween,' which is distributed by Universal Pictures. This film is similar towards my product of a media sequence due to the similar conventions. This film showed a range of effective conventions in which helped to make this film effective. All conventions were demonstrated throughout the film, ranging from the categories of cinematography, the soundtrack, the characters, the narrative to then editing styles. There was a lot of use of 'low key lighting' throughout the film, usually when the antagonist is on screen, this is used to represent the danger the victim is in and makes the antagonist seem more powerful and scary. This is effective as the audience could potentially also be in a dark room, i.e: in a cinema, which allows the audience to experience the same emotion as the victim character.
Similar uses of cinematography is used within my sequence, during the bridge scene, we used the technique of zooming in to show the surroundings and the character to then just the facial expressions filling the whole frame. This was an effective use of cinematography as this allowed the audience to see the fear from Brittany's eyes. This allowed the audience to sympathise quickly for her and the decision of suicide as a whole. This is used in the film of 'Halloween' for a reverse effect, where it is used at the start of the scene to show the antagonists childhood and how he behaved as a child, which then shocked the audience instead if the feeling my group aimed to make the audience feel, which was scared and fearful.
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https://prezi.com/1kpur7-ywxij/q7-preliminary-task/
https://prezi.com/1kpur7-ywxij/q7-preliminary-task/
Each question needs to be on a separate post, with the question at the top!
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1:
You have provided a basic analysis of your opening sequence, giving only a couple of examples of the micro-elements used, as well as some conventions identified in research and used within your sequence, explaining why they were used. You need to think carefully about how your thriller follows conventions and other thrillers, elaborate on other micro-elements and inspirations used, compare your sequence to other successful thrillers and elaborate on points made.
You need to:
1) Include images to support points made
2) Elaborate on what other micro-elements and inspirations you used and why
3) Elaborate on how your sequence is similar to Halloween
4) Elaborate on why your sequence defines the thriller genre
Question 2:
You have provided a basic analysis of your character's and their representations, with some attempt at linking them to social groups and stereotypes. You have explained why you wished to create certain representations to an extent, but have not explained how you created them, and how you think the audience will be able to relate to/fear characters etc in enough depth.
You need to:
1) Include pictures to support points made
2) Link characters to social stereotypes further
3) Discuss each characters background, costumes, etc.
4) Elaborate on how and why the audience might be able/unable to relate to characters and why this is important of the genre
5) Stereotypes of gender?
Question 3:
You have provided a basic analysis of you chosen film institution, briefly relating it to examples of similar films they have produced and their successes.
You need to:
1) Think more about the purpose and benefits of have a film institution
2) Elaborate on why they would be the right film institution for your production
3) Thin about promotions and marketing more
Question 4:
You have provided a proficient analysis of your target audience and how your sequence appeals to them by stating who they are and giving some examples of how it might appeal to them.
1) Link back to the BBFC and age certificates
2) Elaborate on the importance of establishing an audience first
Question 5:
You have provided a basic analysis of research carried, stating what type of research you carried out and explaining why. You need to refer to examples of things learnt from both types of research
1) Explain why primary and secondary research was important - relate to examples
2) Explain how this helped you and your group decide on what to include and why - how did you go about it
3) What type of planning did you carry out and why - how did your research play into this?
Question 6:
You have provided a minimal analysis of the software and technologies used throughout your production, mentioning some difficulties encountered but not explaining how you overcame them. You need to discuss planning and research and evaluation software more.
You need to:
1) Discuss blogger, prezi and youtube in more depth
2) Make sure you explain specifically how you created certain techniques when referring to what you did for the editing/filming of your production
3) Discuss the use of blogger and what this allowed you to do (collate research and planning in one place etc.)
4) Elaborate on strengths and weaknesses of each software
5) Explain what the purpose of each software was
Question 7:
You have provided a minimal analysis of your preliminary task, briefly outlining what you learnt from it and why. You have not explained how you created specific camera techniques or what the actual brief was.
You need to:
1) Explain what you were required to do for this task
2) State specifically how you created certain camera techniques - what did you use/do?
3) State difficulties encountered and how you overcame them
4) how did this help with preparation for filming of your sequence and why
You have provided a proficient analysis of your thriller sequence, giving examples of thrillers analysed and conventions used, explaining their purpose and what you think they create. You have included images to support points made but still need to compare how your sequence is similar to other thrillers specifically (referring to micro-elements used at certain times), and elaborate on how the audience is able to build a relationship with the characters as a result of conventions used.
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