Monday, 23 April 2012
Thriller films research (Training day)
In this essay I will be researching the film ‘Training day’ in this film I will be looking at once again the different techniques used as well as many other technical codes.
The film once again much like his other film uses several technical codes used in an effective manner so in the use of editing through the use of jump shot to fit in the quick paced action this time in a gun scene when they are being shot at by other gangsters this helps build the emotion and adrenaline from the scene and then the getaway. The use of the music much like his other depends on the mood and the emotion, so the music helps represent the emotion so for the dangerous and unpredictable scenes in the films there is tense quick paced music which makes the film more engaging and attractive to watch, this shows that Denzel stars generally in similar genre films and he keeps several techniques and codes that leave his trademark in films etc. This would fit to the targeted audience as they would be expecting these technical codes to be used in the film and also would help build an exception and perception of the character himself.
The use of zooming in and out, this helps represent the dramatic effect in the film which would stereotype the typical and conventional thriller film so in training day it is used to show different emotions in characters and also there reaction to certain things in the film so when Denzel says something to the other cop it shows his reaction gradually and how the characters (cop) opinion is changing of the other cop. Throughout the film there is also several different uses of the camera shots/angles, these all help represent sometimes the point of view from a character etc e.g. high angle shot showing the cop in a position of weakness and then the movement further up along with the close ups shows the rapid increase of loss of control that is happening for him so this shows the action from different views and perspectives.
In the film there is also the use of large amount cutaways this is used the majority of the time to represent the different points of view or role in the film or in a conversion there opinions, this is very important especially for large amount of scenes in training day that show one opinion and then the other.
The use of editing is very important and at times in scenes the use of cross cutting from scene to scene is used very well, at times to show the different points of views e.g. people working in the office, to the people on the trains risking their lives, this helps show contrast and builds the narrative and also helps represent who is leading the narrative. The use of large amount cutaways this is used the majority of the time to represent the different points of view or role in the film or in a conversion there opinions and what they are trying to get across.
The use of the muse-en-scene helps create the narrative effectively and stereotype the characters so the cop is dressed in a leather coat with jewellery chains this can be viewed as unconventional and as the films goes on we begin to see why so the clothing helps tell us about his character .
The diegetic sound and sound effects are used effectively together as in thriller films with the action films these are very important to work together to fit the dominant ideology. These techniques all help in gratifying the audience and making effective to its genre.
Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Music Choice
The choice of music was essential to our video as it would help construct the narrative and make it also more attractive to the audience, and also create the emotional effect on the audience. The first music clip that was used as inofaith shadow clock, this was a tense, gloomy sound track that added the tension to the introduction and gave the audience that right feel to what the narrative could then go on to, this helps create the expectation from the film and can also create a sense of enigma.
The second music track was a fast and furious track; this was a massive contrast to the first track as it then brought to a much more emotional and sympathetic atmosphere as the character who is a officer is corrupt and his guilty for betraying his partner, without the use of the music the emotional effect isn’t as effective, so along with the use of camera angles and setting etc it all helps into making the video convey to its genre and making effective to the target audience and making them engaged to the video.
Monday, 16 April 2012
Premininlary evaluation
The original idea for the evaluation is basically our final production through the fact that we were set in the café with al casino and Paulie and they then the conversation was then happening for the short time we had in order to film it, Paulie basically thou owned money to al casino because he helped keep the Mafia away from Paulie and his family but he needed that money to pay off the ransom for his daughter. The group was split up successfully in order to complete different tasks or roles to make it successful and effectively to a set time frame. Emily in our group shared roles in order to complete tasks like the story board etc. but individual roles included mine which was the actual acting in the acting role play as well as the treatment. Ishmael then did the cool sheet and did the camera movement to get the different camera roles along with Emily when trying to do the different shots e.g. match on action.
If we would change anything it would be to spend more time on task in order to be more prepared to finish the video to the best of it possible ability.
Personally I believe that the most help piece of production paperwork would have to be the storyboard as it created a structure for the actual production as well as provided us with the different set ideas of the camera angles and how in theory it would look and what we were targeting to replicate.
The main person responsible for the main execution of the final idea would be Emily due to the fact that she was the one that actually designed the storyboard as well as playing a major role in the actual filming of the different scenes to capture the different shots. I believe that it did work and went to plan as we recreated the scenes that we designed and the final production was at a high standard.
I think that our technical skills in the production were utilized to a high level and were used into good effect into the use of camera angles etc.
The original idea for the evaluation is basically our final production through the fact that we were set in the café with al casino and Paulie and they then the conversation was then happening for the short time we had in order to film it, Paulie basically thou owned money to al casino because he helped keep the Mafia away from Paulie and his family but he needed that money to pay off the ransom for his daughter. The group was split up successfully in order to complete different tasks or roles to make it successful and effectively to a set time frame. Emily in our group shared roles in order to complete tasks like the story board etc. but individual roles included mine which was the actual acting in the acting role play as well as the treatment. Ishmael then did the cool sheet and did the camera movement to get the different camera roles along with Emily when trying to do the different shots e.g. match on action.
If we would change anything it would be to spend more time on task in order to be more prepared to finish the video to the best of it possible ability.
Personally I believe that the most help piece of production paperwork would have to be the storyboard as it created a structure for the actual production as well as provided us with the different set ideas of the camera angles and how in theory it would look and what we were targeting to replicate.
The main person responsible for the main execution of the final idea would be Emily due to the fact that she was the one that actually designed the storyboard as well as playing a major role in the actual filming of the different scenes to capture the different shots. I believe that it did work and went to plan as we recreated the scenes that we designed and the final production was at a high standard.
I think that our technical skills in the production were utilized to a high level and were used into good effect into the use of camera angles etc.
Questionnaire
Media
Please circle or answer the following questions
1) How old are you?
2) How would you define the thriller genre?
3) What are the main aspects to a thriller genre?
4) What are the most effective techniques in thriller?
Low key lighting Jump shots
Others:
5) Would you say that sound or the imagery is the most important when watching a thriller film?
Sound Imagery
6) What would you say is the best thriller film?
7) If you could make a thriller film what would be the main techniques that you would chose to use?
8) What are the main expected codes and conventions for a thriller film?
Use of enigma Symbolism Camera
Questionnaire
Media
Please circle or answer the following questions
1) How old are you?
2) How would you define the thriller genre?
3) What are the main aspects to a thriller genre?
4) What are the most effective techniques in thriller?
Low key lighting Jump cuts
Others:
5) Would you say that sound or the imagery is the most important when watching a thriller film and please explain?
Sound Imagery
6) What would you say is the best thriller film?
7) If you could make a thriller film what would be the main techniques that you would chose to use?
8) What are the main expected codes and conventions for a thriller film?
Use of enigma Symbolism Camera
9) Do you prefer:
Linear Non linear
Questionnaire
Media
Please circle or answer the following questions
1) How old are you? 28
2) How would you define the thriller genre? The thriller genre could be defined in manner of dark and twisted characters, possibly seeking revenge and solving problems.
3) What are the main aspects to a thriller genre?
Dark settings
Morally complex characters
Non-linear narrative
Death destructive
4) What are the most effective techniques in thriller?
Low key lighting Jump cuts
Others:
Continuity editing
5) Would you say that sound or the imagery is the most important when watching a thriller film and please explain?
Sound Imagery
6) What would you say is the best thriller film?
Shutter Island
7) If you could make a thriller film what would be the main techniques that you would chose to use?
Low key lighting
Jump cuts
Dark settings
8) What are the main expected codes and conventions for a thriller film?
Use of enigma Symbolism Camera
9) Do you prefer:
Linear Non linear
Questionnaire
Media
Please circle or answer the following questions
1) How old are you? 26
2) How would you define the thriller genre? High adrenaline, suspense and shock
3) What are the main aspects to a thriller genre?
High pitched use of music
Dark mysterious settings
Anticipation
4) What are the most effective techniques in thriller?
Low key lighting Jump cuts
Others:
Anticipation
5) Would you say that sound or the imagery is the most important when watching a thriller film and please explain?
Sound Imagery
6) What would you say is the best thriller film?
Psyco
7) If you could make a thriller film what would be the main techniques that you would chose to use?
Suspense
Shock factor
8) What are the main expected codes and conventions for a thriller film?
Symbolism Camera
9) Do you prefer:
Linear Non linear
I Am Number Four (Analysis of film)
The target audience for the film I would say would be for teenagers 15-18, so they would have to be interested in a sci-fi themed style sort of film
The thriller research to the film that I will be looking at is the film I am number four. The different aspects and conventions that could be used could be the use of the diegetic music and also the use of non-diegetic music that is used to create different meaning which at the beginning is used with the visual being in space which instantly create the basic idea of what the film could be about and with the tense mysterious music it creates a sense of enigma and mystery plus an investigation theme to it. The following scenes in the trailer then use then focus on the audience looking through the perspective of one of the characters of the film and its creates the narrative the we are looking for someone and tracking someone down in a secretive manner, along with faced paced tense music as well as the camera shot being moved around a lot to possibly someone running away or after someone. The use of a symbol could then show a deeper meaning of something which keeps the audience thinking and on edge.
Then it is quickly followed by the use of an establishing shot but with a dark shadow around the edges which creates enigma but along with the visual the diegetic sound explains the general idea behind what is happening of where people are being murdered and then the symbol appears for the next one which shows a sense of unity and a team sort of thing e.g. similar to a police force.
The use of camera angles used after now includes a variety which includes angles like an extreme close up which in this content is used in a manner to show the emotion behind the character and his anger at something. The typical conventions would then show a tough superhero to lead the narrative and be the hero, along with a good looking girl to end up rescuing etc.
The video then also reveals a small amount about his powers and the sound in the background then goes quicker paced but with less mystery to possibly symbolize a fight back against what is after them.
The different use of muse en scene and the settings used in the videos this helps create the narrative and helps create the different conventions from characters like the heroic status and the narrative.
These are very effective and would relate to the film that we would be producing as the use of camera angles as well as music are used to help create the emotion and the tension within the scenes.
The target audience for the film I would say would be for teenagers 15-18, so they would have to be interested in a sci-fi themed style sort of film
The thriller research to the film that I will be looking at is the film I am number four. The different aspects and conventions that could be used could be the use of the diegetic music and also the use of non-diegetic music that is used to create different meaning which at the beginning is used with the visual being in space which instantly create the basic idea of what the film could be about and with the tense mysterious music it creates a sense of enigma and mystery plus an investigation theme to it. The following scenes in the trailer then use then focus on the audience looking through the perspective of one of the characters of the film and its creates the narrative the we are looking for someone and tracking someone down in a secretive manner, along with faced paced tense music as well as the camera shot being moved around a lot to possibly someone running away or after someone. The use of a symbol could then show a deeper meaning of something which keeps the audience thinking and on edge.
Then it is quickly followed by the use of an establishing shot but with a dark shadow around the edges which creates enigma but along with the visual the diegetic sound explains the general idea behind what is happening of where people are being murdered and then the symbol appears for the next one which shows a sense of unity and a team sort of thing e.g. similar to a police force.
The use of camera angles used after now includes a variety which includes angles like an extreme close up which in this content is used in a manner to show the emotion behind the character and his anger at something. The typical conventions would then show a tough superhero to lead the narrative and be the hero, along with a good looking girl to end up rescuing etc.
The video then also reveals a small amount about his powers and the sound in the background then goes quicker paced but with less mystery to possibly symbolize a fight back against what is after them.
The different use of muse en scene and the settings used in the videos this helps create the narrative and helps create the different conventions from characters like the heroic status and the narrative.
These are very effective and would relate to the film that we would be producing as the use of camera angles as well as music are used to help create the emotion and the tension within the scenes.
A
TREATMENT
FOR
FOR
Prepared by
Emily, Eduardo, Joe and Ishmael
Address
………………………………
………………………….....
………………………………
……………………………….
Date
……………………………..
Example: It is proposed that the advert will be of a conventional mafia scenario To 20-30 second duration, and that it will be filmed at various locations throughout the Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and edited at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
The clip will emphasis on the main three continuity sequences which are: 180 Degree rule, Match on action and shot reverse shot
Filming will take place in one of the small offices downstairs by the reception area. On the 13th October 2011
The clip will concentrate on the tension of the whole situation
Problems encountered (limitations and constraints) will be communicated by
Miss Bell, Mr Jarret and Mr Sleth
The advert will include the following:
(1) 180 degree rule – in filmmaking the 180 degree rule is a basic guideline that states those two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship with each other. They should not cross the axis.
(2) Match on action: when a long shot or a medium shot is cut with a close up or an extreme close up showing the same action.
(3) Shot reverse shot: when two characters are in a scene, usually having a conversation, they must have the same relationship with her each other. If someone lifts up their hand, the action must follow in the next shot. If someone has a conversation, the same relationship to their shoulders must be shown in each shot.
A brief summary of what the advert entails here……
Paulie needs to pay a ransom deal to pay for his daughters kidnapping due to a trading deal that collapsed.
Al Casino needs to pay back the money for the deal and being killed.
Paulie however wants the money to pay off the deal for the ransom, to try and save his daughter.
TREATMENT
FOR
FOR
Prepared by
Emily, Eduardo, Joe and Ishmael
Address
………………………………
………………………….....
………………………………
……………………………….
Date
……………………………..
Example: It is proposed that the advert will be of a conventional mafia scenario To 20-30 second duration, and that it will be filmed at various locations throughout the Harris City Academy Crystal Palace and edited at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace
The clip will emphasis on the main three continuity sequences which are: 180 Degree rule, Match on action and shot reverse shot
Filming will take place in one of the small offices downstairs by the reception area. On the 13th October 2011
The clip will concentrate on the tension of the whole situation
Problems encountered (limitations and constraints) will be communicated by
Miss Bell, Mr Jarret and Mr Sleth
The advert will include the following:
(1) 180 degree rule – in filmmaking the 180 degree rule is a basic guideline that states those two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship with each other. They should not cross the axis.
(2) Match on action: when a long shot or a medium shot is cut with a close up or an extreme close up showing the same action.
(3) Shot reverse shot: when two characters are in a scene, usually having a conversation, they must have the same relationship with her each other. If someone lifts up their hand, the action must follow in the next shot. If someone has a conversation, the same relationship to their shoulders must be shown in each shot.
A brief summary of what the advert entails here……
Paulie needs to pay a ransom deal to pay for his daughters kidnapping due to a trading deal that collapsed.
Al Casino needs to pay back the money for the deal and being killed.
Paulie however wants the money to pay off the deal for the ransom, to try and save his daughter.
Thriller films research
One of the films that I will be researching is the film ‘unstoppable’ in this film I will be looking at the different techniques used as well as any analysis of representation and as well as the target audience.
Throughout the film there is several technical codes used in an effective manner so in the use of editing through the use of jump shot to fit in the quick paced action. For one of the scenes when there is a use of a helicopter there is a use of a tracking shot, this involves the audience more and engages them more into the action and gives us a different perspective. The use of the music depends on the mood and the emotion, so the music helps represent the emotion so for the dangerous and unpredictable scenes in the films there is tense quick paced music which makes the film more engaging and attractive to watch. This would fit to the targeted audience as they would be expecting these technical codes to be used. Throughout the film there is also several different uses of the camera shots/angles, these all help represent sometimes the point of view from a character etc e.g. a long shot to show the setting as well as the character doing the dangerous scene of jumping across the train so this helps emphasis the danger, bravery and stupidity of what he is doing.
There is also the use of zooming in and out, this helps represent the dramatic effect in the film which would stereotype the typical and conventional thriller film, so when the train driver is having the conversation with his boss and he is refusing to obey his orders, along with the music it makes it very dramatic and effective.
For a thriller film packed with action like this the use of editing is very important and at times in scenes the use of cross cutting from scene to scene is used effectively, at times to show the different points of views e.g. people working in the office, to the people on the trains risking their lives, this helps show contrast and builds the narrative and also helps represent who is leading the narrative.
In the film there is also the use of large amount cutaways this is used the majority of the time to represent the different points of view or role in the film or in a conversion there opinions and what they are trying to get across.
The use of the muse-en-scene helps create the narrative effectively and stereotype the characters so the middle aged man in the office is dressed up in a suit which shows his role straight away to the audience where as the other middle aged man is taking the heroic status by being the worker trying stop the train. Throughout the film the use of iconography is not used as in thriller films the narrative is usually quite straight forward, but the suspicion in can lead to it being used so certain use of technology like phones etc that could be delivering messages etc.
Throughout the film the use of diegetic sound and sound effects are used well together as in thriller films with the action films these are very important to work together to fit the dominant ideology. So the natural sounds of the phones ringing and then the tense soundtrack used in the background helps to represent the importance, suspicion and danger ahead.
All of the techniques help build the expectations for the target audience and if they are met the n this will satisfy and gratify their expectations so for the unstoppable film the target audience would be a person interested in fast paced action with moderate violence with a simple narrative to understand.
By Eduardo
Questionnaire Analysis
The results from the questionnaire show that the age bracket generally that we got back was just over 20s this shows that the film should be rated at least at 15 or over if not then the film would not be appropriate to the audience. The age for our film has to be chosen carefully as it is essential for the content that our film contains is appropriate and effective enough on the audience.
Generally the feedback that we got about thrillers as a genre is films that are able to being different emotions such as high adrenaline, suspense, tension etc these are all emotions that we would have to create when filming the scenes in order to be effective towards the target audience.
The techniques that most people believed are effective in thriller is the use of low key lighting as it helps builds the atmosphere and help create emotions like suspense etc, through the different scenes we would have to find the setting that fits for this if we chose to use low key lighting.
The audience generally believed that the imagery was more important than the sound use in a thriller film so this shows for our film that aspects like the setting, costumes etc have to be good and stereotype to the genre into creating the right atmosphere and emotion when watching. For the best type of thriller films we had several answers from psycho as well as shutter island etc, these could help us take direction and inspiration to how we should do our film to make effective to the target that we will end up choosing.
For the feedback over the types of techniques that people would use to make their film effective there was the use of low key lighting as, jump cuts, the shock factor to it and many more this gives us the idea of what the audience wants from the film to be effective and what they believe is effective in a thriller film so this is very helpful feedback to our group. So for our target audience we would strongly consider these ideas of low key lighting etc.
For the question of whether the audience preferred either linear or non-linear the general feedback is that they all preferred linear rather than non linear. All this feedback will help in deciding on the target audience for the film, as it gives a age bracket as well techniques to use to make the film and many more.
Relating film analysis to project
The film analysis will help us greatly as it helps us show several techniques that help distinguish a film in terms of its genre, so the fact of the different techniques that can be used in the thriller genre such as camera angles/ shots, muse-en-scene, editing and sound. All these techniques help create the effect of the film so for example the film that I analysed ‘I am number four’ uses all of these effects at the appropriate times so sound to build that excitement and tense nature when watching the film this would be very important to our film as well as the music that we need, will have to be able to create the right atmosphere in order to capture the full emotion of the scene. In the film of ‘I am number four’ in terms of editing techniques are used several times throughout e.g. jump shots, slow motion, fade-in, fade out etc these all play a part in creating the narrative so creating the tension as well as raising the atmosphere and speed to match the action going on in the film, also other uses like slow motion to emphasis certain thing e.g. in ‘I am number four’ it shows the in one of the action scenes, the jump cuts in order for the audience to feel the intensity and the quickness and tension of the thriller. This would be very helpful and have a strong relation to our film as these will be needed without a doubt when editing our film footage in order to make the most effective as possible and also continue and construct the narrative that is being produced. With the correct editing the footage can look much more effective through the emotion and the pace created through the scenes.
The muse-en-scene of the film of ‘I am number four’ the settings are vital to any film and in one of the scenes it is placed in the school football pitch and this helps the narrative to be created as well as show the fact that the characters are still at school, so this helps make the narrative have a structure and also make sense to the targeted audience. For our film this will be one of the most important as it helps the story to make sense and also be more effective and looking more appealing to the audience if it is a good setting. The muse-en-scene would also include the costumes used as well as production design etc which our film would need to consider strongly in order to be a good opening, much like the ‘I am number four’ as the characters are introduced into the film appropriately to what their position is in the film e.g. school clothes to shows character as the student. This has to be done in our film to also not allow it to become more like a trailer rather than an opening.
The sound used could be one of the most important aspects to our film as it is so low budget, the settings make not create the full narrative or emotion so the music would help make up for that and give the audience the impression of how to feel e.g. quick paced music to raise suspicion and tension. So in ‘I am number four’ all types of music tracks are used some to create a lighter atmosphere and a love theme to it as there is a love situation throughout the film but there is also others that contrast like the tense quick paced music which are very conventional to the genre and would stereotype to the dominant ideology that is viewed upon the genre. These conventions of music will have to be used well in our footage to make the film effective and also connect with the audience who would be expecting the thrill though the use of these conventions, so for one of our scenes of who the officer who is corrupt and he receives his payment, the sad and sympathetic music will be used in order to create the narrative and help the actor lead the narrative into creating the right emotional effect on the audience.
In conclusion the film analysis of ‘I am number four’ will help give us direction of how we should use the several techniques of the thriller film in order to make ours as effective as possible.
PRODUCTION CALL SHEET
Clip Name:
Group: Ishmael, Eduardo, Emily & Josephine “Banjo Boy Bieber Buster” Wilkinson
Date: 13/10/11
Required: Joe (Paulie) and Eduardo (Al Casino)
Additional crew: N/A
Time: Joe and Eduardo are on for the whole scene (30 secs)
Instructions: Eduardo is sitting down on a sofa in a dark hotel room then Joe enters holding a briefcase and pauses and then goes to sit down on the stool opposite the sofa (180 Degree Rule) nothing is said for 5-10 seconds (Shot reverse shot) and then dialogue begins. Eduardo then smokes his cigarette (Match on action) and Joe loses control, head in hands shaking. Eduardo shoes no sympathy and carries on talking (Shot Reverse Shot) and Joe reaches for briefcase (Match on action). Dialogue continues as the cigarette lay, burnt out, in the ashtray.
Notes: (anything else including health and safety and hazards?)
Fake Cigarette
Clip Name:
Group: Ishmael, Eduardo, Emily & Josephine “Banjo Boy Bieber Buster” Wilkinson
Date: 13/10/11
Required: Joe (Paulie) and Eduardo (Al Casino)
Additional crew: N/A
Time: Joe and Eduardo are on for the whole scene (30 secs)
Instructions: Eduardo is sitting down on a sofa in a dark hotel room then Joe enters holding a briefcase and pauses and then goes to sit down on the stool opposite the sofa (180 Degree Rule) nothing is said for 5-10 seconds (Shot reverse shot) and then dialogue begins. Eduardo then smokes his cigarette (Match on action) and Joe loses control, head in hands shaking. Eduardo shoes no sympathy and carries on talking (Shot Reverse Shot) and Joe reaches for briefcase (Match on action). Dialogue continues as the cigarette lay, burnt out, in the ashtray.
Notes: (anything else including health and safety and hazards?)
Fake Cigarette
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