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Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Research Into Genre

Our film falls into the thriller/suspense category. Films in the thriller/suspense category are known to promote intense excitement, suspense, anxiety, a high level of anticipation, expectation and uncertainty. The protagonist in most thriller films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery. A thriller tends to be a villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the hero must overcome and a genuine thriller film is a film that relentlessly pursues a single-minded goal to provide thrills and keep the audience cliff-hanging at the 'edge of their seats' as the plot builds towards a climax.

Thrillers are often hybrid films and there a re many different varieties of thriller hybrid films, such as:
• Action and adventure thrillers
• Sci-thrillers
• Crime caper thrillers
• Western thrillers
• Film-noir thriller
• Romantic comedy thrillers

Characters in thrillers tend to involve include convicts, criminals, stalkers, assassins, down-on-their-luck losers, innocent victims (often on the run), prison inmates, menaced women, characters with dark pasts, psychotic individuals, terrorists, cops and escaped cons, fugitives, private eyes, drifters, duplicitous individuals, people involved in twisted relationships, world-weary men and women, psycho-fiends, and more. The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.

The primary elements of the thriller genre:
• The central protagonist(s) faces death, either their own or somebody else's.
• The force(s) of antagonism must initially be clever and/or stronger than the protagonist's.
• The main storyline for the protagonist is either a quest or a character who cannot be put down.
• The main plotline focuses on a mystery that must be solved.
• The film's narrative construction is dominated by the protagonist's point of view.
• All action and characters must be credibly realistic/natural in their representation on screen.
• The two major themes that underpin the thriller genre are the desire for justice and the morality of individuals.
• One small, but significant, aspect of a thriller is the presence of innocence in what is seen as an essentially corrupt world.
• The protagonist/s and antagonist/s may battle not just on a physical level, but on a mental one as well.
• Either by accident or their own curiousness, characters are dragged into a dangerous conflict or situation that they are not prepared to resolve

Thursday, 23 February 2012

Research Into Similar Films

Research:
Similar films to the type of genre we are looking at include:

- Sweeney Todd Demon Barber On Fleet Street (2007) -
Horror and drama.
Storyline: The infamous story of Benjamin Baker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, sets up a barber shop in London, with the help of Mrs Lovett, this character plays on his respectable status to lure the innocent victims in and murder them, in a horrific manor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_hgrfZVlJA



- The Last House On The Left (2009) -
Drama and horror thriller.
Storyline: After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging the parents of one of the victims -- a mother and father who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl2lmFPBGN8




- The Disappearance Of Alice Creed (2009) –
Crimethriller.
Storyline: Two men fortify a nondescript British apartment so it can serve as a prison, and then kidnap a woman and tie her to a bed. Before there's even time to react, we're plunged into a very nastysituation, but not a simple one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QIiiYMpz9Q



-Kidnapped (2010) -
Horror and thriller.
Storyline: Three hooded Eastern-European criminals burstinto a home in a Madrid gated community, holding the family hostage in its own home, and forcing the father to empty his credit cards.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-KAVZ4L2ys




- Taken (2008) -
Action, crime and thriller.
Storyline: A retired CIA agent travels across Europe and relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who was kidnapped on a trip to Paris to be sold into prostitution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCbDUREBwUg




- The Bone Collector (1999) -
Crime and mystery drama.
Storyline: Denzel Washington plays a quadriplegic homicide detective. He and his female partner track down a serial killer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-3Sy39e7ko&feature=fvst


With the exception of Sweeney Todd, these films have the main storyline of kidnapping and suspense, this is similar to our storyline as it is based around the idea of kidnapping and torturing of the innocent. Sweeney Todd on the other hand, is similar to our film as the main dominant character plays on the naivety of his victims and uses one main weapon to execute the innocent. These films all have a sense of uncertainty about them, this adds to the level of anticipation, as the audience don't necessarily know what is going to happen to the victims.


Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Analysis Of First 15 Minutes Of A Similar Film - The Last House On The Left

When analysing the first fifteen minutes of a film, I decided to choose the film The Last House On The Left, as the plot is very similar to our own film's plot. This particular horror film uses a range of camera angles/ cinematography, editing, mise-en scene and sound to overall portray the horrific nature of the film. The film follows the parents (Goldwyn and Potter) of Mari Collingwood (Paxton), who attempt to get revenge on a group of strangers, led by a man named Krug (Dillahunt), that have taken shelter at their home during a thunderstorm. The Collingwoods discover that Krug and his group have shot their daughter and left her for dead.
 Throughout the first fifteen minutes of this film, the film begins in a very dark setting, and the audience immediately get a sudden sense of foreboding - something bad is going to happen within the first five minutes of the film. Most of the characters are wearing dark clothing and the diagetic/non-diagetic sound which can be heard is very haunting, mysterious and creates a sense of suspense which carries on to the next shot. However, after the first five minutes, the scene instantly changes and immediately cuts to the next shot, which is brighter, the non-diagetic sounds/music are overall, more livelier and there aren't as many close ups/extreme close ups used, which gives off the feeling that the next ten minutes or so will be slightly more positive than the first five minutes. By using this quick type of edit and changing the scene instantly like this and changing the overall setting and environment, this shows a small passage of time so the audience know that some time has passed since the first scene.
Also, by using dark lighting, having the first scene shot at night and using the haunting diagetic/non-diagetic sounds, the audience are immediately aware of the genre of the film because of these certain aspects used, and also the opening titles have a very scary/horrific, doomed feel to them.


The film begins with numerous close ups of the trees in the woods. The setting is dark and eerie, with a sense of mystery and the camera slowly moves in and out of the trees but still focusing mainly on them. The non-diagetic music which can be heard in the background is very haunting and mysterious and creates a real sense of drama, and the audience instantly get a feel that there is a sense of foreboding. This also sets the scene to what will happen next in the film.

Another effective shot used is another close up of the man sat in the back of the car. The setting is still dark, and we cannot see the man's face, but we are able to hear him speaking. By not being able to see the unknown man's face, this creates a sense of suspicion and anticipation as to who he is and what his role is in the film and we also get an instant feeling that he is some sort of villain, as he is in darkness and his identity is unknown at the beginning.



Another effective shot used after the close up of the unknown man is an extreme close up of a red warning light. In the film, the light is signalling that there is a train coming, and the audience know this, but by using an extreme close up on the light, we get an instant feeling of panic and a sense of warning and this builds up to what is going to happen next, which is a car crash, and creates suspense to the car crash aswell as playing just a prop in the film.We are also able to hear the warning signal as the light is flashing, and again, this makes the audience get a feel that something bad will happen in the next shot.




This is a shot used shortly after the extreme close up on the red warning light. This shot is a close up of the villain holding money in his hand which also has blood on. By using a close up on this shot we are able to see that the money is of high importance to the character holding it, and we are able to see that the character who has it in his hands is wearing black gloves, which we can instantly associate with being some kind of villain. Again, the setting around the shot is still dark which creates a whole sense of foreboding in the first five minutes of the film. Whilst this shot is being used, we are able to hear haunting, scary non-diagetic music in the background and this music gradually builds up to certain points in the scene when something very dramatic happens, such as when the man in the front of the car is being tortured, and is eventually shot, the music starts off fairly quiet and builds up to a piercing sound, which is more of a sound effect than music.




The next shot is used instantly after the close up of the man holding the money. The setting has changed and the music suddenly gets more upbeat and slightly more positive. The shot is a long shot used of the girl jumping into the swimming pool and the shot has been slowed down and is in slow motion. The non-diagetic music also matches what is happening in the scene and almost sounds tinkly, like water (diagetic sound). However, as this shot ends and the girl is about to get out of the pool, the music goes down slightly and becomes slightly negative, giving the audience an unknown feeling and making them wonder about this particular character and her background, is she hiding something?



This next shot is an establishing shot, as we are able to see all of the trees, the long winding road and the car, and the hills far into the distance. By using this shot, it creates a new setting and we instantly know that the next scenes will take place in this new setting. (Also, shortly after this shot is shown, we are able to see the house which the family are going to and the camera uses a point of view shot whilst slowly going inside the house. As this is happening, upbeat, happier music can be heard which signifies a change of environment and creates a happy moment at the thought of the family moving into the new house.)




This next shot is an extreme close up of the female character holding a pendant. By using an extreme close up on this, we are able to see the pendant in detail and are able to read what it says. Also, the background of the shot is quite blurred, which instantly draws the audience to look at the pendant as it is some kind of importance throughout the film, and are able to focus mainly on the pendant with the background being blurred out.


This next shot is a medium close up of the female character. By using a medium close up, we are able to see her from the waist up and also, her reactions and expressions. However, her reactions and expressions are not particularly important in this shot, as if the camera wanted to focus on her face and for the audience to see her expressions, a close up would be used. Also, as this scene is brighter and overall gives off a sense of more positiveness than the one in the first five minutes, the clothing in which the female character is wearing is also fairly bright, as she is wearing a white t-shirt, and in the first scene at the beginning, the characters wore dark clothing, mainly black and grey clothes, which reflected the style of the setting.


Monday, 20 February 2012

Analysis Of First 15 Minutes Of A Similar Film - Sweeney Todd

This particular horror film, uses a range of Camera angles/ Cinematography, Editing, Mise-en scene and Sound to portray the horrific nature of the film and to stress the importance of the dominant characters past.
Cinematography and camera angles are a key aspect in a horror production as they create suspense and a sense of uncertainty amongst a particular character. An establishing shot is used to set the scene of the film, which in this case is a shot of a a cloudy, dark sailing ship travelling along the Thames towards Tower Bridge, this immediately establishes that the film is set in London, as Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic structures in London and in addition this shot also shows that the film is set in the past as the means of transport is a sailing ship rather than a car or plane.

A medium close up, is used on two characters on board the ship travelling into London; this is used as way of showing the two characters conversation and expressions, but also shows a contrast in the two characters, for instance one is that of a older, hard done to man, with a sense of knowledge and understanding, whereas the other is that of a naive, young boy still learning about the world, listening intently to the truths Sweeney Todd explains about the cruelty and harshness of the world.


Close up is used on the main male character showing his harsh facial expressions as he talks to the second male character, this expresses a sense of hatred and contempt within this characters personality, in addition a side view of this character also expresses his emotions from a range of angles.
Close up of characters face. 

Side view of the dominant character.

























In addition a medium shot of Mrs Lovett, working behind an empty shop counter, expresses that despite the shop being empty she hasn't downgraded herself to prostitution, which shows her as a strong character as her morals seem to remain intact. However in comparison to one another, an establishing, long shot of Sweeney Todd's wife, expresses how different his life was before, and how he is now befriended Mrs Lovett out of desperation, seeking to find out what happened to his innocent, pure wife.

Establishing shot, shows a contrast in Sweeney Todd's beautiful wife comapared to Mrs Lovett.

Editing is also used throughout horror films, Cuts are used throughout to join the pieces of edit together continuously but also Graphic editing is used in this film, to show a contrast in the dominant characters life before and how he is seen now, this expresses that due events that took place, he is a changed man, a more callous and cruel individual due to everything he loved being stripped away.
How Sweeney Todd is now.







What his life was like before/, bright and colourful to suggest happiness, compared to the dark and dreary life he has now















Spatial edit matches the eye line of the main characters to the dark streets of London, as he travels past prostitutes and drunks, this represent the London streets as seedy and moral less. This reinforces his image of London being a heartless city, full of worthless individuals that in Sweeney Todd’s eyes do not deserve to live.
Shot of the type of characters Sweeney Todd see's on the streets of London.

Mise – en scene is also a key feature of how horror films are portrayed and seen in the audience’s eyes. In the case, Lighting is used to expresses the characters dark traits, for instance side lighting on the characters face expresses that he has a dark side, which suggest he is hiding something; there is also the use of shadows which represent a sinister presents, they are ghosts from characters past, and like shadows you can never run away from.
Shot of the character with only half of his face been seen in the light.
The dim lighting on the London streets, suggests that the streets are bleak and emotionless, this sets the tone for the film as this movie is meant to be dark and sinister therefore the environment would mirror this.
Long shots of the streets/back alleys of London.

The costumes of the characters, along with the props expresses the setting/time period of the film as there wearing olden day clothes, this also expresses  that they are both without money as both Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett look quite dirty.
This particular Long shot, expresses the time period for the film as the audience get a clear shot of the costumes, which are olden time clothing and this shot shows some detail of Mrs Lovett's shop.








Over the shoulder shot, of Mrs Lovett, we see her making a drink which re-establishes the time period of the film.














Similar to this both their make-up is dark which expresses they are not the most innocent of character, this contrasts with Sweeney Todd’s past life as he looked smart and clean cut, but due to remorse and sorrow, he has become a more ruthless character and expresses a sense of hatred towards those who he is disgusted by.
Medium shot of what Sweeney Todd looks like now. 


Close up of a young Sweeney Todd expressing his beauty and how that's all changed.























Acting as a whole, is an important aspect of horror films, and in this particular film acting shows a characters fear, nervousness, hatred and a sense of anticipation within a characters actions. In the first 15 minutes of this film, a range of different expressions are portrayed as a result of the characters acting, Sweeney Todd expresses a sense of hate and anger towards London, as the city caused him so much pain, Mrs Lovett on the other hand, uses particular facial expressions to empathy that she is intrigued into finding the truth about who Sweeney Todd actually is.
Medium shot of both characters as Mrs Lovett begins to tell a gruesome tail,  facial expressions and acting portray the story as horrific.

Close up on Mrs Lovett's  face expressing her facial expressions as she acting.

























The sound used, in this particular film, is both diagetic and non diagetic both the main characters speech is harshly spoken with a sense of anger, this sets the tone of the film as if the words were spoken softly they would suggest the film would be of soft nature, however due to harsh words and a sense of hate being portrayed in the words spoken, this generates a eary nature to the film and a sense of fear. The non diagetic sound includes the music added to the production that sugegsts something bad is going to happen or did happen, this establishes that the film is a horror as the music is used to create a sense of scaryness and imitates the characters menising behaviour.

This film, is similar to that of our production, as the main dominant character in Sweeney Todd and our media product, both have a hidden past, which leads them to commit crimes on the innocent. Sweeney Todd is a prime example of the type of mysterious, dark character that we wanted to portay, he uses one main weapon of significance to attack his victims and despite this film being a musical has a hidden messgae of the main character, releasing his anger and anguish on his chosen vitims.

Friday, 17 February 2012

Media Film Questionnaire - Results and Feedback

After distributing our Film questionnaire on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. To gather information on the type of genre our film would be, if people would consider watching our film and other important aspects, such as the certificate the audience would give our film. We received a range of positive and negative feedback, with ways in which we could improve our production and ways in which the film would be a success. This gave us a clear understanding on what we needed to do to make our production a success and therefore when it came to creating our 2 minute film, we had a clear understanding on certain aspects that would appeal to our target audience.

Below is a screen shot and link to some of the feedback we received and the results taken from the Questionnaire:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Atu6KvJhadokdDFJdVJpMmhncHoxakF4YjNDRzV6c0E#gid=0