THRILLER TITLE SEQUENCE FINAL EDIT

Animatic - evaluation skills development

STORYBOARD

this animated storyboard was our original plan for our thriller title sequence.

This storyboard was our initial plan with only one character. We developed it by adding another character as we found that it was too short and pretty boring by watching someone walk to their car. It would have worked well if we were able to film inside an underground car park but it was restricted because of the privacy reasons with the plate numbers.

'Never Alone' Thriller Title Sequence

Evaluation

EVALUATION.

final blog.

Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

http://www.artofthetitle.com

In the first still shot of Touch of Evil, they used close up image of a key prop. Similarly, we had a close up shot of our key prop which was when Estephanie put the car key into the car lock.

Another close up shot we used was inside the house when I was getting ready, for example when I reach for my phone when replying to a text message. With the use of a text message, it helps to get across the story without the use of dialogue. Furthermore, it is more easier and quicker as it takes only one shot to know what is going on.

Another shot we used in a similar way was the establishing tracking shot when Estephanie was walking along the road, but with Touch of Evil, they had two characters in the scene. This establishing and tracking shot, it helped to set the scene so the audience have a feel of what the scene is like. I have noticed that most thriller movies open with the setting the scene, and most scenes are set in the city or in a suburban house. This is how we opened our title sequence.
The title, Touch of Evil is shown over the shots instead of separating the titles from the film itself. For our movie, we put the titles (such as Directed by and Edited by) over the film. But we used a black background with white font for our title just as the title sequence had finished.

Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Dustin Hoffman, the star of the

thriller movie, Marathon Man is similar to the victim in our title sequence because the c

haracter of Hoffman is one of the main characters and the first character we see in the movie. In the same way, we filmed our main character first who ends up as the victim.

They are both represented as independent characters. We can see this through the mise-en-scene such as the character of Catherine putting waking up to an alarm instead of someone else waking her up, and also through the way she dresses with a nice dress and heels. The character of Hoffman seems independent as he is jogging around the park by himself. The only difference we see is that Catherine is planning to meet her friend whereas Hoffman does his own thing by himself.

The characters from the movie Marathon Man has inspired us all as they are all independent. There is an antagonist and a protagonist in every movie. In our title sequence, we do not actually see the protagonist, only the hand with the black glove as we didn't

want to give everything away just from the title sequence.

Marathon Man opening scene

Question 3 & 4: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? How will you attract/address your audience?

I have an online marketing strategy and this is a step by step account of how I am going to construct that strategy.

Firstly, I will upload my video up onto facebook which will be seen by my friends online. There is automatically a comment box underneath for anyone of my online friends to write down their comments about it and there is also a 'like' button which is clicked by whoever likes it. After collecting their comments and views on my video, I will then make necessary changes and then upload it up on youtube which is then seen by a wider audience instead of just my online friends viewing it. For my video to be viewed by a large number of people, I will advertise it onto my personal blog on tumblr which allows my blog followers to view it. The advantage of posting it up onto my personal tumblr page (catherinevalentina.tumblr.com) are able to re-blog so their followers can see it, and their follower's follwers can see it etc. I can also make a facebook fan page (Shawn of the Dead) for updates about the film and the behind the scenes part on it.

For a more advanced way to advertise 'Never Alone', I will make a poster and advertise it in college on the public student billboard. And I can also design flyers which has the details of the facebook fan page, email address, youtube link and a personal tumblr blogging page. This will hopefully attract our main target audience who are typical teenagers, mainly focusing on the females because it will be advertised at college where students from the age of 16 - 19.

And hopefully, once the word has got around, there would be a link up at the screen on the green cinemas to view the rest of the movie once it is done. And if it is successful with great feedback, I would then publish it in cinemas such as the Vue or Cineworld. And maybe after 2 weeks in the cinema, I will then ask Film 4 to sponsor our movie by showing it on TV for everyone to watch in their own home and in their own time.

Question 5: Who would be the audience for your media product?

Meet Chelsea. 19 year old college or university student who loves to go out and have fun on a friday night. She's been living in London her whole life until she moved off to university in Sussex. She would be the typical teenager who I would personally target for my target audience for 'Never Alone'. The reason for this is because she likes to go out and have fun, which is very similar to the character who we see waking up in the morning and getting ready to meet her friend on an ordinary friday.

Chelsea loves to dress up to make herself look older to grab the attention of teen boys her age. She cares about how she dresses and also how she looks. She is also into fashion magazines such as 'Vogue' for updates and tips for fashion and make up. This magazine is what you'd find in her bag. You'd also find an iPod, make up bag, her blackberry phone, purse, keys, a packet of ready salted crisps and cigarettes and a bottle of water. She is not likely to shop at Primark but she is likely to shop at Topshop and New Look.

People such as Chelsea is targeted because their sense of personality is very similar to the personalities of the characters in our film.

Question 6: What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

>voice over on a separate post. "Question 6"<

The internet in general was essential for our course. ‘Google.com’ was one of the main search engines we used to collect still images from. We also used websites such as

à Youtube.com

à Art of the tiles.com

These websites was used for researching the main aspects of a thriller movie which helped us with our own title sequence. We compared our ideas with popular movies on art of the titles.com which helped us in a way that we could make sure we had everything needed in our title sequence. These websites was used for our research planning part.

We were then introduced to a blogging site which is called ‘blogger.com’. Some already knew about this site and how blogging works, but to us three, we didn’t know much about it. We learnt that a blog was similar to an online diary entry. You could post pictures, videos, links, documents, and written work such as what we had learnt that day or what we had created. We also discovered how to change the layout of our blog to make it look creative.

A Video Camera was essential for this course as our final outcome is a short 2minute thriller title sequence. We learnt about the camera itself and it’s health and safety rules and regulations. With only a short amount of time using the cameras, we made sure we had to plan out a ‘storyboard’ first before actually filming. When filming, we used additional equipment such as the tripod to hold the camera steady in place rather than having a hand-held camera all the time. The tripod allowed us to hold the camera steady in place from different angles and heights such as an aerial shot.

Once we had recorded all what we needed. We used a program called Final Cut Pro. This program was used for editing our title sequence (cropping a recorded clip and matching it up with another recorded clip). We also learnt how to use effects on between two recoded clips such as a fade or dissolve which made the sequence play smoothly.

Once the sound and the tiles were sorted, everything was transferred onto Final Cut Pro. For the final time. These types of technologies is what we used to reach our goal in making a quick 2minute thriller opening sequence.

Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned in the progression from it to the full product?

When we started filming the preliminary film of the 'bag swap' we didn't really know how to accomplish a successful match cut. But with further practice with the 'match cut' preliminary film, we learnt how to tackle that problem. This became very easy for us to film our short title sequence.

Another difference I found with the preliminary film with our final film was that we were able to use a range of shots such as long shots and close up shots. With the preliminary, we were afraid to use an extreme close up as we had a time limit of only an hour to film it, whereas with our final film, we had a couple of weeks to plan, film and edit.

I have also learnt more about making a good soundtrack and mixing sound elements together to make one track and also with I also noticed that our team work improved as we were able to sit down and talk about the plan over a weekend to make sure our storyboard was spot on.

Question 8: Audience feedback and comment

Our group created a 'word cloud' of our class's feedback. This was before viewing it in the cinema with the rest of the media department.

After the screening in Angel's Screen on the Green, on Thursday 22nd April 2010, I filmed people's initial feedback on my short title sequence.

1. Kim and Chino

2. Erry and Irene

3. Christel and Erry

4. Tamara

5. Jorge

6. Jasmine

7. Nicole

Personal Note.

Overall, I personally think myself, Whitey and Estefanie done well in planning, filming and editing. If anything, if we had a bit more time, I would change the music to make it more appropriate to fit in with the title sequence and also develop the plan a bit more to make it less 'cheesy'. Also, we had the disadvantage of having 3 members in our group but that didn't stop us from filming a 2minute title sequence with a soundtrack added and titles added. The only thing I found hard with this course was that I lived quite far from the other 2 members so we found it hard to find a suitable location. We initially planned to film it in an underground car park but it was restricted due to privacy reasons with the number plates. So instead, we used the park car on the main road, this is the reason why we decided to add on an extra character as the filming of the character getting in the car was too short and boring.

Other than the travel, the restriction of the car park and the confusing british weather, I thought it went very well.

Thriller Title Sequence Feedback

PITCH for our title sequence

'NEVER ALONE' Location Shots

The shots show the image of one of the co-stars who feature in “Never Alone”. These images show the area surrounding the underground car park. The idea was a woman becoming vulnerable in a dark, underground environment as she and the audience, are unable to find out the person who is lurking in the background. The underground car park was originally used in our storyboard but this became unavailable due to our time to film the sequence. Showing an urban setting, this could leave the audience to suggest the type of plots which could be associated with the woman featured in the images.The first image denotes a close-up of a woman walking down stairs looking straight ahead. She is wearing smart yet casual clothing consisting of a grey blazer jacket, navy floral top, navy jeans and black heels accompanied with a black bag. This suggests the status if the woman as it deprives a common stereotype of women being able to spend time on their appearance. The second and third image denotes close-ups of the woman’s feet establishing the movement towards the car park. This acts as establishing shots as it leaves the audience settled to the environment and displays the overall mood of the scene. The last image denotes the woman walking down the stairs which could connote her vulnerability towards her surroundings. This would have been portrayed in the car park where both images would have been linked leading for tension to occur as the audience would wonder about the cause of her innocence and how this would be portrayed.

Prelim Task: Bag Swap

Prelim Task: Match Cut (The Sign)

Rough Cut

Skills audit: filming and editing preliminary match cut exercise

During a 3hour lesson with Donna, my group managed to film and edit the match cut sequence. As one member of the group was away, we asked another person from the college to fill in as an actor. Whitney and David were the actors of the sequence while I filmed it. We made sure we got as many interesting shots as we could within the short amount of time, for example, over the shoulder shot, arial shot, close up shot, tracking shot, and also, we made sure we didn't break the 180 degree rule.

We spent the first half of the friday's lesson filming, and the second half editing. Overall, I think the filming and editing went well. The only negative thing I could say about the sequence was that we didn't check that the ND filter was on and this made our sequence seem dark. But other than that, we managed to film and edit smoothly without hardly any struggle.

>insert sequence<

Planning Preliminary Match Cut exercise

Our initial plan is a meeting with a teacher and a later student who needs to explain himself. Scott walks into the room where his teacher is waiting while typing up documents on the computer.

At first, we found it quite challenging because match cuts had to look perfect and play smoothly. But in the space of roughly 30minutes, we found that we had done quite well

Skills Audit: Livetype and Sound

During another lesson of Media, we had another tutorial about how to use two programs called Soundtrack Pro and Live Type on the apple mac computers which is to help us when editing our films.

When learning to use Live Type, we learnt how to insert text but typing in the rop right hand corner box. Then with the text inserted in, you will then see it in the main window. And from here, we could choose a font desired which is found on the right hand side and the colour - these were the basics. Then once we got use to that, we then learnt how to add effects such as textured backgrounds (motionless or with motion), shadows and fades. And to play back, you have to drag the arrow to the beginning of the timeline and press the space bar. First tine viewing, the clip will seem slow, but the second time viewing, it plays at it's normal pace.

With soundtrack pro, we learnt how to browse for sounds, for example, you could either type in a keyword or click on a category you think your desired sound would be under. And by (double) clicking on a sound, you should be able to hear it. Then once you have found our desired sound, you drag and drop it onto the timeline. And from here, you could drag and drop another different sound onto the timeline and this enables you to play two or more sounds at the same time, both overlapping eachother. On the timeline, you could either shorten or lengthen the sounds, duplicate or delete sounds and replay the sounds.

Intro to Cameras and Health and Safety Tutorial

During lesson time, we were given a health and safety tutorial for camerawork and how we should handle the camera when using it. In the tutorial, we learnt how to:

• Put the memory cards (A and B) in the camera memory card slots which is found on the left side of the camera.
• Put in and take the battery.
  
• Turn the camera on and off. We were also told that if the camera isn't used for a number of minutes, the camera would automatically turn off to standby to save the battery life.
  
• Setup a tripod and how to adjust the height.
  
• Put the camera on a tripod and locking it in place so it is secure.
  
• Unlock and take off the camera from the tripod.
• Zoom in and out (of an object) by using the zoom in and out switch which is found on the top right side of the camera. To zoom in, you push it forward and to zoom out you push it towards you.
  
• Focus - by using 'user1' which should be used and checked everytime before shooting a footage so everything is in focus.
• Use the ND filter which is used when the lens is exposed in the sunlight otherwise, the footage would seem dark.
  
• Open and close the lens cover to prevent any stratches or finger prints on the lens.
  
• Record footage by pressing the record button and also to stop recording.
  
• Playback footage.

We were also told if the weather is bad, we should always take out a big umbrella from the office to prevent the camera from any damage by the rain. And finally, if we are not using the equipment, we should always put it back into the cases just incase of any accidents or damage. The battery and the memory cards should be taken out before putting the camera back in it's case and the memory cards should be put back in it's own individual cases too.

News and Current Affairs Events

I have noticed that there has been a lot of youth crime happening recently. It has come to my attention that this could be the main idea of our thriller title sequence to emphasis how dangerous it is for teenagers to be wondering around at night time binge drinking. Binge drinking is also a popular topic in the news as younger people are drinking and going to clubs. This is how female victims are targeted.

Final Cut Pro: Technical Audit of Bait Tutorial

On friday's media lesson, the class was taught the basic skills of editing through Final Cut Pro. In the tutorial, I learnt that you cannot open up Final Cut Pro without a video drive as it has all what is needed in this hard drive. So once the video drive is connected to the apple mac computer, you can get started with the programme. I aso learnt how to mark rushes onto the timeline, how to insert, replace and overwrite clips. Then towards the end of the tutorial, we learnt how to add sound and effects such as transitions between two clips, for example a dissolve between two clips could portray time shift.

I found the tutorial very useful as I was assigned the position of editing in my group. Editing plays a big role when making movies as it gets rid of the unwanted shots and joins nicely with another shot, and this is put together through editing to make it flow. On the far left hand window, there is a window which shows you all documents of clips you have on your hard drive so you can choose from them easily. Then, next to that is a canvas which shows the original footage which you can vew/play by clicking on a clip then pressing the 'spacebar' to play the footage. Then on the right hand window, there is a viewer which shows you what you have editied so far and what you have dragged/inserted onto the timeline. You can re-arrange the different clips on the timeline whenever you want to and when it i needed.

When editing the footages, you have to watch it, and while watching it, you have to press 'i' for 'in' to mark it the start of the edited clip, then 'o' for 'out' to mark it the end of the edited clip. Then once you are happy with what you have marked in and out, you then have to drag the clip onto the timeline, then drag the yellow mark on the top of the timeline to the start of the clip to view what you have edited on the viewer. And if you are happy with your clip, you can then chose another clip and do the same process, but if you are unhappy with it, you can just click on the part you don't like on the timeline and press 'delete' to delete it.

List of Thriller sub-genres

List some Thriller sub-genres that inspires you at the moment and why?

Crime.
Personally, I enjoy watching crime thrillers because of the whole 'good cop' and 'bad cop' - you'll never know who's the good one till the end. Also, it is such a cliche to have police chases in a thriller movie because it happens in a majority of thrillers to help build on the tension and suspense. Although it is a cliche, I still enjoy watching it to see how it differs in every other moive. It is the thrill of watching the 'bad guys' get away. This inspires me to base my thriller clip on crime as now a days, the younger generation seems to be commiting as much crime as the older generation. So by having a crime clip, it could possibly open up the eyes of a lot of youths commiting crime.

Religion.
By watching a thriller that is about religion really draws me into the movie as the world that we live in today can relate to movies such as these. It helps us wonder on how to come about the sitations also aiding us to realise other people's point of views. The great thrill about these movies is that religion plays a big role in the world as there are so many different religions, so therefore, it is easy to build on tension and suspense whilst in a church for example. I find this sub-genre inspiring as it is quite controversial and also mind grabbing.

The Art of The Title Sequence

www.artofthetitle.com - Choose a title sequence which appeals to you, copy it onto your blog, and write a short analysis of it.

In this opening title sequence, the style is kept very simple. The main colours used is orange and black with some use of red to give it that scary feel. The titles themselves fade in and out and stay on screen for about 2-3 seconds. I've also realized that the people's names are all in capital letters and is in bold to connote 'danger' and the actual title 'Halloween' is in a different font for it to stand out to the audience so they know that that is the actual title of the movie. Also, the use of one object (the pumpkin) which the camera slowly zooms into is a key prop as it has connotations of Halloween. As the camera zooms into the pumpkin, the titles appear, disappear and then reappear which a different name for example, the producer, then the director. The pumpkin is seen as a scary object as someone has made it look like a head which doesn't look very 'pretty' but more as 'creepy'. There is no backlight, just a pumpkin with a candle inside flickering it to give off the only light in the dark room. There is only a little bit of light for the pumpkin to be visible, but as we zoom into its right triangle eye, you can no longer see the orange pumpkin but the light from inside the pumpkin. The simplicity of this title sequence is cleverly used so the audience cannot get distracted easily from anything other happening. The main focus of this plain, but scary title sequence is for the audience to focus on the cast's names that are showing on screen. Furthermore, with the high piano notes playing repeatedly over the titles portray the word innocence while the snare of the drums play rapidly and then the low key piano starts playing when the pumpkin appears on the screen contrasting with the high piano keys which gives off the impression that something is going to happen with the innocent children during the occasion of Halloween. Also, at the end of the credits, the title 'Halloween Night 1963' is on the screen in a white font on a black background and we can hear children chanting a rhyme about Halloween Night insinuating that the movie involves children on Halloween Night. This title sequence appeals to me as it makes me fearful of the pumpkin as it gets closer and closer.

">Halloween Opening Credits

Event Diary Blog

Thriller film plots are often inspired by a real life event.
Keep a diary of current and world events. Write about things that you see on the news or read in the papers - the most ordinary stories cold form the basis for a good Thriler!

Curently, the event that happend in Hati has hit the news globally. The natural disaster of the Hati Earthquake is a major real life event as so many were killed, injured and there are bodies still missing. This could be a successful plot for a thriller movie as it about the thrill of surviving. Another event that keeps recurring in the news is the kidnapping of children but this could be seen more of a cliche if this was to be put in a thriller.