Ideas from various films.

Heat

- A decrease in the duration of shots as the scene progresses. This increases the pace of events, and creates a sense if apprehension within the viewer.
- We also noticed that clothing can play an important part when introducing characters. For example, a man in a suit will seem less relaxed than a man in shirt and jeans.

No Country For Old Men
- Heavy, dramatic music is excellent at creating a cinematic atmosphere, which helps to draw the viewer into the film.
- A variation of shots depicting a single event. For example, in this film when the Policeman is being strangled there are numerous shots showing different angles.
- Filming the same scene numerous times can makes editing easier, and give more options to the people editing.

Carlito's Way

- Soundtrack again plays an important role - the subtleness of the music can greatly affect the impression given to the viewer. When we create our sequence high pitched sounds may be more effective at creating suspense.

Feedback for idea

Our pitch went okay. As we were not fully set on one idea feedback was mixed, and issues were raised with our plans.

One of the main problems with our idea that was pointed out by the group was how we could get a crowd for our abductee and his pursuer to run through. It was suggested that we could ask people in town to help us, but this is unlikely, so a crowd will probably have to be avoided. The chase scene is also unlikely to fit within 2 minutes without dominating the sequence. Another problem raised was how we would light the garage so it is suitable to film in. This could be sorted by using torches or lamps. (Media department lighting cannot be used as it may not be taken off premises.

However, people reacted positively to the idea of the garage and the sounds/effects we could use from it such as the doors closing suddenly. It was also agreed that a dark room would suit the location best, so we are going to try and create a gloomy atmosphere within the room we use.

Micro and Macro elements within our film

Macro:

Characters - two main characters: abductor and abductee.

Narrative - Man walking around busy location. Crowds thin out. Turns corner and is hit in face with a bat. Blacks out. Wakes tied to chair in dark location. Speaks briefly with abductor. Abductor unmasks himself - man says 'It's you!'.

Atmosphere - at first, outside in the open, everything seems normal. Man then attacked and blacks out. When he awakes the atmosphere has changed - who attacked him? Where is he? Dark lighting and exclusive use of close-ups /extreme close ups will add to the confusion.

Micro:

Camerawork - The scene will begin with an establishing shot of our chosen location. Within the sequence there will be a lot of close ups and extreme close ups which will add to the sense of confusion and panic we hope to create. We may use a point of view shot when the abductee is hit with a bat or weapon of some sort.

Mise-en-scene - Bruises/cuts on victim?

Editing - We will use linear editing to give our sequence a sense of continuity.

Sound - We will use non diagetic sound in the introduction to the sequence, and also diagetic sound that the character will be hearing.

Special Effects - Fake blood (Chocolate sauce if black and white)

Sam & Kriss' Review On AS Media Coursework From Youtube

Your my Best friend

We gave this film 56/60 marks as its of high standards using an appropriate use of quick cuts and shot types. The sound makes it more intense with the heartbeat and fast pace music. The title gives the film an edge compared to others as they write out the title of the film in blood.
The use of mise-en-scene is of a high standard, with blood coming out of the shower, giving a very surreal effect. The camerawork is very consistent with both still shots and hand held shots again adding on to the thriller effect.
Overall, this candidate has showed a wide variation of skills, making this opening sequence very effective and entices the viewer to see it.

Marking of last years work

For this piece of work we awarded 37 out of 60.

Vertigo Title Analysis

The geometric shapes represent the symtoms of vertigo. High contrasts, changes colour quickly into red. This connotes love, passion and danger. The blood is typical of a thriller film this usually connotes death or the presence of danger. The eerie/creepy music shows us the mind set of the killer or main villain which is mostly kind of offset or not really with reality.

Vertigo opening sequence

1. What clues does the sequence give you about the film? (micro + macro)

Through micro and macro elements the audience can tell the film is going to be a thriller through the use of the sound used. The music is dramatic and rises and falls numerous times throughout the sequence. This creates a sense of unease and fear.

The spirals within the eyeball of the mysterious women suggests that there will be a female character within the film who is likely to suffer from vertigo. When the screen becomes red murder and blood are connoted, suggesting that people will die during the course of the film. It is also suggested that the film will contain a mystery as the whole face of the woman is never revealed. The sense of mystery is added to by the dark lighting with in the sequence.


2. How does the sequence conform to the conventions of thriller?

The sequence follows the primary convention of thriller by posing a mystery to the viewers. In this case the mystery is the hidden identity of the woman. Another convention that the sequence follows is the use of dark lighting - this sets the classic style/feel of apprehension. Yet another convention the opening follows is the application of elaborate music, which helps create suspense and tension.

Vertigo and Cape Fear

1) What clues does the sequence give you about the film?
2) How does it conform to conventions of thriller?

Vertigo

The title of this film means someone gets a feeling of dizziness from being uncomfortable with the surroundings. This film uses a number of clues to say what the film is about and what conventions they use to make it your typical thriller movie.
In the title sequence they use the colour red which connotes death and blood this in turn brings fear to the audience as they view the red eye. Using the micro element of sound, they use a typical thriller theme tune that suggests mystery and action. The swirly patterns they use after the red eye suggest hypnotism and therefore could make the audience believe someone is going to be controlled against their own will. The conventions used to make this thriller more exhilarating is that the character shown at the start of the title sequence is a female giving a shot of her lips and eyes, this may subject to objectification as character may be seen as attractive. The narrative centres around murder as the colour red is used repeatedly and the micro element of sound helps build up suspense for the viewer.

Cape Fear
The title sequence first shows the viewer rippling water which suggests that it plays a key role in the film e.g. may be the main characters weakness like in the film unbreakable. The scene shows a reflection of an watching eye which suggests superstition and paranoia. With the use of the micro element sound this makes the title sequence seem intense e.g. using drum roles. Still using the convention of reflective imagery it shows an open mouth which suggests danger or some could be in danger. Again using reflective imagery it shows a silhouette of a man is seen as mysterious making the viewer feel the killer will be unknown to them later in the film. The conventions used such as reflective imagery in the water gives a sense of manipulation of the general perspective or visual. Again like in Vertigo objectification is used by using a female at the end of the sequence showing her eyes. This makes the viewer feel as if they are being watched by her as she later tells her story. The micro elements of sound used builds up suspense and gives the title sequence a tense atmosphere.


By Kriss Okai-koi

Preliminary Task 2

We were set to do another preliminary task but this time it was spiced up with some quality acting.