Pre-Production - My Own Idea

During the one week holiday we was asked to start thinking of our own narrative for our thriller film, as when we came back we was going to be put into groups and start to discuss our proper narrative. During my free time in school I started to do some research because I wanted to get a start I started to research: Narrative / Age Ratings / Location / Sound / Actors / Camera Shots / Editing Techniques & Lighting.

On my own I started to look at different Thriller films aged between the age of 12 and 15 because those were appropriate age ratings because there are no Thriller films which are aged at U and PG. I didn't want my film to be an 18 either because then it would be being compared to a horror because most horror's are 18 so I decided a film between 12 and 15 was just right. However I wanted my film to be a 15 because that would be great because of the content I put in will be mild violence but the effect that I would use would be the Kuleshov effect so people expect it without having to see it, or something with a sexual nature but in discreet way.

The narrative I came up was with a new boy comes and makes friends, nobody knows nothing about this new guy but people begin to take a shine to him because he is a nice person, He makes a best friend called Luke. Luke begins to find out more stuff about this new person more or less the basic information and the new guy really starts to open up to Luke. One day the new guy asks Luke if he would like to see something cool, Luke says yes expecting to see something cool. Later on that day they meet up and the new guy makes a nasty change we find out that he is actually a serial killer who kills teenage boys. Luke desperately tried to make an escape but the new guy is too fast, the new guy drags him back to the forest and slaughters him. After that the body is discovered but they never find that killer. That was my own individual idea for making a thriller film, the reason I chose that was because it was different in terms of the narrative such as the killer walks away free.

I started to think about location from previous thriller movies, they are usually set in a house / flat / basement. These are because this relates to generic conventions of thriller film, which relates to a narrative. I decided that a flat or house would be the best location also when it comes to filming. The sound that I would was a creepy but an upbeat song because it would help when something scary is about to come up and I have an upbeat song it will add intensity to the film making the audience become aware and prepared that something scary was about to happen.

I did some research on YouTube to find some scary / creepy thriller soundtracks that I could use which would appeal to the audience. I found this link which I found helpful

Furthermore in my research I had to think about camera shots because, they play a major role and they help portray what you want the audience to see and this helps because with different types of camera shot you can create different types of effects for the audience such as a establishing shot of a scary house, this helps because the audience can see the surrounding from there they can start to make judgements and ask questions which helps to intrigue the audience makes them want to watch more.

Lighting also plays a big role because lighting can also create different effects such as mysterious character you could use high key or low key lighting which makes the character look scarier. From my research that I did, I watched different types of thriller movies which allowed me look at the different types of lighting. I also notice that high key is made to look someone or a location look glamorous and low key to make someone look creepy / mysterious and scary.

Narrative Theory - Sherk

Objective: To be able to show an understanding of what narrative theory is and knows the difference between Propps theory and Todrov’s theory

Lesson Outcomes:

All: will be able to describe the different points of the theory (E)

Most: will be able to explain the different theories with appropriate examples (C)

Some: will be able to use media language effectively to discuss the purpose of narrative theory with a variety of examples (A)

Prince Charming – He is important because he has introduced in the film in the opening sequence straight away. Also he is telling the audience about himself straight away and all the different events and obstacles he has had to overcome.
 

Sherk - Sherk is important because after they show them hero or prince charming they show Sherk and the audience is thrown of track and now they show Sherk’s side this is because the audience now think that Sherk is the hero. They also see his side of the story about how he got the princess.

Princess Fiona – She is introduced at the beginning to show the importance of her character and they type of relationship she has with Sherk this is so that the audience know what is going on in case they did not watch the first Shrek.



Donkey – Donkey fits into the narrative and he important in the film because Donkey and Shrek are best friends so they in the genre of the film.

King – Follows the narrative of typical children’s film

Queen -  follows the typical genre of a children’s film and helps the narrative

Narrative Theory – Todorov’s Theory

Objective: To be able to show an understanding of what narrative theory is and knows the difference between Propps theory and Todrov’s theory

Lesson Outcomes:

All: will be able to describe the different points of the theory (E)

Most: will be able to explain the different theories with appropriate examples (C)

Some: will be able to use media language effectively to discuss the purpose of narrative theory with a variety of examples (A)

Tzvetan Todorov’s: simplified the idea of narrative theory whilst also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of Equilibrium and Disequilibrium.

There are five stages the narrative can progress through

§  A state of equilibrium (all is as it should be)

§  A disruption of that order by an event

§  A recognition that the disorder has occurred

§  An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption

§  A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium

Aristotle

• Headings that are used by some producers and screenwriters include:
• Inciting Incident
• Dramatic Question
• Character Goal
• Antagonist/Protagonist
• Stakes
• Resolution
• Sympathy/Empathy

These headings are very close to those suggested by the father of narrative theory, Aristotle

Aristotle's literary criticism is probably most famous for the "unities": time, place, and action. Aristotle's most complete analysis is of 'tragedy', which is arguably the basis of most 'serious drama'.

Narrative Theroy - Propps Theroy

Objective: To be able to show an understanding of what narrative theory is and knows the difference between Propps theory and Todrov’s theory

Lesson Outcomes:

•       All: will be able to describe the different points of the theory (E)

•       Most: will be able to explain the different theories with appropriate examples (C)

•       Some: will be able to use media language effectively to discuss the purpose of narrative theory with a variety of examples (A)

Narrative: narrative is the organisation given to a series of facts; we connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. In everything we seek a beginning, middle and an end.  Each text becomes part of the previous and the next through its relationship with the audience.

•       Narrative Conventions: When unpacking a narrative in order to find its meaning, there are a series of codes and conventions that need to be considered. When we look at a narrative we examine the conventions of

•       Time

•       Genre

•       Characters

•       Form

Film as Fairy Tale

According to Propps theory the characters have narrative function they provide a structure for the text

Characters that perform a function

•       The Hero – a character that seeks something

•       The Villain – who opposes or actively blocks the hero’s quest

•       The Donor – who provides an object with magical properties

•       The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message

•       The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false claims

•       The Helper – who aids the hero

•       The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain’s plots

The Complication

•       A state of disorder

•       The villain harms a member of the community/kingdom/family

•       One of the members of the community/kingdom/family desires something

•       The hero is sent to get what is desired

•       The hero plans action against the villain

Transference

•       The hero leaves home

•       The hero is tested or attacked/ he meets the test and is given a magical gift or helper

•       The hero reacts to the donor

•       The hero arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest

Struggle

•       There is a struggle between the hero and the villain

•       The hero is branded

•       The villain is overcome

•       The state of disorder is settled

Recognition

•       The hero is recognised

•       The false hero or villain is unmasked

•       The false hero is punished

•       The hero attains the reward (princess/ kingdom)

Thriller Theory

Here is another example of Propps theory taken under my own consideration and put into a thriller version. the film I have chosen to look at and apply the theory to is The Dark Knight, the reason I chose this film is because I can identify the character well and they can be easily analysed 

The Hero

The Villain

The Donor - Helps the Batman build his gadgets 

The Dispatcher - Tells the Batman about the Joker

The False Hero - Pretends to be bigger than the Joker but eventually dies

The helper - Helps the Batman create antidotes and helps out around the house and the bat cave for the Batman

Smart Shooting

Objective:  to identify conventional shots to create a successful thriller film

Outcome:

All: will be able to explain at least two effective shots for a Thriller film

Most: will also be able identify three or more effective shots for a thriller film and refer to other thriller films

Some: will be able to use media language effectively to explain the purpose of 5 or more editing styles

Task 1:

Consider and create a web of all of the conventions you can think of for a Thriller film

·         Establishing shot

·         Low key lighting

·         Over shoulder shot

·         Shock

·         Suspense and Tension

·         Narrative

·         Costumes

·         Body positioning

·         Villains

·         Close up

·         Hero

·         Character representation

·         Surprise

·         Props

·         Facial expressions

·         Mise – en – scene

·         Colours

·         Victim

·         Death

Task 2: Watch the extracts of the film and make notes on:

·         Low key lighting

·         Tracking

·         Close up

·         Non – diegetic – scary sounds which builds tension

·         Flashback – tells us the narrative

·         Straight cuts

·         Body language – she is like a zombie, she does not care

·         Music builds up – to create suspense – the melody changes to fast

·         Location – a hospital – helps set up the scene

·         The music builds up when Mike Myers appears this builds up suspense

·         Normal events take place as well, to contrast with the other scene

·         Slow editing builds suspense and tension

·         A shadow which helps creates mystery

·         A point of view – to see what the characters are going through the characters eyes

·         When the music was building up when she went to remove his mask this was building suspense

·         People walking past the camera makes us feel uneasy  because we do not know what is going on

·         Body positioning – she is hunched herself this tells us that she keeps herself to herself and maybe that she is feeling insecure

·         There emphasise on the flash back because it was fast and slow editing

·         High key lighting to cast loads of shadows in the room – the music changes with the movement that characters to keep the audience involved and feel like they are in the movie

This my own analyse of Smart shooting from another Thriller film: The Matrix

·         Tilt – this is so that the audience can see the main character in a new transformation such has his new clothes and new look this keeps the audience involved

·         High key lighting – this is to make the place look realistic and a new place

·         The camera on the floor – just shows the character entering through the door

·         Non diegetic sound – the sound behind the film is a upbeat song, the song is also in sync with his footsteps because every time he takes a foot step the beat drops

·         Two shot – introducing another character – the security guard

·         Straight cut from when the bag goes into the checkout point – then there is straight cut to the alarm this gives the audience and awareness and the plot is starting to build up

·         Long shot to show all the security guards taking awareness of the alarm going off

·         Mid shot – when the main character opens his jacket

·         Reaction shot – when the security guard sees what the main character is in his jacket this is to make the movie look realistic

·         Slow motion – when the guard goes flying into the air this is to show emphasise on the strength Neo has

·         Fast paced – just as Neo pushes the guard with one hand

·         Reaction shot – when the guard goes flying in the air the other guards look up

·         Silence – all you can hear is the machine gun shooting this is to add emphasise

·         Mid shot – there is a reaction shot when the guard is speaking on the walkie-talkie

·         Reaction shot - when the alarm goes off and the security guard looks another character is introduced

·         Straight cut – when Neo takes cover and then it goes to the guard

·         Mid sot when the Trinity enters they have a mid shot to show what she has in her hand which is a gun

·         Bird’s eye view – this is to show the audience what has just happened and what the area looks like with the dead security guards – this is too keep the audience interested and more involved and prepared for more action to come

·         Non Diegetic sound – the sound begins again, the same sound from when Neo first enters the building

·         Two shot – when Neo and Trinity come together and Neo pulls out two more guns – this tells that audience that it is not over and that more action is to come

·         Silence – after the guard says “freeze”. There is silence this is to show the anticipation of Neo and Trinity

·         Close up – there is a close up of the guard to show his facial expressions which is worried because he is shaking

·         Reaction shot – the guard speaks and Neo and Trinity look at one another and make a break for it

·         Straight cut – when Neo and Trinity are walking. Then there is a straight cut to show the security guards enter

·         Shot reverse shot – there is a shot reverse between Trinity and the police guard – When Trinity is running, and the guard is trying to shoot her.

·         Slow motion – when Trinity is running on the wall they play slow motion so that the audience feel more involved this also offers escapism to the audience because this is not true

·         Fast editing – when the guard is trying to shoot Trinity down this is faced paced because this make the audience wonder will he actually get Trinity?

·         Close up – when Trinity survives this is to show her facial expressions, but she is wearing glasses which makes her mysterious

·         Close up – of the bullets dropping to the floor

·         Slow motion – when Neo is shooting the guards, this is to show the highlight that he is on target when shooting the guards

·         Long shot – when Neo does a cartwheel in slow motion this is to show the strength of Neo and to give the audience a clear view of what is happening

·         Non diegetic – the soundtrack behind the action scene is very upbeat this so that it matches the scene because it follows the generic conventions of a thriller / action which is upbeat but has musical instruments such as Piano / Violin / Chelo and the strings