Presentation

Charlie Spooner 1168
Claremont Fan Court School
64680
OCR Media Studies J526
Individual Media Studies Portfolio B 324
Production Portfolio: Media Studies

VIDEO BRIEF 7: OPENING
SEQUENCE FROM A NEW
THRILLER WITH STORYBOARD

 I worked in a group consisting of 3 people, all boys: myself,
Gabriel Lindsay and Garry Na.
 Our objective was to produce a film trailer/opening sequence.
 Our opening sequence is entitled Immortal Beloved and belongs
to the thriller genre. Therefore it had to be consistent with the
genre codes and conventions e.g. Spectacle and Enigma.
 I was an enthusiastic member of our group and significantly
helped in constructing storyboards and devising our initial idea.
 However I took specific responsibility for a number of roles:
bringing particular props in, producing call sheets and aiding or
giving constructive criticism regarding the editing of our opening
sequence.
 In addition I put myself forward for both the acting roles of Hans
(disillusioned husband of female protagonist Clara) and Clara‟s
grandson. Furthermore I was a strong contributor in devising our
voice-over and I also recorded it myself.

CHARLIE SPOONER: 1168 CENTRE NUMBER: 64680 OCR MEDIA STUDIES: J526 PORTFOLIO: B324

I N S P I R AT I O N : R E S E A R C H I N TO
SIMILAR FILMS
The Dark Knight Rises (dir.Christopher Nolan, 2012) which cost approximately $250 million to produce (reuters.com) and was one of last years most
popular film releases with more than $1,011,011,000 generated in total global box office returns alone forbes.com). This overwhelmingly stellar
achievement is accredited to many factors and sets a high- standard for all thrillers. The three things I found most prominent when watching the film
were: the tempo, use of sound and mise-en-scene. Firstly progressive tempo is extremely successful in ensuring a scintillating climax for the audience
in contrast to the enigmatic and mysterious beginning as we as an audience are teased as to wither Batman (Christian Bale) will return as Gotham's
“Dark Knight” and save them from the blood-freezing Bane(Tom Hardy). Furthermore silence is utilised just as effectively as soundtracksand SFX in
evoking suspense, tension and emphasising jeopardy at key moments like fight scenes or when Batman is stalking his prey. In addition the extensive
mise-en-scene sets a believable environment for the film while ensuring it meets thriller codes and conventions with fast car chases involving the
magnificent Batmobile, extremely dark or light lighting, Batman's iconic costume and various other gadgets and weaponry all of which they audience
have come to expect with gadgets and weaponry conducive to the excitement of the thriller genre.

Man On A Ledge (dir.Asger Leth, 2012) is a prime example of why Spectacle is so important within the thriller genre, infact you could
even argue this particular films relies on Spectacle. It is the Spectacle of a vulnerable man perched on a stone ledge on a skyscraper
overlooking New York city which evokes Enigma and , suspense and a feeling of Jeopardy, all key codes of a successful thriller. The
vulnerable and dangerous predicament of the man on the ledge at mercy to his surroundings, with even a mere gust of wind capable of
knocking him of and falling to an inevitable death is extremely tense. Therefore we as an audience sense this and an tense, atmosphere
is evoked subsequent to the mans dangerous predicament. Furthermore an element of mystery applies with the audience left to speculate
as to why the man is on the ledge and whether he will survive.

Although Othello (dir.Olivier Parker,1995) is not classified as a thriller, I would like to mention its association with Immortal
Beloved. The pearl necklace our female protagonist Clare wears throughout our opening sequence has connotations of this
Shakespearean tragedy in which near the end Othello states how he has thrown away a pearl greater than all his tribe, a
women he trusted and then distrusted, a beautiful women similar to that of Clara who is not as innocent as she may initially be
perceived.


I N S P I R AT I O N : R E S E A R C H I N TO
SIMILAR OPENING SEQUENCES

For me, Delicatessen (dir. Marc Caro, 1991) epitomised the best in film openings: the sequence was captivating despite the
lack of actual acting. The camera pans across a series of objects, all of which incorporate film titles. Intriguing mise-en-
scene is utilised to keep the viewer‟s attention as their eyes are drawn to every last detail of the scenery from the snapped
gramophone records to the muddy old cameras. Furthermore I was inspired by the unorthodox presentation of the titles in
which each title is placed on a part of the mise-en-scene e.g. a photo or old, weathered sign. I enjoyed this ingenuity of
featuring titles displayed upon the majority of props by linking each to the role being credited e.g. the musical directors‟
name and title are displayed on a snapped in half, the costume designer is credited on a clothing tag and the producer on a
camera..

We as a group in particular drew inspiration from the opening sequence for The Girl with the Dragon tattoo (dir.David
Fincher, 2011) in which they use rapid swift-cuts to accentuate inventive camerawork and portray nightmarish flashbacks.
We incorporated this technique will be inserted throughout a particular long shot which must be kept due to its narrative
purposes but is boring to watch and therefore the above hard cuts will be added in order to fill this time by splitting the clip.
Furthermore the monochrome colour scheme is utilised to extreme effect with any flashes of colour such as the explosion
more prominent and rich in colour. In addition the trailer serves its purpose as an opening sequence with overwhelming
success in that it is ambiguous and mysterious with a very ambiguous plot and no real emphasis on character. However
what‟s important is that the balance between understandable and ambiguous is maintained and as an audience we feel
compelled to watch the film, enticed by the trailer and so as an openings sequence it serves its promotional purpose without
doubt. The soundtrack is also employed to good effect and evokes an ominous, suspenseful tone for the opening sequence
and following film; these are imperative in meeting thriller genre codes and conventions

CHARLIE SPOONER: 1168 CLAREMONT FAN COURT: 64680 OCR MEDIA STUDIES: J526 PORTFOLIO: B324

CONSUMER PROFILE: PROJECTED
TA R G E T A U D I E N C E

Our target audience is likely to consist of both genders, aged 15-
35.Therefore they could be of both dispensable and indispensible
income. Our consumer is more than likely to have seen the
following films recently : Skyfall (dir. Sam Mendes, 2012)
Zombieland (dir. Fleischer, 2009), Shutter Island (dir.
Scorsese, 2010) Inception (dir. Nolan, 2010), London Boulevard
(dir. Monahan, 2011), The Grey (dir. Joe
Carnahan,2012), Sanctum (dir. Cameron, 2011) and Taken 2 (dir.
Olivier Megaton, 2012). Furthermore our target audience will
indefinitely include film and cinema enthusiasts who indulge in
such hobbies frequently and more specifically once or twice a
month. They will also purchase DVD‟s and download films
through the medium of internet and revolutionary technology
such as: iPads and iPhone's. The films they‟re most likely to
enjoy our thrillers like our Immortal Beloved and will enjoy films
with an elements of horror, action or romantic genres and this is
substantiated by the fact Box office returns for films similar to
mine prove these as extremely popular genres with Box Office
Mojo showing shutter island as generated returns of
$294,803,014 from Box office alone. In addition our target
audience are likely to live a metropolis lifestyle but could also live
in the suburbs, will enjoy photography, shopping at popular
venues like Westfield and eat and up market or popular
restaurants and coffee shops such as: Pizza Express, Nandos
and Starbucks. Finally my consumer will take a keen interest in
their appearance; shopping at popular brand :
Hollister, Zara, Topman/Topshop and Superdry as well as watch
TV shows on MTV and PSB channels like ITV and BBC.


GENRE: THRILLER CODES &
CONVENTIONS
 An opening sequence possessive of all the thriller codes and conventions must hint at spectacle and strongly infer the codes of: enigma, suspense and jeopardy for example. However it is
vital to the success of a thriller opening sequence that although the plot must be clear it remains to a certain extent, ambiguous and this vital in creating enigma and mystery surrounding what
will happen in the full film and more crucially this is what entices the consumer as an advert or promotion to watch the film and maximize profit. Therefore it is instrumental that the audience
know enough to be intrigued but not enough to make the film boring and unsuccessful.; infact the same applies to all opening sequences regardless of their genre.

 The titles /credits of a opening sequence are vital in representing the genre of the movie which i this case is thriller and therefore the colour, size and fonts of a title must reflect key codes
and conventions regarding enigma, jeopardy and suspense. For example if the credits were red they would have connotations of danger, love or lust while black would suggest death.
Therefore although not the most important element of an opening sequence, the significance of titles are often underestimated.

 The mise-en-scene is arguably the most important contributor to a thriller opening sequence for many reasons. Firstly, the lighting can create an ominous, mysterious atmosphere for the
audience when dark and suggest something bad is abound to happen, therefore this is key to evoking enigma. Mise-en-scene also covers locations which are key to ensuring and opening
sequence meets the codes and conventions regarding spectacle. Furthermore costumes and props are key to enhancing characterisation and confirming authenticity in creating an modern
or period setting for the film while they can also suggest danger and the code of jeopardy e.g. A gun could imply a death or more sinisterly, a murder could occur.

 Sound effects are also an important and stock convention of the thriller genre e.g. spot-sounds can stress the importance of the narrative or a specific moment which creates tension or
mystery. Furthermore increasing the volume of particular sounds e.g. creaking of floorboards can construct a fearful and suspenseful atmosphere key to a thriller.

 Obtrusive editing is also utilized frequently to accentuate an atmospheric suspense and impose a feeling of anxiety upon the audience.

 Flashbacks as featured in our Immortal Beloved and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (dir. David Fincher., 2011) evoke a spacial or time confusion and suggest significant elements of the
plot which occurred in the past and subsequently enabling the audience an knowledge of the characters pasts‟ and in doing so also evoke the thriller codes of mystery and enigma.

 Colour conventions of regarding the employing of a black and white shots are also a constant of the thriller genre in creating an ominous undertone to the atmosphere and suggesting
jeopardy, another code of the thriller genre. This is also seen in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (dir. David Fincher., 2011) .

The epitome of the A prime example of how colour
ominous effect of a
Don't Look Now (dir. connotations through costumes
monochrome colour Nicolas Roeg, 1973) for example can suggest evil or
scheme. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo danger.
(dir. David Fincher, 2011)


GENRE: THRILLER CODES &
CONVENTIONS CONTINUED…
 In addition music can be employed as a medium through which to set an atmosphere or consolidate the audience‟s knowledge of the era in which
the film is set in e.g. A soundtrack possessive of orchestral music is appropriate for a film of period setting but can also have connotations of a
sinister undertone or build to a dramatic crescendo as an effective manner of emphasizing tension.

 Atmosphere is an indispensible asset films and opening sequence‟s of all genres but in particular to the thriller genre in evoking a evidently
“thrilling” atmosphere however atmosphere is reliant on other factors to ensure it is successful e.g. music and actors voice or movement can
create a anxious or ominous atmosphere while swift cut-away shots and fast cars can evoke a thrilling tempo for a film or opening sequence. It is
also vital to the thriller genre specifically that an enigmatic atmosphere is provoked possessive of the genre codes of jeopardy and suspense for
example.

 The next two phrases have been utilized and considered comprehensively throughout my entire project as without them a thriller cannot be
successful, these are of course: suspense and enigma.

 Suspense is defined online as: „A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.‟ Suspense is key to the success of a
thriller film as it is what maintains the audience‟s interest and concentration and makes a thriller different to all other genres of film although it is so
vital that is can manifest itself in most genres e.g.: action-adventure and horror all of which have elements often included in a thriller movie itself.

 Enigma is defined online as: „ A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.‟ and is crucial to the thriller genre, without it
a opening sequence or film simply cannot be considered a success. It is enigma which captivates an audience and makes the thriller genre so
unique, furthermore the mystery which encompasses it is appreciated by audiences who enjoy to play the role of a detective themselves during a
film and try to piece together the puzzle of events; enigma is particularly key in the hybrid genre of crime-thriller within which our own Immortal
Beloved could infact be categorized.


AUDIENCE FEEDBACK: SOCIAL
MEDIA


E VA L U AT I O N : H O W S U C C E S F U L I S
I M M O R TA L B E LO V E D A S A
THRILER OPENING SEQUENCE
 I vehemently believe our opening sequence is successful as it meets all genre codes and convention specifications, this is elaborated on below.
 The titles are clear and easily understood and their pale white tone compliments the mise-en-scene and textures of our set while not detracting away from the spectacle our locations and
props impose. Our titles/credits are also crucial in subtly evoking whites colour connotation of innocence and purity which creates mystery and enigma surrounding the alleged innocence of
our female protagonist Clara.
 Our mise-en-scene and in particular our choice of locations are suitable for our films period of and trouble was exhausted to ensure we created such authenticity by including relevant y
vintage props to portray a women‟s boudoir: long satin period negligees ,a 1940s Jewlerrry box and a pearl jewel necklace which was vital to signifying Clara „s character as a gift of love
received from Hans, thus implying Clara again as pure and innocent in juxtaposition to the audiences expectations which is likely to evoking the thriller code of mystery and enigma.
Furthermore a variety of period photos and studio shots e.g. close ups of jenny, telegrams, letters and postcards were bought at French broncante throughout the duration of last summer to
evoke authenticity and guarantee our audience felt our plot and setting was believable. A velvet and lace pillow is also featured to secreted the gun which was key to inferring jeopardy and a
successful thriller which suggests death and danger. Consistent to its genre codes and conventions.
 Thirdly, our soundtrack complements the voice-over while not overwhelming it thanks to successful audio ducking and creates prominent moments of intensity key to meeting thriller genre
codes regarding suspense and jeopardy, while also emphasising narrative. Meanwhile the orchestral music employed associates with Clara‟s supposed job as a violinist with the Berlin Phil
consolidating the perception of her as innocent in stark contrast to the mystery climax of the opening sequences which suggests otherwise therefore evoking another code of the thriller genre
in the form mystery surrounding her double-life.
 Another code and conventions of the thriller genre; Spectacle is established by visually striking shots e.g. wedding dress, mansion and sun highlighting the beauty of Clara‟s face. Perfect
locations of our school sites are also leveraged to our advantage and along with the times of day worse discussed and consciously chosen so that light, for example would be strong on one
side and captured passing through Clara‟s wedding veil to convey an: ethereal, angelic and pure perception of Jenny to subvert audience expectations. Therefore this emphasises spectacle
through drawing attention to our opening sequence‟s aesthetics while also meeting romantic visual codes which means we appeal to a vast target audience (male and female) extremely
successfully which is key in industry to achieving maximum profit.
 The immensely rich textures, number of camera angles and shot types are also utilised to stress spectacle.
 We also create an intriguing and anxious atmosphere consistent to the thriller genre by meeting codes of enigma through the medium of our plot which is clear yet ambiguous and introduced
with a mysterious plot possessive of the potential to develop and evolve. We suggest this through a successful voice-over which for example reveals female protagonist Clara to lead a double
life but do not elaborate as to how and why etc. Instead we utilise the visuals to hint at possibilities which provoke the audience to speculate regarding this obscurity.
 Suspense is also efficiently build by jeopardy, another code of the thriller genre concerning how the grandson will decide to intervene regarding the protection of the family name and social
status. Subsequently, two levels of suspense are created these being: what happens to Clara and her grandson secreting what is inferred as her gun.
 A variety of textures are also very successful in clearly distinguishing different era and avoiding confusion; he richly sutured present day juxtaposed to monochrome of 1940s, evokes visually
very prevalently.
 However although I am immensely proud of Immortal Beloved as a opening sequence if given the opportunity to change particular elements of if it we agree as a group that certain elements
would be altered. For example: the mise-en-scene of case scene with blazer, had we realised how large this would loom we would have perhaps tried to find more adult attire but hopefully not
too much attention is drawn to this and more importantly we as a group have learned from this how a very small element can affect the entire piece. Moreover subtle smirks can be seen in
fight scene, perhaps if we did the professionally we would have changed it so there wasn‟t hint of smile which detracts from authenticity but not judged on acting. In addition a spot –sound
was utilised for some titles effectively and we did consider including gun spot-sound but were concerned as to it being to cliché and the jury is still out regarding this but could be added in the
event that we had the opportunity to re-create our sequence again.


E VA L U AT I O N : H O W S U C C E S F U L LY
OUR PROJECT ANSWERED THE
BRIEF OVERALL

 Our project is very successful as it has efficiently met
the our project brief through meeting deadlines with all
the work completed to a high-standard. Furthermore we
as a group strongly feel we have met all project criteria
e.g. An approximately 2 minute long opening sequence
which evokes all genre codes and conventions such as:
spectacle, enigma, suspense and jeopardy through a
beautiful and authentic mise-en-scene and a clear yet
mysterious and intriguing plot for example.
 In addition all three of our groups members have put
much endeavour into producing an organised and
comprehensive production log along with this evaluative
PowerPoint and appendix as requested as proof of our
extensive planning and organisation.


APPENDIX: CALL SHEETONE


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