The document proposes a psychological thriller film opening set entirely within one room where a man is being held and experimented on by scientists. Key elements include flashbacks showing the man's kidnapping, the scientists observing the man from a surveillance room, and an unsettling atmosphere created through lighting, sound effects, and camerawork meant to make the audience uneasy about why the man is being held captive. The film aims to engage younger adult and adult audiences with its dark and mysterious tone.
2. OVERVIEW
We are creating a Psychological Thriller
Set in a room where a man is trapped as he is being held
there by scientists who are experimenting on him for
research. This is also happening on other people but the
focus of our film into is on this man.
Scientific Research will be a key theme in opening.
3. LOCATIONS
We are going to use a range of locations on site for example the Music Tech
rooms we will be using for the rooms and where the scientists will be
testing on the suspects.
We may also be using other locations to film the flashbacks such as in
Castlefield House
4. STRUCTURE
Act 1
Introduction of subject. Revealing there is a security camera watching them. We can see
they are trapped in this room. Causes suspense because we don’t know why they are
trapped. Why are they being watched? Why are they in the room?
Act 2
Introduction of people watching the subject. We see the people that are watching the
subject in the room. We don’t know who these people are. Why are they watching him?
What are they doing?
Act 3
Introduction of longer flashbacks of subject. Revealing what the flashback is. Why were
they kidnapped? What is happening in the flashback? Thrilling moment is short, shocking
clips of violent kidnapping.
5. CHARACTERS
Trapped male who has not been outside in a
long time this will be displayed in his appearance.
Scientists who are dressed in coats who have
captured the protagonists and many other people.
Other trapped people who we may not focus on
they are there to suggest that its not only the man
who is being tested on, these people will only be
use during the flashbacks.
6. HOW?
The genre conventions of our film opening ae going to be a Psychological
Thriller within a setting of a Scientific Facility and flashbacks which will be set
within a forest to add to the thriller aspect.
Our target audience is going to be young adults to adults due to the
psychological thriller theme this will not be suitable for younger children due to
the references of violence and hostage. We would rate this film opening a 12+
so we will be able to engage within a bigger audience.
The mood and atmosphere in our opening are going to be very dark and
suspicious to allow the audience to want to engage more with the protagonist
and their struggle physically and mentally.
7. MISE EN SCÉNE
Settings Scientific looking soundproofed pods which are very bright in light and uncomfortable for
the prisoner, a lack of personal belongings also shown this. A Forest will be used which will be
dark and foggy to portray the flash backs.
Props In the Room there will be a small amount of props to show a lack of personality. The
scientists will carry syringes and wear lab coats. Within the surveillance room there will be
computers, office chairs and notebooks to create a very professional atmosphere.
Costume, hair & make up The subject will have pastel/skin colored clothes to suggest a lack of
personality, he will also look very pale achieved through makeup.
Performance, facial expression, body language The subject will be very timid and nervous. This
will also be emphasized by him being very shaky due to his isolation for a long period of time. The
observers will be very cold and have no compassion to show how it is very professional.
Position and movement of characters/objects within the frame The subject will be in the corner
of the fame for the most time to show isolation. The scientists faces will not be seen to create
mystery. Low angles will be used to show hoe the character is much weaker than the scientists
and to show his size in comparison to the room.
Lighting & Colour We will be using the Pods which will be very bright and white to feel
intimidating. The flashbacks will be very dark and desaturated to display damage and horror to
the subject.
8. CAMERAWORK
We plan to use a GoPro in the very top corner of the room we are
shooting in, using an extremely wide angle, so we can give the
audience the idea of the camera being a security camera.
We also plan on using many close ups and extreme close ups.
A few key shots we have are:
The man looking through the window at the subject.
The subject looking up at the camera from their bed.
Both of those shots should hold for a reasonable amount of time, as
it allows the viewer to encompass the emotions and characters that
are being shown.
9. POST PRODUCTION
In post production we will be using high contrast within the rooms to show the
bright lights and how the protagonist is in a very harsh room.
E.g. Desaturation- almost blue colours will create a sci-fi aspect.
Within the room we will use a buzzing sound as if the lights are making the same
sound this will be very intimidating.
We have also thought about using after effects to create clouds around the titles
and use scientific fonts for them. Our credits will be displayed within pages which
will be added during editing.
The time-lapse of the surveillance camera will display that time is passing and the
protagonist will also change position in the room to emphasize this.
10. INFLUENCES ON RESEARCH
We have many influences from other Films and TV shows from
within our research which follow up with the subgenre of
Psychological Thriller and the plot of our opening.
“The Room” has a similar plot towards our opening however
it is about a single woman who has been taken hostage by a
man.
There are many other films that use the aspect of testing
on people against their will for example the Maze Runner
and TV show Stranger Things. These may not have had an
influence on our planning of film but they do have similar
scientific aspects which are within the Thriller genre.
11. SOUND
We will be using suspenseful music throughout in addition
to a constant drone to add to the effect of a Psychological
thriller.
