2. Job Roles
• Jack Kerrigan
• Initial Ideas – From your research of analysing the opening of films within your chosen genre, which
conventions will you include in your opening?
• Storyboard – The production of your opening including images to show what you hope to produce.
• Jade Dowling
• Timetable for filming
• Target audience profile – Describe specifically the age, hobbies gender and income of your target
audience. This is from using all of your research you have done and from the questionnaire you
sent out and analysed.
• Shot list – What shots do you want to use in your piece?
• Eve Miller
• Props and costumes
• Synopsis – A summary of the plot of your film (not just the opening)
• Sadie Brown
• Script
• Sound, cast, fonts and key elements.
Here are the jobs we allocated, we swapped them around as we thought some jobs would be better
suited depending on people's abilities.
3. Timeline
DATE: Start of our planning
for our final piece until the
start of the Christmas break.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO TODAY WHAT WE ENDED UP DOING HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR LATER PLANS OF PLANNING?
1/12/2014 Today I wanted to start thinking about the final piece in
which I was going to create. This included the kind of idea/
plot that the piece will follow and the genre it will come
under. The main tasks for today were to, as a group decide
upon a genre and plot for our final piece.
We did finish some of the tasks that I set out to finish. We have come to a
conclusion on the genre in which we want to focus our piece on. However,
we didn't finish as much as I thought I would.
This means that now next lesson I will still have to carry on with what
I set out to finish today.
3/12/2014 Carry on from last lesson. From the continuation of last lesson we have managed to come up with a
basic plot of what our piece will contain.
This means that now I can carry on and make further progress with
my blog and the tasks needed to do.
4/12/2014 Although my primary focus right now is the planning of the
final piece I still wanted to finish off the final touches of my
preliminary task work. So, this meant that I had to finish off
my evaluation of the preliminary task.
I was able to complete and upload my evaluation. Now that all of my work on my preliminary task has been completed,
I can now solely focus on the aiding process of my final piece and
ensure that all preparation and planning is complete in time for the
Christmas break.
8/12/2014 I decided to work upon my genre montage. Now that we had
successfully decided upon a genre of film to work with I now
knew where to start and what to research.
I was able to start and get the majority of montage done. This means that I cannot start another task tomorrow, in our next
lesson. I will have to instead, finish off my montage and hope that it
doesn't take too long.
9/12/2014 To finish off my montage and make a start on the genre
timeline.
I successfully completed the montage, but it took up much longer then I first
intended. I also made a start on the timeline.
Although, I have finished the montage, the timeline still isn’t finished
and this means, yet again, that I will have to continue it another time.
10/12/2014 To finish off my timeline. I successfully finished my timeline. Now I can progress onto the next stage of planning for my final piece.
11/12/2014 To analyse a new and old film within my genre. I finished off the analysis of the old film, which was called “Rear Window” . I
also started on the first section of the opening of my new film; I am number
four.
I now need to ensure that some o m work is uploaded onto my blog
and to continue with more tasks.
15/12/2014 To upload both my genre montage and genre timeline.
To finish of my analysis of the old and new films.
I have successfully completed the analysis of the new and old film. I also
created a check list of everything I have to complete in he planning section of
the final piece. As a group we divided the work as evenly as possible.
After looking at all of the work on the checklist, and then after
dividing the work load I now have abetter understanding of what I
have to do. I shall start my work next lesson.
16/12/2014 To start my target audience profile and my timetable. I have successfully started and completed the timetable of what work I have
done up until this date. I decided to date it form the finishing of my
preliminary task and up until the start of Christmas break, so that I can easily
focus on the planning going into my final task. I also successfully uploaded my
analysis of old/new films onto my blog.
Next lesson I shall finish the target audience profile.
17/12/2014 I want to complete my target audience profile and also start
the shot list.
I completed the target audience profile today, but was unable to even start
with the shot list.
This, in turn, means that the shot list will have to be completed
tomorrow.
18/12/2014 To start and finish the shot list. I completed the shot list and was able to finalise all my other work. To send Sadie all of the work and allow her to put it all into a slide
share to then upload onto the blog.
4. Initial Ideas
Action
Thriller
Final
Piece
Guy being chased
• The setting would be in
a woods.
• There would be a lot of
crushing things etc..
• Quick cuts of shots
rising suspense.
• At the end he is
surrounded.
The masked figures
• Have lots of actors in
masks in the wood.
• Lots of flashes
cuts of shots.
A house raid
• A house is ambushed
by police
• A face shot of each
of the people being
arrested
• Continues to show
the title sequence,
sound. Etc..
• Focuses on the
neighbourhood that
the people live in.
5. Synopsis
We do not want to over complicate the plot of our thriller film, this is because
we feel it may complicate the audience, although we want to include multiple
different features we will do this in a way where the audience is aware of
what is going on and does not feel confused. Our film will start we the
opening sequence/titles. Here we will see a collection of trees in the midst of
a woods before seeing a girl stood beneath them, as the music picks up the
titles will appear presenting each member of the cast. We then come across a
group of masked humans stood in a collection in the woods. We want our plot
to be focused around the idea of 'unknown' and not informing the audience
of who the masked people are. Sadie starts running through the woods along
with the sound of panting and the crushing of twigs. In the first 2 minutes we
will discover that there is past with the girl and the masked humans before
learning what that is when the film begins with a flashback of Sadie at a
younger age where she first met and confronted the anonymous characters.
Throughout the film the story will track back on the girl coming across the
masked humans and it will develop showing where things went wrong and
how they severely progressed to the stage where Sadie was being followed by
them in the woods.
6. Target audience profile
MY TARGET
AUDIENCE
PROFILE
PICTURE OF THE TARGET AUDIENCE:
After considering all of the different aspects that have been described below I have come up with a final image of our
audience profile.
AGE From my questionnaire I found an extensive amount of people who are interested in the genre from the same age group/bracket. This makes it a lot
easier to think (and base our final piece around) as we already have a idea of who is going to be most interested in the film as a whole. This happens to
be the age gape of 15-19 year olds. However, due to my questionnaire being restricted I know that this isn't the only age group that will enjoy and
watch my film. After researching other ages that like and watch thriller regularly, I have found that 23-27 year olds also watch it. This shows to me that
my target audience is very broad. This is a good and bad thing. Although my target audience is quite broad and attracts lots of people, it is limiting in
the fact of what I can and cannot include.
GENDER The gender of my target audience, based off of my survey is very diverse. This is shown apparently through the respondents. Many are both female
and male. This means that I have a wide range of things I could include in the making of the piece. However, unfortunately, this makes it a lot more
difficult as it means I cannot make anything gender specific and this is rather limiting on the content I can include. It may cause a problem, as I cannot
make anything too specific for the male audience nor the female audience.
HOBBIES Although my survey didn't ask the respondents to specify what their hobbies are, I can infer what their hobbies are like. Considering the age gap and
gender it is easy for me to understand what the kind of things they enjoy doing and how this will play a part in the film in which they would, in turn,
enjoy. Many of the respondents said that they enjoyed the action genre and so, this is a good thing as this complies with the genre in which we are
doing.
INCOME Considering the age gap in which our audience fits into, we can infer that the income in which they get isn’t that high. Due to this they will not want a
very high class production, but will still expect a film that includes very high standards of effects etc.
7. Props and Costume
• Costumes
• As we have multiple characters in our opening we wanted to have costumes that were easily accessible however we had to
ensure they all suited the film and were compatible with one another. As the main Character Sadie will be wearing an
everyday costume for example jeans, a top and a jacket, this is because it fits her character of being an ordinary teenage girl
and is simple.
• We have multiple cast members all playing the same character of masked people. As our genre is horror we wanted to dress
them in something simple yet helps define their persona therefore we decided they would wear all black. We reached this
decision as it is often linked with thriller films and supports the tense atmosphere. We are also going to make them wear
white masks, this will contrast with the all black and make their faces stand out which will again add to their persona and
make them more anonymous.
Prop What will it be used for?
Trees To add to the setting and contribute towards the plot.
Twigs These add a sound effect and add to the setting.
Phone Sadie will be holding the phone as it adds to her normality of her
character, we are also going to have a shot of the phone showing no
service t ass to the tension.
Masks These are the main focus of our opening, they add to the
characterisation and help develop the storyline a they are anonymous.
These are our initial prop ideas however they may change during filming if we decide they do not fit or need more.
9. Shot list• EWS (Extreme Wide Shot):
• The view is so far from the subject that they aren’t visible. Often used as an establishing shot.
• We will use this shot right at the beginning as an establishing shot to show the scene. This will include the trees around and will be very effective to set the scene
and increase the tension.
• VWS (Very Wide Shot):
• The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still placing him in his environment.
• We will use this shot after the extreme wide shot. This will allow a gradual introduction to the main character, but still allowing the main focus to be on the forest
surrounding them. We will also use this shot to introduce the masked figures amongst the trees. This will show that they are blended amongst the scenery.
• WS (Wide Shot):
• The subject takes us the full frame.
• We will use this shot when the camera begins to focus on the main character (Sadie) and this will be the initial introduction to her. This will be a focal turning
point in the film as this is also when the music will (probably) begin. When the camera is beginning to focus on the masked figure a wide shot we also be used.
This will be able to show how they are actually main characters but will also be a good chance to focus on the surroundings whilst doing this.
• MS (Mid Shot):
• This shot shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.
• We will use this shot when Sadie is walking through the forest. This will allow us to see her expressions and also focus on the scenery and environment. A good
place that this shot can be used is when the masked figures turn towards the camera, but the scenery is shown behind.
MCU (Medium Close Up):
• Halfway between a medium shot and close up.
• This shot will be ideal when showing Sadie looking around her surroundings. This will allow the viewer to see how uncomfortable she is, without getting too close
to her face. The surroundings will also be present and able to see, but the focus will be on Sadie’s face.
• CU (Close Up):
• A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.
• This shot will probably closely follow the MCU. This is because it will put extra emphasis on how scared Sadie is and will be easier to see when the camera is
focused on her, and allowing her face to take up the whole frame. When the masks figures also become the focal point on the screen this shot will be the best to
use.
• ECU (Extreme Close Up):
• The ECU gets very close up and shows extreme detail.
• This shot will, be yet again be used as a focus on Sadie. This would be appropriate when she is looking around her at the surrounding greenery. This is so the
viewers can easily see her distress of the unfamiliarity of the environment she is in.
• C-I (Cut-In):
• This shot shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.
• This shot will be appropriate in more than one place. For example, when Sadie is looking at her phone, the camera will focus on her phone rather than her face
and in turn will pay close attention to her hands. Another place that it is suitable is when Sadie begins to run. This, in turn, would be a good place to let the
camera focus on her feet instead of her face.
• TWO-SHOT:
• A shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid-shot.
• This would be a good place to include two of the masked figures standing next to each other. This will enable it to look more ominous and heighten the tension
present.
• POV (Point-Of-View Shot):
• This shot shows a view from the subject’s perspective.
• This shot would be suitable for when Sadie is being chased. When she is running, the camera will focus on the path she is taking instead of her face or any other
part of her.
10. Script
We have decided to have no dialogue in our
opening scene. We came to this decision as we
feel only have non diegetic sound would be
more dramatic and add tension to the titles.
11. Cast
Cast- Sadie, Eve, Pedro, Jamie, Declan, Jack B, Lauren, Alex, Ben, Paige, Caryce,
Jasmine, Cassie, Amann, Iffy, Ayan
The reason why we decided to pick quite a few people is because when we are
filming in the woods, we need a few people wearing masks to better the
increasing amount of suspense within the opening and to make the whole
opening more interesting.
In the first few seconds in the opening sequence every single character will be
shown with their masks on, so they will all be unknown, the only character that
will actually be shown is Sadie, we decided to pick her as our main character
because she is blonde which makes her seem really innocent, and being
surrounded by all these masks will have a bigger impact and create more
suspense.
In the opening sequence the first shot is just of the woods with no one t be seen,
all the cast members at this point will not be involved. After a few seconds the
main character will appear then all cast will then be involved. If we were to start
with all the cast being involved it could come across as quite intimidating and too
much going on at once.
If we were to create the whole film we would include more characters that are
actually seen and not just masked people. The reason for using just one character
and the rest masked is to create huge suspension and make the audience
intrigued before the film has started.
12. Sound
Mostly non- diegetic music because it is ominous and it increases the tension and
makes it more anticipating. For the diegetic sound we are going to have heavy
breathing from the main character which is Sadie and the breaking of twigs and
rustling of leaves as she is running through the woods. This in itself increases
tension and anticipation.
We are not sure if we will be able to actually hear the diegetic sounds when we
are filming. So, to avoid this problem we will make the sounds of the leaves and
twigs when filming and later on edit the sequence to make it louder and more
effective.
Most of the diegetic sounds we want in the film, we want from what the camera
picks up. This is because we want it to seem more realistic and natural, because if
the sounds are edited in it will make the film look more false and unprofessional.
The non diegetic sound that we want ( the background music) will be edited in
during on of the last steps. This is so it makes it easier for us to base the music
around the footage that we already have.
Maybe when the film is about to start we add the music so the audience know
that the opening scene has finished and the film is about to start. This allows a
definite ending to our opening scene.
13. Font
When the opening titles appear on the screen we are
thinking about having the colour of the font to be a bright
colour as this will act as a binary opposite between good
and bad. We want the colours to be bright because we
will be filming when its pitch black we need something
that will stand out from the background.
On the last screen where the title actually appears we are
going to have a black background because it will
foreshadow death as they are dark colours and the bright
coloured font would represent the innocence of the main
character Sadie and also the relationship between her
and the masked people.
14. Key Elements
Before we started planning our actin thriller film we looked at certain key features that most action thriller films
conform to and these are the ones that we have used in our action thriller film as well.
• Silent pauses- this will be used when the masked people are standing there with no movement, and also after
Sadie is running it will go silent before the next part of the film starts.
• Low lighting- Our lighting will be low as we will be filming just before it goes really dark, being in the woods
which means we will be using natural light.
• Fear- Sadie fears when she's running in the woods and all the masked people are standing around her. She will
fear throughout the whole story to discover what is going on when spooky things start to happen to her because
the masked people have some sort of power that controls others as to why Sadie Fears throughout.
• Weather- We want it to be a cold evening because it will have a better effect, if when Sadie is running and when
she stop and is out of breath, she is breathing out smoke then it creates more of a suspense to the overall
opening scene.
• Heavy Breathing- This is used when Sadie is running which shows that something has either happened to her or
she is trying to get away from something. This would also be used throughout the whole full film as something
will always be happening to Sadie, she needs to get away so she will be continually running to get always from
these strange masked people.
• Chase Scenes- Running away from the weird masked people.
• Eerie Music- this will be used is we decide to put a soundtrack throughout the opening scene.
• Blood- Blood can be used on the masked peoples hands and faces which will cause more suspension and make
the audience more focused and intrigued what is going to happen next.
• Weapons- these are what the masked people will be holding, they will be holding everyday items like knives.
• Open Setting- the film will be set in the woods where Sadie will be running and trying to get away, having an
open setting will be more realistic as she could be running rom anywhere trying to get home.
• Abnormal/Paranormal Activity – All of the unusual activities that take place in the woods and the possessing of
the children.
