2. Our Research- VOXPOPS
To help us decide which genre of film to do for our media project Lauren and I decided to ask a group of people questions
regarding films and their preferences. From our results, we were able to have an idea of what people like and dislike about
movies and the genres that have high popularity and low popularity. We used the VOXPOPS for research as our audiences
are who we target so it is great to know what makes the film great for the audience and to be able to incorporate the
things that people like into our title sequence to make sure they notice it and enjoy it.
From asking these questions we have come to the conclusion that by doing a hybrid genre, Film Noir and Suspense, we will
be able to gain the constant attention of the audience and produce a great opening sequence.
The VOXPOPS helped us understand if the audience would like to see a modern ‘black and white’ opening sequence (and
film), we have come to the understanding that although it may be risky and not suit all the audience’s preferences, it would
portray as a classic within the likes of ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird’.
The questions concerning the audience’s favourite actresses and actors we asked so we could have an understanding of
what sort of people should play the roles as main characters in our opening sequence, from this we now know that people
prefer attractive and talented actors in movies. This can be used to our advantage as we can use people from the schools
Drama department to partake in our opening sequence as they are skilled in the area of drama.
Therefore, from asking a range of people their preferences of a movie and what stands out to them we hope to be able to
produce a successful, engaging and attractive opening sequence that would be best suited with a classic movie.
3. Our Research- Focus Group
For our focus group we used a selection of our Media AS class as they have experience in analysing genres and we thought that by preparing them for
what they will have to question and know, they will be better prepared for when they do their mood boards and their focus group. The questions we
asked are the following;
• What comes to mind when you think about Film Noir? Why?
We asked this question due to our VOXPOPS, as we learnt that not many people understood the Film Noir genre in-depth, so as our media AS group
looked into film noir briefly we thought by asking them to name a few components of film noir and what came to their mind when thinking of the
genre we would be able use the information when producing our opening sequence.
• Typical colours in film noir
This was key when asking our focus group as, Lauren and I were struggling whether to add colour into our opening sequence. We found that using
colour was acceptable but black and white would link to the classic film noir in which we want our opening sequence to be.
• Genres in film noir
Due to us using a hybrid genre of; film noir and suspense, we wanted to see if our focus group knew any other film noirs that cross over with another
genre. Most of the answers were ‘crime’, but we will still go on to use our initial idea of suspense as the crime is apart of film noir anyway.
• Typical Plot
We wanted a quick overview of what they knew film noirs were about, this gave us a brief outline of what the audience would expect.
• The Mood board- Thoughts and Problems.
The mood board Lauren and I made shows each component of a film noir, we asked the focus group what they thought and learnt from the mood
board and if they thought there was any problems. The feedback was mostly positive.
• Differences between film noir and modern day films
• Name a modern film noir
• Sin City- Thoughts?
• The clip of Film Noir- Thoughts?
4.
5.
6. The Story
We have decided to create a film noir themed title sequence crossover
with suspense. From our research we have gathered a range of
evidence that will help us plan our opening sequence and help during
the process of production. Film noir has specific components such as;
camera angles, lighting, shadows, characters (etc.) in which we will
follow. Our idea involves the typical plot of a film noir, but we will
breach into the crime aspect of the film noir in our opening sequence.
Also in our opening sequence we will tie in a modern aspect in to our
film noir 1940/50s classics as this will be engaging for the audience.
7. Our Idea
Title- ‘If I were you’.
The overall plot of our film will be a modern day girl who finds a diary from the 1940s/50s which belonged to a
femme fatale, as she reads each diary entry the audience will be shown the femme fatale living out her entries
in the diary. In the diary there will be descriptions of the femme fatale being stalked and scared, this will create
the suspense. As the film continues it will base on the modern day girl trying to find out the ending of the diary
owners story as there are missing pages. The flashbacks of the diary will be in black and white and follow the
typical film noir, however the modern day shots will be in colour.
The opening sequence will show shots of the femme fatale from a variety of distances, however you
will not see her face. The audience will question who she is, as we are building up the actress from
the mise-en-scene. There will be a range of shots that show the femme fatales eyes looking through
blinds, her feet, her hair and her fingers smoking. We will also include shadows. During these shots
there will be a narrative of the girl reading out her diary entry however we will not see her, we will
though see her writing in a part of her diary. At the end of the opening sequence the modern day
girl will close the diary and the camera will zoom out of the book, when she closes the diary the title
of the film ‘If I were you’ will be on the cover.
