The document discusses the research and production process for a student thriller film. It describes how the filmmakers studied psychological thrillers like "Black Swan" for inspiration. They aimed to fulfill thriller conventions through camera angles that create tension while also trying original techniques like blurred focus shots of a character who seems to appear and disappear. The slow build in tension culminates with a shot of blood in a bath at the end. The document also covers distribution plans, target audiences, and the skills learned through the project.

1. By Millie Richmond

2. Before we began filming we started researching the thriller
genre, there are many hybrids within the genre for
example, supernatural thriller (Woman in black) and
murder mystery's such as 'S7ven' which inspired our mise-
en-scene. We looked more closely into physiological thriller
as they appealed to the whole group the most, especially
'Black Swan' which depicted a vulnerable girl descending
into mental disorder. Another film, 'Memento' plays with
time, using non linear narratives including flashbacks.

3. Some of the ways in which we have fulfilled the conventions
of the thriller genre are by using camera angles that create a
sense of tension and enigma. The representation of a young
woman on her own in the wilderness is something one would
expect to see in this type of film. Furthermore the mise-en-
scene in the later part of the extract again amplifies the idea of
her vulnerability and isolation. We tried to be original in the
use of our editing though our use of characters who seemed
present and then disappeared. We purposely shot this
character out of focus using depth of field to create more
tension for the viewer, her opacity raises the question of
whether she's real or not. The slow build in tension from
beginning to the end where there is blood in the bath follows
the typical aspects of this genre. By employing conventional
tropes of successful hybrid thriller films we have worked
within those boundaries, yet through our use of camera and
subtle editing the films also does something aesthetically
interesting and original

4. We would be an independent British film production
company based In London with a topical current zeitgeist
storyline with a twist. We would be working with a low
budget but producing material with high production value.
We would need a distributer and would premiere our film
at a film festival we would follow that with a multi
platform release using social media marketing to achieve
word of mouth meaning we would have more funding for
our next film. We would use below the line marketing as
used in the film 'block' which is an example of a similar
independent film that is what ours would be. We would
aim to distribute our film through bfi, Curzon cinema
artificial eye and terrestrial television deals with BBC or
film 4. Our main target would be British distributers
looking for new interesting films and new talent.

5. Our target audience for our film would be aimed towards
the younger generation due to the protagonist being a
teenage girl. Due to the genre however the film could
attracts audiences of any age depending on their movie
preference. Our primary target audience would be 15-25
years old, or secondary target audience being 26-35, our
tertiary audience middle class English arthouse audiences;
all fitting under the category of mainstream audience.

6. We attracted our audience through visual aesthetics and
depth of field which is synonymous with art house films
recognisable due to the main protagonist, mise en scene,
the house middle class up market. The costume and make
up of the girl appealed to the teenage market as does the
music, sound effects, sound scape sounds all of which are
conventionally chilling. The font also has a modern edge
while also having familiarity in the terms of art house film
audiences

7. We have learnt how to use final cut pro for editing sound
pace and story. We have also furthered out knowledge of
cameras, lenses, aperture, focal length, depth of field,
blurred focus and point of view. We also used tripods, a
shoulder mount (which acted as a steady cam for tracking
for our protagonist. We did research through art of tile,
imdb and bfi. We used social media for planning for
example we used a Facebook group to arrange the
practicalities to ensure we didn’t run into any unexpected
problems on the day. We also used our phones which had
our storyboards and shot lists on to ensure accuracy.

8. We learnt many things when filming our preliminary task such as over
shoulder shots, shot reverse shots , 180 shot and eye line match. We
also used linear continuity editing this gave us the skills required to
edit our opening. During the edit of our opening our editing skills
progressed greatly, we used varied camera angles including; high low,
tracking, panning, and we played with zoom and depth of field. We
experimented with layering of audios, sound effects and Foley. We
really improved our planning abilities as we found our location and
took rekey shots early on in the process. We made detailed mood
boards which helped capture the mise en scene and create the perfect
atmosphere. We became much more responsible taking ownership of
our film and meeting all the deadlines, We used the non linear
storyline and created a treatment of the whole film screenwriting what
was in it.

9. Our media product present teenagers in a certain way due to the way
the main character is presented, with her clothing and the fact that she
Is smoking. In particular our film shows how teenage girls are
vulnerable and it could possibly be seen as stereotypical, showing a
young girl on her own In the middle of an isolated wood looking
anxious. The film also represents the supernatural, metaphysical re-
visitation of an abusive mother, this represents the breaking down of
family dynamics which the audience is interested and a select few can
relate to. We subtly introduce moments of abnormality which
foreshadows the later events In the film. The opening is vague and
suggestive, an enigma is suggested through the slow reveal of the
storyline by not giving away too much in the opening sequence. We
have a female orientated storyline which portrays an atypical mother
daughter relationship.