The group presents their pitch for a thriller opening sequence project. They decided on a psychological thriller about a shy woman named Viola who has a mental breakdown after a tragic mistake at her friend's party. The 2-minute opening would show Viola washing blood off her hands in a bathroom and beginning to experience paranoia and hallucinations. They conducted research at the British Film Institute and received feedback that their idea had potential but to focus on execution through elements like editing, music and cinematography. Their target audience is 16-25 year olds and they chose Blumhouse Productions and 20th Century Fox as distribution partners suited for thrillers.

1. PITCH PRESENTATION
Olivia | Ania | Danielle

2. Brief of Task
• Our task was to produce a two minute thriller opening
sequence.
• What is a thriller? According to Google thriller is ‘a novel,
play, or film with an exciting plot, typically involving crime
or espionage.’
• We had to construct our opening sequence based on
many requirements, those being mise-en-scene, camera
angles, editing and sound.
• For our thriller, we decided to go with a sinister/horror
route, this includes suspense.
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3. Mind map
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4. Typical conventions of Thriller
• Low key Lighting
• Quick cuts- editing
• Shadows
• Tense music
• Violence
• Can center on injustice in society
• Characters e.g. spies, convicts, stalkers, assassins
• Themes e.g. political conspiracy, psychological mind
games.
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5. Brief of Film
• We took inspiration from other thriller films we observed. The film
Zodiac does not show the killers face, we used this element in a
similar way by not immediately revealing the victim’s physical form.
We made sure to only make references to the victim so it leaves an
element of mystery. Perception is a deep and enthralling
psychological thriller about a shy and reserved woman who becomes
consumed with guilt after making a single mistake that changes her
entirely. Our film idea is about a young woman, Viola, who is shy and
timid. Her best friend is the complete opposite, she is loud, outgoing
and enjoys parties. Viola makes a tragic mistake and begins to lose
her mind. The film shows her descent into madness and her deviation
from society. She becomes isolated and starts to hallucinate. The film
is mainly based around Viola’s psychological stability, we follow her
through her journey and struggle of depression which results in an
unfortunate event, ultimately leading to her downfall and mental
instability.
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6. BFI Feedback
• On the 21st October 2017 as a group we went to the British Film Institute in
South bank to learn more about the history of the film industry. We
researched a lot into different kinds of movies through the library provided
and the screening room in which we watched opening sequences, more
specifically thriller movies. One of our main tasks was to hold primary
research and show them our treatments on our thriller opening. We gained
insightful information such as how location is important for the vibe of the
opening sequence, especially for a thriller.
• We received a range of feedback from our research, one being a gentlemen
stating that so far out idea was ‘good’ so far as there is a sense of suspense
but it about how we execute it
• The response we received from our idea is that so far it is 'good' and there is
a sense of suspense but it is all about how to execute our idea through
editing, mise-en-scene, music etc. The second volunteer had a different view
on ‘Perception’, he said that it wasn't kind of movie meaning that our thriller
opening does not fit with all age audiences. He also said that the idea is
'similar to Blair Witch' with the forest and group of young people. He believes
that using young adults and children characters are typical and he can relate
but chooses not to. The final volunteer said that our idea was interesting so
far, she advised us a lot on how to add relationships and friendships to add a
touch of emotions which is what we did between viola and Lisa.
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7. Unique Selling Point
Every movie has its own unique selling point to differentiate
it from other movies. We chose ours to be the minimal
dialogue to allow the audience to interpret the scene using
their own imagination and knowledge. We applied the BFI
feedback to our scene as one of the volunteers said ‘the
first five minutes of a thriller movies shouldn’t have any
dialogue’.
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8. Target Audience
• For our target audience, we had to consider the type of
people who enjoy watching the thriller genre.
• Using our primary research we found out that people
between the ages of 16-25.
• Factors had to be taken into consideration such as the
level of violence that would take place in our opening
sequence.
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9. Distribution Company
For our distribution company we strategically chose Blumhouse
production and the 20th Century Fox. The reason why we chose the
Blumhouse production is because they are notorious for their
successful thriller movies such as ‘The purge’ and more recently ‘Get
Out’. 20th century was also chosen because both Blumhouse and 20th
century fox have collaborated in the past meaning they have a strong
relationship. They are more associated with thriller film along
Blumhouse than other major distribution companies.
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10. Character Profile
Main character: Viola
Viola grew up in care and has no family. She’s insecure and socially
awkward, and only has a few friends. She rarely gets angry and is kind
to every one. She is very weak and has never had a fight. She avoids
confrontation and does not like to cause problems. She’s an introvert
who wants to be more confident.
Secondary female character: Lisa
Lisa is Viola’s best friend. She’s very social and enjoys going out. She’s
more of an extrovert and is more confident. She tries to encourage
Viola to be more outspoken. When she’s not hanging out with Viola
she spends time with her boyfriend who is a party promoter.
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11. Risk Assessment & Location Planning
A risk assessment and location planning is an important procedure for
producers/directors to consider, especially when it comes to action or thriller
movies.
Risk assessment:
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12. Risk Assessment & Location Planning
• Location Planning:
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13. Script
INT. PUBLIC TOILET AT BEST FRIEND (LISA)’S PARTY – NIGHT
On the floor there are drops of blood, a coat and a mobile phone.
VIOLA, 23, looking quite nervous, afraid and distressed, stares at
her reflection, washes the blood off her hands and splashes her face
with water.
The music is pounding in her ears while she hears Lisa’s voice
calling out for her from the other side of the door.
LISA
V are you okay?
Come out of there you’re missing the party.
Are you feeling okay?
V open the door.
The house party music and Lisa’s voice begins to die down. Voices of
the memory that has traumatized her grows.
VIOLA
Just stop.
It wasn’t me.
I didn’t mean it.
Please.
INT. DOORWAY OF HOUSE – DAY
Viola is getting ready to leave her house and opens the door but
turns around before walking out.
VIOLA
Damn it!
She reaches for her bag but knocks over a picture frame wrapped in
white cloth.
Viola leaves the house shutting the door behinds her.
The frame includes a picture of Viola, Lisa and another woman
smiling together. The frame is cracked at the corner with drops of
blood on it.
INT. OFFICE WORKPLACE AT DESK – DAY
Viola sits at her office desk while looking uneasy and paranoid.
Drops of blood begins to fall from the wall behind her but before
Viola gets a chance to turn around and see it, a woman walks past it
and the drops of blood disappears.
Viola becomes even more paranoid and looks around to see if she
being watched.
A shadow’s hand pretends to grab Viola’s shadow neck while she
gently touches her neck as if she is really being touched.
The shadow disappears when Lisa jumps beside Viola to surprise her
but Viola is startle.
Lisa
Hey!!
Viola
Hi
Lisa
You disappeared after the party,
Where did you go?
Viola
Ohh I…. I wasn’t feeling too good
So I had to go, sorry I didn’t
Call you, I should have called you,
Sorry
Lisa
Its fine I was too drunk to notice
anyways (laugh) but I wish you
were there
Viola
Yes, me too. So it all went well
then, nothing surprising happen…
Lisa
No it was great! We had a little
more songs play and a few more
drinks then everyone went home
and “yes” before you ask I took
a ride home.
Viola
Yeah, that’s good not went wrong,
that’s good (fake smile)
Lisa
(moment of silence) Hey so I was
wondering if you wanted to catch
a coffee for lunch I thought you
can use with a bit a cheering uh…
Viola
NO! I mean, no I can’t. It’s just
that I am a little, I mean a lot
behind these paper work.
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14. Script Lisa
O…kay well I will just grab a
sandwich from the canteen then
(smiles). You sure you’re okay V
Viola
Yeah, yeah of course. I’m just
a bit stressed out but I will
be okay.
Lisa
Alright, that’s good
Lisa gets up and walks towards the door but then turns around
Lisa
Hey, have you heard from Nia
lately? It’s just that I tried
calling her but she hasn’t answered
or texted back
Viola
She’s probably just busy, you
know her
Lisa
Yeah probably. Anyways thanks,
I will see you later.
Lisa walks out the door and the door slowly shuts behind her
Viola
Yeah, nooo problem
EXT. MAIN STREET ON PAVEMENT – AFTERNOON
Viola is walking home down the street after a long day at work and
acting quiet uneasy. While walking she is shocked to see the mystery
woman in the picture frame, walking pasted her in the opposite
direction on the street.
Viola stops and stares at her walking past, she runs and grabs her
from behind
Viola
HEY! You’re not meant…
But when she is turned around it seems to be a mistaken identity.
1
Viola
Oh sorry, I thought you were…
sorry, I just
Viola runs off to the next street with her back against the wall
sliding down to the floor
Whispering to herself
Viola
I did not mean it.
It was not me.
What I am doing.
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15. Storyboard
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16. Production Schedule
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