The document discusses various film techniques used in a preliminary task and opening sequence for a psychological thriller film. It provides examples of how techniques like camera shots, lighting, sound, titles and transitions were improved upon from the preliminary task to the opening sequence to create a more realistic, suspenseful and professionally produced film. Key details like location, costumes, and camera angles were developed to better fit the thriller genre and engage the audience.

1. 180 degree rule
In our opening sequence we used the 180 degree rule whist the three girls talked about the
robbery. We also followed the 180 degree rule when filming the conversation between the two
boys. In film making, the 180 degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial
relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. We ensured
we followed this rule as it ensures we reinforce continuity in the scene. Our skills have improved
since the preliminary task as we included a panning camera movement in our opening sequence
and included more back and forth shots to show the conversation becoming tense as suspense
builds. This shows our development not only of camera work but also when considering the
audience and how involved they are in the conversation. We also improved how realistic the
scene appeared since our preliminary task. As you can see the boys on the right in creating a
two shot are looking directly at the camera and are not physically turned towards each other like
most people are in real conversations. The boys appear more tense and robotic whilst the girls
appear more relaxed and natural making the conversation appear ore realistic and believable,
which makes the scene more effective.

2. In the prelim task we used the shot/reverse shot rule/technique to show the back and forth
conversation. This enables the audience to feel part of the scene. We used close-ups in the
prelim task to clearly show each character looking back a the other as they spoke. This allowed
the audience to easily follow the conversation. However, in our opening sequence we used the
same shot reverse shot rule but added more complex camera angles. In this case we used an
over the shoulder shot which give the audience a sense perspective which we believed would
allow them to follow the conversation easily and in a more professional and interesting way. By
having the conversation between three people instead of two which made the scene more
effective and fast pace as the conversation had multiple layers and speakers creating a
constant fast pace rhythm to the scene.
Shot/reverse shot

3. Match on action
As the actor turned around the corner and continued to walk up the stairs we used a low angle
shot whilst using a tracking shot of the actor to follow him whilst he walks towards the top of
the stairs. Also with the use of handheld camera work. This ensured we maintained continuity
and made the scene realistic and believable. We applied his rule to our opening sequence when
Charles walks towards ten past the camera, his back s the shown walking away from the camera.
This match on action demonstrates how our skills an knowledge had been demonstrated in a
more professional way which added effect.

4. Over the shoulder shot
An over the shoulder shot is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective or camera angle
from the shoulder of another person.
We used an over the shoulder shot in both our prelim task and our opening sequence as it gives the
audience a sense of perspective, seeing what the characters see. It also adds realism to the shot as the
audience adapt to the view as the character.
We used multiple over the shoulder shots in our opening sequence during the conversation scene. We also
used it when Charles steps in front of half of the camera showing he has been watching the girls rob his
house. Although this shot appear easy and relatively simple it adds an eerie effect to the scene. However, we
used the same shot type in or prelim task as one boy walks over the other. Although we aligned the
perspective correctly and effectively, we have improved the alignment and arrangement around the camera
shot in our opening sequence which demonstrates the understanding and skills e learnt to improve the
audience’s perspective to make it more effective.

5. Costume
In ou prelim task we had limited
costumes that were worn
throughput the video which was a
casual teenage college costume.
This is because there was only one
scene and so only one costume
was needed. However, we
developed the costumes in our
opening sequence by having four
main groups of costumes
throughout the opening sequence.
Firstly Charles is seen in the mental
hospital wearing a hospital gown
with slippers. This costume is
appropriate ad advanced when
maintaining continuity and
relevant aspects that make the film
ore realistic and professional. Then
when Charles escapes from the
mental hospital and is in his lair he
is wearing all black as if he is hiding
from someone/something (maybe
the police). Then the teenage girls
were seen in college wearing
casual clothing. Finally the girls are
shown in all black with ski masks
etc. This outfit shows the
development from an amateur to
professional perspective as to what
the characters should wear to
make the scene effective and
contextually relevant.

6. Sound
There are similar scenes that include diegetic sound,
conversation/dialogue which is between two then three people. This
makes the videos more realistic and believable allowing the audience
to relate to what they are discussing.
There is no non-diegetic sound in the prelim task video, for example
music and sound effects. However, there is a large amount of music
in our psychological thriller opening sequence. We used “Garage
Band” to layer specific sounds creating a collection of eerie
soundtracks which reinforce our thriller genre. We added more up
beat music when the break in took place with heart beat sound
effects. We leant the importance of sound in a film as it triggers
specific emotions for the audience. The lack music and sound effects
in our prelim task makes it appear less professional and realistic. We
manipulated the pace and pitch of the music in our opening
sequence to make the change of scene obvious.

7. Lighting
Setting
High-key lighting is used in the prelim
task and low key lighting is used in our
opening sequence. We leant the
importance of lighting when conveying
an emotion or genre of film. In this case
we were following the typical low-key
lighting with effects and manipulating
light intensities to create a shadowed
effect which creates a sense of mystery
and secrecy.
Both the prelim task and certain scenes in our opening sequence were filmed in college. However, for our
opening sequence we used multiple settings/locations which made the film more realistic as not every situation
is set in the same place. We chose to set one scene in the mental hospital (which was filmed in college), another
in college as the girls discuss their robbery plan, outside Charles's house and inside his lair, and finally in his
house where he captured and tied the girls up. By using more than one location to film in we learnt the effect it
has on the audience and how a change in environment can trigger different emotions. For example when at
college the audience felt safe and secure but the footage in Charles’s house when the girls are trapped makes
the audience feel nervous and anxious for their safety.

8. Titles
In the prelim task we used one simple font which had no unique or particularly
interesting features which would entice/catch the audiences attention. However, in our
opening sequence we used a gothic/sinister font which links to or thriller genre. We
used all capitals to give the impression its an urgent warning. The titles that appeared
throughout our opening sequence were flickering/glowing which caches the audiences
attention ensuring they read the credits. Instead of placing the title across the centre
of the screen, like the prelim ask, instead we adjusted and rearranged the
layout/position of the text so it fitted in with the surroundings. As shown above the
title of the film “Hide N’ Seek” has been rotated in line with the pattern on the hospital
wall. These small details make the sequence appear more professional and to a higher
quality. As we started editing our film opening we learnt the importance of title and
their layout an order in which they are presented.

9. Extreme Long Shot
In our Prelim task and our opening sequence we used multiple extreme long shots. In the prelim task we
used an extreme long shot that showed Tony walking towards the camera from a distance. However, in our
opening sequence we filmed a low angle shot of the outside of the mental hospital. Then later in the film
when the girls were breaking into the house we used multiple high angle shots to give the impression of
CCTV footage. We learnt an extreme long shot is used so the audience is informed that the characters are
moving from one location to another. It allows the audience to acknowledge the layout and
setting/surroundings of the scene which gives hem a clearer understanding of what is happening in the
scene. After using this camera shot in our prelim task we decided to improve the footage when editing our
opening sequence. We did this by adding filters over the footage to make it appear more effective and
appropriate for the scene. We added a CCTV effect for the robbery scene and added a green tint with a
raining effect over the establishing shot of the metal hospital.

10. High angle shot
A high-angle shot is a cinematic
technique where the camera
looks down on the subject
from a high angle. High-angle
shots can make the subject
seem vulnerable, weak and
powerless when applied with
the correct mood, setting, and
effects. We learnt that this
type of camera shot can greatly
enhance the emotional impact
and entertainment value of our
video for your audience.
In the prelim task we used a birds eye view looking down at Tony
walking up the stairs, then a low angle shot again of Tony walking up
the stairs towards the camera. However, we added effects and dramatic
lighting which created a dramatic effect for the audience. We used high
angle shots for the CCTV footage to make it appear more realistic and
so effective, also when the girls are trapped in Charles’s house. By the
use of dramatic low-key lighting and the high angle shot the girl looks
vulnerable, weak and powerless against Charles. She looks directly at
the camera in one of the shots above which reinforces the idea of
vulnerability and desperation as her facial expressions
convey/communicates how frightened she is without actually saying
anything.

11. Panning shot
We used the tripod for this specific camera movements as it helped create a
smooth left to right gliding movement. Panning movements allow the audience to
see the scenes surroundings enabling them to understand hat is happening in the
scene/storyline more clearly. In our opening sequence the low-key lighting makes
the panning shot appear eerie and sinister as it slowly monitors the room
suggesting someone is watching. However, in the prelim task the panning shot
used creates a different atmospheric feel as the surroundings shown in the
background show other people which gives the audience comfort and relief to
know the characters are not alone making the chances of anything bad happen
very unlikely.

12. Close ups
These close ups show very little background, and concentrate on either a face, or a specific detail of mise en
scène. This shot magnifies the object and shows the importance of things/the facial expression of the person.
The close-up takes us into the mind of a character, a close up of a face is a very intimate and personal shot. This
shot could either be used to make us feel really comfortable or extremely uncomfortable about a character,
and usually uses a zoom lens in order to get the required framing. In this case we used a close up in the prelim
task to allow the audience to see who each of the characters are and who's talking at wat time in the
conversation. However, in our psychological thriller opening sequence the close ups used create an anxious,
unnerving atmospheric feel to the scene. We learnt how to effectively manipulate the use of certain camera
sots to make them reinforce the genre we are following, in this case the low-key lighting makes the audience
assume something and is going to happen, and by the use of a close-up only makes them feel more on edge
and panicked about what's about to happen. The audience can see from the close-up the emotions and
reactions of the characters. This story as to what the characters are reacting to creates tension and suspense
for the audience. We used a variety of complex close-ups n our opening sequence as we learnt their
significance when making a successful psychological thriller as they effectively play with audiences emotions.

13. Transitions
In the prelim task we used the fade out
transition which smoothly transitioned fro the
final scene into darkness. However, in our
opening sequence we used a variety of complex
transitions which created effect. We used a blur
transition from the company Ident into darkness
then into our first scene. This subtle transition is
used a lot at the end of company Idents as it
smoothly moves from the Ident without
detracting from the Ident itself. Throughout the
more tense scenes of the opening sequence we
used flash transitions that make the sequence
more fast pace making the audience feel
anxious and panicked.