The group researched thriller movies to develop ideas and plot elements for their film. They settled on the title "Mutual Findings" to hint at complex revelations for multiple characters. They focused on developing the protagonist Eve, a 15-year-old girl from a middle class background who is stalked by her teacher Mr. Devlin. Key scenes in the opening will show torn photos of Eve, use of technology like phones to stalk, and Eve's school uniform and accessories to establish her background and increase her vulnerability. Next steps are to finalize the target audience, gather feedback from them, and modify the plot accordingly.

1. Ideas, planning and plot
development
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After selecting conventions for our opening, as
a group we researched Thriller movies
further, aiming to gather some inspiration and
ideas for the plot of our film and contextualise
conventions of an opening, to conventions of
an entire movie.
We devised our plot, and thought carefully
about what we should call our film, and why
the title is effective.
We then started to think about the
characters, and focused particularly on the
characters that would feature in the opening.

2. Conventions of a “Thriller”
EFFECTS ON THE
AUDIENCE:
UNCERTAINTY
ON-EDGE
ADRENALINE
“NAIL-BITING”
CLUES DROPPED
SUSPICIOUS OF MANY
CHARACTERS
PROTAGONIST Vs. ANTAGONIST
The protagonist (main
character/hero) is often
“disempowered” and the
underdog, who becomes drawn into
the concept of mystery and “web of
intrigue” surrounding the Antagonist.
The antagonist (Villain) often causes
the protagonist pain, torture and puts
them in extreme situations involving
danger, injury, death and peril.
CONVENTIONAL
CHARACTERS:
Protagonist (Hero)
Antagonist (Villain)
Innocent victims
Characters with suspicious
backgrounds
Psychotic characters
Private eyes
FEATURES OF NARRATIVE:
“PEAKS AND TROUGHS”
INCONSISTENT
COMPLEX PLOT
HEIGHTENED TENSION
CONSTANTLY AIMING FOR A PEAK
IN THE CLIMAX OF THE STORY –
USUALLY AT THE END
TWISTS
VILLAN-DRIVEN
CONSPIRACY
CLIFF-HANGERS
INCLUDES SEVERAL
OF THE FOLLOWING:
Terror
Adrenaline rush
Anticipation
“Red herrings”
Conspiracy
Ransom
Hostages/Captives
Stalking
Crime
Cover ups
Chase scenes
Protagonist defeating
The antagonist
Anxiety
Paranoia
Revenge
Espionage
Obsession
Cliff hangers
Plot twist
Investigation
Mind games

3. Seven (1995)
Adopting Terror (2012)
Black Swan (2010)
Panic Room (2002
Fatal Attraction (1987)
KEY FEATURES:
MENACE AND
CRIME
MURDER
TENSION
SUSPENSE
EXCITEMENT
Misery (1990)
Psycho (1960)
Basic Instinct (1992)
Limitless (2011)
Open Your
Eyes (1997)

4. Mutual
FINDINGS
We decided on the title “Mutual Findings” because firstly, two word titles are effective because
they are short, sharp and snappy, meaning people are more likely to remember the name of the
film and become familiar with it.
The word “Mutual” and the plural “Findings” mirrors the complex plot perfectly, and gives potential
viewers a hint that there are revelations for more than one character in the film, which is typical of
a Thriller movie.
“Mutual” has connotations of friendship, family and sharing a bond, which “findings” suggests is yet
to be uncovered. I think the words used are fairly sophisticated without being too confusing for a title,
which is suitable for a Thriller because they are almost always aimed at an older market and this would
almost warn that the film is not suitable for children and is aimed at a more mature audience.

5. 15 years old
The protagonist's age means that she is a
Middle class background
child, and therefore more vulnerable and
In the Media, it is always children from working class backgrounds
easy to incorporate into difficult situations.
who are represented as dangerous and at risk. This is often blamed
Children are often stereotyped as
on the absence of parental guidance. The aim of Eve coming from
naive, and the danger Eve ends up in
a middle class background aims to relay a message that bad things
reinforces this stereotype. With our film
can happen to anybody, and anybody can be subject to a good or
being rated 12, this also means the
evil personality, despite their background, image or how they appear.
audience will be able to relate with the main It also addresses the deception of physical appearance, and how
character, because they will be of a similar people’s appearance can manipulate people into thinking
age. The aim of this is to engage the
somebody’s life is good or bad. Additionally, although Eve’s mother
audience further, in the hope that they can has a Middle Class, well paid job, had she been home more and
relate to somebody of a similar age and
paid more attention to her daughter some of the issues may not
therefore sympathise with them more. This have arose – which may reflect the truth of many middle class
will then heighten emotional experiences
households, and the idea that work is often prioritised too much.
with the character. For example, if Eve is in The name
danger, the audience are likely to feel this
Eve is in a name in the Bible. She is a girl
too, because the similarities make the
who is originally pure and virginal, but who’s
situations feel more realistic.
angelic character is tarnished by the manipulation
Female
and luring in of those that you might not expect.
Traditional idea of the female protagonist
aims to make the audience feel that the female is less
powerful and physically able than a male. She is
therefore more at risk of danger, and less likely to be able
to defend herself or get herself out of difficult situations.
The gender of our protagonist reinforces the idea that
females are “inferior, weaker and less-capable” than
males in a defence and protection sense.

6. Teacher
Mr Devlin’s job as a teacher
will be the driving force in
sending out a message that
even people in high positions
of power are capable of
deceitful
acts, and that there is a fine
line between how someone
appears to be, and
their underlying personality. Mr
Devlin’s position of trust makes
his stalking
behaviour seem more
shocking, because it is a
complete contradiction of how
we would expect a teacher to
act.
It also exposes the leanient
attitudes of those in
professional positions, who
allow such things to happen in
real life.
For example, in 2002, Ian
Huntley, a school care
taker, was convicted of the
murders of school girls Holly
and Jessica.
Male
Males are stereotypically seen as more physically
able in comparison to women, which would make them
more capable to take advantage and carry out crime. They
also are traditionally the more feared gender. For
example, The Joker, Voldermort and Dracula.
The name
Mr Devlin is similar to the word
“Devil”, which further characterises
him as evil and sinister, and therefore
a probable candidate to play the role of an
antagonist. Mention of the name should be a
subtle clue to the audience that there is something
unpleasant about him.

7. We will use torn up photographs of the protagonist at the start
of the film, which will not only introduce her as the character, but
the scattering of the photographs and the intense focus on them
in the opening will introduce the “stalking” theme.
The fact that the paper is ripped also is an indication that the
pictures have either been torn from somewhere they shouldn’t have
been, or this person has stored these photographs for a long time.
Either way, the audience understand that this person should not
have access to these images.
Use of a mobile phone will show the dangers of technology,
and how social networking has the power to harass and make
people feel suffocated, and as though they cannot escape.
Use of a modern mobile phone will also help the audience
identify the time that the movie is set in, as our movie is set
in the present day. As our film is rated 12, this will also interest
a younger audience, as mobile phones are at the epicentre of
teen culture.
The protagonist will use an electronic swipe card to get out of
the school building. This is important because it shows that
no matter what lengths you go to in order to secure yourself
and others, this security can easily be broken, even in a trusted
environment.

8. Our protagonist will be dressed in her school
uniform, because this automatically puts her
at risk of being targeted by evil people with bad
intentions.
Her uniform will be smart and clean, showing her
Middle Class background, and indicating that she
is well looked after.
She will carry a designer handbag to also reflect
wealth and her social status.
She will wear a traditional coat, to show class and heritage.
The antagonist’s hands will be shown wearing black gloves,
because their identity is not to be revealed at this part in the
film. Black gloves have connotations of robbery, murder,
cover-ups and criminal offence.

9. What needs to be done
next...
Decide on a target audience, and adapt
draft plot if necessary.
 Create a questionnaire to send out to 30
people within the target audience about
preferences with regards to films.
 Review the feedback and alter our film
accordingly and appropriately if
required.
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