The group researched thriller movies to inspire ideas for their film's plot and characters. They decided on the title "Mutual Findings" to hint at revelations for more than one character. The protagonist Eve is a 15-year-old middle class female student, making her seem vulnerable. Her teacher Mr. Devlin is the potential antagonist, his position of trust making his behavior seem shocking. Details of Eve's school uniform and Mr. Devlin's black gloves are provided to characterize them. Next steps include deciding the target audience and gathering feedback.

1. Ideas, planning and plot
development



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 child, and
therefore more vulnerable and
easy to
incorporate into difficult
situations. Children are often
stereotyped as naive, and the
danger Eve
ends up in reinforces this
stereotype.
The name
Eve is in a name in the Bible. She is a girl
who is originally pure and virginal, but who’s
angelic character is tarnished by the manipulation
and luring in of those that you might not expect.
Female
Traditional idea of
the female
protagonist
aims to make the
audience feel that
the female
is less powerful
Middle class background
and physically
In the Media, it is always children from working class backgrounds able than a male.
who are represented as dangerous and at risk. This is often blamed She is therefore
on the absence of parental guidance. The aim of Eve coming from more at risk.
a middle class background aims to relay a message that bad things
can happen to anybody, and anybody can be subject to a good or evil
personality, despite their background, image or how they appear.

6. Teacher
Hopefully, 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.
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.
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. The use of pen and paper was inspired by Black Swan.
It will be used to visually foreshadow how the plot progresses.
For example, the writing will start off slowly, and progressively
pick up a pace, mirroring the tension in the plot.
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.
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.
