Planning

Thriller Opening Sequences:

Before beginning to plan our own production, we decided to do some research on how the opening sequences of popular Thrillers. We then wrote down which elements we thought were successful, which weren't, and whether the Codes and Conventions of Thrillers were used effectively so the production is true to it's genre. 

We did this to get ideas of what we could do use in our Thriller to make the production more realistic and interesting. This task taught me the importance of using Codes and Conventions, so it is clear to the examiner what genre it is. 

First Team Meeting:

After doing research into the Thriller genre and opening sequences, we had our first team meeting to have a brief discussion of any ideas we had. The conclusions of our first meeting, as well as quotes and the video we filmed whilst discussing it are shown below:

Second Team Meeting:

After our first team meeting, we had three possible ideas for our Thriller opening. We used the Second Team Meeting to chose one of these, and to make any adjustments to allow the project to be possible and interesting to both create and watch. We decided to go for our first idea, a woman running through the woods.

After having input from the teacher, we decided to change our idea as it seemed more like a horror than a Thriller. Due to this, we changed the setting of the scene from the woods to the back alleyways of the city, and changed our character into an ex-FBI agent as opposed to a vulnerable woman being chased. We used Kill Bill as an inspiration to challenge the Codes and Conventions of the genre, and decided to use a female role. This allows us to show indivituality in our production whilst still staying in the guidelines of the genre, and gives a refreshing twist on the tradition of a male lead.

We also considered Mise-en-Scene:

• Villain: In full black, using low level lighting to keep him fully hidden by shadows. Wearing a mask to hide his identity, which is a common code and convention of Thrillers.
• Main character: Black suit, to show her professional standing and to give the indication she is trained and used to life threatening situations. The main characters in Thrillers are usually normal civilians, or part of the police force or FBI. Using an ex-FBI agent makes the action more believable and realistic. We decided to use makeup to give the indication she's injured, such as a black eye, cut lip, blood as a prop.

In the first team meeting, we had decided the villain would be chasing her, but not why. Here we said that the protagonist would be being chased by a group of villains because she has information that the they want on a disk, rather than one villain simply wanting to kill her, which is more likely to be used in the Horror genre.

By the end of second team meeting, we had a clear idea of which idea we were using, and had changed certain aspects to make it realistic and appropriate for the genre. We had also considered and planned what is going to happen throughout the entire scene and why, and had thought of any problems and considered how to overcome these. We also considered the credits in more detail the and type of score we were going to use. We decided to use fast paced music and put our title in blue on a black background. The written notes made in our second team meeting are shown below:

Thriller Questionnaire:

As we had a definite idea of what we were going to do for our Thriller opening, we researched into what our target audience expected to see in a film from the genre. This was so that we could include these in our own production, and would therefore create a more sucessful and realistic opening. 

We did this by creating the questionnaire shown below, and asked our target audience (Those aged 15-16) to circle what they expected to see in a Thriller. We included common Thriller Codes and conventions in our answers, as well as things not associated with the genre. 

media q.docx by chloepricemedia

Results:

These results gives us a clear indication of our target audience, as it was thought that the certificate expected of a Thriller would be a 15. For this reason, we know to include the things appropriate for those this age and older. It also gives us an indication of what action we are able to use, and gives us a focus group for later research.

The majority of people we asked said that they expected a Thriller to be set in a city. This is a common Code and Convention, and is used in Thrillers such as James Bond and The Dark Knight. We now know that the idea to have our character running through the back alleyways of a city is a good idea, and will keep this element of our production.

Most people expected a male lead when watching a Thriller film. This is the one code and convention we decided to challenge by having a female lead, but we have decided to keep the action that takes place realistic for the gender by using a trained ex-FBI agent. This idea is supported by Uma Therma being asked as the main character in Kill Bill, so we know this will be a successful twist.

Our results show us certain expectations of the Thriller genre, which we will use in our production. The questionnaire showed us that are target audience are those between 15-18, and are mainly male. This is due to the violence and fast pace nature of the genre. However, we have decided to create our thriller in a way that will appeal to 15 years old, as this is more specific. James Bond is shown to be the most popular among this age range, and the setting expected is a city. We will therefore base certain aspects of our Thriller on the James Bond films, and set it in a city.

Mise-en-scene Questionnaire:

As well as a general overview of what our target audience expected from the Thriller genre, we decided to produce another questionnaire that was more specific to the mise-en-scene. The questionnaire below includes questions about clothes of each characters, props, setting and the atmosphere they expected to see.

Media Questionnaire1 by chloepricemedia

Results:

We used this questionnaire to reinforce and support our choices to keep the characters dressed in dark clothing, and to use guns, as well as other forms of identification such as Passports, as props. This research gave us a clear idea of how to create a successful atmosphere by using low level lighting, which we decided to do by editing after filming the footage.

Independent Cinema Logo:

We were set the task to create a production logo that would be used at the beginning of our Thriller, this was to add a realistic element to our production as a number of production companies are shown at the beginning of all films.Before designing our own, we researched into what was considered successful by looking at the logos of well known Production companies, and commented on which elements worked well and why. This is shown on the sheet below:

We decided to use white text on a black background, and to keep the video relitavely simple, to give it a professional look. A picture of mountains were used in the background as a symbol of our production company, Peak, and the logo lasts approximately six seconds. 

Pitch to Teachers:

Feedback:

This feedback was extremely helpful because it reminded us all to keep up with our blogs whilst doing our planning for our Production, to make time more manageable. 

Improved Pitch:

Peak Productions Powerpoint - New Version by ellisbristow1997

Pitch to the Focus Group/Feedback: 

We then decided to pitch our idea to are target audience, which we determined through our earlier research (General Thriller Questionnaire). Our focus group was a male and female, as we hope to attract both genders by using a female lead, around the age of 15/16. For this we used the improved pitch and had developed on the ideas and suggestions that our teachers had previously given us. 

Using the focus group gave us a clear indication as to what our targeted focus group want, and due to this we made the following changes:

• Considered our current setting of the scene - We planned to film our opening in a Car Park to begin with, however this meeting made us realize this was unrealistic as we may not be able to get permission. Therefore, we changed our setting to the back alleys of the city.

Opening Credits

From this clip I have learnt the importance of crediting each individual for their part of the film and the amount of names mentioned in the opening scene. Also that the title often comes up last, after all for the production companies. Other titles include costume designer, music supervisor, makeup artist and others.The credits used in my film will be used and ordered in a similar way.

Planned Timeline of Credits and Events:

After watching Juno, we were set the task to plan our own Timeline, as we had done with other films such as Face Off in our Research. The Juno clip gave us all the credits we needed, and allowed us to consider how our opening would work in detail and what shots we wanted to use in our first scene.

Pitch to Class/Feedback:

Conclusion:

After receiving feedback from the rest of the class, we need to include more detail when describing how the names of cast, crew and title will appear on the screen. We have decided to use the credits to be shown in the order that is shown on Juno, and to use white text. These will fade in and out during the opening scene, which was inspired by the opening sequence of Face Off. The main title, the Seeking, will be put in white writing on a black background. This is because this is a Thriller Code and Convention, and will fade in and out. The title will be shown after the Point of View shot fades to black after the character is shot, and will last for approximately 3-5 seconds.

Where we were filming the opening scene was also an issue, so we decided to show the character running through different alleyways, which uses the Thriller convention of confined spaces.

Equipment List:

• Umbrella in case of rain.
• Dolley.
• Camera.
• Tripod.

Prop List:

• Masks for Villains to wear.
• Gun for main character + villain
• Black rucksack for main character.
• Disk - secret information.
• Passports, police badge, documents for themes of identity.

Location:

The filming location chosen is in the back alleyways of a city. This is because this setting has been shown to be expected by our research, and is also a Thriller genre Code and Convention. This location will have stairs and confined spaces, which will help our opening be appropriate for the genre. Using these aspects will allow us to create suspense and will make our opening a successful Thriller.

Film Outline:

The Seeking
Copyright	Peak Productions: Ellis Bristow, Lucy Roberts, Chloe Price.
Distribution	We will distribute our Thriller on YouTube, the internet and using 21st Century.
Feature Music	Copyright Free Score.
Formats	Recording in HD, put on disk.
Music Supervision	Lucy Roberts.
Outline	The main character, Sally Blunt, is first seen running through the dark alleyways of a city. In the scene she is being chased my mysterious masked men, who appear behind her throughout the scene. When she suspects she is being followed, she reaches into the bag she is carrying and checks the gun for bullets, which appears to be empty. She then sees one of the masked figure at the end of an alleyway before fleeing. At the end of the scene she is shot, and the scene ends with a point of view shot of the leader of the gang taking the disk in front of her, and then walking away. The screen fades to black as she loses consciousness and a white caption on a black screen reads ‘3 months earlier.’
Post production	After filming our Thriller we will then have to edit in the clips in iMovie, by editing the clips together and adding music. We will also need to record and manipulate sound perspective of heavy breathing, and to add the sound effect of gunshots.
Target Audience	Our Thriller is rated a 15, as our target audience is those aged 15 years and older. We chose this certificate because of the Thriller questionnaire we created and distributed, as this age was mainly associated with Thrillers. The survey also showed us that this genre is also targeted at mainly males, due to the action and violence conventions.
Synopsis	Imagine if Lara Croft meets James Bond, it’s the 21st century and an ex-FBI agent has vital information, but what could it be? Sally Blunt takes you on a whirlwind adventure to escape being caught by the mysterious masked men that have been following her for months in an attempt to gain the information to save mankind.

Character Development Profile:

Character Development Profile by chloepricemedia

Problems:

• Organization
• Communication
• Permission issues
• Forgetting equipment/Props
• Leaving equipment behind after filming
• Returning equipment late
• Absences
• Time organization
• Weather
• Transport issues.
• Actors/Team members not responding.
• Changes to plan without full group agreement.
• Forgetting to record notes on blog
• Batteries not charged
• Technical problems 
• Unusable footage
• Not sharing responsibilities
• Poor framing
• Poor sound
• Limited variety of shot distances, angles, movement

Risk Assessment:

• Location of filming needs to be safe - therefore we plan to check over our location before filming and see if permission is needed to shoot there.
• As it is a local area we plan to have contact number for the venue.
• Another risk is being injured when performing stunts in action shots, thereofre we plan to keep a first aid box with us at all times.
• In case contact of actors and crew members are needed, we plan to collect all important numbers in case of an emergency.
• We will also collect information on present or preexisting medical conditions for all participants.
• When using equipment and cables we intend to check all equipment before shooting to check there is no liquid or possible dangers.
• We also plan to make our participants sign an agreement letter and receive all parent/guardian contact details.

Risk Assessment Form Example.

Name: Chloe Price

School: Codsall High

Activity: Filming

Shoot Date: 6/9/13

Date of Assessment: 4/9/13

Location: Wolverhampton Town

Potential Hazard	Person (s) at Risk	Degree of Risk (Remote, Unlikely, Likely)	Degree of Risk (Major or Minor)	Preventative Methods	If Accident Occurs
Unsafe Traffic	Lucy	Unlikely	major	stay out of road	Call Number
					:0712345678

Storyboard:

STORY BOARD.docx

Shot List:

Throughout our entire production we have attempted to include certain Codes and Conventions in our production to ensure that we stay true to our genre, as well as using other aspects that may be associated with others. Researching into the Thriller genre was an important part of this, and we were able to compile a list of common Thriller Codes and Conventions and the effect of these on the audience in our Research page of our blog. These are the aspects we used that are common in the Thriller genre, and why:

• Editing the entire opening scene in black and white - Normally, this is done to give the indication that the action taking place is a Flashback, which has been used in films such as Kill Bill. We decided to use this aspect to show that our scene does not take place in the present, however in the future. The rest of the film is supposed to build up to this moment. It also gives the production a serious atmosphere, and allows us to use shadows and therefore add mystery.
• Setting the scene in a city - Most Thrillers are set in this setting because it allows the action that takes place to be realistic, as you would not expect chase scenes/gun use/this level of violence in a village. Examples of this setting being used in the genre are: Casino Royale, The Dark Knight and Face Off. This setting was also decided by our audience, and it was shown in the General Thriller Questionnaire we distributed that they expected a Thriller film to take place here.
• Tense Music - We used fast paced, tense music as it effectively gives the scene the suspenseful atmosphere we wished to portray. We believe that our music accurately represents the chase being shown between the main character and the gang of masked men, and engaged the audience as it peaked in appropriate places, such as when the main character is in extreme danger. All Thriller films have similar music, examples such as Bourne Identity.
• Villains - The theme throughout most Thrillers is good vs. Evil, and the overall purpose of these films are to show the protagonist's journey as he/she attempts to win this battle. We used a gang of villains which are inspired by the opening scene of the Dark Knight, and also had them wear masks. This links in with the convention of lack of identity, as the identity of these men are never revealed.

Feedback from Teachers:

Me and Mrs B were very impressed by your video so far. We currently think it is around 40/60. Improvement ideas:

1. Mise en scene of main character: needs to look like a young professional - blazer, badge with lanyard, etc - at moment looks too much like a girl going shopping

2. Some of the early shots don't match up - dark, then light, then very dark. No continuity of time

3. Footstep scenes are too dark

4. PEAK before distribution

5. When the villain takes objects out of the bag we can't see what he is taking. If you make it obvious he is taking things belonging to a secret agent or government official then you could lose the last scene (3 months before)

Overall some good stuff going on - with changes you could get a really good mark

Keep it up

We need to re-film some of the clips, such as the main character running up the stairs at the beginning of the scene, and the villain getting the things out of the bag at the end. This is because these two clips are too dark compared to the rest of the film, therefore there is no continuty of time and the narrative does not make any sense. We also need to change the order of the production companies.

However, we have decided to keep our character in the clothes she is wearing due to the code and convention that extra-ordinary things happen to ordinary characters. This is inspired by films such as Bourne Identity, where the character appears in jeans and a jumper as to not draw attention to himself. The main character is also an Ex-FBI agent, so therefore she would no longer need to appear professional through her clothing. 

Self Assessment of Thriller Draft Two Against Thriller Conventions: