Looking back at my preliminary task I felt like my understanding towards creating our thriller opening sequence had improved greatly. The reason being is our group planning when creating the preliminary task wasn’t as well done because of confusion of what our storyline should be and the correct characters starring. During the start we all had our own specific ideas and had agreement issues but as time went out and as we went on wanting to create our thriller opening ‘One for the Road’ we all came up with a theme and style we wanted to stick with. Our planning of characters, location, props and equipment was used to its full advantage since we went out of school premises to film. We were also more inventive which allowed us to re-create similar shots and scenes from films we were looking at in order to help us to influence us. The location, props, costumes and equipment was properly discussed and planned out which helped the group in case any group members were absent when it came to filming. We also filmed it fitting to our school timetable where as when filming the preliminary task we had very little time because we weren’t sure of the other team members timetable. Once creating the preliminary task, my knowledge of how to create a successful mise en scene had grown. Within 'One for the road’ opening sequence, you can see we have clearly thought about the location, the costumes, the shot types, the lighting and appearance of the characters. This was not portrayed within our preliminary project. In our final project we ensured that the costumes worn by our two characters represented their roles; the protagonist dressed in dull, black casual attire. The location was not a typical thriller location as it was filmed during the day; however this was done on purpose in order to make our opening seem ‘normal’. With our preliminary task although the equipment used was similar to what we used in our thriller opening sequence the camera shots and angles weren’t used to its best advantage. We stuck to only simple camera shots such as 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot, close up and match on action. The shots used were limited because we wanted to first experiment and get ourselves familiarised with the various shots and angles we could do and how effective it was. As well as using the camera we had access to the tripod which was used effectively and helped us in keeping our shots steady. In the beginning it took we time to figure out how to adjust to the right size but when it came to our thriller opening we were certain how to adjust it to the suitable size. In our opening sequence we made use of the camera being held up by the tripod for steady shots as well as holding it in our hand to create camera shots such as POV and shaky camera. Shots such as close ups, extreme close ups, mid shot, wide shot, match on action, POV and 180 degree rule were used throughout, as we adapted some from our preliminary task. For both the preliminary task and thriller opening sequence we used similar programmes used by the Mac. Final Cut Pro and Garage Band were both used for editing and creating music. Having minimal knowledge of our editing program Final Cut Pro when compiling our footage of the preliminary task together, the standard of editing was poor. You can see this as we have not cut some clips short enough and some cuts are untidy. Since doing this, I have learnt how to successfully edit on Final Cut Pro and ensure the finished cut has as much as professional look as is possible. I also I also have learnt how to show a relation between two characters through placing cuts together. This was especially important in our thriller opening scene with the female character walking in the car park as she walks around the car. Our thriller opening was better off because there was more of the film to edit as it was longer and better effects to add because of our chosen theme (neo-noir films). Below I added our thriller opening to Youtube and annotated it throughout. The annotations point out the use of music, genre conventions and similarities to other films. Filming our opening sequence ‘One for the Road’ we wanted to make sure that we adhere to all codes and conventions of a thriller. In order to create our opening sequence we gained influence from neo-noir films such as Snatch and Touch of Evil. We re –created a similar style in our thriller production. In order to attract our target audience (17-25 years old) we decided with a narrative which not only suited our chosen style but was able to attract our target audience.
‘One for the road’ is based on a kidnapper who abducts a young girl. This is a popular narrative which appeals to all audiences, especially our target audience as it is aimed at the younger generation. Our inspiration for this particular narrative was from the film ‘The Call’. A similar scene which was filmed in a car park with the young girl being abducted by an elder man. We saw an opportunity to create something similar however with a twist and changing the protagonists from a male into a female which is not expected in your typical thriller films. The secret which is later revealed allows the audience to see who the young girl is to the abductor as it is all for revenge. Keeping the audience in the dark draws them in to the film and keeps them on edge. Our location was filmed in a car park which made the narrative more surreal and not a typical thriller location which means the audience will be more engaged. The reason being is because it enables them to establish the theme as it a dark and dull with not much colour, having connotations of danger, unknowing and fear. Although we were focusing on neo-noir films the car park scene idea initially came to us from the film ‘The Call (2013)’. Both ‘One for the road’ and ‘the call’ being from the same genre, crime/thriller. As well as the location the props included in the car park was kept simple with just the main car used as the kidnappers cars/keys and shopping bags. In order to make the situation look normal we used a basic black car, the reason for using a dark coloured car is because it had connotations of mystery and aggression. The main characters of our opening sequence were represented as a stereotypical young woman specifically to attract our target audience. As Blumler and Katz’s theory suggests on of the reasons audiences engage within the media text would be identification and we wanted our audience to immediately identify with her with her which is why she is represented as The British film ‘Snatch (2000)’ has all characters in casual attire which is an archetype of what it seen as typical clothing for thrillers. Throughout the tension from the music is built up till the end of our opening. At a point where the music gets high pitched it gives a hint to a significant scene which is about to occur, allowing the audience to feel the dramatic explode. A soundtrack produced by Hans Zimmer from the film ‘Inception (2010)’ built up imagination throughout the music with electrifying sounds building up tension. In order for the scenes to build up tension with the music in the background the correct edits and shots had to be filmed. Many jump cuts are involved to keep the audience unaware of what is going on creating mystery throughout. However many close ups, match on actions and extreme close ups of the protagonist character will show their emotion for the audience viewing. Quick, sharp shots of the antagonist character means the identity of them is not too clear for those to see. Film distribution is the process of making a film available for viewing by an audience. Distribution to cinema is the highest part of the value chain which brings in the most profit for the institutions. Warner Bros being a well-known conglomerate will have vertically integrated companies which will distribute the institution’s films globally. Warner Bros is one conglomerate which could be considered a good institution to distribute our film ‘One for the Road’, because it has in the past distributed thriller films such as Run All Night (2015) and The Dark Knight (2008). Dark Knight was distributed in 4,366 different theatres in about 70 countries, breaking the previous record for the highest number of theatres held by The Pirates of the Caribbean in 2007. Because we want to target a mass audience, the global distribution network of Warner Bros would be good. The number of theatres includes 94 IMAX theatres, although we have only created an opening sequence, we would expect our film to have action and effects which lend it well to this sort of exhibition. We want our film to be available to a mass audience and the various ways they can consume it. Starting from releasing our film in the cinema to it going down in the value chain of the film industry, it will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, television/demand, online (Netflix, Love film and online streaming) and to rent. As a conglomerate with subsidiary companies, Warner Bros would streamline this distribution process.
Warner Bros use online ticketing services, which could help our film’s exposure by advertising it online and allowing ease of ticket purchase. To promote films they use various types of technology and different software such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and the Warner Brothers website. As these social networking sites are targeted to a mass audience of over 1,000,000 they are bound to gain a large viewing. Hash tagging, retweeting and likes on Twitter and Facebook allow people to share their personal opinions of what the film entitles; therefore this is an effective way of marketing the film. Regarding the film we produced ‘One for the Road’ we would market it the same way as the ‘Dark Knight’ since they are the same genres and Warner Bros use of social networking contributed majorly to the box office achievement. Distributing with a conglomerate can create lots of synergy opportunities. Creating a website for ‘One for the Road’ will require features such as Cast and Crew, Games, Online ticketing, Gallery, Social media links and merchandising. To gain a wider audience we will be joining popular social networks Twitter and Facebook, this way people can find out more information regarding the film’s release and further information. Warner Brothers have various games available to download on smartphones and tablets, for example an app based on the film ‘The Dark Knight’ created by Game loft is available for all ages and free download. For our film ‘One for the Road’ we would want an app released for smartphones and tablets, a crime/thriller game. The content in our game would be filled with some violence as our film is based on a kidnap. Warner Bros have operating offices in more than 30 countries and releasing films in over 120 international territories, either directly to theaters or in conjunction with partner companies. ‘The Dark Knight’ was released in many countries such as Japan, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, India and many more. The international release made the film become the biggest box office sensation it is today. Our film would appeal to an international audience because the genre the same as ‘The Dark Knight’ is a film made with a wide variety of elements taken from high grossing films which have made it international. During our planning and production me and my team members split the responsibilities evenly. For the production I was not here as i was away, therefore my responsibility was the editing. We decided as i have had practise of editing previously from doing the preliminary task Since i was not there for the filming my main resposibilty was the editing. We decided that I would be in charge of editing as i have had past experience with it from doing the preliminary task. Compared to the other members i am more familiarised with the software and. As i know my way around the software program I will use the effects to my full advantage and add in similar ones to my knowledge from our preliminary task. Researching into thriller opening sequences allowed me to recognise the various codes and conventions used in crime/thriller films. For our particular sub genre and style i will be mainly focusing on neo noir films such as Snatch, Touch of Evil and Drive. By continuously looking at opening sequences of these films i will able to re create the many effects and cuts in our opening, making it into a proper. Throughout i have been taking the lead role , making sure everyone has a even responsibility. By being in charge I am able to guide my other team members into doing the best they can and making sure they are doing the correct task. As one group member left I had to re arrange the tasks making sure me and the other member had an equal amount to do as well as providing the right equipment. Although my other group member was in charge of sound I had little input in what sounded right and how it suited our production. Garage Band was the program the sound was created on. Since we did not have audio from the characters due to technical issues the music was created by my team member and fitted perfectly with our final production. Fern Morrey (Protagonist) comes back from her shopping trip as she walks back to her car. A young boy (Jason Cannon) stands suspiciously glaring over at Fern, waiting for her to stop whilst he catches her attention. As she stops by her car struggling to put her shopping bags away she is intruded by Jason Cannon, he offers to help but when Fern replies "No" he aggressively pulls the shopping bags away from her wanting to help. A phone suddenly rings and not realising where the sound is coming from Fern ignores it and walks away, until she hears the sudden sound again walks to the boot and realises it’s the young girl who she’s abducted. She slams the boot door shut and gets into the car, beside her is an alcohol bottle, tempted as the bird on the Whiskey bottle glares at her. Previously Fern was an alcoholic and because of all the pressure she is feeling for kidnapping the young girl the temptation slowly gives in, she soon swings back the bottle and heads of for the road. As she’s driving she realises the guilt eating away at her and stops the car at an abandoned road. She then goes to open the boot, release the rope of her hands and feet and notices a necklace the young girl is wearing. Memories start to flash back at Fern as she comes to a realisation she gave that particular necklace to her younger sister 10 years ago when she ran away from home. Eventually after putting the pieces together and understanding that the revenge on whom she is taking it on is someone who was very close to her once in her life.
The meaning behind our title name 'One for the Road' is based on two ideas in our opening.
Firstly, as our film narrative is based on the road therefore we wanted the name to represent the full meaning of our narrative. Secondly, 'one for the road' defines having a final drink before leaving a place and because the main character is a recovering alcoholic, this connotes to the audience. In our thriller opening sequence we do not have any dialogue due to technical problems. Because of the technical problems we could not get the non-diegetic sound to feature in the scene were both characters were conversing. Instead we took out all non-diegetic sound and added in our music in the background.
Through out the process of filming our production and editing we experienced some challenges. A team member unfortunately left the team which meant there were more responsibilities for myself and my other team member.
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