Primary Research Focus Group Film Clip

focus group film clip

We made a clip to ask a focus group what their ideas where for our final piece. we asked them about what they would like to see in an opening thriller sequence and also what they thought of our ideas so far and any improvements or suggestions. This will help us to identify with our target audience and will help us understand and realise what people of this market want to see, and what they will enjoy and get gratifications from. This is important so we can make a good opening sequence that a variety of people will enjoy.

Inspirational mood board

We like the way seven uses montage editing to engage the audience. The use of restricted narrative build up tension to which thriller films focused on. 

For our opening sequence, we plan on showing flashbacks of the murders. 

This is a scene from sinister showing a family being hanged, this has helped us find different ways of recreating tortures.






The rolling of the dice is a fundamental focus in our opening sequence. These pictures help influence are choices in the way we position the dice in the fame.

we plan on using montage editing in our opening sequence, we hope this will engage the audience to the screen and keep them asking questions.

Initial Ideas- psychological thriller

Psychological thriller ideas.1.

• A private detective gets a visit from a man who asks him to solve a murder case.

• the P.I asks who's and he replies saying 'ours' it is himself from the future telling him he will be killed.

• the plot is about him trying to find out who's trying to kill him before he dies.  

• he ends up not finding anything no matter how many clues he follows

• he goes insane and doubts the ones he loves, himself and his sanity.

• he kills himself because he cant deal with the thought of someone constantly being after him and looking over his shoulder all the time

• turns out the killer he was looking for is himself.

this wouldn't work because;it is set in a setting that couldn't be realistically created the storyline isn't solid enough it would be hard to make it look effective and capture the audiences attention within 2 minutes without giving away the ending as it is confusing.

2.

• psychopath that has been betrayed by everyone in his life 

• his aim is to seek revenge on all the people who has betrayed him 

• he will do this by capturing them and rolling a dice to seek their fate

• each number on the dice represnts a different cruel method of torture and killing

We would present this using a restricted and non linear narrative this would entice the reader because they don't know what is going on in the film which gives the sense of enigma, exciting the audience and enticing them to watch more. Find out who the character is? what they will do? and how it will happen? 

3.

• a girl is in a mental asylum and is put in the wrong ward. the ward for serious patients

• during the day everything is normal and just like a hospital 

• however during the night it is like a whole new world and they go all creepy 

• there sat drawing on the walls, crazy people but it all disappears in the morning

• a new girl comes to the section and murders start to occur 

• she gets paranoid and thinks it is the new girl and tries to kill her

• then she realises that she has developed a personality disorder (schizophrenia) and is looking to kill herself. 

we would change this by changing the setting and finding somewhere that can look realistic.
We will change this idea by not setting it in a mental hospital as that would be unrealistic and would be hard to film, as we don't have access to a mental asylum. Also finding the amount of actors needed for this would be difficult.It would be montage edited so that looks like a scrapbook. shows the killer playing with a dice and contemplating the murders. As he researches the ways in which he will kill them it will flash back and forwards to show images of the murders which he will then stick into the scrapbook, so it starts at the end and then go to the beginning to explain the rest of the story. He will be doing all this on a flat surface and you will see short videos of his hands playing with the dice, and then images of him rolling the dice to certain numbers leading to certain scenarios. For example torture and other painful methods of death. 
we have decided to use idea 2 as our main focus for our opening sequence.

Opening Sequence Ideas

-Genre: thriller/ horror
-Psychopath getting revenge
-Dice representing the murder choice eg. hanging, drowning and suffocation
-Montage editing
-Restricted narrative
-Non linear narrative
-Soundtrack: classical music/ piano
-Sound: non diagetic, soundtrack 

Reflecting On Preliminary Task

   Throughout our preliminary task we learnt a lot of filming techniques. we had to know the principles of filming a clip and how to edit the clip together.                      
  

 This is an example of Match on action. As the detective walks opens the door on one side, the camera angle changes and shots the opposite reaction.  

Definition of Match on action: 

  Either an action commenced in shot A is completed in shot B, or an action in shot A is mirrored by an action in shot B, for example when we cut from character A in location A reading a letter to character B in location B reading the same letter.

 

 

 This is an example of how to shot a conversation following the 180 degree rule. As the characters have a conversation they have a match eye-line, this follows the 180 degree rule.

Definition of 180 degree rule:

  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.

   This is also an example of a shot reverse shot

Definition of shot reverse shot: 
  

 Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

Overall I think we followed the rules and principles of filming and editing a clip, I think the film looks professional, and could pass as a real interrogation room. Although the clip is not perfect I think it was good practice before we shot our main task. 

Preliminary Evaluation

How has this task prepared you for your production task? 

Filming the preliminary task has helped me understand the rules and principles of filming and editing a clip. It has helped me understand what is need to to make a good quality film clip

The planning stages

How did the shot list and storyboard help you?

  The shot is was a good guide to follow and gave us chronological steps to filming our clip, it was also good for a check-list so we didn't leave out any vital shot for the clip.

Did much change between planning and filming and editing?
  
  yes, we changed our dialogue in the clip and cut out some unneeded parts during the editing process. some of our filming ideas changed but they worked out better them our initial ideas. for example we didn't plan on showing the detectives feet walking, however during the filming process we thought it would give a good effect to the clip.

What challenges did you face and overcome?

   
  Finding a suitable location was hard for us, we wanted to find a room that added to the theme of interrogation, instead of finding a dark room we decided to go with a beige room for a more clean atmosphere, enabling the audience to see everything in the scene. 

What was particularly difficult?
  
 During the filming process it was difficult and time consuming having to change the camera position for the conversation film using the 180 degree rule, in hindsight next time we film a clip using the 180 degree rule we will be more likely to use multiple cameras.
  

What has it made you think about for your main task?

 It has made me think more about each camera shot and making sure that they flow nicely together during the editing process.  

Have your skills developed in anyway?


  During the preliminary task, I have found it much easier to edit a clip and structure it together using final cut.

Preliminary film clip

In this clip we are focusing on the following film and editing techniques:

match on action
180 degree rule
shot reverse shot 

Preliminary Shot List

Shot no     Shot type/angle         Action                           Sound 

 1.                    Low angle shot/ tracking shot        Detective walking                                 No sound
                   
                        (Match on action)
 2.                    Over the shoulder shot                  Detective walking through door            No sound

 3.                    Mid shot                                       Detective about to talk to suspect         No sound          
                     
                        (180 degree rule)
 4.                    Shot reverse shot                           Conversation between detective          Dialogue

 5.                    Shot reverse shot continued           and suspect                                         Dialogue

 6.                   Over the shoulder shot                   Detective and suspect                          Dialogue

 7.                   Mid shot                                        Detective walks out                           Opening and                                                                                                                                                closing door sound

Prelim Story board

Preliminary task planning

 

                                                                  

                                                                         

Sinister Opening Sequence Analysis

  In the opening scene of sinister the camera is placed in one position of the screen, they use the tree to separate the screen into the people which are being killed and the saw which is cutting the branch. Because there isn't a person on the right side of the tree it shows that it is a horror and build up tension within the scene. The saw is still moving without someone being there which would suggest it’s a spirit or something, which could suggest the sub genre of the film. Also because there is a family being hung suggest to the audience that the theme of death runs throughout the film. The shot is a wide shot, this would establish the setting, and genre of the film. The sound which is in the opening sequence is the noise of the tape playing, as if someone is watching the tape rather than us seeing what is happening as it happens. This links to the themes and storyline of the film, because there is no other sound when this is playing it makes you pay more attention or worry that something else is going to happen, although you can clearly see that they are going to die. The killer is unknown because you can’t see them, this adds suspicion and tension in the film, therefore adding to the thriller genre. because there is no one cutting the tree you also wonder who has recorded the film as the killer can’t be in two places. The lighting in the opening sequence is all using natural daylight; this could be to show that it is set in the past because they didn’t have any other light. Also the lighting would also suggest that it is set in the early morning, the way that the trees etc. hide most of the light except the light which is on the main people which shows that this is what you’re supposed to be looking at. The setting would suggest that it is in the garden because the grass and bushes etc. are all tamed and cut, this could suggest that the family is being killed in their garden at home which makes the audience question if the killer is an insider or family member. 

Orphan Opening Sequence Analysis

  The first thing the audience see in the opening sequence is a black eye, this symbolises pain and suffering as well as sadness. The use of an extreme close up sets the tone of the film and creates and uncomfortable and unnatural viewpoint for the audience.
The protagonist is a young girl, we can tell this as she is trying to apply make-up, but she isn't very good at it, this shows that she is trying to be older, when it clearly isn't working. it can also show that she is trying to hid her real identity.
A red effect is used on the make-up appliances symbolising blood and danger. this follows the convention of a thriller and set the genre. the director could also be foreshadowing the events in the film, show them that they will be a lot of bloodshed.
The use of the white rose it to symbolise innocence and purity, however the clip the rose is dying symbolising the of her innocence and purity
The red nail polish all over her hand symbolises blood on her hands, this shows that she has blood on her hand, foreshadowing the events of the film.
The font used in the clip shows the childlike aspect of the protagonist.
The uv lights on the writing and some of the frames highlights important parts of the opening sequence drawing the attention of the audience
The opening of orphan uses very restricted filming as the audience only know less or as much as the character. It uses montage editing to show parts of the story with the opening sequence.
  The opening sequence doesn't give much of the storyline away but it highlights the themes and tone of the film

Thriller genre

 Thriller films use suspense and tension as it main element, this stimulates the views mood, giving them high levels of anticipation thus enticing them into the world of the film. Thrillers are becoming a dominant genre as it allows the viewer to relieve stress and give them an adrenalin rush. It also comforts the audience as they focus on schadenfreude (a german word that means, receiving pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others). The misfortunes of other helps them to forget their misfortunes, therefore giving them a means of escape from reality.  the first thriller film was by Alfred Hitchcock, he was the first director to bring the idea about using suspense and tension as the main element of a film. Although the horror genre was already present, Hitchcock wanted to create films that kept the audience on the edge of their chairs instead of focusing the film on blood and gore. His first thriller film was called ‘the lodger’ this was the start of the thriller genre.  

Many thrillers are targeted at teens and young adults, this makes them popular as this target audience is most likely to have time to watch films in the cinema, also many people this age enjoy being scared and receiving adrenaline rushes. According to some psychiatrists, the modern horror/ thriller film serves many of the same functions for the adolescent that the fairy tale serves for the child, for instance to warn of evil in familiar places. Horror films are designed to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers, including fear and dread; and this they do. 

 However thriller films are being criticised for being the same, therefore making them less important than other genres. This is because many of them follow the conventions of a thriller film thus making them predictable and removing the suspense and tension from the film.  i has only been recently that some directors have decided to subvert many of the thriller conventions to keep the audience at suspense during the films.  the first thriller film was by Alfred Hitchcock, he was the first director to bring the idea about using suspense and tension as the main element of a film. Although the horror genre was already present, Hitchcock wanted to create films that kept the audience on the edge of their chairs instead of focusing the film on blood and gore. His first thriller film was called ‘the lodger’ this was the start of the thriller genre.  

  Many thrillers are targeted at teens and young adults, this makes them popular as this target audience is most likely to have time to watch films in the cinema, also many people this age enjoy being scared and receiving adrenaline rushes. According to some psychiatrists, the modern horror/ thriller film serves many of the same functions for the adolescent that the fairy tale serves for the child, for instance to warn of evil in familiar places. Horror films are designed to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers, including fear and dread; and this they do.   

 However thriller films are being criticised for being the same, therefore making them less important than other genres. This is because many of them follow the conventions of a thriller film thus making them predictable and removing the suspense and tension from the film.  i has only been recently that some directors have decided to subvert many of the thriller conventions to keep the audience at suspense during the films.  the first thriller film was by Alfred Hitchcock, he was the first director to bring the idea about using suspense and tension as the main element of a film. Although the horror genre was already present, Hitchcock wanted to create films that kept the audience on the edge of their chairs instead of focusing the film on blood and gore. His first thriller film was called ‘the lodger’ this was the start of the thriller genre.  

  Many thrillers are targeted at teens and young adults, this makes them popular as this target audience is most likely to have time to watch films in the cinema, also many people this age enjoy being scared and receiving adrenaline rushes. According to some psychiatrists, the modern horror/ thriller film serves many of the same functions for the adolescent that the fairy tale serves for the child, for instance to warn of evil in familiar places. Horror films are designed to elicit strong emotional reactions from viewers, including fear and dread; and this they do.  

  However thriller films are being criticised for being the same, therefore making them less important than other genres. This is because many of them follow the conventions of a thriller film thus making them predictable and removing the suspense and tension from the film.  i has only been recently that some directors have decided to subvert many of the thriller conventions to keep the audience at suspense during the films.  In my opinion thrillers is rapidly dominating the film genre, me myself is a big fan of thrillers and horrors. just like the uses and gratification theory states many people use thrillers as a means of escape. i think the longer the thriller is dominating the film genre the more interesting the genre will become, therefore expanding the recent target audience. 

In conclusion thrillers are rapidly becoming a dominant genre, but many elements have to be improved before it can appeal to a wider target audience.    

Narrative theories and opening sequence

Narrative theories in The Dark knight

Propp's character theory:

The Hero/ Protagonist: Batman/ BruceThe Villian/antagonist: The joker/Bane

The Donnor: Lucius foxThe Dispatcher: Alfred pennyworth

The False hero: Harvey dentThe Helper: Alfred pennyworth

The Princess: rachel dawes

Todorov's narrative theory:there are 5 steps to todorov's narrative theory

1. Equilibrium

2. Disequilibrium

3. Recognition of disequilibrium

4. Attempt to resolve

5. A new equilibrium

Todorov's theory applied to the dark knight:

1. Batman present, crime in gotham is low thanks to harvey dent's act on crime

2. The Joker kills Gambol and takes over his mob, this increases crime in Gotham.The joker announces that the people will die each day unless batman reveals his identity.

3. Bruce plans to reveal his identity, but dent instead names himself as batman to protect the truth, dent is taken into protective custody and pursued by The Joker across the city.

4.Batman interrogates the joker and discovers that Dent and Rachel are held in two separate buildings filled with explosives. The joker reveals their location, and Batman goes to Rachel's rescue, only to realise that the joker has tricked him into finding Dent moments before both buildings explode, killing Rachel and scarring half of Dent's face. the joker detonates a bomb in the police station and escapes with lau.

5. Batman then convinces Gordon to frame him for the murders so that Dent will remain a symbol of hope for the city. Gordon destroys the bat-signal and launches a manhunt for the Batman.  

Levi strauss binary opposites theory 

good vs evil-Batman and The Joker

male vs female-Harvey dent and Rachel dawes

Gratification theory of film

We used prezi to show what gratifications audiences can get from film. We talked about different genres of film and how they make an audience happy, and about they type of film and why people would watch it. We also brought in parts of the uses and gratifications theory, to show why an audience watches films.