Moodboard of Psychological Thrillers

These are a compilation of different photo's that portray the theme (psychological) of our thriller.

Test Shot Feedback

Shot 1- Paper falling out of pocket.
The weather may be an issue because it might blow the paper away. Also the camera strap was in shot, we could possibly to get someone to hold it.

Shot 2- Walking to open the gate
It would be better to add more shots to stop it from being too boring rather than just the back of the actor for the whole time. Add close-up of hand or change angle to see different perspectives.

Shot 3- Close up on hands
This is a good shot however, make sure the hands fill the entire frame.

Moodboard

Test Shots

For the filming of the test shots we couldn't go to our original location so we just choose a location which was similar to see what the background noise and other surrounding attributes. For the first test shot we tested the paper which has the code on fall out of the main characters pocket whilst walking along. We thought that testing this shot would help us decide on what we need to think about what things are going to contribute to the filming of this shot. As we discovered from filming this, that the weather condition will play a massive part in whether this shot will work. The day that we did the test shot, the wind was extremely strong causing the paper to land in a different place eveytime we tried to film the shot.
The second shot we decided to practice was the main character walking towards the gate that she has to walk through.We decided to practice this shot to see what the shot would look like from an audience point of view, and to see if the shot portrayed what we wanted the audience to see.
The final shot that we practiced was the close-up of the killers hand. Choosing to shoot this shot, hoped us to see what things we need to think about when filming because after doing the test shot we saw that we need to start filming before the scene takes place so that we capture the whole scene.

Shot List

Above is the list of shots that we are going to use throughout the opening sequence. Hopefully, using the shots listed we will produce a high quality thriller opening sequence.

Risk Assessment

As a group we haven't yet decided when we will be filming so for the risk assessment we have left the date empty, until we have decided the film schedule. Most of the risks that we have thought about are mainly low and medium risks.

StoryBoard

Mise-en-scene

Costume:

For our costume of the main character, We need her to be wear working clothes so that she looks like she is walking home from work. So she will probably be wearing a black skirt or trousers with a blouse and a black cardigan.

Props:

The props we will be using is a piece of paper with the code for the gate on which falls out of the girl's pocket. We will also be using a mobile phone for her to make the phone call to the mystery man. Fake blood is also going to be used on the hands of the girl to represent the murder.

Lighting:

The lighting that will be used is the ambient lighting because we are filming outside. For the lighting being outside this will cause a low key, tense atmosphere to help with the storyline of the opening sequence.

Location:

Our location is in Windsor Town because it is the main town centre in our area so to get the whole walking home from work situation we have chosen the town centre so that we get the right atmosphere for the opening.

Filming Schedule

We will be filming in Windsor Town, so we need to choose quiet periods of time to film to make sure we don't have different people in the background for continuity purposes. We will also be filming during free periods but we will need to choose the periods in the afternoon so that we get the right background noises and lighting for the opening sequence.
Tuesday 22nd February:
Period One:Test Shots
Period Five: Looking at Test Shots and uploading to Blog


Beginning of March:
Weekend: Start filming opening sequence

Audience Profile

Production Logo's of Psychological Thrillers

Hammer Film Productions:

As you can see the layout of this production company's logo is much complex than other production logos. The Black background helps to make the inner  steel shape in the centre stand out more and allows the audience see the logo more clearly, there is also a rounded hammer shape, but it is not exact. The wording is inside the red shape is very bold with a shiny looking mini-logo. All of the colours complement each other and are is basic colours.

The iconography which we have all mentioned in the above paragraph about the logo,the main shape could represent a rounded hammer which is represented in the name of the production company, but to make it look fully like a hammer it would have to be decreased on the right side. As the colours are quite strong yet dark, it could show the genre of the type of films they produce, this could lead under Horrors, Thrillers and Action movies. The Central logo of the red shiny looking,squared oval shape is very powerful and is something that is familiar which when the audience sees just a small part of the logo their will automatically link it to the production company.


It looks as though the font has been shaded around the letters as it gives the writing a 3D effect, it also looks slightly as if the letters have been cut out of the steel.The font of this production company is all the same size, it looks quite broken up even though there is the same amount of space between each letter. This could be due to the fact the writing is very square, straight and noticeable in the logo. 

 

Universal Studios:

The layout of this logo is very detailed as it contains simplistic but bold graphics. The colourfull Earth contrasts well with the black background and it draws attention to the logo. It also clearly informs the viewer of the companies name as it is clearly stated in the centre.

The iconography is very basic but effective, it's colours work well with each other to make it a different yet rememberable image for audiences to recognise. The world in the centre is linked very creativley with the name used (Universal) and the image clearly reflects this. The font is bold and large so it stands out. Also the shining effect around the world help convey it as the main feature of the logo and it emphasises the globe. 

The logo also looks 3D which creates a unique, striking image to be widley recognised around the world. But the logo is still easily reproduced as it isn't too complex.

Presentation of our opening sequence

Planning and Feedback of Opening Sequence

View more PowerPoint from windsormediagroup4

Positive Points:
Good Storyline that was simplistic but also fits in with the thriller genre of Psychological.
Through the presentation, it is seen that we have thought about our idea with depth to ensure a good understanding for the audience.
Negative Points:
As a group we need to think about the casting and credits to be shown through the opening sequence.
When filming we need to be weary of the general public and background noises.
We need to think about timings of filming, for the background lighting.
We need to work out who the characters are going to be played by to create the atomsphere.

Location

Before we start filming, we went to the location that we want to be the place that we could film the opening sequence to our film. We have chosen to film in the town centre so that there is a realism to the opening sequence that the general public walking around. All the pictures that are below are of the actual frames that will appear in the opening of the sequence. The first three pictures are the different routes that the main character will have to choose from to get home. As you can see from the third picture we are going to have to be weary of the general public because some people may not be ok with appearing in the sequence. The last three pictures are of the gate which the main character will approach to take her into the driveaway of her home.

Target Audience Profile

To establish our target audience as a group we have done some primary and secondary research to find out who would want to watch a psychological thriller as this is the genre we have chosen for our opening sequence.
Primary Research
For our primary research we decide to do a questionnaire to see what type of people enjoy thriller films. Below are, our results:

Secondary Research
The typical target audience to watch a psychological thriller are people over the age of 18. This is because they usually have a BBFC rating of 18+, as they may contain disturbing scenes and violence which isn't suitable for younger viewers. However many teenagers still watch this type of thriller despite the BBFCs rating so our main target audience will be young people ranging from the ages of 15 to 25. Although our opening sequence will be quite violent it is aimed for both male and females.

Past Student Work Analysis

The Candidate

The micro areas in relation to the genre:

• Mise en scene: The prop used that indicates this is a thriller is the blood,  as this is usually used in thrilling films. There are also many other props that add realism for example the tooth brushes. The lighting is also low key at the beginning which adds a gloomy, mysterious atmosphere; this is commonly used in thriller films.
• Sound: The sound in this opening sequence is dominantly non diegetic, it is also contrapuntal and is made up of creepy classical instruments. This is also a typical element found in thriller opening sequences. But when the main character starts to rush the sound changes and becomes parallel to the scene this is because the sound track speeds up. This allows the audience to establish that this is a thriller. There is also some diegetic sounds such as the tap running and the dialogue, this adds realism to the sequence.
• Camera Work: In this opening sequence there are a few close ups this allows the viewer to see key details which help the audience to recognise the genre of the film. For example there is a close up of the blood running down the drain. There is also a depth of field shot where the main character looks over his shoulder at the gun and passport. At first the man is in focus and the gun is blurry but then it changes the gun is in sharp focus and the man is blurry. This is also commonly used in thrillers to add suspense and tension.
• Editing: The editing used in this sequence which helped inform the audience that this is a thriller was when the man was tucking his short in it was speeded up this was to show that he was in a rush and adds tension to sequence.

I would give this opening sequence a level 4 because they held the shot steady where appropriate, they used a variety of shot distances, the shooting material was also appropriate, the mise en scene was very effective, the editing conveyed the meaning very well, they also used a selection of shot transitions, used titles appropriately and the sound and editing was appropriate.

Potential Sub-Genre!!

As a potential sub genre for our opening sequence, we have decided to look into Crime Thrillers to see what sort of things we need to include in the opening sequence.
This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasise action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films includes serial killers/murders, robberies, chases, shoot-outs, hoists and double crosses.
The conventions that we need to think of using if we decide to choose Crime as our sub-genre are:

• Suspenseful account of failed or successful crimes
• Features- murder/robbery/shoot outs/double cross/scenarios
• Can glorify the rise and fall of a criminal- often based on real people
• Set in a large crowded cities to provide the viewer with an insight to a secret world
• Characters have an ambitious desire for success or recognition
• Rivalry between binary opposite characters is strong
• Many locations - seedy & interior settings

Sub Genre Opening Sequence Analysis

Taxi Driver: Psychological thriller.
Total running time of opening sequence: 2:22


The following generic conventions used are:


There is an introduction of the production company who are Columbia; this is all in complete silence, with no music playing. The soundtrack begins as smoke appears on the screen as a taxi drives towards the camera with the name of the movie appearing on screen. An indication of the location is shown when the camera is using a P.O.V shot from inside the taxi giving the audience an awareness of what the taxi driver will be able to see. Details of the cast and crew are conveyed throughout the whole of the opening sequence as it continuously displays the names of the different people involved in the making of the movie from music producers to the actual actors themselves. Having many different extreme close ups of the main characters face focuses the audience on him and makes them more aware of his personal looks and emotions, as well as unconsciously allowing the audience to remember and know his features before showing them him in the rest of the movie. The simple ness of only using a car as a prop and showing the man's face, as well as the traffic he is seeing has a greater impact and affect on the genre used. It is showing the audience a quiet and tense atmosphere indicating it being a thriller.


The following sub genre conventions used are:
Mise en scene: Characters weren't fully shown in the opening sequence until the end, when a man is a police uniform appeared, this shows is that they're are in the police force and gives the audience awareness of some of their background. Props used were only a car, as they kept the opening sequence as simple as possible without the need of too many props to emphasise the car, being a taxi. The lighting is kept very low key to stick to the theme of a thriller, making the atmosphere tense and dark. This all helps the viewers understanding of a thriller making them aware that it's not a happy, romantic comedy.
Camera Techniques: Extreme close up on the main characters face to emphasise and show the emotions and characteristics of him, allowing the audience to recognise his personal feelings. There is an out of focus shot whilst in the car making the audience aware of the lights and rain hitting the window whilst driving it. Over the shoulder shot when the main character is walking through the door into an office.
Editing Techniques: Fade in at the beginning from the titles to the actual movie shot. Fade in and fade outs are used throughout the entire opening sequence to go from scene to scene. Long shot duration is used in most of the scenes helping aid viewers understanding as they are able to see the shots for a longer period of time, therefore they can take more in.
Sound and Music: The opening sequence starts off with complete silence as the production titles appear and as the taxi starts up and drives towards the camera, after the taxi comes into view and smoke is produced a soundtrack starts. The soundtrack starts off very loud and brashly, making the audience pay more attention and feel more involved. It then turns calm and mellow with a soft playing violin to then change to harsh and loud again, and then to quiet again. This helps portay a confusing, mind boggling beginning to a similar theme throughout the movie itself. The soundtrack was a non diegetic, fast paced which ran parallel with the visuals, however they also sounded contrapuntal when the camera was focusing on the mans face, as he looked uncomfortable and distressed whereas the music was happy and bubbly. The only diegetic sounds were used with the dialogue right at the end of the opening sequence to introduce us the rest of the movie.

Unbreakable: Psychological thriller.
Total running time of opening sequence: 5:01

The following generic conventions used are:

There is an introduction of the production companies before the actual beginning of the movie. Then it moves on to a black screen with white writing on it, talking about comic books. It then jumps straight into the first scene without any theme tune or credits. After this first scene is plays a short soundtrack whilst displaying the names of some of the main actors involved before the actual name of the title 'Unbreakable', then moving back into antoher scene with titles of other actors at the bottom of the scene. The location is in various places, first a department store where the mother and her baby are, then to the main character in a moving train.

The following sub genre conventions used are:

Mise en scene: Some characters were fully shown when the woman and baby were in a department store room with other people around here, all concerned about the babies welfare, also whilst the man and woman are in the train together they are shown as unfamiliar with each other and lonely. Props used were very minimal and not fully shown, such as a phone and a ring and a car, also keeping the opening sequence as simple as possible without the need of too many props. The lighting is portrayed as low key to stick to the theme of a thriller, making the atmosphere tense and dark as well as high key to fully show the scenes in an open and easy way.
Camera Techniques: Mid shots are used whilst the mother and baby are in the department store to allow the audience to see exactly where they are and what its like. 
Editing Techniques: Fade in at the beginning from the titles to the actual movie shot. Then it turns into a black out as it goes from the first scene to showing more titles, including the name of the movie. Long shot duration is used in most of the scenes helping aid viewers understanding as they are able to see the shots for a longer period of time; therefore they can take more in.
Sound and Music: The opening sequence also starts off with complete silence as the production titles appear and the first scene with the black and white contrast about comic books is broadcasted. After this it goes straight into the mother and child in a department store room where there is only diegetic sound from dialogue to a baby screaming. The soundtrack then starts off very subtle and short. The soundtrack was a non diegetic, mellow, yet fast paced sounding music.

Sub Genre Opening Sequence Analysis

The Shining opening sequence:

Psycological Thriller: The Shining
Total running time of opening sequence: 2 mins 46 secs


This opening sequence makes use of the following generic opening sequence conventions:In The Shinings opening sequence there isn't an induction to the main character type, however the theme tune is introduced and played throughout all of the opening sequence. There is also an indication of the location where the film is set, this is portrayed by an arial view (extreme long shot), filmed by a helicopter. Another generic opening sequence convention that this contains is the name of the producer and director, Stanley Kubrick. This opening sequence also contains the names of the main actors, producers and the name of the film. The viewer is given a clue that the genre of this film is a psychological thriller because of the creepy, classical music and the remote location.

This opening sequence makes use of the following sub genre conventions:
Mise en Scene: The only prop used was a car, this could indicate lonelyness as through the majority of the opening sequence there was only one car in the shot.
Camera Techniques: Birds eye view, extreme long shot also portrays lonelyness as it gives the viewer an idea of how remote the location is. Close up of car shows that there is only one person in it.
Editing Techniques: Long shot duration this conveys detail of the location, cuts show the progression of the journey without the viewer loosing interest, dissolve also shows the journey but without being abrupt and adds a slow pace.
Sound and Music: Non diegetic soundtrack, made up of classical instruments which creates a tense and frightening atmosphere. It was also slow paced and contrapuntal becasue it didn't match the images, this created a mysterious and strange effect.


Signs Opening Sequence:

Pschological Thriller: Signs
Total Running time of opening sequence: 3 mins 30 secs


This opening sequence makes use of the following generic opening sequence conventions:
Introducton to the theme tune throughout most of the opening sequence. It starts with the names of the makers, producers, directer and main actors. This is simular to The Shinings opening sequence but these names appear over a colour instead of the actual film. There is also an indication of the place where the film is set, it also looks remote just like The Shinings location. There is a close up of a picture of a family which shows the important characters. Then the viewers are introduced to the main protagonist, this differs to The Shinings opening sequence as there were no characters in it. Unlike The Shinings opening sequence there is an enigma which is a girl screaming. The infomation on the genre are the location, title, sounds and music.

This opening sequence makes use of the following sub genre conventions:
Mise en scene: props: picture of family could suggest they are in danger because it is shown with low key lighting, most of the sequence is made up of shadows and dim lighting, this adds mystery and could play with the viewers mind as they think something bad is about to happen. Socks on the floor add realism.
Camera Techniques: high angle shot, shows the garden through a window, extreme close up of mans face this makes the viewers jump slightly as it is very sudden, also shows his worried facial expressions. There is a medium shot of his bed, shows that he has woken up from a nightmare. Low angle shot of him picking up socks shows hes in control. There is a crab to emphasize panic when the man is leaving the house.
Editing Techniques: There is long shot duration when the man has just woken up this draws the viewer in as in makes you wonder what is going to happen. Shot short duration this is different to The Shinings opening sequence and adds a fast pace and tension.
Sound and Music: Whilst the producers information and main characters names come up there is a non diegetic sound track made up of classical instruments which create tension. This is very simular to The Shinings opening sequence. There is also diegetic, ambient sounds such as the main protagonist breathing, dialogue and the girl screaming. Not only does the girls screaming act as an enigma, it also makes the viewer feel tense and scared.

Sub Genre Opening Sequence Anyalsis

Hard Candy

Hand Candy is a psychological thriller, the opening sequence is 1:33 minutes long. This is one of the shortest opening sequences. The sequence doesn't contain any images from the actually film. At the beginning, the audience sees who are presenting the film 'Lions Gate Films Presents'. Then we have the production team's name. From this opening sequence you don't find out anything about the film, this is good because it leaves the audience wondering about what the film is actually about. Having the red boxes and the white background could be a contrast of blood and peace maybe these two colours are a major part of the film.

The Shining

The Shinings opening sequence there is no induction to any of the main character but the theme tune is introduced and played throughout the whole opening sequence.  This opening sequence also contains the names of the main actors, producers and the name of the film. The viewer is given a clue that the genre of this film is a psychological thriller because of the creepy, classical music and the remote location. There is also an indication of the location where the film is set, this is portrayed by an aerial shot (extreme long shot), filmed by a helicopter. Another generic opening sequence convention that this contains is the name of the producer and director, Stanley Kubrick.

 The only prop which was used is a car, this could portray a loneliness factor of the film as through the majority of the opening sequence there was only one car in the shot.
Again using an extreme long shot helps portray loneliness as it gives the audience an idea of how remote the location is. Close up of car shows that there is only one person in it.
Long shot duration this conveys detail of the location, cuts show the progression of the journey without the viewer loosing interest, dissolve also shows the journey but without being abrupt and adds a slow pace. Non diegetic soundtrack, made up of classical instruments which creates a tense and frightening atmosphere. It was also slow paced and contrapuntal because it didn't match the images, this created a mysterious and strange effect.

Both films have very different opening sequences even though, they come under the same sub-genre of psychological thriller. Most psychological thrillers have the same sort of opening sequence. These two films are very different, firstly that Hard Candy doesn't show any characters or location of the film whereas The Shining shows the location and one of the characters. Neither give too much away about the narrative.

Britsh Board of Film Classifications

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent company, that has been classifing films since it was first created in 1912. And ever since 1984, the BBFC also classify videos. The BBFC classify films under different age ratings depending on the contents of the film. During this process the BBFC have to consider many elements when determining what age to rate the film. These elements are; nudity, drugs, discrimination, horror, imitable behaviour, language, sex and violence. And the age ranges are U,PG, 12, 12a, 15, 18, R18. To classify a film in to one of these age ranges the BBFC have to gather and produce an extensive amount of research to create their guidelines. These guidlines are updated every four years because as society evolves, there may be changes in the laws and legislatons that the BBFC need to take on board. This type of research is an example of primary resarch.


When the BBFC classify 12/12a films they must consider the following terms:
>Language must be moderate and the use of strong language must be infrequent.
>Discrimination is usually not accptable for this classfication.
>Drug use should be infrequent and should not be glamourised.
>Horror may be permitted, if disturbing scenes aren't frequent.
>Imitable behaviour should not dwell on detail which may be copied.
>Nudity is allowed but sexual context must be discreet.
>Sexual activity must be breif. Continuous crude references probably won't be acceptable.
>Violence is allowed if moderate and should not emphsize detail.



When the BBFC classify 15 films they must consider the following terms:>Drug taking may be shown however the use of drugs should not be promoted.
>Horror is permitted unless sexualised or sadistic.
>Imitable behaviour should not dwell on detail which may be copied.
>Strong language is permitted.
>Nudity and sexual context is accepted but without strong detail.
>Strong violence may be permitted but without emphasis on pain or injury.


When the BBFC classify 18 films they must consider the following terms:
They contain most of the mentioned elements in a more graphic detail that is unacceptable for younger viewers.