Back-up Location

This is our back-up location - The Stansted Nature Reserve, also known as Alsa Wood. We will film here tomorrow if there is still construction work going on at our original chosen location.

Meeting 31/01/2012

Today we discussed final planning for our filming day tomorrow (01/02/2012). We will film straight after school as there will still be an optimum amount of light for us to film in. We also discussed a different filming location in case the one we are hoping to film in is still undergoing construction.

Lighting Update

Due to the switch in our filming location, the lighting will differ slightly. Previously, we planned to film around 6 o'clock, whilst it was dark however since we won't be able to use the artificial lamps (as they require to be plugged in and we're filming outside) we will not be able to see clearly what's been filmed as the camera records 3 shades darker and due to the lack of natural light. Therefore we will still use naturalistic lighting however film earlier on in the day, preferably 4 o'clock. This will mean we will be able to see what we filmed when we look back on our work. We could also improve the brightness of the clip in case the recording is still to dark however we will not be able to improve it greatly.

Editing

Final Cut Express - Is a video editing software designed by Apple. It allows us to, once uploaded, edited our videos, customising them in various ways such as: shortening clips, adding music, adding effects, edit lighting, add or remove intra-diegetic/ diegetic sounds. By using this software, we hope that our final piece will look more professional and authentic in order to achieve a well-rounded and believable thriller opening. It will also help us to add credits into our opening sequence which are very important. Despite all this, from past experience, Final Cut Express does require more time to edit our openings, therefore we will have to allocate more time to the editing.

Further Font Research

As of now we have a solid story line and title (Nostalgia) to work with, I decided to do further research into font styles for our credit sequence:

The fonts name is 'Plane Crash' and personally I feel that it conveys incompleteness due to the eroded letters. Therefore this reflects the Detectives eroded life since the loss of his daughter, Alice, he is no longer whole and the font reflects that.

A different approach to the title. This conveys a handwritten style, as if possibly Alice wrote it before she died. It also implies vulnerability and innocence, as it looks as though someone young wrote 'nostalgia'.


Like the previous font, this has a innocent aura around it as if it too were written by a young girl. The circle above the I also has the implication of youth, especially a female touch.

This font is named 'angry chalk' and to me, that suits our film rather well. The font looks as if it had been written desperately and hastily therefore it could be mirroring Alice's desperation and last act before she was killed. It also has a rather unnerving and uncomfortable tone to it.

Updated Film Schedule

As we were unable to film last Wednesday due to construction, we moved our filming date to Sunday 29/301/2012.

Equipment

Panasonic HDC-SD9 - This is the hand held camera we will use to film our thriller opening. Reasons for choice is that it can be connected to a tripod to allow for sturdier filming and avoid shakiness of camera which can lose us marks. Also that it is compatible with the iMac's which we have access to at school and we can upload what we film with ease to it.

iMac- The apple product allows us to use software such as Final Cut Express which we can professionally edited our thriller openings on once they've been filmed making them look authentic and believable. We are also able to connect the Panasonic HDC-SD9 cameras to them to upload our openings.

Trip-pod - This 3-legged stand allows us to place the Panasonic HDC-SD9 camera on with ease to allow for sturdier filming and avoid shakiness of camera. The legs can also be adjusted twice to allow the tripod to be extended and allowing for varying heights of filming; this can be especially helpful whilst performing high angled and low angled shots.

Transportation

In order to be prepared for when we go to film, I decided to do a post on transportation to avoid any uncertainty or accidents. We hope to film this Sunday (29/01/2012) therefore we will use a car to get to the filming location and also it will mean that the equipment will be less likely to get damage. However if filming does not go to plan like previously then we will have to use a bus to get to our filming location. the 301 bus comes every hour opposite Gaces Acre and costs between £1.50 - £3.00.

Use of Dialogue in Thriller Films

Dialogue is used in films to create a realistic atmosphere for the audience, it can represent that of exchanges whilst buying food, talking to parents or with friends. Dialogue helps the narrative plot to evolve by revealing key facts about either specific characters or locations, explaining reasons for committing crimes. The ulterior motive of film dialogue is to communicate 'why?' and 'how?' and 'what happens next?' to the audience. The 'what happens next?', as mentioned previously, helps fluency of the narrative plot. Below is a clip from 'Angels And Demons' showing the effect of narrative and how it supplements the narrative plot: 



Dialogue can also paint a thematic or marl image in both the characters and audiences mind. With reference from my previous research and additional findings from http://www.filmreference.com/encyclopedia/Criticism-Ideology/Dialogue-FUNCTIONS-OF-DIALOGUE-INNARRATIVE-FILM.html Alfred Hitchcock used this technique in his films. An extract from one his films 'Foreign Correspondent' (1940), illustrates a Nazi warns as well as threatens the Americans to participate in the fight:

"All that noise you hear isn't static; it's death coming to London. Yes, they're coming here now; you can hear the bombs falling on the streets and the homes. It's as if the lights were all out everywhere, except America. Keep those lights burning"

Voice overs is a technique where non-diegetic sound is placed over the top of a clip of film to add description of whats happening, setting the scene or revealing points about characters. The 'voice over' character does not have to a part of the film however can act as a choric figure and interact with other characters. We may use voice overs whilst the credit sequence is going on to keep the audience engaged and reveal possible plot devices.
Therefore all the above clearly shows how dialogue can be effective and is extremely important within thriller openings. We will hope to include as many of these dialogue techniques as possible to help build suspense, create thematic images and aid narrative and plot.

Use of Ambient Sounds in our Thriller Opening

By doing further research into ambient sounds, I realised that majority of thriller openings use ambient sounds to create that realistic atmosphere which, in turn, leads to a more eerie mood. The audience are also able to empathise with the character or characters in the scene as they will most probably be familiar with everyday sounds such as the closing of a car door, traffic, a crying child, a ringing phone etc.

The ambient sounds which will be apparent in our thriller opening will be that of a car door closing, footsteps, cars passing, heavy breathing and the naturalistic sounds you would expect to hear while passing through a forest.   

Filming Update

Today we went to Stansted to film the opening of our thriller. However, construction work (shown below) had started the day before and therefore means that we could not film. We are planning to try film again on the 29th of January in hope that the construction work has been finished by then. If it hasn't, we will have to relocate to another spot.

First day of filming

As sunset is at 4:34pm, we will need to have filmed all of the outside scenes by then so we will be leaving school early to allow as much time as possible to film.

Script For Thriller Opening

Below is our script for our thriller opening:

(Detective on the phone to chief inspector)
Detective: Pursuing suspect Dominic Christopher, case 167. I know, I wont mess this up. (Credit sequence appear. Voice over) Trust me.

(detective moves teddy from dashboard, triggers flashback. Alice appears in the seat next to him)
Alice: Dad, dad. Come on we'll be late for school. (credit sequence appear. Voice over) Whats wrong?

Detective: I have him in my sights. In pursuit of victim now. (credit sequence appear. Voice over) He's mine. (gets out of car)

Detective: (While pursuing Dominic) Dominic, stop!

(Grace and Ruby Jones walk past detective, holding hands. Ques second flashback)
Detective: Alice, listen. Just be careful. (Kneels down)
Alice: I'll be fine. (Voice over) You worry far too much.

(Detective runs around the corner. Dominic is no where to be seen)
Detective: (On the phone) I've lost him. He's gone. (Voice over. Title appears) I'm sorry I let you down.

Meeting 25th January

Everyone attended today.
Today Jack wrote the script ready for filming in Bentfield End in Stansted later on. Becky researched music for the thriller opening and Mike finished some posts.

Prop List

An update on the prop list:

A computer written police report form stating the criminal 'Dominic Christopher', personal facts and crime he is suspected of.  This will be used by the detective for verifying if he is pursuing the right man.

Risk Assessment Update

As we've changed the location of our opening, I had to carry out another risk assessment of the area.

1. First of all, as we are filming in a car, we have to ensure that the car is completely turned off so we cannot accidentally lean on the accelerator pedal. 
2. Secondly, we have to make sure that where ever the car is parked that it doesn't cause an inconvenience for other drivers going past. To avoid this we will park it where there is no yellow lines, not blocking anyone's drive and not sticking out to much in the road. 
3. As we are filming on a field used by other people, we have to make sure we do not run into anyone during the pursuit scene. To avoid this we will check if anyone is coming before filming to avoid any sort of collision. 

Costume Update

As our last costume list does not entirely fit with our new plan for the opening, I decided to research further costumes which would create a more authentic and believable opening.

I decided that if the daughter wears a school uniform it will allow the audience to feel sympathy towards the detective's daughter as well as creating a vulnerable persona. It also shows that the daughter is of a young age in the flashbacks, as a result of this, the audience can be mislead as they do not know the age of the daughter in the present time in the film.

To show a contrast and change in time from the other flashback, I thought that if the detectives daughter wears a more everyday outfit (as shown in the photo to the left) then it would show that time has passed and that specific memory stands out to the detective.

Meeting 25/01/2012

Today we called a group meeting to discuss final decisions on our film. First of all, we all decided on the film title 'Nostalgia', each of us think that it fits the mysterious element that we are trying to get across to our audience.  We decided that we will film on Wednesday 26/01/2012, as the weather (shown by the previous weather post) should not be raining during the afternoon when we are going to film.

Character roles

Below are our character roles for our thriller opening:

• Jack Willson - Detective Vince Clarke, father of Alice Clarke. 
• Rebecca Wilson - Grace Jones, trades paths with Detective Clarke. 
• Michael Pearce - Dominic Christopher, criminal being pursued by Detective
• Emily Willson - Ruby Jones, daughter of Grace Jones
• Chloe Willson - Alice Clarke, daughter of Vince Clarke

Final Title

We have agreed to name our thriller Nostalgia.

Nostalgia - The 18 century word originates from the Greek word 'nostos' meaning 'homecoming'. It is defined as a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time. Therefore this can be linked to the detectives state of mind and feelings. He is having a nostalgically effected by these flashbacks of when his daughter was alive, when she was safe and far from harms reach. He is constantly having thoughts/ flashbacks of previous times and he longs to have her back.  

Hopefully the name of the thriller will tell the audience the enough about the story with just the title. The title represents the remembrance of the daughter and how the detective misses the happiness and the memories.

Weather update for filming

To pre-empt the weather for our filming day (25/01/2012) I looked on the bbc website and looked at the weather

Logo

This is our production logo. Gemini productions. The sign is the sign for gemini which is twins

Schedule of shots

To make sure we do not miss any shots when we come to film the thriller opening we decided to construct a schedule of shots. Below is that schedule:

1. First person point of view shot of feet walking to the car
2. Credit sequence shot (Distant Relationship productions) (diegetic sound of footsteps)
3. First person point of view shot of hand opening door handle
4. Credit sequence (Reminiscent films) (diegetic sound of car opening)
5. Over the shoulder shot of detective while he is in the car, include reflection of rear view mirror to build tension
6. Close up on the detective on the phone reporting on pursuit
7. Credit sequence (Jack Willson)
8. Over the shoulder shot of detective removing daughter's old toy from dashboard 
9. Over the shoulder shot of criminal walking past front of car. Detective reporting in on phone 
10. Credit sequence (Michael Pearce)
11. High angled, over the shoulder shot of detective looking at document of criminal. (triggers flashback)
12. First person view point of detective looking at daughter (daughter speaking)
13. Close up on detectives face (looking confused and sad)
14. (Back to present) low angled shot out side mirror of criminal walking away
15. low angled shot on car bonnet of detective pursuing the criminal
16. (While on pursuit) Shot of mother and her child walking on the other side of the road, (cues second flashback) 
17. Credit Sequence (Becky Wilson) (voice over of detective daughter)
18. Side angled shot of detective talking to daughter (detective lowers to one knee)
19. low angled over the shoulder shot from detectives point of view talking to daughter
20. point of view shot of daughter walking away (saying she's fine)
21. long shot of detective running round the corner 
22. over the shoulder shot of detective looking out into open space where criminal is no where to be seen
23. establishing shot of open space
24. close up of detective on the phone, reporting that he has lost the criminal
25. Title shot (voice over of detective on going)
 

Props

For our opening sequence we need props to film with. By using props the opening sequence will appear more believable and will help tell the story in the opening two minutes. Props are perfect for opening sequences as one prop can tell a story about a person or who the person is.

 The phone will help exchange dialogue without the use of a new character or the need for a new scene, this will save us time.

 Binoculars will help show the audience that the character is 'stalking' or 'spying' on someone. This will help set the scene for who the character is.

 Documents also will be used to show the audience that the character is spying on someone, helping show the audience that the character is a detective .






A car will have to be used as the detective is on a 'stake-out'.

The teddy bear will help tell the story of the death of his daughter. IT will also help assist the flashbacks and the audience should be come aware of what has happened within the first 2 minutes without knowing the whole story. The teddy bear is a symbol for how innocent and young the daughter was. The teddy bear carries innocence with it and is a constant reminder to the detective.

Opening sequence plan

As our last storyboard was not clear of our storyline we decided to go out and take pictures instead of drawing it out. Below is our improved storyboard animatic of our thriller opening:

Thriller music

Possibly ideas for our thriller opening music (music from the website - freeonlinemusic.com):

For our opening sequence will need music that can build tension and then speed up with the action. Both of these to reflect the scene and these are what we believe will work:

Lair - Starting from 00:00, subtly builds up tension within the scene and progressively becomes more sinister which would help set the dark physiologic tone at the start of our opening and carry it on during clips of the present.

Green Eyed - Starting from  01:06, this piece portrays more of a calming yet melancholic tone and will be effective in our opening during the flashbacks on the detectives daughter and times he spent with her. 


If we cross fade both music pieces throughout the opening it will highlight to the audience the contrast between the present (detective pursuing a possible suspect) and the past (flashbacks of daughter) therefore making the audience go through varying moods in the opening such as sympathy for the detective and the daughter during the flashbacks and tension and suspense during the pursuing in the present.

 

Thriller Titles

Nostalgia - The 18 century word originates from the Greek word 'nostos' meaning 'homecoming'. It is defined as a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time. Therefore this can be linked to the detectives state of mind and feelings. He is having a nostalgically effected by these flashbacks of when his daughter was alive, when she was safe and far from harms reach. He is constantly having thoughts/ flashbacks of previous times and he longs to have her back.  

Elegy - The 16 century word originates from the Latin word 'elegia' or the Greek word 'elegos' meaning a lament. The definition of the word is a meaningful, melancholic poem usually written about the death of a loved one. This relates to our thriller film as the detective has recently lost his daughter, therefore will be in mourning over her. We could also include a prop of a poem or elegy which he had written in our opening to act as a motif. 

 

Credit sequence ideas

Credits have a major role in our thriller opening as they will be the first images/ words the audience will see. Therefore choosing the credits which carry certain connotations or set the mood will be extremely beneficial in creating that tension which we need. Below are some ideas which I think could help set the mood:

Distant relationship productions - I thought of the relationship between the detective and the daughter, which was very close while she was alive (which will be shown in the flashbacks) but as she is now deceased there is distant in their relationship. Therefore before the film as even begun the audience will be given certain hints on what could possible happen, such as a 'distant relationship'.

Reminiscent films - If this company name were to follow 'distant relationship productions' it would further give hints to the characters in the film or plot line. 'Reminiscent' or reminiscence is also a synonym of flashback which is what the detective suffers from in the opening of our thriller.

Location update

For Our opening sequence, we need a location that provides an urban surrounding but also leads onto an open area. for this we have chosen Stansted as there is a residential area with a long footpath leading onto a field. This location will help create that more familiar environment which people can relate to, therefore making our opening more believable and real. 







As mentioned before, this is the opening space which we will film the end of the pursuit with the criminal. As the picture was taken on google maps last year, the field is rather over grown and un-cared for and, as a result of this, we feel it is symbolic in a way that it fits to Detective Vince Clarke's mindset, he is now un-cared for and distraught since he lost Alice, his daughter.

Risk Assessment

Before we are allowed to film, we had to do a risk assessment of the possible incidents that could occur while filming.

While filming in the forest, the lake in which one of the characters walk past could be a possible risk hazard as one of us could slip and fall into the lake. To ensure that this does not happen, we will remain at all times at least 2 metres away to avoid any possible incidents.






Another risk hazard will be while walking over the wooden bridge as shown in the picture. Over time the bridge has become weakened and may break if it has too much weight. To avoid this, we will check the bridge thoroughly before walking along it to check if it is safe to walk along.





The shot that requires us to be in a car while its moving has the possible hazard of it crashing. To avoid this we will make sure that we are driving along a either deserted road or not a busy one. Also we will have an experienced driver driving us as they do not need to be in the shot, then we will also have someone outside the car making sure there is no on-coming traffic which could cause a possible crash.

Costumes

Forour thriller opening we want costumes that reflect our characters. this will help set the scene in the opening two minutes and help portray the characters fro later in the thriller.

For the detective we want him dressed in smart  business wear and to have a look of intelligence. We would like our character to wear glasses as this will show his intelligence as it is stereotypical. This will help contrast the opening two minutes as he will be dressed in business wear while going to see a grave. This will help tell the audience that going to this grave is a daily occurance. If the character is also a bit scruffy this will show the audience that he is stressed and this death is too much for him.

The girl will be dressed in a dress as this will portray her innocence. This will help tell the audience the shear horror of the death as an innocent girl has been killed.

The costumes we have choosen are to portray horror and terror while portraying characters

Storyboard Animatic

In order to gain a greater idea of how long our thriller opening will last for as well as the length of the various shot types we created a storyboard animatic and uploaded it to YouTube in hope for some feedback. Below is our storyboard animatic:

Location

As we are filming a psychological thriller and murer mystery we want to use the element of suspense. to do this we need to use locations that are likely to be scary to witness. For this we have choosen to use stasted nature reserve and debden church. Both these locations we feel will furfill the needs to add tension and suspense.

Here is a shot of the church. We are playing to shootduring night as this also will help create the atmosphere that we need.

The main shooting we are going to do is in the graveyard itself. We need to select a grave to use as the daughters. We hope that the graveyard's atmosphere will reflect the death of his daughter.




The graveyard will also help tell the audience that there has been a death and the death is very personal to the detective. The nature reserve will be the perfect place to show the decective walking through as it will help contrast the busy life of the decective then the peace and quiet of the reserve.

Location

Location is a key aspect that we have to consider when filming our thriller opening. In order to create the most believable opening as well as portraying the right atmosphere will all depend on the setting of our opening. Therefore I have been going out and looking around various locations which would suit of opening the best. Below is images of which I decided would work best:

This location, in the nature reserve in Stansted, stood out to me as, firstly, the way the trees have been cut down either side of the bridge give the impression of a rather denatured place as the trees have been hacked down untidily. In my eyes it also symbolises death as the trees have been destroyed therefore it would mirror, so to speak, the death of the daughter. Secondly, the wooden bridge in the centre of the picture would create a deep thudding diegetic sound if it were to be run over, and add to the sinister atmosphere.

In this image, also in the nature reserve in Stansted, the lake caught my eye as it offered a varied way of filming. If a character were to walk along the path to the right of the lake then we could use the reflections from the lake to film him/her.

The third picture from the nature reserve in Stansted, works well as the single solitary path has a sense of confinement about it as well as giving the impression that the character has a lack of choice in the matter as they can only go one way and this reflects how the daughter didn't have a choice in her murder.