Focus Group

As our target audience has a large age range; we decided as a group to undertake several focus groups as it will enable us to have a better understanding of the requirements needed to captivate the audience.
Our first group consisted of students of a similar age range. They were asked a series of open questions that would allow us to have better understanding of what they expect a thriller to consist of. It was then revealed whether they preferred or disliked these conventions; this in turn determined whether or not we would break away from the original thriller conventions.
The second group consisted of adults of a mixed age range. They were also asked the same set of questions, as they are also included in our target audience. However some of the responses we received from this half of our focus group did not correspond with the first group. This resulted in the group having to make some crucial decisions on factors such as location and leading roles.

Questions that were asked
1. Name five thrillers
2. What role would you expect a female to play? Why?
3. What role would you expect a male to play? Why?
4. Would you prefer a male or female protagonist? Why?
5. As the target audience would you prefer the thriller to stick to the typical thriller conventions? – referring to hero, villain, location, story line.
6. Would putting the protagonist’s life or safety at risk have a large effect on the audience to having a happy ending?
7. Could the female play anything other then heroine/ victim.

Our first question was for them to name 5 thrillers; we opened with this to make sure they had a good understanding of what a thriller actually is. Both groups had a firm understanding as they all answered without hesitation.
One of our biggest issues when regarding character lead was whether it was going to be played by a male or a female, yet the response from the focused groups were split. The first group were all behind having a male lead, as they all stereotypically pictured the female as the victim role. Meanwhile the second group suggested having either a female lead/villain as it would be unexpected. This left the final decision to be made by us collectively as a group.
The location was also split as the first group liked the usual conventions of a girl being in a house alone late at night, meanwhile the second group wanted to break away and have a location that was opposed to the traditional one. As a group we had to then discuss which one was the right decision.
Overall the focus group benefited us as we were able to make final decisions as we had gained a better understanding of what our target audience want.

Helen Daniel

Focus Group

Location and Editing

With our location being London and it being remote as we are filming on a Sunday it will ask the enigma of why is London empty which is what we ask of our film due to it being a thriller. It will also create an atmosphere with the audience as we look to gain a hostile environment with the protagonist and the location they are walking around in. we will flash in some quotes during the 2 minutes or so of filming to add in with the atmosphere that we are creating which we hope will lead into an enigma of what is going to happen to this character in the rest of the film. The hardest thing we are having with this thriller is trying to get to location and having it so that it is sparsely populated so we can give the abandoned feel of the protagonist. We are not looking to put any dialogue in the beginning scene as we don’t have the right equipment to give the right sound that we would need to make it professional as the school’s cameras don’t pick sound to well. If we were to put dialogue in then it would not come out clear and would make it look unprofessional. So we feel that if we don’t put no sound in on it then it would also create some remoteness. What is very important for us is that we avoid any clichés in this film as our idea is similar to a film that has been done before, but we have a completely different story line it just so happens that the film “28 days later” has the same start. What we have done though is watch this and take note of what happens and what we can and cant do to make our beginning scene the best it can be.

By Jack Partridge

Preliminary

Advertisers Social Grades

A) Upper Middle 4% of population
Higher Managerial, Proffesional and
Administrative

B) Middle 21.9% of population
Intermediate Managerial, Professional
and Administrative

C1) Lower Middle 29% of population
Supervisory, Clerical, Junior Managerial,
Professional Administrative

C2) Skilled Working Class 20.7% of population
Lower Management

D) Working Class excl Skilled 16.2% of population
excl skilled. Semi and Unskilled


E) Lowest Level of Subistance 8.1% of population
State Pensioner, Widows without another person to support them. Casual or owest grade worker

(Figures correct as off 2006)

By Kerry Sheehan

Psychographics

VALS (values, attitudes ad lifestyles) was developed in the USA in the early 1970’s. The original categorisations were:

1. Belongers – traditionalist, cautious and conforming conservatives; “nest builders”; stay-at-homers. Susceptible to advertising of pension plans, house insurance, DIY etc.

2. Emulators – smaller, more impressionable group, often young. Identity seekers. Lacking in self-confidence, confused and vulnerable. Advertisers prey on their insecurities offering them role models, heroes and the reassurance of group acceptance and friendship.

3. Emulator-Achievers – materialists (the yuppies of the 80s), acquisitive consumer; favour designer labels; consumer goods as evidence of accomplishment, success and good taste.

4. societially-conscious achievers: “greying hippies”; children of the 60’s; concerned more with personal rather than professional or financial fulfilment; against conspicuous consumption; the “green” market. Sceptical of advertising.

5. Need-directed – minimum-wage earners or those receiving welfare benefits. Mainly concerned to survive rather than ‘consume’ in the advertisers’ sense. As far as advertisers are concerned, they scarcely exist.

By Joseph Mulhare

Painting Props

On the 15th March we all decided to paint the posters we had created before we could tea stain them. We decided to use red paint to create a blood like effect and also create the sense of fear and danger. Using hand prints and the splattered paint effect we hope to show that there was once a lot of panic and the film is taking place in the deserted after math.

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By Kerry Sheehan

Props and Iconography

Whilst discussing ideas for props and iconography to be featured in our film we decided on the use of subliminal messages through billboard posters and leaflets. Although using billboard posters would be difficult we compromised by instead opting for A3 size posters. The leaflets will be visual throughout the opening sequence as they will be stuck on trees, buildings, bins etc and dropped on the floor in the background, basically anywhere that can be seen in the camera shot. However if a back on view is seen of the protagonist no posters will be seen therefore meaning more of the story is unveiled to the viewer and later to the protagonist. Hopefully this will be successful without the use of dialogue. The posters will include the headline ‘PANDEMIC’ and pullout quotes like ‘Everyone Flees’, ‘Millions Flee’ and ‘Experts Warn “Don’t Take Risks” to create a tense enigma as well as using the image of the biohazard symbol creates a sense of pain.

Using a telephone box is a key part of our thriller as the realisation that there may not be anyone around becomes true when the phone rings in the exact location of the protagonist. Using a loud telephone ring will hopefully shock the audience and create an enigma. As well as this our chosen location being a city centre is also a key part as the area chosen as it is a well known business district which can be identified by the ‘gherkin’ building seen in most shots. Normally this area is busy with people and congested with vehicles, where as filming on a Sunday we hope there will be less or even none of this around.

By Kerry Sheehan

Gattaca Story Bord

The story bording of Gattaca allowed us to practise before creating story bords for our thriller and prelim.

By Helen Daniel

Lighting

We have decided to go against the normal conventions of a thriller when regarding lighting. This is due to several aspects. Firstly the quality of our camera prevents us from being able to have clear visibility when shooting in darker conditions. This would have a great negative impact on the viewing experience of our thriller. The story, conventions, editing techniques, subliminal messages and special effects would not affect the audience as they will have a great deal of trouble being able to view the images on screen. This in turn will cause the suspense and tension of the unknown that we have created to be lost. The second factor that influenced this decision is that a vast majority of thrillers are set in dark locations. We wanted to break away from this and diversify our thriller in creating our own original outtake, whilst still creating the same amount of tension as previous successful thrillers. Natural lighting will enable us to keep the sense of actuality for the viewer; this in turn will entice them in to the thriller allowing them to believing in the story. However being able to ensure continuity when relying on the weather is a huge risk as it is very unreliable, as a result causing some major issues if all the filming has not been completed. A lot of valuable time maybe wasted as a consequence of this. It can also mean that filming may have to be undertaken on several days, if this were to happen the weather may continue to be unstable again enforcing filming to be prolonged.

By Helen Daniel

Asking Permission

For the location of our thriller we discovered that permission was not needed to film in the area. This was due to the entire thriller being shot in an outside public area, in result allowing us to film in any of the previously scouted locations. When regarding props it was revealed that since ours were not in the form of weaponry we did not need permission to use them in the filming locations. Meanwhile when location scouting we believed that having a shot from within one of the glass buildings would add to the suspense previously created in the thriller. Yet when we asked for permission for both taking pictures and filming at a later date they informed us that due to security reasons it would not be possible for us to do either.

By Helen Daniel

Prop Making

In our thriller we haven't planned to use many props. the only ones we plan to use are leaflets and posters that are related to the story of our thriller. We have decided to use, within our background of our filming, poster to help build a sense of mystery and suspense with the audience. The posters and leaflets will have to look worn, old, and as if they have been there for sometimes as our setting is a deserted city of London. To give this effect to our newly printed posters and leaflets we done these things:

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Get the poster and spray water over it on a flat surface.

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Role the paper into a ball to make it creased and torn.

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To make the posters and leaflets look older than they are we stained them with tea.

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we then soaked the edges of the papaer in to tea to colour the paper and to colour the creases.
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we then let them dry and this is what we were left with.
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we feel that these props will benefit our thriller as they are fitting with our location of a deserted city and will help us set the scene of an abandoned city. These props are to help with the Mise en Sence and set the scene rather than to ake our protagonist seem dangerous etc.

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By Joseph Mulhare

Possible costumes

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Our initial idea for our protagonists costume was scrubs uniform. We then decided against this as we feel it is to similar to other thriller films, that have influenced us such as 28 days later, and wont tie in with our ideas.

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Our second choice of costume was pyjamas. We felt this would be good as it contradicted our setting of a business district in a city. We again opted against this costume as we felt in wouldn’t fit in with what we are trying to achieve with our thriller.
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Our third costume choice was a suit. We thought this would be a good choice as the area we are filming in is the business district so this costume would fit in well with our protagonist and location. We then decided against this because we didn’t want our protagonist to fit in with our location so we again decided to go with something else.
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Our fourth and final costume choice we decided on was our protagonist in just casual clothing. We have decided to go for this because the protagonist is shown as an everyday person which the audience can relate to and will then draw them in to our thriller. It will also create an enigma to why our protagonist is alone in the business district of London. We also feel this costume ties in well with our location, idea and with what we are trying to achieve in our thriller.
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By Joseph Mulhare

Poster Analysis

This is the poster for the zombie thriller 28 days later. The poster suggests that the film will be about a man as he travels some where, most likely London as there is an outline of the houses or parliament in the bottom corner of the poster which is a famous London landmark. The man is alone on the poster which suggests that the film will only be about him as it doesn’t show any other characters and he is in the centre of the poster.

The bio-hazard sign in the centre of the poster suggests that the problem in the film will be about a form of chemical or chemical reaction.

The use of a tag line at the top of the poster hints to the audience of what the film may include. The tag line also brings the audience up to speed of what has happened over the past 28days and suggests that the film will start 27 days after “Exposure”.

The words used in the tag line are strong and suggestive words, and the font and capital letters use help suggest these are key elements of the films and suggest enigmas for the film also.

The colours used in the poster are predominately red, with a black outline of London and the biological hazard sign is also in black. The colours used are usually associated with a horror thriller, the red suggests death, blood and danger, the black used suggests darkness and the white text suggests innocence.

The film itself is a hybrid of a horror thriller so the colours used represent it well, with the red back ground to emphasise fear, danger and a passion for violence. The black outline of buildings and the protagonists is used to emphasise the location and who the film follows. This outline is also used because red and black stand out when put together and the poster is there to stand out.

As film posters are usually used to promote the film and inform its target audience on when the film will be released, this poster has used the words THE DAYS ARE NUMBERED – 01/11/02. This is fitting for the poster as the words the days are numbered relates to the tag line at the top of the poster. The data that follows these words gives the release date. The combination of the two is used to very well, as its fitting with the tagline at the top. This is because the bottom tag line with the release data is a play on words and be linked to what the tag line at the top, which is telling the story of the past 28 days, and is linked with the release data.


By Joseph Mulhare

Location

Collectively as a group we had a good idea of the criteria that the location had to have, yet we had not decided on a particular place. This created some problems when story boarding our thriller. Due to having an unknown location we could not base our thriller on any visual site. As a result of this we decided that our storyboard would have to be adjusted around the unidentified location. It was then decided that before the thriller was shot, it would benefit us to go location scouting, as this would allow us to have a strong idea of how and where each scene would be shot. It also gave us the opportunity to modify our storyboard before shooting; this would ensure no time was wasted when the filming was to be done. In addition this would benefit us as we would be able to shoot scenes several times, having to avoid reshooting if a problem was to occur. The variety also means we have the ability to mix and match with the type of angles and shots to achieve the best possible combination.
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On the 9th March, we went location scouting. We had decided to go to London as we believed that the city centre would be most appropriate for our thriller.
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We diversified from out story board when we found this shot. We believed that having the protagonist walk out of the car park whilst the camera tilts and follows them would flow better then our original idea. By hiding the identity of the protagonist there is an added build up in suspense since the viewer is being partially kept in the dark.

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We are hoping for the tilt to include the “Gherkin” building as it is a significantly well known building creating the feeling of actuality.
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The wide open space and high buildings will create a sense of isolation for the protagonist. Added with a shot that captures the empty crane will enhance how secluded the protagonist will be. By allowing the “Gherkin” building to still be in shot will show continuity.

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The CCTV cameras will give the impression that the protagonist is being watched. The tall buildings and use of long shot will emphasize how cut off the protagonist is from the rest of the world
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Our second location was Fenchurch Street; this unique location has a large surface area, high ceiling and various walk ways making it a perfect location. As there is a roof the weather will not be a huge issue for continuity. There is also a large amount of natural light coming through the roof meaning we wouldn’t have trouble being able to see the thriller. The walk ways and size of the buildings will enhance the isolation of the protagonist.
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Since the beginning of our thriller is concentrated around a phone box we decided to then search for a nearby telephone booth. We eventually came across one that was almost directly in-between our two locations. This was beneficial as it meant either location was viable for us.
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By Helen Daniel

Description of our storyline

Our thriller production will start with a close up of the protagonist’s feet stumbling towards the camera, a lot like the opening shot in our preliminary task. The next shot will use a steadicam and follow the protagonists. In this shot you will only see the protagonist’s legs as he walks along. This shot is key as it builds mystery to why we do not see the protagonist’s full body. We have decided to use a steadicam here as we have to use a variety of shots as our specification says we need to.

The next shot will be a match on action of our protagonist walking around a street corner. In the back ground against the wall the protagonist walks past will be several posters that the protagonist doesn’t see but the audience should. This then builds tension as only key words, such as pandemic, millions flee or Infection spreads, will be visible. As the protagonist walks along a phone box will ring. There is a sudden jump cut to the phone box and the sound of the phone ringing is all you can hear. Each time the phone rings the camera gets closer and the ringing gets louder.

The next shot is from inside the phone box as the protagonist walks towards it. In the back ground of this shot is a person or object slouched against a wall with paper and the posters from the previous shot around it. Again the protagonist doesn’t realise it but the audience should. There is another match on action shot of the protagonist answering the phone but there is no one there.

The protagonist then leaves the phone box and starts to walk towards the object against the wall, picking up one of the pieces of paper on the floor, before they read it the phone rings again. The protagonist goes to answer the phone again but the phone stops just before they pick up.

There is then a point of view shot of the protagonist reading the piece of paper and this is where the protagonists realises they could be the only person alive. The next shot is a low angle 360 degree shot of the protagonist. The camera will spin three or four times around them and will be sped up and a different sound track will be used to show the realisation and isolation of the protagonist. The final shot is a point of view shot of something running around a corner and then seeing the protagonist in the middle of the road. The shot continues to run towards the protagonist and the protagonist doesn’t turn round until the last minute. The image then fades to black and a soundtrack of heavy breathing will play and the titles will then appear.

By Joseph Mulhare

Year 12 Thriller Analysis

Motor Creek
As the thriller began the fade from black to a motor way created suspense and confusion within the audience as to the relevance of the location. This was an effective shot as it showed time passing combined with the use of non-diegetic background music created suspense and questioning within the audience. However the shot length seemed to be dragged out, which in turn had a negative effect on the audience as their attention and concentration on the film started to deteriorate. This meant that they were unable to build up tension and suspense as a good thriller should. The choice of music also meant that as it progressed it began to resemble a music video rather then a thriller. Due to this factor suspense wasn’t achieved to its full potential again affecting how the audience viewed the thriller. One shot that particularly stood out was the shot of moving swings. This highlighted how the male walking through the park was isolated. The slow motion combined with the visual effects allowed this shot to have a large impact on the audience as it forced them to unknowingly raise questions. They have a good variety of shots, showing that they have incorporated what was required of them in the mark scheme.

Voodoo
The use of handheld camera within this thriller had a negative impact as the shakiness took the audience’s attention away from the content of the thriller. This prevented the audience from allowing themselves in being caught up in the suspense and tension of the unknown. However the start of background music stood out as it was eerie and kept within the theme of the thriller. It created an atmosphere in which the audience begins to question the motive of the protagonist. Yet the use of mise en scene did not keep up the atmosphere that was created through the music as it was in a location that did not seem to have any relevance to the genre. As the setting was too dark it made it difficult for the audience to fully understand the story line. This in turn meant that the impact of fear from the thriller did not affect the viewer in the way it should. Yet they did use a good variety of shots showing that they have incorporated the mark scheme when creating their thriller.

By Helen Daniel

Do's And Dont's

DO
Use a steady cam
Make sure it’s a thriller
Make sure you can hear the dialogue
Create an enigma
Use what has influenced you
Avoid clichés

DON’T
Leave home with out the camera
Wear different clothes when filming the next day
Go to location with out the camera
Go to location with out charging the camera
Film at school
Put your fingers or breathe over the camera
Make it look like a school production

By Jack Partridge

Brief Description On Movie Posters

The movies here are all of a different nature but come under the thriller category. At the top left you have one of the most popular Thriller films of all times The Godfather which is about an Italian family in New York doing racketeering and various organised crime. The poster its self shows the mail protagonist in a tuxedo which is very iconic of a mafia “Don” who is holding a kitten in his hands which may symbolise how he has everyone at his hands. Also to the top right of the writing it has puppet string with a hand on holding down which is again very symbolic of how the name the godfather is in charge.

The next movie poster to the right is Orphan which has a girl who seems ordinarily dressed with her hair in two pony tails at the back with a plain face on. The font of the cover is in like a white scratched way as well with below it can you keep a secret in red which may show connotation about a bloody secret. At the top its quotes “something’s wrong with Esther”. Esther is not a 20th century name either so that raises an enigma about her to see if she is normal and also when you read this there is another enigma to make you think is that her?. This movie looks like it will be a horror/thriller due to the nature of what is shown.

The next movie on the bottom left is 44 inch chest which along the top has marking like a ruler. Which automatically states there is going to be a span or something to do with measurements in the film or have something to do with measurement. The front also shows the main cast of the movie to give the audience an idea of who is in the movie and enable you to create enigma’s about them to see who they are and what part they have through out the movie. With the name of this movie and the people that are shown on the poster its gives a mise en scene of violence due to them being in suites and being one side of the main protagonist, you feel that in this movie there will be a twist and there will be some violence. This then would be classified as a gangster/thriller.

By Jack Partridge

Possible quotes

In our 2 minute media production we plan to use quotes to help the audience think of what the thriller may include, to help structure our storyline and to add a sense of mystery. We also thought this would help capture the viewers imagination and also keep the audience guessing on what may happen next and what the twist will bring.
Some of the quotes we were thinking of using are shown below:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

“It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”


"Every man's work shall be made manifest."

"He who doesn't fear death dies only once." ~Giovanni Falcone

We were influenced by films such as Pandorum which use quotes at the beginning of the film to tell the audience the story so far or to give an insight to what could happen further into the story. Quotations can also build a effect of tension which we feel would be good for our clip.

By Joseph Mulhare

BBFC Certification

The British Board of Film Classification or BBFC for short is an organization, funded by the film industry and is responsible for the age ratings of films released in the UK. It has to give every new film release, DVD release and even video games a certificate which limits the age of person who can buy it.


Universal
All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.

Parental Guidance
General viewing, but certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 8

12A
May be unsuitable for under 12s. Those aged under 12 are only admitted if accompanied by an adult at all times during the performance (cinema only).

12
Suitable only for those aged 12 and over. No-one younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12 rated VHS, DVD, Blue-ray Disc, UMD or game.

15
Suitable only for those aged 15 and over. Nobody younger than 15 can see a 15 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 can rent or buy a 15 rated VHS, DVD, Blue-ray Disc, UMD or game.

18
Suitable only for adults. Nobody younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 can rent or buy an 18 rated VHS, DVD, Blue-ray Disc, UMD or game.

Restricted 18
For adults only.May only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops, and only to people aged 18 or over.

Chart information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Board_of_Film_Classification

By Joseph Mulhare

Scarface Textual Analysis

The first thing you see in the opening to Scarface is a black screen with non diegetic 80’s music this establishes that it is set in the 80’s. there is then a pan across the black screen which brightens up to reveal the main protagonist who is then asked who is name is, he then gives his name this then sets the main character for the rest of the film. Tony Montana the character is being interrogated about his right to seek asylum into the country.

During the interview Tony Montana is smug about his answers, he will then question the people questioning him and then gives the Immigration officers a hard time. The mise en scene is of an office where outside it is busy as t seems to be in an airport. This start to the film doest seem to emphasise that it is a thriller but it gives the enigma that what is this tony Montana capable of or what will he do due to how his nature is after being interrogated.

The camera in the scene is mainly stuck to Tony Montana’s face and shows him the whole way through which shows how he is in control of the situation. It is quite clear to see that he is not just anyone who is trying to seek asylum for a better way of life. It seems that by his answers that he is up to mischief. He also has a tattoo on his hand which seems to be an old gang sign which the interrogation officers pick up on. This then proves the point to you that he is not just a normal citizen.


The things that I have noted to take from the beginning of this film are how to build a character up if they are the main protagonist. Also how to show how vital the mise en scene of what you are doing is correct and to go into the tiniest of detail to give the character the right and correct mise en scene to what you are trying to achieve. This is so that the audience will be enticed to see what this character is and can do and to make them believe that what they are doing is real.

By Jack Partridge