Stage 1 of media coursework evaluation
- 1. Outlining the brief and research into similar texts and target audiences.
- 2. Our Brief For our brief we chose to film an opening sequence for a thriller movie. This is because we wanted to learn how the film industry works and the processes involved in order to create a film. We were also keen on using equipment that was new to us, e.g. cameras, tripods and software. We felt this would widen our understanding of media studies and its processes.
- 3. Our Ambitions We were very keen on experimenting with various camera shots, so we could create an effective atmosphere for our thriller. We felt that in order to successfully portray the atmosphere we wanted, we would need to utilize all we learnt about camera angles beforehand. We were also keen on getting to grips with editing. Our aim was to make the shots flow smoothly and also to flow smoothly with the soundtrack. We wanted this so our opening sequence would look professional and realistic, because we thought a shaky film would never be successful.
- 4. We also wanted our target audience to be able to relate to our opening sequence, in particular the character, through whom we tried to relate to the real people. We also wanted to use a mix of interior shots and exterior and fast paced shots so tension would build, which we felt would make our introductory sequence as effective as possible in conveying the genre, and aim of the movie.
- 5. Research: Films For inspiration we researched horror films such as “The Shining”, “The Ring” and “Psycho”. We used ideas from each films, to stick to normal conventions by using ideas from all these films.
- 6. “ The Shining” We were inspired by the exterior shots in “The Shining”. We thought that the different shots of landscape were effective because it emphasizes the theme of isolation in the movie. When we chose to use our exterior shots, we felt that we were trying the same effect, by showing the different locations that were locations of murders by the killer. We thought this would show the isolation of the murder victims and maybe promote the feel of realism in the movie, the murders happening in areas that are maybe associated with bad places to be at night, when no-one is around.
- 7. “ Psycho” and “The Ring” We thought the use of fast paced and high pitched music extremely tense and nerve making in ‘Pyscho’ and that the slow moving, intensifying music in ‘The Ring’ was very effective, and helped us decide on a middle ground. We also liked the interior shots in the movies, because in ‘The Ring’ they depicted the tension of the moment very well, as well as increasing the buildup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT7a8Gv9qdA Psycho http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e4DBZ_eeGg The Ring (6:37 – 7:30)
- 8. Research: Locations We knew we had to research our locations thoroughly to make sure the locations were not to far away and if they were easily accessible. We used Google Earth to find our exterior shots, in particular using street view to find the areas, because it shows it as if you were there. We also tried to ask our friends if they knew where we could find areas they found were ‘scary’ and uncomfortable to be in, because we felt this would represent our shots very well. If we used peoples actual opinions on what was scary, we felt it would make our sequence more relatable to the audience.
- 9. Research: Soundtracks We wanted our soundtrack to be fast paced and tense, so we researched Heavy Metal bands and Rock bands such as “Tool”, “Metallica”. We chose to use the song ‘10,000 days’ by ‘Tool’. We were also going for music which reflected the mysteriousness of the movie, in particular for the exterior shots, and we nearly chose Aphex Twin, ‘ Daddy’. But in the end we found this music too associated with Sci-Fi ideas.