Feedback - Miss Spencer

First Cut Feedback

The narrative is a little difficult to follow, but once we get into the 'dream' and back out again it becomes clear. You have used some variety on camera shots, movement etc, and built up good sequences with match on action etc. You have also clearly managed to learn a lot about After Effects in a very short time, your logo is particularly impressive.   
The pace of the dream is a little slow, but some sound effects etc. should help this along. Perhaps think of adding flash transitions or some colour correction to make this more obvious.
Nice blur effect on the dream sequence (but reduce it on the reply from the girl, as we can't read her text)
In order to help you improve this you could think about the following:
The logo needs a sound effect under it
create the link into the dream sequence
Sound effects in the dream sequence
sort out the sound under the dream sequence - use effects, not music (this shouldn't have the conventions of a trailer)
Add your titles
possibly re-record the second reply - the light shining on it makes it impossible to read.
Fix the 'all right I'm coming with a sound bridge, this will make it more realistic,

Well done, and keep improving, this cold be a good solid film.

Miss Spencer

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment

Research what a risk assessment is? Who uses them? What do they include? What do they look like?

A risk assessment is a procedure that is enforced by the law, it is an operation where a company for a film will have to go to the area that they shooting the film beforehand and look around the area for any hazards or dangers that could possibly occur whilst shooting the film. If this is not done and someone is injured then this can be taken to court and it can cost the company and considerable amount of money to pay of the charges accused against them.

A risk assessment is used by governing bodies at by the company who will tell the film producers before they film to go and check the scene for any risks however if this is not implemented by the producer and the risk assessment is no complete then he or she themselves will be sued and charged for the hazards that have happened.

In a risk assessment you need to check and consider the other people that are involved with producing and filming the film. We should involve in our risk assessment the consideration of other people, that safety precautions are in place, all risks have been assessed and the remaining risk is at an all-time minimum.

This is what they look like above where you have a hazard or a risk but next o it you have the action or solution in order to either prevent the risk or show them what to do if the risk was to happen to someone on the set that is part of the cast, this includes actors, camera people, director, the runner (directors assistant)

 Why have risk assessments? How important is it when making a film?

It is very important to carry out a risk assessment before going onto set to film your movie. First of all filming is a job and the set of a scene can be called a workplace. This means The Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 covers it. This states that all employers or responsible persons on the workplace must carry out a detailed risk assessment to assess the hazards and risk of the hazard harming any person on that workplace in open hours. This makes it a criminal offence and against the law to not carry out a risk assessment. If a risk assessment is not carried out before going onto to set, if an accident happened to any one on set then you would be liable. This means it would not be the company’s fault and all the responsibility would be put on the management of the set.

Although it seems like a boring task before filming it is mighty important. Different sets have lots of different hazards. For example if you are filming a set from height then there is the hazard of falling. If you are filming a scene underwater there is a hazard of the person drowning. All these hazards might seem very unlikely but they all have to be taken into account. A risk assessment is used so that if something happens you can show the court that you did your risk assessment and looked at the hazard. You can then show them that you decided to go ahead with the filming after doing a risk assessment because you felt the likelihood of the hazard causing harm was very unlikely. By doing a risk assessment you are then also insured under the company. This means if something did happen then they would be liable and have to go to go to court instead of you because you have done your job and carried out a risk assessment.

What types of dangers might you come across during a shoot? How would ensure everyone on site is as safe as possible?

Whilst shooting, you will come across a few health and safety hazards and you will need to assess the risk of the hazard. When shooting outside, there could be major tripping hazards, for example you could see that there is a tree root sticking out of the ground which one of the actors could trip on. To avoid this hazard either move where you are shooting to an area where there are no tree roots coming out of the ground. An example of an inside hazard could be sharp objects, for example you could have a bannister at the top of your stairs which is sharp and to avoid the hazard of hurting yourself on it you could put a foam bumper around it to avoid the risk.  

Feedback - Miss Spencer

I can see that you ahve a lot of draft work - can you please publish so that I can give you feedback,
Thanks
Miss Spencer

Logos and Opening titles

Logos and Opening titles 

Manhatton Title Sequence 

This is the Manhattan title sequence a film that is being released during 2014, I have chose this title sequence because it uses basic colors but they are very effective for the title sequence and images that are used as well.
this shows different planning actions and layouts of building and interiors of them buildings which i think is very good for our film because it is about an abduction of two parents from a gang at their house.

Avengers title sequence 

This is a very good example of a title sequence that I like. this is because it uses very basic shots but they are effective in the way that it sets up the story line and what the Film will be about. This is the title sequence to the action film Avengers.
This title sequence take shot from a load of different angles but they are of different objects. these objects are key to knowing who is involved in the film

Storyboard

Feedback - Miss Spencer

Excellent and detailed thriller genre research Mitchell. You have looked at the details of the genre and discussed why certain elements are conventions. You also talk about the effect on the audience.
Level 3
In order to improve I would like to see some research onto the history of the genre please.

Task 2.2 Thriller genre research

Thriller Genre Research

Conventions of the genre

The thriller genre uses several different key features which are called conventions and they can be found in a variety of different sub-genres, this includes:

·         Dark colour schemes and low key lighting to create the mystery and the suspense

·         Themes of isolation to the character in comparison to the antagonist

·         Props such as guns and knife are used as weapons so that people can feel the tension that is created

·         Distressed appearance

·         Usually have the protagonist vs. the antagonist with the antagonist usually in control then the protagonist rising with power

·         The films usually shoot from the protagonist’s point of view so that people can understand the problem they must overcome and what characteristics they have.

Conventions of the genre trailer

Film trailers are usually specifically designed to take snap shots of the film so that the film reaches out to the target audience. Within the trailer key elements are shown in the film but they don’t reveal too much of the film plot because it will give away the storyline of the film. This then means that it leaves the audience wondering and thinking what will happen during the film so they will be attracted to watch it. Overall conventions of a film trailer consist of:

·         Production and information credits in order to provide the audience with additional information so they know the background of the film.

·         There are sometimes little captions within the trailer so that it makes the film look professional however it an also in a way add suspense and tension.

·         The main characters and actors are shown on the trailer along with the film producer and director so that the audience can see what to expect from the film because of their previous work.

·         A voice over can be use within a trailer as it plays in the background this also adds to the tension and suspense

·         By showing the producing label it instantly allows the audience and public to recognise the producing cast

Technical elements-the camera shots

Thriller films often adapt to the shots that they use throughout the film this is so they can reach out to the audience in order to grab their attention by showing the different situations and scenes that are happening. A good example of a film that uses these different shots is the thriller film Inception. These shots are as shown below:

The canted angle shot

 This shot is to represent a situation that is confused and to show that something has happened previously which is why the shot is taken at a weird angle. This is usually to show distress of some sort which is a key feature in the thriller genre.

The close up shot

This is a close up shot of the character within the film this shot shows us the expression on their face and with these we can then tell the emotion that they are feeling and the audience can feel this emotion as well.

The two-shot

the two – shot allows the audience to see the relationship between the characters at any given point I the film. In this scene it shows the audience the similarity of the situation that they are in. however the scene can also show their differences such as their sex, age and personalities.

The wide angle shot

The wide angle shot shows the audience of the scene that they are in and the situation that is happening in the surrounding area.

The mid-shot 

This is a mid shot and this allows the audience to see the type of character that the person is. This is shown through their facia expression, the clothing that they are wearing and the props that they have such as the gun in this shot.

T

Technical element-editing

Thriller films consistently use the editing technique in order to real capture what us happening in the scene. They show the tension and suspense in the scene, they can do this by showing the reaction time of the character once they are approached by the antagonist. Alternatively they use cut scenes to show different areas and scene in the film, this then emphasises the tension within a single scene. The cut scenes are usually quick and very snappy this then shows the speed of one scene but then the cut scene can then switch to a nice calm area to show the comparison of one place to another.

Technical element-Mise-en-scene

Costumes – usually within a thriller the main character is seen to have a smart and professional appearance, this is to suggest that they are sophisticated and reveals their role in the film. However costumes can be good to see the difference in people and the status that they have. Two different characters can be shown through their costume if someone is older they look like this from the fashion of clothing they are wearing compare to someone who is younger they would wear fashion that is a lot more casual and smart.

Props and setting – thrillers are set is an everyday environment such as a city, a house or the streets etc. this can be helpful to show the disturbance that the antagonist will bring upon them. In thrillers there is usually a chase on some sort such as on foot or in a car, they confine the space available within the chase so that it looks more intensified, as well as this it also relates back to the thought of isolation and seclusion. Props within the film or scenes in the film can identify what a character is like. Guns are a well-known prop within thrillers because they represent the sense of danger and wrong doing.

Lighting – thrillers conventionally use low key lighting. This is to create a dark and disturbed atmosphere. This then creates suspense and unstable awareness within the audience because they do not know what could happen next within the scene. The low key lighting can change the mood of the scene instantly from a happy and cheerful area to a suspicious and worrying environment.

Technical element – sound 

Thrillers involve the use of ambient sounds to increase the level of intensity and suspense within a scene. They can add sound to the titles and captions when they appear on the scene, a film that has done this is the film scream, asynchronous background was included into the title sequence of the girls screaming and this straight away gives the audience a feel of what the film I going o be like throughout.

Thriller films

Thriller films are aimed at a target audience from the age of around 15/16 and above, this is because the content it contains can be disturbing for younger children. However with the sub genres coming into the thriller genre it is possible for older and younger people to watch the genre of film because it has content that is appropriate for their age group. A thriller film usually contains technology because it has to fit In with the modern day world, the genre reaches out to a target audience of both males and females

The sub genres of a thriller

·         Action Thriller - Take any other thriller subgenre, give it’s defining elements a back seat, and focus on the action, and you have an action-thriller. This is more common in movies than novels because of the visual appeal of explosions and violence.

·         Crime Thriller - This subgenre focuses on crime, and is usually from the criminal’s point of view. Physical action and eluding the police take the place of gathering evidence and trying to discover the criminal.

·         Disaster Thriller - In this subgenre a (usually) natural disaster is taking place, and the antagonist is either trying to stop the disaster, the extent of the disaster, or just save themselves before time runs out and the disaster has run its course.

·         Forensic Thriller - In this subgenre the protagonist(s) are forensic scientists whose involvement in an unsolved crime threatens their lives.

·         Psychological Thriller - A personal favourite. In this subgenre a lot of the conflict is mental, rather than physical. The protagonist has become involved in a dangerous situation which literally threatens their sanity. They must use mental prowess to overcome their opponent, whether the battle is inside their own head or it a battle of wits.

·         Romantic Thriller - This is a subgenre of both thrillers and romantic novels. The plot line follows a typical thriller’s tension, suspense, and excitement, but a main element is the growing relationship between two characters.

·         Spy Thriller - It’s hard to call this a genre mash-up when spy novels almost have to be thrillers. At any rate, this subgenre focuses on the high adventures of field agents. It is usually set against the backdrop of some war.

·         Supernatural Thriller - In this subgenre otherworldly elements are introduced, usually as an antagonistic force, but just as in the romantic thriller, the plot line and feel or distinctly that of thrillers. Some characters may have psychic abilities and other supernatural novel elements may be present.