Research - Fargo

Fargo (Coen Brothers, 1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_4wvBHkrw

Camera

The over the shoulder shot of the two men.

• Shot Reverse Shot is used but without the close up of the two men
• Close ups of the cars headlights as it drives past
• Establishing shot of the bar

All of the camera shots listed above are used to help create narrative enigma for the audience, the shot reverse shot, creates a sense of illusion and a sinister feel towards the two men as we never get to see a close up of their face. The close up makes the audience wonder who the car belongs to making them want to carry on watching to find out their answers. The establishing shot helps to let the audience understand that the opening seems to be quite a normal natural setting.

Editing

• Title sequence, the titles fade in and out of the frame
• Car fades into view (as if it came out of nowhere)



The Car beginning to be seen.

• Small amounts of straight cuts (only when needed)

The use of the titles fading in and out makes them a lot more interesting to watch as it is something different to them just being there. The car fading into view makes the audience suddenly a lot more interested as it seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. The small amount of straight cuts used helps to reinforce the fact that these criminals are casually speaking about kidnapping someone in the middle of a busy bar.

Mise-en Scene

• Opens in a bar location (naturalistic, normal setting)
• Opening background isn't a clean shade of white, it looks almost dirty
• Car drives on and past you, narrative enigma

The naturalistic and normal setting is a convention of a Thriller film, this also makes the audience feel slightly at ease due to what the characters are talking about in such an open area. The opening background's dirty white colour makes the film seem slightly off putting and sinister as the audience can see this dirty white colour. As the car drives past it helps to create a large amount of narrative enigma as everybody is wondering who is in the car and what do they want.

Sound

• Repetitive Melody, played on the strings (creepy atmosphere)
• Basic dialogue between characters
• Ambient Sound in the background (links to the normal setting)

The repetitive melody at the very beginning creates a quite creepy atmosphere, along with the blank screen it helps to create a lot of questions for the audience to answer as they are all wondering what is going to happen next. The basic dialogue between characters helps to give the audience a slight understanding of the beginning of the narrative.

Creating Tension

All of the above link together to create a wide narrative enigma for the audience, this helps to create tension when the audience are watching the opening as the audience don't understand what is going to happen next.

The music that is played when the opening credits are on helps to create tension through the creepy atmosphere that it creates.

The beginning of the dialogue helps to create ideas of violence/violent tendencies which helps to create tension as the audience don't know what is going to happen next.

The Opening Titles

An example of one of the opening titles.

Polygram Filmed Entertainment Presents
In association with Working Titles Films
Frances Mcdormand
William H. Macy
Steve Buscemi
Harve Presnell
Peter Stormare
Fargo



This is all of the names that are named in the opening titles, the titles are:

• Faded in and placed towards the bottom of the screen, this is to allow more of the 'dirty' white skies at the top of the frame to be seen.
• The font's are very close together in the first names, but then the surnames are very spread out, this is used because more people know actors by last names rather than first.
• The size of the font changes, in the first 2 titles it is large, but through the rest of them the font is a lot smaller, this is because it is only actors names and not the large companies. 

Research- Inception

Inception(Nolan, 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICig7aW9Tmg

Camera

The Extreme Zoom

The Camera zooms in to the opening titles, the font that is used looks like a maze the use of the zoom into the text helps to reinforce the theme that the audience are being taken into the maze of the film, this helps to reinforce the fact that Thriller genre films have a complex narrative which is part of the conventions of the genre. After the camera has zoomed in the camera then reverse zooms out of a new title, this helps to reinforce the themes of the maze and being trapped in a certain area.


Sound


The soundtrack throughout the opening sequence contains a drum beat and guitar, this type of music gets louder towards the end of the sequence this adds more tension to the sequence as it puts the audience on edge with anticipation the correct term for this is narrative enigma.


Editing


All of the editing used are straight cuts, this is because most of the clips are shown through the reverse zoom of the title sequence, the fact that no complex editing techniques are used it adds a lot more tension as the whole sequence is simple but the clips and titles used help to connect to the theme of being trapped in the 'maze' making the audience feel on edge with anticipation.

The low key lighting of the clips

Mise-en Scene 

In the opening sequence all of the clips used contain very low key lighting, this makes all of the clips look darker and more menacing, the fact that they are also all in black and white help to create tension for the audience as the audience are on the edge of their chairs wondering what will happen next (narrative enigma).

Opening Titles

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Title to the film

Legendary Pictures
Syncopy
A Christopher Nolan Film
Leonardo Dicaprio
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Ellen Page
Tom Hardy
Cillian Murphy
Marion Cotillard
Production design Guy Hendrix Dyas
Casting John Papsidera
Cinematography Wally Pfistek
Original musice Hanz Zimmer
Directed Christopher Nolan
INCEPTION

The titles always begin as an extreme close up on the screen, its then cuts to different parts of the title, they finally zoom out to show all of the title. The font  of the title sequences are all done in the same font, it is shown to almost look like a maze which helps the give the idea of being lost or the unknowing which links to the characteristics of the Thriller genre. The font is a large size, this is so that all of the audience can see it. The titles are always placed towards the bottom of the screen, this is so that small clips and action can still be shown above the title sequence.

Research- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Fincher, 2011)

An example of the close ups.

The camera angles used are mainly close ups but their is the odd mid-shot shown, these are used so that the screen is filled with these abstract clips, all of the clips fit into the same theme, they do not give a lot away. This means the audience can not see a lot of the shot creating narrative enigma for the audience. Every shot has been chosen carefully and shows something different making the complex narrative structure used in Thriller films apparent.

The editing used are all mainly fast straight cuts, the cuts flow together to allow different parts of the theme to be shown, the cuts almost happen before something which will give away the narrative is revealed this helps to add towards the narrative enigma as the audience have so many questions that they want to be answered. Each clip last no longer than 3 seconds on screen then it cuts to something that is in contrast to this, this is done so that the audience are always on there toes about what is going to happen next allowing the ideas of a complex narrative structure to start being set in place.

This is the bright flame that appears on screen.

The mise-en scene in the opening section is all quite dull, all of the colours are mostly greys and blacks, this then contrasts to when the bright fire of the bird appears on the screen, this helps to make the audience feel at ease as the darkness is suddenly lost for a couple of seconds, while this orange flame is on the screen. The use of this recurring flame helps to create a narrative enigma for the audience, they want to know what this flame is. Also the use of the low-key lighting helps to keep some of the narrative hidden giving the idea that the film will consist of a complex narrative structure.

Throughout the entire opening sequence a metal rock band song is playing, this helps to create a different atmosphere as everything seems to become a little bit more creepy with the drums and singing exploding over the top of it, the music also helps to link into the theme that is trying to be shown as it is a metal band and most of the clips that are shown have something to do with metal in them. This helps to link to the narrative enigma as the audience are wondering what this is all about.

There is NO dialogue.

Creating Tension

When the soundtrack, clips, editing and mise-en scene are all merged together the opening sequence really puts the audience on edge of their seats. The clips are all this dark colour which in a cinema or dark room will make the room incredibly dark adding to the tension outside of the film, this then contrasts to the bright oranges of fire which could spook the audience.

The soundtrack over the top, is loud and heavy this helps to create tension as it helps link everything together over one theme, this then appeals to two of your senses instead of one creating a different approach to how tense and scared the audience will get.

Opening Titles 


Columbia Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Present
A Scott Rudin, Yellow Bird Production
A David Fincher Film
Daniel Craig
Rooney Mara

An example of one of the Titles.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Christopher Plummer
Stellan Skarsgard
Steven Berkoff
Robin Wright
Yorick Van Wageningen
Joely Richardson
Geraldine James
Goran Visnjic
Donald Sumpter
Ulf Friberg
Casting By Laray Mayfield
Costume Designer Trish Summerville
Co-Producers Berna Levin, Eli Bush
Sound design by Ren Klyce
Music By Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
Editors Kirk Baxter.ACE, Angus Wall.ACE.
Production Designer Donald Graham Burt
Director of Photography Jeff Croneweth, asc
Executive Produces, Steven Zaillian, Mikael Walllen, Anni Faubye Fernandez
Produced by Scott Rudin, Olde Sondberg, Soren Stermose, Cean Chaffin
Based on the book by Steg LArsson Originally Punlish by Norstedts
Screenplay by Steven Zallian
Directed by David Fincher


The titles are small in font, and are written in a posh house style like Times New Roman. They are mainly placed towards the left of the screen, but sometimes moved around depending on the clips that are being shown on the screen. The colour of the font is white, this is because it is on a black background and white will be the best colour to be seen. The titles appear with the straight cuts from the clips that have just been, they stay where they are and leave with the same clip at the next straight cut.

Research -Se7en

Se7en (Cooper, 1995)




Camera

• Only close ups are used throughout the whole opening sequence

The use of close ups throughout the whole of the opening sequence create a lot of questions that the audience want answering, (narrative enigma). Because of all of the close ups used the audience only get to see certain parts of what is happening, this helps to create the unknowing factor which is part of the conventions of a Thriller.

Editing

• Mostly straight cuts are used but they are all very fast
• The title sequence are edited so that it looks like they are being played through an old fashioned projector

The use of the very fast straight cuts help to make the opening sequence seem very different and it feels as if the narrative is not really began to be explained, this helps to give the ideas of a complex narrative structure which is one of the characteristics of a Thriller film. The titles played through the projector style helps to link the title sequence with the montage that is happening in the background, it also helps to make the titles seem a lot more interesting.

Mise-en Scene

• The opening sequence is filled with the close ups of different parts relating to a 'stalker theme' with such things as: pictures of people, finger tips, writing in diaries etc

One of the clips shown in the opening sequence

These small clips are all centered around the 'stalker theme' this is because this is also a characteristic of the Thriller film genre through the idea of crime. They all show a different way of how this character work giving the audience a lot of narrative enigma to the opening sequence.

Sound

• The opening sequence is a montage the soundtrack that this is to sounds very mechanical and is very repetitive

The use of the repetitive noises helps to create a creepy atmosphere as the soundtrack is not something that we would generally hear being played unless some kind of atmosphere was being created.

Creating Tension

The use of the close up clips helps to create a large amount of tension in the opening sequence as all of the audience are wondering what the character is about, and what is going to happen next. This also links to the idea of the complex narrative structure.

The soundtrack used helps to create tension in this opening sequence as it creates an uneasy atmosphere, because the soundtrack is very modern and different which connects with the short clips that are being played on the screen.

Opening Titles

New Line Cinema presents
An Arnold Kopelson Production

One of the opening titles.

A film by David Fincher
Brad Pitt
Morgan Freeman
Se7en
Gwyneth Paltrow
Richard Roundtree
R. Lee Ermey
John C, Mcginley
Julie Araskog, Mark Boone Junior
John Cassini, Reginald E Cathey, Peter Crombie
Hawthrorne James, Michael Massee, Lelan Orser
Richad Partnow, Richard Schiff, Pamala Tyson
Casting by Billy Hopkins, Suzanne Smith, Kerry Borden
Music By Howard Shore
Costumes Designed by Michael Kaplan
Edited by Richard Francis-Bruce
Production designed by Arthur Max
Director of Photography Darius Khondji
Co-Produceers Stephen Borwn, Nana Greenwold, Sanford Paritch
Co-Executive Producers Lynn Harris, Richard Saperstain
Executive Producers Gianni Numari, Dan Kolsrud, Anne Kapleson
Written by Andrew Kevin Walker
Produce by Arnold Koplesan, Phyliss Carlyle
Directed by David Fincher


These are all of the titles used in the opening of Se7en

• They are placed randomly on screen and appear as if they have been placed on a old fashioned projector
• They are small in size and written in a handwritten style font
• The names are always bigger than what they did e.g. producer
• The people who are more famous (actors) are placed at the beginning of the Opening Sequence

Research- Conventions of a Thriller

What is a Thriller?
A thriller is:
1. a novel, play or movie with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage.

2. A person, thing or experience that thrills.
(dictionary.com)


But what gives the variety of thrillers a common ground is the intensity of emotions they create, particularly those of apprehension and exhilaration, of excitement and breathlessness, all designed to generate that all-important thrill. By definition, if a thriller doesn't thrill, it's not doing its job. (James Patterson, June 2006)

http://dictionary.sensagent.com/thriller+(genre)/en-en/

Overall i have found that a thriller is: A film designed to thrill an audience through the use of twists and turns in the narrative, it creates a large amount of narrative enigma for the audience and uses themes such as: mirroring, identity and voyeurism.

Conventions of Thrillers

• The unknown
• Narrative Enigma
• Crime, Often Violence
• Complex narrative structure
• Everyday normal setting
• Uses themes of: mirroring, identity and voyeurism
• Being Fast-Paced

Some examples of Thriller Films would be:

• Fargo (Coen Brothers, 1996)
• Lost Highway (Lynch, 1997)
• Se7ven (Fincher, 1995)
• The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Fincher, 2007)
• Inception (Nolan, 2010)

(Imdb.com)


Advice from the Chief Examiner

We were given a list of clips that we should make sure we do not do, this is becuse it will give us a lower grade as they will not be imaginitive or contain a differentiated amount of conventions of Thrillers. We were also given a list of the most common problems faced with the AS coursework which again we should aim not to do.

The six most common student film openings are:

· Saw: victim tied up in shed

· Scream: Hooded stalker follows female victim

· Waking up: clean teeth, brush hair, leave house

· Se7en: killer sticks knife in Polaroid photos

· Lock Stock: gangsters play cards

· Flashback or flash forward

Most common problems:

· Looks more like a trailer or a short film

· Insufficient titles

· Poor sound, poor lighting

· Confusing for the viewer

· Uses one of the six most common student film openings

Preliminary Task - Conclusion

I have found that over the course of the Preliminary Task problems have been faced that need to be worked on before the final piece.

The planning worked well, as we understood exactly what we had to do when filming/editing but in another chance I think that we should make more of a plan about the location where the conversation will take place.

When filming everything went smoothly accept for the fact that the 180' rule was broken, this did not come apparent until the editing process. The 180' rule was broken as the camera was placed looking over the wrong shoulder of one of the actors. In future I need to understand and make sure that the 180' rule doesn't get broken as it made the clip look disorientating to the audience.

Overall the eiditng went ok, but there were a few minor mistakes such as the cut from pan to two shot, contained a slight pause with half of the actor's heads in frames, this looked weird and not right to the audience.

Preliminary Task - Completed Conversation

Feedback:

• A good use of shot variety
• The lighting was good, but for the actual video it needs to be better
• The ambient sound (people talking in the background) ruined the conversation
• The 180' rule was broken with the over the shoulder shot

Preliminary Task- Editing

20/01/2011

We began to edit our short conversation on Adobe Premier Pro.

We took it in turns between each member of our group, this meant that each person got their own chance to edit some of our short film making them aware of how to use the editing software, overall the editing of our film ran smoothly and we began to grow an understanding for the software and how to use it, we found that the biggest challenges were making sure that the ambient sound was correctly in the background which in some places we had to copy and cut parts to make the sound perfect.

The editing was basically cutting and the transitions between each of the different shots that we filmed, this was tedious as every shot needed to be perfectly cut at the correct time in order to make the film flow and look as professional as possible.

Preliminary Task - Filming

16/01/2011

In this lesson we filmed our conversation for the Preliminary Task. We made sure that the white balance was set correctly and all of the shots were correct, and filmed in the correct way.

Overall I found that setting up the camera and white balance was quite simple as i followed the bullet points that we were given. Some challenges were making sure that all of the shots were from the right place in order not to break the 180' rule.

The bullet points were;

• Always use a tripod
• The camera should always be widescreen (16:9)
• Don't feel that auto focus needs to be used
• Audio level should always be at the highest setting
• Make sure you film a short Pre/Post Roll
• Don't point the camera into the light
• When panning start further back than needed
• Make actors move into the shot
• Capture 5-6 seconds of Ambient Sound
• Abide by the Rule of Thirds

Preliminary Task- Planning 2

The second part of our task was to create a storyboard this was done so that when we come to filming we can easily look back and know the exact shots that we need to film and how we should present them. They are roughly drawn  this is because when making a storyboard you only need to get the main idea and it does not have to be perfect! The story board was done in order to make the filming easier as we had a guide to follow, which allows us to make sure we film every shot that is needed.

The first page of our Storyboard

The second page of our Storyboard

The third page of out Storyboard

Preliminary Task- Planning

13/01/2012
My group for the Preliminary Task is Liam Wightman, Christian Vaites, Thomas Hogan and myself.

The first part of our task was to brainstorm, we brainstormed our ideas about how the filming should be done, we decided that we should make sure we include: The 180' Rule, Shot Reverse Shot and we understood that we need to shoot the same scene from the 5 different shot angles, as we want to get the best conversation we can.

We have decided the characters for our conversation: Charlotte & Matt and also the narrative for the conversation (They had a sexual experience together at a party and Charlotte is now pregnant.)

Finally we worked on the script for our short clip and decided on the dialogue that was going to be used with the filming and acting of our scene.

This is the Brainstorm that our group created

The Script

Charlotte walks to the door pulls down the handle and enters the room

Charlotte- I'm going to get right to it.

Matt- What?

Charlotte- I'm Pregnant.

Matt turns away then turns back

Matt- Who's is it?

Charlotte- Why else would i be here?

Matt turns away and sighs

Matt- I thought you were on the pill?

Charlotte- I lied.

Matt looks at Charlotte shakes his head and leaves the room
After this Charlotte looks into the distance and  looks glum