New thriller idea

I think our thriller idea is moving forward very well as we have thought of the idea being based during the Cuban missile crisis and still during the 60’s and there would also be an assassination. It would also be in an office, not in a hospital, to show that the film was a political genre.

Thriller Presentation

                                            Thriller Presentation

I thought the group presented our idea of the thriller really well as people spoke clearly and at a good pace. The feedback we received was: the set should not be  in a hospital as it would be too difficult to stage and should not involve filming an operating table. But it was a good idea to be based in the 60’s and be based on the assassination of JFK. I found the process was positive and the feedback was also helpful as it was useful for thinking of new ideas for the thriller.  

Thriller

We came up with the idea of the thriller being based in a hospital, perhaps a murder, as it would be an interesting place to film in. We also thought it would be a good idea for the film to be based in the 60’s and it could also be based on the assassination of JFK. It would be on an operating table. We thought that the doctor would be an assassin during the surgery. I thought the idea of this would be very good as it has an interesting storyline.

Thriller Sub-genres

Conspiracy Thrillers

Often people conspire against a high status person (for example a person in government). In conspiracy films there is often an innocent person and a bad person. There is often spying and taking pictures of a victim. Two examples of conspiracy films are 'The Bourne Identity' and 'Eagle Eye'.

Spy Thrillers

Spy thrillers often involve a secret agent working undercover for government missions. It  is usually an adventure that involves travel to faraway, desolate places. Alfred Hitchcock made many spy films. Some examples of spy thrillers are 'Secret Agent', 'Charade', 'Mr and Mrs Smith'.

Psychological Thrillers

These can  involve an emotionally unbalanced character who is usually targeting an innocent character. The film is often a  psychological rather than a physical fight between good and evil. There is often a pursuit scene involved. Some examples of psychological films are 'Obsession', 'Vertigo' and 'Fatal Attraction'.

Editing prelim task

Editing prelim task

In editing we checked in by clicking on the settings circle into final cut server and clicked to checked in.  The log bin had all the shots and the rush bin had the shots we did not want. The shots on the time line had to be exactly in line with each other because otherwise there would be a gap in the film.

In editing I enjoyed creating a story with the shots.

One task I found challenging in the editing process was getting the text into the shots (as the actors were speaking Russian) because we had to line the text up in the right place on the screen and it had to stand out on the screen so the audience could read it. I found that matching the shots together was easy- showing both points of view, the 180 shot, close ups and wide shots.

I found some of the shots we filmed made the script easier during the editing process, for example, the close up of one of the actors leaving the scene made the story more tense. I would have told the actor to speak up as in editing we had to higher up the volume of his voice. I would also have put some non-diegetic noise in the some of the shots, for example dramatic music when the actor left the room.

I think our team worked really well together. I enjoyed hearing different points of view on what to use for editing.We all contributed towards the film, in editing I sorted the text out for the shots.

Prelim

Editing Suite

For filming we went to the editing suite. In our group were Anna, Alissa, Theo and Raff. We chose two actors who both spoke Russian. We had them speaking the script in Russian and the last two lines in English. My role in this was helping with the set.

I enjoyed using the camera for filming because I liked filming the different angles of the scene. I also enjoyed thinking of a concept for the film.

 I learnt in the process of filming that the lighting has to be perfect when you’re filming as the scene doesn’t work otherwise. You have to work well together in a group. I did not like the script as it was boring and not creative.

I enjoyed working in a group as you hear different opinions on how we should film the scenes. I think everyone contributed equally to filming the scene. I did help organise the setting of the scene but I think that I could have spoken up more. I would have changed the area where the set was placed but everything else was fine.

 The location added an ambiance of secret agents to the sequence of shots. We used some editing equipment, including keyboards, headphones etc. to show that there was technology being used by the actors to suggest that they were agents. They were both seated at a desk.

We also filmed some additional shots including a low angle on actor A to give him a sense of authority. We filmed a close up of Anna typing on the keyboard,  close ups of both actors and we also filmed a 180 degree shot to show both actors' viewpoints during the scene.

My job in the prelim task was helping with the set. This involved choosing the area where the film would be set in the editing suite, and clearing the background of the set so unnecessary objects won’t appear in the film. I also chose to have the editing keyboards in the film.


This is the final clip for our prelim.