Before Soundtrack

This is our rough cut before the soundtrack. However, since this was posted we are no longer using this film due to the feedback from our class and other media students.

Rough Cut

This is the rough cut of our opening sequence.

Sound

This is our backing track for the opening sequence of our thriller film. It acts as an enigma code as well as building suspense in the opening sequence. 

Storyboard and Pre-vis

This is our storyboard put into action. The drawings are not good quality but the actual storyboard can be found further down.
Slide 1) This shows Laura walking her dog, with a reverse shot to Charlie and then a shot back to Laura walking her dog.
Slide 2) This shows close up of Laura walking to her destination of threat to her life, to a close up of her taking the lead of the dog, long shot of the dog running into the forest
Slide 3) This shows a close up of Charlie taking photos, a flash of saying actor's name "camera flash", medium shot of Charlie being creepy
Slide 4) This shows fast flashes of Charlie's work, to a typewriter of actor's name, close up of Charlie back in the forest stalking Laura
Slide 5) This shows actor name "camera flash", medium shot of Laura walking through the forest, medium point of view shot showing Charlie following Laura
Slide 6) This shows Charlie behind Laura, typewriter to actor's name, zooming to Charlie taking photos of Laura's scarf on a fence
Slide 7) This shows "camera flash" and typewriter to Mr Grevor - the name of the movie

In our opening sequence, when filming, we kept to the storyboard as a brief outline but added in a few more shots to create an atmosphere and a sense of danger towards the protagonist.

Title Research

Title research

Se7en

We have analysed 'Se7en' on many occasions and we believe that the titles have a great impact on the thrill element of the opening sequence. The titles appear very untidy therefore suggesting that it is the protagonist is writing the titles due to the very slow writing of the words and poor handwriting which could only be associated with a person. Thus, creating the audience to feel on the edge of their seat and promote their vulnerability, as if it is the Protagonist in control of the opening sequence. Consequently, creating an eerie, intimidating atmosphere within the film. 

Shutter 

We really found the opening sequence  of Shutter extremely intimidating and the titles contributed to this. The titles appear upon a black background. Black links to darkness which is associated which is when most bad occurrences happen, therefore with the titles on a black background acts as an enigma code for the rest of the film. The title is an old fashioned style of writing which creates a mystery as the film is in modern day but the writing is old fashioned, which could imply that it is the deceased ghost of the film writing the titles. Subsequently, this creates the thrill and vulnerability within the audience. 

Woman in Black 

Woman in Black (2012) trailer is extremely effective and immediately creates a sense of jeopardy due to the chilling soundtrack (which we have took inspiration from due it's pure thrilling element), the hard lighting and also the titles. The titles are in a very inconsistent with the size of each letter varying, suggesting that it is the insane 'women in black' writing the titles thus promoting the thrill of the film.  The dark black titles are on a jagged grey background which shows uncertainty as a grey is a very mutual colour, whilst it could also reflect the fog at the beginning of the film in the form of pathetic fallacy. 

This is our last research into the selection of our titles. Here you can see all of the titles we have looked into and what we have finally selected. 

Production Diary

Props and Costumes

props 

Props

- Diana F+ and Minolta Camera- makes the audience think WHY the antagonist (Charlie) has a camera on him and what images he has on it- creating suspense and confusion within the audience.

-Laptop - to be part of Charlie's bedroom scene, which the audience will see him on. Raises doubts over Charlie and why he may be typing away so furiously alongside a messy room - sets tone for the rest of the film. 

-Scarf - the scarf  will be red, which symbolises blood, danger and anger all of which they audience will see later on in the film as Charlie looks to kill. This will act as an enigma code as it will set the tone for the rest of the film implying bloodshed and deaf. 

-Voodoo doll - the voodoo doll will be important as it gives the chance for the audience to recognise the link between Charlie piercing the doll and Laura's vulnerability. Furthermore, Laura dead is pictured in a stripy top, whilst the voodoo doll is red with black stripes, therefore showing a clear distinction between Laura and the doll. Also, the colour red indicates the anger, blood and danger. 

Protagonist - played by Laura McLean - costume

Laura's costume 

- Casual clothes, big coat, scarf (red) and wellington boots. Just the normal clothes you would wear when walking a dog, casual yet practical. However, in this casual yet practical costumes, there are enigma codes which convey the potential occurrences in the future of the thriller. For instance, the red scarf and hat symbolise danger. 
-The colour red symbolises blood, danger, anger and is also the first colour in which the human eye responds to, thus drawing attention to the enigma code.

Why have we chosen to be the Protagonist?

We have chosen Laura to be the Protagonist, mainly because she fits the conventional mould of a Protagonist. First of all, Laura is a female, who are stereotypically seen as more weak and vulnerable, therefore this would suit the role of a Protagonist who are of course the victim. Secondly, Laura has blonde hair, and often in film (especially in thrillers) blonde haired girls are Protagonists, therefore Laura fits the classic convention of a Protagonist. Furthermore, girls with blonde hair, such as Laura, are stereotyped to be not as smart as a brunette, subsequently Laura's danger and vulnerability could be thought to be down to the fact she is a 'blonde', thus reflecting stereotypical views. In addition to this, Charlie has dark hair, the opposite to Laura's light, blonde hair. Consequently, Laura's light hair could reflect good (often reflected in light, heaven-like qualities) and Charlie has dark hair which could reflect evil (often reflected by darkness).

Antagonist-played by Charlie Boyden-costume

-The key to an effective and sinister antagonist is the feel of mystery. The costume will play a vital role into making the antagonist a mysterious, sinister and dark character by hiding away facial features. Consequently, this keeps the audience unaware of who the attacker is, therefore meaning the audience have to watch the rest of the film to discover who the antagonist is, and why he is there.

Charlie's costume

-Dark clothing blends in with the gloomy surroundings, therefore staying out of sight of the unaware protagonist, whilst the audience can see the antagonist thus contributing to the tension.
-The costume will be relatable to a classic teenager; fashionable. Our target audience is from 16-25, therefore the costume would be more relatable to the target audience, making it feel more real, thus making the audience feel more vulnerable.

Why have we chosen Charlie to be our Antagonist?

We have chosen Charlie to be our Antagonist as Charlie is a male, and in the classic conventions of a thriller, as males are often the antagonist as stereotypically men are seen as more violent, aggressive and capable of sinister actions. Consequently, Charlie fits the mould perfectly of an antagonist. Furthermore, Charlie has very sharp facial features which make him seem more intimidating as it causes the audience to focus on them, thus making Charlie seem as if he isn't up to any good. Lastly, I touched on it previously regarding Charlie  and Laura's difference in hair colour. Charlie's very dark hair can reflect 'evil' in the fight between 'good' and 'evil' seen in many thrillers. Charlie's dark hair can portray the darkness and creepy part of evil, whilst Laura's hair is light, projecting innocence on the 'good' side.