Location Scouting

Due to health and safety concerns, we were asked to relocate our filming.

Lighting and Sound

Lighting

For our thriller we are mostly going to use natural lighting, but we might use torches to try and change the brightness of certain places or objects.
For the scene where the protagonist is in the building we will just have natural lighting, although if we feel it is too bright, then we will try to adjust this by covering up the windows. We might also try and make his face appear darker because this creates the effect of mystery.

 

When the car pulls up natural lighting will be in use because it is outside. We will also use the weather to our benefit as it will change the mood of the scene. It is usually foggy or raining around this time of year which will again create a sense of mystery and tension.

 

When the soldiers are moving through the building we might put small torches on their guns to shine more light into the rooms. This could allow for some more shots as we could focus the camera on the light on the walls which would create a cool effect. We might also do this because it will make the soldiers appear more official and professional.

We could also use torches to create shadows in the building which would also create a sense of mystery and fear as it might be dark.

 

Sound

Our thriller will have music over the top and some diegetic sound such as the sound of the car and footsteps.

The music that we use will be slow and quiet at the start but it will increase in pace when the vehicle appears. The music will remain at a fast pace until the soldiers enter the room and find it empty, in which the music will reach a crescendo and then slow down slightly. The music volume will also follow this pattern of quiet to loud to quiet again. 

The music will consist of mostly string instruments throughout and drums when the speed builds up. There will not be any vocals over the top of it. The varying of pitch and the string instruments fit the typical thriller music style because it creates an unsettling atmosphere.
The violins will create a high pitch screeching noise which will be unpleasant to the audience and it will create the effect that something bad is about to happen. The drums will be loud beats with the pace starting slow, quickening and then slowing down again in time with the action. This also creates the effect that something bad is going to happen and it also emphasises the power in the soldiers when they move through the building. 

Storyboard

Shot List

These are the different shots we are going to film and the shot types we will use. This will help us know what we need to film on the day so as not to waste any time, although we might film more shots if we think more effective ones could be captured.

Casting

Auditions:

The first audition was by Joseph. His audition was very exaggerated and we didn't think that he would be a suitable actor for our thriller. 

The second audition was by Matthew and it was very poor and it was clear that he did not want the role. Therefore, we didn't choose him. 

Next was Sam's audition which was exaggerated but we thought that he has the capability to tone it down a little and be more serious. 

Owen's audition was also exaggerated and we did not think that he looked the part. 

Finally, Archie's audition was not serious enough and so would not be suitable for our thriller.

In the end we decided to give Sam Hargrave the role of the protagonist. Although the audition wasn't the best we chose him was because he was slightly more convincing than the rest and he has previous experience in acting, so we have faith that he can deliver when we actually come to film the opening.

Opening Titles Timeline

Risk Assessment

When filming our thriller opening we must be cautious of any dangers or trouble that might happen.

The Dangers

-There might be sharp objects that could cut us so we must be cautious of them. We will also take a first aid kit just in case one of us gets cut or injured.

-When we are filming with replica weapons we have to be careful of passers by. To make them aware of what we are doing we will put up signs telling them that filming is in progress and that replica guns are being used.
We might also have to inform the police that we are filming so that they know, just in case a call is made.

-We also need to make sure that the building is abandoned before the shoot day because we don't want to trespass and if it is then we will have to find a new location.

-A vehicle will be in use during filming as well, so we must be cautious when in or around it.

Filming Schedule

We will be filming our thriller opening on Thursday 27th November 2014.

Schedule

Character Profiles

Wanted Man

• Age: Late 20s
• Occupation: Unknown
• Appearance: Dark hair, brown eyes, unshaven

Not much is known about this character, all the audience know is that he has a family and is on the run from a group of armed men. This implies he has done something to provoke a group/organisation.

Armed Men

• Ages: Mid 20s-30s
• Occupations: Henchmen for unknown group/organisation
• Appearance: Wearing black military-like attire

A group of heavily armed men suggests that the man they are chasing has either done something to aggravate someone or has something that they want, and are willing to use force to get what they want.

Suited Man

• Age: 40s
• Occupation: Unknown- involved with some sort of group/organisation
• Appearance: Suited, wearing shades

This character has an air of authority and importance showing that he is high ranking in whatever group/organisation he comes from.

Actor Contract

Props, Costume and Location

Props

·         Pistol

-The pistol is a G18 airsoft gun.

-It will be used by the man who is hiding, however, he will not fire it. It will be on the floor up  until the point that the car arrives and he will pick it up when he gets up against the wall.

-It is a typical thriller prop because most [crime/action] thrillers involve guns and weapons. It is also usually used by someone who is on the run.

-The gun signifies that the man isn't homeless but he is on the run and most likely dangerous. It could also give a clue as to what he did beforehand.

·         Assault Rifles

-They are black machine guns.

-They will be used by the men who show up on the car, but they will also not be fired.
-They are also a typical thriller prop because they are usually used by government agencies or the police.
-The rifles show the difference in power between the men carrying them and the man hiding. They are bigger and more powerful than his pistol. This also creates the effect that he is strong if they need all of that to take him down.

·         The Sleeping Bag

-It is just a basic fold away sleeping bag.
-It will be placed beside the man hiding out.
-It isn't a very typical thriller prop but it will aid the story line.
-The sleeping bag will create the effect that the man does not have a permanent place to live and that he is on the run.

·         Rucksack

-It is a big, expedition size bag.
-It will be place beside the man and his gear.
-A backpack of some sort is a common prop in crime thrillers where someone is on the run.
-The bag will help to create the effect that he is on the run.

·         Canned Food and Water

-These props are cans of tinned food and there are some bottles of water.

-They will be in a pile around him.
-These are usually typical props in thrillers similar to ours, where there is someone hiding out or trying to survive.
-They will help make the protagonist appear that he is on the run and hiding out.

·         Family Photo

-This is a photo of the man and his wife and daughter. The photo will be folded over on him.

-The photo will be on the floor and it will be picked up by the man in the suit at the end.
-This type of prop is usually used in thrillers to show that the protagonist has a family.
-The photo will make the protagonist appear as if he has a family to lose so he is going to fight hard and strong. However, it could also imply that they are already dead so he has nothing to lose.

·         Litter/Newspapers

-It is food wrappers and scrunched up newspapers on the floor.

-They will be used to make the building look abandoned and like it is a dump.
-They are used in some types of thrillers where a building or area is shown to be abandoned or deserted.
-They make the setting appear abandoned and will make it appear like a good place for him to hide out.

Costume

• Wanted Man- Walking trousers, t-shirt, coat, boots

This character's costume shows that he is on the run and follows the style of social realism, which is the typical style of the mise-en-scene in thriller films.

• Military/Government Agency Personnel- Black clothing, e.g. boots, gloves, balaclavas, assault vests.

This costume has been selected because the colour adds an air of mystery to the armed group of men, and suits the typical mise-en-scene conventions in thriller films.

• Suited Man- Suit, smart shoes

The suit creates an air of importance and also mystery as to why he is there and what he wants. This sense of mystery will help add to the tension, which is a key part of the thriller genre.

• Driver- Black clothing (e.g. hat, jacket, boots), sunglasses

This costume was decided upon for similar reasons to the armed men- it creates mystery and surrounds the character with suspicion.

Location

The filming location we have chosen for use in our thriller opening is situated down Dunsby Drove. The reason for using this location is because it is a deserted place with not a lot of life within a close proximity, which is appropriate because it creates the sense of mystery that is important in our opening.

 Leading up towards the abandoned farm buildings is a dirt track that we will be able to use when the 4x4 approaches, containing the armed men. The fact that the building is abandoned shows that the person that is running away has no where safe to go because he has committed some sort of crime or done something to aggravate a certain group of people and will be punished if he is found. Obviously the man has no option to run away because of what he has done.

Production Companies

Production companies have many different roles during the production and distribution of films. Firstly, they provide the funding, which is acquired through parent companies, partners, or private investors. They also handle the budget, scheduling, scripting, casting, organisation of staff, the actual production itself, post-production, distribution, and marketing.

The production company we would choose for our thriller would be EON (Everything Or Nothing) productions, who are known for producing the James Bond film series. The sub-genre of our opening is action thriller so we could incorporate some of the action-based experience of the company into our film. They also recently signed a deal with Columbia Pictures to develop thriller films outside the Bond franchise to help establish more British writers, which is a good opportunity for new filmmakers  like ourselves. Another bonus of this production company is that it is based in the UK (London's Piccadilly, as well as operating from Pinewood Studios), which is more convenient for both parties.
 

Our Production Company

Burton Productions

Burton Productions is a new but well qualified British production company. We focus on creating exciting and innovative opening film and television titles.

Pitch:

Preliminary Task: Storyboard

Preliminary Task: Actors, Props and Costume

Actors

-Sam Hargrave - Wanted Man
-Tom Branch - Mexican no. 1
-Glen Burton - Mexican no. 2

Cameraman

-Sam Thistlewood

Props

-Revolver pistol
-Briefcase
-Chair/Stool
-Maracas
-Torch/Lamp

Costume

-Wanted Man - Coat/Jacket
-Mexicans -  Sombrero and poncho

Preliminary Task: Order of Shots

-Extreme close up – The man reaching for the door handle.

-Mid shot - The man walks through the door and turns left.

-Long shot – The man walking down the corridor towards the camera.

-Close up – A wanted poster of the man.

-Over the shoulder – A Mexican at the bottom of the stairs.

-Close up – The man’s shocked face.

-Close up – The Mexican shoots at the man.

-Mid shot – The man runs back down the corridor away from the camera.

-Extreme close up – The man hastily presses the lift button.

-Mid shot - The man looks down the corridor at the Mexican.

-Mid shot – The lift opens with Mexican no. 2 in it.

-Extreme close up – The man's stunned face.

-Extreme close up - The Mexican no.2 shacking maracas.

-Mid shot – Mexican no.2 hits man with a maraca.

-High angle mid shot - The man falls to the ground.

-Black out – The screen goes black.

-Low angle mid shot – Mexican 1 is standing behind the man as he is interrogated.

-Mid shot - Mexican no.2 trying to open the briefcase.

-Low angle mid shot – Mexican 2 shoots the man with a revolver.

There will be a minimum of 19 shots in this sequence. There could possibly be more if we decide to include close-ups to show emotions and the characters looking at each other.