Music for Our Thriller

the music we have chosen as the backing track for our thriller opening is called Conspiracy. it begins with an eerie electronic organ sound creating an atmosphere that is tense and uncomfortable. this is accented and emphasized when it is accompanied later on, with synthesized sounds and a buzzing baseline. this feeling of foreboding intensity, hints at suspense before increasing it dramatically into terror and fear.

Copy Right

copyright is a selection of specific and exclusive rights that are granted to the creator of an original piece of work, whether it be photographic, literacy, audio etc. it means that only they have the right to distribute, copy or alter the work. these laws restrict the exploitation of the piece so that it is controlled by the creator. all documents or files etc that are marked with the copyright logo have been legally distributed and are not for illegal reproduction and resale etc. all rights belong to the creator and your need their permission to use them within any publicly available context or medium such as films. if you were to disobey the copy right laws you are liable to be taken to court and fined.

Film Language

during our media classes we were educated on film language, in order for us to understand and analyze films with greater understanding and to benefit and aid us when it came to producing our own thriller openings.

Lighting- lighting is very important in film and has a massive part to play in terms of the emotion and effect of a scene. on a film set there are only three different types of lights used. these are; the key light, the back light, and filler lights. 

the key light is the main source of light on a film set, it is used to light the front of a scene, casting light on the characters and the mise en scene. this can be positioned in may different places to create different effects and shadows, something that is vitally important when it comes to producing a successful image.

the back light is positioned behind the subject, creating shadows etc. similar to how the key light is used.

the filler lights to eliminate and remove harsh shadows created by the two main lights, the key and back lights, in order to produce a more naturally lit appearance to a scene.

the ways in which lighting is used can be broken down into two main groups, this being low, and high key lighting. low key lighting uses only one or two of the lights, general the key and back light creating harsh shadows etc. that alter the overall feel of a shot to be more dramatic and expressive. this is referred to as Chiaroscuro meaning light and dark in Italian and refers to the large amount of contrast created. this can be broken down further when you look at the positioning of the lights, and the way they are used. for example, the subject could simply be lit from behind (back lighting) creating a silhouette. this is generally used to induce fear or un-trustworthiness within the audience. high key lighting appears to be very natural, it generally uses all three types of light, especially filler lights used to eradicate the shadows created by the larger light sources. an example would be top lighting, where the subject is lighten from above bleaching out any imperfections of the skin so that it appears flawless. this is a very glamorous form of lighting.

Camera Angles-camera angles are also part of film language and they too play a large part in the effectiveness of a shot or film. there are many types of camera angles and shots many of which are combined. tracking shots follow and move with the action within a scene, were as panning shots follow the action from a fixed axis. there are also tit shots, where the camera tilts on a fixed access, and crane shots, where the camera is lifted and maneuvered above the scene.
 

Sound-sound is very important in modern day film, bringing footage to life. sound can be spit into two sections. firstly diagetic and nondiagetic sound. diagetic refers to the sound within the world of the film. in other words sounds and music that the characters can hear. these can be both on or of screen and include dialogue and music.diagetic sound can be split into another two subsections, these are parallel and contrapuntal. parallel sound is sound that corresponds to the mood and feel of the footage or visual that is being shown where as contrapuntal does not. non diagetic is sound that only the audience witnesses, such as a voice over or theme tune.

Opening Credits

we have chosen to have the opening credits of our film apear in the following order;
Red Rock Studios Ident

A Red Rock Studios Production
A Film by Gay Face Productions
Starring Connor Dyer
Ryan Miles
Simon Moore
Mackenzie Baxter-Moss
Also Starring Georgia Wigley
Harley Mason
Edited by Simon Moore
Cinematography by Mackenzie Baxter-Moss
Music by Connor Dyer
Casting by Ryan Miles

DECUS ET TUTAMEN (film title)

The Art of The Title

as a group we studied, on www.theartofthetitle.com, how titles in successful films are have and are currently displayed and presented to the audience, and how combining both text and music works to create dramatic effect. we also look at the use of background images and the effect and importance of selecting the right font and the write font size in order to convey the correct atmosphere in relation the the film. after having viewed and criticed a large number of different title formats, as a group we decided simplicity had a much more powerful impact. it helped to convey the idea not only of importance but also held a greater impact on the mid of the viewer as the ability to take such a bold un developed step is more memorable.

Anamatic

Story Board

Bohemian Recreational Drug Users

We have planned to include a unique type of character in our thriller. these characters are bohemians, dwellers of the Forrest, who recreationally use hallucinogenic drugs. by including characters of this nature we will be able to produce a much more intriguing, and possibly more disturbing thriller as these characters will produce intriguing witnesses as their reactions will with no doubt differ from the norm when confronted with the crime. Below is an effect that we are considering using for the cinematography of the bohemians. Note the effect of the fast paced editing;

Character research

In our thriller we also need a character to act as the drug dealer, to apparently "bust" (although this will prove itself to be untrue as the intro progresses). We have to research the appearance of actors who have played this role in past films, to get a idea of how to go about the mise en scene of our character in this role. 

The Script

here is a script we have put together for our thriller opening;

Panorama view of forest
2 Undercover Police walking (Eddie and Terry)

Eddie: Sources say its just up ahead

Terry: There could be a big bonus in this for us...

Different shot of two odd looking people (Damon and Rico) taking pills in the forest, tilting, jump shots
Back to Eddie and Terry

Terry: How much further?

Eddie: Just up ahead

Short shot of odd people, followed by shot of major drug smuggler (Randy). Then a shot of Terry, looking surprised to see him on his own.

Randy: (slight laugh) So...you finally came

Terry suspects something but before he can turn his head, Eddie has stabbed him in the back with a knife. Shot of Randy grinning widely. As Terry slumps to the floor, Eddies face is shown to have a sinister smirk on his face. There is then a shot of Eddie and randy looking at each other from a side angle. Then a quick shot the two odd people running again, on the effect of drugs. they stop however when they come near to the clearing where Eddie, Randy, and the body of terry are. Hallucinating, they stop. then back to the shot of Eddie and randy, they approach each other and give each other a hand on arm handshake.

Eddie: I take it you have my payment?

Randy: How could i forget?

The pair grin. Randy goes towards a bag he has near him, and as he picks it up, he speaks

Randy: All about the money (smiles)

Eddie: Is there any other way? (also smiles)

Damon and rico start to have a panic attack, and give themselves away.

Randy: what was that?

Eddie pulls out gun,randy does the same, and his head movement gestures randy to follow. Damon and Rico, still under the effects of drugs, run off into the forest followed by Eddie and Randy. Damon however is caught by Randy as randy shoots him in the shoulder, who consults eddie as to what to do with him. As damon rolls over, Eddie steps up and there is a camera shot of the barrel of the gun looking damon in the eye. Eddie pulls the trigger. there is then a dark screen, with the sound effect of a mans scream, and the title of the film appears.

Brainstorm

initially, in order to produce possible ideas and subject matters for our thriller opening, we carried out a brainstorm as a group. this allowed us to put down a number of different ideas in order to develop an understanding of each others tastes and what we would each like to include in the thriller. these ideas will then be combined together to try to come up with an idea we can all agree on.

Shadow of a Doubt

 Mise En Scene

Hair, Make-Up & Costume – the scene starts displaying are party attended by women dressed impeccably in extravagant and beautiful ball gowns, the men are in fine tailored suits with not a hair out of place, this is then contrasted with images of the disheveled and homeless situated in the slums.. this demonstrates the huge void between and created by social classes. However uncle Charlie is presented immaculately just like the people attending the ball, demonstrating his wealth even though he is located in the slums.

Facial Expression & Body Language – both Uncle Charlie and Charlie are then seen laying down displaying their indifference about the current situation. The people in the slums are straight faced and cold in terms of their facial expressions demonstrating the seriousness of the situation and the hard times they have been through and will go through again. This contrast significantly with the facial expressions of the people in California. They are all happy, smiling displaying open gestures creating a successfully comfortable and happy environment.

  Color & Lighting –once again contrast is used with uncle Charlie first presented in very low lighting, with his eyes hidden, hinting at a theme of deception. However this is changed dramatically as the environment Charlie is presented in becomes bright and vibrant, a facade of happiness.

Setting & Props – this is  possibly the most dramatic contrast, with the slums being run down with burnt out cars and the homeless/tramps poised on the sidewalk. However in California the streets are clean with no sign of a tramp. The streets are full of law abiding happy citizens mixing comfortably with police officers. Uncle Charlie is featured smoking a cigar demonstrating his wealth and the presence of money on his side table, of which some has fallen to the ground, demonstrates how money is in important to him, money or no money he will not be changed.

Positioning of People & Objects in the Frame – the land lady and uncle Charlie are displayed to be physical distant, demonstrating the emotional distance between the characters and their lack of communication. Following this uncle Charlie is shown to be followed by two men. Whose presentation combined with the sets low key lighting are shown to be very negative and untrustworthy individuals. However in California everyone is presented to be physically closer replicating the emotional closeness of society and community.

Film Details and Analysis of Past Students Work

Analysing previous students work we found that the majority of films had none to little dialect, so we decided to use little too. We only have two lines at the beginning of the film, this is to help the audience understand what is going at the time, we then have a line at the deal and a shout towards the end.

Our Production Company

we hvae decided to name our production company, 'REDROCKS.' we chose this as a title for our production company as we felt it expressed the aproach we have to the media. in media you have to take risks, without the risk there is no thrill and no moving forward. red expresses the eliment of danger will rock expresses the thrill and impact of the media.

The Title of Our Thriller Opening

after much deliberation, we have decided to name our thriller 'Decus et Tutamen'. we did consider a number of other names such as, kaliedoscope, vision,and foxes den. we decided to choose the title 'Decus et Tutamen' as although the thriller is about the use of drugs and the disbersion of drugs form the dealers to the users, it all revolves around money.'' is written on the side of the pound coin.

Sabotage

Mise-En-Scene

Whilst watching, in class, the film sabotage directed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1936, i analyzed it in the terms of mise on scene. This is what I came up with.

Body Language and Facial Expression

Facial expressions are very prominent in this film with many alterations and dramatic changes. E.g. Mrs. Verloc is presented to be happy with a warming smile and open body language when she encountered Steve however this was altered dramatically in the other direction when she saw Sergeant Ted Spencer. body language also changes allot in the film due, such as when Karl Verloc presents Steve with the package to deliver.  he appeared to be very paranoid quite understandably as he was nervous for he Steve to hurry and get the package delivered on time as to avoid him being blown up by the bomb inside. 

Costume Hair and Make Up

All the characters and extras featured in the film are dressed in costumes in the style and fashion of the 1930s with makeup that is relatively unnoticeable and natural looking.

Positioning of Characters in the Frame

The boy is seen to be very close to other passengers traveling on the bus. This crowded environment demonstrates quite physically the idea of being trapped and the sense of no escape from what is going to happen. Whether the boy delivers the package on time or not, he is involved in this violent act, be it unknowingly.

Mumford and Sons

the cinamotography used in this music video along with the music it contains has helped to inspire my ideas about the shooting of the bohemian characters and the cinematography used.

Inspiration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TwqE2X55Wg unfortunately this video cannot be embeded, however it does display the sort of effect and set that we are trying to create within ur film inrelation to the bohemians.

Our Finished Thriller Opening

Production Company Ident

at the start of a film, there is usually a production company ident. this ident, helps identify the film as having been produced by that specific company. this ident generally stays the same and presents the name and logo of the company. many films are produced through the collaboration of a number ofproduction companys and so the title sequence of the film includes more than one ident.

walt disney ident

20th century fox ident

this shows the importance of sound with in an ident. the soundtrack is instentanously identifiable.