Evaluation

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The Editing process

Day 2

Again the group split into two in order for more work to be processed. As we uploaded all of the software onto the computer yet again, including the new footage we felt we needed a little more added touch to make the clip complete. Therefore we decided to shot a quick yet which would be effective scene. We shot our idea of the male dangerous character sharpening knives which would ultimately add an extra piece of suspense. This didn't take us too long as it was only a few shots that we felt confidently about shooting.

After these shots were taken we returned to the computer to carry on with the editing final process. After a good few hours we managed to edit the whole clip and add the tension music which we purchased from the audio website (audio.lgfl). Although we originally planned only to use one or two pieces of music we ended up using it nearly throughout the whole 2/3minute clip. However we felt that this worked really well in adding to the uneasy feeling we wanted the audience to experience.

Overall the whole groups is happy and proud with the outcome we have achieved, we have all worked really hard putting in the right amount of effort we needed to pursue our goal.

Re-filming

Yesterday Tuesday 7th April, we organised to re-shot the last few clips of our thriller which we weren't presently happy with the outcome. This time we met at an early time of half 5, we quickly went over the plan of what we had to shot and began filming as soon as we got to the location. As previously we had problems with the continuity we ensured that this did not happen for a second time running. This time it was me and Thegla who shared the role of director/Filmer working together to get the best possible shots whilst Anna continued her role of actress. We can now say that the filming process is finally over and we have enough footage that we are happy to use for our final piece.

I think that looking back from our first day of filming we have greatly improved with our camera skills. As before we felt a little uncomfortable and unsure of how to use the camera with the angled shots we were aiming for. Now we are able to shot from a number of different angles using space and locations to our maximum advantage. After an hour of shooting yesterday we were satisfied with our outcome. Next week we will be reviewing the shots of yesterday and editing the final product. We will plan to edit and add music/credits in one day, in order for us to have enough time to concentrate on other aspects of this course.

The Editing Process

Day 1
Today we decided to separate the group into two, this was done to enable us to get more work done in a small space of time as the deadline date approaches closer and closer! Half of the group: Me, Anna and Thegla were assigned to the role of editing our footage whilst the other half: Elena.C, Natalie.M and Natalie N seeked out music that would fit our thriller opening. The aim for the group was to look through the whole of our thriller and to begin editing. Before going our separate ways to our assigned tasks, we sat down as a whole group to look through and pick out the shots that we wanted to use. This took longer than expected, taking up a lot of time going through the MANY shots we took making these tough decisions.

Our ideal goal was to have nearly the whole clip edited and ready to add additional factors including sound effects. However once we had begun to look at our clip closely we immediately noticed some faults in the way we had shot a number of the scenes and there were many continuity errors present. This had an effect of the way our work was being perceived. As we want to be able to achieve the best of our potentials we have decided that to aim for the higher more "professional" look we are going to have to re-film these shots. Overall we think that this is the wisest choice for all reasons stated above.
Although things didn't go to plan we were still able to cut and edit the scenes that we did shot well and there is the saying "it could have been worse". The good thing is that the scene that we will be re-shooting is the easier less time consuming and due to our successful pieces of work most of the footage is usable. We are intending to fix these mistakes during the Easter break, were we will have enough time to mend them.

Further analysis of thriller openings

Although we have analysed many thrillers in lesson I have chosen to analyse a further two openings of a thriller for additionally research. Here is a list of the current top twelve thrillers, two of which are highlighted (which i will be watching and analysing):

1. The Godfather (1972)

2. The Godfather: Part II (1974)

3. Pulp Fiction (1994)

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

5. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

6. Rear Window (1954)

7. Cidade de Deus (2002)

8. Fight Club (1999)

9. The Usual Suspects (1995)

10.Psycho (1960)

11. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

12. North by Northwest (1959)

Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction (1994) is an American film directed by Quentin Tarantin . The film is known for its mix of humour and violence and pop culture. The film has been awarded for best original screen play and has been nominated for seven Oscars.
I only watched the opening rather than the whole film in order to offer more ideas

for mine and the groups final piece. Before any credits or scenes begin the film starts with a title card of two dictionary definitions of the word "pulp". This immediately gives the audience an insight to what the film is going to be about. However I could not see how this would relate to a thriller
film. After the title card of definitions are shown, the film goes straight in showing a shot of a couple. The couple have a conversation about robberies and crime in which the audience can pick up the relevance this has on the film. Although I felt there was a slight confusion. As the couple discuss there plan to rob this cafe after a violence start, sudden gangster music begins. Where after the credits begin to roll on screen. The credits run for a long time and from the change of gangster music, upbeat music begins in the background the credits are still rolling. Instantly after the credits the film shifts to an introduction of two men. Close ups are shown of the two in suits, a slick look about them sitting in a car. They begin to talk of humour and again the topic of crime emerges. The film includes a cultural watershed influence to it which audiences can relate to.

Although this film does not relate to our final piece much it was still a good opportunity for me to view different methods directors use. Contrasting it proved to me that i didn't feel our credits should roll for as long as this film. However the action that occurs before the credits is entirely relevant to this film. In our product we will also use this system. The young woman walking into a house following a trail of blood immediately shows our product is a thriller.



The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight is a film directed by Christopher Nolan and it is based on the DC Comics of Batman. It has won a number of awards from best picture to best special effects.
Without any credits the film immediately begins. There is a moment of silence with the image of water dis merging and with an explosion the music starts a sudden loud drum noise. Where after the audience is shown a scan of the top of the buildings. As glass smashes and we are shown a number of men with clown masks, action music plays. This music is represented like a clock ticking, these men are under pressure to rob the bank and get out as soon as possible with the stress of restricted time.

As more action occurs the music becomes more dramatic. The breaking of the bank begins with five clowns, each assigned to specific tasks. As the clowns go on with the robbery they begin to shot each other in order to achieve a bigger share of the money for themselves. Although they are unaware that they are being deceived by the "Joker" himself. At this point quick, fast shots are taken erupting the audience. The bank manager who has also been shot by one of the clowns, warns the remaining clown that he will pay for this. As the last clown takes off his mask to reveal himself as "The Joker" , the man immediately stops talking in a state of shock and we the viewers know that he is harmful. This shows the authority and reputation the Joker has. He is a dangerous villain. The film then goes on to follow the journey and investigation of the rising threat of the criminal the "Joker".

Similar to "The Dark Knight" the music which was used a sort of clock ticking sound which represented the pressure of the time and the action that was occurring, our product has used a piece of music which sounds like drum beats this represents the pressure of the characters safety. As well as quick and fast shots we used this when cutting from the young woman in the basement to the sharpening of the knives. In this film it can be picked up on the reputation of the Joker and we are aware that he is a dangerous person likewise the hazardous character in our film as he appears in the shot with the young woman she begins to scream anticipating he is a harmful person to be dealing with.

Filming Process, Day 3

Tuesday 24th March
Today our aim was to film the final shots of our thriller and I can now say that this was achieved. From previous experiences we met at a earlier time enabling us to have enough time to discuss and to film the final shots we wanted to take. After a two hour period of filming we were glad to discover we had finished!

Our filming skills have greatly improved and through these past few filming days everyone has had a chance to practice using the camera. We have learnt that shots can be taken in the most rigid of places and we were able to improvise in these difficult situations. However filming is not as easy as we had imagined and it was a tricky job shooting the different scenes in the allocated locations.

Now that all the filming is done, as a group we will able to move on to the next steps in our coursework process which include the editing process. We are planning to do this early in the time of next week as this process could take a long time. A date will soon be scheduled.

Soundtrack Research

" Silence of the Lambs"

For further research in support of our thrillers we watched specific scenes from the film "Silence of the Lambs" analysing the use of soundtrack music used.

The psychological thriller is based all around the story of the case on the vicious serial killer Buffalo Bill of which FBI student trainee Clarice Starling has been assigned to. In need of an insight to get the case going Starling visits the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where she requests the help of Hannibal Lector, the imprisoned cannibalistic serial murderer.

The film has many times been regarded as the best psychological mind twisting thriller and it has been rewarded by a number of Oscars, including: Best: Actor, Actress and film which is a huge achievement for just one film.

First scene of analysing - The opening

The opening of the film has a eery , dark music which makes the audience feel immediately uneasy although nothing actually happens. The first view shots are of the main character (Clarice Starling) running through a forest. Although the sudden thought of a young woman running through a forest may seem like a threat the audience soon establishes what is really going on from the clues given in the props. These show equipment matching to an assault course of some sort of training. From the start the music is an eery kind of classical music yet has an unsettling effect on the audience. In fact the audience is lead on by the music which makes us predict something in the visuals, expecting and waiting for something dramatic to happen.

The Interview

The interview is taken place in the hospital/prison of the Criminally insane between Hannibal Lector and FBI Clarice Starling. Red lighting is used which adds to the suspense of the atmosphere as red is often connected to blood, anger and evil. The music that is played in this scene again is an eery similar soundtrack that is used in the opening. As Starling walks towards the Hannibal Lector edging closer and closer the cold, eery music is used to unnerve the audience without going to its full tempo. Also the way the shots are angled showing the surroundings of this unpleasant place and showing close ups of this calm yet potentially viscous man.

The Escape Scene

The escape scene - I thought that this scene specifically was very cleverly planned to trick the audience into believing. The scene opened with diegetic classical music playing. This musical suggested the peaceful scene and the audience was not expecting what they were about to see. As soon as the action began the music immediately switched into a dramatic musical tone increasing the tension. The scene cleverly joined two different sounds together and the high tempo soundtrack created an immediate sense of anxiety for everyone. As Lector's job is done the soundtrack again goes back to the calm classical musical that we originally heard at the beginning of this scene. Strangely enough the audience is intrigued as Lector conducts the classical musical acting as if nothing has even happened.

Buffalo Bill is killed

This was the final scene that we analysed. Clarice has just drawn her weapon out to Bill and follows him to the basement. Soon later the lights go out and she is left in total darkness. This alone makes the audience feel on edge. As Clarice staggers around in the darkness of the basement the soundtrack builds up to its highest peak until to all of our satisfaction she shots him dead, this is when slowly the music dies down. This soundtrack is already familiarised by the audience in the earlier scenes of the film. At this part when the music is so loud it can in a way be draining which adds to the emotions the audience feels.

The beginning of the film Clarice running through a forest, alongside the eery music already sets the scene and tells the audience what sort of film they are about to watch. We also used this type of establishment. We introduced the audience to firstly a shot of a young woman approaching which could potentially be a normal house although with the anxious music sets the mood. As in many thrillers there is almost always a person that is dangerous to the main character therefore we decided after watching "Silence of the lambs" we were going to add a killer which would be a man. Although stereotypical we feel this is most effective in this type of genre film.