We plan, at the moment, to not include any speech at all in our two minute opening. This means that we won't write a script for our film. We don't want anybody speaking because we think that as our film is a thriller it should create as much suspense as possible. One of the ways we can do this is by not including any other noise or sound other than the background music or noise made by the props. The background 'music' is some background music we found on Soundcloud that represents our genre and film well as it contains some creepy/suspense sounds. So, to have dialogue would ruin the atmosphere we are trying to create. Another reason not to have dialogue is because I think that having dialogue would distract the viewers from what's happening with the character in the film but they would instead listen more to what they were saying. Also, if we were to have dialogue then we aren't too sure of what would be said. Due to the fact we don't want to show any of the character other than their hands so the audience can make their assumptions, it would be giving away their voice. The only other option would be if we had a narrator, (either the character's voice or someone else) over the top, perhaps, describing something that happened a long time ago. LR
Below is our storyboard in preparation for our final film opening. We have included drawings that we think we will be using frequently during the process of filming and shooting for our film. The drawings included within the storyboard may change throughout the process of the filming procedure, however, these are the main elements.
No credits where included in the rough cut, to improve i would personally add credits explaining the actors and company that is making the film. - Anonymous
I personally think that the rough cut lacked order, therefore the transition between clips was poor. I would improve this to boost your outcome. - Anonymous
Maybe add some fancy editing to make the film opening look more professional. - Anonymous
Add more clips to make the TWO minute film opening because it is currently one minute and thirty three seconds. - Anonymous
Positive feedback;
Interesting idea creates tension and wants the watcher to carry on watching. - Anonymous
Music suits the idea and theme of the two minute opening. - Anonymous
Good camera shots and angles makes the opening look more unique and professional. - Anonymous
Potential locations/settings of our film opening (+ photos):
We plan to create a film opening of a suspense/drama genre, with the idea to focus on specifically the characters, the props, the setting and the titles. Therefore, the location to get the correct setting, the location is particularly important. There are several options and various locations that we can choose to set our film in, but from the start, we have something specific in mind. Ideally, we want a home studio/office in the home of the character (depending on the character we want to have). For instance, the first idea we had was to film somewhere unrecognisable to the audience, so any landmarks were a big no. Instead, we thought the locations had to be personal to the character, somewhere familiar or at least a place where only the character could access/no public outsiders. Going with this theme, our first ideas below are in order of our importance:
- A Home Art Studio: This could be any room at any of the group's home to act as the characters own personal art studio. This choice is the most realistic as the art studio at school is always busy so we will probably be interrupted which isn't ideal. - Our School's Art Studio: Our school has a wonderful and expansive art studio that we could ask to use after school or on a Saturday if the caretakers have opened the school. If this is not possible then between the four of us, we have more enough art products and objects to build a smaller art studio (below). - A Dark Cellar/Basement: Any basement that could also act as the characters basement space to work. This could act as more creepy as the other locations and would go with the genre much better. - A Converted Shed: This would require more effort as we would actually have to convert a shed if we couldn't already find one. Weather conditions, schedule, availability, timing, sequences etc...
The film opening location (we hope) to use is only one location, a dark room in a pretend art studio in one of our group's house, where the charcter is to make strange notebooks and other 'things'. We are sure that only one location will be enough, becuase its only the opening to the film, and therefore we shouldn't be giving everything away. Yet, our location also depends on several other factors such as the weather conditions, schedule, availability, timing, sequences. For example, to decide the location we need to know that that place is indeed free and meets the needs in terms of availability, and ideally free for the entire time of our shooting so that when we return to the location, it hasn't changed, and therefore achieving continuity. As for the schedule, all of the crew and cast need to be available and all can get to the location in time, as well as all of the crew knowing the schedule for filming. I think that the schedule will be determined after the dates for filming have been decided so that we know where and when it is happening. The film will be shot inside, so the weather conditions do not affect us in any way, yet they could play to our advantage if we wanted to create a certain atmosphere e.g. if it was raining and we had a shot of the raindrops on the window. The sequences, again, are all going to be shot inside in the relatively same location so the sequences going through each shot and telling the story aren't dramatically going change in terms of location. Why are these locations so good for what we are trying to achieve?
As we aim for to create a film of the suspense/horror genre, there are several conditions that make this location good. For one, the flexibility of our location is excellent because we can use it at any time of day, especially at weekends. The location has also several lighting options that we can alter and use for how we want it. The area of the room we want to use, also, is enough space for us to try and experiment with what the character can do. Are we using interior and or/ exterior locations?
We won't be using any exterior locations, only interior settings. This is because we want the feeling of the character being isolated or loneliness in his house, and perhaps not confident to go outside. Only using interior locations creates a feeling of secrecy of the character, and, for the audience, an atmosphere of being alone. The conservatory we are using for the location will have no curtains on, and we plan, to film at night time. This will create a creepy element of the house because it will be black outside while the character works in his art studio. Do we have back-ups?
We plan to use Daisy's conservatory for the setting of the art studio, with the props surrounding him. However, if plans change and we need to use another location, then any of the homes of our group can be a location if we need to. All of our group have other options we can use, including other rooms, houses, and our school. It also depends on circumstance, availability, schedules and timing on whether everything goes accordingly or something happens to go wrong.
A film genre is a motion picture category based on similarities in either the narrative elements or the emotional response to the film (namely, serious, comic, etc.). Most theories of film genre are borrowed from literary genre criticism.
Conventions of film genres are the normal features in a film you would see of a certain genre.
Horror films The conventions of horror films are...
Either a dark isolated setting eg forest/abandoned building. OR. a city environment to make the story seem realistic.
Disturbing low pitch sounds to create tension and suspense.
Dark colours/filters (blood red).
Death/ supernatural/ dark plots.
Fast pace editing to create suspense.
A vulnerable character and a brave character.
Contrapuntal music
For example...
This film opening has a vulnerable character, a supernatural plot, contrapuntal music, disturbing soundtrack to build up tension and dark colours used throughout. All of these create an atmosphere, you wouldn't think a teen comedy would start with bright colours.
Horror films are usually aimed at younger audiences, aged 15-20. Horror films excite a younger audience and give them a thrill, younger audiences are less likely to be put off by horror films and scenes of violence which would make older audiences feel negatively towards the film.
Science Fiction The conventions of science fiction films are...
Scientific elements
technology
set in the future
Futuristic props, costume and setting
Conflict between good and evil
time-travel
For example..
This film opening features the scientific elements and technology of time travel its also partly set in the future, in the fact that Marty was sent to the future and comes back from the future. Newly releasing science fiction are usually aimed at younger audiences, aged 15-20. However as franchises grow older and release sequels the same audience carries through with the film, meaning the audience is a much older more mature audience as well as younger audiences who have been shown the films by parents or older family members. Comedy Conventions of comedy films are..
Idiots who are accident prone (Charlie from Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Smart people who are socially awkward (Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory
'Regular people' (Dennis from Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Love and sex ( Superbad)
Alcohol and Drugs (How High)
work and school (Office Space)
Music (School of Rock)
Crime (The Green Hornet)
Most comedies have a nice and happy outcome
There are many locations that are featured in comedy films.
For example...
This intro features a main character that could be considered a bit of an idiot but hes not a normal person, he is a policeman fighting crime. He is also arguably accident prone since he gets stabbed, therefore most of these fits the conventions of the genre. The target audience of a comedy film is very dependant on the content of the film. For example children’s films labelled as PG’s or U’s can have comical scenes, however the audience would be completely different for a comedy film labelled as a 12 or a 15, Comedies labelled 18 certificate are often more explicit in terms of language and scenes, making the film heavily aimed at the over 18s. Romance... Conventions of the romance genre are...
soft lighting effects and relatively natural lighting to achieve the feeling of it being in touch with reality making the story as believable as possible.
soft tender music, this is to represent the tenderness and sensitivity of the relationship and often represent the characters personality.
Flowers and gifts that will be given to one of the main characters usually by the love interest.
A male and Female, the male is virtually always the love interest and the selling point of the film
Most of the time there will be some sort of character that disrupts the relationship created between the two main characters
mostly set in the city, especially big cities for example New York being perhaps the most common setting for Romance films,
This film opening features soft tender lighting and the colour red which is the colour most people think of when they think of romance. This opening doesn't exactly fit the other conventions but that shows how even some of the biggest hits in cinema do not abide by the conventions. Target audiences for romance films usually tends to be more for women than men. After asking some people questions about why people think women are more likely to like romance films, they said women are the main target audience because they feel the films are relatable and men get dragged along to watch the films. Teen... Conventions of teen films are...
The plot is usually based upon the special interests of teenagers
coming of age
first love
rebellion
conflict with parents
teen angst or alienation
Films in this genre are often set in high schools
contain characters that are of high school age
Sexual themes are also common, as are crude forms of humor.
In this film opening of the teen film, perks of being a wall flower, it confides to the conventions of the genre. It features a young adult, who in this specific scene seems quite alienated. Not many teens spend time alone in their rooms in films, they're out partying. We can't tell from the opening but the film goes on to deal with coming of age and first love for example. Teen film is a film genre targeted at teenagers and young adults, For legal reasons, many teenage characters are portrayed by young adults. Some teen films appeal to young males while others appeal to young females. Action... Action film conventions are..
Physical action takes precedence in the storytelling
Continuous motion and action
Physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races.
The story usually revolves around a hero that has a goal, but is facing incredible odds to obtain it.
This film does not abide by the most of the conventions of action films, it sets the scene in mexico and as he enters the hotel room and locks the door, changes and disappears out the window we know he is the hero. Action films are one of, if not the most popular film genre. Both the mass and niche audiences watch action film. So a lot of different types of people are watching. But there is a core target audience who will and would want to watch any action films that are released. This is typically a young adult male, with an interest in action, thrills and excitement. Crime genres.. Conventions of crime films are..
Suspicion
Enigmas
Extraordinary events
Drama
Fast pace
crime of some sort
cliffhanger
antagonist in danger
complex narrative
This film opening again does not specifically fit the conventions of the genre, it has the antagonist and features the illegal game which in the film is the protagonist but that is the only few conventions of the genre it meets in the opening sequence.
The target audience for a crime thriller would be predominantly males. This is because a crime thriller is known to interest them more. Crime-thrillers are often age rating 15. This is because it allows the creators of the film to include a vast amount of strong violence, sex scenes and sex references and strong violence. All these are present crime thrillers with a 15 certificate. However are present to an extent which enables the film to be enjoyed by people age 15 and above.
