Filming our thriller!

During the half-term group 3 decided to start filming our scenes for our thriller, we found that our chosen location had many forests and was a secluded area to film. While we were filming we took some pictures of our group, to show how the filming process went about.

In this picture you can see Kiah placing a
ribbon on a branch

We have used intertextuality as we are using pieces of The
Grudge. The picture on the left is our version of a scary eye
 and the picture on the right is what we have used as inspiration 

Using intertextuality in Vengeance

In our thriller, Group 3 will be using intertextuality in terms of  having the main character resemble the villains in The Grudge and Ringu. In the following pictures you will see Zaiba dressed and looking exactly like the characters from our chosen examples.

On the left is Group Three's version, the middle is an image taken from
The Grudge and on the right hand side is an image taken from Ringu

Skills audit

A skills audit is a review of what I have learnt through out the project.

Blogging
Through blogging I have learnt quite a few things. I have learnt how to:

• How to Create edit publish a blog or post both in composition mode and HTML mode.
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• How to change the font size, and font type of a blog or post.
• How to strikethrough or make text italic, underlined, or bold in a blog or post.
• How to highlight text in a blog or post.
• How to change the colour of the text in a blog or post.
• How to add a Link to a blog or post.
• How to add images to a blog or post.
• How to add videos to a blog or post.
• How to upload videos to a blog or post.
• How to insert a Jump into a blog or post.
• How to change the alinement of a blog or post.
• How to add bullet points to a blog or post.
• How to add a Quote to a blog or post.
• How to remove text formatting of a blog or post.
• How to change the size of imported files (Images, Videos, ECT).
• How to spell check using a blog or post.
• How to create and reply to comments on the blog.
• How to embed items using the HTML mode to a blog or post.
• How to change the design of a blog and add extra features. Such as blog views, sub menu's and blog archive.
• A blog is like a Journal, it isn't just for set work. You can add whatever you like. You can blog anything of relevance it is YOUR blog.

Researching 
Through researching I have learnt:

• To research through multiple sources.
• How to select information which is relevant to my project.
• How to analyse films and film opening in technical terms. The different shot types, and technical terms used within the film industry.

Audio
Through sound I have learnt:

• What Foley sounds are, What Foley sound artists do and their importance within the film industry.
• How to use SoundTrack, importing and exporting sounds.
• How to edit sound in SoundTrack and FinalCutPro

Camera

• How to turn on a camera.
• How to insert memory cards into a camera.
• How to put the battery into the camera.
• How to set up a tripod.
• How to attach a camera onto a tripod.
• How to zoom in or out.
• How to record.
• How to pan, tilt or track.
• How to change the focus auto/manual.
• How to play back using a camera.
• The 5 second rule, which allows you to record more footage.
• To record the same scene over and over from different angles.
• Not to zoom during the middle of a clip as it looks cheap.

Mise en Scene

• The importance of Mise en Scene in a film.
• The significance certain objects can have.
• Symbolism.

Programs.
How to edit using Keyframes.

Final Cut Pro:-

• How to edit audio, video and text using FinalCutPro.
• How to import clips into FinalCutPro.
• How to cut clips.
• How to create imput and output points.
• How to add a clip onto the timeline
• How to add and edit a transition on a clip
• How to add effects to a clip
• How to delete audio or visual layers
• How to overlay a clip
• How to create 'bins' or categories/folders to organise clips.
• How to export from Final Cut.
• How to save a project in final cut.

SoundTrack:-

• How to import and export sounds.
• How to search for sounds.
• How to save sounds
• How to edit sounds
• How to change the volume of audio
• How to fade audio.

I have learnt how to edit text with LiveType.

• How to add effects to text.
• How to format text.
• How to save and import text.

Planning Locations

The first of our planned filming locations is trent park, we plan to film within the forest as it is secluded. We feel that it would look good in our horror film.

The second of our planned locations is CIty and Islington Sixth form college. We will use this location for the bullying scenes.

Risk Assesments - Redone

Here are a list of possible risks that could come up in our thriller production process with solutions included.

Bad weather - this means that is could be hard to film in, the ground could be slippery, the weather could case a continuous error and could be hazardous.

Solutions: Wear suitable clothing, plan to do outdoor filming first so that it can be redone if necessary.

People & Bystanders - Might get in the way, affect our acting and cause continuos error.

Solutions: film at times when people are not likely to be around, or in places which are not overly popular.

Technological - Camera problems such as the camera being in the wrong form, auto focus, full memory, battery life, wrong camera settings, problems when editing, loss of files.

Solutions: Check that camera is set up correctly before filming, make sure to have plenty of space on memory cards, take spare batteries for off site filming, check autofocus before filmin and be sure to back up files.

Ground - Could be unlevelled or slippery

Solutions: wear suitable clothing, try to find level ground or use tripod to get the camera level.

River - As there is a river near one of our filming locations, there are the dangers of: falling in, fishermen, iced over river.

Solutions: Try to go to the filming location when the weather is good and when people are unlikely to be out.

Skills Audit

Throughout the course of media I have learnt many different things that have helped further my knowledge  and benefit me for editing our final thriller. Firstly, I have learnt about different camera angles such as close up, mid shot, establishing shot, tracking and panning etc. 

Here are a few examples of a close up shot, mid shot and establishing shot

After learning about all these individual shots, I have come to find that they all mean different things for instance; a close up shot symbolises a persons expression or emotion it allows the audience to interpret what that character is feeling, another example is an establishing shot which lets the audience know where the movie or programme is taking place.

Secondly, we then began learning about how intertextuality has been used in different movies whereby certain parts have been borrowed and referenced from previous films. Intertextuality can be seen in the movies The Stepfather (2009), What Lies Beneath (2001) and Fatal Attraction (1987) all these movies  in some way or another have referenced the 1960 movie Psycho, in terms of using the same bath scene where a person gets attacked by another character using the same weapon and mise en scene. Beneath is a clip of Psycho and Fatal Attraction which will allow you to see the the similarities:

Moving on, when it came to begin our thriller openings we were taught on how to use Final Cut Pro and Sound Track Pro. Final Cut Pro is a simple editing software that will allow you to cut, add transitions, insert titles and change the filtering of clips. My experience after using Final Cut Pro was that although it was difficult at first it became easier and familiar after I had used it over and over again. From using Final Cut Pro I have learnt how to edit clips to make them flow better and add different effects, for instance as we were making a thriller we often added a "negative" effect to make everything look dark and gloomy. On the other hand, Sound Track Pro is basically the music editing software where you can create your own melodies and transform them into actual songs. Sound Track Pro has allowed me to learn how to loop music, fade them in and out and also to split sounds, other than learning how to edit sound I also learnt that you can search a type of sound effect you want and add it into your video clip, which you have to export so that it can fit into Sound Track Pro. 

Other than learning how to use software's, I had to also learn about more practical things like how to use a camcorder and tri- pod. From one of our group blogs you will see that we have blogged about how to use a camcorder and tri-pod, which helped me remember all the different buttons to press at certain times. My experience of using a camcorder was relatively quite easy, the buttons became familiar to me and I have learnt what buttons must be used during different occasions, for example the ND filter button should be used when there is too much light in the clip, this button will absorb the light so that the clip appears to look clearer. Whereas using the tri-pod was quite tricky having to make sure that it was always on levelled ground, despite this everything else about using the tri- pod became easier within time. Overall, I have learnt a lot from media studies and hope to learn more in the nearer future. 

PITCH

boksuga on Prezi

One of our taks after we had come up with our final thriller idea, was to deliver our pitch to the class. Instead of using a power point presentation, Kiah decided to use a Prezi which is a online presentation which can be accessed from anywhere once you log into your account. In our pitch we discussed our storyline, costumes, settings, and production schedule etc. We also didn't forget to mention intertextuality which is very important aspect in our thriller, using shots from The grudge and Ringu. Looking back on our pitch, we found that we didn't do skills audit to the best of our ability and so have decided that were all going to post individual blogs about what we have learnt; we also haven't included our resolutions and what we also felt was that out storyline didn't come across to the panel properly as they were often confused, this is a area we need to improve on. 

Planning : Power point on 'Planning in general'

2 film openings that inspire us

As shown in our blog, we have been researching oriental horror and discrete openings. Two of the opening that have inspired use the most are se7en and Ju-On: The grudge.

Se7en has inspired us with it's sharp titles. The discrete opening inspires us, and we may use intertextual influences of the film. as blogger no longer allows us to embed the clip here is this link to the opening credits of Se7en on YoutTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY&feature=player_embedded

We've also been inspired by the Japanese titles from the grudge. However we will be using Korean titles instead of Japanese in our thriller. We may choose to overlay some of the titles over the clips as done in the Grudge.

Here is the link to opening of the Grudge on YouTube, as blogger will no longer allow us to embed the clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Kjg6jLgQ8

Props - Jack in the Box

 

Vanessa has specially ordered this Jack in the box for our thriller opening. Zaiba's character will wind up the Jack in the box, this is symbolic of her character being wound up.

Final project - Brainstorm

Our idea is that Kim SuYoung (Played by Zaiba) is bullied at school, her best friend Kwon SuJin (Played by Kiah) turns on her, Lee JaeHwa (Played by Vanessa) is friends with SuJin. After Kim SuYoung commits suicide she seeks revenge on Kwon Sujin, by first murdering her friends. She then comes for Kwon Sujin. *Koreans use the name order: Last name Givename.

We're planning on using a samsung phone (As this is a Korean company), since many Oriental films involve phone calls and technology. We also want to give SuYoung and symbolic object such as a Jack in the box.

We are thinking that we might use this sound track, or a similar sound track in our opening. We thought that the childish song helps to create fear.

Location planning

Group 3 have chosen to look at Trent Park, as a location for their thriller. We are going to visit this location, take pictures and gather props before showcasing our ideas or pitch on monday.

Or other location for our film will be our college.

Analysis of feedback so far...

Since the start of our AS Media project on thrillers, Group 3 have received a number of comments, views and feedback on their blog. Before we continue with our Final project, the thriller itself, we've decided to analyze the feedback we've received so far in one post.

The first image is of a comment on the post 'Oriental horror - female characters', the second is a comment on the post 'A genre that inspires me, J-horror' Since receiving these comments, group 3 have researched further into Oriental-horror for their project. Our Oriental-Horror research can be viewed here. Although the Russian film 'inside the mirror' and Ringu are related intertexualy through their main female characters, we've found out that Ringu was actually based on a Volcano victim, her mother had predicted the eruption of the volcano but nobody belived her, it is believed to be the reason why Sadako crawls on the floor. We found this out from another comment on out blog with aidded our research, as well as researching into Japanese folklore.

We we're surprised to have received a comment on our blog from outside of our Media department. The site posted by Zack has helped us in our research, we also found his reply to a reader of his blog useful in our research on Sadako of the ring.

Our next comment is by another Candi student (whom is in a different group).  She liked that we are basing our project on oriental-horror, this also helps us with our target audience, teenagers around 16+ should be interested in our thriller. She also stated that nobody had chosen to base their probject on this sub-genre before, which makes our project unique.

Lastly we've received feedback from Tom Nguyen, a friend of Vanessa's, on our blog and via the social network Facebook. We've realizsd that the production company logo could have been longer, and hopefully will be able to re-edit the opening for our thriller. He liked the text Hangul (modern Korean alphabet), he stated that it helped to give an Oriental feel to the preliminary project, although he did not know it was Korean next not Chinese or Japanese... He was able to recognise it as an oriental writing system, which means that our viewers should also be able to recognise this. He also mentions adding more sound, and editing the prelim differently. He's given us feedback on how we can create a scarier film too. We hope to incorporate some of these ideas into our final project.

In addition, Group 3 have also be chosen as Star blog of the week, twice by the candi media department.

Final Project - Planning

The Sub-genre we haven chosen to use is oriental-horror, since we have been researching oriental-horror throughout or project

How will intertextuality inspire you?which clips/films
Films such as Ringu, and Ju-on: The grudge will inspire our film. We plan on using characters such as Sadako intertextualy, and basing our film on Oriental folklore such as tokaido yotsuya kaidan, which will lead to use having an Onryo in our thriller film.

The structure we've decided on is discrete, we were inspired by titles sequences like the title sequence for se7en.

Our key props will include a white dress or outfit for the main character who will be an onryo. Which we will have to shop for.

settings - We want to use a secluded setting, which won't be interrupted by the public.

sound ideas - Since Onryo do not speak much, we probably won't be using much diegetic sound, unless we have someone scream or the sound of crawling on the floor.

Prelim video feedback

As audience research is very important we thought that we should post our prelim clip on Vanessa's facebook page and ask people to comment on what they liked and what could have been improved .

Tom , a friend of  Vanessa's who does not study media at all commented giving a very descriptive breakdown on what he thought could have been improved and what he liked .

From this comment we've learnt that our title in Hangul(Korean Alphabet) with the English translation is something he likes and that we should defiantly keep that but work on it by making  it longer . Also that maybe it would be more spooky to  make objects like the see saw move just as Kiah is disappearing . Most importantly i learnt that my group needs to add more sound , We had a few technological problems which meant we lost out on time to edit and record sounds for our prelim. However we've learnt from out technological difficulties, and hope to inprove in the final project.

Planning - Possible reasons behind our main characters 'Vengeance'

If we are going to make the thriller at all believeable we need to have a plot or information on the why , how , what and where . For example 'Why is she killing all these people?'  ...what is her reason ? 

We did a storyboard of possible reasons to a question that we might have to asnwer using images on our final thriller clip .

 I think this question is very important , why is she haunting and then killing people , whats her reason ? 

Here are a few reasons we came up with .........

 This is a BIG possibilty , often when kids grow up with family related issues it effects them mentally and in some cases leave mental scars that could be triggered later on in life . For example if a their parents split up and it's a nasty divorse the burden might be to much on a young kid . If we were to pick this for our thriller we could have an image of two parents arguing . 

One idea Vanessa had was that maybe our main character got bullied because of her hair colour or just how she styled her hair in general , maybe later on in life she tracks down all the people who bullyed her and cuts   their hair before killing them . To show this we could include some shots of our main character finding gum in her hair and then images or kids pointing and laughing .

The last reason we came up with is abuse , our character could have been abused by someone at her school for example by the school janitor . She could then have a thing about killing different janitors in different schools or places .

Planning - Discrete structure images

While watching different openings of different thrillers we soon realised that the main structure we wanted to use is a discrete opening which involves highly edited shots of images that could be important and tell the audience something about the main character or what will happen in the film .

 The weapon of choice ?  

Maybe our girl main character has a fixation with hair and she snips a bit of before killing her  victim , the point is showing images of the weapon can make the audience really start to think .

Why is she holding a pair of scissors ?

What's she going to do with it ?

The Symbolic object

The next obvious image that will most defianlty have to be included is the symbolic object , the reason being is that the audience is only going to see two minutes of the beginning of our thriller we need to put objects in that will indicate the plot/story line so that even though their won't be anymore of the film to watch they would still want to watch it anyway !

The location of the killing or where the majority of the film is set

There could be some images of just the location , or maybe with our character in the location . When the audience looks at out 2 minute thriller opening they'll be piecing all these images togethere just like a puzzle . So if they see an image of our main character with a pair of scissors outside a church that could lead the audience into thinking that she's going to do something horrible near or in the church . It keeps them alert .

Planning - Potential symbolic object

In our group we were thinking about an object or something that could be used to be symbolic or to give  our character the sense of "innocence" . Our first thoughts turned  to costume even though it's quite cliche' we were thinking of dressing our charatcer in  a "white" dress , the colour white is interpreted in films as showing innocence and purity but also there's something angelic about the colour white . As we want a girl as our main character , dressing her up in a white dress will convery all these interpretations meaning the audience will be shocked when the realise that she isn't angelic at all .

 This is a picture from the film 'Ring' as you can see this is the sort or image our group will be trying to pull off , the contrast between the black long hair and shoes and the white outfit creates mystery . We were thinking of using Zaiba as our main character due to the fact that she has straight , long black hair and when teamed up with a white dress could add to our thriller and make it even more spooky and scary .






The next thing we looked at was a 'Jack in a box' the reason being is that symbolicly it could take our thriller to the next level . As you can see the jack in a box is a clown and for one reason or another a few people find clowns scary , this could be used in our favour . Also theres something about "winding" the little handle round and round till it POPS out , maybe our main character is being bullyed or has been mentally abused and when someone does push her buttons or "wind" her up thats when she offically bursts out and attacks .

Prelim Evaluation

Filming the prelim i felt went better than the filming that took place for the 'Collateral' remake , we used a different variety of shots and our location i felt was stronger as it went with the vibe we wanted to give off.

Things that i liked overall about the prelim :

1) The first few opening shots.










 What i like about it mostly is that you can tell that this girl is outside and maybe in a park as you can see the sand box .

On the second shot you can defiantly tell that it's a park , the reason why i liked these few opening shots was because unlike the 'Collateral' remake it  isn't blurry , it establishes the location and we used different shot types . (Wide shot - Mid shot and mid close up)

It was a necessary that we included a match cut , we agreed that when doing the match we wanted to show that the girl was a ghost . The match cut included her walking then disappearing and then re-appearing. However when editing began we soon realised that a man appeared in our background that wasn't meant to be there. We had to keep that clip as we didn't have any other that we could use to replace it with.

As you can see the third shot include the man which makes our video and match cut less believable . For our thriller we are determined to make sure no one of thing who isn't supposed to be there is in our clips.

Before we set out to do our prelim we were given a set of instructions that we had to follow :

"A character opens a door, walks into a room, sits down opposite another character and they share a few lines of dialogue."

With our prelim we have our character opening the park door, sitting on the swing opposite another character and they share a few lines of dialogue.

The dialogue we decided to use was -- " Hi my names Zaiba what's your name? " 

We had the ghost girl character not respond to add the spooky effect. In which Zaiba responds with "hey you know it's rude ..." She doesn't finish the sentence because she then realises that the girl ghost has disappeared.

All in all i think my group did achieve the targets set out and improved a great deal since our 'Collateral' remake.

Prelim evaluation

Overall the process of filming the prelim wasn't too bad we were sure to film different camera angles so that the audience would be able to see exactly what the characters were seeing, although we did do many different angles we found that in the end we didn't need all of them and many were edited out. During the editing process, I was away for a couple of days so my group had to fill in on my behalf, but after looking back on the final prelim there would be a couple of changes that I would have made. Firstly, the 19 productions sign goes too quickly I personally think it would be better if it was a couple of seconds longer then faded out into our actual clip, that way the audience are prepared for our clip. Secondly, I would have used a low mysterious sound bed which would play throughout the clip to heighten the anticipation for what is about to come. I would have also changed the way the ghostly figure suddenly disappears as it isn't exactly clear as to what just happened. Despite this, I think the prelim does do what the task wants which was to show that "A character opens a door, walks into a room, sits down opposite another character and they share a few lines of dialogue", this did indeed happen. Also, I like that it has a eerie sense about it as it sort of gives us practise for our thriller which is to be horror themed.