Our Vision

Our Vision - Presentation

Sound Experiments - Foley

We did not do a sound experiment as such, even though this would’ve been quite possible for the water dripping noises in our film opening. This is because we tested the free sound effects already available on iMovie, and knew before we started shooting that they would fit our film opening. Therefore, no foley sound experiments were needed.

We also experimented a lot with the piano – the non-diegetic motif in the background of our final piece. Although this was not a ‘foley sound experiment,’ as such, we spent a few hours on keyboards figuring out the tune before creating it in garage band.

However, we did record the whirr of a fan, which we used as white noise in the background of our opening. This was recorded with an iPhone, and we were very pleased with the quality.

9 Frames

Our 9 Frames - Film Opening 

These are our 9 frames that highlight the style and mood of our opening. These images are some of our ideas for our real opening and give the viewer an idea of the tip of shots and camera angles we wish to pursue, along with the style and placement of the integrated credits.

Sound Effects - Page 1

Sound Effects 

These are Some sound effects I have researched and analysed for inspiration in our sound ideas for our final product. We think that we only want sound/music in the scenes that include the shots of the bathroom as we want to use silence in the bath scenes, to add and build tension.



This clip shows some horror style sound effects, some of which could be very effective in our piece. I like the idea of having a high note pitch bend or repeated high notes, making a fast and very otherworldly noises. I also like the increase in volume as it adds tension as to what will happen next. the sudden and unexpected percussion noises are also very effective in jump scaring the audience, however this may not be the style we are looking for. I like the repeated beeps as if time is running out, through a clock or a bomb timer, adding tension as to when the beeps with stop or when the bomb will explode. The panning of the slashing noises also makes the audience feel as if they are in the scene, adding tension, this is effective along with the panned and enhanced creaks, giving the sense of a scream. I think a build up of most of these sounds with distortion and desaturation in the pictures will give a very effective opening. Also I believe the most simple sounds can be the most effective, especially juxtaposed with the silence of the bath.



This music is very effective as it has an aeolian key and therefore add mystery and suspense because you are not sure of the music and therefore of the action. this music is punctuated with percussion that acts as an almost heartbeat. this is effective because it places the reader into the scene. the clicks are also fast and repeated giving a sense of fast pace action and helps to build suspense, at when they will stop. the moment when these clicks and drum hits speed up, implies a cliff hanger or an ending that is very big and leaves the audience wanting more. 

Sound Effects - Page 2

Sound Effects


This music is very effective as it implies distortion and unnatural things happening. this is displayed through the use of electric guitar, playing loud and disturbing notes, punctuating the synthesised chordal movement. this chordal movement also implies ambiguity as there is no clear key at the start. the introduction of the strings and their minor, chromatic, ascending movement creates fear and ambiguity whilst also building up to a climax within the music. The layers then build, thickening the texture, implying a dramatic decrease in texture and a sudden jump scare. the distortion continues as the volume increases and there is a loud 'stab' which implies bad things are happening and increases the tension, therefore increasing the pace of the film. after this breakdown, highlighted by the drum's 'stab', there is a lot more use of sound effects that are incorporated into the music, such as a creaking door, radio wave white noise, slashing of a claw, and a roar of an animal. all of these are distorted and made to sound as part of the music, this also implies supernatural events. these sound effects, differ from the conventional forms of music, showing that the film is scary and more unconventional.

03:00 - 04:00

The music for Dawn of the Dead is effective because it uses an innocent motif that is repeated and edited, and this is effective because it builds suspense and gives the viewer and idea that the scene is creepy and eerie. This would be useful for our clip because it would enhance the mystery behind the whole opening. The movement of the orchestra behind this motif, implies that there is something unnatural, due to the change in key and the chromaticism. Also the use of low strings (cells, double bass) juxtaposed with the high piano motif conveys the sense of being out of place and eery. The random effects and percussion within the orchestral accompaniment builds tension and suspense. this is also created through the increase in volume, and texture through the piece. I would like to use the idea of a small motif as it builds the suspense and also adds an element of innocence which, when placed with a more menacing background, this innocence is blemished.

Moodboard - Colours

Moodboard - Colours

http://www.gomoodboard.com/boards/J92O8_KP/share

This is a mood board of all the colours we could use in our final opening.

Napoleon Dynamite - Title Sequence Evaluation

Napoleon Dynamite - Title Sequence Evaluation 

This opening title sequence is good because it incorporates the credits into the scene and this is what our group wants to do within the moments where the shot is around the bathroom. this is a good influence because it gives us ideas on what to write and how to write it. However the drawbacks for this sequence are that the credits need to be on screen for long enough to read but not too long that the whole allotted time is taken up by these. Also we need to think of creative ways around the bathroom to create these embedded tittles. another drawback is that this style of title is usually used for the comedy genre so we would have to be careful as to make it more in the horror style. 

The Missing - Title Evaluation

The Missing - Title Evaluation

 

I like the title at the end of this and I think we could use this in our group as an influence for our final product. I think our end to the opening should finish with the title that should fade from the scene into a white was screen, like this clip, and then fade the black slightly blurred text over this white background. I think this is a strong influence on our final product because it would fit with the theme of the monochrome colour scheme and would also give a sense of mystery and suspense to the title. The music also is a clever idea in the sense of the ringing, becoming uncomfortable to the viewer  highlighting the thriller genre and the style of the rat of the film.

Black Swan - Evaluation

Black Swan - Evaluation

This clip is effective in the use of diegetic and non diegetic sound as the shot of the woman looking over the bath is timed well with the orchestrated flash of music and then the gasp as she comes up for air is placed in time with the end of the music, adding a frightening and mysterious idea that the music and the scare is in her head and under the water. I think the framing of the girl in the bath is perfect for our idea of our framing, so we can use this as an influence in our shot. This clip also made me think about the distortion of the water as she sits up in the bath, adding to the mystery and delusions of the character. I like the use of the blood drips as they have no clear source until the jump scare, also the idea that this is the only diegetic sound, adding reality to the illusion, also the blood represents danger and hurt, making the audience feel on edge and frightened.

Se7en - Title Sequence Evaluation

Se7en - Title Sequence Evaluation

I like this opening sequence due to the frequent use of the close ups. This confuses the viewer and gives them a sense of discomfort as they don't always know what they are viewing. I would like to use this as an influence to our opening titles when the shots move around the bathroom, this will enhance the thriller genre and build tension throughout the scene. Also I like the distortion of the titles, however as we are embedding our titles this would be hard however I believe the shots for the close up bathroom moments could be edited to be distorted and this would give a spooky feel to the whole opening. The layering of sound is very effective, especially the creaking as it is enhance and built up so adds suspense with that. the distorted noises sound personified and in conjunction with the wobbly frames, the whole scene is uncertain and ready to jump out. The music is very enhanced sounds of squeaking and rocking and creaking which I like as it is very random and unpredictable, and would therefor like to use these kinds of noises in our opening scene, for the bathroom shots and I believe this would add tension enhancing the horror/thriller genre.

Saw Opening Scene - Evaluation

Saw Opening Scene - Evaluation

The use of water in this clip creates a frantic message and signifies a panicked and stressful mood, conveying the horror/thriller genre. The large body of water creates suspense as it is dangerous to wake up in water, adding to the horror genre. the use of the bubbles is an idea we want to use as it shows weakness and need for air, highlighting the uncomfortable situation of being underwater. the sharp intake is also an idea we want to use as it provides relief and lets the audience question the reasoning behind the situation, it is also sudden and unexpected. We want to create this effect of the danger of the water but with the opposite feel, more eerily calm and building pressure through the audience's intense discomfort of the growing time in the bath. 
The muffled underwater sound is also an idea we wanted to use as this provides a mysterious distance between the character and the audience, also adding to the thriller and suspense. I also like the sound of the water flowing around in the bath as this provides frantic motion adding tension and causes the audience to think and question what is going on. The distortion in the bath, we can use to our advantage as this provides distance and also confusion in the audience.

Colour Palette

Colour Palette - Opening 

This is a colour cpalette that we will attempt to stick to through our filming and is a basic outline of all the colours we will use throughout our filming and our frames. These colours are predominantly grey as the saturation will be low, giving an eery feel. The red shows the blood that will stand out in the shot. The black and white will contribute to a monochrome idea and therefore the mystery that surrounds the thriller genre, the white also adding the clinical, sterile feel that the character has so clearly disturbed.

What Lies Beneath - Evaluation

What Lies Beneath - Evaluation

This clip is effective because the constant sound of the running water builds suspense as the scene progresses and the woman starts to drown. This constant also puts the audience on edge which is a typical feature of a thriller/horror film. The moment where the sound fades to a muffled running of the water is effective because it places the viewer into the place of the character, adding tension and discomfort, also a typical feature, making the audience get more emotionally involved in the scene. The frequent cuts from one end of the bath to the other also provides rapid movement, which is a build up of tension through the story. The close ups show the intimacy with the woman and convey the desperation of the scene, also showing the danger of the bath rising. The distortion in the woman's face causes the audience to relate to her life being on the line and her desperate need to turn off the tap, we could use this to enhance the eeriness of our mysterious woman in the bath. The fluctuation between the slower, 'calmer' moments and the fast movement moments also provides a contrast and keeps the audience on edge, we could use this to make sure the audience are more confused so the tension can peak at the end of the clip as the eyes are revealed. The shot of the woman spitting the water and her gulp of air is similar to the moment we want to create in our opening so could use this moment to try out and practice this style.

Radiohead - "No surprises" Evaluation

Radiohead - "No surprises" Evaluation

This clip helps us to explore the idea of filming underwater. the moment where the singer is emerged, there is a feeling of peace as his eyes are closed and he is holding his breath. However the longer he is underwater the more the audience feels tense. The camerawork, use of close ups, suggests an intimacy with the audience, also adding focus onto the singer with this close up. this clip made me think about the effects of the frame, with water and the dangers with water in the shot. For example the face could become distorted if the water isn't as still as possible, this could provide humour when not wanted. This clip is also very much the same in the way that the shot is constant and therefore this could bore the viewer.
The rising water, provides tension and worry in the audience, we could use the length of the time spent underwater to our advantage to make the audience feel on edge due to the suspense of running out of breath. These of the water's refection of the light could be used to our advantage, making the mystery all the more enhanced. The change in lighting provides as a sense of change in time with the music and the different colours place us in the moment, as they almost replicate water.

Film Opening AS Coursework Ideas

Film Opening AS Coursework Ideas:

These are my initial scene ideas for our opening sequence, with examples for each style in the thriller genre:

Mood - Board Thriller Genre

Mood - Board Thriller Genre

http://www.gomoodboard.com/boards/-BDew-Y2/share

Here are some screenshot examples of the mood board with roll-over descriptions:

 

Research - Codes and Conventions of Thriller Genre

Research - Codes and Conventions of Thriller Genre

Film Openings - Page 1

Film Openings - Page 1

Film Openings - Page 2

Film Openings - Page 2

Film Openings - Page 3

Film Openings - Page 3 

Preliminary Task - Video Review

Preliminary Task - Video Review

Our preliminary task film is successful because there is a clear story line, with clear characters. There is a shot reverse shot included, both over the shoulder shots and both including a conversation. Also we include a close up of the bag, and several continuous shots, with a match on action too. Our continuity is successful with clear framings used. The various camera angles such as the canted added effect and show skill.

The more unsuccessful parts that could have been improved was a more extensive use of lighting and sound to add dramatic effect. also the overall flow through shots could have been more smooth. 

Preliminary Task - Video

Preliminary Task - Video

Preliminary Task - Storyboard Review

Preliminary Task - Storyboard Review

Our storyboard is a clear representation for what we wanted to achieve in our Preliminary filming for this task. We have clearly stated the movement and the positioning in these images, along with exploring proxemics of all the characters clearly. The outline, clearly defines the positions and makes it clear and easy to read with the information being specific to time periods and the action in the scene. These descriptions also explore the sound and the transitions and edits on each shot. 
To improve on this, I think we could have focussed on the background in the drawing just to be specific about location. I also think we could have included more arrows to highlight the specific movement for all the characters. Finally I think that the facial expressions could have been drawn to show the mood and the tension of the story.

'Trainspotting' Analysis - Classwork

'Trainspotting' Analysis - Classwork 

At the top, I created a sound graphic drawing, which shows that throughout the clip, there is a constant piano chord sequence. This build suspense and tension as the characters start to run. These triadic chords change to a higher key at the highest point of tension. The main other significant sound is the voiceover of the Scottish character, describing the situation, setting the scene. Most of the other sounds heard are diegetic and are created by the characters/objects in the scene. This includes, firstly the screeching of the car, causing the audience to feel tension, as the sound is uncomfortable. This is then followed by laughter of the other characters, setting the scene. Shortly after there is cheering that is of the same level of the chordal movement below. The final diegetic sound created, is when the character falls, and this is the sound created when he hits the floor.

Below the sound drawing, I noted key moments of tension and key scenes. There is a very small moment of equilibrium at the start but as the characters start to run the tension starts to build on a steady incline. This is then highlighted by the long shot of the men running in suits behind the main characters, this increases to the gradient of the tension graph. The next key scene that really emphasises the tension increase and is a pinnacle moment, is when the man stops just in front of the fast car. Then the key character is introduced through a freeze-frame and this marks the slight decline in tension. This decreasing curve includes the football team photo moment, as this is a moment of equilibrium, as nothing is building suspense at this moment. After the football team moment, most of the other characters are introduced. I drew a slight incline in tension because the piano music seems to speed up and the language of the voiceover also becomes more explicit. The peak moment of tension is right before the main character falls as the audience is on edge as to what happens. After the fall the rest of the clip is in equilibrium as there is not much change in action, the camera only pans in a circular motion around the character.

'Halloween' Analysis - Classwork

'Halloween' Analysis - Classwork

In the top half of this page I drew a graphic sound drawing highlighting all the sound in the opening scene of ‘Halloween’. At the beginning there is just the diegetic sound of the crickets, with the quiet indecipherable sound of the man and woman talking. Then suddenly as the camera begins to move, there is a 2-note high-synthesised violin sound jumping up to the string tremolo, which is a constant throughout. There is then an introduction of piano chords that are repeated and then modulate higher or lower.  There is then the diegetic sound of the draw opening and the knife coming out. There is then the diegetic sounds of the clock ticking followed by the man talking and walking down the stairs and outside. This is subsequently followed by the church bells ringing in the background, which fade out and are overlapped with the sound of the woman humming. During this there is a sharp synthesised violin jump to a higher tremolo. Underneath this the sound of the woman screaming and being stabbed with breathing from ‘Michael’ and a deep distorted bass chord. The piano chords follow on in a descending sequence until the end of the clip.

Under this sound graph, I drew a tension graph highlighting the key scenes throughout, most of this clip is through a point of view shot and this adds suspense because the audience has no idea who is behind the point of view shot. At the beginning there is a moment of equilibrium until the camera pans around as it to be tracking the house where the tension increases a lot. The tension increases further as the figure picks up a knife and walks towards the stairs. There is a slight decrease as the man leaves the house because the figure retreats. Then as the camera walks up the stairs there is an increase in tension and when he puts the mask on there is even more of an increase as the shot is now framed through 2 eyeholes. Then when the boy stabs the girl, there is definite intensity of the suspense. This is highlighted with the image of the naked dead girl and the tension lapses slightly as the figure walks down the stairs but is raised again, to its peak, when the point of view shot ends an the mask is taken off to reveal a little boy behind the murder.

'Amelie' Analysis - Classwork

'Amelie' Analysis - Classwork

This clip is overall not very tense, as it is not categorised in this genre, therefore this analytical drawing shows an exaggerated tension scale compared to the others. In the top half of the page, I drew a graphic sound drawing including diegetic and non-diegetic sound. The main music in the introduction was French orchestral classical music in a minor key whilst the beginning credits rolled. This built pace as the French voiceover introduced the scene, both sounds being non-diegetic. Then there was the car that drove past the camera making diegetic engine sound. This was followed by the birth of the child, therefore the screaming of said child. Then the credits roll and the French voiceover stops. There is then a montage of scenes where ‘Amelie’ is playing with things. These provide quieter diegetic sounds. This is introduced by the clicking of a camera reel, followed by the falling dominoes and then the ringing of a glass being run around the top with fingers. Next there is a slurping noise from the straw in the bottom of the drink, followed by the squeaking of the child blowing through the leaf, afterwards the child blows a paper spiral and then finally the rolling of a coin on the table. Also underneath this montage, the music changes to more a more solemn mood and is only played on the piano, with chordal movements underneath a melody.

Under the sound graph, I drew a tension line with key scenes added in and the specific colouring of the screen at that moment. There was a long while of equilibrium at the beginning with the opening credits but as the car drove through the shot the tension built. At this point also the colouring was very orange, giving the feel of the past. Then as the man was rubbing out the name of his friend the tension grew even more as the audience are given ambiguous scenes. This colouring was more yellow, so had a deeper saturation to the shot. Then as the voiceover continued there was a slight increase in tension with the sperm and egg story. As the clip almost reached its peak of tension with a time lapse in stop-frame-animation of the woman through her pregnancy the tension increased. The peak of tension was when the chid was born and after this there was a dramatic fall in tension and another moment of equilibrium as the credits continued and there was a montage of the child doing all sorts of childhood things. The saturation for this montage was also enhanced with yellow and orange undertones.