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Cape Fear

Had a little go at stop motion, never done it before, hope it is okay. There is a piece of writing to explain what I mean by DiNiro's acting.

After watching Cape Fear a psychological thriller. This follows a lawyer and family being followed and freaked out by an old client who didn't win his case. In this film it shows that acting is one of the main keys to good thrillers. Robert DiNiro plays the psycho who follows the family. DiNiro changes his ways of getting inside peoples minds. When he is with Danielle he plays with the fact she is a sweetheart of a daughter who never gets rewarded, so he gets her to take drugs because she knows that it will get her parents attention he then gets her to kiss him. But when he meets the girl in the bar he uses humor to charm her into bed then hurts he and she is a best friend of the lawyer. When he is getting inside the lawyers head he uses the case of what happened relate to his daughter. 

PROGRESS REPORT 3

Completed so far:

• Individual analysis of first 15 mins of a similar film
• Research into genre
• Research into similar film - youtube links, reviews and websites.
• research into the certificat of our film - 15+
• research into a possible distributor
• audience profile
• research into title sequences
• individual analysis of a title sequence with screen shots and link to video
• questionairre both online and in person
• 2 treatments
• script
• viral advertising script
• risk assessment for viral advertising
• risk assessment for the film
• character profiles
• location photos
• props/costumes photos, planning and research
• title sequence storyboard
• production logo research and created the logo + name

What we are currently working on:

• storyboards (rough and photo)
• second draft of script
• shooting scrips
• list of tricky shots and effects

Script for viral advert

Prop Overview

Prop overview

Luckily we own all the props we need to use. Most of our props we already had in the house, such as the TV and the foot rest so they weren't a problem. The DVD's needed we were able to get hold of off our parents, which will make our film look more realistic. 

Film risk assessment

We gathered photos of Maddys house and I then assessed these so that we could see and minimise potential risks.

Story board for title sequence

Costume Overview

Viral advertising risk assessment

I have looked at the potential risks of filming our viral advert in college, assessed them and looked at ways of minimising the risks.

Gender in Thrillers

In thriller it is never an issue raised abou tthe gender aspects. In most thrillers there are:
Girl in danger- she will be naive and vunerable I.E Kate who is seen as a smart girl is attacked again because she is naive to let someone in the house.

Boys in charge- In most films boys are seen as a powerful and as though they can stand up and save the girl. I.E in Cape fear the lawyer tries to save his family but his family is mainly the ones who save him and they are GIRLS .

another one is the girl is always seen alone where as the good man has an assistant. Also the men are normally the bad guys as well:
Cape Fear
Kiss the girls
Stay
Shining
Psycho

Production Logo Research

Production Logo Research

 

 This logo is simple, yet effective. The image of the key hole could be transferred and used in our own logo as it suggests the production company is fond of psychological thrillers and you need the key to find out all the answers. The plain black background could be a little dull, and not make our theme of drugs and teenagers clear. As this production logo has no colour at all, I believe this could look a little too plain and make other production logo's stand out just because of their more vibrant colouring. The name of the production company "Locked" could also help  us to decide upon what our name shoule be as "Locked" sounds mysterious and secretive. 

 

I believe this logo is more effective with the use of the colour red. The colour red suggests danger, blood and is also a colour that stands out. The use of this colour red on a black background also makes the logo look more eerie and spooky. The font of the working looks edgy and is in bold, which looks good and supports the type of films our production company would be creating; including our film which we are aiming to be very dark and psycholigical.

 

All the production company logos I have seen that mostly create psychological thrillers use the colours black, red and white. This is because these colours promote their films the best. Although, most of the logo backgrounds are black this logo is more bright and less negative. This white background makes the writing stand out more, and the way it's underlines makes it even more clear. I like this idea for our own logo as it's unique from the other black logo's and makes it seem as though our production company doesn't just create horror films, but also creates different genres of films such as dramas, thrillers and sci-fi's.

These different logo's give us idea's for our own logo and how we can make it unique and different to other logo's of production company's that are similar to our own and create the same genre of films.

Research and Props

Propps we need to consider

 Within our film there are certain propps we need to involve that will make our film make more enjoyable to watch and more realistic.

Although it may not seem imporant, we need a magazine that Chloe is reading when the two friends knock on the door. I believe this magazine should foreshadow the events that are going to happen but very slyly. For example, Beth could be reading a magazine that involves many real life stories and the page could be turned to a story about drug abuse or something related. This would be easy to get as drugs are a main topic in most of these magazines.

 

 

Realistic looking Marijuana cigarette

There are many websites where you can buy fake joints such as ebay and general fancy dress shops. This would be easy to get hold of and cheap. This prop would also make our scnes look more realistic and believable. This prop could also remove any difficult scenes that would arise if we didn't have a prop and had to work out the scenes without showing an actual cigarette.






 

Se7en Title Sequence analysis

Se7en title sequence analysis

The title sequence for Se7en uses many different techniques to make the audience feel the suspense, tension and mystery.


Moreover, sound is also used effectively when one can hear the tape rewinding backwards. This sound gives the audience the impression that someone is being recorded/monitored which is quite disturbing. Additionally, this fits in with one of the typical genre conventions of being watched/followed because to record someone the criminal would have to follow them. What's more, one can identify the sound of the wind knocking something which could imply that something/someone is trying to get into the room. Not only does this conform to the typical thriller theme of vulnerability, but it also makes the audience feel theeeriness of the noise. This also promotes the gloomy side of pyscholigcal thrillers.

 

When focusing on sound, there are a variety of methods used to make the visual imagery seem more intense. The title sequence is made up of a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds; the drum beat and rewinding tape are both diegetic and the robotic noises are non-diegetic. There is a constant drumbeat throughout the first minute of the clip; this might suggest that this beat is symbolic of a heartbeat with also relates to life or death. When this beat is sped up after a minute the audience may feel that the tension has been increased as the pace 'heartbeat' has increased. This suggesting panic, which may prepare the audience for the film.
Additionally, one has noticed that the editing in the title sequence of Se7en mirrors the possible mindset that a criminal has. The editing is slow to begin with when focused on the book, however this could be the time period when the criminal is thinking. Therefore, when the editing becomes faster and more jump cuts are used this could demonstrate that the criminal is planning what or who to kill next.
The faster edits could be a way to conceal what the criminal is doing to build tension as the audience won't know what to expect, which may also make the audience excited to see whats going to happen next.

 

 

Another way that the editing creates tension is by making the transitions very quick; this could reflect the characteristics of the criminal and therefore make the audience feel unsettled. Also, the out of focus close up of the book conveys mystery to the audience and could be interpreted as some parts of the narrative are less obvious - further increasing the suspense.
One of the more obvious ways that mystery is built is by one hand being in the light area and one hand being in the dark area. This suggests the criminal is hiding something. This could be a sign that the criminal has two sides to him; one side that misleads people and one side that is the self that the public see. 
Moreover, the camera is looking down on the crooked hands; suggesting that these hands are not that of the criminal because they are below him, therefore whoever's they are is seen to be of a lower status than him.. One can tell that the criminal is obsessive because of the two overlapping shots of the writing in the book.
The way the book looks like they have taken a neat approach to the book and the grid paper all reinforce this obsessiveness and organisation. Similarly, the criminal could be seen as disturbing when he sews into the edge of the page; this conveys that he has to get the book absolutely perfect and he uses a surgical needle to do this. Significantly, the image of the blade symbolises danger and  builds tension by representing the criminal as a dangerous figure that people should be afraid of.

Viral Advertising

What is viral advertising?

 Marketing techniques use pre-existing social networks and other technologies to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives (such as product sales) through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of viruses or computer viruses (cf. Internet memes and memetics). It can be delivered by word of mouth or enhanced by the network effects of the Internet and mobile networks.Viral marketing may take the form of video clips, interactive Flash games, advergames, ebooks, brandable software, images, text messages, email messages, or web pages. The most common utilized transmission vehicles for viral messages include: pass-along based, incentive based, trendy based, and undercover based. However, the creative nature of viral marketing enables "endless amount of potential forms and vehicles the messages can utilize for transmission" including mobile devices.The ultimate goal of marketers interested in creating successful viral marketing programs is to create viral messages that appeal to individuals with high social networking potential (SNP) and that have a high probability of being presented and spread by these individuals and their competitors in their communications with others in a short period of time.Viral advertising is most common in mainstream film. Many films that use viral advertising have a bigger audience and make more money from merchandising and DVD sales because the film has been better promoted than a film that couldn't afford or just didn't bother with viral advertising.

 

 A good example of viral marketing is Inception. Posters appeared with special QR, or “Quick Response” codes – leading savvy viewers to the latest phase of the film’s marketing.Today, I was walking down the street by my Chicago apartment and noticed one of the posters. Inception has begun implanting the idea (see what I did there?) of mind crimes in the real-world – with warning posters like the one seen below.The poster reminds me a bit of the District 9 “Humans Only” posters seen around major cities last year.Each poster has a QR code and, upon decoding it, I was sent to a new website: What Is Dream Share? The site is an anonymous blog, in the fashion of conspiracy theories, as it attempts to figure out the mystery of the film’s core concept. While there are only two posts so far, and it mostly shares links to sites we’ve already seen, one is definitely new.

Viral advertising is most common in mainstream film. Many films that use viral advertising have a bigger audience and make more money from merchandising and DVD sales because the film has been better promoted than a film that couldn't afford or just didn't bother with viral advertising. A good example of viral marketing is Inception.

Posters appeared with special QR, or “Quick Response” codes – leading savvy viewers to the latest phase of the film’s marketing.

"Today, I was walking down the street by my Chicago apartment and noticed one of the posters. Inception has begun implanting the idea (see what I did there?) of mind crimes in the real-world – with warning posters like the one seen below."

The poster reminds me a bit of the District 9 “Humans Only” posters seen around major cities last year.

Each poster has a QR code and, upon decoding it, I was sent to a new website: What Is Dream Share? The site is an anonymous blog, in the fashion of conspiracy theories, as it attempts to figure out the mystery of the film’s core concept. While there are only two posts so far, and it mostly shares links to sites we’ve already seen, one is definitely new.

Warner Bro's also created a major viral campaign for "Inception".

Fans had to wait four more months for any more word from Warner Brothers, but in December the top in the banner above started to slow down.  Die hard Christopher Nolan fans reported that the once relentlessly spinning top was about to topple over, and when it did a link brought fans to the campaign’s next step.

Fans in search of insights to “Inception” were brought to a video game where they could either design mazes that other players could try to solve, or try to solve mazes that other players had created.  This addicting game also served as a portal to release posters and images for the movie.  This initial launch of the game was incomplete and kept players waiting for additional levels and viral clues to follow.

After the release of Mind Crime, posters and movie stills were released slowly, and orchestrated in a way that highlighted the overall theme of secrecy and adventure.  Seemingly important  aspects of the movie were utilized in scavenger hunts, contests, interactive advertisements, and always demanded a viewers full attention.  “Inception’s” adventurous attitude was dialed right into Verizon’s Droid phones with "Protect your dreams" App.  This interactive application gave fans a chance to play games that promoted the movie’s music, themes, actors and Verizon.

 

Warner Bro's also sent out a manual for “Dream-Share” employees.  Though it’s covered in black ink to hide content that’s too top secret for those outside the inner circle, the handbook is separated into the following chapters:

Specialists/Operatives

• Environment Creation
• The Dream/Waking World Relationship
• The Hostile Subconscious
• Warfare in the Dream
• Interrogation Techniques

Storyboard Research

Research into title sequences

What is it?
A title sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. It usually follows but should not be confused with the opening credits, which are generally nothing more than a series of superimposed text.

History of title sequences:
Since the invention of the cinematograph, simple title cards were used to top and tail silent film presentations in order to identify both the film and the production company involved, and to act as a signal that the film had started and then finished. In silent cinema title cards were used throughout to convey dialogue and plot and it is in some of these early short films that we see the first examples of title sequences themselves, being quite literally a series of title cards shown at the beginning of a film. The arrival of sound did little to alter the convention except that the sequence was usually accompanied by a musical prelude.
This remained the convention for many years until the advent of television forced the major film studios to invest in developing cinema in order to win back a diminishing audience. The "cast of thousands" epics shot on various patent widescreen formats were a direct response to television's successful invasion of the leisure marketplace. Part of cinema's new prestigious and expansive quality were orchestral musical preludes before the curtains opened and long title sequences — all designed to convey a sense of gravitas it was hoped television would be unable to compete with. As cinema's title sequences grew longer we begin to see the involvement of graphic design luminaries such as Saul Bass (creator of , which directly influenced the 1960s television predilection for creating strong graphics-led sequences for many shows.
Film-Makers at the beginning of the 21st century have many options open with title sequences. Some films superimpose opening credits over the opening scenes, while others elect to do away with titles entirely, instead including elaborate title sequences at the end of the movie.
Due to the commercial environment of television broadcasting, most series have regular and identifiable title sequences.

Order of credits:

• Name of Studio - distributor (may not have produced it)
• Name of Production company (who made it, investment groups, companies who financed it)
• Name of Producer and/or Director only.
• Starring (principle actors)
• Title of the film (name)
• Featuring (actors featured)
• Casting or Casting by (Casting director)
• Music or Music composed by or Original score by (Composer of music)
• Production design by or production designer (name of production designer)

May be noted:

• Ser design
• Costumes designer/creator
• Hairdresser
• Make-up artist
• Visual effects director
• Editor
• Photography director
• Producer or executive producer .
• based on book, play, graphic novel (name)
• based on characters by/created by
• story by (unless big changes have been made to the script)
• writers
• director (one can only be listed)

Music in Thrillers

As everything in thrillers music too adds to the suspense and tension. In psychological thrillers music can normally sound like either a high pitch or a low pitch to indicate a build up of something. Most music is used to build up something that might not even happen.

In psycho there is a famous theme tune that is used to indicate a horror scene, this is a high pitch repeating note. This can cause the audience some distort of sound like a paranoia sound. This music has been used to take the mick in other films like Daddy Day Care and Finding Nemo. In Daddy Day Care the music gives an exaggeration of the boy peeing in the toilet like he has killed someone. In Finding Nemo the music indicates that Darla is a fish murder and to us that is humorous but to the finish it's basically their psycho

Silence is used in thrillers after a music build up as it creates more tension. It also means that any creaking noises will be recognized so the audience will become more scared.

Tricky shot research

 We are using a lot of tricky shots in the film to show the range of media and editing we are able to do.

When Beth is taking the first draw we didn't want to show her doing the drugs, we wanted to use a candle smoke after it is blown out. The smoke will cover over the other girls face to show that the "cool thing" will all go up in smoke.

Another tricky shot will be to use show the drugged up vision of Beth walking up. This will feature jump cuts, double vision, close ups. To also illustrate we will reply the "Epilepsy" line again and again.

Another shot will be an Iris we think, we will see how it looks on the editing software. The iris will indicate Beth passing out

Extra genre research.

Research into certificate of film: 15

what is the meaning?
No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at the cinema or buy/rent a ‘15’ rated DVD. 15 rated works are not suitable for children under 15 years of age.

what are the limits?
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

what can it include?

strong violence

frequent strong language (eg 'f***').

portrayals of sexual activity

strong verbal references to sex

sexual nudity

brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence

discriminatory language or behaviour

drug taking

stong language allowance?
There could potentially be a great deal. At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (eg f***).
Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms (eg 'c***'), although continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed 15.

discriminatory and offensive allowance?
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this.
However, at 15 the work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

sex and nudity allowance?
At 15 sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail.
There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
There can be strong references to sex and sexual behaviour, but especially strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context.
Heterosexual and homosexual sex and sex references are treated the same.

strong violence allowance?
Violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.
Easily accessible weapons may not be glamorised.

sexual violence allowance?
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

in horror?
Many horror films are rated 15. At 15 there can be strong threat and menace (as long as it is not sadistic or sexualised), although the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.

drugs?
At 15 drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable at 15.

Things that can be copied or are dangerous?
The risk of potential harm to impressionable teenagers. For example, dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

Research into similar films, reviews, links to youtube and websites.

Pyscho (1960)
Trailer: Trailer 1(click to view) and Trailer 2 (click to view)
Reviews: BBC (click to view) and Times Magazine (click to view)
Fan website: http://www.thepsychomovies.com/films/psycho/





Occupant (2011)
Trailer: Trailer 1 (click to view)
Teaser: Teaser 1 (click to view)
Reviews: examiner.com (click to view) and bzfilm.com (click to view)

Pyscho (1960) title sequence analysis

What is Pyscho(1960)?
Psycho is a 1960 American suspense/horror film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, and Janet Leigh. The screenplay by Joseph Stefano is based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The novel was loosely inspired by the crimes of Wisconsin murderer and grave robber Ed Gein, who lived just 40 miles from Bloch.
The film depicts the encounter between a secretary, Marion Crane (Leigh), who goes to a secluded motel after embezzling money from her employer, and the motel's disturbed owner and manager, Norman Bates (Perkins), and the aftermath of their encounter.
Psycho initially received mixed reviews, but outstanding box office returns prompted a re-review which was overwhelmingly positive and led to four Academy Award nominations. Psycho is now considered one of Hitchcock's best films and is highly praised as a work of cinematic art by international critics. It is often ranked among the greatest films of all time and is famous for bringing in a new level of acceptable violence and sexuality in films. After Hitchcock's death in 1980, Universal Studios began producing follow-ups: two sequels, a prequel, a remake, and a television movie spin-off. In 1992, the film was selected to be preserved by the Library of Congress at the National Film Registry

TITLE SEQUENCE
The title sequence for Pyscho (1960) was created by Saul Bass. It is very minimalistic and simple, it doesnt give anything away to the audience therefore they have no insight to what will happen during the film which adds dramatic effect. The lines move in sync and never go off track such as on, off, left, right which reflect the restrictions in the film. I think this is a great title sequence as it is modern and contemporary with a mystery and tension.

Link to title sequence: http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/psycho/

1) A simple grey background with a black bar along the bottom, dark colours make it quite tense and makes us feel that the film is dark and gloomy.

2) More black bars begin to appear on screen which seem irrelevant and the audience wonder why they are there. 

3) This creates paranoia as something begins to appear in white but we have no idea what it is or why its appearing. 

4) The black bars have turned to grey and have moved across to the left and lined up one under the other and more white marks appear under the others but with a gap inbetween. 

5) The white marks begin to look like a smudged name with parts of letters missing. The grey bars decrease in size and a few disappear creating uneven gaps between them. 

6) All of the grey bars have gone and the white marks have turned into a name in whits capitals on a black background. 

7) The grey bars slide in from the right and push away the white name. 

8) The lines stretch the full way along the screen - stripe effect with the contrasting colours and white marks appear on the middle line - above (centre of screen) and below (right side of screen). Creating paranoia yet again. 

9) The lines move back to the right and more white marks appear. 

10) The films title appears in white capitals when the grey bars move off screen. 

11) The title seperates with the bars changing angle to verticle and look like heart beat rates or a spectrum analyser. 

12) One by one the names of the cast appear onscreen in white capitals. 

13) The black background has changed to a view of a town/city but a few verticle grey bars remain on screen. 

14) We are introduced to the setting and location of the film. 

15) View changes. The date is set. 

16) View changes. Finally the time is set and this is the end of the the title sequence. 

I think this title sequence is great as it allows the audience to know the location, setting, date and time however it allows them to use their imagination as to what they think will happen because it gives no ideas or hints away of what is to come.