Protagonist costume
For the beggining of the film I would want the protagonist to be in a smart, james bond-esque type suit or proffesional clothing. When he arrives in the main room, he startes to change looking slightly scruffier however still gives of the impression of a suave character, he will then put on the mask and the gloves, which will signify the drastic change in the plot.
I then asked Chris and Kai for their opinions on these costume choices
We chose this location as it has a very haunted look and feel to the place which will definitley add to the horror feeling we want to create in our thriller film, these pictures were not taken by us but were found on digitalanthill.com, I chose to showcase these images in my blog so that I could show what it looked like and present the general idea of what aesthetic style we want in the film.
However disadvantages to this location is that it is around an hour journey away from the college, this would be okay to do this journey once but inconvenient if we were forced to reshoot anything if it went wrong.
Plot ideas - Man making food for what we think is son/daughter, turns out to be adult captive.
Talking to other character, sounds like real wife, revealed at end to be captive woman.
Final Idea - Protagonist walking along in a location, texting wife, tell's her he'll be home soon and just has to grab dinner, picks up knife, camera reveals a captive in the corner of the room, narrative enigma created, will he kill him? Will he eat him?
Hannibal Wife
W - (Texting)Hey honey will you be home soon?
H - (Texting) Sure babe i've just left work
W - (Texting) okay please be quick, i’m starving
H - (Texting) Of course hun, let me just grab dinner x…..
Overall I believe the production of our film was very successful however there were a few weaknesses. We ran into a few troubles when editing, such as overlong shots, which we learnt to cut down to fit what we wanted, or the sound of dialogue being too quiet compared to the inserted non-diegetic music, which we quickly corrected by working together and finding out how to utilise the software to fix it, which now means i know how to fix this problem at any point during the production of my thriller should it happen to occur. During filming as well we had to figure out how to set the scene to make sure nothing was unwanted in the frame such as lights or unneeded props. Thankfully ,although they were difficult to keep out of frame, in any of our final shots we did not have anything unwanted inhibiting us from using that particular piece of filming in our final edit.
Several strengths of our production would be the editing which i believe after overcoming all of the difficulties looked smooth and professional, the continuity was good and we managed to make the whole scene appear seamless. We also abided by all the rules and included the character entering the room and exchanging the required four lines of dialogue with another character. Furthermore we managed to include an action match without it feeling forced, therefore making sure it seemed to legitimately fit in the scene with everything else. and finally we did not break the 180 degree rule and kept all filming on one side of the room.
In conclusion the preliminary task went very well and was not victim to any major weaknesses, and any it had were dealt with quick and effectively. Filming and Editing this task has given me crucial knowledge to allow me to go to make my final thriller project to the best of my ability.
When it came to filming the preliminary task after planning it and preparing i thought i may not be able to use the camera myself as i was an actor in the film. But in the end me and my group worked around this and found a way to allow me to film. I filmed the POV shot from the view of my character, and also was able to film the mid shot dialogue part when Chris' villain character was talking. Using the camera and getting a feel of how it is to film a scene really helped me as now I will know what to do when filming my final thriller and I will not be confused. We filmed in a very short space of time as the amount of time available was limited, however we worked effectively and efficiently with what was provided and gathered several shots for each shot and angle chose to film, this allowed us to have many shots available to us at the point of editing, giving us flexibility and a broad choice of alternate shots if we notice something is wrong in one of them. The filming went very well for the most part and taught me a lot of things I can bring to my final thriller project.
For editing the preliminary task together the group used Adobe Premiere Pro, it was easy to use, we managed to cut and fit all the scenes together efficiently to make the final product as good and professional looking as possible. Using the editing software allowed us to add in non-diegetic music and transitions to give an extra effect to the final edit. We found that the sound of the actors dialogue was a bit too quiet and could not be heard over the non-diegetic music we had placed in. Whilst this was annoying and a tricky obstacle to begin with we managed to work together as a team and overcome it. This was in the long run a good thing as it allows me to now know the level a volume an actor is required to talk with when i come to making my final thriller. Using the editing software was difficult at first but now I have got to grips with it and believe I shall be able to edit my thriller to the best of my ability.
We initially created a storyboard for the prelim task to outline the
ideas for the plot and shot types we were going to use, therefore making
it a lot easier for us to commit to and complete the task efficiently. I
drew the pictures for the storyboard so contributed effectivley to the
group.
The storyboarad perfectly showcased the kind of
angles and types of shots we would use, whilst also showing aspects of
mise en scene and editing techniques such as action match and shot
reverse shot. We even drew arrows to show the direction a character or
camera would move to even further help us know how to film the scene
when we picked up the camera to do so for real.
In the beginning of the clip and for the duration up to the 2:20 mark the camera is very steady and mostly a long shot of the car. that is until it get close and drive past and behind the camera at 2:10. During this long shot however we can barely see the car as it is very far away and shrouded in fog. This immediately creates mystery for the viewer as they would no want to know what it is in the distance and what significance it plays to starting off the plot. It creates narrative questions as they unsure wether it is friend or foe. It stays as a long shot for a long time whilst the title appear and fade, therefore not answering the questions straight away and keeping the audience in "nail biting" anticipation which is a very common convention in thrillers.
Sound
Non diegetic music enters and plays a very soft score to begin with, consisting of piano and string instruments. This calm, quiet tone then rises in a crescendo as the car drives closer toward the camera. The score's tone gets louder and more dramatic each second until it climaxes with the loudest it has been and the titles present the name of the film, "fargo". It then stops abruptly to turn into diegetic music of a quiet road. This soft to high build of non diegetic music fits the tone of the thriller perfectly as represents the anticipation of the audience who are on the edge of their seats to see the object get close enough so they can see what it is and maybe its purpose to the beginning of the plot.
Editing
The whole beginning as the car approaches the camera is one massive long take. This long take lasts for roughly 2 whole minutes with not cuts or transitions. The only changes in the take are the titles appearing on the screen, but for the most part it is just the mist with the car approaching. This long take allows the audience to be kept in the uncertain atmosphere without being pulled out and have that relation with the scene broken. Staying in with no cut allows the suspense build to its full potential and really have the audience on the edge of their seat as they continually wonder what will come out of the fog, therefore keeping the audience intrigued as this narrative enigma entices them to watch further, this is a very effective technique in a thriller. Mise-en-scene
The overwhelming mist used in the opening sequence adds to the verisimilitude of the whole setting of this beginning scene and consequently the rest of the film. The mist creates an ambience of uncertainty and mystery which is effective as it portrays whatever lies beyond the mist as dangerous or menacing. Therefore allowing the audience to be more intrigued as they watch the object passing through the mist as it is thought to not have good intentions.
When we first meet Leonardo Dicaprio's character who we can assume is the protagonist he is leaning over a sink and looking into a mirror with desperation. here an over the shoulder shot is used to allow us to see the reflection rather than his real face, therefore giving off a sense off schizophrenia within the character and overemphasising the drama of having seasickness, which does not need to be done, however it is and most likely this is because as a dramatic and tense tone is being attempted. seeing his reflection through use of this shot also allows us to see the emotion and expression in his face, which is that off distress and possible desperation, also emphasised by the sweat on his face. this creates a narrative enigma as well as the audience does not yet know why he is so stressed and it would intrigue them to want to find out. As they arrive at the island there is a long shot used showcasing the island within the whole frame, showing the full scale and sheer size of the setting. This instantly presents the island as an intimidating place, furthermore it is shown to be dark and dreary emphasising it as more of a sinister place as well. The size and creepiness of the island in this shot greatly signify the threat this island could impose on the cast of characters. This creates danger and suspense about what kind of things will be found by the protagonists inside there allowing the audience to become excited and invested in the rest of the film discovering it with the characters as the shot also signifies a kind of unknown about the setting.
Sound
Throughout the extract up until the end an eerie non diegetic score plays with several low tones possibly made by brass or string instruments. It creates a heavily uncertain and unsettling atmosphere for the characters on the ship. It signifies effectively to the audience that danger is close by and possibly imminent therefore successfully creating suspension and tension for the thriller as now the audience is very on edge and interested in the reasons behind these noises. It also emphasises the drama of the movie more than just a quiet scene would due to its subtle low tones which makes it blend in well as it does not intrude on the scene but adds to it a massive amount in terms of the verisimilitude.
The first line of dialogue spoken by the protagonist is also extremely effective as he just says the phrase "pull yourself together" to himself. Now this immediately intrigues the audience as they are now wanting answers as to why he is saying this to himself and why he is not "together" in the first place. This also represents the character as possibly not completely mentally stable and possibly slightly unhinged psychologically, therefore making the viewer question the themselves into thinking wether they should root for the protagonist and wether he is the good guy or not in the plot.
Mise-en-scene The two main characters who are on the boat at the beginning and then arrive at the island have a very authoritative and law man like costume on, with a long trench coat, waistcoat shirt and tie complete with firearm at their side. this shows that they are obviously part of some kind of law enforcement wether it be officers or detectives or even something more important than that. This is very clear to the audience and allows them to be presented with the question of why law enforcement is needed at the asylum they appear to be investigating. it would let the viewers think that something dangerous and in need of very professional aid is going on at the asylum. this then creates suspense and tension because the viewer is now very anxious and possibly anticipating a dramatic sequence of events to occur in the film.
Right in the beginning there is a large amount of fog which the boat appears to be struggling to sail through. It creates a very eerie atmosphere to set the beginning of the thriller well. it is effective as the ominous tone presented by the fog makes the rest of the film seem like it will be just as unsettling and creepy further making the audience on edge and overcome with intensity.
Editing When the island is introduced to the characters and visible form the boat we see the protagonist look at it before a cutaway changes the shot to the long of the island. This use of eye line match lets us clearly see the reaction of the protagonist and his expression as he sees the island, therefore for a split second we can be left in suspense at what the character has seen and what has made it change his facial expression so drastically, and just as quickly as being dropped into suspense we are immediately presented with the massive looming image of an imposing island ahead, which only signifies danger and depression for the character and consequently the viewer.
In the beginning of the extract there is a close up on a man who seems to have just been washed up on the shore. As he is shown first we can assume him to be the protagonist. The close up allows us to the his face and the expression and emotion he is conveying. It allows us to see that he seems quite confused, suggesting this surroundings are unfamiliar, creating a sense of tension and mystery for the viewer as the character obviously does not appear to know why or how he is on the beach. Later in the extract when we are presented with a japanese style room there is a close up behind a bald man who appears to be sitting at the head of a table. The camera is positioned behind the mans head so we can not see his face but can easily assume it is him who is speaking. The effect of not seeing the man's face creates mystery as to who he is and a narrative enigma which is unclear to the audience creating several questions, as a typical thriller would do in the beginning. Also being behind the mans head allows us to see clearly the character at the end of the table and the distance he is sitting away from the bald man creating an idea that they are not close or have no relationship with one another, therefore forming further tension and questions as viewers wonder why they are together in the room in the first place.
Sound
In the beginning a dramatic score plays, the non diegetic music is full of low but loud trombone sounds with an exaggerated use of string instruments blasts throughout the titles setting a dramatic and tension filled tone for the film, which is stereotypical of thrillers in most openings. this gets the audience very intrigued with the movie right away as the loud noises have caught their attention and make them want to found out why it is so dramatic.
This then cuts almost instantly and very smoothy to much softer but still quite violent diegetic sounds of waves crashing on the rocks and shore. the violence of the waves could suggest storms or strong winds, this could then suggest that a storm is the reason the protagonist is on the shore, possibly having fallen from a boat or been in a plane crash due to strong winds bringing down the aircraft. Questions present themselves all over adding to the narrative enigma the protagonist and the opening scene are, leading to viewers wanting to know what happens next and keeping on the edge of their seats.
Dialogue is used also to create tension as the tones they use are quick dramatic to show the urgency of the situations they find themselves in.
Editing
When the protagonist gets washed up on shore in the beginning there is an eye line match used, we see the man look up at something and then it cuts to present us with two children playing with what appear to be a sand castle. the fact that we are shown them instantly after the man looks at them suggests that they are possibly his kids or he has a close relationship of some kind with them. The children appear to be distorted and we are not shown their faces leading us to believe they are in the protagonists imagination and are not really there. this further represents the protagonist as possibly slightly deranged or mentally unstable, presenting questions that the audience will now want answered, who are these children? This is an effective convention to use in a thriller to present a character in not simple boring "black and white".
When the scene takes us to the japanese area the bald man starts to spin the spinning top, then the extract uses an insert to show us the top closely and to make us focus on it. This starts to imply that it has a level of great importance in the plot line, however we are given no answers to what degree. This adds to the narrative enigma of the man and who he is as the top belongs to him, and viewers will want to know why and how it is significant.
Mise-en-scene
Around the 2:20 mark when the 3 men are talking to one another at the table they are all in a similar costume, black, white and smart. the two on the sides have expensive looking suits, giving off a sense of class and sophistication. However the man at the head of the table is in a kind of traditional japanese attire possibly associated with a sensei of some martial art, this implies he is a very powerful character and the antagonist to the two other men as he does not share their outfit choice, he also seems relaxed as he is eating a bowl of food and the other two have their full attention on the conversation at hand, signifying them as wanting to get the most out of it as it must be important. This creates questions for the audience intriguing them to these characters and wanting to know why they are so sophisticated, possibly due to business, therefore making viewers want to know what kind of business as it seems important and urgent.
The darkness of the setting also adds to the verisimilitude of the whole scene creating a sense of dread and danger among the characters.
Lost Highway opening sequence Analysis
Sound: There is limited dialogue with only one line being spoken by the voice in the speaker. This creates questions for the viewers that they then want answered. This will keep them intrigued with the film and want to continue watching to find out the reason for the words spoken and what they mean.
Also non diegetic music was used. This was loud and eerie which created a lot of suspense and tension for the scene ascending in crescendo as it the scene went on.
Camera: There is a close up of the protagonists face at the beginning of the clip, this allows us to see his face and wether he is conveying any kind of emotion to further understand the character and how he is feeling or just what situation he is in in the scene. We see that he is very unfazed by the situation and doesn't seem like he is happy nor sad with the circumstances. Representing him as a calm and collected character who is possibly waiting and or expecting something to occur.
There is an extreme close up of the buzzer, this creates tension for the audience as we wait intensely for him to press it and find out what will happen when he does, and see the intriguing plot development.
Editing: An eye line match is used in the beginning when the buzzer goes off. We see the protagonist look at something and then it quickly cuts to allow us to see the buzzer and understand what he is looking at. The effect of this is to allow the viewer experience the suspense the character must feel as he wonders what will happen and who's voice he will hear when he presses the buzzer and wether it will be friendly or not. This allows the audience to be further invested in the scene as they are experiencing the tension along with the protagonist.
Later on when the protagonist is walking around the house there is a long take. This creates great tension as we experience every step he takes and there are no cuts so we are not taken out of the scene and we are forced to see and focus on every second where anything could happen within the take, allowing us to feel the worry of the man of something bad happening.
Mise-en-scene: The protagonist is smoking a cigarette at the beginning. This shows that he may be a kind of rebellious or unstable character. It could also suggest he is using it as a kind of stress relief as he may be expecting something bad to happen or something bad may have already happened, this creates more mystery within the scene as the audience are then wondering why he is smoking and looking stressed. Therefore creating more tension as they now realise either the protagonist may not be a good man and maybe some kind of danger will present itself in the next few seconds.
Protagonist costume 
We chose this location as it has a very haunted look and feel to the place which will definitley add to the horror feeling we want to create in our thriller film, these pictures were not taken by us but were found on digitalanthill.com, I chose to showcase these images in my blog 
so that I could show what it looked like and present the general idea of what aesthetic style we want in the film.
However disadvantages to this location is that it is around an hour journey away from the college, this would be okay to do this journey once but inconvenient if we were forced to reshoot anything if it went wrong.
Fargo Opening Sequence - 
As they arrive at the island there is a long shot used showcasing the island within the whole frame, showing the full scale and sheer size of the setting. This instantly presents the island as an intimidating place, furthermore it is shown to be dark and dreary emphasising it as more of a sinister place as well. The size and creepiness of the island in this shot greatly signify the threat this island could impose on the cast of characters. This creates danger and suspense about what kind of things will be found by the protagonists inside there allowing the audience to become excited and invested in the rest of the film discovering it with the characters as the shot also signifies a kind of unknown about the setting.
Inception Opening Sequence - Analysis
Later in the extract when we are presented with a japanese style room there is a close up behind a bald man who appears to be sitting at the head of a table. The camera is positioned behind the mans head so we can not see his face but can easily assume it is him who is speaking. The effect of not seeing the man's face creates mystery as to who he is and a narrative enigma which is unclear to the audience creating several questions, as a typical thriller would do in the beginning. Also being behind the mans head allows us to see clearly the character at the end of the table and the distance he is sitting away from the bald man creating an idea that they are not close or have no relationship with one another, therefore forming further tension and questions as viewers wonder why they are together in the room in the first place.
Around the 2:20 mark when the 3 men are talking to one another at the table they are all in a similar costume, black, white and smart. the two on the sides have expensive looking suits, giving off a sense of class and sophistication. However the man at the head of the table is in a kind of traditional japanese attire possibly associated with a sensei of some martial art, this implies he is a very powerful character and the antagonist to the two other men as he does not share their outfit choice, he also seems relaxed as he is eating a bowl of food and the other two have their full attention on the conversation at hand, signifying them as wanting to get the most out of it as it must be important. This creates questions for the audience intriguing them to these characters and wanting to know why they are so sophisticated, possibly due to business, therefore making viewers want to know what kind of business as it seems important and urgent.