Editing and Uploading our Preliminary

Today me and my group finished editing our preliminary task. We added sound effects in some places, added fade to black effects at the beginning and the end of the clip and added a title and credits.


We've already uploaded our video to YouTube and we're now counting the hits it receives!

Filming Our Preliminary Task

Me and my group finished filming our preliminary task. It only took us one day to shoot and so far we're all really happy with the outcome!


We've uploaded it to the iMac ready for editing. We had plenty of out-takes while filming, so we're going to take all of these out to make our final film look professional.


We're editing our preliminary task on 'Final Cut Express'. This will allow us to cut parts of our filming, put it all in the right order, add sound, change the look of it and basically make it look like a real movie! Now we can't wait to film our thriller!

Preliminary Task: Story Board

This is the story board that me, Charlie and Daniel created for our preliminary task. We also plan to create opening titles and credits at the end.

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Shot 7

Foundation Portfolio: Preliminary Task

The preliminary task is a way me to demonstrate their knowledge of continuity editing. I am in a group of 3 and we will make a short film clip to demonstrate 4 different types of shots:

• Match on Action - this is when a character is seen starting an action and then see them continue it in the next frame/shot.

• 180 degree rule - two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera passes over the imaginary axis on screen to swap the left/right relationship, this is called 'crossing the line.' This should be avoided when filming as it creates the illusion that something is changing direction in the shot when it actually isn't, and things in the frame swap sides.

• Shot/Reverse Shot - this is a shot that is usually used in conversations. It involves the camera looking at one thing or person, then switching to look at another.

• Eyeline Match - the camera focuses on a character looking at something that the audience cannot see. The camera then focuses on something else in the scene to show that the specific that the camera focuses on second is what the person was looking at.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Director: Oren Peli
Writer: Oren Peli
Stars: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs


The Story:

Katie and Micah are a young couple who have moved into their first house together. However, Katie has a secret that she failed to tell her boyfriend - ever since she was 8, she has been visited by some kind of demon. They are frequently disturbed by the night time presence of the demon and use a home video camera to record their findings.

How is this an archetypal thriller?:

Key Scenes:

• The door opening and closing by itself.
• The noises from downstairs.
• Footsteps in the powder.
• Katie being dragged out of bed.
• The picture being found in the attic.

Heroes and Villains:

In the case of Paranormal Activity, there are no real heroes, however there is one clear villain - the demonic being which is present in Katie and Micah's house. Some would class Katie and Micah as heroes whereas I do not. This film has the typical tendancies of a horror/thriller. It is a classic villain driven plot (in this instance, the demon is the villain) where Katie and Micah have to overcome the obstacles that are set for them by the demon so that they can have a happy life together. However, that will not be the case...

Devices:

• Soundtrack - There is no musical soundtrack. This adds tension to the film as the audience cannot rely on music to foreshadow the 'jumpy' scenes.
• Home video film style - This makes the film seem much more believable as it is from Micah and Katie's perspective making it seem so much more real. The reactions that Katie and Micah give are also very believale, and they seem like such a normal couple making the audince feel it could happen to anybody.

In my opinion, this is a very successful thriller. It has an element of horror, a good storyline and the characters are relatable. I would highly recommend it!

Manchurian Candidate (1959/2004)

Synopsis:


'The Manchurian Candidate' was originally a novel written by Richard Condon. Based on the book, it is a political thriller about the son of a prominent US political family who is brainwashed into being an assassin for the Communist party.


Director:


1959 - John Frankenheimer
2004 - John Demme


Cast:


1959 - Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh
2004 - Denzel Washington, Liev Schrieber, Meryl Streep, Kimberley Elise

Both of these films follow the same plot, however some details have been changed in the updated 2004 version. Both films can be categorised into psychological, paranoid and political thrillers.


Both films refer to social and historical contexts and both highlight the tension and threat of the time. For example, communism and the threat to democracy feature heavily in both films. Even though the films are supposed to be for entertainment purposes, they also convey a serious message.


Key Scene - murder of Senator Jordan - 1959: shooting
                                                                     - 2004: drowning


What devices does this film use?

• Exaggeration - in both versions of the film, exaggeration is used extensively to make the film seem darker, sadder and stranger than reality. Manipulation of the human mind instills terror into the audience as something that is impossible becomes real.
• Non-diegetic music - tension is built through the films through the music as the music does not give the audience any idea as to what is coming next. There are no sinister violins and no give aways which makes the following scenes even more unexpected.
• Simple editing - the fact that no fancy editing is used makes the film see more real. The audience begins to believe that what is happening on the screen is real which makes it even more terrifying.

Oedipus Rex: an inappropriate relationship takes place between Raymond and his mother,      Eleanor. In the films, we only see a kiss between the two, however in the novel they engage in sexual activity.

Which one is the better thriller?

In my opinion, the 2004 version of 'The Manchurian Candidate' is the better of the two. The acting was better, the dynamics of it were on the whole more advanced and the film overall was more appealing.

Psycho (1960) - Alfred Hitchcock

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles

'Psycho' was originally a novel written by Robert Bloch which followed the same synopsis.

The Story:

Marion Crane is stuck in a dead end job. After being trusted to put a large amount of money in the bank, she takes the money and runs from the law. After a stormy evening of driving, she eventually pulls over for the night at Bates Motel, a practically deserted old motel. She meets the manager, Norman Bates, who appears to be very attached to his mother. But Marion is about to get a little more than she bargained for...

Is this an archetypal thriller?

• External threat from a mad man
• Fast paced, frequent action (shower scene, car chase, staircase scene, cellar scene)
• Villain driven plot

What devices are used?

• Music - the music used in 'Psycho' is one of the most well known pieces ever composed and is reused extensively due to the terrifying nature of it. Composer Bernard Harman wanted the music in 'Psycho' to instill terror onto the audience. The screeching violins and no other instruments helped create this atmosphere as they make the audience want to reach for their ears.
• Screenplay - a lot is left to the imagination in this film. This means that the audience can anticipate what is which could make it more terrifying.

Is this a successful thriller?

I believe that this is a very successful thriller. It is one of Hitchcock's greatest creations that is certainly terrifying. All of the devices used add to the atmosphere of the film and make it even more enjoyable to watch. The story is gripping, that characters are believable and the twist at the end adds a whole new feel to the film. I would highly recommend this film!