Evaluation of Editing

When editing our video we began by creating a draft version including correct sequence of clips supported by the defined audio we felt applicable to this genre of thriller: crime. Upon creating this draft version we came across a few errors with our filming leaving us unable to utilise a wide variety of shot types whilst still maintaining that essential ‘thrilling’ atmosphere. This led our group to having to rethink the way we would create our thriller opening. We decided that by just using the camera footage of the car scene and shooting some additional footage we would be able successfully edit a good video.

This screenshot here is a good example of a few of the different techniques we used when filming. The first notable technique is the speeding up of clips to create a sort of time-lapse effect. We incorporated this into the scene where the victim we know now is dead and the camera follows the rope from around his neck to the boot of the car. We chose to speed this up as not only would it be too long a clip without doing so but it also flows well following on from the fast-cut editing used in the actual murder. The rope scene was included to link the murder section with the end titles/where the name of the film is revealed. It also shows the audience a little more of the crime scene giving them more of an insight. Another technique we used that you can see here is just a one second blank clip. Combined with fade-to-black transitions we used these to create tension in a scene, split up the different sections of the scene and also ‘fit’ with the soundtracks in each section. For example a pause in the music coalesced with a pause in the visual aspect, we found, is a very useful and effective method of creating suspense and tension. 

These two images displayed here are to show how we created our titles for the thriller opening. To begin with we designed a French newspaper (as to fit in with the theme of the film) and placed in pictures of each individual in our group but so that it looks like an article/set of articles. We then filmed a continuous shot following the rope from the front of the car to the boot of the car, where the newspaper was laid. When doing this we used close-up shots to film snippets of newspaper combined with the images of us. When we edited this in to our video we chose to split up the clips and freeze frame where the camera stopped on each person. Then we simply added text to the freeze frame, which produced a very professional but simple way of displaying our credits.

 

"Le Monde" - Our two minute thriller opening!

Thriller Storyboard and Shotlist Feedback

Some people we asked had concerns with the original shot-list. This was mainly with the sequencing of scenes and how the protagonist would shift from the countryside to the centre of a busy town in such a short period of time. We took this advice into consideration as we thought it might be an issue. Therefore we changed our storyboard accordingly. The intention for shooting now is to just shoot the car strangulation scene in the film. This will be supplied with the back story of 1956 France, giving the audience an idea that there is some kind of espionage backstory to the protagonist's situation.

Feedback of the story board were far more positive, and this helped us shape the plans for our film:

"Love the idea of having point-of-view shots from both the victim and the killer" JG - Media student

"Using a range of shots is good to show the conventions of the thriller" MM - Media Student

"I think you will struggle to put the shots together in an order that is coherent, and you will struggle to avoid putting in things that ruin the continuity. But if it is right then it should be really good' CC - Media student

"The shot types that your using sound really cool, I like the idea of using the French music in the film!"  EP Media Student

"Building up tension to the final strangulation is a good way to keep the audiences attention, I like it!" CH - Media Student

Test Shots for our Production

The following are some test shots that we took of the car in place where we wish to film. We used the software Picasa to create an evening effect which allows us to use the conventions of Film Noir. The setting in this shot looks like the car is alone and therefore as an audience we will also get the feeling of isolation from help. The close-up test shot of the hand turning the ignition is one that will split the film between the first soundtrack and the second giving a distinct change in atmosphere to the film. The last test shot is one that we use as one whole shot, it will follow the rope from the dead body to the back of the car. This will be where it meets with the titles in the newspaper, interlinking with the strangulation scene.

Location Shots Revised and Lighting

 

We were concerned with the lighting for our production and so we decided as a group to shoot all of the video in the daytime even though most of it would be set at night. We chose to do this because the quality of the video would be much better and more visible for the audience if we simply filmed it in day and used a 'day-to-night' camera effect on our editing software. With this the location for the shoot changed as the street lighting was no longer necessary and chose a street near a local church. The stone walls lobviously fit in the time period set as they belong to the church. We can also, if needed to, film the car against the bavck wall rather than parked next to the others to avoid ruining the scene and including modern cars.

This location will fit the conventions of a thriller because of the abandoned feeling that this scene will produce when a night effect has been put on the footage and the shots of a lone car parked outside a church (and graveyard). In the framing all the audience will see is the car and the abandoned street. This will create the effect of making the protagonist isolated from the world. They will have no help escaping the assassin. There is also a gate separating the path from a river. This reinforces our wish to include elements from Film Noir. The angular structure to the gate gives a tense feeling to area which is only emphasised by the graveyard to the right of the path. Not only this but we hope to record a shot looking through this gate again reinforcing the Film Noir feel.

Choice of props for our Thriller!

We will use car keys as a tool to que the next soundtrack of the film; when the engine is switched on the radio will also turn on and the music will begin to play. We will then be able to insert non-diegetic sounds to change the atmosphere of the scene. They also serve as a distraction from the gun that will be in the front compartment.

The Morris Traveller is the main setting and car that we will be using to base the strangulation scene. It is a confined space, which helps us address the conventions of a thriller by introducing a claustrophobic atmosphere; putting the two characters in an intimate space with intentions of murder. The car also fits the time period of 1956, however it has no alarm in it that can be activated and offers no real chance for the protagonist to help himself when being attacked.

The thick orange rope will be used to strangle the protagonist with. We chose this colour because we wanted it to resonate in the audience's mind and almost resemble blood. It is also not the kind of colour rope that youy would expect to see in a strangulation scene, which agains adds mystery. We have also planned to use a long length rope to create a continous shot following the rope back into the boot of the car. Here the newspaper will be laid down and we can use this for our title sequence.

The gun in the film has obvious connotations with danger, violence but also importance. It can be expected that the protagonist is dangerous from the basis that he has a gun. When the audience sees the gun this instantly creates tension and suspense as we do not know what is to come.

Choice of costume for our Thriller!

The costume we wanted to use for our shoot had to make the protagonist look mysterious to the audience. We don't want to give too much away to the audience about his history, there just needs to be a sense that there is a history and he is dangerous. The black jacket makes him look dark and doesn't show whether the character is good or evil. The character will also be wearing a white shirt and black trousers. This fits the conventions of Film Noir as we are consistently using blacks to portray the character.

The Killer will be unidentifiable by the audience because she will be wearing a black hat and that is all we see of her apart from the black gloves she will wear to hide her hands. Again, these will be black to portray that sense of mystery that will run in the film. The film doesn't give the audience any indication through the use of costume who is good or evil. The hat hides the killers face so we learn very little about her. However, because of her actions we learn that she too is a dangerous character which creates a sense of threat to the thriller.

The last item of clothing for the killer in our short film is a pair of black leather gloves. We have chosen these because it helps to hide their identity and doesn't give away the fact she is a woman. They also have a sense of creepiness about them as it makes the murder look more thought out and planned because using gloves will not leave fingerprints. The last point to make is that the gloves will help to suffocate the victim (Harry) rather than just using their hands.