Pre-production Planning - Costume - Dilys

In our thriller opening there are only two characters but both with very significant qualities and costume was a very important aspect to get right as it helps to introduce the characters and give context for the thriller. The first character (Chantelle) will be dressed in tatty, dirty trousers and a long coat to show her working class background it will also show that she isn't wealthy and that she has been doing something hard and mucky. She will also be wearing trainers to show that she does tiring things. Our first flashback of Chantelle and Lacey will show them when they are younger in these few shots, they will be dressed in skirts to show that they've dressed up as they are having the day out. They appear to be happy in these shots so clothing will be in bright colours so help to set the mood of what it was like back then and create a strong contrast. The next flashback is to when Lacey is trapped she will be wearing black trousers and white shirt to show that she is smart and older but as her clothes will be are ripped open and splattered in mud and blood it will help convey her entrapment and struggle.

 In the first couple of shots we have Chantelle in the present day, she will be wearing a long black coat  and trousers

When the first flash back happens we will have both characters in denim jackets and skirts

In the flashback we will have the girls in small blue skirts

Location 3 - Cliff Edge - Dilys

Our third chosen  location for filming is going to be a cliff edge, we have decided to use this setting as it will help to convey the isolation of our character, it is also a very rural setting which contrasts with the other two settings in our opening suggesting that nothing is certain in our thriller. It also represents present day and having such a simplistic setting will work smoothly with the flashbacks as it won't be confusing as to which is the past and present as it will be clearly shown that this is our character walking and reflecting (the flashbacks will also be done in black and white to help show that they are just a distant memory). It will also help build tension as the audience will see her walking to the edge and be sitting in suspense as will want to know what she is going to do and whether she may or may not jump.

Pre-Production Planning-Location Ideas- Lisa Walden

In our opening, we have decided to include various flashbacks, one of which will be shot on Brighton Beach. These shots will just be short snippets of the main female characters spending time togeather. We have chosen to edit this flashback scene in Black and White to create more a mystery and give more effect on the audience-It also makes it more clear that this is a flashback and having it shot in slow motion with a black and white feel creates more tension on the audience. 

Pre-Production Planning- Script- Lisa Walden

As the opening of our thriller doesn't really contain much character speech, however there is still sound from the characters. As there isn't any main conversational speech it isn't necessary for us to create a script. 


During the first part of our opening there is a shot of the two friends on the pier laughing and having fun together. Here you hear them cheering and enjoying themselves, however there is still no speech. Also towards the end, there is a shot of a trapped girl-you hear her deeply breathing and letting out small screeches, again no scripted speech. 


We decided on not using a written script purely because it has a bigger effect on the audience-It doesn't give the plot of the story away with the speech of the characters, it keeps the viewers guessing as to what might happen next. 

Pre-production Planning - Synopsis of our thriller - Dilys

Our film is based on the lives of two friends, Lacey and Chantelle and their lives as they get involved in dangerous drug dealing. Chantelle's boyfriend gets the girls delivering and collecting and at first everything seems fun and exciting but as they become more and more involved they soon realize they are trapped by the gang. Lacey manages to escape the gang and falls in love with a policeman who helps her to reform her life and together they plan to bring down the gang. However when the gang find out, they seek revenge which ends with the death of Lacey. Chantelle feels guilty as she told the gang the whereabouts of Lacey and is now trapped by the gang herself and so ends up killing herself. The plot is full of betrayal, revenge and guilt the perfect ingredients for a good thriller.

Research Task - Catch Me If You Can - Dilys

Catch me if you can has an extraordinary opening for the credits, a cartoon of the main character Frank in mini stories of him escaping and tricking characters. It is very effective as an opening as it is fast paced and entertaining it also helps set the theme of the film as it suggests it'll be action packed.

• The opening sequence for Catch Me If You Can is very interesting, it opens on a lively chat show with, laughter and fun music in the background, this contrasts with the rest of the film which is following the journey of quick-witted and clever Frank, so as an opening for a thriller it immediately sparks curiosity in the audience. Simplistic medium close up shots of the characters faces help introduce the character Frank. The three characters who are being interviewed are dressed in pilot uniform which suggests that they are well educated and middle class men.

• The camera then cuts to a completely contrasting place, there is a group of men dressed in black stood outside a prison. As the men are dressed in long black raincoats it suggests that they important they are also wearing black hats which has connotations of something spooky and evil. The heavy rain helps create the mood for the scene, perhaps it something miserable and gloomy, creating pathetic fallacy and is symbolic for a classic thriller opening. All the men are speaking quickly and over each other, implying that there is some urgency and excitement. The date stated on the screen is Christmas eve, this implies that what they are doing is very important, also as its outside a prison the audience can presume that there will be an element of crime within the film. The music although not fast it helps to build tension as its dramatic but not overly emphasized, which makes it enjoyable and the audience wanting to hear more.

• The medium long shot taken of inside the prison is very informative as we can see how the prison is cold and harsh through the dull painted walls and big metal doors, this again helps define an atmosphere and suggests a creepy element through the choice of colour. The first shot of Frank is taken through a small latch in his prison cell, the framing of Frank here is very significant as it is rectangular and he sits in it crouched over, implying that he is always trapped as a character and is weak and vulnerable. 

• A few shots later as Frank tries to run away through the prison, he is followed by a tracking shot at a high angle this again suggests that he is weak but also as the shot if taken from Tom Hank's characters point of view he is the one with the power and we can predetermine that the film have something to with him trying to catch Frank. As Frank runs through the prison the other prisoners bash their cups against the wire mess, this is very noisy and disturbing, it also helps to build suspense as the audience will want Frank to run. Frank is grubby and seems ill in the prison shots suggesting that his character although hero also has a bad side to him and seeks danger and thriller.

Research Task - The Bourne Identity - Dilys

The Bourne Identity is a very traditional style opening for a thriller its is intriguing for the viewer and immediately places you right in the action 

(I've analyzed from 00:00-2:30) 

Camera Work

• The sequence opens with an extreme long shot of a boat in a storm at sea, this strong visual imagery to open up with is captivating and immediately makes the audience curious and wanting to know more
• The decision to use low angle shots of the man who has been shot is interesting as it suggests that he is weak and vulnerable, the first gun shot of the scene is from someone the audience can not see helps build suspense

• Tracking shots are used in the opening  sequence on the character who has been shot, this suggests that we may be following his journey 
• The shots taken in the ocean as the character sinks perhaps are there to help the audience connect with the character and make them feel as if they are also with him 
• The long shot taken of the character in the ocean as he battles with the waves suggests that he alone and that there will be more battles in the film

Sound

• The movie opens with thunder overhead and sounds of what would appear to be a storm, however there is no picture on the screen at this point so it is up to the audience to interpret what is going on, it also creates an dangerous and scary opening, thus setting the mood for the rest of the movie
• The non-diegetic music playing in the background is dramatic and creates tension, at first it is slow and then the pace quickens and building suspense, it is classic action fulled thriller music 

Mise en Scene

• Pathetic fallacy is created in the opening sequence, the scene begins with a storm, it suggests the film will have a thrilling dramatic theme to it and it also helps to set the mood. It is also raining which gives connotations of something miserable and uncontrollable 
• The two characters are dressed in trousers and jumpers suggesting that it is cold and that they are working as the clothes look comfortable and easy to move in

Editing

• The opening credits are in black and white which suggests simplicity but also as the are opposites it suggests there will be competition and contrasts to come. 
• There is a match on action shot as we see the man shoot the other man again and then we see him fall into the ocean, I think it is important as it shows the brutality of what has happened. 
• Slow motion is used to show the character sinking it helps to show his vulnerability against the dark sea