Since completing my preliminary task I have learnt a lot of new skills which have helped me complete my thriller, an example is editing. When editing my preliminary task I struggled due to lack of experience and practise and developed a basic edit of my preliminary task. However, when editing my thriller after a lot of practise and asking a few questions on how to do particular things (eg: sound bridging) I began to feel a lot more confident with my editing skills. I was able to add special effects to my thriller like cross dissolves and compared to my preliminary tasks the edit was a lot more clear. However, without completing my preliminary task I would not have had basic editing skills which enabled me to improve with practice.
Another important element of doing my preliminary task which helped me in creating our thriller was shooting, as when shooting our thriller we learnt many things. For example continuity as we filmed different shots on different days we had to make sure that the actors in our thriller wore the same costume each time. This became an issue as on one occasion I wore a slightly different costume which would have ruined the continuity of our thriller. Also since doing our preliminary task my ability to plan effectively has improved as I have learnt how important it is when making our thriller. For example, making storyboards and creating a shot list was vital as it gave us an idea of what our idea will look like, however once filming our plan it didn't work out as expected due to the lack of suspense and tension the shots created. Our first idea for our thriller also didnt work out as we didnt stick to the original storyboard and ended up shooting random scenes. Therefore our final idea for our thriller worked out a lot better due to stronger planning and a shot list that we kept with us when shooting, enabling us to include the shots we wanted which were the most effective.
Working in a group was something we had to adapt to due to our differences in opinions and when we were all free to complete the shoot. We worked well in creating the idea of our thriller and giving everyone different responsibilities, for example choosing the different actors and deciding on what shot worked best for particular scenes. Some of our group made their own edit and me and another member of my group worked together on our edit to put together both of our ideas of what will look the most effective.
Examples of camera work that I have learned since completely my preliminary task are first of all shot reverse shot which was an important element of our preliminary task to indicate a conversation taking place.Also obeying the 180 degree rule was crucial when filming our preliminary task to avoid confusion for the audience.The opening to Pulp Fiction shows a perfect example of obeying the 180 degree rule when filming. It also shows a shot reverse shot showing that a conversation is happening and as the 180 degree rule is obeyed the audience wont be confused of who is talking. Another example is a tennis or rugby match where the 180 degree rule is abided by so the audience know which side each teams goal is.By following this rule the film maker can be sure that each character is shown in a consistent area of the frame, this helps the audience understand the layout of the scene. Techniques such as eyeline match and match on action enables this. Furthermore, understanding this rule assisted us when making our thriller so we could avoid confusing the audience and allow the viewer to identify with the characters. This is because the closer to the axis the camera is the more the audience's point of view resembles the characters.I have learned a lot from experimenting with different camera angles and finding out which were the most effective, our original thriller gave us practice and experience on what camera angles work best for this genre and which ones are inadequate. For example we overused mid shots which were dull and mediocre leaving no sense of suspense and tension, they also failed to intensify the action in the scenes. We also learnt the importance of close ups and how much more effective they were than mid shots due to how they position the audience closer with the action and enable them to see the characters emotions.
Here is an example of one of the shots which would have been more effective with a more adventurous camera angle. Although we had to create another thriller the making of our first one was a beneficial experience as it taught us the importance of particular camera shots/movement and action which interpret the thriller genre.
Here are various a screen shots from our first thriller, the use of mid shots fail to build tension and intensify the action leaving the scene uninteresting.
Our original shoot and edit of the opening to a new thriller film was a steep learning curve. We shot too many mid to long shots, the lighting was dreary and the action was unclear making no impact and resembling a home movie rather than a carefully planned professional opening to a thriller film. Due to this I learned the importance of tilt shots to connote a sense of confusion which raises tension which is effective in a thriller film. I also learned the importance of close ups to engage the audience with the action and raise suspense, they also enable the audience to notice the characters emotions.
After watching our original thriller compared to our final thriller I have found out the importance of the costume and how it enables the audience to identify with the character. For example, our character Blake wearing the hoodie represents him as a working class thug who has no conscience. Whereas the costume of Peter suggests he's from a middle class background due to his black expensive looking coat and suede shoes, however although he is thought as higher up in the capitalist system he's really not much better than Blake. Through this, we have learnt the effect of binary opposites as they communicate dramatic impact and allow the audience to have an aesthetically pleasing experience. Another example of binary opposites shown by the costumes in our thriller is Tiffany's red coat which contrasts with the white snow, this singles her out which could suggest that she is also singled out in society, this contrasts also suggests violation. 
As the use of binary opposites are effective they are also shown in these camera angles. On the right is a high angle shot of the tormented character Peter, this contrasts with the low angle shot of the thug Blake. These opposites show the big difference between the two characters, in costume and class especially.
An important element of film making that I have learned about since completing my preliminary task is that not all narratives are linear and chronological, so therefore we included the use of flashbacks in our thriller to give a sense of illusion to the scene. Our non-linear narrative enabled the audience to be given further information about the characters state of mind, and find out why the events in the other scenes are happening. We used cross dissolves to inject the mise-en-scene with signify flashbacks and the contrast between illusion and reality.The cross dissolves gives our film a psychological theme as it shows the young man tormented by demons which suddenly cuts to his heavily built partner in crime. This suggests that this character is schizophrenic trapped in his split personality. Also addressing the characters frame of mind through a non linear narrative is a generic convention of psychotic characters, an example is Norman Bates from "Psycho" show shows psychotic behaviour. 
The use of complex narrative structures have also been shown in other thrillers, for example in the opening to "Once Upon a Time in America" where the film shows a non linear narrative as it begins when Eve is shot, then cuts to Fat Mo being beaten up which then cuts to Noodles in the Opium Den with flashbacks to the slaughter of his friends who are lying dead underneath covers in the dark wet streets of New York. This sequence of gruesome events allows the audience to be transported to Noodle's memories and mindset.Our film Red Snow aims to achieve the same effect due to the border between illusion and reality becoming blurred. The audience are included in the process of finding out who murdered the victim Tiffany as the complex narrative makes them work hard to unravel the truth. Compared to our Preliminary Task which had a chronological narrative our thriller has a more complex narrative meaning we have learned a lot since our first task. Making our thriller taught us how to achieve a more sophisticated narrative through using cross dissolves signifying flashbacks and meaning we have a achieved a film that would impress itself on the imagination and become a success.
I found out that finding a correct title for our thriller that links to the action is important as an over powering font can take over the scene and draw attention away from what's happening. For example we learned that having both words bright red looked too much like a title for a horror film and was too in your face, therefore we decided to change the font to match the thriller genre. I liked the idea of having a subtle font that wouldn't take too much attention away from the scenes.
To conclude, since completing our preliminary task I have learnt that however well we planned our film other variables like the weather can make the shoot more difficult. When filming our thriller there was a heavy downfall of snow which you would think would make filming difficult, however it offered us a golden opportunity to inject the mise-en-scene with an artistic quality. Although, filming in freezing conditions was difficult at times as holding the camera still was slightly harder due to the conditions being so cold. 
Excellent Lyndsey with splendid references to research and practice.
ReplyDeleteYou may wish to conclude with what has been the most important learning experience since you started the course. Don't waffle, try to link with production. It could be that planning is an important aspect of film making (particular sequencing visuals) and that a 2 minute film shouldn't rely too much on plot or, that however well directors plan their films they have to exploit the conditions they're faced with - in your case the snow offereing you a golden opportunity to inject your mise-en-scene with an artistic quality. You could also include the difficulties of filming in the freezing conditions. You only have to do this if you want to and no waffle!!!!