Making a thriller film:

-develop a plot idea - writing all ideas

-location recces - take photos of outside and inside

-character profiles - who are they going to be?

-actors - auditions

-source music - royalty free

-foley sound effects - or free sound effects /

-transport - logistical side

-props - what will be needed? can i get them for free?

-risk assessments

-equipment list

-costume and make up

-story board - shot list

-titles

Initial group meeting:

Composition task: symmetry vs space

Claud Levi Strauss: binary oppositions theory

Claud Levis Strauss was a french anthropologist and ethnologist who developed theories in structuralism. His binary opposition theory stated that the majority of media such as films and books contains opposing main characters, which helps devlop the plot.

For example in 'Zodiac' there are two key characters of the plot, the cartoonist who is trying to find the zodaic killers identity, and the zociac killer commits multiple murders. Therefore this supports Strauss's theory as it shows the two characters to compliment eachother as they are binary opposites, a protagonist and an antagonist

Conventions of a mystery thriller genre:

I researched the codes and convetions of a variety of thriller films for Unit Learning Aim A. I found that it is conventional for a mystery thriller to focus on an eventful plot with high stakes at risk and where the narrative focuses on the protagnist's solution to a problem set by an atogonist, for examle a crime is commited and there are suspenseful plot tiwsts.

This is shown in the film Before I Go To Sleep where they use minimal, low key lighting with grey tones and also scenes where little script is written to build the sense of the thriller genre

Questinnaire responses:

From the responses I found out that the half of the respondents liked unpredictable openings with dramatic effect without revealing the plot to fast as every response to the question 'do you enjoy thriller films with plot twists' was yes.

I also found out that 37.5% of respondents rarely watch thriller fillms so to imprve my film opening I would need to ensure I tie in elements of a mystery genre to keep this audience hooked.

This budget spreadsheet allows me to understand the finance side of making a film and how much different factors will cost.

Pitch:

questions:

Location recce:

We have decided to choose Devon for our location as it is secrete and will be less crowded than choosing a busy city location. This means we will have to travel down on the train with our equipment. These are some images of the locations where some scenes will be filmed.

Costume and make up plans:

- hooodie
-oversized jacket
- baggy trousers
-trianers
-sweatpants
-tshirt
-light daytime make up
-sfx make up in specefic scenes

protagonist:

antagonist:

Props:

- phone

-weapon (knife)

-zip ties

-small bag

Equipment:

The main equipment we will have to bring is a camera, tripod, costumes, and any make up. We will also need to bring snacks and drinks for us to have. To ensure none of the equipment breaks we can carry it in its protected gear and carry it in a bag with us.

Story boards:

Due to certain complications, we were unable to proceed with the plan to travel down to Devon. Therefore we had to change our location, and also alter the plot to fit the new location. This required a group meeting as it would have had a major impact on our production of our film.

New location recce:

We chose Weston-super mare as our new location as it matched our old location so we would not have to make big changes and becuase it is convienient to get to. It has a pier to tie in the fun day out element, and also a long path next to the beach with shops and bars to display the busy and unkown enviroment we wanted to grasp.