Why did we make a storyboard?

We decided to make a storyboard in order to grasp a basic outline of our plot, mise en scene and shots we are going to use in our product. This also helps us learn exactly what our idea is as a group as we can visually collaborate ideas. This reinforces the works of the shooting script as well, so we know exactly what to do on the shooting day.

For example, there is a fairly complex sequence of shots regarding eye movement from two characters which can be more simply explained through the storyboard rather than the shooting script. Visuals reinforce text.

Storyboard - Drawn 1

 

Storyboard - Drawn 2

Storyboard - Animated

Why did we make a shooting script?

The shooting script gives us a clear idea of each shot which will make the shooting experience more efficient which is good as I am using an owned public location where I do not want to bother the owner too much. It's all textual and gives a detailed description of what I will have to do.

Shooting Script - Final

Shooting Script: Feedback

I acknowledge this idea but I will keep to the extreme close-ups to add enigma to match the thriller genre.

Appreciated.

We feel this is key to our piece.

It seems long only for the detail but will be shown in a simple POV flow which will have a simple meaning.

They are fairly approximate as this may change in the final product but for now we have a basic idea.

Shooting Script - Draft

Opening Sequence Research - The Divide

It opens with 5 seconds of darkness which instantly poses an uncertainty and fades into an extreme close up of a female eye crying which shows the mood of the film in general. We then see the destruction she is looking at which suggests a supernatural theme which is a common feature of the thriller genre.

We are shown an excess of people running down a fleet of stairs which shows the danger is imminent but implies people will die in this film which gives a gory element to the film so that already we can see the depressive elements of this thriller.

The opening eventually reaches the neutral silence of a standard opening.

Opening Sequence Research - The Flight Plan

This opening sequence uses a lot of symbols in the media language. Regarding text, it brings titles on screen using the train passing; initially by using the fast train as a scrambling transition to bring them on and transition from the train into an alpha channel text. This gives an enigmatic feel which represents the thriller genre.

We then see a lone woman in a train station which immediately poses questions like, 'Why is there an empty train station?'. This is followed by a limited view of the plot where an casket is discussed in a foreign language. The casket poses questions alongside the mystery of the country the setting is in. The plot shows a vision of present and past time using colour correction as darker in the past. This presents the audience with a curiosity which provokes them the desire to watch more.

Opening Sequence Research - Limitless

The first thing we see is the blue, spac-related idents which could represent philosophy which is a feature of the thriller genre. We then see titles smashing onto the screen with a thudding sound effect which implies the theme of threat. We then see a door which is being compromised but we don't see the person which holds mystery.

With music, it starts silent but become more prominent when the camera scales up a building to a suicidal man. This exhilarates and thrills the audience and asks questions about this man and why he is in the city yet the only man in shot: he must have power.

In regards to mise-en-scene, we see dead bodies across the floor which shows us there is a perhaps gory element to the film.

To finish, the camera falls off the building leading the audience to thinking the man jumps. It then zooms through cars at speed with really bright city lights while the titles come on screen which allude to a 'trippy' feel which could suggest drugs are a feature.

Title Sequence Research - Ocean's 11

This opening uses neon lights to reflect the theme of Las Vegas that is featured strongly in the film. This gives the 'show biz' effect that the film utilises. The credits are shown in the center of these lights which emphasises the words as done in Vegas.

Title Sequence Research - Seven

The title sequence of Seven sets a dark setting for the rest of the film and actually exaggerates the dark themes of the film. The sequence features a series of film reel clips of grimacing acts which render the audience uncomfortable. The director uses shaky text which reflects the inconsistency and unpredictability of the antagonist in the film.

Title Sequence Research - Catch Me if You Can

The sequence uses an animated style which simplifies the plot of the film. It uses a lot of automobility which shows the chases that take part in the full film. The titles all slide in as if were following a route on a mapped road which also represents the chase.

Genre Research: Application

- Using the crime theme, I plan to create a hostage situation in a professional edifice. This could be in a bank(which might not be practically possible), a shop or an office.

- I also plan to use lots of breathing which should take the breathing patterns of the audience unnatural and create a pseudo-exhilaration.

Initial Ideas: Pitch Presentation

Silence pitch from Silence1234

Genre Research: Thriller

Thriller - A movie with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage.


Todorov's 5 Stages of Narrative

This is a theory designed by language critic Izetan Todorov, where there are 5 steps in the narrative in the majority of feature films:
 

1. Equilibrium

2. Disruption

3. Recognition of Disruption

4. Attempt to Repair

5. Equilibrium

Working Groups

My Team

For this task, I decided to work alone initially. However there was another classmate going solo so I decided to form a duo as I believe he has good potential.

George Walker

In this project, I will be the director, co-writer and co-editor of the piece. I will also contribute to things like location finding and cast selection but I can't determine the proportion of this on my behalf.

Brendan Hargreaves

Brendan will do the other halves of my co-roles. He supported the basic idea we have formulated.

The Task

The BRIEF

The titles and opening of a new, thriller, fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.

Additional Features:

-signal of the genre

-introduce narrative

-characters/relationships/places/events

-limited information

-create a mood or tone