Music Choices

Choosing music that fits the ambiance of the film was difficult as the choices on Incompetech where limited in the horror genre to fit the pacing of opening sequence the music had to move quickly to match the sequences pacing 

Here is the shortlist:

Preliminary Task

This is our groups preliminary task, the clip is showcasing a wide variety of techniques for example the shot reverse shot. However when editing the video as it was my first time on Final Cut Express so I didn't know how to edit properly, however since then I have got some basic editing techniques which helped when editing this showcasing of shot knowledge. However analyzing the sound there are parts that are missing because the Director said action, also their are parts that don't match up this is due to a lack of technical know how. 

Day 3 of Shooting Preliminary

Day 3 of shooting we managed to get all the footage, though compared to the shots we wanted to get we unfortunately had to re-record it we misplaced the sequences on camera.

Day 2 of Shooting

Day two of shooting was productive as we achieved the shots we needed. However changes were made to the shots instead of doing on the road as it was noisy, we instead changed the shot to the garden as there was less noise plus the light created a silhouette which was an interesting effect as the focal point is the protagonist. 

Day 1 of Shooting

Shooting on day one was hard as some of the shots we had planned couldn't work in the production so we had to re-shoot until we got it right. The shoots we managed to shoot were two of the sequences on the story board as we couldn't do the establishing shot of the eye opening we had to medium-close up shot establishing the protagonist.

Proposed casting shots

As our opening sequence has only two characters that talk, they are the main characters- the protagonist doesn't have a  name this is important as this leaves the character without an identity.

Whereas the other character is called 'Jack'. I wanted to leave the antagonist J@ck and Jack as prime suspects of the harassing and stalking of the protagonist this leaves the main character drained, confused and delusional which is enhanced by the fact he has schizophrenia a mental illness that causes auditory and visual hallucinations which I think is a necessity in psychological thriller.

The antagonist J@ck and Jack is cast as me as we need to have the same physical attributes

Cast listing

Rudy-Protagonist

Kayle-Jack/J@ck

Alex-Director of Photography

Inspired posters-American Psycho

I

  

Locations

These were the locations we might use, as we are shooting at night we will need to access roads with easy lighting to prevent the film from being to dark. We are shooting in houses as that is what is needed to fulfill the criteria we have set ourselves(storyboard and script).

So to achieve this we went on a location recce of each others houses to see which one is the most suitable.

We established that Rudy's house was the most suitable as certain things in the script could only be achieved in his house. 

Rudy's House

My House

Alex's House

Storyboard

Here is the storyboard of the initial script. 

I wanted to photograph it as the aesthetic of the paper would keep to the chosen theme of thriller.

On the image to bring out the blacks and lines in the paper i played with the curves.

Script  Redraft

This is the redraft of the script.

Protagonist wakes up

sits Up.

(Shot is close up of eye, Zooms out revealing the his room)

(By voices)

Looks outside by opening curtains, protagonist looks uncomfortable.

(This shot is over the shoulder)

(Music score starts 'creepy music')

Sees figure, the figure has been looking into the window.

(This is shot from over the shoulder of the antagonist)

Antagonist is walking purposefully away then pauses, turns back and looks again into the bedroom window.

(This is shot from the view of the antagonist)

Figure disappears from corner of the street.

(Shot from the street pan?)

Protagonist turns around looking unnerved and makes his way downstairs.

(Shot from the bottom of the stairs looking up)

Protagonist home phone rings he answers it, says "hello?" apprehensively.

(Done from over the shoulder onto the

phone)

Phone cuts off

(Sound of dial tone)

Protagonist heads towards kitchen stops when phone rings again.

(Mid-range shot of the protagonists in the foreground with phone ringing in the background)

Protagonist answers phone again saying "hello?" accusingly and annoyed

Friend replies saying, "You alright mate, you seem a bit freaked out? It’s me"

(Split screen of conversation)

Protagonist replies "Nah mate you already here?"

Friend replies "No? you know what I’ve been doing. Why?"

Protagonist replies saying "You still coming over?"

Friend says "Yeah, when should I come round?"

Protagonist replies saying "As soon as possible"

Friend says "Alright I’ll be round in a bit" *hangs up phone*

(Split screen ends to ‘Friend’ who looks puzzled fades)

Fades to protagonist in kitchen fridge (Fridge shot) getting a milk (to deal w/t stress) and turns round to see figure by the window wearing a mask.

(Spills milk)

Instinctively runs away from the window towards front door.

Door bell rings

(Mid range shot cutting to him running to the door)

Door bell goes off.

(Close up of finger pressing on doorbell)

Door opens

(Shot )

Friend looks surprised standing at door “You alright? you look like shit”

Protagonist then says "There's someone in the house"

Scene ends as he is walking in the house.

Script First Draft

This is the first draft that my group wrote.

main character wakes up

looks outside

sees figure

walks away then turns back and looks again

figure disappears

turns round and makes his way downstairs

goes to kitchen

phone rings he answers it, says "hello"

phone cuts off

walks away and phone rings again

answers phone again says "hello"

mate replies saying "you alright mate its jack"

main character replies "sweet jack what you doing?"

mate replies "nothing much"

main character replies saying "well if you want come round?"

mate says "yeah when shound i come round"

main character replies saying "whenever you want"

mate says "alright ill be round in a bit" *hangs up phone*

main character turns to kitchen gets food out and turns round to see figure by the window

decides to run away into room

door bell goes off

walks to door and opens it

mate standing at door walks in

main character then says "jack you dont know whats just happened!"

jack says "why whats happened?!"

main character then says "as i woke up i looked out my window and saw someone standing by the lamp post, i turned my back for one second and he was gone!, then after i got off the phone to you i got some food out my cupboard and turned around to see him standing by my window!"

jack says "oh shit! what we gunna do?!"

main character says "i have no idea"

scene ends

Research-The Machinist

The machinist is a physiological thriller which have some repetitive themes in the film which are introduced during the Ride 666 scene and is the repetition of left turns being wrong leading to 'hell' and right leading to 'salvation'. The film is an interesting look into mental health of people who have experienced trauma the film creates the illusion that the protagonist is losing his mind when in actual fact he was already on a downward spiral.
I was inspired to recreate the post it note he repeatedly finds on his fridge which is a major theme in the film.  

Thriller Genres and Conventions

Why do Thriller as a genre?

Thriller is a diverse genre, which always sets the protagonist’s, is set against a problem escape, operation/mission, or enigmatic mystery which emphasis the danger that the protagonist is in. This always revolves around keeping the audience in suspense and in anticipation. This usually involves slowly building tension throughout the film leading to a tense and nerve-wracking climax.

Sub-Genres of Thriller

Action thriller

Action thrillers are a sub-genre of thriller use physical action to create suspense in the film. Action thriller uses similar styled scenes to that of a traditional action film such as continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races. This contributes to the overall sense of danger that the protagonist is facing.
Famous examples of Action thrillers: Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol.1, The Bourne Identity etc.

Crime Thriller

Crime Thriller is a sub-genre of thriller, which incorporates a cat and mouse chase between the protagonist and the antagonist the antagonist is usually always ahead in the game until he is caught through arrogance or incompetence, which is usually centres on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or a manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the film revolves around both criminal and protagonist. Crime thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense throughout the film either ending with the criminal escaping, dying, or being caught by the protagonist.Famous Examples include: The Fugitive etc.

Film-Noir

Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre of the thriller genre, but is completely different and distinct with the visual style. Within the genre it would usually have a cynical protagonist, heavily relying on narrative and flashbacks the story. Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success.
Psychological Thriller

A psychological thriller sticks to many conventions of thrillers however instead of a physical threat it is usually from the mind or the protagonists . The protagonist

Science fiction Thriller

Science Fiction Thriller incorporates a hypothetical scenario with themes related to science within the plot of the film. The Sci-Fi thriller conventions usually include, heroes, villains, unexplored locations, quests, and advanced technology. These elements can be used in a Science Fiction Thriller to create anticipation and suspense. Often, this sub-genre will explore the “future-gone-bad” theme, including plots that revolve around alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, and super-diseases. Famous examples include: aliens, predator, The Road.

Religious Thriller

Religious Thriller film that incorporates religious themes,it's conventions including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects/paraphernalia. Though some films can be located around a specific church, many Religious Thrillers include supernatural experiences not just pertaining to a certain religion. Exorcisms, demon possession, and church cover-ups are typical themes in Religious Thrillers.Famous examples include: The Da Vinci Code