What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have learnt many things about the technology used to construct this media product. One of the main things is the video editing. The program I used to edit the video was Adobe Premiere Elements 10.

What I had to do was get all the footage from the get media section, I then had to put the footage in the sequence that we need, making sure that the editing flows. I noticed that the playback was slow, so each time a lot has been played the video had to be rendered to see the continuity. I then had to put the music in at the point where he presses the button, then also making it fade away as he left the room and slowly getting louder as the intro carries on. I also had to put in the voice overs for the video in the right places.

HD Camera 

We used this camera to film, it allowed us to film our footage in High Definition. Fortunately one of our group member's had her own tripod, thus allowing us to use hers. Unfortunately the school didn't have any better quality cameras to provide. We also had problems with the camera's batteries, this is because they were not powerful enough for the camera, however, for some reason it would last white we were filming.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Our media can represent a variety of different social groups, such as young adults and people with mental disorders. We start with James, a 21 year old male. However, he is not the typical young adult because he suffers from schizophrenia. The films could show the audience how people with these mental disorders can struggle with their life, trying to ignore their symptoms. It may not represent them in a good light though, especially in the intro, but throughout the film, if we made it, the audience should be able to connect with James, seeing how much he is struggling.


James may also represent young males; he is living on his own and struggling to hold a job. Although, this may be due to him having schizophrenia.

As you can see from the picture above, James is looks relatively normal, and is just dressing up smartly preparing for a job interview. This is what any typical person would do to look good to the employer.

Joe is seen to be different because he is one of James’ hallucinations. He is dressed unusually, wearing a bow tie. This is to give him a villain like quality, similar to that of the Joker, also having an evil stare on his face. This is so the audience see him as a villain, meaning that they will want James to conquer his disorder.

Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

This was our preliminary task

Looking back on the preliminary exercise, I have learnt many new techniques, filming wise, editing wise etc. We have learnt to use some techniques such as the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and match on action. In addition, I have progressed by learning to have a wider variety of camera angles. I used some videos on YouTube to help me understand these techniques in more depth. I also feel I have progressed editing wise, allowing me to make the motion picture flow more, increasing the use of continuity. I have also found that video editing software’s can sometimes be unreliable, meaning you have to continuously save it.   

These are the videos that helped me understand the techniques in more depth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sivBMhDe-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdyyuqmCW14

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLkUHZ1qips

I also used a small film video company called film riot who gave me some ideas about how to edit and some film techniques.

http://www.youtube.com/user/filmriot

How did you attract/address your audience?

We attracted our audience by making sure that from the beginning the can be frightened. We did this by using Joe, making sure he appears in places where the audience do not expect. We also used a recognisable song, allowing people to relate to the film more. We also attracted our audience by adding the creepy voice throughout the intro. It is the first thing they hear in the thriller intro, enticing them right from the beginning.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience for my media product will be young adults. My past research has shown that people between the ages of 15 – 24 go to the cinema the most. This meant that we chose to plan our video to young adults. So we chose to use young adults as actors in the intro, meaning they will be able to relate to him more. However, this film can be people who are thrill seekers, so it can be shown to people of all ages. Our film is more likely to be either a 12A or a 15 because of the violence involved throughout the film, but for just the intro it looks more likely to be 12A. This means that no one under the age of 12 can buy or watch the film without parental permission. This also means that this film may not be shown before the watershed if it was shown on TV.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Miramax films are an independent film production company that has distributed films, including foreign films for over 31 years. They would be a good company as they will be able to advertise our film abroad, for example in the USA.

A media institution that might distribute our media product could be BBC films. BBC films are an established forefront of British independent film-making and co-produces around eight films a year. BBC would be a good distributor because they will be able to advertise our film on the BBC website and the channels. This would allow us to reach the biggest audience in the UK because everyone who owns a TV will have BBC.

In addition, we can use Miramax to distribute the film internationally. The characters in our film can also represent those who are abroad because its not used to only represent British people.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings)

The title of our film is 'No Way Out!’ we chose this title because it is a line that could be used throughout the film. Telling the audience that James (our main character) is trapped in his head and that there is no way out. This can also deceive the audience, thinking that they may see a thriller film where someone is trapped and may be murdered.

Our media product was able to use, develop and challenge forms of real media products in a variety of ways. This is because our final media product can be considered differently from others. This is because our film is a psychological thriller, which is actually based on a psychological disorder (schizophrenia). The intro is used to show the day when James’ schizophrenia became severe.

It’s similar to other psychological thrillers because it starts, allowing the audience to connect to the main character, living in a house. However, we change straight away to him taking his medication, this shows the audience that he is different; this is because someone his age doesn’t usually have to take medication as soon as they wake up.

All our camera work is still shots on a tripod; this allows us to have professional looking quality. This is similar to real media products, where a majority of the time films have some still shots. However, we were unable to add some other effects used in films due to the fact that we didn’t have the equipment, for example a jib, crane or a dolly.  We also used a variety of camera shots to keep the audience engaged; this is used by many types of thriller films.

We challenged conventions by not using the conventional music that is seen in thriller films, the music they usually use is used to build up tension. The music we used was to show that it was a song that was on the radio, but not a pop song. Throughout the film James was supposed to recognise the song, hearing the words ‘you can have it all’, he believes the song is talking to him.

The genre of our film is is psychological thriller. We show this because the film is supposed to have an affect on the audience usually by frightening them e.g. building tension by using music, or having faster cut scenes. Examples of psychological thrillers are the black swan, the shining and the woman in black. These films all build tension by using music and getting into the audiences minds.

 We also developed conventions of using many point of view shots throughout the intro. This is used when James can see Joe (his schizophrenic hallucination) who also tells James what to do.

No Way Out! - Finished product

Character Profiles

James:
James has had to struggle with schizophrenia his whole life, it causes him problem, he hasn't been able to hold a job in years.
His schizophrenia caused him to leave school early because he was placed in a mental institution. It has also cause his mum to leave him alone in the house. The house has been left and will be repossessed soon.
James feels that he has to get a job to try and keep the house, although he is also trying to forget his past.
James tends to listen to Joe, his conscience.

Joe:
Joe has been created by James' schizophrenia
He is the voice and the person that tells James what to do
He usually appears in odd places
He is dressed smartly and usually stares at James, making him feel uncomfortable
Throughout the film Joe reminds James of his past experiences

Character Costumes

This is James' first costume, these are his sleeping clothes, joggers and a vest. This is to show that he has just woken up. This is to make it more realistic, this makes him look like an ordinary person at the beginning, until you hear the voices. 

This is James' second costume, this is a suit, this is to show that James is getting ready for something that is different from a typical 21 year old's everyday life. This could show that he is going to a job interview, showing he can't hold a job because of his schizophrenia.

This is Joe's costume throughout the intro, he is dressed smart/casually, but with a bow tie, which is unusual. This is to show that he is different than your typical person. He also has a creepy stare a majority of the time. 

Filming Day

Today was the day we filmed. We filmed at someone's house, making sure we had all our equipment and the actors.
The actors also brought the correct costumes that were going to be used to film.
The equipment we had included two cameras (in case one ran out of battery), a tripod, and a handle for the camera (in case we needed low angles)
We shot the opening scene from James' point of view, this took a few tries, trying to keep the camera steady and getting Joe out of frame while James 'rubs his eyes'
We then shot James opening the drugs, and acting as if Joe is telling him not to, we then film him pressing the radio and getting into the song (no actual song is playing)
We filmed some extra scene, in case we needed a few extra filler scenes, but we need all of them

Initial Ideas

Idea 1 - Crime Thriller
Our first idea was that we are introduced to the two main characters Katy & Rachel. Rachel is in a courtroom giving a witness testimony to a murder. Throughout this scene we see flashbacks of the day of the murder according to Rachel. At the end of the scene there is a huge commotion and everything blacks out


Idea 2 - Psychological Thriller
Our second idea was a boy, who used to be unpopular, is invited to a big party in the woods. He had never been to a party before, so has nothing to compare it to. He then gets peer pressured into taking some a illegal drugs (magic mushrooms/LSD). He then starts to feel the high of the drug, but then soon realises it was a mistake as he begins to take a bad 'trip', hallucinating (seeing faces, and hearing voices).  


Idea 3 - Psychological Thriller
Our third idea was similar to the second one, but instead of the use of illegal drugs, the main person has Schizophrenia. He wakes up hearing a voice, he then sees someone, rubs his eyes in disbelief and sees the person is gone. The voice then starts to tell him to do some strange things, while he is preparing for a job interview. 

Editing - Adobe Premier Elements 10

Adobe Premier Elements 10 is the software we will use to edit our final video. The layout is simple, allowing us to import soundtrack, narration and videos, giving us many different layers. It can also change the colour of the videos. This video editing software is good, it is the same software we have used in the past, meaning that we will not have to learn how to use the software. It then also allows to render the video in high definition. 

Shooting schedule

Day	Time	Where	Who is there	Filming	Costumes/Props
Wednesday 2nd of May	1:15 – 3:30	James’ house	James, Joe, Hannah, Lenita and Kofi	Filming the wake up scene The bathroom scene The getting ready scene The kitchen scene And the knife scene	James needs sleeping clothes (e.g. a vest, and joggers/ pyjamas) James also needs a suit to change into, shirt, blazer and trousers, also any shoes he needs) Joe will be dressed casually and smart (shirt, cardigan, chinos and a bow tie)
Wednesday 2nd May	5:00 – 8:00	Kofi’s House And Joe’s House	Kofi Hannah Lenita and Joe	Editing – putting together images Joe does voice overs and sends it via email.

Script

Main Voice: Hey! Wake Up!

(James wakes up sees a person and rubs his eyes)

Main Voice: I’ve been watching you

(James reaches for medication)

Main Voice: You don’t need that, you’re better off without it.

(James leaves the medication and decides to get ready for the day, he turns on the radio while brushing his hair)

(The song Hurt – Johnny Cash plays)

(James acts as if the song is talking to him)

Main Voice: This gives me an idea

(James ignores this)

(James gets clothes out, preparing for job interview)

(James buttons up his shirt and the sing becomes more prominent)

Main Voice: Well what you have to is get a knife, and I’ll explain the rest to you on the way

(James looks reluctant to take the knife, but does in the end

(James leaves the house with the knife)

The voices can be along these lines, may be more authentic if they are improvised

Shot List

Shot	Description	Use in our film
Close Up	This shows very little background, and concentrates on either a face, or a specific detail of mise en scène. Everything else is just a blur in the background.	Close up will be used when James wakes up to show his face is tired and the confusion of him being woken up.
Point of view	A short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera). It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction (see shot reverse shot).	It will be used when Jamie first wakes up and when he rubs his eyes. It will also be used when James sees the person when he wakes up.
Mid Shot	A mid shot shows the person usually from the waist upwards, close enough to show facial expressions and also able to shot bod language.	This shot will be the primary shot used throughout the scene
Over-the-shoulder shot	A shot of one actor taken from over the shoulder of another actor. An over-the-shoulder shot is used when two characters are interacting face-to-face. Filming over an actor's shoulder focuses the audience's attention on one actor at a time in a conversation, rather than on both.	This will be shown when James is in the mirror washing his face. We will see James’ shoulder and the reflection of James in the mirror, also revealing Joe watching him.
Low Angle	Low angles help give a sense of confusion to a viewer, of powerlessness within the action of a scene. The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, the lack of detail about the setting adding to the disorientation of the viewer. The added height of the object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is psychologically dominated by the figure on the screen.	This will be used when the character sees a Joe at the beginning; this shows that this character is dominant in the scene. It will also be used when James picks up his jacket, giving us a variety of camera angles.
Extreme Close-up	Used to reveal very small details in the scene. It might be used to reveal horror in a subject. It might also be used in a mystery to show some detail that the detective picks up on or to show some small clue.	Will be used to show the schizophrenic medication, showing the audience that he has a mental disorder. There will also be a close up of the knife on the doll at the end of the scene to show that there is going to be danger throughout the film
Aerial Shot	This sort of shot would be restricted to exterior locations. A good area to do this shot would be a scene that takes place on a building. If the aerial shot is of a character it can make them seem insignificant	The aerial shot will be used near the beginning of the video to show James is in bed and initial is woken up

Synopsis

Intro:

21 year old boy, James, gets woken up by a voice. He needs to get ready for a job interview. As he opens his eyes he sees a figure dressed in smartly at the end of his room. He rubs his eyes and the figure disappears. He realises he is hallucinating and so reaches for his antidepressant medication to dilute his symptoms. However as he begins to open his medication the voice who woke him up resounds and tells him not to take it, so he puts the medication down and proceeds to get up. He turns on the radio where ‘Johnny Cash, Hurt’ is playing, he walks to the bathroom and washes his face. He finds some smart clothes he is going to wear to his interview. The music continues and becomes more prominent as he buttons up his shirt.  The voice tells him to get a knife and to leave his house. The scene ends as James is at the front door about to leave the house.

James is walking down the street on his way to the job interview; he keeps seeing people walk past, the person is Joe. Each figure he sees tells him how unimportant he is and how he is going to fail at the job interview. At the job interview the employer looks at James’ CV and sees that he has schizophrenia. He asks how the symptoms are, and James replies’ with fine, he then shows some symptoms and is unable to get the job. He then gets angry, Joe tells him to use the knife and kill the employer.

3 months later…

James is shown in a mental asylum. They are forcing him drugs to suppress his symptoms, after a while they allow him to take them by himself. The drugs cause James to remember his past; it shows that James’ mother left him because she couldn’t handle his symptoms. He soon starts to get fed up with the drugs and pretends to take them. The people who work there realise and that his symptoms are getting worse and prepare him for psychosurgery. Just before the operation James escapes from the mental asylum.

He runs and runs, looking around. Finds a quiet place to contemplate, no one is around. Remembers what has happened throughout his life (flashbacks). Then he sees Joe, has a conversation. Joe convinces that he has no other options because there is no way out! He convinces James that he should die, and kills him (but in reality James kills himself).

Film Questionnaire

THRILLER QUESTIONNAIRE

1.) Please circle your age

[ 15 ]   [ 16 ]   [ 17 ]   [ 18 ]   [ 19 ]   [ 20 ]   [ 21 ]   [ 22 ]   [ 23 ]   [ 24 ]   [ 25 ]

2.) Do you watch many thriller films?

           

[Yes]    [No]

3.) Out of the following, what do you think is the most important element of a thriller?

[Sound]           [Editing]         [Camera Angles]        [Costume/Masks]

4.) Do you think weapons are essential in a thriller?

[Yes]    [No]

5.) What type of thriller do you enjoy the most?

[Crime]  [Disaster]  [Medical]  [Mystery]  [Psychological]  [Religious]  [Supernatural]

6.) What do you think makes a good thriller?

7.) What type of music do you think is appropriate for a thriller?       

8.) Do you think the use of a remote setting is better than a public setting?

[Yes]    [No]

Thank you for your view on what makes a good thriller

Storyboard