Editing

Possible Editing Techniques

When it comes to editing, I would like to have my opening sequence edited at a fairly steady pace, with no major quick cut sections where the speed of the shots increases in between each other. I will edit the shots with multiple transitions to show the passing of time from within the house, to show that Fred is waiting or has been busy during the time in between shots. 

My titles at the start of the sequence will be edited at a reasonable pace, with there being enough time for the viewer to be able to creaky see the film company associated with the film and being able to recognise and relate the name and logo together. Also with the actor and people involved with the film's titles. The font, it's colour and size will all be clearly visible and appropriate in visual for the viewer to see, not making it seem out of place in the film's opening. Also, the film title will be a stand alone shot, where there will be no clip being played in the background, just black, the title and the sound of the music being vaguely played in the background. 

Extra sound bits will be added in editing, where sounds of what is being made in the film will be added in again in editing to add a sound boost, and not be blended in with the rest of the sound in the shot. This makes it more audible for sounds such as creaking of floors, bangs etc. being clear and profound the the viewers ear, instead of it being mixed in with the rest of the audio that is involved in the clip that these sounds were recorded with. 

Risk Assessment

This risk assessment shows all the possible risks that can occur while on set, and it also displays ways in how to possibly prevent these hazards happening and to stop any dangerous hazard on set. 

Filming Schedule

Thursday 14th April -
This is the date where I will go into media and pick up the appropriate equipment needed to film the sequence. The equipment will consist of the camera, tripod, an umbrella which is attached to the tripod (in case of light rain outside). This is also where we will organise the set inside the house, and spend time sorting out and ordering all he ornaments accordingly in the house. We will also start shooting the opening to the sequence on this date and get a rough draft/idea as to what shots we want and if there could be any improvements for the next say of shooting. 



Friday 15th April -
On this sate we will continue shooting as the house will be free still to continue shooting the film without any distractions or moving of the set. We will spend a bit of time on set discussing where we may be able to improve possible shots or areas of the sequence, and attempt again at re shooting the sequence to get a more high quality and better produced sequence. 

Sunday 17th April - 

We had to skip Sunday as we were unable to shoot all together as we were all at work and couldn't have time off to shoot one final time, to fine tune any little areas of improvement. We also were unable to film during the day because we were at work so we decided to shoot the next day, and refine any areas we think could be slightly improved. 

This would result in the last day of filming possible for the foreseeable future, as the house being used for the set would be occupied again, therefore all the set would be moved and tampered with. 

Actors

The Killer - 

For the killer's acting role, I used myself and cast myself as the role for the killer, and the reason behind this is because, as the kilter is only seen in the last seconds of the opening sequence, the face of the killer isn't incredibly important, as you never get to see their face. Furthermore, I believed that I could execute the role fittingly and well enough as I am good at working when given a specific style I've got to act like, and acting as a suspicious killer, who is quiet and doesn't bring attention to themselves is something I thoroughly believe I can achieve successfully. Furthermore, as no dialogue is spoken by the killer in the opening sequence, my voice doesn't matter and doesn't affect the way in which the killer is portrayed from how they sound, therefore I believe that i will be able to execute the role of the killer well as there isn't really much importance on how well acted I perform the sequence, as there isn't much I need to perform. 

The Protagonist - 

I used Fred as my actor for the protagonist's role as Fred has performed in other AS/A2 students thrillers and music videos and has performed well in each one, with him not sounding awkward or acting awkward in any of them. Fred also offered to help act in the film, so as he was up for acting and wanting to help out with the acting, it was an obvious and easy decision to have someone who wants to act, act in the film. Fred is comfortable with talking and having dialogue, and as there is dialogue for his characters, it is essential that Fred is capable of actually speaking dialogue and acting out his according pieces of dialogue and actions well, to make the thriller seem more authentic and legitimate.

Shot Plans

Potential Key Shot Plans

Throughout my opening sequence, there will be a variety of different camera shots being used for different visuals and effects. 

The different shots that I will be using and why I'll be using them include;

POV Shot;

• For the opening shot of the sequence, a 20 second Point of View shot of the killers perspective in the car will be used

• POV shot when the killer is peering through the small gap in the bathroom door looking at Fred

Close up Shot;

• Close up of Fred putting the keys into the front door

• Fred going up to the chair and ripping the tape off the chair

Tracking Shot;

• Tracking shot of Fred walking up the stairs and through the hallway 

• Tracking shot of the killer walking out the bedroom and out the house through the front door

Low Angle/Established Shot;

• This will be used when Fred goes up to the bath, and the killer is seen when Fred walks past the door 

Mid Shots;

• When Fred is investigating the cupboards around the kitchen

• As Fred exits the car to enter the house

• While Fred is entering the kitchen and notices the arranged ornaments

Storyboard

My storyboard shows all the major shots that occur during my opening sequence for my thriller. It starts off  with a POV shot of the killer leaving the house after killing Fred, and it ends with a tracking shot of  the killer leaving the house after killing Fred.  I have basic descriptions and ideas of the shots that I'd like to use for my opening sequence and how I'd like them all to link up and look when it comes to me executing the shots. I didn't want to go into a detailed description and visual drawing of the shots as by having a basic idea of what I'd like for my camera shots and shots ideas, I can branch off of the ideas and maybe elaborate and come up with a beter diea or enhaned idea when it comes to actually practically shooting the sequence.

Props/Costume

Props;

Kitchen Knife -

A kitchen knife was used for when the killer comes out of the bathroom, after watching Fred for a period of time, and uses the knife to seemingly 'kill' Fred, yet it isn't shown whether or not if Fred is dead, it's just shown the killer coming out the bathroom with a knife. 


Car -

We needed to use a car for the opening shot of sequence and for when Fred turns up at his home after being out in his car. 
Without the car, the opening shot where the titles are being displayed on screen wouldn't happen, and wouldn't make for as good title shot, as by being in the car, with the killer driving away (audience not knowing it's the killer driving) it has the sense of curiosity in the titles. 

                              

Wooden Chair -

A simple wooden chair is needed for when Fred comes across it and finds tape wrapped around the arms and legs of it, to suggest someone was trapped and stuck to it but broke free. 

Duct Tape -
The duct tape is used in cooperation with the wooden chair, where duct tape is put around the legs and arms of the chair to suggest to Fred that someone was taped to the chair beforehand, and that either they broke free or were released. Fred also goes up to it and tries to rip it off and inspect it, which is when the killer 'meets' Fred.








Costume;

Killer Costume -
For the killer's costume, I decided to go for a look that would show the killers mystertious and curious look and actions by dressing him in all black from head to toe. The long black overcoat is a menacing look especially with black latex gloves added into the costume, which further indicates the intimidating and plain look to the figure of the killer.
By having the killer dressed in all black, it seperates them from other characters and how they are dressed in the film. As no one else in the sequence is dressed similarly, which makes the killer stand out with their dark look, whislt also being quite anonymous.


Fred's Costume -
Fred's costume isn't especially important or relevant in terms of how fred is depicted and portrayed in the sequence by how he looks and what he wears. This is why Fred is given simple, casual attire to wear for the opening sequence, as there is no need to think into how the character dresses majorly as Fred is a minor character in the opening sequence. Thus why a  simple, meaningless look is given to the character.

Location Reece Shots

Location Reece Shots

This is a shot of the location inside the house where the majority of the sequence is shot. This is the kitchen, where there will be perfectly arranged mugs and cutlery which the killer would of purposefully done to get the attention of Fred.

This image is of the front door of the house in which Fred will enter. An extreme close up of Fred putting the house keys into the lock may be used here as a potential shot for this. 

This is a location shot of the hallway as well as the stairs in which Fred will go up as he hears a loud noise from upstairs.

A tracking mid shot may be used for when Fred goes into the hallway and up the stairs.

The next location shot is in the bedroom where Fred and the Killer meet for the first time (possibly the last) and also where the wooden chair with duct tape is found. The chair and tape will be added into the location during filming as it needs to be brought form somewhere else. This scene is also a pivotal scene in the sequence as the killer is seen properly for the first time. 

This location shot is directly outside the house where Fred will pull up in the car and enter the house. This location is used for one of the opening shots and for the last shot where the killer leaves the house, and a mid shot is used to view the front garden and traffic as the killer walks away and the screen fades to black.

The next location shot is of the upstairs hallway where Fred walks into the bathroom to investigate the water coming out of the bath tap at full speed. A tracking close up shot will be used behind Fred as he walks across the hallway as he goes to investigate. 

This location shot is of the bathroom where Fred enters the bathroom to turn off the running tap the killer turned on. The bathroom is only used in shot when the door is visible in shot so that the killer can be seen behind Fred as he opens the bedroom door behind Fred. A established shot will be used and focused on the killer to create a tension as the killer watches on. 

The final location shot is of the downstairs hallway for when Fred enters the house. 

A high-angle shot focused in between the stairs banister on Fred as he walks into the house, and will tilt watching Fred on. This shot will be used to give the idea that maybe someone is watching Fred form above. 

The Hidden's Narrative

The Hidden's Plot

The idea for my thriller's narrative is that the opening sequence will introduce the audience to the killer, who is the main character of the film, as we follow his journey as the antagonist, and watch on as we see his reasoning, decisions and murders he commits throughout the film, as we slowly understand as to why he commits the crimes he does. 

The narrative will follow the killer as he tries to come to grips with himself, as he acts as a vigilante of sorts and is determined to target and make those who commit awful crimes, suffer. The film will be a moral fork in the road, as some of the audience will be against the killer and his moral standpoints and ideologies, where as others will understand and support the killers decisions as they believe he is acting as a cleaner of sin, in which is what the killer believes he is. 

The opening sequence is deliberately shot in a way to not show much of the killer, apart from making him seem like a evil killer, who's face you do not see, and you would assume is killing and toying with his victims out of spite and to show his power above them. However, it's the opposite in ways, it's just been shot in the way to make him LOOK like he is what he actually is, which is a murderer, when in reality, it's deeper than him being just a killer, but a killer with a conscience and with valid reason behind his actions.

Thriller Brainstorm

Cast;
Me (Jake Afford) - The Killer
Freddie Hunter - Main character

Possible Location Settings;

• Empty suburban house (Where the vast majority of the sequence takes place)
• Public road (for the shot in the car where killer drives off)

Sound;

All minor diegetic sounds, such as doors being slammed, keys jingling, walking across a hallway etc. will all be enhanced via sound effects used online to further enhance the sound made in the sequence, to make it stand out a bit more, being more distinct.

The music used will be fairly quiet, low and eerie music which will be used to try and create the sense of tension and suspense throughout the sequence, and the volume of the music will be altered throughout in order to have dialogue and sounds be able to be clearly heard. 

Costume/Mise en Scene;

The costume being used for Fred's character isn't really important at all, thus why he's in casual attire such as his jacket and jeans. However, for the killer's costume, we decided to use all black clothing, with black jeans, a long black coat, black gloves as well as black trainers and a black hat. We decided to have the killer in all black mainly because of the fact by having him in all black, he comes across as a more menacing figure, where if he was in white or yellow for example, the character will be far less intimidating. 

Narrative;

The main plot line of the opening sequence is that Fred(Main Character) comes back home after being out, and turns out to discover that areas of his house of been altered with and ordered around in very specific ways, that are placed very neat and organised, which Fred didn't leave it like. He believes that someones been in the house as he rings his friend to ask if he's been in the house yet he hasn't. Fred then hears a loud noise upstairs, with the bath water being turned on at a fast pace. He goes to investigate this, and while looking and sorting out the tap he realises that there is a chair with tape around the legs and arms of the chair, where it looks like someone has broke free form it, where he then realises, someone is in the house...