Initial Plan Developed

As we planned in our initial idea, we conducted research into a variety of films within the thriller genre. This included analysing a range of different films for: props, lighting, sound, camera movements, shots and costume etc. To be more specific when it comes to our groups final idea we came together and discussed the films we have analysed to help us come to a conclusion about our sub-genre.

As a result of the focus group, we have decided we want to film within the psychological thriller genre. We all agreed that this would be the most effective sub-genre to capture within an opening sequence. It also allows us to use many techniques and skills to make it as unnerving as possible to the audience without it being gory or too action packed. It was also the sub-genre we enjoyed watching the most and the fact we reached this as a group joint decision that everyone agreed on is good as it means we will all be passionate about the final product.

As we have all conducted a lot of research into the thriller genre which is all still relevant to the psychological thriller genre, we have planned to each watch a film specifically within the psychological thriller sub-genre. This means we have even more focused analysis and we can all share again which aspects we enjoyed from the different films. This might give us a better idea of the narrative we want to create within the final product and we can use our previous thriller genre research to help us challenge and conform to codes and conventions of the genre.

Further Typography Analysis

After deciding what font we are going to use in our opening sequence i decided to research what names are usually displayed and when the title is displayed.

What names are typically shown in opening credits and in what order:

• Name of the studio: 
• Name of the production company: 
• Director/producer: 
• Starring: 
• Film Title:

This shows me that in my groups opening sequence, it would be a good idea not to use our own names as the producers and directors etc as normally there is only one of each. However there are four in our group who have all taken a directors and producers role at some point. Therefore, we might have to do some research into psychological thriller producers and directors and use their names instead of our own to make the opening sequence seem more realistic.

The research also suggested that the title comes straight after all the other credits. Although this is what the research suggests we, as a group, could challenge this to make the title of the film the climax at the end of the built up tension at the end of the opening sequence to challenge stereotypes.

Typography Analysis

After researching codes and conventions of a generic opening sequence, titles and credits are a component that is found in every one is some shape or form. Therefore, we could make the decision to add titles and credits into our opening sequence. To do this I decided to conduct research into typical fonts and genre specific method of integrating them into an opening sequence effectively.

Fonts:
Firstly I decided to look at existing fonts that have been used in existing opening sequences.

First I analysed 'Se7en'. When looking at the font I realised straight away it had been made white to contrast the black background and make it more prominent. Compared to the low key lit background (which we also know is a convention of thriller films) it made what was going on in the background even more uneasy to watch as it appeared to be even harder to see in contrast. Also, when looking specifically at the font chosen it was not a block font. It was almost 'scratchy' and 'scruffy'. This links to the narrative of thriller genres being unconventional and difficult to interpret.

The next film I looked at was 'Lady in a Cage'. This was consistent with the first film I looked at as it was also white. However, this time the font was more generic and appeared to be quite formal. However, there were aspects that make it appear to be unique with some words being different sized fonts and some letters joined and linked to one another and others not. Instead some are placed in and around the other letters.

'The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo' again conformed to what I had found in the previous opening sequences in the way that the typography was white. However this font conformed more to the font used in 'se7en' in the way it wasn't conventional. Some letters appear to look more like symbols that letters and are placed and positioned differently to challenge a typical font. This makes it unique and the use of symbol like letters can suggest the mysteries and challenged within the narrative.

Finally, 'Run Lola Run' again used a white font. Although the titles are in a different language, it confirms that the thriller genre has stereotypical fonts used within it. This inconsistent font (in the way that all letters are of a similar font but there is no pattern in the way they are formed other than they are imperfect) is similar to the fonts I had found previously.

Secondly, I decided to analyse positioning of the lettering:
After watching all the opening sequences and studying the fonts, I realised there were consistencies throughout all of them based on the positioning of the lettering. In each opening sequence each title and credit was positioned in the frame corresponding to another aspect. For example many were integrated above or under a horizontal line. This meant the font blended into the shot more and almost seemed like a part of it. Also, the size of the font was similar in each opening sequence as it never took up the whole of the frame and was never too small so you didn't notice it. It was sized in according to other objects within the frame to make it proportionate but still never the key image.

How this has helped me:

Font: after analysing the font it became clear that it is a code for thriller films to use white fonts as this was consistent throughout every opening sequence I looked at. The font itself, although being less consistent throughout the opening sequences), always had a sense of imperfections. Eg. the letters had rough edges, were almost symbols rather than letters appearing unrecognisable and different shapes and sizes of letters within a word. However, despite this the font was still consistent throughout each opening sequence n the way that the font didn't change, there were just minor variations within the font chosen. Therefore, when creating my opening sequence I will be careful when picking a font that I chose a 'battered' effect around my font and make it white. However, to challenge the typical thriller genre expectations, I could chose a more typical bold font. This could change the viewers expectations of the film from the outset as a bold typical font is not associated with the thriller genre, suggesting everything is fine at the beginning of the film.

Positioning: The positioning of the typography was integrated into each frame in a variation of ways however, it was always integrated into a object or key feature within the frame so it never stood alone. Also, the lettering was always proportionate to the other objects within the frame. This is useful as it confirms that when we create our opening sequence we can have creative freedom to integrate our credits and titles into our frames in whatever way we want as long as we are careful not to make them the key focus of our frame. Also we can do whatever we would like in terms of editing the transitions of the credits as some opening sequences use fades, cuts, swipes etc. If we wanted to challenge the conventions however, we could change the proportions of the lettering within the frame depending on the significance, danger, superiority of the characters etc.

The fact that the opening sequences I analysed were all sub genres of the thriller genre but had the same conventions makes this analysis vital to us as it will be relevant to whatever sub genre of thriller we decide to use.

How has this helped me:
this has helped me as I now know the typical way credits are integrated into an opening sequence. This has helped me develop some ideas on ways I can integrate my own credits as although the credits are always horizontal across a screen, they're never exactly the same. For example I could place my credits behind objects in the screen so they appear to swipe across as it represents things being hidden. This would make our opening sequence unique and suggests plot event for the rest of the film as the audience infer they are being hidden from something.

Lighting Practice

To practice different lighting and to see which types of lighting come across the best on a camera, I decided to practice with different types.

Natural lighting: 

The biggest issue I found with natural lighting (as shown in the time-lapse) is that the lighting changes so much throughout the day that it would be very difficult to get the exact same lighting on different days. This would cause problems if I had to refill or if I had a long scene to film and the lighting changed throughout.

However, the use of natural lighting was easy to use as it required no equipment or setting up. It also portrayed the weather very well for example if I decided to use pathetic fallacy to represent a bad mood or dangerous situation. Natural lighting does this very well if the weather is already stormy etc. as it is picked up well by the camera.

Low key lighting:

 Low key lighting will more than likely be a type of lighting I will use frequently in my final product as it is a convention of the thriller genre. However, using no lighting with amateur cameras is not convenient as we don't have the equipment to film in low key lighting and still be able to pick up small details using specific back lights. Also, the camera quality in the dark is not up to the same standard that the quality would be in any other lighting which would look obvious and unprofessional when used in the final product.

On the other hand, low key lighting and lack of lighting is easy to recreate if you have access to lighting that is easily controlled e.g. home lighting that has a twister dial instead of a light switch. Also it gets dark every night so you can always have access to it.

High key lighting: 

High key lighting is not typically used in the thriller genre as it is not a convention. However, it can be used to represent a hero or when filming a character that is intentionally good looking. However, when practising with high key lighting using an actor/actress, it is very difficult without the right equipment to ensure they have no shadows on their facial features.

On the other hand, it is very easy to create and when arranged properly is achieves what it is meant to effectively; flawless features.

Back lighting:

Back lighting is typically used in the thriller genre when there is one character that is in danger and the back lighting is used to emphasise them. Because we don’t have a suitable source of backlighting as a group, I decided to use the sun to see how it appeared with my iPhone camera. When i took the picture, although the foreground of the shot appeared to look normal, the source of the backlighting itself went blurry as my camera couldn't focus. Howe veer, when I considered the opening sequence, I decided this shouldn’t be a problem as I don’t think there is a plan to include backlighting or low key lighting that would make backlighting necessary.

How has this helped me:

This has helped because i know know what lightning does ad doesn't work well with my camera. It has also made me consider what equipment would be beneficial to have when filming on the day eg. professional lighting. 

Framing And Composition Analysis

To help me when filming my final piece, I decided to analyse certain framing and composition techniques and in particular their symbolism and what they represent. This is so I could find techniques that are conventions to the thriller genre. When I researched the following techniques came up. I researched the ones most relevant to my narrative to give me an indication of how I can use the techniques effectively when it comes to our final piece. I also researched case studies from existing thriller films to help me.

Rules of thirds:
The rule of thirds is where each frame is split into nine equal squares/rectangles. The lines that makes these shapes are equally spaced. The rule of thirds suggests that a frame is more visually pleasing to look at when the objects within it conform to the lines or spaces according to the rule.

This picture shows two people positioned on the centre vertical lines in terms of the grid of the rule of thirds. This can be used to represent two people as being equal as they are positioned equally in terms of ration and distance from the edges of the frames. However, it can also be used to represent two people as against each other by separating them. They are split through a line of symmetry down the centre of the frame and it can use the theory of binary opposition to make them seem like enemies.

Having one object or person directly in the middle of the thirds can be used to highlight this person as the significant aspect of the frame. This is also used when there is a difference of lighting on the left and right thirds of the frame. It often suggests that the person in the centre has a decision to make and the two lights represent the options they can choose.

Head space:

This rule gives actors room above their heads within a frame. It says that there shouldn’t be more than half a head space above them but there also shouldn’t be any less.

In the film 'Se7en' This rule was broken throughout the film intentionally when it came to a female character who is the wife of one of the lead characters: Mills. In the end of the film she has her head cut off and sent to Mills in a box. To foreshadow this, the director ensured that in every frame possible that she was features in, they broke this rule cutting off the top of her head. This foreshadowed her having her head cut off throughout the film.

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical:

Symmetry within a frame is often used to represent a character’s feelings or emotions. It can also be used to portray the situation. For example, if someone is peaceful and relaxed symmetrical framing will be used to suggest everything is in order and how it should be. This can also be used to show how a character is feeling eg. content and happy. However, if there is a problem within a narrative, asymmetrical framing will be used to represent disorder. The emotions: confused and wary would also be represented through asymmetry.



Depth of field:

Depth of field refers to the distance between two objects that are 'sharply' in focus. Within depth of field you can have a very large distance or a very short distance. Short distances between two in focus objects can signify a relationship between them and the strength within it. A long distance can also signify this suggesting that even though the relationship may not be conventional, it is still strong. On the other hand, depth of field can also be used to signify a relationship coming together throughout a narrative. If the depth of field begins to be a shorter distance but progressively becomes larger, it could signify a relationship breaking and vice versa.


180-degree rule:
A rule stating that a camera should be placed somewhere inside 180 degrees on a particular side of the invisible line of a shot containing two people filmed in sequence.  If the camera crosses the line, confusion results for the film viewers, because it makes it look like the people are switching places as someone watches the film.
How will this help me:
This will help me think of the representation of the way props and character are positioned within the frame in my section. For example, because the villain is the more threatening character i could make sure he takes up the majority of the screen and break the head space rule to make him seem like a greater presence. I could also use the asymmetrical framing frequently throughout my opening sequence to display the disorder of the situation.