Media Studies Evaluation: Thriller Opening
The plot of the opening revolves very much around the two main characters who essentially hold the roles of the 'buddy cops' in the traditional, generic police, action thriller film, e.g. Seven, In The Line of Fire – where the main character interacts with a partner. The audience is also introduced to the love interest of one of the main characters, and they play a major role in the enigma at the end of the opening as another pre-cursor is shown, suggesting that the end of the film may effect their relationship.
For previous films I have worked with a number of friends that act and assist in the productions. This plot was originally written with certain friends in mind to play the main roles, and therefore, I was fortunate that I already had a cast in place. Despite not being drama students, they were enthusiastic and I think that that aspect came across in their performance.
The location that the audience sees in the opening is actually the second location that I used. The first was a small wood that I found a long time before I started writing the story. However, I encountered many problems when working at this location, primarily with the weather that restricted filming. Therefore, I was very lucky when I stumbled across this location, used by one of the cast members. I think it was much mire suitable for a thriller, whereas the woods were perhaps more suitable for a horror film. I managed to shoot pretty much all of the sequence in one visit, without seeing the location first, which meant that I had to change the storyline. It was also really fortunate that we had good weather that enabled us to shoot inside as well as outside.
There were certain shots that I had direct inspiration from. These include the shot in which the audience is introduced to the main character as he steps slowly from the car and stands behind the door, which is a trade mark shot of the director Michael Bay and has been used in films like Transformers, and The Rock. As I was concentrating on using conventions of action films as well as thriller films, I decided to try and replicate this shot whilst at the same time putting my own individual style into it. This shot also acts as signposting for the audience to show them that this is the main character. Other inspiration came from J.J Abrams use of flare in Star Trek. Due to the lack of light inside the barn I had to increase the level of exposure on the camera in order to enable the audience to see more of what was going on. However, this led to the light outside to be so bright nothing was visible out of the barn. This was actually a good thing as it created mystery and produced a strong contrast between the events inside the barn and outside up till the point of the standoff between the characters. One other shot was the shot from inside the boot as the lid is lifted. This was a sort of homage to Quentin Tarantino and Pulp Fiction, it also shows the importance of the main characters as well as suggesting the victimisation of the character in the boot of the car.
The inspiration for the soundtrack came from a song entitled Dead Reckoning composed by Clint Mansell for the film Smokin' Aces. I liked the way that different layers were brought in that built up the levels of suspense in the music. I therefore, tried to incorporate some of that technique into my own soundtrack which was then scored to the film so that in did not have to be cut to fit.
The second part of the opening that is set in the house of the main character and his girlfriend was used to show the time difference between the storylines. It was also used to introduced to present an enigma in the story as the audience is not fully aware of the link between the two parts. The changes with the photo frame at the end enabled me to suggest to the audience that the end of the film involves the relationship between the male and female characters.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
- The way in which the plot is constructed. The first part of the opening acts as a pre-cursor to what will happen towards the end. The story will eventually get to this part and then proceed to show the audience the conclusion to the film.
- This narrative arc is therefore, presented in a complicated and different way compared to other Thriller films.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
- The use of young men as the main characters in the role of police officers, represent the lives of young men in these jobs. This also represents the interest that audience have regarding these conventions, which are present action/thriller films.
- The opening also focuses on the relationship between the main character and his girlfriend, and represents the effect that these jobs have on relationships.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
- As a short opening to a film, it is much more likely that this would be distributed online for viral marketing rather than by a film company into a cinema.
- This is due to the fact that it is not cost effective to distribute a short film physically on screen, it is better to show it online for people to watch for free and whenever they want to.
- It could also be used as a viral advertisement.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
- Mainly people between the ages of 16-35 and probably mostly male
- But, in general, those who are interested in thriller films that lean more towards the action genre
How did you attract/address your audience?
- I worked with a group of friends that acted in the film and as they were all either 18 or 19 I was able to bounce ideas off them and use their influences and attitudes towards certain conventions in the production of the storyline.
- I attracted the audience using characters and plotlines that I enjoy watching.
- I posted the video on Youtube and linked the video from Facebook and Myspace. This enabled a number of people to see the post and watch the video.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
- I have developed my knowledge of editing through using Final Cut Express which allowed me to experiment with the footage and therefore help to extend my knowledge.
- I feel that my camerawork has also greatly improved by using a variety of still, handheld, and tracking shots in the film. In order to improve the fluidity of my tracking shots I constructed a set of tracks with a trolley that would house the tripod and enable me to move the camera along the floor creating smoother tracking shots.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
- I have learnt that you need patience and persistence in order to obtain what you want/need.
- Luck plays a part – especially with the weather.
- I think ambition is good but you also need to accept that you probably will not get all of what you hope achieve.
- But I think one of the most important things is time management, and planning. One of the main problems in the production of this film was that at most of the time we did not have enough time and were rushed. Fortunately the plot was well storyboarded and planned so even though I was restricted in terms of time, I managed to obtain the majority of the footage required.
