What happened last lesson?

So we have started filming (only just) and last lesson we took shots in school of what is going to be on our television screen which we hope to edit today.
For the first time we met up (actors and all) and could tell them what they woould be wearing and doing.
We made a few changes to our script as we thought in the limited time we had a conversation would be too long and instead of that we would have the Puppeteer merely announcing the challenge
So here are the changes we made

Puppeteer: Hello…Richard…Remember me? *laughs menacingly* Of course you won’t…and if you don’t do as I say your never going to. You must put the keys in the locks in a minute otherwise your fate will be decided by…my apprentice...

Can't wait to start filming the other scenes and fingers crossed if we knuckle down to it we can edit all that we filmed on Monday today!

Shot List

1. Establishing shots (x2)-High angle for the first and wide angle for the second looking down into the room
2. Longshot showing the room-table, Richard, apprentice
3. Close-up-Richard's face shocked and confused
4. Close up-masked face on the television screen
5. Long shot of the room as the apprentice comes into the light behind Richard and we can see the table with the challenge before him
6. Close-up-Richard's face now filled with fear and dread
7. Mid-shot-of the door Richard will have to unlock (this could be called an establishing shot as technically the door is coming into light onscreen and this is the first time it is revealed)
8. Long shot-looking up at the television screen as it shows power
9. High angle shot-showing Richard panicing
10. Close-up-Richard's facial expression-scared and beads of sweat have begun to form
11. Back to high angle shot-Richard stares wide-eyed at all of the keys and eventually grabs one
12. Mid-long shot-Him with the key looking at the door before him
13. Close-up-A lock on the door as the key goes in
14. Mid-shot-Of the chain falling away
15. Close-up-A lock on the door as the key goes in
16. Mid-shot-Of the chain falling away
17. Long shot-nervously reaching to open the door his hand is shaking
18. Extreme close-up-Between the door and door frame so as the door wipes across it goes to black

Last Years Thriller Openings

The one I have chosen to mark is the thriller by the name of "Goodbye..."

I feel that this opening delivered most features in the Level 4 band well. Sound was used in the appropriate places and the nature of the soundtrack was one that suited the piece.

At the start they use a 'flashback' revealing to us information about the story. This is a narrative convention of the thriller genre.

I feel there weren't many close-ups in the piece which is very important as it clearly shows expression of how the characters are feeling.

Overall however I feel that this piece would make a good thriller opening.

Music

We began to talk about the kind of music we could use in our thriller and I gave two examples of soundtracks that I knew from other films which we may be able to replicate the style of. If we can get anywhere near this good with the equipment we have it will be amazing but check these out.
Theme from 28 Days Later:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSYYEDXaGo0&playnext=1&list=PL37E7641A5B0E3CC4&index=5

Select piece from Inception:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TSK12Mf7ZM

I am aware that the first film isn't a thriller as such but I still think that the soundtrack can be applicable.

Opener Inspiration

In Wednesday's lesson, one of the things we talked about briefly was what we could do with our opening titles. As inspiration, we found the True Blood opening on Youtube... if we get anywhere near this, we'd be doing rather well. ;)



So well edited, and put together - I hope you'll agree! Obviously, only having a 2 minute time limit means we can't go to the same length as this example... but it made us think about what we could do with our opening titles.

More Film Treatment!

The Script

(Scene opens with Richard lying on the floor. He breathes in heavily and begins to cough and splutter. He sits up disorientated and breathing heavily.)
Richard: Wha-…(coughs) where am/I?
Puppeteer: Welcome to my little playhouse Richard Heartly.
Richard: How do you know…
Puppeteer: Awh he looks scared (laughs menacingly).
Richard: What…what do you want from me? Why am I here?
Puppeteer: Complete the challenge you see right here, match the keys to the lock, or you will suffer a fate worse than death as you race to beat the clock.
Richard: I won’t/ do it
Puppeteer: But otherwise the whole world will know your little secret…remember that? Good luck
Richard: Wait…but…oh god…ok…
(Music starts)


Narrative techniques

• Narrative retardation-the identies of the puppet master and the apprentice are very much concealed
• Deadlines-he must complete the challenge before the time runs out
• Principle of concealment-the identities of the villans of the piece and what is behind the door? Does it lead to his freedom or another challenge? Will a secret be revealed? Is the door anything important?
• Mis-direction-you do not know where he is (we are not told where this room is or what leads on from it)
• Morally complex characters-why is our 'victim' even in this situation in the first place?

Film Treatment

Cast

Victim: Richard Heartly - Kind & intelligent.

Apprentice: Masked and mysterious he does not talk preferably a large build so he looks menacing. He will be masked.
Dungeon Master: A man, perferably deep and scary voice with a menacing laugh.

Setting Nick Anderson's Anderson Shelter. (wow)

Dark room with character. Not going to know he’s in there. 1 table in centre of room. No windows. 1x set of double doors locked.

Short Synopsis including possible of title

Final Title: The Puppeteers Playhouse

Synopsis: The main character Richard must complete a series of puzzles to unlock the secrets about the murder that the dungeon master hides. As he follows the twists and turns of the game he finds himself in deeper turmoil...