Naming the Thriller

Naming our thriller was influenced by TV Drama's, such as Dexter, for an eponymous Hero which resulted in naming the thriller 'Crowe'; the surname of our main character. The simple title makes it memorable, and gives the audience a small insight on who the film will be about before watching it on a screen (assuming they'd somehow missed the trailer). Crowe also fits in with the theme and style of thrillers as Crowe sounds like the crow bird, which are nasty, annoying little rats with wings which are usually seen in a thrilling or tense part of a film or story.

We did take other ideas into consideration such as a title which is symbolic to the thriller opening sequence, however we did not want to give what happens away in the title before the sequence had even started. Our thriller starts giving no clue as to where the plot is heading. It's not until the alley half way through do we have some insight, and that's where the climax happens.

Titles such as "Se7en" and "Casino Royal" are brilliant and what because they're symbolic and doesn't give too much away so that the audience had already guessed the story before it's started. The problem for us was we did not film a full thriller, but just the three minute opening so the title would not be justifiable if its about the plot later on in the film.

Actors

Character : Damien Crowe
Actor : Joseph Murry

Origionally Damien Crowe was going to be played by two other different actors, however logistics got in the way and Joseph Murray kindly stepped in for the role who is another media student. Changing actors to Joe did not effect the character profile as he is still appears to be a smartly dressed young man and can give the enigma illusion, especially with his hood up which Joe had suggested during post production of filming the sequence. He was able to protray Damien's emotions for the close-ups well, and it also helped that he was not camera shy due to experience of being filmed for his own personal projects.

Costume choice was kept to a big dark coat which covered most of his body so he could blend into the shadows easily and dark trousers to match. The hood we did not ask for, however worked well and came in handy; a nice idea on Joe's part.

Character : Ms River
Actor : Alicia Arnold

Ms River appears in Damien's flashbacks for not a long period of time, however acting was required due to the close-ups on her face. We also needed someone with enough confidence to be able to portray this strong, seducing woman. Alicia was the perfect choice because she has the pretty appearance with her fare skin and long blond hair (this was before we decided to put this scene in black and white). Alicia took drama GCSE and passed with an A grade so she was able to perform in front of the camera and not be camera shy.

Costume stayed to traditional Femme Fatale, the fur coat for glamour, pear necklace for class which Alicia suggested for the character.

Character : Iga
Actor : Iga Madejowska

Iga Madejowska was always originally going to play 'Iga' within the opening sequence of our thriller and the character was styled on her. As she was the main character on screen a lot of acting was required which she was able to do and achieve what was wanted.

Iga decided on the quirky leggings so she is always recognisable on screen.

Character : Veronica
Actor : Megan Edwards

Veronica was a small character who we needed Iga to interact with and pass on the confidential note for the story looked like it was going somewhere. Megan, a member of my group, offered to play the role. A lot of acting was not required as not close-ups were required and when she was on the screen the focus was not on her, but the transaction between herself and Iga. However this being said, she did do a good job.

Rough Cut

  Looking at the rough cut of our thriller there are a few things i would like to change. .

The soundtrack at the beginning seems to be missing, i would like to put it from the start so the tone and mood is established right at the beginning, and so it continues thought the opening sequence.  

A fade transition into Damien's thoughts would be more recognisable as a flashback, and if we changed the scenes to black and white, or faded colour it could get the message across to the audience more easily that this is a memory/

A change of sound within' the flashbacks could also make it more clear in if it's good, or bad. For example during Iga we would have singing birds, and Ms River whispers.

Not all of the titles came through during rendering, and my name seemed to have been left out during editing.

Like "Layer Cake" Megan suggested that we put the music earlier than the clip starts so we're already in the mood before the opening sequence starts.

This being said, the rough cut went well and i am particularly pleased with the jump cuts at the end of the opening, and the disjointed editing at the begining of the thriller and it really sets the enigmatic mood.

Influences - Damien Crowe

Damien Crowe

Influenced by James Bond in Casino Royal. James is a perfect example of a morally ambiguous character. Seen to fight for queen and country however kills men without a second thought on how the action may effect others. To give the audience a visual on the morral ambiguity of this character the director has used shaddowing; one half of James Bond's face in the ligh, the other in the dark. Even though this technique is used in many films as well such as Harry in the arch in the film The Third Man, it was the use of it in Casino Royal which inspired Damien Crowe.

Character Logistics

Regarding the character Damien Crowe, our original actor to play the part was unable to film with us due to timings and availability to film; This caused a slight change in the character profile as the next actor we found had a different nationality as we originally planned. However, it made no significant change as Damien remains in the shadows majority of the opening sequence.

Things were going as planned, with the filming of the flashback scenes, however again availability to film was starting to become a problem. Due to circumstances our second Damien Crowe was unable to film with us and complete all of the scenes before the deadline. This caused a change in actors AGAIN. Fortunately the scenes filmed involving him are easily repeated.

This is when we asked Joe Murray to fill in the role; one of our fellow media class mates. He was able to film when needed and performed a great portrayal of Damien Crowe.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

How are we going to solve/prevent?

·         The sky decided that a day when we are planning to film would be the perfect time to rain. ·         FORGETTING THE CAMERA!         ·         Security may decide that we are not allowed to film within the car park.     ·         May not have enough footage         ·         Equipment getting damaged

·         Check the weather forecast! If the weather forecast gets it wrong, plan another day to film as back up. ·         Ask a member of the group who is reliable to book the camera, or write ‘camera’ somewhere where you will see if, i.e. your hand or face. ·         Get the best actor in your group to ask before filming in a sweet innocent school girl act. If they still decline, find another area with similar décor. ·         Make sure you always film more than you need, or make it a game between those in charge of the camera “how quickly can we annoy the actors in repeating filming the same scene.” ·         Take care of what you are doing, and don’t leave the clumsiest member of your group in charge of the camera; wouldn’t be the smartest move.

Possible Locations

Establishing Shots

The variety of establishing shots have to be known to those local to reprosent Norwich, or give of the impression of an urban setting to those who don't. Some of my favourite shots included the church opporsite the forum, however others worked just as well; the round about shot from a carpark above Ipswitch Road; known to those who come in and out of the city centre, and gives off the impression of a busy setting straight away due to the amount of vircles and buildings. The obscure shots of the deserted car park; a ambiguous mood. The market is a must in the establishing shots as it's well known to those visiting and those who live in Norwich.

 

 

 
Obscure from the tilted angle, bleek and dull mood from the reflective water and bars.

Advantages:
Have the same mood and stays with the stereotypes of a thriller film.
It's easy to achieve this shot.

Disadvantages:
We may not be allowed to film....

 Obvious market, markets are found usually in towns/cities. Sets the scene.

Advantages:
Sets the scene
Logistically its easy to get to for transportation.

Disadvantages:
People walking past.

 

 

 The river besides the playhouse

Advantages:
The reflection from the river helps enphasise the the dark backdrop scene
Gives the enigmatic feel
Accessability of the river and the bridge
Artificial lighting

Disadvantages:
People walking past
Too dark of a setting, being unable to see the scene.

 

 

Flash Back

 

 The common in Mulbarton is perfect for what we would like to achieve; a calm area away from the rough and business the city life brings. Remote and appealing.

Advantages:
Accessable
Achieves the goals

Disadvantages:
Timing the sun setting.

 

 



 Drama room for the femme fatale.                                      Advantages:                                                accessable                                                            can achieve the artificial lighting easily                                                                   its a blackout room                                                  Disadvantages:                                                    Booking the Room.

 

 

 

 

 

Characters Costumes AND Props

Storyboard - not completed

 

(having trouble uploading the other images on my blog.)

 

Treatment

Treatment
Quick, fragmented establishing shots of Norwich at night, with overpowering sounds of city life (sirens, footsteps), artificial lighting from shop lights and lamp posts, along with obscured, tilted shots (with each shot not lasting longer than 0.5-1.0 seconds). We cut to a close up of a young woman talking on the phone in Polish. Cut back to a long shot to reveal she is leaving her house, as well as a close up of her feet. Quick, panning, long shots of the woman walking through Norwich, distracted by her on-going phone call. As the shots pan off the young women, a tall man is revealed lurking in the shadows. He is following her. The young woman reaches her destination of a dark alleyway where she is greeted by an acquittance. Cut to a close up of the man. Suddenly, the man jumps out of the shadows and holds a gun to the young woman. Cut to a close up of the terrified woman. Cut to a close up of the man, a confused look on his face. A series of quick, fragmented flashbacks are then shown of two holding hands. Notice the bracelet. Flash back close ups of the young woman, smiling. The man begins to lower the gun. Cuts to a low camera angle, looking up at a glamorous woman. She uses the imperative "just do it". Bang. The gun is fired. Cuts to a slow motion shot of the young woman's hand falling to the floor. Notice the bracelet.

Our influence came from the variety of thriller films which we have watched which includes Casino Royal and The Third Man. Our group likes the technique of the shadowing  to created the sense of mood and moral ambiguity with harsh lighting (to created sharp shadows). Casino Royal influenced us in our production of Damien Crowe with the lead character James Bond and his moral ambiguity. James Bond appears to be a good guy, working for queen and country, however his actions contradicts his perception due to his lack of conscience for killing for example. We wanted out character to have a similar appeal to him, however instead of working for the good and appearing to be bad, working for the bad but placed in positions and his perceptions which gives his the illusion of being 'good'.

Introduction

Hi, i am Charlotte and this is my media blog