Deadly sins research

Lust: Terminology that relates to “is an intense and uncontrolled desire. It is usually thought of as uncontrolled sexual wants. However, the word was originally a general term for desire. Therefore, lust could include the uncontrolled desire for money, food, fame, or power.” “unforgiven souls of the sin of lust are blown about in restless hurricane-like winds symbolic of their own lack of self-control to their lustful passions in earthly life” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Lust Relating to the idea of having meaningful thirst and wants to another or even an object or subject such as money and  power. In contrast, the way in which we shall be using this sin is through it being the ring leader of the group, lust will be her main weakness and this is what shall control the rest of the feelings. Further, the character will be the onset for the rest of the feelings that are causing her mental health issues.

Anger: This means “A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility” http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/anger. Furthermore, the way in which this shall be used is through the colour red and the character who shall portray this, trying to show anger and the way her emotions react to anger. This will show the transfer in feelings for that emotion to the main female character; increasing the stress and pressure to her mental health. 

Gluttony:  This is the term that refers to “to gulp down or swallow, means over-indulgence and over-consumption of food, drink, or wealth items to the point of extravagance or waste.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluttony . Therefore, referring to being greedy, not always in terms of food but also, in what they want e.g. expensive items and thirst for wealth. Not having the necessary items but the items that they have wanted. However, the way in which we shall use gluttony in our opening thriller sequence is through her thoughts and feeling, the fact that these are controlling her and changing her mental health, including the way she perceives herself. 

Envy:  This idea revolves around “greed and lust, is characterized by an insatiable desire. Envy is similar to jealousy in that they both feel discontent towards someone's traits, status, abilities, or rewards. The difference is the envious also desire the entity and covet it.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Envy . This will be used to envy what others have and the way her mental health affects the way she sees and feels. Overall, these sins collectively will create pressure on her and cause her lose herself altogether. 

We will be portraying these sins through the characters by them wearing masks that represent their individual sin. Each mask shall have the sin painted onto the forehead of the mask and I shall let the paint drip slightly to display danger and create a slight odd approach. However, each sin shall be painted in their own colours: anger will be red and lust will be pink, envy will green and gluttony is yellow. By incorporating the characters with masks it creates a sense of hidden identity, and secrecy that can be revealed when we decide. It will also keep them hidden, building tension for the audience as they cannot see the predators but only make assumptions and judgement. The characters shall also be wearing black in order to look like a collection of thoughts have been placed in the same category. They will be wearing black as it will create the idea of being a group in unity with each other. The characters will also be chanting specific lyrics we have chosen from poems. They will say each of their lines clearly first but then chanting over each other, creating messy lines and confusion that the character feels within her mind. Overall, these elements have been used and designed to build up and upon her thought, progressing and worsening as the scene continues further on.

Representation of Envy

Representation of lust

Representation of anger

Representation of Gluttony

Sound effects

Purpose of sound/effects

http://www.infoplease.com/cig/movies-flicks-film/sound-effects-functions.html 

Stimulating reality

The idea of reality can be implied by something small but this can be distinguished easily as for example an opening and closing door on a spaceship is extremely complex as well as a pretend language for the star wars cast of ‘Ewoks’. However, the reality that sounds is so mesmerising that even we know officially that the sound isn’t necessary real we believe it to be true anyway. Guns shot sound in sequences are not naturally long and loud but this is used to create drama, and the realisation of a gun actually being shot from. Overall, many of the singers who sing for film you will find to be unknown singers or those who don’t necessary look the part as they create a sense of fear in a thriller as people don’t know who they are a wonder and question as they do with the activities being presented on screen. 

Adding or creating something that is not there

Sound tracks that amplify or incorporate sound are not easily accessible as ambient noise. However, sound sometimes can be added after or to a film from a library of sound as well as sound effects. Although for more particular and idiosyncratic sounds a production room in which everything available is a basic sound prop. Even the floor can be involved in the process, which can supply a variety of different footsteps. The film rolls of the screen, with the artist matching the sounds that the director wants for the image that can be seen: including horse clopping off to the distance, crowds cheering, echo effects and etc.

To help the director create a mood

To test the ability of the mood. Here is a shot:

Music:

A. Driving, shrill string music leading up to discordant screeches.

B. Slow, stately full-orchestra music, filled with pomp.

C. Five-piece jazz combo playing something with a slow, bluesy beat.

Psycho (1960) sound effects are implied to place you on the edge of your seat from the word go of their most famous scene, the shower scene. The terrifyingly screechy violins in Psycho when used in more expressive and comedian effect when used a background sound in the film High anxiety (1977) when the character stabs another with a newspaper.

Although sound can set the scene, it can also create a mood; it can introduce important elements to a plot or even mislead the audience or confuse them. Because the voice of transvestite Dil in The Crying Game (1992) is masculine, and she in singing the song for the opening titles this create a feminine touch, making audience believe the main character is a woman rather that a man. This is disguised through a full-frontal shot. Sunset Boulevard (1950) is a film that he narrates as he is the films hero, but we don’t learn until the end that the character is narrating from beyond the grave. Narrative can also reflect a film meaning through other ways. For example, documentaries have traditionally been narrated by male voices, implying that history is actually a man dominant idea.

Another idea is cinéma verité: it suggests that ambient sound is most appealing due to its authentic and realistic traits. . If, like the French New Wave filmmakers, you are trying to create a "slice-of-life" film school you allow not so perfect artists fails remain on the soundtrack to contribute to the believability of that movie. The new wave filmmakers were famous, for example, for allowing street noises to remain in the final cut, although it made the dialogue hard to hear. But many tragic uses of ambient sound look at François Truffaut's The 400 Blows (Les Quatre cents coups, France, 1959) or Jean-Luc Godard's Masculine Feminine (Masculin/Feminin, France, 1966). 

Initial ideas

Ideas

Our overall idea is based upon the deadly sins in which we have used to act as a girls thoughts that take over and control her mind as she suffers from a variety of mental health disorders. throughout our opening we will show the beginning journey of the character.

Overall, I have chosen to write in some detail as to why we chose to use this ideas. I have included locations for which will be a woods that will represent her mind but also a bathroom to show the reality. splitting between reality and fictional ideas created about herself through her mind. we are representing the self awareness females feel towards their bodies, but also how mental health can play a role in so many lives, but yet people lack so much knowledge about mental health. We wanted to show this in a exciting and dramatic way, in order to capture the audiences full attention.

beginning ideas

These were the ideas in which i grouped and looked at by myself. I came up with these idea through watching a variety of clips and videos to gain inspiration. I looked as variety of typical thriller types but also I  came up with some more original ideas. Alongside this i tried to think very general to create a vast list of ideas. From these ideas, I found one to capture my attention more than the others. This one was an idea based on a voodoo doll, i found it to be original and unique, it would make a great story-line if i was to carry this idea forward on the development process. With this Voodoo doll idea i have expanded and wrote a brief summary, including some depth with areas and points.

Analyse of another student’s work- part 2

State of mind’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqMtQbHUbT0 

When looking at another person’s work I also looked at one in which is ‘State of mind’. The boy is being watched and followed by another boy, including the boy standing outside his house. The boy continues to follow him through his daily life, in which is very similar to the other opening in which, I looked at. I felt it was portrayed in less effective way. The mise-en-scene in particular was a big issue as I could tell that they hadn’t thought about what the characters would wear and allowed them to wear what they want or feel more comfortable in. for example, the boy who is playing the stalker is wearing normal clothes that don’t portray the stalker type. They are not dark in colour and just seem like he has got dressed, wearing jeans and a hoodie. In my thriller, I would ensure that the colours represent the flavour of the scene and the purpose of the character within the scene. Showing they are significant to the scene, looking slightly odd to actually stalk someone in the first place. They also need something that makes them stand out such an item of clothing that we can recognize, throughout the scene to know that he is the person targeting another. This would make a more effective scene. 

Further, an element in which I found effective was the use of the sound as the scene, as it is very slow and basic but a sudden heightened change in sound, adds a sense of drama. It shows a significant change and a massive contrast against the scene. In my own scene I would defiantly use this at it shows the mood increasing and adding the drama that is wanted in the scene. It also could be used if something is going to be revealed or about to be revealed but then cuts away or ends. Therefore, leading the audience to want more and making a successful opening sequence. The change in sound comes very quickly and suddenly which could scare the audience rather than making them feeling the gradual build-up which I would link more to a horror rather than the criteria to be a thriller. In my own work I would have slow, soft build ups in music that is slight higher in key to very big bangs and heavy beats which occur less often than the slower music to imply, a real impact. Showing that, that particular part where it changes has the most significance and revealing a small part of the story. Therefore, increasing the knowledge of what the audience know and can make assumptions to know.

However, another area of weakness was the setting, as when the boy wakes, opening his curtains which are pink and floral. Completely contrasting against male stereotypes, this makes a big jump from the male colours of blue and greys. In order to change this I would use a more natural colour of white in the room. They should have chosen a room that is more appropriate for his age and gender to represent him in a more sufficient way. This also makes the scene look as if it lacks thought and lack professionalism, showing poorer quality against an official film. 

Additionally, another area of sound that I felt was strong was use of voice over, as it gives the sense of guidance of what is going on and the sense of  the stalking spanning over a long period of time. This makes the scene look like the final build-up of the stalking process and what he sees day-to-day in his life. However, I would use voice-over in a different way of people talking over one another as it would create the build-up of pressure on them or I would use it to reveal some information about the character. I could also use the voice over as introduction to the scene for the audience to grasp what is going on. Or when could use a voice-over to portray a voice from the character and way that they feel. 

In contrast, the boy in the scene is shown to be wearing pyjamas when he wakes, he then travels down the stairs but by the time he has got to the downstairs we see him dressed, this shows the lack of attention to detail as they haven’t showed him getting dressed. However, if they wanted to portray this they should have seen him wake but cut to opening the door dressed or actually shown the process of him dressing, cutting the use of the car reversing in the scene as it has no significance and is only really used to waste time. Within my opening won’t use this at all as it is too typical and known for thrillers, I want to create something that is exciting and new compared to the same ideas of being stalked or in the woods. We really want ours to create an impact that portrays the difficulties of mental health, with a slight thriller twist and sinister vibe.

Overall, the scene contains many flaws that need work on, for which mainly consist of the planning process in terms of what the characters are wearing and the setting; Making sure that the presents of something in the scene is productive and suitable in what they want to portray. However, the story line and concept of the idea is quite good but minor details pull the scene down. The use of sound however portrays the idea of a thriller but having low and high moods that creates suspense and tension; the larger noise defiantly have a vast impact, compared to the quieter background tracks. In conclusion, I found the scene very typical with great use of sound but nothing truly portrays any significance to the scene and lack of resources are defiantly shown, decreasing the quality and professionalism of the film opening. 

Preliminary task

Prelim task-

Main track link-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SiSy0pJ6zo

The way in which I organised myself was working with who I think will have different ideas and skills to me but also who has previously done media in the past a GCSE course. Therefore, they will have some idea and may have gained skills in the past that we could use for this task. As a group we worked very well, having some different plus similar ideas, in which we used but also didn’t use depending on its effectiveness. We made many of the decisions together, but if someone wasn’t happy with a choice we would compromise or abandon the idea altogether. However, we had to change the prelim ideas due to use of facilities and the fact that we had a short period of time to film the prelim in, making it harder to incorporate the actors in one place, at one time.

When filming the process it appeared to be very easy with not many problems, other than how to use the camera as we kept confusing buttons that actually took a picture rather than filming. Therefore, thinking we had footage when in fact we didn’t, this also took up time having to re-shoot the shots again. However, I lacked knowledge and hardly knowing how to use any of the software but now I feel very confident to use the software again on my own, as it way very straight forward and I have gained the basic skills to create a sequence. After this i felt very confident that we can create a successful opening, that covers the technical elements; but also make our own opening specific for a target audience. In contrast, we did make some mistakes of capturing the cameramen in the mirror and when using the software we deleted elements that we didn’t what to delete but we managed to successful regain the information. Therefore, we know this wont happen again as we feel more confident with the software, but to change capturing the cameraman we could watch the footage after to ensure no one is in the scene and rerecord any sequence that shows this, then using the new footage to replace this.

The experience in which I had with iMovie beforehand was limited as I had never actually used it before or actually heard of the software until I was introduced to the mac computers. However, this didn’t faze me, and with my partner I learnt very quickly how to use the software, it was actually very straight forward and we managed to use it but when we struggled we asked for help along the way. The skills in which I have learnt are transferring footage onto the macs and adding text, sound, transitions, plus cropping and pasting segments; therefore, making a continuous, smooth transition and video. However, in the future I would like to experiment with creating my own sounds and tracks that could to used and make to an artisan design of what we specifically want as the track. Therefore, making the sounds completely unique to a track we found off of YouTube that thousands of others can access.

There were many areas in which were strong but in contrast also many weak elements. The stronger elements I felt were the use of the camera including the steadiness and proportion of following rule of thirds as well as the editing smoothly transferring from one shot to the next.  When we were filming inside the camera remained focused at the character within the scene, keeping the camera in a proportion of the eye line being 2/3 of the way up in the shot. This kept the whole scene in proportion, but also within the eye line of the audience when if they were to sit and watch the prelim task. Therefore, taking the audience into account, when producing the prelim task. However, when going through the editing process when found that using the transitions helped keeping the movement of sequence in flow. This creates a professional touch and look to the scene, plus also creating fewer gaps in the scene. However, the weaker points were capturing the person when filming in the shot but also the weather conditions and working with a camera outside, for which affected the sound of the text being spoken. When at the beginning of the sequences we filmed in the toilets to show the character preparing to face rumours being spread by another. But, in the shot when they are looking into the mirror the camera work has caught the cameraman in the mirror beside the mirror in which, the main subject is looking into. Therefore, taking away the allusion of there not being a camera present. Also bringing the cameraman into the scene when in matter of fact, the cameraman has no involvement or purpose for being in the scene. In contrast, the weather also created a major problem of the wind covers the voice of the dialogue, making it virtually impossible to actually disguise what they are saying or arguing about. Therefore, making the story-line hard to follow and understand at the end of sequence, for which contrasts against the strong beginning and middle, displaying that the end lets the scene down. Although, the wind also displayed another problem of moving the camera when recording, showing an unsteadiness and lack of control over the camera, making it harder to capture the correct and desired angle. In order, to combat against this we could have used a camera stand or a dolly cam if in a more professional environment or had a much broader budget. In conclusion, the final finish to the product overall is very good, using a variety of smooth and effortless transitions. The camera work is very good with elements of unsteadiness and struggle against the weather; also having even proportions, which mainly involve the rule-the-thirds and follow the eye of the actor. From the film opening I have learnt that it’s very difficult to cut and paste elements smoothly and effectively but also the sensitivity of the camera. Overall, the prelim was successful with some minor elements taking away the success of the task. But I was very pleased with the outcome considering I had never filmed in any professional way at all before this task. 

Analyse of another student's work-part 1

Inner evil:

                                                                 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLsiGGF9DPc 

Another students work in which I have looked closely at is an opening for which is named ‘inner evil’. My interpretation of the video was the girl having violent thoughts for which she sees visions of herself being hurt by another, as she feels that she is being followed or watched. The setting presents a normal day of waking and perceiving in normal activities but these visions are taking over her day-to-day life. Displaying a sense of normality, plus hope that deprived her from getting through normal life.  The opening showed a variety of successful points but also unsuccessful aspects that need further development or change. In addition, the areas that take away from the scene are at the beginning of when the titles are portrayed. They lack the ability to see the characters face as it is hidden through a shot when the titles are revealed of a character’s name. The character should be seen as it takes away from what is happening in the scene and draws the focus on the title, which should be incorporated in a more subtle manner. Therefore, allowing the audience to remain captured throughout rather than taken away from the scene for a moment due to titles; making is harder to capture the audience back into the scene. The opener should keep the audience watching throughout. In order to use titles in my own opener I shall place them a lot smaller in a more discreet position within the shot, allowing the scene to taken center stage with the assistance of text. However, the font must relate to the scene or contrast in a successful way such as by having italic writing it will add softness to the scene contrasting against the harsh brutally on the content within the scene. It will keep the audience on the edge for temporary periods of time, making it harder to predict the scene and create moments of heightened mood and normality within the character compared to the dangers the character will face. For which I will consider in my own thriller to add a contrast and difference within the thriller.

Additionally, the sound within the scene displays consistency with patterns and a steadily pace, allowing the audience to feel recurrence within the scene. However, the sound that is present is very high in pitch and frequency, displaying a slight oddness compared to generalized films. The high frequency within a thriller, adds an edge of fear but enough for the audience to remain watching. This type of music continues throughout, maintaining good sound bridge. In contrast, the sound twists into a more low beat but consistent pace to the previous music, showing a subtle change. This subtle change represents the change in mood but also to what the audience can see within the scene. The face of the person that she feels is watching her revealed as herself, showing the significant change between each character even though they are displayed as the same person within the scene. Therefore, trying to perceive the girl as two individual characters or having a split -personality, using sound to portray this idea. Within my own thriller I shall use sound bridge that display subtle changes to portray fear but I will also have contrasting and harsh elements to show significant change from the beginning of the scene or importance of that element within the scene and progressing further through the scene. Therefore, creating point’s nerve and panic, but also the unknown. I could also use a specific sound for recurring elements that are the significance of the whole scene. Creating a sense of danger that is desired from that specific item, but it may make the audience more aware and prepared for that element to happen, which could decrease the sense of danger that were want in our thriller and make the conventional thriller.

Furthermore, the scene also feels like a trailer rather than a beginning of a thriller film. This is due to the fact that at the end on the scene the title that has been given to the film at the end rather than the beginning. Therefore, implying that this is a glimpse of what shall happen in the film rather than the whole film, showing it to be an opener to a film. In order to transfer it into an opener I would place the name of the film at the beginning or I would play the scene for a few seconds then introduce the name. This will make the scene seem less like a trailer and more like a film. When producing my own thriller I shall place the title at the very being after the idents to clearly show what companies were involved in the production then the title, to get straight into the actual scene as soon as possible. This will allow the audience to remain focus and become settled before the film actually begins. Therefore, looking more like a professional film ready to start, and less like a trailer.   

Further, the great use of the heartbeat sound effect adds the drama and fear that we want to see in the character and victim. The heartbeat shows the changes that happen through the fear and how fear can affect simple elements of the body. By incorporating the heartbeat, it also displays the pace of the scene and showing the increase of pace within the scene, from the fear of the character that is being followed. However, the way in which I will use sound effects in my own work is perhaps using a heartbeat, if appropriate within what we want to portray within the scene of showing the characters fear, in order to make the audience understand the fear. As well as, feeling the fear in the way the character feels it. Although, other sound effects maybe more effective depending on what we want to portray such as footsteps for being followed or showing the pace of the person for insistence running or dragging their feet behind them. Also, tapping or heavy breath make intense noises for the audience, as they take sole focus on that element so surprises after will often shock them as they are being reintroduced back into the scene. Sound effects will be effective by increasing the intensity and drama but also tricking the audience to think something is happening when in fact it isn’t. Giving the audience false hope. 

Another, positive aspect in the scene are the shots of the camera, they are very steadily and well placed positions using the correct techniques in order to provide, professional camera shot outcomes. The use of the shots within filming present a way in which will create missing elements and gaps to lead conclusions and mystery for the audience. The way in which they have used an over the shoulder shot when watch the character walk shows that we are aware of what is going on but the character is clueless, showing that we can warn or predict what maybe there reaction because the character can’t see the film through the audience’s eyes. Other successful shots are mid-shot of her waist when getting dressed; it took the focus away from the face and allowed the audience feel nerve for the next shot as the audience are unable to see her facial reactions and expressions. As well as, her walking down the stairs it created hints that something may happen but doesn’t. It’s a very clever way to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It portrays chances for something to happen but things don’t the audience watch on to find the mystery out. This also allows the audience to work out what is going on for themselves rather than being told the mystery. The way in which I shall use the camera within my own work is by creating scene and moments of is it going to happen, or using slow long scenes that show something happen very quickly and sharply. Leaving questions of what went on and what shall happen after the 2 minutes of the opening title. This will be extremely effective of showing the contrast between slow and fast pace. However, this maybe hard depending on the story-line and the way we want our opener to be perceived by the audience. Overall, the scene had lots of great, positive elements but it wasn’t perfect with some slight errors that affected the overall look of certain shots, allowing the audience to lose focus in some elements.