Mind Map: Conventions of the Genre

Dexter Remake

Although this is our final edit of the video it has been uploaded to Youtube and the whole video does not play.

Napoleon Dynamite remake

I made this title sequence as a beginner to learn about creating title sequences and to give me understanding of how difficult it can be. As this was created as a summer assignment I did not know what the full course would be like so to create this gives me an idea of how much harder the course can be compared to what I thought it would be. This task helps me to develop skills in creating title sequences so that throughout the remainder of the course I will improve in creating title sequences.

Collage of iconography

I made this mood board of what makes a thriller and to also give me ideas of what I can include when filming a scene for a thriller. I also have made this to have more understanding of what needs to be included and how they are vital can be to make the film a clear thriller.

I used this mood board to show the props, costumes, locations and lighting which make a thriller. The mood board includes:

Props
- Guns
- Cars
- Explosions
- Fights (including weapons)

Costumes
- Suits often worn by main characters
- Casual/dirty clothes often worn by villains

Locations
- Cities
- Gloomy/abandoned house
- Empty road

Lighting
- Dark lighting to give mystery as you do not know what is in the dark

Se7en title sequence remake

I made this remake of Se7en to understand how to make an opening sequence and what to do to make it effective for a thriller film. To remake the title sequence of Se7en gave me the skills of using final cut to edit photos, add effects, add and format text, etc. I was given multiple images to add to the title sequence and used the most appropriate pictures and also edited appropriate pictures. Doing this task helped me to learn how to use final cut when making a title sequence, how to edit pictures in final cut and how to add and format text. 

27/09/13 notes

Dexter opening sequence

- how does this relate to what we have to do for our coursework?

We are remaking dexter

It is an opening sequence which makes the viewer think - thriller - blood etc

TV drama - exam

- what does this tell you about the character?

Deeper meaning - slowly cut the meat, twisted way of normal routine, looks like different ways of killing someone

Slow movements and show the food after cut up etc

Floss - strangling someone that way

Egg - cut people up

He is a murderer 

- what symbols are there (theme)?

Extreme close ups - mystery

Blood 

Extra notes:

Music didn't change

24/09/13 notes

Lesson 1 

The usual suspects opening sequence:

- the close up of the man (victim) is used to show his expression and emotion to let the viewer know how he is feeling and give them an idea about the situation

- the floor shot when the villain is pouring a liquid on the flame gives the impression that he is superior to the victim, as does the lower shot of the victims face compared to the higher shot of the villains body

- the final dropping of the cigarette is filmed in slow motion and a close up of the villians hand so that the viewer is fully aware of how the final fire starts

- the different shots which follow the fire are used to take the viewer on a journey around the room so that they can focus on the fire and the things (e.g. Dead bodies) and so they can see them clearly

Lesson 2

Establishing shot: sets up the scene,often at beginning of the movie 

Close up: tightly frames a person or object to show detail or emotion

Medium shot: shot to show a whole body and movement

Long shot: entire figure or object 

Tracking shot: follows action at a constant distance

Aerial shot: shows whole image from high position (birds eye view)

Dolly shot: placed on a dolly and moved at a constant rate, doesn't always follow action

Handheld shot: show subjects perspective or feeling

Zoom shot: zooms in to isolate or zooms out 

Swish pan: moves camera from one thing to another very quickly

High angles: above the object to show power

Reverse angle: switches between two things often In conversation 

Low angle shot: shot from knees up

Are shot: moves around object in circular motion to show image from different angles

Match shot: show two different shots as if they are joint together

Point of view: view scene through characters eyes

Head on shot: when action comes straight to the camera

Rule of thirds