Continuity planning
To the start of our media course work we were to come up with a short opening scene from a thriller film. To make sure that we knew what is contained in a thriller opening we did our research on the camera angles, editing, and mise en scene. We also made sure that we researched on how to make it look like a thriller opening and not a thriller trailer. One of the main things that can show the differences is due to where the opening credits are placed. We concluded from the research that in the opening credits the most important person in the making of the film goes last.
In this task it should consist of -
Shot/reverse shot.
The 180' rule.
Match on action, the titles and opening of a new fiction film to last a maximum of two minutes.
All videos/audio material mist have gained permission or is copy right free.
Groups should have no more than 4 members.
The Basic idea for our continuity piece:
Our main idea for the continuity piece is to film an individual walking through a dark room sitting down into a chair opposite another individual, to complete the scene these two individuals then exchange a small part of dialogue. We will begin with just filming as much as we can, we will then progress to edit these clips to create a suspense.
Here is a basic idea of what we have decided to do:
As this piece of work needed to included dialogue we thought of different pieces of speech that could of been included in our work. After coming up with this plan, we began to think about the other things needed, this consisted of looking at different name, costumes used, characters and the credits.
We wanted to make sure that when we started the filmed we had everything we needed, this consisted of the different camera angles and where the individuals and props would be placed. ( this is all shown in our basic plan above). As from our research we knew that thrillers are made to keep the viewers on the edge of there seats and to contain a sense of suspense. To make sure that we were able to reach this we made the dialogue short as we did not want to give much away, but we also wanted to make it as effective as possible. Also in thrillers they want to make the audience think they know what is happening when in reality they don't. To make it as dramatic as possible we used a question to close the scene ' what do you mean? We had a deal'. This then leaving the audience in questioning. This would then lead to the audience wanting to find out more.
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A brief view of some of our ideas.
Filming:
How we filmed our continuity:
This is what we filmed our continuity piece on. Even though we came across as few problems in the end we were able to come over this and took this knowledge to our advantage when filming our thriller opening.
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Trade off. ( The naming )
We then started to think of names that would link in with our main ideas for the continuity piece. The name of a film can make a big difference to peoples opinion on it, so we wanted to make it catchy and intriguing. We came up with a verity of ideas this consisted of:
- The unexpected
- Trade off
- Unknown
- Clueless
Going through our ideas of names we thought that the name 'Trade off' was most effective and linked in best with our ideas for the continuity piece.
After finalizing the name we then set aside 2 days for us to film the different scenes, but before this we had to look for a location that would be best to film at. We needed a dark and spacious room, in which needed to be able to include the different camera angles. These were, establishing shot, over the shoulder shot and point of view. The filming took place when we had found our location, in total it took us the 2 different days to complete the filming. After the filming was complete we need to start with the editing. We had made sure we filmed as much as possible so we could cut and edit to make it the best it could. Editing was the longest process as this is where everything needed to be brought together so we were able to share it onto you tube.
The Location in which we filmed at was on the grounds of Walton High School. This was in the Drama closet room which is in the main hall behind the stage. This room was perfect as we were able to make it dark it was also very spacious. As the was stairs leading downstairs we were able to take a shot looking down onto the two individuals on there discussion. This kind of atmosphere fitted with what we had planned.
We came across an error when filming as when we watched it back first time, as the room was big and quite empty, the voices of the individuals voices were echoed. To come over this problem we tried many different camera angles in order to block this problem. Even though the echoing was not as loud, you were still able to hear it. We then thought about using a new camera to film with. When watching it back second time with the new camera the sound of echoing had nearly stopped. We went with the second filming as this is the best we were able to get it in the time that we were given.
As well as the problems with the sounds there were also some other problems. As it was such a dark room it was hard to make out the different characters, but this was all edited to be made a lot lighter. Every problem that we came across we made sure that we were able to fix it to the highest standard in the time given.
After coming across these problems we were able to bring everything together, working well as a group. Our planning was very helpful when coming to put everything together as we had a detailed plan of what was needed to be done.
To watch the final continuity piece Click here.