Sound for thriller opening

In our title sequence, when the actors are appearing on the screen and there is a series of disturbing images, we will be using a sound clip called ghost 1.wav as it is eery and will add to the effect of mystery in the thriller opening. It starts off quite slow, and gets louder and more eery as the clip goes on.

The next sound we have chosen is distriff_2.wav, which is upbeat and fast paced. This is suitable for the scenes where our main character is running through the woods because the speed of the music reflects the speed of the persons heart rate and the speed in which they are running.

In our first shot we have chosen the sound clip, cellos down down.wav because it is eery and gradually builds up tension which will be suitable for the shot because we want to open our thriller with a tense and mysterious atmosphere. This clip is 21 seconds long, and because of this we will need to extend our first shot slightly and could split the sound clip to carry on in other shots of our main character in the bathroom.

For the shot of the party we will be using diegetic music of this sound clip Chaser RMX 2.wav. We will play this through speakers while we are filming to make it seem more realistic and like it's a real party. It will be difficult to add the sound clip on after because it won't look as realistic if people are dancing at different speeds or out of time to the music. As this clip is 7 secs long we will film for the 7 seconds then cut the shot down during editing as our party shot is only 3 secs long.

For the shots of the trees with the beginning credits and for the shots imbetween, we are going to use The mind of the killer.mp3 this is because it creates a strange and creepy atmosphere while the credits are coming up, it will give the audience the sense that the film they are about to see is going to be quite scary.

The sound clip girls singing-PiSh_01.wav will be used in the beginning credits where there is a spinning round-a-bout and the mysterious ghost like person appears on them. This will represent her going around in her victims heads.

The sound clip Spooky abience with heartbeat.mp3 will be used when the clips start speeding up, when the blonde character turns back around, and also overlapping with the sound clip above to create a very weird and spooky atmosphere.

Shooting Schedule for Thriller Opening

Day one of filming:

Inside Hannah's House:

Location: Hannah's Bathroom.
Props: Tap, Blonde Wig, Black/Dark Brown Wig, Mirror, Make-up bag and Make-up.
Shot Numbers: 1,3,6,7,8,14
Camera shots filmed from the same position: End of 1,3,7,8
- Do these shots first after pan of shot 1.

Location: Hannah's Bedroom.
Props: Wardrobe, T-shirts, Trousers/Jeans, Skirts, Shoe, Mobile phone, Bed, Blonde Wig, TV.
Shot Numbers: 17,24,25,26
Camera shots filmed from the same position: 24,26

Location: Hannah's Kitchen
Props: Knife, Water, Ketchup, Clock.
Shot Numbers: 4,9

Day two of filming:

Location: Blaby Woods, Balskell Park.
Props: Trees, Bike.
Shot Numbers: 12,13,16,18,20,21,22,23
Camera shots filmed from the same position: 16,18,20,23

Day three of filming:

Location: Countesthorpe Community College and Winchester Road.
Props: Flashing Lights from the Drama Studio, Blonde Wig, Black/Brown Wig, Glow sticks.
Shot Numbers: 2,19

Day four of filming:

Location: Ollie Park in Whetstone.
Props: Metal Fence and Gate, Swings, Round-a-bout, Blonde Wig, Black/Brown Wig.
Shot Numbers: 5,15

Location: Whetstone Church.
Props: Gravestones
Shot Numbers: 10,11



Friday 23rd January 2009 Hannah and I started filming.
We filmed shots 4, 9, 17, 24, 25 and 26.
We didn't do the original shots we intended to do on the first day of filming because Lucy was busy and she was needed for 3 of the shots. Also we couldn't shoot the rest of the shots in Hannah's bathroom because we needed to keep the camera in the same position for most of them.

Saturday 24th January 2009 Hannah and I filmed shots 5 and 15 on Ollie Park.
This was meant to be day 3 of filming, however we decided to do the planned days of filming in a different order.
Shot 15 consisted of a range of different shots within it because after we had finished the storyboards we were going over them and decided to extend the actors title sequence and add extra shots in. Hannah managed to film over one of the clips from this sequence, so we will have to re-do it at a later date. We didn't shoot shots 10 and 11 as we were going to on the same day because it was getting dark and so we couldn't film anymore.

Friday 30th January 2009 Hannah and I filmed shots 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23.
We filmed a shot of the church in Blaby instead of Whetstone because it was very close to where we were filming the rest of the shots, therefore it was more practical at the time. We also filmed the shot we needed on Winchester road from the 3rd day of filming because we were able to do it at the time.

Friday 13th February 2009 Hannah and I filmed shots 22 and re-filming of the clip from the sequence of shot 15. We were able to complete these successfully.
Also in the week before this day we had booked the theatre to film our party clip. We had got it booked for Friday 27th February, however we have now decided not to film this clip and remove it from the opening sequence because we would have had to film it and edit it on the deadline for our final production.

Opening To Thriller - Main Production

I am working with Hannah for the main production of an opening to a thriller film.

Friday 21st November we started to plan our thriller. We decided on possible casting for our film, locations, props and ideas for clips to be shown.Casting; Charlotte (me) - girl main character (name still to be decided), Lucy - ghost type girl, and extras; Hannah, Luke, David, Helena, Amy, Lewis H, Lewis M, Tom B, Tom C, Jenny, Georgie, Max, Charley, Siobhan. There may be more but we haven't asked people to do it yet, so far me, Hannah and Lewis M are confirmed to be in it.

Locations;
The bathroom, bedroom and kitchen inside Hannah's house.
The woods in blaby.
Winchester Road.
Whetstone Church. (we will need to ask if we could film there).
Possibly the drama studio in Countesthorpe Community College. (that would need booking if we decide to film there).
Ollie Park.

Props and things we need;
Tap, Mirror, Clock, Brush, Kitchen, Knife, Blonde Wig, Dark brown/black Wig, Make-up and Make-up bag, Wardrobe, T-shirts, Trousers/Jeans, Skirts, Shoe, Mobile Phone, Bed, TV, Water, Ketchup, Trees, Bike, Flashing Lights from the Drama Studio, Glow sticks, Metal Fence and Gate, Swings, Round-a-bout, Blonde Wig, and Gravestones.

Tuesday 25th November we carried on planning what clips we would have in the opening sequence, and started on the storyboard. We also came up with names for the production companies which are, Black Forest productions and Film Club productions.

Wednesday 26th Novemeber we decided to just draw out all of the clips on the storyboard (we have have only drawn some though) and then after we have them all we will decide what order they will go in because at the moment we are still gathering ideas together.

Thursday 27th Novemeber, Helena, Amy and Lucy are also confirmed to be in our opening to a thriller production.

Monday 1st December through until Friday 5th December we carried on drawing out our storyboard.

Friday 5th December we also planned the title for our thriller. We made a mind-map for it but i will list our idea's on here.

Friday 12th December, Georgie and Jenny are confirmed to be in our opening to a thriller production.

Thriller;

Psychological;
- unstable.
- Neglect - past - abandoned.
- Memory - blurred.
- Mentality - disposition.

Whisper

Veridical

Dark;
- Hidden.
- Shadows.

Supernatural;
- Haunted.
- Ghost.

Abstract

Mendacious;
- Deceitful.
- Deceptive.
- Dishonest.
- Duplicitous.

Hannah and I decided to call our thriller The Mentality, which means an 'irrational way of thinking'. We decided on this name for our thriller because our main character experiences several things which 'play with her mind' such as hearing voices and seeing weird girls appearing. We also drew inspiration from other thriller titles such as, The Ring, The Others, The Grudge, The Interpreter and The Usual Suspects. We also decided that our title would have more emphasis in it if we had The infront of Mentality instead of just Mentality.

Storyboard for Thriller Opening:

I asked a few people to write down on a peice of paper what they thought of the storyboard for our Thriller opening. I would scan it onto here however you wouldnt be able to see the comments clearly.

Audience feedback for thriller opening;

"Mysterious and draws the audience in to question what has happened" - Pheobe.

"Looks very tense, the short scenes build up the sharp tension" - Amy Potts.

"Tense - want to see it!" - Tilly.

"The suspense is killing me" **** (and a half *) - Mark Lomasney.

"Good" - Jordan.

Risk Assessment for main production

• Tripping over the tripod - be careful when walking near it.
• Using the camera near running water - not take the camera too close to the water (so it won't get splashed).
• Tripping over in the woods when it's dark - make sure we are aware of surroundings and be careful when moving around.
• Using the camera near the road - we need to watch where we are going so we don't end up going off the path by accident.
• Knife in a shot - be extra careful when handling the knife and make sure no one steps on it when it's on the floor.
• Using the camera while riding a bike - make sure we are familiar with the surroundings we will be riding in, be careful whilst riding the back and make sure we don't drop the camera.
• Actress standing in a shower (may slip) - put down a mat to prevent slipping.
• Getting hit by the swings whilst they are swinging - stand away from them to make sure they wouldn't hit us.
• May run into people in the dark - be careful and stay aware of surroundings.
• Hitting people, the camera, or the window whilst throwing objects out of the wardrobe - make sure they aim where they will throw the objects and practice it before using the camera.
• Dogs chasing after us in Balskell Park - make sure there aren't any dogs close by before we film.

Film Certificates

Taken from the The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) website are a list of the ratings and what is seen as acceptable for the particular rating. This is for research into what rating to give our film.

Videos classified 'Uc' are particularly suitable for pre-school children and normally raise none of the issues set out below.

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. U films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

Theme;
Treatment of problematic themes must be sensitive and appropriate for a younger audience.
Language;
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity;
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex;
Mild sexual behaviour (eg kissing) and references only (eg to ‘making love’).
Violence;
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
Imitable techniques;
No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
Horror;
Horror effects should be mild and brief and should take account of the presence of very young viewers. The outcome should be reassuring.
Drugs;
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a clear educational purpose or clear anti-drug message suitable for the audience.

'PG' Parental Guidance - General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Theme;
Where more serious issues are featured (eg domestic violence, racist abuse) nothing in their treatment should condone the behaviour.
Language;
Mild bad language only.
Nudity;
Natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex;
Sexual activity may be implied, but should be discreet and infrequent. Mild sex references and innuendo only.
Violence;
Moderate violence, without detail, may be allowed, if justified by its setting (eg historic, comedy or fantasy).
Imitable techniques;
No glamorisation of realistic or easily accessible weapons. No detail of potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy.
Horror;
Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense. Fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor.
Drugs;
Any references to illegal drugs or drug misuse must be innocuous or carry a suitable anti-drug message.

12A – Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

Theme;
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language;
The use of strong language (eg 'fuck') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.
Nudity;
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.
Sex;
Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.
Violence;
Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.
Imitable techniques;
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror;
Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs;
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or instructional.

'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over
No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.

Theme;
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language;
There may be frequent use of strong language. But the strongest terms will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity;
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex;
Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence;
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques;
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror;
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs;
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.

'18' – Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
• the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' - rated R18.

We have decided to rate our film with the 15 certificate because it would fit into the criteria needed for it to be a 15. It involves images and a storyline which would psychologically harm a younger child and may disturb them. A result of watching this may cause a younger child to have nightmares because the film 'plays with your mind' and a child may think it's real and be scared. There will be scenes of horror, violence, use of strong language, and sexual references in this film which we find will be only suitable for ages 15 and over.

Target Audience

The research I have done into different Thriller openings has given me an idea of what types of things an audience would look for in a Thriller film.
I have analysed the following openings of these films:
Double Indemnity - PG
The Others - 12
The Interpreter - 12
What Lies Beneath - 15
Gothika - 15
Duel - 15
Speed - 15
Silence of the lambs - 18
The Usual Suspect - 18

I have used a range of ratings in the films i chose to analyse because it would help me to gain further knowledge and understanding about what content would be used and how it differs with each rating.
There is defiantly a clear difference in the openings of the films which have been rated differently for example, Silence of the Lambs (18) is quite eery, dark and mysterious, it also doesn't have a change in mood in the opening however The Others (12) has a cartoon in the credits and tells a mini-story which is suitable for the age group it's aimed at, it also has changes in moods within the cartoon but still keeping the conventions of a thriller.

There are also different types of Thriller as this is a very broad genre:
Psychological Thriller: This sub-genre has elements of mystery in it and also tends to focus on the psychological aspects of the main characters rather than their physical aspects. There suspense usually comes from the main character trying to resolve conflicts with their own mind. The conflict is usually an effort to understand what is happening to them, these conflicts are made clearer to the audience in a physical form and as the character figures out the mystery so does the audience, which makes them feel more involved in the film. Examples of this sub-genre include, "The Ring", "The Sixth Sense", "The Number 23", and "What Lies Beneath".

Action Thriller: This sub-genre tends to be very fast paced and involves fights, shootouts, stunts, car chases or explosions. The main character is the "hero" and the action typically involves them, this genre also includes the typical stock characters and the narrative follows Vladimir Propp's theory. Examples of the sub-genre include, "Blade", "Mission Impossible 1, 2, and 3", "The Fast and The Furious", and all of the James Bond films.

Crime Thriller: This sub-genre tends to involve the FBI or some sort of police investigation in it. The main character is usually part of the police force and is trying to solve a crime or several crimes which have been commited. Examples of this sub-genre include, "Sin City", "Collateral", and "Cellular".

Horror Thriller: This sub-genre tends to be very physical and mostly gory, it also is meant to appear terrifying and horrific to watch. They usually include a central villian, and they don't always have a main hero to follow. Examples of this sub-genre include, "Saw", "28 Days Later",

Supernatural Thriller: This sub-genre tends to have supernatural goings on in the film. Usually the main character is getting haunted and the supernatural being is trying to contact the living world with messages so they can be helped in some way. Examples of this sub-genre include, "White Noise", "Gothika", "What Lies Beneath", and "The Forgotton".

The Others

The Others was released in 2001 and was directed and written by Alejandro Amenábar.

• Dimension films.
• Warner Sogefilms.
• Cruise/wagner productions.
• Non-diegetic sound of narrator figure who is addressing the audience as if they were about to tell a story - which is exactly what they start to do.
• There is a cartoon picture of a sunrise in view - looks like the light shone onto this is coming from an oil lamp which is held up to it. The light is flickering and the edges of the screen are darkened - adds mystery.
• The cartoon looks like a black and white drawing however the oil lamp is giving it a yellow effect.
• Zooming out to reveal more of the picture.
• Non-diegetic sound - lead actress - what she is saying links to the pictures and is relevant to the storyline of the film. There is also non-diegetic music which makes the audience feel intrigued.
• Nicole Kidman's name is shown - lead actress.
• The focus of the light moves onto a two children/people also in the picture.
• This then fades to black and the next clip fades in from black.
• Title - The OTHERS - white - "OTHERS" is in capitals - this emphasises the word and shows it is very important. It also suggests that this will be a re-occurring theme throughout the film (even though it being the title suggests that anyway).
• In the background to the title there is a staircase and the camera is panning up the stairs. (keeping the theme of the cartoon drawing aswell).
• There is also a flickering light which is moving up the stairs - it's like the camera is following it - like a ghost.
• Non-diegetic sound of flute and piano - music score.
• Other actors/actresses follow.
• See a girl hiding before light fades - fade to black again for screen transition.
• Fade in from black - boy playing - still cartoon drawing.
• The camera pans up diagonally to the left - reveals girl and possibly the nanny then fades to black.
• Fade in from black - hand holding candle - camera pans down diagonally right to show a key being entered in a lock.
• Casting/costume design.
• Fade to black.
• Non-diegetic sound changes and is now violin/strings and piano.
• Camera pans up diagonally right - girl pointing with shocked face (audience may wonder what at - mysterious), woman in front of her holding a candle - clip fades to black.
• Sound/music/Production design.
• String music - tense/powerful/shocking.
• Director of photography.
• Black figure (possibly representing a ghost) reaching out to grab boy - camera pans down diagonally left to reveal this. The boy has a scared face - in pain? - shocking image - non-diegetic music more intense and dramatic.
• Executive Producers - Fade to black.
• More executive producers.
• Hand on puppet strings.
• Camera pans down the strings and reveals an angel doll (possibly a child) with their head hanging off - like it had been chopped off - suggests death.
• It also suggests that there may be a controlling mother who leads their child/children to death.
• Producers - fade to black.
• Written/Directed by.
• Cartoon of a house - there is a lake infront of it and the house is in the reflection as well.
• Dissolves into a 'real' version/clip of the house.
• Low-key lighting - mist/fog as well.
• Reflection of house in water suggests there are two different worlds in the same place -opposites. Heaven/Hell. Life/Death.
• Establishes location and year - not very important - distracts audience.
• Sharp cut - lead actress screaming - tortured scream.
• Camera rotates 90 degrees right whilst zooming out.
• She sits up - catches breath.
• leaves audience wondering why she was screaming etc. - dissolves into next clip - leaves audience hanging a little.
• Up to 2:48 minutes of the opening sequence.