Development of ideas: practice storyboard animatic

This is a video of the storyboard I made today. This animatic is  a practice so the fades won't appear.

Working with the camera and effects: titles and blinks

In today's lesson we filmed the idea of the blinking effect through three different ways. The first idea was by using a piece of paper to act as a blink. Looking back at our footage however, we can see that this doesn't work as it makes our film look bad. The other idea was also with a piece of paper but in a different technique, but this also came out with a bad effect. So we then tried to use the computer to add a blink with the background in a soft focus. This technique also against didn't work and we all felt that it wouldn't meet our expectations. We then decided to change our concept of the blinking method by using slow fades instead. This will not only help accomplish a good outcome, but it also makes it easier for us as well. Here is the link to our video:

In this video we also practiced using titles. While we story-boarded our ideas, we thought of leaving the titles on to the next scene, instead of fading out on the black screen. We like this effect as it looks good but also shows a different way into filming which doesn't make our thriller cliche.  Overall, by practicing with the camera and using the titles we have become more confident in the filming process. We have also developed our ideas which shows that we are going forward in planning.

Development of ideas: new location

When we were interviewed by our teacher about our thriller opening, we were initially going to film in a field.  However, after the discussion our idea was influenced to film inside in one room that was dark and small. Nicole has taken some pictures of her spare room which we all think we be good to film in:

     

I think this room will fulfill our needs for our thriller film as the curtains will make the room dark, thus making the room more atmospheric. We will move out the furniture, except for the bed, pushing the bed on the other side allowing us to film from the outside the door too. This room also fits perfectly into our storyboard and shot list.

Male antagonist

Our group has also decided on which actor is going to be playing the male character. We feel that Luke Stanley will fit the role as a murder perfectly due to his height. We won't show much more his face as the point of view shots from Charlotte will show him in a soft focus. This means we will dress him in black clothes reinforcing his sinister personality. Even though this is extremely cliche, our group will film it in an different way therefore making our thriller unique. 

Black clothing

                                                           

Female protagonist

Our group has decided on which actress is going to be playing the female character. We feel that Charlotte Moody would suit the part best as she fits into the stereotypical role of a girl in a thriller movie. With her long blonde hair, we can make her seem beautiful and pure by spreading her hair across the bed. This will give off an angel like quality thus making her character seem more innocent and the antagonist more demon like. We will also put make upon her to enhance her beauty through pale skin foundation, faint red lipstick and soft black eye make up. This will bring out her character more showing a stereotypical women. What's more, we will also dress her in a white flowing dress (gypsy like) to make her seem even more pure and innocent. Her clothing and make up will contrast to the room which will be dingy and dark. This will make her seem as though she shouldn't be there, making the killer seem more threatening and powerful. Below are some pictures of her appearance: 

Female actress and white dress