Prelim Exercise Animatic Storyboard.

I took pictures of our preliminary storyboard and turned it into a quick animatic.

Click here to see how the real preliminary went.

Drawings by: Ca Nhan Hua.

Thriller Sub - Genres.

There are many sub genre's that different thrillers can be categorised in, such as:

1. Action thriller: The work often features a race against the clock, contains lots of violence, and an obvious antagonist. Such as, James Bond or Mission Impossible.
2. Conspiracy thriller: The hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. Such as, JFK.
3. Horror thriller: The main character is put in danger and their main enemies are unrealistic creatures in which they must destroy to achieve their goal. Such as, The Grudge.
   
4. Political thriller: the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. Such as, Seven days in May.
5. Psychological thriller: the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. Such as, Paranormal Activity.
   
6. Religious thriller: the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. Such as, The Da Vinci Code.
7. Disaster thriller: the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc. Such as, Day after Tomorrow.
   

After listing down the different types of sub-genre's in a thriller, I think that the one that currently appeals the most to me is, a mix of action, disaster, political thrillers - such as 2012. I like it because I like how a person tries to overcome political/governmental issues aroused by a person of authority. Or when there is an issue that no one can solve, and the only hope is to sacrifice the lives of others to save certain people. The hybrid of genre's really help to create such intriguing story lines that really grabs my attention and makes me want to watch more, to see what happens.

JVC Camera Tutorial.

In lesson, we were given a brief tutorial on how to use the JVC camera properly and were introduced to it's functions.

First of all, we were shown how to insert the battery onto the camera properly. The battery slot is located at the back of the camera where the eye piece is. There should be a hollow space where the battery clips into place. To take it off, you simply press the trigger down, which is located above the battery slot and slide the battery out. To turn on the camera, there is a dial at the side, where you are required to rotate it towards the "on" option.

Currently, there is no media that the recorded files can be saved onto, so there is two SDHC card compartments below the viewing screen, where you can insert your memory cards in to record onto.

Next we were introduced to the different functions of the camera. Before we begin recording, there are necessary (not compulsory) tasks that you would need to undergo to ensure best recording results. This includes checking that the camera's lense is in focus and the zoom is on the right level. To check that the camera is in focus, there is are two buttons on the side of the camera called "User 1" and "User 2". [Remember to change the switch on the side of the camera onto the focus function from zoom.] If you press on "User 1", on the viewing screen, you would see a series of lines appear on objects that are in focus. To bring your designated object into focus, you have to
turn the ring (located just behind the camera lense) until you see that you have lines on the object you want.

To zoom into an object, you simply switch the function back to zoom and you can either use the ring to zoom into an object, or use the buttons on the right hand side of the eyepiece.

To record, you just have to press the red button at the side of the camera and to stop recording you just have to press it again.

To view the media you have recorded, there are a number of buttons towards the right hand side of the viewing screen. Simply press on "Cam/Media" and the screen will take you to a menu with the different thumbnails of your recorded footage. Pressing this button will alternate between the camera and the media.

Skills audit: Livetype & Sound.

Following up the tutorial we had on Final Cut Pro, we were given addition lessons on how to use the other software's in the Final Cut Studio 3 suite - Livetype and Soundtrack Pro.

Livetype is a program used to create and customise different title sequences which can be implemented within your clips on Final Cut Pro. When you first open the program, you are faced with a complicated looking layout with many tabs and buttons involved.

We were first taught how to add text onto the screen; - this was quite simple. You just have to click on the box, on the right hand side (1st panel - A), and begin typing. You should start seeing text appear on the big checkered screen to the right. If not, you can simply press the 'Apply' button on the bottom right corner of the 2nd panel - B, above the timeline. To change the fonts of the chosen text, on panel B, click on the LiveFonts tab and you should see a list of different fonts. There will be a preview of what the text looks like in the box above. Alternatively, if the font you are looking for isn't there, you can choose from categories of text, at the drop down menu. Correspondingly, to add different effects to the text, click the effects tab on panel B, and choose from the different options and categories available. Click on the 'Apply' button when your happy with what you have selected and you should see that there is a purple bar added to your time line. To play the whole sequence together, drag the cursor on the timeline to the front, and press play (or press space bar). At first the playback will be slow because the different effects and text will have to render. After that it should play smoothly.


Soundtrack Pro is another program used in conjunction with Final Cut Pro and Livetype. The combination of the 3 all work together to produce a professionally polished sequence. First time users of Soundtrack Pro will find that this is one of the most complicated layouts out of the 3 different programs. Making a track on Soundtrack Pro consists of you building up a sequence using the different sounds and instrumentals available. The layout of Soundtrack Pro varies from time to time depending on who was on the Mac's beforehand: - may have altered it.

However, to begin, try to locate the 'Search' panel, usually situated at the bottom left of the screen. When found, there will be different categories accessible to you, and within the categories there are different genre's to choose from to narrow down the search results. From the list generated below, click through the different sounds and press play to hear a preview. When you have found one that you like, drag it onto the time line. and it should appear as a bar with the wavelength inside. If you want to add more tracks onto the time line to build up the sequence, you simply, drag other sounds onto the timeline underneath the sound you previously placed earlier.
Unlike LiveType, you can import your sequence made on Final Cut Pro, onto Soundtrack Pro, so that you can alter the different sounds to go with the sequence. When imported, the sequence will be played in the Video panel at the top left hand side of the screen.

Bag Swap Exercise

Bag Swap Exercise

My group and I were challenged to do a piece of work to get used to 'shooting scenes' after our tutorial on the usage of the camera's we were introduced to. Our task was to shoot a 'sequence' that involved a bag swap between at least two people and must include varied shots. These included 'point of view shots', 'over the shoulder shots', as well as a 'shot reverse shot'.

Together we decided to work 'internally' in City and Islington college. We varied our shots with an initial 'low angle' switching it a raising 'panning shot' of one 'subject' to introduce this character. We then had an 'external' shot of the opposite subject from out the building shooting to inside of her walking up the stairs. Our zoom and focus training came in handy as we were able to create a great'long shot' and still keep a good clarity.

We continued to use high and low angle shots as well as another brilliant long shot this time of one character ascending the stairs and another descending which showed a brilliant contrast.

Once we did the climax of the scene which was the actual 'confrontation' and the bag swap, we did a 'scrolling' low angle shot and a high angle over the shoulder shot to show clear levels and the balance of power between our two subjects. Close ups of facial expressions also showed 'emotions' and the relationship between the two characters.

We made both characters appear to collide with one another therefore dropping their bags. With both of them holding the bags on similar hands once they dropped their bags and went back to pick them up we had them pick it up with their opposite hands thus the 'inconspicuous' bag swap.

" I think that it showed that this was our
first try at camera work together by the
quality of our work. Although we were
able to execute the shots required and
the task of the bag swap we lacked the
originality needed, however like i said
it was our first attempt and we will
be looking to progress with our latter
work and i'm sure we will as we keep
on practising."

Camera Tutorial

Camera Tutorial

During my tutorial about using the new camera's, we were thought about keeping the camera in good working order as well as how to get the best out of our shots.

We were shown the basic about sloting in our 'memory cards' in 'slot A' and 'slot B' as well as playing back what we shot by pressing 'cam-media' on the screen's control buttons. We were trained on how to protect the 'lens' by closing it when not in use and not touching it at all to keep 'footage' clean. We also learnt crucially about 'zoom' and 'focus' training.

We were thought how to zoom into objects or people and then to allow us to get a better 'picture quality' by adjusting the focus to the right level of 'clarity'. We were also trained on how to get the best 'lighting' out of our footage by making sure the 'ND filter' is on and not off unless when the lens is exposed to alot of sunlight or else our footage will seem dark.

Thriller Sub-Genres

Thriller Genres

In order for my group an I to make a succesful thriller opening sequence we must be able to choose what type of thriller movie we would like to do, to allow us to put our main focus to that 'genre', instead of trying to mix a various genres together. i have selected a few in which i feel inspires me personally at the moment and which i believe that my group and I could do together;

• Action-Thriller: I've always loved the idea of creating an action thriller with a 'protagonist' and an 'antagonist', with the antagonist having a hold over the protagonist. It has always excited me however u have to realise that to create a good 'action thriller', a good 'budget' is required, whcih we don't have therefore out sequence would be limited in terms of 'action'.

• Psychological-Thriller: A 'psycho-thriller' is often the ideal genre looked on when making a short low to no budget film. The ability to limit 'physical action' but still create and 'intense' plot is the u.s.p. What intrigues me about psycho-thrillers is the balance of power is usually to the antagonist who has a 'mental' hold over the main antagonist and in some cases still wins the mental battle for example in psycho-thrillers like 'Se7en' and 'Inside man'. So the idea that the good guy doesn't always win attracts me to this 'sub-genre'.

• Political/Spy-Thriller: Although these can be seen as seperate sub-genres, i have put them together due to the fact that they both have similar 'conventions'. In 'spy-thrillers' like 'James Bond' and 'The Borne Identity' we see 'spys' who work for the 'security' of a 'goverment' against modern 'terrorism'. Also in 'politcal-thrillers' there is the idea about the 'protection' of a 'government/country' and it's right when it is put under pressure but terrorist. However political-thrillers also come under 'political espionage' which could involve an antagonist having a hold over a key 'political figure' due to 'infidelity' or 'treason' e.t.c.

"Although I have only stated 4 types
of thriller sub-genres i only did so due
to me having to limit options to the ones
i feel that i would enjoy making and
which my group and I could easily make
without the restrictions of budgeting or
a large cast. Especially Pscho-thrillers
and political/spy thrillers i really feel
i can have a lot of fun making them but
when it comes down to it i will have to
make a decision which will be very tough."