Preliminary Task Video

For our preliminary task film, we used a variety of filming techniques to make it have a more professional feel. These shot types allow the audience to better understand what is going on within the camera’s view. To make sure the audience does not become disorientated by the movement of the camera, a method called the 180® Rule is used. The 180® Rule makes an invisible line within the scene that the camera does not cross at any point. This prevents the audience from becoming confused by the sudden switch of all of the characters positions.

The second technique we used was match on action to make the audience feel a connection with the character. Shot reverse shot allows the audience to understand what the character can see when he is entering the room. Finally, an over-the-shoulder shot during the conversation shows who is talking to whom. This gives the scene an easy to understand feel as you know who to be paying attention to. As the two characters leave, the camera follows them until they are out of the door, giving the scene an appropriate end.

Costumes

Hoodies can be  used to conceal the face which connotes anonymity. They also wear very similar styles of clothes, typically comfortable brand name clothing because they care about their image or "street cred". The similarity between many hoodies clothing allows them to slip into a crowd very easily. The stereotype of this kind of character is a selfish, anti-social thug. The picture below is a still from the film "Kidulthood". This is the film that gave us the inspiration to use a character type that is often percieved as being the bottom of society. However, we have challenged the sterotype by giving them a sense of loyalty to each other, showing that "hoodies" can have values too.

A suit connotes a strong connection within society and a high degree of respect. Anyone wearing a suit has a  professional look about them and is generally considered to be a well-standing member of society. The grey hair of the character connotes experience and sensibility. The steroetype of this character is a law-abiding citizen. The picture below is of James Cromwell's character in the 1997 thriller "L.A. Confidential". He plays a police officer who appears to be by-the-book. However, as the film progresses it is revealed that he is the mastermind behind large-scale corruption, including beating up potential criminals, within the police department. This character gave us the idea to have a seemingly law-abiding citizen who is secretly very sadistic and controlling.

Thriller Location Images

 Canted shot connotes confusion.

 Graffiti connotes corruption and seedyness.

Shabby looking, estate style shopping area connotes a bad neighbourhood.

 Wet streets are a typical convention of thrillers.

Block of flats looks run down.

 Bare trees show that the area is lifeless.

These pictures were taken at our filming location by Maddie and myself.

Analysis Of The Opening Scenes In One Upon A Time in America (1984)

The concealment of the majority of her face highlights the parts that are visible while the light reflecting off the pearl necklace is a good use of chiaroscuro.

The light of the lamp is the same colour as her clothing, this connotes that there is some kind of symbiosis between the woman and the lamp. This is further implied when the light is turned out after she is killed. The rule of thirds is also used effectively.

The angle of the shot connotes that the men are in a much more powerful position. Also, her prone body at the bottom of the shot frames the rest of the scene very well, emphasising the importance of the men. Examples of typical noir style clothing are present, as this wass the most common type of clothing at the time the film is set.

A shot of the elevator shaft with the elevator descending connotes a sense of claustrophobia. This shows that the general outlook of the film is negative as several tragic events take place in a short time at the beginning of the film.

A canted worm’s eye first person view connotes several things. For example, the canted angle of the shot shows that the person from whom the view is being taken is disoriented. Also, the very low worm’s eye shot shows the man to be much stronger and more powerful.

Briefcases are a typical aspect of thrillers, especially noir, as they connote mystery. It is impossible to know what is in a briefcase without opening it and an entire story can be based on wanting to know what is in a suitcase alone.

*Pictures aren't uploading, I'll add them later.

Preliminary Task Storyboard

 Subject 1 walking towards doors.

 Subject 1's hand pushing open door.

 Subject 2's viewpoint of Subject 1 walking through door.

 Over-the-shoulder shot of Subject 2 from Subject 1's viewpoint.

Over-the-shoulder shot of Subject 1 from Subject 2's viewpoint.

 Final shot of Subject 1 and 2.

Summary Of Ideas For Original Thriller Plan

Open with girl walking down road

Cut to girl walking into shop complex

Cut to hoodies in the middle of the way out

Cut to shot of alleyway

Cut to girl walking into alleyway

Cut to shadow across girls face

Cut to large figure at end of alleyway

Cut to figure attacking girl

Cut to hoodies running towards alleyway

Cut to figure running away

Cut to hoodies trying to help girl

Cut to figure escaping in car

Cut back to hoodies trying to help girls; sirens in the background

Cut to hoodies running away

Cut to hoodies footprint in the mud

End

Final Advert Evaluation

Several of the aspects of the advert are used to persuade potential customers to buy it. For example, the plane, which represents the customer, is shown high above the clouds. This connotes that using the product will bring success and allow the customer to experience a heightening of their social standing. Another example of this is the use of diagonals to bring the customers eyes towards the image of the product itself. The name of the product was chosen because it is a Latin word. The Latin language is commonly associated with extravagance and the upper echelons of society. This further enhances the connotation of success. The name itself has several meanings, “high, matured, great, deep, noble, ancient, old and secret”. All of these can be seen as a positive label to be associated with and therefore promotes the sense of being at the top. The combination of the name and tag, “Altus, the fragrance of success”, works because it rolls off the tongue and the tag itself highlights the selling point that the product will improve the customers’ life.

The advert would have been impossible had the aeroplane not been invented in the early 20th century. Nor would I have been able to get a sufficient picture of it if the capability of zooming in to take a picture was possible. The use of a digital camera made the taking and editing of the picture a much easier process while the Photoshop program allowed editing to become an extremely simple task.

In global media, the use of digital cameras allow for pictures to be taken in quick succession which mean that more can be captured. Photoshop gives the opportunity to edit a picture to alter its meaning or remove anything that may cause detriment to the pictures meaning. Unfortunately, this has also allowed pictures to be altered so much that things look completely different to the original image. This offers a skewed representation of what many people see as something they should aspire to. Also, the knowledge of how to use Photoshop means that people no longer see the magic of a picture which means that it takes more effort to make an advert that suitably interests potential customers.

The Internet and blogging allow anyone to express their opinions on anything. Therefore, anyone with similar ideas to another can communicate and express themselves in ways that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. However, blogging can cause problems when someone with radically alternative views tries to sway people to see things in the same way as them and could lead to serious consequences.

The target audience of my product is the higher tiers of society. Aspirers, who want to feel they are at the top will consider the product an aid towards reaching the top, and Achievers, who are at the top and want to reinforce their social standing, are the primary target groups. As a result of this, the target group will fall into the A and B social groups, and will mostly be 30 plus.

The ideology behind the advert spurs from the connection of flying and succeeding, which is utilised in the plane flying high above the clouds. The best places to place the advert in order that the target audience see it are business districts of larger cities and on public transport going towards these areas. Another good place to put the advert is on billboards in major cities and on key motorways and roads. This will allow prospective customers to see the advert without having to go out of their way and will mean that there will be more time to buy the product without sacrificing time that could be spent improving their standard of living, in the case of aspirers, or maintaining it, for achievers.