Film Music

We had to ensure that the music in our thriller opening is non-copyright so we do not get involved in any trouble for using music without correct permission. There are a few websites in which we can get non-copyright music from. However to get access for the music we had to sign up to the websites and contact the creator of the music to ask for permission.
The websites which we could retrieve the music from include:

Www.Mobygratis.com

Www.Freeplaymusic.com


Www.Newgrounds.com

Www.Unsigned.com

Meltdown StoryBoard

This is the storyline for our thriller opening. This is illustrates the plot that the film will follow and what shots will be included in our opening. This storyboard acts as a guideline for us to follow when filming to save time and give us direction. We have incorporated the storyboard into a short animatic accompanied by music to help convey the spy thriller, which is the genre of our opening.

Conventions/Features of a Thriller

Some film-makers will claim that 'there are no rules' or that 'rules are there to be broken'. However, most would agree that there are certain conventions that mainstream films observe in order for them to be acceptable to the mass audience.


The features of a thriller include:

• Action
• Suspense
• Shock
• Fast-paced
• Tension
• Fights
• High-speed chases
• Cliffhangers
• P.O.V
• Femme Fatale's
• Protagonist (Hero)
• Antagonist (Villan)
• Death
• Problem (enigma's)
• Kidnapping
• Explosions
• Mind Games
• Dramatic Music
• Trade-offs

These are the main features of a thriller.

Risk Assesment

Meltdown

Client: A Level Media Studies

Writer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco
Producer: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco

Director: Bradley Williams & Nicolas Orozco

Date: 20.01.2012


Major Issues

Filming at:

We will be filming at Robert Clack leisure centre. This location has a road along the outside of it, which could be a risk to safety as there is the possibility of an accident. Also the equipment could get damaged if not looked after properly.

Solutions:

We can ensure that we don’t film on the road and we can keep a close eye on our surroundings to make sure we don’t get in any accident. Also we have to keep the equipment safe and secure so it doesn’t get damaged. We can do this by ensuring that when the equipment is not in use we will keep it in its correct packaging and out of the way of any roads.

Emergency services:

On Site Services:

Local Police: 999

Local Fire: 999

Local Hospital: 999

Treatment Sheet

This is the treatment sheet for our thriller. It indicates the aspects of the film that we have to plan before we begin filming. This sheet is used to outline our ideas and list what props, actors and other accessories we will need for the film. In addition we justify our ideas in relation to the thriller genre.

Analysis of past students work

This is my analysis of past students 'Thriller Opening' work, it is a film called 'The Night Walker'. This opening begins by showing someone playing music on a piano, to the same melody and rhythm as the music playing throughout the clip. The person playing the piano had bandaged, bloodstained hands which conveys a sinister atmosphere. 
  The music is used to build up suspense, which will entice the audience. They use shots of the person cutting up pictures, which further conveys the sinister nature of the film and further builds suspense.The identity of the person is never revealed which keeps the audience thinking and interested. They mostly use music in this clip to portray the atmosphere as there is minimal dialogue. Diegetic sound is used. 
  In addition, the camera movement is impressive as it is clear that they did not use a tripod and simply carried the handheld camera, making it harder to keep steady but they did a good job and the slight shaking gives the film a rough edge which goes well with the theme.

Shadow Of A Doubt

In class we watched and analysed a clip of the film Shadow Of A Doubt. This is one of Alfred Hitchcock's many famous films.

• There is people dancing in the clip.
• The characters are wearing old looking clothes which shows that the film is set in the early 1900s.
• The film is in black and white re-enforces the fact that the film is quite old.
• The music is also most commonly associated with the 1900s.
• Hitchcock shows a street, then a building, then a window, and finally a man lying on the bed. With each shot we get closer to seeing the main character.
• When we see the main character we see money lying around on the floor, which shows he is wealthy but doesn't care too much for the money.
• He is well dressed and smoking a cigar, so he obviously lives a wealthy life, but he seems to be depressed and lifeless.