Why Death Watch?

Choice of our Thriller Title - Death Watch

"Death Watch" is the title of my group's thriller film. My group and I believe that "Death Watch" is a suitable choice of our film as it is also the name of a woodboring beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum).

The beetle creates a tapping or ticking sound which is used to attract mates. This sound can be heard in the rafters of old buildings on quiet summer nights.

The beetle can then be associated with quiet, sleepless nights and are named for the vigil (watch) (from the Latin vigilia, meaning wakefulness) kept beside the dying or dead.

The 'death watch' beetle is also mentioned in the film "Practical Magic" (1998) and its characteristic ticking sound serves as the harbinger of death. 

The choice of the title name for our thriller could possibly touch the fear within the audience as they might understand the meaning behind the name of our thriller title.

Opening to a New Thriller Film - My group's Edits

Opening to a New Thriller Film - My group's Edits

The videos below are mine and group member James Kent's edit to our "Opening to a New Thriller Film".

We have both explored different techniques to editing our clips. Our outcomes have been very different and also very unique. This leaves us with a better choice to decide on our final video to present to the exam board.

I like the choice of soundtrack in James' edit (same soundtrack - different section). This is because this section of soundtrack sounds almost religious and 'church-like'. This adds a ghostly feel to the atmpsphere in the opening sequence and also a chilling mood.

My edit, however, uses a more 'up-beat' section of the soundtrack. I particulaly like the drum beats and paste. The rondo is very similar to the rondo used in the soundtrack for "Jaws" (1975).

James' Edit:

Austen's Edit:

Font Type for Titles

Font Types for Titles

  

Below are two images which portray the type of font which I will be using in my edit for the "Opening for a New Thriller Film". I have typed out the alphatbet in both capitals and lower case to show the differences between the two. This is very important because then I can choose either to have the titles in capitals which would be very bold and eye catching or 'normally', by using a capital and then lower case. For example, I will use the name "working title" to visually show the difference.

1. "WORKING TITLE"
2. "Working Title"

The font is called "321impact". The font is very bold. This is useful as then it'll hopefully capture the audience's adtention.
The font choice was inspired by the font and style of the mise-en-scene used in the title sequence of "Essex Boys" (2000). The style of font which I have chosen is very 'gritty'. The look of the font can be represented as if a teenager has used a spary can to display the words onto a wall as graffiti art. Much like the vertical lines used in the title sequence of "Essex Boys" (2000).

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

I've found great soundtracks from http://incompetech.com/m/c/royalty-free/. I have found a piece of music which is called "Interloper". All soundtracks/music scores are produced by Kevin MacLeod, unless otherwise stated. The below images are evidence of investigating soundtracks and a few common Q&As (questions and awnsers) which Kevin has created which may possibly affect my group's opening to a new thriller film production. Please click on each image to enlarge them so they are then readable.

Second Edit to "Opening to a New Thriller Film"

Second Edit to "Opening to a New Thriller Film"

The video below is my version of editing of my group's "Opening to a New Thriller Film". This is our second edit so far. This edit includes our most recent shots that include the snow.

I plan to add more titles and effects, such as video transitions to finalise this version of my edit. There are a number of cuts which are to be made as the 'snow' scene felt as if it has just been put into the opening to make it longer. Prehaps I could add titles between each shot to make it look more dramatic and professional.

Investigating Soundtrack - Investigating Copyright

Investigating Soundtrack - Investigating Copyright

Myself and James where originally going to use soundtracks from www.freeplaymusic.com. We both carefully looked at their licence agreements on their website to figure out if we can, or can not use tracks from the site. We found this process rather difficult, so we then decided to e-mail Mr.Seal (one of the media studies teachers) to help us investigate this important issue.

Below I have embedded the content from the emails. Please click on the Show/Hide (spoiler bar) buttons to display these images. The please click the image to enlarge the selection. This then means that the content is readable.

Alliteratively, open one image up. Then use Blogspot's viewing option by clicking on the arrows on either side.

Please notice that the screen shots have been edited to hide any personal information that should not be shared publicly - such as email addresses, specific names, places, personal information such as date of birth and postcode addresses unless given authorized permission was/is granted. (If any more information that needs to be covered e.g. "g.seal". Please message me via an email and I will proceed to do so).

Images are at bottom of post. (Please view images at this stage. Thank you).

The result is rather disappointing, and rather costly if we chose to pay the fee! However, Myself and James have other possible choices for soundtrack's which use a Creative Commons licence.

Myself and James' progress is very stable. Because our clips are around 95% completed in editing them together, we can start to focus on fonts of titles and finding/using more possible soundtracks. 

Editing Progress

Editing Progress

Myself and James continued to edit on the school's computers today (20th Feb 2012) and it was very successful. We applied a black and white filter to our clips. We applied a b/w filter because we believe the contrast in these two colours (black and white) create a stronger mood in the mise-en-scene and also establishes a 'gritty' and 'dark' theme throughout.  

We also managed to include scenes which we recently filmed in this edit. These are the scenes which featured the characters Austen and James in a snowy location. This then extended our opening to a total duration of 1minute 50secs (about), whereas without these clips it was 1minute 20sec.

A vast improvement indeed!

New Footage/New Scenes

New Footage/New Scenes

Myself and James have recently filmed new footage to extend our "Opening To A New Thriller Film" as we needed to have a longer viewing time. These new shots include both the victim - Austen, and his 'follower' - James.

These new shots where filmed in a snowy outdoor location. Because the location is completely different and also the weather and costume, our opening film has a sense of movement in time. 

By doing this, we can tell our audience that James has been following Austen for a long time whereas originality we had no explanation about the pair's relationship and past. This will then build up a deeper feeling of tension and suspense to the film's climax as James gets closer and closer to Austen.

Playlist can be found on YouTube using this link:
 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA5C38EEC83C01FA&feature=mh_lolz 

(Please note: Do not stop the video. 
It'll automatically show/play the next video after the first has finished and so on)
(Total duration: 1:56)

           

If The Soundtrack Choice Isn't 'Right'?

What Happens If The Soundtrack 

Choice Isn't 'Right'?
(Independent research)

This post relates back to my eailer post named: 

"The Importance of an 'Excellent' Soundtrack Within a Film"
This post can be viewed HERE.

It also includes information about the opening of Jackie Brown (1997).
You can view my case study HERE.

If the soundtrack used with a selected clip doesn't fit well, or even isn't even 'right' for the scene, then the whole atmosphere, mood, setting, and mise-en-scene is completely lost.

For example, the opening of "Jackie Brown" (1997) uses an upbeat, powerful, and jazz-like non-diegectic soundtrack called "Across 110th Street" by Bobby Womack (birth name: Bobby Dwayne Womack). It immediately establishes the character of  Jackie Brown as being glamorous, upbeat and lively. 

However, thanks to the director Quentin Tarantino, he has offered an alternative opening sequence in the DVD extras.

He uses the opening to represent the film very differently. He shows us that if a different soundtrack was used, the whole opening loses the correct atmosphere and setting for the rest of the film. The opening of a film is very important as it hooks the audiences' attention. 

Instead, he shows the film's genre as being more a comedy because of Jackie Brown's comical movements and by using "Miserlou" by "Dick Dale" as the soundtrack. Whereas the original is very serious because Jackie Brown is standing still without movement because she is working
(has a job) and moving along a treadmill.

Even through the alternative soundtrack is also very upbeat and powerful due to the use of an electric guitar and the paste of the music, it may capture her upbeat personality, however it still doesn't exactly 'capture' Jackie Brown's characteristics. Whereas in the original, the audience finds it very hard to read Jackie Brown as her facial expression and pose is very neutral.

This is why it is important to pick the correct type of soundtrack to use in mine and James' thriller opening. To keep the audience in suspense and wanting to watch the rest of the film to find out more information about the characters, story, and even how the genre of the film is represented.

Filming (30th/01/2012) - New Scenes

Filming (30th/01/2012) - New Scenes

Today, myself and James went to re-shoot one of our exciting shots as the original was slightly shaky. We also managed to film a few new scenes to make our "Opening to a New Thriller Film" longer. 


These scenes included:

• An extreme close up of eyes.
• An extreme close up of breathing - with water vapor.
• A tilted pan shot of a figure putting on gloves.
• A van driving into, and out of our thriller location. 
• A scene where the victim is 'dragged' along the floor.
  

Below are the new scenes which myself and James filmed:

You can view the whole list of videos we filmed on the 30th/01/2012 on YouTube using the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL96D835AF46D75B68

1: Extreme close up of eyes

(Austen filmed)

Practice:

Final Version:

2: Extreme close up of breathing - with water vapor

(Austen filmed)

Version 1

The following two shots below might contain a slight movement. This is not an error. I did this on purpose. The reason why I did this was because as the scene is a close up of someone's mouth breathing, the movement with the camera represents the movement of the mouth as it breathes in, and outwards with them. This creates a sense of realism.

Version 2:

3: tilted pan shot of a figure putting on gloves

(Austen Filmed)

One take

Filming Evidence:

4: van driving into, and out of our thriller location

(Austen filmed)

(Number plate/s are NOT visible)

5: victim is 'dragged' along the floor
(James filmed)

We've chosen to include this shot as it'll build up suspense and create a cliff hanger at the end of our opening. We hope to cut to this shot after the 'dramatic' appearance of the titles - Thus creating a frightening cliff hanger to hook the viewer.

Oh the horror, the horror I tell you! The sacrifices I have to make for the 

'magical' wonders of film making!

Mum should be pleased!

It's worth it through!

Filming (30th/01/2012) - Practice makes perfect

Filming (30th/01/2012)

Comparing Visually - Old Shots With Re-Shoots

Today, myself and James went to re-shoot one of our exciting shots as the original was slightly shaky. We also managed to film a few new scenes to make our "Opening to a New Thriller Film" longer. 

These scenes included:

• An extreme close up of breathing - with water vapor.
• An extreme close up of eyes.
• A tilted pan shot of a figure putting on gloves.
• A van driving into, and out of our thriller location. 
• A scene where the victim is 'dragged' along the floor.  

Another post about these shots/scenes will be uploaded sometime soon. This is because this post is about comparing how my skills in filming have improved with a scene where our character called James (who is following the victim), has to walk along a pathway.

Here is the playlist link on YouTube for quick and easy access: 
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL96D835AF46D75B68&feature=view_all

My ability to film has greatly improved. These where very tricky shots to pull off. This is because I almost had to lay down on the ground completely. However, in the end, the final shot which I filmed turned out to be the best so far out of the lot.

To prove how difficult it was, please divert your attention to the following image on your right.

Original Scene:

All Re-shoots Of The Above Scene:


(Please note: Do not stop the video.
It'll automatically show the next video after the first has finished and so on)

         

Final Try - Best Shot

This was the best re-shoot scene I filmed. I manged to manually focus it on time and also the camera isn't as shaky as in the previous shots - practice makes perfect. Myself and James wanted the scene to have a slight tilt of a tree stump in focus, then I'd focus onto the pair of feet/legs that enter the scene. This would draw the audience's attention onto the pair of feet to show their significance within the thriller opening. I managed to pulled this off with very careful timing and a lot of practice.

Rough Edit - Opening to a New Thriller Film

Rough Edit - "Opening to a New Thriller Film"

After myself and James filmed the majority of our "Opening to a New Thriller Film", James had a go at editing a rough draft.


We still have 2 or 3 more scenes to film so that the opening has a longer viewing time, as it is quite short at the moment at only around 1:25 minutes long. Also we need to take more care when trying to do tracking/pan shots as these contained very shaky camera movements.  On the bright side, at least we have a few more ideas which we can film and hopefully expand the viewing time to around a target of 1:40 minutes.


We've created both a colored and black and white version. Myself and James have both agreed that the black and white version creates a stronger mood within the mise-en-scene and adds depth to our shots. We have chosen to use black and white from now on.

The black and white creates a dark mysterious atmosphere and setting then it did in colour. Because of this, we can relate our opening as a very strong intertextual reference to "The Third Man" because of the use of good chiaroscuro lighting and the use of a vanishing point along a pathway with trees either side.

This is only a brief rough edit to see what our film actually looks like. We've done this so that Myself and James can see what needs improvement and to visualize how we'd like our final outcome to look.


We hope to finalize our edit sometime in the near future, with the addition of a sound effect that consists an "answering machine sound/voice" for when the victim trys to call home or a friend yet gets no response, or even having someone call the 'victim'. We hope this will add more tension and suspense to the opening.

We may also cut and edit clips to be either included or not, plus any re-shoots which we need to do and with the additions of any new scenes. These will be included in a second edit which will be uploaded sometime in the future.


Notice:

• Final edit will have a higher picture quality.
  
  
• Our finalized edit will also include a soundtrack.

Colour version:

Black and White Version:

An Inspirational Idea

Dolly Zoom?

While filming, myself and James attempted to recreate the dramatic camera technique - The Dolly Zoom.

I came up with an inspiring idea while filming which could/would replace a close up of the "murderer's" face. Instead, we'll have a Dolly Zoom onto the "victim's" face to show his response because he looked at the "murderer" who is about to hit and make the victim unconscious.

Because of this change, it'll create an enigma similar to the Shark used in "Jaws (1975)" - to use the imagination of the audience to create their own interpretation of how the "murderer's" face looks like, instead of showing it which we where originally going to do. By using the audience's imagination, the whole opening and scene becomes far more threatening and personal to the viewer as they could possibly imagine a figure from one of their nightmares.

The Dolly Zoom attempts to undermine normal visual perception. It is achieved when the camera moves towards an object, while zooming out at the same rate and time, and also vise-versa.

This technique was firstly seen in "Alfred Hitchcock's" psychological thriller film "Vertigo". However, the first appearance of a Dolly Zoom onto a character's face to portray emotion such as shock was purely unique to "Jaws".

We've chosen to try and include this shot as it's very effective to show a character's facial expressions and emotions, whereas other shots are not dramatically effective.

The most recognized example of this wonderful shot is from "Jaws (1975)". It's used to show the lifeguard's (actor: Roy Scheider's) emotion and fright when he sees the shark attack. The shot adds dramatic tension for the audience and scene. 

Many thanks to group member James Kent who filmed the following shots. I tried myself, but overall, he had the best results.

Patrice Shot:

Actual Shot:

Importance of an 'Excellent' Soundtrack + Soundtrack Ideas

The Importance of an 'Excellent' Soundtrack 
Within a Film

Soundtracks in films is one way in-which the director can communicate with the audience to tell them exactly how to think and feel while viewing a particular scene or scenes.

A classic example of how important the soundtrack within a film which can create a frightening atmosphere, tension, suspense, horror, and most important of all, the heart-pounding thrilling feeling has to be from.......

Jaws (1975).

From the use of shark infested waters that create wide open spaces of no escape which challenge thriller conventions, the appearance of the Dolly Zoom, and of course, the most recognized convention of all, the use of an enigma - the shark itself by using the imagination of the audience.

Jaws was directed by one of the most famous film makers of our time, Steven Spielberg. 

He employed the Oscar winning composer, John Williams (Johnny Williams) whose produced and created some of the most iconic soundtracks of film history. Famous tracks include the themes for: "Harry Potter", "Star Wars" and "E.T". His first ever soundtrack was for "Lost in Space" (1960's). 

The soundtrack used in the opening scene of Jaws sets an atmosphere of ever closing danger. The tension is so unbearable that you're literally gasping for air, while frantically gripping onto your seat - that's if, you're still in it of course! 


This is the type of effect myself and James wish to achieve for our "Opening to a New Thriller Film". 

Here is the full theme tune/soundtrack of "Jaws (1975)":

Here is part of the opening scene which visually shows the impact of using a dramatic soundtrack that creates suspense and tension:

Soundtrack Ideas

1) "House of Evil.mp3" - From "http://www.audionautix.com/".

All music in this online collection created by Jason Shaw. Released under Creative Commons license 3.0
You are free to use the music (even for commercial purposes) as long as you credit
“ audionautix.com” where possible.
Music must be part of some other created works. No further permission is required.

This soundtrack starts off with a great feel - The feeling which would be expressed in music as if you're all alone and vulnerable. This shall establish the atmosphere and setting.

Even if this soundtrack is only 00:55 seconds long, and is most likely too short for our production. It is a good available option encase myself and James would like to use it. We could always edit it so that the middle section is longer. 


2) "Spooky-abience-with-heartbeat.mp3" by "Blacklizard77" from "http://www.freesound.org/".

Freesound is a collaborative database of Creative Commons Licensed sounds. Browse, download and share sounds.

This soundtrack is again, rather short. However, the drum beats at 0:08 for example will be great for the dramatic entrance of the "stalker's" feet. The heart-beats throughout the soundtrack, even if they are quiet, add suspense and tension for the audience - much like the two musical notes used in the soundtrack for "Jaws (1975)".

Filming Evidence (pictures) (23rd/01/2012)

Filming Evidence

(pictures) (23rd/01/2012)

Filming:

Date: 

23/01/2012

Location: 

Outside of "The Hewett School" - Ipswich Road.

Actors: 

Myself (Austen Nuttall) and group member James Kent.
Help:
Abi Skinner (Hewett), Sam Barker (Hewett).

Time: 

During Media Studies lesson (period 1 and 2) (9am - 11am).
Weather:

Clear early in the morning, low sunrise, rainy afternoon.

A very special thanks to "Abi Skinner" and "Sam Barker". 

Sam helped us film the scene with an over the shoulder shot where James is "following" me towards the container - we couldn't of done it without him.  We carefully instructed Sam how to use the camera and how to position it to get the effect we needed as if it was our own. 

Also, Abi, for taking the following images to be used as evidence of our group's filming.