AS Thriller Evaluation

Using Microsoft Word, Blogger, and Prezi, I have created an evaluation of my AS Thriller project. I filmed (using a HP webcam) two parts of the evaluation, uploaded the videos to YouTube, and included them in the relevant blog posts. 

Within a group, I had to research, plan and create an opening sequence to a thriller film, which includes a soundtrack and credits. The sequence had to be (up to) 2 minutes long. My group and I edited our film on Final Cut Pro X. My group members were myself, Lily Badcock, and Jazz Chrystie. The production roles involved with the film-making and editing process of the opening sequence were: producers, directors, actors, director of photography, sound producers/music, screenplay writer, mise-en-scene co-ordinators, and editors.

A producer prepares for the making of a film, and supervises the making of the film. Producers sometimes hire an executive producer due to time demands. A producer also has the final say with hiring a film director. The director visualizes the script and controls the film’s artistic and dramatic aspects. Actors are the people visible on screen in the film, who act out the script. The director of photography operates the camera and controls the lighting of the set and the visual look of the film. The sound producer controls what sounds are used in the film and where they are placed. The sound producer mostly participates during the editing stage, however, a plan of sounds that will be used in the film is made before filming, and during the editing stage, the sound producer follows this plan. Music [producer] decides and/or composes the music that is used in the film. The screenplay writer writes the script for the film. The mise-en-scene co-ordinator controls the mise-en-scene - every part of the physical environment of the frame. Lastly, editors add the footage together, cut unwanted parts out, and add transitions, credits and sound.

I was my group’s director of photography, lead editor, and sound producer, as well as an actress. I was responsible for operating the camera, creating good lighting for the shots, being the person who does the most editing on the film, controlling which sounds are used in the film, and acting in the film. I learned how to use a camera and tripod, how to edit using Final Cut Pro X, how to cut and place audio into specific parts of the sequence, and how to create credits for the sequence.

My group worked well together. All problems, such as filming schedule changes, were solved, and the filming/editing process was generally smooth. We had no internal or personal conflicts, which aided the process of making this film sequence.

I feel that the thriller we made was quite successful, in relation to the conventions used. However, parts of the film, such as incorporating a female killer, challenged thriller genre conventions. Our film did follow thriller conventions, nonetheless, in the categories of settings & iconography (isolated location and classic kitchen knife for a weapon), hidden identity [of the killer], low-key lighting (to create suspense and uneasiness), unexpected twists (bride is a killer), and cinematography (such as handheld camera shots and canted angles).