Genre Conventions

We tried to make our thriller unique but also used other conventions which we have picked up through our previous research into thriller films.
We have taken some of our genre ideas, from films such as:

• I Am Legend, because of the atmosphere and surroundings of the whole film. The plot is similar because everyone has disappeared.


• Flightplan, because of the dark, mysterious atmosphere. Although the plot is not the same at all.
  

Here are some conventions that we used in our thriller:

• A build up to the action
• Creation of fear
• Establishing the mood and atmosphere quickly
• Delay showing all the information to the viewer
• Creation of suspense using music

The Script For The Thriller

Our film is supposed to represent the use of silence and how it is used to get the audience involved and create an effect on them while they are watching it, but we do include a short piece of dialogue in the opening scene. If we were filming the rest of the film, this short dialogue would encourage the audience to keep on watching.

Here is the script below:
The main character picks up the phone and puts it to their ear.

Sarah Holt (main character): Who is this? What's going on?! (speaks quickly and with fear)
Voice (on the phone): Sarah Holt? (interrupts the main character)
Sarah Holt: ...Yes! (speaks hesitantly)
Voice: Look behind you!

The main character turns and looks through the bay window. The screen goes black before their scream is heard.

Filming Schedule

Here is our filming schedule for when we are recording, it was so we were organized with what we were doing:

Because the days get darker quicker we have decided to film the inside shots/scenes in the afternoon/evening of a Wednesday. This is because our film is not supposed to be set in the dark. Although if we did set it in the dark it would add a bit more mystery into it.
On the Monday we decided to film the outside shots/scenes because it will be lighter because it is during the day. This is how we wanted the lighting to be.
We will also be using some form of portable lighting so we can get the each shot with the right amount of light needed. This is vital because it will set the mood of that shot.
For example, if it is darker than needed it could bring a different mood, of what is going to happen, across the audience.
On the final Wednesday, we will just be finishing everything up. If we need to redo any of the shots that is the day for doing it, or if we need to add anything to the film.

If we finish filming everything before our deadline, that we set ourselves (Wednesday 20th), then it doesn't matter we can use the other sessions to make it better or start our editing process.

Planning of Location and Mise-en-scene

Location:
When we were choosing our location, we had to choose the right place very carefully because it will affect the mood of the shots.
Also where we film in the house is important, because if the rooms aren't similar spacing as the storyboard then it will be harder to film. We can always adapt how we are filming it.
We are locating our film on a small suburban road.
We will be using a semi-detached house and have asked other people down the road if we can use their houses to be in our film and to be used for filming in, and they very kindly said that we could.
We have made sure that the location of the house that we chose has a window, which over looks the road outside.

Bedroom:














Bed:














Bathroom:














Table:














Hallway:















Mise-En-Scene:
Some props that we are including in our film include, radio, TV, fusebox, phone and a dining table with half eaten food on it.
The lighting for our film is vital and if we do not achieve the right amount of light in each shot it could affect the whole mood of the film, and what the audience expect will happen.
The costumes for the character will need to be chosen and are important to how they react through out the film, but for our thriller, I think casual clothing will work well for the character.
We have also thought very carefully about where we are going to film from. The camera shots are very important and can make a big difference to the film, if they are affective at the right time.