Evaluation question 7

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Evaluation question 6

Evaluation question 5

Evaluation question 4

Evaluation question 3

Evaluation question 2

Evaluation question 1

I had to film this question again because my first video wouldn't upload...

Evaluation of Final Production

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

We challenged the genre's conventions by introducing the Killer first, before the victim. We wished the audience to understand that a sinter action was imminent, influencing them to continue watching for their own curiosity. By prolonging the Killers introduction, through lengthy shots, we suspended the audience long enough for them to want to watch more.

We followed the convention of having a masked intruder, dressed in black, to help the audience read and understand the situation and add a sense of mystery to our Killer, intriguing them.

Using suspenseful music helped grasp the audience, creating the suspense intended.

The convention of having a young, naive, blonde female was used to help the audience understand the situation and immediately differentiate between the characters.
 

We met the convention of having a twist in or introduction. We lead the audience to believe that the female had been murdered and intensionally surprised them through the twist. However, when the blonde girl woke up from the dream it became a reality as the Killer appeared again.

Although our production is a Thriller/Horror genre, we did not use gore, like blood, but we did use a mask which I have previously said that goes with the merged genre.

Finally, we used a cliff hanger at the end, meeting again with the conventions of the genre. 

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The blonde is normally the victim in our chosen genre, this links in with our female character, Chloe, as she is a young attractive blonde student. Most young london women are confident walking home at night but in this case Chloe is the victim. In the script Chloe uses London/UK slang expressions, 'init'. An American/European audience may not understand this slang but hopefully, because of their knowledge of the  conventions of the genre they should still be able to grasp the concept. Our company however, made a deliberate decision to use LondonUK slang because we thought young British voices weren't being heard and we thought we could use this platform to represent their voice.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

We decided as a company that the best institution that would work would be Lions Gate Entertainment Corperation, because the main genres that they focus on are the thriller/horror genres, which is the genres we merged for our introduction. I believe that the Corperation will help us to produce the actual film that we would like to do because they have produced several films e.g. SAW. They would also help our company produce and distribute the film into the media world, one of our companies goals. 

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Our target audience are unisex, 15-20 year olds and and they belong to the C2-E social grade. This is mainly because we expect them to be either students who have part-time jobs, students in eductation or unemployed teenagers.

The interests of our audience includes:

Shopping at the local stores or at the corner shops, this links in with the income of the audience, watching interesting films/movies related to our genre which is the thriller/ horror, listening to specific music of their taste. Both of these interests will help us to understand our audience and produce the task correctly.

Music [average]: Our audience focuses on any type of the music depending on their tastes. There are a variety of music genres that they like to listen to e.g. Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul, 90's and many more.

Social Background: Our audience come under C2-E social grade. Their social status is working class or unemployment, as they are students, some of them do not work and some of them work earning lowest wedges.

Income: For our audience this comes under students that might study at university and might have a job that its weges do not go over £21,000 a year. However they could also include students that do not go to school but may have a job which gives them little income for their needs.

How did you attract/address your audience? 

We did research into different types of thrillers films and their introduction to see how they begin and to have an idea of what people want to expect in the type of genre we used. Our beginning was really tense for the audience; making them involved in the production straight away and making them want to carry on watching. We kept the tension throughout the whole video but having several close ups of facial reaction, point of view shots, tracking the killer and a lot more. As we see the killer in the mask walking around the room; we also see him with a weapon which is a knife being dropped on the bed and then picked up. This can be seen as a slight twist because first we see him dropping the knife on the bed which gives audience a feeling that he will not use it. However then he picks the knife up and leaves the room which creates more tension for the audience making them aware that we wants to kill the blond girl. The non- diagetic heart beat music creates a tense atmosphere for the audience. Linking this with the scream towards the end, kept the audience guessing if the blond girl has been killed on not. We attracted the audience by making a twist at the end and left the audience on a cliff hanger. Once the audience see that she wakes up from a nightmare, it suggests that nothing bad happened and there is a relief. However the killer appears again and leaves the audience on a cliff hanger at the end of the production asking them selves how did he get there and was the blond girl killed. This makes them want to see the next bit of the video.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have learnt many things from this production. I have learnt how to use a camera, how to change the positions to create the shots needed and the amount of shots needed for a proper production. I used Logic pro to make original sound for the production, and learnt how to compose, merge, edit and create music. These technologies have helped me understand the film-making process and have given me new insights into the media world.


Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at the preliminary task, it looks like we have made a huge improvement seeing that our first production was only 30 seconds long and the final production was 2 minutes long. We used a lot more variety of shots and we created a longer script as well as the storyboard. I find now that I am more confident with Logic pro than I was in the preliminary and I think i am more confident and aware of shots for the genre. and sound for the genre.
I focused more on different types of shots, sounds and script writing to make the production seem professional and go with the genre.
I am glad that we had more footage, giving us more to edit and have a longer video than the preliminary. I have learnt to be more patient with the production and my fellow company members and I have become more confident with the production.

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Focus Group for our Final Production

We have now competed our Final Production Video. We showed the video to a group of people that we aimed at, to see what they say about our video. How can it be improved and whats good and bad about it. We had people saying that our video was quite interesting and was just the right length. 

Other people said that when the girl was talking outside we couldn't hear her properly which made it difficult for them to know whats going on in this scene. They have also mentioned that our sound went really good with the genre and was really scary at some parts.

Our focus group also mentioned that the camera work was steady and you could watch the video without any issues. Some of the shots used were really interesting including the point of view shot used when the killer watches the victim.

Our audience were really happy with the way we used the twist at the end of the video, making them want to find out what will happen next and was the girl killed or not.

Another comment we had from our focus group was about the editing. All the clips that we cut and put together worked well and there was no problems with any of the clips and in between the clips. The titles at the end were really interesting and made the video look professional because of colours and effects used.

Overall the focus group was really helpful with the feedback. For our next production we will try to think about all the things that they said in order to meet their needs and wants.

Keep following :)

Final production

We have completed the video for our final production. Unfortunately, I was unable to upload the video to Blogger, so I have posted the link bellow:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SQH3z48qSo

The video works on youtube :)

Enjoy and keep following :)

Non-diagetic sounds and music for Final Production

The composition for our companies introduction that I was previously unsure of has been dis-guarded for our final production, however, I still believe it was a vital practise that aided me with the next few compositions.

I firstly listed what I needed for the non-diagetic sounds:

1. A heartbeat - possibly sped up
2. Atmospherically suspenseful sound-scape
3. Thrilling music - identifiable for the Killer

I secondly listened to all of the individual available sounds on the programme, searching for base rhythms that could stimulate emotions I wanted on my list. Once I had found these, I dragged them onto the editing section. Then I searched for both slow and fast paced rhythms, to merge with the base. Once found, to narrow my selection, I combined them to test which sounds went well with others and which sounds were not as useful. This was a long-winded process, although I did enjoy it and became excited nearing the finished possible sounds.


This is a  screen shot of the heartbeat sound used in our final production in logic pro

Bellow is a screen shot of the sound-scape for the Killer's introduction, a suspenseful piece, exemplifying the Killer's abnormal behaviour and indicating his intentions; creating the scene of impending doom for our victim.

This is a screen shot of the intended heartbeat used as the Killer approaches the victim; in-co-operating a pulse underneath the heartbeat made a suspenseful atmospheric effect, I created this to encourage stimulation of the audiences heartbeat.

  

Having completed the sounds through Logic Pro, I double checked with Patrycja, the editor, who agreed and copied them on her pen-drive to edit and merge them with the intended clips.

I can't wait to hear and see the final production!

Keep following :)

Practising with Logic Pro

I began to experiment with Logic Pro at 10.00am, an application that allows you to create your own music. I wanted to have an original sound track that involved conventions of the thriller genre, suspense and tension. My first practise is below: 

 

This exercise was a personal test. It helped me familiarise myself with the programme and explore the variety of sounds available. I tested the music on other members of the group to see if I had correctly merged the sounds to create the particular effect. I enjoyed mixing the sounds because I could create numerous compositions that had numerous effects upon the listener.

The next image is of a possible sound which may be used for our companies introduction to the final 2 minute introduction:

Although having spent an hour listening and editing this, I am still unsure of the composition. It may sound too strong an impact, and the overlapping sounds may be overwhelming for the listener. 

This composition, even if dis-guarded for the final production, has proved to be an additional practise; which is always a plus!

Keep following :)

Filming Entry 3

Today we filmed more inside the house.

We carried on with Chloe going up the stairs and continued with various camera shots of her walking to her room. Once completed, we filmed Chloe in her room. At this point, our company realised that we needed to use the script as more of a guide than specifically follow it. This would aid the editing because we would have more camera shots to choose from; giving us a lengthier introduction.

Here are a list of short, improvised interactions for Chloe and the shots used with them:

• Texting her friend;

close up (CU), point of view (POV), Mid and an Over the shoulder (OTS) shot.

• Reading a magazine;

POV, Mid, CU, long shot (LS)

• Jumping/laying on the bed;

PAN, LS, track, aerial shots.

• Taking off her shoes;

CU, Mid, extreme close up (EXCU) .

• Looking through her wardrobe;

POV, CU, Mid, LS

• Gazing out the window;

POV, CU, Mid, high angle of outside (HA).

We spent more than an hour on this; getting the continuity right and filming the same shot at least 3 times for the editing process, roughly creating 10 minutes of filming.

 

Although it was hard work I enjoyed it because it meant we were thorough for this section

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Filming Entry 2

Our female actress was not available to film today or any other days, we therefore could not use her as the character. Searching for someone available proved difficult; thus making me our last resort, which will make it easier as I know the script off by heart.
We also discovered, through experimentation, that a small button had previously been pressed - creating the zoomed-in camera effect. Thankfully, pressing the button again restored the camera to it's original state; I was so glad to not have the same problem again!


Having, changed location to a friends house and beginning filming again, we promptly started with the inside scene of Chloe entering through the front door. Although the shots were clear and sufficient, I noticed that we needed to film this section at a later time; in the editing process the shots combined would display errors in continuity. The outside light shinned through the door window as Chloe walked in , this would contrast to the previous future edited shots of Chloe walking along a street at night. Thankfully I spotted this before we moved on!


We then did multiple camera shots, such as aerial shots, low/high angle still shots, close ups and different positioned long shots, all of the character Chloe walking up the stairs! It's better to be overly prepared than under prepared!

Whilst discussing which scenes to film next we noticed that it was looking dark outside the window, we wanted to use this opportunity before continuing inside.
Half way through outside filming it began to rain. Considering the editing, the rain would affect the continuity of the clothes; as the inside shots displayed Chloe's jacket and hair dry.

As we were faced with a decision, we weighed each choice thoroughly;

Using the rain:

• Filming the inside again
• Time consuming - darker outside shots
• Camera could get wet
• Crew more tired - lack of focus on filming

  
Postpone filming:

• Crew gets rest - more focus on filming tomorrow
• Another chance outside
• More done inside while waiting for darkness

Considering these options we decided to postpone the filming until the next day.



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Filming Entry 1

We began filming in my house at 6.30pm today. We choose this time because it meant we were able to film inside sections whilst waiting for it to get darker for the outside filming.
It was a challenging process throughout, as we were faced with multiple problems. Firstly, our camera was constantly zoomed in during filming; which made filming a tiresome job, both I and Patrycja changed the camera and tripod positioning frequently, to gain the intended camera angle/shot. This also affected our actors, it is tedious repeating the shot, let's say twice; having to remember lines and make sure that the set is ready...but six times, virtually spent on each shot, unbelievable!


Secondly, the time spent on filming agitated our company members and actors, as everyone was beginning to become hungry and tired; thus provoking a negative response to the task.


Eventually, as a company we decided to finish filming at 9pm; considering the situation and believing it was best to film again tomorrow.


I believe it would be best to change locations to another, more spacious house, as the camera requires further distances in it's current state...


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Auditions

This is our poster for auditions that we displayed in school:

Our production was searching for one female teenager, that would play the role of the victim, Chloe, and one male teenager that would play the role of the Killer.

The auditions took place on the 7th March at 2.15pm.
However, we needed to change our location, seen in the pictures, due to the space being used by other people.

Here are some of the people that wanted to audition:

At the end of the day, we had finally come to an agreement of who we would pick for the roles, as a company. The best male actor, we decided, was the young male in the picture seen above. He has good posture, excellent facial expressions, a good sense of character building and the ability to engage himself in a character for a long period of time. As a company, we needed these qualities to help the pace and flow of filming; we needed adequate actors that would be able to constantly deliver , considering the amount of takes we might need.

Despite the ease undergone with choosing the male actor, we found it hard to choose a female. We wanted a blonde girl so it would merge with our concept, who has the ability to look naive, have a good sense of facial expressions, to be able to put herself and stay in the character for long periods of time.

Unfortunately the female in the image above did not meet our desired criteria, especially as she has black hair, so we declined her application. Another applicant, however, with blonde hair and simular acting attributes to the male, was accepted.


I'm looking forward to working with them.


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Storyboard for final production

Once we had finished writing our script we then completed our storyboard; a step used to aid us visually with what our final outcome may look like.
In addition, when we have competed the audition process we will need to demonstrate to our chosen actors what we expect from them and what our final two minute clip will look like. The storyboard is a very useful tool for this, and saves valuable time that would be spent explaining the plan; giving us more time to film.

Here is a picture of our storyboard:

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Script for Final Production

BEGINNING CREDITS - LOGO
INT. MOON/DARK NIGHT/OUTSIDE/STREET

EST moon,
LS of CHLOE walking,
MS phone conversation:

CHLOE
Yeah…Yeah…Oh I’m almost home…Nahh no-one’s at home yet…

LS house [behind car lurking?],
CU [light on top window],
non-diegetic faint heart beat

MS/CU CHLOE:

CHLOE
Family problems init…

No non-diegetic heart beat fades
PAN CHLOE,
LA STILL [CHLOE walks past camera],
CU on her bag [key]

CHLOE
Anyway I gotta go babe putting my key in the door, lataa

CU on door lock, SIDE view of her

CHLOE 
Ahh, I can’t be bovered wiv this family! No one locks the frickin’ door!

MS door inside open,
non-diegetic music increases,
CU on CHLOE turning on downstairs light switch
CU on CHLOE taking shoes off [aggressively] 

CHLOE 

And they complain to me bout not puttin my shoes at the bottom of the stairs when they can’t be arsed to lock the frickin door! 

Walks upstairs – LAS – bottom of stairs
HAS at top of stairs
OSS looking at room – CHLOE’S reaction

CHLOE 
OH MY GOSH! And they even leave a bloody light on, in MY room!

PAN as CHLOE goes into room PAN goes past room and to a door
hand around door – non-diegetic music – sudden shock type[?mid shot – camera sees Chloe go by but does not follow and a hand holding a knife is at the door she passes?] [?rants about her family?]

Angled LS – CHLOE begins to unpack bag – gets out homework
OSS - dark figure behind her lifts knife – blurred figure – non-diegetic music
CHLOE turns,
music increases
CU ‘killers’ mask
CU CHLOE’S face
CU on knife

MS – CHLOE wakes up in sweat,
EXCL on eyes and face – panting

Non-Diegetic door creek open and music tense
POV on door – figure?
CU on her face
TRACK her slow hand towards bedside lamp
CU on switch of lamp
POV door
LS room – figure next to bed
CHLOE turns, screams knocks light down

Beginning Title ‘Not A1one’ to police siren music

END

I understand that we will need to try and follow this, as it is one of the main ingredients for our final production. Our production team and actors need to be well aware of the script as it can save valuable time.
I enjoyed being the scriptwritter because it helped me appreciate the amount of detail needed for the production team to understand the directions and how to present them.
Camera and editing instructions need to be separate from dialogue, as a means to not to confuse the team. I wrote the dialogue in a bold style with a distinct font, aiding the actors to differentiate between when spoken language and unspoken language; it wouldn't seem like a professional company if the actors were confused and spoke the camera and editing directions!

Keep following :) 

Concept of Final Production

Our movie concept is about a detective in a race against time to catch a murderer on the loose before he kills again. Our 2 minute clip is the introduction to the killer and his first victim.

The first victim is a blonde, vulnerable young teenage female, who has a struggling family life and is at her family home alone.
This stereo typical structure is used because our audience can relate to the victim as she is of a similar age; possibly encouraging them to 'side' with her. Her youth can be interpreted as easily becoming overpowered and generally vulnerable, especially as she is home alone; making an easily accessible target for crime and suggesting a high prediction of entrapment and lower predictions of surviving or having help. Also, her own personal level of intellect is suggested through her hair colour; blonde women in society are seen as naive and of a low intellect.

The killer is roughly aged 25-30 years, tall, muscular, fully clothed in black, wearing a dark mask, using a kitchen knife as a weapon to kill his chosen victim.
He is of a preferred age, considering his young victims, he has enough muscularity to suppress them and is taller than his victims, giving him a slight advantage and sense of dominance; this may promote the audience to also feel subordinate to him, like a victim.
As he is fully clothed in black, it conjures the idea that he can blend into the shadows, implying to the audience that he could be lurking anywhere. His identity is hidden through wearing a mask, seeming more menacing and abnormal; it is used to help him detach his emotions from the crime. We decided that his weapon would be a kitchen knife because it is a common household object, creating the fear that anyone could use a knife from your kitchen. The knife, generally as a murder weapon, is more personal than a gun because the murderer penetrates the victim’s skin within a close distance, rather than a long ranged weapon, making it more personal and painful.

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Audience Portfolio

We researched the average thriller viewing age and discovered it was between 14-18 years. Despite this discovery, we have decided that it would be better to have a range of 15-20 years because it widens our audience.

As our audience are so young, their habits consist of: Going out to parks and the cinema with friends or family, social networking, studying and completing any work, enjoying parties being part of the student life.

The interests of our audience includes: shopping at the local stores or at the corner shops, this links in with the income of the audience, watching interesting films/movies related to our genre which is the thriller/ horror, listening to specific music of their taste. Both of these interests will help us to understand our audience and produce the task correctly.

Music [average]: Our audience focuses on any type of the music depending on their tastes. There are a variety of music genres that they like to listen to e.g. Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul, 90's and many more.

Social Background: Our audience come under C2-E social grade. Their social status is working class or unemployment, as they are students, some of them do not work and some of them work earning lowest wedges.

Income: For our audience this comes under students that might study at university and might have a job that its wedges do not go over £21,000 a year. However they could also include students that do not go to school but may have a job which gives them little income for their needs.

Keep Following :)

Research for Thriller Introductions

Murder By Numbers Introduction:

The opening credits begin with a slow moving forward, level, MID establishing shot, displaying waves crashing against rocky cliffs; seeming calm whilst setting the scene. The crashing waves may symbolically connote a future threat or disturbance, intriguing the audience. A sense of isolation is also suggested, as the audience follow the waves through the camera, without any characters present.
Non-diagetic music combines with the shot; slow piano keys and violins are heard. Both the violins play slow and upbeat paces, as if to stimulate a heartbeat; which may be used to create tension for the audience, with an additional sense of uncertainty. The editor fades this shot to a black, back grounded screen with credits, bridging the non-diagetic music, to continue the suspense without exhibiting a visual aid. 

The director prolongs the suspenseful atmosphere, through the edited fading of an establishing long shot, displaying what seems to be an abandoned house at the cliff edge, and the camera slowly zooms into the window of the building. Continuing inside the building, the ms-en-scene exhibits an aged wooden interior, giving it a eerie character.
The non-diagetic music is edited out through lowering the volume and diagetic dialogue begins; indicating the arrival of the previous build-ups climax to the audience, allowing them to concentrate upon both dialogue and visuals. This also reveals that the building is not abandoned, especially as two male characters, one with a bobbed hair cut and one with short gelled spiky dark hair, are seen face to face in a birds eye shot; creating an abnormal view of the scene provoking an uncomfortable, tense atmosphere through the choice of camera shot.
The editor quickly cuts to a black screen displaying more credits with a silent pause; which may be used to prolong tension and curiosity. Then adding a non-diagetic gun shot, creating shock as possible a hook for the audience, whilst teasing their curiosity; thus provoking more interest.

The following shots demonstrate an introduction to the male characters previously seen, hinting that the suggested 'death' of one of the males is yet to be revealed to the audience, which could be another intentional ploy to tease them. 

A long shot establishes, through the Set's furnishings, what seems to be a class room. Young male and female characters wearing casual clothes are also in the shot sitting at wooden desks, the ms-en-scene indicates that these characters are students. They appear to be listening to a speaker as diagetic dialogue can be heard. He is similarly clothed, stationed at a lectern.

A mid shot of this speaker reveals that he is one of the male characters previously seen, through his distinct bobbed hair style. The pace of cuts have increased creating drama; this may be deliberately used to force the audience to engage in this section, so they don't miss important information.

A slightly low angle group shot gives more detail of the class. One male student particularly stands out in this camera shot as he is in the middle and his actions are individual; his head is buried in his arms, whilst other students are sitting upright. The director may have used this to draw the audiences attention to him, giving his character significance.
The camera returns to the mid shot of the speaker, appearing to look emotively at the male student.

Followed by a low angle mid shot, the male student character is seen rebelliously looking up and snickering at the speaker, the ms-en-scene and detail provided of the character, through the camera shot, helps confirm him as the other male in the gun shot scene.
Through the build up of camera shots and the increasing pace of cuts, the director hints sexual tension between the characters; which may be used to intrigue the audience, but could also be used to create an awkward feeling through the sexual connotations.
Both men seemed to agree to the shooting, becoming at one with each other, but here they are suggested as opposites in society; one seeming lazy through his posturing, whilst the other seems intellectual through his positioning at the lectern. This provokes the impression of an unbalanced and strained relationship which could also connote their wanted secrecy of their true, abnormal, relationship; engaging and increasing the audiences curiosity.

The Negotiator Introduction:

The opening credits begin with non-diagetic music involving a piano playing high pitched notes, creating suspense, with a constant drum beat, as if to stimulate a heart beat, and a violin adding a sense of drama to the composition which could imply future dramatic events.

The following montage of images are black and white, implying that they are past events, seeming to introduce history of characters in the film and their relationships.

A character laughing is immediately displayed through a mid shot, he has a dark complexion, possibly provoking the audience to assume an African origin, and wears a white shirt; the ms-en-scene implies his working class using his suggested ethnicity and clothing.

A fade to an extreme close up of a white man's eyes, teamed with the suspenseful music, suggest an evil presence.

Stereotypically, the black man is usually viewed as the perpetrator and the white man the victor. The director may have chosen to subvert the stereotype to develop a sense of uncertainty and corruption, intriguing the audience.

Through a two shot the black man and a white man are laughing, the camera allows more of the white man to be seen suggesting the audience should side with his positive expression. A connotation of this may be that the white man has the upper-hand of the situation, stereotypically suggesting his success. Non-diagetic laughter is echoed over the music; exemplifying that this is a past event, supporting the implication of a positive relationship.

Another two shot, sided with the black man displays him, appearing to be in conversation, pointing at another white man, relaxed, wearing a cap back to front, smoking a cigar whilst holding what seems to be a pack of cards. The ms-en-scene and shot position help the audience side with the black man, as he wears a shirt and seems authoritative against the other man.

A rising crane shot of a tall building, in black and white, is briefly interrupted by two quick edited fades of more black and white images. Through a high angled mid shot, a white man is displayed seeming to fight the black man. The camera allows the white man to use more space in the shot to create a sense of dominance over the other man. Via  the high angle shot, the audience could be provoked to side with the black man, as they are forced to look up at the white man through the camera.

A close, level, mid shot of the black man's reaction highlights his facial expression and defensive position; satisfying the audiences want for detail. A sudden non-diagetic music effect is added to the music as these shots interrupt. The director may have intentionally used this to increase tension built and to possibly keep the audience aware, through this unexpected attribute.

The title then appears through a fade effect, with the non-diagetic music still present and an added non-diagetic breathing sound; maintaining the tension built.

Within a mid shot, the ms-en-scene suggests that the three white men seen are highly ranked military officers, due to their uniforms, posture and badges. As all of the men in this image are white, a possible speculation may be that the white men have power and the black man, previously exhibited, have lower authority. Nevertheless, this shot immediately engages the audience as they want to find out why these military figures are important. In addition, the suspenseful non-diagetic music teamed with the images and ms-en-scene may hint corruption; as it has previously been hinted.

 

The clearing: 

The opening credits begin on a black screen with white writing fading in and out. As the opening credits start, non-diagetic string instruments begin, generating a constant hum. Slow piano keys also join; this atmospheric music implies something may happen, creating suspense and engaging the audience immediately.

The editor fades into a still-level-long camera shot establishing a street with small working class houses parallel and squashed together, seeming like a vastly populated area. The location of this street is influenced by the ms-en-scene and appears to be American, as one house displays the American flag. The grey sky is seen through this camera shot, the pathetic fallacy suggests a dark presence in this seemingly normal neighbourhood, again engaging the audience as they want to find out why.

An immediate cut to a slightly low angled close up occurs, the non-diagetic music continues. Through the camera we see a dark room and what seems to be a bathroom mirror. The camera man had cleverly angled this shot to not be seen through the reflection. The audience are personally involved with the occupant as, through the camera, they are inside the house.

A male character enters the room and switches on a light, providing more detail in the scene. We now see ladies belongings in the bathroom, the ms-en-scene suggests he does not live alone and may be with a female partner. Although the man seems normal, the non-diagetic music implies otherwise to the audience.

A quick cut to a close up of the man provides more detail, he seems over 40 years, the music still continues, the director may want the audience to question if he is a good or bad character. Fast edited close up cuts are used as he opens the cabinet and administers shaving cream, to create a spontaneous feel.

The camera shots reveal, through the ms-en-scene, that the character is married as he wears a ring. Whilst in another close up the man has a parted hairstyle that is slicked down with gel, the ms-en-scene suggests that he could be a perfectionist. Through the non-diagetic music, ms-en-scene and camera shots, the audience may feel sickened by the way the character is represented, as his creepy appearance is emphasised.

The editor then cuts to a mid camera shot, we see through the ms-en-scene that the character dressing. A quick cut to a close up of the characters face highlights his determined expression, implying his overly compulsive nature to the audience. The non-diagetic music also creates a creepy atmosphere and almost exaggerates his expression, this may have been used to intimidate the audience.

A fast edited cut to an uncomfortably extreme-level-close up, displays the characters disembodied feet walking down the stairs, the non-diagetic music is suspenseful, and, the ms-en-scene again suggests his overly compulsive attribute through his precise knotting on both shoes. One intended effect of this could be to  intimidate the audience, the choice and implication of this camera shot may also cause the audience to feel of a lower status than the character, thus less powerful.

Immediately cutting to a close up shot of the character the audience see that he holds the bowl close to his face, which again emphasises his cleanliness. The ms-en-scene displays that the character is in the kitchen, due to the utensils and crockery on the set. Diagetic television sounds can now be heard, whilst the non-diagetic music continues, this upholds the eerie feel whilst seeming to create a spontaneous feel for the audience.


Cutting to a mid two shot, it is now clear that the character is standing, the audience may notice that this is generally an unusual way to eat breakfast, making them want to know why he rushes. The non-diagetic music and actions within the camera shot creates a sense of his abnormality. The kitchen's background is visible in this camera shot and the ms-en-scene exhibits many kitchen utensils and crockery draining at the sink, seeming chaotic, possibly connoting a chaotic lifestyle that is contradictory to his nature.


A quick edited cut to a slightly high angle shot looking up displays a luxury mansion, possibly within the countryside. Diagetic bird song is now heard and the previous eerie non-diagetic music is no more. The sun is shinning, with a bright sky, the pathetic fallacy may be used to encourage a positive reaction from the audience. This is a total opposite to the previous chaotic and uncomfortable environment; the director may have wished this 'escape' to relieve the audience. In addition, the high angle of the shot could mean that this would be a fantasy for the audience, as they are not at a level view but a lower view through the camera.

Cutting to a mid camera shot, we see a woman opening curtains, the light provides detail; she has grey hair and wears pearls, the ms-en-scene implies that she is over 50 years and is they lady of the property due to her expensive jewellery. A long two shot exhibits an orderly bedroom through the ms-en-scene we see relaxed, co-ordinated wooden furniture and furnishings; opposite to the chaotic kitchen in the other house. Through the camera another character, a male, is visible. He is much older then the other male and seems more relaxed or possibly lazy, especially as he is in bed; this again relieves and refreshes the audience through the orderly ms-en-scene.

My opinion:
The techniques used in these introductions have helped me understand and appreciate the complexity and importance of first impressions of a film within an introduction. The atmosphere that the director creates is highly important as it influences the audiences reaction; this can, if not properly done, lead to confusion. However, if I, the director, can establish the intended effect through close scrutiny of the camera shots, script, actions, effects, sounds and editing, then as a company we will achieve the intended effect though team-work.