Planning - Storyboards

Planning - age certifcate

We have decided our film would have a 15 age certificate. This is due to the threat of violence and intense elements of disturbance. Additionally, there is a psychological twist in the narrative, which may be confusing to a younger audience. It is appropriate for 15+ because the older audience will appreciate and understand the psychological elements, whereas a younger audience could dwell on psychological aspect which they may then copy (copycat theory). Our target audience which is between the ages of 15-30 year of age. Therefore by giving our film an age certificate of 15 we can effectively target our audience.

Planning - props

We have created a voice over to explain how our props fit the thriller genre.
https://youtu.be/_cIrMvbIdyY

Props; knife, Phone, Pin board, Binoculars, Car.

From research, the protagonist in 'The Boy Next Door', has a knife to defend herself. This is a stereotypical prop of the thriller genre. The prop makes the audience more unnerved as it is a everyday object (kitchen knife) becoming a weapon. We decided to show in  the trailer just a hand taking the knife, therefore the audience doesn't know if the antagonist or protagonist has the weapon, creating enigma.

Planning - Filming Days

Planning - risk assessment

Planning - costumes

Costume ideas

The female in our film will dress smart/casual. It she will wear a light/white colour top this is to empathize  her innocence and vulnerability. It will make audience feel sympathy towards the victim.

The male will wear smart casual clothing. The casual clothing will connote how he looks normal, however this is deceiving. The smart clothing empathizes his power ad domineering role. The majority of dark clothing connotes danger.

Friend - casual light coloured clothing to signify hope for Selma

Planning- Creating pin board

Planning - Production company logo

Our production company is called 'Moonlight Productions'. We decided on this name due to the connotations that it has with the night and low key lighting is a main convention of the thriller genre. We wanted to reflect in out production company name and logo.

From research, I liked the look of the silhouette of the trees with the light in the background. It was the foundation of the logo and everything else was added. The silhouette empathizes the darkness.

For the background I used a grey/blue colour, to make it mysterious. I added an effect to this to make the bottom lighter gradually turning darker, this is more effective as it makes the trees stand out more. This also has the connotation of the day turning to night and in most thriller film, it is mainly set at night.

We also used a circle background, this is to signify the moon. The moon has connotations of time passing and things coming to an end. The idea of a time limit and ending adds suspense and tension.

For the font I chose a jagged edge style font. I creates an effect that it has been carved out from potentially a knife which is a stereotypical prop for the thriller genre.

Planning - Characters

Our main characters, we chose to use a young male and female. They are ages 18 but playing characters in their early 20's. They will look older by dressing maturely, this will suggests to the audience they are older. 

Our antagonist is similar to the antagonist in Red Eye. He is of a smart appearance. Additionally, at first he will come across to the audience as a nice, normal man. In the film Red Eye, the protagonist is more vulnerable as there is no help as his nice exterior prevents others from helping her.

Our protagonist is similar to the protagonist in 'The Boy Next Door'. She is smart, middle class woman. In the film 'The Boy Next Door', the antagonist starts stalking/ obsessing over her. This is similar to our narrative. She is a strong female made vulnerable.






The friend

Planning - location

This establishing shot shows the location of the majority of the film. We will include the setting of the females house. This is to emphasise
her vulnerability.

From research, I noticed many films are based in the protagonists home. For example; 'The Boy Next Door', 'Last House On The Left' and 'When A Stranger Calls'. Their home should be a safe place, therefore making the home unsafe, will increase the protagonist jeopardy. Additionally, will make the audience feel unnerved.

Location of the start of the trailer when the male and female meet in the first scene.

Planning - make-up

We will be using SFX make up, for cuts and bruises as this will emphasize the protagonist danger  and jeopardy. It will also add verisimilitude as the protagonist would be injured.

We had a practice day before filming with an experienced make up artist, Chlosfx_. We practiced cuts which very successful. When we film, we also wish to use bruises as well. 

She is willing to help us as she is very passionate about make up which makes her perfect for helping us create the look we want.

With permission from Chloefx_, the images are from her Instagram page.

Planning- Mise-en-scene ideas

Planning of our mise-en-scene is important as we need to clearly established the equilibrium. We will do this through the use of lighting. We will use high key lighting at the start, then the disequilibrium will be low key lighting. Low key lighting is also a key convention of the thriller genre therefore the audience will infer that the film is of the thriller genre.

Planning - pyschographics of target audience

Personality

Our target audience will like mysteries and puzzles as our thriller is enigmatic. They will therefore enjoy the complex plot twist as they might not have comprehended it and will find it interesting/intriguing.

Attitude
Our target audience will have a mature attitude in order to understand the complex narrative and plot twist. The audience will be realistic and will enjoy the fact the story line is based around the real world and realistic characters although the narrative may be hyperbolic.


Values
Our audience will appreciate relationships/family oriented, due to the romantic tone at the start of the film. Additionally, friendship, as the girl confides in her best friend. They will value that the girl is a loving person and doesn't see the negative in the antagonist.

Interests and lifestyle
Due to our target audience of young adults, they are likely to be in education or working. This means they are likely to have disposable income to enjoy entertainment such as going to the cinema. Our audience will enjoy going to the cinema with friends to watch the latest films, to be social and keep up with trends. They will also enjoy using social media which is important for us to advertise our trailer on different media platforms.

Planning - Target audience

https://youtu.be/k2pbHqZ1mtw

Planning - Pitch

Pitch- https://youtu.be/TerRLfYMXcghttps://youtu.be/TerRLfYMXcg

The camera cut out for the fist half of the pitch, so the footage is very short.

PowerPoint - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiB1c-7q_zs&feature=youtu.be

Our feedback -

Ideas were good and well thought out.
The plot twist is interesting and unique.

However, we were told that having only 2 character  may limit what we can do and that we should include another character. From this we got some ideas to include the females, sister or best friend. This extra character would be concerned for the female being stalked and it would add more emotion in the film. The extra character would play the role of the audience as they would both be worried for the female.

Planning - discussion on name

Planning - pitch ideas