Group member 1 (Me)-
In this opening sequence, it would start by showing the setting of where the scene is set by displaying a panning of the forest. The lighting that would be shown would be a low key lighting as it would create more suspense and enigma which is conventional for the thriller genre as it would also help the audience to engage more within the sequence. After the setting is displayed, the frame would then display a slow zooming in into the two characters, a male and female walking their dog so that we see a rough image of what the two characters look like and hear a typical conversation they would be having to represent their personalities. This would help the audience build their first impressions of the characters and be the base of what type of relationship is to be built. After this is displayed, it would be cut so immediately the focus is on the dog once it starts to sense that the bad omen is nearby and runs off. I would like to use a slow editing at this point so that it builds up more tension. As the dog is running off, it will then cut straight into one of the characters point of view angle so that as the audience we can see what they are viewing and can see everything from their perspective to add more suspense to the atmosphere. The camera angle will then change into a extreme long shot so that the audience can see the two characters split up and go different directions while we also see the focus on the background showing that they are isolated and have no one to help them adding more tension to the sequence as they could be in danger. After the two characters have shown their two different departures would then change into the dogs point of view perspective and would slowly starting zooming in towards the back of the antagonist once the dog discovers that the female character is a cannibal and is eating the other characters. At this point I would then show her turning round to face the dogs perspective with her face covered in blood in a slow editing to add more suspense and shock towards the sequence and to add enigma and to display what she has done. Furthermore, I would then add a loud, shocking sound on top of this to raise the tension. After this the sequence would slowly fade out to leave the audience in shock and leave them with an untold enigma and would also show a zooming out to raise the suspense.
I found that some of the advantages were that the narrative of the sequence was unique as it was an unusual thriller story line therefore would help the audience to be more interested and engaged. Furthermore, the sequence contains a lot of thriller conventions which would help to make the sequence more successful. To also contribute, the sequence contains a dogs perspective which is not seen often so would engage the audience more as it would be something they haven't seen before. I also found that using a female antagonist would benefit the audience impact more as it would be something they don't usually see and would give them the ability to build a better relationship, especially with Bettie.
On the other hand, I also found some disadvantages; I found that the narrative needs to be more creative so that more of the key conventions (suspense, surprise, shock, tension) can be created so that the sequence can be more successful. Furthermore, I also noticed that the narrative could be slightly confusing and this would cause the audience to become less engage as they would just be confused. In addition, the ending of the sequence is quite plain and non creative therefore would cause any built up tension to drop its levels. I also noticed that the sequence was too short as there is no real introduction to what is going on as at the very start the dog immediately runs away so this would lose the focus within the audience and make the sequence less successful.
Group member 2 (Bettie) -
" The narrative I've come up with is the theme of cannibalism. This is when people eat other people. I think this is an unusual narrative an the idea is quite mysterious and disturbing. I think this would surprise people which is an element of thriller. Two characters are walking in the forest when they discover something isn't right and they are not alone. They could be walking their dog and when it runs off and goes missing they have to split up to look for it by themselves. This could be where something starts to go wrong and things start to become suspicious. My idea of a good setting for my short thriller sequence is in the forest at night time. I think this would be a good setting because it is automatically associated with frightening themes at night time. The iconography that we could use would be masks. This could be to show a hidden identity and make the murderer seem more mysterious and unknown. The use of masks makes sure that the audience can build a relationship with the characters and it makes them anticipate what they may be like and what their intentions are. A good use of iconography would be weapons to use in my short thriller sequence. These weapons could include things such as a knife, a gun or perhaps a bat. This is because it is conventional to the thriller genre because the antagonist usually uses weapons to assist their attacks but also because it makes the audience feel more frightened and it creates suspense to what the weapons will be used for which always leads to death, pain or brutality.I think the weather should be cold, muggy and dull. This is because it is conventional to the thriller genre as it immediately gives a negative and cold feel to it, it makes the audience feel as if something bad is about to happen. and it gives them a sense of foreboding. "
I found that this was a good narrative. It contains an unusual story line as the idea of a cannibal is unique so would help to attract and engage more audiences. Furthermore, it include a big range of various different thriller conventions so this would benefit the thriller genre as it would impact the audience more as it would help them too build better relationships. Furthermore, she has explained well the use of different mese en scene elements such as lighting and fully analysed how it would impact the audience.
I found that this was a good narrative. It contains an unusual story line as the idea of a cannibal is unique so would help to attract and engage more audiences. Furthermore, it include a big range of various different thriller conventions so this would benefit the thriller genre as it would impact the audience more as it would help them too build better relationships. Furthermore, she has explained well the use of different mese en scene elements such as lighting and fully analysed how it would impact the audience.
Although this is a good narrative, I am not keen on the use of a mask being used for a hidden identity as I find that it makes the sequence less appealing and will make the sequence more boring and find that it would make the audience lose interest and that would make the sequence less successful. Furthermore, I don't like the idea of the particular time that the sequence is being set in. I find the sequence being set at nighttime would be difficult to film as the lighting would be too dark to see any of the characters. I am also curious about why iconography weapons such as bats, knives, guns etc are being included if the antagonist is a cannibal and the two character are walking a dog. The use of this iconography would be unnecessary and irrelevant.
Group member 3 (Kane) -
My Film is going located in the forest. It will consist of a group of friends that take a stroll into the forest, they have an argument and one of the characters walks a head of the group (female), what no one noticed is that they was being stalked by a two men in white masks. once the girl is far enough ahead of the group the two stalkers show themselves. The group who are remaining split up to try and find the girl not knowing that she is now with the two masked men. The group then meet back up after not finding their missing friend, but now there is another missing in the group.The group decide to stick together and leave the forest assuming the other two must be together. The group then see one of their friends laying dead in the bushes. They then panic and try and run out the forest and they bump into the two men. The mise en scene will be set in the forest. Iconography - The white masks.There will be cinematography, a range of different camera angles to make the killers scary.Our target audience will be 15 plus, mainly between 15-20 but aimed at the mass market as it the thriller genre is watched by all ages.
I find that this was an effective narrative. I find the good use of thriller conventions were spread out over the whole narrative which is a good advantage. Furthermore, I find that a forest is a good place for the sequence to be set as it's conventional towards the thriller genre as it would be isolated and raise the suspense and tension. Furthermore, I find that the use of hidden identity is good as it would build up more suspense within the sequence which is ideal for a thriller genre.
Some of the disadvantages I noticed where that there wasn't enough involvement of other characters. I find that this was a weak point as the audience would want the tension to build up from the use of hidden identity so if other character are not contributing then this would give it away which will ruin the shock/surprise. Furthermore, I find that involving more characters would engage the audience more. Also, I find including a cliff hanger at the end of the sequence would be more efficient as it would create an enigma.
Group Narrative :
Characters;
Kane
Bettie
Stacey
Billy
Maisy
Kanes Friend
This narrative was based on a group idea; we used my idea about the untold enigma theme, mine and Bettie's idea's of cannibalism and Kane's idea of a chase scene. We used a collection of all three of our idea's to create idea's for this sequence.
Our final group narrative that we have come up with is a group of friends consisting of 6 friends walking one of their dogs through a dark, lonely forest. At the start of the sequence we will show a panning of the outside of the forest to give an introduction about where the sequence is being set so that the audience can focus on the setting first. After this we will show the characters walking in however the audience will not be able to hear what the characters are talking about as we want the audience to focus on their representations. The characters would all be wearing casual clothes so that no one stand out and the audience then can start to create a relatable relationship with the characters. They are all playing with the dog by playing catch by throwing balls and sticks. On one of the throws, the dogs runs after the object, returns the object. This occurs 3 times and but the third time the dog does not return. This would help to start creating a high level of tension and suspense and no one knows where the dog has gone. As Kane is being the victim because he is the owner of the dog he takes matters into his own hands to make sure everyone is to split up and look for the dog, Bella. The group then splits up in so that Bettie and Kane are a pair and the rest of the group, Stacey, Billy, Maisy and Kane's friend are a group of 4. The camera displays all characters searching but then they hear a off screen sound of Kane screaming. At this point we then use a point of view camera shot from one of the friends who can see Kane laying on the floor and Bettie beside him kneeling down however only her back is to be show so that her face can't be seen. The friends start to call Bettie and when she doesn't respond they start to get suspicious and worried, as they slowly walk over to her a tense music sound is played in the background so the suspense starts to build up along with the tension. By the time the friends reach Bettie, one of them taps her on the shoulder to see what's wrong with her and at this point Bettie sharply turns round in a close up camera shot looking possessed with blood around her mouth which gives the audience a shock and makes them jump. This is a convention as we can clearly state that Bettie is an Antagonist. At this point we would zoom in to her face to emphasize the blood around her mouth. The friends scream as they are frightened as they turn away and try and run away from her. They run around the forest rapidly as they are scared and trying to find their other friends. This is conventional to a thriller as this is the start of a chase scene which is conventional towards a thriller as it builds up more tension and suspense. Once all the friends are gathered together they panic and try and figure out what to do and how they will escape the forest while avoiding Bettie. Whilst this scene is taking place, the audience can also see Bettie lurking in the tree's within the background as if she is planning to kill and eat another member of their group. The friends then decide that they need to escape as quickly as possible, so they start running through the forest at a fast pace as a group. As they are running they spot Bettie blocking their path in front of them which then shocks them so they turn around and run in the opposite direction hoping Bettie won't capture them. We then see a different view of Bettie slowly walking while the other characters are sprinting, we then show an over the shoulder shot from Bettie watching the characters run and then the sequence then slowly fades out to black here on a cliff hanger as an enigma is being created because no one knows what's going to happen to the character in terms of whether they are going to survive and escape or whether they will be the next victims. Furthermore, no one knows what's going to happen to Bettie either which would then raise the tension and suspense levels as it leaves the audience questionned.
I find that this was a more effective narrative than all of our individual narrative as this one combined all of the individual strengths from each of our individual ones therefore it combined all of our ideas. Furthermore, as a group we managed to analyse and correct the weaknesses from each of our works and develop them into effective strength in order to make our sequence more successful.
Narrative Theory
The theory that our narrative will be following is Aristole. Aristole narrative had to consist of an inciting incident, dramatic question, character goal, antagonist/protagonist, stakes, resolution, sympathy, empathy. Our narrative contained an inciting incident which can be sighted when we discover that Bettie is a cannibal and intentions are to eat and kill innocent victims which includes the conventions of of surprise and shock which is ideal for a thriller genre. Furthermore our scene also contains a dramatic question which is used at the end when the sequence ends with an enigma whether the predicted victims are going to escape or end up being killed by Bettie which leaves the audience with a dramatic question which creates a cliff hanger and raises the levels of suspense. The sequence also contains an Antagonist who is Bettie has she is going round being a cannibal and killing people. There would be a low resolution in the scene as the time of day would be quite late so that this builds more suspense towards the sequence. The audience should feel sympathy for Kane once they find out he has been eaten as he was an innocent character just trying to be a responsible dog owner and find his dog to make sure she is safe. This also gives the audience a shock as we did not expect this.
Our theories does not follow the other two characters because in Propp's theory it must contain a range of different types of characters and our sequence does not contain a big range therefore cannot be referred to this theory. Furthermore we cannot relate our sequence to Todorov's theory because we do not contain a disequilibrium as it is balanced throughout and their are no disruptions. Furthermore a new equilibrium is not produced at the end of the narrative therefore cannot be related.
Our narrative is conventional to a thriller as it uses the key conventions such as shock, surprise, suspense and tension. Throughout our sequence their is tension and suspense being built up through out the entire sequence when eventually they are both released in the form of a surprise and shock when Bettie's face is revealed to the camera. Also our sequence contains a chase scene which is a typical convention to a thriller genre as this raises the tension in the scene. Furthermore our sequence will use a low key lighting which builds up more suspense and tension in a thriller genre. The sequence also contains a vulnerable victims which is conventional as it build up the tension as it makes the audience aware that they are not capable to handle anything so puts them in a vulnerable position. This appeals to our target audience which is 15+ as the characters in the sequence are easily relatable as they are almost the same age of most of the people that would watch the sequence. This also appeals to the target audience as the sequence contains nothing harmful that could potentially damage the audience mentally. The tension and the impact of the scene will have a good effect on the audience as it will have them on the edge of their seats which is what our intentions are.
Characters;
Kane
Bettie
Stacey
Billy
Maisy
Kanes Friend
This narrative was based on a group idea; we used my idea about the untold enigma theme, mine and Bettie's idea's of cannibalism and Kane's idea of a chase scene. We used a collection of all three of our idea's to create idea's for this sequence.
Our final group narrative that we have come up with is a group of friends consisting of 6 friends walking one of their dogs through a dark, lonely forest. At the start of the sequence we will show a panning of the outside of the forest to give an introduction about where the sequence is being set so that the audience can focus on the setting first. After this we will show the characters walking in however the audience will not be able to hear what the characters are talking about as we want the audience to focus on their representations. The characters would all be wearing casual clothes so that no one stand out and the audience then can start to create a relatable relationship with the characters. They are all playing with the dog by playing catch by throwing balls and sticks. On one of the throws, the dogs runs after the object, returns the object. This occurs 3 times and but the third time the dog does not return. This would help to start creating a high level of tension and suspense and no one knows where the dog has gone. As Kane is being the victim because he is the owner of the dog he takes matters into his own hands to make sure everyone is to split up and look for the dog, Bella. The group then splits up in so that Bettie and Kane are a pair and the rest of the group, Stacey, Billy, Maisy and Kane's friend are a group of 4. The camera displays all characters searching but then they hear a off screen sound of Kane screaming. At this point we then use a point of view camera shot from one of the friends who can see Kane laying on the floor and Bettie beside him kneeling down however only her back is to be show so that her face can't be seen. The friends start to call Bettie and when she doesn't respond they start to get suspicious and worried, as they slowly walk over to her a tense music sound is played in the background so the suspense starts to build up along with the tension. By the time the friends reach Bettie, one of them taps her on the shoulder to see what's wrong with her and at this point Bettie sharply turns round in a close up camera shot looking possessed with blood around her mouth which gives the audience a shock and makes them jump. This is a convention as we can clearly state that Bettie is an Antagonist. At this point we would zoom in to her face to emphasize the blood around her mouth. The friends scream as they are frightened as they turn away and try and run away from her. They run around the forest rapidly as they are scared and trying to find their other friends. This is conventional to a thriller as this is the start of a chase scene which is conventional towards a thriller as it builds up more tension and suspense. Once all the friends are gathered together they panic and try and figure out what to do and how they will escape the forest while avoiding Bettie. Whilst this scene is taking place, the audience can also see Bettie lurking in the tree's within the background as if she is planning to kill and eat another member of their group. The friends then decide that they need to escape as quickly as possible, so they start running through the forest at a fast pace as a group. As they are running they spot Bettie blocking their path in front of them which then shocks them so they turn around and run in the opposite direction hoping Bettie won't capture them. We then see a different view of Bettie slowly walking while the other characters are sprinting, we then show an over the shoulder shot from Bettie watching the characters run and then the sequence then slowly fades out to black here on a cliff hanger as an enigma is being created because no one knows what's going to happen to the character in terms of whether they are going to survive and escape or whether they will be the next victims. Furthermore, no one knows what's going to happen to Bettie either which would then raise the tension and suspense levels as it leaves the audience questionned.
I find that this was a more effective narrative than all of our individual narrative as this one combined all of the individual strengths from each of our individual ones therefore it combined all of our ideas. Furthermore, as a group we managed to analyse and correct the weaknesses from each of our works and develop them into effective strength in order to make our sequence more successful.
Narrative Theory
The theory that our narrative will be following is Aristole. Aristole narrative had to consist of an inciting incident, dramatic question, character goal, antagonist/protagonist, stakes, resolution, sympathy, empathy. Our narrative contained an inciting incident which can be sighted when we discover that Bettie is a cannibal and intentions are to eat and kill innocent victims which includes the conventions of of surprise and shock which is ideal for a thriller genre. Furthermore our scene also contains a dramatic question which is used at the end when the sequence ends with an enigma whether the predicted victims are going to escape or end up being killed by Bettie which leaves the audience with a dramatic question which creates a cliff hanger and raises the levels of suspense. The sequence also contains an Antagonist who is Bettie has she is going round being a cannibal and killing people. There would be a low resolution in the scene as the time of day would be quite late so that this builds more suspense towards the sequence. The audience should feel sympathy for Kane once they find out he has been eaten as he was an innocent character just trying to be a responsible dog owner and find his dog to make sure she is safe. This also gives the audience a shock as we did not expect this.
Our theories does not follow the other two characters because in Propp's theory it must contain a range of different types of characters and our sequence does not contain a big range therefore cannot be referred to this theory. Furthermore we cannot relate our sequence to Todorov's theory because we do not contain a disequilibrium as it is balanced throughout and their are no disruptions. Furthermore a new equilibrium is not produced at the end of the narrative therefore cannot be related.
Our narrative is conventional to a thriller as it uses the key conventions such as shock, surprise, suspense and tension. Throughout our sequence their is tension and suspense being built up through out the entire sequence when eventually they are both released in the form of a surprise and shock when Bettie's face is revealed to the camera. Also our sequence contains a chase scene which is a typical convention to a thriller genre as this raises the tension in the scene. Furthermore our sequence will use a low key lighting which builds up more suspense and tension in a thriller genre. The sequence also contains a vulnerable victims which is conventional as it build up the tension as it makes the audience aware that they are not capable to handle anything so puts them in a vulnerable position. This appeals to our target audience which is 15+ as the characters in the sequence are easily relatable as they are almost the same age of most of the people that would watch the sequence. This also appeals to the target audience as the sequence contains nothing harmful that could potentially damage the audience mentally. The tension and the impact of the scene will have a good effect on the audience as it will have them on the edge of their seats which is what our intentions are.
This post demonstrates some good group planning and discussions, which is evident through the advantages and disadvantages that you have included. However, some of these points needs to be elaborated further. It is clear to see that you and your group have considered the conventions of a thriller and the type of sequence that you would like to create.
ReplyDeleteThe points that you have included on Aristotle's theory, also helps to demonstrate your understanding of your sequence and the various themes that can be seen in the opening.
The adaptations that you have included helps to demonstrate further group planning between you and your group, which continues to demonstrate how well you are all working collaboratively together.
ReplyDelete