Thriller First Draft

Conventions Of A Thriller

The Thriller genre normally would include the following conventions  

• A crime at the core of the narrative often murder, but not necessarily.
• A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions.
• A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
• A protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.
• Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
• Themes of identity, of mirroring and voyeurism.
• Protagonist with a ‘flaw’ which is exploited by the antagonist.
• Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist’s psychological state.
• There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.
• Mise en scene which echoes/ mirrors the protagonist’s.
• Quick pace with camera movements and sound.
• Dark and dull lighting to create suspense and to give a sinister effect

Filming Schedule

Filming Schedule

Date: 4th March 2011

Location: Bramcote

Props needed String, Tape, 3 Chairs.

Actors needed: Myself, Rosie, Daisy.

Order of shots: We are going to film all of the outside shots first in an order which is easiest for us. We will then do the inside shots also in an order best suited to us.

Date: 14th March 2011

Location: Rosie's Garage

Props needed String, Tape, Chair.

Actors needed: Myself, Rosie, Daisy.

Order of shots: We are re-filming indoor scenes in a different environment as I first environment didn't look right.

Risk Assesment

Risk	To what/ who	Risk level and how to prevent the risk
Weather risks to camera-	The camera equipment	Medium risk We cannot prevent the weather however we will take precautions to protect the equipment such as umbrella’s and a protective casing for the camera.
Damaging the camera and tripod-	The camera equipment	Medium risk As we’re shooting within the woods Damaging the camera and tripod comes at a medium risk due to the fact it may fall over, having unstable surroundings. Ways to prevent this would be to make sure the camera is securely placed and screwed onto the tripod.
Losing equipment-	All equipment	Low risk Losing the equipment would be of low risk as it will stay in contact with one of use throughout the filming process.
Falling over during the running scene in the woods-	Cast and crew	Medium risk This is of medium risk as the woods have unstable grounds and surroundings, during the running scenes this may become a risk for either me or daisy. To prevent this we should walk through the area we are going to be shooting in and take away any hazards.

Thriller Further Planning and storyboarding

We have planned our piece further and made the storyboard. First we decided to brainstorm more ideas so that we can see what we would like to do with our piece, so that we may progress further.

 After this we discussed location even though our audience seemed to want a abandoned building predominantly, we decided for our idea using a woodland area, the second most popular choice, would be better for our idea. This allows us to create a more public eerie atmosphere. The fact that anyone could be in this public place gives us a reason for all characters to be there, and also as we are setting it at night it makes it more relatable to an audience, nobody lives in an abandoned house but most people have a woodland area somewhere in their town.

We have discussed actors/actresses and decided that the two damsels in distress should be female, this is to keep the the stereotypes of a typical thriller. We also decided to fit typical themes of a thriller we should use a male stalker, or villain. So we decided Daisy and Rosie should be the victims and I should be the villain.