Silhoute Idea

Introduction

In this entry I am going to investigate the concept of including silhouettes in my opening sequence. I will research into other films which have included this concept, and methods of creating it. I will also do a test run of my ideas. 


What is a silhouette?

A silhouette is the image of a person or object, shown in the form of a solid shape. It is commonly black. The edges of the shapes outline make up the subjects form. The interior of the subjects have no detailing (or a extremely small amount).  The background is usually a lighter color as this compliments the dark colors nicely.


Examples of use in other films

Silhouettes are commonly used in films during dramatic moments. This is as the lack of detail can be used to create an enigma which teases the audience. This idea is used in Disney's "Fantasia" and "Big Combo", as shown in the images below. In both of these the outlines of the human figure has be used to great effect. The outlines are really used to increase the dramatic effect of a meeting in both of these images.

My favorite use of silhouettes in films is "A Silhouette Story". This is a beautifully produced short film focuses entirely on silhouettes, leaving all the detail to the background. Sounds are also keep to a minimal to keep the silhouettes really the main focus. Here is the video:

What really interested me about this silhouette film is how the whole thing was created on a very low budget, as I discovered while watching the making of video. 
As seen below:

I am going to use this ideas to effect in my own opening sequence. 

Representation

Introduction

In this blog post I am going to study representation in thrillers.  I would like to find out more about how stereotypes are commonly represented, and how I can challenge these stereotypes.


Representation

Representation is one of the key concepts in film and media studies. This is because audiences are always being presented to them selves. This causes ten to actively construct ideas and belief about certain groups of people.

The way in which a social group is represented within a media text, in this case an opening sequence, can really change the way in which the audience enjoys it. For example, if racism or sexism is portrayed an audience member could become offended, especially if a joke is made about it. This could cause them to boycott the TV channel, film, or producer.


Richard Dyer's key questions about representation:

While studying the representation of any media text is it important to consider:

"   1. What sense of the world is this film making?

2. What does it claim is typical of the world and what deviant?

3. Who is really speaking? From Whom?

4. What does it represent to us, and why?   "

Representation of Mental Health 

In psychological thrillers mental health is a large focus. This is so the psychological aspects lends its self to not only including average minds, but minds with serious problems. This is as people with issues are often considered more interesting by the audience. 

However, how mental health is portrayed in films could strongly effect it presents in society. If mental health is also show as a weakness and a problem that needs assistance  then could this trigger more helpful attention for mental health charities and fundraising? If mental health is also shown as something funny, to make a joke out of, this is likely to effect how audiences think of mental health patients. For this reason, producers must be carefull on how they represent in films. 

Target Audience

Introduction

In this post I am going to research into my target audience in depth. I will refer to the research that I did about audience studies earlier in my blog.


Age

Putting an age on the audience for a psychological thriller is difficult, this is as depending of the strength of the frighting aspects greatly changes the target audience. Some of these aspects may be disturbing to children under the age or 16, or in extreme cases 18. I think that an older age group enjoys this genre more as it is not packed with gun fights and drama, but largely focuses of important issues (mental health) and the implications surrounding them. 

This is shown in the table below:

The viewing audience increased at 18 - 24, but then rapidly decreases. From then on it increased until reaching its maximum of 26%. 

How ever this goes against my earlier study of Professor Paul Well's Research. His research states that 40 - 55 year old's enjoy strong use of blood and special effects. It also states that being shocked and frighted, more than a mentally challenging plot.


Gender

The genre is slightly male dominated, due to the fast action of plots. How ever there is an increasing amount of psychological thrillers featuring romantic twists, e.g. "He loves me... He loves me not". Recently figures show that the male view audience dominates 51%, where as females are 49%. Although this seems only a difference, when put into perspective (the entire film watching population) it is a noticeable difference. 


Education

Due to the complex psychological aspects of this genre, it lends it's self to a more educated and intelligent audience. This is as not all would they fully understand the mental health conditions, but would enjoy the puzzles and problems offered. 


Conclusion

What I have gained from this study, is a still clearer idea of my target audience. I think that they are man and female (but more male), middle class (due to higher standard of education) and in the age bracket of about 40 - 60. 

Mood Board

Introduction

In this blog post, I am going to create a mood board to set the tone for my blog. I will source the pictures from my mood board from google images. 


What is a mood board?

A mood board is type of poster style design. It is commonly made up of photographs, text and other samples of ideas. It is used to help display and design concepts. In this case, a mood board is used to set the tone for my opening sequence and display a few shoots from other opening sequence which have inspired my own. 


My Mood Board

Hip Hop Montage

Introduction

In this blog post I am going to investigate the filming style of Hip Hop Montage and attempt to create my own in the styles and techniques I have learnt about.


What is Hip Hop Montage?

A hip hop montage is a series a fast cutting which is used to portray complicated action in a rapid style. I other includes simple actions being preformed at a high speed. Sounds effects are often and large part of hip hop montages. This technique was created by the hip hop culture of the 1990's and the jump cuts featured in it first started during the french new wave, in 1950 - 60. Hip hop montage also features fast cutting. Fast cutting is several consecutive shots, which normally last about 3 seconds or less. This style can be used to convey information very quickly or show fast action and drama.

This style first appeared in the films "Requiem for a Dream" and "Pi", which are both by Darren Aronofsky. I was him that also named this style. In both of these films it was used to portray drug use, due its fast action and chaotic nature. Here is an example of its use in Requiem for a Dream:

I will use this idea to create my own hip hop montage.

Planning my Hip Hop Montage

For my Hip Hop Montage, I am going to create a video of making a cup of tea. It will be filmed and edited during media lessons, using the school camera. This video will be film in a group with the other media AS level students - Frank, Vincent and Alex. We will split the filming and editing evenly. We will edit using the apple mac imovie software.


Finished Hip Hop Montage

Here is our finished short film:

Starring - Frank
Filmed - Frank, Vincent, Alex and Me.
Edited - Frank, Vincent, Alex and Me.

Casting My Main Character

Introduction

In this blog post, I am going to explore the possibilities that I have for the main character. I aim to come to a reasonable conclusion. I will make my decision by comparing the strengths and weaknesses of using each person.


Possibilities

I have a few options for who I could use for my opening sequence main character. These options are, presented in the form of table:

Decision making

I have decided that I shall use a female character, this is as I believe females are able to:

• Experiment with make up and costume more.
• Portray more emotion
• Silhouettes with appear better

This means that I now only have 3 choice left, these are Frank, Louise and Belinda.

Belinda 

As Belinda does not have long hair, this could mean that when I complete my silhouette idea, I would not be able to hair the to effect. However, she has long nails, which could look good in the close ups of writing, etc.  

Frank

As Frank has long hair this would suit my silhouette idea perfectly,  her hair is also straight so it could work very well. As she goes to my school, this could be convenient for using the school's studio lighting. The studio lighting would be ideal to create my silhouette idea.  

Louise 

Louise also has long hair, again perfect for the silhouette idea. She has a past in acting, so would be used to being filmed.   

Final Decision

I have reached the decision that I while use both Belinda and Louise in my opening sequence. This is as I need someone with long hair for one scene - this is which Louise would be more suited too. Whereas, other scenes I feel that Belinda would be more suited for.