Michelle Nduku - AS Media Studies: February 2014

Friday, 28 February 2014

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Watch out for The Birds!

The trailer is introduced by a dark voicing informing the audience, "there is no need to be afraid," but as the audience we already know that this thriller contains material that of course we are going to be afraid. Thousands of birds are seen together as if they are in a gang, awaiting their prey. They don't appear welcoming, especially because all the birds are black; he black could potentially suggest danger, death and destruction. Next, they swam like hungry animals, attacking the children viciously. If they are able to attack children, then most defiantly they are able to attack anything, no matter what the humans have nothing against these cruel birds. "I hardly think a few birds are going to bring about the end of the world," is that so, lady? Her naivety caused her to doubt the capability of these menacing birds. More and more birds are seen, and a woman who seems her anxiety is eating her alive screams in panic and worry. The birds continue to flutter and screech while they attack.

The film stars Tippo Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor.

The Plot

The young socialite, Melanie Daniels agenda is to fool her love interest Mitch Brenner by playing a joke on him. She gives him the gift of lovebirds which is for his younger sibling’s birthday. This encourages the unexplainable attack of birds. As time continues, the numbers of birds increase.

In what ways is this an archetypal thriller?

Threat? Nature.

There is nowhere to escape commonly in Hitchcock films, in this case you cannot run away from “The Birds.”

Here is a teeth grinding scene from The Birds

In this clip, the woman shouts for Danny but he’s not home. There is silence, which introduces suspense. She looks around in anxiety making the audience also feel her anxiety, wondering what might occur next. There is a suspicious, eerie atmosphere present; she enters a room full of destruction and mishap. He face increases in worry as she looks around the room and spots bloody legs, then the whole body. It terrifies her, leaving her in absolute shock that she’s not able to even scream. The woman runs to another man, unable to speak; traumatised.

“Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action.”

Children running away frantically away from the birds

The birds smashing into the windows

A swam of birds attack Melanie Daniels

Is there an actual hero in the thriller?

The external threat comes from nature, and there no actual mugiffin in the film. On the other hand, you could assume that the birds have a reason for attack. Perhaps nature treated badly, or humans themselves. Hitchcock commonly uses a macguffin in his thriller to make them more exciting.

Therefore, who is the real enemy here?

“Devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliff hangers are used extensively.”

Suspense

Expecting a friend, Mitch’s mother enters the house but she was not expecting what she saw. She inspected the house anxiously and found it in ruins, which created tension and suspense. Suspense is at it’s zenith when she sees the dead body.

Even more suspense…

Melanie wants to pick up Mitch’s sister to make sure she is safe from the birds. Suspense rises as more and more birds gather the school playground, illustrating entrapment. The birds show their dominance by being appearing superior to the humans.

The end of the thriller, there is no conclusion, which can be regarded as a cliffhanger. He wanted to leave terror in the audience.

Sunday, 23 February 2014

Lighting Exercise

About Lighting

Shot 1 = Key Light

One of the most important, and commonly the first light that a photographer, or a cinematographer will use. The key light is used to highlight the shape (dimension and form) of an object, and can cause the effect of silhouettes. It is clear from this shot, the dimension and form.

Shot 2 = Back light

The use of the back light enables counteract causing a silhouette when there is a 3 part set up. Alone, the back light can create a silhouette, but the face is usually blacked out. It isn’t entirely effective in this particular shot.

Shot 3 = Filler Light

The filler light softens the harsh shadows that key, and back lights cause. The three part lighting structure is used, and prevents a contrast effect. The shot here is rather effective as there is not much shadow.

Shot 4 = under lighting

This shot is where the source of light is put under an object/subject. This creates an eerie atmosphere, and is used rather thoroughly in thrillers. The shot is makes the character appear sinister.

Shot 5 = Top lighting

The light is placed above the subject, which is a rather flattering light to make a glamorised effect. One of the most famous shots, is “Shanki Express,” in which the woman appears beautiful, many models use this type of lighting to create a flattering effect, and a famous celebrity example is Madonna. The shot is quite successful.

Shot 6 = Low Key Lighting

The key and back lights are used to create the low key lighting effect, which produces a sharp light and dark contrast. Shadows are seen, which is called a chiaroscuro effect. It helps to create an eerie look in thrillers, and the character in the shot looks quite intimidating.

Shot 7 = High Key Lighting

The fillers are used (key and back lighting) in a 3 camera set up. This is a known form of lighting to create a realistic look, which prevents forms of shadows.

The Style of editing

The Speed of editing

Source Code (2011) - Prezi

Production Company Ident Analysis - Prezi

Alfred Hitchcock - Prezi

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Title Sequence...

∞ Happy Days Production presents

∞ A film by Laura Bankole

∞ Starring…….

∞ Stacey Talbert

∞ Michael Rhodes

∞After Eight...

∞ Also starring

∞ Sarah Cole

∞ Lottie Street

∞ Alex West

∞ Editing – Laura Bankole

∞ Music – Michelle Nduku

∞ Casting – Stacey Talbot

∞ Writer – Lauren Quashie

∞ Producer – Michelle Nduku

∞ A film by Laura Bankole

∞ *fade out*

Finding Music

To find the music for our thriller, we used freeSFX. This is benefitial to us, as there will not be any copyright issues. If we were to use music from itunes, then copyright issues would appear if we did not ask permission from the artist. Asking for permission is time consuming because we would have to wait for a response, therefore freeSFX is more efficient and effective for us.

Ominous music is our choice as it would not distract the audience from what is occurring in our thriller.

Different Types Of Fonts

Certifcation Research

Shot List

shot 1: long shot
shot 2:close up
shot 3:long shot
shot 4:medium shot
shot 5:medium shot
shot 6:meduim shot
shot 7:close up
shot 8:meduim/close up
shot 9:medium/close up (zoom)
shot 10: close up/extreme close up (zoom)
shot 11:close up/extreme close up (zoom)

Justification of Title Name

The title of the thriller is 'After Eight'

The title is named "After 8" because it is short, which enables the audience to remember, instead of a longer name, which is not memorable. It also has a dinner theme as most people may have their dinner around the 8 o'clock time. The dinner theme, is a strong aspect throughout our film. The "After Eight," agenda is to highlight in the audience's mind that is something to do with eating, or consuming. Additionally, the name triggers thoughts of night, which emphasise a dark theme. Conclusively, "After Eight" leads to various possibilities of what could happen; mysterious, erie and dark atmosphere, which contains conventions of a thriller.