This is the final edit of our media product ‘Unhinged’.

As a group, we worked hard to follow the common codes and conventions of the thriller genre in order to produce a title sequence for a thriller film.

Camera – Throughout the title sequence, we used a variety of shot types and camera angles commonly seen in thriller films and title sequences such as tracking shots, close ups and low angle shots. Low key lighting was used when filming these shots to give it an eerie and mysterious feel.

Sound – To accompany our footage, we had a soundtrack originally composed for use in our title sequence. This soundtrack featured distorted and eerie sounds used to create tension and emphasise the eerie and mysterious feel. We looked at the title sequence of the film Se7en for inspiration when talking to our music producer. As well as this, in the second half of our title sequence, we used foley sound to make the sound of the drill used by the antagonist louder and of a high quality.

Mise en scene – We focused on the setting, props and costumes when it came to the mise en scene of our media product. Both settings that featured in our title sequence followed the common codes and conventions of thriller and helped to portray the eerie and mysterious feel we wanted to feature in our media product. As well as this, both characters wore costumes that reflected their characters well. The main character of our media product wore a ripped, bloody white t shirt that suggested that who he was running from had hurt him and wanted to kill him. The antagonist of our media product wore a dark boiler suit and gloves suggesting that he was dressed for a dirty and manual job. The props used by the antagonist were shown as the antagonised caresses them in a creepy and disturbing way. This was done to convey to the audience the mental state of the antagonist.

Editing – During post production editing, a black and white effect was added to our footage to give it a mysterious and eerie feel and help establish the genre of the title sequence. In addition to this, we sped up and slowed down certain shots to help create tension for the audience watching our media product.Finally, foley sound was added to the second half of the title sequence to increase the quality of the sound and create a sense of fear within the audience.

 

During a title sequence, the titles are arranged in a specific way. They typical order for titles in title sequences is:

1.    Name of the studio that is distributing the film.

2.    Name of the production company responsible for making the film. If an investor financed a substantial portion of the movie, they will usually be credited alongside the production company with “In Association with.”

3.    A (Producer’s Name) Production.

4.    A Film by (Director’s Name).

5.    Starring (this is optional or can be paired with the first cast member’s name), followed by the names of all principal actors.

6.    Film title.

7.    Featured cast members.

8.    Casting by.

9.    Music, composer, or original score.

10.    Production designer.

This title order is closely followed in the thriller film Se7en. This is a film that has greatly inspired and influenced my group throughout our continuity and main task. We were inspired by Se7en’s use of black and white, close up shots, typography and pace.

We plan to follow this order of titles for our title sequence.

There are four levels on the Main Task criteria.

Level 1 – The work for the main task is possibly incomplete. There is minimal evidence in the work of the creative use of any technical skills.

Level 2 – There is evidence of a basic level of ability in the creative use of some technical skills.

Level 3 – There is evidence of proficiency in the creative use of many of the technical skills.

Level 4 – There is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most technical skills.

I think that our Main Task falls under Level 3. I think that we have successfully used a range of technical skills throughout our main task. For example, producing material appropriate for the target audience, using titles appropriately according to conventions of thriller, using sound with our footage appropriately for the task, shooting material appropriate to the task and editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer. As well as this, we successfully followed the codes and conventions of the thriller genre to create a title sequence for a thriller.

After receiving more feedback on our main task, we went out on a second shoot to get more and improved footage that can be used in our main task. Unlike our first draft, Josh featured as out main character instead of the actor we used previously. Our feedback from our first draft told us to make the title sequence longer by using a selection of shot clips. As well as doing this to improve our main task we also added a black and white filter over the footage throughout the title sequence in order to add an eerie feel to the title sequence and follow common conventions of the thriller genre. Despite all this, not everything changed. We still used the same location and originally composed track in our second draft.

The producers of the new series of the X-Files have decided to use the original title sequence from the old series’.

I think they have chosen to do this as it is well know by everyone and through the years has become a household name. Because of this, when people hear it on the advert they will recognise it and so will be keen to watch it again. Furthermore, it might cause upset with fans if the producers chose to use a new title sequence and new theme song to go with it and because of this, old viewers may refuse to watch it as they may think that it has changed and not as good as it used to be.

 

The Purge begins in a small, wealthy neighborhood where the residents are preparing for the annual Purge Night. During this night, all crime is legal including murder. The main characters area small family of four that own a large, expensive house due to the husband of the family as he owns a home security system company that create security systems used to protect families on the annual Purge Night. Everyone in the neighborhood owns one of his security systems and uses it to protect their large, wealthy homes.

After enabling the homes security system and settling down for the night before the Purge begins, the youngest child of the family is faced with a decision as he spots a homeless man running from a group of Purges desperately pleading with residents to enter their safe homes. Eventually he gives in and disables the homes security system, allowing the man to enter. Things go downhill from then on for the family from then on as the group of Purges find out that the man is hiding in their house and after waiting for a few hours for the family to give up the man, they break their way into the home.

If the family thought things couldn’t get worse, fellow residents of the street begin to join in with the Purges in an effort to reclaim all the money they have given the family through buying security systems. They do this by attempting to kill the family. In an effort to defend his family from their neighbors and the Purges the husband is sadly killed. Despite all this, our faith in humanity is restored when the homeless man protects the rest of the family from the neighbors before the purge is finished. Like a hero, the homeless man disappears into the street without a word.

As a group, we have decided to title our main task ‘Unhinged’. We have chosen this name as it reflects the state of mind of the main character.

So far we have filmed half of the title sequence. This took place in Black Park as the shots featured a character running through the woods. We filmed from 4-5pm in order to create a natural, eerie lighting typical in thriller title sequences and films.

We plan to film the second half of our title sequence during February half term. During the second half, the main character is seen in a room at a desk packing tools. The character is then seen to put a mask on and leave the room, slamming the door as he exits. We have decided to film these scenes in a garage as it fits with our idea and the storyboard.