Focus Group Video

Main points from the focus group video:

1. Rename the film from "The Unknown" to the "The Skin Walker"
2. Fighting scenes implanted from the lead detective and side detective 
3. Some swearing included.
4. Elements of mystery.
5. Skin walker gets away with the crime. 
6. There should be a second film. 
7. There should be character developments to make the audience like the film.

How are you going to implement this in the film?

• Rename the film from "The Unknown" to the "The Skin Walker"
• The title of the film will remain the same as it would contain elements of mystery. However we may decide to change it as it will help change and attract the audience more. 
• Fighting scenes implanted from the lead detective and side detective 
• Throughout the film there will be a variety of fighting scenes. 
• Some swearing included.
• There will be continuous swearing in the film.  
• Elements of mystery.
• Elements of mystery will be shown continuously throughout the film. This will be shown through the doll that's found in the beginning of the film. 
• Skin walker gets away with the crime. 
• We will show this at the end of the film where the skin walker holds a hostage and manages to get away and not get caught.
• There should be a second film. 
• The skin walker escapes from the scene and then the next film will be about a chasing game between the detective and the skin walker. 
• There should be character developments to make the audience like the film.
• There will be a variety of conversations that will help. 

Final idea summary.

The final idea we are planning to do is film the opening sequence of the film. During this opening sequence there are 2 detectives tracking down a criminal in a forest. However as they track and find the criminal there is a problem. The problem is that there is 2 pathways. This means that the detectives spilt up to find the criminal who escaped from prison. Once the detectives spilt up, one of them finds the criminal whereas the other is on another path. She then finds a baby doll. This causes suspicions to rise and she tries to contact the lead detective. However from the bushes, the skin walker appears and takes over her mind. This then ends with the partner returning to the lead detective being manipulated to the skin walkers doing.

Throughout the rest of the film, the lead detective has no idea what is happening until the last few scenes of the movie. Furthermore, during the film the crime rates increase and civilians and the city are worried for their lives. Eventually the lead detective finds out that its the skin walkers doing and tracks her down. There will then be a big fight between the skin walker and the lead detective. However, the skin walker takes a hostage which is the partner and makes a negotiation on her escape. The ending of the film includes the skin walker escaping and the other detective returns to normal. 

The end...

Questions and responses

  1) What. genre of movies do you like best?

In the bar chart we can see the most popular genre is adventure with 11 votes. The others are action and horror with 10 votes. We are able to know that these are the most popular for this age group so we shall use one of these as a sub-genre for my thriller film. With no votes documentary and sci fi doesn't have any votes. This means that we shouldn't use this for our movie since it'll make our movie the least popular.

2) What type of qualities would you like to see the protagonist and antagonist have?

As we can see mainly people want to see them to have a good quality acting. They would want character development for each character, with drama and twists on what's happening in the movie. People would like to see a betrayal of some sort leading to drama.

3) What's the main reason you enjoy watching films?

Here we can see that there is a variety of reasons why people like watching films. There is no right or wrong answer. However the majority of answers that came up throughout this questionnaire is that audiences watch films for the entertainment.

4)How often do you watch thriller films?

People mainly watch thriller films monthly, which means its quite popular for this age group.

5) What type of music do you find the most effective in a thriller film?

People would want to mainly see a fast pace music, this shows us that they would like to be put on edge with music since it's a huge thing for thriller films. It helps lead to the main thriller moments into the film. 

6) What type of protagonist would you like to see? (lead character, like a hero)

People would like like to see the protagonist have a complex life. Some sort of sad past which would make them vulnerable. This tells us that they would want the protagonist to learn and discover themselves more and overcome obstacles. Also someone who is relatable to the audience, so someone who is struggling in life.

7) What type go antagonist would you like to see? (villain)

People would like to see the antagonist as someone who is misunderstood and had something leading up to be a rebel character. Also would like someone who is able to manipulate the person in the film but also who can manipulate the audience to make it more thriller.

8) What settings scare you the most in a thriller film?

The most popular settings with 8 votes is forest and isolated outdoors. This tells us that those are what the audience wants to see in the thriller film to put them on edge and also what they find that is a good environment for the thriller film.

9) Do you enjoy watching thriller films?

95% of people said they enjoy watching thriller films. This shows us that it's quite for this age group. One of the most popular genres for teenagers.

10) What type of props would you like to see in a thriller film?

Mainly the audience wants to see knifes, guns and fake blood being used in the film. Not too much but enough to get the thrill out of it. Also old letters and baby toys, this shows us they want to see something that is old in the movie. 

11) What would you expect there to be in a thriller film, that you would enjoy?

People expect to see plot twists, something dark, jump scares, murder and betrayal. Also a good storyline with smart villains, suspenseful scenes and moments where the hero of the story learns and grows. This tells us that people want the thriller to be kinda dark but suitable for a thriller. They want a good storyline with characters that are smart and have development. This is because the audience also wants to feel what the characters are feeling in the movie.

Written Synopsis.

Section 1: Content.

1. Describe the events in your film. 

My film is about a murderer mystery. It first takes place in a forest. During the beginning we start to see the lead character and side character in the story. This is because they are chasing after a prisoner who has just escaped from prison. During this scene the 2 detectives spilt up and search for the criminal. However something happens. One of the detectives gets cursed by another antagonist and therefore the detective obeys the creature. Dramatic irony takes place. This is so then it creates suspense in the film. During the rest of the film, the lead detective finds out that his partner is committing all of these crimes. The film is left on a cliff hanger for the sequel to commence. 

2. Describe each key character using the angles of articles approach.

Key characters:

The lead detective - The lead detective is the one who is trying to find out what is happening to his city and tries to figure out what the hardest criminal ever. He is essential in this film as he is trying to find out who is committing all of these crimes and trying to keep his city safe.

The side detective - The side detective is the one who gets mind controlled. This means that she is the one who is doing all the crimes and is submitting to the creatures command. 

The creature - The creature is the one who is causing all the trouble and is making the side detective to-do her bidding. She is not caught but there is a mystery behind her. That is trying to find out why she is doing this and for how long.

Section 2: Narrative.

Todorov's Narrative.

1. Equilibrium 

This starts at the very beginning of the film. This is where the detectives are preparing for the manhunt of a criminal that has escaped from prison. 

2. Disruption 

The equilibrium is disrupted when the antagonist is being mind controlled by the mysterious creature and commands her to do her bidding. 

3. Recognition

This is when there is numerous amounts of crimes scenes that took place and when it comes to the latest one, the lead detective finds out that his partner is the one responsible for the crimes. 

4. Repair

The lead detective starts to plan a strategy to start to catch his partner and start to gather evidence based on her. Eventually it ends with the protagonist and the antagonist having a large fight and once the fight ends the antagonist manages to take over and she is then sent to a hospital to get examined. However the creature is still not to be found. 

5. New Equilibrium

Once the antagonist is back to normal she is instructed to take time off. Once that happens she goes and sees the lead detective. However the lead detective cannot believed what has happened and decides to get a new partner. 

Linear and Non-Linear Structure 

Our thriller film is composed of both linear and non-linear structure. This is due to having flashbacks of what the detectives have both been through and also when the detective starts to realise who is responses for the crimes. It however continues in a linear structure and therefore it brings the thriller together. 

Narrative Devices

One narrative device we will be using is a flashback. This will happen continuously throughout the thriller and therefore it will bring the entire movie together. 

Another narrative device we will be using is the McKee's five part structure. This structure is made up in five parts:

1. An inciting incident - This is when the antagonist gets mind controlled.
2. Progressive complications - This is when the detective starts to act differently from the lead detective.
3. Crisis - This is when the detective is committing crimes and murders.
4. Climax - This is where fight scene commences.
5. Resolution - This is when the antagonist takes back control and therefore the lead detective finds a new partner.

Another narrative device we will be using is poetic justice. This is when the lead detective is awarded for his service and finds a new partner. Also then ending has the side detective is being treated in a hospital and pay for her crimes.  

Section 3: Genre.

Identify 3 thriller conventions, a sub-genre and how it will fit in. Give evidence. Identify 3 thriller themes and explain how your thriller will use them

One thriller convention that will be used is music. This will be used continuously throughout the film to create tension and also create suspense. Another thriller convention that will be used is violence. Throughout this film there will be a variety of fighting and action scenes to engage the audience and keep it interesting. There will also be a variety of weapons that will be used such as guns. Finally another convention that will be used is the element of props. This includes blood. This is because it will help connote the film and therefore bring the ingredients of horror and action continuously throughout the film.  

One subgenre in our film will be mystery thriller. This will be presented through the detective trying to figure out who is behind the murders and other crimes in the film. The music and shots (long and short) will be used. This will help with building upon the subgenre in the thriller. 

The thriller themes in the film will be composed with the following:

• Violence - In this thriller there will be elements of violence especially towards the end. This is because the detective is going to be fighting the other detective who's still mind controlled. This will bring some shock to the audience and also help bring them to the edge of their seats when watching this particular scene. 
• Crime - Crime will also be another theme that the thriller will have. This is because the whole thriller is based on finding out the murderer and also finding out who committed the crimes. 
• Conflict - There is going to be conflict with this thriller. This is because when finding out who did the crimes, there is going to be conflict between the protagonist and antagonist. 

Section 4: Style.

In our thriller film, we will be using a variety of camera movements and shots. For example we will be using long/establishing shots. This is so then the audience can see that the detectives are searching the area for the criminal but there is the creature in the distance. Another example of camera movements we will be using is long short shots. This is because then the audience can zoom into the detectives face as she is getting mind controlled. This allows suspense to be created for the audience.   

When we are going to edit the clips we have collected we will be adding transitions and music effects. We will be using the software final cut pro. The transitions will help us as we are trying to create a fade out during the last few seconds of the film to make the audience eager to watch what is going to happen next. The music effects will also be added when we are editing. This will help thrill the audience and connote the horror thriller we are going to make.

Also in the post-production phase we will be placing music and other sound effects in the thriller film. This is so then the music and other sound effects can bring the elements of mystery and horror to live. Furthermore, this will also help "break the ice" so then the start of the film can be captivating to the audience. This will enhance the film in many ways and prevent the audience to get bored. 

When filming this film there will only be one location that will be showed at the beginning of the film. This is because we only have two minutes. This location will be taking place in a forest where the detectives are tracking down the criminal who has escaped from prison. 

Section 5: Brief interpretation.

It states in the scenario "We are looking for the first two minutes of an original, new thriller movie". This means that when we are done with the production phase we will be using the editing software we will ensure that it will not go beyond two minutes. Therefore we will be meeting the scenario that has been set. 

Thriller Chiller Film Festival also wants the film we are going to create to be "a target audience of 16-24 year olds". To ensure that we achieve this we will ensure that the characters will be around 22-24 aged. This is because the audience will be able to relate to the characters more and therefore will understand them better. For example the detectives. The detectives will be new fresh out of the academy that will be solving their first case.

Finally the scenario also states "All content produced must be original and produced by you". This means that we will be making our own content regarding the film and therefore it will ensure that we are not using other pieces of work that has been used before. For example the script and the setting. The film we are going to be making will be in a different location compared to most mystery thrillers. This allows us to ensure that we are staying original when we are making this film. 

Task Allocation Week 4

 

Task Allocation Week 3

 

Task Allocation Week 2

 

Task Allocation Week 1