Mayalice Joseph
Treasure Coast High School
Production Diary
March 24
6.3 Planning Production
Storyboard
Analysis of 3 Movie Clips, How Thrillers Utilize These Techniques, and What I Want To Take From Them
Analyzing these clips will allow me to further my understanding of the components thrillers use to create a certain scene, and identifying these techniques will provide me with more ideas for how I can incorporate them within my film.
This clip takes place in a dark, low‑key lit room. The creators utilized colored light to allow the audience to better understand that this scene is part of a thriller. The dark lighting reflects a tense scene. Close up shots were often used thin this scene to direct the audience's attention on a specific subject or specific subjects. Thrillers often use this to make the scene more frightening and often times, something pops up or something intriguing occurs within this scene, like a discovery. I would like to incorporate some lighting factors to imply that my clip is a thriller and to create a tense environment.
This clip demonstrates continuity while using different camera shots to direct the audience’s attention to another subject. The dark lighting creates a tense atmosphere, while the non‑diegetic music builds suspense and creates an ominous mood. Thrillers often incorporate this to heighten engagement within the audience and communicate timing regarding when the action will begin. I plan on incorporating the ominous music to create tension within my film. The addition of sharp notes when the action begins will heighten the quality of the scene.
This clip has many scenes where the characters are in a dark room. The non‑diegetic, ominous sound was used to create a tense environment. A soundscape was formed through the layering of sounds. I noted this because of the infrequent beats and how often the rhythm changed. Within the soundscape, diegetic sound was also incorporated. The use of both diegetic and non‑diegetic sound created realism within the scene. Thrillers often incorporate this to create a more frightening moment for the audience by attempting to invoke more emotion from them. I plan on incorporating the soundscape and mixing diegetic and non‑diegetic sound within my film to make my scene more frightening.
April 16th
Production Progress
Permission Form
What I did:
I created a formal binding contract to serve as a basic outline of the legal responsibilities and restrictions of MLJ Motion Pictures.
Why it matters:
A contract is used to outline all expected duties and tasks. Completing this step demonstrates a proper understanding of legal proceedings in media production.
Reflection:
The form serves as an example of a way film companies legally protect themselves before, during, and after production, highlighting the importance of a contract/permission form.
Risk Assessment
What I did:
I created a formal risk assessment that highlights all the risk factors there are in the production of my film.
Why it matters:
Completing this step demonstrates a proper understanding of the risks of filming and the importance of safety/responsibility while on set
Reflection:
This process allowed me to identify these risks to prevent injuring myself due to ignorance and being unaware of some of the risks
Mood Board
A mood board is a visual collection used to show the intended general aesthetic of a film. My mood board highlights a variety of lighting and facial expressions commonly used in thrillers. I chose films that included scared and shocked characters because it helped build tension throughout the scene they appear in. The dark lighting and close up shots help convey fear and create a suspenseful atmosphere My film is a thriller and I plan on incorporating similar lighting and facial expressions to portray a scared girl while building a tense atmosphere.
Audition
What I did:
I performed a short audition to identify my strengths and weaknesses in narration/line delivery.
Why it matters:
Auditions are a vital part of film. It allows for quicker and more efficient casting of roles based on the talents and strengths of an actor. By completing an audition, I developed a better understanding of my capabilities. Due to me not being fully in favor of the way I sound in this clip, I decided to not do a voice-over.
Reflection:
This audition aided me in identifying a role that I am fit for and provided a better idea of what I can incorporate into my video.
Character
Character Name: Kamora
Gender: Female
Age: 14-16
Role: Unsuspecting girl
Traits: Sad, lonely
Appearance: Comfortable, no makeup, hair down.
Costume: Red hoodie, black jean shorts, and black knee-length socks (chosen based on realistic outfits worn at home and comfort factors while staying stylish)
Casting: Mayalice Joseph
Why: Women are often the main characters of thrillers because they are often portrayed as more emotional. I chose myself for the role because I am reliable and available throughout all times of the day.
Target Audience: Females aged 14-21
Genre: Thriller
Appeal to audience: This character appeals to women aged 14–21 because she is a teenage girl in a realistic home setting, which makes the scene feel believable. Thrillers often use female leads, so the audience can connect with her reactions and fear. The PG-13 fits this production due to the addition of suspense without it being too extreme.
Challenges: I am doing this project alone, so if something happens to me I lose not only my actor but my entire production. However, by doing this alone, I am not reliant on someone else's schedule and can do this project whenever I please.
What I did
I photographed the costume for my character
Why it matters
The costume is a vital part of mise-en-scene as it is what the audience will be viewing. The costume can provide insight into what the film holds. The dark colors support the thriller genre and the hoodie and long socks imply that this takes place somewhere comfortable.
Reflection
This step developed my understanding of how a costume can influence the mood and how a costume can alter the entire production.
Concept
Name: "Unseen"
Location: Home (Things have been rearranged so that certain things aren't showing in the background)
Character: Kamora, played by me, Mayalice Joseph
Length: 2-minute clip
Filming Days: Monday, April 13 and Friday, April 17th
Target Audience: Consumers of the thriller genre, ages 14-21 due to the intensity. I believe that my film is intense enough to warrant a PG-13 rating but those ages 22 and above may not enjoy the intensity as it is not intense enough to warrant a 17+ rating.
My film begins with a girl sitting on the couch trying to find something to watch but ends up retreating to her room when nothing she finds interesting is on. When she enters her room, she leaves the door slightly open and notices her computer is open, which is suspicious because she didn't leave it like that. Eerie music starts to play, creating a tense mood. She hears something so she sticks her head out, and she sees the creature, so she runs back in her room and slams the door. She creates a barrier, but as she stands there looking slightly relieved, she sees the creature in the corner of her eye. She can't do anything because she blocked the door, so she falls on her knees in defeat.
Behind The Scenes
What I did
I photographed some parts of creating and developing my set and lighting. These photos show me testing how the light source's positioning will look on camera. I needed to test the lighting to see what changes can be made if the lighting isnt right.
Why it matters
Lighting is a vital part of the film making process as the film is entirely dependent o whether the subjects can be seen. Bad lighting can ruin an entire production. Photographing my scene allowed me to see the way the warm lighting complemented my set and and costume.
Reflection
Experimenting and testing the lighting allows me to view the scene in a different way. The behind the scene photos also aided in my story line, providing examples of how I can use lighting in my favor to create a certain look for my video. Checking technical factors is a vital part of film making because technical errors can cause the need to reshoot and it may get rid of progress. I ended up liking the final lighting and it created a warm toned environment, making myself cane appear warm and inviting.
Logo Design
What I did
I created and designed a company name and logo for the film company that is meant to be producing my video. The logo is based on my initials, and I used my favorite color, red, and to add some elegance I made a gold outline around the letters.
Why it matters
In the opening credits, a recognizable logo may give the audience an idea of what to expect due to the company's reputation. This sets expectations before the film begins.
Reflection
This process allowed me to reflect on how factors unrelated to the production of a film can impact it. A company's reputation can increase or decrease its audience significantly, and designing the logo improved my understanding of how reputation builds expectations.
Title Design
I am the only person involved in this production, so it would be very difficult to create a figure that is worthy of the expressions and movements being made in this production. The word Unseen means something hidden from view and that is exactly what I am aiming for. I want the figure to be hidden from the audience's view, so that the character's facial expressions and actions are able to convey meaning. The font I used for the words was Rubik Distress. I used this font because of the way it looks. It looks choppy but it is still legible and serves as a good indicator of the genre my film has. The icon below it is of glasses with a camera on them. I decided to use this icon because of the "see" in "Unseen" and the camera on the glasses indicates capturing something. Only the character is "seeing" this scary figure so I thought this would be a good addition. The centralization of the white icon and words, in addition to the font, made the title appear dominant and scarier.
Opening Credits Design
What I did
I created the opening sequence for my video and decided to make it a part of my production. I used the Caslon font because it looks elegant, and the trees and bright lighting in the background of the logo imply that the scene is taking place during the day.
Why it mattered
The opening credits are a vital component of a film, as they form the very first impressions of a film for the audience. The font, speed, and whether it starts off with a light or dark filter can give the audience an idea of what the film may entail.
Reflection
This process made me consider the importance of choosing a specific font and the lighting at the beginning of a production.
Sound Planning
What I did
I researched thriller sounds that would make my film eerie. I used the natural, diegetic sounds of my footsteps, clothes rubbing together, and the sound of the door shutting. In addition to the diegetic sounds of my raw footage, I used non‑diegetic sounds to create a soundscape through the usage of layering. I used cinematic suspense to indicate that something was wrong, followed by a cinematic story horror riser when things started taking a turn. During the scene where she built a barricade behind her door, I used a heartbeat sound effect to highlight her fear.
Why it mattered
Sound is vital when creating a certain mood in a production. The eerie sound implies that action may begin to take place soon, and certain musical aspects, such as sharp notes, indicate that action is taking place. The utilization of sound effects can heighten a production significantly by making the scene more tense and dramatic.
Reflection
This allowed me to reflect on the importance of a soundscape in film. A soundscape will set a certain mood for a film and sends a message to the audience. It also allowed me to reflect on how the usage of proper sound effects can alter the perception of a film.
Final video with Soundscape
Technical Elements
I did not use visual effects apart from the usage of a variety of camera shots and angles to create a continuous scene. I used close-up shots; to capture certain details varying from facial expressions to small details on some items; long shots to capture body language; and wide shots to capture surroundings and movement. These shots came together through the usage of continuity editing, allowing the audience to follow the movements of the character. My non-diegetic discordant music creates an eerie mood, and the diegetic sounds add to the horror due to the scenes seeming more realistic. I have used warm-toned, artificial, low-key lighting in many clips to create a welcoming, warm scene. This makes the scene more inviting and allows the audience to relate to the characters, portraying a warm, inviting home.
Images of Editing
This image shows me altering the volume, fade in time, and fade out time for the "cinematic suspense" music.
This image shows me altering the volume, fade in time, and fade out time for the "it is the heartbeat of the heart" sound.
This image shows me altering the volume, fade in time, and fade out time for the "cinematic scary horror riser" music.
This image shows me altering the scale of my opening credits.
This image shows me altering the volume, fade in time, and fade out time for the thriller music.
This image shows me going through my production and rearranging clips while doing a final edit.
Editing Techniques
I decided to edit my thriller in a way that creates continuity, as I believed this would aid in creating realism within the film and create a more frightening atmosphere. I used a variety of stand‑still shots, differing between the type of shot and the angle the camera was positioned at, and I used this technique to provide a variety of different perspectives and to direct the attention to specific aspects of my production, such as the setting and my character’s body language or facial expressions. I used cinematic ominous music, horror risers, thriller music, and sound effects to highlight how frightening the scene is for the character, and the combination of these techniques allowed me to form a continuous thriller‑shot film. The shots I used were wide shots, long shots, close‑up shots, low‑angle shots, high‑angle shots, and mid shots, and to combine this variety of shots I needed to use match cuts and match‑on‑action, which primarily allowed for the composition of this production. To create these match‑ups, I had to perfectly time the actions and match up certain shots, like shots of my character walking, so that the scenes weren’t choppy or unaligned. I also had to experiment with the placement of the sounds; I already intended on using the diegetic sounds, so I altered the volume on the clips and reduced the background noise to remove sounds that I did not want to incorporate in my film. To reduce the noise in certain parts, I had to split some of the videos a certain way, and because there was a wide selection of thriller music to choose from on CapCut, I went through and picked the types of music that I believed best fit my scene and stretched it across scenes until it sounded best.
Final Product