Evaluation: Location

The location or setting of a film is important in order to create a more intense mood and to make the experience of watching the film more immersive for the audience. Particularly in thrillers, the location is important at maintaining suspense. For instance, a potential victim would seem more vulnerable alone in a haunted mansion than amongst crowds in a busy city at rush-hour.

To get an idea about what sort of locations were most effective for our chosen genre, we looked at the most popular films that fit into the psychological thriller category. We wanted to look at some films that we had not previously studied as part of the coursework, so the films that we analysed included "Memento" (2000), "Black Swan" (2010), "The Machinist" (2004), "Vertigo" (1958), "The Sixth Sense" (1999) and "Get Out"(2017). 

1. "Memento" - the anonymous US city location keeps the audience on the edge of their seats because neither themselves nor the protagonist are familiar with their surroundings. This alienation creates suspense, since the character's familiarity with their environment can be somewhat reassuring for the audience. This proves that sometimes keeping the exact location ambiguous can be effective at retaining suspense throughout the film. 

2. "Black Swan" - set on Broadway, New York City, this film's location is certainly familiar to most people who watch it. Having a well-known location for the setting of the thriller film also proves effective due to the idea that the audience can share some of their own knowledge with the characters. Having a well-known setting may also help the audience to empathise with the characters more as they can put themselves a character's position with more ease and accuracy. 

3. "The Machinist" - being set in an industrial town, there are many unique dangers to this film that are not common in most psychological thrillers. This makes it so much more captivating, since the dangers are very much visible (the use of mise-en-scene in such a location helps to emphasise these dangers - exposed machinery, for example). Although it may not be explicit as to where the film is set, the type of location is recognisable to many people and is therefore more relatable for the audience. 

4. "Vertigo" - Again, this film uses a familiar setting: San Francisco Bay Area. The fogginess of the location creates a great sense of mystery and the natural dramatic landscapes and structures of San Francisco add to the dramatic narrative about love and death. In many ways, the variation and scale of the locations (steep hills, long and high bridges) aids and reflects the narrative, which helps to increase the intensity of the tension due to the representational and visional aid. 

5. "The Sixth Sense" - This film is set in Philadelphia, USA. It is not set in a typical large city like New York or London, and so it is relatively unique in the idea that it is still set in a large city, but people might not be as familiar with it as other cities. The urban/suburban setting is commonplace for most people in western society, so the films psychological effect could be more effective, since the location would be relatable to a wider demographic. More importantly, the film involves many characters, so setting the film in a city keeps the plot realistic and believable as well; one of the most important elements of filmmaking. 

6. "Get Out" - Unlike the previously analysed films, "Get Out" is set in a house in the middle of the woods, giving the sense of isolation to both the protagonist and the audience alike. This automatically adds suspense because the protagonist is made to appear extremely vulnerable and trapped (this is later reinforced by the protagonist's psychological entrapment as well as his physical one). Being isolated creates greater suspense for the audience and retains it throughout the film, which installs an element of fear in the audience; ideal for a thriller. The difference with this film is that it contains an element of comic relief; the 'trapped' protagonist's contact with a comical friend (who remains surrounded by society and has a job in the authorities) offers a sense of momentary security for the audience. 

Evaluation- Marking

1) Outstanding
2)Wow
3) As above
4) Brilliant
5)Covers similar films and the other requirements are in earlier posts
6)??
7)Wouldn't using an unusual gate draw more attention to yourself? Its terrific!

Claire and Emily 18/ 20. I couldn't see Eval 6

Film Opening- Marking

Level 4 48–60 marks

There is evidence of excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:
• material appropriate for the target audience and task;
• using titles appropriately according to institutional conventions;
• using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set;
• shooting material appropriate to the task set;, including controlled use of the camera, attention to framing, variety of shot distance and close attention to mise-en-scene;
• using editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer and making selective and appropriate use of shot transitions and other effects.

The content is appropriate to the target audience. It is clear what is going on (clearer than it was before) and you actually pace it very well.
The titles are conventional and unobtrusive. I'm still not sure about the title being at the start but- probably just me!
The sound is appropriate and nicely edited with the images in places. Claire's feet twice do this- when she lands off the gate in time to the music and when she appears in the foreground and the sinister music kicks back in. Nicely done!
There are some really good shots in here- smooth most of the time and slightly shaky and more urgent in the Claire POV moment.
Some lovely match on action editing and I thought you did the CU of the phone and then tilt up to Emily very well. The shot choices were good and you mixed them up nicely. I thought Emily died a bit quickly! The end was possibly the weak bit as it seemed suddenly rushed after you'd paced it so beautifully.

Well done!

I'd like other opinions but provisionally  54/60

'Classified' Final Cut

Classified Final Cut





This overall experience has built our knowledge in regards to marketing films, camera techniques, research and planning, production companies and all the aspects included in the overall AS Media coursework. We have achieved great experience from this task and have developed thoroughly as media students. Our director's commentary gives a detailed explanation of all the camera techniques, editing, sound and symbolisms etc that were involved in the opening sequence and what we believed was effective. Above is the final cut of the opening sequence for 'Classified' and we are overall pleased with the results and the improvement from our preliminary task. Improvement areas include making sure the camera used can not be seen in reflections during point of view shots, be able to post further researching of the task (e.g marking past student blogs), keeping up to date with certain aspects of the blog such as storyboards.

Research and Planning-Marking

Emily and Claire's analysis of the film openings and title sequences demonstrated an in depth understanding of the forms and conventions as well as technical codes and how audiences make meaning from texts. Both Emily's analysis of Heat and Claire's of Shutter Island not only showed high levels of insight and analysis but a real maturity in putting their ideas across. Their blog on the types of title sequence ably demonstrated an understanding of the variety of approaches and their impact. The mood board was more a series of images but there was still a clear understanding of genre. The mood board on film openings was more what I was expecting.

The post on psychographics and demographics, not only showed an understanding of the concepts but demonstrated their willingness to go the extra mile and research the reasons that, for example, certain age groups gravitate towards certain genres. Their work on the BBFC, health and safety assessment and film companies demonstrated a clear understanding of some of the issues facing media industries. Their post on film companies could have been in a little more depth but I liked the explanation and design of Clearwood. 

The post on marketing techniques and their efficacy was incredibly thorough. Their ideas for marketing 'Classified' were ell thought out and well executed. 

Both girls have worked outstandingly hard to produce this blog. They have worked closely together and shared the load. The levels of analysis and understanding of institutional issues- especially marketing was superb. 

Emily 19/20
Claire 19/20