se7en

I can't believe I almost forgot to consider opening credits in my film. Opening credits are important, especially in Thriller movies and shows. Commonalities among these sequences include eerie music, suspense, low key lighting, murder/crime, blood/violence, location, and character presence. 

Let's take a look at the opening credits for Se7en, a thriller movie about two homicide detectives that hunt a serial killer who uses the 7 deadly sins as his motives. 

(here is a link to the video for reference)

Close up shots and shallow focus reveal different objects and actions of the character. These don't reveal much, and leave the audience wondering who the character is and where they are. Specific objects like pens, files, and paper do leave viewers with some context of the location (an office or home??). Dark, low-key lighting is used throughout, which sets the mood of the film. Red lighting denotes that the characters will be faced with danger/blood/violence. 

Some of the clips are edited to be in slow motion. The pages slowly turning created suspicion among the audience, and allows them to hone in on what they're doing. Flickering animations also create tension and anxiousness, which are both conventions in the genre.

The scratchy handwritten fonts used may imply that someone is writing up a file about someone/something. The white text is a stark contrast from the black/dark background.

Sources: 

http://windsorgirls.weebly.com/gemini-productions/codes-and-conventions-in-thriller-opening-scenes

Images:

https://www.watchthetitles.com/titlesequence/seven/

tweaking my outline

Time to tweak the outline of my film opening!!! After receiving feedback from my teacher, I have a better idea of what to include and leave out in this opening. I was worried that all of my initial ideas were too ambitious or revealed too much of the plot. I had so many ideas and I knew I had to be pickier on what I kept or left out in the opening. Also I completely forgot to consider the credit sequence in the beginning (which would take up about 20 seconds). After considering all of these things, I was able to finalize my outline. Here we goooo:

1. End of nightmare sequence

2. Protagonist wakes up scared

3. Protagonist looks at self and goes to bathroom to check mirror to see if they are alive

4. Goes to kitchen table to eat

5. Parents (or should I do roommate??) talks to them while eating

6. Blood starts coming out of parents/roomate's eyes (fast editing between blood/no blood to show that protagonist is seeing things)

7. Sharp ringing sound drowns out the parents/roomate's words 

8. Stumbles down the hallway back to their room

9. In their room flashing/flickering lights and shadows appearing everywhere. Protagonist sits on bed covering their ears. Piercing/ringing sound continues. 

10. Parent/roommate opens door and everything is back to normal.

11. Credit sequence (at the end of opening just like in Se7en)

stay on schedule shannon!!!

Go Shannon go! Staying on track can be hard sometimes. When I want something I make to be really good, I tend to procrastinate in fear that what I make/do won't meet my expectations. I think by sticking to an outlined plan with deadlines, I'll be able to hold myself accountable.

2/22-2/28
Establish a plot, characters, finalize research. Begin storyboarding and looking for music to use. 

3/1-3/7

Finalize storyboard and music. Do research on who owns rights to the music and reach out through email. Cast the characters and finalize the cast (2-3). Figure out what camera equipment is needed. Begin planning what is needed on set (props). Figure out opening credits

3/8-3/14

Finalize and make props if needed. Screenplay should be finalized, so distribute it to the actors. Look for fonts needed for opening credits.

3/15-3/21

Begin the filming process. Finalize credits and work on opening credits. 

3/22-3/28

Finish filming and edit. Most of the editing should be done.

3/29-4/6

Finish editing. Script and record the CCR. Make sure that everything is finalized.

(schedule may be subject to change... flexibility is important!)

more genre research: suspense

In my previous blog post, I touched on how elements of cinematography aid in creating suspense. Here are some more techniques that are used to create suspense in films (bulleted list so I can easily reference this research later):

• Set design
• Editing
• Soundtrack/Score

Set Design

In Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, the labyrinth floorplan of the hotel doesn't make logical sense, which creates suspense. Viewers are never given the answers to the Overlook Hotel, and are left in a state of wonder.

In this scene, the contrast between the sterility of the bathroom and the rest of the hotel creates uncertainty (as if Jack is transported to a completely different place). The harsh lighting, symmetry, and use of a single color (red) all create uneasiness. Essentially, if there is something off about the space, viewers are left on edge.

Editing

Editing is essential in thriller films. Timing is important and can be manipulated in different ways. Time can be manipulated through the delay of events, which can be shown through the cutting between different scenes. Fast paced editing can also create a sense of anxiousness. Color correcting and color grading in post production are also techniques commonly used in thrillers.

Score and Sound

In Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite, the score perfectly matches the fast pacing of the scene (refer to video below). The rising and falling instrumentals (nondiegetic) coupled with the diegetic sound of the preparation of the noodles creates stress. Viewers are on edge of whether the Kim family will be able to clean up before the Park's arrive home.

Links:

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/elements-of-suspense/

Images:

https://nwfilmforum.org/events/puget-soundtrack-corey-brewer-presents-shining-forward-backward/

genre research for film opening

I am thrilled to present to you my genre research for my film opening (really bad pun I'm sorry I couldn't resist). But yes, it's going to be a thriller.

I decided that coming up with the premise of the film and then figuring out which genre it would fit into after would allow me to be more free with my ideas (instead of trying to box everything and limit my creativity).

And now let's get on with the presentation...

Thrillers are often aimed at young adults because the content in these films may portray horror/violent elements that are unsuitable for younger audiences. Films in this genre are characterized by intense excitement, suspense, anticipation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-racking tension. The primary goal of these films are to create tension that builds up to a climax. Thrillers often get confused with other genres, but what makes them different is how they focus more on the atmosphere and feeling of suspense that is created.

There are many subgenres in the Thriller genre which include:

• Action/Adventure thrillers
• Sci-fi thrillers
• Psychological thrillers
• Crime-caper thrillers
• Romantic-comedy thrillers

Oftentimes, tropes like plot twists, psychology, paranoia, and false accusations are commonly found within films of the genre. Characters that aid these tropes may include stalkers, criminals, psychotic individuals, cops, and more. My film opening will surround my protagonist's slow descent into madness as her nightmares begin to spill into her waking life.

So what are common film techniques that are used in thrillers? Cinematography is one big component that filmmakers use in order to create suspense in a film. Shadows that are created by lighting can create a sense of anticipation among viewers. Frame composition is another important thing to consider. Empty spaces are commonly used in thrillers to create the sense that something is missing, which can invoke anxiety. 

In Suspiria (1977), shadowy figures and red lighting are used to create anxiety and fear. 

Sources:

https://www.filmsite.org/thrillerfilms.html 

https://nofilmschool.com/thriller-genre-in-movies-and-tv-shows

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/elements-of-suspense/

Images:

https://cinemaoftheabstract.blogspot.com/2015/06/suspiria-1977.html

red hair dye and finalizing the plot

Today after school I went to my friend Sara's house and told her about my film opening project while she bleached and dyed part of my hair red. Look at it! 

Anyway, so I told Sara about my new plot idea (the Obayashi inspired one!) and she offered to act in it (I said yes!). We also further developed some visual elements that I could incorporate in this opening. Since the protagonists waking/dream state would become muddled, I could combine dream elements with reality:

• Snowing in the hallway scene
• Hair falling out
• Flashing lights (green and red hues)
• Dining table scene where protagonist is talking to parents but starts seeing things

I also did a rough outline of what the opening would include. Nothing is finalized yet but here it is:

I 100% prefer brainstorming and planning on paper compared to typing it out. I feel less pressured to come up with something perfect when I lay everything out on paper, also my ideas flow better. You'll definitely be seeing more scans from my notebook in the future.

shannon codes? new plot idea?

Going to be honest, the aesthetics of my blog were looking pretty dismal before today. I finally sat down and took the time to redesign my site. I had to search up how to write some lines of code to customize my blog how I wanted.

Oh also! I have made some more progress on my film plot. The first film I watched in 2021 was House (1977) by Nobuhiko Obayashi. Obayashi based House off of his daughter's nightmares. The nightmarish elements are definitely present in the visuals of the movie. I was inspired by House and Obayashi to draw ideas from my own dreams/nightmares. 

A while ago I had sleep paralysis and a very vivid nightmare where I had died. I remember seeing my phone in this dream and where the time typically is, in red lettering it said "Died 9:10 pm". It felt so realistic that when I woke up in the middle of the night I had to check my mirror to see whether I was alive or not. At the time I was like "man this was scary and so pointless", but this nightmare now proves to be useful in developing my film opening. 

Ok so the vision... I was thinking that my protagonist could have a similar nightmare to what I had, where they died. And when they wake up from this nightmare, their waking/sleeping life and life/death become muddled. I think this plotline will allow me to experiment a lot with lighting, editing, and sound (both diegetic and nondiegetic). I will also be able to distort reality. I'm going to continue thinking about and developing this idea.

Image from:

https://www.criterion.com/films/27523-house 

more brainstorming

I really need to get a roll on things and make a decision on what I want to make. Today I was laying in my bed listening to Lou Reed and letting myself daydream. I came up with a few more ideas during this time. Here they are:

• After finding old photographs/heirlooms of her family while packing her room for college, a girl decides to take a gap year backpacking to get back in touch with her culture (coming of age that centers around an Asian American main character... a lot of the time films in this genre center around White Americans)
• After moving into a new city a person finds a memory box left by someone who previously lived in their home. They go on a hunt to track them down and return it.
• A person decides to take a gap year traveling on Route 66 to figure out what they want to do in life (they meet many different people along the way!)

I'm leaning towards the first and third ideas. I'm going to further develop them and see which storyline I feel more connected to. 

i have an idea

Ok so... I have a potential idea. This isn't finalized or anything though, once again it's just an idea. I watched Kill Bill Vol. 1 today and I was inspired by the plotline of Beatrix "The Bride" Kiddo getting revenge on those who have wronged her. Obviously, given my small budget and limited time I would not be able to create something on this large of a scale but it still left me thinking.

To further preface my idea, I want to give a little background on what else inspired this. Over the summer, I was doing research on the music industry, specifically sexual predation in the indie/alternative scene. Many male bands (like SWMRS) in this scene often portray themselves as politically woke feminists, but have been accused of many accounts of sexual misconduct against other female artists. 

Now for the idea... A fan (maybe even the lead artist of another band?) murders the lead of a male fronted band after accounts of sexual misconduct. I haven't completely developed the rest of the plotline but here is a scan of my brain-dump/journal:

enjoy my star doodles (you'll be seeing a lot more of them)

I just want a bloody stabbing scene okay!!! I still have quite a bit of brainstorming to do. 

Image from:

https://moviesframes.tumblr.com/post/140145993369/kill-bill-vol-1-2003-directed-by-quentin 

and so it begins!

Ahhhhhh is where my head is at right now. I've been looking forward to this film opening project from the second I enrolled into this class... but I'm also already beginning to worry. I wouldn't say that I'm a perfectionist, but I want what I make to be good. And it will be good.

Because I've been practically confined to my home due to the pandemic, I've been consuming SO much media. It's only the 43rd day of 2021 and I've already watched 28 films. I've been especially inspired by the colored lighting and harrowing score used in Suspiria (1977) to create a visual and auditory attack on the viewer. 

Last week I also revisited The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) for what seems to be the billionth time. The mise-en-scene elements that Wes Anderson uses to create his own storybook world never fails to impress me. 

(stay tuned, I'm going to dive deeper and analyze the techniques that these films use in a future post)

Anyway... what I'm trying to say is that I'm heavily inspired by the films I've been watching. The use of color in these two films provide so much visual interest to the viewers, and is something that I too want to rely heavily on in my film opening. Once I figure out the genre and general idea of my film opening, I will begin working on a color palette. 

I feel like I am brain-dumping all over the place right now but hey, it works for me! Let's chat about potential genres that my opening will fall into now. Here are my ideas:

• Coming-of-age drama 
• Horror Comedy 
• Coming-of-age thriller 
• Crime drama

There are so many potential routes I can take and my mind is buzzing with ideas. I'm going to sleep on this. 'Til tomorrow!

Images from:

https://film-grab.com/2013/03/12/suspiria/ 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2278388/mediaindex

music marketing (part dos!)

"wojaks, zines, and gorilla... wait no guerilla marketing"

 

Hello hello! Wow I have to say, this was one of my favorite projects yet. My group and I were assigned to create a marketing campaign for a band in the "alternative" genre. I was excited to have been assigned this genre because a lot of the music I listen to falls into the alternative genre and subgenres. Based on our research, my group and I noticed a pattern. Our case studies took a DIY and "non-corporate" approach to marketing their music. They utilized social media in a casual way: posting random objects/places and talking directly to their fans. Their target audience consisted of teenagers and young adults. 

My group and I wanted to incorporate similar techniques that other artists used, such as casual posting, all while bringing something new and unique to the genre. We initially wanted to create a riot grrrl (a punk subgenre popular in the 90s) and female fronted band. Eventually we decided that it didn't fit well with the song we chose, and would cause inconsistencies in branding. After a lengthy brainstorming session at Panera, our band Jigsaw Youth was birthed. 

One of my main jobs during this project was focusing on the branding of the band. I had just watched Suspiria (1977) by Dario Argento and was heavily inspired by the creative use of lighting throughout the film. I consulted my group members and we decided on creating a thrilling music video that relied on color symbolism. Since we filmed after sunset, we knew that lighting would be one of the main challenges we would be faced with. We borrowed a lighting kit and gathered all of the flashlights we had laying around our houses. Since we didn't have gels, we came up with the idea to use plastic binder dividers to create the colored lighting we desired.

Look at this lighting!!!

We filmed over the course of two days and not everything went as well as planned. The first night of filming, we didn't check the weather (it was in the 50s). We also expected to finish filming our entire project that night and were feeling pretty discouraged as the hours passed. However, we allocated enough time to dedicate another night to filming. In post-production editing, we didn't have to make any major edits to the lighting of the clips. We did however layer scenes and use a distortion effect to better convey the feelings of the song. In addition to that, it created visual interest that could captivate our target audience of teenagers and young adults.

Album cover and music video thumbnail

Presentation time! In our PowerPoint presentation, our ultimate goal was to keep our audience engaged. We did this by using music related memes (appealed to target audience), creative titles, and keeping the amount of words on each slide to a minimum. While we presented, we were enthusiastic (and were even said to be charismatic!)

Wojak meme about our case studies

This project has taught me about unique marketing techniques and developing a distinct brand image. Through Jigsaw's Youth website, social media, and music video, we were able to develop a cohesive brand that would stand out to our audiences. I also did extra research and learned about guerilla marketing: an advertising technique that uses unconventional interactions to promote a brand or service. We decided to develop stickers with a Spotify scan code that would link to our single and also interview with art zines. I have also learned how much effort it takes to produce a 2 minute music video: days of planning, filming, and editing.

Physical sticker design

The website!

Our instagram page!