Audience feedback of second draft edit

Audience feedback of second draft edit

I have created a second questionnaire in order to obtain information on how our second opening thriller sequence appears to our audience. This way, we can make final changes based on audience research and our own personal judgement to improve the quality of our opening thriller, so that it is of a very high standard when we upload the final version.

Person 1

Person 2



Person 3



Did you still find the opening thriller sequence engaging?

Person 1: Yes, the music was intense and the flashbacks really added to the tension. It wasn't just one long scene, I really liked the different elements. It made it very fast paced.

Person 2:  Yes, I do find it engaging because I was wondering what was going to happen next. The music gave it an eerie feel.

Person 3: Yes because it is full of suspense.

How this affects our production:  This means that we don't have to re-film any parts of our opening thriller sequence to make it more suspense. This means my group and I can continue to edit and pick out smaller parts which may need perfecting.

Do you think the editing includes smooth transitions?

Person 1: Yes, the scenes flow nicely into one another. The editing has been executed professionally.

Person 2:  Yes, however there are one or two transitions where the edit hasn't been cut properly, but it is nothing major.

Person 3: Yes, the editing is really good.

How this affects our production:  This means that we still need to perfect some of our transitions where the scenes haven't been cut as well as they could be. This won't take very long and is easy to fix.

Do you think the titles are positioned well on the screen?

Person 1: Yes, because they don't detract away from the storyline or images.

Person 2:  No, because they are in the corner so you might miss them.

Person 3: Yes I do because they are all the same and consistently in similar places.

How this affects our production:  I personally think that the titles are positioned well on the screen. We don't want the titles to distract away from the action in the background.

Does the music fit the narrative?

Person 1: Yes definitely, I think this is a real strong point.

Person 2:  Yes, it is very haunting.

Person 3:  Yes because it is full of suspense.

How this affects our production:  This means that the music we chose is suitable and adds to the suspense and tension, and doesn't need to be changed.

Are there any parts we should re-film?

Person 1: The establishing shot of the house and the doorbell.

Person 2:  The house at the begging and the doorbell. All the other scenes are of a really good standard.

Person 3: The panning shot of the house at the beginning of the opening sequence.

How this affects our production:  These scenes are scenes that we have arranged to re-film. This will be done in the next few days.

Do you like the flashbacks and do you think they should be improved?

Person 1: I love the flashbacks, and I don't think they should be improved.

Person 2:  Yes, I don't think there is any need for improvement.

Person 3: I do like the flashbacks because it gives an insight into the characters background, making you wonder what is going to happen next.

How this affects our production:  The flashbacks therefore need to be reviewed but not changed dramatically.

Title Analysis-Inspiration for our opening thriller sequence

Title Analysis-Inspiration for our opening thriller sequence

Torn

Previously on my blog, I have done a full analysis of Torn, which is another Media students work which was awarded a grade A. When watching this opening sequence, the titles really inspired my group and I. This is because the titles are sleek and professional.

We felt as though it is very important for the ending of the opening sequence to build tension and make the audience want to carry on watching, if the opening sequence was to be produced into a full length film.

The film 'Torn' used a font which is in a bold, sans serif font against a plain black background, which appeared at the very end of the film. Therefore, we have decided that we would to use the same effect but in a different font. The title 'UNORTHODOX' combined with a 'boom' sound will give a dramatic ending for the audience when watching the opening sequence. The title will be simplistic but will add to the suspense. This is because the girl, Daisy, will appear at the door, but will not show her face and so the audience are left to wonder if this girl is Daisy, who she is, and why she is at Oliver's house. This will add to the narrative enigma of the opening sequence. 

The title of 'Torn' appears at the end of the opening sequence.



Here, is our title which is inspired by Torn.



Title Analysis-Casino Royale

Title Analysis- Casino Royale

Previously, I have watched the James Bond film Casino Royale. I recalled really enjoying the opening titles and thinking how well they had been executed and so I decided to do an analysis of them.

 

This opening title sequence was put together mainly using graphics, but also using Daniel Craig, who plays James Bond does appear in these opening titles. Our opening titles however, will appear over the top of our actor, not using graphics. At the very beginning of the opening title sequence, James Bond picks up a gun, turns around and shoots. This then triggers the introduction music, which is very effective.

This is where the actor turns around and shoots.

Then, what appears to be red blood, begins to almost drip down the screen, to which the first titles then appear. The first titles, as with other opening sequences I have looked at, begin with the production company as the first set of titles. This is something my group and I should definitely do. The titles are presented in a sans-serif font, again in white. This is very common with opening thriller sequences, and it looks very effective and simplistic. White also shows up well again numerous backgrounds.

The first set of titles which appear.

Something that is very effective in the opening title sequence is that each time a title appears, the background changes. The style of the title stays exactly the same. This is effective because it keeps the audience engaged and fits with the song chosen to feature in the first 3 minutes of the opening sequence.

The background changes each time a new title appears

Around half way through the duration of the opening title sequence, James Bond appears with a gun. The background has changed again. This signifies the importance of weapons throughout the film. The graphics also represent cards and casinos, as suggested by the title of the film.

This is the first time the audience see James Bond

Next to appear is joker, again relating back to the title 'Casino'. This shows a clear theme within the film. As well as this, James Bond is shown shooting a gun which is matched with a graphic of the joker shooting a gun. 

The joker and James bond both shooting guns.

Later on in the opening titles, what appears to be a cartoon version of James Bond appears, and he kicks the other character. Some really effective editing has been used so the other person disintegrates into small cards. This is very effective and cleverly edited.

This is a really good example of an opening title sequence as it is creative, engaging and unique.
The clip analysed shown below:

Title Analysis- North by Northwest

Title Analysis- North by Northwest, Alfred Hitchcock

In the next few weeks, my group and I plan to add opening titles to our opening thriller sequence. For inspiration, one of the title sequences I have decided to analyse is North by Northwest. This is because Alfred Hitchcock thriller films are very well known and loved by many, and so perhaps I can take inspiration from this.

 

The order in which the titles appear:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents

Cary Grant

Eva Marie Saint

James Mason

In Alfred Hitchcock's

North by Northwest

Co-starring Jessica Royce Landis

Written by Ernest Lehman

Music by Bernard Herriman
Director of photography Robert Burks

 

The opening title sequence begins on a green background with black lines slowly appearing, overlapping the green background. This is very unusual of an opening sequence to be graphics and especially green, because the colour green isn't usually associated with the thriller genre. However, this does initially make the audience wonder the significance of this colour. The duration of the opening sequence is 2 minutes 8 seconds, so if we can, my group and I should aim to make our opening sequence for around this time.

The first part of North by Northwest.
 

This film was made in 1959, and so the titles are not as sleek as they would be if this film was made today. However, the titles are still exceptionally good considering how old this film is. The first title to appear is in a bold, white sans serif font. This is particularly effective because it contrasts against the green and black lines. White always seems to look professional and effective and so this is something my group and I could consider when creating our opening thriller sequence. Something else to note is that the first title which appears names the production company, and so this is something my group and I should include first in our opening thriller sequence. As well as this, the title is at the angle of the lines, almost as if it is sitting on them, which looks very effective.

The first title that appears.

Soon after the name of the director/producer- Alfred Hitchcock appears onto the screen of the opening titles. This time, the font is slightly bigger. However, the style of the font and the colour are still the same. The consistency throughout the opening sequence is effective and this is something I would like to do in our opening thriller sequence.

The producer/director

Something that is effective is that the green background changes to railings, with cars travelling on the ground below. The same effect is used, as the titles continue to sit on the wire mesh. Again, the title font and colour still remains the same. The new background adds to the narrative enigma as the audience wonder the significance of this.

The new background can be seen here.

The background then changes again to portray every day people in a city, going about their every day lives. This is effective because the normality indicates to the audience that something strange is likely to occur. This is because with the genre of the film being a thriller, this scene appears to be too normal. The titles are indicating to the audience that this is fictional, which is effective because already, the audience are beginning to question how intense this film is likely to be.

This is the scene which appears to be normal.

The clip analysed shown below:



First Edit- Audience Response

First Edit-Audience Response 

I have created a questionnaire in order to obtain information on how our initial opening thriller sequence appears to audiences. This way, we can make amendments based on audience research and our own personal judgement to improve the quality of our opening thriller. 

Person 1

Person 2

Person 3

Did you find the opening thriller sequence engaging?

Person 1: Yes
Person 2: Definitely
Person 3: Yes
How this affects our production: 
This means that our storyline is good and so we don't need to completely change the idea. It also means that my sample think that the storyline fits the genre.

Would you wish to continue watching the film?

Person 1: Yes, I thought the acting was  really good and that the storyline was very tense.
Person 2: I felt as though the opening sequence was very intense and there was definitely suspense throughout. I found some parts very weird, but in a good way! So, yes I would continue watching.
Person 3: Yes, it was very griping throughout and I want to find out what happens next.
How this affects our production: 
This means that we don't need to go back and re-film parts to add to the narrative enigma. We can therefore work with the footage we have got.

Do you think the black and white effect is effective? 

Person 1: Yes, as this is a typical convention of a thriller and so it really adds more suspense to the opening sequence.
Person 2: Yes, it makes it adds to the suspense.
Person 3: Yes it adds to the narrative enigma.
How this affects our production: 
This means that our choice of black and white is good and adds suspense to the narrative. This results in my group and I keeping the footage as it is, in terms of colour.

Would you prefer you see the flashbacks in a different colour? 

Person 1: No, I think that one colour throughout is effective.
Person 2: Yes, I think that the flashbacks will be more noticeable in a different colour with white flashbacks.
Person 3: Both black and white and colour will look effective.
How this affects our production: 
2/3 people interviewed would like to see the flashbacks in a different colour. This is something I can discuss with my group, but I think that it is a good idea. I think this because it will help distinguish the past and present in our opening thriller sequence.

Do you think the extract could have increased tension?

Person 1: Yes, this could be done by cutting out the end where the characters speak.
Person 2: The characters speaking at the end causes an anti-climax.
Person 3: I think that the dialogue at the end causes a contrast and emphasises the abnormality of the character.
How this affects our production: 
The audience suggested that we should cut out the dialogue. I personally agree with person 3, however I can also sympathise with the other two people surveyed. This is something my group and I can consider, and it would certainly help cut down the duration of the opening sequence.

The clip is 5 minutes long and our brief was to make it 2 minutes long, which parts do you think we could cut out?

Person 1: I think after the character leaves the desk, as you can't see any action and so it doesn't add to the verisimilitude.
Person 2: The exchanging of dialogue at the end.
Person 3: When he turns off the record player, as the music cutting out is a little abrupt.
How this affects our production: 
I think that all these parts of the sequence should be cut, as I agree that they don't really add much to the opening sequence. This is something that we can try on our footage, have a play around and see what looks best from our own judgement.

Do you think the dialogue at the end of the opening thriller is an anti-climax?

Person 1: Yes
Person 2: Yes
Person 3: No
How this affects our production: 
This shows that the dialogue on the end is an anti-climax and more suspense would be included for the audience without it.

Comparason between a thriller opening and thriller trailer: Moon (2009)

Moon- opening and trailer difference

Opening sequence:

The opening sequence for moon is particularly effective. I was watching this film with my family, as it was on television. The opening titles really inspired me.

To start with, the very beginning of the opening sequence is an advert for the Lunar company within the film. This was effective because it gives the audience an insight into what the company do, and what the film is going to be about; space. The ending of the 'advert' is indicated by the screenshot shown below- a simple logo.

I thought this part of the opening sequence was very effective.

After this, the titles begin to appear. This was done in a very effective way because each title fitted in with the surrounding images. Each title that appears is in the same sans serif font, in a silver-white colour. The titles are very simplistic and therefore do not distract away from the images appearing on the screen. This is something I would like to do when adding my titles to my opening thriller sequence.

Here, the title appears subtly on the screen behind the character running.

Then, shortly after a few more titles appear, the main title of the film is shown. This is done effectively through a slow panning shot to reveal the bottom image of the Moon and part of the Earth. Again, the title of the film is in the same silver-white sans serif font as the other titles. This really fits with the Sci-Fi/Thriller genre and is particularly effective to the audience as it helps to identify this aspect.

This is the main title of the film

The titles then continue to appear for another minute and half (approximately). They continue to fit in with the surroundings, at different angles. Shown below, the title fits with the angle of the wall which is particularly effective. The non-diegetic sound of piano music is also very simplistic for the duration of the opening sequence, so like the titles, not distracting away from the footage. 

Here, the title fits in with the wall.

The opening sequence analysed shown below:

Trailer:

The trailer for this film is different to the opening sequence. Even though the beginning of the film is shown at the beginning of the trailer, it is still effective because it allows the audience to gain and insight to what the film is going to entail and will make them want to watch the rest of the film.

Here, the same part of the opening sequence is used in the trailer for Moon.

Then, some of the characters are shown which do not appear in the opening sequence. This is so any actors which have a good reputation from other films they have starred in, will help to gain audience figures, but also allows the audience to have a preview into who the main characters will be. Not all the characters are shown in the opening sequence.

The main characters are shown in the trailer for moon.

Throughout the opening sequence, non diegetic music is used. It starts off being calm, but as the trailer progresses, the pace increases, suggesting a rise in tension. Intense and action packed parts of the film are shown in the trailer, but up until just before the climax of the film to engage and make people want to go and watch the film when it is released, to find out what happens. This differs to an opening sequence because their is more tension in an opening sequence compared to action in a trailer to make the film look exciting, action packed and engaging.

The trailer analysed shown below:

So, how do you distinguish an opening thriller to a trailer?

An opening sequence involves the first 2 minutes (can sometimes be longer) of a film, whereby the opening titles and usually the title of the film are displayed. The titles are introduced whilst the beginning of the film is shown, usually portraying a background to the narrative, or showing an insight into what the film is going to entitle. An opening sequence will often contain a narrative enigma, not giving too much away about a given character or the plot. To contrast, a trailer for a film usually shows a short extract from the beginning of the film, and then moves in chronological order to convey the build up to a climax in the film. This way, the producers are drawing in an audience as they will want to know what is going to happen. As well as this, sometimes quoted reviews are shown in the trailer to excite the audience and make them want to see the film. A trailer is created for promotional purposes to draw audiences in.

How to distinguish an opening sequence from a trailer

What is the difference between an opening sequence and a trailer?

An opening sequence, which is what we will be creating on Sunday, is aimed to set the scene and build tension, to make the audience feel the suspense and the opening should create a narrative enigma, making them gripped and so they will want to see the whole duration of the film, but won't necessarily contain a lot of action. This is usually where the main characters are introduced, and background information to reveal some of the main character's personality, again to help set the scene. An opening sequence also usually displays the titles, as well as the main title during the first 2 minutes of the film. It usually doesn't give too much information away, and doesn't show parts of the film from the middle or the climax, because this is a typical convention of a trailer.

Trailers usually provide the audience with information on the most exciting parts of the film, showing the actors which will be in the film, as well as indicating the genre, but a trailer will not give too much information away about the plot either. The aim is to draw people in before the release date, to encourage people to go and watch it in the cinema. Trailers are broken into small parts, and only display extracts from the film to build tension. They don't often follow a chronological order which is unlike a opening sequence, which again persuades audiences that this film will be worth watching.

Planning and research for the Titles

Title research and planning for our opening sequence

My group and I conducted a survey in order to obtain information about the best titles to include in our opening sequence. It is important to ask the audience what their preferred type of titles are, as these are the people we need to please.

Our questionnaire is shown below:





After handing our surveys to a random sample of 20 people each (both students, teachers and family members) I collated my data with the other members in my group in order to draw some conclusions, to help indicate the types of titles we should include.

 

From the research we established that the majority of people would prefer to see the titles appearing throughout the opening sequence, over the top of the action. This is important because it signifies that this is an opening sequence, and not the middle or the end. This will affect our production as we agree with this result, and believe it will be the best option to make our opening sequence appear sleek and professional. As well as this, our survey showed that the audience would prefer to have a sans serif font. Again, we agree with this result as the font will look sleek, crisp and professional, without distracting away from the on-going action.

 

With regards to the main title for our thriller, my group and I came up with 5 different titles which we thought would be best suited to the narrative. Unorthodox was the most popular name, with the majority of people surveyed choosing this as there preferred title. Among my group members, this was our favourite title and so we were very pleased that our audience preferred this one.

 

The definition of unorthodox: 'contrary to what is usual, traditional, or accepted'

 

This title therefore reflects the character in our narrative, as he most certainly displays abnormal behaviour, which is indicated to the audience right from the beginning of our narrative, but the title will really help to emphasise it. I will take inspiration from another students opening sequence to a thriller named 'Torn' as I thought these titles were particularly effective and well executed.

The titles for the opening thriller sequence of 'Torn' has inspired me.

 



Audience responce to the new idea

Qualitative Audience response data to the new plot idea

Person 1

Person 2

Person 3

 

Describe how the plot makes you feel?

Person 1: The plot makes me feel intense and I feel like the final footage will make me feel very suspense.

Person 2: I really want to find out more, and find out who the girls were and why he targets these girls.

Person 3: I felt very engaged and the plot is very confusing, which is good because a thriller is meant to make the audience feel on edge.

How this affects my production: This means that as long as we carry out this idea and follow the plot when filming, then the audience will be engaged and want to find out more.
 

What could be changed to make this opening scene more effective?

Person 1: There should be more sinister and strange aspects, such as tying the girl up.

Person 2: Black and white would make the thriller opening look particularly eerie and distorted.

Person 3: Dramatic, classical music should be used to make the scene more intense to add tension.

 

How this affects my production: This affects my production because I will be able to include these aspects into my final footage, as there is always room for improvements.

 

Would you want to carry on watching the film to find out what happens next?

Person 1: Yes

Person 2: Yes

Person 3: Yes

 

How this affects my production: This shows that the plot is engaging, and so when we film we will have the confidence that the final footage will be engaging and of good quality.

 

Who would you expect the girl at his door to be, why is she there?

Person 1: A neighbour or someone from the local neighbourhood

Person 2: A girl who he could be tutoring, he could be a tutor of some sort!

Person 3: A girl doing a paper round who gets drawn in.

 

How this affects my production: These ideas can be considered as we still haven't decided how the girls get there. I think that the tutoring idea is good, but I will discuss this with the rest of my group.
 

What do you think the antagonist's occupation could be?

Person 1: The antagonist could tutor girls

Person 2: I think that he is a tutor

Person 3: I think his job isn't connected to the girls going missing.

 

How this affects my production: We couldn't decide as a group how the girls get there, and so this suggests that the tutor occupation is what our plot implies, therefore my group and I will discuss this further and possibly add it into the narrative and background information on the characters.

Internet Audience research

Internet audience research

I have conducted some internet (secondary) research in order to obtain information about what kinds of people watch thrillers, why they watch them, and awards given for popular thrillers which have been released over the years.

 

Thrillers are watched for entertainment purposes, and are particularly engaging when they are more realistic, based in familiar surroundings for the audience, as well as the characters representing normal people. They storyline must be engaging, creating a strong connection between the characters in the thriller and the audience. Research conducted has shown that thrillers seem to appeal more to women, due to them enjoying the intellectual experience and the abnormal behaviour usually displayed by the characters. Thrillers are also usually rated 18, due to the disturbing images which could give younger children nightmares and have a negative lasting effect on them, and so our target audience could be women over the age of 18. However our opening thriller should appeal to both genders as it will not reveal too much of the storyline in the first 2 minutes.

 

According to the IMDb, the most popular thrillers (voted by users through a numerical scale) are Inception, The Dark Knight rises, Se7en, and The silence of the lambs which are amongst just a few of the classics. Se7en particularly inspired me, as the titles were very well executed and sent a shiver down my spine. Se7en was also nominated for a BAFTA and OSCAR award, but won a Saturn award.

IMDb most voted Thriller feature films.

 

However, according to further research, in 2009, 31 out of the 503 total films released in the UK, the box office only took 4% of the earnings, equalling to £42,578,104. This percentage could be low because thrillers mainly appeal to audiences over the age of 18, as commonly thrillers are rated 18, and so this automatically rules out a high percentage of viewers if they are below the age of 18. This then means that when visiting the cinema, families and younger people visiting with their friends will choose other genres of film over the thriller genre.

 



The URL's used:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booker-prize/8672150/In-a-menacing-world-we-flee-into-thrillers.html

http://www.imdb.com/search/title?genres=thriller&title_type=feature&sort=moviemeter,asc

Research into the thriller genre

Research conducted into the thriller genre and industry