Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Friday, April 7, 2017
Media Representation
Following most psychological thriller conventions, the protagonist has some sort of mental illness - most commonly schizophrenia. I found this interesting article mentioning a review of 41 movies released from 1990 to 2010 that featured one main character with the mental illness who engaged in dangerous and violent behavior. Obviously, movie producers intensify the negative stereotype of schizophrenia in order to attract an audience and give films more substance. Reverting back to this WebMD article which I had linked in a previous post, most schizophrenia patients are not necessarily violent. They prefer to be isolated and withdraw from any social contact. Even though some patients do experience psychosis, it is not as common as the entertainment industry makes it out to be.
With that said, I know understand why schizophrenia is so commonly associated with horror and thriller movies. For the purpose of the project, I followed the guidelines any psychological thriller would normally follow, hence the hinting at suicide and violence.
The purpose of this film opening is to establish the character of Pandora as exhausted, confused and easily manipulated by her illness. If the film were to become reality, the story would go alone the lines of her trying to battle these evil forces and ultimately finding her true self.
Sources:
Psychiatric Services 63:655–659, 2012. "Portrayals of Schizophrenia by Entertainment Media: A Content Analysis of Contemporary Movies." Psychiatric Services. American Psychiatric Association, n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2017. <http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ps.201100371>.
"Schizophrenia: An Overview." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-schizophrenia#2-4>.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Creating Sound
Since the auditory hallucinations is what comprises the majority of my audio for this film opening, I decided to do more research on it and how I can emulate voices for my project. I found this interesting video on YouTube and it is basically an examination of different voices that a schizophrenic patient can hear. The voices are deep, emit echo, and vary on tonal range. In other to achieve this, I need to gather a whole lot of friends with varying octaves.
What in the world will I have the voices say during the two minutes?
In this previous post, I mentioned how auditory hallucinations are usually angry voices that scream and laugh, often bullying the host and go as far as provoking murder or suicide.
I then took my creativity to GarageBand. This app allowed me to record myself and various others emulating the "voices". What really intrigued me is that GarageBand comes with vocal modifiers, and I was able to select a couple of effects to layer with the voice recordings to achieve that scary and echo-y effect. Another technique I used in order to create depth and perspective of the different voices, was to layer different vocals so they overlap, making it seem like they are talking over each other.
After I laid out all the vocals for the film, I felt like something was missing. All I had for sound was of course the voices, and a couple of action sounds like the scissor cutting, toilet flushing and pills rummaging. I was missing that eerie, suspenseful music that gives thrillers life.
I went back to the drawing board and began playing with different sounds, adding different effects in order to achieve a sound I liked. Somehow, someway I began snapping my fingers at timed intervals with the "Delay Vocal" effect and achieved an ambiguous, echo-y sound that I thought gave the film more structure and mystery.
Besides making my own sounds, I took advantage of the royalty-free sound effects provided on iMovie. I incorporated "Ambient Effect 2" for the "Arabella Productions" opening credit and "Mystery Accents 02" for the establishing shots.
Sound was probably the most important element in my film opening, as it sets the mood of the entire video. I'm pretty satisfied with how I was able to manipulate different resources to come up with authentic sound effects to liven up the footage!
Sources:
"Auditory Hallucinations - An Audio Representation." YouTube. N.p., 13 June 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2017. <https://youtu.be/0vvU-Ajwbok>
What in the world will I have the voices say during the two minutes?
In this previous post, I mentioned how auditory hallucinations are usually angry voices that scream and laugh, often bullying the host and go as far as provoking murder or suicide.
I then took my creativity to GarageBand. This app allowed me to record myself and various others emulating the "voices". What really intrigued me is that GarageBand comes with vocal modifiers, and I was able to select a couple of effects to layer with the voice recordings to achieve that scary and echo-y effect. Another technique I used in order to create depth and perspective of the different voices, was to layer different vocals so they overlap, making it seem like they are talking over each other.
After I laid out all the vocals for the film, I felt like something was missing. All I had for sound was of course the voices, and a couple of action sounds like the scissor cutting, toilet flushing and pills rummaging. I was missing that eerie, suspenseful music that gives thrillers life.
I went back to the drawing board and began playing with different sounds, adding different effects in order to achieve a sound I liked. Somehow, someway I began snapping my fingers at timed intervals with the "Delay Vocal" effect and achieved an ambiguous, echo-y sound that I thought gave the film more structure and mystery. 
Sound was probably the most important element in my film opening, as it sets the mood of the entire video. I'm pretty satisfied with how I was able to manipulate different resources to come up with authentic sound effects to liven up the footage!
Sources:
"Auditory Hallucinations - An Audio Representation." YouTube. N.p., 13 June 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2017. <https://youtu.be/0vvU-Ajwbok>
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Editing
The deadline is inching closer and I'm getting anxious!
With much disappointment, I resorted to iMovie. Much more simple, much more limited, but I somehow made it work. I downloaded all my clips and pieced them together referencing my storyboard and changing a couple of things here and there as I went through the process.
The first thing I did was color correct the clips to give them that mysterious and eerie feel. I did thing by lowering the brightness, contrast and saturation of each clip. I also added a vignette to add focus to the different scenes.
Then I worked on the transitions. The most common used transitions in thrillers are quick cuts, fades, and the occasional cross dissolve. You can already have an idea as to which transitions I chose. I left the fades for the beginning and end of the film, as to isolate the story more from the juxtaposition of the production company credits and the director credit at the end. The quick cuts were the most used, as it provided fragmented transitions from one frame to the next. I decided to also include various cut on action cuts and graphic matches to add a sense a continuity within the fragmented frames and just bring interest and uncertainty to what might happen next regarding the sequence of events.
Putting the film opening together and seeing my hard work come alive is truly amazing. I had never before done a project like this, and I really liked how this blog made the entire thinking and creative process easy and efficient.
The film opening is coming soon to a blog post near you!
The first step I took before tackling editing was which software I was going to use to make my film come alive. My dad, being a technology fiend, advised me to use AfterEffects as it is a powerful editing tool and could make my film look really professional. I spent hours on end watching tutorials on YouTube on how to work the basics of AfterEffects but I eventually gave up. The software allows to manipulate content in many different ways, and with the deadline being so close, I had virtually no time to learn how use it; much less create a "good" video with it.
With much disappointment, I resorted to iMovie. Much more simple, much more limited, but I somehow made it work. I downloaded all my clips and pieced them together referencing my storyboard and changing a couple of things here and there as I went through the process.
The first thing I did was color correct the clips to give them that mysterious and eerie feel. I did thing by lowering the brightness, contrast and saturation of each clip. I also added a vignette to add focus to the different scenes.
Then I worked on the transitions. The most common used transitions in thrillers are quick cuts, fades, and the occasional cross dissolve. You can already have an idea as to which transitions I chose. I left the fades for the beginning and end of the film, as to isolate the story more from the juxtaposition of the production company credits and the director credit at the end. The quick cuts were the most used, as it provided fragmented transitions from one frame to the next. I decided to also include various cut on action cuts and graphic matches to add a sense a continuity within the fragmented frames and just bring interest and uncertainty to what might happen next regarding the sequence of events.
Putting the film opening together and seeing my hard work come alive is truly amazing. I had never before done a project like this, and I really liked how this blog made the entire thinking and creative process easy and efficient.
The film opening is coming soon to a blog post near you!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
BTS
Finally.... Filming day!!!
Before I begin I want to thank Maria V. Rodriguez for starring in my film opening and Sammy Klopman for taking time out of her day to help me film today.
Around 1:30 PM, Maria arrived. She already owned a shirt similar to the one in my previous post, but unfortunately we were't able to find a black skirt so we opted for black jeans instead. I immediately gathered her hair up and put the wig on ( it looked AMAZING; super realistic for an inexpensive wig.) Then I proceeded to begin her make up: a bare face, brown shadow and red lipstick around the eyes to emulate the exhaustion. I also coated her lashes with mascara to intensify the look. After hair, make up and costume was set, we had a small photoshoot session to capture the full essence of Pandora.
For props, I found ordinary, big blue scissors that Maria could use to cut the wig. Then, for the antipsychotic medication, I printed the label I attached to this post and taped it around my dog's old medication container. Furthermore, since using real pills wouldn't have been the best of ideas, I purchased a box of white TicTacs and filled the container to mimic pills.
I think the hardest part about filming in front of a mirror, is trying not to catch your reflection in the shot. Sammy and I contorted our bodies in many different ways in order to catch the perfect shots. Lighting was not an issue as there was only one constant source of light above the mirror. Since Thrillers usually have dark tones, I plan on lowering the brightness and saturation of the clips to better fit that convention.
One of the funniest things today was the struggle to film the aerial shots. Maria is tall, and I on the other hand, am not. I had climb on top of one of my kitchen stools in order to capture appropriate shots. (No stools were harmed in the making of this video.)
My favorite part to film and witness, was the cutting of the wig. I had anticipated this moment since day one and it felt amazing seeing it happen live. The wig I bought worked perfectly because it looked extremely messy as Maria snipped it, giving the character a more crazy and desperate look.
While filming the last scenes, the funniest thing happened. The ending scene comprises of Pandora failed on the floor, surrounded by all the loose hair. The wig is made in such a way that it can only be placed on top of the head, and any sudden movements would make it turn and potentially fall off. As Maria was positioning herself on the floor, the wig slipped off her head, and the face she made was absolutely priceless.
All in all, the filming process ran smoothly. It was fun going along with the storyboard, and seeing how I could change things around to create better content. Directing is hard work, especially when you don't know what you have until you download all the footage and see if it was a successful shooting day, or if you need to go back out there for round two. I personally think it was a successful day and I am excited to see how the editing phase will go!
Before I begin I want to thank Maria V. Rodriguez for starring in my film opening and Sammy Klopman for taking time out of her day to help me film today.
 |
| Getting Maria's hair ready for the wig cap |
 |
| Make up time! |
Around 1:30 PM, Maria arrived. She already owned a shirt similar to the one in my previous post, but unfortunately we were't able to find a black skirt so we opted for black jeans instead. I immediately gathered her hair up and put the wig on ( it looked AMAZING; super realistic for an inexpensive wig.) Then I proceeded to begin her make up: a bare face, brown shadow and red lipstick around the eyes to emulate the exhaustion. I also coated her lashes with mascara to intensify the look. After hair, make up and costume was set, we had a small photoshoot session to capture the full essence of Pandora.
For props, I found ordinary, big blue scissors that Maria could use to cut the wig. Then, for the antipsychotic medication, I printed the label I attached to this post and taped it around my dog's old medication container. Furthermore, since using real pills wouldn't have been the best of ideas, I purchased a box of white TicTacs and filled the container to mimic pills.I think the hardest part about filming in front of a mirror, is trying not to catch your reflection in the shot. Sammy and I contorted our bodies in many different ways in order to catch the perfect shots. Lighting was not an issue as there was only one constant source of light above the mirror. Since Thrillers usually have dark tones, I plan on lowering the brightness and saturation of the clips to better fit that convention.
One of the funniest things today was the struggle to film the aerial shots. Maria is tall, and I on the other hand, am not. I had climb on top of one of my kitchen stools in order to capture appropriate shots. (No stools were harmed in the making of this video.)
My favorite part to film and witness, was the cutting of the wig. I had anticipated this moment since day one and it felt amazing seeing it happen live. The wig I bought worked perfectly because it looked extremely messy as Maria snipped it, giving the character a more crazy and desperate look. 
While filming the last scenes, the funniest thing happened. The ending scene comprises of Pandora failed on the floor, surrounded by all the loose hair. The wig is made in such a way that it can only be placed on top of the head, and any sudden movements would make it turn and potentially fall off. As Maria was positioning herself on the floor, the wig slipped off her head, and the face she made was absolutely priceless. 
All in all, the filming process ran smoothly. It was fun going along with the storyboard, and seeing how I could change things around to create better content. Directing is hard work, especially when you don't know what you have until you download all the footage and see if it was a successful shooting day, or if you need to go back out there for round two. I personally think it was a successful day and I am excited to see how the editing phase will go!
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
The Look
Ok, so I've been racking my thoughts on how I want Pandora to look/dress. Since she does have a mental disorder, I want to give her an exhausted, sickly look. This is brought about from both the frustration of dealing with schizophrenia, and the side effects of the medication she is taking to control her symptoms.
I created this outfit using Polyvore, a website/app that is geared towards the latest fashion trends, and allows you to shop and create outfits of your own. The distressed skirt, paired with the flowy red shirt and black boots adds to a dirty, almost emo look. I also think it matches perfectly with the feel of the wig.
As for make up, I wanted to create a sickly, tired look. I went on YouTube (you can kind of tell I go there a lot) to find make up tutorials that teach you how to achieve the look I'm going for. Basically, I opted for dark brown eye shadow all over the eye, to create a sunken in, sleepless look. I also smudged a watered down red lipstick on the top and lower eyelids to add an irritated feel to the face.
Sources:
Viridiana, Ivey. "GET THE LOOK: Pale, Sick, and Dead!" YouTube. YouTube, 01 Mar. 2016. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/E4eqbJppI-8>.
"Polyvore." Polyvore. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <http://www.polyvore.com/>.
I created this outfit using Polyvore, a website/app that is geared towards the latest fashion trends, and allows you to shop and create outfits of your own. The distressed skirt, paired with the flowy red shirt and black boots adds to a dirty, almost emo look. I also think it matches perfectly with the feel of the wig.
As for make up, I wanted to create a sickly, tired look. I went on YouTube (you can kind of tell I go there a lot) to find make up tutorials that teach you how to achieve the look I'm going for. Basically, I opted for dark brown eye shadow all over the eye, to create a sunken in, sleepless look. I also smudged a watered down red lipstick on the top and lower eyelids to add an irritated feel to the face.
Sources:
Viridiana, Ivey. "GET THE LOOK: Pale, Sick, and Dead!" YouTube. YouTube, 01 Mar. 2016. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/E4eqbJppI-8>.
"Polyvore." Polyvore. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2017. <http://www.polyvore.com/>.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Switch up
So I ran into some issues.... Everything was going too well to be true!!
Due to my actresses complicated schedule, and my need to get a move on on this project, I decided to change my lead for the film opening. Unfortunately, Addy won't be playing the lead of Pandora anymore. Instead I have asked Maria V. Rodriguez, another gorgeous friend of mine to play the lead. Maria has experience in theatrical acting, so I'm sure her talents will add a great touch of realism to my film! She has fair skin and dark hair, which I think matches perfectly with the wig I had already purchased.
If you visit goldcityproductions.com, you can find a web series named "Pressure Pointe". Maria got to star in that series, which I think is so cool as it captures her raw talent! She's also been in school plays such as "Pippin'".
In short, I'm very excited to work with her. Sometimes, not everything goes as planned. But a little bump in the road can actually turn into something much better that what you had originally planned!
Due to my actresses complicated schedule, and my need to get a move on on this project, I decided to change my lead for the film opening. Unfortunately, Addy won't be playing the lead of Pandora anymore. Instead I have asked Maria V. Rodriguez, another gorgeous friend of mine to play the lead. Maria has experience in theatrical acting, so I'm sure her talents will add a great touch of realism to my film! She has fair skin and dark hair, which I think matches perfectly with the wig I had already purchased. 
If you visit goldcityproductions.com, you can find a web series named "Pressure Pointe". Maria got to star in that series, which I think is so cool as it captures her raw talent! She's also been in school plays such as "Pippin'". In short, I'm very excited to work with her. Sometimes, not everything goes as planned. But a little bump in the road can actually turn into something much better that what you had originally planned!
Friday, March 24, 2017
Scene Setting
I was going about my daily actives as anyone would on a "No school" Friday morning, when I started thinking. I mentioned a bunch of times what my idea is, explained it, drew it out, but provided no visual aid of the setting! I am a visual leaner, and if I were to be reading a blog I'd love to see pictures to help me create the overall image in my head. With that said, I took the liberty of doing a photoshoot of my bathroom
(IKEA should hire me) in the different filming angles I explained in my previous post.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Storyboard and Technicalities
Here are some very rough sketches of how I plan to tackle filming. The film opening will consist of mostly, close ups, medium shots, pans and tilts which I will personally do as I film. Now, what will add to the suspense and mystery, will be done with editing. I plan on lowering the brightness and saturation of the clips to satisfy thriller conventions, enhancing the dark feel of the film. I will also interlace quick cuts between scenes to add to ambiguity and a feel of restlessness between takes. What I think will tie the entire clip together, is the cryptic demonic figure who the audience will only catch glimpses of, as it will be set in a black background and only shown through close up of body parts. 
Box commentaries, beginning left to right:Box 1: Wide shot establishing bathroom setting.
Box 2: Contrast of colors between protagonist and bathroom to showcase detrimental state of the character. Over the shoulder shot to establish character.
Box 3: Tilt down + medium shot - looking down at medication and sighing.
Box 4: Close up of hand clutching antipsychotic meds. Schizophrenic voices start echoing.
Box 5: Medium side profile shot - frustration settles in, contemplates listening to voices and discarding pills.
Box 6: aerial view of toilet - flushes pills in hopes voices stop.
Box 7: close up of face - voices get worse, frustration builds.
Box 8: close up of face - eyes open and widen, evidently bloodshot, signaling beginning of psychotic episode.
Box 9: Wide shot of protagonist cutting hair and screaming. The action is given depth with quick cuts that lead into changing perspectives of her cutting her hair.
Box 10: As the hair is being cut, inserts of another scene begin to take place; Ambiguous creature inching closer.
Box 11: cuts of the scissor acts as visual transition between scenes being paralleled. Sped up actions add to mystery and suspense.
Box 12: Mid shot - scenes combine. Demonic hand grands protagonist, signaling the transition from mind to reality.
(decided to modify the storyboard as I typed)
Box 13: scene goes black.
Box 14: fade in from back to a high angle of protagonist on the floor. Camera tilts up, revealing "Pandora" [Title sequence] written on the floor with blood. Foot steps of the demonic creature creep up over Pandora, smudges the name, and walks out of bathroom
Box 15: black out; credits begins with faint schizophrenic voices in the background which then become overpowered by a sinister laugh.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Filming Schedule
Before I go ahead and even turn on the camera, I wanted to plan out my day and create and itinerary and to do list to make sure I cover all my bases. I plan to film March 24-26 (I think I can finish all in one day but I think its a good idea to give myself some wiggle room). This gives me a week and a half to edit my film opening and create my CCR.
Friday, March 24th
- wake up (duh)
- make my way over to Party City to purchase the wigs
- gather props. (i.e. wigs, costume, make up, scissors, medicine container)
- gather equipment (camera, tripod, lights, microphone)
- make sure setting is neat, tidy and available (aka my house bathroom)
- confirm actress availability
Saturday, March 25th
- Go over game plan (story board)
- charge camera
- ask a couple of friends to assists on filming day
- replace medicine label with fake antipsychotic medicine label
- have wig brushed and ready to go
Sunday, March 26th
- lights, camera, action!
- have 2 cameras handy to vary the angles and add depth
- snacks and refreshments! filming can be exhausting
This is pretty much all I can think of right now. I plan on doing a reflection post after filming day to explain the creative process, what went wrong, what went right, and any alterations to the storyboard or overall plot.
Friday, March 24th
- wake up (duh)
- make my way over to Party City to purchase the wigs
- gather props. (i.e. wigs, costume, make up, scissors, medicine container)
- gather equipment (camera, tripod, lights, microphone)- make sure setting is neat, tidy and available (aka my house bathroom)
- confirm actress availability
Saturday, March 25th
- Go over game plan (story board)
- charge camera
- ask a couple of friends to assists on filming day
- replace medicine label with fake antipsychotic medicine label
- have wig brushed and ready to go
Sunday, March 26th
- lights, camera, action!
- have 2 cameras handy to vary the angles and add depth
- snacks and refreshments! filming can be exhausting
This is pretty much all I can think of right now. I plan on doing a reflection post after filming day to explain the creative process, what went wrong, what went right, and any alterations to the storyboard or overall plot.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Meet the Model
Lets put a face to the name!
I've been on the hunt for a female actress to play the role of Pandora. Considering this isn't a big Hollywood film, I'm going to have to settle for a friend thats comfortable with acting. My good friend, Adeline Cieslak (Addy for short), is of Ecuadorian descent. She has tan skin and green eyes, which adds an exotic feel to the character.
Since Pandora will be chopping her hair off in the film opening, I decided to buy a wig for Addy to wear in order to emulate the cutting of hair, as I will not be making her cut off her own hair (she would never go through with that anyways). I searched the web for realistic yet inexpensive wings, and I found this wig from Party City. I chose this wig in particular because it looked the most realistic, and it is thick enough to allow for multiple chops. Also, it reminded me a lot of Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. In that movie Mia is portrayed as a mysterious woman, with little information revealed about her. I think that juxtaposition will bring Pandora an even more mysterious and dramatic look, which will add to the over all vibe of the thriller.
It makes me happy to see my ideas unfolding before me. Can't wait until shooting day!
Sources:
JCS10. "Ebony Blunt Bob Wig." Ebony Blunt Bob Wig - Party City. Party City, 28 Oct. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2017. <http://www.partycity.com/product/ebony+blunt+bob+wig.do?from=Search&navSet=wigs&costumegender=Womens&solidcolors=Black&&bypass_redirect=1>.
"Mia Wallace." Pulp Ficton Wiki Wiki. Fandom, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017. <http://pulpfiction.wikia.com/wiki/Mia_Wallace>.
I've been on the hunt for a female actress to play the role of Pandora. Considering this isn't a big Hollywood film, I'm going to have to settle for a friend thats comfortable with acting. My good friend, Adeline Cieslak (Addy for short), is of Ecuadorian descent. She has tan skin and green eyes, which adds an exotic feel to the character. 
Since Pandora will be chopping her hair off in the film opening, I decided to buy a wig for Addy to wear in order to emulate the cutting of hair, as I will not be making her cut off her own hair (she would never go through with that anyways). I searched the web for realistic yet inexpensive wings, and I found this wig from Party City. I chose this wig in particular because it looked the most realistic, and it is thick enough to allow for multiple chops. Also, it reminded me a lot of Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. In that movie Mia is portrayed as a mysterious woman, with little information revealed about her. I think that juxtaposition will bring Pandora an even more mysterious and dramatic look, which will add to the over all vibe of the thriller.
It makes me happy to see my ideas unfolding before me. Can't wait until shooting day!
Sources:
JCS10. "Ebony Blunt Bob Wig." Ebony Blunt Bob Wig - Party City. Party City, 28 Oct. 2015. Web. 19 Mar. 2017. <http://www.partycity.com/product/ebony+blunt+bob+wig.do?from=Search&navSet=wigs&costumegender=Womens&solidcolors=Black&&bypass_redirect=1>.
"Mia Wallace." Pulp Ficton Wiki Wiki. Fandom, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017. <http://pulpfiction.wikia.com/wiki/Mia_Wallace>.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Characterization
Introducing...... Pandora!
After a lot of research, I finally found a name that I liked AND fit the plot. At first, I was debating on naming her Arabella, like the Arctic Monkeys song that inspired this entire project. However, I decided to visit Behind the Name, a website with over 20,000 names from all cultures and time periods. After scrolling through what seemed an endless list of names, I stumbled upon the name Pandora. It stood out to me as much as Arabella had. I read the description, and suddenly it all clicked. The name Pandora is of Greek origin meaning "all gifts". It is part of mythical story, where Pandora was deemed the first mortal woman. "Zeus had given her a jar containing all of the troubles and ills that mankind now knows, and told her not to open it. Unfortunately her curiosity got the best of her and she opened it, unleashing the evil spirits into the world," the page states. You can read more about Pandora's box here.
And thats where it clicked.
Pandora (character) will embody Pandora, the mortal in the myth. However, the concept of the box will be altered; instead of there being a physical box of mystery, the "box" will be her mind; the reasoning for her schizophrenia. The act opening the box, emphasized in the myth, will be mirrored by the character purposely stopping her antipsychotic medication, leading to the eventual release of the "demons" in her mind.
The fact I was able to find a story to allude to my idea makes me feel happy and accomplished. Before I found this, I feel like my idea lacked foundation. These findings provide structure and further interest to the overall plot of the film opening.
Sources:
Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Pandora." Behind the Name. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <https://www.behindthename.com/name/pandora>.
Campbell, Mike. "Name of the Day." Behind the Name: Meaning of Names, Baby Name Meanings. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <https://www.behindthename.com/>.
"The Myth of Pandora’s Box." Greek Myths Greek Mythology. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/pandoras-box-myth/>.
After a lot of research, I finally found a name that I liked AND fit the plot. At first, I was debating on naming her Arabella, like the Arctic Monkeys song that inspired this entire project. However, I decided to visit Behind the Name, a website with over 20,000 names from all cultures and time periods. After scrolling through what seemed an endless list of names, I stumbled upon the name Pandora. It stood out to me as much as Arabella had. I read the description, and suddenly it all clicked. The name Pandora is of Greek origin meaning "all gifts". It is part of mythical story, where Pandora was deemed the first mortal woman. "Zeus had given her a jar containing all of the troubles and ills that mankind now knows, and told her not to open it. Unfortunately her curiosity got the best of her and she opened it, unleashing the evil spirits into the world," the page states. You can read more about Pandora's box here.
And thats where it clicked.
Pandora (character) will embody Pandora, the mortal in the myth. However, the concept of the box will be altered; instead of there being a physical box of mystery, the "box" will be her mind; the reasoning for her schizophrenia. The act opening the box, emphasized in the myth, will be mirrored by the character purposely stopping her antipsychotic medication, leading to the eventual release of the "demons" in her mind.
The fact I was able to find a story to allude to my idea makes me feel happy and accomplished. Before I found this, I feel like my idea lacked foundation. These findings provide structure and further interest to the overall plot of the film opening.
Sources:
Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Pandora." Behind the Name. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <https://www.behindthename.com/name/pandora>.
Campbell, Mike. "Name of the Day." Behind the Name: Meaning of Names, Baby Name Meanings. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <https://www.behindthename.com/>.
"The Myth of Pandora’s Box." Greek Myths Greek Mythology. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2017. <http://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/pandoras-box-myth/>.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Outlining Ideas
so, after many days of research, I am finally ready to let my creativity run wild. Reading various articles and watching many films and YouTube videos really inspired me and allowed me to visualize exactly what I want.
This video is a scene from Frida (2002) where the main character is sloppily cutting her hair. This serves as inspiration for my own idea. This scene has a more dramatic feel to it, with the slow music and the melancholy flashbacks. In order to incorporate the same concept within the context of a thriller, I plan on using more close ups and quick cuts to add suspense and mystery.
The film opening is going to be set in a bathroom.
The main character is going to be standing facing the mirror wearing an emotionless expression, looking at her reflection attentively, as if she was looking into her own soul. There will be scissors on the counter, which she will then grab to begin snipping at her hair violently. This action will then be juxtaposed with images/actions providing insight to her thoughts as she is shredding her hair. She is in the middle of a psychotic episode, her mind has been overrun with echoing voices and images of demons threatening to overtake her body and create havoc in the human world. The act of cutting her hair serves as a way to try and release the frustration and depression that consumes her during the psychotic break. The incorporation of mirrors and scissors are staple conventions in a thriller because they evoke a sense of mystery, suspense and violence.
Going more in depth with the story in order to establish plot, I want to make it known to the audience that the main character has gone off her psychotic medication, which I learned in the video in my previous post that the medication helps the patient differentiate from whats real and not real. By breaking this medical wall, the hallucinations and voices are able to become more vivid, clouding judgement, making the character vulnerable to her own thoughts.
This is the gist of what I want to portray. I am now in the process of creating my storyboard to map out the different scenes, compositions and editing techniques, as I had previously seen in this SlideShare, I should use in order to give the film opening an authentic feel while following thriller conventions.
Sources:
The film opening is going to be set in a bathroom. The main character is going to be standing facing the mirror wearing an emotionless expression, looking at her reflection attentively, as if she was looking into her own soul. There will be scissors on the counter, which she will then grab to begin snipping at her hair violently. This action will then be juxtaposed with images/actions providing insight to her thoughts as she is shredding her hair. She is in the middle of a psychotic episode, her mind has been overrun with echoing voices and images of demons threatening to overtake her body and create havoc in the human world. The act of cutting her hair serves as a way to try and release the frustration and depression that consumes her during the psychotic break. The incorporation of mirrors and scissors are staple conventions in a thriller because they evoke a sense of mystery, suspense and violence.
Going more in depth with the story in order to establish plot, I want to make it known to the audience that the main character has gone off her psychotic medication, which I learned in the video in my previous post that the medication helps the patient differentiate from whats real and not real. By breaking this medical wall, the hallucinations and voices are able to become more vivid, clouding judgement, making the character vulnerable to her own thoughts.
Sources:
"Frida (8/12) Movie CLIP - Frida Cuts Her Hair (2002) HD." YouTube. Movieclips, 01 Oct. 2011. Web. 14 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/HadRbtEI7KU>.
JasonsA2Media Follow. "Codes and Conventions of the Thriller Genre." LinkedIn SlideShare. N.p., 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2017. <https://www.slideshare.net/JasonsA2Media/codes-and-conventions-of-the-thriller-genre>.Sunday, March 12, 2017
Research: Schizophrenia
In my previous post I had come to the conclusion that I wanted the main character to battle with an inner conflict, which would appeal to my target audience. Expanding upon that, I revisited tsl in search for a sub genre that closely fit this particular idea and found that psychological thriller would be a good route to take. Psychological thrillers incorporates a theme of drama and suspense that comes from the mind, rather than a physical threat. Because of their nature, psychological thrillers tend to cross over to horror, which is something I need to avoid.
I think the best way to go through with this idea is to give my main character a mental illness from which different conflicts and mysterious elements can stem from. I turned to the internet to find a psychotic disorder that would most likely fit with what I want. I found a WedMD article with all there is to know about schizophrenia. One of schizophrenia's symptoms is hallucinations, which involves perceiving sensations that aren't real, such as seeing things that aren't there, and hearing voices that may comment on the person's behavior, insult or give commands. The article goes further to emphasize that schizophrenia is nothing like it is portrayed in movies. However, representing the disorder in a scary and, for lack of a better term, crazy way gives the film a more authentic mysterious and suspenseful feel.
With all this information in mind, I have decided to diagnose my main character with schizophrenia. Some symptoms that will be most evident during the 2 minute opening will be:
I think the best way to go through with this idea is to give my main character a mental illness from which different conflicts and mysterious elements can stem from. I turned to the internet to find a psychotic disorder that would most likely fit with what I want. I found a WedMD article with all there is to know about schizophrenia. One of schizophrenia's symptoms is hallucinations, which involves perceiving sensations that aren't real, such as seeing things that aren't there, and hearing voices that may comment on the person's behavior, insult or give commands. The article goes further to emphasize that schizophrenia is nothing like it is portrayed in movies. However, representing the disorder in a scary and, for lack of a better term, crazy way gives the film a more authentic mysterious and suspenseful feel.
With all this information in mind, I have decided to diagnose my main character with schizophrenia. Some symptoms that will be most evident during the 2 minute opening will be:
- Hallucinations
- Shifting quickly from one thought to the next
- Having problems making sense of everyday sights, sounds, and feelings
- Laughter
I decided to dig deeper and watch YouTube videos on the topic of schizophrenia. I found two interesting videos.
This first video is an interview of a schizophrenic man in US asylum in 2008. He suffers from hallucinations, and is very calm, monotone and particular about his actions. His random bursts is somewhat creepy and confusing, which adds to the tension of the video. I found it particularly interesting when he mentions that the things he sees and the voices he hears are of demonic nature, and that they are present during the interview. The man also mentions he is receiving antipsychotic medication which helps him differentiate from whats real and not real, however it does not make the hallucinations go away.
This next video I found was interesting because it gives insight to a schizophrenic patient's auditory hallucinations. The viewer can hear the voices that go off inside the patient's head as the interview is being conducted and see how they interfere with his concentration. I think this video is extremely helpful because it can help me to accurately depict hallucinations and get a feel of the psychological realm I am venturing into.
Sources:
Buffam, Noelle. "Genre: Thriller." The Script Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/thriller>.
"Schizophrenia: An Overview." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-schizophrenia#2-4>.
Buffam, Noelle. "Genre: Thriller." The Script Lab. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/thriller>.
"Schizophrenia: An Overview." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/mental-health-schizophrenia#2-4>.
ThePactProject. "TRUE STORY - Interview with Schizophrenic Man." YouTube. YouTube, 16 June 2009. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4b-_bNsajY>.
Psychiatryteacher. "Hearing Voices - Patient's Perspective." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh06HsxBXqI&t=420s>.
Psychiatryteacher. "Hearing Voices - Patient's Perspective." YouTube. YouTube, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh06HsxBXqI&t=420s>.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Aim
Lets talk target audience!
I read this article by Forbes in order to better understand the purpose and importance of a target audience. The article states, "By clearly identifying target audiences, it becomes easier to capture someone's attention because their needs and goals are front and centre." After reading that sentence I thought, ok, what do people look for in thrillers? Then I stumbled upon a research paper on Scribd. that answered that question for me.
Thriller fanatics are people who:
Sources:
 |
| Thriller Movie Age Profile |
I read this article by Forbes in order to better understand the purpose and importance of a target audience. The article states, "By clearly identifying target audiences, it becomes easier to capture someone's attention because their needs and goals are front and centre." After reading that sentence I thought, ok, what do people look for in thrillers? Then I stumbled upon a research paper on Scribd. that answered that question for me.
Thriller fanatics are people who:
- like to figure things out for themselves
- don't give up trying to figure out what's happening
- like the element of surprise
- enjoy the mystery and twist in a plot
 |
| Thriller Movie Gender Profile |
The age ranges that most closely fit those descriptions where 18-25 and then jumps to 50+. In addition to the age range, thriller fanatics tend to have a slight female skew. I decided to stick with this target audience because it shows the "know it all" tendencies of young adults, which can be fueled by the mysterious aspects of thrillers. With this established, I am confident in pursuing a female lead in order to appeal and empower women to watch the film. Also, as sexist as it is, an attractive female will undoubtedly attract male interest, ultimately killing two birds with one stone. In order to hit all interests of thriller movie-goers, I am leaning towards the idea of presenting the main character with an internal conflict she is trying to resolve. This paves way to mystery and suspense, as important factors are unknown both by the character and audience. In addition, it allows the audience to try and piece together what is going on, ultimately hitting the important elements that capture the mentioned target audience.
Sources:
Ladypreach. "Target Audience and Genre Research." Scribd. Scribd, n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2017. <https://www.scribd.com/doc/22176569/Target-Audience-and-Genre-Research>.
Evans, Mark. "The Importance of Really Knowing Your Target Audiences." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2017. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/markevans/2013/03/20/the-importance-of-really-knowing-your-target-audiences/#67a523034dd7>.
Evans, Mark. "The Importance of Really Knowing Your Target Audiences." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 20 Mar. 2013. Web. 9 Mar. 2017. <https://www.forbes.com/sites/markevans/2013/03/20/the-importance-of-really-knowing-your-target-audiences/#67a523034dd7>.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Thriller Marathon
In order to understand the visual aspects of thrillers, I decided to do some binge watching. I visited FilmCrave.com which is a growing entertainment website that allows movie fanatics to act as critics and voice their opinions on different movies. I liked the idea behind this website because it gives raw, genuine and unbiased opinions and recommendations on a wide variety of movies. A perfect way to find quality thrillers: let the people talk.
This particular opening sequence uses gray tones to convey a sense of mystery in addition to the gloomy forest and overcast day. The scene transitions from wide shots, tilts and long takes, to establish the setting, to quick cuts and close ups to introduce what seems to be the main character. The quick cuts and close ups create ambiguity and mystery as to who the person is and what they are doing. Furthermore, music plays a key role in the development of the clip. It begins with a slow, morose tempo while the shots introduce the setting. But, as the actor is introduced, the tempo picks up, eventually matching the rhythm of the running figure. Towards the end, it begins to give off a creepy feel, almost as if the character is running away from something. I like this particular approach at introducing a character because it leaves the audience with a taste of mystery and it encourages them to continue watching for more clues as the plot develops.
2. Se7en (1995)
Ok, I know this technically isn't the opening scene but I do believe it has vital elements related to thrillers that I must address. First, it makes me realize just how important sound is in a thriller. If you play this particular clip muted, the visuals lose their substance. Don't get me wrong, they do an amazing job at setting tone/mood, however it is not enough to give the viewer that feeling in the pit of their stomach, which is something I'm striving towards. Also, I want to mention reoccurring themes I'm starting to pick up on: Dark tones, and close ups! Dark tones add a mysterious and scary feel to the clip, making the viewer feel scared and unsure of what is to come. That, paired with close ups, create in cohesive juxtapositions that latch the audience on and strap them in for the ride.
3. Read Window (1954)
The composition of this film opening is a little different. It showcases a series of pans and tilts to help the viewer visualize the apartment complex. Interestingly enough, each resident is framed by their back window, isolating their actions as individuals. Towards the end, what seems to be the main character is introduced, wearing a full leg cast, with the writing, "Here lie the broken bones of L.B. Jefferies." highlighting his complete immobilization. The shot goes further into the apartment and provides close ups of different picture frames, aiming to establish the nature of the life of this character before his accident. I know this is a long shot, but the juxtaposition of the cast with how the setting is displayed almost gives the feel as if the character is house-bound because of his injury, and therefore his window is his only access into the outside world.
These three film openings exemplify similar thriller conventions with emphasis on specific elements, whether its sound, composition or mis-en-scene. They serves as good references as to how I should approach my particular film opening, aiming develop mystery and suspense by manipulating how the audience sees the content. Keeping in mind that these are movies produced and directed by professionals, I'm skeptical about how my own take on will turn out. I love a good challenge!
Sources:
Kavan, Chris. "Top Thriller Movies List." FilmCrave. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <http://www.filmcrave.com/list_genre_movie.php?genre=Thriller>.
"Silence Of The Lambs - Opening Titles." YouTube. NIRM Productions, 09 Dec. 2015. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/eyLI4eL2c_s>.
"Se7en | Opening Credits | 720p." YouTube. Vaslav Tchitcherine, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/OEq-4fua3lM>.
"REAR WINDOW Opening (Cinematography)." YouTube. Clint Stivers, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/I5It0nmoYE4>.
Movie Lists+ > top movies by genre > top thriller movies
clicking the tabs mentioned above brought me to this link, a list of various thrillers rated out of four stars. An interesting feature of this list is that it's "calculated daily" meaning it is up to date with current movie releases. With that established, it is evident that the top three movies on the list have held their spot for a while, thus ensuring their prestige as thrillers in the movie world.
After narrowing my search, I dedicated the day to watching these 3 movies, The Silence of the Lambs (1991) directed by Jonathan Demme, Se7en (1995) directed by David Fincher, and Rear Window (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. I played close attention to the opening credits, opening scene, genre conventions and editing techniques in order to get a feel for what an authentic thriller should include.
1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
2. Se7en (1995)
Ok, I know this technically isn't the opening scene but I do believe it has vital elements related to thrillers that I must address. First, it makes me realize just how important sound is in a thriller. If you play this particular clip muted, the visuals lose their substance. Don't get me wrong, they do an amazing job at setting tone/mood, however it is not enough to give the viewer that feeling in the pit of their stomach, which is something I'm striving towards. Also, I want to mention reoccurring themes I'm starting to pick up on: Dark tones, and close ups! Dark tones add a mysterious and scary feel to the clip, making the viewer feel scared and unsure of what is to come. That, paired with close ups, create in cohesive juxtapositions that latch the audience on and strap them in for the ride. 3. Read Window (1954)
The composition of this film opening is a little different. It showcases a series of pans and tilts to help the viewer visualize the apartment complex. Interestingly enough, each resident is framed by their back window, isolating their actions as individuals. Towards the end, what seems to be the main character is introduced, wearing a full leg cast, with the writing, "Here lie the broken bones of L.B. Jefferies." highlighting his complete immobilization. The shot goes further into the apartment and provides close ups of different picture frames, aiming to establish the nature of the life of this character before his accident. I know this is a long shot, but the juxtaposition of the cast with how the setting is displayed almost gives the feel as if the character is house-bound because of his injury, and therefore his window is his only access into the outside world.These three film openings exemplify similar thriller conventions with emphasis on specific elements, whether its sound, composition or mis-en-scene. They serves as good references as to how I should approach my particular film opening, aiming develop mystery and suspense by manipulating how the audience sees the content. Keeping in mind that these are movies produced and directed by professionals, I'm skeptical about how my own take on will turn out. I love a good challenge!
Sources:
Kavan, Chris. "Top Thriller Movies List." FilmCrave. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <http://www.filmcrave.com/list_genre_movie.php?genre=Thriller>.
"Silence Of The Lambs - Opening Titles." YouTube. NIRM Productions, 09 Dec. 2015. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/eyLI4eL2c_s>.
"Se7en | Opening Credits | 720p." YouTube. Vaslav Tchitcherine, 18 Nov. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/OEq-4fua3lM>.
"REAR WINDOW Opening (Cinematography)." YouTube. Clint Stivers, 20 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Mar. 2017. <https://youtu.be/I5It0nmoYE4>.
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