List of locations.

• Outside of A&E : To present the routine of the victims life. Conversation with co worker receptionist allows the audience to get an insight into victims personal life.
• St Dunstans Churchyard : The churchyard is a great place to film because it has connotations of death, it was also very convenient to film in as it was close to school.
• One of the receptions inside school : We were not able to film the reception scene in a real hospital reception therefore we made do with one of the school receptions. We used props such as hospital leaflets, a sign out book, hospital nurse uniform and a 'staff' pass around nurses neck to make the reception look as hospital-like as possible. 
• Media store room inside school : A small secret 'office-like' room was needed. The store room was perfect as we could fit a desk in there. There was no natural light present which was great as we only needed the light of a lamp showing what was on the desk hence keeping Harry's identity secret.
• Boys common room inside school : this room was needed as a hospital room to show the nurse doing her daily job. The bandage she uses on her unidentified patient is later seen in the mysterious figures office ! (shock horror) 

Shobnom

Why we chose our genre

Out of the three genres - romance, action/crime & thriller, we have chosen to go with thriller as we were more enthusiastic about it after learning the generic conventions of it and further research. We automatically  came up with ideas of location, characters, narrative, props therefore we went with our instincts.
Earlier in the year we did individual storyboards on different genres of our choice. We had to pick which storyboard we liked best & we picked the thriller, however we still managed to link all our ideas together.


Shobnom

Raw footage of our first receptionist and nurse scene

This is the piece of raw footage of our first receptionist and nurse scene. The actress who played the receptionist dropped out and we only filmed one of two of her scenes, therefore we had to find a new actress willing to take her part. The camera man made a few mistakes such as filming the walls more than the actual acting. we also realised that we couldn't hear what our actresses were saying and decided we needed a mic.

Shobnom & Tasnima

Camera shots & editing reasons

We have managed to succeed in using all the camera shots we aimed to use in the beginning. 

Establishing shot: we filmed this shot however we decided not to use it as it wasn't necessary. The setting was established automatically through the props which were used. for example. the nurses uniform, the medical leaflets, staff pass, reception, discharge papers, sign in/out book, and the bandage scene which is the start of our opening

Over shoulder shot: this allows the audience to see that the nurse is signing out from work straight after the 12:00 close up shot of the clock. this creates suspense as she is a vulnerable young woman going home alone -this brings a sense of paranoia as to what will come after her. Both stalker and nurse were in churchyard at night and there was an over shoulder shot from the stalkers point of view of our nurse

Mid shot: this allows the audience to see the actors body language and how they are being portrayed in the opening 

Close ups: the time on the clock, the stalkers photographs of the nurse, close up of the two colleague conversing.  

Extreme close ups: lighting is usually dark is mostly dark in all of our extreme close ups because they are mostly the stalkers scenes which is hiding his identity. There is also an extreme close up of his smirk in the end which indicates to the audience that he is getting some sort of thrill.

High angle shot: high angle shot of photographs on our stalkers desk. For example 1-when our stalker tears the photograph of our victim and her boyfriend. 2-when stalker caresses nurses face on her photograph.

Two shot: To establish that the two colleagues are working at the hospital.

Shot reverse shot: conversation between two colleagues.

Parallel editing: the two sequences that take place; 1-stalkers. 2-nurse's.

Eyeline match: we were going to use an eyeline match when our nurse is in churchyard and looks back to see if theres anything or anyone their. however, we decided not to use this shot because we went back to film it but the lighting was not the same.

Credits: to show who was involved in the production of the opening

Continuity editing: continuity through each narrative individually

Jump cut: skips the excessive filming of our nurse walking

Action match: when our nurse is walking out of work

As our film was set at 'midnight' we needed to film when it got dark. We chose to set it at this time as it creates a mysterious sense of mise-en-scene.

Shobnom&Tasnima

Sound research for thriller

The music in a thriller tends to be erratic to build suspense. Both the storyline and music go hand in hand to keep the audience at the edge of their seat. They are mostly of a higher pitch and rise in pitch and tempo.

The ‘saw’ soundtrack is a good example of this. It starts of in a suspenseful mellow tone and builds to a climax where the audience reaches the peak of their thrill and then the music is calmed down so the audience can ‘cool off’. 

Shahjahan

I've found a piece of audio that is suitable for the series of shots when our nurse is walking home in the dark and the camera is following her. The sound of the piano creates an eerie atmosphere yet still the piano gives a sense of innocence. This is perfect for a thriller as the music gives a slight enigma code; suggesting 

From 7.00sec -8.00sec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ7RZzEG_7s&feature=related

Our opening will include diagetic sounds such as heavy breathing and footsteps.

Shobnom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY

The background sounds in Se7en's opening consists of heavy deep drone sounds. The drone sound can be felt physically as well as heard. These sounds are usually heard in thrillers to make the audience fear for the next scene.

Shobnom&Tasnima

Title research for thriller

The conventions of a thriller title include eye catching, thought provoking text styles. For example in ‘saw 2’ they use two cut off fingers to convey the number two. Furthermore the ‘W’ in saw is manipulated to resemble a pitchfork. This has connotations that the film will be bloody and gory. The colour of the text is dull and grim which emphasizes the grotesque nature of the film.

Shahjahan

The font in the titles of Se7en are thin and crooked. The disorientated font brings a sense of confusion/amnesia.  The font is white on black which makes it stand out; there is no colour as it is not supposed to be a 'colourful'  film. That would be more suitable for a comedy or romance. The white on black conforms to the generic conventions of a thriller.

The font in 'The number 23' is simple yet complex. It looks like a typewriter would have typed this. This gives connotations of olden times. The red blood gives ideas of death, violence and danger. Blood is a generic convention of a thriller.

The font in 'Blade 2' is simple yet effective with the silver gradient topped with blood-like red. This alone already is a form of foreboding of what is to later come in the play for instance the violence being represented in the 'red' blood dripping from the bladed text.

Shobnom&Tasnima

Possible fonts for credits

I have been playing around with Borris 3D & this a possible design/font to be used.

THE BOTTOM IS HOW THE FONT ORIGINALLY IS - AND THE TOP IS THE OUTCOME OF ME PLAYING AROUND WITH BORRIS.

- Harry Singh - 

old raw footage

This is the first raw footage we filmed of harry's solo stalker scene. We are not going to use this piece as it lacks in a range of shot variety. After watching this footage, we realised where we went wrong and came to a decision that we would need to re-create the scene again with more shot variety and a change of setting as the lighting in the previous room had a light sensor and we had to block the lights with newspaper whereas the new room was ideal for filming in the dark.

Shobnom

23rd January 2012

In today's lesson Shobnom and Tasnima are uploading all the footage we have filmed so far. This includes the bad footage that we have decided not to use due to implications. Harry has also begun experimenting with the 'Boris' 3D Font for titles to use in our clip. One of the setbacks we had was that a scene we filmed previously with a microphone did not pick up the audio unfortunately therefore we need to arrange another day to film this scene.

Tasnima

Preparing for the Stalker Scene

 

3/02/12 - Day 7 Of Recording

Today we took a opportunity  to re-record the scene between the nurse and receptionist. Because after we watched our previous recording we noticed the mic which was supposed to pick up all the sound in the conversation was in-fact switched off this our our fault as we should have checked if all the equipment was on and ready to use. In this day we made sure everything was up and running and we then re-recorded the scene, as thoroughly and accurately as possible. We did not have any particular problems which could cause our recording time harm.

Call sheet Film day 7

Tasnima Islam

Decision Making

- Initially, Nausheen Khanom was supposed to play the role of the receptionist however she backed out therefore we needed to find another suitable receptionist on short notice. Tasnima from our team was happy to volunteer and fill in Nausheen's role.

- Our original title for our film opening was meant to be 'Mystery Stalker', however we decided that this title gave away too much of what the film would be about so we decided to change it. We changed our title to Pharaphilia as it gave less away. The word Pharaphilia describes a person being obsessed with unusual sexual practises such as pedophilia or forceful sexual activity which inflicts physical/mental pain on the other person. The meaning of this word fits in with our mysterious character.


Shobnom&Tasnima

20/01/2012 - Day 6 of recording

Today we had a single lesson and took this opportunity to re-film our nurse and receptionist scene. We had to re-film because the camera shots wasn't correct and accurate the previous time. Unfortunetly our receptionist wasn't available and has dropped out so at such short notice i (Tasnima) took the role of being the receptionist. We were able to film in the area we wanted to and made sure that all the shots were accurate and correct. In our last shoot of this scene we realized the dialogue wasn't clear,and thought using the mics would be a good idea. In this single lesson we used the mics which allowed all dialogue to be clear and understandable

Harry

Call Sheet Film day 6

Tasnima Islam

18/01/2012 - Day 5 of recording

Today we met after school to complete the stalkers scene. However we discovered a fault with our recording of the reception exchange therefore we had to re-record that scene again. Half way trough recording. We were faced with a real problem that lead us into not being able to record at all. Lenny the six forms receptionist told us we couldn't record no more because six form interviews were being held in the area we were recording in. Even though we had our media teacher with us we still had to clear off. We had no choice but to complete the reception exchange another day.

Then we moved on to do the stalker scene. Our media teacher helped us a great amount with today's shooting she very kindly let us use one of the media offices to use. This gave us much more time on our hands. We got all of our props ready and Ms Georgiou assisted us in making the room look like a real disturbed persons domain. We were all present except for Shajahan due to out of school non-curriculum activities. But the show must go on as they say. After taking a number of different shots in different positions..ect.

Francesca very willingly agreed for us to snip of a chunk of her hair as we lost the other peice of hair. Many thanks to her. Overall we were very pleased with today's shoot. However it wouldn't have been possible without the cast an crew of this group and of course Ms Georgiou for helping us in her spare time to create something so disturbing and  freaky.

- Harry Singh -

Call Sheet Film day 5

Tasnima Islam

16/01/2012 - Day 4 of Recording

Today we had a double lesson, we took this opportunity to record the nurse & receptionist conversation. Luckily our actresses both were available on this particular day. We provided them with costumes and we set out in the school premisses to find a suitable reception based area, we were told we didn't have enough time to record in the place we found because it was going to be in use. We were very kindly given extra time and managed to get all the shots needed to complete that particular scene. Overall The shooting went as planned with no particular problems.

We also used this time to record an idea that Shahjahan & Shobnom came up with in a previous lesson. The idea was that we would put a bandage around the camera to emphasise there's an injured person & our nurse would be unraveling the bandage & we will use this for our opening scene.
Props included the leaflets that Me (Harry) & Tasnima collected at a pharmacy. Theses props gave a much more realistic scenery to the reception.

We achieved what we set out to do in todays double lesson. We have realised that we have completed most scenes quicker then we expected. Now there is 1 scene left to do . which is the stalkers scene which involves me (Harry) which we will complete on the 18/01/2012. All thats left to do now is editing & the continuous updates on our blog.

- Harry Singh -

Call Sheet Film day 4

Tasnima Islam

15/01/2012 - Recording Day 3

This is the first day we as a whole attending group met up at a weekend and recorded a major part in our opening , our actress Francesca was also present. We met up at 4.00pm at Whitechapel, it took us 5minutes to assemble the tripod in position with the camera but once it had been done we were very keen to start recording we all had a good mind frame and good visualisation of how it should look. For accuracy we repeated shots for editing reasons. After completing various positions and angles we decided as we had more time on our hands we could go and record a different scene in our Church-yard setting -a place near the six form. However UN-noticed  the battery of the camera became so low it turned off. We all had a chat and came to a decision to meet up in 1 hours time and get cracking on the next scene. Shajahan took the camera and charged it at his house, our actress had no choice to stay at a nearby friends house and me (Harry) & Tasnima went home and came back. We met up at 6.30 where it got dark just perfect for our next scene, there was no particular major issue with recoding and getting the right angles and positions.
We took a few safety shots again for editing reasons.

This was a very positive day for not just for our media work, but helped for us as a team to interact.

We were very happy and satisfied with today's recoding's. We feel that due to our level of dedication and commitment we have done a great job. Many thanks to our actress Francesca for sticking around & waiting 30minutes on this cold January evening and also for co-operating.

- Harry Singh -

Call Sheet Film day 3

Tasnima Islam

11/01/2012 - Recording Day 2

Day 2 of recoding, me (Harry), Tasnima & Shobnom stayed back after school to shoot a scene introducing the disturbed stalker.  We found a suitable room were the school very kindly provided just below the media department - we got our props including pictures;blonde hair;lamp light: news paper articles;fake blood and a few other things. Setting up the props took most of the time, the room we shot in had lights that did not switch off, so the girls stuck news papers round the lights with tape which gave the room a much darker look.

We shot a few frames however we did not move the tripod & camera much and this is were we went wrong.  We should have shot at different angles to emphasise the disturbance of the character. However we have more time to re-shoot that particular scene so look to do it in the next 2weeks. Now we have realised were we went wrong we ensure to ace the next shooting.

- Harry Singh -

Calls sheet for Film day 2

Tasnima Islam

09/01/2012 - Recording Day 1

On the first day of recording, me (Harry) and Tasnima set out too whitechaple to get several Establishing shots of the A&E where our so called ''nurse'' would be working. However we then had a slight problem which we were not expecting. We asked a receptionist permission to record from the outside she gave us a number to call, after putting us through another several numbers they fortunately agreed. 

We then looked for suitable positions/angles we could place the tripod & camera. Every shot we recorded, was repeated twice for safety and editing reasons. We then took that opportunity to go to a local pharmacy and collect spare leaflets & hand-outs, we thought they would come in handy for when we record the Reception scene later on.

- Harry Singh -

Call sheet for Film Day 1

Tasnima Islam

13th Jan 2012

In last weeks lesson, Harry and Tasnima went out to film an establishing shot. Me and Shobnom thought of alternative openings. I came up with the idea that we put a bandage around the camera, and unwind it to give the impression that we are watching the film from an injured patients point of view. This would be a suitable opening as it would give mysterious connotations.

Shahjahan

9th jan 2012

The hospital setting we picked is the A&E as it indicates immediate danger. the other setting is in a churchyard because the churchyard has a mysterious and eerie atmosphere which is key convention in a thriller.

The actress playing the nurse is going to be wearing a hospital outfit  and a staff ID pass around her neck to create a sense of realism. The actor playing the villain will be wearing ragged, dull coloured clothes to give an impression that he is a socially deprived psychopath - he has a fetish for womens hair.

We chose to film after school and as it is winter its gets dark earlier; we are using this to our advantage to create a sense of danger and vulnerability for our protagonist.

We chose a blonde actress to play our nurse as light hair has connotations of vulnerability & innocence.


Shahjahan and Shobnom

Final characters chosen

Mysterious Figure - We chose Harry as our mysterious figure as he is in our group which makes him very reliable and had the correct physical appearance to play this role; being male and having a shaved head and slit eyebrows. He has a 'rough look' which compliments the character. Over all Harry seemed enthusiastic in taking the role which is great as he had previous experience in acting.

Francesca - We chose Francesca as our nurse as her physical appearance matches the type of vulnerable character we aimed for; being a young female and having blonde hair. This was our target actress as young women are typically stereotyped as victims in thriller films. She has had previous experience in acting which was a bonus.

Receptionist - We chose Tasnima to play the receptionist as she is in our group which makes her very reliable.  The reason we have chosen her is because there is a contrast between her and Francesca (Francesca blonde hair connotes vulnerability and ditziness). We are also conforming to the stereotype that asian girls are most likely to be receptionists.

Shobnom & Tasnima

Character to play The disturbed Stalker

NAME:HARRY KULWANT SINGH

I am a member of the gassed production group, i have gladly offered to 

take on this roll. I would be happy to act out what I have storyboarded with my group.

This will be a new yet exciting experience for me, acting out a roll of one being 

mentally disturbed it will be hard to get into character but i have also got an experience in acting 

so this shouldn't be such a hard job.

- Harry Singh -

Female Characters that may Undertake the roll as the Nurse

W

NAME: FRANCESCA HILLSDEN

This is a possible actress to play the roll of the nurse

reasons why we have asked her to participate is due her experience in drama & acting -

of course her hair colour was another thumbs up, doing research we found typical

conventions for thriller movies are usually young females typically attractive; with blonde hair 

portraying their innocence. Also if picked this will give her more confidence behind the camera 

and we hope she enjoys this roll which she can also add to her portfolio.

 - Harry Singh -

NAME: CHLOE ROSE LAWLER


Another possible  actress to play the roll of the nurse
reasons why we have asked her to participate is because she fits into the same
conventions that we have researched upon which are young attractive females
who are likely to be victims in thriller films an example is scary movie
thou it is thriller & comedy the thriller side consists of young white female who is
attractive brunette/reddish hair conveys danger. Gladly she is also willing to undertake the roll as being nurse.

- Harry Singh -

Female Character to Undertake the Role as the Receptionist

NAME: NAUSHEEN KHANOM

This is a possible actress to play the role of the receptionist. The reasons why we have chosen her is because we've had her as an actress in one of our previous preliminary. Nausheen has also taken GCSE Drama therefore she is confident in acting. We picked someone who has brown hair as it is a contrast to the blonde vulnerable victim nurse.

NAME: TASNIMA ISLAM

This is another possible actress to play the role of the receptionist. The reason we have chosen her is because there is a contrast between her and Francesca (Francesca blonde hair connotes vulnerability and ditziness). We are also conforming to the stereotype that asian girls are most likely to be receptionists.