My A/S Media Studies Coursework Brief

For my AS Level Media Studies coursework, I will produce a brand new opening title sequence of a Thriller fiction film. I have decided to work with Emily Peachey, we will be planning and producing the opening title sequence.
- The filming will take place some time in January lasting 2-3 minutes. It will be filmed during the day in Black and White to set the scene and eventually in colour as the suspense builds up.
- We have some ideas about the locations we have have selected, such as Abbey Wood Ruins, Greenwich Park, Near Woolwich Crown Court/Belmarsh Prison (Belmarsh Road). We want to film our opening title sequence in an area that is dark and mysterious which will give the viewers an idea of what is going to happen.
- At the beginning, the music will be loud but tense, we will decide on a song that starts off slow, then fast gradually building up the suspense as it gets louder. At the end, the music will be really loud to go with the end of the scene being really dramatic to break the tension.

To assist me in the preparation of the opening title sequence in my Thriller film, I have decided to watch some films in order to develop and expand my ideas and thoughts.

One example includes "Se7en"-
I have noted several aspects which will help me in making the film: the sound is scratchy and has screetching chains which gives viewers the feeling of being nervous and uncomfortable which places them in the context. It is stylistically deeply claustrophobic which is dominated by close-up and extreme close-up shots. There is not much dialogue at the beginning of the opening title sequence but the portrait of the mind of the serial killer is formed which also gives the impression that the killer is meticulously planned, prepared, educated and a religious iconography.
The images of the opening gives the impression to the audience that the stalker has an obsession with religion and is carefully planning on how to kill his victims. This is done by the audience perceiving the murderer as putting detail in creating a religious icon from the Bible and searching for information about the Seven Deadly Sins. This represents to the audience that this character is a potential murderer and religion is an important aspect in his life. We liked the idea of seeing a stalker planning to kill his victim; this creates suspense to the audience and makes them want to continue watching. I like the opening of Se7en which is in black and white and how it gives the scene a mysterious look. This could be a good idea for our own film opening, so to give our stalker scenes the same mysterious look we can edit them to black and white as they are in Se7en. The music is fast paced and has an edgy feel about it. As it goes on it the music gets louder which creates a spooky atmosphere. We plan to use similar techniques to this film opening and we hope we can build the same tension to the audience as Se7en did to us when we watched it.




Another example is "Messiah 1" -
Sound - low key music which helps to build up suspense and tension. The blood dripping is amplified to intensify the situation and the classical music is an important signature of character, mood and religious themes. This punctuates the drama signposting the change.
Shots - It consists of shot reverse shots, including candles which represents romance and religion. There are also feet shots which could be interpreted as danger ahead.
Character - A girl starts of having fun and eventually becomes worried and anxious by a boy's presence. He is established early on as having potential 'murderer' qualities. The colour red has the status of authority and this is symbolised by reactions to him.
Mise-en-scene - The gothic clothing links to red and black which could potentially be religious themes. The white-house symbolises purity and that wealthy, priviledged people live in the classical Georgian property. The rain signifies a sense of invasion.