Editing: Draft Edit

After our two days of filming we decided to start editing, with the use of Final Cut Pro 10.  We started importing the clips and slowly began to cut them down and rearrange into our planned sequences.  For the first scene which is a flashback, we used a dark and contrasting effect which creates a grungy and dark feel, alluring a tense atmosphere and deep/dark connotations.   The effect also adds to the dilapidated look of the outhouse due to shadows being even larger and darker.  We used a low angle shot, looking up to the granddad which conceals the newspaper and what he is 'ripping out'.   It also conveys a sense of power as we are looking up to him.

In the main sequence of the thriller intro, we used a 'Teal and Orange' theme which gives a sense of surrealism leading to a calming yet creepy feel.  We used copyright free thriller music which also creates a creepy feel, whilst maintaining a calming and sombre atmosphere simultaneously. 

In the main sequence we used a 'over the shoulder' shot which shows what both characters are doing at the same time.  The granddad is writing in his diary and the girl playing, the focus on this scene foreshadows that something could happen to Hannah due to focus on the granddad's lack of attention shown to her.

We decided to feature the super close up in our intro because it is effective in showing that maybe the granddad is not all 'good,' therefore creating an enigma code.  His facial expression is quite 'creepy' and abnormal.  Because of the extent at which we focus on his face, audiences will ask whether they should trust him or not.  We chose the Granddad with facial hair which conceals part of his face because this can result in him being seen as less trustworthy and maybe a 'bad' character.

Editing Effects

Combat
This effect has left the picture looking quite dull and dreary which mirrors the characters mood. Also it has left the white wall looking very bright but the brick wall looking dark and shadowed, this represents that the character has both good and bad side to him reinforcing the audiences ambiguity of whether he played a part in his granddaughters disappearance.

Glow
This effect dulls the entire shot and seams to have blurred the resolution slightly, the blurred quality could be useful as a clear contrast that would be established from the flashbacks and present time. However the dulled appearances doesn't have any good qualities in this scene so we are unlikely to choose this effect.

Hue Saturation
This effect has enhanced the colours giving a bright, happy, energetic feel to the scene, it is important that the audience understand this is the happy part of his life and the saturated colours help portray this. This effects works well with the scene and will be considered for the final draft.

Teal and Orange
This effect has made the trees leaves look greener which could represent the life in this flashback scene contrasting to the subdued man without his granddaughter in present time, however the green grass and the red dress aren't bright enough to convey the happiness the old man feels when with his granddaughter, therefore we are unlikely to use this effect in the final draft.

Research - thriller openings

The Prestige opening scene

Camera:

• The first shot focuses in on numerous top hats which have been scattered on the forest floor, they look as though they have been discarded and labeled worthless. Top hats represent two things; the wealthy and the allusions of magic, this symbolises that both or either of these representations are going to fall, become as worthless as the neglected hats on the dirty forest floor.
• A low angle shot is used looking up at the magician on stage, this conveys the importance of his characters power and tells the viewers that the audience at the magic show see's him as a figure of authority.
• A wide shot is used of the young girl's upper body to show her deep amazement of the man's magic trick, we can see both her thrilled facial expressions and her frantic clapping pleading him to show her again.         
• In the court room many camera shots are used including; low and high angle shots, an establishing shot, close ups and a point of view shot. It is important to use a variety of shots to expose further information that can't be established through speech or other types of communication. The camera angles used in the discussion between the witness and the barrister are low angles for the witness and high angle for the barrister, this is uncommon as usually barristers are portrayed with high authority as they uphold the law, but this could symblosise that the law doesn't hold importance in the narrative.

Sound:

• At the beginning right before the blackout an unknown male voice says 'are you watching closely?' whilst the camera focuses in on the top hats, this is a clue to the audience that the truth could be hidden or disguised and they must watch closely as not to miss any important information.
• When the stage magician is drowning, frantic violins and the sound affect of running water is played, the violins show the distress and exhilarated heat beat of both the drowning man an the man who's watching him, the running water is added to increase the tension and show that time is running out for the magician's life and the man watching him's time to decide to get help. 
• There is a voice over of a man explaining the stages of magic tricks through the opening as they're shown on the screen, this helps the audience to understand the narrative whilst making them feel included therefore increasing their emotional attachment to the characters.

Mise-en-scene

• The magician on stage is dressed in a smart black suit which represents his high status and authority, it is black to show that he is a 'bad guy', however normally these characters would be dressed in materials which are less smart (e.g. leather) and seen as more dangerous, this could mean that the character is just as evil as black leather represents but in a clever way, possibly manipulating his enemies rather than hurting them himself.
•  The auditorium in which the magician was entertaining his audience was very large and formal, it was formal to illustrate that magic was an upper class form of entertainment to set the scene for the rest of the narrative, the auditorium was especially large to add to the impact of the magicians trick and it tells the viewers that his magic was very popular in that time. 

Editing:

• The beams of light exerted by the magicians prop on stage had been enhanced to increase the danger of the trick, therefore the impact it will have on the audience is increased and their suspense and amazement when the mam is brought back. 

Narrative:

• The opening is riddled with suspense and tension, law enforcing personnel are involved which are common thriller characters. The truth is hidden from the audience right from the start leaving clear chances for plot twisters and cliff-hangers.

Research: Thriller Intro Analysis: Pulp Fiction

Research:Past Student Work:Perception

The first sequence incorporates multiple shots, panning around the girl.  Although this creates a 'creepy' effect, it could be seen as disjointed due to the short time at which each shot is maintained.  The shot switches before we have a real chance to view it/ take it in.  

I like the way a reverse effect is used on the third scene,  adding to the creepy feel.  Also with different (brighter) lighting with a subtle sepia effect used to show a different time frame.  However, he appears to be walking backwards, it would be more effective to film in real time/forwards, then apply a reverse effect to ensure continuity.  This is because he puts his hand on the wrong side of the door handle when trying to walk backwards.

A heartbeat sound affect is used to aid transition from one scene to the next.  The shot flashes to black before each new scene, this means we can't tell what is going to happen.  This concealment of information is a key thriller conventions.  Due to the sudden nature at which she is up close to him, audiences are startled and a tense atmosphere is created, this is affective in thrillers and adds to the air of suspense. 

I like the way piercing and sharp music is used as she is opening the door, gradually getting louder and climaxing as she touches the door handle.  The music suddenly stops, followed by complete silence.  This adds emphasis and ensures maximum concentration on the subject of what is about to happen. 

Research: Thriller Openings- Team 7 productions- The Therapist

The opening sequence shows a young adult walking through the woods.  Mise En Scene is looked at, we can guess his age and social 'group' due to his shoes.  The bright colour of them could suggest innocence of a brightness to his character.  This gives us an idea to his character but conceals the rest of his body to add an element of mystery from the outset.

The next shot is of the boy's whole body, and over the shoulder (front on) shot which tells the audience that he is being followed, but the character does not know.  This technique of dramatic irony allows the audience to be emotionally involved in the story and understand completely.  It also adds an extra twist because we feel different emotions to him, we are scared for him but he is oblivious.  This technique is narrative retardation, because information is held back from the character. The man is wearing all black and his face is hidden.  Team 7 productions took into account Mise En Scene whilst creating this scene, the black clothes suggest a dark or evil element to his character and has very negative connotations.  This ensures that we don't trust him and we associate him with danger.  

Towards the conclusion of the opening, scenes cut in and out with the transition of a black screen.  One scene is of the family in bright lighting with a red glow, to induce happy and peaceful emotions, the scene then rapidly cuts to a dark shot of them in the woods.  The boy's facial expression in the dark scene is riddled with panic and distress.  The way one scene cuts from the next creates stark contrast and the happy juxtaposes the dark and evil.  We can see just how happy he is in one scene, resulting in the emphasis of just how bad his situation is, in the dark scene.  By seeing the good, this enables us to see the bad in a more severe light due to the contrast.

The sound effect of a heartbeat is used to good effect, creating suspense and adding an extra dimension to the atmosphere; one of tension and mystery.  Music is barely used in the thriller opening, I think it could be more effective if more was used to mark the character's emotions and to highlight the panic that he feels.  For example, music with clashing notes could be used at a high volume to form a more suspenseful atmosphere.  The silence used in certain scenes is effective because it allows for added attention to be payed to footsteps and other diegetic sounds which (by themselves) create tension.

Research: Mise-en-Scene

Created with Padlet