'Lily' Title Sequence (work in progress):

Research into editing:

Within our title sequence we wanted to replicate the effect of losing consciousness. We originally began with a low angle, point of view shot aimed at the ceiling. The shot tracked down the hallway tilting from side to side suggesting someone was being wheeled down a hallway in a hospital bed. To create the appearance of losing consciousness we needed to edit within post production using the software 'Adobe Premiere Pro'.

I had previously never used this software to edit my work and therefore had to conduct research in order to create my desired effect and make it look professional. I firstly wanted to know how to create a fade in and out so the focus would change throughout the sequence making the clips disorientating.



Above is the clip I found during research. The clip was used to guide our group replicating a fade in and out effect. We replicated the effect shown above to demonstrate the character slipping in and out of consciousness, specifically her vision blurring and then clearing. A second effect we wanted to create was the appearance of blinking as demonstrated on our title sequence photo story board:

Through several research attempts involving research into YouTube videos as well as media blog's I couldn't find a way of creating the effect of blinking whilst it remained realistic. I therefore tested out several video effects in attempt to create a realistic looking blink. After many practice attempts we did the following to create a blink effect:

• Razor blade tool along the clip every few seconds where blink would be needed.
• Separate the clips.
• Add fade to black edit on the end and beginning of each clip, shorten/ lengthen as appropriate.

Through using this technique we were able to replicate the appearance of blinking as though the audience were looking out of the eyes of our protagonist Lily.

This is what the first draft of our opening title sequence looks like following the editing process within post production. The titles themselves have not yet been added.

Applying genre theory to our short film 'Lily':

Genre translates to a type or kind of something. When applied to film it is used as a way of classifying through the use of codes and conventions.

Tom Ryall's genre theory states:
'Genre provides a framework for patterns, forms, styles and structures.' These patterns are presented within genre through iconography, narrative structure, character representations and ideology. Our film conforms to Ryall's theory as it features thriller iconography of a knife. Other films which feature this form of iconography is the slasher horror 'Scream' (Dir Wes Craven, 1996). The use of iconography works as a convention to define film genres allowing audiences to choose films of their preferred genre.



Rick Altman's 'set of pleasures' states:

Emotional Pleasures - The emotional pleasures offered to audiences of genre films are particularly significant when they generate a strong audience response.

Visceral Pleasures - Visceral pleasures are 'gut' responses, defined by how the film's stylistic construction elicits a physical effect upon its audience. This can be a feeling of revulsion, kinetic speed or a 'roller coaster ride'.

Intellectual Puzzles - Certain film genres such as the thriller offer the pleasure in trying to unravel a mystery or a puzzle. Pleasure is derived from deciphering the plot and forecasting the end or being surprised by the unexpected.

Our film fits into the 'intellectual puzzles' category as it features several visions. It is the audiences tasks to define whether the visions will come true. A second way this theory applies is that the ending is ambiguous- it is unclear which character killed the other and down to the audience to decipher for themselves in regards to previous events within the film.

Not all genre theories apply, for example we subvert Douglas Pye's theory of genre which states:
'Films have to conform to audiences expectations of narrative.' Whereas our film does not conform to audiences expectations of narrative, it contains many plot twists. The character Lily resists killing Brett however in the final scene of the film someone has been murdered producing unexpected narrative.

List of tricky shots:

Our film involves several tricky shots in order to create suspense, continuity and verisimilitude. For example the first shot used within our short film includes the title sequence. This involves fade in and fade out editing and editing in a blinking form. The aim of this edit is to demonstrate Lily going in and out of consciousness. The plan for this is demonstrated through our story board:

To replicate this effect we will edit during post production. This effect will create suspense within the opening title sequence of our film establishing the films genre as suspense is a key convention within thriller genre. To create the edit of losing consciousness we used a fade to black repetitively within the clip.

Focus pull is a second tricky shot we aim to use within our production. Below is a video I created demonstrating a simple manouvre to create a focus pull.



Our focus pull will feature our character Lily in the foreground and the prop of the knife and knife rack in the background. The shallow focus will alter from Lily to the knife signifying her thoughts of killing Brett and creating tension. In order to perfect this tricky shot we will create several pratice attempts.The focus pull portrays one of our films key themes; death and psychic ability.

Risk Assessment

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How we will make our short film look professional

There are some common errors that many amateur filmmakers make when shooting and editing their films which affects the overall quality. If the filmmaking process is not undergone in a professional, high-quality manner, our short film would look more like a video. Hence, we decided to research some ways that amateur film production can be made to look professional without purchasing expensive equipment.

The more focused shot on the right looks far more professional.

Focus

This is a vital technique for effective cinematography. Changing the depth of focus allows one part of a shot to be blurred while the rest is in focus, as seen in the picture on the right. This technique can have a variety of effects:

• It directs the viewer’s attention to a particular part of a shot. When something is strategically placed out of focus, the viewer doesn’t pay attention to them. Viewers focus on the part of the image that’s in focus.
• It reduces distraction in the background, which can be a significant issue. Thankfully, it can be controlled via use of depth of field.
• It allows a shot to look richer and more cinematic.

Colour Correction

This is a method of altering the colour of a shot to create a specific effect. For example, shot may be editing to have more of a blue tint to it, which creates a cold unfriendly atmosphere, whereas a slightly orange tint would usually have the opposite effect. Colour correction can also be used to salvage a shot that contained lighting errors. Hence, this will be invaluable for ensuring a professional feel to our film.

The top image shows the original shot, the bottom shows the same shot after colour correction has taken place.

Lighting

Lighting plays an important part in creating the atmosphere in a film. The amount of light and the direction of the light source can give meaning to the viewer of the film. For example, lighting is used to indicate the time of the day. There are 5 main types of lighting:

• Back Lighting - This is the main light source from behind a character or object. It is used to create a silhouette. The character can be made to look mysterious due to the effect of the shadows. It can create a sense of impending doom and is often used in horror movies.

• Key and Fill Lighting - This is often the main light source in a particular scene. It is usually directed onto the main character. Fill lighting can also be added to soften the effect of shadows.

• Under Lighting - The main light source from below the character. It is often used to disfigure the face, thus, it is common for horror films make use of this technique.

• Top Lighting - This is the main light source from above the character. It is used to remove shadows produced by the key lighting. It can also create the illusion of a bright, sunny day

• Side Lighting - The main light source comes from one side of the screen. It is used to light one side of the character’s face and produces shadows across the set, creating a sense of mystery.

Film lighting intro from Andy Wallis

Film lighting, light and colour part 2 from Andy Wallis

Locations

The first half of the short film will take place in a hospital setting. In order to replicate the appearance of a hospital, we will be filming within our college infirmary to create verisimilitude throughout the scenes. The setting includes hospital iconography such as plain white walls and medical equipment. It also includes props such as hospital beds and curtains; contributing to the realism of the film. Setting will also be established through the use of costume and props in regards to the Doctor. Through this setting the audience is automatically aware of the important fact that Lily has been hurt.

The Doctor's death within Lily's vision will occur in an office setting. To replicate this we will use an office within our college and ensure it is clear from  college newsletters and signs as this would cause the scene to look unrealistic and amateur. Props will also be added to strengthen the verisimilitude of the setting; mug, stationary,  hospital files. By adding props to the office setting it can be clearly defined as a Doctor's office within a hospital.

A short clip will focus on protagonist Lily travelling to her home with Brett. This will take place within a quiet street to avoid unwanted sounds. It will also feature shots of the characters entering the home. Setting is not key within this sequence as it will only be very short, elliptical editing will be used.

The left photo shows Lily and Brett's garden. The right shows the door to their house.

Following previous scenes the rest of the film will occur within a family home. The warm, domestic setting influences the audience to believe that the two characters were a content couple prior to Lily's accident and her psychological trouble. The homely setting also creates more tension within the audience as it reveals that danger and death can occur anywhere, no one is safe.

From left to right, these images show Lily and Brett's living room, settee, dining room, kitchen and knife holder.

The two images showing Lily and Brett's garden will only be seen briefly in the film itself. Specifically, they will be seen when the couple arrive home, with a shot from within the house showing the door open; the garden being visible only for a short interval. The living room setting will be used when Brett confronts Lily about her hysteria. She will be sat on the settee, with Brett stood in the doorway. The television may also be on. The above photos of the living room have rather cheery, high-key lighting (due to the flash from the camera), however in the film itself, it will be dark and sombre to reflect the mood of the aforementioned scene. The dining room and kitchen are connected together, and will be the most frequently used setting in the film (in that they will have the most screen time). The setting will be first seen when Lily and Brett are having breakfast, which is also when Lily hears the radio report that triggers her downward spiral into hysteria and delusion. In this same scene, Brett attempts to comfort Lily, resulting in the vision in which she sees herself killing him. The setting reappears again later in the film after Brett confronts Lily, and the latter then storms into the kitchen, only to attack the former with a knife from the knife rack before being calmed. It also appears on the final shot of the film, where the knife is either missing or replaced (depending on the ending we decide to use).