Planning: Micro-elements (Mr Smith)

Micro-elements are a significant part of films. This is because it is the key factor to putting the different scenes into one whole prouduction flowing smoothly. The three elements are cinematography, sound and editing.

Cinematography:

Cinematography is important to films because it gives the audience a different representation of the character and allows the audience to respond in different ways. The cinematography we will be using is...

An ariel shot is used right at the beginning when the scene opens and the audience see both bodies laying on the floor. We chose to use this because it will show the bodies and iconography clearly for the audience to grasp the atmosphere in the first couple seconds of the scene. 

A close up is used when showing Carlie's hand. This to emphasise the cuts and damage that has happened to her. She will still be bleeding which suggests the violence that has occurred before. This will help give the audience and understanding of what has happened before hand. This is conventional to a thriller as close ups are almost always used for emphasis to affect the audience. 

A zoom out will be used just after the shot of Carlie's eye. It zooms out to see the rest of her body and also Lashane's. We decided to use this as it would help create a natural flow from the eye shot to the bodies then zoom out more into a fade to white. These edits work quite well together which helps the audience stick to the narrative. 

A high angle will be used when the female victim is scurrying around after waking up from being knocked out by the violence between her and her boyfriend, she is looking for a gun. We have chosen to use this high angle to show the character as an inferior character. This is conventional to a thriller because it shows vulnerability in victim which is usually what is shown in thrillers. 

Medium shots will be used when the audience is shows the 2 injured bodies laying on the floor. We've chosen to use this because it shows a clear view of both bodies and how injured they are. This is conventional to a thriller because it allows the audience to not only see both of the characters, but some of the scenery. 

Long shot will be used for the end to show the last shot of all the 3 characters. We have chosen to use this because it's a shot where we can see all the characters actions in the last shot which is very significant to the thriller.

A shot reverse shot will be used when both actors are arguing. We will use this to create tension between the two characters. This is conventional to a thriller because it will generate a reaction from the audiences as well as encouraging emotion and helping withdraw meaning.

An extreme close-up will be used when the antagonist is introduced. This will be used to give the audience a clear view of the character entering the narrative. It will show the emotion of the character therefore giving spectators time to try and figure out what her intentions are. This is conventional to a thriller because the extreme close-up will also show that the character has a hidden identity, making the audience feel uneasy. 

Editing:

Editing is important in films because it uses different techniques in order to put the film together. Editing we will be using are...

Fade to black is used when the production company's name comes up on a black screen and edits into the next shot of the hand dripping with blood. We have chosen to use this edit because it runs smoothly with the background of black and in the first edit.

Fade to white is used when we're doing a flashback scene. We used the fade to white as this symbolises the reminiscence of what had happened. This will give the audience a clear understanding that the scene is going into a flashback.

Straight cuts will also be used quite regularly as it is one of the most significant edits when putting a film together. It is quite easy to use and does not confuse the audience which is why we chose to use them. 

Sound:

Sound is important in films because it is used to create understanding for the audience and to create more meaning about the character and emotions. We will use...

Non-diegetic sound is used when the shots are showing 2 injured bodies, this music is very dim but eerie for the audience to listen to. We used this because it would make the audience feel uncomfortable watching the scene. This is conventional to a thriller because in the making of a non-diegetic sound you can bring the atmosphere to a certain moment in the scene with an upbeat tone of sound to make the audience jump out their seats. 

Parallel sound is used when the flashbacks are happening with the couple. You can hear their voices and what they are arguing about. We have chosen this so the audience feel what the characters are feeling through their words and passion in their voices. This is conventional to the thriller genre because it shows violence in the characters and the situation itself which is needed for the audience to have an understanding. 

Diegetic sound is a sound part of the film world and will be used during the flashback scene of the couple arguing.The audience know exactly where the sound is coming from and is important for the audience to hear the dialog between both characters. This is conventional to a thriller film as without diegetic sounds the audience will not understand the film. 

On screen sound will be used when Carlie is arguing with Lashane and objects are being smashed about. e.g. the glass and frames.  The audience is able to hear the smashing and see exactly where the noise is being created. 

Off screen sound will be used when the gun is used to shoot someone. You will not be able to see where the gun shot is coming from but you will hear it. We have chosen to use this because it is very conventional to a thriller film , by the way it leaves the audience in suspense and will encourage the theme of mystery. 

Overall, this has been beneficial to our group as it has given us a clear understanding of what different techniques we are using and why we are using them. Also, it has shown just how significant it is to use the micro-elements.