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Monday 2 May 2011
Prop List - Hostage
To create the perfect atmosphere for our Thriller, we had to think about and organize our props in advantage. Here is a list of them.
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Locations
The houses we choose for our characters home, are Ewhurst Place and Cornhill Manor. We used to oustide facade of Ewhurst as it is big, has a beautiful balcony and along the fancy cars parked out side signifies a lot of money. For the interior, we choose the kitchen of Cornhill Manor, which is a really luxrious one, again signifying the financial capability of the couple.
The Establishing shot of our opening sequence is a panning shot of Ewhurst Place, and a Ferrari 599 stopping at the house, followed by our main character getting out of the car.
Costume
This is where the costume of Helena comes into play. Holly organized a red dress, black high heels, a massive wedding ring, a red bag and a expensive looking fur coat. Helena plays the role of the cold but sexy step-mother which we tried to highlight in her dress choice.
Items
The fact that she drives a Ferrari 599, which Holly's dad kindly provided us with, again establishes her as an independent woman who is able to take care of herself. And she's gold-digging.
The other props were expensive hygiene products, Emily provided us with. I was in charge of the photography so I had a photo shoot with Helena and Ted, making them look like a couple. Paula provided frames, the pictures would then be spread around the house.
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The Team
DIRECTOR - HOLLY FINLAY
PRODUCER - PAULA RIEMANN
CINEMATOGRAPHER - MEHRAN KARIMI
SOUND ENGINEER - EMILY BENSON RHODES
PRODUCER - PAULA RIEMANN
CINEMATOGRAPHER - MEHRAN KARIMI
SOUND ENGINEER - EMILY BENSON RHODES
The Script
January 17th 2011
‘THE HOSTAGE’ – “Always lock your doors.”
Woman enters house
(Sound of door closing)
Woman in bathroom
(door slam)
Woman – (wiping her face in the mirror) “Hugo, is that you? I’m in the bathroom…”
Phone rings
Woman – “Hello … (dogs barking) ah bloody dogs, hold on …”
Woman enters the next room. Husband on the phone.
Woman – “Sorry … Hello?”
Husband – “Hi sweetheart its me, Im gonna be late Im stuck on the M25 and ..”
Woman – “Wait, (confused) … Didn’t you just …? Who’s in the house …”
(phone drops)
Husband – “What are you talking about, Zara, whats wrong? Hello .. Hello?”
Woman – (under her breath) “Oh my god …” turns.
Monday 14 March 2011
Task 7 Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?
We Decided to shoot our preliminary task in the edit suit because it has basic artificial light and a white wall. we were in a simplistic mood. we all did fairly equall parts in the task, we all diredted a sceen or actors used the camara. to begin with the camara seemed complicatesd and i was terrified of it dropping off the tripod, but in the end i realised it wouldnt and the shoot became really fun.
we gave the actors the simple story board so they could have a few minuteds to add their own versions on it. we learnt about bubbeling the camara, like a spirit level, so that the shot isnt scewed. we used the white wall to get a white balance so that the colours are properly picked up on camara. we used a telephone which happened to be at hand at the time by way of props. As each shot progressed, we started trying out different thing such as extremed close-ups and depth of field. when it came to editing all of out shots were cut with jump cuts which made the task look jumpy and imature but it really helped us understand the basics of editing.
In our Preliminary task, I feel as though we did not use the room properly. The table was placed in a bad position because it cut the actor sitting down away from the rest of the image, as the wall stopped. Also, we had many items in the background which did not relate to the preliminary task. But as our first time using the Nx5 profeshional cameras.
we gave the actors the simple story board so they could have a few minuteds to add their own versions on it. we learnt about bubbeling the camara, like a spirit level, so that the shot isnt scewed. we used the white wall to get a white balance so that the colours are properly picked up on camara. we used a telephone which happened to be at hand at the time by way of props. As each shot progressed, we started trying out different thing such as extremed close-ups and depth of field. when it came to editing all of out shots were cut with jump cuts which made the task look jumpy and imature but it really helped us understand the basics of editing.
In our Preliminary task, I feel as though we did not use the room properly. The table was placed in a bad position because it cut the actor sitting down away from the rest of the image, as the wall stopped. Also, we had many items in the background which did not relate to the preliminary task. But as our first time using the Nx5 profeshional cameras.
Sunday 6 March 2011
Saturday 5 March 2011
Task 5- How did you attract/ address your audience?
Who would be the audience for 'The Hostage' ?
mass audience 
age 15- 24
Boyfriend and Girlfriend scary film. movie night in.
The potential audience our thriller would probably attract would be a mass audience in the age of 15+. Our movie would be quite commercial, with an uncomplicated storyline and easy to follow, but in an interesting way photographed to create lots of suspense.
mass audience Because ‘The Hostage’ would be exhibited by large theatrical distributors, the primary 15-24y audience is in my view a Popcorn-audience, one that likes going to the cinema with a group of friends or boy-/girlfriend who buy lots of snacks there, and spend relaxed nights out with friends to see an entertaining movie
age 15- 24 The secondary audience (25-34) might like our film because it’s a basic thriller/horror storyline that promises to satisfy viewer’s expectations and won’t bore them, but at the same time it’s different made in terms of camera work, cast (only two people through whole film, including a psycho killer and a stunning young woman which could attract males) and the idea of using a slow pace to build tension which is not likely in thriller movies. I wouldn’t say the Hostage as film is really aiming for a specific gender. I think it’s quite equal, so the story provides entertainment for both. I reckon it’s also likely to be a boyfriend/girlfriend-cinema-night movie!
The gender thriller or horror in general rather aims to males, but more and more girls become very attracted to these kind of movies. Especially as a girlfriend you go and see more scary movies. So probably the best way to promote and successfully sell a thriller movie is to get the boys/men taking their girls/women to the cinema!
Boyfriend and Girlfriend scary film. movie night in. Friday 4 March 2011
Task 4- Who would be the audience for your media product
for our Thriller we have targetted the ages of 15 - 24, as the rating of the film is a 15, due to its thriller content. This age group would like our film because it has a beautiful young blonde woman in it, therefore attracting the male audience and a good narrative attracting the female audience. Also some of the women may be able to relate to the narrative of having a stepmum alot younger than there original mother. This happens in lot of familtys. 15 to 24 years olds would be interested as they tend to have quite a disposable income, as they are still in schools and uni studying. Therefore they are more likely to be spending lots of time at the cinema or out socialising. Therefore making a film that will appeal to this age group will help with the marketing as they will be able to advertise through word of mouth whilst they are socialising. Therefore, this film should be released on a friday or have an opening weekend to be able to ensure that students will be the first to see it.
'The Hostage' may appeal to a secondary audience of ages 25/34 as this is the age group of the couple in the film. Therefore some of these peope may even be in a relationship like this or know someone who is.
Men would be more interested due to its content and lead actress, whereas women may go to watch the glamorous lifestyle as they are unable to relate to this themselves.
'The Hostage' may appeal to a secondary audience of ages 25/34 as this is the age group of the couple in the film. Therefore some of these peope may even be in a relationship like this or know someone who is.
Men would be more interested due to its content and lead actress, whereas women may go to watch the glamorous lifestyle as they are unable to relate to this themselves.
Thursday 3 March 2011
Task 3- what kind of media institution might distibute your media product and why?
I think the suitable Film Institution for our thriller would be Lionsgate.
My film could be marketed really easily, as it is aimed at a mass mainstream market. I believe that i would be able to make money from cinema viewings and DVD. As people may go for a cinema experience to be able to really feel all the emotions of a thriller. Although some people nmay prefer to watch films in the comfortability of their own homes, therefore they will choose the DVD option. It will later be released onto Pay Per View. This will all depend on the cinema sales and total grossing.
This could be aimed at a particular audience of men around the ages of 15 to 25, who drag along their girlfriends to the cinema or make them watch it at home. This film would also make the perfect 'date' movie as it covers all genres, thriller, suspense, drama and some comedy. Therefore making it quite appealling.
Lionsgate mostly specialises in Thriller and Horror Films, meaning that my Thriller "The Hostage" would work well in a scene. The genre of most of Lionsgate's movies are similiar or the same to my movie, for example "Hostel" and "The Eye". It's also fairly common that Lionsgate produces low budget films by first time directors such as "My Little Eye" by Marc Evans.
I would like to ask Lionsgate Films to make my film as they already specialise in Thirller and Horror Films. Lionsgate have also made other films in the similar genre and narrative to The Hostage, such as, Hostel and The Eye. Lionsgate also make low budget films, by first time directors, which is the criteria that my film fits exactly. Lionsgate have made films like that such as, My Little Eye made in 2002.
My film could be marketed really easily, as it is aimed at a mass mainstream market. I believe that i would be able to make money from cinema viewings and DVD. As people may go for a cinema experience to be able to really feel all the emotions of a thriller. Although some people nmay prefer to watch films in the comfortability of their own homes, therefore they will choose the DVD option. It will later be released onto Pay Per View. This will all depend on the cinema sales and total grossing.
This could be aimed at a particular audience of men around the ages of 15 to 25, who drag along their girlfriends to the cinema or make them watch it at home. This film would also make the perfect 'date' movie as it covers all genres, thriller, suspense, drama and some comedy. Therefore making it quite appealling.
Wednesday 2 March 2011
Task 2 - How does your product represent particular social groups?
Kitchen, showing welth but in that there are priorities of being a step mothing wich is indicated through the childrens art work. Also showing she is a working step mum by the notice board at the back of the room. showing she has organisation.
expessive car indicating money and staus. red dress indicating sexyness, furr coat showing arrigant wealth. low angle camera to demonstate the car
Tuesday 1 March 2011
Friday 28 January 2011
Shooting Day Evaluation
On the 17th of January, we began shooting. I went to collect costume at props which had previously been arranged the previous Friday from the backstage crew. Then we left for out first location, Cornhill Manor to shoot in the kitchen of the family home. When we got to our location we discovered that the house was very child friendly, which wasnt the look we wanted. As our inspiration was from the film 'The Collector' and 'Scream'. Therefore we had to change our story line slightly and have our 'couple' as perhaps a man who remarried, but with children to a previous woman. Therefore we had lots of shots with childrens drawings, and photographs with the children in. Fortunately we didnt have to make any drastic changes to our setting, as we only used a few props. This was surprising as we hadnt previously visited the set. We were well prepared for the day, but there were a several hiccups, which were dealt with accordingly. Our storyboards we drew completely differtent to our finishing piece. But I believe that this shows how we were able to deal with change effectively and still capture some briliant shots. i was not to sure about how it was going to look when we chnaged are mood board. it was difficulte to picture how it was going to look without the dogs and a couple of other things missing
Location Shots
The types of shots that were chosen were used specifically to deliberately hide things or to show things. In our establishing shot, when we arrived to our location, there were several cars in the driveway. Which didnt fit with the narrative of our sequence. Therefore we had to place the camera in a high angle shot to show the brickwork and side of the house. Then we panned down and showed a Ferrari pulling into the driveway. Later, we had a shot of the actress getting out of the car, but we noticed there was a reflection on the side on the car of a transit van. Therefore we had to move the car over to a more open area and shot her getting out of the car there. Thererfore we were still able to create an interesting shot and work around the problem. This could have been unnecessary if we had arranged for the people visiting the location that day to park elsewhere. But we were able to move around the issue therefore we succeeded in the end.
we choose really well on are location they could not have been any better. Our establishing shot fitted perfectly. It was one of our best shots. It worked well as it really helped to extend this image of the woman being a goldigger as the house was so large and the car helped portray this image as well. Later, the kitchen scene, although it wasnt what we orginially wanted, it continued showing the image that she is a lot younger and she is only with 'Teddy' for his money and that she doesnt like his children. Although what made some of theses scenes difficult were that we had to move some of the items around the house and due to filming in a boarding house, we had lots of fire exit signs, no smoking and fire door symbols on the doors, which we had to cover subtly. Although the shots ended up looking excellent and I was really happy with them
The use of costume and props worked very well. We used a red dress, high heels, red designer handbag and a big fur coat. This helped to portray her image as a goldigger and that she had a lot of money. It also juxtapposed to the scenery in the background of the shots. As the house looked very warm we put family pictures up so it looked very family orientated, . Therefore maybe showing how she is an outsider in her own family . The red clothing symbolises how she is dangerous. the black high heels symbolises shes sharp and takes no for an answer she has got attitude Therefore we can leave all these links for the viewers imagination, and let them develop their own opinions. We found it very hard to cast for our film. As we were uncertain of the type of person who was reliable, fitted the casting and was available for filming. But in the end we found Helena, who was a superb actress. The first problem we were worried about was her accent as she is originally from Italy. Therefore we thought her accent may get in the way. But in fact it was her accent that really made the whole trophy wife, goldigging image. She would most definately appeal to the target audience, as she was gorgeous, which would draw more men in to watch. She brought a lot to our film and for that we were most grateful!
The pictures below are the props and costume used.
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you did well with the dialoge, it would have been easy to lose the sinister atmosphere with it in but it didnt . goood jaaaab!
:D
x Go Holly, Paula, Mehran and Emily x