Appropriate Technical Competencies

Holding a shot steady


The camera was placed on top of the tripod during the filming, except when there were point of view shots. It is important to have steady shots, as it will be easier for the audience to follow the actors. The steadiness of the camera will make the film look professional.


Framing a shot


When the girl was getting changed, we placed the camera a few feet away from her, we made sure you could see both foreground and background surroundings, as it tells the audience more about the character. There was back lighting, to build tension slowly up to the point of her running through the back garden. When she was running a medium shot was used, she was positioned in the middle, so you can see the exact location. The point of view shot, tells the audience she is on the run from the police. This will make the audience question themselves, why is she on the run? What crime has she committed?


We wanted to film in broad daylight as the light symbolizes hope and innocence. Which is ironic as the girl is not innocent. Sara has hope to escape the police, what she wanted killed her. Her drug dealer occupation was aimed in making money, unfortunately her obsession for money lead to her own destruction.


Using a variety of shot distances


We used various shots from mid-shot to point of view shot in various shot distances. In the beginning the camera was near her. When the police officer was walking towards the house the camera was quite far -it was a long shot. The camera was obviously very close when we shot all point of view shots, we had a held in my hand through the strap shot so that you can see her running as if you are apart of it. When the car was driving off, the camera was on the side of the car. It was a few feet away from it, as it drove off the camera grew more distant and distant from it. When she was dragged onto the floor the camera did a close up to her face by zooming in.


Shooting appropriate material (for a thriller)


From the audience research, (the focus group and the results from the questionnaire), we found out that males like car chases. Unfortunately we could not have any car chases with the police and the drug dealers customer, as we would have had to consult the council and they could take a long period to respond. It is unlikely they would give a 16 year old director permission to film car chases in local areas. We would also have to consult the Minister of Transport, to make sure roads are clear when we are filming, and this would cost money.


Instead a normal car scene conversation, we thought it gave the same effect as a car chase, because the last thing you expect is a customer to turn round and kill you. When she was running it added builds up suspense and tension, which will make the audience feel the emotion of thrill, they will feel anticipated to see if she will succeed in her escape from the police before he barges in. I have gained an understanding as to what a thriller movie is, and what aspects are needed to make a thriller film. We have shot appropriate material for a thriller, we did not film a murderer going on a killing spree as that plot is highly associated with horror films.


Editing



The editing was a long process, especially when your on a tight deadline. As a group we used many dissolves,overlaps and wash outs. The wash outs were only used when there was a point of view shot, of (sara) running through the garden, this was effective as it quickly moved from the perspective of the drug customer to the drug dealer. When you saw her on the floor dead, it washed out to a close up of her face. Also used dissolves and overlaps because they were the only transitions that made all the scenes flow together.



Use of Varied Captions Effect


The only captions we used were the candidate details and titles. Just before the movie starts, we had a faded black background with grey captions which said Jannath Production Presents. These captions were reflected at the bottom, this made the film look professional, the other grey captions, of job titles were moved from right to left. At the end of the film, two large words came across the scene, expanding which showed the title of our film 'Dead End.' Not many people used this titles background effect, this made our film more interesting to watch, also it has taught the audience, the important people behind the film.



Mis-en-scene



Mis-en-scene was a very important aspect of our film. It tells the audience everything about the characters, and gives clues on what will happen in the film later on. In the beginning you could easily see the surroundings - the props- you could see magazines perfume, the mirror she was looking into. You could easily see she was in a bedroom.

She straightened her hair and then followed by her makeup. It was raining before so her hair went a bit wavy.

When she was searching for the bag of drugs, her eyes were open, and eyebrows were arched and forehead folds were creased together. This facial expression showed that she was worried- worried because find could not find my drugs, which the client wanted. While she was looking for the drugs her back was hunched, and arms were loose because it made it easier to grab the drugs. All the objects were positioned at the bottom while she was positioned above it. The policeman's back was straight, his arms were by his side. This body language showed he has power.



The scenes in the house are lit in back lighting, this lighting was used because it creates a tense atmosphere. No lighting was used for the outside scenes. We used the natural resources - sun. We wanted the film to be in colour as it would have looked odd having scenes in different colours. One of the group members had suggested that we use a black and white effect on some scenes of the film, but after discussing it and pointing out that black and white images are used to tell the past/flashbacks.

You could easily see she was in a alleyway there were broken fences and tins of rubbish. When there was a point of view shot of the drug dealer and drug customer, we were positioned at then end of the camera, so the audience could see the tins of rubbish. We were near each other to show we had a close deadly relationship. When the car was speeding off, the camera was in the centre, then when the car stopped the camera was on the side of the car.



Sound


Non-Diegetic Sounds


We made sure the music was low, when my phone was ringing and when she was talking. The volume of the music increased until you could see the police knocking on the door. We wanted the audience to hear the knock as well as Sara. To emphasise the fear of the criminal, (thus she quickly searching for her drugs). She was afraid that she would get caught. You can hear the car gearing this will make it more interesting for the audience to watch.


Diegetic Sounds


The only diegetic sounds we used was the gunshots, this continues onto the next scene (sound bridge)you could hear the booming of the two gunshots, the music was low so the gunshots could be heard. This immediately engage them further, as they cannot see the person getting shot, this will make them wonder who got shot? In the end you the realise that Sara is pulled out of the car and left for dead in the alleyway.