Update

So we've finished our editing. We've had a few problems on after effects, and I've had a few error messages where an hours work has been deleted. Fortunately, it didn't affect us too much and we now have a final product. There are still quite a few things that could be improved and done better, but overall I think we've done quite well for our first short film. My next post will probably be our thriller...so enjoy.

Analysing past thrillers

We analysed some previous films in class and what we thought there strengths and weaknesses were. Just to be a little different to the people in my class, I've analysed some different ones as well. Don't want to be seen as mainstream!

This thriller is well made especially with all the camera shots- I especially love the shot where they stand on the dandelion. I also love the way they've edited it to be a flash back - how they ended with the same thing they've started with. They've also used great editing at the beginning when the guy gets shot and the gunshots later on. The music matched with it creates great tension. The clothes and scenery give a clear incite to the characters. Included a mystery code that leaves the audience wondering what's next.

This gave me the idea that at that end of our thiller we could do a flashback of all the events..backwards and speed up that could then lead to before the event and a back story of Iyra?

There's not many negatives I can say about the clip really, except there's no titling even though it's an opening. 

Firstly the positives: there's a great range of camera shots and I like the quick cuts. They shows it's not just a normal household but something more disturbing is happening. Use of titles is good, simple and the same font.

The white writing at the beginning doesn't really stand out and is hard to see against the white on the house. The plot is not exciting and kind of boring. Dolls aren't that scary, I can see that it's meant to represent a person but it just doesn't intrigue me. The music in this clip also doesn't match what's happening.

Good use of music and discordant sounds - very conventional. I love how the quick cuts match the sound. Variety of shots used. Good use of editing through ghosting effect and quick flashes.

I feel like the colour in the first part, even though filmed in the dark, is too bright. Orange is more of a happy colour- could be darkened/contrast added to seem more sinister. First shot is a bit wonky..I don't know if this is on purpose.

So this is one of my favourite past thrillers. It has some beautiful shots and I like how they've made it blurry to show unsettlement. I'm hoping to use this in our thriller to show Iyra hallucinating. I would also like to try the delayed narrative like echo. I love how they've used focus pulls to direct the audiences attention.

To be honest I don't think I'd change anything about this opening, I'd maybe make the titling a bit bigger.

Use of the heartbeat when she wakes up is effective. Its mise en scene is very clear and sensitive to a delicate topic.  Hoping to takes some influences from this; however I imagined it a bit differently. Good use of editing when showing her 'inner self'. Also a nice range of camera shots.

I feel as though her manicured hands are a little out of place in the first shot where she's laid on the ground. The sound changes when she's walking down the stairs, sounds more muffled. A couple of shot could be a little bit steadier, however, I do like so unsteady shots.