Editing

The deiting process was rather difficult due to the fact that we ad issues when trying to convert of video so it works on sony vegas movie maker. However we managed to over come this issue by changing the format of the footage to one that was compatable with the media software.

The post production was reletivly easy because we had have previouse exspirence from our previouse course so we know how to use diffrent techniques in terms of effects and different speed of editing. We also had planned out earlier what we wanted our film to look like so we had a rough idea of what sort of cuts to use to achieve the tension and suspense we wanted.

The first key thing that we did was to sync the music with the film with did this by using variouse techniques, the first was to trim the film down so that we could manipulate the footage to fit in with the music. We also had to make sure that we used the correct pace of music so it portrayed the correct feeling and created the scene this was very imporant because it was a key part of creating tension that an action thriller relies on.

We then worked on the special effects that we would require for the interogation scene. we decided to use a grainy grey film over the scene so it gave the impression it was from a security camera this was vital in portrayng to the audience that it is a very seriouse video tape and one which should not have been scene.

we the decided to make a dvd menu we did this for several reasons the first was to show realism as if we were actualy distributing it to the audience and the second reason was to make it look professional so that we would be able to attract better film distribution companies.

filming

After we had sorted out the script and the props we got down to the actual filming

The actual filming of the film sequence took around three days however due to the actor being injured we had to stop for about a week for him to rest and heal. the filming was easy because of our planning we knew exactly what to do. The first part of the film we did was the main part this was because we knew that it would be the hardest dection of the movie and wanted to make sure that we got it done to a high standard. The filming took place within a friends house and backgarden we did this so that we were positive we could spend long periods of time filming and it also fitted in with our story because of the lay out of the house and guarden. The next bit that we filmed was the beginning this was because the weather conditions were good and we didnt want to chance waiting much longer. this was reletavily easy because the garden was big enough for us to use a variety of shots from diffrent angles. We then filmed the interogation scene, the main issue with this was actually hitting the person because on the one hand it had to look good but also be safe and this took a few tries to get right. We then filmed the section scenes theese were easy only only took around 30 minutes this was because they were all one shot. The final piece was the car driving away we left this till last because we needed to make sure that it fitted in with the rest of the footage and didnt look out of place.

The first shot we did was an establishing shot of the house we did this so we could set the scene and let the audience know what is happening and what sort of surrondings. this relates to our chosen sub genre because most action thrillers begin with a shot to set the scene

It then quickly jumped of a mid range shot as you see the spy entering the scene we did this so you could see the surrondings and it tells you that the spy is not meant to be there because hes coming through the trees. This relates to our chosen sub genre because very often the actors are doing things there not suppose to do. We have also made him wear clothes which suit his character because he does not look out of the ordinary for example if he was wearing a black suite he would look suspciouse we noticed this from our research because they were all wearing pratical clothes and it also means the audience can connect easily with him

The next shot is a low angeled shot where you cannot see his head just his body we did this for several reasons the 1st was because it shows how he is powerful because he is dominationg the shot and the fact you cant see his face makes him seem not human. we made the edit between this scene and the next slow so that it seemed menacing. This is a very typical shot that you will see in alot of action/thriller films this is because it is very good at giving an impression of some one who is in powere and this is vital because there is always a central character in an action thriller

the next shot is a close up looking through the window of the door at the spies face we did this because it shows how the spy is connected with the house and it shows how hes trying to get in and you can also see the concentration on his face to show he is determined. this shot also relates to our chosen sub genre because it shows the actors emotion and lets the audience connect with him and this is vital because its this emotion the audience connects with and will determine if he is a good or evil person

This leads nicely into the next shot because we have it fading in and this gives the impression that it is taking a long time and we keep the same shot because we see the spy begin to worry because its taking a long time. this further proves how we are relating to a action thriller because alot depends on the actors emotion and this shots portrays his.

we then have a quick edit to a close up shot of the spy in the house e have done this to show the audience that he is in and it is a quick edit because it shock you because you dont exspect to see it. This is vital and connects with our sub genre because it relies heavily on shock and aw

We then have a shot of the door handle opening we have done this to create tension because the audience do not know whats in the room or why he is going in there it also shows how he is forcing his way into the scene and we have done this to show he has power. This is also a typical shot you would see in an action thriller because it is great at creating suspense and this is vital in creating a good action/thriller

we then have a mid range shot of the spy entering the room we have used a mid range shot because it shows the audience part of the room but still keeps the tension there because they cant see all of it you can also see the spy touch his com set which makes the audience wonder who he is talkin to. this shot also relates to our chosen sub genre because it further enhances the subs and tension which a good action thriller thrives on.

we then have a close up of the computer and we have done this to show the significance of it and it shows the audience what the spy is after we also see the spies hand touching it we did this to show how he is almost claiming it we have kept the editing slow to keep up that tension which is sonominos with action thriller films.

we then have a cut so we can see the person he is talking to we have done this so the audience gets to see who he was communicatibg with but we further create tension because they want to know who she is and in action/thriller films it is very typical for this to happen. This also relates to the conventions of an action thriller because spies are normally supported by outside help we know this because of our research. We have also made the women wear clothes that are normal most action thrillers do this and so further turns our movie into an action thriller

we then have a shot of computer files this suggest to the audience what they are looking for and will keep the audience incaptivated because they will want to know what the files are about and whos they are we have also kept the editing speed slow so that there is tension because the longer he is there the more risk of being caught. This also relates to the conventions of an action thriller because in most modern ones it envolves alot of technolgy hence the use of computers.

we then have a very fast cut to the file on the computer which shows the spy being tortured we have used a mid range shot here so the audieence can see the surrondings it is also in black and white so it looks like a security camera this suggets to the audience that it is in a secure location. The interviewer is also being immediatly violent towards the spy by hitting this shocks the audience and along with the quick editing changes the pace and intesity of the film. This also fits in with the conventions of action thriller because they will very often be tortured and the clothes in which we have made the torture wear are smart and this is very often the cause in action thriller torture scenes.

we then have a close up of the spy we have done this to show how he is connected to the computer file and this shows the audience how he is envolved and explains why he is after it so much

we then have a low angled shot of the spy leaving we have used this kind of shot to show now that he has the movie file he is in control and this i why we have put him in a position of power.

we then have a close up of the spy we have used a quick paced edit to show how he is leaving quickly this creates tension in the audience and makes them feel the same as the actor.

we then have a close up of his feet walking over the camera we have done this to show how he is powerful because he is overpowering in the shot whereas at the start when he entered he was very much surronded by the surronding area.

We the have a mid range shot of the spy running towards a car we have him running away to show to the audience that he is leaving the scene we have used a reletivly quicked pace editing to intesive the fact that he is running this further shows you how our film is an action thriller because their is very often a car chase envolved or some form of cars.

Preliminary task

We created a prelimanary task for several reasons the first that it would give us a chance to use the camera and editing software, it would give us a good impresion of what we could do in terms of camera shots, angls and llighting and it would also show us who was suited to act in our movie.

Planning 6

The next key thing that we did was to create a script for the film we wanted to make sure that the audience could understand what was bein said and it also had to be said to keep up the appearence of being secretive
Script for Queen and Country

Starting with an establishing shot of the house,Then see the main character coming out of the trees in a sneaking spy like fashion,The a mid-shot of the character making his way across the garden at an low angle,Then a close up of the main character picking the lock of the door there is a fade into the next scene, where he has picked the lock and entering the house,Then there is a fast cut to him walking through the house this is a close up tracking shot.,Then that reaction shot to the handle of a door being pushed down as he enters the room this is a close upFast cut to the mid shot of him looking at the camera as he sees the computer,He reaches to his earpiece and says “got it” then stars to walk towards the computer, as he is doing this he says “what file am I looking for”,Cut to a shot of the computer loading up he is saying “what file am I looking for mate” ,then when the screen comes on “oh shit its password protected”,There is a fade cut to the sector the spy’s base where a technians says “this is sector, blackbird come in the password is mongoose94”,Then the is a fast cut to a point of view shot of blackbird searching the file of the computer where he find a video file where he said “what the”Then there is a fast cut to the screen where a slow zoom out so the torture of a fellow agent. He is hit with a wooden stick by an interrogator where he states “you know you only causing yourself more pain”The agent replies “well you know pissing you off aren’t I”The interrogator head locks the agent with the wooden stick demanding “tell me where is it me” where the agent replies“Fuck you” then the interrogator throws the agent to the fall.Then they is a fast cut to blackbird again saying “Yeah sector it’s me they got agent six on here getting interrogated, I thought he was in Serbia I well, yeah he is isn’t he, well the Serbians must of gotten him.Then there is a point of view shot of the computer screen as the information is being downloaded he says “come on come on”There is a low angle shot of him walking away from the computer towards the doorThen there is a shot of him walking out the door of the study where he contacts sector saying “just on my way out sector”Then there is a cut to sector where she replies “transportation being dispatched eta five minutes”Then there is a low angled long shot of Blackbird feet where he is sneaking away quite quickly going back through the treesThen there is a fast cut to Blackbird running to a car jumping in it then it speeding off camera.That the end of the opening sequence.

Planning 5

The next key part of the planning was to decide what props we could use in our film. We got the ideas from research of the movies that we had watched, they are what you would exspect to see in an action thriller. However we did not use fantastic gadgets suchas in the bond films we chose for ordinary objects we did this because we felt it would better connect the audience with our film. It also meant that the movie would not be glamorised like a hoolywood movie and this was because we did not ant it to get to fantasticaly ridiculouse.

fujitsu siemens laptop for the spies support

packard bell computer for the terrorists pc

Lock picks to enter the house

ear phones for the spies communication

vauxhall astra sport for the get away car

Planning 4

The next thing we decided to do was to play around with the camera and to get a feel for what sort of shots we were looking for and what would work in relevence to the scene we wished to set. This was very useful because it made us realise what the limitation were on our ability to get a variety of diffrent shots and angles it also showed us what worked well and what didnt in terms of keeping with in our sub genre. We made a list of what shots worked well
Camera angles/movements
mid shots
close ups all varieties
low and high angled shots
tracking shots
point of view shots
This was also very useful because it gave us a idea of what sequence we were going to perform and also what kind of shots were going to film what.

Planning 3

After doing this research we felt confident enough to proceed with ideas that we had. The main ones we had were

a drug meeting
a spy breaking into a house
a meeting over a botched bulgary from a high security facility
a soldier being hunted by a psychotic sniper.

We decided to attempt at briefly filoming each one so we could get a good idea of how it would work and also which one would be best place to offer us the oporunities to use a large number of camera shots and editing but while staying within our chosen genre. After doing brief filming attenpts and basic story boards for each one of our ideas we noticed that some of them would be very difficult to do. The first idea that we decided to cut was the soilder being hunted by a sniper we felt that although the story line fits in with the sub genere and it would give us the oppurtunity to us a number of diffrent media devices we felt that we could not accuratley portray the film sequence for the simple fact of time. Another problem with this idea was that one of our actors injured himself during filming and this persuaded us that it may be to dangerouse to get good shots. it also led to us creationg a risk assessment so we would not injure ourselves further.

The next idea that got cut was the meeting over a botched burgulary job, this was because we felt that we could not get a disent location to film and also we could not rely portray to the audience what the meeting was about and this may lead them to lose interest in the film sequence.

After cutting theese 2 ideas it left us with 2 strong possibilities

the first was a drug meeting and the second was a spy breaking into a house. To help us decide we created better more detailed story boards for each idea. We did this so we could get a ruff idea of what we could include in the clip im terms of sound, camra shots and basic story. We then compared the two together and decided that the spy breaking into the house would be the strongest in terms of keeping in the conventions of the sub genere, use of media devices the abilty to adapt the editing to show diffrent pace and the oppurtunity to use a good a variety of camarea shots. We did not choice the drug meeting because we were very limited in what we could achieve in terms off diffrent camera shots and we felt that this lack of variety would hamper our mark and make filming and editing difficult. we also planned and acted each one to see which one worked better and to get a feel of what we could and had to include the filming. After we went through the drug meeting we saw that there was some negatives about the plot in the fact that it was too short.

The next thing that we did after chocing to do the spy idea was to search for suitable locations. We knew that there had to be a house for him to break into , the house also had to have alot of corners and diffrent level objects so we could optimise the surrondings and it waould allow us to use a variety of low and high angel shots. We also thought that the outside of the house should have some treese and places for him to hide and sneak around it was also hoped that the trees would allow us to play with lighting to portray the secrecy and stealth of the spy.

This is the first house we looked at it had some strong and good points about it. The first thing was it had some cover in terms of trees but not rely enough to match our specifications it was also sigted on a busy road and there was alot of passeres by and this would affect our filming

This is the second house we looked at using like the first one it had positives and negatives about it. the main positive was the fact that it was out of the way and thus we would not be interupted by things going by however it is two open at the front so would not rely allow us to use enough camera shots of the spy sneaking up two the house and we decided not to use it

This is the final house we looked at. we felt that it provided

enough cover to allow us to film good shots of the spy. Its appearence was also good because it allowed us to set the kind of sinister mood

and it was this reason that we used it.