Initial Ideas for Thriller Film (by Becky, Jess and Jodie) (edited by Becky 27/2/13)

Initial Plan

1) Man unlocking cellar door. Close-up of hand. (character's identity is not revealed)

 2) Girl leaving college and getting in her car. Shot of the car driving down the road.
3) Shot of the man throwing sheets over furniture in the cellar.
4) Shot of car driving into drive
5) Girl arrives at house. Gets out the car.
6) Man places ropes and chair in the centre of the cellar.
7) Girl enters the house (Match on Action shot)
8) Man sharpening knives.
9) Girl goes through to the kitchen. Puts the kettle on.
10) Man walks up the stairs out of the cellar.
11) Man stands at top of stairs and puts chloroform on a cloth
12) Girl walks into the lounge. Sees a body under a blanket on the floor. (Eye line match)
13) Walks over to lift up the blanket.
14) Man grabs her from behind. (fade to black)
15) Shots of girl being tied to a chair in the cellar
16) Man picks up keys (Match on Action)
17) Man walks up the stairs.
18) Close-up shot of the girl
19) Door slams, cut to black
20) Title fades in

Initial time: 2mins 6secs

Female character is terrified of the kidnapper 

Characters

Female Character

Stereotypical  everyday college girl

Casual Clothes

• We wanted the female character to appeal to the audience as a normal everyday girl. Her character needs to be believable and innocent in order for her to appear harmless.

Stereotypical character

• Her costume is a crucial element of her identity. From the beginning of our opening scene, the male and the female character need to appear as though they have no connection with one another. 

Scared

• As we come to the climax of our film, the stereotype of a innocent and helpless female, is developed further, when she is trapped and held captive within the kidnappers control. She needs to express terror and alarm in her facial expression and body language.

Male Character (Kidnapper)

Kidnappers identity is always hidden

Dark, black clothes

• This suggests mystery and power. Throughout our opening sequence, the kidnapper needs to appear in control of the situation, therefore his character needs to be seen as superior and dynamic.

Identity is never revealed

• This is going to be used to build up suspense and raise questions to the viewer. We felt that this was a key aspect of a successful thriller, as it increases tension and intrigues the audience.

Bleak and disturbed character

• The kidnapper needs to appear suspicious and bitter, in order to make our thriller opening a success. Unlike the female character of our story, his personality is veiled by his mysterious doings and secrecy. 

Character to play the body under the blanket

Character's identity is never revealed

• We decided that the identity of the body should be concealed, to create a higher dilemma and to hide the unresolved story line. 

Setting

College (girl works at the college)

• We have decided to place the female character in a twenty-first century setting, to enhance that there is no connection or relation between the two characters that the viewers first see.

House - Lounge and Kitchen (girl returns home from work)

• The use of this setting is going to add normality of everyday life to our film, in order to show the females innocent character.

Cellar - Dark, cold room (mystery and suspense takes place)

• Compared to our previous settings, this area is where the most bitter action of our film is going to take place. The darkness and desertion of the room, creates an orphaned and mysterious mood. It merges extremely well with the kidnapper's character.

Props

• Tools/knives Used by the kidnapper when in the cellar.
• Car Used by the female character when leaving collge and arriving back home.
• Kettle/mug Used when the female character arrives home and puts the kettle on.
• Sheets Used to cover up and hide objects within the cellar.
• Chair Used as a base to imprison the female.
• Rope Used to tie up the female character.
• Blanket Used to hide the identity of the mysterious body in the lounge.

Health and Safety

• Cellar stairs can be slippery. These could cause harm and injury to our actors as well as the film crew.
• Knives are sharp. If misused or left in hazardous ways, they could result in minor or severe injuries to anyone close-by.
• The kettle gets hot. Boiling water can cause serious burns to the skin and be harmful if spilt on any open surface or floor.
• Rope left lying around. People could trip over or get caught up in a tangle, therefore when not being used, they should be moved out of the way.
• The big lights get hot. These lights can be very harmful towards an individual, possibly resulting in hospital ermergencies if burned by these lights. extra care must be taken in order to ensure everyones safety.
• Wires need to be covered. People may trip and fall over these, so it is important that no unnecessary wires are left loose on the floor.
• Watch out for other traffic when filming the car driving. The safety of the public and other people around you needs to be considered when filming in a public place. Protection from harm must be crucial for everyone and not just those who are involved with the film.