Thriller Planning - Equipment List, Props & Costumes

Equipment List

• Camera (Sony HDR-HCR Handy-cam)
• VT tape
• Tracking Dolly
• Tripod (Manfrotto)
• If using a more advanced camera, different lense types
• iMac and editing software (Final Cut)

Our group do not necessarily need much equipment apart from the standard equipment listed. The camera and VT tape are of course a huge necessity and highly needed, in comparison to the dolly which may face potential issues. As many of our scenes will be shot outside, a dolly may cause many problems. We need to be able to smoothly move the camera around for shots so a dolly would be useful, but as the surfaces may be bumpy or unsuitable for the dolly, it would not provide us with the desired effect of the smooth transition. This problem could be combated through the use of a tripod. A tripod is essential in the shooting of our thriller opening. We will need to use it in the majority of our scenes as a steady shot is needed to focus heavily on the action itself, shaky camera work would ruin our overall effect so a tripod is required. The tripod can also be used to hold the camera so we can manually move it to chase the action occurring.

Some scenes will be shot inside and therefore one direct image will be recorded which will base solely on the actual camera and a shortened height tripod. Our quieter scenes shot on paths can use a dolly if it is moved slowly as it will have a smooth transition, but definitely scenes shot in woodland areas and fields will need to be recorded via the camera on a tripod. This may take several attempts to completely succeed in our wanted effect, yet each time we try, it will hopefully provide an easier picture of what we are trying to achieve and from that we can re-do scenes or put forward new ideas.

The iMac is the final piece of equipment needed, but may be one of the most important. This is because it is where we will upload all of our footage to and use programmes like Final Cut to completely edit our film footage. One massive issue within our filming is that we want an eerie, evening setting. If we were to film these scenes straight off, it would be too dark and the camera is not sensitive enough to pick up all movements, facial expressions, smaller surroundings etc. Yet once we transfer our footage onto an editing programme, we will be able to edit these clips to appear as though the setting IS in the evening time and that the weather is gloomy. Here is where we will also add transitions, sounds and other important effects that will be vital in ultimately pulling our film completely together. Relatively our equipment list is short and simple as it is just the generic filming list. By contrast, we could attempt some scenes at night, such as those lit by streetlights, which would be conventional to the thriller genre, and see if the scene actually works that way.

 

Costumes:

For our opening thriller sequence, very few costumes are needed. Firstly, the main character of The Detective needs a very precise costume of a high collared long coat, typically seen in Detective characters. It would be a dark colour, such as dark brown or black such as in Seven and Shutter Island, to suggest a reclusive, mysterious character that we would expect of a detective in a thriller film. All other clothing will be black also to create this atmopshere, but the face will not be covered like they will be for the Shades, connoting that this man is not a villain. The Character Profile of the Detective further details the appearance of this man.

The young girl will have a detailed, mysterious costume. The aim is to have her firstly will a maroon red coloured ribbon in her hair, this will be constantly significant throughout the whole film and in the opening scene will be one of the most striking colours used. She will then have a slightly outdated dress on, this dress is difficult to get right as there is a fine line between it being too old fashioned but then slightly modern. The ideal dress would be mainly dark colours of reds and purples and have many frills and buttons over it. It would preferably be around knee length. She will have black closed toe shoes which are made from material that could be polished, and white frilled socks. However, all her clothes will be completely covered in mud and dirt to show that this girl has been through a potential struggle and has not been well looked after. The tattered, dirty clothing will give the impression that the girl is the villain, adding to the mystery surrounding her. As the girl will only ever been seen in this state, no other costumes will need to be thought of, just the unclean dress she is seen wearing at the beginning. The difficult task here will be acquiring or modifying the costume in the desired manner so it is suitable for our scene and meets our character profile. 

The Shades will only need simple costumes. As they must have the appearance of completely black, the perfect idea of a costume would be an all black morph type suit. This is a all in one thin layer costume that covers every part of the person's body. However, unfortunately we cannot provide these morph suits in such a short space of time, therefore other methods must be considered. The 'Shadows' all need to have relatively identical costumes, these should aim to be long black trousers and dark shoes, both with no embellishments and a complete black jumper. Using effects, we can slightly blur the shadows which means the audience cannot see for example where the jumper ends and the trousers start, otherwise our overall mysterious effect will be completely ruined. The hood on the jumper can be used to our advantage as well, all the Shades can put up their hoods in order to create shadows and shield their faces. The audience do not need to see their faces and so if they appear completely black this will make the audience question the finer details as to what is actually occurring. Here we must also consider the build of the characters, the costumes must be the same and therefore we don't want them to appear different on each character so as the audience realises they are different.

All the items which are needed within the costumes are possible to acclaim through our own personal clothing items or unwanted clothing, through charity shops/online sites or if we need any precise items, we can buy them ourselves. The costumes are one of the most important factors into the success of our film, therefore it is vital we put a lot of time and effort into getting them completely spot on to maximise the success of our sequence.

Props

Props play a very intrisic role in our opening sequence, with each prop there are hints at plots, connotations, hints at significance and so on. Below is a list of the key props will we need and their desired effect or the reasons why we decided on using them.

• Red ribbon - the ribbon that is originally in the girl's hair, which then falls out but also is vital later on when The Detective discovers himself holding it in his darkened room. Is important to the opening as it makes the audience question whether the first chase scene had just happened, and if it did not then just how did it end up in his grasp? Can hint at later plots and the colour (maroon red) connotes themes of blood and death, preparing the audience.
• Lamp post - the lamp post will be signature as it will be the original place where we see the girl. This will cause the audience to question even further, does this lamp post have relevance? Was this girl taken from here? It is important also as it will add the only parts of light to the darkened areas in which will be our main settings.
• Photographs and notes - these small photos and notes will be all around the room in which the man finds himself in and a constant prop within his flashbacks. There will be some slightly and completely screwed up, however some will just be cluttered around on the floor. They will not have any clear order and will be merely thrown around and placed randomly. This can reflect the true obsession The Detective had and also his mental state.
• A casebook plastered with the word 'Dismissed' - This will be a generic looking casebook; a brown folder full of papers. Half of a passport sized photo can be seen sticking out of the corner and it can be identified as a young girl. This is ignored however as a stamped word of 'DISMISSED' is covered largely across the case book.
• Connectors on walls joining up 'Ideas' written on pieces of paper - the walls of this dark room are completely covered by pieces of paper and maps, with certain areas circled. Many different photos of prisoners are also stuck around the walls with connectors joining them up to newspaper articles and other pieces of paper. Some gaps as it is clear certain areas have been attempted to be ripped down as giant black X's cover some photos. This is where The Detective has been desperately trying to work out the case but all the leads have been dead ends and no success has been reached.
• Police gear such as old badges - some old police gear and personal belongings found scattered around on the floor to show that he no longer cares about himself and his personal well-being. The small items of police gear eg. Badges and outfits show that he once previously worked closely with the police, but the audience can determine that this is no longer viable. The fact that his personal belongings have been abandoned for his obsession with this case hints to the bigger idea that this obsession has literally taken over his life. These could be acquired relatively easily as Beth's dad works in the police force.
• Direct photos of the young girl - photos of her playing and an iconic one of her in the clothing she was previously wearing in the opening scene. These photos will be of huge importance as it begs the major question, how and why does he have these photos? They will be haunting images that are obvious as to who they are of, but also show that previously she was a young happy child. These photos will be easy to acquire if we decide on casting my sister, as there will be many photos scattered around my home or in photobooks.

The Wall



Photographs and notes

These are the main, iconic props needed in order to add to the overall larger surroundings within our thriller opening. It is important that they are all cleverly thought through and placed exactly in the right places. If one thing is out of place, for example the casebook can be seen somewhere completely irrelevant like on the wall compared to right next to his bed, the general effect will not be as thrilling as the audience will think it looks stupid. On the other hand, if we can place every prop in the absolute correct place, it will be remarkably effective and really will draw in the audience, enhancing the overall effect of our piece.

 

Thanks to Beth for compiling these details after we discussed the ideas in class. I have added/removed details where appropriate, and inserted relevant images of props and costumes. The images of the costumes are the costumes we put together using the information from this post.