Preliminary task

For our preliminary task we tried to use the 180- degree rule, to enable the audience to visually connect with the characters. The 180 degree rule is shown in this diagram, and when filming you must try and stay on either the red side of the green side, to stop the characters appear to be moving around the screen.

For the establishing shot we had a hand, appearing to open a door. We found that the sound was good as we got the ‘unlocking’ of the door to be loud and build tension, however the cut between the door opening and the steadi-cam camera entering the room wasn’t smooth and the straight cut appeared jumpy, when we wanted an invisible cut. The ‘hostage’ section was quick and the variety of shot angles and types with fast editing to create tension and build suspense. The red coloured lighting was to evoke the danger of the situation and the blood on the hand of the person when opening the door.  The situation wasn’t really explained and we hoped this would build tension and create anxiety.

The dialogue exchanged left an unknown to create and apprehensive atmosphere. The over the shoulder shot allowed the audience to relate to the situation. The confusion of the hostage appearing to be normal makes the audience question what was going on and want to know the rest of the plot line. The birds-eye view shot of the spinning tape makes and interesting view for the audience and evokes the coen brothers’ style of direction and filming.

The only sound was diagetic and therefore seams more realistic. We were going to add a backing track, but it made it sound fake and created a loss of tension and so so we decided it would be better without it.

Ellie.