Syriana

Why does this relate to our Thriller?

Both Syriana and Code Break are similar as they are both politically charged. Syriana is about the state of the oil industry in the hands of those personally involved and affected by it whereas Code Break is about conflicts between MI5 and Russians with information about the Chechnyan War. 

George Clooney, who plays Bob Barnes in the film could relate to Simon as they are both captured a tortured for information.  As a group, we decided to develop the torture scene from Syriana and use similar ideas for our own Thriller, such as putting the victim of the torture on a chair.  From this trailer, we are able to see that action, violence and corruption takes place in the film which ids what we wanted to show in our Thriller also.

Target audience

This film is quite interesting in terms of target audience as its actors and big Hollywood budget suggest it is mainstream but the major motion picture actually expects the audience to think very hard, which would attract an audience of over 20's.  The A-list actors, Matt Damon and George Clooney would attract a female audience but also a male audience as they would aspire to be like them.  The action and violence, which is represented in the trailer would also attract a male audience as it's what interests them the most. 

Final mise-en-scene decisions before shoot day

1. We decided to use a metal black chair for Simon to sit on as it fits in with the dark/mysterious atmosphere.

2. After researching more about Russian terrorism, we realised a more realistic (stereotypical) representation of a terrorist would be to dress them in army clothes. Therefore, we decided to dress the main Russian in army wear and keep the other Russians in black. We figured that if we dressed Simon in a green shirt instead of a white shirt, it would link to this army style also.

3. We decided that it would be easier to only have either the daughter or the wife in the opening sequence and we chose the daughter because it was easier for us to find someone available in that age range.

shot list

Orginal Plan for Shot List

1. Wide shot of room
2. Mid shot of Simon
3. Shot reverse shots between Simon and Terroist (using mid/closeups)
4. Reaction shot of terroist wiping spit off his face
5. Cuts to Reaction shot of Simon being hit on the face by terroist (mid/close up)
6. Wide shot of Terroist walking around Simon on the chair on the phone
7. Close up/mid shot of terroist holding up phone
8. Close ups between shot reverse shots
9. Over the shoulder shot (over Simon) to show Terrroist holding up camera phone to Simon
10. Mid/close up shot of Simon crying

Edited version

1. Mid shot of Simon
2. Wide shot of the Room and Simon on the chair
3. Back to mid shot of Simon being punched
4. Mid shot of Russian
5. Medium-wide shot of Simon, Russian and main Russian entering
6. Medium-wide shot of Simon and the other Russian (main Russian then enters shot and speaks)
7. Two shot of Simon and main Russian
8. Medium close-up of Russian
9. Over the shoulder closeup of Russian
10. High angle shot of Simon getting punched
11. Long shot of Simon getting punched
12. Close up of Simon in the water
13. Wide shots and Closeups of Russians
14. Wide shot of the room showing Simon's daughter being brought in
15. Two shots of Simon and daughter on the floor

Shooting Schedule

9:00-9:30:  Set up Studio
9:30-10:00: Work with cast on rehearsing scenes and sorting costumes/makeup
10:00-10:30:  Go through all shots by taking pictures on camera of each shot needed to be taken that day in order (this made a schedule of what we needed to take/how and when)
10:00-1:00: Filming shots in order (aiming to get half of them done)
10:00-11:00:  Filming wide shots
11:00-1:00:  Finish filming any wide shots and start filming mid shots.  If finished, start filming other shots.
1:00-2:00:  LUNCH BREAK
1:30-2:00: Makeup touch up
2:00-3:00: Finishing rest of shots, which included filming close-ups, high angle shots and any other shots needed for Thriller
3:00-3:30: Clear up of studio

storyboard for thriller

Props for Thriller

1. Big guns - shotgun/rifle x2

2.  Hand gun x 1

3.  Black dirty (nearly broken) chair x1

4.  Plastic rope x 5

5.  Mobile phone x 2

6.  Video Camera x 1

7.  Fish tank x 1



The Life of a Film

The Life of a Film