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Sunday, 1 March 2026

T1 | Wk 6 - Preliminary Task 2 - Planning




You will be required to create a THRILLER scene for an ACTION-THRILLER.


DUE MONDAY Wk 7


This scene needs to have the following elements;


1. A chase scene 

2. At least 2 characters

3. At least 2 lines of dialogue 

4. Follow the 180' rule 

5. A location / setting that is suitable for an action-thriller

6. opening credits

7. Title

8. Be at least 2 minutes long 

9. Be maximum suspense 

10. Use match on action 

11. Use shot-reverse-shot 

12. Shot on-site 


You should set up an 'easy to understand' scene that delves straight into the action. 


    
Pre-Production

1. Brainstorm (all include a version of this, show record of ideas developing into final idea)

- Initial research - Find at least 3 YouTube clips of examples of chase scenes from movies. Elaborate on techniques used and how you will implement some of these. 
-  Storyboard (you can either print the template off our class blog, left side under ‘film templates’ or if you don’t have a printer, draw up your own template to use).
 Script & Talent
- Shot List
 Location / Setting (do some research, find photos of the look you are after and places that could work for setting. Find some movies with setting / location that you want to replicate)
 Props & costumes (again, find examples of EVERY prop and costume you want to use. What other movies have they used them in? What look and feel are you going for? What colours are going to be symbolic? What props are going to be used in iconography? Include lots of photos/ screenshots of movies and write about the ‘why’ you would make this creative choice).
- Film Schedules + Call Sheets
-

      PRODUCTION
11.     Lighting (you need a lighting plan. Show you have done some research to find lighting styles you like and want to replicate. Explain how you will get your desired effect).
10.     Camera (in this you include shot types and camera movement you want to explore and try out. Maybe it’s things like  dolly shot where you want the camera moving or a high establishing shot? Get examples of what you want to try replicate and look up/ plan creative ways to get this. For a dolly shot you can put your camera on a wheelie chair, a tracking shot can be on a skateboard etc. Get creative! Are you going to use lots of close-up’s? Are you going to use lots of obstruction of vision in what you include in your shot? Whose point of view is the story told from?
9.     Sound – who is going to do this on the day? Then you all need to start researching sound. What do you plan on including in your sound? Hat soundtracks have you found? What sound effects? What movies or short films achieve what you want to achieve in sound and how will you use them as inspiration?
      10. Director / time keeper
 
    POST-PRODUCTION

11.     Editing – look up some cool editing techniques like how to do a chase scene, how to do flashbacks, how to do fast paced edits, how to create a disorientated feel via editing. Do some research and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with editing in this short film opening

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

T1| Wk 4 homework - Thriller Sub-Genre

  Hi everyone,


Now that the planning is done, after the filming we'll mostly be into editing during class time. Here is your work to be chipping away at, at home.

Your next blog assignment:


Thriller sub-genres-

  • Research 6 thriller sub-genres.
  • You will define the core content, themes, techniques and conventions that are characteristic to each sub-genre.
  • You will also give examples of common methods used to achieve the desired effects.
  • List  at least 3 appropriate movies that land in the category of the sub-genre you are discussing.
  • Create a Canva presentation to present all your information in a visually effective way

Monday, 16 February 2026

T1 | wk 4 | Wed - Storyboard and planning



Planning for PT 1 - phase 1

- backstory and basic evidence of planning 

 - storyboard


Use the guidelines below to create a blog post that shows the planning for your task on Monday.


1. Write a short blurb which explains in a few sentences, what is happening in your short thriller sequence


Include the following;

- what iconography you'll be including 

- what codes and conventions of a thriller you'll include

- what the basic storyline is (who is your character/s and what are they doing - what happens to them?)

- work out your group roles (who will act in it, who will direct, who will be on camera - take turns if you'd like but everyone needs a role).

- ** list of props/ costumes or anything needed for Monday 


2.  Then you're going to nominate someone to do your storyboard.

Watch this video explaining some of the storyboard basics and have a go. Stick figures and basic drawing is totally fine! 


Sunday, 15 February 2026

Preliminary Task 1 - Thriller sequence

 Hi guys,


We are heading offsite to to gets some awesome footage for your first Thriller sequence next Monday!


This is going to be completely spontaneous as we won't be able to do a reccie before the date. You will have 30 minutes once there to work out how you will use the space to create a 1 minute sequence of SUSPENSE.


You will need to do the following;


1. Plan a sequence that creates suspense in the audience 

- the sequence of events can be the opening, the middle or the ending of a Thriller movie

- the sequence doesn't need to have dialogue

- you will need at least 2 people to act in it - so plan who will act and who will film


2. Get a series of shots that can be used in editing your sequence back at school


3. Bring any extra props, costumes or extra things that you feel could add value to your filming


4. You will need to take notes during the process (or behind the scenes footage of commentary) and either write or create a second short film clip explaining your learning from your planning, production and execution of the filming


5. You will have 3 lessons at school to edit - adding in music, sound FX and any other FX you'd like to, to make your short sequence maximum suspense-impact.


6. Your film sequence will be marked out of 20


10 marks - production value (how well was the project executed - how excellent and/ or realistic is it)

10 marks - how well you utilised Thriller codes and conventions 



T1 | Wk 4 | Monday - thriller techniques

 

Here are some videos I want you to watch and make notes on techniques you're going to use in your Preliminary task














Wednesday, 11 February 2026

T1 | Wk 3 - Opening Sequences classwork / Homework

 Hi everyone,


Here's the video from class explaining this homework task...




This homework is due Thursday 19th Feb 

Let's take a look at James Bond, Skyfall's opening credits;



Notice what techniques are used in this opening to the film. 



So here's the task for this week's classwork:

•On your blog create a post titled 'Opening Sequences' and explain the following: 

–What is the purpose of Opening Sequences?
–What is the difference between Opening Credits and a Title Sequence?
–What techniques can be employed in an opening sequence?

Here's some examples of what we mean when we say TECHNIQUES


–Research a modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film of your choice to use as examples, as well s the James Bond, Skyfall clip, above. 
–Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.

Here is an updated version of the powerpoint explaining some of the differences between opening sequences and title sequences.  It has a few more leading questions to assist you in the assignment.

https://www.artofthetitle.com

Let me know if you have any further questions!


- T. Bianca

Saturday, 7 February 2026

T1 | Wk 3 - Tues / Wed classwork

  


 Take a look at this movie opening, 'A Quiet Place' - the 1st 6 minutes only.


Write an essay explaining how the 4 technical elements create meaning in terms of TENSION and SUSPENSE which are the main goal of a thriller movie. 

Try and use as many terminology words as possible and make sure you work through all 4 technical elements. 


This essay will be out of 15 and marked in the following way;

Terminology - 5 (using correct media terminology in the correct context)

Analysis - 5 - (interpreting the question and providing relevent insights, ability to deconstruct the text and derive intended meaning, dependant on how accurately you demonstrate that you understand the codes and conventions of the thriller genre and how the conventions have either been challenged or conformed to)

Explanation - 5 (this is the level of detail included, the depth of analysis and the skill you use to commuinicate your points as well as how well you use actual examples from the text, to back up your points)

e.g. 'the  sad-sounding music in the background makes the audience sad' 

as opposed to

'the non-diegetic score is effective in evoking feelings of sympathy for the family. The violins and stringed instruments provide an eery tone that highlights both the danger that the family are in as well as the twinge of sadness at the careful life they have to live, just to survive. This is paired with shots of everyday life activities, now changed to be silent, for example the mother cooks the family food in the floor boards and serves it on leaf plates."



 





Watch this breakdown of the same clip, too...