Coursework Update and More Storyboarding

This week, we've been working on our coursework (as opposed to last week's exam prep) and we have chosen an idea for our opening sequence. Our opening sequence had to be a psychological horror and at least two minutes in length. We decided on Sophie's idea as we believe it's unique and that we can create a thrilling opening sequence with the idea.

We've assigned ourselves roles within our coursework groups that we alone are responsible for. I'm in charge of storyboarding and the music/sound in our opening sequence. Basically, I have to make sure our storyboard is complete with all the correct information (I am the one writing on it to make it easier for me to keep track of it) and I have to find a piece of music we can use. It has to have the right atmosphere about it to correspond with our opening sequence. Details of the plot itself will come soon, once we've finished storyboarding (so I have a much better idea of what's happening).

Also, we have one role which we all share which is location scouting. We need a remote, dilapidated, grey building, which is actually proving quite difficult to find. I'm sure one of us will find one though. ;)

Mock Exam...

On Friday, we did a half a mock exam on Q1. Our sequence was a clip from Monarch of the Glen on the representation of age. I'm not sure how I did :S but I think I did okay. Hopefully I'll get my results soon :)

!!!UPDATE!!!

I got a C! :D I'm happy with it! My teacher said she'd expect anyone getting a C at the moment to get a B/A by the end of the year so it's looking good for me. :)

Todorov's Narrative Theory and My Basic Idea

Today we have learnt about Todorov's Narrative Theory. This theory basically states the majority of narratives mostly follow these five stages:

Stage 1 - Equilibrium = the setting is established, key characters are introduced, storyline is set up.

Stage 2 - Disruption = Oppositional characters appear, story takes a particular direction.

Stage 3 - Recognition of disruption = lives of characters and events interweave, tension builds.

Stage 4 - Attempt to repair disruption = highest point of tension, change in dynamic follows.

Stage 5 - Reinstatement of equilibrium = matters sorted out, problems solved, questions answered.

We also individually planned out a narrative that complies with Todorov's Theory. Mine has a slight difference at the beginning as it launches almost immediately into the action. It goes something like this:

Stage 1 = Protagonist witnesses gang beating individual to death and gang sees protagonist watching. Gang decides to hunt them down.

Stage 2 = Protagonist goes on the run to escape gang hunting protagonist down. Police gets involved and protagonist leaves subtle clues to the police.

Stage 3 = Protagonist gets captured by gang and held to ransom. Police hunts down gang from evidence collected by protagonist and from ransom video.

Stage 4 = Time has run out. Police burst in as protagonist is shot (using shot reverse shot to build tension). Everything goes dark and silent as the protagonist is shot.

Stage 5 = The beep of a life support machine. Protagonist wakes up in hospital and finds out gang is caught and everything is okay now.

So yeah, that's basically what my idea. I am now going to confer with my group to choose a final idea for our opening sequence. :)

Opening Sequence Analysis - The Black Swan

I have analysed the opening sequence to The Black Swan to demonstrate my understanding of the effect different aspects of filming, mise en scene and editing have on the viewer, why the director uses these aspects and to show my knowledge of media terminology. Click the link below to watch my analysis. Enjoy :)

Analysis - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvla07ajMTA