Uses and gratifications theory

Certificate ratings

These are the certificate ratings and a brief explanation on who they are for and a reason behind each rating. Some information has been taken from the BBFC (British Board of Film Association) to ensure that all information is correct. This will be highlighted in italic in order to prevent plagiarism. 

 - Suitable for all

 - Parental guidance

 - Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over

 - Video release suitable for 12 years and over

 - Suitable only for 15 years and over

 - Suitable only for adults 

What a movie has to contain to gain a specific certificate.

In a U rated movie, their will be limited reference to sexual behavior,drugs,violence, bad language etc. Any sexual behavior will consist of kissing or cuddling but there will be no overt focus on sexual behavior, language or innuendo. There will not be any references to illegal drugs or drugs misuse unless there is a very clear anti-drugs or educational message which will be understood by a younger audience. Violence will generally be very mild. During a U rated movie they only allow infrequent use of very mild bad language (e.g. ‘damn’ and ‘hell’).

In a PG rated movie; bad language may only be mild including words or phrases such as, 'Shit' or 'Son of a bitch', sex references are unlikely unless they are undetailed or infrequent, violence will be mild and no focus on drug use but reference is allowed. 

In a 12/12A rated movie; the BBFC's Guidelines state that strong language (e.g. 'f***') may be passed, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency and any special contextual justification, sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed, moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail, there may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse but the portrayal should not be glamorized or provide instructional detail.

In a 15 rated movie, any of the following may be present: strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, discriminating language or drug taking. 

In a 18 rated movie, any of the following are present, very strong violence, frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’), strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances), discriminatory language and behaviour.

Group roles

Ben Locking is responsible for the majority of the post production as he has a variety of skills including editing/effects etc. He is also a main actor in the thriller and plays the part of one half of a psychotic couple who balance their lives between living everyday lives and torturing the innocent for a therapeutic experience.

 

I am responsible for the majority of the filming in the thriller and also play the part of a torture victim in various parts of the opening.

Megan Greaves is responsible for acting in the thriller and plays the part of one half of a psychotic couple who balance their lives between living everyday lives and torturing the innocent for a therapeutic experience.

Storyboard

We are currently in the process of drawing up out storyboard and this is what we have produced so far. We plan on adding more detail which will direct us when we start to film our production.

Screenplay

Duct Tape screenplay Scene one – The train journey There is a black screen at the start with a slowly building piece of music made by an accordion. As the screen fades in there is a selection of establishing shots of the journey of the train (from the inside). We then have shots of both Myra and Ian, only showing parts of the body and the bottom of their face. We’re then approached with a shot of the couple holding hands to symbolise the relationship between them. Once the train arrives the two disembark with the camera following behind. Scene two – Train station The shot of the camera following the couple continues until they reach the exit of the station. This is where we have a mid-shot going into a long shot of the couple leaving. A bright light then occurs and there is a flashback. Scene three – The garage - Outside A still, mid shot is taken of the couple approaching a garage tucked down next to a house. The overgrown trees aside and dirty floor showing that it isn’t often looked after and has a ‘make do’ approach. As they open the garage we see, between the couple, a victim, sat broken and bruised, tied up to a chair with duct tape around his mouth. The garage door then shuts, leaving the shot from outside continuing for a few seconds. A bright light then occurs again and it cuts back to real time. Scene four – Sheffield - Museum The couple have now arrived in Sheffield, where we see them both enjoying a normal day out, getting food, visiting the museum etc. Firstly is the museum with a pan shot to show them entering then a still, close up of the two talking with each other to encourage the emotion and comfort they have for one another. The camera then moves up to what seems to be historic tools or weapons from the past to where another bright light occurs and a flashback again happens. Scene five – The garage – Inside #1 Introduced by a bright light, the audience is met with a shot of ‘torture-like’ tools through the technique of action match, giving the idea that the scene is back into the garage. The camera then zooms out and tilts down to show the victim in a closer angle to understand more about their condition and past experience with the couple. The scene exits again with a bright light. Scene six – Sheffield – Eating We then have another mid to long shot of the couple wandering through the city centre, hand in hand, enjoying each other’s company and heading out to eat. The next shot is again a mid-shot that shows them both sat down on a bench with a drink, casually talking and joking around. Scene seven – The garage – Inside #2 Introduced by a bright light again, we have a shot of the victim on his knees, facing a bucket of water. This is tied in with the liquid in the drink being the trigger for the drowning. The audience can also see the bottom half of the couple and can understand that their height over the victim shows significant dominance over him. Ian then proceeds to take the victim and hold his head underwater for what seems to be an excruciating period of time before allowing him back up to gasp for oxygen. The shot then freezes and the entire film goes in rewind with the screeching sound of a quickly reversing old fashioned film tape before cutting to black. A close up shot then occurs of the camera approaching a now more damaged and injured victim sat on a chair. In sync with the music the title ‘Duct Tape’ appears and the shot fades out to end.

One page pitch video

Using our one page pitch, we prosed our ideas and concept about a new movie idea to a potential film investor to gain funding for our project. The interview was recorded and has been edited to show the questions from the investor and the answers from us the creators of the short thriller opening.

 

One page pitch for thriller task

A one page pitch concisely explains all the factors, reasons for, and circumstances concerning the proposed action. It proposes a specific action to be taken and uses the persuasive process to construct a strong case for saying 'yes'. It should construct these points in one powerful page.  It should only be one page because decision makers are busy people and one page shows respect for their time. To much information can also slow down or prevent decision making. It also recognizes to the reader that you have good judgement and can act quickly and decisively in a concise message. The link to our one page pitch is below and was created on Word.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2pCLyRUSAJXZklPbXhnY3paV0k/view?usp=sharing

Introduction to group

For our main task, I will be working in a group of two with Ben Locking. We spoke to each other about what each of us could offer if we worked together and we both had different areas which we are successful in, therefore enabling us to perform well and excel in this task.

I pitched ideas and possible themes for this task and can offer insight in to where the film will be shot and how things should be performed whereas Ben can offer his skills in shooting the film and editing it to look high quality.

Our initial ideas were to create a piece of film that will entice the viewer and will engage them with each character in order to create a greater understanding of the film as a whole. We were thinking of a couple who on the outside look like any normal everyday couple, but in their spare time, seek people and kill them through torture for a therapeutic experience until a bounty is placed o them and ends with a Bonny-Clyde esque shoot off.

Types of thiller

Other thrillers include: comedy,conspiracy,crime,legal,supernatural,techno.