Thriller - Costume

Although our thriller falls under the sub-genre of 'Neo-Noir' and therefore was a modern interpretations , we took  a large amount of inspiration from the classics of the genre, as seen in Jeremy Fisher's costume, (pictured left, top picture) we decided to modernise the classic detective coat (worn by Humphrey Bogart, right picture) to show the influences of the genre's classics, and also following the conventions of the genre. Colour symbolism is also heavily  used in Alison's costume design, (top picture, pictured right) through the use of the red shoes, which stand out against the black and white style of the opening. This design choice was deliberately inspired by director Robert Rodriguez's Neo-Noir film, 'Sin City' (2005), (Bottom picture) which also uses this style  of red on black and white. The red helps t emphasise Alison's character as a Femme Fatale, which proves true later in the film.

Thriller - Shooting schedule

Shooting Schedule - Anonymous Lead by Seb Wright on Scribd

Thriller - Explanation of Planning

The planning of our Thriller film was sought out in a number of stages, which inevitably shaped the outcome, design and plot of the thriller.
Themes: for the main themes of our thriller we decided to take heavy influence from the Film Noir genre, when plotting out themes we discussed the use of chiaroscuro lighting effects which were also used excessively by the great directors of the period's prime. From this we decided on the types of motif's we would use in the film, such as a burning candle, playing cards, and the red shoes, the latter of which was intended in our opening.
Lighting: to follow along with the Film Noir style, we decided to take influence from and use traditional effects and lighting setups which became an enormous trademark in the film industry. This involved such effects like a black and white overlay, low key and high contrast lighting, coupled with the tradition three point lighting system
Sound: Sound played an enormous part in our thriller as the dark mise-en-scene makes it difficult too see the characters movements, as was our intention, as it adds a layer of mystery to the characters, forcing the audience to concentrate on the actions occurring. On top of this, our plot heavily relies on the idea of telecommunication between the detective Jeremy Fisher and the anonymous caller. Because the telephone is a medium that uses sound, we thought it suitable to focus on sound as a primary feature in our film.

Thriller - Textual References

For our thriller opening we wanted to make both explicit and implicit references to media texts that inspired the development of our opening: Anonymous lead. Through this many elements of our thriller draw from a range of time periods of film, as well as directors/cinematographers and across mediums which have influenced our decisions towards plot point, characters, techniques and traditions.
We decided to focus on traditional forms of the genre. After considerable research into different sub-genres and takes on the age-old formula, we decided to take heavy inspiration from the origins of the thriller genre, specifically the period between 1935-1960: 'Film Noir'. Inspired by the classics, such as 'Double Indemnity' (1944) or 'The Third Man' (1949), we decided on a black and white theme throughout, and further promted our use of Chiariscuro lighting techniques like High contrasting shots and low-key lighting to fill a dark mise-en-scene.

Many other directors and film makers have drawn from elements of this time period, and subsequently the 'Neo-Noir' has become popular, such as the 2005 film 'Sin city' from director Robert Rodriguez, from inspired us to opt for the idea of outstanding red shoes to contrast the vastly dark mise-en-scene and black and white effect, This is in reference to the character of the nameless victim at the beginning of the film, her violently red dress strands out extraordinarily against the black and white of the film, instantly drawing the viewers gaze to her, which decided to replicate within our open through the character of Alison.

Thriller - initial ideas

Thriller - Script

BEGIN TITLES

As the title sequence begins, the ringing of a phone from a phone box dominates the scene. Someone picks up the phone, ending the constant ringing. The receiver is Investigator JEREMY FISHER and he is curious as to who is calling. The caller is ANONYMOUS, hinting the FISHER’S curiosity is growing.

A silence is held after the phone is picked up. 

ANONYMOUS

You’re Investigator Jeremy Fisher, aren’t you? 

FISHER

Yes. Speaking is…? 

ANONYMOUS doesn’t answer to FISHER’S question; just continues.

ANONYMOUS

I have some information regarding Dean and Alison Atkinson.

DEAN and ALISON ATKINSON are the criminal couple who are at large after committing a bank robbery.

FISHER

How do you know about the–

ANONYMOUS interrupt FISHER blatantly. 

ANONYMOUS

They’re at [Address]. Better swim, Fisher.

Abruptly, ANONYMOUS hangs up the phone. 

CUT FROM BLACK SCREEN:

EXT. PHONE BOX – NIGHT

FISHER’S footsteps are heard as he makes his way to [Address], leaving the phone dangling from its holder. The ‘Interrupted Call’ tone drones in the background.

INT. AN APARTMENT

DEAN is anxious. He paces about the room questioning to himself what to do next.

DEAN

We’ve got to go. They’ve found out.

DEAN slams a suitcase onto the table, filling it with belongings and supplies.

ALISON

Why did we wait so long?

DEAN, with a packed suitcase, places his gun inside. The loading of the bullets sounds out. DEAN slams the suitcase shut. As the suitcase is closing, the screen cuts to black, revealing the title ‘Anonymous Lead’. The droning sound of a dialling tone raises in volume.

Thriller - Storyboards

Thriller - Title explanation

'Anonymous Lead'

We deccided on This as our title for our thriller as it limks welll to the overarchhing plot of our thriller, as it revolves around an investigating detective recieving phone calls to assist in the capture of the countries most wanted criminal couple. 'Anonymous' links to the plot of the film as the identity of the caller is hidden throughout throughout the story of the film, leading the audience to question the the trust the detective puts in the anonymous caller, and adding an element of suspicion as to how dangerous the caller may be.
We chose to use the word 'lead' in our title as it is a word with a double meaning and can be interpreted as "to cause (a person or animal) to go with one by holding them by the hand, a halter, a rope, etc. while moving forward." which may suggest the detective is being manipulated by the caller, "a position of advantage" which alo implies the control of the caller, or the colloquial term used by police to aid in the capture of criminals, which fits well with our story. 

Thriller - Plot synopsis

The start of the film follows the criminal couple Dean and Alison Atkinson in the aftermath of a bank heist gone wrong, they retreat to their safe house while similtaneously the detectve assigned to the case, Jeremy Fisher recieves an anonymous phone call tipping him off on the location of the couple's safehouse and a sequence takes place following Fisher' chase towards the flat and the couple's brief eacape from the police.
Following this is a flashback to the robbery that occurs before the escape, one of the four members of the gang involed dies in the shootout and no police from the bank are killed, the three remaining members exit the scene to thier escape vehichle and a car chase sequence occurs, killing another member of thier gang.
As the film progresses, flash forward to current events, Dean and Alison steal a car from a man who attempts to fight them off, Alison shoots him.
Detective Jeremy Fisher gets another Call from Anonymous whle in his office, teh caller tells him of the recent murder and car theft of the couple, and Fisher proceeds to call in support on the crime scene.
Cut to the couple in the now stolen car, while driving, they discuss the outcome of the robbery and who they can trust to get help, Dean mensions an ex-gang member. As they arrive, cut to Fisher's office who recieves another anonymous call, who informs him of thierwhereabouts, Fisher sends a detachment to the house.
Meanwhile, the couple are welcomed by Dean's ex-gang member, the couple spend the evening there and all is well for the time being.
Later, The ex-gang members house is attacked by an armed police unit, gang member dies in defense of the couple while they hide, bearly escape and head for a nearby air field, persued by police. In the action, Alison betrays Dean by shooting him in the leg and escapes onto the plane on her own to save herself.

Thriller - Pitch

Notorious Criminal Couple, Dean and Alison Atkinson escape from persuing detective Jeremy Fisher Who depends on an unknown caller for information about thier whereabouts.

Introduction

Introduction

Hi, I'm Seb wright, and this is my media blog