Location Research
Joshua
Initial Planning Idea's:
In starting our production we first had to come up with possible location idea's to fit our synopsis and storyline. We collaborated on multiple idea's as to possible locations , and brainstormed them in order to gain a clear idea as to the best one to choose. We would have to look at the connotations of each one, which ones were more generic of thrillers, how we could use pathetic fallacy in each location, different camera angles that were both accessible and possible to achieve in each location, and finally which would best suit the plot of our production. We decided that we would make a list of possible locations we had in mind, review the best ones based on our above criteria, and then finally choose the location of our final production.
Development Initial Planning Idea's:
In order to choose our final location we narrowed down our initial brainstorm into the best possible locations. We merged a few idea's into one to do this, and at the end of our discussion process we had a clear idea as to the possible locations we would use. Following this we needed to make sure that these locations were the best choices, and we needed to further narrow down the list based on the pro's can con's of each location. In order to do this we decided the best step would be to do location scouting, which involved travelling to our possible locations, taking pictures and then reviewing them in person. We furthered this by writing our results (Displayed Below):
Location Idea 1 - An Alleyway in London (Oxford Street)
We wanted an alleyway as a possible film location for many reasons. Firstly, because it a generic thriller film location, so it is already has embedded connotations for audiences. The shadow's present an omen of darkness and evil. There are connotations of lonliness that come with alleyways, it is common for them to be empty, derilict and abandoned. Additionally there was room for some real creativity in the area of pathetic fallacy as it is an outdoor location.
Additionally, alleyways are often associated with crime and attacks as a lot of these events happen in areas such as these. This is effective as it can present possible ideas as to what is to happen to the audience, without revealing too much information.
We liked the idea of being 'trapped' from either side in an alleyway, there is no escape if there are people/ things on either side. The absence of light creates an eerie atmosphere, building tension. We chose this are in london because we wanted to make use of London's skyline in the intro and ending of our thrillers.
We felt that the camera angle possibilities in an alleyway give way to so much creativity. We could do security camera angles, birds eye views, close/medium/long shots, and we had the idea of a 360 degree camera rotation whilst the protagonist antagonist standoff happened in the middle of this location possibility. We felt that because of this the alleyway was a strong contendor for our final location.
The use of an alleyway would be well suited to the plot of our production as it incorporated the trapped sensation and is perfect fot the standoff between the protagonis and antagonist. We merged the idea's of an alleyway and the 'landmarks' we had in our initial plan to form this idea. We felt that it would be effective to use both idea's as opposed to one.
Location Idea 2: Underground Tube Tunnel
We decided an underground station could be one of our possible locations for our Thriller opening, for multiple reasons.
Firstly, when it's late, the underground becomes very lonely/dark; these settings would be effective in conveying fear of a pursuer or the unknown. The darkness connotes evil which builds up tension.
Furthermore, the loneliness element connotes isolation and because of the enclosed vertical height, it would make a person feel entrapped which again builds up suspense. Because of this trapped feeling we felt it would be great for our production in the protagonist vs antagonist standoff.
However, when we went there we realized some real drawbacks to this location. The first was the lack of accesible/possible camera angles. We realised that there was mot much room (literally) for a variety of camera angles, taking away from the possible creativity of our production, and the ones we could do put us in real danger of being seriously hurt by oncoming trains and train tracks.
Also there was no ppossibility of pathetic fallacy as it was indoors, and we felt our production needed this because of it's context.
Location Idea 3: Area's Surrounding London Landmarks/ London Skyline
Another one of our location idea's was the Area's Surrounding London Landmarks/ London's skyline. We firstly wanted to make use of the scenic view of london, we felt that it would really add a sense of atmosphere and draw the audience into the setting of our production.
Additionally the darkness just prior to the sun setting provides the perfect amount of darkness to create a tense,, atmosphere without it being too dark to see. This makes filming in this location effective. Darkness is connoted with evil and the unknown and therefore is good for thriller films, that have typically have these idea's. We felt that it would be perfect to show lonliness in an open sapce and would bring a real depth of feeling the situation to the audience. We also felt the darkness would be best visualised in this area.
This idea contrasted with the other two in the sense that it was more open, and didnt have the trapped 'feeling' we saw in the other locations. However there was a huge amount of possible camera angles we could use due to its open space.
Prior to scouting the location we felt it would be the best due to the above points, but on arrival we saw that it was too lit up to provide the darkness we needed. Additionally it was too loud for our production which used silence in coordination with a build up of odd sounds to build tension. It would be difficult to film in this location because of these two factors and additionally because of the vast amount of people travelling through the area at any given point.
Due to these fact, directly after our review of it we crossed this possible location off the list.
Final location Process:
After the process of location scouting we sat down and discussed the best location out of the two. After numerous points for each had been stated and we looked at the pro's and con's of them both we came to a conclusion, the alleway in london. As a group we have spent a lot of time analysing the uses and drawbacks of a few different filming locations for alleyways on Oxford St. We finally decided on filming in the pathway on Ramillies Street. This was because of its enclosed space, how it would incur quite little footfall and the variety of camera angles it provided us. Under darkness with the good lighting it provided, it would ensure that our production was neither to dark, so that characters wouldn't be seen, or too light which would draw away from different elements in the opening. We proceeded to further scout the location, however this time it would be in much more depth. We would look at camera angles we would use, and reherse the scene to find the best position for it.
Final Location:
Pathway on Ramillies Street
