Location and Mise-en-scene - UPDATED

The opening sequence of our thriller occurs at a train station, for these shots we wanted to use a train station that wouldn't be too crowded which would provide us with enough privacy to film as well as giving us more control over the area. A possible location we could use is Brundall Station. This station is on the smaller size which means that it won't get as busy as other stations, therefore preventing our filming being disturbed by members of the public. It also looks quite rundown and urban which conforms to the gritty visuals of the thriller genre, by recreating these visuals it will remind the audience of other thrillers they have seen and build the anticipation as they discover the genre and anticipate the action that is sure to follow. When filming these shots the lighting could be an issue as we won't have any control over what lights are on or off and it will also be difficult to bring our own lighting equipment. However, we could change the time of day that we film. For example, instead of filming at night we could film in the morning. Although it wouldn't carry the same connotations, a cold but bright winter morning suggests isolation and bleakness which would work well with our thriller. 

We could also use Norwich Railway Station, although this station does get very busy that could work in our favour. Being lost in a crowd could connote isolation as although the character is surrounded by people he is still alone and has no one to rely on. The hustle of a crowd could also be used to build tension. The ornate and antique look of the station could be used to make the film reminiscent of film noir, this would reinforce the dark and mysterious themes of our opening which were common aspects of film noirs. The contrast of modern and old features in the station could be used to emphasise the conflict in our film. Both the inner conflict of the character as he decides how to escape and the conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist. The problem of lighting would also be an issue whilst film here as we wouldn't have any control over it. Although the crowd could add to the atmosphere of our opening it would be an issue as we would also have no control or influence over the people and it would make it difficult to film successfully. 

For the abduction section of our opening we want to use a dark alley way that connotes isolation as well as vulnerability. We could use the alleyway beside one of our group member’s house. This would provide us with privacy while we film, it would also allow us to adapt the location to suit our preferences and to set up our own lighting equipment. Alleyways are used in thrillers to connote poverty and crime as they are where homeless people can take shelter and where crimes are committed because they are hidden from the eyes of the public as they provide protection. By conforming to the genre we are reinforcing the connotations of crime and establishing the characters need to escape from a world this dark and twisted. Being near a suburb could also suggest a common aspect of film noirs that this could happen to anyone and that no one is safe. Filming in an alleyway will be difficult because we'll have limited space to move in, this will make film from different angles a challenge. However, the small space could be used to introduce the theme of claustrophobia and to reinforce the idea that the character is trapped and vulnerable. 

For the final part of our opening sequence our main character wakes up tied to a chair in a garage, this reinforces the theme of vulnerability and crime. The garage we will be using also belongs to one of our group members. This, again, provides us with control and privacy because there won't be any members of the public and we can change the mise-en-scene to suit our requirements. The objects in the area could be moved to provide a space for the main character, alternatively by leaving some but covering them with dust sheets it could create a sense of mystery as neither the character nor the audience know what's underneath them and it could be anything. A garage also conforms to the convention of using suburbs to suggest that tragedy can strike anyone, it could also unsettle the audience as this is an everyday location turned into a cage.

The opening scene of our thriller takes place at a children's play park. We wanted the park to be empty to give the shots a very eerie and unsettling feel. This is because parks are usually full of excitement and energy so shooting in an empty park would give our thriller an uneasy and desolate atmosphere. A possible location we could use is a small park next to Eaton Primary School. Although this park is popular with the local school children after school and on the weekends, it is usually quiet at around 6:00pm. If we filmed at this time the park would be empty and the sun would have set, leading to darker, more hopeless shots that would suit the tone of our thriller. Lighting could become an issue as we won't be able to take our own equipment. To try and avoid lighting issues we could pick a clear day, this means it would stay lighter for longer, giving us brighter shots as well as more time to film.