Thriller genre

There are many types of different thrillers which can make great books, films and TV shows. This type of genre is the most likeable genre in the film indstry. They can be psychological thrillers, western thriller and many others. These are all popular for the public due to them being scary but not so scary they cannot sleep like I couldn't after watching Insidious. You can say it is an enjoyable horror, (without the killing).

The defintion of a thriller is "A novel, play, or movie with an exciting plot, typically involving crime or espionage."

Normally thrillers have exciting plots to them which keeps you motionless in your seats. Becuase the world are starting to enjoy a thrill in either watching something or either by living it, thriller films are now very popular around the world

Audience questionnaire results and how the audience has affected our thriller and analyis.

These results from my questionnaire have effected what our film is going to contain and be about because they have told us what they expect to be in a thriller and what they prefer. So hopefully our opening will please the people who will watch it.

Do you prefer cliff hangers or resolved endings? Why?

 Most people said they preferred cliff hangers as it leaves you with a sense of depth and tension" 

"Gives you freedom to make up your own mind about what happens"

"Creates tension right to the end" 

      Would you prefer a female or male protagonist? Why?

       Different genders had different answers majority of boys said that they would like the protagonist to be the man as "they can empathise better with them"

      Most girls said that they would like the woman to be the protagonist as "its uncommon, for them to be the main character and are usually the victim"

<    What are your expectations when watching a thriller?

       Tension

       Suspense

       Hidden messages so the audience can figure things out themselves

      Experiences in real life

        

      Overall the results we got are expected as, as a group that is our answers and compared to our pitch these results are useful as we know that the suspense we want to create will be wanted by  the audience and will leave them guessing.

thriller pitches

Our prelim task ( Biscuit Showdown)

Evaluation

I believe our prelim was a strong production due to it containing a variety of camera shots which gave different emotion to parts of the scene. Also framing, composition and mise en scene are used effectively through out the scene. The prelim kept the audience wanted to see what was going to happen and also the music used is used well cause it gives it a sense of realism from it being calm at the start and going to an intense rythm which added life to the production.

I believe areas could be improved for example when we were doing the over the shoulder shot, it seemed to break the 180 degree rule. Looking back at this, it was a simple mistake to make which is evedentally clear to the viewer. Apart from that I feel are production was successful.

I have learnt from doing the prelim about what camera shots should be used to create tension or if to see emotion. By knowing this I will be able to contribute to the main thriller on the shots would add more tension.

Thriller Institutions - New Line Cinema

New Line Cinema

New line cinema was first created in 1967 by a 27 year old American man called Bob Shaye who lived in New York City. The benefits of it being based in America is that most films are produced their so they have a much more vast market than if they were a British organisation.  

New Line Cinema is a conglomerate organisation because it is owned by the company Time Warner which is also based in America. This company is a worldwide organisation and one of the largest media companies in the world. Firstly it was two separate companies, Warner Communications Inc and Time Inc. Then when they joined they became Time Warner.

This organisation has produced a variety of films in different types of genres such as

• Valenitines Day – Romantic Comedy
• A Nightmare on Elm Street – Horror
• Sex and the City 2 –  Romantic Comedy
• Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Thriller

By this company having such broad experiences in making films including thrillers, our production would be perfect for this institution because it has had experience with thriller films. Also that the company is based in the USA, it is more likely to gain more publicity and be able to be marketed well.

BBFC (British Board Of Classification)

The role of the BBFC is to classify every film which is produced. They rate the film on it contents andd the can choose from seven ratings: Uc, U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18, R18.


 The way films are classified:

• If there is sexual content during the film (if it is explict porn it will be aged classified higher than if there was moderate porn.
•  or if scenes are imitable such as drugs, self harm or alcohol.
• The amount of swearing which consists in the film.

They have to be watched by a critcal panel which decides on the age rating of the film.

1. Shutter island - Age certificate- 15

I believe this film got this rating because it is quite hard to understand and also in some parts of the film it is not sitable for young people to see. The likely audience for this film will be adults becuase it is a psychological thriller and is an intense viewing experience.

    2.  Drag Me To Hell - Age certificate- 15

I believe this film was rated a 15 because it consists of disturbing scenes and it consists of alot of swearing. The most likely people who will watch this is adults because it is a scary, jumpy film which may make people uncomfortable.

    3. Legion - Age Certificate- 15

The film 'Legion' i believe it got the bage rating 15 because the film produces many killing scenes which is not suitable for children. I think the audiences will be teenagers and adults because it isn't that scary but it is thrilling to watch.

For my thriller I would give it an age rating of 15 because it will be quite uncomfortable for children to see and it may scare the younger generation.

Dark Knight opening analysis

The opening scene to ‘The Dark Knight” starts relaxed doing a slow zooming in shot in to a black glass building. This doesn’t last for long because one of the panels smashes and that is the starting of the action sequence which is going to happen during the whole scene. After the glass smashes it goes straight to zoom in shot to a man wearing a clown mask with a gun in his hand. By showing this it gets the audience guessing what they are doing. Also by zooming in to the man in a clown mask, it tells us that he is a main part of the action and he is wearing a mask to hide his identify. This could suggest that he is going to do a criminal act.

After moving away from the people in the building it shows the back of another man which gives the sense of confusion cause you cannot see their face. Whist holding the shot on the man it begins to zoom into the clown mask which is in his hand. Due to the zoom in it gives the audience a clue that the mask is important in their thing they are doing.

After seeing the people who are involved, the action then begins when the men on the building shoot a rope all the way over the city to a nearby building. As you see them sliding down it different camera shots are used such as an overview and one looking at them whilst they are on the rope. By showing this it tells the audience that the crime is invading a building like a robbery. This leaves the audience wanting to continue watching the whole film.  

Seven opening analysis

In the opening sequence of the film ‘Seven’, it is very easy to get a sense of unsettledness. This is brought about by the creativity of the sounds intended to cause this effect, such as when you are watching the credits you can hear faded screams which impact on the audience effectively. Also you can hear chain’s rustling which gives the image of someone captured and held against their will. There are other disorderly noises during the scene which are used to raise the tension and suspense.

These disturbing noises create the first mental image of what the film is going to be like. From the differences you can tell this is going to be a jumpy thriller which will always keep the viewer on the edge of their seat.

The opening credits of the film are very intense in an array of ways. Usually in most films, even thrillers, the credit text is plain and for the viewer it is dull. In ‘Seven’ it is different because the text is all disjointed whereby it appears in different places at different times. The style of the text is also unconventional in its appearance. During the credits different images show up and in certain parts shows key words which are relevant to the film. The word ‘God’ appears which indicates something in the film is relevant to this. This type of mise-en-scene is used effectively because it keeps the audience focused and asking questions before the film has begun.

No Country For Old Men opening analysis

The opening of the film 'No Country For Old Men' is well suited for a western thriller film as it allows the audience to see the scene where the film is going to take place. It shows a lifeless desert which gives the audience a feeling of expectancy because it makes them wonder what is going to happen in the film. Whilst producing screen shots of the desert in a variety of different times of the day, the narrator begins to speak in a calm, deep voice. He sets out the basis of the story and gives the audience some insight as to what is going to happen. After 1 minute and 40 seconds the narrator stops speaking and the audience hears footsteps of two people walking towards a police car. By showing the police car it brings a sense of fear because you know someone has broken the law but you are in suspense of wondering what they have done.

When the two characters are in the car they zoom in to a mysterious air pump which confuses everyone because we are trying to figure out what it is and what the person did with it. By zooming in on this object it makes you focus completely on the weapon and it looks very dominant because the framing which is used allows no other distractions from the weapon. After this you get to see the criminal for the first time. How the director has made use of the lighting is advantageous to the film because the criminal is in complete darkness. This leaves the watcher curious to what he looks like. Also it gives the feeling of unsureness because you can only see his outline and cannot get a good visualisation of what he is like. This theme is carried out throughout the opening scene adding to the dramatic effect of suspense.

 When they are in the police station the police officer is in the middle of the screen so you always keep your focus on him. However, in the background you can see the criminal moving around whilst remaining blurred giving the audience the sense that he is going to commit a heinous act. The costume of the killer is a dull brown colour which not only allows him to blend well in the darkness and maintain his anonymity but gives the impression of him being intimidating. Also when his face is blacked out, his body is also not in view.

The bathroom killing scene in the 1998 replica of the 1960 film Psycho produced great significance to the whole film. This very intense scene for the audience because it provides a brutal murder which links to other parts of the film, also it is the first time you see the murderer in action but still trying to understand why are they doing the murder and who it is. By wanting to know different aspects of the murderer it encourages the viewers to keep watching.

During the showering scene where the victim was inhumanely murdered, it all links to a stereotypical thriller film where a young isolated woman is murdered without anyone releasing is violently killed. But there is a difference on where the crime was committed because it was situated in her shower. This is considerably different to any other thriller out because the shower is a private area where you should be alone but the killer has ignored that so it was much unexpected.

This screen shot is the first image of the killer. Even though it is a close up shot of the killer, you can not distinguish the killer clearly the lighting is purposely not on the killers face so it creates a sense of mystery. The only lighting in the shot is on the knife. This instantly draws you to the knife which makes the viewer wary.

This screen shot has great importance in this scene. The close up shot of the knife makes it look even more intimidating than before. Also the use of lighting has added tension to the scene. By the light being fully on the knife it gives the sense of dominance and this is what will be used by the killer.

This shot allows the audience to see the murder in action easily and clearly. This birds eye view shot gives an emotional feeling towards the audience because you are seeing the murder happening but you are unable to do anything about it. The way that the shower pole is composed (placed) it unable you to see the murderers eyes which leaves a sense of mystery because you can’t recognise them.

 

The shot of the plug hole is very effective because it shows the water and her blood draining away which could refer also as her life. This shot is a close up which makes the plug hole the main focus in the shot.

This is the final shot of the victim. She is dead which officially tells the audience that the killer has accomplished their aim. By doing a close up shot it allows you to see the emotion on her face when she is dead

Psycho, two different directors, different actors, different versions! Which do you prefer?

Alfred Hitchchock's 1960 Bathroom Scene from Psycho!!

Gus Van Sant's 1998 Version of Psycho!!

Glossary of editing techniques and transitions.

Editing

Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing is when a scene is edited so it attracts attention to a specific object, character or an event in the film. It gives the film rhythm because it allows you to move through time smoothly.

Transitions

Dissolve

This is a transition which goes from one shot to another fluidly. It allows the scene to keep continuity from a place or person to another. This allows the audience to know that time is passing.

Straight Cuts

A straight cut is the most common type of transition because it keeps the continuity in the film. Also it keeps pace in the selected part of the film.

Fade to black/white

This is where a shot fades either into or out from black or white. This can be effective in a film because it gives the sense of time passing.

Cross-Cutting

This type of transition is used to create links between sequences of the scene. This can create tension in the film.

Jump Cut

This is when there is a quick cut between shots. This is effective when showing futuristic scenes whist in the future.

Fade in/out

This is a shot that fades in and out from a clear black. This causes the effect of progression in time also the sense of chaos.

Wipe

This is where a line moves across the screen allowing transition to happen one shot to another.

Sound

Diegetic Sound

Diegetic sound is heard on and recorded from the location of a film such as speech or sounds.

Non- Diegetic Sound

Non-diegetic sound is added when a film is being edited. This is mostly used to add an atmosphere to a scene.

Shot Reverse Shot

A shot reverse shot is where you edit together two shots from two different camera positions. This gives the impression of a conversation taking place.

Match on Action

Match on action is when shots are edited together to show how actions progress through time.

Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene means anything that is in the shot. This has come from the French “put in the scene”.

Different types of Mise-en Scene

1.  Location

2.  Costume

3.  Props

4.  Lighting

These are all used to identify something or someone in the scene.

Different types of film genres

COMEDY

ROMANTIC WESTERN

COMEDY

WAR

HORROR

 

ROMANTIC

Glossary of different camera shots, compositions, framing and angles.

Composition

Composition is where objects are placed in a shot. This is used because it could make the whole view of the shot easier to see.

Rule of Thirds

Rule of thirds is where when you are composing a shot image, a grid is drawn over the top of the camera view. This is used because it can show the points of interest where the lines cross.

The Golden Mean

The golden mean is where you are composing a shot image an invisible diagonal is drawn from one corner to another. It can show the points of interest of the shot which occurs along that line.

Framing

Framing means what you choose to be shown in a particular shot. You also choose what should be taken out which could be beneficial for the entire shot taken.

Extreme long shot (ELS)

This type of shot is used to show the surroundings of a specific place where the film takes place or for a specific section of the film. It is also useful when seeing speed sequences because you are able to see everything that is happening while something is happening.

Long shot (LS)

This shot is where the person in the shot takes up almost all the frame. This is used to show a character in a certain environment.

Mid shot (MS)

A mid shot is a camera shot which allows you to view the subject in the film with more analysis whilst also being able to look at the rest of him not just his emotions. The advantages of using mid shot whilst filming is that you are able to see thing that might be happening behind the subject or what he is doing physically for example moving his hands due to tension.

Medium Close Up (MCU)

This is used to show emotion on the persons face without getting uncomfortably close to them.

Close UP (CU)

This shot is used in filming because it will zoom in on a part of his body which may show emotion or some other charaterstic the subject may be doing at that moment. It is mostly used to show detail of someone or something. When a close up happens the viewer shares the persons feelings which makes the audience more engage in the story.

Extreme Close Up (ECU)

This shot is not commonly used but when it is it brings great dramatic effect to the film because and extreme close up focuses plainly on the subject’s emotion which they are feeling in that specific moment. Also it may show detail of an object.

Cut Away (CA)

This is a shot that when something is happening, it suddenly goes to another subject which may relate to the other subject in that particular scene. It is used a buffer between shots.

Two Shot

This shot is great for showing relationships between subjects of the scene. It is also used in like action scenes like if their running from something it could improve tension because you have two different emotions from the subjects.

Over the Shoulder Shot

This shot is filmed from a subject who is speaking to another subject. This allows you to feel part of the conversation their having and able to see their reactions to what they are being told.

Noddy Shot

The Noddy shot is usually used in interviews because it shows the person who the subject is speaking to reactions to the questions asked. It is usually edited so it flows smoothly.

Point of view Shot

This shot shows the image that the subject is seeing. It is usually edited so you would easily be able to know whose perspective it is.

Camera Movement

Low Angle Shot

This shot is taken from below the subject so this gives the feeling of authority and makes the viewer feel inferior cause your not eye level with the subject.

High Angle Shot

This shot is taken from above so you are looking down at the subject. This allows the viewer to feel overpowering and gives the subject the sense of helplessness.

Pan

This shot allows the camera to move left and right which gives the sense of speed. It is usually placed onto a tripod so it flows smoothly.

Tracking Shot

This type of shot is used to give a sense of speed during an action scene. Also with this shot it is put on a dolly so it stays the same height and that it flows perfectly.

Tilt

This is where the camera pans vertically which gives you the sense of how high something is.

Zoom in/out

This is where the camera focuses on something by zooming in and out. This is used to identify a key detail in a shot

Canted/ Dutch Angle Shot

This is where the camera is positioned not straight towards the subject. This can give the sense of insanity of a scene happening.

Steadicam/Handheld

This is where the camera moves around the action happening. It also gives the sense of realism which makes the viewer keener to watch.

Crane Shot

This shot is at a high angle which looks down on the subject. The crane can tilt, pan and track during filming.

Aerial Shot

This is where the camera is positioned in something high above the ground. This gives the sense of the size of a place or something.