Thriller Conventions

Camerawork

Typical shots used are establishing shots to show location, mid shots to show characters and close-ups are used to disorientate the viewer/make it claustrophobic. The composition can show key props, while the framing could hide some things to create tension/suspense. The camera movement and angles can vary for example a high angle shot to show power/status. Depending on the perspective of the shot it can change the feelings we have for them or emotions e.g. first person could show empathy.

Editing
Depending on the narrative it can show a complex storyline and can build tension as the story converges. The editing can add tension e.g. straight cut can build suspense and the pace. By adding flashbacks it can show key moments and also show the viewer connections in between the story.

Thriller Opening Conventions
It normally starts with titles; name of film, actors, directors and the company identity. In the first 2 mins of a thriller we want drama and tension that will grip the audience. We also want the audience to ask questions but keep it simple. Its usually on a key event that helps set the scene/atmosphere for the rest of the film.

Sound
Sound is used to add atmosphere to the film. For example by using ambient sounds it makes music which fades in and out (e.g. Psycho) and this makes atmospheric music. A voice over can create a back story or a monologue to build a story. Try to avoid dialogue though as it can confuse the audience.

Mise-en-scene
The setting for a thriller should be realistic and isolated, unlike a horror which is unrealistic. The costumes should be simple; no brands or designer labels. Typically the males are protagonists or antagonists, while the women are the victims. Although the woman can sometimes be the opposite. They use realistic weapons that could be used in real life (e.g. kitchen knife). The lighting could be bright or dark depending on the theme. Shadows also add atmosphere though.

Narrative
The start of a thriller is usually half way through a scene so its disorientating. They sometimes go in chronological order, as well as flash backing or going forward in time. Again, these disorientate the audience.

Sub-genres

• Action thriller
• Crime thriller
• Psychological thriller
• Disater thriller
• Religious thriller
• Conspiracy thriller

Media Preliminary Task Evaluation

For our preliminary task we had to film and edit a sequence to show a person entering a room and speaking to someone else. In the task we had to show match on action, shot reverse shot, continuity editing and keep to the 180 rule. We also had to include brief dialogue to show we can edit so our shots work and fit together.

Our camerawork was good all in all but some shots were unsteady. We used a range of shots; long shot, over the shoulder shot, P.O.V shot. We kept the framing well and kept most things we didn't want out of the shot. Our composition was good especially with when Hope was walking down the middle of the corridor and we get the shot nearly symmetrical. One problem with some of our shots is that they were unsteady but we got the shots we wanted and we did have good lighting.

flow smoothly.

Our editing was successful although we once did not do match on match action when Hope was opening the door which is an area I need to improve on. Other than that our editing was ok and made sense when we watched it back. I our first attempt of filming we noticed that shots didn't match up so we had to re-film it which helped us notice the errors so I can work on them in our thriller opening. The titles fitted in and our transition worked well as Libby’s black clothes made it work smoothly.

The lighting was much better in our second attempt rather than in our first attempt, when we were in the room where the conversation happened. The lighting in the hallway scene was perfect and just how we pictured it in our storyboard. The dark light of the hallway also makes Hope seem mysterious which is what we wanted.

I have learnt that planning it makes it easier and that doing a shot list helps. Also doing a storyboard helps convey your ideas. By doing the prelim task as well I have been able to practice my editing so in the thriller I can do it better. In the thriller I will do much more steadier filming and try and do a wider range of shots e.g. extreme long shot, close-up shot, high angle shot. 

Media Prelim Video Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-SRml-sk3s&feature=youtu.be

Media Prelim Shotlist

Shot 1	Long shot of Hope
Shot 2	Close up of Hope’s eyes
Shot 3	Her name
Shot 4	Close up of Libby fiddling with keys
Shot 5	Her face
Shot 6	Her name
Shot 7	Close up of Hope’s hand
Shot 8	Door opening
Shot 9	Match on match from inside the room
Shot 10	Close up of Libby
Shot 11	Shot reverse shot of Libby and Hope talking
Shot 12	Two shot of H and L
Shot 13	Close up of tea cups clinking

Mise- en-scene

Props:

·        Room

·        Biscuit

·        Tea mugs

Costume:

·        Smart-casual (Libby)

·        Office wear (Hope)

Setting:

·        School

Actors:

·        Libby as ‘biscuit thief’

·        Hope as ‘biscuit accuser’

Psycho Analysis

Analysis of ‘Psycho’ Shower scene, exploring how film techniques are used to create effects

Camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene are all used effectively in this scene to create a very tense, thrilling shot. One of the main reasons is because the victim isn’t aware at all of what’s going to happen while we as the audience have hindsight. In the shower scene a variety of shots are used; mostly mid shots sometimes ECUs. The whole scene is quite claustrophobic in the way the shots and angles have been used. This creates a sense that we are almost the third person in the bathroom. While the Point of View shots make you feel like you’re the victim/killer.

The way they include cut away shots to dark, thunder skies in-between the killing scene shows pathetic fallacy; how the weather matches the character or scene. They also use ECUs very effectively, when showing her eyes. 

At the beginning of the scene the pace is very slow and relaxed, as she gets into the shower. Once the killer enters and pulls the curtain back the pace quickens and keeps in time with the fast and high pitched music. The music used also shows the chaos and the frenzy of the murder. Once the killer has murdered the victim the pace becomes slower again, and shows the calm after the storm. The music also slows down and becomes deeper to show time is still passing.

At the beginning of the scene you can hear crickets so you know it is night time and that she is quite far out. Once the shower is on, it remains on for the whole scene so there is some continuity in the scene. The sounds used are most diegetic e.g. the scream and the thudding of the knife. The thudding of the knife is a good effect as it shows the brutality of the murder. Also the white bathroom and the contrast of the blood show the brutality of the murder. The bathroom setting is good as that’s where people are most vulnerable and the whiteness shows the purity of the place e.g. cleansing.

The bright lights throughout the shot show that the woman isn’t hiding which links in with how unaware she is. It also shows that the killer is not afraid to be seen. Also the way the killer uses a simple kitchen knife shows that this wasn’t premeditated.

SHOT 1

In this shot we simply see the knife in the killer’s hand. The knife is right in the centre of the shot and is of the P.O.V of the victim. This is a good effect as we feel like the victim. It’s a close up of the knife so we can’t see the killer. The knife is clearly a kitchen knife so shows this wasn’t premeditated. This creates tension as we know she is getting murdered but don’t know by who.

SHOT 2

This is one of the effective ECUs. This is of the blood draining away the killer departs. It shows the blood draining away after the murder and shows the contrast of the blood and the white bathroom. It is also used as a graphic match to her eye which shows her life literally draining away. This matches with the plughole.

SHOT 3

This is a shot right after the murder. It’s a long shot and shows a big house and the dark, gloomy sky. This shot is effective as it shows that other things are going on during the chaos. It is also effective as it shows how the sky matches the actions. The house and the sky intertwine and aid the thriller effect, which is very dark (typical thriller convention)

Summer Work



The thriller genre is a type of genre that uses suspense, excitement and tension to excite the audience. The common elements tend to be set around a problem from someone e.g. a mission or a mystery. The main character then has to fight the problem. The character tends to be having the problem or has to solve the problem. The themes and concepts depend on the type of thriller for example: crime would use a hostage or a ransom as the theme, while in psychological thrillers tend to include mind games, obsession and dual personalities as the themes. Camerawork for a thriller is mostly mid shots and mid-close up shots, but sometimes will use long shots to show car chases etc. The sounds used tend to be quite quiet and very eerie, and again depending on the type the sounds change for example crime thrillers tend to include more gunshots and loud sounds but for a psychological thriller tend to be more like footsteps (if being stalked).

Taken’s camerawork tend to be mid shots or close-ups but sometimes long shots to show the bigger action scenes or key bits. It had been edited to seem quite smooth, with the sounds tending to be gunshots or explosions as well as screaming. The costumes were kept quite casual as well as the make-up. But the props and setting were very different in each scene. In some shots they were in an airport while others on a boat.

Still shot 1

This still shot is a mid-shot and is at a party of the daughter. The father is clearly giving his daughter the present much to the mother disagreement. The body language between the father and daughter is relaxed. The daughter and mother are dressed very casually while the father is dressed very smartly showing that the mother and daughter are more comfortable and relaxed in this environment. The power of the mother is shown though as she is still in the shot watching over. The set is very light and almost is a representation of the daughter’s feelings.

Still shot 2

In the next shot there is clear tension between the mother and father. It is again a mid-shot keeping it quite intimate and is also a two shot. The mother and father are both dressed very smartly while the mother looks more in control by the way she holds her bag. The surroundings just show a car going by. The composition shows symmetry but not a lot of the set. This gives of a very serious, intimate feeling.

 

Still shot 3

This still shot is a close up on the daughter so makes you feel quite claustrophobic as she is hiding away from the kidnappers. By her facial expression she is worried and scared while talking to the father on the phone. In this shot the daughter looks very juvenile due to her clothes and props. This scene makes you feel very nervous and scared for the daughter.

Still shot 4

This still shot is of the father on the phone to the daughter. It’s a close up of the father, and he is clearly panic-stricken and scared while the daughter is waiting for the men. He is wearing black and looks nervous. The darkness of the shot is almost a representation of what’s going to happen next. The light in the centre on his face draws attention to his face.

Still shot 5

This is a mid-shot and is in the airport in shot 2. It shows the mother hugging the daughter after her father had saved her. You can tell the mother is relieved and happy to see her by her facial expression and how she clings to her daughter. The daughter’s clothes have clearly become more mature while the mother is still dressed smartly. The way the girl doesn’t show her face means she maybe wants to be hidden after what has happened. This is very moving shot.

Charlotte Dodworth Y12

Media Languages

Genre is a type or category of film. It is a way of classifying a film to help us to identify it so we can:

·         Create it (e.g. director)

·         Choose it (e.g. the audience)

·         Understand it (e.g. the student of the film)

Horror - Insidious, Paranormal Activity

Thriller – Side Effects, Taken

Comedy – The Hangover, Superbad

Romantic comedy - Remember Me

Science Fiction – Star Trek, i-robot

Action – Indiana Jones

Western – The Good The Bad The Ugly

Animation – Toy Story

Musicals – High School Musical, Mamma Mia

Fantasy – Narnia

Gangster – American Gangster

Three types of Genre:-

Major Genre

A dominant, important category, it should be obvious and easy to define.

Subgenre

A minor category or subdivision that is closely related to its major genre by being a specific type in its own right, e.g. James Bond films

Hybrid Genre

Combination of major genres that sometimes creates another type of film e.g. horror/western

We identify it by looking at:

Generic codes and conventions – these are signifiers that have been established through the time and should be recognised in the mise-en-scene, the characters and the storyline.

Signifiers are the physical aspects that we see or hear in a film, such as the clothes or props. We interpret these signifiers to create meaning.

The mise-en-scene is that which we see in the frame of the film – it is that which is ‘put into’ the picture. So this would include the set, the props, the costumes, and the landscape in the world of the film.

Genre	Western	Gangster	Sci-Fi	Horror	Action
WHAT WE SEE	Saloons, tumbleweed, guns	Suits, Guns, Casino, Drugs, Crime	Spaceships, Robots, Space	Demons, Old houses, Exorcisms	Fast cars, Tanks, Weapons
WHAT WE HEAR	Gunshots, Horses	Gunshots	Explosions, Space lasers	Screaming, Shouting,	Explosions, guns
TYPICAL CHARACTERS	Cowboys, Outlaws, Sherriff, Saloon girl	Mob leader, Gangs, Club Owner	Leader, commanders, aliens	Family, Young girl, Demons, Exorcist, Physcos	Strong person, Bad guy, Group of men, Leading lady
TYPICAL STORYLINE	Main character chasing bandit/is bandit	Main character owes the gang leader etc	Humans in space, crisis in space	Person becomes possessed, kidnapped	Main character has to fight a bad guy/group has to fight a bad group
THEMES, MORALS,IDEAS	Good VS Bad, Revenge	Crime, Revenge, Debt	Adventure, Space	Moves into a haunted house, Fear	Good VS Bad, Rogue cop, Revenge
EXAMPLES	The Lone Ranger	Godfather, Gangster Squad	Star Trek, Star Wars	The Conjuring, Saw, Hannibal	The Expendables, Die Hard