questionnaire

Thriller questionnaire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5_HFbGBAkM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhqwLgyzy38

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2gsEI34CE

What do you think about the editing?

Immersed: not jumpy enough.

Rhapsody of the moth: best bit

Done well

Liked cut scenes, upside down, flashes and transitions

Seven: fast paced

Do you think the lighting is effective?

Rhapsody of the moth: yes, looked dangerous

Immersed: yes, good use of dark lighting

Seven: yes, looked cool

Do you like the music?

Immersed: yeah- effective

Rhapsody of the moth: yes, calming-didn’t fit the genre

Seven: didn’t like the music

What do you think about the typography?

Immersed: looked professional

Rhapsody of the moth: good effects

Seven: good, fitted with the genre

Did the opening make you want to watch the film?

Immersed: some of it –yes

Seven: yes

Rhapsody of the moth: yes/no

Overall, which thriller opening was your favourite and why?

Seven- because it had good editing

Immersed-because it looked like it has a cool story

Rhapsody of the moth-great editing techniques

I would like to include similar editing techniques from rhapsody of the moth as there were positive responses. Also I like the idea of some shots being upside down

shoot schedule

This is our timetable of when we went out to film. On Wednesday we managed to get a few shots done. We got more done on Thursday as we had more time.

things that inspire me

This shot from The 1975's music video robbers inspired us to make our blood hand shot. I like the effect of the shot and the contrast of the white and red so we decided to make something similar.

This was our shot. We were pleased with the outcome as we believe it is an effective shot.

We also got inspiration from Macbeth where she tries to wash the blood off her hands. This shows guilt and symbolises murder.

W listened to the jaws theme tune and really liked how the simple low frequency notes helped build a massive amount of tension and how it keeps the audience on edge. Me and Rhiana have added some low frequency piano notes into our music to build the tension right from the beginning.

shot list

point of view
tracking
birds eye view

establishing
close-up
mid

long
pan
hand-held

props/costumes

costume
The costume is important as the audience will judge the character as soon as they see them. We hope when the audience sees our character they will see that she is young and innocent. She will be dressed as a student.
doc marten boots

These boots are for our second character. We want them to seem masculine and a threat.
black jeans

The jeans show that the person is serious and practical.
 short doc martens
 
These look like school shoes which can suggest that the character is young.
black tights

The tights could suggest that the girl is uncomfortable.

checked skirt














This skirt can also suggest that the character is still in school.

turquoise shirt



















Turquoise isn't usually associated with bad things so it is a contrast as this is the colour the victim is wearing.

green jumper

The jumper represents that it is cold outside.

navy blue blazer

The blazer shows that the girl is possibly in education or work.

props
bin bag

This bag represents the unknown and that what is in the bag is hidden.
fake blood



 The fake blood represents danger and could foreshadow the rest of the opening.

costume and prop list

costume
doc marten boots
black jeans
short doc martens
black tights
checked skirt
turquoise shirt
green jumper
navy blue blazer

props
bin bag
fake blood

thriller proposal

The Missing analysis

This image is from the title sequence of The Missing. The reflection of the person in the building could symbolise guilt as the person in the image could have something to do with the missing child. The overlapping image is effective as it shows a contrast between the field and the grotty building. As there is a person in the image it  leads to a sense of mystery as to who this person is. Also, as the building is shown it could represent where the child was taken. There is a shadow over the building showing one light and one dark side. This could represent that the person isn't innocent as their head is covered by a shadow. The music is very eerie and it fits with the theme of the drama. It also makes the title sequence feel very creepy and fascinating. The camera angle is a low angle shot, showing the character to be big. This could be so the audience thinks that the character is a threat.

 There are two contrasting images here as in the background there is a statue and candles and it looks as if it is a church. There looks as if someone is in front of the statue praying. Possibly, they could be praying for the missing child and as the statue is a mother and her child, this could represent that the person praying is a parent of the child. The background image contrasts with the swimming pool as there is a reflection of a rubber ring in it. This could have been the child's toy, so this image could make the audience feel sympathy for the parents as the child is now missing. Also the statue contrasts with the dead flies in the swimming pool as it shows a mother and her child, this could represent life and the dead flies, death. So, the image gives mixed messages as to whether the child is alive or not and this keeps the feeling of mystery. The use of more overlapping images gives the audience a lot to take on board and as the image doesn't stay for long they will be inclined to know more. also the dark lighting adds to this effect as the background of the image isn't clear.

location analysis

This is our location where we are going to film. We chose this area because we had been here previously and agreed it fits with our opening as we want nature to play a part in it. Also we believe this is original as most thrillers are set in cities.

character profile

We are going to have the main character wearing uniform. We are doing this to make them look young and innocent.

 There is also going to be another character but we aren't going to see their face, this is to make them seem suspicious and untrustworthy. What will be shown of them is their shoes, they will be wearing black boots to suggest that they are serious, practical and possibly a threat.

analysing lighting

The lighting in this image is effective because the characters face looks as if it is being lit by the street lights, so there is a shadow on his face. This could suggest that he is untrustworthy, also that he has something to hide.

The lighting in this image is effective because the sunlight emphasizes the characters silhouette. The brightness has an innocence about it. This kind of lighting would be good in our thriller as we want to make one of our character look innocent.

The lighting in this image focuses on the couple, though, most of the lighting is on the man, so this could suggest that the woman isn't as innocent as him. Also her black dress emphasizes that she could have something to hide.

I took this picture recently and it was by coincidence that  I created this effect, though, I like the picture as you can't see what is going on so you are intrigued by it.

I took this image in the Lake District and I think it is effective as you can see the silhouettes of mountains in the background. This gives the background a mysterious and eerie feel.

Treatment

Our thriller opening will be set in a forest to get the feeling of isolation. We want to do a close up of someone smearing their hands in mud we want to put a name in the mud, but you won’t be able to see the character. We want the audience to feel uncomfortable with the disgusting squelchy mud. We then want to have a high angle shot if the characters washing the mud off their hands in a stream.
High angle to show that the character is small and we want them washing the mud off to show guilt.

 

We then want a mid shot of someone running in the stream they will be wearing boots and black jeans to show that the person could be a threat . mid, so as not to show the characters face. We thought that the running would make the audience more intrigued to know what is happening.

 We also want to film some leaves floating along a river  to suggest that the commotion is unsettling in the forest. We also want to film footprints in mud, there will be a name in one of the footprints, this will get good diegetic sound and to show that there could be more than one character involved as they will be wearing different shoes, we will use a different kind of shoe. We then want to show a birds eye view shot of a bag being dragged through the forest to create the sense of mystery we will have another name in the trail of  the bag.

Throughout our opening sequence we want to have music through it, we were thinking of a simple piano tune to create a eerie atmosphere. We will have to film this on a bright day to get good, clear, high key lighting.

Target audience profile

Age: 18 (In sixth form or college)
I like seeing my friends at school. My favourite subjects and chemistry and biology. I like playing Fifa on my play station and I like to feel comfortable in what I wear. Also, I play the piano and I like to watch films.

He would be our target audience because he is a teenage boy that likes to watch films. I would suggest  a psychological thriller as they make the audience think he would find that interesting.

Age:17(In sixth form or college)
I like going out with my friends and doing sports and being outdoors. I also like listening to music. I would like to go to university and study law. I don't like to dress up too much, I like wearing casual clothes and I like to watch films.

She would be our target audience because she is a teenage girl who likes to watch films. I would suggest a crime thriller for her because I think she would be interested in that because of her wanting to study law.

mood board

Thriller music analysis

Thriller music analysis

The music in Inception starts off slow and builds pace, this is done by the use of a piano starting then violins joining in until the crescendo where the volume increases as more violins  and more orchestral instruments join in.  This is to add tension as it makes the audience feel on edge and as it get more dramatic the audience get more enticed into the film.the long violin notes add a depressing feel which could relate to the main characters emotions. There are stings throughout the piece which helps build the tension. Also, when the crescendo happens it is very powerful. This adds an action element to the music and makes it exiting.

The music in the opening of American Psycho is a piano and it slowly builds pace. It is also tedious as it is very repetitive. It also is a little unnerving which fits with what the film is supposed to make you feel like. The music changes in a couple of places and gets less repetitive only for a short while then it goes back to being repetitive. Also, the speed of the music changes from slow to fast often, this could reflect on the erratic behavior of the character. At the end there is a  background synthesizer noise which makes the  tone of the music change dramatically from quite upbeat to creepy. I think we will use this piece of music as inspiration for our music in our thriller opening as we like the eerie tension it creates.

Seven title sequence

Se7en title sequence

The lighting in the Se7en title sequence creates a disorientating feel. It does this by flickering. In addition, quite a lot of the lighting is dark, so it fits with the thriller genre as, in thriller films eeriness should be present. Also some objects on the screen are brighter than others for example, a picture of a man with his eyes crossed out. This draws attention to the object and keeps what is going on around it a mystery because the background is dark and the audience can’t see the full picture.

The camera angles in the sequence raises questions as the character is never shown. There are also a lot of close ups and extreme close ups of the characters hands and what they are doing for example, cutting out pictures you can also see him crossing out words on letters and binding a book together. This raises questions to what the character is doing and creates the sense that the characters identity is supposed to be a mystery it also suggests that what the character is doing is wrong and sinister.

The editing of the title sequence creates the feeling of chaos as a multitude of techniques are used. Fast paced frames overlapping and fading out makes the sequence seem chaotic and disturbing which could suggest the characters state of mind. Also the typography used is effective as it looks like messy handwriting this creates the feeling that someone could be responsible for the eeriness so it makes it feel more realistic. Also, some of the colours used are effective as they make certain things white to lift them off the screen and emphasise them.

The music in the title sequence makes the viewer feel on edge as it is tense. Additionally, the music starts off in a slow pace and gradually becomes faster which builds suspense. In the music there are sounds of typing and machinery, this could suggest that the character is in a factory which adds to the creepy setting. It also sounds distorted which has connotations of abnormality, this suggests that there could be something wrong with the character. 

The line across the persons face raises questions as it makes the audience wonder if this person is dead or not. And possibly if the person crossing out their eyes has done anything to the person, possibly they are a victim. The rest of the shot is dark so the audience focuses on the one picture and the typography. This is so the audience actually reads the names. The picture is in black and white, this could be an indication that this is a victim of the past and the murderer wants to cover his tracks. Also, the image is a point of view shot so we can see it from their perspective.

This is an extreme close up of dirty fingers holding a razor blade. This gives a sense of mystery as the audience question why the characters fingers are dirty and why they are holding a razor blade. It also gives an insight into the character as they are probably a messy,dangerous and traditional person. Also there is a dark background so you don't know where this character is. So, this shot entices the audience as they will want their questions answered.

Conventions of a thriller film

Different types of thriller

·         Crime- crime thrillers are different because they usually include detectives and characters with jobs in authority E.g. Seven.
 

·         Psychological- are different as they cause suspense for the audience by affecting your mind. E.g. The Butterfly Effect.
 

·         Science fiction- different because they use sophisticated technology to captivate the audience’s attention and to make the film tense and. E.g. Knowing.

·         Supernatural- different because the director could try and make it look realistic which would scare the audience
 

.Conventions of the thriller genre

Dark lighting to create an eerie atmosphere

Eerie/tense music

Close ups to show the characters emotions

Iconography e.g. knives, guns, mirrors. 

Location e.g.  A city to show normal life and for the audience to relate to it. This would be most suitable for political and crime thrillers.

Title sequence analysis

This image from True Detective’s title sequence tells us a lot about what is to come in the series. For example, overlay has been used where there is a face in the background, almost like a god-like figure watching over the people in the town, possibly judging them; the man is one of the detectives, so the image suits his job. Also we can see a power station in the background which connotes pollution and makes me think that this town isn't a nice place, this could foreshadow later events. I also instantly dislike the setting as it is very bleak and boring. The setting also looks isolated which makes me think it is a thriller genre as the victim is often alone.

The lighting is low key, which adds to the bleak, depressing feel of the title sequence. The camera angle is a long shot, so the audience can see a vast amount of land. This space and isolation compliments the feel of loneliness. Also in the title sequence the music is slow paced which establishes that this programme will be a thriller or a drama as opposed to an action film. It is also western music, so it gives an idea of where the series is set, which is in South America, and what significance it has to the programme.

There are overlapping images which could suggest deception as it looks as if the woman is hiding behind something. Also, there is high key lighting which indicates innocence. Possibly the woman is a victim. The power station suggests that the area is bleak and rough which fits with the nature of the programme.

There are overlapping images which could suggest deception as it looks as if the woman is hiding behind something. Also, there is high key lighting which indicates innocence. Possibly the woman is a victim. The power station suggests that the area is bleak and rough which fits with the nature of the programme.

 In the ‘Sherlock’ title sequence you can see from the image that there is a modern magnifying glass, this shows that it is a modernised version of Sherlock Holmes. Also Sherlock’s face is in the magnifying glass twice, this shows that it is a detective programme as a magnifying glass is a common prop used in detective programmes. Also his face could be there twice to give the sense that he isn’t alone. Or the face that is further away could suggest that Sherlock has a darker side to him as it is more distant and blurry. Also the effect of overlay shows people in the background, which looks like businessmen and women going to work in London. This establishes the setting and also informs us that it is set in present day. Though, the background is quite blurry which could suggest that things could not be as they seem.

The lighting is low key which gives the theme of mystery as you can’t see the picture clearly. Also the close up is effective as we can see the character and his emotions. He looks solemn which could foreshadow what is to come in the programme. Also in the title sequence, the music is quite fast paced which builds up excitement for the action and drama which is to come.

With Held is a student thriller opening. This point of view shot is effective because it makes the audience feel as if they are watching someone. It also gives a creepy feel to the opening which fits in with the thriller genre nicely. The man is in a car in a remote setting which adds to creepy feel as this woman is alone and being watched, so it gives the opening some tension which I think could have been more effective if music was added. There is a contrast in the lighting as there is high key lighting on the woman and low key lighting on the man. This enhances the audience’s suspicions that the man is not to be trusted. The window in the car is dirty which gives the audience the impression that this man has unclean intentions.

typography

Typography

In the Transformers title sequence the typography is effective because the words are bold and stand out. They look as if they are metal which fits the genre of the film. Also the writing is 3-D and transforms the words like the transformers in the film. This links directly with the film and introduces the audience to the science fiction genre.

In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo the typography is dark which fits with the theme of the film. Also the writing is bold so it draws attention to it. The letters move slightly which gives a creepy feel to the film. The actors names are in white which contrasts the black background and draws the audiences attention to the names.

In the Juno title sequence the typography is effective as they have used large, colourful letters and put them in different places to draw attention to them. Also, the font moves in and out in certain places making the audience more likely to read them. The font looks like someone has drawn them which fits with the genre of an indie comedy.

Barthes codes

 

 

Barthes codes

The hermeneutic code is the parts of the story that aren't fully explained, so it leaves unanswered questions. A detective story operates on the hermeneutic code. Also the unanswered questions aren't generally answered until the end. Sometimes there will be a snare, which is information which will send the audience down the wrong path. There also could be partial answers which gives the audience some, but not all of the truth. You could also get an equivocation. This mixes the truth and a snare. lastly, jamming suggests that the problem is unsolvable.

Some examples,
I am Legend- Where you don't know what happened to New York, so it raises questions.

Memento- It's not in order so you question what is going on.

Sherlock Holmes- You spend most of the film thinking Lord Blackwood has powers, so a snare was used.

The proairetic code is when, after an action, you expect a reaction. the aim of this is to create suspense as the audience would be anticipating the outcome.

Some examples,

Minority report- When the bubble goes up to the surface of the water, we expect a reaction from the robots.

Harry Potter: Half blood prince- When Harry goes to get water out of a cursed lake it builds tension as the audience expect a reaction.