Mise-en-scene of My own film
Setting and Iconography
Abandoned shed in the middle of a forest,dark long alley way,poorly lit dirty underpass,loughton station,chigwell station.
These five locations are going to be used when filming my thriller opening, they are all unknown isolated locations. They create a creepy feel and are conventional to the thriller genre. This is because they help create an enigma and leave the audience with very little knowing as to where the characters are and how they are going to escape their death, they are usually grotty, scary places. Most are poorly lit and put the audience on edge. Filming will start in the shed the audience are unaware of where the killer's work shop is. It will flash to a shot of our victim (Anne Angelia) getting off the train taking the scene back to reality. This helps make the scene more intense as the audience are left wondering what the killer is doing and what connection he has to the woman leaving the train. Shortly after our victim walks into an alley way, this location is used to express the characters vunerability, she is in a dark lifeless place. She later moves into the underpass next to the alley way, the lights flicker and it is damp and cold. This is to create a more intense atmostphere. This location is conventional because dark eerie atmostpheric places are key when making a character seem more alone and frightened. It will then cut to loughton station where the protagonist will be viewing the crime on screen. Then back to the alley way and underpass. These brief moments of reality and relatiable happenings are important as they increase the audiences tention.
Within our opening we have included vast iconography that inhance the audiences perception on the film letting them know it is under the genre 'horror thriller'. These include; a small injection, a old man mask, a police costumes, a light coloured work outfit, a saw, fake blood, candles, fake heart, fingers, eyes and other various body parts, black worker boots, dark clothing, chains and other small props. These are all important and significate when creating a film as they are all there for a reason and some even help solve the ignima of the film. Some are used as clues, weapons and some even to portray characters feelings and their role in the production. In my film the injection is used as a weapon and is the main iconography piece within my whole film, it is used as an image within our title and is what our killer uses as a weapon, it is conventional as it is sharpe and painful when piercing the skin and is usually used as a drug to poison and damage people, this is a strange and uncommly used weapon in the media today so we thought we would use it instead of using your typical axe or saw, this adds an interesting twist to the production and keeps the audience guessing why it is being used. The old man mask is used to break the typical stereotype for a killer, old people are seen as vunerable and innocent to the media's eye and wouldn't be expected to kill. This is conventional as it is showing that we are trying to break the pattern and be different to other thriller movies. The police uniform adds to this perception as it makes our killer look even less to blame, police officers make victims feel safe and at rest. This puts a spin on our storyline as it confuses the audience when they eventually find out he is our killer and the decoy is just a distraction. By using fake blood, hearts, fingers and body parts it makes the opening more grim and gory, keeping the audience aware that they are going to be watching a thriller movie. These are convetional as they are showing the killing of a character and the likeliness of torture before hand, it keeps the audience guessing and mortified as to why this is all happening all adding up to the engima.
Costume, Hair and Make-up
Within our opening scene we have four characters all of which are wearing costumes that resemble their portrayed personalities and their roles within a film. Our four characters are Phoebe Snellgrove playing Anne Angela as our victim, James Garszke playing Luke Lusifer as our killer, Joe Lascaris playing Robert Rage as our decoy and finally Bobby Burke as Henry Hartsaviour as our hero.
Phoebe Snellgrove will be wearing a grey work suit followed by heels and a black bag. She will be wearing a white/cream shirt and will have pale make-up and her hair tied up. These are all contriversial as the grey suit signifies her importance in the world of work it shows she is grown up and sofisicated, she is a working middle class woman. Her heels suggest she is working up in the city as she is well dresses and carrying a large bag. Her pale make-up and creamy shirt reprisent her innocence and her purity. Her hair being tied up simply shows she has been hard at work and is probably tired as she is coming home at a late hour, not glammed up nor having a face full of make-up she is your typical working girl and is relatable to our audience. This is important as we would like the audience to connect with her throughout the film and be able to relate and put themselves into her shoes, making the scenes far much more intense and more frightening.
James Garszke will be wearing a police officer costume which consists of a white skirt with black pads on the top, a walkie talkie, police hat, black work boots, navy trousers, black tie, badge and clipboard. These items are to make the audience believe he is a genuin police officer and is harmless.
This is to confuse the audience into thinking this character is the hero and having a small likeability to the persons role. He will be wearing an old man mask to make him seem more vunerable and likeable. The black tie symbolises a working man this is conventional as most killers do not show their place of work and it is breaking the pattern, the navy trousers symbolise trust as the colour blue means trust and peace. This is there to lead the audience to believe he is innocent. The clipboard and badge is just there to show he is geniune and real adding to the characters role and later become a vital part of the coupance of the killing.
Joe Lascaris will be wearing all black, this is to make him come across as dark and mysterious, he is thought to be the killer and will be viewed by the audience as scary and overpowering. His make-up will be pale and lifeless his face will be dirty and he will be wearing muddy shoes (as if he has just came out of a forest) he will have dark bags underneath his eyes and will look very rough, he is bald which shows he may have been a recent convict in prison and a typical thug. He is a large man and is very broad and musclely this all adds to his character and role and helps the audience identify his characters role and why he is a good distractiona and decoy. His costume is conventional as all killers wear dark mysterious clothing and look warn out and tired from sleepless nights and taunting victims until late hours. They dress in black to hide their identity and keep themselves unseen and undescribable.
Bobby Burke will be wearing typical everyday clothes, a white t-shirt, jeans, black shoes and a coat. His character is very simple and laid back, his make-up will be kept minimal and will not look very different to your everyday man. This is conventional as heros tend to blend in with the croud and do not look any different from anyone else, unless of course if they are a super hero or have magical powers. But as our film is set in modern times and is fit to be in relatity it would be conventional to keep our hero in normal clothes. However we used the white t-shirt to symbolise his angelicness and heroic presents as white symbolises that.
Facial Expressions and Body Language
Body language is key when pulling off a character and making the audience believe you are in the fitted role. In our production Phoebe will be walking upright and will look powerful, however this will be overshaddowed with her tiredness and will make her viewed as vunderable to the audience, her facial expressions are going to be kept minimal when walking home, she may have a little sing to her ipod as she walks through the alley way and seem soft and cheerful, this is key when making someone seem like an easy target. She will scream and kick and be made to been seen as powerless and small later on in the filming as she is being dragged out of the alleyway. James will be walking upright also to show his powerfulness and importance in character, he is in complete control of his surroundings and is the main character within the frames.
This conventional to a thriller as the Victims facial expressions must make the audience feel uncomfortable and the Killers body language must show authority and power. Joe will be very slouwched and grungy looking when he walks towards Phoebe this is key when using a decoy as they must fit the killers role perfectly or they will fail in catching the audience's attention and making the film more interesting and questionable, this is conventional as new thriller films try to use decoys to throw the audience off track when trying to solve the engima of the story. His facial expressions will be angry and distressed this is to make the audience feel uncomfortable and on edge when he is put onscreen. Bobby will be happy and cheerful but also worried and alert, it is key for a hero to show all of these emotions throughout the opening scene as a conventional hero would do the same. Bobby is young and strong he is eger to help and needs to get the audience to be on his side. This is conventional as in most thriller films the audience take the heros side and try to solve the crime with them.
Lighting and Colour
Low-key lighting is going to be used throughout most of our filming this is because most thriller movies use the dark to either hide peoples identities or create an eerie atmostphere. This is conventional to the genre as it makes it more scary and adds to the enigma. Breif moments of normal lighting will be used to break up the tention and leave the audience on edge. This is to create suspence and leave the audience guessing. Low-key lighting is a main feature of thriller films as the dark is always used to symbolise the unknown and makes people feel unsafe and uncomfortable. This is great when wanting the audience to not expect what is coming out of the darkness. We are using a small amout of black and white footage at the end to change up the mood and the audiences perspective. The audience are left on a cliff hanger and the black and white is there to show the opening scene is coming to an end and that the last few seconds are important and are in the pov of the hero. This enables the audience to understand the change of view and analyse what is going on and create a brief idea of what they think is going to happen next and their own individual expectation of the films outcome.
Positioning of Characters and Objects within the frame
The killer is going to be in the frontal view of most frames to show that he is the main character he will also be viewed from below, the victim is going to be viewed from above and also from their pov alot of the time, the hero will be viewed the same, however at the end the hero will then take the main role and will be the audience's main connection to solving the strories engima. The decoy will be shot from below and front on as he is suppose to make the audience believe he is the killer. This shots are conventional as when you are trying to show someones vunerability you film them from above. This is almost like a bird looking down on its prey. By using a birds eye view the victim is made to be seen as smaller and more likely to be attacked. When making someone seem powerful a low angle shot is used this is almost like a child looking up to a powerful larger figure it makes the character seem stronger and in control. This is conventional to a thriller as it shows the audience what kind of roles each character is going to portray without them even saying a word. POV is used to put the audience in that characters shoes usually used on victims and heros this is so the audience can connect with them and feel what they feel. It is important to let your audience identify with your main characters as it helps them persue what is going to happen and sticks them in that postition sometimes whether they like it or not. The audience will have an automatic reaction to what they are feeling and this is conventional to any thriller as they want the audience to be frightened of the unknown and unexspected.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Wednesday, 5 December 2012
Production Roles
Production Roles
Within any film production there are roles that need to be allocated to individuals or small groups of people, so that the making of the film flows and is well organised. The main roles within a film production are: camera operator, actors, sound technicians, film editors, and location manager and storyboard organiser.
The Roles within our group are as followed, Our camera operator is max this because he has a clearly artistic view on the visualisation of the film opening, he has a strong relationship with the characters within the film and is good at creating the right type of feeling and mood in the scene. Our actors are Phoebe Snellgrove, James Garzke, Joe Lascaris and Bobby Burke. They have all had previous acting experiences and are currently studying drama at A-Level. They are all brilliant actors and are committed to their character roles. Sound technicians, we are all participating in the sound editing within our thriller opening as we all wanted an equal input, we believe the sound is going to be one of our most important aspect of a thriller film, we believe that the music is key when setting an atmosphere. Our film editors are going to be all three of the members of the group, this is because we all want to make the final decision when it comes to choosing how the film is going to be presented. The film director is Luke, we chose him for this role as we believed that he knew the most about our story line, he has a strong relationship with the cameraman and make a good team. The groups locations manager is myself as I am the most organised, this is very important when arranging times and placement within a film, everyone must be present and on time. I am also the groups storyboard organiser, I took this role as I am good at drawing the imagery of the scene and we believe the two roles I have undertaken link to one another and the skills I have are good for both.
Camera operators perform a vital role within a film, they support the director
by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shots and development.
The camera operator needs to get the correct art direction, lighting
composition and camera movement to create the right cinematic experience.
Actors learn about their characters and other supporting characters and their
relationships with them within their scene in order to develop role
interpretations. They can perform humorous and serious interpretations of
emotions, actions and situations using body movements, facial expressions and
gestures. They portray a role in order to entertain, inform and connect with an
audience. They work closely with directors to find the interpreted most suited
to the roles.
Sound technician’s role is very important in every performance. He/she makes sure that any audio or sound that is picked up by microphones, amplifiers, etc. is processed properly. The sound technician handles the mixing board and adjusts volume levels of the microphone and the sound coming from various musical instruments used in a performance.
Film editors must have a degree of technical aptitude and wide experience of the production process. Since most films are now edited on computers, they must also be able to use a variety of computer editing equipment. They should understand dramatic storytelling and be able to create rhythm, pace and tension.
Location Managers' primary role is to identify and find ideal locations for a
film shoot, reporting to the Producer and Director. The role also
involves negotiating with each location's owners about a number of issues, such
as the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise
reduction, and what official permissions may be required. Once filming
has begun, Location Managers are in charge of managing all aspects of shooting
in each location, and also ensuring that every location is handed back to its
owners in a satisfactory condition after the shoot.
A storyboard artist has the unique responsibility to actually draw out various aspects of the scenes of the movie, television or video production before the film crew actually shoots or films the scene. This allows the film crew to have a visual idea of what the director wants in the scene before the actors, actresses, props and set are actually developed and on sight. The role of a good storyboard artist is to prevent a lot of wasted time in filming aspects of the scene that are not what the director is looking for.
Within any film production there are roles that need to be allocated to individuals or small groups of people, so that the making of the film flows and is well organised. The main roles within a film production are: camera operator, actors, sound technicians, film editors, and location manager and storyboard organiser.
The Roles within our group are as followed, Our camera operator is max this because he has a clearly artistic view on the visualisation of the film opening, he has a strong relationship with the characters within the film and is good at creating the right type of feeling and mood in the scene. Our actors are Phoebe Snellgrove, James Garzke, Joe Lascaris and Bobby Burke. They have all had previous acting experiences and are currently studying drama at A-Level. They are all brilliant actors and are committed to their character roles. Sound technicians, we are all participating in the sound editing within our thriller opening as we all wanted an equal input, we believe the sound is going to be one of our most important aspect of a thriller film, we believe that the music is key when setting an atmosphere. Our film editors are going to be all three of the members of the group, this is because we all want to make the final decision when it comes to choosing how the film is going to be presented. The film director is Luke, we chose him for this role as we believed that he knew the most about our story line, he has a strong relationship with the cameraman and make a good team. The groups locations manager is myself as I am the most organised, this is very important when arranging times and placement within a film, everyone must be present and on time. I am also the groups storyboard organiser, I took this role as I am good at drawing the imagery of the scene and we believe the two roles I have undertaken link to one another and the skills I have are good for both.
Camera operators perform a vital role within a film, they support the director
by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shots and development.
The camera operator needs to get the correct art direction, lighting
composition and camera movement to create the right cinematic experience. 
Actors learn about their characters and other supporting characters and their
relationships with them within their scene in order to develop role
interpretations. They can perform humorous and serious interpretations of
emotions, actions and situations using body movements, facial expressions and
gestures. They portray a role in order to entertain, inform and connect with an
audience. They work closely with directors to find the interpreted most suited
to the roles. Sound technician’s role is very important in every performance. He/she makes sure that any audio or sound that is picked up by microphones, amplifiers, etc. is processed properly. The sound technician handles the mixing board and adjusts volume levels of the microphone and the sound coming from various musical instruments used in a performance.
Film editors must have a degree of technical aptitude and wide experience of the production process. Since most films are now edited on computers, they must also be able to use a variety of computer editing equipment. They should understand dramatic storytelling and be able to create rhythm, pace and tension.
Location Managers' primary role is to identify and find ideal locations for a
film shoot, reporting to the Producer and Director. The role also
involves negotiating with each location's owners about a number of issues, such
as the cost and terms of the hire, crew and vehicle access, parking, noise
reduction, and what official permissions may be required. Once filming
has begun, Location Managers are in charge of managing all aspects of shooting
in each location, and also ensuring that every location is handed back to its
owners in a satisfactory condition after the shoot.A storyboard artist has the unique responsibility to actually draw out various aspects of the scenes of the movie, television or video production before the film crew actually shoots or films the scene. This allows the film crew to have a visual idea of what the director wants in the scene before the actors, actresses, props and set are actually developed and on sight. The role of a good storyboard artist is to prevent a lot of wasted time in filming aspects of the scene that are not what the director is looking for.
Monday, 3 December 2012
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Age certificate (own thriller movie) - Miss Hartt
Our thriller movie is going to be given an aged 15 certificate as it will attract a larger age range and will be easier to appeal to, a 12 rating would be too low for our thriller film as bad language will be used and will not be suitable, however it is not going to be an 18 either as that would create a far smaller audience.
Language: There may be frequent use of strong language; the strongest terms are only rarely acceptable. Continued aggressive use of strong language and sexual abuse is unacceptable.
- Strong language will only be used briefly when moving the woman’s body the car.
Nudity: There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
- No nudity is being used in our thriller movie
Sex: Sexual activity and nudity may be portrayed but without strong detail. The depiction of casual sex should be handled responsibly. There may be occasional strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
-There will be no sexual activities in our thriller movie
Violence: Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain, and of injuries. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
-The use of an injection is our outlook on weaponry and will not inflict on pain nor injuries when filming in the alley way. Sexual violence could be suggestible to the audience however will not be prohibited and will be very briefly noted.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives).
The cutting up of the body in the opening scene’s cuts will not be shown in detail, sound will be used to portray the slashing and the knife will not be caught on screen, leaving the audience to use only their imagination.
Horror: Sustained or detailed infliction of pain or injury is unacceptable.
The drug will be worn off quickly and will not cause any self-harm to the character.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug use.
The drug will be used as a dangerous and lethal weapon and will not be promoted or encouraged in any shape or form.
Questionnaire - Miss Hartt
Questionnaire
1. Are you male or female?
2. What age group are you in?
11-15 16-21 22-30 31-40 41-49 50+
3. Do you like thriller movies?
4.What is your favourite thriller film if you had to choose?
5. What sub-genre did it fall under?
Conspiracy thriller Crime thriller Disaster Thriller Mystery Thriller Political Thriller Religious Thriller Supernatural Thriller or Techno Thriller - please circle
6.What age rating was given to your favourite thriller film?
7. Do you think this age rating was suitable ? yes or no
if no please state why
8.What was the last thriller film you watched?
9. What is your favourite age rating to watch when looking at thriller films and why?
10. Do you think thriller films have changed significantly in the past 10 years?
if yes please state why and what you think has caused this change
11. What character do you identify with the most when watching a thriller movie?
hero villain victim or other please state
12. When watching a thriller film do you prefer to watch it alone or with friends?
13. What do you expect to see in a thriller movie ?
14. What is your favourite part of a thriller film? The jaw-breaking opening scene, the tension in the middle or the relief at the end?
15. Do you find films more scary when they are more realistic and based on true stories?
1. Are you male or female?
2. What age group are you in?
11-15 16-21 22-30 31-40 41-49 50+
3. Do you like thriller movies?
4.What is your favourite thriller film if you had to choose?
5. What sub-genre did it fall under?
Conspiracy thriller Crime thriller Disaster Thriller Mystery Thriller Political Thriller Religious Thriller Supernatural Thriller or Techno Thriller - please circle
6.What age rating was given to your favourite thriller film?
7. Do you think this age rating was suitable ? yes or no
if no please state why
8.What was the last thriller film you watched?
9. What is your favourite age rating to watch when looking at thriller films and why?
10. Do you think thriller films have changed significantly in the past 10 years?
if yes please state why and what you think has caused this change
11. What character do you identify with the most when watching a thriller movie?
hero villain victim or other please state
12. When watching a thriller film do you prefer to watch it alone or with friends?
13. What do you expect to see in a thriller movie ?
14. What is your favourite part of a thriller film? The jaw-breaking opening scene, the tension in the middle or the relief at the end?
15. Do you find films more scary when they are more realistic and based on true stories?
Psycho shower scene - Miss Hartt
Hitchcock uses point-of-view and direct address editing preceding the famous shower scene in Psycho, during which the camera manipulates the spectator's perspective through cutting. The enhancing of the conventions
Hitchcock uses the editing in Psycho to enhance the codes and conventions of the thriller genre this is done by using different camera shots to signify importance and creating a flowing scene. Hitchcock uses point-of-view and direct address editing. In the famous shower scene in Psycho Hitchcock connects with the audience on equal grounds, by showing the characters point of view (POV) it is allowing the audience to engage with that character and puts them in their perspective. This is conventional to a thriller film as it gives the audience a taste of the characters fear at that point; it keeps the audience on the edge of their seat and allows them to identify the danger and surroundings on a more intimate level. During which the camera manipulates the spectator’s perspective through cutting. The audience are limited as to what they can see, the killers identity has been hidden by dark shadows, this is conventional to the thriller genre as it is keeping the killers identity unknown and mysterious. The dark shadows are conventional to the genre as it creates a dark and creepy atmosphere.
Fast editing is used when Marion is getting stabbed in the shower, the cuts include shots of her hands feet and stomach getting stabbed one after another, this is done within about 20 seconds of filming. It is conventional to a thriller film to have fast paste editing this is to keep the audience engaged and alert. In this instant the main character has just died this begins to trigger questions in the audience’s head as to what is going to happen in the rest of the film and to who the mysterious killer is and what their intentions are, this sets the stories enigma and allows the audience’s minds to flow.
Slow editing is used in the beginning and end of the shower stabbing, it is used at the beginning to create the beginning equilibrium. This is when the shower is turned on and when stepping into the shower. The audience do not know at this point that Marion is stepping into the cause of her death the shower knob could be used as a trigger of Marion’s death. After the stabbing, the camera tracks the blood going down the plug whole this is to signify the characters life going down the drain and the close up of the eye is to trigger what the audience have just witnessed in her POV.
The blood is highlighted as a convention as it is an essential aspect of a thriller film, it creates realness and reality to a shot and is there to exaggerate what the characters are feeling and to creep out the audience. Blood is used as a gore aspect to grab the audience’s attention and keep them on guard. ‘Normans mother’ is shown using a black silhouette her knife is shown using a close-up exaggerating its significance to the thriller genre and keeping the audience alert. The knife is a form of weaponry and is used in thriller films to scare the audience and cause drama.
During the stabbing, Marion uses her hands to try and prevent ‘Normans mother’ from cutting her, this highlights the convention of there being a ‘victim’ and a ‘murderer’ this is conventional as most thrillers have these two characters, the victim is usually a young woman who is in a venerable place and has no protection usually ‘on the run’. The murderer usually has a weapon of some sort and is in their comfort zone. This makes the villain the more dominant character and makes the audience feel uncomfortable.
Most conventional themes are either about greed, envy, jealousy, pursuit etc. ‘Normans mother’ is jealous of the young girl’s effect on Norman and wants to put an end to it. This is what triggers the start of the stabbing and creates the enigma to the rest of the story line.
Friday, 26 October 2012
GROUP NARRATIVE
Group Narrative
Amys Ideas
- Innocent girl
- Male old killer
- White significance for female
-Black significance for male
- Mask
Lukes Ideas
- Posion injection
-Target marker teenagers
-White significance for female
-Blue police officer suit
this is to mislead the audience
it creates a better enigma of the story
Maxs Ideas
-Alley way
- Train station
- Fast editing
- Isolated young girl
- Boot of the car
-Stalker /
Adams Idea
- Low key lighting
-Old man
-Young teenager
-Abandoned location
-Ghosts
-Shaddowing
GROUP IDEA INCLUDES
Our groups idea includes the use of low-key lighting, it will be filmed using the alley way next to loughton station, at loughton station and in the boot of a car. The characters will include a young innocent girl wearing white and a old man wearing a blue overcoat this is using everyones ideas and still confusing the audience into who is innocent as the man will be wearing blue which is the colour of trust contradicting the audience and who to connect with as a viewer. The old man is a stalker and injects a posion into the young girls neck in the alley way the girl will be thrown into the boot of a car fast editing will be used when moving the body the alley way will be adondoned using a sense of an abandoned location. Shaddowing will be used when filming this scene and walking through the alley way.
Amys Ideas
- Innocent girl
- Male old killer
- White significance for female
-Black significance for male
- Mask
Lukes Ideas
- Posion injection
-Target marker teenagers
-White significance for female
-Blue police officer suit
this is to mislead the audience
it creates a better enigma of the story
Maxs Ideas
-Alley way
- Train station
- Fast editing
- Isolated young girl
- Boot of the car
-Stalker /
Adams Idea
- Low key lighting
-Old man
-Young teenager
-Abandoned location
-Ghosts
-Shaddowing
GROUP IDEA INCLUDES
Our groups idea includes the use of low-key lighting, it will be filmed using the alley way next to loughton station, at loughton station and in the boot of a car. The characters will include a young innocent girl wearing white and a old man wearing a blue overcoat this is using everyones ideas and still confusing the audience into who is innocent as the man will be wearing blue which is the colour of trust contradicting the audience and who to connect with as a viewer. The old man is a stalker and injects a posion into the young girls neck in the alley way the girl will be thrown into the boot of a car fast editing will be used when moving the body the alley way will be adondoned using a sense of an abandoned location. Shaddowing will be used when filming this scene and walking through the alley way.
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Film Classification
Film Classification
Films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
FOR EXAMPLE: LADY AND THE TRAMP
Films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. FOR EXAMPLE: LADY AND THE TRAMP
The role of the BBFC - Hartt
Explain why the BBFC is important to the film industry
The BBFC stands for British Boards of Film Classification it sets specific boundaries for age groups so that certain audience members do not view anything unsuitable. For example you wouldn't want a five year old
The BBFC stands for British Boards of Film Classification it sets specific boundaries for age groups so that certain audience members do not view anything unsuitable. For example you wouldn't want a five year old
Monday, 15 October 2012
Individual Narrative
Task one
characters: killer, victim, teenagers, masked(clown),
theme: childhood stalker
narrative: isolated forest, camping trip, stalker, halloween
section of film:opening scene
Group narrative
- Characters: Killer (old man mask) Victim (young working girl) Hero (random man)
- Theme: Stalker, Pervert, Injecting poison into her, creep
-Narrative: isolated alley way, car boot, underpass.
- Section of film: opening scene
Group shot ideas
-white shirt, cream skirt and blazer for woman
-trilby hat, blue police uniform
-hero
characters: killer, victim, teenagers, masked(clown),
theme: childhood stalker
narrative: isolated forest, camping trip, stalker, halloween
section of film:opening scene
Group narrative
- Characters: Killer (old man mask) Victim (young working girl) Hero (random man)
- Theme: Stalker, Pervert, Injecting poison into her, creep
-Narrative: isolated alley way, car boot, underpass.
- Section of film: opening scene
Group shot ideas
-white shirt, cream skirt and blazer for woman
-trilby hat, blue police uniform
-hero
Friday, 12 October 2012
History of a thriller genre - Hartt
History of the thriller genre
The three main sub-genres that thriller films are usually organised into are mystery, suspense and detective thrillers. Thriller films create tension, anxiety, and ambiguity, an increase on expectations, high levels of expectancy, suspense and excitement. A thriller genre has a narrative aim to pursue a single minded goal of thrills towards the audience as well as tension to keep the audience ‘on the edge of their seats’. Thrillers usually take place in settings like ordinary suburb/cities. However sometimes they may take place partly or wholly in exotic settings such as foreign cities, Polar Regions, deserts or the high seas. The heroes in most thrillers are frequently ordinary citizens unfamiliar to danger. Though more common in crime thrillers, there may be a mob or a gang of men accustomed to danger, like police officers and detectives for example. While heroes have traditionally been men, woman lead characters has increased and become fairly popular. For example: Lost the television show is based on a desert island whereas the television show 24 is set in New York city.
In many sentiments the media believe that the thriller genre has changed from being more psychological to blood and gore based. The horror genre has slightly influenced the thriller genre in the recent years; they have more gore/sadistic violence, terror, brutality and death counts. Recent thrillers that went down this path were Funny Games, Untraceable, The last house on the left and P2. Thriller genres can correspondingly mix into the sub-genre conspiracy thrillers, mystery thrillers, political thrillers, psychological thrillers, disaster thrillers and religious thrillers. While most thrillers are formed in some combination of the above sub-genres they have recently been mixed with the horror genre, spy genre and action/adventure.
Heavy rain was a well selling video game related to the thriller genre made for PlayStation 3. Heavy rain allows you the audience to make your own decisions as to where the story will lead you giving you four perspectives, and one task. The gaming character has to track down a killer that is on the loose. This game is full of exciting, tense and anxious situations leaving the player on edge and with high levels of suspense. This is probably one of the most appealing games on the market as part of the allure is the act in which that the story isn’t just told but is given a chance to be directed into how it is told. The plot is usually taken by the villain character who dowries obstacles that the hero or heroine must over look and get through. Suspense novels are the key to thrillers, one could argue that a film without a suspense filled enigma is not made for success. Thriller films are packed with non-stop action, high stakes, red herrings, plot twists that all not only surprise but excite the audience, in settings that are exotic and vibrant and have a constant pace that builds up throughout the film this explodes at the adrenalin packed climax.
Alfred Hitchcock once said: “The purpose of a thriller is to put their toe in the cold water of fear to see what its like.”
The three main sub-genres that thriller films are usually organised into are mystery, suspense and detective thrillers. Thriller films create tension, anxiety, and ambiguity, an increase on expectations, high levels of expectancy, suspense and excitement. A thriller genre has a narrative aim to pursue a single minded goal of thrills towards the audience as well as tension to keep the audience ‘on the edge of their seats’. Thrillers usually take place in settings like ordinary suburb/cities. However sometimes they may take place partly or wholly in exotic settings such as foreign cities, Polar Regions, deserts or the high seas. The heroes in most thrillers are frequently ordinary citizens unfamiliar to danger. Though more common in crime thrillers, there may be a mob or a gang of men accustomed to danger, like police officers and detectives for example. While heroes have traditionally been men, woman lead characters has increased and become fairly popular. For example: Lost the television show is based on a desert island whereas the television show 24 is set in New York city.
In many sentiments the media believe that the thriller genre has changed from being more psychological to blood and gore based. The horror genre has slightly influenced the thriller genre in the recent years; they have more gore/sadistic violence, terror, brutality and death counts. Recent thrillers that went down this path were Funny Games, Untraceable, The last house on the left and P2. Thriller genres can correspondingly mix into the sub-genre conspiracy thrillers, mystery thrillers, political thrillers, psychological thrillers, disaster thrillers and religious thrillers. While most thrillers are formed in some combination of the above sub-genres they have recently been mixed with the horror genre, spy genre and action/adventure.
Heavy rain was a well selling video game related to the thriller genre made for PlayStation 3. Heavy rain allows you the audience to make your own decisions as to where the story will lead you giving you four perspectives, and one task. The gaming character has to track down a killer that is on the loose. This game is full of exciting, tense and anxious situations leaving the player on edge and with high levels of suspense. This is probably one of the most appealing games on the market as part of the allure is the act in which that the story isn’t just told but is given a chance to be directed into how it is told. The plot is usually taken by the villain character who dowries obstacles that the hero or heroine must over look and get through. Suspense novels are the key to thrillers, one could argue that a film without a suspense filled enigma is not made for success. Thriller films are packed with non-stop action, high stakes, red herrings, plot twists that all not only surprise but excite the audience, in settings that are exotic and vibrant and have a constant pace that builds up throughout the film this explodes at the adrenalin packed climax.
Alfred Hitchcock once said: “The purpose of a thriller is to put their toe in the cold water of fear to see what its like.”
Sound Analysis - Miss Georgiou
In the opening of the scene Ali is running her hand across the top of a crop field, contrapuntal sound is used here as that would usually be seen as a gentle action this questions the characters personality and portrays a mysterious image.
This is then broken when the glass door is smashed (on screen sound) and Ali opens the door to Beyoncé’s house through the smashed glass. The audience become more aware of why the contrapuntal sound is used, it continues throughout while Ali is sneaking around the house, the audience knows this because on-screen sound is used for light-sound activities such as glasses clinking together. This sound is a quite noise the fact that the audience can hear these sounds and they are presented loudly in sound lets the audience know that Ali’s surroundings are quite and she is moving around quietly.
When Beyoncé gets a call that reminds her to turn on the alarm she sets back home, the car spinning back around is filmed and on screen sound is used again. Beyonce is filmed taking a U turn back around to her house, it is done in a bird’s eye view this alerts the audience that she is vulnerable and is going to be in danger. The same is used when the car is pulling up on the drive. While this is happening the mysterious light but deep music is still being used as a contrapuntal sound.
Ali is then filmed walking up the stairs this presents to the audience that she is a mysterious character as her red shoes show love and passion but also anger. These feelings clash well with the music to confuse the audience further. Again showing the audience that Ali should not be in the house is the door creaking (on screen sound) and her footsteps up the stairs not making a sound, this means Ali was slow when opening the door just in case someone was behind it. She carries on moving around the room places the glasses down and scatters rose petals across the bed.
Meanwhile Beyoncé is getting out of the car, she unbuckles her seatbelt (on screen sound) this sounds like a trigger of a gun, it allows the audience to expect there to be a battle of some kind. She gets out of the car and opens the door to her house, she walks straight to the alarm unaware that Ali is in her house and begins to type in the code (on screen sound again) Ali is in the bedroom and pops a champagne bottle, this alerts Beyoncé and the music becomes more rapid and the audience are made to sit on the edge of their chair.
Parallel sound is used while Ali is setting the scene for what looks like a romantic evening. This is then interrupted by Beyoncé when she enters the room. The diverse acts between the characters make them end up in a fight. Parallel sound is used when Ali looks up at Beyoncé after she is called delusional the music changes slightly to give more effect of her disgusted face, fast paste music is used throughout the whole fight scene.
They begin to fight and a lamp is smashed in the process this is done by using off screen sound, this was probably so the cast didn’t have to actually break the lamp. You do not see the lamp being broken but the audience can hear a clear smash as it supposedly hits the ground. Ali then uses the long wooden part of the lamp as a weapon this is conventional, the music gets faster creating tension.
Beyoncé’s phone begins to ring this is shown using both on screen and off screen straight cuts. When Beyoncé’s phone is ringing in her bag the audience is shown a close up of her phone this is on screen sound, meanwhile it cuts to Beyoncé and Ali fighting and the phone continues to ring this is called off screen sound. Beyoncé then loses Ali and the music changes while she is looking for her. The music is far creepier and light it creates suspense and keeps the audience’s attention. While looking Beyoncé pulls a light switch this has the same effect as the seatbelt and has an uncanny resemblance to a trigger on a gun. Ali then springs out from the left of Beyoncé and begins to attack her, the light switch is another example of Diegetic sound.
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Sub-Genres of Thriller - Hartt
Sub-genres
Conspiracy Thriller
This type of genre consists of some sort of hero or heroine (protagonist) who are stereotypically journalists or armature investigators who find themselves trapped in a very powerful organisation. The companies are usually brought down by the protagonist character. This is all about Good vs. Evil. Conspiracy thrillers often play with the secrecy of governments and major organisations in history.
Crime Thriller
The hybrid between crime and thriller has created a more suspenseful account to showing successful and failed crime acts on film. Crime thrillers emphasise action over psychological aspects although there is also a psychological part to this genre as-well. Topics covered are usually double-crosses, heists, shootouts, chases, robberies, killers &murders. Crime thrillers focus more on the criminals and their actives.
Disaster Thriller
This sub-genre follows a certain groups or persons survival in conflict with natural or artificial disaster like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes eruptions. Some disaster films have also had causes of human activity that has brought mankind on the fence of extinction through nuclear disasters which are artificial. This genre is all about the future and what could happen to mankind if such disasters were to happen.
Mystery Thriller
This sub-genre clashes with the crime sub-genre. However it focuses mostly on the efforts of the detective or the private investigator in order to solve the films enigma. The sub-genre looks at the happenings of the enigma or the crime itself in order to try and figure out what the clues add up to. Audiences are made to take part of the search as they usually follow the protagonise and grow a strong bond with them. This brings a more dramatic effect to the films mystery during the investigation.
Political Thriller
This sub-genre looks into the hopes and stability of the government and the reliance on a hero or heroine (protagonist) who must ensure the stability of the government that employs him in order to prevent a bad things from happening. Repeatedly used scenarios are the US presidential elections and the preventions of world wars occurring .
Religious Thriller
This sub-genre looks at the plots closely religious objects, institutions and questions. Many religious related films usually unravel the positive and the negetive points about religion and how it overcomes the bad in films, through a quest to finding out the truth
Supernatural Thriller
This sub-genre often brings an otherworldly element that shows something out of the ordinary happening to a protagonist that had to overcome this powerful factor. Supernatural thrillers are also mixed in with tension and suspense in addition to having unsuspected twist during the film. The hero and the villain usually have a close link to religious thrillers as usually daemons entering the human body, alien life form, apparitions or the possession of a pivotal character is a element of a super natural thriller film
Techno Thriller
This sub-genre is all out the sophisticated technology playing a prominent part in taking over the world, giving the new world order where mankind is then run by robots. This subgenre is mainly based on fictional speculations on life that tend to follow a science fiction trend. There are many common themes that fall well into this category like world wars, action and science fictional occurrences like aliens taking over with a new manipulation of technologies.
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
What is a thriller film? (Miss Georgiou)
What is a thriller film?
Codes and conventions of the thriller genre:
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense -death
-dark colours -shock
-surprise -weapons (iconography)
-dark location -killer/victim
-following -hidden identity
-tension -mythes and legends
-good vs evil -trapped
-distressed woman -paste of music
- enigma (mystery) - unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up -slow paste
-fast paste -music helps provoke meanings
The three S’s – Shock Suspense Surprise
For example in the opening of the film Saw, all three if these emotions appear on the audiences faces when watching the victim stopping his blood flow, this creates suspense. The build-up to cutting his food off greatens. The characters facial expressions show shock, this reflects on the audience as they cannot believe what is going on. Finally the audience is left surprised that the character has gone to the extreme of cutting his foot off.
Low-key Lighting
For example in the film opening of The Ring low-key lighting is used to set a dark mysterious mood to the house. Shadowing is used effectively in the form of reflections. This creates the adrenaline rush to increase as the rousing anticipation fills their minds.
Unknown Location
For example in the opening film trailer Saw, the lights are off. The dark, gloomy setting creates the feel of unknown territory this is common in thriller films as they are usually set in unknown locations. Even after the lights are switched on the location is abandoned, filthy and unused this creates the same appeal to the audience
Iconography&Enigma
In the Saw scene, the camera pans a supposedly dead body in which holds a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. this creates the audiences first glimpse of the enigma. The iconography is significant as it is a convention to thriller films. It creates the idea of violence, helplessness and cruelty.
Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound
For example in the film No Country For Old Men the footsteps are made using diegetic sound this creates tension as it is followed by Slow editing. This is a convention of the thriller genre as it keeps people on edge and the audience engaged.
Colour
Usually in thriller films victims are put in white clothing this is to embrace their purity and innocence. The killer or the 'bad guy' is usually wearing black. This shows mystery and a presents of death. This is conventional as most thrillers are set on a good vs evil plot. For example in Scream.
Hidden Identity
For example in every Scream movie the identity of the killer is hidden throughout by wearing a mask. This is the plot of the whole film and is a conventional aspect, it keeps the audience alert and on the look out for clues to the stories enigma.
SAW OPENING SCENE
The location at the beginning of the clip is unrecognizable, the low-key lighting creates shadowing around the room, there is a voice a few seconds into the clip that creates the setting for the stories enigma. Once the lights are turned on the location becomes clear. Fast editing is used when the lights are switched on. This catches the audiences' attention, and puts all eyes on the location. The scene is set in a abandoned bathroom, this follows the conventions as most thriller's are set in abandoned, unknown places. There is a victim lying in the middle of the floor, this adds onto the stories enigma, as well as this it allows the audience to predict predict what they believe is going on. the body is covered in blood, there is a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. These items are viewed in a close up shot. Thriller films tend to do this to signify to the audience that that item is important and needs to be taken into account when solving the stories enigma. The blood and the gun are both conventional to the thriller genre as the iconography is to include things like knifes, ropes and chains for example. It is all helping adding to the suspense. The colours used in the scene are light colours white is used to symbolise innocence and good. However the clothes the characters are wearing have been tarnished and ripped there are blood stains on their shirts, they've been injured. The audience are made to believe that the man lying is to be an assumed victim. He is wearing white, and the high above shot of his body resembles his venerability and the audience are made to feel sorry for him as he has clearly been tortured as he has a blow to the head and blood puddles surrounding him.
Scream Opening Scene Codes and conventions
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense -death
-dark colours -shock
-surprise -weapons (iconography)
-dark location -killer/victim
-following -hidden identity
-tension -mythes and legends
-good vs evil -trapped
-distressed woman -paste of music
- enigma (mystery) -unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up -slow paste
-fast paste -music helps provoke meanings
Target Audience The target audience for Scream is aged around 15+
Audience Expectations
Shock, Surprise, Suspence
Micro Element
Narrative
Representation
Themes
How can you use this film to help you plan your own thriller film?
Codes and conventions of the thriller genre:
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense -death
-dark colours -shock
-surprise -weapons (iconography)
-dark location -killer/victim
-following -hidden identity
-tension -mythes and legends
-good vs evil -trapped
-distressed woman -paste of music
- enigma (mystery) - unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up -slow paste
-fast paste -music helps provoke meanings
The three S’s – Shock Suspense Surprise
For example in the opening of the film Saw, all three if these emotions appear on the audiences faces when watching the victim stopping his blood flow, this creates suspense. The build-up to cutting his food off greatens. The characters facial expressions show shock, this reflects on the audience as they cannot believe what is going on. Finally the audience is left surprised that the character has gone to the extreme of cutting his foot off.
Low-key Lighting
For example in the film opening of The Ring low-key lighting is used to set a dark mysterious mood to the house. Shadowing is used effectively in the form of reflections. This creates the adrenaline rush to increase as the rousing anticipation fills their minds.
Unknown Location
For example in the opening film trailer Saw, the lights are off. The dark, gloomy setting creates the feel of unknown territory this is common in thriller films as they are usually set in unknown locations. Even after the lights are switched on the location is abandoned, filthy and unused this creates the same appeal to the audience
Iconography&Enigma
In the Saw scene, the camera pans a supposedly dead body in which holds a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. this creates the audiences first glimpse of the enigma. The iconography is significant as it is a convention to thriller films. It creates the idea of violence, helplessness and cruelty.
Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound
For example in the film No Country For Old Men the footsteps are made using diegetic sound this creates tension as it is followed by Slow editing. This is a convention of the thriller genre as it keeps people on edge and the audience engaged.
Colour
Usually in thriller films victims are put in white clothing this is to embrace their purity and innocence. The killer or the 'bad guy' is usually wearing black. This shows mystery and a presents of death. This is conventional as most thrillers are set on a good vs evil plot. For example in Scream.
Hidden Identity
For example in every Scream movie the identity of the killer is hidden throughout by wearing a mask. This is the plot of the whole film and is a conventional aspect, it keeps the audience alert and on the look out for clues to the stories enigma.
SAW OPENING SCENE
The location at the beginning of the clip is unrecognizable, the low-key lighting creates shadowing around the room, there is a voice a few seconds into the clip that creates the setting for the stories enigma. Once the lights are turned on the location becomes clear. Fast editing is used when the lights are switched on. This catches the audiences' attention, and puts all eyes on the location. The scene is set in a abandoned bathroom, this follows the conventions as most thriller's are set in abandoned, unknown places. There is a victim lying in the middle of the floor, this adds onto the stories enigma, as well as this it allows the audience to predict predict what they believe is going on. the body is covered in blood, there is a gun in one hand and a tape recorder in the other. These items are viewed in a close up shot. Thriller films tend to do this to signify to the audience that that item is important and needs to be taken into account when solving the stories enigma. The blood and the gun are both conventional to the thriller genre as the iconography is to include things like knifes, ropes and chains for example. It is all helping adding to the suspense. The colours used in the scene are light colours white is used to symbolise innocence and good. However the clothes the characters are wearing have been tarnished and ripped there are blood stains on their shirts, they've been injured. The audience are made to believe that the man lying is to be an assumed victim. He is wearing white, and the high above shot of his body resembles his venerability and the audience are made to feel sorry for him as he has clearly been tortured as he has a blow to the head and blood puddles surrounding him.
Scream Opening Scene Codes and conventions
-low key lighting (shadowing)
-suspense -death
-dark colours -shock
-surprise -weapons (iconography)
-dark location -killer/victim
-following -hidden identity
-tension -mythes and legends
-good vs evil -trapped
-distressed woman -paste of music
- enigma (mystery) -unknown location (forest/wood)
-POV, handheld,close up -slow paste
-fast paste -music helps provoke meanings
Target Audience The target audience for Scream is aged around 15+
Audience Expectations
Shock, Surprise, Suspence
Micro Element
Narrative
Representation
Themes
How can you use this film to help you plan your own thriller film?
Monday, 1 October 2012
Mise-en-scene - Miss Georgiou
Mise-en-scene
Analysis of mise-en-scene and discuss how it informs the audience of the conventions of a thriller film
The term 'Mise-en-scene' means the arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted.
In the film final destination the setting is in a baseball park. This is not your typical thriller setting. However the weather is dark and gloomy and there are grey clouds above the scene thus adds to the conventions of the genre. They grey creates a more serious tone and the black makes the scene more unpleasant.
There is a wooden spike that appears half way through the trailer clip. This is a sign of weaponry and creates suspense. The audience are afraid of the unknown, the dagger shaped wood is in a crowd of people this keeps the audience wondering what its going to happen. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is a important tribute to the films iconography.
The characters are wearing normal everyday clothes, everyday make-up and their hair is the same. This tends to be used at the beginning of thriller films as an equilibrium. the scene is set so that the audience doesn't expect the outcome.
When the cars begin to hit the audience the characters run for their lives, they're careless and rude. The audience connect with this as they begin to feel more attracted to what the characters are doing. The scene becomes more intense causing the audience to sit on edge.
This relates to the thriller genre as they're known to make the audience feel uncomfortable and irritable. This helps thrillers to 'scare' and 'shock' audiences on a far more real level.
Analysis of mise-en-scene and discuss how it informs the audience of the conventions of a thriller film
The term 'Mise-en-scene' means the arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted.
In the film final destination the setting is in a baseball park. This is not your typical thriller setting. However the weather is dark and gloomy and there are grey clouds above the scene thus adds to the conventions of the genre. They grey creates a more serious tone and the black makes the scene more unpleasant.
There is a wooden spike that appears half way through the trailer clip. This is a sign of weaponry and creates suspense. The audience are afraid of the unknown, the dagger shaped wood is in a crowd of people this keeps the audience wondering what its going to happen. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is a important tribute to the films iconography.
The characters are wearing normal everyday clothes, everyday make-up and their hair is the same. This tends to be used at the beginning of thriller films as an equilibrium. the scene is set so that the audience doesn't expect the outcome.
When the cars begin to hit the audience the characters run for their lives, they're careless and rude. The audience connect with this as they begin to feel more attracted to what the characters are doing. The scene becomes more intense causing the audience to sit on edge.
This relates to the thriller genre as they're known to make the audience feel uncomfortable and irritable. This helps thrillers to 'scare' and 'shock' audiences on a far more real level.
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