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.
Friday, 26 October 2012
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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