Overall Evaluation

Overall, I enjoyed the thriller film project, it was both interested and challanging. I found out how difficult it is to actually come up with different parts of a film from scratch and planning them out, and then filming them. We changed certain things such as the location. We added certain parts, as we didn't have enough footage, for example, the love-letter, laptop and mobile phone shots. These shots added time and also more to the storyline. They also added a more modern factor, as laptops and mobile phones were included, and these linked to the style of music that was playing throughout. I focused on the said music, creating a merge between old-fashioned piano and strings music, and modern-day effected drumbeats and synthesizer music.
I would improve just a few things, for example, maybe going for a more unusual plot rather than sticking with a murderous passion storyline where the husband cheats on the wife, and so the wife kills the husband. I would also improve some of the shots, as they are unsteady in places, and in one certain shot where the femme fatal character is pouring the 'whiskey' into the glass, you can actually see the bottle, and it is quite clearly not the whiskey bottle that was in the shot before. So, I would take more time to get the shots right so everything was realistic and believable.
Something else I would improve is to keep it more like an opening to a thriller move, as it should have been, rather than trying to create the whole movie, which is more what it looks like. To do this I would space the title credits (Starring..., Directed and Produced by...) out in the film more, rather than just having them at the end. I would also create some sort of film company, and put the name of the movie last, so it is more obvious that it is just an opening to a movie, rather than the whole movie in two minutes.
I think the results are fairly good, and the people we surveyed found the film quite enjoyable, with only minor improvements needed, such as less chaotic and more atmospheric music needed, and better lighting. I am pleased with the end product and I hope to do something similar in the future. The thriller genre was an interesting theme to research and try to recreate, and I enjoyed looking into various factors and working out what makes a decent thriller film, such as the mise-en-scene, the editing and sound, and various ways in which a thriller and a horror differ - a horror film concentrates more on the gore and violence, whereas a thriller film is more based on the suspense and tension created due to different situations.
I think there are certain things that make our thriller film slightly unique, for example, it is black and white, which is more unusual nowadays than it used to be, as colour is used in nearly all movies, as we tried to recreate the Film Noir style. It mixes old-fashioned (Film Noir, etc) with modern-day (the technology and music).
Overall, I enjoyed the project very much.

Finished Thriller Film - 'Til Death Do Us Part

Here is our finished thriller film.

 

Link To My Evaluation Of Thriller Film

http://prezi.com/bzfpbeapltnm/evaluation-of-thriller/

Done on Prezi.com.

Post-Thriller Film Questionnaire

This is the questionnaire for when the audience have watched the film.

1) Is it clear that our film is from a thriller genre?

2) What sub-genre of thriller do you think this sequence comes under?
 Murderous passion    Psycho-traumatic   Innocent on the run
 Film Noir                   Political thriller

3) Would you consider watching all of this film at the cinema?

4) What did you think of the lighting in our thriller film?

5) Did you think the lighting was effective in creating a sinister atmosphere?

6) Did you think the music in this clip went well with the thriller genre?

7) Did tou think the camera shots were effective in creating suspense and tension?

8) What would the target audience of our thriller be?

9) What would you do to improve this thriller?

10) What was your favourite part of our thriller film and why?

Still Shots From Peliminary Thriller Filming

Alice and Kirsty discussing ideas

Kirsty

Alice

Alice looking at the recoring

Kirsty filming Pippa's death scene

Kirsty filming

Script For Thriller Film

Alice walks up the steps, through the house, and up the indoor staircase and into the study where she finds her husband, Connor, sat at the desk.

Alice:

Hey, sweetie. Can I fix you a drink?

Connor:

Hmm...

Alice then goes into the kitchen area puts two pills in a glass before pouring whiskey in. She then returns to the study and places the drink on the desk in front of Connor.

Alice:

Cheers, sweetie.

Alice then walks off, and the last shot is of Connor sprawled on the desk as he empty glass rolls.

Group Meeting - 30th March 2011

- Work on thriller film evaluation
- Edit in extra clips
- Add and edit the music over the film

More Preliminary Filming

H

Here we planned out and did some rough filming of the things we wanted to include in our movie, such as a panning shot of some clothes on a bed, the death scene, and how we were going to focus on the wedding ring whilst the character was walking.

Costume And Props

Costume: 
For the femme fatal character, Alice, we will need a smart outfit, preferably a black dress to increase the sinister, professional look we are going for. 
The husband will also need to be dressed smartly, perhaps a shirt and a tie or a suit.


Props: 
Whiskey bottle, whiskey glass, "pills".   

Story Board For Thriller Film

 

 

Group Meeting - 14th March 2011

We have decided to finish our planning and the story-board, and hopefully we will be able to film at Pip's house in Wednesday's lesson.

Thriller Preliminary Filming.

 

This is a preliminary film that shows our planning of the opening scene of our film. It shows Alice walking through the door and up the stairs.

Questionaires

The Questions We Used:

Are you male or female?

How old are you?
16-17  18-19  20+

Do you like thriller films?

What's your favourite sub-genre of a thriller film?
Murderous passion  Psycho-traumatic  Identity
Innocent on the run  Film Noir

What do you like about thrillers?
Suspense  Plot line  Costumes  Location
Special effects

What do you not like about thrillers?

What is the most recent thriller film that you have seen?

Do you think thriller films appeal more to males or females?
Males  Females

Do you think thrillers appeal to an older or younger audience?
Younger  Older

What would you expect to see in a thriller film?


As we were in college, all of the people we surveyed were in the 16-17 category, and the majority were female. The most popluar subgenre was psycho-traumatic, with murderous passion coming second. The most popular aspect of a thriller film was suspense, and plotline came second. Some people do not like that thrillers can be repetitive, it seems they want new ideas. Other people believe the horror genre gets too mixed up within the thriller, and the movie then involves too much gore. Most of the people we surveyed believed thrillers are targetted more at males, rather than females (but, this could be linked to the fact that the majority of the people we surveyed were female). With regards to what age group thrillers could appeal to, I think we could have been more specific, rather than just providing 'younger' and 'older' for the answers, as it doesn't really give any idea, as older could be either teenagers, adults or the elderly, whereas, younger could be children, teenagers or young adults. However, the majority said older. A lot of people said that they would expect to see suspense, mystery, tension, death, twists, action, gore, low lighting, and questions within a thriller.

Thriller Film Questions

1) What is the purpose of the opening to a film?

The purpose of an opening to a film is to set the scene and atmosphere of the film, introduce the location, setting and characters, and also to draw the audience in and ask questions and be intrigued. It also introduces, perhaps, the topics and factors that will be included later in the film. 


2) What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?

A director can use dark lighting, to create an eerie atmosphere, eerie music, and perhaps camera angles and shots. Also, editing can be used, for example, should the director want to create a suspense-filled scene, rapid cutting between characters, etc, will help with that. 


3) How do you think a thriller film is defined?

A thriller film is defined by the plot line, the amount of police involved in the film, special effects, the suspense created via the lighting, editing and sound. 


4) What films can you think of that would fit into the Thriller genre?

Films that would fit into the thriller genre are Inception, Momento, Psycho, Black Swan, Die Hard and No Country For Old Men.


5) The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres - what different types of thriller films do you think exist?

Psychological thrillers, political thrillers, film noir, crime thrillers, conspiracy thrillers, sci-fi thrillers, and supernatural thrillers.


6) What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film? (Consider narrative, characters, mise-en-scene, stars?)

The characteristics of thrillers are predominantly suspense, action, psychological factors, crime and dark atmosphere. With regards to mise-en-scene, the lighting would probably be dark to create an eerie atmosphere. Editing would be rapid when the director want to create a specific sense of suspense. The acting of the characters could become more intense.

7) What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?

I think an audience enjoys the suspense and questions that the film creates. Also the accumulation of clues - they can then think about it and try and work out who the villain might be, and see if they are correct, etc.


8) What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?

Thriller films are more focused on everyday, realistic events, such as the government, police, etc, rather than ghosts and monsters. Horrors are more focused on gore and scaring the audience, rather than making them think and ask questions.


9) Using the internet research the 'top 50 thriller films'. Look at the top twenty - which ones have you watched? If it is not many, why do you think this is the case?

The list of the top twenty thriller films is as follows:-
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Inception (2010)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Goodfellas (1990)
- Fight Club (1999)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Psycho (1960)
- The Usual Suspects (1995)
- The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
- Se7en (1995)
- Memento (2000)
- Leon (1994)
- North By Northwest (1959)
- Double Idemnity (1944)
- M (1931)
- Taxi Driver (1976)
- Vertigo (1958)
- Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
- Alien (1979)
- The Lives Of Others (2006)

I have not seen many of these films, not because I do not enjoy thriller films, but because I have not watched many films in general. 


10) Using the internet, find three posters for thriller films. Complete a brief semiotic analysis of the posters. What colours are used, what kind of imagery, taglines, certificate, narrative?

Alien (1979):

The poster for the film Alien shows that the film is mainly sci-fi due to the black background, with the stars, and the green colour. The slogan is 'In space no one can hear you scream.' This could give the audience an insight into where the thriller film is going to be set, and you begin to ask questions such as 'why are they in space?', 'what is going to happen?', etc. The way the title 'Alien', runs along the top of the poster gives it a futuristic, typical sci-fi feel.

The Dark Knight (2008):

This poster shows the familiar main character with his symbol behind him, the fact that it is in flames against a large building, could show that the film is perhaps more serious, and maybe even less limited than the others. The red and orange flames immediately catch your eye and draws you in, then you see the title if the movie which is in medium sized, white lettering, backed by a futuristic version of the Batman symbol. At the top of the poster it says 'Welcome to a world without rules.' this gives a sense that the film is going to be full of rebellion and anarchy, and more explosive than others. 

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991):

This poster has a dark feel to it, with the blue and black, with hints of red lettering that signify danger or anger. It has the name 'Schwarzenegger' along the top in large, futuristic, red letters. The picture is of Arnold Schwarzenegger, and he looks intimidating. The slogan, 'It's Nothing Personal.' portrays that the film is going to be quite dangerous. 

Overall, all three posters, and many other posters for films within the thriller genre, are dark and mysterious, as are the films themselves. There tends to be a lot of black colouring, with hints of red or blue, etc. The slogans tend to be a regular saying but with a darker undermeaning, for example 'In space no one can hear you scream.' makes the viewer ask questions and get a little scared, etc.

Casting

There are two characters involved in our opening of our thriller film. The opening involves the husband and wife and involves the wife murdering the husband.
We need one male and one female actor to play the husband and wife and someone to be the camera person.
The husband needs to be the male, a smart dresser (preferably a suit) and is the person that is murdered.
The wife needs to be female, also a smart dresser (power suit, smart skirt and blouse combination) and is the person that would be the murderer.

200 Word Synopsis of Film

We have decided to call our film, "'Til Death Do Us Part", as it ties in with the theme of marriage and death.
The two thriller genres that we want to include in our film are murderous passion and film noir. The film noir concept will give the film a sinister edge.
The main plot of the film involves a married couple, blissfully happy until the wife finds out that her husband has been having an affair with another woman.
The wife finds a message on her husband's phone that reads, 'Had fun tonight. T xx'
Naturally, she is crushed and seeks revenge on her husband. She plans to kill him with a murderous concoction of a poisoned glass of whisky.

Location Report

We have planned to film our thriller within college, as we need an office-type area, or a desk and chair, and stairs, as this will be a large part of the plot - we are planning to have the female character visiting her husband's place of work and murdering him, in a murderous passion sense, as he has been having an affair. This will also be easier, as we do not have to travel elsewhere, and we can film within lessons.
Below is a photograph of the front of New College, and a map of the location.

However, we had a change of location as we decided that the college did not meet the requirments of our film. Instead we filmed at Pippa's house at the weekend. This proved to be a better location, as we could film outside where it was sunny (so there was good lighting outdoors), and her house had a study which is what we needed for our film.

Analysis Of Thriller Openings

Inception (2010):

The eerie, stringed music at the beginning helps add to the forboding feel to the movie. It then cuts to a shot of the waves, in slow motion which adds apprehension. The scene then cuts to a shot of the main character, but does not give away what the movie is about, but makes the audience ask questions.
It is dark and atmospheric.
The camera angles are mainly close ups, which don't really show the location or the characters very much. There is a long shot of some children playing on the beach, and towards the end of the opening scene, there is a high-angled shot of a mercenary of the country who calls to someone else.
The video can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4




Psycho (1960):

The low, fast stringed instrument music and the lines travelling rapidly across the screen help to create an uncertain and dangerous atmosphere. The lines then move to show the name of the movie, and members of the cast and crew. The titles then end with a black and white establishing shot of Phoenix.
The video can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tek8QmKRODw




Memento (2000):

The scene begins with the title of the movie in large blue letters across the screen. Then there is a close up shot of a hand holding a polaroid photograph. The names of the cast and crew appear over the top of the film. As the character shakes the photography, it becomes less and less developed - as though time is going backwards, which is the main plotline of the film. There is then fairly close up shots of the the character taking the photograph backwards. There is then a shot of his face, and it cuts to a close up shot of blood, trickling backwards, and a bullet, glasses, and then the man who had been shot, face down.
The lighting is quite dark and eerie, and with the slow, low violin music, it makes it quite atmospheric and forboding.
The video can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMTnXpL61N8&feature=fvst

Target Audience and Age Certificate

The audience that our film is aimed at is young adults, of either gender who enjoy film noir type mystery/thriller films. The film fits into the film noir genre due to the black and white filter, and the muderous passion atmosphere.
The age certificate for our movie is 15 because of the violence and gore, which is not suitable for a younger audience, but on the other hand, it does not contain enough gore/violence/etc, for it to be classed as an 18 certificate. 

Equipment List

 



The equipment we will need for our film is a video camera, with USB cables, to record the film, tripod, to make the shots steady and stable, digital stills camera, with USB cables, to take photographs during the filming, or as part of the film, Final Cut (on the Apple Macs), to upload and edit the film.

Group Meeting, 14th February 2011

Items discussed:

- Film noir,
- Murderous passion,
- Costumes; dresses/suits,
- Locations; office areas,
- No facial shots - conceals identity,
- Walking, film feet only, stilettos.


Actions to be taken:

- Storyboards,
- Camera shots/angles.
 

Our Preliminary Task

Our preliminary task. We chose to talk about Thriller films and the difference between Thrillers and Horrors. The script is in a previous post.
In this film we have used the 180 degree rule, which means, if two people are having a conversation, the camera must move between them, focusing on one person at a time, and when it switches to the other person, the camera must stay on the same side. 

Thriller Film Posters

Posters are a big part of promotion to a movie, and the way they look helps sell the film, as with any product.

Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010)


This poster for the recent film, 'Inception', is dark, eerie and it makes you ask questions, such as 'why are they there?', 'what is the film about?'. It shows that the main characters are prepared for something - that something is going to happen, and that they could be united as a team. The red title against the black, blue and grey background makes it stand out, and it's eye-catching. Also, it could mean 'danger' or 'anger', which could be a large part of the film.
The subtitle underneath 'From the director of The Dark Night', helps promote the movie even more, for example, if a person liked 'The Dark Night', then there is a larger chance they will enjoy this movie. The way in which the subtitle is written is also eye-catching.

Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)

The poster for Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is very eye catching,and surprisingly colourful for a dark, mysterious thriller movie. The colours go well together and contrast from one another. The yellow title helps catch your eye, as it is written in large, bold lettering, with a sort of cracked effect. The main character is tinted yellow, and the other two photographs are tinted red.

Alfred Hitchcock's name is written above the title in large white letters which contrast completely with the black background. 'A new- and altogether different-screen excitement!' is written near the main character's photograph. This could mean that, seeing as she is in her undergarments, the movie was a step into a new revolution of movies, and that this was quite erotic back in 1960.

A small list of cast and crew is running down the right-hand side of the poster in white on a purple background.

Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982)

The poster for Blade Runner links to the prominent science-fiction aspect of the film, for example, there is large machinery near the bottom.
At the bottom section of the poster, Harrison Ford's name is above the title of the movie, in large white lettering, this could draw you in before the actual title of the movie, as it contrasts with the black background. The actual title of the film is written in an unusual font in red. Underneath that, in smaller, white text, is the director's name and the like.
The film could be reminiscent of old film noir movies, with a femme fatal, and dark lighting. The female character pictured is typical of the femme fatal auror, as she is smoking, and it was usually only the femme fatal characters in film noir movies who smoked, as this made them look more dangerous and mysterious.
The way in which the poster has been painted, instead of being photographed could add to the authentic feel of it. 
The slogan at the very top, right 'Man has made his match...now it's his problem' could give a little insight to what the film is actually about, and whether 'man' is going to overcome it.



Target Audience Of Thriller Movies

The target audience for the thriller genre can differ slightly with every sub-genre (for example, some people may be interested in political thrillers but not very interested in medical thrillers, perhaps.) Overall, however, thrillers are targeted at people who enjoy mystery and suspense, and people who like analysing situations and working out clues as to who the criminal is, and/or why they are doing what they're doing, etc. A main aim of the thriller genre is to 'put the audience on the edge of their seats', which means incorporating suspense, tension, eeriness, questions, apprehension and cliff-hangers into the plot-line.
I think, specifically, thrillers are aimed at either gender aged around 20+.

Script For Preliminary Task

Alice opens the door, walks into the room and sits down on the chair opposite Kirsty.

Alice: 

 How would you describe a Thriller film?

Kirsty: 

 A Thriller is based on tension and suspense, and they have a more action-packed feel to them.

Alice:  

What would you say is the difference between a Thriller and a Horror film?

Kirsty:  

A Thriller consists of more suspense than a horror movie. Horrors are much more involved in gore and violence rather than having a lot of psychological and realistic aspects.

Research Into Film Classification

There are many different factors that go into deciding what age certificate to give a particular film. For example, the amount of violence, crude language, drink and drugs references and erotic scenes are contained within the film. 

For example, a film will be classed as a '12' rather than a 'PG' if it contains things that may upset children, such as discrimination, infrequent use of drugs, moderate horror, imitable behaviour (although, easily accessable weapons should not be glamourised), moderate language, nudity (but sexual context must be infrequent), brief, infrequent sexual activity, and moderate violence. Films such as Batman are a 12.

A film will be classed as a '15' if the language content is more frequent, more violence, more horror, more frequent sexual content, drugs, more nudity with a more sexual context, more imitable behaviour, and more discrimination. Memento is a 15 rated film.

Certificate '18' films are only directed at adults, and they fit into this category because, the language content is more prominant, there is more sexual and violence context, discrimination is a lot more offensive, drugs are used a lot more, horror is more frightening, offensive language, imitable behaviour, nudity is mostly seen in a sexual way, sex is much more prominant, violence is a lot more realistic, etc. Se7en is an 18 rated film.

A History Of Thrillers

A thriller's main elements include suspense, tension and apprehension, and the main forms of thriller are mystery, crime and psychological. After the assassination of President Kennedy, political and paranoid thrillers became very popular. Audiences who tend to watch thrillers can accumulate clues and find out who, for example, was the murderer, etc.


Subgenres of thriller:

- Conspiracy thrillers,
- Crime thrillers,
- Disaster thrillers,
- Erotic thrillers,
- Legal thrillers,
- Medical thrillers,
- Mystery thrillers,
- Political thrillers,
- Psychological thrillers,
- Rape and revenge films,
- Religious thrillers,
- Supernatural thrillers,
- Techno thrillers.


Main characteristics of the thriller genre:

Thrillers tend to use cliffhangers and thrills to keep the audience (or reader) interested. Tension and suspense is a large factor within thriller films, and things such as sound, editing and lighting help to create a tense atmosphere within the scene, as well as the situation the character (or characters) has found themselves in. Death is also a large factor as many characters lose their lives in a thriller film.
Thrillers are known for usually taking place in urban areas, such as New York, etc, although it has been known for a thriller film to be set in other areas, such as polar regions and exoctic countries, or even the ocean. In many thrillers, the hero is usually an ordinary citizen who's life does not involve a lot of danger, however, in most crime thrillers in particular, the hero tends to be a harder, stronger character who is accustom to danger and the like.


Timeline of thriller movies:

1926:-
         - The Bat (Roland West)
         - The Bells
         - The Lodger (Alfred Hitchcock)

1928:-
         - Spies (Fritz Lang)

1929:-
         - Blackmail (Alfred Hitchcock)

1931:-
         - Charlie Chan Carries On (Hamilton MacFadden)

1932:-
         - Freaks (Tod Browning)
         - Tangled Destinies (Frank Strayer)

1934:-
         - The Man Who Knew Too Much (Alfred Hitchcock)

1938:-
         - They Drive By Night (Arthur B. Woods)
         - The Lady Vanishes (Alfred Hitchcock)

1940:-
         - Gaslight (Thorold Dickinson)

1942:-
         - L'Assassin Habite au 21 (Henri-Georges Clouzot)

1945:-
         - Spellbound (Alfred Hitchcock)

1949:-
         - Whirlpool (Otto Preminger)

1950:-
         - Side Street (Anthony Mann)

1953:-
         - The Hitch-Hiker (Ida Lupino)

1958:-
         - Elevator To The Gallows (Louis Malle)

1960:-
         - Psycho  (Alfred Hitchcock)

1963:-
         - Charade (Stanley Donen)

1966:-
         - Cul-de-sac (Roman Polanski)

1969:-
         - Z (Costa-Gavras)

1970:-
         - And Soon The Darkness (Robert Fuest)

1973:-
         - The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman)

1978:-
         - The Big Sleep (Michael Winner)

1980:-
         - Bad Timing (Nicolas Roeg)

1984:-
         - Blood Simple (Joel Coen)

1987:-
         - Extreme Prejudice (Walter Hill)

1990:-
         - Blue Steel (Kathryn Bigelow)

1995:-
         -  Assassins (Richard Donner)

1999:-
         - Fever (Alex Winter)

More Exploration Into Thrillers

Aims: -

'What makes a good thriller opening?'

- Look at thriller openings,
- Think about examples of students' films,
- Look at mark scheme


Leon (1994)

- Describe camera movement and what it means.

Panning and tracking - this adds tension and establishes where the scene is taking place. The scene then cuts straight to the glass.
Shows the sign for 'Little Italy', which could link and emphasis the large crime aspect in the film.
Tracking shots of characters show their importance to the plot.


- Describe the types of shots used, including close ups.

Close up shots intensify the moment, they also obscure the identity of certain characters, which adds mystery. Mid-shots are also used on the criminals to show who they are and to include several of them in one shot.


- What props or objects are used and why?

Guns, knives, drinks, money.
The drink of milk could contrast against the character, its not something that you would expect a menacing hitman character to drink. It adds to the sinister feel.


- Describe the camera angles, e.g., on the hotel stairs, etc.

There is a shot looking up and down the spiral staircase. This could establish the sense of despair that the character is feeling at that time. It could also show how far he has to fall when he gets pulled over the banister.

Planning The Opening Sequence To Thriller

Group Members:

• Pip Greenroyd
• Alice Oakley
• Kirsty Davies

Planning:

For the opening sequence for our thriller, our group has decided to focus on the themes of Film Noir and murderous passion. Because of this, we have decided to film our clip in black and white, which gives a sinister and mysterious vibe. Our main idea will be focusing on a man who has cheated on his wife, the wife then finds out and kills him. At present we are discussing how the man could be killed, we feel that the man could be poisoned or shot.
Recently we have watched film openings from 'One Hour Photo' and 'Leon' which focus around one particular item, and we decided that this was an effective technique and created a sinister atmosphere, so we through a wedding or engagement ring could be the prominant item within our film. It could emphasise the theme of being unfaithful.
The camerawork that we have recently discussed included close up and extreme close up shots to create a sinister, identity concealing vibe, and it also portrays emotion. We also thought we could use tracking shots as it makes characters seem more important, and it also makes it feel as though the camera is hunting the character.

Types Of Thriller Films

Aims:-

- To explore types of thriller films: -
                                                        - Murderous passion,
                                                        - Psycho-traumatic,
                                                        - Innocent on the run,
                                                        - Identity,
                                                        - Political thriller,

                                                        - Film noir

- Codes and conventions of the thriller genre.

Panic Room (2002)

- How does this film create a feeling of suspense?

Eerie music is used, with a single-take tracking/panning shot, showing the house and where the people who are trying to break in are. There is no dialogue to begin with, the scene consists of just low, cello-based music. The music itself gives the scene a sense of foreboding.

- What does the audience not know when they watch this clip? What mystery or enigma is set up?

The audience does not know who is trying to get in, or why. We do not know what the criminals' plan is - whether they want to steal something, if so what? Etc. We don't know why they want what they are there for.

- How are victims/heros isolated and how does this make the audience feel?

To begin with, they do not know what is going on and there is only a mother and daughter - they could be portrayed as vulnerable and perhaps not be able to defend themselves against the burglars.


Types of Suspense Thriller

- Murderous Passion: 
Husband, wife, and sometimes either one of their lovers. Someone ends up being murdered. 


Blood Simple

- How does the opening sequence use lighting and conversation to create mood or atmosphere?

The very beginning of the film consisted of shots of different landscapes. When the man and woman were talking in the car, it is very dark, but everytime another car drives past, the light fills the screen to add tension.

There are pauses and awkward silences in the conversation between the man and woman. Their faces are hidden from the camera, which adds a sinister feel, as you do not know who they are - their identities are hidden.

The voice-over at the beginning is very blunt and strong - he makes a point about how different communities operate and the contrasts between a Texan communities and others. 


- Psyco-traumatic:
Main character is so damaged by past events that he/she commits more crimes.

Psycho (1966)

- Describe the use of camera and type of shot in this scene.

The camera does not show all of the woman's body while she is in the shower. Also, when she has been killed and the camera zooms into the plug hole and fades to become her eye, this adds a good effect, perhaps showing that her life is gone?
The camera shots also hide the knife actually piercing the skin from view.

- How is sound used?

To begin with there is just the diegetic sounds of the shower, but when the killer draws back the curtain and begins to kill her, high-pitched, tense music plays. When she is dead, the sound of the shower is the only thing the audience can hear again.

- Is tension or suspense created in any other ways?

Shadows from behind the shower curtain could emphasise that something is going to happen. She isn't aware that someone is behind her. The film, even though it could have been in colour, it is in black and white, this might add to the harsh, morbid feel of it.


- Innocent on the run:
Someone who is accused of a crrim, or is mistaken for someone else, and they have to go into hiding, or get away.

- Thriller based on changes in 'identity':
Characters changing their identities to avoid getting caught, etc.

-'Political' thrillers:
Government conspiricies, assasinations, etc.

- Film Noir:
(made originally in America, 1940s/50s)
Sinister, grim, pessimistic.
- Low-key lighting creating patches of light and dark. Implies that society was grim and gloomy. Creates shadows perhaps emphasising the trapped feeling or situation of a character, or characters.

- Isolation - characters can look isolated by having just one light shining on them, and the background in total darkness.

- Femme fatale - often very dramatic, seductive characters. They usually smoke, to show emphasise their danger. They sometimes get men to commit crimes for money, or they commit the crimes themselves.

- Camera angles can also play a big part in film noir type movies, for example, there are layers and poses involved in various scenes to show superiority, and importance, etc.


Mildred Pierce (1945)

- How is mise-en-scene, including lighting, used tp create suspense and tension?

Dark patches and shadows play a large part. Shadows travel across the walls, ceilings and characters. There are not many lights on in the house, these cast eerie shadows on the rest of the rooms, etc, emphasising the man's isolation, and/or trapped situation - there is nobody there to help him.

'One Hour Photo' (2002), Director: Mark Romanek

How does the film use sound to create tension or suspense?

The film generally used instrumental music. It was low and eerie sounding, and quickened in pace when something was about to happen.


How are locations like the supermarket or family home and hotel portrayed? And how does the film use lighting to create mood or atmosphere?

They seem like normal locations, however, the music, editing and situations give them a sinister feel. For example, the lighting in the hotel and supermarket. There is not much lighting in the hotel room when the main character, Sy, is supposedly taking photographs, this emphasises the eerie atmosphere. The lights in the supermarket create also create an eerie feel, especially the lights in the car park - these are dim, yellow street lights.


What props or objects become an important part of the plot?

Photographs and cameras are a big part of the film, and in some parts of it Sy's face is obscured by a camera, mirror or magnifying glass. This could mean that sight is a large part. Also, photographs become sinister, as Sy has an entire wall in his home covered in photographs from one family, this adds a strange and sinister feel. Also, when Sy finds out about the man of the family cheating on his wife, he then scratches out his face in every single photograph he is featured in on Sy's wall. This creates a sort of obsessive, insane characteristic to Sy's personality.


Describe Robin Williams' character, Sy, in this film.

Sy seems a lonely, isolated character, who needs something in his life, this is why he latches on to one family, and tries to include himself within them, for example, saying he 'almost felt like Uncle Sy', and imaging himself making himself at home in their house.

Introduction To Thrillers

Aims:
- To start exploring ideas for creating our own opening to a thriller film,
- To watch an example of a thriller film,
- To discuss thrillers as a genre of film.

Thriller

'...suspense thrillers focus either on victims of crime or on pursued and isolated criminals...' - Steve Neale.

Factors of thriller films:-

- Thrills,
- Surprises,
- Mystery/enigma,
- Suspense,
- Cliff-hangers,
- Victims/Criminals,
- Police.

How do thrillers typically create a feeling of suspense of tension?

They use music. Sometimes this is off-key, and tends to be slow and eerie, thus adding to the atmosphere.
Ordinary objects, activities and places can become sinister and mean something to the storyline. For example, perhaps a doll plays a significant part throughout the plot.
Anticipation and expectation - the audience is waiting for something to happen, and the tension builds.
Despair and doubt - the audience empathises with the character/s' situation.
Appropriate editing to add tension - faster cuts, faster music, etc.
Accumulation of clues - the audience finds the clues, and then tries to work it all out, as though they are a detective in the film.