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.
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.
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