Sunday 8 May 2011
Group Meeting - 14th March
This lesson we will finish the editing for our film. We also need to find a copy right free music clip to put into part of pur film. We also need to make sure that we change our film to black and white.
We also need to ensure we have changed bits of our research and planning that we have already put onto our blogs because we changed where we filmed the first part to our film so everything needs relate to eachother.
We also need to ensure we have changed bits of our research and planning that we have already put onto our blogs because we changed where we filmed the first part to our film so everything needs relate to eachother.
Questionnaire Results
We asked 10 people who had watched our film to complete a survey which asked them their thoughts on our film and the thriller genre itself.
The majority of the people we surveyed thought that the thriller genre is more widely watched by men than woman however the opinion was mixed as to whether they were more suited to teenagers or adults. Only 3 people preferred thriller films to any other genre, and the other 7 either preferred comedy, rom coms, sci fi or foreign language films. One of the questions we asked was 'what do you first think of when someone mentions thrillers?' which the majority of feedback stating that they associated thrillers with murder, suspense, tension and blood.
The majority of people said that they liked our thriller and would go and watch it if it were shown in the cinema based on the opening. Although we had no negative comments, improvements were suggested such as making the plot a bit more clearer, even though we thought that confusing the audience a bit at the start was effective in creating suspense.
The majority of the people we surveyed thought that the thriller genre is more widely watched by men than woman however the opinion was mixed as to whether they were more suited to teenagers or adults. Only 3 people preferred thriller films to any other genre, and the other 7 either preferred comedy, rom coms, sci fi or foreign language films. One of the questions we asked was 'what do you first think of when someone mentions thrillers?' which the majority of feedback stating that they associated thrillers with murder, suspense, tension and blood.
The majority of people said that they liked our thriller and would go and watch it if it were shown in the cinema based on the opening. Although we had no negative comments, improvements were suggested such as making the plot a bit more clearer, even though we thought that confusing the audience a bit at the start was effective in creating suspense.
Who is our film aimed at?
After studying the elements that made a film a 15, we decided that we would give our thriller film would be aimed at people aged 15 and above. None of the 18 age certificate features such as gore, very strong language and drug use are present in our film, however the plot is relatively complex and would not be suitable for an audience under fifteen years of age. Although there is some violence, it is not shown and is very subtle.
What is the purpose of the opening to a film?
To intrigue and interest the audience and make them want to watch the rest of the film.
How do you think a thriller film is defined?
It’s almost like a horror in the fact that certain parts make you jump and feel tense, however a thriller focuses more on building up the tension and suspense for most of the film and reaches the climax at the end, which usually ends in a cliff-hanger. They don’t usually include a lot of blood and violence but use shots that suggest that these features are present in the scene.
What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
Using dark lighting, using close up shots on everyday objects to make them seem more sinister and suspicious, focusing on only part of a person’s face to conceal their identity and make them appear more suspicious and mysterious.
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
One of the most famous thriller films ‘Psycho’ and a film I saw recently called ‘Inception’
The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres – what different types of thriller films do you think exist?
• Murderous passion, for example ‘Blood Simple’
• Psycho traumatic, for example the film I mentioned in the previous question ‘Psycho’
• Innocent on the run, for example North By North West
• Story based on changes in identity – Detour
• Political thriller – Day of the Jackal
• Film Noir – Mildred Pierce
What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film?
Intense narrative, the building up of tension, low key lighting, suspense, cliff hangers, surprises, twists in the plot, action, murder, eerie music similar to the music found in horror films, a hero/heroine.
What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?
The narrative is usually very intense and confusing and so many people would enjoy trying to work out the mystery. Also a lot of people like thriller films because of the thrill they get, hence the name, because they are often very tense and keep you on edge, leading up to the final scene where there is usually a surprise.
What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?
Horror films are often more shocking because they usually include blood, gore and other disturbing images, whereas thrillers are more subdued and hint that these disturbing features are included, but don’t actually show it. Horrors often make you cringe more and genuinely scared and disturb the audience whereas thrillers tend to make you feel tense but don’t actually mentally torment you like a lot of horror films do, for example the Saw films which are very gruesome and violent because they show you the torture actually happening which a lot of people can’t physically watch. To summarise I think that thrillers are a mild type of horror film because they play on your mind and scare you but only slightly, whereas horrors show you everything and genuinely disturb you.
To intrigue and interest the audience and make them want to watch the rest of the film.
How do you think a thriller film is defined?
It’s almost like a horror in the fact that certain parts make you jump and feel tense, however a thriller focuses more on building up the tension and suspense for most of the film and reaches the climax at the end, which usually ends in a cliff-hanger. They don’t usually include a lot of blood and violence but use shots that suggest that these features are present in the scene.
What techniques can a director use to create suspense in a film?
Using dark lighting, using close up shots on everyday objects to make them seem more sinister and suspicious, focusing on only part of a person’s face to conceal their identity and make them appear more suspicious and mysterious.
What films can you think of that would fit into the thriller genre?
One of the most famous thriller films ‘Psycho’ and a film I saw recently called ‘Inception’
The thriller film can be divided into sub-genres – what different types of thriller films do you think exist?
• Murderous passion, for example ‘Blood Simple’
• Psycho traumatic, for example the film I mentioned in the previous question ‘Psycho’
• Innocent on the run, for example North By North West
• Story based on changes in identity – Detour
• Political thriller – Day of the Jackal
• Film Noir – Mildred Pierce
What are the characteristics or conventions of a thriller film?
Intense narrative, the building up of tension, low key lighting, suspense, cliff hangers, surprises, twists in the plot, action, murder, eerie music similar to the music found in horror films, a hero/heroine.
What do you think is the audience pleasure of a thriller film?
The narrative is usually very intense and confusing and so many people would enjoy trying to work out the mystery. Also a lot of people like thriller films because of the thrill they get, hence the name, because they are often very tense and keep you on edge, leading up to the final scene where there is usually a surprise.
What do you think are the differences between a horror and a thriller film?
Horror films are often more shocking because they usually include blood, gore and other disturbing images, whereas thrillers are more subdued and hint that these disturbing features are included, but don’t actually show it. Horrors often make you cringe more and genuinely scared and disturb the audience whereas thrillers tend to make you feel tense but don’t actually mentally torment you like a lot of horror films do, for example the Saw films which are very gruesome and violent because they show you the torture actually happening which a lot of people can’t physically watch. To summarise I think that thrillers are a mild type of horror film because they play on your mind and scare you but only slightly, whereas horrors show you everything and genuinely disturb you.
Summary of our thriller film 'Mistress'
Our film is a thriller and sub genre is murderous passion, as it involves a love triangle. There are three characters: a husband, his wife and a woman he is having an affair with. The basic plot is about the wife, who finds out about her husband having an affair and angrily seeks revenge. She follows them into a secluded forest. The isolated area works with the thriller genre because nobody else will be there and so the other characters will be helpless and alone, which creates panic and desperation. We decided to use the typical mise-en-scene of thriller films: low key music to build tension, as well as dark lighting. To enhance the darkness of the film, thus increasing the sinister tone of it, we decided to put the film in black and white, an element of the film noir genre. We also chose to not show violence, but instead use camera angles that suggest what has happened but do not directly reveal it to the audience, leaving them to make their own mind up.
Choice of Location
Initially we decided to film in the woods called The Ercall, which is the lower part of the Wrekin. It’s an isolated area, with lots of tall trees which create dark shadows, something we thought would be very effective in creating the dark sinister lighting we wanted for our film. The fact that there is lots of foliage/vegetation means that different camera angles could be used when the wife is following the husband and his mistress, as she peers out from behind trees and hides in the bushes.
However, due to the fact that the Ercall is in an isolated area, we realised that it would be hard to get to as it is relatively far away, and so we decided to change location. We decided to relocate to a more closer area with a wood, which is Telford town park.
However, due to the fact that the Ercall is in an isolated area, we realised that it would be hard to get to as it is relatively far away, and so we decided to change location. We decided to relocate to a more closer area with a wood, which is Telford town park.
Production Plans
On Wednesday 9th of March we are using our media lesson to go to the town park in Telford to film the main part of our thriller opening. The lesson after we will be filming the very first scene.
Group Meeting
Members present: Emily, Steven and Lauren
today we made the production plans which is included in the next post, which consists of where and when we are going to film.
today we made the production plans which is included in the next post, which consists of where and when we are going to film.
List of Props/Equipment We Will Need For Our Film
Camera
Tripod
A plastic knife
Chocolate sauce to act as blood
A phone
We will be providing our own costumes for the film.
Lauren will be dressedin the style of femme fatale, an element of the film-noir thriller sub-genre. Steven and I will be dressed in average clothes, which I think adds a sinister undertone to the film as the normality of the character's appearance, particulary the murderer's would perhaps disturb the audience because it would make them think that the events that occurred in our film could happen to anyone.
because our film will be in black and white, which we thought would be good to add darkness to the overall scene, we are using chocolate sauce as blood, which the director of 'Psycho' used in the shower scene.
Tripod
A plastic knife
Chocolate sauce to act as blood
A phone
We will be providing our own costumes for the film.
Lauren will be dressedin the style of femme fatale, an element of the film-noir thriller sub-genre. Steven and I will be dressed in average clothes, which I think adds a sinister undertone to the film as the normality of the character's appearance, particulary the murderer's would perhaps disturb the audience because it would make them think that the events that occurred in our film could happen to anyone.
because our film will be in black and white, which we thought would be good to add darkness to the overall scene, we are using chocolate sauce as blood, which the director of 'Psycho' used in the shower scene.
Our First Script
After watching different thriller openings and studying the plots, we wrote the first script for the opening of our thriller film 'Mistress'
MISTRESS
{Setting –Classroom}
HUSBAND:
Right I’m off to a meeting with parents, see you later.
WIFE:
(Not looking up from computer)
All right then. Bye.
(Husband leaves and as door shuts, wife walks towards the classroom door)
FOREST SCENE.
{From point of view of wife. Sees husband and another woman on a walk)
WOMAN:
Ah I think I’ve dropped my phone, I’ll be back in a second
(Walks off)
HUSBAND:
Don’t you want me to come?
WOMAN:
No it’s fine; it’s only over there somewhere.
(Wife creeps closer towards husband, closer and closer follows him behind a tree and next shot shows husband on the floor other side of the tree with blood seeping from his stab wounds)
(Next shot shows the wife following the other woman, camera looking from behind trees and getting closer to the woman. Final shot – as wife/camera is really close to the woman, the camera zooms in really quickly onto the woman’s face and focuses then freezes on her eyes which are bright with terror.)
MISTRESS
{Setting –Classroom}
HUSBAND:
Right I’m off to a meeting with parents, see you later.
WIFE:
(Not looking up from computer)
All right then. Bye.
(Husband leaves and as door shuts, wife walks towards the classroom door)
FOREST SCENE.
{From point of view of wife. Sees husband and another woman on a walk)
WOMAN:
Ah I think I’ve dropped my phone, I’ll be back in a second
(Walks off)
HUSBAND:
Don’t you want me to come?
WOMAN:
No it’s fine; it’s only over there somewhere.
(Wife creeps closer towards husband, closer and closer follows him behind a tree and next shot shows husband on the floor other side of the tree with blood seeping from his stab wounds)
(Next shot shows the wife following the other woman, camera looking from behind trees and getting closer to the woman. Final shot – as wife/camera is really close to the woman, the camera zooms in really quickly onto the woman’s face and focuses then freezes on her eyes which are bright with terror.)
Age Certificates
Because of some of the disturbing, often violent and frightening nature of the majority of thriller films, the age certificate of either 15 or 18 is given to prevent a younger audience from watching them. Films in the thriller genre also require concentration in order to understand the complex plot, another reason why thriller films are aimed at a more mature audience.
Certain features of a film distinguish it from having either a 15 or 18 certificate. Thriller films aimed at people aged 18 or over tend to include drug use, strong language, violent or sexual scenes as well as more horror film features such as gore.
Certain features of a film distinguish it from having either a 15 or 18 certificate. Thriller films aimed at people aged 18 or over tend to include drug use, strong language, violent or sexual scenes as well as more horror film features such as gore.
Analysis of Thriller Openings
Inception
The opening to “Inception” is typical of the thriller genre, by intriguing the audience and making them ask questions and want to know more. Many of the features included in the opening are typical of the thriller genre, for example the low key, sinister music creating tension from the very beginning. The lighting is bright and sunny, which contrasts to the dark music and these contrasting features add to the sinsiter atmosphere used in the thriller genre.
The Dark Knight
“The Dark Knight” opens very effectively, and immediately launches into action as we see a bank robbery planned by the villain of this film, the Joker. Unlike a typical thriller opening which is purposefully filmed to confuse and intrigue the audience, the opening scene shows us exactly what is happening. However, we are still confused as to which person is the joker because the whole group are all dressed in the same costume, specifically the infamous mask of the Joker. I think that the masks are the most significant contribution to the typical sinister feeling of this film because they're just ordinary clown masks, something you would perhaps associate with children and innocence. However the faces of the masks are distorted and look more evil. Another typical element of the thriller genre is the non-diegetic sound. The music is very low key but fast paced and builds tension as the scene progresses. The robbers split up into different groups. One person in one group will ask a question then someone else in another group answers. This creates a sense that not even the characters are sure about the Joker and his intentions. Towards the end of the scene, the robbers are blinded by greed and kill eachother in attempt to get the money.
The opening to “Inception” is typical of the thriller genre, by intriguing the audience and making them ask questions and want to know more. Many of the features included in the opening are typical of the thriller genre, for example the low key, sinister music creating tension from the very beginning. The lighting is bright and sunny, which contrasts to the dark music and these contrasting features add to the sinsiter atmosphere used in the thriller genre.
The Dark Knight
“The Dark Knight” opens very effectively, and immediately launches into action as we see a bank robbery planned by the villain of this film, the Joker. Unlike a typical thriller opening which is purposefully filmed to confuse and intrigue the audience, the opening scene shows us exactly what is happening. However, we are still confused as to which person is the joker because the whole group are all dressed in the same costume, specifically the infamous mask of the Joker. I think that the masks are the most significant contribution to the typical sinister feeling of this film because they're just ordinary clown masks, something you would perhaps associate with children and innocence. However the faces of the masks are distorted and look more evil. Another typical element of the thriller genre is the non-diegetic sound. The music is very low key but fast paced and builds tension as the scene progresses. The robbers split up into different groups. One person in one group will ask a question then someone else in another group answers. This creates a sense that not even the characters are sure about the Joker and his intentions. Towards the end of the scene, the robbers are blinded by greed and kill eachother in attempt to get the money.
Monday 14 February 2011
Group Meeting 14th February
Today we decided that we would start developping the story and writing the script. We all know what the story for our film is but we all had different interpretations of it so we needed to clarify what is going to happen in our film.
Monday 7 February 2011
thriller poster analysis
Like the other two posters, the colours in this poster are very dark, creating a sinister atmosphere which is typical of the thriller genre. The fact that the woman is smoking is very 'film noir' because in a lot of film noir films the woman hero is smoking a cigarette to show that she is tough and not a typical girl.
preliminary task
This is the preliminary task that Sheree and I filmed. This is the version that i edited. I added a title clip and shortened some shots to make the film cuts smoother. :)
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Preliminary Task
Today Sheree and I created a short film for the preliminary task. We had to use shot/reverse shots and the 180 degree rule in our film.
This is a diagram explaining the 180 degree rule:
This was the plan/script we created for our film.
instead of cutting between each person talking, we filmed the whole script from each person's view and then using the 180 degree rule, and then we were going to edit it so that the shots are mixed. During the filming, I furthered my knowledge on using the 180 degree shot as I hadn't really used it before.
This is a diagram explaining the 180 degree rule:
This was the plan/script we created for our film.
- Emily walks in and sits down
- SHOT/ REVERSE SHOT
- Sheree: Hey Emily, did you watch that film on Channel 4 last night?
- Emily: I watched that thriller film Taken if that's what you mean
- 180 DEGREE RULE SHOT
- Sheree: Yeah Taken, I thought it was pretty good
- Emily: Yeah same, I thought it was going to be really scary but I don't think it was that bad
- Sheree: Apart from the part when the girl was dragged from under the bed
- Emily: oh and when he found the dead girl!
instead of cutting between each person talking, we filmed the whole script from each person's view and then using the 180 degree rule, and then we were going to edit it so that the shots are mixed. During the filming, I furthered my knowledge on using the 180 degree shot as I hadn't really used it before.
Wednesday 26 January 2011
History of Thriller Movies
The History of the Thriller Genre.
Thriller is a genre of literature, film and television that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements. There are lots of subgenres of thrillers, 3 of the main ones being mystery, crime and psychological thrillers. Thriller films became very popular after the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, specifically political thrillers. One of the earliest 'thrillers' was Harold Lloyd's comic Safety Last (1923), with the all-American boy performing a daredevil stunt on the side of a skyscraper. The most famous thriller movies are the Hitchcock movies, specifically Psycho, a 1960 American psychological thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Click to watch Psycho - the famous shower scene
This timeline shows the increase of thriller movies made and watched from 1960-2010
Thriller Film Timeline
1920s:
Safety Last (1923),
Blackmail (1926) - directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Alice White, detective Frank Webber's girlfriend, is invited by an artist to visit his studio. The man tries to rape Alice and she kills him with a knife to defend herself. A criminal sees the murder and he keeps the lady's glove from the crime scene in order to blackmail her. Frank is assigned to the murder case
The Cat and the Canary (1927) the cat and the canary clip
Safety Last (1923),
Blackmail (1926) - directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Alice White, detective Frank Webber's girlfriend, is invited by an artist to visit his studio. The man tries to rape Alice and she kills him with a knife to defend herself. A criminal sees the murder and he keeps the lady's glove from the crime scene in order to blackmail her. Frank is assigned to the murder case
The Cat and the Canary (1927) the cat and the canary clip
1930s:
The Bat Whispers (1930) the bat whispers clip
M (1931)
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1931) Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug it is already too late...
The 39 Steps (1935)
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
The Bat Whispers (1930) the bat whispers clip
M (1931)
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1931) Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug it is already too late...
The 39 Steps (1935)
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
1940s: Rebecca (1940)
Laura (1944)
Gaslight (1994)
The Spiral Staircase (1945) Disabled women in small town at the beginning of century are becoming prey of a serial killer. Helen, mute girl who works for the Warren family, fears that she could be the next victim.
Notorious (1946)
Sorry Wrong Number (1948) watch clip
the Lady From Shanghai (1948)
The Third Man (1959)
Laura (1944)
Gaslight (1994)
The Spiral Staircase (1945) Disabled women in small town at the beginning of century are becoming prey of a serial killer. Helen, mute girl who works for the Warren family, fears that she could be the next victim.
Notorious (1946)
Sorry Wrong Number (1948) watch clip
the Lady From Shanghai (1948)
The Third Man (1959)
1950s: Strangers on a Train (1951), Rear Window (1954), The Wrong Man (1956), Vertigo (1958), North By Northwest (1959)
1960s: Pyscho (1960), The Birds (1963), Torn Curtain (1966),
1970s: Frenzy (1972) The Godfather (1972), The Godfather, Part 2 (1974), Jaws (1975)
1980s: The Shining (1980)
1990s: The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Leon (1994), Pulp Fiction (1994), The Usual Suspects (1995), Fight Club (1999)
2000: Memento (2000), The Dark Knight (2008)
2010: Inception (2010)
Monday 24 January 2011
Group Meeting #2 - 24th January
Today we assigned people to the characters in our thriller. Steven is to play the husband, Lauren is to play the woman who he is having an affair with and I am to play the wife/murderer.
We also consolodated our plan and decided on the filming location. We are going to film our forest scene at the Ercall which is the hill before the Wrekin.
We also consolodated our plan and decided on the filming location. We are going to film our forest scene at the Ercall which is the hill before the Wrekin.
What Makes A Good Thriller Opening?
- Something unexpected
- Clues to other parts of the story
- Something unusal happening which makes you want to know more
Describe the camera movement and what it means:
Flying forward through city - a kind of establishing shot to show where the scene is located. During the end scene the camera movement is very quick - emphasizing the panic that the man is feeling when he is being terrorized by Leon. Tracking people showing their importance to the story.
Describe the types of shot used including close ups:
Close ups of Leon and the restaurant owner during their discussion. only focuses on one part of their face to conceal their identity as well as show them to be intimidating. Close up on the glass of milk - thought to be an innocent drink but the toughness of Leon is reinforced when he 'downs' it in one.
What props or objects are used and why?
a glass of milk - innocent drink but Leon drinks it in one gulp.
case of cocaine - showing what the source of the trouble is (drug businesses)
cigarettes - again showing that Leon is a tough guy
Describe the camera angles:
Mostly midshots. High angle shots looking down the stairs and low angle shots looking up the stairs. close ups on faces to show expressions.
Typical Thriller Films
"Suspense thrillers focus either on victims of crimes or on pursued or isolated criminals'
-Steve Neale
What kind of things would you expect to see in a thriller?
-Steve Neale
What kind of things would you expect to see in a thriller?
- surprises
- twisted plots
- mystery/engimas
- cliffhangers
- victims/criminals
- police
- Offkey music
- Ordinary objects, activities and places become sinister
- anticipation and expectation
- despair and doubt
- accumulation of clues
Different Types of Thrillers
- Murderous passion - focuses on husband/wife/lover. one of them ends up dead. EXAMPLE: Blood Simple
- Psycho traumatic - main character is so damaged by past events that he commits more crimes. EXAMPLE: Pyscho
- Innocent on the run - an innocent person is accused of a crime they haven't commited and is on the run from the police and other criminals. EXAMPLE: North By North West
- Story based on changes in identity - changes in identity, EXAMPLE: Face Off and Detour
- Political thriller - EXAMPLE: Day of the Jackal and Manchurian Candidate.
- Film Noir - A thriller with strong use of low key lighting, EXAMPLE: Mildred Pierce.
Group Meeting #1 - 19th January
Group Members: Emily, Steven and Lauren.
By the end of this meeting we had already created the plan for our thriller opening.
By the end of this meeting we had already created the plan for our thriller opening.
First Plan For Our Thriller Opening:
- Location - forest
- Point of view shots of a wife who is spying on her husband who is on a walk with another woman
- Shows husband kissing the woman, close up shot of wife's face saddening as she watches, then shows her hands tightening around a knife.
- Woman #2 runs off into forest to try and find her dog who has run off
- Midshot showing wife walking up to husband and then the next shot is of him dead, implying that she killed him.
- Wife runs off into the forest in the general direction of the other woman
- Woman walking through forest desperately trying to find her dog
- Cross cuts between the point of view of the wife following her/hiding behind trees and moving closer to the woman
- As soon as the wife gets close enough, the woman turns round as she sees the wife and there is an extreme close up of her eyes widening in fright.
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