What sub-genres appeal to the target audience?

Typical props in a thriller

Our ident

Storyboard

 This is the actual story board:

 

Story board testing against the target audience

After creating our story board, we gave it to people that fitted with our targeted audience and asked them what they thought. This is the feedback they gave:

·         They didn’t approve with the idea of filming in a built up location. They said that the opening would fit more with the thriller genre if it was in a small isolated location. We have chosen to film in this sort of location because it will appeal more to our audience.

·         They agreed with the use of the table prop in the middle of the room. They said that this would make the character on screen look more mysterious and will create tension as the video goes on. We have decided as a group that this will be definitely be in our thriller and will be one of the most obvious props.

·         They said that another effective prop for our thriller was the lamp on the table. The lamp will light up what’s on the table. Such as the photographs, notebook and gun but will keep the face of the killer hidden. This will make the thrilling nature of the video more effective.

·         The storyboard testers also said that our thriller plot fits well with its genre. They said that it will be successful in keeping the audience on edge and will build tension throughout the 2 minutes.

Questionnaire evaluation

Target audience: 20-35 males who enjoy watching films.

1.    In a thriller, is fast paced or slow paced music more effective in creating a tense atmosphere?

Slow paced – 2

Fast paced - 4

Both – 2

-We asked this question to see which style of music is more effective when making people feel tenser. We’ve found out that most people think that fast paced is more effective, so we will include some fast paced music to increase tension.

 

2.    How do you usually hear about new films?

TV – 6

Newspaper – 1

Internet – 1

Social media – 1

-These results show us the best way to publically release a film. We have found out that people hear about new films mostly from the TV and adverts.

 

3.    What is your favourite film opening and why?

The Departed – makes it look interesting

Gravity – exciting

Rush – wets appetite

We’re the Millers – funny

White House Down – intense atmosphere

Anchorman – funny

Pacific Rim – exciting music

The Great Gatsby – Soundtrack

-The results that we have collected from asking this question lets us see what people determine to be a good opening, so we can draw from famous openings and include some of it in our own.

 

4.    What props would you expect to see in a thriller?

Weapons – 5

Crucifix and holy water – 1

None answers – 2

-We have learnt from this question that people expect to see weapons in an opening to a thriller. We will include a weapon of some kind to our video. We will look at famous thriller openings to see how different weapons are used and compare it to what we can do.

 

5.    What is the worst thriller you have seen and why?

Paranormal Activity - 4

Mama

Ghost rider

None answer – 1

- After collecting the answers to this question, we have a wider knowledge of what conventions and themes we should not use in our thriller. The results tell us that a thriller opening similar to Ghost Rider or paranormal activity will not appeal to our audience. We will not create an opening like this.

 

6.    What grabs your attention in a Crime thriller and why?

Good plot

Suspense

Death

Music – suspenseful

Thrilling events

An unknown killer

-We learnt from these answers what will help to grab the audience’s attention in our thriller opening. We found out that suspenseful music will grab the viewer’s attention and will make the thriller more effective. We will also make sure that our thriller opening has an effective plot that will keep that audience engaged.

 

7.    Do your personal interests affect the types of films you watch and why?

Yes – 6

Why? Suspense

No – 2

-After collecting these answers, we found that linking the thriller to people’s interests would make it more interesting.

 

8.    What is your favourite poster for a film and why?

The Departed – 2

Pulp Fiction

Die Hard

Friday 13^th

Star Wars

No answer – 2

-By asking this question we have learned what kinds of things people like when viewing a film poster.

 

9.    What characters appeal to you in a Crime Thriller and why?

The hero

Helpless victim – 2

Vulnerable female

Interesting characters

The killer

Psychopaths

-From asking this question we aimed to learn what people wanted to see in a thriller. We learned that people like a stereotypical hero and helpless victim. We will include a psychopathic killer and helpless victim in our film as a result of this question.

 

10. For a setting, would you prefer:

An isolated building-8                An open area-0         An urban setting-0

 

 

 

 

-We learned that people prefer watching thrillers set in an isolated building. We are setting our crime thriller in an isolated barn as a result of this.

 

Michael Montgomery and James Girard's preliminary task

Shot list

Soundtrack

Inception soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT8hilib_6Q&list=PL001A57588A6E955F

This soundtrack from Inception is effective in creating an atmosphere for the audience. This soundtrack fits with the gripping nature of the film and helps ads to the tense atmosphere of the film. When the bass drops in the soundtrack, it creates a sudden drop in pace during the film and has a large increase of tension.

Jaws soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9QTSyLwd4w

The jaws soundtrack is very good at creating tension at a particular point in the film. The soundtrack is used in the film when the shark (Jaws) approaches it’s pray. The song helps to build tension as the pace gains speed. This makes the nature of the film more and more gripping throughout the course of the film.

The dark knight rises soundtrack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbJmpKcNrLQ

This soundtrack is affective in creating a tense atmosphere that continues through the entire film. This helps to keep the tense atmosphere within the movie and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the film. This helps the thriller appeal to the audience as they are attracted by a tense and gripping nature.

Lighting Prezi - By Michael Montgomery, Andy Cartwright and James Girard

Actors

The actors that feature in our film opening will have different characteristics for the different roles. For the killer we wanted a tall & muscular male, it wouldn’t matter what he looked like because we would conceal his identity and not let the audience know who he was. We wanted him to be tall & muscular because they give the impression of power and dominance and also emphasise them, also using the camera effectively would help do this too.

For the victim we wanted a small & skinny male, again it wouldn’t matter what he looked like because we plan to cover it in fake blood, but as long as it showing that he’s quite inferior and doesn’t really have control over the situation, we would also use effective camerawork to show this. These characteristics are stereotypical because the bad guy always over-powers the victim and wants to inflict pain or suffering into their lives because of a past event. The victim isn’t really stereotypical because he doesn’t have any strengths, he gets beaten and hurt badly by the killer and can do anything to save himself. We got these ideas from several thrillers like Seven and Momento because it uses the stereotypes well and it has a good use of actors.

 

Actor wordle

Pitch

The costume for the characters will be different; the killer will be wearing a smart suit and the victim will be wearing a rough suit with dirt stains and rips in it. We wanted to use these costumes because they don’t fit the location that we wanted to film in. This will create an atmosphere of uncertainty within the audience because they know that something isn’t right because they look out of place. The costume itself is quite stereotypical because in most crime thrillers you have the person in charge who is always dressed smartly, and his men who work for him are dressed quite smart too. We have used this idea but slightly tweaked it so that the two smartly dressed characters are fighting instead of being on the same team, we liked this because it’s very high in action and sets the rest of the film up really well. We got the idea from Momento where the main character is dressed nicely and he kills is co-worker.

For our ideas we will be using a backpack, torch and a camcorder. We will be using a backpack to illustrate to the viewer that the two characters are adventurers. As well as that, we will be using a torch so that when they are in the isolated house, only some of it will be illuminated. This will make the viewer feel tense as they can't see everthing that is going on. Furthemore, the characters will enter the scene on bicycles which will make them seem vulnerable and it will make them seem more realistic. 

Thriller openings analysis

Thriller openings analysis

Se7en

The thriller se7en uses different camera techniques and editing to create an effective opening. The most obvious use of camera shots is the close ups of the hands during the openings. The use of close ups show a lack of identity within the scene and helps to build the thrilling nature of the film. The close ups also show the detail of what is happening in the opening. The character is shown to be writing in a book and handling a razor blade. This sets the atmosphere for the rest of the film as it shows a hint towards violence.

The use of props is also effective in creating an effective opening. The props used in the opening are revealed as it progresses through the scene. This helps the continuing build of a gripping atmosphere throughout the opening and keeps the audience more on edge as it goes on.

No Country for Old Men

The opening for this thriller is not like any of the others, instead of car chases or killings; it just has different shots of what looks to be a desert in America. Because most of the shots are extreme long shots of quite peaceful locations, it connotes calmness and gives the audience the impression that nothing bad will happen. There is also a voice over during this opening; because the voice isn’t shouting or aggressive it also connotes calmness as well as the scenery. But, the audience is made to worry about the male that gets in the police car at the end of the scene. We are made to worry because of the weapon that this man has on him.  This makes it a good opening because of the mixed feelings that are expresses through scenery and mise-en-scene.

 

Preliminary task evaluation

For our preliminary task we had to organise ourselves in to groups and shoot a 1-2 minute sequence to show a person entering a room and speaking to someone else. In this task we had to demonstrate the 180 degree rule, match on action, shot reverse shot and continuity.

I think that our camerawork was good overall; however there were parts that we could have improved on quite a lot. We used a variety of shots including long shots, mid-shots and close ups. We used a close up on the antagonist’s face during this scene which I think was effective as it showed his expression and created a tense atmosphere. As well as that, we used a long shot as the two protagonists were entering the room to show location. It was also shot using a high angled shot to show that the protagonists were at the antagonist’s whim. I think that this shot could have been done better if we had a tripod that worked as we could have held the camera steadier so that it looked more professional. I think that the shakiness throughout this whole scene detracted from the overall quality of our finished sequence, as it made it look more amateur. During the start of this sequence we chose to leave out the antagonist’s face to add a sense of mystery to the scene. If I were to film this again, I would put some shadows across the antagonist’s face to make him seem more evil like Norman Bates has in ‘Psycho’ during the parlour scene. We met the 180 degree rule criteria as we did not break it. Furthermore, we used a close up of one of the protagonist’s hands to show his finger tapping. This was effective as it showed the viewer how tense the character was feeling. However, we could have made it better if we used a match on action to show which character’s hand it was. We could have used a shot of the character before we used the close up. In this sequence, we also weren’t very careful when positioning the tripod as you can see it in the reflection of a computer. If I were to do it again, I would make sure to compose my shots more carefully.

I think that our editing was effective as it didn’t show any jumps or glitches between scenes, it all ran relatively smoothly. If we had more time to edit, we could have made the shots run more smoothly together. We managed to stick to the 180 degree rule during filming the conversation in this sequence. As well as that, I think that we effectively used match on action during this scene. As one of the characters goes to open the door, we successfully edited the shots together so that the motion looked smooth as he was pulling down the door handle and entering the room. However, we could have made the match on action better towards the end of the scene, as one of the characters taps his finger; however it is unclear whose hand it is. As the characters are talking we showed a shot reverse shot which was effective as it links the characters together and makes the conversation feel more natural. I do not think that our use of titles was particularly effective as it was rushed and looked quite boring. If we had managed our time better, we could have spent more time making the title sequence look more interesting and thriller like. We could have used some sound effects as the names came in to make the sequence look more dynamic and professional. The only visual effect we used was a CCTV like one as the characters were walking in to the scene. I think this was effective because it added some variety to the sequence; however we could have made it look better if the camera was on a tripod so it would be less shaky.

I do not think the lighting was very successful or effective during this sequence. At the start we chose for the room to be dark to add a tense atmosphere; however I think it was ineffective as the viewer can’t really see anything. If we had access to more lighting opportunities then I think we could have made this scene look more effective, however was just had the main lights in the room. After the beginning of this sequence, lighting didn’t play a major role in creating an atmosphere. If we were to do this again, I would create more shadows in this scene to fit in with the thriller genre.  

During shooting and editing this preliminary sequence I have learnt that I need to be more time conscious as we spent too much time on certain things, and didn’t leave enough time for things like the title sequence. As well as that I have learned that I need to compose a shot more carefully so that there are no mistakes in the final edit. I also need to use a tripod more effectively so that the camera keeps steady, so that the final product looks more professional. We also learned how to effectively plan shooting a sequence through the use of story boards and shot lists. I wish to improve on making sound more effective and thriller like during my final thriller task. I also want to include more transitions so that it is a bit more visually appealing and interesting to watch. When planning my final thriller task, I also want to work more on the script so that we have an exact plan on what we want to shoot.

Sub genres and audiences

Sub genres and audiences

Thriller hybrids:

Action – Appeals usually to males aged 15 – 40.

·         This is because it contains weapons like guns and knives. Also because it is sometimes quite over the top, which many explosions. It contains women and car chases that get men interested.

Sci-Fi – normally aimed at people aged 18+ from both genders.

·         Aimed at these people because it usually contains adult themes and content, that adults would appreciate more. Both genders can enjoy this hybrid genre as it contains futuristic themes.

Noir – Aimed at people aged 18+ from both genders.

·         The thriller – noir hybrid genre contains a variety of characters, such as the femme fatale and the male hero. This will appeal to both genders, as they will be able to relate to the characters of their gender.

Crime/gangster – Aimed at men who are aged from 18+

·         These types of films usually contain a male dominated cast which would appeal to men. It also contains adult themes such as violence and drugs which would appeal more to an adult audience.

 



Thriller conventions

Thriller conventions

 

Camera work - Mid shots and close ups to show expressions and what the characters are doing. Close ups show involvement and makes the audience feel claustrophobic. Framing may exclude certain things to keep the audience guessing and to create tension. Lots of low angles to emphasise who is the more dominant character. Angle shots to show power. Range of different perspectives to add tension.

 

 

Editing - Dissolves are used to link key events. Fades to black or white to show flashbacks or time movement. Fast cuts to build speed and tension. Non chronoligically edited to add mystery or tension.

 

Opening - Titles show the director and cast. Often there is an ident to show who funded the film. Titles show the name of the film. The opening introduces key characters. Also creates an unsettling atmosphere. The opening shows a little bit of plot.

 

Sound - Music creates an atmosphere. It also enhances the plot. Ambient music to create an unsettling atmosphere. Voice overs can be effective.

 

Mise-en-scene - The props used dictate the direction of the narrative, e.g the use of a weapon. Setting is realistic and believable to the audience, however often use isolated settings. Males often shown to have more power. The killer is nearly always a man. Women are usually used as being the damsel in distress, however femme fatales have more power. Lighting is often low key, which creates mystery as you aren't shown the whole picture.

 

Narrative - Revenge. Justice/crime. The time sequence is often changed. Dual narrative. Sometimes things don't follow in a logical sequence. These all have a psychological effect.

 

Sub-genres - noir, supernatural, disaster, action, crime, religious, political, mystery, romance, psychological, medical and spy.

Why are some thriller openings good?

Why are some thriller openings good?

Goldeneye:

Goldeneye has a very good opening as it starts in the action. For example, it shows a man running across a dam. As well as that, as the amount of action increases, the pace of the editing speeds up. Furthermore, the opening of Goldeneye fits in with a lot of common thriller conventions. When Bond enters the complex, it is very dark with a lot of shadows on the walls. Also, the metal bars in one of the opening shots create straight shadows on the wall which is another thriller convention.

28 Days Later:

This film has a very good thriller opening. This is mostly because of the effective music that Boyle has chosen to include. The music used is chromatic, which gives the viewer a sense of impending doom, and that the character’s fate is inevitably going to be bad. As well as that, it is a good thriller opening because it creates an atmosphere of tension as the character is shown to be isolated and alone. Furthermore, as the audience is shown that there has been a zombie outbreak, the pace of the music gets faster which builds more tension.

The Departed:

The opening of this film is effective as a thriller opening because it starts off with self-shot footage which creates an atmosphere of realism. This means the audience can more easily relate. As well as that, Jack Nicholson’s voice is used as a voice over which gives the effect that he is all knowing and powerful, and that he will dictate this film.

Memento:

Memento has a very effective thriller opening as the audience knows what is going to happen to the man who gets shot. It also effective as it isn’t chronological which adds an element of mystery and tension. Furthermore, it is a good thriller opening as it creates tension. The fact that the character has short term memory loss is effective as it makes him a loose-cannon, which means that the audience will be surprised by his every move.

Film Noir mood board