Conventions Of a Thriller

Convention of a Thriller

• Simple font titles in the opening sequence
  


• Atmospheric music to create tension
  


• Dark and uneasy setting
  


• Upbeat and fast shots
  


• Little lighting and shadow shadowy areas
  


• Many close ups and over shoulder shots used
  


• Not much revealed to audience
  


• Opening scene may forshadow something in the future of the film
  


• Twists in the story
  


• Special effects

Thriller Pictures

These images are ones which I have taken myself and they are going to be possible and potential scenes where I am going to film the beginning of the opening thriller sequence.

Image 1
This image shows some graffiti, however it is different and doesn’t look as if It is was made by a spray can but blood. I think this as the colour used was red, but also the paint runs, just like blood would. This creates an uncomfortable mood and the scratches on the wall also add to the evil and scary mood.



Image 2
This image shows a danger sign of someone being electrocuted; the sign automatically makes the audience think of death and bereavement which will set the tone I won’t. Also in the image is barbed wire, which is very sharp and could imply that, that was the cause of death.

Image 3
This tree looks very evil and scary, as the branches on the tree look green and are contrasted effectively with the black night sky. The tree also gives off that stereotype of the tree moving in the wind and the branches looking like arms and tapping on the window.

Image 4
This image is effective and would also be great for my thriller. The image shows a single garage or iron barrier along with a brick wall which continues out of the image. The light in this image is only shown on the right, and on the left it is just complete darkness, which helps with the anxious mood.

Image 5
This image shows the end of the alley, however the gate implies that something or someone is trapped behind them, also as the gate starts the darkness begins. This can give an anxious feel to the audience as they don’t know what it behind the iron gates.

Image 6
This image shows a tree and next to it is a small door; the door also looks eccentric which could foreshadow something in my thriller opening. In addition the use of the tilted camera work creates and connotes an uneasy and apprehensive mood, which could raise tension.

Image 7
This image is strange and outlandish, which would create an effect with my audience and set the tone for my opening sequence.

Image 8
The image shows the beginning of an alley way. The natural dark light creates an eerie and scary atmosphere which would be ideal for my thriller; also the darkness in the background and the trees climbing over the fence creates a stereotypical feeling creepy and daunting.

Twister - Example Of My Genre

http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00191-Twister

In this short title sequence plant of elements are used to attract the audience. For example, in the background was a thick mist or cloud, this instantly sets the tone and can suggest that something is waiting to come from behind it. Additionally the clouds also make an eerie atmosphere, as the colours used are dark and grey, which are not pleasant colours therefore it can imply that whatever is going to happen not good and worrying.

Furthermore, the name of the film ‘Twister’ slowly emerges from the background, and keeps the audience hooked in as the letters are flying around the screen as if they were in a twister. In addition, the thick cloud begins to part and fade away, but then the audience is shown an odd and peculiar shot of a well and harvest machine. This attracts the audience as it leaves them on a cliff hanger and nothing of the film is revealed at an early age. Moreover, the opening sequence’s tone is helped along by the backing track; the track used is very slow and calm but has a vulnerable feel which can leave the audience on the edge of their seats and anxious.

Kill Your Friends - Example Of My Genre

http://www.watchthetitles.com/articles/00190-Kill_Your_Friends

In this short title sequence many key media concepts where used successfully in order to attract the audience. For example a variety of shot types and angles where used, such as a panning shot. For example the camera remained on film and went around the room picking up on certain elements for the audience. In addition this camera effect can attract the audience to stay tuned, so they can see what the camera is going to focus on next and where about in the room it is going to take them. Moreover an establishing shot was used to begin after following into the room. This establishing shot allows the audience to understand the setting and where this is being filmed. Also it can create an atmosphere and allow them to make a judgement of their first approach and can set an automatic tone which can help throughout the sequence.

Secondly music was used lucratively and helped reinforce the tone of the opening sequence. For example the music which was used throughout the filming process and remained in the background gave off an uneasy and apprehensive mood to the audience, which also helped in grasping their focus. Additionally the music had become a stereotype, as the punk rock genre of music was enforced by the smoking, drugs, alcohol, and big stereo playing the music, and the shots of CD records and posters of people singing.

Furthermore, the editing was used at a very high standard which draw in the audience. For example the names and title has been edited in with the bottle for example and shown on the label. Also the names had been put in everyday things, such as the editor’s name on a poster on the wall, and the name of the film had been edited onto a label of a smashed glass. Furthermore, this piece of editing was used well and the camera helped as made the audience stay focused, and to see what object was going to be next.

Catch Me If You Can - Title Sequence

Title Sequence
Within a title sequence job roles and logos are important, as they are things that the audience sometimes look out for. For example in this screenshot, it shows an example of a title sequence from the film 'Catch Me If You Can'. This title is very well made, the title sequence has been animated which creates an origianl and different feeling, but also perfectly sets the scene for the time period that it was set in.

Additionally other titles and logos such as 'Dreamworks' is important as it lets the audience know what company it was made by, but also that they are a seriuos and high standard company, who produce quality films. Morover this titles if very effective due to its syncronisation, for instance the backing track is a slow peice of contempary music, however every second or so has a significant beat which sounds like a clap. Editiing has been done here, because on near enough every clap, the shot changes. This is effective as it keep the audience watching, and make the audience think when the next clap will be, and then the next shot.

Lastly, a very clever peice of editing is when the film title appears. For instance when the word 'me' comes up it is coloured in white which stands out and contrasts effectivelly to the other black font colour. Also this is in a different font, which can also suggest that 'me' is a person and is an individual. Another peice of clever editing is when the plane flies past, when the plane goes past it slightly drags the word me, which can suggest that the 'me' has something to do with a plane, but also the title slightly fades, which can suggest that 'me' perhaps tries to escape and dissappear.

The Da Vinci Code

There are many differences between the opening sequence and the trailer. For example in the trailer a variety of the good and tense clips of the film are selected and put into the trailer. For example when the man is running away from a mysterious thing and the camera is looking down at him can suggest that he is in a vulnerable situation, but also this clip was very short and didn’t spoil to much, so it allows the audience to watch the rest and want to go and see the film. In addition it grabs your attention very well by the variety of clips used, which are fasted paced like montage editing and taken from all different angles and lengths. This makes the audience stay focused as they have to follow what is going on and what is coming on next, as it leaves it on a cliffhanger and attracts them to go and watch.

Furthermore, the opening sequence starts sort of slow but also at the same time it attracts the audience and gets you hooked in. Also the beginning of the film establishes a mood and familiarizes it with the audience so the audience can set a tone and give themselves an early understanding of the film.

In this opening sequence a variety of effects and clever uses of media concepts to hook the audience in and get them to carry on watching the film. For example throughout the first opening minutes nothing is revealed apart from a suspicious man reading and noting things down. This makes the audience feel very apprehensive to what is going to happen as it seems very mysterious. In addition the camera remains at only close up shots, which was used effectively as it only allows the audience to see a small and specific piece of actual camera frame.

Additionally the sound makes things seem mysterious and unexplained, as the music used is very daunting and sinister. Also the music sounds very scratchy and scary and as if you can hear the man’s heart pumping due to the silence in the room. Moreover the music gradually seems too unrevealed and come more normal as a little more is seen of the man and him doing other things. The editor had effectively made those scratchy noises as it links in with the titles and font. For example the font used is similar to someone writing their name on a chalk board with scribbles.

What Does a Movie Trailer and Opening Sequence Look Like

Movie Trailer

• An overview of the story/plot
• Grab our attention
• Action – the good bits
• Who is starring in the film
• Voice over – detailed
• No give away
• Montage editing
• Fast paced editing
• Persuade audience to follow up
• Attract the audience to go and watch

Opening sequence

• Get to hook you in
• Familiarize viewer with setting / established setting
• Slower paces – leading you into the story line
• Introduce characters through shots of them and titles
• Establish a certain ‘mood’ or ‘tone’
• Creates an atmosphere
• Soundtrack plus music helps to set the tone
• Viewers need to feel curious and engaged and have questions they want to answer

The Brief

The Brief is to create the titles and opening of a new fiction film, and to make it last a maximum of two minutes.

Preliminary Task: WWW and EBI

Throughout the preliminary task I received some positive and negative feedback, which I will consider in the future and use to make my work even better.

WWW:

· Used the 180-degree rule numerous times.

· Used various shot types and angles.

· Included the shot reverse shot effectively.

· Match on action was successful.

· In the task we only had two members, therefore we had to work around things and improvise our ideas.

EBI:

· Had a bit more flare and innovation.

· If I spoke louder during my speech scene.

· I shortened my shots and developed my continuity editing.

Preliminary Task

In the preliminary task we had to demonstrate and show our understanding of continuity editing. In the tasks that was given, we had show continuity within our editing and filming of a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another, with whom he then exchangers a couple of lines of dialogue. In my group was only Shehabur Rahman which meant two of us, but which we were supposed to have three. This made it very hard for us two as we were both characters which meant that there was not a specific film taker. However we worked around this effectively, by setting the shot up and quickly moving to the scene where we let the film run. When filming we used some technical equipment to guide us along the way such as a tri-pod which enabled us to keep the camera still and enabled us to leave it filming in a specific place whilst we got ready to act. Within the task, we were told that we had to include and demonstrate 'match on action', 'shot/reverse shot' and the '180 degree rule'. This also seemed unlikely that we was able to achieve this at the beginning with only two people, anyhow we managed to work well and achieve it successfully. Additionally I enjoyed this task very much and was my favourite throughout the entire induction. This is because all the things I learnt over the past weeks meant I was able to use them all together and receive a notable result.

Induction Task - WWW

During the induction tasks I found some a lot more interesting than others. For instance one which I found the most pleasing and entertaining was the recreation of the 'Donnie Darko' scene. This task was one of the last which we did and I thought it went really well. For example I was familiar with all the equipment whilst filming and the editing side of it, which had reflected on the end product as it looked successful and well composed. As a group we all participated and took on the role of the characters effectively and reconstructed the scene.

Induction Task - EBI

Throughout the induction tasks I found some of the tasks enjoyable and some not so enjoyable. The tasks which I found the least interesting was 'Push A Little Button'. For example this task was one of the first tasks which we had to complete and I found it the most boring and uninteresting. This may of been because I wasnt familiar to the equiptment and the end result of our films wasn't to the standard that it could have been. Our film could have been improved in areas such as using the tri-pod to keep the camera still and realistic, also when editing and trying to keep the clips short and sweet.

Personalising My Blog

1) Firstly I clicked on the design tab
2) Then onto template
3) Where I then looked through them and chose one which I liked

My First Practice Post

Firstly I click create blog, where I then clicked 'Upload Image'. Then i browsed through my documents to find a suitable image, i then clicked 'Choose' and altered the picture size to medium, where I then clicked 'Upload'.

The Sixth Sense

The Opening sequence of the film is very clear as it begins with the blue titles being contrasted against a black background. The titles are faded in a faded out, however the text looks as if it is coming in from the darkness and background. The title of the film is called ‘The Sixth Sense’, the title of the film is shown within the film and reminds the character as the character has a sixth sense where he can see the dead. In addition the music influence the tension at the opening sequence, for example the music changes to an eerie and ghostly feel which begins the uncanny atmosphere which foreshadows the future of the film.

The setting and location of the film begins in the house of the main character, however the part which it is set in is the basement/wine cellar. This leaves a stereotypical impact on the audience as basements are often associated with ghosts and a sinister ambiance. In addition the lighting is very dull which can also add to the scary and vulnerable feeling as they don’t know what could be hiding in the darkness. Furthermore, the camera films the character behind a wine shelf, this suggests to the audience that they are trapped and imprisoned, but the camera looks as if it is hiding and watching the character which can advocate to the audience that they are being followed.

Key props that are used are the smashed window, phone and glass, these shows to the audience that something is wrong and a crime has been committed. Also it can leave the audience insecure as there could also be an intruder in the home or they are being watched, which links to the previous paragraph of the camera behind the shelf. Costumes used work effective as they gave the audience a hint to what he could be like. For instance the female character was entered with a long dress on, which could portray them as being wealthy and rich. Also the male character was wearing a waistcoat and jumper. This could suggest to the audience that he is upper class and has a high authority due to his appearance. Furthermore, due to the camera work at the beginning of the sequence which looked as if something was watching them, could be foreshadowing something, or that they are going to get burgled because of their wealth and money. This gives the audience something to question as it doesn't it doesn't alright.

Distinctive camera work which is used can be found on the man. For example a high angle shot was used on him, this can portray to the audience that he doesn’t have a high status and authority at this moment in time, which could suggest that he is in a vulnerable position and in potential threat. In addition another high angle shot was used, but this time on the women, this angle suggest to the audience that they are in a susceptible position and in danger.