Thursday, 30 October 2014

Preliminary Task - Miss Miller

Chloe Eustace
Preliminary Task
Introduction:
The members in my group that I created the preliminary task with are Miranda Simpson and Elizabeth Lawrie. The purpose of the preliminary task was to get used to the equipment such as the camera and how to use it, and everything about the camera becasue then we would have had some practise for when we are ready to film our opening sequence. This task has also allowed us to as a group to get to know the camera angles and practise them and decide which ones give the most effect  and the ones that we prefer the most. We had to film a small 30 second scene about anything as long as it allowed us to use the camera techniques and shots to practise them as we might use them in our opening sequence. We had to quickly edit the sequence together in order to see how they were shot and for them to give the best effect. It also gave us the opportunity to get to learn some of the simple editing techniques such as cutting parts out.








Equipment

There was a variety of different equipment that we used when undertaking this preliminary task because it helped us to be able to get used to the equipment so that when we actually shoot the thriller sequence we know how to use the equipment properly and with ease. We used the tripod in order to get some zooming in shots and the tripod helps to balance the camera while the scene is being shot. Other equipment obviously that we used when undertaking this task was the camera, and it was good because it allowed us to see who would be the best at using and manoeuvring the camera so we would know who would be the best at being the camera person when we come to filming. This was a good idea because the person that can use it with the most ease makes sense to be the camera person when we actually film because it will make filming easier and run more smoothly.

Camera and Camera Shots

Different camera techniques that we used included a two shot where we had to make sure that there was two people in the shot and in the cameras focus at the same time. We managed this however a two shot includes the two people in  the camera focus from the waist up and ours was sort of more with just the faces. We also used the zoom, this the zooming in on faces or and object. In our small sequence we had a two people have a conversation.

 We zoomed in on the faces. We also used a panning shot which we used when one of us in the scene walked into the room this we did quite well becasue it gave the effect that we wanted it to as the camera followed the person. When we were filming we managed to work the camera and had it set up functioning properly. Becasue we had the camera functioning properly it meant that we got all the shots we needed. Something that we need to work on is timing as when we filmed there was times when we hadn't discussed when the next person would move into the scene and we would forget to pause in some places which is why when we went back through it there was a lot of shots we didn't even need, we found that there was a lot of shots that we needed to cut out of the scene. There was also during filming when we would not have ended the conversation properly and would have jumped to the next part of the scene,

This is something that we need to work on and make sure is done properly before we start filming our opening sequence. Watching the footage back has helped us to see what mistakes we made as we got to see exactly what bits we had missed out or what things we need to make sure are in our final opening sequence. Before we film our final sequence I think that we need to make sure we know exactly what we want to achieve and how we are going to achieve it.

From undertaking this preliminary task I have learnt how to use the camera with ease and how the camera works the best for us meaning that we have decided that I will be the main camera person when we film our thriller sequence because it makes it easier and quicker for us when filming. Some issues that we found that we had when filming was determining the right buttons on the camera and timing. Our timings were very poor and so when it came to editing it meant that we were cutting out most of the scene.


Conclusion

From this preliminary task I have learnt that as a group we need to decide on things a bit more before we jump into them for example like the story line and how we are going to make sure that we create the effects that we need in order to create and make the opening sequence to our thriller film. This task has helped me prepare for filming the opening sequence to our thriller film because it has allowed us to have a go at using the camera and setting everything, from having the practise of using the camera and the set up, this may make will make things easier when we come to film as we would have had practise setting up.



Wednesday, 15 October 2014

Group Narative - Miss Georgiou

Chloe Eustace

Group Narrative

Introduction

A narrative is needed in order for there to be something happening within the film. If there was no narrative then the audience wouldn't understand what was going on within the sequence. In my group for the planning and creating of an opening sequence is Elizabeth Lawrie and Miranda Simpson. Bellow are the narratives that we have done individually and I have then written advantages and disadvantages for each idea, we have then to together come up with a final group narrative for our opening sequence.

Lizzie's Idea:

A group of friends are going on a camping trip for Alice Morgan's 18th birthday, little does she know the females in her family have been plagued by a curse since the 1800s. Every once in a while, a female in the Morgan family on their 18th birthday, usually of good nature and innocence, are said to have been taunted by a young ghostly figure before mysteriously vanishing and said to be claimed by an demoniacal being. 

During the 1800s, William Morgan, a relative of Alice, broke the heart of a beautiful young woman named Elise Elliot, she was a young maid working for William and his wife Anna. Elise and William had a whirlwind affair, and eventually called their relationship off, explaining to Elise he never loved her, only his wife. Unknown to William, Elise was of Romany decent, she was in fact a gypsy. Elise was riddled with  unbearable heartache, excruciating grief and anger, so much so she cursed William before taking her own life. She cursed the whole Morgan family because she wanted William to pay for the pain he had caused her and wanted her suffering to be remembered for all eternity. 
Alice, leading up to her 18th had been having what she considered of odd dreams, she had been vividly dreaming of a young woman weeping over a man she had loved and lost, a woman eventually revealed to be Elise Elliot. Alice reveals to her friends the strange dreams she has been having while camping in the woods by her house, shortly before the ghostly taunting commence. 


Advantages

- The setting of the opening sequence is set in abandoned area, in the middle of the countryside which is conventional to thrillers.
- There is a female victim who is actually the main character, this is also conventional to thriller films
- There will be tension and suspense created for the audience to be able to build a relationship with the characters.
- There would be enigma created as there would in the opening sequence be a lot of unanswered questions, which is conventional of a thriller opening sequence.

Disadvantages:

This is a good idea to  a thriller opening sequence but the issue with this sequence is will it be realistic to film and actually create, as the setting is in an abandoned place in the countryside, and they are camping.
- Also this idea is more of an overall idea and so all of that to put into an opening sequence would be difficult as there is only 2-3 minutes of time to create and there wouldn't be many questions left to be answered so the audience may not want to then continue watching the thriller sequence. 


Miranda's Idea:

A house in the middle of the Countryside. There will be 3 female victims who wake up locked in  different rooms scattered around the basement of the house, banging on the doors screaming trying to find a way to escape thinking that it is abandoned. However, with out them knowing the antagonists family are living in the house, not aware of the victims being there as all the walls are sound proof. Will the victims escape before it is too late or will one of the family members become suspicious as the antagonist keeps heading down to the basement?

Advantages:

- The setting is in the an abandoned house in basement which is hidden away from the rest of the family, this abandoned place is conventional to a thriller so the idea of this is good.
- There are 3 female victims which is also conventional and typical of thriller films for there to be a female victim especially when they are scattered around the room and there is three different characters for the audience to focus on.
- The three victims are banging on the doors trying to escape and for an opening sequence this will create suspense and suspicion for the audience and get them hooked as it is unknown if they will escape from the basement making the audience wonder what will happen next and make them want to watch the rest of the film, this also creates enigma as there is questions left open for the audience.
- There is a mysterious atmosphere that keeps the audience hooked to the scene and the rest of the film.
- The victims are trying to escape, this is conventional of thriller films as there is normally someone trying to escape.

Disadvantages

- This idea may not be easy to film and pull off because it is set in a complicated location as we don't know where we would be able to get an abandoned basement, as well as the fact that there would be the need for a lot of characters and props. It may not be realistic to film easily in order to give the suspense and the enigma that we want to allude the audience with. 



My Idea:

The main character is a girl (One of the Victims), her parents are away for the weekend and decides that she could have a party with friends. She lives in a pretty abandoned place in the town where there is only the neighbours. The party gets out of hand when everyone starts bringing there own friends and there is actually a murderer been brought to the party.  They try to work out who is the killer (antagonist) but people keep dying one by one leaving only the females alive, the males at the party are being killed first. 

Advantages:
- This idea is conventional because there is the use of props, victims and an abandoned environment, this is conventional because these things and ideas are typically involved within a thriller film. 
- The idea would create enigma because there would be a lot of questions asked by the audience as it would leave them wondering what would happen next and what would happen to the characters which helps the audience develop a relationship with the characters as they want to find out what will/would happen next. 
- The idea would create tension suspense and surprise for the audience because there is people that are dying and no one knows why so that leaves tension and suspense as well as the when people are dying it is a surprise for the audience.

Disadvantages

This idea is more of an overall idea of the narrative mainly what would happen with the film, it would be difficult for us as a group to get the overall suspicion and tension that is needed within a thriller film because it may not really be realistic to do. 


Final Group Narrative:

We decided as a group after reading and analysing each others ideas that to use on of the ideas would be difficult as they are all quite difficult to be able to actually create overall so we decided that together we would come up with  new narrative. 

The narrative would include two girls on the way to a party, who had been being followed by someone, and they didn't really notice, so when they break down on the way to the party the stalker is behind them, which creates tension for the audience and dramatic irony because the audience know that they are being followed but the characters (girls themselves: Holly is the driver and the story bases around her. Gemma dies in the car from the stalker) are unaware of this. One of the girls gets out of the car and wanders off away from the forest to get signal, and the other girl stays behind which is when she gets murdered by the unknown stalker who has a hidden identity. The setting is in an abandoned street where there is no one around in the middle of the forest. This idea is conventional because there is a broken down car which is in a n abandoned area, there are female victims as well as the main antagonist , weird noises are outside the car and inside the car such as the radio, They are being followed by the antagonist so this is the hidden identity. 


Narrative Theory: 
   
Torolovs Theory includes the idea that a film has a set follow or story line in a film,  he uses three key words for his theory Equibrilum which is where the story is normal and everything is as it should be. Disequilibrium is where there is an abruption where something changes within the scene and in the story line and at the end there is a new equilibrium created which is where a new one is produced at the end of the film where everything is fine and happy and back to normal.  This theory relates to our final narrative because...

Vladimir Propp has a theory about how films work, however this would not work for our final narrative as it does not really link to thriller films, his theory discuss' characters and how they are important to a film. He says that the characters in films are usually the same including characters such as a Hero (Protagonist), Sidekick and an antagonist. These types of characters are not present within thriller films which is why his theory probably wouldn't work or relate to our final thriller opening sequence. 

Conclusion: 

Our narrative is conventional to thriller films because there is the use of a number of conventional things including a hidden mystery of the antgonist, and this makes the audience excited to find out who the antagonist is and what he has planned, also there is the use of two female victims within the thriller film, this is conventional to thriller films because female victims are seen by the audience and vulnerable to the typiclly strong antagonist and so the audience expect there to be a female victim. Other conventional parts to our thriller opening sequcne include the fact that someone will die by the unnamed antagonist in an empty location where it is abandoned. Our narrative as a group for our opening sequence is a good idea and will be alright to pull off, there is parts of this opening sequence that are conventional and we can film it and create it so that it will prove the main things to the audience that a thriller film should, Enigma, Shock, Surprise and Suspense. 































Tuesday, 14 October 2014

Reseach into Target Audience - Miss Miller


Research into Target Audience


Introduction

Research was carried out in order to discover what it is that people like in thriller films and help us decide what audience we are going to aim our thriller film opening sequence at. We decide that we needed to ask 40 people becasue it would make the results more reliable and we would get answers for a thriller film opening sequence that me and my group may not have thought of and it would allow us to decide what content an audience enjoys within a thriller film, still within a suitable age restriction for the opening sequence.


Questionnaire:

   Below is the questionnaire that me and my group chose, we chose these questions becasue they relate to thriller films which is the topic that we wanted to get answers about. The questions were chosen because we wanted to make sure that we got the right answers and information in order to decide what the audience of our opening sequence would enjoy but would also be okay for our target audience within reason. The questions that were asked were open and close questions, open questions were those where there could be an explanation of why and include a variety of different answers, and closed questions are the questions that 

   We chose questions such as gender, so that we can decipher who likes what and try to involve there ideas in the opening sequence so that everyone can watch it, as well as asking a question about age as this helps to decide what age group we really want to aim the opening sequence at and help us to decide on a good story line within reason. Other questions included what type of thriller films are enjoyed the best such as scary, jumpy, etc... and other questions that relate to thriller films such as victims being murdered and if they enjoy jumpy scenes. 



Vox Pops: Question evidence
  
   Vox Pops are video or voice questionnaires that are asked to the public so that they can be viewed again and provide evidence that the right questions were asked and that they relate to the subject/topic. In this instance I asked a number of people using vox pops videos in order to ask questions about thriller films that relate to the research into my target audience for the thriller opening sequence that I am planning.
Questionnaire Results

Below are the results of my questionnaire that i asked 40 people, I have presented the results in pie charts to show easily the results and the number of people that said what within the questionnaire. 


Question 1 was a question about gender. This question was a closed question as there is only two options available as an answer. I decided that it would be a good idea to ask a question about what gender of the person is that I asked because then I could see what gender may prefer what specifically in a thriller film. Maybe a male might prefer the antagonist to be hidden but females may not. Gender was a good question to ask to determine what people like what in thriller films and will help me to be able to relate within my opening sequence to the audience that I am targeting for. The results were that 60% (24 asked) of people that I asked where female and 40% (16 asked) of people that I asked were Male meaning that they may be biased results as I asked more females that males.


Question 2 is a question about age. This was an important question because the idea of the research into the target audience was also deciding what age certificate the opening sequence and thriller film would be aimed at. We found that 50% of the people that we asked were aged 16-18 which is the typical age that you would expect people to be watching thriller films and probably the target age for our opening sequence probably ageing it under BBFC requirements as '15'. We found that the age of which we asked the second most frequently was 13-15 years old. We asked 40 people how old they were in order to get the best result in order to decipher upon the target audience for our opening sequence. 

Question 3 was a question to determine what type of thrillers people enjoy within the thriller category and which ones people prefer. This question highlights what type of thrillers people enjoy within the thriller genre for example the options were Scary (20%), Psychological (65%), Criminal (10%) and Sci-Fi (5%). This question was a closed question for the audience to answer which meant that they had to choose one of the categories above. This may not have been very reliable because there is the fact that there was only the option of those 4. The question is related to thriller films and conventional to thriller films because there is the different genre of films such as scary or psychological thrillers and from our results it seems that people prefer psychological thriller films.

Question 4 was another closed question that was used to determine if the audiences prefer the antagonist in a film to be hidden. The antagonist is the main murderer/killer/enemy in a thriller film and when the identity of the main antagonist is hidden it creates suspense and mystery for the audience which is typical and conventional of thriller films. We have found from out results that 87.5% (35) of people said that they prefer it when the antagonist is hidden or has a hidden identity that the audience don't know about. Whereas we found that there were 12.5% (5) of people don't like it when the identity is hidden and that they like it when they know who the antagonist is and what his motives are however that isn't typical of thriller films.


Question 5 was a question that asked the audience of thriller films how they prefer a victim to be murdered. This may be an odd question however it is a useful question because weapons are conventional to thriller films. This was a open question becasue there is a number of different ways that an antagonist in a thriller film can be/murder. We choose 4 options that related to some answers that we were given to us. The options that I rounded up too include Weapon (62.5%), Fall or Falling (15%), Accident(s) (7.5%) or Suicide (15%). The most common category was Weapons, this obviously could be a number of things like Knives etc... and this was a good amount of people that chose weapons which is a good thing as weapons are conventional to thriller films.

Question 6 was a question about the setting of a thriller film. There are a number an variety of settings of thriller films. This question again we decided was good to be a open question, we decided again that this was more of a broad question and so we decided that it should be left open becasue there is a variety of options on the setting of a thriller. Some of the settings that I decided to include for the results graph based on other peoples answers, including; Abandoned (52.5%), Alleys or Roads (25%), Hidden Place e.g. Forest (15%), Mental Institutions (2.5%) and other (5%). The most common answer for this question was linked to the category of an abandoned area which could be a variety of things such as and abandoned building, hospital, house or an empty area. This is conventional of thriller films anyway as there is normally an abandoned setting ion a thriller film because it tends to create suspense and tension for the audience.

Question 7 was a question for us to find out what the audience's don't like or don't enjoy about thriller films. This was an open question for the people we asked because there again was a variety of options of what people may not like about thriller films. We sorted categories within this for the results included the categories Jumpy (27.5%), Scary (10%), Overdramatic (10%), Boring (2.5%), Other (50%). The most common answer was other as there was a whole lot and varieties of answers for the question. This question was good and helped us because we now know what people dislike about thriller films, and it helps us to decide what we should and shouldn't put in to our opening sequence and helps us decide on our target audience.

Question 8 was another closed question as there was only two options to choose from anyway. This was an important question as it was to ask the audience weather they prefer a Female or Male victim with thriller films. The results included 90% choosing Female and 10% choosing Male. This was the result that I expected as a female victim is the most conventional victim within a thriller film. It is unconventional for in a thriller film for there to be a Male victim. With there being a Female victim it creates suspense and tension for the audience and draws them into the film.

Question 9 was also another closed question that was about weather the audience enjoys jumpy scenes within thriller films. This is a closed question because there is only two options for the audience to answer or to choose. The options were Yes (92.5%) and No (7.5%). We found that from the people that we asked that most people enjoy jumpy scenes and that it wouldn't be a thriller film and there wouldn't be tension, suspense or surprise unless there was jumpy scenes.
 Question 10 was a another closed question and it was closed again because there was only two options to choose from for the audience to answer with. It was a question about plot twists and if the audience enjoy them. The results include Yes (62.5%) and No (37.5%) we have found that people do enjoy most plot twists as it makes the thriller film conventional.


 Conclusion:
  
   In conclusion creating the questionnaire and asking 40 people about thriller films has allowed us to decide on a target audience and what our audience may like to see from a thriller film. What they find conventional and what will make the audience be hooked and want to continue watching the thriller film.

Monday, 13 October 2014

Individual Narrative Ideas - Miss Georgiou

Chloe Eustace
Individual Narrative Ideas

Introduction: 

A narrative is needed for a film in order to have a story line and plot for the audience to follow. Without a narrative there would be no story line and so the audience wouldn't be able to follow. The narrative is important because it is the story line and without the narrative then there is no film and that's the way you know what's going to happen and where the film is going to end. 

Narrative: 

The main character is a girl (One of the Victims), her parents are away for the weekend and decides that she could have a party with friends. She lives in a pretty abandoned place in the town where there is only the neighbours. The party gets out of hand when everyone starts bringing there own friends and there is actually a murderer been brought to the party.  They try to work out who is the killer (antagonist) but people keep dying one by one leaving only the females alive, the males at the party are being killed first. 

Opening Sequence: 
   *Parents leave the house, her and two of her friends are there already staying the weekend
   *Its dark and raining outside and the lights are flickering  
   *The party quickly escalates as more and more people start turning up to her house
   *People start getting murdered and leaves the audience questioning what's going to happen next

Mise- En - Scene
The setting  of the opening sequence will be in a house in an abandoned place where there is only two neighbours so not really anyone else around. This would make the thriller film  conventional because an abandoned setting where there is nobody around is typical within thriller films and leaves the audience suspicious as to what the setting has to do with the film and leaves them questioning what's going to happen next. The setting of the actual party would be in the house where it is just like every other house which will shock the audience and keep them hooked from the opening sequence as anything can then happen, the use of a regular setting to start the sequence off would work well because when the bad things happen it makes the audience more shocked and surprised.

Iconography used in the thriller opening sequence would be the typical weapons such as knives which is conventional to a thriller film because there is always someone who dies within thriller films by a weapon and puts the audience on the edge. The use of weapons will help the audience create a relationship with the characters who have weapons because they know what's going to happen and helps them prepare themselves for the rest of the scene. Also iconography helps the audience to feel sorry for the characters which I why it is good to have weapons used in an opening sequence.

The use of costume and make up would literally just be the regular clothes as they are all going to a party, this would make them vulnerable as victims as they would just be normal and obviously wouldn't have any weapons with them so the audience may feel sorry for the characters as they know from the main antagonist that these characters are going to be hunted the main ones of the rest of the film and probably die.


Advantages and Disadvantages:



Advantages of this idea includes the fact that the idea is conventional to thriller films. This idea is conventional because there is the use of props, victims and an abandoned environment that is out of the way from where there is many people. This is conventional because these things and ideas are typically involved within a thriller film. The idea would create enigma because there would be a lot of questions asked by the audience as it would leave them wondering what would happen next and what would happen to the characters which helps the audience develop a relationship with the characters as they want to find out what will./ would happen next. The idea would create tension, suspense, and surprise for the audience because there is people that are dying and no one knows why so that leaves tension and suspense for the audience. Disadvantages of this idea would include the fact that this idea is an overall idea and not just an opening sequence idea, and it would be difficult to get the overall suspicion and tension that is needed across to the audience because it may not be realistic to film this.

Target Audience

The target audience of this opening sequence would aim to be a '15' which against BBFC requirements would mean that the film could have blood and gore in it, and I think that this film opening sequence would fit well in to this category as there would not be too much violence within the film but enough in the sequence that it is portrayed as an opening sequence to a thriller film.

Conclusion
In conclusion this idea I believe is a good idea for my final opening sequence but it may not be achievable to be exactly like an opening sequence to a film.


Friday, 10 October 2014

Inspirations - Miss Georgiou

Chloe Eustace

Inspirations


Introduction

We need inspirations in order to motivate or make us want to do something. The inspirations are the things that inspire us to be motivated and help us decide what to do. The types of inspirations that we choose to inspire us tends to tell you a lot about someone. The inspirations that I use and think will be good for my thriller opening sequence may be different to others in my group and they may find different inspirations to me. 

Mis-En-Scene (Iconography)

I have decided that an inspiration from my research into thrillers that when I choose my iconography, (props used within scenes of films) I will want to use prop such as knives and weapons. The research into props has helped because it has helped me realise what types of props and things need to be used and that would be good within a thriller opening sequence. 

The sorts of Mis-en-scene that I can include in my thriller is dark and light settings and scenarios as well as add in effective props and costumes to fit the scene. Other things that can be included from mis - en - scene for my thriller sequence is iconography as this creates suspicion  surprise and tension for the audience, Also there is the light and darkness like adding in to the scene things like shadows because this also makes the audience tense and feel for the characters.  As well as these things in thriller being Mis - en - scene they are also effective and typical conventions of a thriller like props and darkness. The inspirations that I gathered from the clip from 'American Pyscho' which I analysed when researching Mise -en - Scene is the fact that while the weapon that he uses is conventional it is also a different weapon than what is usually used in thriller films as he uses a chainsaw to chase his victim and in most thriller sequences or thriller scenes a knife is used. This has inspired me to think outside the box when it comes to the iconography and props that i may use within my thriller opening sequence. This has inspired me for the miss-en-scene because I want to try and use different props and things within my own thriller sequence to still make it conventional to a thriller sequence but also to make the sequence stand out. 


Cinematography (Handheld)


The use of Handheld which I a most likely to use within my thriller because it creates the sense of drama and urgency because the camera is literally following along with the characters and when they move. There are a number of camera angles and shots that I would use within my thriller sequence in order to create suspense, and shock which is conventional to a thriller. Some that I would consider using include panning as this is the camera following the characters and usually the protagonist, which creates effect for the audience that what they are doing is important. As well as zooming in because this creates the Suspense of this character is important you need to look at there facial expressions and what is going on and the fact that they are important. Some inspirations that I have taken from my research into cinematography is the use of the handheld camera, 


Sound

This research has helped me to understand what sounds to use within my own thriller sequence to make it as effective as possible. For example within my own thriller sequence I will most likely use Diegetic sound as this is sound that is part of the scene most commonly dialogue and what the characters are talking about. Also I am most likely to use non-diegetic sound of adding in some tense music in the background because this makes the scenes more tense for the audience and helps them to engage with the film. Other sounds that I would like to use is silence because this can create some really good effect because silence creates tension which can draw in an audience and let them know what's happening.



Editing Styles

Editing Styles that I will consider when it comes to my thriller sequence is a Jump cut because it allows the audience to react to what's happening as they can see more than one facial expression within the scene and more than on thing that's happening within the scene. Another Editing Style that I may use is slow editing as this creates a number of effects such as tension because the character may be moving slowly as well as shock and surprise when something shocking happens at the end of the scene or within the scene. A final editing style that I might consider using is a straight cut where there is a change in location which can be brief to create suspense as to what's going to happen next or where it changes location quickly to create and give more effect of the scene to the audience.

Conclusion


In conclusion there are a number of inspirations throughout the research that I have done that has helped me and my group decide on what we want to do for our thriller opening sequence.

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

Research into Conventions - Miss Miller

Chloe Eustace
Research into Conventions

Introduction

Conventions are a variety of different things that you see are typical within that specific genre of film.  Conventions conform to specific standards of a genre. In films conventions are elements that are common with different film genres - patterns that can be seen in different films from the same category.  Conventions are needed in films in order for the genre of the film to stand out from others for example: within action films some typical conventions are explosions, Aeriel shots and iconography of which within a thriller film may not be the same.  The scene from a thriller film that I have decided to use for this analysis is Scream 2, as there is a scene where I can see that there is a variety of conventions within it that relate to the thriller genre. 

Chosen Film Sequence:  Scream 2  - Reckless Driving Scene



Convention 1: Non - Diegetic Sound
There is non-diegetic sound within this scene mostly throughout the scene as Non - diegetic sound is sound that has been edited into the scene after the filming. The sound is tense music with a beat that has been added to the background when the masked man jumps on the car and then it remains for the rest of the scene. This adds effect to the scene as it is tense music when something bad happens and as the music builds up and gets faster it might lift the audience and this may create excitement for the audience as they feel part of the film as they see what is happening. This is conventional to a thriller film because the tenacious music also creates tension which is something that thriller films need to create for the audience for them to want to engage to the scene and the rest of the film. Excitement is also conventional to thriller films as again it helps to get the audience excited and want to engage with the film and it helps the audience to create a relationship with the characters as the music is tense and makes the audience feel sorry for the four victims.

Convention 2: Darkness/ Low Key Lighting/ Setting
Another convention within this film scene is darkness/abandoned setting/ and the use of low key lighting. The setting is dark and in an abandoned street when they are in the car which is typical because there is no one around to witness the murders and because it makes the audience feel tense for the victims knowing that something is probably going to happen to them and they are in an abandoned place. The low key lighting is apart of this as it creates darkness and shadows which are also tense as the audience don't know whats going to or is moving. The dark setting is in an abandoned place because the two men in the front of the car were planning on taking the two girls in the back away and they didn't even know where they were going when the masked man appeared. The low key lighting is typical of thriller films as it creates tension for the audience as they don't know whats going to happen, but darkness normally insinuates that something bad is going to happen. The audience can create a relationship with the 4 victims because they are typical female victims that is conventional to a thriller but the two men are untypical of thriller films. The audience can build a relationship with these characters  because they feel sorry for them knowing that something is going to happen and that they are going to die.





Convention 3:  Antagonist/ Main Character/ Killer an Iconography
Another convention of thriller films is the main antagonist. There is always an antagonist in thriller films because the antagonist is the murderer, if there wasn't then there would be no one killing people. The main antagonist from this scene is the masked man as he jumps out from the dark and attacks the people in the car. This is conventional to thriller films as there is typically someone with a hidden identity trying to murder people. Another convention linked to the antagonist of thriller films and in general in thriller films is the weapons used by the antagonist, this is iconography. The weapon that the masked man uses is a knife as he appears and jumps on top of the car with a knife. This is conventional to thriller films as there is the need for weapons otherwise someone wouldn't be murdered. The weapons help to hook the audience as this is excitement as they know that there is going to be someone murdered probably and this makes the audience want to carry on watching. The audience can gain a relationship with the main antagonist as they know that he is the masked man and that when he appears in the scene that something bad is going to happen and that someone will be killed. With the antagonist comes the tense music which again engages the audience to the scene as it makes them feel tense about what may follow. The audience can also build a relationship with the main antagonist as there is a masked antagonist and he has a hidden identity which is conventional to thriller films. The hidden identity is exciting for the audience as they know that there is something hidden from them and makes them want to find out who the masked man is. It leaves a lot of unanswered questions to the audience.

Convention 4: Female Victims 

Within this scene there  is two female victims in the back of the car which the masked man is originally going for however the two men get in the way and so the man kills them first and drives away with the women. This is typical to thriller films because there is typically a female victim because women are seen to be vulnerable and nieve, they are seen as the typical type of victim in thriller films becasue they are easy targets. The audience can build a relationship with the two female victims because they know that they know that something is going to happen, and the audience may feel sorry for them as they know they are going to be victims. The audience may feel sorry for the other two victims who were the two men in the front seat however they are not seen as typical victims becasue the audience may assume that they can take care of themselves and fight with him, which they do but die anyway. This is conventional to a thriller because there is always a female victim that is chased or hunted or to be killed and it tends to keep the audience's attention.

Convention 5: On screen sound

Within this scene of the film there is the use of on screen sound which is conventional to thriller films. On screen sound is where the audience can hear a sound and know where the sound is coming from. In this scene it is when the car moves hurridly down the road. The audience can see and hear the car so they know what the noise is. This effects the scene because it makes the audience excited as the car drives and they can see and hear that it is driving quickley down the road, it makes the audience experiance the movement as it is happening. This is conventional to thriller films becasue the masked man who is driving the car is in a hurry to outrun everyone and wants to hide and this makes the audience feel sorry for the victims in the car but also as the car is moving hurridly they feel tense about what is happening.

Conclusion

In conclusion there is a number of conventions within thriller films that make them specific to the thriller genre, this clip shows this because there is the use of typical conventions of thriller films such as victims, female victims, weapons, an antagonist and sound. These conventions all make a thriller film because they make the film exciting, shockeing, tense and suspicious for the audience who are watching the film, they engage them. I will take some of these conventions and elements of the this clip in order to create my own thriller sequence and make sure that the elements chosen are conventional of a thriller film and the thriller genre. For example I may use diegetic sound becasue this is typical to a thriller and makes the audience more excited when they hear different music. I will use weapons in my thriller sequence because again this helps the audience to engage in the film and is conventional to a thriller film as there is typically weapons used in most thriller films.  

Monday, 6 October 2014

Opening Sequence Analysis - Miss Georgiou

Chloe Eustace

Opening Sequence Analysis

   
The purpose of an opening sequence to a thriller film is to engage the viewers/audiences interest and to help capture them to want to continue watching the film. An opening sequence opens the film and sets the plot, and introduces the audience to the general themes of the film. Other purposes of an opening sequence is to introduce the main character/s and to create suspense, shock and surprise for the audience in order to convince them to watch the film. Opening sequences to typical thriller films generally includes some characters and usually the main character to the film, Opening credits and Enigma. There are a number of camera shots, editing styles, conventions to thrillers, sounds, characters and narratives used within an opening sequence in order to make grab the audiences attention and make the opening sequence typical to thriller films. 

Analysed Opening Sequence -  Halloween (1978)



Cinematography:
   
Within the opening sequence of the film Halloween there is the use of cinematography, Zooming out. There is zooming out used when the dad takes the mask of the young boy, this show that the antagonist is actually a young boy and this shocks the audience because they wouldn't expect an 8 year old boy to be the killer within the film. The zooming in actually emphasises the fact that he is the killer because the camera is close up to his face and zooms in as the mask is taken off. This allows the facial features of the young boy to be shown to the audience and his expressions are so innocent and vulnerable that the audience may actually not believe that the boy is the killer. This is conventional to a thriller because shock and enigma is created within the opening sequence. There is a lot of questions left open to the audience after this shot and this helps to keep the audiences attention for the rest of the film. There is shock and suspense created for the audience which is conventional to thriller films because they are shocked that the killer could possibly be a young boy and suspicious as to why this happened and are then hooked from the opening sequence to watch the rest of the film. 

Another shot used within this opening sequence is Point of View. At the beginning of the scene we don't know who the person behind the camera is, therefore there is mystery created. The antagonist is behind the camera and as he is walking through the house the camera remains from his perspective until the end of the opening sequence. This creates tension and suspense as there is the unknown behind the camera and we don't know what there going to do and what's going to happen. This is conventional to a thriller because there is the mystery of the fact that the audience doesn't know who the man behind the camera is and the audience don't know how this character is going to react. The audience may feel that this character is important, relevant and powerful as it is his point of view and because we are following him through the house, so the audience can connect with the character slightly because it gives them an idea that he is going to possibly be the main character. It creates tension for the audience that is conventional to a thriller because there is enigma created as this tension of who the character is and the mystery of why he is hidden behind the camera has hooked the audience and makes them want to watch the rest of the film. As there is the use of Point of View from the boy himself there is also the use of the handheld camera as he is essentially holding the camera himself as he walks through the house. This gives the audience a chance to build a relationship with this character becasue they are literally seeing what the character is seeing, and the audience can engage with this as he walls through the house and up the stairs. This is also mostly evident when Michael runs down the stairs in a panic becasue he knows what he has just done and maybe wants to run away, but this creates a sense of urgency for the audience as well becasue as he rushes down the stairs they may feel panicked for him.

Finally another camera shot that has been used within this opening sequence is a high angle at the end of the sequence. A high angle shot is used after the mask is taken from the boys face and when the audience find out that the killer behind the camera is a young boy. The high angle is over the house and the family as the camera essentially zooms out from the opening scene. The use of the high angle shows everyone that is there at that moment that the mask is pulled of his face, including the family who are shocked that he is holding a knife. The audience also gets a chance to see the surroundings of him and it shows really that it is a family home which makes the audience wonder about whats going to happen next. The high angle shows and starts by focusing on the boy which shows that he is just a child which the audience would think would be so innocent, this is juxtaposed in this shot as actually the boy clearly is dangerous. This is conventional to a thriller because it shows the presence of danger as the boy looks innocent but really he is the one that killed his sister and this creates suspicion for the audience which is conventional to a thriller because they are wondering why there is a young boy that is the killer and they then want to find out what will happen next. There is also other conventions within this angle shot that are typical to a thriller film because there is the use of a weapon which is used within most thriller films to create tension and excitement to the audience but also creates wonder and mystery as to why there is a young child who has the knife because he is so young and vulnerable. 

Editing

There is a variety of editing styles that are used within the opening sequence of the film Halloween that makes the sequence typical of an average thriller opening sequence. An example of an editing style in the opening sequence is slow editing, this is when the antagonist is walking up the stairs in this house as he is moving slowly. This builds up the tension of the moment as the audience don't know what he is going to do next and wonder what the reason is for going into that specific room. The audience may feel scared within this because he is walking slowly up the stairs and they know almost immediately that something bad is going to happen due to the fact that there is slow editing. This allows the audience to build a relationship with the character because they are learning that he is mysterious which sort of sets the basis for the rest of the film. This is conventional to a thriller because overall there is this sense of mystery in the character and he walks slowly up the stairs to create another convention for the audience of tension and suspense as we don't know what's going to happen next.

There was also a reaction shot within this opening sequence when the mask was taken off of the young child's face at the end of the sequence.  This helps to create shock to the audience as they can see the parents reaction to the mask coming of his face, the audience will assume that these are Michaels parents and they looked shocked as he is standing there with a knife of blood. This is conventional to a thriller becasue there is a weapon of whom the boy is holding with blood on and the audience wouldn't expect an 8 year old boy to be holding a knife or think about or want to murder someone. There is also another convention of a thriller in this opening sequence as the setting is dark and gloomy and makes the audience feel scared and wonder what is going to happen next. 

Sound

Firstly there is off-screen sound, which is the sound of the children's voices at the beginning of the opening sequence. This gives the audience a sense of maybe this is going to be a film about a child, and the technically is a clue also of what the rest of the film will be about. The children's voices are the singing a nursery rhyme, which gives the very innocent overview and makes the audience think that there may be the death of children and that they are important, when in fact the nursery rhyme juxtaposes this as actually obviously it turns out that the antagonist is Michael who is a small child of which the audience would not expect of. This leaves the audience being, shocked and suspicious as they don't expect child music to be played and then the killer be an 8 year old boy. Children are seen as innocent and this contrasts this. This is conventional to a thriller film and thriller opening sequence because it creates enigma. Enigma is leaving a lot of questions after the opening sequence of a thriller film and keeping the audience hooked. The enigma is conventional to a thriller film becasue there is the unknown identity of the child. The off screen sound of the children laughing makes the audience suspicious and allows the audience to create a relationship of to the characters as they expect there to be children in the sequence.

Secondly there is silence in the scene where the antagonist is watching the girl and her boyfriend through the window which is actually a bit creepy and gets the audience wondering the antagonist's motives and they may be wondering why he was watching through the window. It also makes the audience want to know who it is that is watching these two and what the reason is for watching them. This is conventional to a thriller because as he is watching through the window there is a female who is blonde, which is typical of thriller films and shows that maybe she is or is going to be the victim. Immediately the audience may think that she is the victim as she is female, blonde and probably vulnerable. The audience builds a relationship with the character (antagonist) becasue they assume that he is going to kill either of the two people that he is watching. There is another convention of a thriller in this part of the scene as the silence makes the killer more suspicious to the audience as we don't know what he is going to do and where he is going to go. As well as the fact that there is a hidden identity from the main character. 

Finally sound used within this thriller opening sequence to create enigma for the audience is on screen sound, when the antagonist behind the camera is walking up the stairs and there is a ticking clock, on the wall at the top of the stairs. This shows the audience or gives clues to the audience maybe that times running out, and this is mainly an indication for the girl who is about to be murdered. This sound is a repetitive tick up against the quietness of him walking up the stairs as he is creeping and there is a slow tick, this makes the audience shocked and tense as they realise that maybe time is running out for someone in the scene. This is conventional to thriller films because it creates shock and suspense of what might or what is going to happen next in the film. Sounds like on screen and off screen sound are effective to opening sequences for thriller films as it helps to create enigma for the audience.

Conventions of a Thriller

A convention of a thriller film that was in this opening sequence of Halloween, is Low key lighting. Low key lighting is conventional within thriller films, because it creates a dark and eerie tone to the rest of the scene dark and gloomy which is conventional of thriller films. There is low key lighting when the antagonist is walking towards the door of the house as there is some natural light coming from the porch lights and this helps in the dark to create shadows which helps the audience to feel tense and shocked in some places of the film. The low key lighting helps and forces the audience to focus on the house and they then know and realise that something might happen and that the house is important to what might be about to happen. The low key lighting is conventional to thriller films because gloomy, dark and eerie lighting is typical in thriller films as it creates suspense and tension for the audience and they wonder what's going to happen.

Another typical convention of a thriller film within the opening sequence is the weapons that are used which is the knife. This is classed as Iconography also and is an element within Mis-en-Scene. The knife is the weapon in this opening sequence as the hidden antagonist opens the draw in the kitchen and takes the knife out. This shocks the audience as he grabs the knife especially as the way the knife is grabbed you would think that it is an adult who grabs the knife. The knife is an icon and a clue as to what's going to happen next. The audience will assume that there is going to be a murder as there is now a weapon which is typical to thriller films. The use of the knife makes the audience suspicious and they wonder when and why the murderer is going to kill somebody, it hooks the audience to the film. The reaction of the audience is that they then may feel sorry for the girl as the audience now assume that she is the victim for the antagonist.

Another convention of thriller films is that there is an antagonist but obviously what the audience were not prepared for is that the antagonist is a young boy. Within thriller films there is always an antagonist that murders the victim. They are stereotypically male. If there was no murders within a thriller film then there would be no plot twists or it would not be a thriller film. Within this the antagonist is the young boy who is about 8 years old and shocks the audience, they may feel shocked that it is a young boy but they also might feel sorry and wonder why the antagonist is a young boy and want to know more. This creates enigma for the audience and allows the audience to be hooked to the rest of the film. Shock is conventional of thriller films becasue it gives the audience a jump and a fright as to what has happened as they didn't expect this to happen.


Representation of Characters

The antagonist is the main character and the fact that he is watching through the window outside the house makes the audience suspicious of him. All throughout the opening sequence the character of the antagonist is creepy as his identity is hidden and makes the audience wonder why he wants to be hidden and what his reason for being hidden is. This is conventional to a thriller film becasue there is always an antagonist and it is shocking to the audience that he is just a child. It leaves the audience questioning the antagonists motives. You would not expect a child to be killing his sister and it make the audience wonder what the sister has done and why he has chosen to kill his sister compared to anyone else.

Another characters that is represented in the opening sequence of this thriller film is the victim of who is the young boys (antagonists) sister in the thriller film and is a typical victim in thriller films becasue she is a girl which is conventional and the girl is blonde and naked when he stabs her which suggests that she is vulnerable. The way that she is presented as vulnerable makes the audience feel sorry for her as she the audience know that she is going to be killed, this is dramatic irony as the audience knows that she is going to be killed but the character (she) doesn't know. The audience may have created a relationship with the character as they feel sorry for her as they know that she is going to die and they may not want her to die even thought they don't really know the character. This is conventional to a thriller film becasue there is typically a female victim for the audience to sympathise for, and she is unknown really and what her life is like which leads the audience to wonder why she is the chosen victim of the antagonist (brother.)

There is other characters within the scene as there is the mum and the dad at the end of the scene who takes the mask of the young boy and they are shocked and surprised themselves so the audience can relate to this as they are shocked and feeling what the characters are feeling. They may be questioning why this has happened and what his motives are for killing someone which again the audience can relate to and this helps the audience build a relationship with the family characters of the mum and the dad.


Narrative

The narrative of the opening sequence is that the scene is based on Halloween which is seen as a day of children and costumes. Children dress up in costume on Halloween which is probably why the young boy was in the clown outfit becasue it shows that he is hidden under the mask. This is conventional to a thriller becasue there is a hidden identity within the film as the antagonist is unknown to the audience until the end of the scene because they are all wearing masks so he sort of fits in. The audience can build a relationship with the character of the antagonist becasue he is just a typical boy on Halloween that has dressed up but for some reason has decided to murder his sister. This creates shock and surprise to the audience becasue we find out that the murderer is a child. There is shock, suspense and surprise within this opening sequence and this is conventional to a thriller but also part of the narrative as this creates enigma. There is enigma created within  the scene because there is questions left to the audience to want an answer. Without a narrative which is the story line creates the enigma and hooks the audience and makes them want to watch the rest of the film. The audience of this film from the opening sequence is probably a 15+ because there is nudity in the scene when the girl is stabbed and there is blood and death as well as a dark gloomy setting.


Conclusion
In conclusion there are a number of different parts of this opening sequence that I can take and consider when I create my opening sequence. This research into an opening sequence in this case Halloween has helped me to know what to include in my opening sequence, including Iconography (mis -en - scene) such as weapons or that the setting needs to be dark and have low key lighting in order to help create tension and suspense for the audience.