1) What is your favourite thriller movie and what was it that you liked about it?The most popular choice to emerge from these results was The Godfather. Many people seemed to like it as it crossed audiences, for example the romance aspect in the film made it more appealing to women. Another popular film to come out of the results was pulp fiction. This was a popular choice because it used humour, whilst still being a thriller and it was also a very unique plot that is so unlike other thrillers. Silence of the Lambs was also a popular choice, mainly because they found the main character so scary.
2) From 1-6 (1being the highest and 6 being the lowest) which thriller sub-genre do you prefer?1. Psychological thriller2. Thriller of acquired identity.3. The thriller of murderous passion.4. The political thriller.5. Morale confrontation.6. Innocent-on-the-run
3) Do you prefer the plot to keep to a liner or non-liner narrative?Non-Liner: 18 Liner: 12
4) Do you think that the plot should mean the hero wins at the end of the film?Yes- 28 No- 2
5) Do you think that the plot is more effective when set in an everyday location?Yes- 17 No-13
6) What role do you think costume plays in a movie?Very important -4 Important- 11 Unimportant - 9 Very unimportant-6
7) Do you think that props play an important role?Yes-20 No- 10
8) Do you like twists in the story?Yes-24 No- 6
9) Do you think sound effects add to the tension in a movie?Yes-19 No-11
10) What actors do you associate with thrillers?Al Picino, Antony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Shia LaBouf.
We presented our results on the group blog, and through the data produced from this questionnaire, we were able to produce a pitch in powerpoint involving our ideas and our selected audience for our thriller film. From our audience research we could work out the demographics for our thriller.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Audience research including questionnarie
Short thriller sequence analysis of Paranormal Activity
Director: Oren Peli
Writer: Oren Peli (screenplay)
Release Date:25th November 2009 (UK)
Genre: Horror Mystery Thriller
Rated: 15
Plot: After moving into a suburban home, a couple becomes increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.
The theory of equilibrium is applied through a normal environment and just a normal routine of a couple trying to go to sleep at night, however they are frequently desturbed by a demonic presence. A demon is something unusual so this is applied to the theory of equilibrium as its presence destroys the normal sate of equiibrium and turns it into the unormal and paranromal.
Like all thrillers, suspense is created. This is done effectively because each time the demon comes, something more creepy happens. For example early on it begins with the door creeking, breeze occuring from no where. However it gets progressively worse as doors slam, the demon slides into bed next to the girl, drags her out of bed, makes the house shake and the lights flash. Even footprints are left by the demon when the girl's boyfriend purposely leaves talcum powder on the floor. The camerawork is effective as it is filmed through a handheld jerky, shakey camera because the couple try to catch the demon on camera and we see it and everything that happens through the poised hand-held camera. The camera itself is an important prop in the film and is an important tool in the film for us, so we can see the paranormal. Particularly at the footprints scene, it enables the audience to question what the demon thing is and why is it haunting this girl?
After watching and analysing this movie, it has enabled me to link some of the thriller motifs as ideas into our own planning of our thriller film. We will be applying the state of equilibrium through a normal envionment, but will apply suspense, mystery and abnormality through the use of props (collage of photos) and an unusual character (obsessive stalker with OCD), although our unusual character is not mythical, so that the audience can relate our film to reality, and we hope that it will make it more creepy and believable.
Analysis of practical pre-lim tasks.
Our first pre-lim task was named 'The Dream' the aim of the practical task was to represent continuity through filming, hence using doors to open and close in the footage. It begins with the actor trying to work but he cannot concentrate and falls into a dream-like state. The film shows him walking until he pushes someone and finds and unexpected visitor.
Continuity of our task is presented as the camera movement flows consistently as the actor walks out of his study, down the corridoor and through the door into a darkened room smoothly. The camera work was not jerky or shaky so we did a good job there. However, we did have a problem with lighting for the final shot in the dark room with the unexpected visitor, so we had to film from a different angle, so we could open a door to allow there to be more light in the scene so that the actors were visibale, and this made the footage shot more effective.
For our second prelim task we decided to add more mise-en-scene to the task, throught the use of props. The props we used was- masks, a plastic gun, chairs and for costume one actor wore a cloak. This added more mystery and detail to our practical task. Again the task was focusing on continuity. This time we had to actors involved and the opening scene starts with a cloaked, masked, mysterious looking character walking down a corridoor at pace. The camera follows smoothly as the cloaked man gets to a door, opens it and enters the room. Inside the room he meets another masked character at the desk. The room was set up messy and chairs were turned over, to convey an idea that something dangerous has happened and to convey an idea of equilibrium, that a normal environment has changed due to different and unusual events.
The two masked characters go into conflict arguing and then both fighting over a gun. The cloaked character shoots the other masked character and the film ends.
Again the camera work was good and consistent, apart from in one scene one of the actors tripped over a chair and so that had to be edited out, leaving a bit of a gap in that scene of the cloaked man walking towards the other masked character. That was the only fault for continuity.
Overall, we have learnt that using more mise-en-scene will make your film more interesting and effective. We also learnt the importance of continuity, and lighting and we will refer to this and be aware of this and more in the future when completing practical tasks.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Analysis of shots used in 'The Birds'
1) The first shot we see is a long shot of the house and the woman walking to the house. This shot is used to get an idea of the setting. It remains a long shot while the camera tracks the female character, as she walks to and through the house.
2) As she looks around the room for her dad, the camera zooms from a long shot to a mid shot so we can see a facial expression which reveals she is uncertain, curious and unaware.
3)Tracking shots are used continuously as she walks around the house looking for her dad. A long shot is used to show the corridor, and is still used to show her walking down the corridoor. The camera remains still using a long shot.
4) The camera then jumps to inside a room, focusing on the door as she walks through, and a midshot is used to focus on the character's body language and facial expression at the same time.
5) From then on the camera jumps from midshots of the character to longshots of the room. This is because we see her reaction to what she's seen before we've seen what she's seen. Her reaction to what she see's is shown through her face expression. We see her look worried and shocked, and then we see her view of a dead bird on the window. The same happens as we see her similar expression before we see that the room has been trashed.
6) In the build up, her eyes are constantly looking around the room. A midshot of her is used and her facial expression tells us that there is visually something terrible and a worse sight than what she's already seen. It then jumps to a close up of bloody feet which shocks the audience.
7) The camera jumps back to her face and then to a shot which shows a man's dead body. This shocks the audience more.
8) The zoom is used cleverly to shock the audience further and show the severity of the attack on the man as the camera zooms a close up of the man's face and then again to a close up of the man's bloodied eyesocket. His eyes are missing and this gory close up provokes a sense of horror and fear and shock from the audience. This reaction is replicated in the woman's facial expression as the camera jumps back to a midshot of her as she closes the door.
9) A longshot is then used to show her running down the corridoor. She is clearly panicked and disturbed by what she has seen.
10)A long shot is used aswell as she runs out the house towards the man. Then, the final shot used is a close up of her face, which shows she is sickened and scared by the sight of her father's body.
These shots are put together to shock us, as the camera seems to jump a lot. It builds up in an unpredictable way.
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Analysis of DVD cover 3
The background reveals a lot of diversity as both rain and fire is used, this shows that it is an action packed thriller. The phrase 'Every second counts' reveals that it is quite action packed aswell.
The two pictures of the protagonist show two sides to the character. One portrays violence because of the gun, and the other, caring and loving, as he hugs a child.
The title is big, bold, centeral and red and signifies a theme of danger.
Diagraphically i think it would appeal to an older, mature adult audience.
Analysis of DVD cover 2
Black is used as the background colour to represent darkness and mystery and it emphasizes the genre.
The white text stands out against the dark background, so that the font is clear. Again the colour red is used to emphasise the title and the title is in a huge font too.
This film would appear to those who like horror-thrillers. It would not be suitable for younger viewers but mainly teenagers and adults because of the obvious gore and horror.
Analysis of DVD cover 1
You can tell that there is an element of danger because of the motion of the picture- the protagonist is being chased by a low flying plane.
The protagonist's facial expression seems worried so you can relate his attempt to escape to a thriller.
A bold font is used to stand out against the pale background to show the actor's names. This is a good idea as films normally attract people because of the actors in the film. The more famous and well known the actors are, the more the appeal and the more films are sold.
I think that this film would appeal to a wide audience, but a particular demographic could be adult and young- adult males.
Short analysis of film opening- Vertigo
Background
A woman's face is the background at the start but it then zooms to her facial features. It zooms to her lips, which twitch and this adds a sense of suspense and conveys anxiety. It then zooms to her eyes which appear worried, fearful and anxious and from there the special illusional effects occur to give a sense of confusion and mystery and uncertainty, for the viewers. Again a bold white font is used for the text to stand out aginst a dark background.
Music
Comes across as eerie, low and creepy in the opening titles. It appears mysterious and adds suspense because soft instruments are used (harps and flutes) but short, sharp bursts of instrumental music are used to make it jumpy and frantic and hurried.
Shots
- close up of hands in first shot shock us.
- contrast in costumes are used so we can identify the characters.
- continuity.
- enigma- why are the two men chasing the man?
- antagonist and protagonist.
Summary of the opening chase scene
It is set in a very built up area of Sanfransisco. The main characters are the cop, the man running away and the other man chasing with the cop on a rooftop.
The two men were chasing a man, the guy falls and is hanging off the edge of a building. The cop stops the chase and tries to help save the man and in doing so falls off the roof himself. The main character's flaw is that he is scared of heights.
Film clip analysis- North bt Northwest
Colours and design (background)
Very bold distinct colours are used, the white text stands out against the green patterned background. The main actors name Carey Grant is in a big font, to automatically get the spectator's attention. (films with a famous and well known actors sell well).
Music
The sound track for the opening of the film was produced by Bernard Herrmann. It is very instrumental, as you can hear a very high pitched, squeaky and jumpy sound produced by violins. There is a build up because the music gets quicker and louder and this kind of emphasizes the theme of the story and the suspense of it all, as the narrative theme is 'innocent on the run' This theme is replicated in the music.
Brief summary
Roger Thornhill is the protagonist and VanDam and his gang are the antagonists. Thornhill is a victim of a mistake in identity which causes disruption and leads to a series of events, causing our protagonist to be on the run from the police and VanDam and his men.
Sir Alfred Hitchcock
Name: Alfred Joseph Hitchcock
Occupation: Director, screen writer and producer.
Date of Birth: 13/08/1899
Died: 12/04/1980
Awards
He was nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 29 wins and 17 nominations.
Hitchcock the director
He directed 67 films, produced 27, wrote 20, acted in 35 and edited 3. Strong characterization, symbolism, suprise endings and extended chase scenes were a few of Hitchcock's trademarks.
20 of his most memorable and effective films:
1) Rebecca 2)Mr and Mrs Smith, 3) Saboteur, 4) Shadow of doubt, 5) Lifeboat, 6) Rope, 7)Dial 'M' for murder, 8) Rear window, 9) To catch a thief, 10)The trouble with Harry, 11) The man who knew too much, 12) Vertigo, 13) North by northwest, 14) Psycho, 15) The Birds, 16) Marnie, 17) Torn curtain, 18) Topaz, 19) Frenzy, 20) Family plot.
Recognition
Hitchcock was knighted commander of the British empire by queen elizabeth II in 1980 New year's honours. Although he adopted american citizenship in 1956, he was entitled to use the title 'Sir' because he had remained a british subject. He recieved the AFI life achievement award in 1979.
Film Theories
Todorov's Narrative Theory:Believed all stories start with an equilibrium, disruption and a resolution. Theory of Equilibrium:
1. A state of equilibrium- all is as it should be.
2. A disruption of that order by an event.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occured.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption.
6. A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium.
Vladimir Propp's Folk Tales/ Character Types: Each character has a signified role:
1) Villian, 2) Hero, 3) Donor, 4)Helper, 5)Princess reward for the hero, 6)Father, 7)Dispatcher, 8) False hero.
Claude Levi: Staruss's Oppositions.
Roland Barthes: Action and Enigma codes
Charles Derry:Classified suspense thrillers into 6 sub types, each with a specific plot orientation:
1) The thriller of murderous passion- organised around the love triangle of husband/wife/lover. Centeral scene is generally where one is killed.
2) The political thriller- Organised around a plot to assassinate a political figure or revolution of the essential conspirational nature of governments and the oppositional acts.
3) The thriller of acquired identity- key character steals someone's identity and the consequences which follow. Usually murder.
4) The psychosomatic thriller- psychotic effect of a trauma on a protagonist's current involvement in a love affair, and a crime or intrigue. Protagonist is always the victim, generally post trauma and often of real villians who take advantage of his or her masochistic guilt.
5) Moral Confrontation- good Vs evil organised around an overt artherical between good and bad usually constructed in terms of elaborate dualties.
6)The innocent on the run- innocent victims.
Narratives
Linear narrative- when the story has a start, middle and end.
Non linear narrative- when the story line is not in a particular order.
Protagonist- the main character.
Antagonist- the villian.
Open narrative- no resolution we don't know what the outcome will be.
Closed narrative- there is a resolution, we have an expected outcome.
Restricted narration- we only see it from one point of view. Limited acess to the story.
Film Genres
Action Films
Are expected to have tremendous impact, continuous high energy, lots of physical stunts and activity, possibly extended chase scenes, races, rescues, battles, martial arts, mountains & mountaineering, destructive disasters (floods, explosions, natural disasters etc), fights, escapes, non-stop motion, spectacular rhym and pacing, adventurous heroes, villians- all designed for audience escapism.
Examples of action films include: James Bond, Transformers, Batman, Spiderman etc.
Adventure Films
Are expected to have exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locals. Similar to the action genre in that they are designed to prvide an action filled, energetic experience for the film viewer. Film Examples include: Zorro, Robin Hood, Pirates of the Caribbean.
Commedy Films
Are films designed to make the audience laugh. Commedies are light hearteddramas, crafted to amuse, entertain and provoke enjoyment. This genre hugely exaggerates a situation, the language, action and characters. They usually have happy endings, although the humour may have a serious pessimistic side. Film examples: White Chicks, Meet the Fockers and Mean Girls.
Crime and Gangster Films
Are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or gangsters, particularly bank robbers, underworld figures or ruthless hudlums who operate outside the law, stealing and violently murdering their way through life. Film examples: Scarface, The Godfather.
Drama Films
Are serious presentations or stories with settings or life situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with either themselves, others or forces of nature. A dramatic film shows us humans at their best, worst and everything in between. Each of the types of subject matter- themes have various kinds of dramatic plots.
Epic Films
Often take a historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure and add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes, accompanied by grandeur aand spectacle and a sweeping musical score. Epics are historical films that recreate past events. Film examples: Titanic, Troy, Julias Caesar.
Horror Films
Are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic, cause dread and alarm, and to invoke our hidden worse fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time. They deal with our most primal nature and its fears; our nightmares, vulnerability, alienation, revulsions, terror of the unknown, fear of death, dismemberment or loss of identity. Film examples: Dracular, Saw, Scream, Jeepers Creepers, Freddie Krouger, IT, Halloween etc.
Musicals (Dance Films)
Are cinematic forms that emphasize and showcase full-scale song and dance routines in a significant way. Or they are films centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography. In traditional musicals, cast members sing. Musicals highlight various musical artists or dancing stars, with lyrics that support the story line often with an alternative, escapist version of reality- a search for love, success, wealth and popularity. Film examples: Step Up, Mama Mia, Hairspray, Oliver, High School Musical.
Science Fiction
Usually scientific, visionary, comic-strip-like, imaginative, and usually visualizedthrough fanciful, imagineative settings, expert film production design, advanced technology gadgets (robots & spaceships), scientific developments or by fantastic special effects. They are complete with heroes, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark shadowy villians, futuristic technology and gizmos and unknown inexplicable forces. Film examples: Starwars, Terminator, X-men, E.T, Planet of the Apes.
War and anti-war films
Often achknowledged the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting or conflict provide the primary plot or background for the action film. Plots include; camp experiences and escapes, submarine welfare, espionage, personal heroism, brutalities, air fights, tough trench/infantary experiences, or male bonding buddy adventures during war-time. Film examples: Forest Gump, Stalag 17, Goodnight Mr Tom.
Westerns
Are the major defining genre of the american film industry. Westerns are often set on the american frontier. There is a theme of indians vs cowboys. Film examples: The Gunfighter, Zorro, High Noon.
Film sub-genres include.......
Biographical films, 'chick' flicks, detctive and mystery films, disadter films, fantasy films, film noir, melodramas, road films, romance films, sports films, supernatural films and thriller- suspense films.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Narrative theories
Lev Kuleshov
Lev Kuleshov discovered in the 1920s that meaning in film is determined more by the order of the shots than by what the shots contain. This realization is the requirement for montage effects. Kuleshov discovered the "Kuleshov Effect," or the manipulation of meaning through editing. The audience was manipulated into believing in the greatness of the performance by the creativity of the editing.
Film example; One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest This sequence shows how the editor can slowly and subtly move the viewer into the scene. Camera is cropped closer and closer to the characters between each take. The editor also knows exactly who to cut to at any time, choosing to cut to McMurphy only to allow the viewers to ‘breathe’ during the intense argument.
Vsevolod I. Pudovkin
Another filmmaker interested in montage, Pudovkin saw shots as building blocks in which narrative and meaning were built bit by bit. It is probably easiest to think of Pudovkin as closer in style to Hollywood filmmaking than Eisenstein in these respects: While Eisenstein strived most after an intellectual effect; Pudovkin was most interested in capturing an audience emotionally. Pudovkin's films had heroes, while the people were Eisenstein's main protagonist. Pudovkin's greatest film, Mother, contains characters who represent particular social positions: a son who favours the striking workers, a father on the opposite side. But the appeal of the film also resides in the very real and personal agonies of the title character.
Sergei Eisenstein
In opposition to Pudovkin, Eisenstein did not think of individual shots as building blocks, but rather as related through antagonism and difference (despite his calling their relation one of "attractions"). He saw the editing process as dialectical, like the logic underlying Marxism itself. Like other Russian formalist directors, he referred to this special attention to editing as "montage." Several of the best examples of Eisensteinian montage at work occur in Battleship Potemkin.
When sound came to film, Eisenstein theorized that the relationship between sound and image should also be dialectical. Sound was not simply a commentary on the images, like background music in American films, but brought its own set of meanings to the table.
