The brief was to create a two minute opening sequence for a thriller film. To ensure success, the sequence had to be conventional to the thriller genre and satisfy the target audience. My media product is named 'Injurious' which means 'to cause harm' and this was chosen for the title as it matched my opening sequence's narrative and also it is a convention of the thriller genre as causing 'harm' is a negative causation and can be expressed in many different haunting ways.
My group consisted of three members: Alfie Harris, Danny Wheeler and myself. There are many roles in production when creating a media product. We all had different roles allocated on the basis of our strengths and weaknesses. Alfie had a number of various roles, these were: Producer, Actor, Director of Photography and MES (mise-en-scene) Coordinator. As Producer, his role was being responsible for the managerial aspects of the sequence, helping to supply the film with what it may need, like the setting for example. He featured in the sequence as the antagonist and so was casted the role of an actor. As he (and Danny) filmed the whole sequence, their allocated role was Director's of Photography. Alfie was also MES Coordinator where he made sure that the costume, iconography, lighting, positioning of characters, setting and facial expressions of characters were all appropriate and match what we planned and intended. Danny also had numerous roles within the creating of our sequence, these were: Director, Director of Photography and Screenplay Writer. Danny's role of Director meant that he controlled the film's dramatic aspects and guided other roles of production into carrying out their role in a way that would help benefit the sequence. As Director of Photography (along with Alfie) he helped film the sequence, creating the effective shots that we intended to capture. Danny also held the role as Screenplay Writer, as he wrote the script for all the dialogue in the scene, along with stage directions, etc. I was also allocated a number of roles: Music Producer, Editor and Actor. As Music Producer, I chose the soundtrack and sound effects that were included in the sequence, also attempting to stick to the conventionality of the thriller genre. My job as the Editor role, was to edit the sequence, including the different editing styles we wanted to use, filters and flashbacks for example. From the roles I was given, I have learnt that organisation is key and without organisation a task will not flow properly. I have also learnt allocating roles fairly allows the best possible effort to be inputted into them. This therefore helps for the sequence to be the best it can possibly be. As a group I believe that our group worked well as we cooperated well and exchanged ideas in a fair manner.
I think that we have created a successful thriller opening sequence as we have followed the criteria for a conventional thriller. For example, we have created suspense throughout by using a tense and eerie atmospheric soundtrack along with additional scary sound effects for example when the antagonist is first shown on screen. This use of soundtrack creates a sense of enigma and compliments the events/actions that are taking place in each scene. We also have a young, female victim and a male antagonist. Having this is a typical convention of the thriller genre as young females are seen to be more vulnerable and weak than a male victim would be, this is why it is also conventional to have a male antagonist as they are seen as stronger and more dominant. Our setting was also conventional to the thriller genre - in a forest. This is a trapping, isolated setting with a lack of consistent exits for the victim to make an escape. Violent iconography is also used in our sequence which is a convention of a thriller - a knife. This is used by the antagonist in attempt to kill the victim, (the sequence ends at a point that you are unaware if the victim will escape of not). Having a knife used by the antagonist makes a more personal and brutal murder. By including the thriller genre conventions in our sequence, we also created suspense, surprise and shock - 3 main elements to a successful thriller. Therefore, this makes our thriller a successful one as we have followed the specific criteria for a successful thriller.
Current thriller films already include these elements. For example, 'The Strangers' uses low-key lighting when the killer knocks at the door near the beginning of the film, to hide the identity of the killer. Eerie sound effects layered on top of each other is also used in the film when the characters are panicking and fretting about their safety. One of these sounds had a hidden and discreet message of 'I'm going to get you' and along with the other unknown sounds this build up creates a thicker texture and increased tension. My sequence shows inspiration from this as we create a thick texture of sound at the end where the antagonist is running after the victim with a knife. I chose to use rising sounds and long drones to layer this build up in order to create a more impactive climax and I liked the effect it created in 'The Strangers'.
Thrillers need to be able to create suspense, surprise and shock in order to be successful and staying conventional to the thriller genre. I believe that my sequence has done this as, overall, my thriller sequence follows the generic conventions as every one is evident in the sequence at some point as explained and demonstrated previously above. My sequence defines the thriller genre also through the use of micro-elements that demonstrate codes and conventions within them.
Editing is used conventionally as, to help illustrate the fact that a flashback occurs when Chloe see's the antagonist for the second time, a black and white filter is used over the clips to show this flashback. Using black and white not only demonstrates the use of flashback but because of the lack of colour the filter illustrates, it creates a down and tense atmosphere on the scene as well as a negative feel. Moreover, the clips are juxtaposed together quickly consequently creating a montage as the content of the flashback. The fast pace nature of the clips followed one after another compliment the rising screech played in the background as both work together to create a build up of tension and suspenseful atmosphere. Flashes are also used as part of editing in the flashback as it creates a break between the clips and more of an impactive effect as, they create the literal feeling of a flashback, for, they are flashes themselves. The use of a flashback through editing is conventional to the thriller genre, as commonly, flashbacks are used to help the audience realise that events that have occurred in previous scenes prior to the flashback, actually had a meaning. This means the audience are able to witness why the particular clips in the flashback were evident and it helps make sense of the narrative.
Another micro-element, cinematography, is used conventionally within my sequence through the use of two particular shots - point of view and high angle. Point of view shots are used as the perspective of the antagonist. One is evident when Chloe is progressing through the forest and a shot from behind branches insinuates that someone is watching her. Audiences have to assume it is the person they saw at the beginning of the sequence. However, because you cannot see the person who's perspective this show demonstrates, audiences cannot be 100% sure and so this creates a suspenseful atmosphere. As well as this, a point of view shot from the perspective of the antagonist is used when the victim is being chased and so a jerky, point of view shot creates a tense and empathetic effect as the audience feels that they are the antagonist and are suspenseful as to whether they are going to reach the victim. Again, the antagonist's identity is not actually shown through this shot so the audience do not know whether the person at the beginning shown is who this perspective is of. The use of this shot is conventional to the thriller genre as it allows the audience to feel empathetic towards certain characters and therefore, build a relationship with particular characters. Just after Chloe has seen the antagonist for the first time, she begins to feel weary and so turns in the opposite direction and begins to walk in a fast faced motion/lightly jog. To demonstrate this, mid shots and panning shots are used but also the use of a high angle shot of Chloe running past. This shot is conventional to the thriller genre as it helps demonstrate the lack of dominance that the victim owns and that through the use of a high angle shot shows the victim to appear smaller and therefore more vulnerable and weak.
Mise-en-scene is a further micro-element that is used conventionally throughout my sequence. For example through the use of facial expressions. Demonstrated through the use of a mid shot, the facial expression of Chloe when she has seen the photo of herself pinned to the tree is confused and worried. She also appears anxious and it clearly represents how she is feeling about her unexpected discovery. This is conventional to the thriller genre as, in thrillers, the character's emotions have to be demonstrated in a way that the audience can see so that they can build a relationship between them. Most victims are put in a worrying or anxious situation and so Chloe's expression is conventional to the thriller genre as she is the victim played in 'Injurious'. The use of costume as part of mise-en-scene also supports the conventionality to the thriller genre. The antagonist wears all black with connotes death and danger. Because the antagonist is seen as a threatening and negative influence on the scene, having them dressed in black helps to push this message across and so makes the audience weary of this character as it creates a sense of foreboding.
Sound is a micro-element used that helps support the conventionality to the thriller genre through the use of sound effects and dialogue. The use of a high pitched, crescendoed, rising screech when the antagonist appears at the beginning is conventional as it is a piercing sound that is uncomfortable to listen to. This creates a discomfort feel to the scene and so this is reflected onto the feel in which it gives the audience. This is conventional as having eerie, uncomfortable sound effects creates a tense atmosphere which is what you want to create in a thriller as consequently suspense, surprise and shock is also created. In dialogue, a reaction shot of Chloe when face to face with the antagonist shows her screaming as a reaction. Having screaming from the victim is conventional to the thriller genre as it portrays the distressed emotions in which the victim is going through and creates shock and surprise for the audience as they are not expecting it.
'Saw 4' is a thriller in which is both similar and different to my sequence in many ways. Focussing on part (6/10) in 'Saw 4', I have found that there has been a filter used to emphasise the unnatural situation in the narrative that this character is put in when Jigsaw (the antagonist) proposes a task to the character. Likewise, in my sequence a filter is used however, my filter is black and white whereas the one in 'Saw 4' is odd in the way that it looks like an x-ray scan. Mine is used to show a flashback whereas, 'Saw 4' uses it to display the unusual situation in which it's character is put in. Both ways even though use a filter differently, create tension and therefore, keep to the conventionality of the thriller genre. At the start of that scene the character is seen walking up to a door with a key in his hand and unlocking the door to seek his fate in the hands of Jigsaw. Throughout this, there is low-key lighting used which creates a gloomy and enigmatic atmosphere, creating a sense of foreboding for the audience. They associate the darkness with a lack of hope and so, feel sympathetic towards the character as they can infer that something bad is going to happen to them. The low-key lighting in 'Saw 4' is not edited in which makes it different in the way it is created in 'Injurious'. In 'Saw 4', as the low-key lighting is used inside, it's easier to create as it's easier to block out any possible natural light that may be invading the shot. The low-key lighting throughout my sequence however, is created superficially through the use of a dim filter through editing. Both create a dark and eerie atmosphere and therefore stay conventional to the thriller genre. Even the title of both films are conventional to the thriller genre as they are short and have a hidden meaning. 'Saw' is short and impactive, consequently making it more effective and it relates to a use of violent iconography (a saw) so gives an insight to the film that it may be violent or risky. 'Injurious' is also short and impactive but is also unique as it is not a word that people may be aware of in reference to its meaning. It means to harm or cause harm and so allows the audience to infer that there will be harm or evil caused throughout the film.
Thriller conventions are elements such as low-key lighting, eerie sound effects/soundtrack, a female victim and violent iconography. To stick to the conventionality of the thriller genre, I tried to follow these generic thriller conventions as best as possible. Low-key lighting is used in my sequence throughout, through the use of a dim filter ('Cool Tones' on Final Cut Pro, to be specific) which also puts a down and tense atmosphere on the sequence. I have included eerie sound effects such as in the scene near the beginning where Chloe is looking at the photo of herself in which she has discovered. She is holding the photo in her hands, looking confused and as she screws it up and walks away, the antagonist is shown behind her with a knife in his hand - she is unaware of this. To emphasise his presence, a non-diegetic crescendoed screech is sounded as the antagonist lifts their head up looking straight at the camera to make the moment more intense and personal to the audience. Along with this sound, a heartbeat is also heard in this scene when Chloe is looking at the picture. The heartbeat is used to demonstrate the victim's panic and to create a more empathetic effect towards the victim. This, therefore, strengthens the conventionality to the thriller genre. A female victim is also evident in my sequence through the use of the character of Chloe. This is conventional as women tend to be placed as the victim character as they are seen to be more vulnerable and weak, therefore, more likely to suffer. Furthermore, violent iconography is used in my sequence - a knife. It is used in a couple of shots for example, one being at the end of the sequence where it is a point of view shot from the antagonist's perspective. The antagonist is running after the victim and the knife is shown evidently in the left hand side of the shot. Using the knife as violent iconography shows that the killer is not afraid to commit a brutal murder. For example, if a gun were to be used, it would show that the killer is not as fearless as he may make out to be as using a gun allows you to kill someone from a distance. This makes the murder not as up close and personal and consequently, not as effective and intense. This is why a knife is more conventional to the thriller genre for the antagonist to use.
Thrillers need to be able to create suspense, surprise and shock in order to be successful and staying conventional to the thriller genre. I believe that my sequence has done this as, overall, my thriller sequence follows the generic conventions as every one is evident in the sequence at some point as explained and demonstrated previously above. My sequence defines the thriller genre also through the use of micro-elements that demonstrate codes and conventions within them.
Editing is used conventionally as, to help illustrate the fact that a flashback occurs when Chloe see's the antagonist for the second time, a black and white filter is used over the clips to show this flashback. Using black and white not only demonstrates the use of flashback but because of the lack of colour the filter illustrates, it creates a down and tense atmosphere on the scene as well as a negative feel. Moreover, the clips are juxtaposed together quickly consequently creating a montage as the content of the flashback. The fast pace nature of the clips followed one after another compliment the rising screech played in the background as both work together to create a build up of tension and suspenseful atmosphere. Flashes are also used as part of editing in the flashback as it creates a break between the clips and more of an impactive effect as, they create the literal feeling of a flashback, for, they are flashes themselves. The use of a flashback through editing is conventional to the thriller genre, as commonly, flashbacks are used to help the audience realise that events that have occurred in previous scenes prior to the flashback, actually had a meaning. This means the audience are able to witness why the particular clips in the flashback were evident and it helps make sense of the narrative.
Another micro-element, cinematography, is used conventionally within my sequence through the use of two particular shots - point of view and high angle. Point of view shots are used as the perspective of the antagonist. One is evident when Chloe is progressing through the forest and a shot from behind branches insinuates that someone is watching her. Audiences have to assume it is the person they saw at the beginning of the sequence. However, because you cannot see the person who's perspective this show demonstrates, audiences cannot be 100% sure and so this creates a suspenseful atmosphere. As well as this, a point of view shot from the perspective of the antagonist is used when the victim is being chased and so a jerky, point of view shot creates a tense and empathetic effect as the audience feels that they are the antagonist and are suspenseful as to whether they are going to reach the victim. Again, the antagonist's identity is not actually shown through this shot so the audience do not know whether the person at the beginning shown is who this perspective is of. The use of this shot is conventional to the thriller genre as it allows the audience to feel empathetic towards certain characters and therefore, build a relationship with particular characters. Just after Chloe has seen the antagonist for the first time, she begins to feel weary and so turns in the opposite direction and begins to walk in a fast faced motion/lightly jog. To demonstrate this, mid shots and panning shots are used but also the use of a high angle shot of Chloe running past. This shot is conventional to the thriller genre as it helps demonstrate the lack of dominance that the victim owns and that through the use of a high angle shot shows the victim to appear smaller and therefore more vulnerable and weak.
Mise-en-scene is a further micro-element that is used conventionally throughout my sequence. For example through the use of facial expressions. Demonstrated through the use of a mid shot, the facial expression of Chloe when she has seen the photo of herself pinned to the tree is confused and worried. She also appears anxious and it clearly represents how she is feeling about her unexpected discovery. This is conventional to the thriller genre as, in thrillers, the character's emotions have to be demonstrated in a way that the audience can see so that they can build a relationship between them. Most victims are put in a worrying or anxious situation and so Chloe's expression is conventional to the thriller genre as she is the victim played in 'Injurious'. The use of costume as part of mise-en-scene also supports the conventionality to the thriller genre. The antagonist wears all black with connotes death and danger. Because the antagonist is seen as a threatening and negative influence on the scene, having them dressed in black helps to push this message across and so makes the audience weary of this character as it creates a sense of foreboding.
Sound is a micro-element used that helps support the conventionality to the thriller genre through the use of sound effects and dialogue. The use of a high pitched, crescendoed, rising screech when the antagonist appears at the beginning is conventional as it is a piercing sound that is uncomfortable to listen to. This creates a discomfort feel to the scene and so this is reflected onto the feel in which it gives the audience. This is conventional as having eerie, uncomfortable sound effects creates a tense atmosphere which is what you want to create in a thriller as consequently suspense, surprise and shock is also created. In dialogue, a reaction shot of Chloe when face to face with the antagonist shows her screaming as a reaction. Having screaming from the victim is conventional to the thriller genre as it portrays the distressed emotions in which the victim is going through and creates shock and surprise for the audience as they are not expecting it.
'Saw 4' is a thriller in which is both similar and different to my sequence in many ways. Focussing on part (6/10) in 'Saw 4', I have found that there has been a filter used to emphasise the unnatural situation in the narrative that this character is put in when Jigsaw (the antagonist) proposes a task to the character. Likewise, in my sequence a filter is used however, my filter is black and white whereas the one in 'Saw 4' is odd in the way that it looks like an x-ray scan. Mine is used to show a flashback whereas, 'Saw 4' uses it to display the unusual situation in which it's character is put in. Both ways even though use a filter differently, create tension and therefore, keep to the conventionality of the thriller genre. At the start of that scene the character is seen walking up to a door with a key in his hand and unlocking the door to seek his fate in the hands of Jigsaw. Throughout this, there is low-key lighting used which creates a gloomy and enigmatic atmosphere, creating a sense of foreboding for the audience. They associate the darkness with a lack of hope and so, feel sympathetic towards the character as they can infer that something bad is going to happen to them. The low-key lighting in 'Saw 4' is not edited in which makes it different in the way it is created in 'Injurious'. In 'Saw 4', as the low-key lighting is used inside, it's easier to create as it's easier to block out any possible natural light that may be invading the shot. The low-key lighting throughout my sequence however, is created superficially through the use of a dim filter through editing. Both create a dark and eerie atmosphere and therefore stay conventional to the thriller genre. Even the title of both films are conventional to the thriller genre as they are short and have a hidden meaning. 'Saw' is short and impactive, consequently making it more effective and it relates to a use of violent iconography (a saw) so gives an insight to the film that it may be violent or risky. 'Injurious' is also short and impactive but is also unique as it is not a word that people may be aware of in reference to its meaning. It means to harm or cause harm and so allows the audience to infer that there will be harm or evil caused throughout the film.
Your analysis of question 1, demonstrates a proficient understanding of how your thriller sequence follows the codes and conventions. You have analysed your sequence well and you have considered a variety of examples from your sequence, to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the conventions, that you chose to include.
ReplyDeleteAim to include images from your thriller, to support the points that you have made.