For my Preliminary Task i was in a group of three: Bettie, Malu and Myself. The reason for our preliminary task was to get use to the equipment; such as the camera and tripod, because we will be using the same equipment when we create our own thriller sequence. For our clip we had to include a range of different camera angles, including: long shot, P.O.V shot, over the shoulder shot and close ups. Bettie done the filming and me and Malu acted.
The scene had to be a conversation between two people, we decided the narrative would be based around Malu being sent out of lesson, I come to tell her she was allowed back into a lesson again, then we have a conversation as to why she got sent out. The scene had to last around thrity seconds. Once we filmed the scene we had to crop out the moments where Malu and I made mistakes. We used final cut pro to edit our film and this took around thirty minutes as it was only a short clip.
Our clip consited of various camera shots, including close ups, long shot, panning and over the should shot. These shots helped to make the film look realistic, because if you just had one type of camera shot, it would be boring and not interesting to watch. With our different camera angles it intrigues the audience. The drawback to our preliminary task was that we didn't use the tripod. The camera wouldn't stand on the tripod without shaking, so Bettie filmed it by holding the camera. Therefor at some points the clip was slightly unstable. We will ensure in our thriller sequence that we do use the tri-pod in order to make the filming professional. Also i think the time between shots should be shorter, especially after watching over our clip. From the first shot of me walking into the classroom, to the P.O.V of Malu should have maybe been cut shorter.
In conclusion from this task it has given more knowledge on what it is going to be like to make our production. I will make sure the we keep a range of camera techniques and angles, like we did in our preliminary task. I will also ensure that we have a tripod when filming our thriller sequences. Therefor the preliminary task has been like a practise for our thriller sequences; so now we know how to use the equipment ready for when we go out to film it ourselves.
The opening sequence of a thriller is used to get the audience interested in the film, it gives them a taste of what the film is about and gives the audience an idea of the genre of the film. It usually will consist of some of the main characters. The beginning is the most important time because it is within the first five minutes, the viewer decides weather or not they are going to watch the whole film. Therefor the opening sequences needs to be exciting and set questions for the audience, for example: why did he/she do that?
Editing
There are many different editing techniques used in the opening sequences of texas chain saw massacre. The 'Timing of shots' is evident during this clip, but mainly when the light keeps flashing on the texas chainsaw massacre body, the timing of showing the body, to the music building up is used to build the tension as to what are we about to see. This makes the audience intrigued to find out what has happened to this person. Another editing technique used in the opening sequences is 'zoom' this is used when there is a close up of the texas chainsaw massacre, and the camera slowly zooms out. This was used to slowly reveal the antagonist. It creates an element of shock because as the camera zooms out we see a victim tied up with the antagonist.
Cinematography
There was many different types of cinematography in the opening sequences, one being the 'shallow focus' this is when there are flashes of the closes ups of the texas chainsaw massacres hands and face. This is used to show the details of he's skin and how bad it is. This is conventional to a thriller because the antagonist usually has something wrong with them, and in this case its gets the audience in suspense as to what has happened to this person.
Characters There was two characters shown in the opening sequence of texas chainsaw massacre. This is to give the audience an idea of who to protagonists is and who the antagonists is. obviously the women victim in the opening sequences was the protagonist, but she is dead now so the audience are wondering who the next protagonist is going to be. We do not get to see the antagonist move or talk in this opening clip, therefor it keeps the audience on edge which is an effect ever thriller try's to give. It puts the characters on edge as they don't know if the antagonist is alive, or how he conducts he's killings. This puts many questions in the audience head and intrigues them to watch more, therefor it is a successful opening sequences.
In conclusion the opening sequences is to introduce the narrative of the film and also show some conventions of a thriller film, to set the scene. This post will help me when i come to make my film, as i will know what to include to get the audience interested in my film. Texas chainsaw massacre was a perfect example of a good opening sequences, as i now want to watch the rest of the film.
The bbfc is the british board of film classification. The board was introduce for safety reasons for the people under certain ages. Different films are awarded appropriate age certificates for there content, and also to make sure it is suitable to the target audience. The reason for bbfb is to ensure the safety of what children watch. There are six different age certificates U, PG, 12, 12A, 15, 18 which i am gonna talk about during this post.
The '18' symbol shows that the film is only for 18 or over. So no person under the age of 18 can watch or buy the film at a cinema or shop. The content in this film would include something that is not suitable for a child, for example swearing, sexual scenes or strong violent scenes.
There is no limit to to bad language, sex or nudity. Most thriller films are rated 18 due to the content of gore, killings, dangerous behaviour and just the scariness of the film is not suitable for children because it may cause them to have nightmares.
The film halloween is rated 18, the film is thriller/horror genre. The scene i analysed was the scene of the antagonist chasing two victims. one of the victims get stabbed in the leg, obviously this indicates the age certificate would need to be 18, because of the stabbing, blood, and the antagonists behaviour is enough to make this film fall into the guidelines of a '18' rated film.
The 15 symbol indicates the film can be watched or bought by anyone who is 15 or over. No themes inappropriate for ages under 15 can be shown in a 15 rated film; for example extreme violence, frequent strong language, drug taking and discriminational behaviour. Some people question why there is a '15' and a '18' certificate, but it is category of 15 published by the british board of film classification was made to allow those growing up to have an insight into more mature scenes, for example violence, drugs and sausage rolls.
Dead man running is rated '15' this film consists of: a lot of strong language, drug, crime such as killings, nudity scenes. The film is about owing a dangerous man money, the whole film consists of the man and he's friend 'Danny Dyer' chasing around dangerous scenarios and crime scenes to get the money back to the dangerous man. This is not suitable for those under the age of 15 as it they have not matured, they could wanna copy the characters actions. Therefor it would be dangerous to allow any one under the age restriction to watch or purchase this film.
The '12A' symbol represents a film with content that is suitable for anyone over the age of 12. The '12a' requires no one younger than 12 to witness the film unless they are accompanied by an adult. The adult should really consider if the content in the film is going to be suitable for thier child, if your child is below aged below ten, i personally think you should watch a 'PG' film but it is the parent/guardian choice. All the content that is seen as slightly unsuitable such as violence or sexual scenes is only aloud if it can be justified. Some horror films have been rater '12A' but those that have not got constant horror features, such as killings.
A '12A' film in the cinema at the moment is called 'The maze runner' this film is about a group of people who are abandoned, and there only way to freedom is through a deadly maze. The reason for this film being rated '12a' is due to some violence, occurrences of death and weapons. The reason it is allowing those younger than 12 to watch it, is because it is very unrealistic film therefor, the viewer would not be able to copy anything the characters do in the film. The bbfc has shown that the age restriction categories are in place for a reason, and this is a prime example of letting the adult choose if they would allow their child to watch the film.
The symbol '12' indicates that only people 12 years of age or older can view or purchase the film from a cinema or shop. The content of this film would be unsuitable for someone under the age of 12. However the bbfc state the use of strong language (such as W******) may be passed at this age category, but if the use of this language is used frequently it will be passed as an older category, such as 15 or 18. Similar to violence and abnormal behaviour, can be shown in '12' rated films but, if there is aggressive use of this it may have to be moved into a high rated category. Therefor the age restrictions is mainly to identify the target audience, and to ensure it is safe for them to watch.
The 'PG' symbol stands for parent guardian this implies that the film is suitable for the general audience, however some scenes unsuitable for young children. This film should not disturb a child around the age of eight or older. Parent or guardian should consider weather the content may upset or disturb the younger or more sensitive child.
An example of a 'PG' film coming out soon is the Penguins of Madagascar. The film contains four penguins on a spy mission. The reason this film is given the age restrictions of PG is because it is very suitable for children. The animated animals are very popular for children aswell. Therefor any violence in this film will be very mild, and only there for humour.
The 'PG' symbol does sometimes get looked apon as a childish film, but it is not always the case. A classic example is saving Mr Banks. The certificate just means all the content is suitable for anyone aged over the age of eight. Sometimes people assume that this category is mainly for those under 12.
The 'U' symbol stands for universal. The 'U' films are suitable for ages four and over. These films will never include: sexually scenes, strong violence, drugs and unsociable behaviour. If there was any fights in the film it would be quickly stopped and given a positive outcome to give a moral to the audience watching. If there are any unsociable behaviour it will be then highlighted usually by another character, and stopped to show the audience it is a bad thing to do.
An example of a 'U' film is finding nemo. The narrative of this story is a father fish finding he's son who has been captured by humans. It is given the 'U' certificate because it is a family friendly film, and is an exciting narrative for a child to watch. There is no violent or sexual scenes, it is all very much happy film and easy to watch and enjoy for the audience.
This research has helped me understand the different age categories are not just aimed at the age they are set at, for example 'U' is not just targeted to at the age group of around 4. Also i now understand the difference between 12 and 12A. The 12A films usually only have a small amount of content that may be unsuitable for someone under the age of 12, or mild content, whereas 12 will have the content thought out the film.
The narrative is important so your film has a meaning, the film is based around the narrative. It is the story line, that film follows.
My Film is going located in the forest. It will consist of a group of friends that take a stroll into the forest, they have an argument and one of the characters walks a head of the group (female), what no one noticed is that they was being stalked by a two men in white masks. once the girl is far enough ahead of the group the two stalkers show themselves.
The group who are remaining split up to try and find the girl not knowing that she is now with the two masked men. The group then meet back up after not finding their missing friend, but now there is another missing in the group.
The group decide to stick together and leave the forest assuming the other two must be together. The group then see one of their friends laying dead in the bushes. They then panic and try and run out the forest and they bump into the two men.
The mis en scene will be set in the forest.
Iconography - The white masks.
There will be cinematography, a range of different camera angles to make the killers scary.
Our target audience will be 15 plus, mainly between 15-20 but aimed at the mass market as it the thriller genre is watched by all ages.
I will talk my group through my idea to see if they want to use it. If not then we will come up with a new narrative or just adapt parts of each of our narrative together to make a group narrative.
Editing can be correcting, condesing or modifying the film. In this post i am going to show how timing of shots, slow editing, and jump cuts are used in the film halloween. The timing of shots are either edited slower or quicker to add emotional impact or to create suspence. Slow editing is when clips are juxtaposed together at a slower pace and this can build up a tension. finally jump cuts is when the camera suddenly focus on something.
Timing of shots in halloween are used to show how to protagonists were running and the antagonist was walking, this is shows that the protagonist cannot out run the antagonists, because not matter how long they are running for the antagonists always seems to keep up. The timing of shots are used to show the distance between the villain and the victims quickly shortening, this builds up the tension and makes the audience wonder how long until the protagonist get caught, therefor puts the audience one edge and nervous for the protagonists.
Slow editing is when clips are juxtaposed together at a slower pace usually to create suspense. In the shinning slow editing is used at the end of the clip when the antagonist is staring through the window at the lady who saved the girl and boy. The way the antagonist moved he's head sideways while watching the women, suggest he is going to remember the women, therefor the audience get an impression that she could be the next victim. Therefor suspense is because the antagonist has not done nothing yet.
Jump cuts are when the film suddenly focus's on something. During the film the shinning jump cut is used when the boy gets stabbed by the killer, this is used to show that the knife has gone in he's leg, this creates shock ad highlights the bleeding of he's leg. The audience then are put in suspense as to weather the boy will survive or not. Also there are many fast cuts which works very well to show quick cuts of the film, which increases the pace for scenes such as fights. The boy try's to fight off the killer; and there is a jump cut of the killer taking the punches without getting hurt, which makes the audience think that he is unbeatable.
In conclusion editing in thriller films are key to set the scene and pace of the film. In the shinning there are many editing techniques used i just picked out three that i thought made the film scary and exciting. The different editing styles are key to make the thriller film: jumpy, scary, exciting and interesting.
Conventions of a thriller of a film consists of everything that makes a thriller film exciting and scary; a antaginist chasing a protagonist, weapons, the main four are building suspense, shock, surprise and tension. I am going to show the conventions in the film the shining. I have chosen the film 'The Shining' because in the scene i have chosen it has loads of conventions to set the scene and create a relationship with the protagonist.
When Johnny is walking towards the bathroom the door, the soundtrack used is high pitch which suggests the danger is high. This puts the audience into suspense because they are wondering if he will be able to get to the protagonist. The antagonist is walking towards the door with a limp, this connotes that he is injured therefor the protagonist stands a chance of getting away. This implies that the victim may survive this scenario makes the audience hope that she can survive.
The tension builds when the protagonist can not get fit out of the window. The audience do not know how long she has got to keep trying to get out the window, because Johnny still outside the bathroom door, therefor the tension builds the longer she tries. There is tension because the audience are almost certain that if she does not make it out of the window, Johnny will murder her.
The protagonist actions show that she is scared, also the long shot of the building shows that it is an isolated location. Both of these are typical thriller conventions: an isolated location, and a scared female victim. To be isolated is to be on your own, to make the audience think that it is just the protagonist and antagonist in the area adds to the fear factor, because there is no one around to help. Also the victim being scared and screaming, makes the audience on edge, as it puts the antagonist in a position that we think he is going to get her. Therefor builds the tension.
In conclusion the conventions in the shinning are used very well to build suspense and tension. There was not any shock in my scene, but the location was perfect for the antagonist chasing the protagonist, because it looked like a huge abandoned hotel. The conventions of a thriller are elements that are common, patterns that can be used in different films from the same category. The shinning had the classic example of the antagonist chasing the protagonist.
Cinematography Insidious movie clip
Cinematography is the art and process of photography. In this post i am going to be showing how cinematography is used in the film Insidious to create shock, suspense and surprise. i choose this clip because it consists of camera angle, movements and positions that are effective in building the audiences tension and making them feel like they are there with the boy.
In Insidious the use of eye level camera angle as the boy walk down the hallway, makes the audience feel more engaged with the scene. This builds a relationship between the audience and the boy, the audience want him to be ok. Therefor are put on edge as the camera not showing what is in front of him, keeps the audience guessing what or who is walking towards. Also when the boy is talking to his mother in the kitchen about he's dream. The over the shoulder is used to show the mums facial expression, which gives an indication to the audience that she is worried. In relate to the dream the audience wonder if the mum knows about this person in the background, which creates a suspense because we have the impression that the mum knows something more about this dream, than the boy.
Also the movements of the camera build a a tension. When the boy is watching is father talk to something, the camera zooms to his face. This is to highlight that he is probably talking to the women who is in the background of the boys dream. Therefor the audience get an idea that this family maybe living in a haunted house, this builds up suspence as we are guessing when we see the women again.
Also when the boy is in hes bed talking to hes mum, there is low key lighting. The low key lighting is used to set the scene as night time, this helps to give an eery effect, when the women is in the background you can only see her dress. This is due the lighting. The reason she is in a white dress is to make sure the audience spot her. In relate to the boy the auidence begin to feel worried for him as it is unclear why the women was watching him. The lighting is constantly quite low key, when the boy is walking down the hallway. This sustains the suspence as we know the boy cannot that much, this gives an effect on they audience that the women could be in a dark corner, therefor adds to the fesr factor of the film.
In conclusion the cinematography is used in insidous to create the thriller genre. It gives the women a hidden identity which makes it very scary as the women is unidentifed, the audience then fear the worse is yet to come. The name cinematography comes from combining two greek words: Kinema, which means movement, and graphiem, which means to record. Overall the cinematography is used to create the threes S's: suspence, shock, surprise. is does this in insidious extremly well to leave the audience in fear as to what might happen next.
Thrillers are often based around a genre of crime but it could be based on anything, there are hybrids within thrillers which there are two types of genres or a sub genre.The genre thriller has changed dramatically over the years. One huge difference being how it began with no sound, and now the sound is a huge part of making a film into a thriller. In 1929 Hitchcock made he's first sound thriller, which changed the way thrillers would try and scare the audience.
Alfred Hitchcock in 1935 popularised the use of a 'macguffin' a macguffin is used to make the audience think something is important, but is really just used to lead the audience astray. It is basically a false clue.
During the 1940s the main ten gripping films were: Gaslight, Night train to munich, the case of the frightened lady, Pimpernel smith, The echo murders, I see a dark stranger, Odd man out, The upturned glass, Brighton rock and The third man. What do all these films have in common? these films are all in black and white. Also these films would have been edited by actually cutting and sellotapeing the filming tape physically, top cut between shots such as medium shots to close ups. Compared to todays thrillers, the technology has dramatically changed making life easier for the people making thriller films.
A a-list actresses Lana Turner was known for 'The postman always rings twice' (1946) 'The bad and the beautiful' (1952) 'imitation of life' (1959) 'Peyton place' (1957). Lana was a typical victim to a thriller because she was an attractive female, also seen as a easy target for an antagonist.
Mise en scene is what is put in the scene. The five elements of Mise en scene are, setting & iconography, costume, hair & make up, facial expressions & body language, lighting & colour and positioning of characters/objects within the frame. The mise en scene is important to make the rest of the elements of the film effective. During the film Muma the mise en scene is used to set the scene, create suspense and to give the audience an indication of the personality of the man.
Muma (finding the girls) In Muma the scene when he finds the girls, the setting is in a abandon cabin this create a sense of being alone, the cabin is located in the forest. In relation to the audience the location makes you assume that if he gets into trouble no one will be able to find him. At the begining of the scene it is filmed from inside the cabin, as he opens the door, so the audience see the forest behind him; this is important as it shows the audience the cabin is located in the middle of nowhere which creates suspence. Also the iconography, the torch the man uses once he comes into the cabin. This highlights that it is very dark in the cabin, so there is a lot of dark spots for things to hide. This creates the fear factor as the audience are waiting for something to happen.
The costume, hair & make up acts as an instant indicator to the characters personality, satus and also tells the audience what time the film is set in. The man in this scene is wearing a jacket and a hat which connotes that the weather is cold. Also the white bread indicators that the character is quite old also the beard is white which represents innocence, this suggests that he could be vulnerable,or over run by the antagonist. This makes the audience feel worried for the man, it also builds more tension as the audience wonder if he will be able to defend himself.
Facial expression and body language both show how a character is feeling or there attitude. In this case the man facial expression as he sees the girls, is a mix between shocked, this gives a clear indication to the audience that the man is scared of the girls. This creates the shock factor which is key for a thriller film to have. The body language of the man is timid, which suggests he is uncomfortable in this cabin. Therefor the audience know that something might jump out.
Lighting and colour can be used to highlight importance or create a certain scene i.e mysterious being dark and gloomy. In the cabin there is low key lighting which makes parts of the cabin unknown because it is so dark, this suggests that there could be someone hiding there, which builds tension and suggests that there could be a shock soon. also all the colours being quite dark and black suggests that no one is welcome to come in the cabin, also shows that it is abandoned, this gives the audience a understanding that the man is quite brave. The audience then care about the man and want him to survive this situation.
In conclusion i think the mise en scene is used very effectively to show the conventions of a thriller film, the dark shadows created in the cabin, the mans appearance and more. Overall the mis en scene made the film have; suspense, shock, surprise and tension which made the film gripping and exciting.
