We liked the idea of this short film. Thoughout the film, it creates suspense with the music and whilst watching it, we all thought that something was going to jump out. By using a young child, it makes it look innocent and hides the fact that something bad will happen. The shop with the dolls in it is cleverly designed as it makes it look like a face with an open mouth, which could be symbolized for eating children. We liked how the child ends up becoming trapped inside the identical doll and may use something similar for our film opening.
The idea that we have chosen is to combine 2 ideas. We will have someone dreaming and then waking up quickly. In the dream they will be doing something innocent (e.g. running/getting ready for the day) but getting strange images/flash backs. When the dream ends, they wake up in a strange/unusual place. They will be tied up to something.
We found this an effective opening , due to the use of props. We found that the props used, for example, tying his shoe laces made it see like Dexter was strangling someone, or when Dexter put on this T-shirt it looked like he was suffocating someone. The director has used the mise-en-scene effectively because the audience can make the link that Dexter is suspicious, and leaves enigmas for the audience about his background. This makes the audience want to continue watching. We found this opening was effective also because it wasn't a stereotypical thriller opening with knives, murder etc. However it was suspenseful enough for audience to know its the thriller. The music was casual, this could connote that Dexter lives an ordinary life but with a big twist. The title gives the effect that it is written in blood, this also add to the suspicion and question about Dexter and the life he lives.
This Mimic title opening was effective, due to the quick, choppy editing. The close up is what made the opening effective, this gives the audience hints to whats will happen with the photos of people, the insects etc. However, it doesn't give to much away about the plot or characters leaving enigmas about the story, keeping the audience hooked. The sound add to the suspense as the opening sound is eerie, there is also an important sounding conversation between a man and a women. The conversation between theses two people also leave further enigmas , who are theses people? what are they talking about? we thought this upbeat and sharp editing we through was effective and want to mimic something similar in our opening. We found the newspaper cutouts, news headlines, photos looked effective with having the titles with these. it doesn't give to much away but gives small hints with the headline to there being a murder etc.
The walt disney indent starts with a blue background and the the disney castle quickly starts to appear, once the castle is fully on the screan the Walt disney sign appears. After this a silver line goes accross the top of the castle to form a rainbow shape. This indent is good because it appeals to young children, and young children our the type of people who will watch Disney films.
We found this example of As media work on Youtube. We particulary like the beginning to this opening sequence, it is effective, well designed and looks professional. They have inverted the colours which makes it stand out more and adds to the suspense as the text looks like it is glowing. We like the idea of using newspaper headings in our opening, as it adds mystery to the opening. The font used is also effective and then scrambles with sound in the background making it seem hi-tech. The sound used makes it sound eerie and ghostly as if something bad is going to happen.
15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over
Discrimination The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Horror Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable behaviour Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
Theme No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
18-Suitable only for adults
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence • where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault • where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.
In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. Sex education at ‘18’ Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.
Sex works at ‘18’ Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.
Certificate 15, and 18 is more suitable for the thriller genre, as some scenes may include violence and unsuitable scenes for younger audiences and children.
Close up shots can be used in thrillers to show emotions, which is suitable for thrillers because the emotions of the characters reflect on the emotions of the audience.
Mid Shot
Mid shots are good because they show you the setting as well as the body language of the character.
Long Shot
U Universal –Suitable for all. It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.
Discrimination No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of. Drugs No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children. Horror Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring. Imitable behaviour No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons. Language Infrequent use only of very mild bad language. Nudity Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context. Sex Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’). Theme While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children. Violence Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat ormenace only. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances toany violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
These opening are not the typical thriller opening as they create suspense slowly, as they dont go straight into the action. They take time to set the scene and introduce the characters, with out giving every thing away. The mise-en-scene sets the thriller atmosphere. Fir example, the opening of reservoir dogs shows that it is a thriller by the way the people are dressed. they are dressed in suits which shows that they have power and money which could suggest they are the villains of the film. In the opening of City of God, the chicken is used to represent the main character to shows that he doesnt know if he should run away from the police or help the police. This opening is a very different style of thriller opening because it has some humor with the chicken.
This is our logo for our production company. We made it on Photoshop. MLKS was named after the first letters in all of our names (Mel, Lydia, Kirsty and Sophie). We used the red background against the the white because we wanted it to represent blood to add to the mise-en-scene and go with the genre of thriller. We found the milk bottle on google images. We used it because the name MLKS reminded us of milk. We found zooming into the milk drop difficult and encountered many problems when doing it. For example, it kept on zooming into the red background and not into the white drop. However, in the end we managed to zoom into the right place.
The sound is purposely suspenseful so the mise-en-scene is associated with the thriller genre. We made it on Garageband, in the special effects section. We added it half way through the production logo because it fitted well with the drop falling down and then quickly zooming in.
Obsessed is a recently released film (2009) based around a husband, who is being persued by a female co-worker, despite the fact he has a wife whom he loves.
Here is the trailer for the film:
What I think is effective about the film is that the characters intentions aren't always obvious on some levels. The female co-worker obviously wants to be with her boss, however, what's driving her to do it, even though there are some obstacles, isn't obvious. The film keeps the audience wondering if there is something psychologically wrong with her, if there's an ulterior motive, or if this is the way she gets what she wants. Whilst the film pans out, it's obvious the feelings the audience feels towards different characters. The main character (Derek Charles played by Idris Elba) is respected by the audience, for his will power and love for his wife. His wife (Sharon Charles played by Beyonce Knowles) is liked too, but also sympathised and feared for by the audience, as she is the one being threatened. The "villan" of the film (Lisa Sheridan played by Ali Larter) is disliked by the audience, as she is the one threatening the peace, but of course, the most vital part of the film.
The soundtrack is a very important part, all throughout the film, especially the non-diegetic sound. At most points in the film, a quiet, eerie soundtrack is playing. It builds tension and keeps the audience on the edge, waiting for a big event to happen next. The music get's most "explosive" and intense at the main event of the film, the fight scene, near the end. Lots of loud, threatening diegetic sound is used in this scene too, to involve the audience more, like the sound of being thrown against a door.
Lots of midshots are used in the film, I think this is because the reactions and emotions of the characters have to be seen clearly, because the mood is always quite intense, but also, to get a clear view of the body language of the characters too, to give the audience a better idea of how the characters are feeling, or how they may react
When we start to plan our 2-3 minute opening sequence, we will have to remember various different techniques to keep in the theme of a typical thriller.
Some of techniques we can keep in mind, could include the following:
Camerawork:
Close ups - to get the emotions and reactions of the characters, for example, to capture fear in a characters eyes.
Tracking shot- To add an eeriness that may imply the character is being followed.
Panning shot around the character- To create a sense of dizziness, helplessness or confusion.
The mise-en-scene typically may include dark lighting and passing shadows, to give a sense of mystery. The props used depends on the storyline, but might include instruments (e.g. a knife) which has been used in a murder.
There could be different layers of sound, for example, if intimidating music was used in the soundtrack, digetic sounds over the top could be placed in to fit in with the scene and set the mood.
The editing could either be in the style of short and choppy at a canted angle – which would fasten the pace of the scene and show desperation, or could be slow, tracking every move, which would build tension slowly. Both techniques would work, but depending on what type of opening it would be, would decide which would be more suitable.
Our teacher showed us the opening of the thriller film 'Murder by numbers' with the sound muted. He then asked us to create a sound track that we thought would fit the opening suitably.
The piece of music we created along with the opening of the film includes diegetic sounds - the waves and the seagulls, along with the non diegetic piece of music, to build tension in the audience.
We created the piece through garageband, you can see directly below a screenshot we took to show the different layers of sounds we used and how we edited the volumes to create a smoother sound.
Within the genre of a thriller, there are sub genres, which are underlying themes. Some of these themes include: Political thrillers - This type of thriller is when "the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him.", Psychological thriller - Is when "the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical.", Medical thriller - "In which the hero/heroine are medical doctors/personnel working to solve an expanding medical problem". There are a variety of other sub genres, which we didn't go into great detail about, however some of them include; action, conspiracy, spy, drama and religious. No doubt, as time goes by, more sub genres will be created as more films are released.
A thriller is a suspenseful adventure story, play or movie. A thriller is closely linked to the genre's horror and action, however unlike a horror and an action a thriller doesn't show the audience the full action or blood/gore. It is more subtle in the story line which causes the audience to think more about it.
In class, we watched previous Long Road students work. we found this eye catching with the uses of close up. We found it added suspense, and left us wanting more. The close up on the photo's left enigmas for the audience of who the people are. This is effective because it doesn't give to much away, and leaves you wanting more. we also like the close up on the candle, which are usually found at churches, which may be foreshadowing death as candles are symbolic of funerals. The extreme close up of the eye let us know their emotion being fear, of the character and associate them as the victim. the lighting is very dark, this is effective because people are generally frightened of the dark, as its mysterious and hides things, this fit in well with the genre of thriller. We however, found the music repetitive and out of place. We found the main music sounded like a beach, which we didn't think fitted into the context of the opening.
Mise-en-scene The setting of this opening is unclear, this creates a sense of mystery and creates the scary atmosphere. The lighting is very dark and dull which emphasis's the mood the film. The main prop is a yearbook which has someone crossing out the faces which give the audience feel for whats to come.
Sound At the beginning there is a child laughing which could give the sense of the innocence of the people who are going to die. the sounds within the rest of the opening are based around a alarm which could give a sense of panic.
The opening of this film has a woman running through a woods doing an assault course. In this clip there is diagetic and non-diagetic sounds. the diagetic sounds such as, the woman breathing and the birds add to the suspense of the film because they are normally associated with death. The non-diagetic sound is creepy which sets the atmosphere that something bad is going to happen. The mise-en-scene in the opening is very dull. for example it is set in a woods which has a fog over it. The fog gives the feeling that the film may be unclear. The leaves on the ground give the i impression that it is around autumn/winter which makes the film feel lifeless. The camerawork in the opening is quite smooth and fluid. They have used a pan shot to open the film, followed by a tracking shot. We think this gives the impression that she is being followed. we think this because the tracking shot is taken from behind the woman which makes you feel like she is being followed. They have used some close up shot so catch the emotions on the woman's face. The editing is very simple, there is no special transitions between shots. Also the shots are long which creates suspense and it doesn't give too much away.
