Thriller Brainstorm

These are all the things I will need to consider when planning and producing our thriller film:

• Music

- tense quiet  music

- builds up tension and creates drama

- no music in titles - silence might help create this effect

• Titles

- murder scene with flashing cameras, after 3/4 camera flashes screen goes white- introduce text

- animation in titles- something different and original

- formal font?

• Story lines and ideas

- murder mystery crime- clever plot

• Characters

- heroic police detective- stereotypical

- girl or boy (protagonist)- alternative

• Mise-en-scene

lighting, props, shot,

• Location

- canal

- woods

- building

- one room

- house

BBFC Target Audience Research

I have started to research into the difference between a '15' and '18' rating movie. I explored the British Board of Film Classification website (http://www.bbfc.co.uk/) and evaulated the main points.

15

• No one younger tham 15 may watch a 15 in a cinema. They cannot buy or rent any 15 rated video work
• The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour
• 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 (aerosols or solvents etc.) is unlikely to be acceptable.
• Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised
• Dangerous behaviour (hanging, suicide and self-harming etc.) should not dwell on detail which could be copied
• Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised
• There may be frequent use of strong language, the very strongest language may be justified if used in an acceptable context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable
• 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
• 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
• No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds
• 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

• No one younger than 18 may watch a 18 in a cinema. They cannot buy or rent any 18 rated video work.
• Most adults are able to choose what they want to watch but there are some constraints
• The material must not be in breach of the criminal law, or must not be created through the commission of a criminal offence
• Material or treatment must not appear 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
• Must not include explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ 

annalysis of Donny Darco

Mise-En-Scene

Black back ground with white writting
Oder looking films - font
Looks like he fell of his bike, also in his pajamas - makes the audience ask questions
On the sign you know the date, the place, and the events that are currently happening
Set in an american suburb
Person reading stealingking novel - known to wrie horrors
The sign on the fridge says 'where is donny?' this shows that they are not bothered that he has gone missing As if it is a regular occurence

Camera
Tracking/slow paced
Extreme long shot
Tracking round from far away to close quickly
Panning round boy - medium distance
Shot - facial expresion - confusion
Pan of landscape
More cuts as the film proggresses - jumps loactions

Sound
Thunder as titles are playing - non diegetic - no picture on screen to show thunder
Thunder continues when the scene changes - scenery changes to a open landscape but the sound is still non Diegetic beacuse we cant see the birds.
The music is deep/sad/contemplated
Music changes when he stands up - up beat song says 'killing time' 

Editing
Fadded in from black at the start to a morning scene in the forest
Fadded to white then out back to the scene

Conventions of Crime Thrillers and Physiological Thrillers

The conventions of a crime thriller are:

• suspenseful account of failed or successful crimes
• features - murder/robbery/shoot outs/double cross/scenarios
• can glorify the rise & fall of a criminal - often based on real people
• set in a large crowded cities to provide the viewer with an insight into a secret world
• characters have an ambitious desire for success or recognition
• rivalry between binary opposite characters is strong
• many locations - seedy & interior settings

The conventions of a physiological thriller are:

• The central theme of 'Identity' which can be mistaken identity, stolen identity, dual identity, doppelgangers, confused identity and amnesia
• The theme of 'Perception and Reality' gives the sense of seeing the narrative from the perspective of multiple characters
• The theme of 'Memory' can often involve the torture of an individual with a traumatic memory or specific last memory
• Another common convention used is an 'Unreliable Narrator'
• 'Technical devices' such as flashbacks and repetition in editing are common. 
• 'Imagery' — a close up of eyes are a frequent motif

Audience research

Before we film a discussion of thriller films for our research we tried a practice survey. We asked out audience four questions to help us understand what type of questions we should ask. The questions were:

1. What do you expect in a 15/18 film? 
2. What is your favourite type of thriller film- horror, crime, psychological, drama, romance etc? 
3. What do you like your film to be set? 
4. Do you get bored of watching the same thing? 
5. Do you prefer black and white films or colour? 
6. What type of music do you like in thriller films? 
7. Do you like films to have a slow introduction, quick introduction or a film that unravels throughout?

Our audience research with this survey has helped in many ways. Firstly through the questions- when producing our real discussion, we are going to ask more open questions as we feel these questions were limiting our feedback. Secondly, this has also helped us in what type of film we are going to make. Most people answered the second question (favourite thriller film) as psychological. This means that viewers today enjoy these types of films and this influences us to produce one. On the third question answers came back with: realistic locations and places in the middle of nowhere. These answers contradict each other as half of our audience wants ordinary locations whereas the other want something different. With the fourth question, nearly all people wanted something new and exciting for  a thriller film. This makes us want to produce something original and unique. Furthermore with the fifth question, most people today prefer colour films. Even though we did ask a modern audience this could be something to avoid. Question six gave us interesting feedback as most people liked tense and happy (juxtapose to thriller films) music in thriller films. This gives our group a challenge when it comes to editing our film as we will have to think about placement and sound. Finally with question seven, nearly all people answered with a film that unravels. This shows that audiences' today enjoy crime/physiological thrillers that have gripping stories. This gives our group something to work on as we are going to have to come up with a creative idea.

Sub genre's

Action thriller – This sub-genre features a race against time which includes violence, explosions, guns and a main hero. Examples of action thrillers are The Terminator and James Bond. Action thrillers may have elements of mystery and crime.

Conspiracy thriller – This sub-genre includes a hero or heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies who only he/she recognizes.

Crime thriller - This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspense and tension. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses.

Disaster thriller - In which the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc., or nuclear disasters as an artificial disaster. 

Detective-Mystery- This sub-genre is considered a sub-genre of crime, suspense or thriller films that focus on an unsolved crime. This can be a murder or a disappearance which includes a central character – typically the hero- a detective. In this genre the detective meets adventures and challenges to solve the mystery.

Drama thriller – This sub-genre consists of the elements of a thriller and drama which is usually slower paced. It involves character development along with plot twists.

Film-noir- Some may argue that Film Noir is not a genre as it is more of a style that has evolved since the 1940’s. Noirs are usually black and white films with moods of melancholy, alienation, isolation, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt and paranoia

Romance- This sub-genre includes features of romantic dramas, romantic comedies, and sexual films. These may be love stories that focus around passion, emotion, and the affectionate involvement of the main characters. This makes the film connect with the audience. Romance films make the love story the main plot focus which usually involves a male and female character.

Suspense Thriller- Thrillers have many sub-genres like action-thrillers, crime thrillers, western-thrillers, film-noir thrillers, etc. The thriller genre can be recognized with the horror genre as they both produce an intense exciting atmosphere. The high level of anticipation and suspense makes the audience anxious and nervous. Alfred Hitchcock has made many suspense thriller films that have captivated audiences. Spy films may be considered a type of thriller/suspense film also.

Research into different types of genre

Today I have looked at all the different types of genre including sub-genre and hybrids. This will make out group understand what type of thriller we can produce when it comes to making our film.

Action- I learnt that this type of genre tends to have high energy throughout the film that includes things like: stunts, fights, explosions and a destructive crisis. Sub genre’s in this category is a spy movie or a disaster film. I then looked at adventure. This genre is similar to action as it also has exciting plots.

Adventure- Adventure films also tend to have exotic locations (eg- Pirates of the Caribbean set in the Caribbean), action and treasure hunts. Even though this sounds like an interesting genre to base our short film on, it comes across as a difficult genre to shot.  After this I looked at comedy; however our group has decided that this is a bad idea as comedy is a hard genre to focus on.

Crime- I then went on to look at crime. I feel this is a good genre to work around on as it includes themes or murder and robbery that are developed around sinister actions. Detective mystery can be sub genre into crime as both include similar conventions.

Drama-I then focused on drama which uses serious plots and life situations that can shock our audience. The genre drama portrays realistic characters, settings including intense character development. The sub genres in this category are melodramas, epics and romantics.

Horror- I then looked at the genre horror. This genre is designed to frighten, captivate and entertain an audience that summon our hidden fears. Horrors include a shocking finale with monsters and deranged humans. This genre can be compared to the science-fiction genre as the corruption could relate to technology such as aliens. The sub-genres of horror are: slasher, teen terror, serial killers, satanic, Dracula and Frankenstein.

Overall I studied the main genres in which our group want to develop on. We’re not interested in making neither a science-fiction nor a fantasy film so we decided to base our research on genres that appeal to us.

The Auteur System 
Throughout my research into genres I also looked at the auteur system. This is when films are made based on the expression of one person, which is usually the director. This makes the film become their style which is shown through the personality, look, and feel of the film. For example: Alfred Hitchcock is well known for his suspense thrillers. Here is a link to his famous movie Psycho

What is a thriller?

A genuine thriller is a film that provides thrills and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as the plot builds towards climax. Tension usually arises when the character/s are placed in a difficult situation, a mystery or trap from which escaping seems impossible. Life is threatened usually because the principal character is unsuspectingly or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation. The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.

Conventions- setting, characters and story

Thrillers are usually set in a creepy atmosphere in with sudden violence, crime and murder. Thrillers mostly take place in ordinary suburbs/cities, however, sometimes they may take place completely or partly in exotic settings such as foreign cities, deserts, Polar Regions, or the high seas. The heroes in most thrillers are frequently ordinary citizens who are not used to danger. However, more common in crime thrillers, they may also police officers or detectives. While such heroes have traditionally been men, women lead characters have become increasingly common.

Thrillers are fast-paced that often present the world and society as dark, corrupt and dangerous. Characters in thrillers include criminals, stalkers, assassins, innocent victims (often on the run), menaced women, characters with dark pasts, psychotic individuals, terrorists, cops and escaped cons, private eyes, people involved in twisted relationships, world-weary men and women, psycho-fiends, and more. The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.

Thriller and mystery

Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories but are distinguished by the structure of their plots. In a thriller, the hero must stop the plans of an enemy rather than uncover a crime that has already happened. While a murder mystery would be spoiled by a premature disclosure of the murderer's identity, in a thriller the identity of a murderer is typically known all along. Thrillers also occur on a much grander scale: the crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination, or the overthrow of governments. Jeopardy and violent confrontations are standard plot elements in the genre. While a mystery climaxes when the mystery is solved, a thriller climaxes when the hero finally defeating the villain, saving his own life and often the lives of others. In thrillers influenced by film noir and tragedy, the compromised hero is often killed in the process. However, there are thriller films that have the characteristics of a mystery, such as the climax of a mystery being solved and the defeating of the villain seem to be common.

Alfred Hitchcock

The master of the thriller or suspense genre, Hitchcock manipulated his audience's fears and desires, taking viewers into a state of association with the representation of reality facing the character. Hitchcock's films often place an innocent victim into a strange, life-threatening or terrorizing situation, in a case of mistaken identity, identification or wrongful accusation.

Analysis of 4321 (Crime thriller)

Camera- distance, angle, movement and editing- speed, style

The film opens with an establishing close up of a girl half crying standing on a bridge. At this point in time we assume she is going to commit suicide as a bridge may connote this. The camera then zooms fast out to show an extreme long of the bridge in the location- London.  This makes the girl seem small and insignificant to the rest of the city. A car then comes into view shown by the low camera angle which denotes the people in the car seem more powerful.  The camera then cuts back to the girls face in a mid-close up showing her crying. Her depressed situation is then reinforced through the long shot showing her standing on the bridge. The camera then tracks the people getting out of the car and the fast camera movements and cuts shows them to be demanding characters whereas the girl standing on the bridge is seen to be weak. The contrast between these two characters is then show by the close up of the girls face on the bridge showing her sad emotion by crying. Additionally she is also shaking reinforcing her feeble persona. The camera then cuts to her hand which is her holding a handful of diamonds. This contradicts her frail character as diamonds denote wealth. Nevertheless, after this she is shown shaking as she looks down at the water. Moreover, the fact she hasn’t made any sound at this point connotes her to by shy. After this she then jumps which is shown by a long shot which then cuts to a black screen.

Sound- effects, music

Throughout the beginning of the film hardly any sound has been used expect for when the camera zoomed out of the girl standing on the bridge, and when she was getting ready to jump. This is significant as the director is making her seem more important to the rest of the characters. The sound used at these moments

Mise-en-scene- props, costume, setting, lighting, colour

The girl standing on the bridge comes across as quite a weak persona due to her clothes and make up. Her shabby coat and torn t-shirt denote her to be poor and insignificant. Compared to the other girls however, they wore dresses and work clothes which make them come across as more important and powerful. Furthermore, the setting also establishes a crime thriller- at night in London. Night time denotes danger and this makes the film gripping.

Titles- font, colour, placement

The titles are shown in a white font against a black background. The typography is formatted in a bold sans serif font which denotes masculinity. Furthermore, the way the text is positioned makes it look like someone is standing up against a wall which connotes this film to be about gangster crime.

Analysis of black swan (phycological thriller)

To begin my research into the conventions of thriller films I am going to look at openings of some films and analyse the titles, camera angles, editing, mise-en-scene and music.

Camera- distance, angle, movement and editing- speed, style

The film opens with an establishing long shot of Nina who is revealed when the lights slowly show her on the centre of a stage. This then cuts to a mid-close up her feet which show her dancing to the music. The fact it cut to her feet may suggest that this film is about choices and paths to take in life. Furthermore, throughout her dancing a spotlight is following her at all times. At this part in the film we assume she is on a stage which makes her seem like an important character. After this she then sits down with a happy expression on her face which the cuts to a long shot of her. This then shows someone walking up to her; however the uneven mood of the film suggests that this could be something potentially scary. Soon after a male figure is shown which makes Nina stand up and this may be because she is trying to defend herself. He follows her around which pans to a close up of her face which highlights her scared facial expressions. After this the camera follows them around, always showing the male character looking at her back. Mid-close ups are then used throughout the rest of the dance until Nina walks off which is shown by a mid shot then a long shot. The spotlight then fades which signifies it’s the end of the dance.

The next scene cuts to a close up of Nina in her bed which highlights her happy expression. The camera then moves to follow her from getting out of bed which makes her seem like an important role. After this a long shot has been used to show her stretching, which changes to a mid shot when she sits down and then a close up to show her talking. After this it cuts to her and her mother having breakfast which then cuts to a mid shot of her showing how thin she is. After this, it shows close ups of their faces

Sound- effects, music

The music throughout the clip is clearly a classical piece of music that shows fast and slow paces. At the beginning, it begins calmly and peacefully as Nina dances, however it soon begins to change when she sits down as it becomes more tense. When they dance the music makes the atmosphere more rushed as its get faster and louder which is built up from when the male character (black swan) walks over to Nina. The climax of the music indicates that something is over which could be a symbolic meaning for Nina.

Mise-en-scene- props, costume, setting, lighting, colour

• Setting

The spotlight slowly reveals the Nina wearing a white dress in a black stage. The contrast between these two suggests that Nina is pure and elegant as she stands out to be white. The next scene is in her home in a flat which shows Nina’s bedroom and kitchen.

• Lighting

The lighting starts off slowly and shows there is more darkness as there is only one spotlight showing the main character. The lighting in the flat is produced by the sun which enters through the windows.

•  Characters

Nina began by wearing a pretty ballet dress that was very long which covered most of her legs. The white material contrasts to the back background making her seem more pure. Her facial expressions changed-at one point as she seemed happy then scared. When she woke up she was wearing a pink top and jewellery which makes her come across as feminine. Her mum however wears black which makes her come across as evil as she could be interpreted as the black swan and that Nina is innocent.

Titles- font, colour, placement

The film starts with subtitles which are shown in white to contrast with the black backdrop. The typography is formatted in a serif font which makes the titles come across as feminine. The slim and tall quality also adds to this. Furthermore, the formal tone makes this film to come across as serious which is reinforced as ‘Black Swan’ is written in capital letters, highlighting what the film is about. This is also spread out in the screen which is done to grab attention.

Evaluating research

After completing our market research i felt that we didn't ask a wide enough variety of questions, this limited the answers we gathered. we could have asked our audience what conventions they like in a movie, this would have given us a wider understanding of our task. This would be things like characters, setting, lighting and visual imagery. I have also learnt that genre's are never static and can always change and be re-packaged. I know this because when we were told about the box office not wanting physiological horrors, this didn't effect our group but other groups were able to easily re-brand their movies to something different.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSjWFkpswIo&feature=related

Concept of Genre

Genre is a set of convention recognizable, usually through iconology, familiar narrative, mis-en-scene, actors and style of repression. genres are never static, but constantly renegotiation between industry and audience a combination of familiar reassurance and new twists.
Genres evolve
a creative strategy used by film producers to ensure audience identify with a film a means of trying to predict risk.
Genre offers comforting reassurance in an uncomfortable world. Threat is quashed, outlaws become ciziled, gangsters are punished. Genres function like a language genre has a set of rules and vocabulary with which to organize meaning.