A re-shoot of the opening scene from the famous Thriller Film "Misery". We tried to bring a similar scene using our own tools and one of the classes at Harris Academy Bromley as our location. As for the sound we managed to take the sound of the actual footage and adapt it to our video through editing. The camera angles are very similar, almost identical to the original opening as well as our character's actions and movements.
This is the original scene for our retake.
Monday, 19 December 2016
Preliminary task
This was a shoot where me and my group first practiced the use of camera , by putting to work what we had learned in theory about the camera angles , sound , lighting and editing. The location was one of the school empty classes and the actors were all students from our preliminary task group. The overall filming went really well as we managed to follow the 180 degree rule during the dialogue ,which means both of the characters have the same left/right relationship to each other. If broken this rule would disrupt the scene and disorient the audience. We also managed to use the over the shoulder shot where the back back of the shoulder and head of one person is used to frame the image of whatever the camera is pointing toward, during the discussion. This was a preparation for us for the final thriller shooting so we knew where to not make the same mistakes twice and improve our overall skills as a group.
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Monday, 21 November 2016
Treatment
A first person view of a girl struggling to peal herself up of the damp cold floor. The only thing heard is her heavy breathing to break the eerie silence that surrounds her. She begins to move slowly towards her goal. A close up of her hand clenching a bloody pair of scissors. Ominous mysterious music begins to build as she runs faster. The shot jumps to a moving close up that goes from her feet to her neck. She is wearing ripped dirty pyjamas.
A high angle shot of the quiet dark street, you see the girl sprinting with determination down the road. She stops to catch her breath while the music goes back to a unnerving silence. A first person view is once again used, when she looks behind her terrified if the threat is still there and then turns back around. The shot now moves to a long shot and the camera starts slowly approaching her bruised face ,while she makes no eye-contact with it.
When the building music hits its peak she looks at the camera with determination. She then begins running again with the camera following her with a shot from behind the girl. She runs out onto an empty dark road and something makes her freeze, it's the sound of a car horn. The camera immediately goes to a medium shot of her turning to face the approaching car. A close up of the scissors being dropped in slow motion while a fuzzy sound is heard. The screen goes black and all that's heard is a car skidding. Words fade in reading "7 days ago"...
Monday, 14 November 2016
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Target Audience Questionnaire
What do you like the most about thrillers?
-I like how they put you on the edge of the seat ,how they are able to make you question simple actions. It's just unbelievable how you can't stop watching a thriller to the very end,even though it might scare you to death. They also have such a mysterious way on making me question the line between fantasy and reality, it just gets me addicted every time.
What is your favourite thriller subgenre?
It's hard to pick but I would say Action & Supernatural are my favourites.
Do you usually watch them with people or by yourself?
Well I like watching thrillers 24/7 and it's quite hard to find someone who's down for that all the time *laughs ,but it's always nice watching a thriller with a group of friends.
What is your all time favourite thriller?
Now you see me 2 is definitely my favourite. I love how it gets you by surprise, somehow it shows you how to be the "smart guy" and makes you think how some people that pretend they're stupid actually know a lot. Judging on the media part as well I think it's quite a masterpiece because the way everything is put together gets the viewer addicted until the very last second.
Do you prefer books or movies?
I would say it's different for different genres. When it comes to thrillers I would pick movies because to bring so much anxiety and suspense on the audience just reading and imagining it for me it's not enough. The complete effect can only be created by camera, music and sound ,editing etc, put together.
Do you prefer cinemas or a TV screen and some pop corn at home?
Cinema is always a good idea ,I love the big screen in front of you and the loud sound coming from all over the place, it kind of makes you feel part of the film. Also a TV is always a good option when feeling lazy and want to watch a good thriller on a rainy day.
-I like how they put you on the edge of the seat ,how they are able to make you question simple actions. It's just unbelievable how you can't stop watching a thriller to the very end,even though it might scare you to death. They also have such a mysterious way on making me question the line between fantasy and reality, it just gets me addicted every time.
What is your favourite thriller subgenre?
It's hard to pick but I would say Action & Supernatural are my favourites.
Do you usually watch them with people or by yourself?
Well I like watching thrillers 24/7 and it's quite hard to find someone who's down for that all the time *laughs ,but it's always nice watching a thriller with a group of friends.
What is your all time favourite thriller?
Now you see me 2 is definitely my favourite. I love how it gets you by surprise, somehow it shows you how to be the "smart guy" and makes you think how some people that pretend they're stupid actually know a lot. Judging on the media part as well I think it's quite a masterpiece because the way everything is put together gets the viewer addicted until the very last second.
Do you prefer books or movies?
I would say it's different for different genres. When it comes to thrillers I would pick movies because to bring so much anxiety and suspense on the audience just reading and imagining it for me it's not enough. The complete effect can only be created by camera, music and sound ,editing etc, put together.
Do you prefer cinemas or a TV screen and some pop corn at home?
Cinema is always a good idea ,I love the big screen in front of you and the loud sound coming from all over the place, it kind of makes you feel part of the film. Also a TV is always a good option when feeling lazy and want to watch a good thriller on a rainy day.
Target Audience Profile
Hi, my name is Flugerta Bushi and I'm a 17 year old sixth form student studying at Harris Academy Bromley sixth form. Originally I am from Albania but I'm currently living in the UK. I am very passionate about photography, dancing ,social media and films. Thriller in particular is the kind of genre I enjoy the most , I just love watching every single moment of it no matter how scary it might get. I become addicted to the feeling of suspense they are able to create and the way my heart skips a beat even in the most simple actions and sounds. My free time is a bit limited because being a sixth form student requires a lot of work but however I'm the kind of person that you will find awake at 3 am covered with her blanket watching a thriller if I don't find a better a time.
Music ,typography & lighting analysis
Music, typography and lighting are some of the main elements when putting a scene together. Each one of them is used in order to create a specific feeling on the audience ,also contributing to the storyline on giving each genre its own characteristics.
I am about to analyse these elements in three different thriller opening scenes below.
SE7EN
Music & Sound: The SE7EN opening scene starts with non diegetic loud sound straight away in order to make the audience feel uncomfortable and warn them about the mystery in the movie from the very beginning. The non-diegetic crash that is incorporated into the soundtrack creates an unnerving atmosphere. It sounds like there is diegetic sound of the character's actions mixed with the non-diegetic music that goes along the entire opening scene and that creates some kind of confusion within the viewer. There is non diegetic sound of muffled screams in the background which could suggest another possible character ,not seeing the character adds to the mystery of the sequence. The sound effects used continue through a number of shots which suggests they are all somehow linked. The music during this scene is jumpy just like the transition between shots which adds to the effect on the viewer's feeling of confusion and unawareness of what is going to happen next. However there is non diegetic upbeat music in the background that also predicts an interesting film rather than just creating the feeling of suspense and fear.
Typography: The typography has a great impact on how the viewer perceives the film from the start. In this scene the tittles are unclear and blurry almost difficult to read increasing the theme of mystery for the viewer. The very first actor's name that we see is Brad Pitt which is used on purpose as he is one of the Hollywood most famous and with most influence actor. The movie tittle is small and blurred which makes the viewer work to be able to see it and then immediately jumps out to another cut which creates a sense of disorientation. We would expect the film to emphasise the major Hollywood actors, yet the fonts are small which goes against of what we expect and that further confuses the viewer. Overall the tittles changing size ,moving around the screen and coming in and out of focus puts the audience on the edge.
Lighting: The blurred background immediately introduces the theme of mystery and drags the audience straight away to a mysterious storyline. There is low lighting throughout the entire scene which conveys mystery and fear that fits in with the conventions of the genre. The only colours used up to some point are black and white which interprets a dark mysterious storyline then is jumps to a red shot. The connotation of the colour red would suggest anger, blood and death to the viewer. We can also see many shadows throughout the scene ,which predict danger and interprets to the audience is concealing themselves. The little lighting in all of the shots indicates the action is either taking place at night or in a dark room.
MISERY
Music & Sound: The scene starts with Non Diegetic sound of a type writer before the scene is in the view which hints the presence of a typewriter on the following scene. The sound eventually turns into diegetic sound , immediately after the scene starts showing a man typing on his typewriter. Throughout most of the scene there is only diegetic sound of the typewriter emphasising the importance of what the man is writing making the audience focus on the scene.Then it goes to non diegetic sound of slow paced music but with a little bit of a strange tone which creates a feeling of confusion within the audience. The sound becomes more distinct when we see the front 'untitled' page , suggesting this piece of work is vital. Then there's diegetic sound when the character pops open the bottle of champagne suggesting celebration for the finished work and the fat that he is celebrating by himself which could suggest that he is a lonely middle aged man.
Typography: The use of typography is not used as much in this opening suggesting a smaller impact of it within the audience. It starts with the name and logos of three production companies ,Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Columbia Pictures and Castle Rock suggesting that they worked together in releasing the film through convergence and synergy. The director is the first individual to be mentioned in the credits showing that this film is being sold more on his name than the actors. The colour of the font is red which is very typical in thriller films, because red is meant to predict danger.
Lighting:
I am about to analyse these elements in three different thriller opening scenes below.
SE7EN
Music & Sound: The SE7EN opening scene starts with non diegetic loud sound straight away in order to make the audience feel uncomfortable and warn them about the mystery in the movie from the very beginning. The non-diegetic crash that is incorporated into the soundtrack creates an unnerving atmosphere. It sounds like there is diegetic sound of the character's actions mixed with the non-diegetic music that goes along the entire opening scene and that creates some kind of confusion within the viewer. There is non diegetic sound of muffled screams in the background which could suggest another possible character ,not seeing the character adds to the mystery of the sequence. The sound effects used continue through a number of shots which suggests they are all somehow linked. The music during this scene is jumpy just like the transition between shots which adds to the effect on the viewer's feeling of confusion and unawareness of what is going to happen next. However there is non diegetic upbeat music in the background that also predicts an interesting film rather than just creating the feeling of suspense and fear.
Typography: The typography has a great impact on how the viewer perceives the film from the start. In this scene the tittles are unclear and blurry almost difficult to read increasing the theme of mystery for the viewer. The very first actor's name that we see is Brad Pitt which is used on purpose as he is one of the Hollywood most famous and with most influence actor. The movie tittle is small and blurred which makes the viewer work to be able to see it and then immediately jumps out to another cut which creates a sense of disorientation. We would expect the film to emphasise the major Hollywood actors, yet the fonts are small which goes against of what we expect and that further confuses the viewer. Overall the tittles changing size ,moving around the screen and coming in and out of focus puts the audience on the edge.
Lighting: The blurred background immediately introduces the theme of mystery and drags the audience straight away to a mysterious storyline. There is low lighting throughout the entire scene which conveys mystery and fear that fits in with the conventions of the genre. The only colours used up to some point are black and white which interprets a dark mysterious storyline then is jumps to a red shot. The connotation of the colour red would suggest anger, blood and death to the viewer. We can also see many shadows throughout the scene ,which predict danger and interprets to the audience is concealing themselves. The little lighting in all of the shots indicates the action is either taking place at night or in a dark room.
MISERY
Music & Sound: The scene starts with Non Diegetic sound of a type writer before the scene is in the view which hints the presence of a typewriter on the following scene. The sound eventually turns into diegetic sound , immediately after the scene starts showing a man typing on his typewriter. Throughout most of the scene there is only diegetic sound of the typewriter emphasising the importance of what the man is writing making the audience focus on the scene.Then it goes to non diegetic sound of slow paced music but with a little bit of a strange tone which creates a feeling of confusion within the audience. The sound becomes more distinct when we see the front 'untitled' page , suggesting this piece of work is vital. Then there's diegetic sound when the character pops open the bottle of champagne suggesting celebration for the finished work and the fat that he is celebrating by himself which could suggest that he is a lonely middle aged man.
Typography: The use of typography is not used as much in this opening suggesting a smaller impact of it within the audience. It starts with the name and logos of three production companies ,Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Columbia Pictures and Castle Rock suggesting that they worked together in releasing the film through convergence and synergy. The director is the first individual to be mentioned in the credits showing that this film is being sold more on his name than the actors. The colour of the font is red which is very typical in thriller films, because red is meant to predict danger.
Lighting:
Monday, 17 October 2016
Sunday, 9 October 2016
Thriller opening analysis
"Borgman" opening scene analysis.
"Borgman" is a Dutch surreal thriller film about domesticity crumbling into violence and even insanity.
The opening scene starts with the quote "And they descended upon the earth to strengthen their ranks", which according to the director was taken from the bible. That's the very first thing that makes you question if the movie is going to have religious elements. Then it cuts immediately to a loud barking dog in a cage. The dog looks like those big hunting dogs that the police uses to chase traces and the barking predicts danger. Also the weather seems to be chilly and the faded colours used from the beginning, like the grey sky, tell a lot about the rest of the movie. The next thing we see is a man getting ready in the morning, which sounds like a normal thing, but the camera angles, the house's old furniture and the medium to low lighting creates that awkwardness within the viewer. The producers have used the sepia effect which is typical when making a thriller. The director employs Barthes' Hermeneutic code by showing us a gun resting on the table, creating an enigma on what the gun will be used for and is the man going to be one the film's antagonists.
Then he goes outside and takes the dog out of the cage, we can see there is only one old small house in a massive field in the middle of a faded fog, again used to create a thriller's atmosphere.
The next thing we see is a priest and this is another clue about the film's religious elements.
Afterwards the camera cuts to a shot of the first man and another man making iron weapons, and one of the characters only nods in sign of a cold greeting. The sound is also one of the things that creates tension as they do everything in silence, the only sounds we can hear are small digetic sounds but no talking at all.
Then the camera cuts to the priest holding a shotgun which is quite unusual makes me believe he is going after something evil and also knowing that priests usually deal with supernatural powers in films makes you question about supernatural elements within the film.
Then the three man get together apparently chasing something evil that lives underground in a wooded area with spears.
In this underground basement, which looks like no place men would normally live in, lives a man which in the first view looks like a homeless harmless man, but the whole situation tells he is no ordinary character in the movie. As the three man find his secret place looks like the man hiding underground manages to escape using dust ,which is one of the settings of this opening scene.
Here's the opening scene ending and the producers managed to already leave the viewer intrigued and interested in watching the rest of the film.
Sunday, 2 October 2016
The Barthes' Codes
-The hermeneutic code (HER) is the enigma in a film. It refers to any element that is not revealed or explained ,this way raising questions to the audience that demand explication. Most producers use the HER code in order to keep the viewer interested by building up that suspense and curiosity and also increase the effect of the final revelation of the digetic truths. An example of the usage of the hermeneutic code is the TV series "Pretty Little Liars" ,where the antagonist, self-named as A, is always wearing a "hoddie" and his/her face is never revealed. Therefore the enigma would be "Who is A?"
-The Proairetic code (PRO) applies to any action that implies a further narrative action. It is also very important in bulding the suspense within the viewer. Suspense isn this case is created by an action rather than by a viewer's wish to have mysteries explained. For example, a character draws his gun on an adversary and we wonder what the resolution of this action will be.
-These to codes tend to keep the viewer interested and make them watch a film from beginning to end. The two codes work together to create the effect that none of them alone would be able to, without the other.
Thriller Subgenres
The thriller subgenres are:
Action thriller: In this subgenre there's a mix between action and thriller where the protagonist goes through obstacles and dangerous situations which he/she usually conquers by action setting. Example: Taken.
Conspiracy thriller: In this subgenre the protagonist must confront a large, powerful organization whose threat only he/she sees. Example: Snake eyes.
Crime thriller: This subgenre is a mix of crime and thriller and offers the suspense of a successful or failed crime, and it also focuses on the criminal rather than the policeman. Main topics of this subgenre would be: robberies, murderers and double-crosses. Example: Sev7n.
Horror thriller: In this subgenre there is a mix of thriller and horror genre: focusing on suspense, adrenaline and tension, while having an emphasis of fear and terror. Example: Final Destination.
Legal thriller: This subgenre usually takes place in a courtroom and the main characters are lawyers and their employees. Example: Innocent.
Political thriller: In this subgenre the main character (the hero/heroine) must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. Example: The interpreter.
Psychological thriller: In this subgenre the conflict is more mental rather than physical. The protagonist has been involved in a situation which threatens their own sanity. Characters have to overcome their enemies, - which are usually in their head, - using their mental resources.
Supernatural thriller: In this subgenre there are introduced supernatural elements mixed with tension and plot twists. The antagonist has usually some physic ability and superpowers. Example: Fallen.
Spy thriller: In which the protagonist is usually an agent who must take violent actions against agents of a rival government. This subgenre usually deals with the subject of fictional espionage in a a realistic way. Example: The tourist.
Action thriller: In this subgenre there's a mix between action and thriller where the protagonist goes through obstacles and dangerous situations which he/she usually conquers by action setting. Example: Taken.
Conspiracy thriller: In this subgenre the protagonist must confront a large, powerful organization whose threat only he/she sees. Example: Snake eyes.
Crime thriller: This subgenre is a mix of crime and thriller and offers the suspense of a successful or failed crime, and it also focuses on the criminal rather than the policeman. Main topics of this subgenre would be: robberies, murderers and double-crosses. Example: Sev7n.
Horror thriller: In this subgenre there is a mix of thriller and horror genre: focusing on suspense, adrenaline and tension, while having an emphasis of fear and terror. Example: Final Destination.
Legal thriller: This subgenre usually takes place in a courtroom and the main characters are lawyers and their employees. Example: Innocent.
Political thriller: In this subgenre the main character (the hero/heroine) must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. Example: The interpreter.
Psychological thriller: In this subgenre the conflict is more mental rather than physical. The protagonist has been involved in a situation which threatens their own sanity. Characters have to overcome their enemies, - which are usually in their head, - using their mental resources.
Supernatural thriller: In this subgenre there are introduced supernatural elements mixed with tension and plot twists. The antagonist has usually some physic ability and superpowers. Example: Fallen.
Spy thriller: In which the protagonist is usually an agent who must take violent actions against agents of a rival government. This subgenre usually deals with the subject of fictional espionage in a a realistic way. Example: The tourist.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
The conventions of thriller
Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. Thrillers generally keep the audience on the "edge of their seats" as the plot builds towards a climax. The cover-up of important information from the viewer is a common element. Literary devices such as red herrings, plot twist, and cliffhangers are used extensively. A thriller is usually a villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.
The conventions of a thriller are:
- Flashbacks
- Tension and release
- Low key lighting
- Obtrusive editing
- Montage editing
- Impending/foreboding music
- Mise en scene
- Camera movement
- Narrative
- Panic Room
- Now you see me
- Sev7n
Monday, 19 September 2016
Welcome!
Hi everyone!
I am Rediola and this is AS Level Media studies.
This is my first blog ever and as you can see it's gonna be all about the kind of movies that keep you addicted to the screen even when all you wanna do is turn it off,-thriller movies. Have you ever thought how a movie can built so much tension and excitement? How it can make your heart beat a little faster? It's all about the camera tricks ,the sounds that play with your emotions manipulating them, the colours that are able to create a dark image inside your head. It's strange how a simple tic toc or a knock at the door can make you bite your nails ,make you stare at the screen without blinking. All of that makes you love the thrill, you get addicted to the suspense and become part of the plot as a viewer.
I hope all my thriller lovers out there enjoy this blog and even for those who don't really like thriller why not learn more about them.
Enjoy!!
I am Rediola and this is AS Level Media studies.
This is my first blog ever and as you can see it's gonna be all about the kind of movies that keep you addicted to the screen even when all you wanna do is turn it off,-thriller movies. Have you ever thought how a movie can built so much tension and excitement? How it can make your heart beat a little faster? It's all about the camera tricks ,the sounds that play with your emotions manipulating them, the colours that are able to create a dark image inside your head. It's strange how a simple tic toc or a knock at the door can make you bite your nails ,make you stare at the screen without blinking. All of that makes you love the thrill, you get addicted to the suspense and become part of the plot as a viewer.
I hope all my thriller lovers out there enjoy this blog and even for those who don't really like thriller why not learn more about them.
Enjoy!!
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