Before starting this coursework, we researched the generic codes and conventions of thrillers in order to understand what a thriller is and to see the way camera, sound, mise-en-scene and editing should be used.
We watched some thriller openings on YouTube and created storyboards for them, this allowed us to break down the clips and identify the type of camera movement, any transitions and editing techniques.
We discovered three main types of Thriller movies and identified the mice-en-scene which came with them. The three most common types were Psychological, Sci-fi and Action in the clips we watched.
We wanted to create a psychological thriller, or a hybrid of that and mystery. We looked at similar productions such as ‘Inception' and (especially) 'the butterfly effect' as it had a similar narrative and the look and feel we wanted to achieve. We decided our thriller was going to include an opening credit, the production company and the studio (E.g. ‘20th Centaury Fox’ logo at the beginning of films).
We also decided the setting of our thriller would be in a distant place, somewhere unreachable, isolated and somewhat dreamlike as this is a typical of the thriller genre and more specifically psychological thrillers such as 'Inception'. Another idea that came from this was the relation to children.
We watched some thriller openings on YouTube and created storyboards for them, this allowed us to break down the clips and identify the type of camera movement, any transitions and editing techniques.
We discovered three main types of Thriller movies and identified the mice-en-scene which came with them. The three most common types were Psychological, Sci-fi and Action in the clips we watched.
We wanted to create a psychological thriller, or a hybrid of that and mystery. We looked at similar productions such as ‘Inception' and (especially) 'the butterfly effect' as it had a similar narrative and the look and feel we wanted to achieve. We decided our thriller was going to include an opening credit, the production company and the studio (E.g. ‘20th Centaury Fox’ logo at the beginning of films).
We also decided the setting of our thriller would be in a distant place, somewhere unreachable, isolated and somewhat dreamlike as this is a typical of the thriller genre and more specifically psychological thrillers such as 'Inception'. Another idea that came from this was the relation to children.
The children in this picture are from 'Inception'
We liked the idea of the red dress on the girl to symbolize her innocence, but also as a sign of danger (something bad about to happen).
An isolated setting combined with a child would establish the genre and meet the expectations of the audience. It would help create fear and tension for the character as this is not a setting appropriate for a girl alone.
We liked the idea of the red dress on the girl to symbolize her innocence, but also as a sign of danger (something bad about to happen).
An isolated setting combined with a child would establish the genre and meet the expectations of the audience. It would help create fear and tension for the character as this is not a setting appropriate for a girl alone.
This is the setting for part of our movie. We chose this because it is an isolated place, although there are houses nearby, the general feeling here is deserted and uncared for, In order to convey to the audience the character's vulnerability. She is dressed in red, signifying danger, and is a girl which has stereotypically been the role of the 'damsel in distress' indicating that something is going to happen to her.
In order to keep audiences engaged, we decided to keep the shots of this field random and fast cut. This would create tension and also build the idea of madness (psychological thriller) as the character would be in one place, then disappear to be in another.
Point of view shots and high angle shots are used frequently in thrillers but we decided to keep the camera in the same place as if the character is being watched and so we could cut to other shots frequently. This creates a puppet like effect. In all the thrillers we analysed, we saw that they had a calm opening where something would then go wrong.
However, we decided this would be effective in the clips of Joel to have these types of shots. We used High angle shots and over the shoulder shots to create the feeling that he is being watched or monitored, although his actions aren’t being stopped. This asks the question; Is he really the one in the wrong?
We decided to have the opening titles over shots of the boy, because this wouldn't be nerving, therefore the audience would be expecting something to happen.
We found the typical colours used in a thriller opening were often reds and blacks. The red (the dress) in particular is effective in connoting danger and blood. We used white for our titles. This is due to the fact that it gives the thriller a simplistic feel, and doesn’t distract from the action on screen.
Most of the thrillers we analysed opened with slow eerie music which then gradually builds as the action intensifies. We decided to do this by adding contrasting music to the images on screen, and increase the volume untill a moment when it stops completely. The girl then also dissappers. This hints that the music is only playing for her.
In order to keep audiences engaged, we decided to keep the shots of this field random and fast cut. This would create tension and also build the idea of madness (psychological thriller) as the character would be in one place, then disappear to be in another.
Point of view shots and high angle shots are used frequently in thrillers but we decided to keep the camera in the same place as if the character is being watched and so we could cut to other shots frequently. This creates a puppet like effect. In all the thrillers we analysed, we saw that they had a calm opening where something would then go wrong.
However, we decided this would be effective in the clips of Joel to have these types of shots. We used High angle shots and over the shoulder shots to create the feeling that he is being watched or monitored, although his actions aren’t being stopped. This asks the question; Is he really the one in the wrong?
We decided to have the opening titles over shots of the boy, because this wouldn't be nerving, therefore the audience would be expecting something to happen.
We found the typical colours used in a thriller opening were often reds and blacks. The red (the dress) in particular is effective in connoting danger and blood. We used white for our titles. This is due to the fact that it gives the thriller a simplistic feel, and doesn’t distract from the action on screen.
Most of the thrillers we analysed opened with slow eerie music which then gradually builds as the action intensifies. We decided to do this by adding contrasting music to the images on screen, and increase the volume untill a moment when it stops completely. The girl then also dissappers. This hints that the music is only playing for her.