Thriller Opening Ideas
Idea 1 –
Storyline
• Set in a abandoned house at night
• Group of teenagers exploring
• A joke becomes real
• A killer takes a victim
• Others run out of the house.
• Filmed in a point of view shot from a camera
(Blair witch project)
Key Thriller elements-
• Gives a dark feeling
• Puts viewer in the characters shoes.
• Unexpected
Idea 2 –
Storyline
• Starts with a chase scene of a girl running up the street.
• Runs into a cornfield
• Killer approaches girl she screams then cuts to black screen.
• The use of diegetic sound to create the atmosphere of being watched.
• Filmed from the point of view of the attacker, add sound of breathing to create tension.
Key thriller elements-
• Chase
• Distortion of reality
• Paranoia
Idea 3 -
Storyline
• Start with flashing images of blood and knives
• Introduced to a crime scene in a bedroom (no body)
• Detectives processing the scene, taking photos
• Discussion of what happened, any witnesses etc.
Key thriller elements-
• Death
• Flashbacks
• Disturbing outcome
We decided on idea 2 -
The reason we have chose this as a final idea as it gives us some interesting camera shots to work with e.g. Point of view shot. The idea will capture the interest of the audience and will give the audience an idea of the film from the killers perspective as well as creating tension and showing fear from the victim. The film uses interesting techniques in camera work as when the screen goes black it creates tension and suspicion of the killer as he remains mysterious showing no facial features. The chase scene creates tension as this will make the audience scared for the girl and capture their interest in the film. When the girl is trying to escape through the cornfield this creates paranoia as the killer is nowhere in sight but at the same time could be very close.
After further discussion into the idea we found that it was easily adaptable and we could change parts that would be difficult to achieve. Elements such as a cornfield would be hard to find so we changed it to a woods. We could also add other thriller elements into our idea such as flashbacks to give a false sense of time and show the events leading up to the present day, the past tense will be shown in black and white to show time movement. We talked about maybe including a music overlap and not having any dialog which maybe harder to get a storyline across.
To add more affect of the killer we decided to add a more stalker feel rather than a serial killer, we would do this by showing flashbacks of bloody weapons, pictures of his victims, washing blood off his hands, camera shots of him stalking etc. The chase scene will mostly include a point of view shot from the stalker to create tension. We thought of adding stills to the film to show interruption and give it a dramatic feel.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Analysing my research
When conducting my research I produced a questionnaire to find out how we are going to fit the thriller elements of what the audience expect.
I asked a range of students aging from 15 – 25. I found that this age range was much more fitted to the thriller genre. This shows that thriller films involve more adult themes which I need to incorporate into my ideas.
I used a variety of open and closed questions to get a wide range of research. When constructing my questions I needed to make sure I could make it specific enough to construct ideas and interpret the results to create the final product.
I found from my research that most preferred thrillers 15 or above. The audience were interested in crime, mystery and horror thriller types but not containing too explicit such as graphic rape or torture and racial offence.
From the research I can conclude that our audience would prefer a more dramatic opening which links to films such as no country for old men which shows intensity not giving much away, adding mystery.
The most common thriller film our audience has chosen is psycho which is a classic horror thriller. It has a very significant opening not going straight into the killings leaving the audience in suspense.
After analyzing the research we need to think of how we can include these results into our own final thriller opening.
I asked a range of students aging from 15 – 25. I found that this age range was much more fitted to the thriller genre. This shows that thriller films involve more adult themes which I need to incorporate into my ideas.
I used a variety of open and closed questions to get a wide range of research. When constructing my questions I needed to make sure I could make it specific enough to construct ideas and interpret the results to create the final product.
I found from my research that most preferred thrillers 15 or above. The audience were interested in crime, mystery and horror thriller types but not containing too explicit such as graphic rape or torture and racial offence.
From the research I can conclude that our audience would prefer a more dramatic opening which links to films such as no country for old men which shows intensity not giving much away, adding mystery.
The most common thriller film our audience has chosen is psycho which is a classic horror thriller. It has a very significant opening not going straight into the killings leaving the audience in suspense.
After analyzing the research we need to think of how we can include these results into our own final thriller opening.
BBFC
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is the organization responsible for film, DVD and some video game classification within the United Kingdom.
Universal Children
Suitable for all, but especially made for children under 7 years of age.
Universal
All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.
Parental Guidance
All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 13
12 Accompanied
Suitable for those aged 12 and over. Those aged under 12 are only admitted if accompanied by an adult at all times during the performance (replaced the standard 12 certificate for cinema releases only in 2002)
12
Suitable for those aged 12 and over.
No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated VHS, DVD or game
15
Suitable for those aged 15 and over.
Nobody younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated VHS, DVD or game.
18
Suitable for those aged 18 and over.
Nobody younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated VHS, DVD or game.
Restricted 18
Suitable for those aged 18 and over. May only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops, and only to people aged 18 or over.
Guidelines to concerns when classifying films are –
Theme – the acceptability depends on the context and sensitivity of presentation. The most problematic themes are drug abuse, sexual violence, paedophilia and racial hatred.
Language – The concern about particular words or expressions depend upon the context within it is used.
Nudity – Natural nudity providing there is no sexual context is acceptable at all classification level except U.
Sex – The portrayal of human sexual activity can range from kissing to references of making love. The classification system depends in which progressively stronger portrayal is allowed as the categories rise.
Violence – Works that glorify, glamorise or sexualise violence will receive a more restrictive classification and may be cut.
Drugs – Any detailed portrayal of drugs use likely to promote or glamorise the activity may be cut.
When rejecting films they look at -
Graphic rape or torture
Sadistic violence or terrorisation
Illegal or glamorised drug use
Material likely to incite racial hatred or violence
Portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive content
Sex accompanied by non-consensual pain, injury or humiliation
Material likely to be found obscene by the courts.
Thriller Films -
MY BLOODY VALENTINE
Classified 22 December, 2008 . (18)
Contains strong gory violence, horror and sex
THE UNBORN
Classified 22 December, 2008 . (15)
Contains strong horror
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Classified 19 November, 2008 . (12A)
Contains moderate threat and injury
STUCK
Classified 07 November, 2008 . (15)
Contains strong language, gore, sex and drug use
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is the organization responsible for film, DVD and some video game classification within the United Kingdom.
Universal Children
Suitable for all, but especially made for children under 7 years of age.
Universal
All ages admitted, there is nothing unsuitable for children.
Parental Guidance
All ages admitted, but parents are advised that certain scenes may be unsuitable for children under 13
12 Accompanied
Suitable for those aged 12 and over. Those aged under 12 are only admitted if accompanied by an adult at all times during the performance (replaced the standard 12 certificate for cinema releases only in 2002)
12
Suitable for those aged 12 and over.
No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated VHS, DVD or game
15
Suitable for those aged 15 and over.
Nobody younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated VHS, DVD or game.
18
Suitable for those aged 18 and over.
Nobody younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated VHS, DVD or game.
Restricted 18
Suitable for those aged 18 and over. May only be shown at licensed cinemas or sold at sex shops, and only to people aged 18 or over.
Guidelines to concerns when classifying films are –
Theme – the acceptability depends on the context and sensitivity of presentation. The most problematic themes are drug abuse, sexual violence, paedophilia and racial hatred.
Language – The concern about particular words or expressions depend upon the context within it is used.
Nudity – Natural nudity providing there is no sexual context is acceptable at all classification level except U.
Sex – The portrayal of human sexual activity can range from kissing to references of making love. The classification system depends in which progressively stronger portrayal is allowed as the categories rise.
Violence – Works that glorify, glamorise or sexualise violence will receive a more restrictive classification and may be cut.
Drugs – Any detailed portrayal of drugs use likely to promote or glamorise the activity may be cut.
When rejecting films they look at -
Graphic rape or torture
Sadistic violence or terrorisation
Illegal or glamorised drug use
Material likely to incite racial hatred or violence
Portrayals of children in a sexualised or abusive content
Sex accompanied by non-consensual pain, injury or humiliation
Material likely to be found obscene by the courts.
Thriller Films -
MY BLOODY VALENTINE
Classified 22 December, 2008 . (18)
Contains strong gory violence, horror and sex
THE UNBORN
Classified 22 December, 2008 . (15)
Contains strong horror
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
Classified 19 November, 2008 . (12A)
Contains moderate threat and injury
STUCK
Classified 07 November, 2008 . (15)
Contains strong language, gore, sex and drug use
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Analysis of openings of thrillers
Jagged edge
Jagged edge is a typical horror based thriller opening with an point of view attack from the killer. The storyline starts with a peaceful mood showing scenery and calm weather. The build up to the attack is emphasized by loud music which creates tension of the killer not being seen. The victim is first unaware of the attacker in the room which creates tension and anxiety for the viewer showing a stalker feeling as he watches her sleep.
The contrast shown by the attacker’s violence and the victims innocence sets up the storyline for the rest of the movie. As the attack begins the victim is very defenseless which creates the feeling of power they have over her. The scene is very viscous which again sets up the atmosphere for the rest of the movie.
The camera shots used are mostly close ups which concentrate on the knife as the main object and the victims face; this puts the audience on the victims shoes. The knife also represents the power idea and the lack of control the victim has over the situation. The camera concentrates on the knife at the end of the attack where the victim screams then the shot is cut to a view of the ocean. This highlights the contrast of innocence and violence being washed away by the sea.
No country for old men
The story starts off with a series of still pictures of deserted places giving a peaceful feeling contrasting with the murder aspect. The voice over tells a story which sets the scene. The police involvement shows the crime element highlighting the character and a possible weapon. The storyline gets straight into the key element of the thriller which is death. The murder scene of the police man shows the characters personality and the unexpected horror of his facial expressions setting the mood. The effortless murder gives a sense of a serial killer with an unusual murder weapon intriguing the viewer. The second killing also gets the viewers attention into finding out more about the character. A second character is introduced hunting which emphasizes the idea of killing. The scene is set in a dessert which shows isolation and an unknown outcome. The massacre of dead men shows the danger and gives the audience as sense of mystery of what happened. The finding of the money shows that there was obviously a drugs situation gone wrong.
The camera shots mostly involve close up’s giving a more intense setting. It shows the story through the audience perspectives by using point of view shots. The long shots used also show isolation and loneliness of the character being in the middle of nowhere. This is also highlighted through the way they have used sound. There is a lot diegetic sound used with very little environment sound creating the idea of mystery and darker side of life. The only non-diegetic sound is the voiceover in the first scene which build the significant of irrelevant murder.
The opening to the film really draws in the audience by developing two characters of which are a mystery. There are a lot of question raised which intrigue the viewer to want to find out.
Dead Calm
The story starts off with a scene at the train station, showing military men meeting their family. This is a good opening scene as it sets the film up for the next scene. The dialog used shows its Christmas giving sense of happiness. We are introduced to the first character (Sam Neil), his facial expression shows worry which contrasts with the happy atmosphere. The business of the station gives a sense of anxiety and when the police are introduced an element of fear arises as it is unknown what happened. As soon as the scene goes into the hospital the audience knows that someone is injured. The first dialog spoken explains the situation and informs the viewer. There is very little dialog which makes a good opening scene as it makes the viewer interested. There is mostly diegetic sound which builds up and get louder to create tension. There is a point where non-diegetic sound is introduced to create security before the car accident.
There are many camera shots that are used to create different effects. The station scene shows a slow circling around the character and a point of view shot scanning the room, this creates the idea of isolation in the crowd. There is slow motion used to create the sense of trouble and tension. To connect the audience with the characters a blurred shot puts the audience in their eyes indicating blurred vision. A fade out is used to show time movement this gives the audience a false sense of time as we see the results if the accident before the accident. The road sign shown gives clues to the viewer so there is no confusion in the sequence of events.
The atmosphere created is mostly connected to the weather. The weather expressed the mood of the scenes and characters and creates a contrasts with the idea of security. Another contrasts expressed is atmosphere of the scenes being happy at the start and slows becomes a tragedy.
Jagged edge is a typical horror based thriller opening with an point of view attack from the killer. The storyline starts with a peaceful mood showing scenery and calm weather. The build up to the attack is emphasized by loud music which creates tension of the killer not being seen. The victim is first unaware of the attacker in the room which creates tension and anxiety for the viewer showing a stalker feeling as he watches her sleep.
The contrast shown by the attacker’s violence and the victims innocence sets up the storyline for the rest of the movie. As the attack begins the victim is very defenseless which creates the feeling of power they have over her. The scene is very viscous which again sets up the atmosphere for the rest of the movie.
The camera shots used are mostly close ups which concentrate on the knife as the main object and the victims face; this puts the audience on the victims shoes. The knife also represents the power idea and the lack of control the victim has over the situation. The camera concentrates on the knife at the end of the attack where the victim screams then the shot is cut to a view of the ocean. This highlights the contrast of innocence and violence being washed away by the sea.
No country for old men
The story starts off with a series of still pictures of deserted places giving a peaceful feeling contrasting with the murder aspect. The voice over tells a story which sets the scene. The police involvement shows the crime element highlighting the character and a possible weapon. The storyline gets straight into the key element of the thriller which is death. The murder scene of the police man shows the characters personality and the unexpected horror of his facial expressions setting the mood. The effortless murder gives a sense of a serial killer with an unusual murder weapon intriguing the viewer. The second killing also gets the viewers attention into finding out more about the character. A second character is introduced hunting which emphasizes the idea of killing. The scene is set in a dessert which shows isolation and an unknown outcome. The massacre of dead men shows the danger and gives the audience as sense of mystery of what happened. The finding of the money shows that there was obviously a drugs situation gone wrong.
The camera shots mostly involve close up’s giving a more intense setting. It shows the story through the audience perspectives by using point of view shots. The long shots used also show isolation and loneliness of the character being in the middle of nowhere. This is also highlighted through the way they have used sound. There is a lot diegetic sound used with very little environment sound creating the idea of mystery and darker side of life. The only non-diegetic sound is the voiceover in the first scene which build the significant of irrelevant murder.
The opening to the film really draws in the audience by developing two characters of which are a mystery. There are a lot of question raised which intrigue the viewer to want to find out.
Dead Calm
The story starts off with a scene at the train station, showing military men meeting their family. This is a good opening scene as it sets the film up for the next scene. The dialog used shows its Christmas giving sense of happiness. We are introduced to the first character (Sam Neil), his facial expression shows worry which contrasts with the happy atmosphere. The business of the station gives a sense of anxiety and when the police are introduced an element of fear arises as it is unknown what happened. As soon as the scene goes into the hospital the audience knows that someone is injured. The first dialog spoken explains the situation and informs the viewer. There is very little dialog which makes a good opening scene as it makes the viewer interested. There is mostly diegetic sound which builds up and get louder to create tension. There is a point where non-diegetic sound is introduced to create security before the car accident.
There are many camera shots that are used to create different effects. The station scene shows a slow circling around the character and a point of view shot scanning the room, this creates the idea of isolation in the crowd. There is slow motion used to create the sense of trouble and tension. To connect the audience with the characters a blurred shot puts the audience in their eyes indicating blurred vision. A fade out is used to show time movement this gives the audience a false sense of time as we see the results if the accident before the accident. The road sign shown gives clues to the viewer so there is no confusion in the sequence of events.
The atmosphere created is mostly connected to the weather. The weather expressed the mood of the scenes and characters and creates a contrasts with the idea of security. Another contrasts expressed is atmosphere of the scenes being happy at the start and slows becomes a tragedy.
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