Research for AS Practical task...

For our AS Practical task we was told to research 4 topics:

A) Films

B) The genre.

C) The industry.

D) The conventions of opening scenes.

I have chosen to do the genre, therefore I am researching the thriller (genre).

Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more-powerful and better-equipped villains.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)

The thriller genre can include some of the following sub-genres, which may include elements of other genres: Action thriller, Crime thriller,Disaster thriller,Drama thriller, Horror thriller & Supernatural thriller.

source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)#Sub-genres

Most thrillers are formed in some combination of the above, with horror, conspiracy, and psychological tricks used most commonly to heighten tension. Combinations are highly diverse, including:
Science Fiction thrillers: The Terminator, I Am Legend, Blade Runner
Science Fiction/Horror thrillers: Jurassic Park, Alien, Predator
Techno/Political/Conspiracy/Military/Horror Thriller: Predator, Robocop, S.M. Stirling's Draka novels
Legal/Forensic/Psychological/Horror thriller: Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs, novel, Seven.

source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)#Sub-genres

All of this research gave me and my group a lot more ideas about making our thriller for example making the opening scene very fast pass but still make some of the scenes long to add suspence.
This is Holly Costema's research on Thriller Films:
Films
According to www.imdb.com/chart/thriller The Godfather is the number one thriller of all time with The Godfather 2 coming in second and The Dark Knight in third place. The Godfather won 3 Oscars including Best Actor, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay. It also had another 19 wins and 17 nominations. On the opening weekend the gross at the box office was $302,393 and it opened in 6 screens in the USA.
Examples of films:
• Phone Booth is a thriller about a selfish man trapped in a phone booth by a deranged sniper. Framed for the murder of a pimp, he finds himself surrounded by police who have no idea of the sniper's presence.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)#Film
• The Bourne Identity was adapted into a movie starring Matt Damon which used many of the thriller conventions of the plot. Though its sequels, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, depart significantly from Robert Ludlum's storyline, the conspiracy-thriller genre is still well-preserved.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)#Film

Also here is Dan's research into the Thriller industry:
I researched into industry and looked at the best thrillers of all time

1. The Godfather (1972)
2. The Godfather Part II (1974)
3. The Dark Knight
4. Star Wars Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
5. Rear Window (1954)
6. Cidade de Deus (2002)
7. Fight Club (1999)
8. The Usual Suspects (1995)
9. Psycho (1960)
10. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

AS Practical Task: Storyboard.

My group and I made a storyboard so we could think of camera angles and shots. This also made us think about better ideas by using different camera angles, etc.

This is our animatic:

My preliminary task...

Preliminary task: Storyboard.

This is the storyboard that me and my group constructed for planning of the camera angles, shots and were we would like to place our actors, etc.

Practical AS task: Research, Planning & Brainstorm

The class and I choose our groups in today's lesson mine is Holly Costema & Daniel Walker. My group and I then thought about some ideas for our Thriller, and brainstorm them as a group.
For example: Costumes, camera shots, sound, etc, mise en scene, e.g. Dark room to create tension, location, e.g. park, empty room, house, etc, characters, e.g. portagonist and antagonist. Also we thought of the antagonist could be an Stalker or an Paedophile.

My group and I then discussed the final ideas for our thriller and also brainstormed theses as a group. After this my group and I formed a questionnaire, which we formed to hand out and collect information from. This is the questionnaire:

1. Whats your favourite thriller? ________________________

2. What do you think a good name for a thriller would be?
· The Unknown
· Kidnapped
· Gone
· Dead and Gone
· Other, Please state__________________________
3. What do you like to see in a thriller?
· Murder
· Action
· Kidnapping
· Cliff Hangers
· Other, Please state_______________________
4. Who are your favourite characters in thrillers?
· Good guys
· Bad Guys
· Femme Fetale’s
· Other, Please state____________________
5. Who is your favourite character in thrillers?
· Alfred Hitchcock
· James Bond
· Batman
· Other, Please state_____________________
6. How often do you watch thrillers?
· 0-2 weeks
· 2 weeks- 1 month
· 1-4 months
· 4-6 months
· 6 months-1 year
· 1 year+
· Never
7. Do you prefer to watch films in..?
· Colour
· Black and White
· Sepia
· No Preference
8. Where do you like to see thrillers?
· Cinema
· At home
· Internet
· Phone
· Other, Please state_______________
9. How long do you expect the opening to thrillers to last?
· 0-2 minutes
· 2-5 minutes
· 5-10 minutes
· 10+ minutes
· Other, Please state____________________
10. What do you expect from a thriller?

My group and I gave out 10 of these questionnaires around our college. My group and I learnt a lot about thriller for example a good name for a thriller was voted dead and gone. Also people like thrillers to involve a lot of action.

North by NorthWest (1959).

Information on North by Northwest:

Director: Alfred Hitchcock.

Writer:Ernest Lehmam.

Genres: Adventure, mystery, thriller, etc.

Plot: New York advertising executive Roger Thornhill is kidnapped by a gang of spies led by Philip Vandamm, who believe Thornhill is CIA agent George Kaplan. Thornhill escapes, but must find Kaplan in order to clear himself of a murder it is believed he committed. Following Kaplan to Chicago as a fugitive from justice, Thornhill is helped by beautiful Eve Kendall. In Chicago, she delivers a message to Kaplan that almost costs Thornhill his life when he is chased across a cornfield by a crop-dusting plane. Written by filmfactsman

source:http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0053125/

North by Northwest (1959) is a suspense film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint and James Mason, and featuring Leo G. Carroll and Martin Landau. The screenplay was written by Ernest Lehman, who wanted to write "the Hitchcock picture to end all Hitchcock pictures". The film is one of several Hitchcock movies with a film score by Bernard Herrmann and features a famous title sequence by the graphic designer Saul Bass.

source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_by_Northwest_(film)

In class we watched North by Northwest and took notes on the thriller techniques used, for example:

• 
  
  In the scene where Roger is taken to the mystery house, the room he is taken into the curtains are closed and the lights are turned on this gives a sense of mystery.


• 
  
  In the scene where the men are trying to kill Roger but no-one knows why there is music used for suspense.


• 
  
  Also Eve, the seductive femme fatale draws Roger into the drama. Femme fatales are used a lot in thrillers to draw the hero/heroine in, sometimes there is also a girl who needs to be saved which is the romance figure. This gives the audience more to think about.


• 
  
  Also Roger always gets away from the trouble just in time. This is very typcial of a thriller something that is used for all heros/heroines this makes them seem superior for the audience. However it still makes the audience worry for them by them only getting away in the last few minutes.

Costumes for the preliminary task:

Amy: dark black top, black jeans and black boots. hair tyed back, every day make-up.
Hannah: dark black top, black jeans and black shoes. hair down, also every day make-up.
i choose the costume to be very dark to go with the location of the dark room.

Preliminary task:

Planning:

• never see faces.


• someone late (running).


• Running outside.


• sitting down in a room with just a table and chair.

Dialogue ideas:

• 'where is she?'


• 'Where have you been?'


• 'can we get this over with?'


• 'sorry I'm late'

Final ideas:

Location: dark room with a table and chair.

Actors: Amy the girl who is late. Hannah the girl already sitting in the room.

Notes on how to use the camera:

i took notes on how to use a camera because it'll help me with the filming of my projects, etc.

• study shot off (not good big screen).
• make sure the lense is clean.
• set to slow play (sp).
• set the exposure to manual.
• audio level, audio bit.
• when you hit record wait for 5 seconds.
• cameras are like eyes (don't point in the sun.)
• pan of the room, you need enough space.
• consider the rule of thirds.
• white balance (light). Go to white balance menu set to white.
• zoom in on FG then BG will go out of focus.
• recording use the sound of the room (so quiet room) (editing.)

Analysis of real media: The Lost Boys (1987)

Information about The Lost Boys:

Director: Joel Schumacher.

Writers:Janice Fisher, James Jeremias.

Genre:comedy, horror, thriller, etc.

Plot: A Mother and her two sons move to a small coast town in California. The town is plagued by bikers and some mysterious deaths. The younger boy makes friends with two other boys who claim to be vampire hunters while the older boy is drawn into the gang of bikers by a beautiful girl. The older boy starts sleeping days and staying out all night while the younger boy starts getting into trouble because of his friends' obsession. Written by Zaphod {aaa@scs.leeds.ac.uk}

source:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093437/

Notes on the opening scene of The Lost Boys:

• 
  
  Set in the nightime.


• 
  
  The is an tracking shot over the dark sea.


• 
  
  Where is this?


• 
  
  The soundtrack is playing in the background. ('cry little sister'-Gerard McMann)


• 
  
  Who are the lads on at the carousel?


• 
  
  Where is the fairground? (crane shot)


• 
  
  Why is everyone scared of the lads on the carousel?


• 
  
  Why are the lads the only ones walking on the carousel and everyone else is sitting?


• 
  
  The lights turn off, does this mean there is danger coming?


• 
  
  Why are the streets empty?


• Looks like someone flying over the police men (crane shot).


• 
  
  What is the policemen running from?


• 
  
  What happened to the policemen?

Analysis of real media: Twilight (2008)

Information on Twilight (2008):


Director: Catherine Hardwicke


Writers: Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay)


Stephenie Meyer (novel)


Genres: Drama, Fanstasy, Romance, Thriller.


Plot:Isabella Swan moves to gloomy Forks to live with her father. As she starts her junior year in high school she becomes fascinated by Edward Cullen who holds a dark secret which is only known by his family. Edward falls in love with Bella as well but knows the further they progress in their relationship the more he is putting Bella and those close to her at risk. Edward warns Bella that she should leave him but she refuses to listen and to understand why he is saying this. Bella learns his secret. He is a vampire, however she is not afraid of his blood-thirsty needs and the fact he could kill her at any moment. Bella is afraid of losing him, the love of her life. The thrill begins when a new vampire finds it a challenge to hunt Bella down for her irresistible blood. The game is on and James will not stop until she is killed. Written by courtney.


source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099212/
Notes on the opening scene of Twilight:

• Forest, why?
• Dear, why?
• Peaceful.
• Voice over, who?
• Someone/something running after the dear, why?, who?
• Hand held camera.
• All asudden fast pass.
• Sense of fear, why?
• Point of view shot, who?
• Sets the scene (voice over)
• Zooms in on Bella to close up on her facial features makes you want to know who she is?
• When in car the song changes to happy and peaceful this gives a sense of happiness.
• Where are they going in the car? (Bella's voiceover only tells you shes going to stay with her Dad.)
• The orange mountains fading into white mountains gives a sense of change from hot to cold.

Fargo. (Coen Brothers 1996)

This is the analysis of the opening scene of 'Fargo':

• set in 1987.
• A true story.
• know the plot already.
• respect for the dead.
• blue background (snow)(peaceful,mystery.)
• car where from?
• where is the car going?
• who is driving the car and why?
• snow (cold, death).
• pub, drinking (where are they? why are they there?)
• people wearing coats inside (very cold).
• why does he want his own wife kidnapped? (money problems?)
• planning of a crime at the corr of the narrative.
• music building up.
• two cars, why?
• who is Shep'?
• whose Jerry?

Lost Highway (David Lynch 1997).

This is the analysis of 'Lost Highway''s opening scene:

• Fast paced music. (2.30 minutes).
• What road is the car driving down?
• hand held camera.
• whose driving the car?
• Black screen (fade in) (where?)
• close up on man (who is he?)
• death, why?
• house, where?
• why looking out the window?
• sense of mystery.

Mulholland Drive (David Lynch 2001).

This is the analysis of 'Mulholland Drive''s opening scene:

• Mystery music at first.
• blurred.
• dancing. (why? Where?)
• can't see where they are dancing ( purple background).
• sense of unknown & pain.
• long eerie opening.
• long shot on woman's face (who is she?)
• people screaming (why?)
• happiness destroyed by something?
• Red covers (death, Blood?)
• flashing lights (fame, money, sometimes danger?)
• Red lipstick (wealth, money, danger?)
• no crime happens (why?)
• nothing makes sense (why?)
• layering in the dance sequence with the white figures.
• maybe opening scene (dance sequence) is a flashback.

Opening scene of a Thriller.

Set the scene.
To engage the audience.
To encourage the audience to watch more.
Hook the audience.

The reason i have thought about the conventions of an opening scene of a thriller is, so i don't get confused between the conventions of a opening scene of a thriller and a trailer of a thriller.

what is a Trailer?

Fast pass.
Jokes.
Best scenes.
Violent (sometimes).
Newspaper quotes.
Director.
Straight cuts.
Backing track.
Give the feeling of the film (sadness, fun, action, loss, etc.)
promote the film. ( makes you want to watch the film).
Generate interest in the film.
Show off the stars of the film.
Show the film to its best advantage. (whereas the opening scene won't show the best.)
creates excitement.
Tell people what the film is about e.g. the genre.
Not give too much of plot away.
Showcase some of the best bits of the film.
Give details about the production team.

i have also highlighted the conventions of a thriller's trailer so i don't get confused and i can look back on my notes for help.

What is a Thriller? (codes and conventions...)

Scary.
Crime at the corr of the narrative. (often Murder).
Mystery.
A complex narrative (twists).
More true to life than horrors.
False paths, clues.
Thrill audience.
Popular genre.
Horror/ action. (sometimes)
a narrative pattern of establishing problems.
Portrays with a flaw, exploited by the entaginess (weakness.)
titles often reflect an expect of character's psychological state.
Often scene near the end of the film where portaginess is in danger.
Mise en scene which occurs mirrors portaginess.
A portaginess who is systemically disempoured & drown into complexed way of entagination.
Extra ordinary events happen in situations.
Themes of identity.
Themes of mirroring.
Voyeurism (spy).

The reason i have also highlighted the conventions of a thriller on a whole is because our final task is about making our own opening scene of a thriller in a group. Therefore this will help me think of what the storyline could be.