Why "Thrillers" thrive

We need to go to the pictures to see our life's reflected on screen to help with the same things that happen in life but with a slight difference. So we have to experience them artificially and the pictures is the best medium for this.  In order to feel how the characters in the film or on stage are feeling we have to put our thoughts in their conscious and when we watch it we don't sit by but we participate. Films put you in the thrillers seat for example the scene in Hells angles your put into the pilots seat and were the ones who are falling to our death. But this does no arm because in reality we no that we are safe in our armchairs.Even though the cinema  can leave a spectator with a subconscious assurance of absolute safety, and yet surprise his imagination into playing tricks on them.

A secondary type of thrill is when the audience seems to participate when they've won the audiences sympathy who is involved in danger.The the screen is more effective then stage because the screen can produce an impression of great danger where there isn't any danger. On screen its easier to make thriller scenes the best as possible because on stage you cannot create that effect as its not a better quality.

Visuals of our planning

This is the car that we are going to be using for the car crash part in our opening thriller sequence.

This is the kind of bathroom that we going to be using for the toliet scene where he thinks he see's her in the mirror but doesn't.


We are having to use mak-up to make the stalker girl look ghostly but its not going to be as drastic as the picture.



Long road sixth form college is going to be the main setting of our thriller and the car park is going to be the place were the car crash happens.

Peer feedback on our planning

For our opening sequence our peers suggested a couple of things that we need to consider in our opening:

• We need to think about Health and Safety when it comes to filming the car due to the fact it could become dangerous.
• They also suggested that we should have extra time filming the car crash scene which will help to make it the best it can be. 
• We also need to make a clear decision on the location of the stalking as it needs to be in a normal place but we need consider what places will be appropriate.
• costume is also another factor that we have to consider with the ghost having to look different to the people who are alive, which means we have to use make-up and different types of clothes.
• A suggestion that the we end with Cameron looking in the mirror , seeing the ghost then turning around and shes not there.

Action Thriller Casino royale

Action Thriller-Casino Royale

Staring
Daniel Craig - James Bond
Judi Dench - M
Eva Green - Vesper Lynd
Mads Millelsen - Le Chiffre

Director - Martin Campell

• There are crimes at the heart of the storylines
• James bond has to act like a normal guy in normal situations but doesn't
• Extraordinary things are happening in ordinary sitautions.
• Use of car chases and one to one fighting with weapons
• A narrative patterns which establishes enigma's (secrets and questions)
• The protagonist has a 'flaw' which is exploited by the antagonist.
• There is a scene near the end of the film in which the protagonist is in peril.

Crime thriller 'Inside man' 1

Inside Man - 2006 Crime

Characters

Starring: Denzel Washington- Detective Keith Frazier,

             Clive Owen - Dalten Russell

    Director: Spike Lee

• There is a crime at the heart of the story which is a bank robbery.
• The main character is the bad guy is Dalten which is focused on more then the good guys.
• In the film time plays a big part in making the audience more drawn towards  the plot
• There is extraordinary events happening on ordinary places.
• The main bad guy talks to you like your apart of this story which is a good effect as it draws the audience in and makes it more existing.
• The music helps to create a bigger thrill.

Analysis on a past student/groups work-P1 01

Video: Level 3
There is evidence of proficency in the creative use of many of the following technical skills.

• Holding a shot steady, where appropriate.
• Framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate.
• Using a varity of shot distances as appropriate.
• Shooting material that is appropriate to the task set.
• Selecting Mis-En-Scene including, colour,figure, lighting, objects, and setting
• Editing so that the meaning is apparent to the viewer.
• Using varied shot transistions and other effects selectively and appropriatly for the task set.
• Using sound with images and editing appropriatly for the task set.
• Using titles appropriatly.  

In P1 01's opening sequence, they used an appropriate setting for the genre (thriller) and their story line; Abandoned car park, bath room and corridor. Their use of costumes and props help set the mood of the opening sequence and establish to the audience the potential personalities of the characters introduced. The use of black clothing and hoodies help to show the audience that the characters don't want to be identified and by not being able to see their faces questions the audiences thoughts of who the characters are. Black clothing symbolises possible threats and evil which connects with the characters state of mind within the film. The opening sequence was in colour which helps the audience to establish the moods of scenes and possible characters that may be wearing different colours which symbolises different personalities and roles in the film. The lighting in this opening sequence is natural light coming through windows or lights in rooms being on. This opposes the stereotypical view of a thriller as most lighting in thrillers is dark and eerie.
In this opening sequence, the different types of camera shots are; point of view, establishing shot, long shot, close up, over the shoulder and mid shots. These all contribute to the genre thriller as it makes the whole sequence flow. The point of view shot creates tension and helps the audience to put themselves into the characters position. The long shot and the establishing shot help to show the audience the setting of where the next scene will take place. The close ups take hold of the audience's attention and stop any other distractions that could be happening within the frame. Over the shoulder shot lets the audience feel like they're there as a third person looking at the action in front of them and causing the audience tension again. The mid shot allows the audience to see the characters actions and also the environment around him and see his reactions.
The use of the car park in the opening sequence is creative as a typical thriller would have possibly have been set in a forest or an abandoned gloomy building. The point of view helps us as an audience to feel the fears of the character's vision. The sound was created on garage band and fits with the actions of whats happening in the sequence.
The titles where put in between shots and introducing us to the creators of the film/opening sequence. It looks professional and works with the slow pace of the opening sequence which gets gradually faster till the end.






Research and planning: level 3

• There is proficient research into similiar products and a potential target audience.
• There is proficient organisation of actors, locations, costumes and props.
• There is proficient work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.
• There is a good level of care in the presentation of the research and planning 
• Good time management.   

They have researched and analysed many different and similar thriller opening sequences which has helped them gather ideas for their own opening sequence. They have also researched into BBFC classifications and have decided that their own film should be rated at certificate 15 and have given an explanation of why. They have also explained what a film must and must not have to be at this BBFC guideline of 15.
In their planning, they have described briefly the age of actors suitable to be in a 15 rated film classification. They have also given specific details and street view maps of the location of where they plan to film and explained why and how it would benefit their end product of the opening sequence. Their costumes and props have been thoroughly researched into and have also provided images of the style of their props and costumes. They have provided a screen shot which shows the shot types which they have used for there opening sequence. A storyboard has also been uploaded onto blogger which clearly shows there storyline and shot angles. They have shown a lot of detailed planning of their whole thirller opening sequence which has helped them to gather ideas together and see how they've deveolped there project. This group have presented there planning and reasearh in a clear and smiple way. They have used simple techniques like bullet pointing, paragraphs and good use of imagrey to make it easier to read.

Similarities and differences of two thrillers

Disturbia and bourne Ultimatum

This films starts of with showing a fast current of the river where the father and son are clearly bonding. The river shows that this film is going to be at a steady pace that is going to based upon a father and son relationship. The car crash tells us that a crime is going to be at the heart of this thriller. And the slow music suggests that it’s going to take a while before the storyline is understood and people start to believe what’s happening with the killer. And because no-one believes him that there is a murderer next door it which plays in his mind to prove people wrong but then people don’t believe him which makes me questions is mental state.

However Bourne Ultimatum starts of with a lot of quick shots and its already clear that a crime is at the heart of the thriller. The darkness creates a dim and dark feel which gives a better thriller affect. It also starts of with fast paced music which shows that there is going to be a lot of action. This is a action thriller

These are both different thrillers as Bourne Ultimatum uses fast because and fast camera shots to create suspense. But in disturbia they use mind games with all the characters to create there fear and suspense. They both base their thrillers on police offences which control the whole storyline.

BBFC Classification for a thriller

Bristish Board of film Classification
For 15 years and over

Person's younger then 15 are not legally allowed to watch a '15' film in the Cinema. Anyone younger then 15 also cannot buy  or a '15' film.

Discrimination

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drugs can be shown on screen butt he film as a whole must not promote or ecnourge the misuse of drugs.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerious behaviour such as, hanging, suicide and self-harming should be focused on in detail so such things cannot be copied. Weapons which are easy accessible should not be glamorised.

Language

There can be frequent use of strong language for example 'fuck'. But stronger terms may be acceptable if they are justified by the context. If these terms are repeated or used in unacceptable manners then its not acceptable

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in the right context but it must be with great detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex
Sexaual activity maybe shown without a lot of detail. The maybe verbal references to sexual behaviour, but no stronf references are acceptable unless they are in context. works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikey to be acceptable.

Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

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.


For 18years and over

No person younger than '18' may see this film in a cinema
People younger than 18 may not buy or rent an '18' rated film

In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:

• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears 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
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.

In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.

Sex education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

Sex works at ‘18’

Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

Psychological Thrillers- Sophie's extra work

Momento 2000

• Close-up of photograph have a vogeristic feel- the viewer has a priverledge perspective steam of consiousness- voicover- internal thoughts. Dramatic and mysterious music which helps to build suspence, some may use string instruments.
• The opening sequence signals to the viewer what to expect in the rest of the film, distortion of reality ,discruption of time, repitition and loss of memory.
• Questions unreliable narrative
• Mistaken identity for example 'Lenny' I told you my mane is Lennard.
• The use of point of view shots in the hotel room tells us the viewer is unsure where it is. This could indicate he may also be unsure of who he is.