Generic Conventions of a Thriller

Actors

Jennifer Lawrence performance in the thriller House on the end of the Street was kind of character we would like for our opening sequence, she is a strong female character, that even if she may struggle will fight her way out of danger, she's not a typical damsal in distress she can save herself. Also in the hunger games we see that Jennifer Lawrence is physically fit and this also makes her another dominant female character. But her weaknesses are past memories of what has happened to her beforehand in our opening sequence you will see clues towards this, so already in our first peice we can see both strengths and weaknesses of the character.

In our flashback scene we see an evil character in what looks like a hidden office. Dane Dehaan would be suitable for this role as we see in the Amazing Spider Man 3 that he is a self centred rich boy who only wants the best for himself, we see he has many motives for wrong-doing he commits in that's why he would fit into this character exxtremly well. We would like an actor between late 20's to about 35. We would like a younger generation to feel drawn to the characters.

Unfortunatly we will no be able to get these specific actors, but we would like actors who fit into their roles and cause dramatic effect to engage audience members within the first 2 minutes of the film.

Opening Credits

Although, I'm analysing the opening credits, I would like to point out the fact the language has been translated goes to show the global success of The Silence of the Lambs. But addressing back to the opening credits I think the style of the text and placing of it on the screen, when it says 'Woods near Quantico, Va' really incorporated well with the FBI theme as it looks like a title of a police report. The other font used for the rest of titles really shows the era and how technology probably wasn't as advanced back then but is still affective because it's recognisable and was probably far more successful at the time it was released. I like how it's in the centre of the screen as the camera is being craned across the forest our attention is on the titles which means we could be caught off guard if there were something to jump out. Moreover when Jodie Foster is running the camera is capturing her in a loose frame, the titles are also jolting with the screen, I like how this is edited because we feel like we're on edge.

In relation to our film opening I think we have the ability to use some of these editing skills for our opening credits. Silence of the Lambs creates excellent tension just from the opening credits and now we have ability to use some of these techniques in an even advanced manner, we can create a build up of suspense from similar use of coordination with camera shots and credits appearing on the screen.

Audience Research

http://prezi.com/bpk1je_aves8/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

This is the link to my Pearl and Dean Audience Research.

http://thrillerblog2011.blogspot.co.uk/

This is a very impressive Blog, it is sophisticated, vividly detailed and cleverly uses convergence to produce work. Even the content off other technologies that are used are good quality.

Technology they have used:

• YouTube
• Scribd.
• Pictures
• Videos 

Activities they have done:

• Recreated a film idea
• Formula for opening of a film
• Preliminary Task
• Analysis of opening credits
• Analysis of opening sequences to other films
• Preliminary Evaluation
• Editing Techniques
• Directors Analysis
• Narrative Analysis
• Poster Analysis
• Character and narrative theory
• Genre Analysis
• Conventions of a film opening 
• Gender Representation
• Soundtrack Analysis
• Original film ideas 
• Rating of films
• Target audience research
• Opening film sequence
• Group Planning
• First shoot
• Mise En Scene 

Stockholm Syndrome

Our group have decided our production will be named- Stockholm Syndrome.

Stockholm Syndrome defination- Postive feelings such as empathy and affection felt by hostage towards capturer.

This works really well with our style and genre of our opening sequence. As well as a strong  connection to the plot.

Shot List

Costumes

For our opening sequence we'd like the hair to appear messy, so it comes across as though the character has been in some form of distress in which she is unable to take care of herself or even protect herself. If her hair looked as though it had been professionally done to make the actor look glamorous it would be the opposite to the impression we want to give about the storyline. We also would like the actor to wear minimal make up so when we use close up shots the expression can be more obvious so that the focus is then on that rather than the distraction of heavy make up. It's also important that the character fits in to the genre. We have quite a gritty end vision of what our opening sequence is to look like, if she were to appear glamorous it may be more comforting to the audience however we want her appearance to raise questions to the audience, where as make up and hair may give away more about the character if it were to extravagant  then her being stripped of any clue as to her previous circumstances or her personality. Moreover the rest of her costume also implies that she has also had some trouble as she is running through a forest we need to show indications of what environment she's been in by her clothes and also by them being dirty and mud stained to add the idea of her having some form of struggle.

Audience Research- Average Audience Member

                                                                                                    Our group discussed and researched genres that were prominent in our film to see what genres were popular with who. We found our film's  average audience member is male aged 15-26. Our themes of actions were what had drew this audience in. Along with action, crime solving and mystery may also appeal to our average audience member. They're stereotypical interest would probably be socialising, social media and video games etc. This age group is perfect because if were to look at the promotional side of films they would easily gain access to seeing promotions of the film. In conclusion this age range is the best for our film because they are most likely to go to the cinema.

Film Rating U to 18

- U (Universal) is for any age group to view as all content is safe to watch. An example of a U rated film is SnowWhite.

- PG (Parental Guidance) allow any age, unless they are under the age of 8, they are required to be accompanied by an adult as the content may contain mild language and sex/drugs references and moderate violence. An example of this rating is Toy Story.

- 12A means a child under 12 can only see the film if they are accompanied by an adult 18 or over. 12A rated films may contain  mature themes, discrimination, soft drugs, infrequent strong language and moderate violence, sex references and nudity. An example of a 12A film is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

 -12 allows only those above the age of 12 into the cinema. The guidelines are the same as 12A, in fact once some 12A's are released there then become a certified 12. Examples of a 12 rate film is The Perks of being a Wall Flower.

  - 15 rated films lets those aged 15 and over view the film. The contents of a 15 rate movie are, contain adult themes, hard drugs, regular use of foul language and limited use of very strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be shown but not in any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context. An example of a 15 is the Hangover.

-18 is for adults only. 18's content includes hard drugs, sexual activity, swearing and sex references There are no limits with 18 rated films it can be as disturbing as possible. Strong sexual violence is permitted unless it is explicitly shown or graphic. An example of an 18 is the Wolf of WallStreet.

 Our opening sequence to our film will most likely be rated 12A, as some scenes are intense for viewing and may be considered uncomfortable to watch. However  there is nothing to heavy but enough to keep  anyone on the edge of their seat so by it being as low as a 12A will allow ourselves to have an expanded audience.

Film Making Research 180 Degree Rule

The 180-Degree Rule

The main purpose of the rule is to establish the main direction of the actor or action in the shot. The 180- degree rule consists of a straight line which comes between a subject and an object or another person that they are interacting with. Or the line is going along a path that the subject is moving along. Furthermore the rule is to then keep other cameras within the 180 degree of one side of the straight line. This is so the shot maintains its continuity. Usually the scene starts with an establishing shot so that the audience have a vivid insight of what is happening in the scene which later determines the direction in which the shot will go. If the rule is broken the eye line match is no longer correct. The same applies to when there is an action taking place in the scene. For example if someone is walking and there are cameras on both sides of the line then it confuses the audience member by making it look as though the actor is walking in the wrong direction. However the 180- Degree Rule can be broken for dramatic effect and can imply that a character is disorientated and so the audience can connect with the character because of the way the shot is filmed. 

Institution Research

Tristar have produced films such as Evil Dead, which has similarities to our genre. Also Tristar films are usually big budget and known as a successful company especially for creating hit blockbusters. This would be beneficial if our opening sequence was an actual film because it widens the audience as there is a guarantee of high quality production.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         21st Century Fox has also produced many successful thrillers,action and horror. Unfaithful and Taken for example have alike comparisons to certain themes we want to show in our genre. Moreover 21st Century Fox is one of biggest productions we now have, and is hugely recognised for being highly ranked in the 'Big 6'. Furthermore this, like Tristar, guarantees great entertainment enabling more people to want to watch our production.

Font Research

Militia Font

Retaliation Font

Immense Decay Font

One More Day Font

We would like our font to reflect the genre and insinuiate certain elements of our film idea with the style of the font. We want the letters to be bold and big but an effect that looks slightly faded,  so it can seem eerie and mysterious.

Location Research

 Richmond Park is an excellent location for our opening sequence. The scenery and wildlife are perfect for it, and we want to heavily include it within our work. Especially as one of our earlier shots will include a Deer. Furthermore we would also like a lot of space in order for our actor to run and move around and obviously Richmond Park is big enough for that. Moreover as it is a huge scape of land they'll be quieter areas to film therefore we can add to the eeriness we want. Also another benefit of filming in Richmond Park is the fact it's practically on our doorstep which means it's easy to arrange a time and day to create our opening sequence. Moreover the history of Richmond Park connects well with a specific character in our opening sequence. Our potentially evil character who our main character has escaped from is seen to be wealthy and obviously his office is meant to be designated within the park. The area itself self is expensive but the park is one of first Royal Park's which belonged to Henry VII who built his palace on the land. It was formerly known a Sheen Manor.

Martina Cole's The Runaway SoundTrack

Martina Cole's Novel Based Series, directed by James Nunn and Ronnie Thompson, The Runaway had an excellent opening sequence, which clearly identified , the setting, era and genre. The soundtrack is key into what era the story is set in. Soft Cell's cover of Tainted Love was  released in 1981 and was also No.1 in 17 countries including the UK, so the popularity of the song would have appealed to viewers because of it's easy recognition and The Runaway was aimed at an older audience who were probably in there prime during that era. Plus bands like Soft Cell and the music industry at the time had prominent associations with drugs and that is a strong theme in this production, so already in the opening sequence the soundtrack implies key themes and popular 80's music that has connections with other issues in the series. Moreover lyrics of the song also creates a foreshadowing of further events in the series. Originally the soundtrack was sung by American singer, Gloria Jones. So the directors choosing the British cover of this song relates back to the fact it's a British production and it's based in Britain. The soundtracks used in an opening sequence is very useful and significant for the audience's viewing.

Although this isn't a film, I do think the sound track is relevant to our idea of music we'd like to use in our opening sequence. We want something that is gritty and dark to give depth to the storyline and characters, particularly characters that give the impression of being mysterious or sinister, so this idea of characters having a motif song. Also we want the music to be from British artists in relation to the fact we want our film to be seen as a very British production.

Shot Reverse Shot-
Shot/ Reverse Shot is when one character is looking at another character and in this example, being slapped in the face, then a shot of the other character looking back. So the viewer can have a clearer image of the connection being made between characters as the character's view is facing the opposite.

Match On Action-

Match on action is used to show a switch of shots, that cuts to the action of what was happening in the previous shot and the purpose of it.This is effective because we're shown continuity of the action carrying on through out the scene and which makes it look slicker and gives a more expanded insight and open idea of what is going on. Rather than it being cut to two separate actions which wouldn't be as effective and be considered as a sign of bad editing.

AS MEDIA Thriller Opening Sequence - Inner Evil By Kristen Gulden

The music was effective because I would consider it relevant to the genre. Although I think it should of have been timed after the name of the institution was shown because the beginning felt more like a trailer than an opening to a film. The ambient sound which then began whilst the music was still playing created an atmosphere which was then why her gasp of breath as she awoke was more startling and took me by surprise because the close ups as well during her dream/ flashback made it more intense. The Mise En Scene didn't give much away in her bedroom, it was plain and white, but then can be symbolic of the character being pure which could create a foreshadow of conflicting events and motive to the storyline. Moreover the titles and camera focus worked well when she was then in the bathroom, although the camera was focussed on the back of her head we were still drawn into the titles because they were placed onto her blurred reflection. There's a lot of high angled longshots of the character from behind from the moment when she goes down the stairs until she leaves the door. Making an audience member feel eerie and emphasis the vulnerability of the character, creating the sense that someone is watching. We continue to feel this when she begins to walk, the camera is shaky and probably hand held, which makes it feel like a point of view shot not just a longshot. Towards the end of the sequence when it is an over the shoulder shot the main character turns the other character is then seen quite blurred but once the main character has completely left the shot the other character then comes into focus.  The black clothing of this new character also incorporates well with the genre and contrasts the pure white scenery to show a sense of evil is amongst the scene.

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow begins with the trademark symbol of the institution, the name of the production company and finally the name of the director. We're then shown a black screen with further titles being displayed. The colour is symbolic of the genre and the intensity of the film. As an audience member it creates a sense of paranoia, the titles create a build up of dramatic tension and makes us question the suspense and when the film will begin. Moreover we then acknowledge that it is a Tim Burton film which means the film will be at a high standard and the quality of all elements of the film will be successful. 

We're then shown a visual effect of what appears to be red blood, but in fact it is hot wax. Before the realisation we're already given an implication of the goriness and horror of the film. As well as foreshadowing further themes and events within Sleepy Hollow. Furthermore Pathetic Fallacy is used by the sound effects of rain and thunder which insinuates a chilling and dark atmosphere. The sound of blood dripping also has a strong connection to the style of the film and weaves into the main themes.  The non diegetic  sound incorporates well into the horror genre.