Questionaire

1) Are you a male or female? (please circle)

Male                          Female

2) Whats your age? (please circle)

12 or under                13-15                  16-18                  19-21                   22-25                  20 or over

3) What do you expect from a thriller film? (please circle)

Crime             Suspicion              Investigation              Comedy               Death              Romance

Fast Pace              Adventure              Drama               Other

4) How would you define a thriller film? (please specify)

______________________________________________________________________________

5.a) Do you watch thriller films? (please circle)

Yes                           No

5.b) If yes, name the latest thriller film you have watch? (please specify)

_______________________________________________________________________________

6) What sub-genre thriller do you prefer? (please circle)

Action Thriller                 Conspiracy Thriller                       Crime Thriller                      Disaster Thriller

Psychological Thriller                  Political Thriller                  Spy Thriller                      Supernatural Thriller

7) Do you enjoy going to the cinema? (please circle)

Yes                        No

Certificate Rating Research

BBFC - British Board of Film Classification

All films have a certificate rating which is publish by the BBFC. At least 2 examiners in the company look at all films which are distributed to the public and give them an age classification based on these following issues:

- Discrimination

- Drugs

- Horror

- Imitable Behaviour

- Language

- Nudity

- Sex

- Sexual Violence

- Theme

- Violence

The examiners also consider other issues such as:

- Context

- Tone

- Impact (how the audience might feel)

- Release Format (DVDs viewed at home - underage viewing)

Film Certificates:

Suitable For All

It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children.

Suitable For 12yrs and Over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult. The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Suitable For 15 years or Over

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work. This may be because of violence, language, imitable behaviour etc...

Suitable For Adults Only

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video work. This may be because of sex, language, discrimination, nudity and sexual violence.

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of not less than 18 years.

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ videos may not be supplied by mail order.

All information from the BBFC website - http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ 

Audience Research

"The Audience!"
All media texts are made with an audience in mind. Generally, but not always, the producers make money out of that audience.

The Importance of Audience Research
Media audience research is important for advertising agencies which are aimed to target the right audiences. As all of the media messages are produces by keeping the target audience in mind, therefore, through media audience research it is assumed that you are fulfilling the aim to produce the right message. If audience does not take interest in any advertising message then it is of no value and it gets a sunk cost for the company. Therefore, before making a media message to go through a media audience, research is very necessary.

Thriller Genre's

What is a Genre?
Genre is a French word meaning "type". It is the category of literature of any form of art or entertainment. For example; Adventure, Thriller, Documentary, Romance, Horror, Western, Talk Show, Reality etc...

What is a Hybrid Genre?
A Hybrid Genre is a crossed genre. A genre which consists of two types. For example; Period Sitcom, Rom Com,  Crime Drama, Sci-Fi etc...

What is a Sub-Genre?
A Sub-Genre is a subcategory of that genre. For example; Black Comedy, Erotic Thriller, Comedy Thriller etc...


Types of Sub-Genre Thrillers:
- Conspiracy Thriller
These are known as 'paranoid thrillers' and these are generally about journalists or amateur investigators who get themselves mixed up in conspiracies which go all the way to the top. These are often to 'recreate' what might have happened during a historical event. Examples; From Hell (2001), The Ghost (2010), Shutter Island (2010)
- Crime Thriller
These have more action-adventure and suspense in them. they may involve spying, frequent killings and other non-criminal conflicts. These could be conflicts between the characters. Most crime thrillers will often involve fast pace, suspense, action suspense and violence. Examples; Pulp Fiction (1994), Untraceable (2008), Se7en (1998), The Departed (2006)
- Political Thriller
These are usually about a political power struggle and might also include the elements of political corruption, warfare and terrorism. The most recent political thrillers refer to terrorism or the 9|11 attacks or both. Examples; The Interpreter (2005) - Zimbabwe banned the film in their country after the release because of strong parallels between the story and the regime of the director Robert Mugabe.
- Action Thriller
Examples; Inception (2010), Die Hard (1988), Children Of Men (2006), The Professional (1994)
- Disaster Thriller
Examples; I Am Legend (2007), The Road (2009), 2012 (2009), The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
- Psychological Thriller
Examples; Black Swan (2010), Silence of the Lambs (1991), The Sixth Sense (1999), Vertigo (1958)
- Supernatural Thriller
Examples; Shutter Island (2010), The Others (2001), The Devils Backbone (2001), The Dead Zone (1983)
- Erotic Thriller
Examples; Fatal Attraction (1987), Body Heat (1981), Swimming Pool (2003), Femme Fatale (2002)
- Comedy Thriller
Examples; Fright Night (1985), Sneakers (1992), The Guard (2011), The Matador (2005)


Conventions of a Thriller Film:
- Complex Narrative Structure
- Clues and false paths
- Murder and killings/deaths
- A crime at the core of the narrative
- Investigations
- Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations
- Themes of identity and voyeurism
- Enigmas are established
- Secrets
- Fast pace
- Protagonists
- Antagonists
- Suspensions
- Cliffhangers


Collage of Thriller Representations

My AS Media class and I cooperated in creating this mood board of thriller representations. We all had to bring in one picture of a photograph which we thought symbolised a 'Thriller Genre'. All of the pictures which are shown in the photo above fit in with the conventions of a thriller. Examples of these would be weapons, blood, Police, scared/shocked facial expressions, hand prints etc... My group are going to try and include some of these conventions in our main task (2:00 minute thriller opening). we have thought about including a knife and possible some blood and facial expressions.

Video For Preliminary Task

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaLck355c8I&feature=relmfu

Preliminary Task

Introduction
After researching thriller film openings, we had a preliminary task to complete. We did this before we did the construction of our final task. The reason for this preliminary task was to get an understanding of the different types of editing techniques. These were techniques such as: Match on action, shot-reverse-shot and 180 degree rule. When filming our final task, we will link the techniques we used in the preliminary task in our final thriller opening.




Match on Action:
This is where a scene has a cut and then the camera perspective changes and the cut scene begins from the previous stage the character was at. For example, in my groups preliminary task, a girl is walking through a door. The camera will start from the hallway view until she approaches the door and then the camera's perspective changes to the inside of the room which she is walking into with a cut in between.


 

Reverse Shot:

This is normally shown when characters are having a conversation. For example, in my groups preliminary task, the camera is switched from each characters perspectives whilst each character speaks

180 Degree Rule:
This is when the camera stays on the same side as the participants during the shot/clip. This rule is applied so that the audience does not get disorientated with the shorts displayed on screen. For example, in my groups preliminary task, the camera stays the same side of the characters when they are having a conversation in the classroom.

StoryBoard
This storyboard was created in order to follow whilst filming my groups preliminary task. Underneath the pictures, the camera shots and directions are included as a guideline.

Actors/Props/Costume

Girl:

Rianna (played my myself, Rianna Brathwaite) is a teenager which owes a man some money. She got caught up at work and is late in returning the mans money. She is the innocent protagonist. This is shown by light coloured costuming with a soft tone of voice and facial expressions. The prop she uses is an envelope containing the money she owes.

Man:

Darren (played by Darren Smith) is a young man expecting a large amount of money from a teenage girl. he is awaiting her in a room. He is the antagonist and shows this by using a harsh and loud tone of voice, and wearing dark coloured costume. The props he uses is an Iphone and a Blackberry which is symbolic to him being a business man.

Script

We created a script in order to have a more detailed understanding of our storyboard in our preliminary task. We included dialogue so the actors and actresses had a direction of what they had to say and what they had to do at each given time. This was to make the video flow and to make it look more realistic.

Rianna is walking down the corridor and only her feet are seen. The camera is then switched to a mid shot of her face and body walking towards the door holding an envelope for Darren. The camera is reversed to the same shot but the back of her head. The camera zooms into her hand opening the door. She opens the doors and walks in to find Darren sitting at a table expecting her with an unfriendly expression on his face.

Girl (Rianna): (Sits down opposite Darren at the table)

Man (Darren): What time do you call this?

Girl (Rianna): I... I came as fast as i could.

Darren: Well Thats not good enough is it?

Rianna: I know, I'm sorry. I got caught up at work.

Darren: (Bangs the table viciously) I dont care about your problems, i want my money... NOW!

Research Of Opening Thriller Sequences

Thriller Opening Sequences


Vertigo:

- Who is being represented in the opening scene? Are these representations positive or negative?

Females are being represented in this opening scene. The visuals show a womans eye which is a close up. We are able to understand the emotion/feeling she is giving across which i believe is scared or worried. The colour red gives a sense of danger along with the instrumental music which is showing us a bad representation.

- What do the titles for the opening look like? Does this tell you that it is a thriller genre?

The typography is illustrated in white bold lettering. The of the words are in capital letters and are also transparent which means you dont miss anything in the background. The way the titles are coming from her eyes attract attention and focus your eye to the centre showing us that the genre is a Thriller.

- Analyse the camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. How do these technical areas make you aware that this is the thriller genre?

The camera glids across the womans face starting with her lips and ending up with her eye. All of the shots are close ups. The sound is a non-diegetic as it has a soundtrack over the top. The soundtrack is an intrumental which gives an eary effect. The shots fade out when switching scenes and the typography is white bold lettering. The lighting is low key and the backround is blacked out. This focus' our eye to the womans facial features. These technical areas make you aware that it is a thriller film.

- Does the narrative in the opening scene match the conventions of the thriller genre? How?

In the opening scene, we can tell that the woman is the protagnonist as she has a scared facial expressions. These expressions show that she could be worried. The fact that we could only see parts of her face shows suspicion and makes you think about why they have shown it in this way.

- Which production company made the film? How might this influence what appears in the film?

Paramount Pictures and Vista Vision were the production companies which made the film. This could influence the film as Paramount Pictures are a conglomerate and have alot of money and power.

- What do you think might happen in the rest of the film?

I think that the woman who is shown in the opening scene is going to get murdered. This would relate to the conventions of a Thriller.

- Timeline:

0:00 - VistaVision moton picture high-fidelity

0:09 - James Stewart

0:21 - Kim Novak

0:29 - In Alfred Hitchcock's

0:41 - VERTIGO

0:54 - Co-Starring: Barbara Bel Geddes with Tom Helmore, Henry Jones, Raymond Bailey, Ellen Corby, Konstantin Shaynes, Lee Partick.

1:07 - Screenpiay by Alex Coppel & Samuel Taylor

1:17 - Director of Photography Roberty Burks A.S.C

1:26 - Art direction Hal Pereira & Henry Bumsteam. Special photographic effects John P.Fulton. A.S.C. Progress Photography Farciot Edouart, A.S.C & Wallace Kelley A.S.C.  Set decoration Saem Comer & Frank Kelvy, Title designed by Saul Bass

1:42 - Edited by George Tomasini, A.C.E. Assitant director Daniel McCauley. Make Supervision Walley Westmore, S.M.A. Hairstyle supervision Nellie Manley, C.H.S Sound Recording by Harold Lewis & Winston Leverett.

1:59 - Costumes Edith Head special sequence by John Ferren

2:06 - Music by Bernard Herman

2:12 - Conducted by Muir Mattileson

2:17 - Associate producer Herbert Coleman

2:32 - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Jaws:

- Who is being represented in the opening scene? Are these representations positive or negative?
The teenagers are being represented in quite a negative way as they're drinking and smoking around a bonfire on a beach. However, their feelings and emotions look quite relaxed and content. The non-diegetic music is quite a popular soundtrack which is quite fast pace.

- What do the titles for the opening scene look like? Does this tell you that it is a thriller?
The titles appear through a fade during which would have been included in the editing in post-production. The titles start with a background and then progress onto the screen in the foreground of the clip. The typography is bold, white lettering and this hints to the audience it could be a thriller.
- Analyse the camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. How do these technical areas make you aware that this is the thriller genre?
The non-diegetic sounds (music) starts off quiet and slow and then builds up and gets louder and quicker. This is happening while the camera is in the point of view of the shark moving through the seaweed. I notice that there is a mouth organ being played whilst showing the beach party. The camera then shows a wide shot of the beach with the girl and boy running. we can hear the nose of the sea in the background. The camera switches between the girl and the shark, below and above the water. The camera then zooms into the girl kicking her legs. The lighting is quite low throughout the opening scene. The costume looks casual (jeans and top/t-shirt), as well as the makeup of the characters. I am aware that this is a thriller because of the technical area examples i have given.
- Does the narrative in the opening scene match the conventions of the thriller genre? How?

In the opening scene, a girl gets murdered my a shark. Murder is a thriller convention and the attack is built up before hand. The fact that we hear the "deadly shark" sounds and the point of view of a shark, gives us a clue that the girl could get killed when she swims in the water.
- Which production company made the film? How might this influence what appears in the film?

Zanuck/Brown were the production company which produced Jaws. Richard Zanuck and David Brown joined up and became an independent production company at Universal Pictures. They have produced other popular films such as Big Fish (2003), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) and many more... Because of these big productions, this could be a good influence for what could appear in the film.
- What do you think might happen in the rest of the film?

In the rest of the film, i reckon that there is going to be a lot more shark attacks going to happen. Possibly to some of the others at the beach party if they go to look for there dead friend. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller.
- Timeline:

0:10 - Universal an MCA Company

0:39 - Robert, Roy Shaw Richard Schider Drefuss

0:50 - JAWS

0:56 - Co-Starring Lorraine Gary

1:00 - Murray Hamilton Carl Gottlieb Jeffery C.Kramer Susan Backline

1:07 - Music by John Williams

1:11 - Film Editor Verna Fields

1:25 - Director of Photography Bill Butter

1:32 - Screenplay by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb Based upon the novel by Peter Benchley

1:39 - Produced by Richard D.Zanuk and David Brown

1:46 - Directed by Steven Spielberg

Children Of Men:

- Who is being represented in the opening scene? Are these representations positive or negative?

The people in the coffee shop are being represented positivly where as the man who walks in doesnt take any notice of the news. these representations show that the pubic are upset about the boys death, where as Clive Owen is quite cold and doesnt take any notice. I think that the representation is positive as he walked into the shop and brought a coffee. As he walks out and starts to walk down the road, he turns around and the shop blows up, full of people. this could be a bad representation as it makes you think, what has the man done. There is also a bad represention of incidents on the news. A young famous boy "Baby Diago" was stabbed after spitting in a fans face. This is a very bad representation of crime and crude.

- What do the titles for the opening scene look like? Does this tell you that it is a thriller?
The titles for the opening scene are on a conventional screen. The background is black and the typography is bold white. You can also here a voice over but are un-able to see it. This suggests that it is a thriller as you can here was is happening but you cant see it as the titles are coming up.
- Analyse the camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. How do these technical areas make you aware that this is the thriller genre?
We first hear narrative voice over of the incident which is being shown on the news. The narration starts off on a black background then continues onto an action clip (non-conventional to conventional). The camera is in a mid shot showing a group of people in a shop  whilst a man is walking through them with an bothersome expression on his face. As the man walks out of the shop, he is followed by the camera the lighting is quite mid tone bight whilst inside the shop and then natural light is shown as he ventures outside. the camera continues to follow the man. Non-diegetic music is playing through out (sounds slow and pitiful) until outside when we hear diegetic sounds of car horns and vehical engines. The camera pans around the man (keeping the 180 degree rule) and then we hear an explosion go off which is a diegetic sound. The opening scene ends with a point of view shot, of which appears to be a man runningin the direction of the explosion.
- Does the narrative in the opening scene match the conventions of the thriller genre? How?

The narrative in this opening scene match the thriller conventions as the man which walks in to the coffe shops looks as if he is the protagonist. He is then placed in danger as an explosion arrises. We are also shown a crime at the core of the narrative, which is a murder beiong released on the news.
- Which production company made the film? How might this influence what appears in the film?

Universal Pictures presents a Strike Entertainment in associatioin with Hit and Run productions. The big movie studio Universal is well known and could help with the having other big producers. The production company will always help market and film.
- What do you think might happen in the rest of the film?
In the rest of the film, i think another explosion could happen. I think it could be based around children or youths because of the films title and also because of what was being shown on the news in the film (young 18 year olds death).

- Timeline: 

0:15 - Universal

0:30 - Strike

0:40 - Universal Pictures Presents

0:43 - A Strike Entertainment Production

0:46 - In Association With Hit & Run Productions

2:25 - Children Of Men 

Panic Room:

- Who is being represented in the opening scene? Are these representations positive or negative?

In the opening scene, i believe that buliding and sky scrapers are bring represented. I also think that these representations are negavtive as the music suggests something is going to happen. This is because the soundtrack sounds like danger.
- What do the titles for the opening scene look like? Does this tell you that it is a thriller?
The titles for the opening scene are bold and look 3D on an un-conventional screen. the typography colour is silver and it looks shiny, maybe suggesting that the representations are expensive. I think these do tell us that it is a thirller film as the music lets us know that something is about to happen. Having the titles on an unconventional screen but not showing any action is quite interesting.
- Analyse the camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. How do these technical areas make you aware that this is the thriller genre?
The camera is panning around each of the different buildings. There is a quick shot from bulding to building to create suspense. The music starts playing before anything is shown on the screen. This convention automatically give an enigma to the audience for them to wonder and question what is going to happen. The non-diegetic music is a soundtrack which is quite fast pace with a strange ticking noise in the background. This could relate to a stop watch and a limited amount of time. This is also closely linked to the film title "Panic Room" as limited amount of time can make you panic. The opening credits and titles are shown on a non-conventional screen as action is being shown at the same time. All of the technical areas analysed make me aware that it is the thriller genre.
- Does the narrative in the opening scene match the conventions of the thriller genre? How?

The titles are on a non-conventional screen as their is action being played at the same time. An enigma is created as only buildings are revealed so the audience is left unknowing what is going to or could happen next. These specific narratives in the opening scene make me believe the conventions are of a thriller genre. 

- Which production company made the film? How might this influence what appears in the film?
Columbia Pictures was the production company with mad Panic Room. This could influence a good film distribution as Columbia Pictures is a very well knows American production and distribution company. Is is owned my Sony Pictures Entertainment which is also massively well know and popular.
- What do you think might happen in the rest of the film?
In the rest of the film, i think that different characters perspectives are going to be shown from one event which is going to happen. However, i believe something big, like an explosion or something in a room is going to make a lot of people panic and situations could get out of hand.

- Timeline:

0:14 - Columbia

0:24 - Columbia Pictures Presents

0:27 - A Ho'fflund/Polone Production

0:30 - An Indeliable Picture

0:36 - Jodie Foster

0:39 - Forrest Whitaker

0:42 - Dwight Yoakam

0:47 - Jared Leto

0:51 - Panic Room

0:58 - Kristen Stuart

1:01 - Ann Magnusen

            Ian Buchanaji

1:05 - Patrick Bauchau

            Paul Schulze

1:10 - Casting by Laray Mayfield

1:14 - Costume Designer Michael Kaplan

1:17 - Music by Howard Shore

1:22 - Film Editors James Haygood and Angus Wall

1:27 - Production Designers Arthur Max

Title Sequence Analysis


Napoleon Dynamyte:

Juno:

Sherlock Holmes: