Opening Scene Narration -Ms G

Before making the opening scene for my thriller. It is very important to use some generic conventions towards thriller films as a baseline for what to include within my thriller, more importantly; the opening scene.

By stating "using generic conventions as a baseline for what to include". This is simply following a simliar structure and pattern of what thriller films include within their narrative and plan that even make up the narrative in the first place.
The reason why this appears to be a baseline and is also a generic convention towards all thrillers is because we will always be using some form of every mirco-element.
An example of one element called Iconography that will be included in our thriller will be the main character, a mid-shot focuses on him while he is holding a knife. This follows the generic convention of iconography used in thrillers as it involves including the use of at least one weapon (prop) at some point within the film.
Even a harmless kitchen utensil can be presented as a deadly weapon, this can give the feeling for the character that not even his own home is safe if even a simple utensil can now be turned into a lethal weapon that the killer may easily gain possession of.

Back to defining and explaining the opening scene for my thriller.
Before introducing the audience to the scene, an establishing shot will be required to give information and details to the audience where the whole scene is taking place first.
This is done simply by placing a camera outside the current location (Being a house) and fixing it in a static position by placing it on a tripod. The camera is then set to zoom in slowly and then editing will be used to insert a fade to black to give the illusion that the camera has now entered the house and then will cross cut to our first scene. (However the use of the fade to black transition will make the quick cross cut appear much smoother)

Establishing shot which shows the outside of the house, zooms in slowly after a few seconds delay...

...Which then cross-cuts to the new scene which is now inside the house.

A fade to black and then a fade from black will be used as a transition effect between the change of scenes.

Now following after the fade from black and the first scene inside the house which focuses on a door within a dark corridoor, this is where we present our main character of the film, who will simply open the door and walk into the home.

To the audience, how the lighting illuminates the corridoor and also the back of the main character, can present that he plays a major role within the film. This is also supported by how there is also a slight shadow that covers the front of him, which masks some of his appearance and can only discover more of the character by resuming to watch.

After the character walks a short distance after entering the house, a quick straight-cut is used and a small scene of a camera being dropped onto the floor with a grayscale filter used.

To the audience, the filter effect of the grayscale filter can imply this may be resorting to a memory or incident of the past, or more specifically, can start to raise questions if this relates to the current characters information. By using a camera, it should give the impression to the audience that the character has been involved with photography linked work. However at the same time, non-digestic sound in the form of a distant and eerie howl is applied as the camera is dropped at the start of the small scene, which then can leave audiences to question that the character may have experienced negative or frighting things during a possible photography carrer as the action of dropping an item can be caused by pure shock or frightened by something severely.

After the quick camera dropping scene, it fades to black and then fades out from black and resuming the current scene back inside the house, where the main character is walking but is now in the frontroom, with the camera facing the character's back.

As the character is walking, once again, after a few steps of walking the scene appears to change. However, rather than a straight-cut into another scene; a small scene of the character overlaps half of the screen where he appears to be sitting down and rocking.

But once again, this contains a greyscale filter, but with an added strobe light effect. This can one again imply to the audience this is a bad experience or memory, with the added effect of the strobe light effect though, it makes it seem as more of a faint memory than a "soild" memory such as the camera dropping scene where the screen does not flash within that scene.

Planning the shoot of my Thriller film - Miss Begum

Cinematography planning

Cinematography is important within films because it in a sense, sets the mood and prepares for what action ahead may take place within the scene, or can be used to mislead the audience into thinking what may happen next, does not actually happen.
One example of such a situation can include where a close up is used and focused on a door after a off-screen sound of someone knocking on the door is heard.
This then makes us believe that someone is at the door or is about to enter through the door, this is one way cinematography can present a narrative to us as well as allow us to see what is happening within a scene.
An example demonstrating where a long shot can be used can be where it allows the audience to see both the character and the room he is within, while still maintaining a fixed/static position.

Some of the conventional uses of cinematography in thrillers and what will also be included within our cinematography plans consists of the following;

Close ups: To help capture the facial expressions of the characters reaction to a certain point in a scene and to help display it more clearer to the audience to allow them to greater understand what the character is feeling as they experience the current moment unfolding in the scene.

Establishing shot: This will allow the audience to understand where the following scene will be taking place and can also allow the audience to get a rough idea of what may occur or what to expect within the scene if they survey the surroundings ontop of the point of focus which will be the location used. This can be linked with mise en scene as any iconography and settings that are in place (backdrops, etc) can ethier help the audience identify the general setting of the following scene, or can hinder them. Which can also be reffered to as misleading them into making them believe it is a completely different setting to what the following scene will include. A certain scene in the film "Kill Bill" has a perfect example of this;
Reference footage (Kill Bill)


Long shots and Mid-Shots: These types of shots will allow the audience to get a wide and good field of vision in terms of both seeing the character and certain aspects of mise en scene within the scene. (Iconography such as a weapon just in the distance behind the character, etc)
Long shots involve a greater distance than mid-shots, and these offer a greater field of vision, generally used to display a character walking around a room with the camera fixed in a certain postion that allows the audience to see both the entire room and the character exploring within it.
A mid-shot however zooms in closer on the character in general, allowing the audience to pick up more details of the character rather than the setting of the scene, but at the same time it is still included within the shot. The audience at this point may start to notice certain features or elements of the character, such as clothing used and body language.

Editing Planning

Editing is important in films because it can set the pace of a movie, for example; fast paced editing usually consists of a lot of cuts within a short period of time making the movie seem more fast paced, usually used in chase scenes in a thriller.

Some conventional uses of editing within thrillers usually include of;
- Fade to black; Usually consisting of a scene which then fades slowly to black, mostly after a main part of a scene has taken place, or to show the transistion from one day to the next, most likely included to be with a subtitle (On the next day...)
- Slow paced editing; Used within moments to build up slow suspense by using only a small amount of cuts, with mostly a longer time focusing on certain shots, for example, close up shots to display the characters emotion during the high suspensive moments within a thriller film scene before it then cuts and changes the shot.
- Fast paced editing; This is used within certain moments within a scene that act as a "quick burst" of events, consisting of many straight cuts and possible cross cuts if it involves two seperate characters in different scenes.
One example of using a cross cut with fast paced editing can be an employer is late for work, the camera cross cuts from the employer looking at his watch, to then the boss in his office looking at his clock, then back to the employer rushing out of the house.

While on the other hand, an example of fast paced editing consisting of straight cuts can include a use of an off-screen sound, where someone appears to be knocking on the door late at night, the camera focuses on the door as the noise of the knocking is played. Once the noise has finished, it then cuts to a close up of the character inside the house, displaying his/her expressions to the audience, which then cuts back to a mid shot where the characters back is facing the camera but the door is also in focus infront of the character, giving us; the audience, that the character is nervous on what to do in terms of answering the door or to ignore it.

Sound Planning

Sound is an important use in films because it is a mirco element that both adds and provides an atmosphere to a scene.

An example of using sound while following a generic thriller conention can include adding non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack which has a slow, tension building pace to it which is being used within a scene where a killer is slowly approaching to where the victim is hiding.

Another example of sound in use of a generic thriller can include using off-screen in a scene where a killer is approaching a victim. This can be heard in the form of footsteps being heard in the distance outside the current room the victim is in. Where the character (victim) stares at the door, in which the camera also cuts to a first person perspective view of a close up of the door in which the footsteps are played and increases in volume gradually, giving the impression that the possible killer is approaching the door and coming ever more closer to his victim. thus building slow tension in the process as it leaves the audience to question if the killer is toying with his victim, if the killer may approach the door but then turn away, or if the killer will go from a very slow paced walk to a run and rush straight into the room.

Opening credits and Typography - Miss Begum

What are opening credits?
Opening credits are a series of text, usually presented at the start and widely used in video games, television programs, but the one we are mostly focusing on is the movie industry or motion picture (movies/films).

The opening credits include members of the production, crew and cast. Usually they present the most important roles at the start of the opening credits, mostly well known actors, and then the producers, then director, etc, opening credits are sometimes included with music added in.

Their impact on the audience is varied, depending on both the genre of the movie, and the use of typography (Which i will explain further down). Typography both effects the use and way to represent the text to the audience, and in turn, should achieve a certain effect from the audience as well.

An example of how opening credits are used within motion pictures, Here is an example from "Se7en"'s opening credits:


- As mentioned earlier, the opening credits mostly follow a sequence of importance in terms of who is presented first from the production crew, For example; Once the production group name has been presented, It shows first the storyline writer's name, and a well known actor "Brad Pitt"
- The opening credits in Se7en are mixed in terms of both using a black screen with text, and then some parts where the opening credits are shown while the clip is still going, IE where the person is turning the pages of a book, the credits appear on clip showing more names of the cast while the scene is still moving.

Typography
Now we come to the topic of Typography, Typography is the art and usage of different ways to present text; which is then in turn used as opening credits within in example, our thriller movie we are producing.
By mentioning "different ways to present text", this is reffering to using for example;
- Different colours

- Size

- Font style

- Other variables

All of these different styles and ways to present them are not just used to generally make the opening credits look nicer and more suited towards the film it is being used in, but also to try to get certain effects from the audience.
An example of how opening credits may be used within a conventional thriller, within our thriller we are producing; here is an example of one of our scenes with opening credits included onto the clip.

Within this example, We are trying to achieve the effects of causing curiosity and slow-building suspense by presenting the opening credits one by one and by using the colour white, making the opening credits stand out from the dark edges/parts of the scene.
We have also used the font style of "Chiller", which suits the genre of thrillers, typically used with the colour red, it can be seen like the text has been written out or made from blood. But instead in this example, we have used white to give it a sort of ghostly appearance.
In terms of its size, we have made it just so that it is too large to cover up important view points of the scene (blocking out certain iconography within the scenes) and not too small that it cannot be seen.

Pre-Production Paperwork - Miss Begum

Pre-production paperwork is a set of documents, and guidelines which must be both produced, created, and handed out accordingly to the production team and cast. Not only providing set guidelines to follow for the production crew, they also provide both information and accessother factors such as possible risks and dangers prior to the location of filming (which is also a seperate document in pre-production paperwork, or more precisely; Location recce form and Location release agreement).

Production Schedule
A production schedule, which is part of pre-production paperwork. The production scheduel is in short; a summary of what is going to take place within the filming scheduel, which can be both helpful and very important if a production wishes to keep organised. The production schedule also lists any cast (actors) and specific crew members (such as for example cameramen who are required to be on site to shoot the film) who are required to be on that certain site of shooting. Which in turn, it also lists the location of where this will take place, and the time they will need to arrive.

Below is a rough copy of our current production scheduel (Subject to change at anytime)

Location Recce form
The location recce is another document that makes up the pre-production paperwork, which displays and informs all crew and cast about how to arrive to the location through the use of a visual map and directions and also contains specific reasons for the use of the location as well.

Location Release Agreement
A location release agreement is a contract or signed agreement which is given to an owner of property to acknowledge both their concent, in terms of them approving the use of their property within a production, and also certain terms and regulations that can come into effect if both agreed upon and what will be taking place within the property; for example a resident of a house, if the film takes place inside a home and they find a suitable house, they will give a location release form to the residents who both live and own the home. This is because the regulations within the contract state multiple bonds and rules if agreed upon; these always include the right to allow the producers and production team to actually use the property, both exterior and interior (outside of property or inside). And as mentioned, certain bonds such as the allowed use to ethier refer to the property in the production by its real name or a fictional name. Also including to pay for any damages and replacements if any damages occur during the production caused by ethier cast or/and crew.
It is important to note that locations such as forests and fields, that the location release form is sent to the council to allow the use of both filming equipment on scene as well as actual use of the location, also including simliar regulations as stated above. (ie; having to repair any damages that may be caused by the production)

Below is an example of an empty form that would usually be filled out. (and then usually handed out when the production have found a location)

Risk Assesment Form
A Risk Assesment Form is yet another document included within pre-production paperwork, which the producer must fill in and complete to show any risks and safety issues that may need a safety routine/programme for action if anything happens to go wrong or cause harm. The risk assesment form contains many set situations already entered into the form, all the producer has to do is write within the boxes that both show the severity (how harmful this can be), and if it will be present at the scene of recording.Here is an example of this below;

After the producer has completed filling in the boxes and details of the severity and present factor. If a risk, such as for example the use of weapons within the scene has a high risk factor (which is determined by how likely it will happen/appear on the scene (present or not)and the severity of the risk). It may require a programme of action. Below is a table of measurement used within the Risk assessment form to aid in working out the risk factor:

Once the producer has worked out the risk factor and if it states it requires a programme of action, The producer will then need to fill in a certain table which is also provided within the risk assessment form, mostly stated who is exposed to these risks within the scene and if they have been informed of these risks, and accept the programme of action to counter the risk if something bad ever happens:

Planning our production - Our Mise-en scene for our Thriller

Our Mise-en scene;

Settings and iconography
Within our group, we have discussed and then me; under the location manager role of our production have both agreed and comfirmed that the setting and location our film will take place will be both within and for one scene outside of the house(the establishing shot). To be more precise in terms of "taking place within the house", we will be using certain rooms usually used for leisure and relaxing; these will mostly include the use of the frontroom/living room and the bathroom (especially for a certain scene we have in mind which will be the main action point of this film), we will also be including the rooms inbetween as the main actor (Who is played by Chris) will be using to travel between the rooms (corridoor, stairs to bathroom).

Storyboard - Ms B

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard can be seen as a graphical organiser as it aids the film team and director pre-visualize following shots and scenes that take place within a section of a film. This can be seen as a similar concept that a script has as they both provide a plan to how the scenes will be carried out and what will be included in them, however it is not to be confused with one.
The main difference is how they present themselves, a script being just text based, focusing strongly on the dialog and converstations between characters, while a storyboard uses visual representations in the form of images and small notes of text such as the amount of seconds the shot will last for until it cuts to the next shot, this allows a stronger focus on mirco-elements such as cinematography (if the drawing contains just a face rather than a whole characters body, showing a close up is preffered rather than a long shot) and mise en scene such as the use of Iconography (are props also included in the drawing, as well as noting the postion of them within the scene).

An example of a script:

An example of a storyboard:

A storyboard in summary is essentially a sort of comic for sections of a film, displayed usually as a timeline from left to right with the shot/scene numbers included (increasing, starting from shot 1 to 2, etc). As partly explained above, it helps with the making of a production as it displays certain mirco-elements in use such as cinematography (camera angles, camera movements, etc) or iconography (including the use of props and their position in the scene). But it also aids in the making of the production as it also states additional information as small notes to the side of the images displayed per shot/scene.
These include;
- Shot/scene number: States where the current clip/scene fits within the storyboards timeline, as well as for example. If the current scene is shot 1, this states that this is the first scene to be recorded before then shot 2 is the next scene.
- Shot/scene duration: This displays how long the current scene/shot will be displayed for until it cuts to the next shot in the timeline, mostly stated in seconds.
- Sounds: Any audio clips that are required to be inserted through usually forms of editing. (non-digetic sounds are usually stated here for the editing phase)
- Actors: The characters to be included within the shot/scene.
- Location: What specific set or location the shot will required to be filmed in.



Our storyboard:

In relation to our storyboard compared to our final production piece. Many of the orginal scenes that were to be recorded have been cut, mostly for the purpose of length. (making sure it was around 2 minutes)
Many of the shots, such as shot 38 for example, have had different editing applied to them in terms of changing the original fade to black transition into a flicking white filter with a small cut to a clip of chris rocking back and forth again inserted into the shot before cross cutting to the next shot.

Reflection:
Overall, A storyboard can greatly help guiding a production in a general direction, and this can even be applied to our production piece as we have learned that a storyboard allows us to get a rough idea of both narrative and the ways in which we desire the following shots to include and consist of. This also helps as it reduces the time required to plan as it already gives a rough idea of what should be planned out for the following set of shots to record that will make up the sections of the film. As well as assist in editing as it includes some ideas on what to insert in terms of audio or editing such as transitions. (fade to black, etc)

Production roles

-- (For our production/film) --
Camera Operator - Bianca Saccone
Actors - Chris Smith, Jonathan Joannou
Sound technincian - Jonathan Joannou
Editors - Bianca Saccone, Jonathan Joannou
Film director - Bianca Saccone
Location manager - Jonathan Joannou
Storyboard orgniser - Bianca Saccone

Production roles within a film

Film director - The film director helps to manage the finances and budgets to use within a film (set amount of money to use on items such as props (iconography), etc). The film director also helps to resolve and issues raised which have not been resolved by the other roles and members in a production group, (such as a editor confused on how to edit a transition between 2 scenes, the director will need to explain what he wishes to add to the editor).

Producer - The producer devlopes a budget (which needs to be first approved by all/majority of the members in a production), which then in turn is then used for the entire production/film; usually these cover costs and expenses such as staff wages, rental payments to use certain sets, constructions (such as a stage), and costumes and makeup.
The producer also secures rights and regulations and ensures all members within the production are aware and know of these rights as well.

Artistic director - The artistic director is responible for artistic related decisions and choices, this excludes however being able to increasing costs above the set budget.

Set designer - The set designer designs the set/stage using scenery and stage props (iconography) based on input from and requests from the artistic director, who also sets the budget limit to use on purchasing these various items.

Costume designer - The costume designer both obtains and identifies neccesary costume

Editing - Ms Begum

Speed of editing
Clips of a scene/film are joined together at certain points. The length of each shot determines the pace of the film and helps determine the mood.

Film trailers
Film trailers are an excellent way in connecting an audience to a film, in a quick summary it can explain most of the films narrative in a quick 1-2 minute trailer.

Editing Types
Straight Cut:
When one shot moves into another shot in an edit and it does not confuse the audience.

Fade to black:
When one shot moves into another like a straight cut but however there is a black filter added inbetween.

Wipe cut:
When the shot slides into another.

Dissolve:
When one shot disintegrates into another.

Reaction shot:
Any shot (often used as a cutaway) in which a subject reacts to a previous shot.

Montage:
Is the speed of editing, where shots are quickly juxtaposed together to create exitement.

Slow editing:
Is when clips are put together at a slower pace and this is to create suspense and capture action

Fast editing:
Is when clips are put together at a fast pace and this is used to crate suspense and thrill.

Shot reverse shot:
This is mostly used in films where a converstation is taking place and it is when one shot quickly follows another.

180 degree rule:
This is a precise rule a camera must follow, usually applied to a converstation scene where the camera has limited space and rotation, In a simple summary; In a converstation in a scene where we can see the girl is on the left and the man is on the right, the camera must constantly keep this perception of the girl on the left and man on the right. In order to avoid confusing the audience such as instant camera view switches, where the place of the talkers change, confusing the audience. If a camera movement takes place where it places the talkers the opposite way or in a different position, they must show the camera movement.

Questionaire - Mrs G

1. When you look at the genre "Thriller" what thoughts come into your mind?
(bullet point if you wish)
[
]
2. What do you expect to see in a thriller film? (bullet point if you wish)
[
]



3. What do you believe would affect the film the most?
- The narrative? (how well written/planned the storyline is) [ ]
- The characters? (Their background/bio, costumes and features) [ ]
- The theme? [ ]



4. What places would you suggest/believe that would suit strongly for a Thriller movie? (feel free to bullet point if you wish)
[
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5. Does gender matter to you in terms of who plays what major roles? If so, Please tick the corresponding boxes below;

I prefer the "killer" of a generic thriller to be a;
- Male [ ]
- Female [ ]
- Doesn't matter [ ]
I prefer the "victim" of a generic thriller to be a;
- Male [ ]
- Female [ ]
- Doesn't matter [ ]


6. In a thriller, Do you prefer certain/specific ways the victim is killed or murdered by the killer?
- Yes [ ]
- No [ ]
If yes, Please describe what you look for in terms of ways of how you like the killer to murder his/her victim?
[

]

Narrative - Mrs G

Thriller Narrative

My ideas for the thriller narrative:

1. - Involving a internet/online chatroom,after a brief dicussion between the the main and the "unknown" person, the main character mentions they have to leave and then turn off the pc, but the pc screen turns back on and the text appears "I'm not done yet", this is followed by the lights instantly go out and then the main character fiddles around in the darkness looking for the light switch,but once the main character does and turns the light switch on, his shoulder is instantly grabbed by the other character who he had just been speaking to on the online chat room and then the screen fades to black fastly followed by the credits at the end.

Advantages and disadvantages with this narrative idea (1) :
- The advantages this narrative idea has is it can create suspense and tension on certain parts of the narrative, specifically the part where the computer screen switches back on and the text appears stating "I'm not done yet" and then the lights instantly go out.

- The disadvantages however for this narrative idea is that we believe it cannot be stretched out to around 2 mins long, (which is required as a min requirement) and that it is not too interesting or unique in terms of creating tension or curisotiy from the audience.

2. - Based around a car, The main character is in the house getting ready for a night out and then after getting ready, approaches the car after closing and locking the doors to the house. Once in the car the main character starts the car but however the car dosent fully start up. The character then decides to get out of the car while leaving the keys in the ignition and investigate to see what is causing them problem and sees no physically damage to the car or any signs of the car being sabotaged, so the character gets back in the car and tries again but notices the keys are missing, so the character searches around the front of the car, but is then shocked after hearing the rattling of his own keys, he notcies something in the rear view mirror, which is actually a person who is just partly seen from the shadows/darkness and then the screen fades to black

Advantages and disadvantages with this narrative idea (2) :
- The advantages for this narrative idea would be that we have a stronger and more interesting narrative than our first idea. And unlike the first one, it does question the audience or the least creates curiosity or questions to where did the keys go, and then what happens once the character sees the unknown person in the mirror who was the one rattling the keys.

- Sadly the disadvantages however, is once again it cannot be stretched out to a 2 min duratation which is the main requirement needed. That, and we still believe we need a more interesting or something that creates suspense and tension as well as in a sense, confusing the audience.

3. - Based in a forest, The main character is exploring/hiking, after a few seconds in the scene, he looks up at the sky and notices it is getting very dark and decides to head back home and follows the path he came from. But to his surprise, he keeps ending back to the same place as he was before. To add to his worries, he also hears someone elses footsteps in the distance and the rustling of leaves/shrubs as well. The character paralized by fear slowly walks backwards while keeping his eyes starring into the distance and direction he heard the noises from. But then suddley bumps into something and turns around quickly, but luckly notices it is just a tree trunk. But his relief is short lived as a hand grabs onto his shoulder and then the screen fades to black.

Advantages and disadvantages with this narrative idea (3) :
- The advantages for this narrative idea would be that it focuses on the narrative more greatly than the previous two in terms of both more interesting and can be stretched out for a longer period of time.

- However, the disadvantages for this narrative idea would be that the camera we may be recieving to record with will not be able to record nighttime/low light scenes.

Group Idea for thriller narrative:

- Set inside a house, With credits on the screen while during the scenes, the protagonist enters the home frustrated, throws camera to the side and sits down, holding his head in his hands and rocking slightly.
He then ruffles his hair, and whispers incoherently to himself before hearing a muffled voice.
He then looks around himself, realising it has stopped, he stands and turns on a television by remote control, but however the TV does not turn on. Pressing the button angrily, he eventually gives up and walks to the kitchen and into the fridge, and then hears the whispers again.
He then furrows his brow, closes fridge, questioningly glacing around but sees nothing, he scratches his head in confusion and heads to the bathroom.
He turns on the shower and glances to the mirror seeing a hooded person, when looking again he finds his own reflection.
He starts to sigh nervously and locks the door in fear, he turns once again to the mirror but this time the reflection is himself with the hood and his real self is holding a knife. He checks self for injury, looks up and the mirror self smiles at him, he looks down again and the screen cuts to black with the character screaming and a sound effect of a slash is heard.
Then a photo of a knife is shown held by a white gloved hand, looks up from the photo "Another one..." and then the title screen.

Narrative Theory
There are 3 theories made by 3 different people which explain most narrative concepts for movies/films.

- Vladimir "Propp", a russian critic, states that the characters of a film can explain narrative within a film more effectively than just the narrative on its own. In short, he believes that it is all about the characters in a movie that will impact the narrative dramatically.

- Tzvetan "Todorov", in a nutshell is basically the opposite of Propp, he believes that the narrative of a storyline will set the stage for the movie rather than just the focusing on the characters. By editing the narrative to make it more interesting and effective, this is done by the use and adding of equilibriums and de-equilibriums, plot twists, and other major points of interest within the narrative.

- "Aristotle", States and only states that only the theme should matter in setting a narrative. The reason behind this is because Aristotle explains that once you create a theme, you can then in turn start to build up your characters and the narrative from there more easier than from a blank canvas.

The narrative theory our group is following/using:
- The narrative theory our group is following would be "Todorov's", or more simply put, focusing on narrative/storyline, which in turn will allow us to then develop our characters and theme (Minus the fact we are restricted to making a thriller genre). As seen in our group narrative example above; You may be able to point out that the way the narrative is put or explains the situation of the scenes, it then in turn allows us to then develop characters and their role in the movie, which then in turn the theme. for example in mentioning a "hooded person" in our narrative, this has set the costume for one of our characters already.

- The idea of focusing strongly on narrative also appeals to us, especially with how our narrative goes. Aside from it allowing us to then build up interesting characters to react to the scenes and themes to go with it, we plan our narrative to in a sense, confuse the audience but at the same time, make them curious in order to try to link the scenes or what is happening together, which at the end of the scenes at the last part of our narrative, the audience can have a chance to link all the random occurrences to then figure out what is really going on.

Scream analysis - Ms Begum

How is Scream a conventional thriller?

The narrative about Scream can be related or even seen as one of the many conventional thriller films due to how it first starts of innocently and then slowly starts to become more darker and builds up suspense until eventually something very dramatic happens, usually the killer makes his appearance and strikes the victim. (resume explaining and relate to scream scene here)

Sound
- The doorbell starts to ring, this in turn gives a reaction from a audience that they are expecting something to happen, this is diagetic sound as it is both sound we expect to hear and it relates to the scene as well (the killer ringing the doorbell and in turn, we hear the doorbell ring)
- The music within the scene starts to calm down as her parents are driving towards the house and then eventually parking up nearby the house, showing a sense of hope. But then the music builds up quickly as the killer jumps onto her and then a quick chase happens with very intense music, then when she is finally stabbed, the last killing blow quickly stops the music and a eery silence is then cast as the parents enter the house to find she is not inside but do not know she has just been struck down by the killer right infront of the house

Costumes
- The girl who is focused on in this scene is wearing cream/white clothing which shows she is an innocent character as white usually reflects purity
- The antagonist aka the killer, Is wearing a long black cape which reflects mystery and how he blends into the night/darkness, he also has a white mask to hide is identity which both makes us curious to who he is or/and what he looks like; adding onto the mysterious look and feel he carries

Editing
- There is a reaction shot on the girl character to show us that she saw something outside and how she has reacted to it by showing us both her body language and facial expressions
- The editing of the sound comes into effect and we as a audience can hear and see this as the part when the killer jumps through the window to get to the girl, the music starts suddenly and very loudly

Iconography & Setting
- The mask that the killer is wearing protects the antagonists identity. Conventional as the audience gains suspense to what the killer looks like and we question who he really is
- Knives in the kitchen, standard everyday tools used in cooking, but in this case the girl pulls out the knife and now from being a normal kitchen utiensil, it has now become a weapon
Narrative
- The girl picks up the phone and starts to get into a convenstation with a stranger which then she slowly loses her interest and shuts the phone, but the stranger calls her back constantly demanding her attention and gets very angry quickly when she starts constantly shutting the phone and ignoring him.
- The stranger on the phone starts to play mind games with the girl by asking her questions, but with a horrible outcome if she loses as we discover by the stranger telling her to put on the garden lights, that her boyfriend has been taken captive and is at risk of being killed if she gets the question wrong

Summary of how it has helped me understand thrillers more:
This has helped me understand the thriller genre much more, specifically in terms of using mircoelements, such as for example the use of iconography, the ability to turn everyday household objects, such as the knives in the kitchen into weapons.
More mircoelements that i have learned to be able to focus on is also costumes and how it can give us as a audience a sort of guess on what role/part the character plays as, such as the girl wearing the white sweater in Scream, as an audience we see her as a innocent character, which later in turn we also see the killer who is wearing full black clothing aside from his mask, Which also hides his identity and adds to the mystery and makes us curious to who he is or looks like behind the mask.

Sound - Ms Begum

Sound is generally included within nearly all modern movies, and is usually used to create more understanding of the situation happening within the movie scene/situation.

Purpose of sound
As well as sound being used to help create more understanding for the audience watching a scene of a movie, it is also used to both represent the status of the situation unfolding. (for example; a fast paced soundtrack being added into a fight scene in a movie)
It can also be used as a way to represent characters, both to reflect off their personaility, role and importantance in the movie, and sometimes their feelings in a scene.

Different sound types

Diegetic sound - Sound which is suitable and matches to the current scene and what we as a audience expect to hear when certain actions take place. (Gun shots while a gun is being fired, the impact of a punch when it hits a character in a fight scene, etc)

Non-diegetic sound - Sound which does not relate to the current scene in the movie and what the audience does not expect to hear, one main example include soundtracks of the movie that are played within certain parts of the scene .

On-screen sound - This is sound which we can both hear and see the source/what is causing it, one example can include can be a character is holding a gun which after a few seconds he fires it which then in turn creates the sound of a gun shot, since we can see both the source of the sound and hear the sound of the gun being shot, we consider this a On-screen sound. (and in this case, diegetic sound as well)

Off-screen sound - This is sound which we can hear, but cannot see the source/what has caused the sound. In a quick summary it is the opposite of On-screen sound, an example of off-screen sound can involve a car alarm going off outside the house, we can hear the car alarm going off but we cannot physically see the car which is the source of this noise.

Parallel sound - This is when the sound we hear in a film is exactly what we was expecting in the current scene, a good few examples of this can include; the sound of waves/the ocean on a beach, the sound of children playing/laughing while at a playground, etc.

Contrapuntal sound - Is when the sound in the scenes do not match the expectations of what we are viewing, a example of this can be in the movie "Jaws" on the beach scene, where the soundtrack is played by which in turn the shark makes its appearance while the soundtrack is still being played.

Mise-En-Scene - Ms Georgiou

Mise En Scene is a french term meaning what is put into a scene or a frame, Usually this includes the visual information in front of the camera; or also simply reffered to as what the audience would be seeing while watching the scene.

Mise En Scene consists and is made up of 5 different elements, all of which are communcation essential to the audiences, these include;
- Settings and Iconography, These consist of background/backdrops and objects/props (Iconography) placed within the scene.
- Costume, Hair and make up, The appeal of the characters within the movie, make up can also be used as a sort of fake blood and scars on a character for some certain scenes.
- Facial-Expressions and body language, The use of expressing emotions through both facial expression and body language
- Lighting and colour, The use of the filler lights, back lights, and a key light (as well as the use of low key or high key lighting)
- Positioning of characters/objects within the frame/scene

Settings and iconography
Both the settings and location of where the scene takes place play an important part in film-making and are more than just "mere-backgrounds" as what most people consider them.
This is mostly because settings such as the background and location of the current scene can manipulate an audience by building certain expectations and then deciding to take a different turn.
For example a peaceful neighbourhood with nice tidy houses which seem well kept and then once the character decides to enter the house, a massive fight starts to break out, a good example of this would be in the movie Kill Bill and in the following scene below

Iconography also plays an important part, and as just seen in the above clip, you can see that the props/objects are arranged in a casual, tidy way rather than scattered and cluttered all over the place, which in turn gives us the expectation that a formal or casual day is going to take place for the character, which then we find out in the next scene it goes in a completely different way.

Costume, Hair and make up
These act as a sort of instant indicator to us about a character's personality, their status, and their job title/role. A example can be a man in a flashy business suit who then later in the film is working in a office in a scene, but before we saw what his real job was in the film, by judging by what he looked like and what he was wearing, we could already assume he has a formal and office based work.
Below is another good example of how mostly costumes can be linked and represent characters in a film (mostly involving their job status in this case)
Costume, hair and make up can also immediately whether the film is set in the present, past or future (for a sci-fi which is set in the future, some sort of advanced robotics suit may be used, while for present times movies it would just be the usual suit or sweater.
Certain costumes can also signify certain characters/individuals, such as the example video above with "the agents" who are wearing sunglasses, a suit, and a radio ear piece. More examples can include a black and red cloak of a vampire, or even in the movie Spiderman; the spiderman suit the hero wears.

Facial expressions and body language
Facial expressions can provide a clear indication of how a character feels and is reacting to the situation, if someone is smiling broadly, we assume that they are very happy, however other factors such as by adding a certain sountrack to that scene can make us feel differently about that. An example can be by adding a slow and tense soundtrack, we can assume that while the character is smiling, in truth the character is trying to keep calm or trying not to panic.
Body language can also indicate how a character may feel towards the situation, or even another character and their possible relationship between them. A good example can include that a character who has their arms folded and not keeping direct eye contact with another character who is trying to have a converstation with them may not be as interested in listening to what the character has to say, but however if he had his arms not folded and was looking at him keeping good eye contact, we can assume that he is interested in what the other character has to say to him.

Positioning of characters and objects within a frame
By using positioning within a frame, it can draw our attention to an important character/object in the scene. In an example; by putting a valuable or glowing object that stands out within that scene, it can focus for us to look at that specific object, or the character who may be holding it.
Positioning can also be used in terms of characters to indicate their relationship between each other, mostly a couple who is quite a good distance apart from one another can show they may face breaking up or are having conflicts with one another. While a couple who is close to each other are perfectly fine and are happy with one another.

Age certificates and censorship

The BBFC (also known as the British film foundation of classification) have both roles and regulations in the British film and media industry; these roles being that the BBFC decide and regulate what films/movies are allowed by deciding upon the content it contains, and then upon reviewing the contents of the movie, they then decide firstly if the content in the movie is not so harmful, shocking, or disturbing that it needs to be banned and removed from the cinema listings and showings, once the decision that states it is ok to be put up into public viewing (majority being the cinema) the BBFC then look at the content they have reviewed and must decide on an age certificate they need to apply to the movie, or in a basic summary; what aged audience will be allowed to watch this movie.

The sole purpose and main reason behind age certificates that are applied to movies ,based on content it contains relates to one of the BBFC’s most prioritised rule which is to protect the public from anything offensive or could cause harm. By applying age certificates, they can restrict younger viewers from watching certain films that can either or both offend them and disgust them greatly, the younger viewers in an audience are the ones who are mostly more vulnerable to content such as violence, sexual activity and drug/alcohol usage, however most films usually display an abuse of it than the standard drinking.

Resuming on with censorship, as mentioned above the BBFC need to check if the contents within a movie/film are not so harmful, offensive or generally disturbing that it can’t be put into public viewing unless the directors decide to take back the film and re-edit the scenes which have been considered the ones which violate the rules and regulations of the BBFC. Generally the contents the BBFC both consider harmful to younger viewers (which in turn, the age certificates that should be applied to the movie are considered) and in some cases, should be removed completely if deemed too outrageous. The content in a movie that the BBFC mostly examine which in turn help them make their decision on either asking for certain scenes to be cut for it to then be publicly suitable, or re-edit the scenes but using censorship to remove the elements that considered the scene too harmful or disturbing, these can include; Violence (blood, gore), Sexual content, Nudity, Drug/alcohol reference/influence and criminal or violate behaviour (fighting). The different choices the BBFC have can be they can either ban the movie completely from public viewing, or they can ask for scenes to be cut (along with censoring the elements in the scene that they deem harmful). A good example of a film that had to be cut not just once, but multiple times until it was allowed to go into public viewing with a 15 age certificate was Psycho (1960), mostly the shower scene in that movie was the main focus of the censorship side where originally it showed full nudity and blood and violence of the attacker stabbing the victim, a few edits in; they removed the nudity but still contained the violence and blood until eventually they cut the violence out completely, it still had the attacker stab the victim but not on screen and the only part it showed blood was when it was being drained down the bath , which by then it finally was approved after all the cutting was done into public viewing.

Relating to censorship and the BBFC, there has been a famous debate between two people announcing and stating that censorship is ruining our viewing pleasure or makes the movie industry feel both limited and dull (represented by Mark Kermode) while the other case was how censorship can help protect from harmful content, supporting the idea of the BBFC and generally stating the advantages of using a controlled reviewing system (represented by Anminatta Forna).

Starting with Forna, she describes and mentions that censorship is used to prevent younger audiences and viewers to follow certain negative aspects displayed and promoted in films, these things such as alcohol or drug use, criminal behaviour or violence. Forna also states that some films can destroy or change our moral views and barriers, for example in the thriller film SAW; people are violently punished and mostly murdered and some viewers find pleasure and are curious to see what would happen if they was killed in these certain, horrific ways. She also mentions that in today’s world of mass media, the power of the words and images in a movie is powerful enough to hurt and alter our views, and younger possible viewers are more vulnerable to this, which supports the idea of BBFC’s age certificate policy.

While alternatively, Kermode disagrees on the use of censorship and age certificates put on movies by the BBFC, (including complete banning of movies) one of his main points stated that if freedom of speech is allowed, then why are directors forced to limit the ways they wish to express the possible stories and emotions of the characters in the movie by having to censor and cut parts of their movie out all because it would hurt younger viewers; linking to this he also states that it is the film makers decision to what they wish to include as content in their movie, for example in their thriller they may wish to have full and up-close gore and violent scenes which in turn they are obviously making this film for adults, and therefore does not require a governing body to add a policy to restrict younger viewers from watching it when truthfully it is the parents/carers responsibility if they want their children to watch the movie or not. Kermode also states that cutting parts and scenes from a movie for censorship can ruin the whole movie, for example what if the part that is required to be cut was a major plot twist in the movies storyline? Along with this he also states that even when certain content is censored and cut in a movie, it can still affect younger viewers; for example once again, Psycho (1960) where the blood is going down the bath’s drain can still put fear into a child by realising its blood from the victim.

Cinematography - Ms Begum

Cineamatography is both looking and changing the way of the different shots, views and angles are taken in and the many different movements of the cameras. In which all of these things give the audience both a different view and a different representation of a scene/character (depending on the situation and scene in the current movie).
One example can be using a "crane shot" within a chase scene in a movie, this provides good flexiable movement for the camera and the ability to capture major parts of the action unfolding in the scene, in which in this scene's case; the camera which is on the crane can be used to focus on both the characters in the chase and then can track the chase unfolding by tracking the two characters running.

Cinamatography can also be used effectively to get a response from the audience and can represent a certain character in a specific way, these can include using different camera shots;

- Close-up : A certain part or feature of a subject within a scene takes up the whole frame (Such as a character reacting to a certain event through facial expressions)



- Mid-Close up : The camera focuses mostly on the upper-body of a character, the legs are cut out of view while focus is mostly concentrated on the upper body. This allows the audience to show greater detail in the characters clothing and partially some details on the character's facial expressions.



- Establishing shot :



- Extreme Close-up



- Mid Shot



As well as using different camera angles, using a low angle shot on a character to make them appear more taller and give them a sense of higher authority.

In terms of a thriller however; The cinamatography used in these films are usually aimed to try to achieve a specific aim which should create a sense of awareness, suspense and paranoia by using the techniques in cinematography such as the use of camera angles (eye-level, etc), camera sizes (Close up, Long shot, etc), deciding to include iconography (props), camera movements (panning, etc), and the most important, the use of lighting (filler lights, etc)

All of the above, if used effectively that is and relating to the genre of the movie it is used in can both improve the overall quality and effect the movie has on the audience, and also the way and how effective the way the characters are represented (were the killers of the movie seen as dark and sinister?, were they converted from a good person to a very violent one?, etc)

Research into thriller films - Miss G

Defining Thriller (Genre)

A thriller is a certain genre (think "type of" in this case) of film that focuses, includes the use of, and builds on dark, high suspense and mysterious elements.

If you are wondering are what I am reffering to when I mention these "elements", here are a few examples and descriptions of them in use:

"Dark" aspect; this revolves around the often use of low lighting, but this mostly focuses on the point of keeping everything dull and dark on purpose, so that nothing stands out to the audience giving away what may happen in the following scenes. An example of this in use can be where in a dark forest scene, low key lighting is used all around (Or no nearby source of light is in the area).
But somewhere in the scene is a killer who is stalking the victim who is innocently talking the innocent explorer. By using this, we cannot currently identify the killer from the background. In a sense, camouflaging the killer into the scenery. Hints of his presense may be giving, such as the camera straight-cutting to a close up of a bush that has been rattled from movement. Or the adding of off-screen sound of breathing indicating someone else is around than just the victim alone.

High suspense; this is the idea that gives a "on edge" feel to the audience, not knowing what may happen next in the scene or in the next following scene. This is usually used in the generic thriller case of the killer closing in on the victim's hiding place. But we are instead, given the victim's perpective; this hides the location of the killer to the audience and his presense is only known by audio hints one again, such as an off-screen sound of footsteps outside a door in a room the victim is currently hiding in. In most cases very slow but fading in non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack is used, this builds up usually with the killers presense becoming stronger and stronger, the louder the volume of the soundtrack becomes.
This in turn builds high suspense for the audience because it gives them the thought that the victim is subject to being exposed to the killer at any moment, as well as how the killer may make themselves known to the victim and strike, may it be breaking through a window, bashing down the door, entering slowly and taunting the victim. All of these are really high suspense moments, as the audience simply do not know what will follow until it really does happen.

"Mysterious" element; This is a simple, but yet complex method of making the clear unclear. Hiding important details; such as a killer's identity through the use of a simple mask (using a costume), and leaving them for the audience to figure out themselves, or in most cases. Around near the end of the film the answers are answered by a major character or simply presented to the audience, proving their orginal thoughts wrong or confusing them through the use of misleading clues throughout the film.

Overall, a film that is within the Thriller genre must follow some generic conventions that are used across majorty of all Thriller films, as well as the use of certain microelements within suitable and necessary scenes.

The mircoelements that a Thriller film would use and how they would use them in a certain scene is as follows:

Cinematography; is both looking and changing the way of the different shots, views and angles are taken in and the many different movements of the cameras. In which all of these things give the audience both a different view and a different representation of a scene/character (depending on the situation and scene in the current movie). An example how this used in a generic Thriller film, is by using close-ups, the camera focuses in detail within a certain part of the scene; this scene being a struggle between the victim and the killer.
The close up shows us the victim's expression which shows to the audience which shows the desperation of the victim trying to break free from the killer's grasp.

Sound; is the use of inserting sound to add to the atmosphere of the scene or to insert a new sound into the scene to enhance the feeling the scene gives off to the audience.
An example of sound in use of a generic thriller can include using off-screen in a scene where a killer is approaching a victim. This can be heard in the form of footsteps being heard in the distance outside the current room the victim is in. Where the character (victim) stares at the door, in which the camera also cuts to a first person perspective view of a close up of the door in which the footsteps are played and increases in volume gradually, giving the impression that the possible killer is approaching the door and coming ever more closer to his victim. thus building slow tension in the process as it leaves the audience to question if the killer is toying with his victim, if the killer may approach the door but then turn away, or if the killer will go from a very slow paced walk to a run and rush straight into the room.

Editing; is important because it can set the pace of a movie, for example; fast paced editing usually consists of a lot of cuts within a short period of time making the movie seem more fast paced, often this is seen used in chase scenes in a thriller.

Some conventional uses of editing within thrillers usually include of;
Fade to black: Consisting of a scene which then fades slowly to black, mostly after a main part of a scene has taken place, or to show the transistion from one day to the next, most likely included to be with a subtitle (On the next day...)
Slow paced editing: Used within moments to build up slow suspense by using only a small amount of cuts, with mostly a longer time focusing on certain shots, for example, close up shots to display the characters emotion during the high suspensive moments within a thriller film scene before it then cuts and changes the shot.
Fast paced editing: This is used within certain moments within a scene that act as a "quick burst" of events, consisting of many straight cuts and possible cross cuts if it involves two seperate characters in different scenes.

Mise en scene; is a french term meaning what is put onto the scene or a frame. This simply includes what visual information is to be inserted infront or to be included in the camera when recording the scenes. Mise en scene can also simply be reffered to as what the audience would be seeing in addition to the orginal scene that is taking place.

Mise en scene is made up of different elements, and these include:

Settings & Iconography; settings include the use of both location of the set scene, and any backdrops or backgrounds to include within the scene, both natural (capturing a pond on camera in the background of the main action while a forest scene is being recorded) and man-made backgrounds and backdrops. (Painted backgrounds and backdrops that are to be included within a scene, such as a fake landscape in use to pretend the outside is sunny while a scene in a house is taking place)

Iconography is the simple use and understanding of props and the arrangement of them. (positioning)
These can range from the arrangement of furnicure within a house which is to be used in the next following scenes or where a killer finds a weapon to use on the victim in unsuspecting places, or even an unsuspecting weapon. (Such as breaking a glass bottle and using the glass shards as a weapon to harm the victim)

Costumes & Make up; within thriller films, they play as a major role as an instant "identifier" to an audience of the roles and the personalities of the characters as the are presented within scenes both the first time they appear and while they are currently in a scene.
A generic example within a Thriller is how the killer also has some form of costume that allows blending into the night and darkness easily (mostly black clothing and hardly any use of bright colours) and how it also hides the identity of the killer, keeping the mysterious element in play as we do know not who the killer is, nor any hints giving to the killer's true identity.

Facial expressions and body language; facial expressions can provide a clear indication of how a character feels and is reacting to the situation, if someone is smiling broadly, we assume that they are very happy, however other factors such as by adding a certain sountrack to that scene can make us feel differently about that.
An example can be by adding a slow and tense non-digetic sound such as a soundtrack while a close up is focusing on a character's face, we can assume that while the character is smiling, in truth the character is trying to keep calm or trying not to panic.
Body language can also indicate how a character may feel towards the situation, or even another character and their possible relationship between them.

Positioning of characters and objects within a frame; by using positioning within a frame, it can draw our attention to an important character/object in the scene. In an example; by putting a valuable or glowing object that stands out within that scene, it can focus for us to look at that specific object, or the character who may be holding it.
Positioning can also be used in terms of characters to indicate their relationship between each other, mostly a couple who is quite a good distance apart from one another can show they may face breaking up or are having conflicts with one another. While a couple who is close to each other are perfectly fine and are happy with one another.
In an example in relation to a Thriller film, the positioning of characters, such as the killer entering the room.
The position of the killer as he enters the room can vary, for example; if the killer enters the room and stays in the middle, fully standing up. It makes a much more terrifying presence to the audience and the victim rather than if he was crouched and sneaking around the room.