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.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
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)
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)
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)