I intended to do all my Evaluation on a PowerPoint but when i came to transferring it all onto my blog, it wouldnt play the audio so i couldnt do it the way i wanted to. I have used slideshare to upload the majority of my presentation, however the audio clips are now on a seperate one.
This audio clip is of a member of the target audience for our Thriller, on the slideshow with a picture of a girl in the middle, listen to this audio clip and the answers are shown on the screen.
The definition of Thriller in the Film Studies Dictionary
“Thriller is a loose genre term referring to any film that generates suspense and excitement as a major aspect of its narrative.”
G. K. Chesterton: The Transformed City (early 20th century) Argued that thrillers took urban settings and transformed them into exciting locations for dramatic stories.
Northrop Frye: Heroic Romance Frye argued that Thrillers were stories that took ordinary people and threw them into extraordinary situations An example of this is Jaws, when we analysed this Thriller film we noticed that they were just ordinary people but involved in something very rare.
John Cawelti: The Exotic Cawelti argued that Thrillers took the elements of ordinary life and added an exotic element.
W.H. Matthews: Mazes and Labyrinths Matthews writes about how human beings have a fascination for physical puzzles – often seen in mazes and labyrinth Thrillers often use the idea of a mysterious quest in a confined location that feels like a labyrinth
Pascal Bonitzer: Partial VisionBonitzerdiscusses how in thrillers the audience is given a partial view of things – with important details being obscured.
Noel Carroll: Question and Answer Argues that thrillers are structured around a series of questions for which the audience is led to want answers.
The opening scene of Seven is the main character Morgan Freeman in his apartment, the apartment is pretty ordinary, nothing modern about it and he lives alone. The fact he lives alone shows the audience he is more job orientated and committed to his job rather than a marriage. He is shown collecting all his items from a table, he has them all lined up and puts them in his jacket in a certain order, this shows he is so used to his job that it has become a set routine.
After this scene with Morgan Freeman, it shows a murder, this is really effective on the audience because you get to see what type things you will be expecting throughout the film and also it gives the audience more of a clear background of the characers jobs. After seeing the crime, we are then introduced to the main characters in the film, the detectives.
In conrast with this, it then shows Brad Pitt (the other detective) in his house, unlike Morgan, he has a wife and you can immediatily see the connection between the characters as Brad turns and kisses his wife as soon as he wakes up.
Their is a lot of pathetic fallacy used within this film to set the mood (rain) eery atmosphere, a popular code within thriller films.
Characters
Both characters in the film dress very steriotypical to what you would expect detectives to look like, they both wear white shirts, long coats, however Morgan dresses a lot more formal than Brad, this shows he has more experience and knows a lot more about what to expect within the film. He is the most dominant character. The other detective seems to aspire to be like Morgan Freeman in this film. Because Brad Pitts character is new to the city, his lifestyle contrasts Freemans dramatically because he is so organised. Sound The sound is very important in the opening to this film, you can hear siren noises very loudly throughout which symoblises violence, crime, the main theme of this film. However, In Morgan Freemas apartment the sound isnt as emphasised as it is in Brad Pitts apartment, this shows how he isnt used to this new city and new life as much as Freemans character is. Dramatic noises then follow, and eerie sounds then start quietly as the credits begin. The sounds are mainly of things squeaking and buzzing, music then starts quietly. This type of sound is scary and adds suspense to the opening credits. (opening credits also show photographs of different parts of the crime scenes which will unfold troughout the film)
When the credits are being shown on the screen its pitch black with deep red graphics. using the colour red symbolises blood, death violence, passion. It is very limited to what it shows you which creates a really tense atmosphere and wants you to keep watching to know for the film to be unravelled.
Gradually, you start to see a small image in the corner of the screen, this image begins to get bigger and bigger until you can see a screen of characters.
In an office, looks posh, upper class, wealth.
Character
The characters are all dressed very smartly and are in an office which suggests they are at an interview. It seems very secretive because one of the characters keeps mentioning something and whispers which gives the audience a sense of mystery because they want to know what their hiding.
One of the characters is stood up, suggests power and control over the situation.
There are three characters and one the right hand side there are two of them and on the left, only one. This suggests rivalry between the two groups because they are separated on screen and the clear divide is shown because of the long camera shot.
Sound
There is background music whilst the titles are showing, this creates an eery and mysterious atmosphere because this enables the audience to know what type of film its going to be.
There is aspects of diologue in the opening but its very brief and limited to what it tells you.
Mise en scene Start- underwater, the camera is moving around the water as if its in the sharks perspective. this creates effect and tension because you want too know what the shark is going to do. Underwater looks very dark and eery. Lonely, secluded. Not very much is going on. On land- A group of teenages, drinking, smoking, around the fire. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed. Contrast with the shark. Gives the audience the idea that something bads going to happen. Calming atmosphere contrasts with the chaos underwater. Characters are oblivious to events. Character the female character that is the first victim is first seen around the camp fire. The rest of the characters are all in a circle wheras she is sat alone. This symbolises lonleyness and that she is being picked at from the crowd. It also draws attention too this character and you also get the feeling something will happen to her. In contrast with this, she seems to be the stronger character, when the female is running along the beach, she is controlling him and telling him what to do. She seems like the stronger character. Music At the beginning of the film when its underwater, you can hear the signature Jaws theme song, this gradually gets louder and more fast paced as the shark moves faster. There is then a sudden change in music type, it becomes a lot more peaceful. When the girl is getting attacked you can hear screams, and cries of the girl shouting for help as the shark attacks her. once the girl has been dragged under the water, it goes deadly silent. this is really effective because it symbolises death, the end of something.
The setting was a posh resturant, camera angles that zoomed in on the meals that were being served by waiters in smart uniforms. This shows status and that the film is set where upper and lower class are clearly divided.
Then there is a total contrast in setting, it goes too a nightclub with loud music and people smoking/drinking ect.
Happy atmosphere which creates the atmosphere that something bad will happen too create chaos in the "happy" environment.
A close up on the credit card too show wealth.
the setting then changes and shows Particks apartment. The colour used symbolises innocence and purity which is in total contrast with his abnormal character.
Character Too show the audience a clear description and background too what the main character is like, it goes through is dail routine and what he takes priority in. Clearly, this character takes time on his appearance, keeping fit and this comes across sometimes feminin. He is a murderer in this film and in typical thrillers they are potrayed as masculine so this is a convention that isnt typical in a thriller. He comes across very job orientated but only works in an office. He lives alone, this could be because his job is his main priority or because he cares too much about himself too care about anyone else. Controlling. camera- their is a shot in this scene of him taking off a facemask, this could symbolise that he keeps his true identity hidden from the world.
Sound Music that makes the audience feel tense and creates suspence about upcoming events. The character regularly wears headphones and listens too music- blocking out everyone else. Very alone. Doesnt pay attention.
Mise En Scene The first thing you see in the opening of the film is a camera shot of a forest. It looks really eery and mysterious, the trees are bare which could symbolise that everyhwere in the woods is empty and secluded. There is a lake shown which is a typical convention in a thriller film. This gives the audience pleasure of recognition because they would know what too except with the upcoming events. Also, the colours used are very bland which creates a mysterious atmosphere. The trees that are clearly shown at the beginning could symbolise lonleyness because they have no leaves on them. This could show that the victim in this film is lonely and has nobody to help her. You then see a women running through the forest like she is on a obsitcal course training for a job. Keeping fit. This shows the audience she is very fit and healthy. The dark lighting foreshadows mystery and the mist obscures her vision. There were also three signs shown as the character was walking into her works building, Pain, Agony, Hurt. Sence of urgenry and makes the audience feel tense as they know something is going to happen. The fact she was training on her own also gives a sense of isolation. Character The female character introduced seems very job orientated but very alone. Their is a part of the introduction where she is in a lift full of men. This symbolises that she doesnt fit in and the job she has is very male dominated. In steriotypical thriller films the women show a lot of flesh and take pride in their appearance to show a more weaker and conventional female character, in this the female character doesnt take pride in her appearance and not at all objectified to other Thrillers. Sound Gradual build up of music. Becomes more fast paced and louder as she progresses with her training course. You can hear the characters breathing. (exaggerated) (fear, frightenend) Camera Work The camera was behind her when she was running as if someone was following her. You could see the side of the characters face and you could clearly see someone stood next to her but the face couldnt be identified. Captivating.
Although the character at the beach looks like he has been washed onto shore, he still looks like he is well dressed, wearing a suit. This shows that he is wealthy and takes care of what he looks like- you later in this scene see him all freshened up and he is looked clean and attractive.
The men in the scene who are on the opposing side are also wearing a suit and look very well dressed and wealthy. The are all wearing suits which shows they are working and are in some sort of wealthy business. Narrative Structure The main character starts lying on a beach. You can clearly see that the character recognises that there has been a disruption that they have to resolve.A different character spots the man on the beach and takes him somewhere where he finds out more about the situation. The characters are trying to resolve the problem. The audience don't know what the problem is at the beginning of the film which is a good convention of a Thriller because it will all be unravelled. Codes and Conventions
Typical of a Thriller genre is that there are two opposing sides, they are wealthy and look like they are doing business.
The lighting and setting relates well to the conventions of a Thriller because of the dark lighting. This creates a sense of illusion and nightmare whilst also being aesthetically pleasing.
Someone is always on there own and in a situation that needs to be resolved
Props- Guns, well dressed suits.
Camerawork Closeups are used frequently throughout the opening scene, this is to show tension and you can see the characters facial expression better. Mise en Scene The opening begins on a beach, the waves are violently crashing against the rocks which connotes rage and fury and sets the scene of the genre within the film. This is called pathetic fallacy because the weather and setting relates to the mood of the film. Closeup of the main character lying on the beach. Looking tired and confused as to why he is there. Then there is a change of mood, two children playing on the beach, making sandcastles. The characters are in the total opposite mood to what the the main character is- they look like there having fun. This is ambiguous because the audience don't know if this image is dreamt or a vision because its not suited to the rest of the setting. The next setting change is in a board room of some sort. It looks very posh and the characters who own it are all wearing suits which connotes wealth and fortune. The colours used are all golds and browns which symbolises wealth (gold- money) Sound
Waves are crashing against the rocks.
Emotional music starts when you see the children playing, you can hear them screaming as there playing.
Music changes again and you can gradually hear it building up.
Its very quiet but which puts emphasis on the characters voices. creates tension and a mysterious atmosphere.
You can hear the fire and shouting of people in the riot.
The timer at the end of the opening scene is exaggerated and you can hear it really loudly.
Choosing a certificate and classification for our Thriller film was hard because we didn't want it to be inappropriate and we wanted it to fit perfectly with our target audience. We researched the definitions of what each age certificate involved and then decided on a suitable certificate.
Certificate 12.
Violence- Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.
Horror- Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.
Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
Certificate 15
Violence- Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
Horror-Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised
Certificate 18
Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.
Taking all of this into consideration we decided to put our film as a certificate 15, we did this because our story line is focusing mainly on people around the age of 15-19 so we thought if we put it at a rating of 18 it would be very limited and wouldnt attract or engage the target audience we want it to.
In our group we came up with a few different ideas on what we could base our Thriller on, we discussed all possible ideas and then together we decided on which one we thought was the best and most effective...
The Ideas - A stalker storyline, typical of a Thriller film. - Someone plotting for a murder - Flashing images of different evidence that would later be unravelled
Treatment Synopsis Taken.Missing.Killed. Some things just aren’t always what they seem. In this gripping thriller Rose and Jake come close to embarking on a passionate relationship- but is it for the reasons we all assume? Who will come out on top and who will be deprived of life and victory?
The opening
The opening of our thriller is set at a train station; the screen will start completely black with recurring sound effects of loud screeching noises from the train and surroundings. The credits will then start flashing on screen which will represent the feeling of being on a train in a tunnel. The writing for the credits will be white and the font will have a scratched or torn, spooky feel, when on the screen the writing will flash on and off. The first shot will be of the train going past with the smoke of the wheels as a young woman who is on her own waiting for a train.
The young woman has long blonde hair and is around the age of 20, we chose her as our target audience can relate to her as a character. She is a university student on her way home; there are other people in the train station. An eerie music will start to fade in slowly, and softly. The camera focuses on some of the extras, including one man who is sat wearing a hat and black coat writing notes, after seeing the shot of the man, the music will then suddenly stop. The audience won’t think anything of him at this stage, because he only appears on screen for a few seconds. The girl then walks out of the train station over the bridge. The atmosphere is tense and as the time of day is reaching darkness this fits with codes and conventions of a thriller. The scene then cuts straight away to a small dark room. Only seeing a close up shot of surgical gloves slowly being stretched over someone’s hands. The camera then slowly zooms out to reveal a full desk of new paper cutting and photos. The camera shot then fades out to Rose walking and going about normal daily routine. There are several different shots of the man creating a board in his cupboard of black and white cuttings and photos. As he builds this up the shot keeps fading in and out of the two different situations.
Throughout the film we follow Jack Burn the man who the audience thinks has created the notice board in trying to get closer to Rose. They both knew each other from high school and as he researches and finds out things about her he wants to get to know her more. He stages to bump into her in a coffee shop; really he is stalking her and has plotted it on purpose. This sparks their relationship as they exchange numbers and arrange to meet up again. Jack is a tall, dark featured man around the age of 24. The audience know he is a murderer and has killed many women before, he chooses Rose as his next victim and looks like he is going to succeed in killing her. He is a good looking man who sucks her in easily, as they arrange to meet up through texts he offers to take her to a local restaurant. The scene of them in the restaurant is important because she brings up the news of girls locally being killed, and he lies well before changing the subject. Rose is excited about her new relationship and is egger to meet up with him again; she gets invited by him back to his house where she accepts. The audience is falsely built up to them thinking he is going to take his opportunity of killing her now, with a big suspense build using music and a fast paced scene. They in fact carry on talking and meet up a few more times. It shows Rose telling her friends all about her new guy and how she wants to find out more about him. After building a relationship she invites him to her house.
This leads to a dramatic ending, when he arrives at her house he claims to go the toilet when really he is setting things up to kill her. As he is walking up the stairs he sees a suspicious door of a dark room. He looks inside and frantically through her stuff because he senses something is wrong. The music builds and suspense as he finds a notice board full of pictures and newspaper cuttings, where pictures of him are also hung up. This is the wall from the beginning of the story where the audience is led to believe it is his. However the shock and confuses causes him to freeze. As he turns around she is there- who is actually a killer also. This is a major twist to the story, and it turns out she has known everything about him all this time, and has been plotting herself. The audience find out this as she tell him just before she kills him. The film ends with her talking to the police about how killing him was self defence, she acts disturbed and shaken up so she will get away with it, however it was revenge from the beginning.
Place the Y in the box which the hazards are identified and refer these to your tutor for authorisation
HAZARD
HAZARD
HAZARD
Costume/make up
Access
Machinery
Hydraulics
Animals
Mines/excavations/tunnels/quarries
Catering
Audience/Public
Y
Noise
Y
Lighting
Communications
Person with special needs
Scaffolds
Confined spaces
Physical exertion
Smoke effects
Derelict buildings/dangerous structures
Speed
Stunts
Electricity/gas
Vehicles and off road driving
Y
Physical effects
Fire/flammable materials
Violence/public disorder
Fight sequence
Water/Tide
Glass
Weather
Y
Hazardous substances/chemicals
Working at heights
Heat/cold
Other
Inexperienced performer or children N.B. For children, a copy of this risk assessment must be provided to parent/guardian
Equipment:(Please list any equipment that might be affected by the activities you have ticked above).
If the day of shooting’s weather is wet, the camera equipment may be effected. The lighting and noise may affect the quality of our film. As it is a public area filming may affect people’s access to some areas of the train station.
Details of Activity:
Filming character on train, and getting off it. Filming various shots of the train moving from different angles and locations.
Hazards Identified and Risks Arising
Wet weather, public being affected in filming process
Risk Assessment and Proposed Precautions
Weather will be checked on morning of shooting, only areas will be cut off the public do not need to access trains.
N.B. THIS MUST BE SIGNED BEFORE THE PRODUCTION CAN GO AHEAD
I have read the above and am satisfied that:
It constitutes a proper and adequate risk assessment in respect of the programme activity and that the precautions identified are sufficient to control the risks.
Adequate arrangements are in place to communicate the risk assessment findings and to co-ordinate the safety arrangements of all those affected. E.g. site owners, contractors, volunteers etc
Signature of Producer: She Rock________________ Date:20.10.10____________
Name of Producer: She Rock
Signature of Tutor:_______________________________Date:__________________
Name of Tutor:
RISK ASSESSMENT
College/Course/Class/Group
As Media Block E
Project title
Thriller opening- Dirty Ego
Scene/Item/Feature
Scene 2
Date of period this risk assessment covers
November-December 2011
Producer
She Rock
Location address & details
1 Station Cottage, Station Road, Padgate
Place the Y in the box which the hazards are identified and refer these to your tutor for authorisation
HAZARD
HAZARD
HAZARD
Costume/make up
Access
Y
Machinery
Hydraulics
Animals
Mines/excavations/tunnels/quarries
Catering
Audience/Public
Noise
Lighting
Communications
Person with special needs
Scaffolds
Confined spaces
Y
Physical exertion
Smoke effects
Derelict buildings/dangerous structures
Speed
Stunts
Electricity/gas
Vehicles and off road driving
Physical effects
Fire/flammable materials
Violence/public disorder
Fight sequence
Water/Tide
Glass
Weather
Hazardous substances/chemicals
Working at heights
Heat/cold
Other
Inexperienced performer or children N.B. For children, a copy of this risk assessment must be provided to parent/guardian
Equipment:(Please list any equipment that might be affected by the activities you have ticked above).
Small spaces may affect the camera equipment, it may be hard to move around and use a tripod.
Details of Activity:
Filming the notice board, different angles and shots of the board and the person creating it.
Hazards Identified and Risks Arising
Risk Assessment and Proposed Precautions
Actors will approve of room and stairs will have a banister.
N.B. THIS MUST BE SIGNED BEFORE THE PRODUCTION CAN GO AHEAD
I have read the above and am satisfied that:
It constitutes a proper and adequate risk assessment in respect of the programme activity and that the precautions identified are sufficient to control the risks.
Adequate arrangements are in place to communicate the risk assessment findings and to co-ordinate the safety arrangements of all those affected. E.g. site owners, contractors, volunteers etc
Signature of Producer: She Rock________________Date:20.10.10____________
Name of Producer: She Rock
Signature of Tutor:_______________________________Date:__________________
