For our thriller we need to decide as a group what film classification our opening will be. The company which classifies films is called The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912. We have been given the choice between a '15' and an '18' certificate. In order to do this i have researched what the content of both these certificates is and therefore decide on the appropriate rating for our thriller...
(Taken from the...
BBFC website.)
'15' – Suitable only for 15 years and over
No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video or DVD.
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (eg 'fuck'). But the strongest terms (eg 'cunt') will be acceptable only where justified by the context. Continued aggressive use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed but without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence
Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.
Imitable techniques
Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
'18' – Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC's public consultations, at '18' the BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to chose their own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
* where material or treatment appears to the Board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – e.g. any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which is likely to promote the activity. The Board may also intervene with portrayals of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
* the more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a 'sex work' as defined below.
In the case of videos and DVDs, which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way in which they are experienced, the Board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which are covered by the Video Recordings Act.
Sex Education at ‘18’
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Sex Works at ‘18’
Sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category.
THOUGHTS....
Having looked into what makes a film an '15' or an '18' we have decided to make an '15' rated opening. This is beacuse an 18 would limit the audience and as the narrative of our thriller would probably not feature too much unsuitable content, a 15 would be more appropriate. Fruthermore, a '15' would still suggest some violence ect. therefore appealing to men more than a '12' or a 'PG'.
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Monday, 24 November 2008
Thriller ideas/plan
INITIAL IDEAS-
For our thriller we considered having titles that were similar to the film 'se7en' i.e not having a story or narravtive with actors, simply having photoshopped credits or simple shots like the close up of hands doing various things and objects ect...
We have decided that this would not be an idea that would get us the best grade and have opted to do a chase scene instead.
FINAL IDEA-'TRACKER'
Our film is going to be a spy and secret service orientated, with the protagonist being chased by villains in dark suits. The basic storyline starts with the protagonist walking down the street as mysterious villains/spys watch from various locations along the street i.e outside the coffee shop or the station. The film will be called 'Tracker' due to the nature of the story and possible ideas for music would be 'Sinnerman'-by Nina Simone as the lyrics fit with the general idea and feel of our opening.
Listen to 'Sinnerman' by Nina Simone
The location for out opening will be Gerrads Cross, we will use the station and the odeon cinema. Will will be taking photos of these locations for our story board.
lOCATION SHOTS...
For our thriller we considered having titles that were similar to the film 'se7en' i.e not having a story or narravtive with actors, simply having photoshopped credits or simple shots like the close up of hands doing various things and objects ect...
We have decided that this would not be an idea that would get us the best grade and have opted to do a chase scene instead.
FINAL IDEA-'TRACKER'
Our film is going to be a spy and secret service orientated, with the protagonist being chased by villains in dark suits. The basic storyline starts with the protagonist walking down the street as mysterious villains/spys watch from various locations along the street i.e outside the coffee shop or the station. The film will be called 'Tracker' due to the nature of the story and possible ideas for music would be 'Sinnerman'-by Nina Simone as the lyrics fit with the general idea and feel of our opening.
Listen to 'Sinnerman' by Nina Simone
The location for out opening will be Gerrads Cross, we will use the station and the odeon cinema. Will will be taking photos of these locations for our story board.
lOCATION SHOTS...
Continuity Task
For this task we were asked to film a sequence strating with ine person entering a room, having a conversation with someone else and then leaving. Our group had to choose appropriate shots for the sequence and produce a piece of film with steady camera work, good location, sound, lighting and overall quality. We then asessed each groups work giving them the appropriate level from the mark scheme...
The first groups work achieved a level 2...
-slightly incomplete
-didn't see character leave room
-no connection between getting up from chair and slapping boy
-editing slighly off-opening too long, entering room not long enough
-choice of shot- POV worked well, no reaction shot
-framing off- character slightly out of shot
the next group also achive a level 2...
-some shots off screen
-long shot of lewis- needed reaction shot
-framing was off
-not a range of shots
-didn't flow in terms of editing
-full sequence incomplete- need to meet task requirments
-good ambient sounds
The third group again achieved level 2...
-unsteady camera
-editing needs to be cleaner
-framing was off
-dialog- not long enough
-camera too far away
-shot distances-pace of shot
Finally our group managed to achieve a level 3..
-good use of close ups
-point of view needed when looking down at phone
-smoother editing- dramatic pause too long
-location- bad ecoustics
-actor needed to be toned down
-best example of camera work-smooth camera
Monday, 10 November 2008
Practice filming task
To further prepare us for our coursework, we were given another task in our groups involving actual filming of a short clip and editing.
We were given a sequence...
1) person A walks up to a door
2) handle is opened
3) shot of person A walking through the door
4) shot of person B sat down
5) shot of person A sitting down next to them
6) shot of person A asking person B if they are ok
7) reverse shot(cu)of person B replying
8) two shot of person A and B- person A asks person B a question
9) shot of persons A's reaction
10) shots of person B's responce
11) conversation develops...
12) shot of person A getting up
13) shot of person A walking away
14) (possible)shot of person B
15) person A exits through the same door as entrance.
This was to be filmed and edited in one lesson without breaking the 180 degree rule.
Overall i feel this task could have gone better, although we managed to film all the required shots the editing process did not go so well. Once we had uploaded the clip onto the programme the sound was out of sync with the picture, this made the editing process very difficult and we did not manage to finish the task. If i were to do this task again i would shoot quicker leaving more time to edit and sort out any issues there may be. As a task i though it was usefull in familiarising us with the equipment we will be using and shooting to a schedual.
We were given a sequence...
1) person A walks up to a door
2) handle is opened
3) shot of person A walking through the door
4) shot of person B sat down
5) shot of person A sitting down next to them
6) shot of person A asking person B if they are ok
7) reverse shot(cu)of person B replying
8) two shot of person A and B- person A asks person B a question
9) shot of persons A's reaction
10) shots of person B's responce
11) conversation develops...
12) shot of person A getting up
13) shot of person A walking away
14) (possible)shot of person B
15) person A exits through the same door as entrance.
This was to be filmed and edited in one lesson without breaking the 180 degree rule.
Overall i feel this task could have gone better, although we managed to film all the required shots the editing process did not go so well. Once we had uploaded the clip onto the programme the sound was out of sync with the picture, this made the editing process very difficult and we did not manage to finish the task. If i were to do this task again i would shoot quicker leaving more time to edit and sort out any issues there may be. As a task i though it was usefull in familiarising us with the equipment we will be using and shooting to a schedual.
Animatic practice task
In order to give us an idea of what is expected of us when filming our thriller openings, we were divided into groups and given a practice task.
This involved story boarding a vampire hunting down its victim. Once we had storyboarded each shot of our sequence and inlcuded details of type of shot,angle and sound effects, we then had to photograph each drawing. This was then up loadded into an editing programme were as a group we could lengthen or cut shots, inlcude a soundtrack or sound effects and also include things such as panning or tracking.
I feel overall the task went quite well, with all memebers of the group contributing in some way to the creation of the animatic. I also feel we have gained experience in using the programme, therefore helping us when we come to do our real coursework. It also showed us how much work needed to be done in a limited time, again preparing us for the deadlines we will have to meet when filming our thrillers for real.
The improvements i would make, if i were to do this task again would be a better quality of drawing on the storyboard so it is clear what is happening in each shot, making the editing process easier. I also feel a better range of shots would be appropriate however our use of music and sound effects seemed to be timed well and was parallel to the sequence creating tension and making the animatic a good basis for our final piece.
This involved story boarding a vampire hunting down its victim. Once we had storyboarded each shot of our sequence and inlcuded details of type of shot,angle and sound effects, we then had to photograph each drawing. This was then up loadded into an editing programme were as a group we could lengthen or cut shots, inlcude a soundtrack or sound effects and also include things such as panning or tracking.
I feel overall the task went quite well, with all memebers of the group contributing in some way to the creation of the animatic. I also feel we have gained experience in using the programme, therefore helping us when we come to do our real coursework. It also showed us how much work needed to be done in a limited time, again preparing us for the deadlines we will have to meet when filming our thrillers for real.
The improvements i would make, if i were to do this task again would be a better quality of drawing on the storyboard so it is clear what is happening in each shot, making the editing process easier. I also feel a better range of shots would be appropriate however our use of music and sound effects seemed to be timed well and was parallel to the sequence creating tension and making the animatic a good basis for our final piece.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
Thriller analysis conclusion
Overall, from my analysis of the 5 thriller opening titles i have a better understanding of what i need to incorperate in my coursework. It is clear that through aspects of the mise en scene, camera, sound and editing that alot is established with the first few minutes. Narrative, for example is very much reinforced by certain props or colours ie. the use of red is very common and appears throughout the examples as it connotes danger and death. These themes are very common in thrillers and are also estabilshed through music which is often atomospheric and sinister and also parralel to the narrative of the film. The choice of camera angles is also important, the film 'Se7en' for example uses alot of extreme close ups showing in great detail the props and hands of the supposed villain. In contrast, the film 'Hostage' uses alot more long shots and low angles to make the city seem larger and more threatning. Both these techniques are effective in establishing the genre and narrative of a thriller.I feel the combination of music and editing is also very important as in many cases the two work together i.e as the music pace increases to reach a creshendo as it does in 'Casino Royale' the editing pace quickens which increases tension and reflects the fast paced narrative of thrillers.
Casino Royale Analysis
Film Title: Casion Royale
Director: Martin Campbell
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
There is a wide variety of shots used in this title sequence including LS,ELS,MS,CU,ECU,birdseye,wormseye,two shots.The wormseye shots are particualary effective during fighting sequences as it allows audiences to see the movements in great detail and increases realism and it makes the audience feel they are really there. The ELS/LS establish the setting as well as the panning of the surroundings and allows the audience to observe the other things going on in the background (guns firing card symbols such as hearts and spades and other silouetes fighting).
Editing – speed, style…
The editing speed stars slow, establishing the surroundings, and quickens towards the climax of the sequence where 007's identity is revealed. Straight cuts are mainly used throught out creating continuity however some transitions follow bullets that are fired or people as they run out of shot.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music is parralel to the sequence as it is quite rocky in style and connotes action and a fast paced narrative.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly primary colours such as green,red,blue and yellow but black and white are also used.The black and red are quite frequent and this is typical of a thriller as they connote danger.The props are also typical of a thriller and include things such as guns,knives and playing cards. Guns in particular connote crime and murder, again establishing nartrative.The costume is very smart and sophisticated such as tuxedoes and suits. These create an image or a stereo type of what a spy would look like and fits the pre-concieved view the audience will have of the protagonsist.
Special Effects...
The effects used are mainly animation, using block colours to create silouetes of people fighting and of the protagonist to hide his identity. This also establishes the narrative as spys are very secretive.
Director: Martin Campbell
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
There is a wide variety of shots used in this title sequence including LS,ELS,MS,CU,ECU,birdseye,wormseye,two shots.The wormseye shots are particualary effective during fighting sequences as it allows audiences to see the movements in great detail and increases realism and it makes the audience feel they are really there. The ELS/LS establish the setting as well as the panning of the surroundings and allows the audience to observe the other things going on in the background (guns firing card symbols such as hearts and spades and other silouetes fighting).
Editing – speed, style…
The editing speed stars slow, establishing the surroundings, and quickens towards the climax of the sequence where 007's identity is revealed. Straight cuts are mainly used throught out creating continuity however some transitions follow bullets that are fired or people as they run out of shot.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music is parralel to the sequence as it is quite rocky in style and connotes action and a fast paced narrative.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly primary colours such as green,red,blue and yellow but black and white are also used.The black and red are quite frequent and this is typical of a thriller as they connote danger.The props are also typical of a thriller and include things such as guns,knives and playing cards. Guns in particular connote crime and murder, again establishing nartrative.The costume is very smart and sophisticated such as tuxedoes and suits. These create an image or a stereo type of what a spy would look like and fits the pre-concieved view the audience will have of the protagonsist.
Special Effects...
The effects used are mainly animation, using block colours to create silouetes of people fighting and of the protagonist to hide his identity. This also establishes the narrative as spys are very secretive.
Hostage Analysis
Film Title:Hostage
Director: Florent Siri
Titles Designer:Laurent Brett
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
Shots used vary from panning down tall buildings to birds eye views of the city. Many high angle shots are used looking up the buildings. This is to make them appear bigger and for the audience to feel inferior. It also creates the sense that the city is a dangerous place and crates narrative for the setting of the film.
Editing – speed, style…
The editing pace is quite slow with mainly straigh cuts used as the camera pans around each shot.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music, which slow and quiet, becomes louder as the pace quickens and becomes more dramatic. This is parralel with the scenes of the large city lansdscape and images of guns and police.The music is mainly is classical and piano and violins are predominant increasing the tension.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly black, white and red. This is very common in thrilers as red and black connote danger and death.Props such as guns and people dressed as armed police also connote crime, a common theme in thrillers. The setting of the city is also quite a dark, sinsiter and harsh environment which reinforces the narrative.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
The sequence is more animation and uses block colours such as red for the sky to make the buildings stand out. This gives it a very modern feel and is similar in style to 'Sin city'.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
The titles are white with a very bold font. They are incorperated into the titles on the sides of buildings and scafolding beams making the sequence very abstract.
Director: Florent Siri
Titles Designer:Laurent Brett
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
Shots used vary from panning down tall buildings to birds eye views of the city. Many high angle shots are used looking up the buildings. This is to make them appear bigger and for the audience to feel inferior. It also creates the sense that the city is a dangerous place and crates narrative for the setting of the film.
Editing – speed, style…
The editing pace is quite slow with mainly straigh cuts used as the camera pans around each shot.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music, which slow and quiet, becomes louder as the pace quickens and becomes more dramatic. This is parralel with the scenes of the large city lansdscape and images of guns and police.The music is mainly is classical and piano and violins are predominant increasing the tension.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly black, white and red. This is very common in thrilers as red and black connote danger and death.Props such as guns and people dressed as armed police also connote crime, a common theme in thrillers. The setting of the city is also quite a dark, sinsiter and harsh environment which reinforces the narrative.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
The sequence is more animation and uses block colours such as red for the sky to make the buildings stand out. This gives it a very modern feel and is similar in style to 'Sin city'.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
The titles are white with a very bold font. They are incorperated into the titles on the sides of buildings and scafolding beams making the sequence very abstract.
Cape Fear Analysis
Film Title:Cape Fear
Director:Martin Scorsese
Title Designer:Saul & Elaine Bass
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
The camera moves very little, the shots are mainly close ups of the surface of the water and an extreme close up of a human eye is also used. The mid shot of the silouete of a man creates a sinister feel and reinforces narrative as it suggests he is the villain whilst hiding his identity as only his torso is seen.
Editing- speed, style...
The editing is very slow paced, dissolving is mainly used as images appear and dissapear in the water.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music used is very dramatic classical music and typical of a thriller film. It strengthens the sinsiter tone and is parralel with the scene as the images of the human eye wide in fear and the dark silouete all connote danger.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly black and red, red connotng danger and blood and black making the sequence more mysterious and dark. The lighting is also very dark and the water appears almost black and very shadowy. The setting appears sinister although it is not obvious as very little other than the surface of a lake is seen. The eagle, eye and figure all reinforce the danger particualry the eye and it suggests fear.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
Images are imposed onto the water and made to appear as if they are floating beneath it.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
The titles appear over the clip on the water. They are bold and quite large in very ridged font.They are quite typical of a thriller film as they appear to be quite harsh against the backdrop.
Director:Martin Scorsese
Title Designer:Saul & Elaine Bass
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
The camera moves very little, the shots are mainly close ups of the surface of the water and an extreme close up of a human eye is also used. The mid shot of the silouete of a man creates a sinister feel and reinforces narrative as it suggests he is the villain whilst hiding his identity as only his torso is seen.
Editing- speed, style...
The editing is very slow paced, dissolving is mainly used as images appear and dissapear in the water.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The music used is very dramatic classical music and typical of a thriller film. It strengthens the sinsiter tone and is parralel with the scene as the images of the human eye wide in fear and the dark silouete all connote danger.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The colours used are mainly black and red, red connotng danger and blood and black making the sequence more mysterious and dark. The lighting is also very dark and the water appears almost black and very shadowy. The setting appears sinister although it is not obvious as very little other than the surface of a lake is seen. The eagle, eye and figure all reinforce the danger particualry the eye and it suggests fear.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
Images are imposed onto the water and made to appear as if they are floating beneath it.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
The titles appear over the clip on the water. They are bold and quite large in very ridged font.They are quite typical of a thriller film as they appear to be quite harsh against the backdrop.
Se7en Analysis
Film Title:Se7en
Director:David Fincher
Title Designer:Kyle Cooper
Editing is quite fast paced, with mainly straight cuts and dissolving used. The shots quite often overlap making it fuzzy and increasing realism. The entire sequence jolts a lot creating the feel of an old reel of film, which reinforces the narrative and tone as it is very dirty and old.
The music is parralel to the sequence as it features a lot of soundeffects like a type writer and fuzzing like bad reception ona T.v. It is quite modern in feel and could be classed as techno but is also quite creepy, again parralel to the titles.
The props used are old looking, dusty and dirty. The photographs used connote death or murder as they are quite grusome. The colours used are very dull and dark, mainly grey, black and some brown. The books seem verey tattered and the razor blade used to skin the fingers is quite graphic. The lighting is very low key and the crossing out of peoples eyes in black creates a very sinister feel, as if he is plannign something which creates narrative siggesting he is the villain.
The special effects used are very suble but effective in creating a dark and sinister feel.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…The text used looks handwritten and scruffy in appearance. It jogs and blurs a lot along with the shots and either appears over the shots or against a black background.
Director:David Fincher
Title Designer:Kyle Cooper
Editing is quite fast paced, with mainly straight cuts and dissolving used. The shots quite often overlap making it fuzzy and increasing realism. The entire sequence jolts a lot creating the feel of an old reel of film, which reinforces the narrative and tone as it is very dirty and old.
The music is parralel to the sequence as it features a lot of soundeffects like a type writer and fuzzing like bad reception ona T.v. It is quite modern in feel and could be classed as techno but is also quite creepy, again parralel to the titles.
The props used are old looking, dusty and dirty. The photographs used connote death or murder as they are quite grusome. The colours used are very dull and dark, mainly grey, black and some brown. The books seem verey tattered and the razor blade used to skin the fingers is quite graphic. The lighting is very low key and the crossing out of peoples eyes in black creates a very sinister feel, as if he is plannign something which creates narrative siggesting he is the villain.
The special effects used are very suble but effective in creating a dark and sinister feel.
Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…The text used looks handwritten and scruffy in appearance. It jogs and blurs a lot along with the shots and either appears over the shots or against a black background.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Sin City Analysis
Film Title:Sin city
Director:Robert Rodriguez
Title Designer:Frank Miller
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
The opening long shot of the female protagonist on the balcony establishes the environment as very dreary and sinister. Throughout the extract mid shots and close ups were most common. This enables the audience to engage in the conversation and see the characters reactions to eachother during the ambigous conversation. The zooming in is effective in creating suspence as it shows the tension in rising in the female even though we dont yet know why. The panning up from the women to the males face as she leans into him shows he is the dominant figure whereas earlier on there was a mid shot of the women in the forground with the male in the background showing her hold over him.The combination of zooming out and a low angle shot is very dramatic and allows the audience to take in what has happened during the climatic scene.The camera also becomes more shakey to increase realism and show that the situation is no longer calm.
Editing – speed, style…
The editing used is predomnantly straight cuts which increases realsim and continuity.It also reinforces the situation as very calm and refelcts the characters mood. Even during the murder the editing doesnt change much other than a flash of white as the gun goes off. This suggests that this is something the male character does on a regular basis and is the norm in this city.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The sound used in this extract is very subttle but effective. The sombre non diegetic music is parralel to the scene and reinforces the environment as very dreary and dark and also creates a mysterious tone, further strengthened by the non-diegetic male narrator and by the limited diegetic sound such as the rain and the firing of the gun. The fact that overall the extract is very quiet emphasises the gun shot, this would be used to shock the audience as there are no signs that this is about to happen as the pace of the music does not change.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The red dress/lipstick the female is wearing stands out against the black and white surroundings, this connotes danger or conversley passion and romance. Another interpretation, taking into account her murder, could be that that red dress is acting like a bullseye and stands out as if she wants to be seen and is an easy target. The tuxedo the male is wearing connotes sophistication and is stereo typical of a spie or hitman. The cigarrette the women is given is symbolic as it is a tradition to give somone a cigarrete before they are killed. The silver gun is almost glowing against dull backdrop and has no blood on it after the kill, this connotes a clean kill as if it were rehearsed.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
The black and white colouring is effective in making the extract more sinister (similar to film noir) as the red appears very harsh against it. It adds to the mysterious tone and emphasises the bold red that connotes danger which is typical of a thriller.
Director:Robert Rodriguez
Title Designer:Frank Miller
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
The opening long shot of the female protagonist on the balcony establishes the environment as very dreary and sinister. Throughout the extract mid shots and close ups were most common. This enables the audience to engage in the conversation and see the characters reactions to eachother during the ambigous conversation. The zooming in is effective in creating suspence as it shows the tension in rising in the female even though we dont yet know why. The panning up from the women to the males face as she leans into him shows he is the dominant figure whereas earlier on there was a mid shot of the women in the forground with the male in the background showing her hold over him.The combination of zooming out and a low angle shot is very dramatic and allows the audience to take in what has happened during the climatic scene.The camera also becomes more shakey to increase realism and show that the situation is no longer calm.
Editing – speed, style…
The editing used is predomnantly straight cuts which increases realsim and continuity.It also reinforces the situation as very calm and refelcts the characters mood. Even during the murder the editing doesnt change much other than a flash of white as the gun goes off. This suggests that this is something the male character does on a regular basis and is the norm in this city.
Sound – effects, musical score…
The sound used in this extract is very subttle but effective. The sombre non diegetic music is parralel to the scene and reinforces the environment as very dreary and dark and also creates a mysterious tone, further strengthened by the non-diegetic male narrator and by the limited diegetic sound such as the rain and the firing of the gun. The fact that overall the extract is very quiet emphasises the gun shot, this would be used to shock the audience as there are no signs that this is about to happen as the pace of the music does not change.
Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
The red dress/lipstick the female is wearing stands out against the black and white surroundings, this connotes danger or conversley passion and romance. Another interpretation, taking into account her murder, could be that that red dress is acting like a bullseye and stands out as if she wants to be seen and is an easy target. The tuxedo the male is wearing connotes sophistication and is stereo typical of a spie or hitman. The cigarrette the women is given is symbolic as it is a tradition to give somone a cigarrete before they are killed. The silver gun is almost glowing against dull backdrop and has no blood on it after the kill, this connotes a clean kill as if it were rehearsed.
Special Effects – CGI, animation…
The black and white colouring is effective in making the extract more sinister (similar to film noir) as the red appears very harsh against it. It adds to the mysterious tone and emphasises the bold red that connotes danger which is typical of a thriller.
What is a thriller?
Thrillers are mainly fast paced and tension filled. They often take place in exotic settings such as foreign cities or harsh environments such as the dessert. The heroes in most thrillers are frequently "hard men" and are very stereo typical of spies or hitmen. However, sometimes they may also be ordinary people who become involvedin the danger by chance. While the protagonist is mainly a male female lead characters have become increasingly common; an example would be sigourney weaver's character 'Ripley', in the movie 'Alien' (1979).
Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories, but are distinguished by the structure of their plots. In a thriller, the hero must prevent the plans of an enemy, rather than uncover a crime that has already happened. Thrillers also occur on a much bigger scale: the crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination, or the overthrow of governments. While mysterys end with the solving of the mystery, thrillers usually end in the hero defeating the villain. In short if it thrills it is considered a 'thiller'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)
Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories, but are distinguished by the structure of their plots. In a thriller, the hero must prevent the plans of an enemy, rather than uncover a crime that has already happened. Thrillers also occur on a much bigger scale: the crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination, or the overthrow of governments. While mysterys end with the solving of the mystery, thrillers usually end in the hero defeating the villain. In short if it thrills it is considered a 'thiller'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)
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