This is the opening sequence to the Thriller film Se7en ,which star the top billing actors such as Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow. This has clip has helped to give me some knowledge on what our group could include in our Thriller film when it comes to creating ours. The fonts in this sequence goes well with the genre of the film as it it very small, and almost as it has been scratched on. They alos flash up really quickly so it's hard to read it in time which makes the audience want to watch the film to find out. The colour white could also represent heaven/death which is what usually thriller films involve. The music in this opening sequence goes with the theme of thriller as it brings a lot of tension to the scene. It also shows that the film is quite twisted (which what the Thriller film revolves around) because the non-digetic sounds are mainly scratching noices. The images in the clips give us, as the audience, a knowledge of what the plot is going to be about. Props such as needles, blades, sissors and documents could show that the plot could be about a detective because those are objects that are usually used by detectives. The images of the props also flash up to give the audience suspence of what is going to happen.
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Se7en opening sequence
This is the opening sequence to the Thriller film Se7en ,which star the top billing actors such as Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow. This has clip has helped to give me some knowledge on what our group could include in our Thriller film when it comes to creating ours. The fonts in this sequence goes well with the genre of the film as it it very small, and almost as it has been scratched on. They alos flash up really quickly so it's hard to read it in time which makes the audience want to watch the film to find out. The colour white could also represent heaven/death which is what usually thriller films involve. The music in this opening sequence goes with the theme of thriller as it brings a lot of tension to the scene. It also shows that the film is quite twisted (which what the Thriller film revolves around) because the non-digetic sounds are mainly scratching noices. The images in the clips give us, as the audience, a knowledge of what the plot is going to be about. Props such as needles, blades, sissors and documents could show that the plot could be about a detective because those are objects that are usually used by detectives. The images of the props also flash up to give the audience suspence of what is going to happen.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre opening sequence
This is the opening sequence to the film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. This opening sequence represent the Thriller genre in a different way to what Se7en did. The images in this sequence are more gruesome, this helps represent the genre of Thriller because it is what you would expect from a Thriller film (death, gruesome images). Dark colours are used throughtout the sequence to again represent the genre, the colours red and black show death, blood, evil etc. The fonts that show the cast, director etc are in the colour red which could represent blood. The sounds that are used are the screeching noise of a camera going off whilst the people are takign pictures of the dead bodies they have found, and also the sound of the news reporter tellingus what has happened. Not a lot of non-diegetic sounds have been used in this opening sequence.
Friday, 8 February 2013
Conventions of a Thriller Film
Most films have different conventions so that the audience know what genre of film it is, as an example of this, for a Romantic comedy, it's very happy with 2 people falling in love, with bright colours and the music is very happy and romantic. So for our Thriller opening sequence, I have to do some research to find out what we need to include in ours. Thriller films usually make the audience mysteriosu of what is going to happen. This can be done by;
- Camera shots and movement - In the examples of Thriller films that I have scene, most of them have camera movements and very jumpy and quick. This helps to bring tension to the scene and to keep the auidence on the edge of their seats.
- Editing - In thriller films, a lot of editing is needed for the scenes because as they invlove a lot of speed, they need to be very fast and jump from one scene to another.
- Sound - This is very important for a Thriller film because it helps bring tension, again a speed of the music can give audience a feeling of something dangerous is going to happen.
- Mise-en-scene - This is a good way of knowing what is going to happen in a Thriller film. Props can give a way what is going to happen so it doesnt leave the viewer feeling confussed and not knowing what is happening.
How to represent Genre
1. Film - What genre is the film?
- What is the style of the film?
- Who are the audiences?
- Think about the storyline
2. Mise En Scene (MES) - Lighting
- Music
- Position of characters & objects
- Font/colour (credits)
- How is it presented? (credits)
Film opening title sequence -
Here are some examples of Thriller movies and how they represent genreThe Exorcist
- Music brings tension
-Flashing lights
- Actors names in the bottom corner of the screen so it doesn't take away the action from the scene
- From the opening sequence you can see that it is about a girl being possessed (it is shown by the characters talking and the pries that is shown)
- About religion
- OTS shows that there isn't going to be blood and gory
- Audience - For people who enjoy this genre
- People who have heard about it in the media
- The title 'The Exorcist' the 'x' changes into a crucifix, which shows that it is religious
- There is a shadow behind the font - showing two people
- Credits shown on each staircase as we go up
- Dark colours to represent thriller
Se7en
- Scary music - shows that the film is twisted - music also builds up to show tension - scratching sounds are used
- Scary images - Give us a clue of the plot
- Actors names flash up - shown on a black background - lower case lettering for names
- Colour red to show evil/danger/blood
- Images flash up on the screen to show suspence
- From the opening sequence you can see that it is about someone who is killing someone/planning it/trophies shown/ done because of God
- Objects detectives might have - Scissors
- Needles
- Blade
- Documents
- The film title has difference font styles - flashes up - words flash up so you cant read it in time, makes you feel like you need to watch it all to find out
Texas Chain Saw Masacre (1974)
- From the opening sequence, you can tell that the film is about death/massacre/including a chain saw - also known from the title of the film
- Images of dead people flash up on the screen
- Audience for this film, would be adults who enjoy gorey films
- Flashing images from a camera is used/ a crime investigator is taking images of the dead people
- The colour of red shows evil/blood/danger
- A radio in the background tells you what has gone on, the images also show you this
- The sound of digging in the background when the dead bodies are shown - The noise of a camera going off - slow motion
- The title is in bold writing (the colour yellow stands out on the black/red background)
- Red images give you differnet images of what it could be
Dracula
- Music brings tension- Red font shows danger/blood/evil
- Crucifix symbolises religion
- Black images of people fighting - against a red background
- Music starts agai nwhen Dracula is in Church and sees his fiance dead - it brings back the tension whe he starts going mad
- A lot of screaming to show anger
- The Crucifix image shows a dark side and a light side - shows two halfs
- Helmet of Dracula shows a symbol of a devil, to show he is evil
Friday, 1 February 2013
Our groups ideas for our Thriller Opening Sequence
Plot - A man has experienced something traumatic and goes mad and murders people for fun.
Room
- Dark room
- Low key lighting coming from the door, slightly open
- Empty Room
- Family found him unconcious and put him up
- Voices of the family from outside the room, you can still hear the voices when he is having flash backs
Woods
- Both murders happen in the woods
- Shot in the evening, where it's quiter, dark but also quite light
Costumes
Luke - t-shirt, jeans when in bed, leather jacket when in the woods and a hoodie
Girls that get murdured - Walking gear
Our ideas;
- Distribution Company - We will be using an existing company
- Production Company - We will be making our own, which an image we have taken for the background
- Director - Giacomo Perazzi
- Producer - Charlotte Liepins
- Executive Producer - Becca Turley
- Actors - Luke James (Crazy Man) Becca Turley and Charlotte Liepins (Girls in the forest)
- Movie Title - Woodlands
Room
- Dark room
- Low key lighting coming from the door, slightly open
- Empty Room
- Family found him unconcious and put him up
- Voices of the family from outside the room, you can still hear the voices when he is having flash backs
Woods
- Both murders happen in the woods
- Shot in the evening, where it's quiter, dark but also quite light
Costumes
Luke - t-shirt, jeans when in bed, leather jacket when in the woods and a hoodie
Girls that get murdured - Walking gear
Primary Research
We decided that we would do a tally chart which we asked random people what they enjoyed most. We decided to do this to help use come to a final decision when deciding what theme we were going to do for our Opening Sequence.
Thriller examples
This has given me some examples of what is expected in a thriller film. It shows me the fonts that are mainly used in this specific genre so I know what to use when it comes to editing our opening sequence with the fonts. It also shows me the colours that are mainly used in this genre. Colours such as black, red, white etc, represent the theme of Thriller (Black for danger, red for blood, etc). It also gives me a exampleof the lighting used and the shots, most of the clips are gruesome to again, go with the theme.
Examples of Thriller films
These are some examples of Thriller Movies, which include Top Billing Actors including, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Ben Affleck, Will Smith, Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Dark colours such as black, red and dark blue, etc, give the Thriller effect.
Opening Title Sequence (OTS)
A Opening Title Sequence is a method that all cinimatic films and television programmes use.
This is the usual order they come in:
For the OTS, there a few things we have to look at, this includes:
- Font of the credits (This is looking at the style, size, colour, positioning, entrance and exit)
- Background (Colour, animation)
- Narrative (This the storyline of the film, and the Mise En Scene (M.E.S) which includes the lighting, camera shots, sound and editing in the Opening Sequence)
This is the usual order they come in:
- Distribution Company
- Name of the Production Companies
- Director
- Producer
- Executive Producer
- Top Billing Actors
- The Movie Title
For the OTS, there a few things we have to look at, this includes:
- Font of the credits (This is looking at the style, size, colour, positioning, entrance and exit)
- Background (Colour, animation)
- Narrative (This the storyline of the film, and the Mise En Scene (M.E.S) which includes the lighting, camera shots, sound and editing in the Opening Sequence)
Thriller Genre
What is a Thriller?
Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.
Sub-Genres of Thriller:
Action Thriller
An Action Thriller uses physical action to create suspense within the film. Like a traditional Action film, this sub-genre will often have continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races. Often, these scenes will contribute to the overall sense of danger that the protagonist is facing.
Examples: Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Bourne Identity.
Crime Thriller
Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This sub-genre's plot usually centers on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline focuses both around the criminal and the protagonist. Crime Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense.
Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge.
Film-Noir
Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylistic type of crime-drama or thriller that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Film-Noir is characterized by a black-and-white style with stark lighting effects. The main character is usually a cynical hero. Film-Noir relies on a narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain the intricate plot.
Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success.
Psychological Thriller
In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre.
Examples: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver.
Science Fiction Thriller
Science Fiction Thriller incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Traditionally, a Science Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and advanced technology. These elements can be used in a Science Fiction Thriller to create anticipation and suspense. Often, this sub-genre will explore the “future-gone-bad” theme, including plots that revolve around alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, and super-diseases.
Examples: Aliens, Inception, District 9.
Religious Thriller
Religious Thriller film incorporates religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects. Though some films can revolve around a specific church, many Religious Thrillers include supernatural experiences not pertaining to a certain religion. Exorcisms, demon possession, and church cover-ups are typical themes of Religious Thrillers.
Examples: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code
Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.
Sub-Genres of Thriller:
Action Thriller
An Action Thriller uses physical action to create suspense within the film. Like a traditional Action film, this sub-genre will often have continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights, battles, and races. Often, these scenes will contribute to the overall sense of danger that the protagonist is facing.
Examples: Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol. 1, The Bourne Identity.
Crime Thriller
Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This sub-genre's plot usually centers on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline focuses both around the criminal and the protagonist. Crime Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build tension and suspense.
Examples: The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Jagged Edge.
Film-Noir
Film Noir is not simply a sub-genre, but rather a term for a distinct, stylistic type of crime-drama or thriller that was popular throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Film-Noir is characterized by a black-and-white style with stark lighting effects. The main character is usually a cynical hero. Film-Noir relies on a narrative voice and various flashbacks to explain the intricate plot.
Examples: Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success.
Psychological Thriller
In addition to the traits of a regular Thriller, a Psychological Thriller incorporates elements of drama and mystery film. The suspense in this sub-genre comes from the mind, rather than from a psychical threat. The protagonists in Psychological Thrillers must rely on their mental resources to solve the situation. Because of their nature, many Psychological Thrillers cross over into the Horror genre.
Examples: Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver.
Science Fiction Thriller
Science Fiction Thriller incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into the plot of the film. Traditionally, a Science Fiction film will incorporate heroes, villains, unexplored locations, fantastical quests, and advanced technology. These elements can be used in a Science Fiction Thriller to create anticipation and suspense. Often, this sub-genre will explore the “future-gone-bad” theme, including plots that revolve around alien invasions, dystopian scenarios, and super-diseases.
Examples: Aliens, Inception, District 9.
Religious Thriller
Religious Thriller film incorporates religious themes, including religious questions, ceremonies, and objects. Though some films can revolve around a specific church, many Religious Thrillers include supernatural experiences not pertaining to a certain religion. Exorcisms, demon possession, and church cover-ups are typical themes of Religious Thrillers.
Examples: The Devil’s Advocate, The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code
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