On Friday, fifth and sixth period, my media class went through specific conventions that a Thriller would use in order for an audience to establish the theme. Our main focus,amongst other elements, evolved around the Protagonist (main character, not always the hero) and the Antagonist (person who opposes to the Protagonist) and what their roles would usually be within a Thriller.
There are many conventions, including:
-A crime at the core of the narrative (often murder, but not necessarily)
-A complex narrative structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions.
-A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas which the viewer expects to be resolved.
-A Protagonist who is systematically dis-empowered and drawn into a complex web of intrigue by the antagonist.
-Extraordinary events happening in ordinary situations.
-Themes of identity
-Themes of mirroring
-Themes of voyeurism
-Protagonist with a "flaw" which is exploited by the Antagonist
-Titles often reflect an aspect of the pro/antagonist's psychological state.
-There is often a scene near the end of the film in which the Protagonist is in peril.
-Mise én scene which echos/mirrors the protagonist's plight.
These conventions will help my group in choosing what we need in order for ours to look and feel like a Thriller.
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Friday, 30 January 2009
Research: Analysis of Student Thrillers
On Wednesday, for preparation , Sir showed us a selection of past two minutes opening Thriller films from previous Robert Clack/All Saints students to analyse and make notes on. Two particular films that stood out were "8-ball" and "Puppet Note".
The element i was looking at whilst analysing was "How effective are these thrillers?"
"8-ball"- This was very cleverly framed. The camera mostly shot the lower body so the characters identity were hidden and their movements were emphasized. Other techniques that made this effective was:
-No dialogue, montage was used in order to inform the audience of the story line
-There wasn't any need to acting which could ruin the theme
-The editing is apparent to the viewer (style of editing made a smooth transition)
-There were a range of camera shots
-Many transition to give a fast and rapid pace
-The background (non-dialogue) music fitted the images of screen (parallel sound)
-The group used a tripod to maintain a steady effect.
-Mise én Scene; Black and white suits gave it a classy appeal
The snooker balls were always in the middle of the frame and relevant to the
film's title.
The only criticism i would comment on is the lighting was that the lighting was very poor in some area's so not everything was clearly noticeable.
"Puppet Note"- Techniques that made this effective was:
-The colour of the film was black and white which made it unique from the rest I've seen
-Well edited, "Match on action"
-Natural sound "car outside the setting"
-Background music comes in when the action starts to create tension
-A range of shots; close up on the killer, long shot to establish the setting, mid shots so the audience can focus on a character and the background at the same time.
-Used tripod to make shots steady
-Well framed
The only criticism i would comment on is that the acting was not believable. This ruined the tense atmosphere and the whole theme of the film.
The reason why i think we studied these Thrillers was for our group to gain idea's and see what certain elements made previous films successful in order to make ours just as effective. It also allowed us to understand what we shouldn't attempt to do.
The element i was looking at whilst analysing was "How effective are these thrillers?"
"8-ball"- This was very cleverly framed. The camera mostly shot the lower body so the characters identity were hidden and their movements were emphasized. Other techniques that made this effective was:
-No dialogue, montage was used in order to inform the audience of the story line
-There wasn't any need to acting which could ruin the theme
-The editing is apparent to the viewer (style of editing made a smooth transition)
-There were a range of camera shots
-Many transition to give a fast and rapid pace
-The background (non-dialogue) music fitted the images of screen (parallel sound)
-The group used a tripod to maintain a steady effect.
-Mise én Scene; Black and white suits gave it a classy appeal
The snooker balls were always in the middle of the frame and relevant to the
film's title.
The only criticism i would comment on is the lighting was that the lighting was very poor in some area's so not everything was clearly noticeable.
"Puppet Note"- Techniques that made this effective was:
-The colour of the film was black and white which made it unique from the rest I've seen
-Well edited, "Match on action"
-Natural sound "car outside the setting"
-Background music comes in when the action starts to create tension
-A range of shots; close up on the killer, long shot to establish the setting, mid shots so the audience can focus on a character and the background at the same time.
-Used tripod to make shots steady
-Well framed
The only criticism i would comment on is that the acting was not believable. This ruined the tense atmosphere and the whole theme of the film.
The reason why i think we studied these Thrillers was for our group to gain idea's and see what certain elements made previous films successful in order to make ours just as effective. It also allowed us to understand what we shouldn't attempt to do.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
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