Watching Thriller Openings

Heat:
In Heat the opening scene is of a train moving away from the camera, this could represent that the narrative has started, playing to a thriller convention of entering the narrative straight away. This is reinforced by the majority of the shots of Robert Deniro walking away from the camera. Also, whilst Robert Deniro is walking through the hospital the environmental sounds are heightened so that they are unrealistically loud. These sounds add contextual intensity as the noises are relevant to the scene. Making diegetic sounds louder than they actually are could be useful when making our thriller opening as it helps create atmosphere.



No Country For Old Men:
Initially there are several long shot contrasting with the expected convention of jumpy shots used to create tension. The one diagetic sound during the shot is of a strong wind representing the antagonist, as the one wind reflects how one character can ruin a tranquil community - which is created by the long shots of the barren landscape. The protagonist is introduced trough the medium of sound, another contrast to convention.During the scene in which the antagonist strangles the police offer we are presented with several different camera angles throughout. These, when quickly cut portray the police offers struggle and imminent death. We will use quick editing in our production to portray our protagonists state of mind in a similar way.

Feedback

We told the rest of our class our pitch. We told them about the narrative, and the mise-en-scene, then the class gave us feedback. The pitch went well as we recieved minimal negative feedback. One point that was raised was that the narrative after the initial opening scene was not initially apparent and the opening scene gives no clue to the resolution. We explained the resolution of the film nd how it wasn't necessary to include a clue to the resolution in our credits. This would ruin the mysterious feel to the film.

In all feedback was primarily positive and our peers seemed to enjoy the narrative and looked forward to seeing the final product.

Aphex Twin - Rubber Johnny

This video has provided inspiration in several aspects, in terms of the; mise-en-scene, camera work and special effects used. It's especially relevance as maximum affects are achieved with minimum funding. Chris Cunningham uses and transforms certain aspects of his body to create the creature. He uses his scrotum to create his abnormally large head. Shock tactics are used to create the initial tense and edgy atmosphere.

Planning For Our Thriller!

These are the following ideas we have for our thriller project.

Characters:
Mad man
Detective
Gangsters

Narrative:
He was an undercover detective part of a gang. However, the man became too involved and was cut from the case but decided to continue his investigation through his own methods. Furthermore the man is internally torn between his allegiance to the gang and their lifestyle, and his integral morals and detective background.

Atmosphere:
Inside the room: Dark and dingy. Flickering lights. Minimalistic. Mysterious.
Flashbacks: Desperation. Reminiscent. Quick.

Micro-elements:
Camerawork - A selection of extreme close-ups - close ups - medium shots and long shots to create a feeling of disorientation.
Mise-en-scene - Minimal amount of props in room, only simple items; pen, paper, light, desk, chair. low key lighting.
Editing - Quick and edgy. Unpredictable. Sporadic. creating viewer disorientation.
Sound - dark and dingy sound effects. (dropping of water, wind sound efects, high pitched noises over a low base sound)
Special Effects - Minimal amounts as this may destroy realism. May use 'night-vision' or an archaic effect on flashbacks.

Our Prouction Logo/Video

This is the final version of our production company logo; Blunt Productions.

Review of professionally made Thriller.

We have chosen to review 'The Dark Knight'. This movie is, without a doubt, a very prolific thriller.

The movie uses ironic iconology. The main antagonist has the appearence of a clown which can be taken from different perspectives. Firstly there is a hint of ironey as traditionally clowns ca nconnot jest and humour. However the more contemporary approach to clown is one of contempt and is now a common phobia within out society. As a reverberation of this, his appearance connotes fear etc. On the other end of the spectrum, the protagonist is portrayed as a bat which is also ironic in that a bat is another common fear. Showing that the two characters are similar but also completely different in their motives. This similarity between the antagonist and protagonist is a common trait in many a Thriller movies. A particular point in the film.

Review of previously made Thriller

This short title sequence embeds many features of the criteria, concluding in its level 4 status. We believe this is appropiately rewarded as the video meets the thriller criteria. It especially excels in factors such as the mise-en-scene. For instance, the colors in particular; red is used as it can connote looming danger and blood- death. Furthermore, the accompanying music has been well considered, create an eery atmosphere and tension is created. However a few of the designated settings - the bedroom- stand out in a negative light and makes the production seem less professional as it breaks the continuity.