The thriller genre was first created in the 1800's as a type of novel that was considered "trash-y" the characteristics of a Thriller according to Gilbert Keith Chesterton the genre was mainly set in urban landscapes and was an attempt to find "the poetry of modern life" and finding excitement in everyday elements, making the ordinary extraordinary. Northrop Frye built upon this by going on to state that the hero is often an ordinary person forced to work with Chesterton's extraordinary world. Frye also compared thrillers to romance, of that he said that heros in romance were "superior in degree to other men and to his environment" who “moves in a world in which the ordinary laws of nature are slightly suspended.” Comparing the setting of an old fairy tale romance he said that the enchanted forest was just a modern city. John Cawelti combined the views of both Chesterton and Frye, Cawelti claimed that thrillers transforms the city from "a modern commerce, industry and science into a place of enchantment & mystery" he then claimed that this is produced by introducing "the exotic" into the everyday world.
W.H. Matthews work relates to mazes and labyrinths in fiction. Matthews talked about the image of Theseus descending into an underground maze full of twists, turns, puzzles and dead-ends. He said that to design a thriller narrative you must add complex twists and turns so that the audience doesn't solve the problems too easily but it should be designed so that the audience could deduce it. Pascal Bonitzer, a French screenwriter and actor thought that Matthew's was describing "partial vision" when he advocates mazes. Pascal thought that the audience should only see so much, what the audience doesn't see is part of the system of thrillers. The narrative should pick it's way through a maze.
Noël Carroll used the Question-Answer model. He said that it is imprtant to create questions, which keeps the audience in suspense until they are answered. He said that the audience should wonder if the hero should survive, which keeps the format different for audiences. One factor for creating suspense is a battle against odds (the probability factor). The moral factor also increases suspense as it may not be morally right for the hero to survive however the audience has become attached.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
Section 2: Research Into Examples Of Thriller Opening Scenes
Seven (Fincher, 1995) is a thriller about two detectives called David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and how they try and catch John Doe (Kevin Spacey)
Narrative Structure
The narrative is linear, all the events transpire in a chronological order over a single week. Murders in the film are based on the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy and pride.
The narrative is linear, all the events transpire in a chronological order over a single week. Murders in the film are based on the seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy and pride.
Thriller Codes and Conventions
Seven pays heed to several different thriller codes and conventions. For example, it is set in every day city with all the outside scenes use a dark colour tone, plus it is always raining, creating a gritty mood. Seven uses Bonitzer’s theory of teasing the audience with little bit causing them to want to know more.
Camerawork
The vast majority of the time when ever Mills and Somerset are talking the camera are eye level. This shows there equal status and importance. A hand held camera is used when Mills is chasing John which is used to show the emotions running during this scene.
Mise En Scene
The general feel of the film is a dark, brooding feel. Typical of city detective stories. Except the ending scene which takes places in sunny open fields, almost snatching Mills and Somerset from their comfort zones. Also of note is the use of binary opposites in this film, such as the drastic opposition of the main characters; Somerset is a old, worn out and calm cop whereas Mils is much more younger, energetic and restless.
Sound
A lot of diegetic sound is used in the film to help build the world of the film, such as traffic and rain to build the idea that their city is just a regular, hectic city. An interesting part of the film is the scene in Somersets apartment where he uses a metronome and blocks the city noise out, this shows that Somerset is doesn't want to live the city life but wants to retire to a calm, relaxing life rather than the turbulent, violent life his current job holds for him.
Editing
The opening sequence is shot in black and white using close ups, dead bodies and blood in order to make the view feel uncomfortable, this always starts to build up hatred for the killer.
Red Eye
Narrative Structure
The film follows a linear path, introducing the characters within the first few minutes.
Thriller Codes and Conventions
Red Eye uses the typical conventions such as a dark, gritty city, music building suspense and using Bonitzer's partial vision to capture the audiences attention, by showing the mystery box and also the theft of the wallet.
Camerawork
Cinematography in Red Eye uses close ups to interest the audience, creating Bonitzer's tease effect. The camera follows the action as well, such as following the box in the truck, acting almost like the audience creating a curiosity.
Mise-en-scene
The start of the film is very calm and normal, showcasing a regular house. We see some pictures of a girl showing that she is smart, attractive and athletic, the sport she is playing is hockey, which is a stereotypically aggressive sport showing that the girl is quite strong.
Sound
Sound is used to great extent in thriller films to help build suspense, Red Eye is no exception to this rule. The music gives pace to the film, also the diegetic sound help builds the horror feeling such as the car doors slamming and doors creaking. Also whenever the film gets faster, so too does the music.
Graphics
The credits in this film are simple black and white, which connotes the binary opposition of good and evil. The title follows this style in that it is very simple, however the title is red, which connotes blood and death. The simple graphics suggest that the film makers don't want the audience to focus too much on this subject however
State of Play
Narrative Structure
The film follows a linear path, showing a chase scene it is more straight forward than the previous two films introductions. However we do not know why the chase scene is happening.
Thriller Codes and Conventions
Political thrillers are usually always set in a major city, in this case Washington, one of the most politically powerful cities in the world. Also the chase scene is at night time and it is raining, not very original, however it does help set the tone that something bad is happening/about to happen.
Camerawork
The camera shakes during the chase scene which helps build the tension and pace.
Mise-en-scene
The city is shown as a dark and gritty city however you do see shots of key political buildings connoting a dark, seedy under belly of a political world.
Sound
There is a big use of diegetic sound used in the chase scene, such as an emphasis on the mans heavy breathing as he is running, this builds tension.
Graphics
The opening shot shows that the location is Washington, this is a pretty obvious place to set a political thriller. Also the graphics mirror the look and feel of The Star Spangled Banner.
Section 3: Brainstorm of Ideas For Your Film
Our final idea was a bride killer who kills his ex girlfriend who is about to marry someone else. She is his first victim. He sneaks into her house and stabs her to death.
TITLE: Till Death Do Us Part – Certificate 15
The reason why we have chosen a 15 Certificate is because our film is not as violent that only over 18's would be allowed to watch it. There are not included many brutal scenes apart from stabbing Adele at the end. We mainly focused on presenting thriller ideas such as suspense atmosphere when Henry is sneaking into Adele's house. We tried to make the audience think and become interested in the main character who is Henry, as well as his motives - why does he kill brides?
Section 5: Treatment
Treatment
'Till death do us part' will be a film about a man who hates love and happiness and feels better when he kills bride to be's in his area.
Concept
A troubled young man called Henry kills his ex-girlfriend who is getting married and then he gets a taste for killing bride to be's.
Synopsis
The film in which we are making is based around the story of Henry Jenkins. Henry was a normal guy with an everyday office job until he was stood up at the altar at his wedding. Filled with venomous rage, he finds that his bride to be (Adele) is to get married, so he goes to the wedding and kills adele whilst she is getting ready. The groom (Tom Rhodes) swears vengance on Henry. Henry goes onto a killing spree, killing wives around his area. He eventually decides to settle down, and get married himself, whilst henry is getting ready for his wedding night, mike steps into the room and murders him as the credits roll.
Opening scene
The film will begin with the wedding invite of Adele's wedding, then henry getting ready for her wedding then Adele getting ready and putting her necklace on. Henry then rips up the invite up as he is jelous. After this Henry picks up a rope and the shots change between Henry walking to Adele's house and Adele getting ready. Then he kills her.
Target Audience
'Till death do us part' will be aimed as a 15 rating as there will be gore and violence in this film, but not too a ridiculous extent. There will also be quite a large amount of bad language in the film which will not be suitable for chrildren under 15. We want this film to be a 15 as we want it to appeal to a late teen audience or mid 20's.
'Till death do us part' will be a film about a man who hates love and happiness and feels better when he kills bride to be's in his area.
Concept
A troubled young man called Henry kills his ex-girlfriend who is getting married and then he gets a taste for killing bride to be's.
Synopsis
The film in which we are making is based around the story of Henry Jenkins. Henry was a normal guy with an everyday office job until he was stood up at the altar at his wedding. Filled with venomous rage, he finds that his bride to be (Adele) is to get married, so he goes to the wedding and kills adele whilst she is getting ready. The groom (Tom Rhodes) swears vengance on Henry. Henry goes onto a killing spree, killing wives around his area. He eventually decides to settle down, and get married himself, whilst henry is getting ready for his wedding night, mike steps into the room and murders him as the credits roll.
Opening scene
The film will begin with the wedding invite of Adele's wedding, then henry getting ready for her wedding then Adele getting ready and putting her necklace on. Henry then rips up the invite up as he is jelous. After this Henry picks up a rope and the shots change between Henry walking to Adele's house and Adele getting ready. Then he kills her.
Target Audience
'Till death do us part' will be aimed as a 15 rating as there will be gore and violence in this film, but not too a ridiculous extent. There will also be quite a large amount of bad language in the film which will not be suitable for chrildren under 15. We want this film to be a 15 as we want it to appeal to a late teen audience or mid 20's.
Section 6: Character Outlines and Script
EXT. STREET. EVENING - The camera shows a generic house, the area around the house doesn’t show wealth however does not signify poverty either. Creepy music starts, slowly bilding.
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Pan shot moving from left to right showing an invitation to Adele Price & Tom Fury’s wedding.Camera snaps to an extreme close up of a man fixing his tie, deliberately the camera cuts off at the neck, not showing the face. Music continues building.
EXT. STREET. EVENING - Show of a different house than the one above, area show’s more wealth.Music slows, gets a little softer.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Shot of a girl putting on a necklace, framing the exact same as the 3rd shot.Music becomes almost loving.
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Over the shoulder view of somebody holding a picture with the necklace girl, guy takes it out of the frame.Camera cuts to a close up of hands ripping up the picture. Music takes on a slightly sinister tone whilst keeping the undercurrent of loving from the previous shot. Gets more sinister as the picture gets ripped.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Close up, side on the girl in the picture, wearing the necklace, putting lipstick on in front of a mirror. Again the current of love and innocence becomes dominant in the music.
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Mid shot of legs, hands pick up rope.Bird’s eye, dutch angled close up of the rope on a table.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Pan shot, going from left to right, showing a mid shot of Adele.
EXT. FIELD. EVENING - Camera stays static looking at the field, in the foreground is a path, a person walks past quickly. Camera lingers on the field for a two seconds longer.
EXT. HOUSE. EVENING - Extreme close up on a door handle showing somebody wear a glove opening it.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Over-the-shoulder shot of killer holding rope up, camera’s focused on this rather than the girl in the mirror, who is blurred in the background.
Character Outlines
Henry Jenkins:
Henry, 21, the bride killer, is a very troubled young man who kills brides-to-be. He grew up in a council estate with an abusive father and a depressed mother who kills herself when Henry is only 7. The father, John Jenkins, takes his wife’s death out on the son. Needless to say, the boy grows up with some issues, he starts dating a girl named Adele Price when they are both 18. Adele is the town whore who dumps Henry after he tries to change her for the better. He snaps and swears revenge. 3 years go by and Henry is working in a boring office job at Dunder Mifflin when he hears that Adele is getting married. Henry kills Adele on her wedding day and sub sequentially gets a taste for killing brides. He goes on a killing spree…
Adele Price:
Adele, 21, the first victim, is a tramp. She grew up being a lonely child and getting all the attention. She starts dating Henry Jenkins when she is 18 however they soon split as Adele can’t keep in one relationship too long. She meets an unfortuante end where she dies by the knife of Henry Jenkins.
Nick Fury:
Nick, 24 is an ex-SAS trained killer. He comes back from service doing top secret
assassinations for S.H.I.E.L.D. and decides to marry the love of his life, Adele. After Adele is murdered he must go rampage blowing as much stuff up as he can to catch his wife’s murderer. He has lost everything and nothing will stop him…
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Pan shot moving from left to right showing an invitation to Adele Price & Tom Fury’s wedding.Camera snaps to an extreme close up of a man fixing his tie, deliberately the camera cuts off at the neck, not showing the face. Music continues building.
EXT. STREET. EVENING - Show of a different house than the one above, area show’s more wealth.Music slows, gets a little softer.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Shot of a girl putting on a necklace, framing the exact same as the 3rd shot.Music becomes almost loving.
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Over the shoulder view of somebody holding a picture with the necklace girl, guy takes it out of the frame.Camera cuts to a close up of hands ripping up the picture. Music takes on a slightly sinister tone whilst keeping the undercurrent of loving from the previous shot. Gets more sinister as the picture gets ripped.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Close up, side on the girl in the picture, wearing the necklace, putting lipstick on in front of a mirror. Again the current of love and innocence becomes dominant in the music.
INT. LIVING ROOM. EVENING - Mid shot of legs, hands pick up rope.Bird’s eye, dutch angled close up of the rope on a table.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Pan shot, going from left to right, showing a mid shot of Adele.
EXT. FIELD. EVENING - Camera stays static looking at the field, in the foreground is a path, a person walks past quickly. Camera lingers on the field for a two seconds longer.
EXT. HOUSE. EVENING - Extreme close up on a door handle showing somebody wear a glove opening it.
INT. BATHROOM. EVENING - Over-the-shoulder shot of killer holding rope up, camera’s focused on this rather than the girl in the mirror, who is blurred in the background.
Character Outlines
Henry Jenkins:
Henry, 21, the bride killer, is a very troubled young man who kills brides-to-be. He grew up in a council estate with an abusive father and a depressed mother who kills herself when Henry is only 7. The father, John Jenkins, takes his wife’s death out on the son. Needless to say, the boy grows up with some issues, he starts dating a girl named Adele Price when they are both 18. Adele is the town whore who dumps Henry after he tries to change her for the better. He snaps and swears revenge. 3 years go by and Henry is working in a boring office job at Dunder Mifflin when he hears that Adele is getting married. Henry kills Adele on her wedding day and sub sequentially gets a taste for killing brides. He goes on a killing spree…
Adele Price:
Adele, 21, the first victim, is a tramp. She grew up being a lonely child and getting all the attention. She starts dating Henry Jenkins when she is 18 however they soon split as Adele can’t keep in one relationship too long. She meets an unfortuante end where she dies by the knife of Henry Jenkins.
Nick Fury:
Nick, 24 is an ex-SAS trained killer. He comes back from service doing top secret
assassinations for S.H.I.E.L.D. and decides to marry the love of his life, Adele. After Adele is murdered he must go rampage blowing as much stuff up as he can to catch his wife’s murderer. He has lost everything and nothing will stop him…
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