Evaluation
The task
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We researched the
generic conventions of thrillers exploring the thriller world with all the
media involved. These conventions included micro elements which were various
things such as cinematography, iconography, sound, editing and mise on scene.
We discovered the importance of each micro element and how it can be used
effectively to create emotion within the audience.We were put in to small groups according to all our different skills and abilities, and using research and our knowledge of thrillers we were given the task to create a 2 minute thriller opening. To start we came up with ideas for a thriller ideas were put forward by each member of the group and then we combined all our different thoughts and ideas, to create the final idea.
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However
before we started exploring ideas we had to research and plan out various
things. These things included creating a questionnaire, this was done to
investigate our target audience and what elements do they enjoy or think makes
a successful thriller. After the research that's when we brought
our final narrative idea to life by creating a storyboard. The storyboard
was a good way of saving time when it came to filming. This is because we had a
plan of what micro elements we needed and we could use it to help us remember certain
things in a particular scene. The storyboard also included ways in which we
could use different elements effectively when filming.
Does my thriller follow conventions of a thriller?
I agree that
I and my group created a conventional thriller film because we researched
well and understood what we needed to do as a group by looking at other
thrillers Such as 'TheUnborn'.While analysing the
thriller my group picked out some good techniques of cinematography that
could help our thriller improve. For example when we see a character scared we
wanted there to be a close up shot or medium close up. This is so the audience
can see and understand how the character is feeling. Another way our thriller was conventional when we create frightening scenes we used low key lighting to capture the emotion we want to give to the audience, as done in 'The unborn'.
Generic conventions within my thriller
My planning production was influenced by
my research a lot therefore I believe that I followed and developed generic
conventions of a thriller. Here are some examples.
There are many conventions used in
my group’s thriller for example the generic use of low key lighting is used to
create an intense setting of a scene. For example when Amber (the teenage girl)
walks home the use of low key lighting adds a dark and frightening effect that
the audience can sense.
We also used typical conventional
thriller characters. We have used different shot sizes and angles, like when
Amber sees the doll there is a close up to capture the emotion of the girl.
This was used to understand the characters feelings when she sees the doll and
it makes the audience feel shocked.
Non-diegetic sound is just one of
the type of sound used in our thriller. This sound is used when we see Amber
(the teenage girl) walking home in the dark you can hear the footsteps of her
shoes. This creates an intense atmosphere within the audience because of how
uncomfortable the sound makes you feel.
The
antagonist who is the little girl wears a white over grown shirt. This is
unexpected and would be rejected by typical thriller conventions this is
because you would expect the antagonist to wear black and dark colours. However
we decided to make her wear the protagonists colour because she’s a child and
the audience would be more frightful of her because they wouldn’t expect to see
a child being the evil character. Also she’s meant to be a ghost so white is a
good colour that could be used to represent a spirit. The protagonist on the
other hand
Our group have decided to use a jump cut. This has been used when we see
the teenage girl being possessed by the little girl in the bathroom scene. This
has been used to send unexpected rush of emotion to the audience by scary shots
appearing and disappearing not knowing what will be shown next.
Amber is the female victim she is very withdrawn and vulnerable.
This has to be represented by the way in which she carries herself. She is very
confident in the way she presents herself and we see this in the park scene
when she is walking through the park with her body upright. On the other hand
her facial expression is always dramatic especially towards the end when she
realises she’s being haunted. This is used to make the audience sympathise with
Amber because they now know how she is feeling.
The ghost child is very
static she doesn’t move as much as a normal child would because the audience
would not fear her as much. Her face also shows no emotion for the reason that
ghosts shouldn’t have feelings only a motive. This will make the audience
understand that the child is a ghost and she wants revenge which will make them
scared.
Conventions of target audience and opening credits
Before the filming process we had to research into different
things to make sure our film was as conventional as possible. One of the ways
we have to make our film conventional was by analysing other thriller films and
their opening credits. We did this to help our group understand what was needed
in our thriller opening. I then understood how it made me feel as an audience
member and how I wanted the audience to feel when they see my thriller. After
this I then tried to see how they brought that emotion out of me.
Once that was finished we looked at age certificates and
censorship trying to see what was acceptable for certain ages and audience
groups. We watched scream the opening as a group and we related the narrative
to the age certificate and tried to identify why it was chosen to be 18. Age
certificate 15 films can contain adult themes, hard drugs, strong language,
moderate violence and un-detailed sex references. “Beyond the grave” is a 15
certificate because of the fact that it may disturb younger children because of
the antagonist being a ghost child and they might get nightmares which is
unethical to their well-being. Also During this research we discovered that
conventional films tend to be round the age certificate 15 so as a group we
decided that this age group would suit our narrative in our thriller film.
My thriller following a conventional narrative structure
In order to create a thriller we needed a narrative
structure. We researched different narrative theorists such as Todorov,
Aristotle, Propp and Barthes. We understood their theories in depth and knew
their film structures. In the end my group went with Aristotle's structure
because it was simple and easy for us and the audience to follow.
