For audience research I decided to do some research into what ages groups consumed thrillers the most and what sort of thrillers they were most engaged with. I started by using google and doing research via the internet to really find the audience I was trying to aim my thriller towards.
I came across a audience feedback questionnaire which had been carried out by an individual. Within this questionnaire they had a question regarding the ages of the people which consumed thriller films. From the results displayed below you can see a clear majority with the age group of 16 to 20 year old's being the winners. This was the common age group when I came across other sources on the internet, therefore confirming that this age group would be the correct audience to adapt my thriller opening sequences to.
As well as this audience research I wanted to also know what about a thriller intrigues them. This same question was present in the questionnaire I referenced previously with the question of 'What attracts you in particular to a thriller film?' As displayed below the answers seem to be in majority vote for 'Storyline' and 'Feeling of Suspense'. I wanted to make sure these two elements were included in my thriller. I felt that this would be essential to have in my thriller as it fits the conventions of a thriller perfectly as well as making it appealing for the target audience.
I started off by looking at a students work called Rory Ford. I watched his video a couple of times to see the weaknesses and strengths from his video that I could take and also prevent from happening in my thriller. One strength which I picked up on was the ambient sound that is present throughout the thriller. The ambient sound does a very good job of creating suspense and really giving and conveying that thriller feel to the whole piece. A weakness which I picked on almost immediately is the white balance on the camera, which you can see from the picture displayed below. The whole thriller was shot without the camera being white balanced properly. The shots look very washed out and yellow. This is something I will take from this video and make sure not to occur in my thriller.
I then did research into another students work called Aaron Hilton. I watched it a couple times and took notes on the strengths and weaknesses of the his thriller. A strength which I picked out were the special affects that he had put over some shots. From the picture displayed below you can see that he edited onto the screen a blood effect to give off suspense or create it. I think this works well for creating such feelings and will be something I will also try to carry out in my thriller film.
A weakness which I recognized again was the white balance that had not been done again in the video. As you can see from the picture below the white balance has clearly not been done and really gives off a yellow light and does not really play or add to the whole feel/convention of a thriller at all. This is a weakness that I will make sure does not occur in my thriller film.
I then looked into another students work and watched their video. I looked into a students video called Alex Noble. I watched their video a couple times and picked up a strength which was the audio. The dialogue audio was very clear and had good sound quality to it. This audio had clearly been recorded separately and then matched the mouth movements with the audio when they came to edit the video. This is a strength that I would like to take over to my thriller and use.
A weakness that I picked up was the camera quality and how the whole video seemed very grey and low quality. The colours were washed out and didn't really give any clear quality shots of anything as you can see from the screenshot below. This could be down to the ISO being set too low as well as improper focus. When it comes to filming my video I will make sure the camera has been set to correct settings as well as having it focused properly for all shots. Also making sure colour corrections are done correctly in the editing stage.
Throughout the whole of the opening credits the only camera shots used were close up shots. The close up shots included pictures of people maybe criminals and also pages of written information. The close up shots of these props helped to emphasize and suggest what the movie is going to be about. With the the criminal mugshots and pages of information it suggests that the film is going to be a crime thriller. The close ups are also crucial to the opening credits as it helps to suggest what the movie is about and also makes the viewer really focus on the detail.
Sound plays a massive part in the opening credits for se7en. The sound effects that are used help to give the movie a mysterious unusual feel to the movie before it even starts, this helps to set the scene for the rest of the film. The sounds used are screeching, radio tuning and supernatural sounds. All of these sounds really help to suggest what the movie is about and gives the uneasy feel that they want to give before the movie starts. The laughter of a child really helps to suggest and emphasize what the movie will include and gives the thriller feel to it. The music playing throughout the opening credits is a very heavy bass beat that continues with the slight wining sound effect to go along with it. This combined with the sound effects really gives the opening credits a creepy and scary feeling to it. The sounds used are really alien like giving it a real thriller feel to it. Nearer to the end of the opening credits the speed of everything slightly speeds up, this creates tension as it gives the feeling of something is about to happen and then it is all gone in seconds when the sound stops and it goes straight into the film.
Editing again plays a massive part in this opening credits to se7en. The editing is very well done at show casing the thriller feel to a film that is needed. The fast straight cuts and distorted images really help to create a thriller like look. Image distortion really emphasizes the weird things that may occur ahead in the film. The red banner that flashes on to the screen gives it the feeling of murder as the colour red is associated with blood. The scratch marks on the screen that appear every now and then really give the consensus of murder and death when it is put along side all of the other things that flash on the screen. The fast straight cuts keep the opening credits moving quickly suggesting sudden situations that will be sprung upon the viewer later on in the film. The dissolving of images into each other also help to showcase the things to happen later on and it is all done quickly to really give a thriller feel to the whole thing.
The little lighting that is used helps to give the opening credits the thriller feel and also creates tension. The clips that are used in the opening credits are very dark and sometimes do have light in but only from a lamp. This creates tension with the dark imagery and with the props that are included, makes the props and lighting fit really well together. The props used in the opening credits are sheets of information, razor, mugshots and ink pens. All of these props play a key part in suggesting to the viewer what the film is going to be about. They are all linked to crime as the reports would be the sheets that are in the opening credits. The ink pen would be the pen which would be used to write the police reports. The razor suggests the death and danger that is going to be ahead later in the film. The mugshots suggest the criminal activity and the crime ahead. All of these props as you can see fit together very well to create the image of a crime thriller.
The Titles used in the credits:
The only camera shot that is used is a wide shot. This is used to show the road. The only thing that is in the camera shot is the road which is only partly visible to show the closer end of the road as it moves. The road moves to simulate us the viewer, moving along the road quickly.
The sound plays a key role in the opening credits of this film as the opening does not really have much in it so the sound is one of the main things in it. The music that is used in the opening credits is fast paced and includes a fast drum beat, string instrument, a piano and male singer. The fast paced music that is used fits the picture perfectly as the the picture is a road moving quickly which is matched with the music which has a fast tempo to it. This could also suggest that the film may have something to do with a chase and could include some sort of crime as car chase is suggested by the fast paced music and picture. Apart from the music there is no more real sound apart from this.
There is very little editing in this opening credits. The only real obvious editing done is the title credits that come up on the screen. The title credits are edited so that they fly onto the screen as if the camera drove into them on the road. This quite a neat affect and goes well with the whole theme of it. The text flying onto the screen helps to suggest what the film might be about, with the car chase being a possibility. This is the only real editing in the opening credits.
The lighting in the opening credits suggests that the film might be some sort of thriller. This is suggested as thrillers tend to have little lighting and this is performed in the opening sequence of Lost Highway. Also the little lighting that is in the opening credits is blue lights which are pointed towards the road, This may suggest that they are police lights and this then again emphasizes the fact that it might be a car chase.
The scene is only the road in the opening credits. This may suggest that the film may have a big role in car chases or police chases. This is all suggested through the road and the lights projected onto the road.
Camera shots are used in casino royale to create tension. This done a few times in the opeing through close up shots. In the close up shots they are sometimes used for showing the expression on the characters faces. This creates tension as we can often predict what is going to happen from the feelings expressions through the face. Close up shots are also used to create tension as when the character discovers James is in his office he opens up his desk draw to reveal a gun. When this occurs a close up shot is used. This creates tension as it emphasizes the danger in James being there and also because we know the gun is there but James doesn't.
A establishing shot or a wide shot is used in the very beginning of the scene to create tension. This done as in this shot it is very clear that no one is around and it is in the middle of the night. This gives a scary and mysterious feel to the shot and creates tension. The tension is created as the character is in a very quite area.
Sound is used very well in the opening sequence to create tension. This is done when the make character is getting out of his car to enter in the building into his office. The sound is produced with some string instruments and some sort of trombone or trumpet. The instruments are played quite quickly to create the tension even further that something bad is going to happen. The speed in which the instruments are played is increased at certain points to really emphasize the danger. This is done when the male character pulls out his gun a pulls the trigger on Bond. The pace of music picks up at this point.
Sound is also emphasized when action is occurring. This is done when James is fighting another male character, all of the punches and kicks are emphasized and louder than usual. This is done to emphasize the fight and the danger which is involved in the fight.
Editing is very simple through out most of the opening scene. Straight cuts are used and the length in shots are very normal. The Increase in straight cuts increases when the characters are fighting. This is done to emphasize the danger and to build up more tension. By having it straight cut fast all of the time when the characters are fighting, this makes it hard for the audience to keep their eye on one point.
Costume is used in this opening scene to represent business men. This is done by the characters wearing suits. Suits are also worn as suits are usually associated with special agents and creates the image of a special agent when worn by James.
Props are also used to create tension and to represent a special agent. A gun is used as a prop and this creates tension as when don't know what is going to happen with the gun and it also represents a special agent as they are recognized for being able to carry and use a fire arms.
The set in which the opening sequence is shot in helps to create tension as it is very remote in a sense as the male characters gets out of the car in some sort of back street. The set also creates tension as it has no one around and its night.
Lighting is not really used in this opening scene. There is very minimal lighting used to help create tension and to emphasize the fact that James is a special agent. This is done as he is almost sneaked into the characters office in the night which is suggested through the lighting being minimal. The lighting is also very hard to see as the shot is in black and white which further creates tension.
Some of the first camera shots used in the opening of Jurassice Park is a close up shot. This shot is used to create tension. Tenion is created as the close ups of the characters faces shows the expressions and the expressions convey fear. This creates tension as this happens before they show the cage that the dinosaur is in. A midshot is used at the very beginning but then zooms into a close up shot. This is done to emphasize the facial expression of the character. Another shot that is used in the opening scene is a high angle shot. This is used to again create tension as the shot as it emphasizes the size of the crate with the dinosaur in side compared to the size of the humans. Another shot that is used to emphasize the size of the dinosaur is a low angle shot. This is used to show the shear size if the dinosaur inside the crate and puts into perspective the task that the keepers have on their hands to safely get the dinosaur in the enclosure.
The sound used at the beginning of the opening scene is rustling of the the trees. This is done to create tension as the viewer does not know what is causing the rustling behind the tree. There is also slight grunting sound from a animal which suggests that is the thing causing the rustling in the trees. Another thing that is used is ambient sound. This is used when they are lowering the crate down and all of the workers are helping guiding it in. The ambient sound is the workers shouting to guide in the crate. The sound suggests that there are a lot of people involved with getting this crate down onto the ground. This emphasizes the fact of how dangerous the dinosaur is as there are multiple people trying to help with the big crate. The sound of the equipment such as the forklift are part of the ambient sound.This also adds to the representation of regional identity.
Editing in the opening scene of Jurassic park is very simple and only really involves straight cuts. This is done at the beginning to paint the picture in the audiences minds that everything is running smoothly with regards to the transfer of the dinosaur. There is straight cuts and the shots last around 5+ seconds. The pace in which the shots occur when the guy is being attacked increases. The editing is used at this point to create tension and to emphasize the action which is going on. Straight cuts are still used but the shots and the length of the shots is shortened through editing. This therefore creates tension.
Mise en scene is used in this opening sequence to represent the keepers of the dinosaur enclosure. This is done through the costumes. The characters in the opening sequence are seen wearing desert coloured hiking gear which represents the look of what a typical zoo keeper would wear. The cowboy hats the the keepers wear also helps to represent the look of a keeper.
Props are used for mise en scene in the opening sequence of Jurassic park to create tension. This is done by using the prop of a gun and stun gun. This prop helps to emphasize the task at hand and that the task of moving the dinosaur is dangerous. This creates tension.
The set in which they are filming also helps to represent the wild like feel that they want for Jurassic park. The scenery is all green and tropical, this helps to represent the feel of wilderness which is associated with dinosaurs.
Lighting is used in a interesting way in the opening of Jurassic park. The lighting is visible in most of the shots and is used to show that it is night time when they are moving the dinosaur. This helps to add to tension as they are trying to perform such a big task in the middle of the night, The lighting also shows that the place in which they are transporting this dinosaur is not very well lit up, again adding to the severity of the task.
A camera shot that is used throughout the opening is a close up shot. Most of the shots are close ups, this is done to capture the detail of certain objects and is used when the fire is spreading, to emphasize the danger and create tension. Another thing that is done with close up shots is that they camera never shows the characters face that is dressed in black. The camera not showing the face creates tension as we do not know who it is and adds a mysterious feel to the scene. The close up shot is used a lot to show the expression on the males face and to also show in detail certain props that are key to what is happening. For example there is a close up shot on the guy this is to emphasize the fact that he is about to shoot it. After this shot, the gun fires, which is then followed by long shots of the scenery around them. This is done to show that they are alone and no one is around to help. Another thing that is done by the camera shots is the dominance the other character has. This is done by using low angle shots pointing up towards the other character suggesting that they have more power over the male on the floor below. This creates tension as it leaves the viewer thinking what is going to happen when the more dominate one is stood above the male character on the floor.
Sound fits very nicely with the shots used in the opening. One example of this is again when the shooting is occurring. In this part when the gun is being fired a couple of times the shot changes to different long shots. This is done to emphasize how loud the gun shot is and to show no one is around. Another thing done very well with the sound is the ambient sound used constantly through the opening. The Ambient sound used is some sort of string instrument, like a violin. The pitch of the violin heightens at certain points to emphasize the danger in the scene. When the cigarette is dropped for a second time the ambient sound which is the violin increases to emphasize the action that has taken place and also adds tension.
Editing is used in the opening of The Usual Suspects to create tension. This is done by the straight cuts which are synced with the ambient sound and sound effects. This is shown in the end of the opening the scene when the explosion occurs. When the sound effect for the explosion happens the straight cut occurs to the explosion. This adds tension as the sound and the matching cut emphasize the explosion and the danger which creates tension as it leaves the viewer wondering what is going to happen next.
Dark lighting is used for Mise En Scene to create tension. This is done throughout the whole thing to creates tension. Minimal lighting makes the character visible just so that you can still see what is going on. The minimal lighting gives the whole opening scene a dark, scary and criminal feel to the opening scene. This all creates tension. The lighting used is sort of orange this is because the lighting in the opening scene is supposed to represent the light coming from the fire around them. This is done to create tension as you can see that the light is from the fire which emphasizes the danger that the male character is in as he is surrounded by fire.
Costume is used for Mise En Scene to show the class and status between the two characters. The class and status is shown between the two characters as the guy sat on the ship floor is wearing scruffy looking clothes. This could suggest that he is wearing work clothes as they done look very clean and his overall appearance suggests that he does not really care about his appearance. The other person on the other hand is wearing what looks like detective clothes with a long coat and is shown with a gold watch. This suggests that he is more wealthy and that he has a high status than the other character as he is a detective.
The props used in the opening scene were mostly cigarettes and a gun. These props are used to create tension as they both have a negative affect in the whole scene. The cigarette sets fire to the fuel causing danger and the gun obviously causes danger as it is aimed at the victims head and then shot. This creates tension as the both the props cause danger in the opening scene.
Se7en is about two homicide detectives who are desperately trying to find out who is committing the murders, The serial killer justify's his killings by absolution for the worlds ignorance of the seven deadly sins. The two detectives names are Detective Somerset and Detective Mills. These two join together on the case to hunt down the serial killer. The two detectives keep discovering more bodies frequently and are trying to piece together the mystery of who is committing such murders. The first sin/murder they come across is Gluttony as they discover a gruesome body which has basically burst after being forced to eat until death. The murder scene is very graphic and disturbing giving the film a thriller feel to it. Detective somerset sets about trying to get into the killers mind by researching about the seven deadly sins while Detective somerset tries his best efforts to get into the killers mind. Greed, Sloth, Lust, pride, Envy and Wrath follow in order from the first murder. All of the other murders being equally disturbing and graphic as well. The last two Envy and Wrath are a little different and include the Detective Somerset. For envy they take the serial killer who at this time as handed himself in and has told them he will show them the last two bodies if the two Detectives agree to go to a certain destination. They all arrive at the location with the serial killer repeatedly telling Detective Mills that he admires him and his family this signify's Envy. Then a van appears in the distance Somerset tells mills to stay where he is with the serial killer while Somerset investigates the delivery van. The delivery van pulls up and Somerset tells the driver to get out and asks him what he is doing here. The delivery driver says that he was asked to deliver a box at Seven o'clock at this location. The driver then gets the box where Somerset opens it to find Detective Mills's wife's head inside. Mills then realizes and struggles not to shoot the serial killer right then but then comes to the conclusion and then shoots the killer completing Envy and Wrath.
