How Character (s), Mood, Themes and Story Order are evident in "Thriller" opening sequences

Character
·binary oppositions between protagonist/hero and villain/antagonist are common, but may not be introduced in the opening
·thriller antagonists are always human (not supernatural)
·it may not be clear who is to be trusted in the opening
·ENIGMA may be created around character
·there may be minimal dialogue

Themes
·crime
·urban decay
·passion
·morality/immorality

Mood/atmosphere
·suspense
·danger
·shock
·enigma
·darkness
·claustrophobia


Story Order (The Narrative)
·chronological and non-chronological order
·some use of flashbacks
·events in early narrative may create binary opposition between good and evil

Again, apply these terms in your initial research

Conventions that you may come across in the openings to thrillers

Camerawork
establishing shots to give character context/location
CUs to foreground props and character detail
shallow depth of field to draw attention to objects of significance
framing may conceal identity (restrict view) - called restricted narration - where only parts of body are visible
still (tripod) camera work (observation? suspense?)
hand held camera for realism and/or subjectivity

Mise en scene
·variety of exterior settings, but often urban , or rural (rarely suburban like Haywards Heath!)
·interior settings often reflect threat or sinister action
·props may add to characterisation, OR may create ENIGMA
·low key lighting
·desaturated colour
·costume, hair, make-up create realism and/or signal who spectator is expected to dislike or like

Editing
·continuity editing used for sense, flow, coherence and realism
·parallel editing used to connect 2 characters or places - simultaneous action
·cross cutting used to connect 2 or more characters and CREATE SUSPENSE
·occasionally: DISCONTINUITY EDITING (jump cuts) used to fragment and disrupt sequence, matching unsettling mood

Sound
·diegetic sound used for realism and/or mood
·non diegetic sound as music or sound fx used to construct mood/atmosphere and suspense
·dialogue used sparingly

Make links to these in your own independent research

Deadline two - initial research

By Friday 28th, (a weeks time), you will need to have blogged your research findings into 5 thriller openings. You can use one thriller that we have watched in class, however the other 4 need to be from your own independent research into thrillers.

Read the deadline instructions carefully in your booklet.

I expect to see lots of embedded video and screengrabs as well as clearly labelled and thorough textual analyis.

Deadline one - Friday 21st january

I will be marking your blogs over the weekend.

You have until midnight tonight to add thiose things required.

I have had a look and at present they are rather bare! A few location shots perhaps. You need atleast :-

1. Discussion of the task - what are these 3 things that you have been required to do? Explain each of the continuity terms, then consider how you can make this more exciting as a post - embed a video perhaps or find illustrations




. There are many tutorial type videos on Youtube. Perhaps then illustarte this particular technique by embedding a sequence from a real film or drama as a series of screen grabs. Then lastly, discuss how you did this in your film, both in words and screengrabs.

2. Your stiryboard should be posted

3. Your location work

4. Organisation that was necessary

5. Roles

6. You could document what equipment you have used. Challengers in the editing suite or in filming.

7. blog all decisions you have made.

8 the format - it must look like a blog - multimedia approach

Complaints about students filming

We have had some serious compalints from maintenance staff about students showing a lack of care and respect for the environments on site in which they have been filming. A toliet was doused in fake blood and then simply left for cleaners to clean up. Not only that, but also, this fake blood has seeped into the grouting and caused a lot of damage.

Secondly, gaffer tape was fixed to a wall and pulled off - result being several layers of paint were also peeled off the walls. This room will now have to be redecorated.

Please consider the consequences of your actions.