Research Task by Becky

1. Requiem for a Dream
Camera Work

• A point of view shot is used when the mother is looking through the key hole. This was used so that the audience can see through her perspective and see what level she is at compared to her son, who she is peering at through the key hole. 

• A close-up is used when the mother is in the bathroom. This has been used so that the audience can clearly see her emotions and her reactions to what is being said to her, from the other character in the other room. 

Mise-en-scene

• Everyday props such as a table, a lamp and a telephone have been used to create realism. This psychological thriller is meant to be realistic and having props that everybody else uses, makes the audience automatically think that this is meant to be a normal home, in everyday life. 
• Again, to create realism, the characters hair, make-up and costumes have been done in a way that portrays them as 'normal' people, so that people can possibly relate to them. As the film begins with what we can presume is a T.V. programme, we wonder why we are seeing this. When the camera cuts to the characters in the house, the main focus is the on son, trying to take the T.V. This creates enigma and questions. Why is he taking the T.V.? and what has a T.V. got to do with anything?
• The lighting is supposed to be natural, as it is coming through the window. When the mother locked herself in the bathroom, she perhaps feels isolates and upset with her son, to reflect this, low key lighting has been used. In the other room, where the son is shouting and rushing around, high key lighting has been used, which possibly makes him look superior to his mother.

Editing

• Quick cuts have been used because a lot of shouting and running around is happening in the house, so this creates confusion and disorientates the audience. 



An example from later in the film of a split screen.

• A split screen has been used, which is strange as the characters are only a door away from each other. In other films such as '(500) Days of Summer' they used it to show distance. I think this has been used because it shows each of their emotions, and possibly to show comparison between each of the characters and show what their relationship is like with one another.

Sound

• There is a lot of dialogue used in this opening sequence, which is not at all common in thrillers. It isn't a common convention which I think makes this film all the more interesting.
• The soundtrack is however something common in thrillers. Dark ominous music has been used to create suspense and build tension.

Types of character again aren't something common to thrillers. A mother and an adult son isn't perhaps what you would expect.
The narrative order is what appears to be chronological.
I would definitely say the theme for this thriller is psychological.


2. Shutter Island
Camera Work

• An establishing shot is of an old looking boat out at sea is the first thing we see. This has been used to give the audience context of where the story begins and possibly what to expect.



The establishing shot

• A close-up is used of what we can presume is the main character. He looks fairly scruffy and not the type to care about his appearance, therefore the close-up automatically tells the audience what kind of man he his, just by his appearance and the way he presents himself. 

Mise-en-scene

• The costume of the two characters automatically sets the time period for this film without even seeing anything else. They are wearing old-fashioned suits, with the typical trilby hats from the 50's and 60's. 
• The props in this film show that this film will have a crime element to it. Props such as a gun, chains, handcuffs and old rusty doors suggest we won't be watching a comedy. 

• Lighting in this scene is meant to look natural, so when sunlight is coming through the window, it creates realism. However, when the main character steps outside, it is all cloudy and the colour is a low grading and desaturated colour. This channels the theme of the film, as it is a thriller, the colouring won't exactly be bright and full of sunshine, therefore with a dim and dull grading, its goes with the scene. 

Editing

• In this opening, a flashback has been used to show more background information on the main character. He is telling a story to the other character, and the flashback channels what he is saying.
• The cuts in this film aren't at all short and quick, they are much longer and slower. This is because in this particular scene, there isn't a tremendous amount of action as we are just learning about the character. It would be inappropriate to have a lot of cuts when there isn't much happening.

Sound

• Dialogue in this opening scene is used quite a lot, just like in Requiem for a Dream. The first thing we hear is the main character talking to himself. This has been used so that the audience can find out more about his character and get an insight to his emotions.

• Diegetic sounds such as the chains, footsteps and the metal gate have been heightened and you can imagine a Foley artist making these sounds. This has been done to add emphasis on the props and pay more attention to them.

I think that this thriller doesn't create a lot of enigma, as whilst the characters are having a conversation, we are learning everything we are asking in our heads. For example, we wonder who the main character is talking to, and he says 'you alright boss'. We automatically learn that he is his partner.
The narrative structure appears to be in chronological order as there is a flashback we can presume that it was in the past, and when it switches back, we are back to the current time period.

3. Pi
Camera Work

• The very first shot is a canted close-up. This may disorientate the viewers, and also show that the main character is confused as well, because he is just waking up, not in his bed but from his desk, he too doesn't know what is happening. 
• Again, Darren Aronofsky uses a point of view shot, where the character is peering through the key hole. He wants the audience to know what the character is exactly looking at.

Mise-en-scene

• The setting of this opening scene is clearly of his home. The desk, bathroom, front door and the outside corridor suggest we are in his flat and learning about him just by what his home looks like.
• One prop makes automatically informs the audience about what this film is going to be evolved around. A calculator. A girl is holding a calculator and asks the main character what the answer is to a really difficult sum, he doesn't even look at it and knows the answer in a flash. As soon as we see this calculator, we know what to expect.

Editing

• A montage of quick action cuts is used so that it doesn't take as long to show what is happening and to create psychological tension. He opens a bottle, puts pills in his hand and takes them. This happens in about 3 seconds. 
• This film is in black in white, which is intentional because of the year it was made (1998), colour was the common way in which films were shot. I think the use of black and white is because it doesn't show everything in great detail, therefore stimulates your mind to think about what is being portrayed in the scene.

Sound

• A voice over is being used, even though it is coming from the main character himself. This is because he is letting us know what he is thinking and feeling.
• At the opening, an upbeat electric soundtrack is being used, which suggests that the film could be futuristic, and something out of the ordinary. 

This film doesn't contain many common conventions of a horror film. There isn't any obvious hero or villain or mood/atmosphere (such as suspense, danger or darkness). The narrative structure is what we can presume is chronological order.


4. Fight Club
Camera Work

The low angle , from the side shot

• A low angle has been used from the side of the face. This shows superiority from the character who is standing taller than the other male character.
• A common convention from these thrillers seems to be close ups. It has been used in this case to focus on the characters injuries to his face, which creates enigma. Why does he look as if he has been beaten up?
• Shallow depth of field is used, when the focus is on the main character. It directs the audience to focus on him.

Mise-en-scene

• The setting is clearly a typical American city, possibly New York. We can tell this from the tall lit up buildings and big roads. The room that they are in looks like a modern office which portrays the idea they are in a busy city.
• Low key lighting is used to counter act the action that is taking place in the scene. Dark, and low grading is used to show what is taking place is dangerous.

Editing

• A flashback has been used, where the main character reminisces of how he got into that situation. And in that flashback, another one has been used to go back even further. This is a manipulation of time, which gets the audience to really think about what is going on.
• Slow cuts have been used so that the story is being told with clarity and there is no confusion withing the audience.

Sound

• To add emphasis to the fact they are in a city, sirens and car noises have been added and heightened, also conveying a lot of action is taking place, in this certain scene.
• Just like 'Pi', the main character is narrating, whilst the scene is taking place. This is cleverly done, as the narration carries on back in time with the flashbacks.

This is in a non-chronological order, which may confuse the audience. We can tell that the themes of this film is suspense, danger, crime and urban decay. We know this because we see a beaten up man, tied to a chair which adds to the crime factor. Also a gun adds to the danger and darkness theme.

A close-up of the main character lying on the floor.

5. 44inch Chest
Camera Work

• Still shots have been used to set the scene 
• Slow panning is used to reveal the shocking image of a scruffy looking character lying on the floor.

Mise-en-scene

• A messed up and trashed flat suggest something violent has happened, which creates questions that the audience are thinking. What has happened? Why is this flat trashed?
• Realistic props have been used to create realism. A typical sofa, kitchen and T.V. show that this is meant to be something that could possibly happen.

Editing

• The cuts fit are in time with the music. Every four beats, the cut switches to another still image of another messed up area of the house.
• The narrative structure is something that gets the audience to interact more, and think about. The beginning is actually at the start of the film, and then after the title appears, it cuts to the 'present time'.

Sound

• Contrapuntal sound has been used as the soundtrack. An 80's love ballad is not what you would normally associate or pair with in a thriller. 

• There isn't any dialogue in this opening scene, unlike all the other thrillers I have analyised. It is used sparingly, and done so that we can concentrate on the setting and let the destruction of the house let itself do the talking.

This makes us ask questions and feel hostile. We know that it is going to be a crime film and there will be violence. It makes us confused and the types of character are sinister and that there will be protagonist and antagonist. The flat looks fairly modern so we know that it is set in current time.      

Research Task by Nathan Packham

 Here is my research for the 5 Thriller openings.

Deja Vu

Camera Work

• A long shot of the boat from a high angle to suggest a growing sense of danger. The fast tracking emphasises this.
• Close up of Doll shot from a high angle. This foreshadows the fate of those on board.
• Shallow depth of field during shots of families and children means the audience focuses on and connects emotionally with their story

Mise En Scene

• Use of clothing (Sailors) to promote viewer understanding and to introduce context.
• Body Language of Sailors expresses excitement, later contrasted with utter fear as the Boat explodes.

Sound

• The sound is contrapuntal throughout. The joyful scenes have a melancholy soundtrack, whereas the moment the bomb is found uses a pop track.
• The digetic cheering of the Sailors makes the audience even more nervous about their final fate.

Editing.

• Slow motion throughout suggests something is not quite right and allows the audience to connect emotionally
• Slow cuts until man realises bomb, quickening of pace creates confusion and terror.

Is it a conventional Thriller?

• Lack of dialogue still leaves audience confused as to what is happening in some aspects of the scene.
• Music builds tension and scenes of destruction.

Differences to the norm?

• There is no initial darkness. The film begins with scenes that take place in a high key and appears joyful.

Narrative Structure?

• Jumps in time as the investigation gets underway. The main character is seen on the ground then suddenly on a bridge.
• Objective. The audience is aware of the bomb when the majority of characters are not, likely to create a reaction of worry from the audience.

Things I would want to use in my work? 

• Lack of dialogue to leave the audience questioning the situation.
• Contrapuntel sound to create an omniscient threat of danger.

Green Zone 
Camera Work

• The camera is very unsteady, this creates a sense of confusion.

• There are very few long shots, the close ups allow the viewer to connect to the characters plight.  

Mise En Scene 

• The clothing of a few of the men suggest their authority and their need to be protected.
• Changes in setting sets up an argument between two sides of the story.

Sound

• Soundtrack parallels completley the urgency and confusion within the scene.
• Use of dialogue teases the audience into thinking they will an initial understanding of character traits, but really there is very little that can be drawn from it.

Editing

• Quick cuts add real pace to the scene as it seems to take place in a smaller time frame than it actually does.

Is it a conventional Thriller?

• Scenes of destruction
• Element of mystery. Why are these people under attack?

Differences with conventional Thrillers?

• Use of dialogue

Structure

• Non- Linear- Jumps to 4 Weeks later after opening scene.

Things I would want to use?

• Quick cuts to add urgency.
• Some sort of authority, whether this be corrupt or the protagonist.

Notorious 

Camera

• Low angle on sign expresses authority and possibly the idea that this authority is corrupt or wrong?
• Long shot in court keeps the audience detatched from the case. This would suggest they will later have to make up their mind on the conclusions drawn from the court case.

 Mise En scene

• The use of a Judge's constume inside the court room to show that the authority is present.
• Woman has expensive clothing and perfect hair, but her facial expressions shows her worry.

Sound 

• Cacophony of noise when the courthouse sign is shown makes the audience fear for the characters. 
• The use of dialogue to set up character traits and personality.

Editing

• Long Takes promote viewer understanding, rather than prevent them from understanding what is happening
• Use of Shot/ Reverse Shot to show that a relationship is building between two characters.

Conventional Thriller?

• Element of crime and authority
• Mystery- How did this happen?

Differences?

• A real lack of urgency, Hitchcock appears to want to make the time take its natural course.

Narrative

• Use of a elipsis to skip to later in the day. 

Things I would want to use? 

• Shot/ Reverse shot as a means of continuity.
• Soundtrack or noise that is likely to frighten or worry the audience.

The Departed

 

Camera Work

• Close ups of violence, social upheaval and urban decay.
• Mid long shot of the mystery man, audience is aware of body language but can see no facial features.

Mise En scene

• Lack of light on the mystery man makes him seem dangerous but also intrigues the audience. Use of restricted narration.
• Contrast in costume in the cafe scene shows who is in control of the situation.

Sound

• An unknown narrator commentates over scenes of violence. Is he the perpetrator of the action? A very subjective point of view, the man expresses his feelings of events going on at the time.
• The use of a popular music soundtrack to help the audience understand when the film is initally set.

Editing

• Quick cuts during scenes of violence, this slows to rhythmic cuts to show that the man is in control and aware of the situation surrounding him
• 180 Degree Rule keeps continuity and emphasises the importance of the scene where the mystery man and the boy are talking.

Conventional Thriller?

• Narration by a man who the audience cannot trust is likely to provoke a reaction of interest.
• Scenes of violence.

How is it different?

• Use of archive rather than original footage to create a wider context that surrounds the time of the film.
• Split between long+ short cuts. Drawing parallels between the outside world and the mans personal actions.

Narrative

• Close up of boy changing to man shows a huge jump in time bringing us right up to the present day.

Things I would want to use?

• Binary opposition in clothing. E.g In this opening, one man is in formal clothing whilst the other is weraing his work clothes.
• Themes of conflict brought about by an enigmatic perpetrator. Narration is also very effective in this sequence.

Memento

Camera

• Close ups of blood make the violence seem even more horrific and realistic.
• Man shot from a very high angle expresses his helplessness and utter confusion.
• Subjective POV for a long time, this adds to the shock when the scene of violence is revealed.

Mise En Scene

• Use of polaroid camera immediately creates audience interest into why this man needs to photo this event.
• Use of black+ White colour to suggest a loss of the senses and understanding.

Sound 

• An underlying string soundtrack creates a sense of tension .
• Digetic Sound- Flipping of the photos is a mundane thing to do after you have killed somebody.

Editing 

• Time manipulation, the action begins to go backwards and then suddenly shifts in time, this leaves the audience utterly confused. 
• Extremely long takes promote some viewer understanding as the picture fades for almost 1 minute.

Thriller?

• Violent and destructive themes.
• Mystery- Who is this man who has just killed? Why is he suddenly in a bedroom? Audience likely to question his morality.
• Binary Opposites- Act of agression countered by isolation and confusion?

Differences 

• Urgency builds rather than being present throughout. 

Narrative Structure 

• 2 changes in narrative structure. The first 1 minute 30 goes backwards in time, and then a sudden jump to another moment in time. 

What I would take from this?

• Getting the audience confused by making a character appear as antagonist and protagonist.
• Changes in narrative structure.

Explanations of the Continuity terms

The 180 Degree Rule- Not crossing over an imaginary line between two characters when filming (unless a long take) in order to keep spacial continuity. This allows the audience to understand where the characters are in relation to each other and prevents confusion.

Here is an example we found really helpful from Youtube...

 Here is our version of the rule...

The camera is kept on one side of the subjects throughout.

Match on Action- Keeping the same action from one shot to another. E.g Opening a door the same way in both shots, if cut correctly this should appear to be a smooth transition.
Example from our piece...

Shot/Reverse Shot- Where the camera cuts from one point of view to another to create an understanding of spacial relationship and point of view.

Here is our use of this technique...

The point of view cuts from one character to another.

Here is a great example from film...

Spacial relationship and point of view are brilliantly outlined by this sequence.

Our final preliminary piece

Here is our final piece! Filmed, edited, blogged!

Setting Shots!

The Villain's Lair 

Alexius' Journey up the stairs

Entering the building

And again

The Main Entrance

Where the journey begins




 

 

 

Editing

Completed our editing today and put the video on the network with DVD backup.

Problems faced:

• Footage that didn't quite fit together. E.g changes in positioning between each shot. Next time we will have to make sure the people in the film remain in the same positioning whilst filming that sequence in order to keep continuity.

• Editing the footage down to just one minute.

How we overcame these:

• Put a fade inbetween to suggest a passage of time.

• Cutting the footage carefully, eventually lowering it down to the one minute mark.

Filming Part 2

We finished the other part of filming on the 16th December. This was the superhero sequence with Alex running around the building.

Unedited footage saved as a project on the network for editing at a later date!

Now onto editing!