Saturday 22 November 2008
Task 3: Certification
The rating chosen for our thriller film is 15. This is because it contains moderate violence and some bad language throughout. It may be frightening in some parts for children under the age of 15. We chose not to rate it at an 18 to broaden the audience, with a lower certificate age, more people will be able to see it.
Friday 14 November 2008
American Psycho Analysis
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
American Psycho has a linear narrative structure.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Questions are constantly being asked throughout the film, such as "how is he getting away with this?" etc. The characters are also quite normal, aside from being successful, wealthy business men, and are introduced to the exotic [an extra-ordinary situation]. The audience are also only seeing the movie through partial vision, as the narrative [told by the main character Patrick Bateman] isn't 100% reliable.
CAMERAWORK
The camera is constantly tracking throughout the reseteraunt scene before the dialouge starts. Many reflective shots are also used, through the mirrors and over his shoulder. Close ups are also used frequently. Focusing on: food, credit cards/money [emphasis on wealth]. The camera is very much observing the action, rather than letting the audience have the oppertunity to feel as though they are a part of the story line.
MISE EN SCENE
The costumes for the characters are all fancy suits, suggesting their wealth. The opening scenes in which the setting is the resteraunt, everything is very brightly litup, which contrasts with the second setting of a night club, where everything is dark.
SOUND
The music that has been used in the film builds up tension, and is often used for emphasis of different actions. Yet also, the music is jolly and gives the impression of being some-what fake.
EDITING
Lots of the scenes are cut frequently. Another editing technique used is 'shot reverse shot'.
GRAPHICS
The on-screen graphics at the beginning of the film make the audience think of blood because of the red sauce splatting on to the white surface [creating a contrast]. The credits are in a simple type, which makes it seem more serious in a way.
American Psycho has a linear narrative structure.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Questions are constantly being asked throughout the film, such as "how is he getting away with this?" etc. The characters are also quite normal, aside from being successful, wealthy business men, and are introduced to the exotic [an extra-ordinary situation]. The audience are also only seeing the movie through partial vision, as the narrative [told by the main character Patrick Bateman] isn't 100% reliable.
CAMERAWORK
The camera is constantly tracking throughout the reseteraunt scene before the dialouge starts. Many reflective shots are also used, through the mirrors and over his shoulder. Close ups are also used frequently. Focusing on: food, credit cards/money [emphasis on wealth]. The camera is very much observing the action, rather than letting the audience have the oppertunity to feel as though they are a part of the story line.
MISE EN SCENE
The costumes for the characters are all fancy suits, suggesting their wealth. The opening scenes in which the setting is the resteraunt, everything is very brightly litup, which contrasts with the second setting of a night club, where everything is dark.
SOUND
The music that has been used in the film builds up tension, and is often used for emphasis of different actions. Yet also, the music is jolly and gives the impression of being some-what fake.
EDITING
Lots of the scenes are cut frequently. Another editing technique used is 'shot reverse shot'.
GRAPHICS
The on-screen graphics at the beginning of the film make the audience think of blood because of the red sauce splatting on to the white surface [creating a contrast]. The credits are in a simple type, which makes it seem more serious in a way.
Silence of the Lambs Analysis
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
The narrative structure to this film is linear.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
The outcome of the film is delayed, which follows usual thriller motions. The exotic is also introduced to the film.
CAMERAWORK
Establishing shots are used when introducing characters and settings. The camera is also taken from her point of view in some areas of the film. Other camera shots used are action shots when she is running through the woods.
MISE EN SCENE
The obstacle course in the woods has been placed there to have it in a more deralyct area and make it seem more intense. Also the fog in the woods has been created for a reason, it creates the illusion of partial vision as the audience can't see as much.
SOUND
The music in the film is always non-diajectic in the background. And is used in particular scenes to build up the tension and make it more mysterious. At the beginning when the girl is attempting the obstacle course, her breathing is very heavy and loud, which makes it more exciting to the audience because the breathing is louder than everything else.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
Opening credits are simple, bold and clear to read. It had clearly been edited at certain parts - cut.
The narrative structure to this film is linear.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
The outcome of the film is delayed, which follows usual thriller motions. The exotic is also introduced to the film.
CAMERAWORK
Establishing shots are used when introducing characters and settings. The camera is also taken from her point of view in some areas of the film. Other camera shots used are action shots when she is running through the woods.
MISE EN SCENE
The obstacle course in the woods has been placed there to have it in a more deralyct area and make it seem more intense. Also the fog in the woods has been created for a reason, it creates the illusion of partial vision as the audience can't see as much.
SOUND
The music in the film is always non-diajectic in the background. And is used in particular scenes to build up the tension and make it more mysterious. At the beginning when the girl is attempting the obstacle course, her breathing is very heavy and loud, which makes it more exciting to the audience because the breathing is louder than everything else.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
Opening credits are simple, bold and clear to read. It had clearly been edited at certain parts - cut.
Jaws Analysis
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE
The narrative structure to Jaws is linear. This is obvious because it starts from the beginning of the story, and the events that follow go in order throughout the film.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Jaws follows some of the typical traits of a thriller film. The film is about a normal environment with normal people that're placed into an extra-ordinary situation - introducing the exotic. Another convention it follows is delaying the outcome of the story, and only showing parial vision. The audience are never fully aware of whats going on.
CAMERAWORK
Many different, interesting camera angles are used throughout. Alot of the shots are taken from the sharks viewpoint, looking up at its prey. Which gives the audience a chance to see from the sharks viewpoint, and therefore be one step ahead of the characters in the film.
MISE EN SCENE
Everything seen within the shots of the film have been placed there for a reason. The opening scene is of a beach party. With teenagers smoking and drinking around a small fire. This sets the scene of a relaxed, ordinary party for younger people, which makes it doubly curprising when one of them gets attacked by a shark.
SOUND
The trademark music of jaws is played throughout whenever the shark is about to attack. This type of music helps to build tension and has an effect on the audience. There's also alot of screaming from people involved in the attacks/pursuits.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
Establishing shots are used to introduce characters into the storyline.
The narrative structure to Jaws is linear. This is obvious because it starts from the beginning of the story, and the events that follow go in order throughout the film.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Jaws follows some of the typical traits of a thriller film. The film is about a normal environment with normal people that're placed into an extra-ordinary situation - introducing the exotic. Another convention it follows is delaying the outcome of the story, and only showing parial vision. The audience are never fully aware of whats going on.
CAMERAWORK
Many different, interesting camera angles are used throughout. Alot of the shots are taken from the sharks viewpoint, looking up at its prey. Which gives the audience a chance to see from the sharks viewpoint, and therefore be one step ahead of the characters in the film.
MISE EN SCENE
Everything seen within the shots of the film have been placed there for a reason. The opening scene is of a beach party. With teenagers smoking and drinking around a small fire. This sets the scene of a relaxed, ordinary party for younger people, which makes it doubly curprising when one of them gets attacked by a shark.
SOUND
The trademark music of jaws is played throughout whenever the shark is about to attack. This type of music helps to build tension and has an effect on the audience. There's also alot of screaming from people involved in the attacks/pursuits.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
Establishing shots are used to introduce characters into the storyline.
Friday 7 November 2008
SE7EN Analysis
NARRATICE STRUCTURE
The story of SE7EN is told through duel narrative. Yet there are also elements if certain narrative within it too. For example, alot of the parts of the film relate back to the number '7' [e.g. seven days, seven deaths, seven deadly sins...]. The overall structure to the film is linear, therefore the film is shown in chronological order.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
The film follows many of the typical thriller codes and conventions, including having a delayed, unexpected outcome. Another convention the film follows is the music genre, it is very dramatic and is used to build up tension throughout the film, creating suspence to the audience. Another, is that it is set in an urban landscape, similar to most thriller movies. Detective Mills [the 'hero'] starts out as a very ordinary person, who is put in an extra-ordinary situation [the exotic], and throughout the storyline, is portrayed to be a hero with a darker side, but regardless of this the audience still views him as being the hero and want him to succeed. These are all typical traits of a thriller genre movie.
CAMERAWORK
For alot of the scenes in the film, the camera is placed alongside both Detective Mills and Somerset. This has been done intentionally to make the audience feel included, as if they're also part of the team. Another interesting camera angle used, is when it is placed at a first person perspective [when filming in the helicopter, and when characters are running], the camera becomes more shaky to create a more realistic representation. Slow pans are also used throughout the film when details are being shown, it gives the audience a chance to take it all in. Alot of the time, the camera is seen looking up to John Doe, so as to emphasise his power and show how he is in control of situations.
MISE-EN-SCENE
Guns are used as props for both Detective Mills and Somerset. The difference is, however, that Mills has drawn his many times, and even shot and killed someone on one occasion, whereas Somerset has never used it and only ever very rarely draws it. This draws attention to the difference between them both. Another prop frequently used is torches; to highlight certain things, creating fear and suspence; only showing what the detectives can see, otherwise knows as partial vision. Throughout the film, the lighting is continuously dull/dimmed, which creates an eerie/scary atmosphere. The costumes for each detectives are notably different. Somerset's clothes are always neatly pressed, and of a traditional style [e.g. tweed]. Whereas Mills' are always more moden [e.g. leather.], and his tie is already done so he can just slip it on.
SOUND
Through the whole film, music is used to create tension, and is always non-diajetic. At the beginning of the film, during the opening credits, the music is very mechanical, and unnatural, which makes it seem haunting and eerie. A variety of sound effects are used throughout the film, including sirens, alarms, traffic, rain, trains and car horns, which create the sound of a busy [urban] city.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
The on-screen graphics at the beginning of the film emphasise a montage of gory, creepy images, which show the presence of the 'crazy' character that is John Doe. The graphics also make the film seem slightly more rough-around-the-edges, and are blurry and off-focus at time.
The story of SE7EN is told through duel narrative. Yet there are also elements if certain narrative within it too. For example, alot of the parts of the film relate back to the number '7' [e.g. seven days, seven deaths, seven deadly sins...]. The overall structure to the film is linear, therefore the film is shown in chronological order.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS
The film follows many of the typical thriller codes and conventions, including having a delayed, unexpected outcome. Another convention the film follows is the music genre, it is very dramatic and is used to build up tension throughout the film, creating suspence to the audience. Another, is that it is set in an urban landscape, similar to most thriller movies. Detective Mills [the 'hero'] starts out as a very ordinary person, who is put in an extra-ordinary situation [the exotic], and throughout the storyline, is portrayed to be a hero with a darker side, but regardless of this the audience still views him as being the hero and want him to succeed. These are all typical traits of a thriller genre movie.
CAMERAWORK
For alot of the scenes in the film, the camera is placed alongside both Detective Mills and Somerset. This has been done intentionally to make the audience feel included, as if they're also part of the team. Another interesting camera angle used, is when it is placed at a first person perspective [when filming in the helicopter, and when characters are running], the camera becomes more shaky to create a more realistic representation. Slow pans are also used throughout the film when details are being shown, it gives the audience a chance to take it all in. Alot of the time, the camera is seen looking up to John Doe, so as to emphasise his power and show how he is in control of situations.
MISE-EN-SCENE
Guns are used as props for both Detective Mills and Somerset. The difference is, however, that Mills has drawn his many times, and even shot and killed someone on one occasion, whereas Somerset has never used it and only ever very rarely draws it. This draws attention to the difference between them both. Another prop frequently used is torches; to highlight certain things, creating fear and suspence; only showing what the detectives can see, otherwise knows as partial vision. Throughout the film, the lighting is continuously dull/dimmed, which creates an eerie/scary atmosphere. The costumes for each detectives are notably different. Somerset's clothes are always neatly pressed, and of a traditional style [e.g. tweed]. Whereas Mills' are always more moden [e.g. leather.], and his tie is already done so he can just slip it on.
SOUND
Through the whole film, music is used to create tension, and is always non-diajetic. At the beginning of the film, during the opening credits, the music is very mechanical, and unnatural, which makes it seem haunting and eerie. A variety of sound effects are used throughout the film, including sirens, alarms, traffic, rain, trains and car horns, which create the sound of a busy [urban] city.
EDITING/GRAPHICS
The on-screen graphics at the beginning of the film emphasise a montage of gory, creepy images, which show the presence of the 'crazy' character that is John Doe. The graphics also make the film seem slightly more rough-around-the-edges, and are blurry and off-focus at time.
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