Research

During earlier research into psychological thrillers, I found the use of bathroom scenes impacted on and had a lasting effect on me because of its successful creation of tension. Within a bathroom are mirrors, dripping taps, water and steam which all can be used as chilling props to create the perfect location for supernatural, criminal or shocking events.
The steam could be used to mask or disguise an enemy, create an eerie mist/smoke like effect to blur what is viewed in the setting. Water 

Shots and angles can vary greatly here to reflect the mood of the scene or emotions of a character. Mirrors are commonly placed in a bathroom scene, this allows a character to look at themselves, reflect for a while and could sometimes be used so that the characters true emotion come through their facial expressions and body language. 
The first example shot is an over the shoulder to view the back of the character as well as the front of their body in the reflection. This can give an effect of spilt personality or split conscience as a character reflects.



Perspective

Shots are effective in giving different perspectives of a scene, mirrors are often used to portray a perspective usually within horror or thriller films.
Certain characters may have a different perspective to what the audience see, this can be created through special effects or just by the specially placed angle of a shot. A popular example would be someone standing in the corner or the room or behind the oblivious character. The audience may see this through the reflection of a mirror. 
Another perspective is where the camera is used as a mirror, an example here taken from Donnie Darko, the character will keep eye contact with the audience, and act normal as if looking at themselves, this could show how a character truly feels when they look at their reflection and impacts the audience personally with direct address.       

First planning for my final film

Throughout all the research I have gathered into film especially within the thriller genre. I have discovered there is more depth to the genre than first thought, because of its many sub genres it gives a wide variety of film, from chilling horrors to highly emotive story telling. To give example of the two extremes would be The Purge and The Imitation game.

First Ideas

• A story line that does not give much away 
• Mystery based thriller, tension based
• Suited to deep thinkers those who like to be puzzled and made to think beyond the storyline  
• Target audience teenagers

The sub genre of psychological thriller is a personal favourite, because it is based heavily upon the mind rather than physical acts characters commit. Typically the protagonist becomes involved in a situation that is negative, threatening, upsetting, or disturbing, and will affect their whole psychological state, leading them to portray a unique abnormal character.
I have decided that this speaks volumes to me as its pure emotion makes the audience sympathise with the character and I believe this is one of the most intriguing and powerful effects film can have on a viewer. Because of the wide experience I have had watching this specific genre of film I know how to take inspiration and adapt creating something of my own and hoping to still have the same effect on viewers. 

My love for thriller films

   

Pictured here are just a few example thriller films I love and enjoy to watch. I would say that thriller has been my favourite genre from my early to mid teens. I was first introduced into this genre by films such as Silence of the Lambs, Seven and Taxi Driver. The whole aspect of these films amazed me and the psychological twisted acting by Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the lambs fascinated me.  I also love how the majority of films in this genre consist of complicated, intense story lines that puzzles you, makes you think deeply and can fully immerse you into the temporary reality of that world. They often trick the audience with shocking climax's or a huge twist ending.   

The shots I have chosen are some that have impact on me the most, I find them highly dramatic and perfect for a chilling atmosphere.  

The third picture is one of my favourite impacting shots, taken from silence of the lambs, this high angle birds eye shot allows us to view the full carnage of the scene caused by this character Hannibal Lecter. Although high angle shots are more commonly associated with a threatening intimidating vibe over a vulnerable character, this effect creates the opposite effect. 

With closed eyes, face looking up and blood all over his body his stance as though looking up to the heavens in relief of praise, looks peaceful and content after the murder he had commited. His body language is perfect for showing he has no remorse within this twisted psychotic atmosphere.    

I have found that Thriller films can be heavily based on mystery, this could be that the whole story line is complex and does not give a lot away, or it can be found within a character who is reserved and hard to read with a back story. This has been used in film for all sorts of characters and I think this aspect is an important feature, that I wish to include in my short film. 

Questionnaire and Audience Profiling

Audience profiling is essential when creating a new media product, from magazines and newspapers to websites and films. The most important factors to look for in this process are, age, gender, culture, race, and sexuality. To complete this I will need to ask the public, this can be done in various ways, questionnaire, interview, survey, video interview, gender ratios and many more.



How old are you?

15-30   31-50    50+


Around how many films do you watch a month?

1         2         3        4          5         more





What genre most interests you? 

Romance     Science Fiction         Action         Thriller       Other



Do you ever watch short films?


Yes                                 No


 If yes, where do you find them and how do you view them?



This is one of the example questionnaires I will be giving out, in order to gain an understanding of my audience profile. It will not only give me an idea of how popular my genre is, but who watches them. And also in terms of age, gender, personality types, is there a stereotypy or do a wide range of people tend to watch films in general especially short films?                                                                 By building a complete audience profile I have a better understanding of how to attract them and give the film true thriller features, and what my audience expect to see.

Results from first Questionnaire 

These first results collected were interesting and helped me begin to understand age difference and preference. 

From this I can gather that younger generations tend to watch the most films as both the 15-30 years old participants said they watch more than 5 films a month, this may be down to deeper interest or simply because they have more time to enjoy them, even so it is something to keep in mind for the audience I approach to. It also interested me that the two younger participants said action and thriller genre appealed to them the most, this is positive for me and relates to my thriller theme.

When directing a question to short films I was very unsure and eager to find the results, and was pleasantly surprised that 2 out of the 3 do watch short films, this as from the 15-30 range as well as the 50+ creating a much wider audience. I am most familiar with short films on via YouTube and have looked through short of the week during my research and planning which was very useful.       

Practise Filming

Untitled from Bishop Walsh on Vimeo.


I have not had much experience in filming, using a camera or in editing a film. This activity allowed my confidence in filming to grow dramatically, it widened my view on filming and showed me there are no limits to what I can achieve when I have a go at my short film.

We was set into groups and given a short script to follow as a first attempt at filming, giving us ideas and getting us used to to feel of film making.

The first was a very basic and short script to view Person A walk into a room and give an object to Person B, and then walk away.
A second separate script was given to enhance our filming skills, but I decided to connect the two
and create a full storyline. I realised this would be a good way to practice for filming my real short film and allow me to feel comfortable in front of and behind the camera.

Person A is working at a desk. They start daydreaming

In the daydream they nervously walk along a corridor and approach a door. They don't know what's on the other side.

They walk through the door and see person B, someone they had not expected to see.

Person B: Hello.

This was a very simple and unchallenging script for my group to complete, and we therefore decided to adapt and lengthen this storyline making it our own, and giving it a darker twist.

Using the camera its self did not take long to get the hang of, and soon enough we were constantly thinking of fresh ideas on new shots, scenes and angles, to show variety and appropriate skills.

Once the storyline was filmed, we uploaded it to Vimeo, an editing software I was not familiar with. It took me a while to understand the website and how to edit my film shot by shot. Once I looked around the software and experimented I was then able to apply fade in from black to the start of the film, and fade out to black to finish, this allowed the film to flow in and out and not have a sudden beginning or end, it also fitted in with the 'daydream' idea as though this was not reality.

I then took the editing further by making it obvious as to when the daydream started and finished. I did this by using a medium shot that zooms into an extreme close up to the eye, that shot zooms out to a medium shot again and it is in a new location. I connected these two scenes with a swirling hypnotic blur, this allowed an obvious  transition from dream to reality.

First shot is a low angle long shot, with the full inside setting in view and character centre of shot. using a low angle allows power and dominance of character as he carries the item to be dealt over in next scene.
Contrast is shown within the next scene as power exchanges when the item is passed from one character to another.

By using a high angle over the shoulder it gives an element of mystery by not allowing the new character to be viewed and gives an element of secrecy and danger, giving a dominance, By using high angle also allows the audience to feel involved in the act and shows an importance of the exchange of item by focusing only on the gesture of exchange and not the characters.

During the change in storyline from reality to daydream, I began by using Character B at a medium shot with them in centre shot at a desk. As the character stops working and raises head the camera is slowly lead closer and closer to face ending as an extreme close up to eye. This dramatic sequence builds tension and allows this character to have all importance and attention.
By zoning in on they eye this can connotate a sense of intimacy, and being able to access their mind and thought process. In this case the subconscious dream state of the character.  

In order to emphasise the moment of change in state from reality to daydream, I included a  swirling edit to connect the jump cut. Which distorts the whole screen, and as the swirls on screen dispatch we are taken to another extreme close up to the eye which zones out back to a medium close up in a completely different state and location.

Common props in Thriller genre

Props

• Guns 
• Explosives 
• Knives
• Fake blood 
• Dripping water
• Mirrors
• Masks

These are all typical stereotypes or a horror/thriller, and are all equally effective, as they all promote a dark tense mood and environment. Weapons are an obvious use of prop given to allow the audience to identify an enemy or villain within the storyline, and are used to intimidate the victim or the hero. Weapons automatically build action and tension into a storyline and fake blood gives dramatic effect to wounds or gunshots, red would connotate danger, energy, war, danger, strength and power.

                                                                                                                                                                  Prop ideas I like...

       

 Dripping water and mirrors are also useful unique props to use as factors of tension and building an eerie atmosphere.  
Mirrors are effective in reflecting a characters true self/ true emotions. This usually shows a dark evil side as they are viewing their inner selves that no one else knows. It can also create an uneasy vibe for the audience as mirrors are often used in thriller/horror films to view a ghost/monster suddenly behind a character. 













The sound of a dripping tap allows a scene to be filled with a deafening silence. The echo made by dripping in a large empty room gives a chilling effect, building suspense as though at any moment something would jump from the shadows and could be used with blood instead of water. 
Dripping can also connotate loneliness as the quite could fill the room emphasising how alone and sad someone may be.

Characters 

Examples of popular characters used in thrillers would be, the criminal, the stalker, assassins, authority, innocent victims/victim, most if not all of these characters would have a dark psychotic past. The themes these characters often portray in thrillers include terrorism, conspiracy, supernatural or romantic triangles leading to murder.

Mise en scene 

Lighting within a Thriller, depending on the sub genre of the thriller (psychological, fantasy etc) it would usually consist mostly of a low key lighting, in order to create a tense, serious mood and showing a sense of coming danger especially at night time. This also allows shadows to be emphasised to show the innocence of a victim or even the power and superiority of the enemy.  The blackness created from shadowing and low lighting can connotate sinister actions and death. 

The setting of a Thriller can have a large variation from each film, the likes of a dark forrest, alley ways, and urban location empty at night.


Narrative 

The general narrative usually consists of a disequilibrium - equilibrium - new equilibrium, with its main aim to give thrills, build tension and leave audiences on the edge of their seat. Thrillers tend to have complicated story lines which often confuse audiences, in order to build to a climax which ends all confusion, whereas some are left with confusion and do not give everything away.    

Enigma Code

The Enigma Code allows the audience to constantly question what is going on within a film, where will this lead? Who is this person?Why is this happening?  By doing this the audience are completely immersed and takes you from reality, transporting you into a temporary separate life of the character, which I find to be an amazing and magical aspect of film.   
I also find films when complicated stories are not completely answered, allowing your imagination to run away with you. Completely giving away the plot and answering all questions ruins a complex storyline as it brings the storyline to an abrupt end, although it gives clarification it stops the audiences imagination running away with its self and ends the temporary break from reality. 
I find coming out of a theatre or finishing watching a film, the sign of a brilliant film is that you should come away with your mind boggled and constantly questioning what you saw. 

Thriller genre from harriethunt567

Sound Work in Trailers

Sound 

A soundtrack is essential in any film or trailer in setting the mood, it also adds emotion and a rhythm to the film. A meaningful sound track is often as complicated as the image on the screen. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4ZzMkDLjWI

At the beginning of the Jupiter Ascending trailer a tense use of non diegetic noise rises from the opening silence as a hard hitting statement is said by a character, "you have been taught that the birthplace of the human race is Earth..." as soon as this is said all sound stops and screen turns black for 1 second, then is followed by the same character "...but its not." This is a hard hitting shocking statement and is portrayed dramatically.                                                                                                   I find this extremely effective, engaging and unique as it completely captivated me, in some ways the silence was deafening and is just as effective as a loud bang on a drum or passionate soundtrack. It had my interest from the very start which is a key feature in trailer making, and defiantly a feature I would work on and think about in my production.  

Camera work in Trailers

Camera 

Camera shots and angles are a large and important aspect in film and trailer production, depending on the shot it can create a mood/genre that is clear to the audience. 

The Teenage mutant ninja turtle trailer specifically stood out to me during my research into camera work, as it used extremely powerful and hard hitting establishing high shots, even within the first 15 seconds of the trailer. For me this created immediate interest and impression showing devastation, action and recognisable american urban locations. I have used this in my screen shot above as one of the examples, this shot gave a specifically large impression because of its hight over the city giving an intimidating view over a clearly venerable area, showing the city is under attack.                             I feel this is a very effective use of camera skills as to me it gives a location with real interest, shock and intrigue into the vulnerability and conflict the story shows.

This specific shot impacted on me as it is the first viewing of the main character and by using a medium close up, which then zooms to a close up, gives status and importance to this specific character, and by fading it in from a black screen then fading it out again within 3 seconds, gives suspense and more of an impact on the viewer. And because Megan Fox is so well known in the film world this dramatically increases the target audience and hope for the success of the film. Although this can not apply the the production of my Trailer/short film it is a impressive skill to use. 

   

Jump cuts are a large aspect of this trailer, showing clips of fast thrilling action for around 2 seconds, cutting to another scene of calm for 2 seconds, the back to action, in a constant loop. This may show the contrast the film contains from the calm before the storm. However, throughout this no clues of what is causing such devastation are given until around half way through the trailer, this allowed me to constantly keep guessing and wondering.

The first time the Ninja Turtles are shown to the audience is extremely dramatic and theatrical in the way it uses a worms eye view looking up to the sky, allowing us to feel inferior to what we are about to see, showing the turtles dominance in the film. The camera quickly drops following the turtle as it falls to the earth and lands in a warrior like pose with weapons and armour overlooking the main character. I feel this is a very useful use of camera skills that I will take into account and adapt in my trailer or short film.  

Conventions of Trailers

Trailers

Trailers are one of the most important parts within mass film promotion and production, as if gets the film out to a wide audience. Producers of trailers are often given large budgets to use in production, because of the importance in getting the film out there and giving a the best possible first impression, sparking interest. 

3 types... 

Teaser Trailer - A shortened version of the full main trailer, often shown far in advance of the films release. 

Theatrical Trailer - Shown on tv, internet or cinema adverts a few weeks before release date

DVD Trailer - Promotional advert shown mostly on TV, after cinema release and in advance to DVD release.

Codes and conventions

• Emphasises the institution of film usually by flashing institution logo at beginning or end of trailer
• Common use of a voice over narrator giving brief overview of storyline, most common in children/Disney movies or old action/horror movies
• Reminders of previous well known hit movies made by the same institution or director, "From the creator of..." 
• Quotes given by movie critics or newspaper reviews e.g. "Thrilling" says Empire magazine
• If actor is well known and well thought of they will flash their name and focus on them a lot 
• Consistent use of diegetic and non diegetic sound, e.g. thrilling soundtrack and explosions 
• Common to start the trailer slow and quiet, gradually getting faster and louder, rising tension

The Last Word - Short Film

The last word 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DH1JGlYOL0

This uses slow motion all through the short film, this use of editing is often used to show a shift in time or emotion felt by the characters, it gives the feeling that their world is slowing down and it is not the same any more. 

A filter has also been used on the camera to give the film a slight grey/sepia tint, this is a unique and effective source as this connotates sadness and loneliness, by draining out all positive colours. This technique may also have been used to represent a past memory or a dream.                                         The black clothes worn by all in the film also represent a darkness and emptiness and overall negative vibe. 

Written narrative on screen towards the end of the short film uses emotive language which fades in and out of a black screen 

The Desk - Short Film

The Desk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_kIyihNd-A

This short film is 7 minutes and 43 seconds long, for this storyline that is an appropriate length of time.
The director effectively shows the loneliness experienced by the main character through certain shots and angles. By using a tracking shot following the character down the hallway in a medium shot, it clearly emphasises how there is no one for him in the background and passes everyone by without a glance. Because the shot is medium it is clear to see both his surroundings and his expression, which is unhappy and lifeless.Throughout the film there is a repetition of medium or close up shots which is effective in emphasising the emotions experienced by the main character, linking in with the plot.

There is no dialogue used throughout the short, which can also contribute to the alienation by giving the character no power of speech the audience can relate to the character as shy and withdrawn. All communication takes place on 'the desk' and is an ideal connection between two shy alienated characters to communicate.

Looking at Short Films

Short Films 

What I have learnt so far...

Short films usually consist of up to 5-7 minutes

It is important to grasp the viewers quickly with a strong gripping beginning, followed by an exciting storyline and script

Interesting wide ranged use of camera shots and angles

Create and build tension 

Important Key Words 

Enigma - A narrative devise used to tease the audience, for example presenting them with a puzzling storyline to be solved. 

Action Code - A devise where by a resolution is produced through an action sequence  

Linear Narrative - When the narrative plot moves forward at all times but is met by sudden flashbacks for digression

Parallel Action - Cutting between two scenes which are viewed as happening at the same time 

Ant Narrative - Disrupting the storyline deliberately by the repetition of images from another scene/time.     

Mode of Address - Directing personally to the audience via the use of Direct dialogue, Voice overs and Written dialogue on screen 

 The Toderov Theory 

Equilibrium ----- Disequilibrium ----- New Equilibrium  

Looking at Trailers

Trailers 

I watch many trailers in my own time and keep up with films from around the 70's up to modern day, as I have a deep interest and love for films. 

Although I often watch trailers on television, computer or phone, I do not know a lot about the background of trailers, how they are affective, or what makes a successful one. 

When looking through modern trailers on YouTube I came across 2008's The Dark Knight. This is a film I know and love, I was very impressed by the trailer as it gave an eye catching, thrilling overview of the movie. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqq4j52Fb4

Certain features of the trailer stood out to me as affective ideas attempting to captivate the audience, interest and impress them. The creators did this well by making sure eyes were always on the screen, they did so by using constant action pact clips in rapid jump cuts, using loud thrilling diegetic and non diegetic sounds. 

They also focused on building lots of tension via the use of blackouts, stopping all movement on screen and all sound for one or two seconds before cutting to another scene of action, where music and action would start up again, they did this several times. 

Many establishing shots were used which covered a long wide shot over Batman and a large part of Gotham city, these shots allowed viewers to know of the importance and significance of the setting and of this character. 

Introduction To Course

Introduction to course! 

For my advanced portfolio it is my task to create a promotion package for either a new short film or a film trailer. within the promotion package I must choose two of the three following options...

• set up a website homepage for the film 
• a film magazine front cover, featuring the film 
• a promotional poster advertising the film