Evaluation Question 1
My brief was to create a 2 minute thriller sequence, where I had to include conventions and explore the different aspects of mise en scene. I had to include a variety of camera angles, editing and camera shots.
I had to make my thriller as conventional as I could as it would help portray a thriller the most. I was assigned into groups with who I would be creating a thriller with, my group included Charley and myself. We decided that Charley would be the MES coordinator and the editor. Charley would be the MES coordinator as the editing role is also shared with myself, leaving Charley with not much else to do therefore she agreed to take on the second role also. I would take on the role of director and editor as well as Charley as editing is a large role and would be unfair if one person took on this role by themselves therefore we will equally balance out the editing roles between us. I am also going to be directing the film as I am most confident and have the clearest idea of what we are trying to achieve; this will benefit our thriller as we will be more efficient with someone who has a clear understanding of the narrative. Emma would take on the role of organising the music for my thriller; this would include adding a soundtrack to cover the whole of our thriller, diegetic, non-diegetic, off screen, on screen, parallel and contrapuntal sound.
From my production roles of being the director and part editor, I learnt that from being the director that I had to have a very clear picture of what I was trying to achieve whilst filming as I had to guide everyone in what to do. I also learnt that being the director that the role came with a large amount of pressure and responsibilities as group members would come to me and ask for guidance/help with what to do whilst filming. From being part editor, I learnt that I had to cooperate with Charley, who was also editing by exchanging ideas and taking it in turns to edit. I quickly learnt how to use the editing software and having someone with me doing the same job made it a lot easier as we could put both our knowledge together about editing and create the best possible skills.
Altogether, my group worked very well together as we were all very supportive of everyone else and the decisions that were made. We all got along well and worked together on the aspects that needed a group effort or decision. This made creating our thriller sequence a lot easier as jobs and decisions got done faster which meant we could move on with what we needed to do next. I think that we created a successful thriller film as we included many thriller conventions which contributed to its success. Conventions included a blonde female victim, which would portray her innocence and vulnerability to the audience therefore foreshadowing that something bad is going to happen to her, which would make the audience want to carry on watching the film. The use of a masked villain is also a convention that I used, this creates enigma for the audience and a feeling of uncertainty from the unknown identity.
Low key lighting is used throughout The Haunting in Connecticut; you can see this right from the beginning until the end with flashes of light occasionally. This helps build suspense for the audience as there is the fear of the unknown as they can't see clearly what is happening which adds an element of danger. This is conventional to a thriller as danger is associated with the dark and therefore brings the feeling of danger into the scene. This helps build a relationship with the audience as the audience will be able to imagine themselves in the same situation and therefore feel more involved in what’s happening, at this point there will be a lot of close up shots showing the characters emotions. This will also make the audience feel more involved with what’s happening and build a relationship with the characters as they will be guided to feel the same emotions.
Non diegetic thriller sounds are present throughout The Haunting in Connecticut also, this adds emphasis to what is happening by the disturbing noises corresponding with the clip. If there was no non diegetic sound in this scene, it would be very boring and un-gripping for the audience to watch as it would make what’s happening not very scary at all. This is conventional to a thriller as the sound builds up the suspense as the repetitive noises make it sound like something is going to shock you.
My media opening sequence defines the thriller genre as many conventions have been included, such as the use of non-diegetic creepy sounds used to build the suspense; I used this when the blonde victim is left alone and when she is in danger. Both situations in the film, show danger for the characters and the non-diegetic sound helps portray and emphasise the suspense the audience will be feeling. Close ups and point of view shots are used in my thriller when the couple are sitting on the train, this shows to the audience the characters emotions and helps to identify the emotion change during the clip to the audience. This therefore allows the audience to build a relationship with the character as they will start to feel the same emotions portrayed on the screen and imagine themselves in the same situation. This will then grab their attention and continue to watch the thriller.
Point of view shots are used when the blonde female victim looks up and sees the masked killer in front of her and at the end of the clip when the killer is leaning towards the young girl. Both situations make the audience feel more involved in what’s happening in the scene and therefore again, engages their concentration. Comparing my thriller opening sequence to a successful real thriller film such as ‘Friday the 13th’ they both incorporate key conventional elements such as a chase scene, although the chase scene in my thriller clip was short it still had the same effect of building the suspense and making the audience eager to want to know what happens to the victim. This is the same effect created in Friday the 13th when the villain is chasing the victim, both villains are masked and don’t run after their victim, but walk.
Having a masked killer builds the suspense a large amount and intrigues them as the fear of the unknown emerges. The way the villain’s don’t run after their victims is very creepy and creates enigma for the audience as they wonder why the killer isn’t running after them. Both effects grab the audience’s attention which makes the film a lot more interesting and action packed to watch. Both films include non-diegetic sounds which are used when the victim is in danger; this builds the enigma in the film as it adds mystery and suspense for the audience. This also allows the audience to create a relationship with the victim as they feel guilty as they know something bad is about to happen.
Overall my thriller is conventional as it demonstrates all of the conventional aspects expected to see in a thriller such as a blonde female victim, non-diegetic thriller sounds, a chase scene and a masked killer. I named my thriller ‘The Continuity’ this also follows the conventional structure of a thriller as it portrays that what is going on is something that will be repeated by the killer and find more victims. This will make the audience feel nervous and want to find out what happens to his other victims and if he ever gets caught, therefore adding to the enigma of the film.
Your analysis of question 1, demonstrates a basic understanding of how your thriller defines the codes and conventions. You have made a start in including a variety of examples, however, further points and discussions are needed, to extend your knowledge further.
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