Thriller aspects from "If dogs run free" A touch of frost

The scene with thriller aspects is from 8:59 to 9:58 in this video and...

... Up to 00:14 in this video


The aspects of this scene of the thriller genre are the location and the action. This scene very closely resembles the idea for our thriller opening: the mugging of a woman in a deserted subway, by a hooded character.

This high angle shot presents the location as a dark, murky place, which is difficult to make out due to the lack of light. It creates an immediate sense of danger.

This shot introduces the underpass as a dangerous location. It looks run down and neglected, as well as isolated. The lighting is non-ambient and artificial, which makes the scene unnatural.

 The low angle of this shot makes the bike and the person on the bike more intimidating. The small size of the image of the woman makes her seem more vulnerable.

 This shot reveals the danger that the woman is in. The chase keeps the pace fast, therefore keeping tension high. The subway walls are close together, creating a claustrophobic feeling.

This shot uses the rule of thirds to draw the eye to the action to the left of the screen. The vanishing point, being the entrance/exit to the subway, is also kept to the left of the scene, which makes it appear further away. This is effective as it shows that escape is difficult to reach.

The scene uses all low angle shots. This is effective by making the appear mugger greater and stronger, and making the victim seem much more vulnerable, increasing the tension. The chiaroscuro, dull lighting makes the picture almost black and white. It makes the colours cold and emotionless, keeping the sense of danger and discomfort high amongst the audience. The scene uses reverse shots throughout to keep the action fast-paced, like a pulse, creating connotations of fear.
We can use all of these methods for our mugging scene in our thriller opening the create the same amount of tension and suspense that this video creates.

Thriller Planning

Thriller planing

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Shot list

Shot list:

Tilt shot of Harry Cooper in the alleyway and Will Block quietly in conversation.  

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Close up of the hands of Harry and Will as the money is exchanged

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Long shot of Eve White walking away with bag on shoulder.

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Close up of Will nodding in agreement to Harry

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Close up of Harry, slight smirk on his face, putting a cigarette to his lips and the gloved hand of Scarlet Fraser lighting the cigarette

High Angle of Eve White arriving at the ATM machine just about to put her card in

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Close up of card going into the ATM machine

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Over the shoulder of Will looking at Eve White at the ATM machine

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Over the shoulder of Eve looking around her, suspicous that someone is watching her

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Medium shot of Eve walks away from the machine, putting card into her purse

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Close up of Eve's hand going into her bag to put her purse away, her passport seen in frame

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Close up of Wheels of Wills skateboard rolling down the road

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Medium shot of Eve's feet walking/running (Wills legs seen in background)

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Low angle of Eve running down the ramp towards the camera

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Long shot of Eve looking bewildered in subway. Silence.

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Over the shoulder of Will rolling down the ramp fast on the skateboard
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* Low angle shot of eve running slightly right to the camera and will catching up on the skateboard.

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Medium/Long shot of Mugging of Eve, she falls to the ground

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Worms eye of Will riding off on the skateboard as from Eve White's point of view

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Long shot of Will riding down the street to Harry who is waiting for him hidden in the alleyway

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Medium shot of Will passing the stolen bag to Harry, who then passes the bag to Scarlet standing behind him.

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Low angle shot of Eve on the floor of the subway, distressed and getting to her feet

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Close up of Scarlet’s face as she’s leaving the alleyway with Eve’s bag on her shoulder. Camera pans out for medium shot as she’s walking to view the her whole body

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Over the shoulder shot/ long shot of Scarlet walking towards the place where Eve is. Eve turns to face the camera, close up of Eve’s face as she looks angry.

* Added shot

Jackie Brown

The title sequence of the film introduces the main character, Jackie Brown. The audience doesn’t learn much about her from this, except that she is air hostess.

The next scene introduces another character: Ordell. The first impression of Ordell contrasts to that of Jackie Brown as the first shot is of the TV screen, and a programme called “Chicks who love Guns”. It is used effectively to introduce Ordell as womanising and violent, although later in the scene he is made to seem less dangerous by his girlfriend, who disobeys his somewhat and also claims that Ordell doesn’t really know what he is talking about.

This scene is the killing of Beaumont by Ordell. This is the first act of violence by Ordell that the audience sees and is used to create shock and surprise.

The composition of the camera shot is a metaphor for the personality of Ordell: it represents him as a psychopath. The image shows the audience that Ordell can distance himself from reality and his detached personality. The long distance means that the audience do not get a good view of the murdere; this also distances Ordell, and highlights the insignificance of Beaumont’s death. The pan shot, long distance and high angle of the camera all help to create the feeling of a witness over a fence.

The action shows the audience that he has no empathy, no mercy, and is very dangerous and manipulating. It also shows the audience that Beaumont is an insignificant person to Ordell.

Plot final ideas - revised

Characters

• Emily King as “Eve White”
• Jenna Bolingbroke as “Scarlet Fraser”
• Tom Block as “Will”
• David Lovick as “Harry Cooper”

Plot

1. Eve uses ATM machine, close up of credit card and money, which she then puts in her handbag. A shot of the bag reveals a passport.
2. Eve walks away, Will follows on skateboard. She walks past the alley way, where Harry and Scarlet wait in the darkness.
3. Eve walks down the subway, Will skates after her down the ramp. Will steals her bag.
4. Will skates off and Eve chases him, but isn’t fast enough and runs out of breath at the top of the subway.
5. Will passes the stolen bag to Harry in the alleyway, who then passes the bag to Scarlet.
6. Scarlet leaves the alleyway and walks in the direction of the subway.
7. Eve is secretly watching Scarlet from around the corner.
8. Eve lights a cigarette, the audience is aware that there will be a confrontation between Scarlet and Eve, but the opening ends.

Costumes

• Eve – Red scarf and gloves. Black trousers and boots
• Scarlet – similar in looks to Eve. The red scarf and gloves.
• Will – hoody to hide his face. Vans trainers. Jeans.
• Harry – Trilby hat, dress shoes, black suit.

Props

• Handbag
• Cigarettes
• Passport
• Credit card
• Skateboard

Sound

• Skateboard wheels
• Lighter sparking
• Running footsteps
• Walking footsteps
• Dialog between Harry and Scarlet

• Piano music
• Violins
• Increase in tempo during chase/mugging
• Slower tempo, lower tone as Scarlet walks up the street

Questionnaire

This is the questionnaire we wrote:


1. What are your expectations of an independent thriller film?

[ ] Best selling story       [ ] Not well known story             [ ] Glamorous locations

[ ] Unglamorous locations           [ ] Well-known actors    [ ] Unknown actors

[ ] Special effects           [ ] Soundtrack   [ ] Award winning director

[ ] Unknown director       [ ] Other (please state)

………………………………..........................................................................................................
2. Which genres of a thriller do you prefer? Please pick up to 3

[ ] Action           [ ] Crime           [ ] British Gangster        [ ] Conspiracy

   [ ] Crime             [ ] Disaster        [ ] Erotic        [ ] Legal                        [ ] Mystery

           [ ] Political          [ ] Psychological [ ] Religious     [ ] Supernatural

[ ] Other (please state)

………………………………..........................................................................................................

　

3. What are the connotations of these locations?

Cities – [ ] Dangerous    [ ] Busy             [ ] Isolated         [ ] Lonely           [ ] Intimidating

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Towns – [ ] secluded     [ ] empty           [ ] Lonely           [ ] Gloomy         [ ] Dark

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Countryside – [ ] Isolated          [ ] Open space   

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Housing estates – [ ] Crowded     [ ] Friendly       [ ] Hostile

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Car parks – [ ] Dark       [ ] Enigmatic      [ ] Claustrophobic           [ ] Dangerous

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Prisons – [ ] Dangerous             [ ] Scary            [ ] Isolated

[ ] Other (Please state) ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. In a thriller film, what kind of sound do you think is most effective?

[ ] Music           [ ] Sound effects            [ ] Both [ ] Other (please state)

………………………………..........................................................................................................

5. In a thriller film, what kind of sound do you notice the most?

[ ] Music           [ ] Sound effects            [ ] Other (please state) 

………………………………..........................................................................................

Sound investigation piechart

A chart to show the favourite sound clips from the sound investigation amongst the students

Sound investigation

After asking the media students what the different music samples from the films connoted to them, we can conclude that:

·         The music from Psycho connoted fear, disturbance, terror, eeriness, tension and suspense amongst all of the students.

·         The music from Red Road caused anxiety amongst the students, as well as connoting disorientation, tension, loneliness and disconnection.

·         The music from The Third Man connotes hopefulness, satirical, comedy and irony. 

·         The music from Witness connoted the sense of adventure, progress, anticipation, peacefulness and tranquillity.

·         The music from Once Upon A Time in America was eerie and unwelcoming, creating a sense of isolation and loneliness.

·         The music from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly suggested a battle, pride and glory.

·         The music from Inception connoted suspense, tension, the idea of a fight, a nightmare, eeriness, action, and anxiety amongst the students.

We can use this information to build an idea of what our music will be like in our thriller opening. We can use the aspects of the music from different thrillers that work with our genre, themes and action.

Music + diegetic sounds



Red Road diegetic





Harry lime theme



witness music


Once upon a time in america


The good the bad and the ugly soundtrack



Inception soundtrack

Thriller film audience research

What I want to find out:

• Audience expectations
• What music/sounds are most effective
• What thriller genres 18-24 year olds prefer
• The characters
• The location

How I am going to find it out:

• Questionnaire
• Interviews with media students
• Sound investigations

What I expect to find out:

• Less music than sound effects
• Action/crime/British gangster genres
• No special effects
• Modern characters and locations

The Event - TV thriller series -

"When a man goes looking for his missing girlfriend, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy that is bigger than the president himself. "




The Event is a new American science fiction thriller TV series based on government conspiracy. The plot of the show centers around an extraterrestrial race who have been detained by the US government for 66 years, and may now become exposed to the public.

The TV series often has some generic thriller aspects. The cellar shots from episode 4 are particularly effective


Picture 1





Picture 2

 



Picture 3
This shot is effective, as the small gap of light represents and empathises the sense of entrapment and claustrophobia, which helps to build the tension in the scene. The light shows the audience her expression, drawing the eye to her wide open eyes. The audience might empathise with her.

 


Picture 4




Picture 5
This close up of the character's tied up hands is effective because it shows her struggle and further exaggerates the sense of claustrophobia.




Picture 6
This shot uses chiaroscuro lighting to show the character in a vulnerable position.




Picture 7
The tilt shot used when the new character enters the room creates a sense of confusion, desperation and distortion. This represents the feelings of the hostage. The chiaroscuro lighting also hides a lot of the scene, increasing the suspense as the audience, as well as the character, can't see all that's happening. The darkness, again, is useful at creating a claustrophobic sensation.





Picture 8
This shot has the same effect as Picture 7.

 


Picture 9
By looking directly into the camera, it gives the effect that the audience has eye contact with the character. It puts the audience in the role of the kidnapper, but the expression on the woman's face makes the audience empathise with her.





Picture 10
This shot is used to show the vulnerability of the hostage, and desperation of her situation.

  The cellar scene has thriller aspects as it is a generic location. The cellar is dark, small and lonely.
The lighting of these shots give them thriller aspects. The director has used chiaroscuro lighting to only light up her face. This shows the emotions on her face, and also hides the scene around her which increases the tension felt by the audience as we can't see anything else. It also increases the sensation of the claustrophobia felt by the character of being trapped with no escape, and the darkness surrounding and suffocating her.
The rule of thirds is used by the director a lot in The Event. This can be particularly seen in pictures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Notice the tilt shots in picture 7 and 8. These are fantastic shots showing both the victim and the hostage taker. They distort and confuse the audience of what's happening in the shot, especially with the little light, increasing the sense of danger and suspense.

Evaluation of my cosmetics advert

Who is your target audience and how would your advert appeal to that audience?

My target audience is women aged between 20-30. My product targets strong, independent working women, with aspirations to go far within their careers and businesses and to become successful. It also greatly targets women who aspire to be like this. The target audience for my advert have strong values and believe in themselves. My advert appeals to this audience by showing a young woman whose model-like position and posture and grace connote high personal belief and success. This is aided by the camera-flash effect in the background that suggests paparazzi, the red-carpet and ultimately fame.

My advert uses these connotations to position the audience to view the advert from an aspirational perspective, as it makes them believe that the perfume would help them to become as confident as the woman is presented on the advert. Also, by the way that the model is looking downwards towards where the perfume bottle is placed on the advert, it further suggests that the product is the reason for her success and happiness. The audience might feel this and consider that buying the product would make them feel personally stronger, and thus help them to become a successful member of the society and possibly even famous.

My advert also positions the audience to view the advert from a female perspective, as it supports the idea of women desiring to be and feel beautiful in the hope of finding happiness. My advert does this by presenting a beautiful girl, who clearly appears to be happy as she is smiling and has a very relaxed and comfortable pose. In this way, the female audience may idolise the woman in the advert.

My advert might be shown in magazines such as vogue in order to appeal to the target audience, as this is a highly classed magazine associated with A-list celebrities and the latest fashion. Other magazines of the same genre include Elle and Cosmopolitan.

How did the technologies help in the process of constructing the advert, and how comfortable are you using the technologies?

To capture the image for my advert, I used a Nikon D5000 digital SLR camera. I used this for the quality of the photos it can take. I’m comfortable using this camera because I am familiar with how it works and how to produce the best quality images from it. I am also pleased with the image I achieved with the camera, as it was clear and well focused, which was useful when creating my advert as it made selecting and changing colours much easier.

For this, I used Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paintshop Pro – both editing software. To be able to use these programmes was very useful when creating my advert. I used them both to edit every part of my advert successfully and creatively, with confidence from past experiences with the programmes.  The tools that i used on these programmes were the selection tools to cut out the background of the image, the colour changer to change the background to one solid colour, the light effects to produce lights on the background suggesting camera flashes, and the clone tool. 

I also found the website Dafont.com helpful when adding text to my advert as it was quick and simple to use, and it offered a great variety of different fonts to choose from. This helped my choose a font suitable to my product.

How does your advert represent particular social groups?

My advert represents the female social group, as it is a feminine design and presents a woman as the main subject. It shows how the female’s place in society has developed into a respectable member of society, and how women feel happy and content within themselves. I think my advert represents the target age group of 20-30 year old women as it has a level of sophistication that represents these women, but can also target younger ages due to the age of the model and the purple coloured background that gives the advert a younger feel. This can represent how the audience of 20-30 year olds want to feel; their desire to stay and feel young, and to remain fashionable amongst younger crowds. As well as this, I believe the advert suggests female’s aspirations to be confident and outstanding in society.

Cosmetic Advert - slideshow

This is the trailer for the new film "Buried"



"Paul is a U.S. contractor working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it's a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap."


Below are some snapshots from the film:


Picture 1




Picture 2




Picture 3


Each of these pictures are successful in capturing the feeling of claustrophobia and sharing it with the audience.
All of the shots use chiaroscuro lighting to create the scene. Picture 1 is lit only by the flame of a lighter. The lighting is .... and is used to show the audience the space that the character is in, in order to increase the sense of claustrophobia and fear.
Picture 2 is lit by the light of a mobile phone. It particularly shows the face of the character close up, highlighting the cuts on his face. This shows the danger that the character is in.

On picture 3, the chiaroscuro lighting focuses the eye on the face of the victim, which reveals the emotion on his face. This helps to make the audience feel the terror that the character feels.

Cosmetics Advert

Thriller - initial ideas

Location:
Mousehold Heath - Norwich
Chosen because of the old prison there as it helps build a sensation of mystery, enigma, and also helps with the idea of crime that we want to portray in our thriller. We also chose this location due to the Victorian terraced housing to the right of the prison. We feel that they will aid in giving our thriller the sense of an old, quiet place to be.

We like the hilly environment here. There are plenty of trees and bushes, benches and dips in the earth. We think we can use this environment effectively; the dark dips in the earth could be used to hide the mens' bodies and the briefcase, as well as create shadows and tone which would increase the tension of the scene; the bushes which could equally be used to hide items and also conceal the action from any onlookers; the views of the city from the hills suggest that the action is hidden well away from the city and people.

This part of Norwich has an enigmatic atmosphere, especially during dusk/night time. We are going to try shooting our thriller during dusk, when there is barely any light, as this will increase the mystery of the place. We will take into account that lighting problems may occur by shooting at dusk, and try to overcome this with other light sources or by shooting during the day instead. We also think that shooting at dusk will help as there will be nobody else around, therefore a good place for our story to be set.

Characters:
Femme fatale: our femme fatale will be a dangerous character. She will be watching the action secretly and will overpower and defeat the two male characters, in order to win from them the object that she desires. Her image will include a leather jacket, dark clothing, dark hair, dark glasses to hide her eyes, black trousers. She will look feminine, wealthy and desirable, and yet have a strong, powerful and dangerous aura.
Man 1: enters action from the housed road with one briefcase. It is unknown as of yet how he will be dressed, but possibly dressed in order to look poorer and of less importance than the femme fatale.
Man 2: enters action from the hills with the other briefcase. Again, it is unknown as of yet how he will be dressed.

Props:
2 briefcases, one with the valuable items in it, and one with nothing in it. They will be switched in the action, unknown to the femme fatale.
A car in which the femme fatale waits in the deserted car park, watching the two men. Possibly driven by a chauffeur to indicate the wealth and importance of the femme fatale. The headlights can be used to light the scene dramatically, to catch the attention of the men and dazzle/distract them from the femme fatale, who creeps up on them.
A weapon (gun) used by the femme fatale to kill the men, in order to get to the briefcase.

Shots from location for thriller

All these shots were taken of our idea for a location for our thriller. They are of Mousehold Heath in Norwich, and we like this location due to it's old prison, steap hills, view over Norwich, and the deserted feeling that it gives.