NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: It's got a clear beginning because a person is doing certain things which gives us clues as to what the film might be about. The audience are only given so much information so that they don't know everything just yet.
THRILLER CODES & CONVENTIONS: Partial Vision it used throughout the entire opening sequence. Concealment and protraction is used also as you only see the persons hands and not the rest of their body.
This makes the audience question - why is this person slicing his fingers with a blade? what are they looking for? (Question & Answer).
CAMERAWORK: Close ups of pages being turned over and a person slicing his fingers with a blade to make the audience question. Concealment is used as everything is fast paced so that the audience does not fully know what is going on. The close ups highlight the persons personality as we see what he/she is doing and looking at.
MISE-EN-SCENE: Most parts of the scene appears to be unclear as the shots that are used do not really give much away to the audience. It looks as though the person is in the office and the character has pricision, slow movement and is calm in comparison to the editing of the film and the music being played.
SOUND: The sounds that are played seem supernatural-like. There's a continuous heartbeat playing. Scratchy and screachy noises like a zip are used which are disturbing to the audience. The heartbeats become louder and simultaneously build suspense and tension. It sounds urgent as it changes pace which makes the audience feel uneasy. The person cuts out word 'GOD' from a newspaper and then the music highlights that word by having the lyric 'You've brought me closer to God'.
EDITING: There are lots of jump cuts used to make it fast paced so that the audience is unclear of what the person is looking at.
A split-screen occurs focusing on a shot of the book, it appears that the top of the screen is a transparent red colour and shows a person developing pictures in a red mixture possibly? The bottom screen is just a normal capture of the book being examined.
GRAPHICS: The text used is white and in a way, child-like. They are central, and the credits are in the corners of the screen with an outlined glow. They often jump around the screen whilst flashing so that the audience does not expect them and this builds suspense.
TITLE OF FILM: 'JAWS'
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: The film starts with a big group of teenagers on a beach, drinking away.We automatically know that it's a linear because there is a clear beginning without concealment.
There is equilibrium as it's balanced. The audience does not feel at threat because we believe it is a sea creature in water and not an existing muderer. Diseqalibrium is used because the problem is that the woman has gone into the sea and we automatically know that some creature is going to get her.
THRILLER CODES & CONVENTIONS: Partial vision is used as we do not actually know what is in the sea...we just think there is something there. This is where protraction, concealment, question and answer comes in. It makes the audience question as the 'thing' underwater is hidden from us - what is in the water? why is she not being saved? is she going to survive?...
CAMERAWORK: It opens with a point-of-view shot of under water which is unsettling for the audience as we do not know who, what or where we are. the camera tracks through reef which then makes it clear that we are in the sea.
Next there is a mid-shot of the teenagers on the beach having a party or get-together, the camera then tracks and has an over-the-shoulder shot, which makes us feel as though we are there. As the camera tracks we look upon the teenagers as though we should not be there...which signifies that they should not be there either.
There is then a close up of a protagonist man who is meant to be seen as a disired object to the audience, and then a close up of a woman looking as though she disires this man also.
Then we see an overhead shot of them both running which changes into a crane shot as they move into it.
A tracking shot is used when the man and woman are running across the length of the beach, which makes the audience feel as though they should not be watching.
There is a low angle shot of of the man, and a long shot of the woman as she jumps into the water. You can then see a long shot of the distance, with a buoy in the sea.
A close up of the woman's legs in the water is used which makes the audience feel on edge and makes them question. It makes us feel that something is beneath her.
Finally there is a close up of the woman screaming for quite a while, with random long shots of the man casually lying down on the beach.MISE-EN-
SCENE: It is set on a beach which is somewhere we would normally associate with safety and at peace. The teenagers are casually hanging around the fire and drinking whilst in comparison the man and woman run off fast towards the sea. This gives the audience a sense of urgency. It is really dark thoughout the entire scene so we are unclear of what is going on and what their expressions are, which makes us think something is going to happen soon. However it is hard to tell what that is so the audience is on edge.
SOUND: The 'Jaws' theme tune is obviously used. I automatically then think about sharks as in time I have recognised the tune being used with sharks which makes me feel uneasy. However when this film had only just been produced, no one would have known what the tune was about. The theme tune builds suspense as it has range within the song and we do not expect it - it starts off slow and has a gradual contrast of loudness, then starts to get faster and louder.
Non-diegetic music is used throughout such as fire crackling, teenagers talking amongst themselves and laughing, the bell ringing from the buoy which is similar to an alarm and signifies danger.
EDITING: Opens with a long take of a beach which does not normally happen in films as it is hard to create one easily, which creates suspense for the audience as they might think 'why is there a long take of this part? Is this because something is going to happen?
A shot-reverse-shot is used on the man and woman looking at eachother, then a long shot is used on the girl in the water which cross-cuts as it goes from the woman in the water to the man on the beach.
GRAPHICS: The text (credits) are white, bold, big, plain and centered. The title of the film and the director 'Steven Spielburg' have large text as they are the main features of the credits.
TITLE OF FILM: 'AMERICAN PSYCHO'
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: It is a linear narrative. A man is showing the audience his daily routine. We see the face of the killer straight away so it is a clear narrative and we are not concealed from anything.
THRILLER CODES & CONVENTIONS: Transformed City is used as it is set in a nightclub and we associate nightclubs as a safe environment because they are filled with lots of people.
The question and answer model is used. It makes the audience question 'will he kill the girl? Is he the killer? What is he going to do?!'
There is an overhead shot of the nightclub to show that it is really crowded.
The main character is exotic because she is a pretty woman and appeals to the audience.
CAMERAWORK: It creates a contrast between his daily life at home and his nightlife which could potray the killer as a schitzophrenic person.
A Les-Miserables picture is on the wall which might might reflect how he feels.
Bright lighting that is used in the apartment shows that it is clean and organised.
MISE-EN-SCENE: Over-shoulder-shot used so the audience can see the conversation the killer is having.
There is a tracking shot in the apartment as though we are walking through. This puts us on edge and makes us feel as though we are there but shouldn't be. there is a medium shot of the killer doing yoga and close-ups of him in the shower. This is highlighting his daily regime.
SOUND: 80's music is used for the diegetic side which makes us feel as though we are not in danger because it is set a long time ago.
Classical, posh music is used in his apartment - we are unclear if this is diegetic or not.
Narration is used non-diegetically as it is the killer describing his daily routine. We are unclear who he is talking to. Possibly to himself.
Dialogue is used in the nightclub. We do not know if he is being serious or joking when he is talking.
EDITING: Shot-reverse-shot is used when the killer is having a conversation with the bartender. This makes the audience confused and unsure of who the main focus is.
In the nightclub the contrast between the nightclub and the killer's apartment is clearly shown. The nightclub is fast paced and the apartment is slow-paced and calm.
GRAPHICS: White, bold, central graphics at the beginning in captial letters to make the title stand out.
TITLE OF FILM: 'SILENCE OF THE LAMBS'
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: The credits overlap the woman who is in the woods. We are unclear as to what she is doing as she is running in misty woods which creates the 'question and answer' for the audience - 'Where is she?' and 'What is she running for?' are questions that might be thought about.She is suddenly wanted by the boss for some reason we do not know of. She goes to the bosses office and appears to become alarmed by ariticles and photos on the wall. This makes the audience question again - 'Is this something to do with her?'...'Is she in trouble?' Partial vision is also used because we do not know what is on the wall.
THRILLER CODES & CONVENTIONS:We realise it is set in a desolate police camp in the woods as we see her climbing ropes and doing other excersise techiniques. This is what the audience would consider as 'the transformed city' because it is just an ordinary place with ordinary people. Enigma code is used as we do not know what is going on exactly.
The 'exotic woman' code is used because we automatically believe that the ordinary and attractive woman is the protagonist/main character. It is also used as the police camp is male dominated so the woman is considered to be - in some way - unusual.
CAMERAWORK: There are close ups of trees at first. Then a crane shot as she climbs up a dirt hill and becomes closer to the camera. There are then long shots of the woman running through the woods and close ups of her feet, tracking on the side of her face and body as though someone is watching her, which makes the audience feel uneasy. Lots of pan angles are used and lots of mid-shots are used also to make her look small and vunerable. An over-the-shoulder shot is used as the man runs up to the woman which creates suspense and makes the audience question because at first we do not know who he is.
When she is in the office there is a close up of her face as she is looking at the evidence on the wall.
MISE-EN-SCENE: The woman is in very misty woods which makes it unclear for the audience's ability to tell what is going on around her. She seems to be 'dwarfed' by the way everything is emphisized around her such as the woods, the lift and well-built men. This is to make the audience think that in comparison to her she looks tiny, weak and should not be there. However we learn that her movement is quite manly, adventurous and focused.
SOUND: In the non-diegetic music there are violins playing which sound quite repetative, urgent and creepy. This is to create a dramatic emotion from the start.
Diegetic sound is used because you ccn hear leaves crunching, the woman breathing as she is running which gets more rapid as the scene goes on. There is very little dialogue which creates suspense as it makes it unclear for us to know what is going on.
EDITING: Match on action is used because we are following her all the way through the scene. This gives us a clue as to her being the protagonist woman who we will believe the film will be about as she is our main focus.When she is in the office there is a close up of her face and then the articles and photographs on the wall when she focuses on them. This is called an eyeline match.
GRAPHICS: Bold and simple credits are used. They certered and show importance as they are in a large font. the theme is black and white so it is just simple text and looks similar to the F.B.I writing.
TITLE OF FILM: 'HANNIBAL RISING'
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: It is a linear narrative. There are close ups of the trees, lakes and animals. Heavenly and relaxing music is used which makes us think of enchantment and makes us feel relaxed also. We see a church which then the camera tracks to two kids casually playing together and a butterfly goes past the screen. This makes the audience feel safe! There is suddenly a large 'bang' noise and the children react in an alarmed way. This catches us off guard and makes us jump. The loud noise in comparison to the beautiful music and setting builds up tension and makes us wonder where the loud noise came from. Diegetic noises continue to be used futher on in the beginning scene - Plane, horse, men and women panicking, more bangs from bombs. We realise that there is a war going on. Everyone is talking casually and acting calm - we think that everything is going to be okay. Suddenly a loud tank startles us and Russian men being abusive to German men does also. The family is shot, loud noises begin again, and explosions go off which are unexpected.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS: Beautiful woods looks like a normal and safe place. The music makes it seem safer - The exotic. It enchants us and makes us feel like we want to be there. Question and Answer model - 'Why are they fighting?' 'Are the children or their family going to die?' There is a clear beginning as we realise immediately what is going on.
CAMERAWORK: Lots of long shots of trees, water and the nature surrounding the woods. Long tracking shot of lake and church in background which moves to the children. These long shots are to make us unprepared for the loud bang which happens futher on. Close ups happen fast of the boy and girl which gives the audience a sense of urgency. In the war scene there are lots of close ups that happen fast and tracking that is unevenly filmed to make us feel like we should not be there. It also signifies that there is danger. Close up of a large tank wheel is effective as it happens unexpectedly and is unnerving for the audience.
MISE-EN-SCENE: Set in the woods - somewhere we associate with peace. Children are playing nicel, we are presented with a casual feeling. When the bang happens, children have sharp and quick movements which give the audience a sense of urgency. Men are dressed in army-type uniforms so we assume they are at war. Becomes foggy and misty from the smoke of bombs so it makes it harder to tell what is going on.
SOUND: Non-diegetic music which leads the audience asit is harmonic like a choir and beautiful. It becomes louder when the title appears. It carries on being peaceful music whilst diegetic sounds randomly occur such as bombs, horses, planes and people panicking. The dialogue is used in an unclear way- We know what some of them are saying but we do not know what they are reffering to. Some are also talking in a different language.
EDITING: Opens with a long take of the woods (trees). There are lots of long takes to match the slow paced music and to make us focus even more on the beautiful setting. Close ups of childrens faces happen quite rapid and a shot-reverse-shot as they are talking to eachother. It cross cuts constantly - It goes from the Germans to the Russians. After the title appears it fades the text and the background of the trees into rippling water. Eyeline matches used - when child looks at the letter in the drawer it focuses on his eyes and then the letter.
GRAPHICS: Title of the film is red as it could represent blood. No credits at the start of the film as the beautiful scene is meant to be focused on by the audience. The title is also cenetred and large.
TITLE OF FILM: 'SLEEPY HOLLOW'
NARRATIVE STRUCTURE: It is a linear narrative and has equilibrium. Drop of blood - looks lighter than blood - question and answer 'is it blood or something else?'. Close ups of peoples hands, caligraphy writing on discoloured paper, blood forming together, a candle burning. This makes the audience unclear as to what is going on. We realise the blood is actually an old fashioned stamp - makes audience feel at ease (red herring).
Horses legs and carriage wheels in a misty place - question and answer - 'where are they? are they trying to get away from something?'. We realise it is set in the past as we see a tudor man in the carriage which makes the audience safe and unable to be in the same danger. The man looks alarmed and loud noises occur which startles us. Drivers head is cut off and makes us feel alarmed and is unnerving.
THRILLER CODES AND CONVENTIONS: Enigma code is used as we do not know what is going on and is unclear thoughout the scene. Question and answer model - We see things that appear to be something bad, which are actually not (red herrings).
Protraction and concealment used as at first everything is hidden and lots of close ups are used.Equilibrium - We do not see a problem.
CAMERAWORK: Lots of close ups used for first scene to hide things from us and to confuse us. This is used on writing, letter being folded, a candle, blood (stamp) and a bag. This makes the audience quesion. In the next scene there are plenty of close ups, tracking used on the carriage as though we are being discreet behind the fence in the grass or as though something is watching. Mid shots of man sat in the carriage to see his expressions. Lots of long shots used - makes audience feel that they are waiting for something to happen. Over-the-shoulder shot of the drivers headless body which the man is looking at and it feels as though we are a witness to this!
MISE-EN-SCENE: Caligraphy writing and old feather ink pen makes us suddenly realise that the scene is set in tudor times. The driver and the man (inside carriage) are going through misty and foggy place which looks like a field - question and answer - 'where are they?' 'is something bad going to happen?'. It is really dark thoughout the entire beginning so we can not really see what is going on outside the carriage. Pumpkin-headed scarcrow startles the audience. It is very concealed and we are unable to see the killer.
SOUND: Tudor times non-diegetic music is used thoughout. It is calm to show the comparison to what is happening. Diegetic music is used for dramatic effects such as horses galloping and neighing, lightning and thunder, and a sudden 'roar' noise which is unnerving for the audience.
EDITING: Match on action is used as we follow the man who is in the carriage all the way through the beginning but red herrings occur and he ends up being killed. Lots of pans, long takes and cross cuts - goes from inside the carriage to outside the carriage. Shot-reverse-shot used once outside the carriage.
GRAPHICS: Black background and white thin credits. Mist forms around the text and is smokey to match the scene.
EXTENDED THEATRE CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Codes and conventions that were used in every film:
- All used partial vision.
- All have transformed city.
- There was always a villain (human or animal).
- Credits always start straight away.
- Most thrillers we watched had linear open sequences.
- Equilibrium as it is balanced out.
- Concealment as things were hidden from us.
- They always make the audience question.
- Suspense was constantly built through out.
- Credits were always black or white.
- Music builds tension and fits in with the film genre.
- The tracking shots used were long to build tension.
- Close ups used to hide things and show the reations of people.
- Pan angles were used a lot.
- Long shots were used frequently also.
- Editing matched the pace of action.
- Hardly any dialogue which made the film have question and answer.
- Clear location as we knew where things were set.
- The camera movement made us feel like we shouldnt be there.
- Eyeline matches used as we were able to see what characters were
- focusing on.
- The title always stood out.
- Non-diegetic sounds used to lead the audience.
- The graphics matched the music.
- Unnerving backgrounds were used.
- Enigma was used to keep audience watching.
- A mix of diegetic sounds were used which became unnerving.
- Questions were always left unanswered thoughout the opening
- sequence.
- There was always disequilibrium at the start (always a problem).
- Status was always set out. A person was always made to look either weak or powerful.
- There was always something unusual about the people we were
- presented with.
- A lot of use of reflective light.
- There was a contrast of the scenes for example, a light coloured office
- compared to the misty woods.
- Binary position used
- Red herring used at the beginning as we expected things to happen which did not.
- Weapons are often apparent but not used in a conventional way.
- Disruption occurs frequently.
- Elements of death are always present.
No comments:
Post a Comment