Preliminary Task & Evaluation

The storyline involves two girls who are willing to fight over money. This leaves both of them furious, over the unresolved issue causing one of the girls to give the other an unwelcoming, dirty look.

When a character is viewing something off screen, what they are viewing is seen by the other character in the following shot; this called an eye-line match shot. 

Also, shot, reverse shot is used in this clip. As the two characters argue, the camera angle is transitioned to focus on the talking character, as well as the other character's response. This is used frequently throughout out short clip, especially when the characters are speaking to one another. 

In addition, a match-on-action shot is used at the beginning of the short clip. When a character starts an action, you see them continue to pursue their action in the next shot; this is called an match-on-action shot. An example of this is when the character is seen arriving at the door, and then opening it; then the following shot is her walking through and closing the door.

Furthermore, as we were filming we had to be award of the 180 degree rule; it is a basic guideline that says that two characters in the same shot or scene should maintain the same left or right side of one another. 

Despite uploading this particular video, we had an incident where our first initial footage sound was not working perfectly. This is the fault of the equipment and not our own, we were able to resolve the problem by simply starting over. It allowed us to have even more experience with the camera and it's elements. 

The shots that were done particularly well and were relatively successful. The hair, costume, make up, props and mise-en-scene was kept the same throughout. On the other hand to improve it we could haves pursued a graphic match shot to make an even better short clip. A graphic match shot is when e.g. a bone is thrown in the air by an ape and then turns into a space station (Space Odyssey, 2001). We could film a hand sliding papers on the table, which turns into money as it slides into another hand. Following that, making sure that the camera is completely leveled and avoiding any irrelevant sounds interfering with out film and making sure the edit is neat. 

Sound Analysis (In thriller)

At the beginning of the thriller, the company logo is introduced by the sound of rain and eerie earthly sounds, which illustrates a sense of irony in correspondence to the actual company name, "happy days." It is the opposite of happy, thus be rain symbolising sorrow, despair and there is also a sense of mystery by the earthly sounds. The thunder also exemplifies villain associated elements, as well as danger. The idea of nature can relate to the couple consuming natural, human bodies.

Furthermore, the non-diegetic sound played throughout is a low sound, immediately alerting the audience that there is something not right, and suspicious happening. The tone rises to an uncomfortable high pitched sound, thus increasing tension ad apprehension. There is also a piano sound, that is continuously playing like a fast clock. It suggests that time may be running out, or catching up to them. The sound of occasional notes intensifies anxiety amongst the audience. Additionally, the sound of the dog in the background draws the audience to be aware of the character'a actions. When the woman puts the contents in the pot, the music creates a dark, dull and low tone; the opposite of high pitched angelic tones, is used to warn the audience that the female may not be as innocent as you think. The sound of the chopping board raises the tension, as it gets increasingly loud. Moreover, when the chopping board is revealed the piano note is high, thus causing tension to reach it's zenith; and when the chopping board is revealed again, the low sound returns, emphasising the intensity of the scene. Finally, at the end of the thriller the sound of an evil choir close the end of the thriller, leaving a tension filled cliffhanger.

 

Mise-en Scene - James Bond

The Birds (1963)

Watch out for The Birds!

 

The trailer is introduced by a dark voicing informing the audience, "there is no need to be afraid," but as the audience we already know that this thriller contains material that of course we are going to be afraid. Thousands of birds are seen together as if they are in a gang, awaiting their prey. They don't appear welcoming, especially because all the birds are black; he black could potentially suggest danger, death and destruction. Next, they swam like hungry animals, attacking the children viciously. If they are able to attack children, then most defiantly they are able to attack anything, no matter what the humans have nothing against these cruel birds. "I hardly think a few birds are going to bring about the end of the world," is that so, lady? Her naivety caused her to doubt the capability of these menacing birds. More and more birds are seen, and a woman who seems her anxiety is eating her alive screams in panic and worry. The birds continue to flutter and screech while they attack.

The film stars Tippo Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Rod Taylor.

The Plot

The young socialite, Melanie Daniels agenda is to fool her love interest Mitch Brenner by playing a joke on him. She gives him the gift of lovebirds which is for his younger sibling’s birthday. This encourages the unexplainable attack of birds.  As time continues, the numbers of birds increase.

In what ways is this an archetypal thriller?

Threat? Nature.

There is nowhere to escape commonly in Hitchcock films, in this case you cannot run away from “The Birds.”

Here is a teeth grinding scene from The Birds

In this clip, the woman shouts for Danny but he’s not home. There is silence, which introduces suspense. She looks around in anxiety making the audience also feel her anxiety, wondering what might occur next. There is a suspicious, eerie atmosphere present; she enters a room full of destruction and mishap. He face increases in worry as she looks around the room and spots bloody legs, then the whole body. It terrifies her, leaving her in absolute shock that she’s not able to even scream. The woman runs to another man, unable to speak; traumatised.

“Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action.”

Children running away frantically away from the birds

The birds smashing into the windows

A swam of birds attack Melanie Daniels

Is there an actual hero in the thriller?

The external threat comes from nature, and there no actual mugiffin in the film. On the other hand, you could assume that the birds have a reason for attack. Perhaps nature treated badly, or humans themselves. Hitchcock commonly uses a macguffin in his thriller to make them more exciting.

Therefore, who is the real enemy here?

“Devices such as suspense, red herrings and cliff hangers are used extensively.”

Suspense

Expecting a friend, Mitch’s mother enters the house but she was not expecting what she saw. She inspected the house anxiously and found it in ruins, which created tension and suspense. Suspense is at it’s zenith when she sees the dead body.

Even more suspense…

Melanie wants to pick up Mitch’s sister to make sure she is safe from the birds. Suspense rises as more and more birds gather the school playground, illustrating entrapment. The birds show their dominance by being appearing superior to the humans.

The end of the thriller, there is no conclusion, which can be regarded as a cliffhanger. He wanted to leave terror in the audience.

The Style of editing

The Speed of editing

Source Code (2011) - Prezi

Production Company Ident Analysis - Prezi

Alfred Hitchcock - Prezi

Title Sequence...

∞ Happy Days Production presents

∞ A film by Laura Bankole

∞ Starring…….

∞ Stacey Talbert

∞ Michael Rhodes

∞After Eight...

∞ Also starring

∞ Sarah Cole

∞ Lottie Street

∞ Alex West

∞ Editing – Laura Bankole

∞ Music – Michelle Nduku

∞ Casting – Stacey Talbot

∞ Writer – Lauren Quashie

∞ Producer – Michelle Nduku

∞ A film by Laura Bankole

∞ *fade out*

Finding Music

To find the music for our thriller, we used freeSFX. This is benefitial to us, as there will not be any copyright issues. If we were to use music from itunes, then copyright issues would appear if we did not ask permission from the artist. Asking for permission is time consuming because we would have to wait for a response, therefore freeSFX is more efficient and effective for us. 

Ominous music is our choice as it would not distract the audience from what is occurring in our thriller.

Different Types Of Fonts

Certifcation Research

Psycho - Alfred Hitchcock

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Writers: Joseph Stefano, and novelist Robert Bloch

Main Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh and Vera Miles

Storyline: The muguffin!

Marion Crane is tired by the way life is not in her favour. She meets her lover, Sam in lunch, and can’t unfortunately get married because most of his money is given away in alimony. Marion is trusted to bank the massive amount of £40,000 by her employer, which is a major responsibility. However, she saw this as an opportunity to steal the money in order to enhance her life, starting new. As a result of that, she leaves town, heading towards Sam’s California store. The storm is heavy, causing her to become tired and she gets off the main highway, and parks at the isolated and eerie Bates Motel.

The hotel is managed by a quiet, and awkward young man named Norman, who appears strangely dominated by his mother.

Hitchcock Thoughts

He believed that the audience would initially think the film is based on the $40,000 and Marion starting a new life, thus the murder becoming an ultimate shock. This makes the audience apprehensive for what the rest of the film has to be over… Who will be killed next? Anything can happen in The Bates Motel. The audience is aware that there is a murderer present. However, they don’t know when and how the murderer will strike again, the suspence makes the audience prepared for possibly anything to happen. Hitchcock stressed that less violence on the screen, the more apprehension amongst the audience.

In what ways is this an archetypal thriller?

The external threat = A mad man with a deranged mind!

Frequent action & fast pace

Shower

Car

Suitcase

 Most thrillers have a hero, but is there a hero in psycho? The peculiar twist is what made Hitchcock’s movie so famous.

Norman Bates... the creepy guy

Hitchcock emphasised the importance of avoiding cliché and repetition, particularly in regards to the character, for instance the murders/villains may appear charming, and the hereoes may be flawed. Often, in his final films Hitchcock placed evil in the most banal of settings.

...

The story of Psycho is spectacular in its construction. Hitchcock developed cleverly by its consistency in apprehension and suspense. There are two major surprises which is the brutal murder scene, and the final frightening revelation about the mother. 

Psycho tricked us into thinking that the main character is Marion, but after her early exit, the audience becomes increasingly aware and full of anxiety.

The first time viewing the film will result in a unique experience. The movie interestingly generated a phobia of the shower, the people became afraid of the vulnerability that the shower imposes. Many started taking baths, such as Janet Leigh is an example of a victim. She claims that since she saw the film, she never took a shower again. 

When the film was shown, there was no advance screening. Nobody was allowed to a showing after the feature had already started. This was to keep the crucial parts of the film secret, and to emphasise that great suspense Hitchcock was famous for.

Remake?

None of Hitchcock’s previous films had the same profound impact on the American psyche as this particular film. Initially, when it was released in the year of 1960 the huge box office hit was humungous. The facination of the film continued to grow, its siginificance is shown through the 1998 remake. 

The remake doesn’t capture the true uniqueness that the orginal had. The idea of remaking such a successful classic is risky; the Hitchcock film is definitive. Depsite the music being reused, the characters are recycled. Without a doubt, the shower scene is inarguably one of the greatest execution and editing in cinema history. Surely, no one could  re-do such a brilliant scene?

More about the shower scene…

We see:

• Knife

• Blood (chocolate syrup)

• Water

• A woman’s partially shown naked body

One of the most interesting parts about the film, is that the stabbing is only hinted on screen, which enhances the viewer's imagination to fill in the gaps, instead of films like today.

The film has made such a significant impact on viewers, that in most cases the first images that come to mind when the name “Psycho,” comes up is the brilliant actress, Janet Leigh being attacked to death. The scene is famous for its creativity and careful though, even people who have not seen the film knows about it.

Bernand Herrmann’s discordant and forceful music has been continually used in various other movies, and YouTube videos to denote the appearance of the film.

The Source (2011)

The Source Code

The action thriller involves a soldier who happens to wake up in the body of a completely different man. He later on discovers after numerous attempts to find out what's going on, that he plays a vital part to a mission to find the bomber who pursuer his corrupt intention at a Chicago commuter train.

The director if this film is Duncan Jones, and the writer is Ben Ripley.

The Stars of the Film

 

 

Jake Gyllenhaal 

Michelle Monaghan 

Vera Farmiga


 

Past Student Thrillers

Finder's Keepers

The opening of the Finder’s Keepers is faced past, which closely resembles to an actual action thriller. The thriller contains conventions of a thriller such as their red herring. The character reaches for his pocket and he reaches out a phone, but we would initially assume he would bring out a weapon.

Additionally, their mise-en scene is also good. It was not a typical schoolyard, which was interesting to see how well their characters adapted to the environment. Also, their costumes were very intriguing and matched well with the sort of theme they were portraying.

The sound was fast paced enough to match with the “chase.” However it could be better because the sound matched more of something you would hear at a party.

4/4 It was a very good opening

Hide & Seek

No Country For Old Men (2007)

No Country for Old Men

The trailer starts of with showing shots of deserted and isolated locations, then a dark voice is heard alongside a flip of a coin, coming from Anton Chigurh. The man he is speaking to seems intimidated and rather lost. The shots change and you see dead people which slowly increases more tension, especially after the sound of the click of the gun. The two dead bodies are seen again. The red car accompanying them suggests danger, as the colour red could signal blood. The music becomes more even paced and shows shots that involve money. As money is the root of all people, this could potentially mean that money is what causes the corruption and danger that happens in the film. The danger is re-emphasized as a young, innocent looking woman says "I got a bad feeling." Sheriffs appear in the next few shots, proposing that a crime is about to be investigated. Intensity increases as loud quick noises are heard, for example a "bang" and a "pop." Then, an explosion is seen; the audience are fully aware that there is increasing danger involved. Shots of weaponry, glass shattering, murder and car crashing are seen as the music picks up its pace then drops again. The music going up and down allows the film to play with the audience's emotions and anxiety. The trailer targets young adults and older who enjoy the adrenaline that thrillers offer.

This American crime thriller is adapted from the Cormac McCarthy's novel; No Country for Old Men. It is about a man who is particularly ordinary, but his life takes an unusual twist as chance provides him fortune that does not belong to him. The thriller could be described a a a cat and mouse thriller as the three men run over eachothers ways in the desert landscape of West Texas in 1980. The film looks at both fate and circumstance alongside adhering to the genres plot, which is villain driven.

Opening Scene

Deep drums, and rattle-like sounds are heard alongside the voice of a man. This creates a level of tension which seems constant as long shots of desolate locations are shown; the shots earlier were sunsets. The man is soft spoken and has an unalarming type of voice. He explains how he used to work with his father which causes the audience to feel some sort of compassion towards the soft spoken character. As you get further into the shots, the music gets deeper and slower. "He killled a 14 year old girl," those words pierce though the audience's ears because of the cruelty done to a young girl. It causes the audience begin to sympathies mixed with increased anxiety. He continues to tell the audience that the papers said it was a "crime of passion," but the speaker informs that the murder told him that "there weren't no passion to it." This suggests the murderer is cold hearted, and sinister. The murder tells the speaker he is willing to do it again because he was hungry to kill someone for a long time. The murder is finally shown being arrested with long dark hair, highlighting his dark, obscure character we are about to discover. The shots of the isolated areas could imply that the murder caused chaos and corruption in a quiet, more or less harmful area. What makes this film different from other thriller is that it is not fast paced and action packed in the beginning but the suspense is elongated.

"The Nature of You." 

Carson Wells is going up the stairs, following behind him is Chigurh. He pats his face to wipe away sweat; the anxiety of both him and the audience grows suspicious. They both enter a room, Wells unarmed and Chigurh, armed with a large weapon. The conversation remians calm and level with a everlasting smirk coming from Chigurh, but the tension continues to rise. Wells attempts to make a comprmoise with $14, 000 he can withdraw for him; instantly a smile grows on Chigurh's face; there is hope that he might accept and set Wells free. Also, says he knows what Chigurh's looking for and where it can be found. The compromise sounds rather promising, both the audience and himself hoping it all is enough to promise him his life. Wells informs him with a rhetorical question, "do you have any idea how crazy you are?" "you mean the nature of this conversation?" "I mean the nature of you." The information insults him and perhaps aggravates Chigurh but his facial expressions do not give away much, but certainly he is not amused. The phone rings loudly, starling the audience; then Chigurh smirk returns to his face shoots him abruptly and unexpectedly.

"Call it."

"What's the most you ever lost in a coin toss?" was the question which caught the shop keeper of guard. Chigurh emphasizes on the word "most." The innocent shop keeper is unaware of what is going on but the audience can definitely sense fear in both his face and body language. Chigurh keeps telling the shop keeper to "call it." The man informs him that he hasn't put anything up and Chigurh responds he's been putting it up his "whole life." The murder is referring whether he gets to play God and kill him, or let him live. He pursues his actions, emotionless and remorseless. He does not end up killing the elderly shop keeper, but the scene is most definately intense.

"Chigurh's Crash"

Chigurh gets crashed into by another car which immediately leaves the audience in shock The shots viewing the crash are long, allowing the audience to sink in what just happened. He limps out the car in pain. As the audience, it is difficult to sympathize with him because he is a heartless murder. However, two young boys on bikes approach him and decide to sympathize with him. The driver of the car that crashed into him does not come into the scene, making us unaware of who is responsible. The young boys see that his bone is sticking out his arm, and Chigurh tells one of the boys to give him his short, and he accepts. There is still no remorse, or kindness shown in Chigurh's face or action which makes the audience continue not to sympathize with him.

Anton Chigurh

Chigurh is a hitman who is hired. He wears dark and dull clothes to represent himself as a character with no sense of remorse or compassion for people around him. The murderer shows no emotions, and continues killing people without a care in the world. He is a cruel, and evil man who gains satisfaction from killing and creating great amongst other human being which contributes to the tension in the film. For example, an innocent shop owners life is put the edge as he asks the man to flip a coin to decide whether he gets to live it not. The captive bolt pistol is his main weapon of choice and used this to manipulate his power by killing people or shoot locked doors. Chigurh does not speak a lot, which increases the fear factor he has control of. His lack of speech makes the audience wonder what sick and twisted thoughts he might have planned. We don't know entirely what to expect as he is a dark and speech withdrawn character. He keeps the audience guessing and gripping to their seats. 

Collateral (2004)

Collateral is a crime thriller starring the gorgeous Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx. And directed by Michael Mann and written by Stuart Beattie.

Mann introduced this as his first feature film which was shot using the new technology of high-definition cameras. The use of digital cameras made it quicker and easier to edit, which meant making films using digital cameras was more efficient.

The trailer introduces the thriller in a peculiar way; a love song plays at the beginning when the main character is with his potential love interest. The lighting dark, creating a mysterious atmosphere which lures us in to prepare for the action coming up next. It was as if the original agenda for the film was to be romance, however the scene is cut and "but plans change," appears on the screen.  Someone enters his cab, who happens not to be his love interest; this creates an uneasy tension right from the moment he enters as the music changes into a dark, sinister and eerie tone. The tone picks up its pace as the man Vincent, tells Max he needs to a make a couple of stops. Immediately, we see a body smash unto his cab and we sense danger. Vincent pulls out a gun which startles Max as well as the audience. The scene switches back where Vincent is in the cab, continuing being driven by Max which makes the viewer wonder why Max did not just run away. Furthermore, more shots are shown but with shorter timing, making the shots much shorter and faster paced. The shots being shown are gun shots, running, chasing, more gun shots, a hospital area and life risking actions. 

Mann famously chose to use the Vioer Film Stream High-definition Camera to film numerous secs ends that appeared in the film of Collateral. It was the first use in a major motion picture. If you look closely you may be able to recognize were the digital camera was used; in particular the scenes where the beautiful Los Angeles skyline or landscape is evidently visible in the background.

The filming of the Coyote running across the road contains the low light, which allows Mann to spontaneously film the fix without having the hassle to set up lighting for that particular shot. Later, Mann employed the same camera for his other famous movie of Miami Vice.

A fascinating sequence is the Korean nightclub scene (shot in 35mm). 

DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures co produced the film. The former studio handled North American rights, while The latter held international rights. Paramount acquired the US/Canadian rights on the purchase of DreamWorks in 2006. The film was released in Blu-Ray by Paramount on March 30th, 2010. This happened to be the first Region 1 video release they distributed. Previously, Universal Studios were the company distributing them.

DreamWorks development books were say in for three years by Collateral. Initially, Mimi leader was attached to direct then passed on to Janusz Kamiński. The project wasn't generally starting any heart until Russell Crowe became interested in playing the part of Vincent. Michael Mann brought on board Crowe, however there was constant delays which lead to Crowe leaving the project. Tom Cruise was then immediately was contacted by Mann, Cruise adapted the idea of him playing the hit man and Adam Sandler as the cabbie. Robert De Niro was the actor Beattie wanted to cast as Max (the exact opposite of Travis Bickle, making him a taxi driver). Unfortunately. the studio refused and emphasized how they wanted a younger actor to play the role.

The film successfully opened in the year of 2004, August 6th. It was opened in 3,188 theaters in the United States and Canada; it grossed $24.7 million in just its opening weakened and was number 1 at the box office. 14 weeks it remained in theaters and grossed $101, 005, 703 in the United States and Canada. It also grossed in other countries, with a total of £116, 758, 588 and worldwide, $217, 764, 291.

Scenes from Collateral 

"Collateral Briefcase."

Max's hands are tied up in the car by Vincent, to make sure he does not attempt to escape. He grows increasingly anxious and determined to escape. He sees no option but to cry for help as he sees a group of males, hoping they will respond. Max feels relieved that a young male with long hair seems to appear innocent and willing to find out what is wrong. But that is only for a few seconds; for those few seconds the audience feel relieved also, until he reaches out for a gun and starts to act extremely aggressive. He is the dominant character of the moment. Tension rises back up again because not only is Max's life in danger because he's in the hands of Vincent, but Vincent is absent and his life is still in danger. At this point the audience knows the young male is some sort of thief as he takes Max's wallet and reaches out to steal Vincent's briefcase. He begins to walk away with the briefcase proudly, until Vincent appears he walks towards him, thinking he is dominant until he is shot. The dominance is rewarded back to Vincent as he retrieves his briefcase. The area is quiet, and isolated so that no bystanders are present to witness. The absence of music allows the audience to really feel the fear that Max feels, as if they are actually right there with him.

"Pulled Over."

The windshield of the cab Max drives is smashed and he is stopped by the police. There is a glimmer of hope that Max might be able to seek for help and escape. He asks for license and registration to ensure that he is an actual cab driver. Max begins to feel rather uneasy. He has to try to figure out what might happen next; his mind is confused on what to expect and how to respond as carefully as he can to avoid trouble with both the police and of course, Vincent. As soon as the police mentions blood on the cab, we as the audience begin to worry for Max for he is the innocent one having to ask questions. He responds by mentioning he hit a dear but the police are not buying his story, therefore asking him and the passenger to step out the vehicle and mentions opening the boot. They both eventually step out the car, Vincent holding a gun incase he senses a threat, but the police have another investigation so they inform Max to go "straight to the garage." When the police leave, they go back into the cab together; shattering the hope that the audience had that Max might be able to escape and pursue freedom from Vincent's company.

"Vincent's New Friend"

Flowers are given to Max's mother and she is aware of Max's financial state so she acts slightly bitter towards the gift, until she finds out that it wasn't from Max, but Vincent. She acts kindly towards Vincent, and acts somewhat kindly back. The audience's anxiousness rises as we are not entirely sure what Vincent's intentions are, especially with the sickly mother of who he holds captive. Max's mother says "you have to hold a gun to his head to make him do anything," which immediately increass tension as he gives Max a smirk. He surprisingly tells Max's mother that he is a friend, but friends do not hold one another captive and put them into serious danger. It is quite ironic because Max would not particularly consider him a friend. This makes the audience wonder why he chose the term "friend" of all terms he could've potentially used. Max becomes increasingly agitated because his mother may be in danger, as well as Vincent's intentions are not exactly clear.