Individual narrative ideas - Miss Georgiou

The narrative sets out the way in which the clip itself flows. It can be used to portray various emotions and conventions that can effect and engage the audience. In addition to this it creates a story and a structure to way the film goes.

 Ideas

• Suicide
• Flash backs 
• isolated park, bridge, about to jump off
• stalker, forces her to want to commit 
• plot twist, a kind women makes her change her mind
• women gets killed 

Mes en scene

This may consist of an isolated setting running throughout the sequence as the victim is to be seen on her own highlighting her innocence and vulnerability. There will be 4 scenes throughout the film. The first being the main scene showing the present tense, this could be located on a bridge in a park showing the girl about to commit suicide. There will also be 3 flashback scenes. The first will be in a forest on the way back from school, emphasising how young she is. The second will be in her home comforts showing her vulnerability. Then the third will show the victim in an alleyway, emphasising the danger she is in. In addition to this the mes en scene consists of the presentation of characters within each scene. Our antagonist(Steve) will be presented as a mysterious and deranged character. In order to do this we will use a dark hoody to keep his identity hidden and position him to show his deranged state of mind as he follows the young girl. Our main character and victim (Brittany) must be presented as being innocent and vulnerable. The ways in which our mes en scene shows this is through the use of costume. She will often wear light coloured clothing that might even be younger than seen at her age group; this could be done to elaborate upon her innocence.

Conventions

• Death/knife - this is seen as the likeable protagonist (Carol) dies. It is highly conventional to a thriller, suitable in inflicting the shock factor of the genre upon the audience. 
• Male/ young girl antagonist and victim - This is very conventional, used and created by Alfred Hitchcock it is an effective way to built suitable relationships between the characters and the audience. The viewers feel sympathy for the innocent girl and fear towards the overpowering man; this furthermore engages the audience.  
• Enigma - Built throughout the clip using a plot twist and a hidden identity. This is highly conventional to a thriller as it engages the audience and builds suspense leading up to key events with a film.
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Characters
Brittany - victim, young girl... She is the victim and is being stalked and tormented by Steve, the antagonist. She is shown to be innocent and vulnerable.
Steve - antagonist, older man... Steve is our male antagonist, he is seen to be stalking Brittany until she becomes suicidal. His identity and reasons behind the deranged stalking is kept away from the audience, adding to the enigmatic theme. He murdered Carol for an unknown reason
Carol - protagonist, friendly women... Carol is the older friend of Brittany that offers help in her dire situation. She is killed at the end of the sequence, therefore creating a plot switch which results in an enigma for the audience at the end of the sequence.

Group narrative - Miss Georgiou

Group narrative

My group consists of me, Cara Jackson and Emma Allen

My views:
- suicide
-flash backs
-stalking
-plot twist, decides against suicide due to kind old women
-kind old women dies, clip ends, enigma

Cara's views:
- hidden identity
- we see the antagonist
- stabbing
- cliff hanger
- psychopath
- bad childhood
- dark/deserted setting
- the killer those closest to her
- left on her own, sympathy, enigma

Advantages - This narrative was key to our enigmatic theme vital to an opening sequence. It is also very conventional to a thriller, complying to the various requirements needed for the genre.

Disadvantages - The disadvantages of the plot is that it may be too complex for an opening sequence, giving too much away for the film itself. It is more like a film trailer.


Emma's views:

Final narrative:
- suicide
- main scene, about to commit, bridge
- flashbacks, stalking, outside victims house, in school, stalks family
- plot twist, decides against suicide

- ends with a death, leaves an enigma

Advantages - Very well structured, highly suitable for a opening sequence. This is due to the fact that the narrative leaves the audience on a cliff hanger and sets out the plot for the rest of the film. It is clear for the audience and not too complex, plus very conventional to a thriller due to the focal point of death.

disadvantages - The plot may also be seen as too complex having too much happening for an opening sequence.

Our group narrative will include an antagonist, a victim and a protagonist creating typical conventions of a thriller. The victim is first seen as committing suicide, this shows death and negativity towards the start of the clip. This is shown in the present time. Next we see flashbacks into her past, these flashbacks will show why she is going to commit suicide. They will include the antagonist stalking the victim both outside her house and on the way home from school. She becomes paranoid and extremely frightned this is shown as she gets terrified from just an innocent runner running past her on the way home from school. This is all flashbacks and forces her into the present time period where she is about to commit suicide. At the end of the clip, however, there is a plot twist. Before she is about to die a women comes along, a kind looking women, she helps the young girl to walk away and change her mind on her death. The women is then killed by the stalker, the clip will then end and the audience is left with an enigma. This enigma is kept throughout the clip as we wll use a hidden identity for the antagonist.

Narrative theory - My narrative follows the idea of tTodorov with the use of equilibrium and disequalibriums. We start with the victim about to die; this being a state of equilibrium, we then go to the victim deciding against suicide; this being a disequilibrium. Lastly we finish with a disequilibrium as the protagonist dies and the victim is left vulnerable. The set out of this clip is different to Todorov's idea of a happy state, turnung to a negative struggle then ending with an equilibrium; however, we have done this to a great effect. We have done this to create confusion for the reader and elaborate on the sense of surpise. This being a key convention to a thriller.

Summery - My thriller is very conventional, it will include a typical female victim used in most thrillers. This creates sympathy and we feel emphasised shock and suspense when she is vulnerable. We also see death and a male angtagonist being ver orthodox to a thriller. The sense of shock is portrayed through the sudden death of our protagonist. Also the sense of surprise is shown through the diferent plot we have during our clip. We will create a large amount of suspense through building an enigam. This is vital for a thriller film and will be done through a lot twist and the use of hidden identity for the stalker.

Research into convention - Miss Miller

Conventions

A conventions are elements that are common throughout different film genres. Thriller films contain various specific conventions such as; shock suspense death or an enigma. The clip I have chosen is from 'Scream' Reasons for this is that it is a highly successful thriller and shows typical conventions that are clear to the audience.

Firstly the film shows a younger girl as the victim and a mans voice for the antagonist. This is a typical convention of a thriller set from back in the 1940s when Alfred Hitchcock was prominent. The reason this is done is so that we can easily feel sorry for the more vulnerable, younger girl; however, we feel more scared of the powerful dangerous man. Therefore the audience support the young girl and the effect of the suspense and shock element in increased. A way this powerfulness of the man is emphasised is through various camera shots. A low angle is often used on the antagonist; by doing this it seems as though the villain is towering over the victim, therefore presenting him as menacing and powerful. The effect this has on the audience is that it inflicts pain upon us and we feel tension and suspense about the situation. The use of high and low angles are vital for the thriller as they help with the relationships built between characters and the audience and help way the audience into feeling tension as the victim is under threat.

Another a conventional form of cinematography often consists of the changes in tempo's within the thriller genre. This is clearly shown in this clip. There is an example of fasted paced editing from the start of this clip as the camera switches quickly from shot to shot, increasing the overall speed of the clip. The fast paced shots is generally used to present key moments within a film; the viewers get excited by the action and tension builds as we want to see the younger female survive. The fast tempo is often juxtaposed with slow tempo in various thriller works to emphasise a the suspense leading up to a shocking event; generally being a death. All being key to the entertaining factors of a thriller film.

Within the clip there is also a use of a plot twist towards the end of the video. The killer is seen to be linked with the victims friend. By doing this the producers build up an enigmatic theme to the film as the audience is left thinking about the plot and the outcomes. It is generally seen in most thriller films as it is what creates and develops the plot within a film. It creates a storyline of which the audience must slowly uncover what the outcome may be. An enigma is one of the best ways to create widespread suspense that builds up as the plot develops, this is why it is so important to a thriller film as suspense increases the fear factor and the overall entertainment of the piece of work. 

The iconography used in this clip furthermore presents the enigmatic conventions typically seen in a thriller film. Throughout the clip we see a mask used on the antagonist, this provides the killer with a hidden identity. Demonstrated in various thriller works, this creates an enigma. The audience are eager to discover the identity of the killer, therefore suspense is established as we build up towards finding out. A hidden identity is used throughout many thriller films. It is so highly orthodox to a thriller as it portrays the few emotions that are very conventional to a thriller. By leaving us thinking it creates a sense of mystery for the audience, as we are desperate to see the killer revealed it creates tension and suspense, also it can emphasise the shock and surprise element of further events in the film such as the death or the revelation of the hidden character. These emotions inflicted upon the audience are key to providing entertainment for a thriller.

 

Through these various techniques this film is made to be very conventional. It shows the senses of surprise, shock and suspense inflicted upon the audience. Surprise is conveyed through the plot twist shown, shock is shown by the quick change of shots as the antagonists springs up upon the victim and suspense and tension is built through the use of fast tempo, action packed filming. The main aspect of the clip I will take away and could use for myself is the use of an enigma. In my opinion this is the best way of engaging whilst creating a great amount of suspense and surprise. This sequence shows a clear view of how an enigma is used to great effect. 

Opening sequence analysis- Miss georgiou

Halloween

An opening sequence sets a storyline for the rest of the film. It is used to engage the audience so that they want to watch the rest of the film and see what happens next. This is done by creating suspense and tension, plus presenting an enigma to the audience and making them think, therefore furthermore engaging them. This is shown in a great example during this film from the twist at the end shocking the audience and keeping them engaged.

Editing
The first form of editing I spotted was slow editing, this was shown as the antagonist slowly walks towards his victim. By slowing the camera work down the sequence is prolonged so that suspense can build up for the audience. By doing this a sense of tension is built as we are given time to think about what might happen next and prepare ourselves. This suspense built shows a typical convention of a thriller as tension is created for the audience building up to a shock moment. The tempo of this clip is used to various effects. It is also quickened after the murder has taken place to make it seem as though he is running away. This furthermore builds upon the tension created; however, it is used to a different effect as it excites the audience and puts them on the edge. By doing this the viewers become more engaged as they want to see what happens next.
Another form of editing used here is a reaction shot. This is shown when the mask is removed from the boys face and we see the colds face at the centre of attention. This has been done to emphasise the boys facial features and expression. The boys face was innocent and bewildered, this shows how he himself is confused into what has happened and it portrays this sense of confusion onto the audience. By using a jump cut from the dark, masked, frightening scene to the more colourful friendly scene of the young boy and his family; the sense of shock is emphasised as we go from seeing serious, dark, violent scene to being confronted with a friendly innocent child. The sense of shock is a general convention used in most thrillers.

Cinematography 
Cinematography is used to a great effect during this clip, mostly to emphasise the presentation of characters. The main form of cinematography used in this clip is POV. We see this whole clip from the point of the killer. This is done to engage the audience by putting us into the point of view of the antagonist. It shows us his actions, thoughts and a clear view of the death scene itself; by doing this it elaborates upon the shock, suspense and surprise factors which are key to a successful thriller. The main way in which this POV technique is used is to build upon the sense of suspense. This is done by hidding the identity of the antagonist. It builds up tension as we do not know how dangerous this character is. It creates an enigma. This is where the audience are left asking questions, as we don't know the identity of the character this enigma is introduced. It is a key convention of a thriller and one of the best ways to build suspense as it leaves the audience desperate to find out what is happening.
Another cinematography technique used during this clip is the use of camera angles. Much like the use of POV, this also emphasises the presentation of characters. When showing various characters throughout the clip a high angle is used to show them being beneath the camera. One way this is used is to show the female victim being stabbed by the murderer. It is used to present innocence and to emphasise to the audience how innocent the hound women is, This is a typical convention of the young female victim used in a thriller. The effect of this is that the audience find it easier to feel sorry for the victim, therefore increasing the effect of shock and suspense upon the audience. Another example of a high angle is used when the young boy is shown as the killer. The camera hangs above the boy elaborating upon his innocence and the surprised reaction of his parents. This furthermore presents innocence and creates an enigma for the viewers.
The effect of this enigma is exaggerated through the juxtaposition of both the camera angles and the POV technique. Firstly the POV angle is used to show the character being menacing and threatening. This is done by hiding the innocence indentity of the killer and presenting him as looking down on everything, through a low angle, in a dangerous and sinister manner. We are given an image of the character being a menacing, deadly, dangerous killer. This greatly affects the sense of shock and surprise as we see the innocent young boy through the high camera angle. This juxtaposition leaves the audience with and overruling sense of suspense, tension and confusion; forcing them to want to watch the rest of the film.

Sound

Various sound techniques are used throughout this clip, this is done to convey various emotions for the audience such as surprise, shock and suspense. It helps develop the orthodox thriller conventions during this clip. One of the main ways sound techniques are used is to build suspense. The clip does this through the use of silence. As the antagonist walks around and through the house not a noise is made. This silence makes it seem as though he is stalking his victim and doesn't want to be seen. It makes the audience wary of the dangerous antagonist and inflicts a sense of fear upon the viewers. The silence makes us alert for something important or dangerous about to happen, by doing this it makes the audience prepare themselves for a shock factor, this and the prolonged sequence builds up an immense amount of suspense. Another sound technique used to create suspense is the emphasis of the diegetic clock noises. This creates a slow beat elaborating upon the tension built. It could also symbolise the little time left of the girls life, in furthermore creates suspense everyone to see what happens to the girl. Suspense is used to keep the audience interested and increase the effects of shock.
In addition to this sound techniques are used to also elaborate upon the shock factor of the clip. One method used to do this is the parallel sound of a knife stabbing the woman. This emphasises the gory death of the young innocent girl. This quick gory death is a jolt to the audience and exaggerates the conventional emotion of shock. Also used to portray a sense of shock is the use of off screen music. At the start of the clip there is a friendly children's rhyme played in the background. This forebodes how old the antagonist could be and creates confusion for the audience, it could show how twisted the plot might be. It also creates an enigma as we think about why this music is being played. This creates tension and makes us watch on. Most importantly the technique increases the fear inflicted upon the audience. By the juxtaposing the friendly music with death it increases the shock factor as we see the dangerous, gory death of the young boys sister. The shock element engages and excites the audience.

Conventions

I have mentioned various typical conventions during this clip such as suspense, shock, female victim and more. Another convention used during this clip is the use of low key lighting. Examples of this is shown in the walk to and around the house. It is a typical for the convention as it creates a dark gloomy setting. The effect this has on the audience is that it builds mystery and tension as we do not know what exactly is happening. Another way this tension and mystery is build is through the camera focusing upon the house itself. This creates mystery about this house as the viewers think about what may be about to happen, this mystery element is key to a thriller.
The iconography used during this clip demonstrates various conventions generally used in thrillers. For example the knife and the mask hiding the killers identity. This is generally used to convey the suspense, surprise and shock key to a thriller. The effect the knife has on the audience is that it forebodes death and builds fear and suspense. The mask creates an enigma, furthermore elaborating upon the suspense built. These emotions are key into creating as successful thriller.

Summary 

There are various techniques I can take from this essay that might be useful in my film. The main convention I will use from this is an enigma. Throughout this opening sequence an enigma is created, this is exaggerated at the end by the plot twist used to confuse the audience. This is all done to keep the viewers engaged and keep them thinking. It is highly effective during a opening sequence as the engagement keeps people watching on. 

Research into sound ( Mrs Miller )

In this piece of work I will be analysing the use of sound on a thriller film and the effects different techniques can have on the reader. I have chosen a sequence from ' the silence of the lambs ' to analysis. Reasons for this choice is the interesting different uses of sound during this clip having a strong effect on the viewers. Sound is very important to building the suspense, surprise and shock in a thriller which is key when creating a film from this genre.

One of the main techniques used I this clip is the contrapuntal music played as Hannibal attacks his victims. This is played throughout most of the sequence and has a great effect on the audience and the overall presentation of the character. The music played is peaceful, classical music. This is juxtaposed with the gory, vile scene taking place. The effect this has is that it creates a sense of confusion for the viewers . This confusion conveyed could be used to show the crazy, twisted, deluded character that Hannibal is. The fact he is listening to this happy peaceful music whilst eating and murdering the guards shows us how he actually enjoys it, therefore emphasising his psychotic mental state. By exaggerating Hannibal's deluded character, the audience is inflicted with the sense of fear as we see how dangerous he really is. It elaborates in the typical conventions of a thriller as we are surprised at this unorthodox way of killing somebody.

In this clip we are also shown the effects on screen sound can have on the viewers. This is shown at the start of the scene as the noise of the officers steps are exaggerated as they walk towards the jail. This builds a sense of suspense at the start o the scene. By emphasising the steps of the officers it could be showing how they are walking into a trap or even walking towards their death. It is foreshadowing what events are about to take place and therefore inflicting tension upon the audience. Small insignificant sounds like this are often elaborated in the thriller genre, this is mostly done to show the silence in the room. In this case the tension is emphasising the fear of the two policeman and giving the impression that Hannibal is a very dangerous man. By doing this the typical convention of suspense is conveyed throughout the start of the scene.

Another technique used to great effect is the diegetic sound used. An example of this is shown as Hannibal attacks the first police officer, He makes an animal-like growling sound as he bites the man. By making this sound he portrays the character as being inhuman and mentally insane. Through this the audience are given the sense of fear as they see how dangerous and unstable this character is. This builds suspense for further on as we become desperate to see him caught. Through doing this we are shown how sound can vastly effect the way in which the character is presented.

In addition to this the use of parallel sounds is shown in a great example throughout this scene. This is displayed through the reaction of the two officers as they attacked by Hannibal. the screams of the two men are emphasised during this part of the scene. This is the obvious reaction we are expecting after the attack from Hannibal and it clearly shows the fear the two men show. However by exaggerating it in this way it furthermore portrays a sense of tension and fright for the audience as we see how dangerous this man is. The expected convention of shock is illustrated through this as we are shocked to see the exaggerated reaction to Hannibal's violent and gory assault.

From this research I have seen the great effect that sound can have when creating a thriller sequence. Sound is vital when trying to present a certain character and can give the audience a lasting impression on that character. This is shown in a perfect examples as we are shown how unstable and twisted Hannibal's character is through the use of sound. It also makes it clear how important sound is in a thriller as it is vital to portray the protagonist in a fearful, negative light. Sound can inflict certain emotions upon the audience such as surprise, shock and suspense, this is done by emphasising certain sounds and adding music and noises, it is key to creating a successful, entertaining thriller film.

Research into editing styles ( Mrs Georgou )

Intro - Editing is essential for a thriller film as it means that they can cut out certain bits and pieces to build suspense, surprise and jump moments which are key for a thriller. The clip I have chosen is from the clip ' Human Centipede '. It shows a girl escaping the villain and gives a great example of the effect from timing in shots.

Shot reverse shot - This is shown as the camera switches quickly from one of the victims face to the other. It is used to highlight the facial expressions of the two characters and to compare the emotions they show. The two girls look scared and frightened by the doctor; by switching quickly from one expression to the other it emphasises the fear they show. Also the quick change of shots exaggerates the panic shown from the two girls and further more inflicts fear and tension upon the audience. The juxtaposition of the two girls creates a connection between them, showing they are both friends and are both petrified of the inevitable situation. This connection made between the girls elaborates the sympathy shown by the audience as people fear to see the two friends die.

Reaction shot - This is shown as the camera highlights the reaction the girl has to the operation taking place. The reason this form of editing is used is so that the characters facial expressions are exaggerated. The women is screaming, looking up and drastically wincing in pain, she is showing extreme pain. The effect this has on the audience is that we feel sympathy towards her, this emphasises the effect of what happens later in the film. The shot also conveys a sense of shock as we are shocked over the amount of torture the young girl was going through.

Timing of shots - As the action in the clip begins the timing of the shots speeds up. This exaggerates the intensity of the situation as the girl tries to escape. The fast movement between shots create a sense of panic, this engages the audience as we are desperate to see the outcome of the situation. The fast movements almost shows the adrenalin of the young girl; the conveys excitement for the audience as they are given hop that maybe she may escape the torturous situation, therefore furthermore engaging the viewers. In addition to this the shots become slower when she was about to be caught by the antagonist. This prolongs the section of the clip and builds up suspense over what could happen.

Jump Cuts - As the girl is trapped inside a room trying to escape the doctor the camera switches quickly from inside the room to outsdide. These jump shots can show both the docter and the girl in quick successions. By doing this it increases the speed of this section of the scene, creating as sense of panic and tension. It also contrasts the two characters by showing one as a crazy, deluded 'sick man and the other as an innocent, frightenined young girl. By doing this it elaborates the innocense of the young girl so that we feel sympathy for her. Thisn increaes the suspense as we want her to get away.