Kiss The Girls Analysis.
Meaning: The man comes across as mentally unstable. He stalked and killed at least one girl one summer. However, the audience is not told this directly but are left to figure it out.
A fast cutting rhythm creates the impression that the deaths were quick and that a lot has gone on in a short space of time. The fast flashes of film and images could also reflect the killer’s mental state as being confused, disorientated, panicked or just abnormal. It creates tension and makes the audience feel lost and disorientated as they are trying to make sense of images and narrative at the same time.
Flash Frames are used to show newspaper headlines and images. This shows that the killer is well known and what happened was bad enough to make the front page news. It also saves film time while still telling the story and creating a history for the character, making him seem more realistic so that the audience can relate to the situation. Negative images are used to indicate memories. They also show harm and pain – what happened was a negative event – and can also portray the killer himself as other worldly or ghostly.
Voiceover – The story is narrated by the killer himself. His voice is slow, deep, almost calming, and sounds normal yet he is talking about murders he has committed. This contrast is both shocking and scary to the audience. Once again, it also reflects his state of mind as it clearly shows he does not regret what he's done or that he doesn't see why it is wrong, something that is also shocking and frightening to the film's audience.
Camera angles – Close-up and extreme close-ups are used on the victim’s faces to show the pain and fear while at the same time hiding what the killer is doing to cause that, creating mystery and tension. The use of close ups also represents how close the killer always was to the girls while he stalked them as well as how personal the attacks were. The camera is also always moving to represent the way the killer stalked the girls, creeping about and watching them. This makes the film even creepier.
Mise-en-scene – Most scenes are set in a bedroom, showing the killer is a sexual predator. It also makes it more intimate and frightening as it shows an invasion of privacy. It also shows vulnerability of the victim as she was being watched without knowing it. This relates to the reader as they feel as though it could easily happen to them. The candles show he was trying to establish romance, which is both shocking and slightly disgusting to the audience. It contrasts with events to make it more frightening and shocking.
Lighting – Lighting is usually kept dark to contrast with the white used, the fire and the shot of the bright outdoors. Darkness reflects the tone of the film, the events, the state of the killer’s mind and that the attacks happened at night. Darkness is also a thing people are typicaly frightened of or associate with fear. The fire represents passion, pain, danger and desire – his feelings for the women and what he does to them.
Sound – All music is stringed (a Thriller convention) and slow and melodious which is unusual for the genre. It could reflect the calmness that the killer feels. It also creates more tension at the sharper, contrasting sounds such as the screech to represent pain as the camera is showing the woman’s face. The women make noises that could be taken as noises of either pain or passion. This shows the audience both sides of the story – how the woman sees it (pain) and how the killer does (passion). It also shows what type of killer he is and why he does it.
SFX – Black and white and negative shots show that the shot on screen is a memory or flashback. Photos showing the bodies tell the audience that the women are dead without showing blood and gore (Thriller convention). These effects help the audience understand the narrative better.
Psycho Shower Scene Analysis.
Camera Angles – The scene uses an Over-The-Shoulder shot to build tension and suspense as the audience can see the killer coming before Marion can, creating dramatic irony. It also creates tension as the audience are just waiting for it to happen.
An extreme close-up of Marion’s eye and the plughole after the murder is used as it reflects life being washed away and also represents that half of the story being over. The camera then pans up from eye, representing the soul rising. The action is much slower, giving the time audience to think and reflect over what has happened.
A low angle mid-shot of the killer is also used just after Marion realises he is there. This shows who has the power in that situation. This then switches to a high angle shot of Marion, who is in the bottom of the screen. Again, this shows the power the killer has over her as well as how vulnerable Marion is.
A birds eye view shot is used to show the position that Marion and the killer are in. It allows the audience to get a clearer picture of what is happening while, as it is quite a close shot, still keeping them near to the action which reflects the intimate nature of the attack (it was done in the shower).
Setting - Shower – This represents Marion washing away her sin. Her murder is like a punishment for her crime. The shower curtains hides the killers identity to create suspension, tension and mystery as the audience don't know who is killing Marion, keeping them guessing. Marion checks the bathroom door is shut to emphasise her safety, she’s on her own and unprotected. This also lulls the audience into a false sense of security - the door is locked so no one can get in - and the fact that the killer could open the locked door is also a clue as to who is the murderer.
Sound - Stringed, fast music is used to put audience on edge. The speed of the music shows panic, fear and violence. The exaggerated shower noise is used to muffle the noise of the door opening and show the audience that something is wrong. After the murder, it represents the cleansing Marion tried to do and the cleansing the killer thinks they have done. The high string switching to low bass drags out her death.
Camera angles and editing in the shower - Medium shots of the knife going down are used but they then switch to Close Ups to show Marion’s reaction and expression and her struggling. Shot reverse shot, low angle shots are also used to show the relationship between Marion and the killer, representing that the killer has all the power in the situation while Marion is helpless. Also uses subjective shots to put the audience in both Marion and the killer’s place. It uses very quick editing to disorientate the audience and to put across how quickly the murder happened as well as portraying emotions such as panic or fear. When Marion is dead the camera crabs to show how the world is wrong and something’s not right. Marion is not the centre of the shot any more and this shows that the story is not all about her anymore.
Analysis of the opening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
Titles.
The writing is white with a red outline. These contrasting colours make it stand out. However, the colours can also represent innocence (white) and blood, danger, and/or passion (red). This could suggest a loss of innocence and purity within the film.The writing fades slowly in and out. This could be representative of stealth or sneaking around as the change, like someone stealthy, is barely noticeable.Behind the titles is a long shot of a neighbourhood of flats and small houses through a window. At the beginning the window is completely covered by three, slightly see through, wooden blinds. As the titles progress the blinds slowly lift, one by one. This could be representative of opening your eyes and seeing things clearly, being more aware of what is going on around you.
Camera Angles.
Establishing Shot – This is a long shot and perspective shot through a window. This makes the audience feel as though they are a part of the story and the one actually looking through that window. It also signifies that looking out of a window may play an important part in the film.The camera then zooms forward into the setting, as though the audience is stepping out into the neighbourhood.
There are then a few shots of what is happening inside some of the homes. This shows how, although so many people live in such a small amount of space, they all live different lives. These shots are mostly long shots to keep the audience detached from these characters and to show that they are of no real importance. These shots also serve as a “tour” of the neighbourhood to establish a setting for the film and to hint to the audience what sort of characters the film may feature. They also show how easy it is to watch and be watched.
The camera then pans in through the original window by turning to the left, as though the audience has been the one looking through the window the whole time and has merely turned around.
Extreme Close Up of a man’s face. He is asleep and sweating. The audience immediately want to know who he is. There is then a close up of a thermometer and, again, this helps establish the setting.
The camera then pans back to watching people through the window. This time the shots are closer then before, more personal and involved – glimpses of other people’s lives. This could show that these characters are more important to the story or that the watcher is just becoming more and more involved and interested in what the other people in their area are doing and is therefore watching more closely and carefully.
There is then a mid-shot of the man. This shows he is obviously an important character and it is his window the audience has been looking through. The camera pans down to his wheelchair and the cast on his leg. This instantly tells the audience something about his character. There is a close up of the writing on the cast – “Here lie the broken bones of L.B.Jeffries.” This not only tells the audience the character’s name and what is wrong with him but could also be foreshadowing of a death.
The camera then pans to close-ups of a broken camera and photo’s of accidents, crashes and fires. This suggests to the audience that he is a photographer and that he was in an accident, which is how he broke his leg.
Lighting.
Natural (Ambient) lighting is used throughout to add realism. Realism is important in thrillers as it tells the audience that the plot isn’t impossible and could happen, making it seem much more frightening.
Sound.
The music is fast-paced, high pitched and stringed. This immediately puts the audience on edge. The speed could also suggest a fast-paced style of life. The lower pitched instruments within the music sound like a heartbeat, representing panic and fear and, again, this creates tension.There is no real dialogue, only snatches of sound from the lives of the people being watched – alarm clocks, radios, etc – and from outside – children playing, cars, dogs. This shows that the neighbourhood is quite a busy place as well as making the watching more personal and, as the people are unaware of being watched, creepier.
Setting.
The neighbourhood the film is set in seems quite cramped, with a lot of people living in a small amount of space. It also looks quite rundown and not like an area with a lot of money. It is obviously a hot place and the audience can see that many different types of people live. This tells the audience about the type of place the film is set in and, therefore, what type of characters to expect.
Mise-En-Scene.
The street seems quite busy – cars going up and down in the background, people moving about, dogs barking – and this could reflect the type of life the people lead. The colours used are typically quite bright – green, pink, blue – and the weather is hot and sunny. This is not usual in thriller films and could be to lull the audience into a false sense of security.Props are also used to show something about character. E.g. Jeffries’ cameras show he is a photographer and a woman’s pink underwear and blonde hair suggest she is quite bubbly, flirty and girly.
Editing.
Not many cuts are used during the opening. The camera mainly pans or zooms from one shot to another. It is all also done as though the audience themselves are in the film and just turning to look around them. This immediately involves the audience, capturing their interest.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Audience Research.
Our Audience Questionaire
Age:
15-18
18-20
20-25
25-30
Gender:
Male
Female
Favourite type of thriller film:
Action Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Technological Thriller
Serial Killer Thriller
Sci-fi Thriller
Other _____________________
What type of characters do you expect in a thriller film?
Do you prefer a male or female baddy? And Why?
Do you like unpredictable endings? And why?
What tense to you prefer your film to be in? And why?
Do you prefer stereotypical or unique characters? And why?
Do you prefer 15 or 18 certificate? And why?
Target Audience
As a group we decided that we didn't want the certificate of our film to be lower then a 15. We also decided that we wanted a thriller that targeted mainly young adults. Therefore, we set our target audience at 15 - 30 and gave our questionnaire to a range of people within this age range.
Completed Questionnaire
Results Of The Questionaire
Using our audience research we found that most people (male and female) aged 15-20 preferred psychological thrillers. This is useful as we now know what subgenre of thriller we should use to appeal to our audience. However this also subjects that there are already lots of psychological thrillers made for this age group. To avoid this we could make a less popular sci-fi, serial killer or technological thriller to ensure there is a gap in the market.
Most people aged 15-20 preferred a male ‘bad Guy’ to a female ‘Baddie’.
Reasons why included;
They come across as more dominant.
Seen as more controlling.
Seems more realistic and believable.
Seems scarier.
They are stronger, less vulnerable.
Seen as more superior.
Typically seen as more violent than women.
However, some would also rather a female victim as it is more unsuspected and shocking.
Everyone who took part in our questionnaire agreed that they wanted an unpredictable ending. This is because it makes the film more interesting, shocks the audience and builds suspense. As they said predictable films are boring and so our film will have an unpredictable ending.
Almost an equal number of people like flashbacks and present tense. People liked flash backs as they give the story depth and are creepier. They also liked present tense as it involves the audience more and is more scary. Based on these results we decided to use a mixture of present tense with some flash backs so to please all our audience.
Most people preferred mix of stereotypical and unique characters. This is because the unique characters keep the film different and interesting while the stereotypical characters are easy for the audience to relate to. Based on these results we have decided to use a mix of unique and stereotypical characters.
Though the results are almost even, most people preferred a 15 certificate. Reasons given where;
Less violence means more focus on the storyline
Less scary
More people can watch it.
However, others preferred an 18 as it would have darker storylines and an 18 certificate makes it seem more exciting and scary.
Action Points
* 18 certificate.
* A mix of stereotypical and unique characters.
* Unpredictable ending.
* Include flashbacks.
* Psychological thriller.
* Male "baddie".
Age:
15-18
18-20
20-25
25-30
Gender:
Male
Female
Favourite type of thriller film:
Action Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Technological Thriller
Serial Killer Thriller
Sci-fi Thriller
Other _____________________
What type of characters do you expect in a thriller film?
Do you prefer a male or female baddy? And Why?
Do you like unpredictable endings? And why?
What tense to you prefer your film to be in? And why?
Do you prefer stereotypical or unique characters? And why?
Do you prefer 15 or 18 certificate? And why?
Target Audience
As a group we decided that we didn't want the certificate of our film to be lower then a 15. We also decided that we wanted a thriller that targeted mainly young adults. Therefore, we set our target audience at 15 - 30 and gave our questionnaire to a range of people within this age range.
Completed Questionnaire
Results Of The Questionaire
Using our audience research we found that most people (male and female) aged 15-20 preferred psychological thrillers. This is useful as we now know what subgenre of thriller we should use to appeal to our audience. However this also subjects that there are already lots of psychological thrillers made for this age group. To avoid this we could make a less popular sci-fi, serial killer or technological thriller to ensure there is a gap in the market.
Most people aged 15-20 preferred a male ‘bad Guy’ to a female ‘Baddie’.
Reasons why included;
They come across as more dominant.
Seen as more controlling.
Seems more realistic and believable.
Seems scarier.
They are stronger, less vulnerable.
Seen as more superior.
Typically seen as more violent than women.
However, some would also rather a female victim as it is more unsuspected and shocking.
Everyone who took part in our questionnaire agreed that they wanted an unpredictable ending. This is because it makes the film more interesting, shocks the audience and builds suspense. As they said predictable films are boring and so our film will have an unpredictable ending.
Almost an equal number of people like flashbacks and present tense. People liked flash backs as they give the story depth and are creepier. They also liked present tense as it involves the audience more and is more scary. Based on these results we decided to use a mixture of present tense with some flash backs so to please all our audience.
Most people preferred mix of stereotypical and unique characters. This is because the unique characters keep the film different and interesting while the stereotypical characters are easy for the audience to relate to. Based on these results we have decided to use a mix of unique and stereotypical characters.
Though the results are almost even, most people preferred a 15 certificate. Reasons given where;
Less violence means more focus on the storyline
Less scary
More people can watch it.
However, others preferred an 18 as it would have darker storylines and an 18 certificate makes it seem more exciting and scary.
Action Points
* 18 certificate.
* A mix of stereotypical and unique characters.
* Unpredictable ending.
* Include flashbacks.
* Psychological thriller.
* Male "baddie".
Continuity Task.
Storyboard
Plot Summary.
A man – Danny – goes round to his girlfriend’s house to see her. Opening the door to her bedroom, he sees another man – Jack - pinning her violently against a wall. He has a gun to her temple.Later that night, Danny sneaks into Jack’s house without being noticed. He finds Jack sitting at his table, eating his dinner. He sits opposite Jack, trapping him in. They argue and then Danny pulls a gun.
Script
Establishing shot of a normal looking house during the day. Camera zooms up to one of the upper windows.
Quick cut to a close up of a man’s – Danny - hand on a door handle. He opens the door. Camera zooms out to an over-the-shoulder shot. Another man – Jack – has a young woman – Danny’s girlfriend, Mel – pinned to the wall of the room and is obviously threatening her. She is trembling and visibly frightened. Jack has a gun held against her temple.
Match On Action.
Quick cut to an over-the-shoulder shot of Danny again, in the same position. This time, he is in a different house. He is looking in at Jack who is sat casually at his dining room table, eating dinner. Danny isn’t noticed until he speaks.
Danny : [low, threatening] Alright, Jack?
Quick cut to a close up of Jack’s face. He looks up, fork halfway to his mouth, obviously shocked and scared. He tries to cover it up.
Quick cut to over-the-shoulder shot from behind Jack. Danny is standing in the doorway, glaring at Jack and very tense.
Jack: [nervous] Yuh-Yeah. Good, thanks...You a-alright, Danny, mate?
Without saying anything, Danny walks slowly towards Jack until he is sitting opposite him.
Shot Reverse Shot.
Danny: [threatening, calm] No. No, Jack, I’m not alright. Do you know why I’m not alright?
Jack: [trying to act casual but obviously worried] No...I mean, why wouldn’t you be alright? Great house, great car, lots of money, great girl -
Low angle shot. Mid-shot.
Danny: [leaning over the table, in Jack’s face. He gradually gets louder, more angry] Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I have got a great girl. So, naturally, I’d worry about her. Especially when there are creeps like you about. What the hell were you doing at my house!?
Shot Reverse Shot.
Jack: [fidgety, twitchy] I – I dunno what you mean, mate! I wasn’t anywhere near...
Danny: [shouting] I saw you! I saw you, you lying scumbag!
Jack: Okay, okay! I – It wasn’t me! I didn’t want to! He made me, Danny, I swear he made me...!
Hear the click of a gun being loaded.
Extreme close up of the barrel of a handgun.
Shooting Schedule.
Location: Girlfriends house.
Establishing shot of house, camera pans up to close up of upper window – 4 seconds.
Close up of Danny’s hand on a door handle, the door opens – 1 – 2 seconds.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Danny – 1 second.
Location: Jack’s house.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Danny – 3 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 1 second.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Jack – 8 seconds.
Close-up of Danny’s face – 3 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 3 seconds.
Low angle mid-shot of Danny leaning over the table – 4-5 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of Danny’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of the barrel of a gun – 1 second.
Prop List
Toy Gun.
Table.
Chairs.
Plate.
Cutlery.
Glass.
Food.
Reflection
What went well during filming?
I feel that planning my continuity task really helped when it came to filming. It meant that I know what I was doing and when I was doing most, if not all, of the time. It made the process of filming much smoother and easier. Knowing how to work the camera beforehand also helped a lot as it saved time that we could use to film. I think that the positioning of the camera for different shots went well while I filmed and that I worked really well with the actors I used.
What did you struggle with or find more difficult than you anticipated? Did any unexpected problems occur?
I found that getting rid of any unwanted background noise was hard and sometimes impossible to do completely. Lighting was also a problem as we didn't have any technical lighting equipment and had to rely on what we could find. This meant that some of the scenes were darker then wanted. Finding the right setting that was available for me to use was also difficult as there were only a limited number of places in which I could film.
What would you do differently next time?
Next time I would think ahead more about my location to ensure that a location that matches my plot is available to me. I would also think more carefully about the lighting within the location and how light/dark I wanted the scene so that I could plan ahead about trying to find a way to lighten/darken a room. I will also keep the number of people around to a minimum to avoid unnecessary chaos, confusion and noise.
Plot Summary.
A man – Danny – goes round to his girlfriend’s house to see her. Opening the door to her bedroom, he sees another man – Jack - pinning her violently against a wall. He has a gun to her temple.Later that night, Danny sneaks into Jack’s house without being noticed. He finds Jack sitting at his table, eating his dinner. He sits opposite Jack, trapping him in. They argue and then Danny pulls a gun.
Script
Establishing shot of a normal looking house during the day. Camera zooms up to one of the upper windows.
Quick cut to a close up of a man’s – Danny - hand on a door handle. He opens the door. Camera zooms out to an over-the-shoulder shot. Another man – Jack – has a young woman – Danny’s girlfriend, Mel – pinned to the wall of the room and is obviously threatening her. She is trembling and visibly frightened. Jack has a gun held against her temple.
Match On Action.
Quick cut to an over-the-shoulder shot of Danny again, in the same position. This time, he is in a different house. He is looking in at Jack who is sat casually at his dining room table, eating dinner. Danny isn’t noticed until he speaks.
Danny : [low, threatening] Alright, Jack?
Quick cut to a close up of Jack’s face. He looks up, fork halfway to his mouth, obviously shocked and scared. He tries to cover it up.
Quick cut to over-the-shoulder shot from behind Jack. Danny is standing in the doorway, glaring at Jack and very tense.
Jack: [nervous] Yuh-Yeah. Good, thanks...You a-alright, Danny, mate?
Without saying anything, Danny walks slowly towards Jack until he is sitting opposite him.
Shot Reverse Shot.
Danny: [threatening, calm] No. No, Jack, I’m not alright. Do you know why I’m not alright?
Jack: [trying to act casual but obviously worried] No...I mean, why wouldn’t you be alright? Great house, great car, lots of money, great girl -
Low angle shot. Mid-shot.
Danny: [leaning over the table, in Jack’s face. He gradually gets louder, more angry] Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. I have got a great girl. So, naturally, I’d worry about her. Especially when there are creeps like you about. What the hell were you doing at my house!?
Shot Reverse Shot.
Jack: [fidgety, twitchy] I – I dunno what you mean, mate! I wasn’t anywhere near...
Danny: [shouting] I saw you! I saw you, you lying scumbag!
Jack: Okay, okay! I – It wasn’t me! I didn’t want to! He made me, Danny, I swear he made me...!
Hear the click of a gun being loaded.
Extreme close up of the barrel of a handgun.
Shooting Schedule.
Location: Girlfriends house.
Establishing shot of house, camera pans up to close up of upper window – 4 seconds.
Close up of Danny’s hand on a door handle, the door opens – 1 – 2 seconds.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Danny – 1 second.
Location: Jack’s house.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Danny – 3 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 1 second.
Over-the-shoulder shot from behind Jack – 8 seconds.
Close-up of Danny’s face – 3 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 3 seconds.
Low angle mid-shot of Danny leaning over the table – 4-5 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of Danny’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of Jack’s face – 2 seconds.
Close-up of the barrel of a gun – 1 second.
Prop List
Toy Gun.
Table.
Chairs.
Plate.
Cutlery.
Glass.
Food.
Reflection
What went well during filming?
I feel that planning my continuity task really helped when it came to filming. It meant that I know what I was doing and when I was doing most, if not all, of the time. It made the process of filming much smoother and easier. Knowing how to work the camera beforehand also helped a lot as it saved time that we could use to film. I think that the positioning of the camera for different shots went well while I filmed and that I worked really well with the actors I used.
What did you struggle with or find more difficult than you anticipated? Did any unexpected problems occur?
I found that getting rid of any unwanted background noise was hard and sometimes impossible to do completely. Lighting was also a problem as we didn't have any technical lighting equipment and had to rely on what we could find. This meant that some of the scenes were darker then wanted. Finding the right setting that was available for me to use was also difficult as there were only a limited number of places in which I could film.
What would you do differently next time?
Next time I would think ahead more about my location to ensure that a location that matches my plot is available to me. I would also think more carefully about the lighting within the location and how light/dark I wanted the scene so that I could plan ahead about trying to find a way to lighten/darken a room. I will also keep the number of people around to a minimum to avoid unnecessary chaos, confusion and noise.
Genre Research
Thriller Definition.
A thriller is a genre of film designed specifically to keep it's audience tense and on the edge of their seats. Though it is a large area of film with many sub genres (mystery thriller, spy thriller, psychological thriller etc.) all feature the same basic concepts; plot twists, red herrings, a fast pace and action, a resourceful protagonist and twisted antagonist. Thrillers are usually certified a 15 or 18 due to plots, language or scenes of violence though actual blood and gore is rarely shown (differentiating thrillers from horrors).
What is genre?
Genre is when a type of media – film, text, radio etc – uses repetition and variation to tell a familiar type of story with characters and situations stereotypical to the story and situation. It helps to limit the scope of the film for not only the audience but also writer and director. It also makes it easier for audiences to select which type of films they want to watch and this is good for the industry as a whole as audiences will often go to see a film at the cinema purely because of it’s genre. This, in turn, makes it easier to promote as the target audience is easier to identify. It also makes it easier for the audience to relate to and identify the film as they know what to expect and, consciously or unconsciously, expect a certain type of ending that they expect to enjoy which is why they go to see the film in the first place. Audiences enjoy watching a certain genre as unexpected twists and turns are added to basic storylines, bringing about a conclusion that is both expected and surprising.
What is a thriller?
A film designed to keep the audience on edge using techniques to create suspense and tension. Thrillers have also been made for other media texts such as radio or books. It is a very large genre often sorted into sub-genres or over lapping with other genres such as mysteries or dark comedies. Thrillers are often fast paced with complex twists and turns throughout the plot.There are several characteristics – codes and conventions – that define the thriller genre. They have lots of plots twists and red herrings, a strong, sometimes mentally disturbed and typically male “villain”, a weak, vulnerable victim who is often a woman and portrayed as a sex object and a creepy, isolated setting.
Sub-Genres:
Psychological.
Sci-fi.
Serial Killer.
Spy.
Action.
Crime.
Supernatural.
Top 5 Thriller Films
1) The Da Vinci Code Made by Columbia Pictures. (Sony)
Made $217,536,138 at the Box Office worldwide.
Target Audience – Educated adults, people who have read/are interested in the book. Rated as a 12A by the BBFC.
Why was it successful?
There was a lot of hype surrounding the film and everyone knew about it. The book was a best seller so the film appealed to it’s millions of fans. It stared famous, successful actors such as Tom Hanks and sir Ian McKellen. Well known director – Ron Howard – who had already won an Oscar. It was advertised a lot. It was controversial and caused religious people to speak up and make a scene, drawing more attention to the film and making people curious. Debuted at the Cannes Film Festival which gave it a lot of publicity.“The wide appeal of The Da Vinci Code book coated the film in critic-proof armour long before it was even made.
With 50 million copies of the book sold worldwide, it is virtually guaranteed to be a commercial hit.” - BBC
2) The Sixth Sense
Made by Spyglass Entertainment. Distributed by Buena Vista.
Rated a 15 by BBFC.
Made $661,500,000 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Target Audience of men and women over the age of fifteen.
Why was it successful?
It stared a well-known actor – Bruce Willis. Unexpected twist at the end. Good storyline and acting.
“...let me say that the coolest thing about The Sixth Sense is how this twisty ghost story, about a child who sees dead people all around him, circumvents all such instincts. It's a psychological thriller that actually thrills.” – Entertainment Weekly.
3) Jaws
Made by Universal Pictures.
Made $470,700,000 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a PG by the BBFC.
Target Audience of teenagers and adults – 15 and above.
Why was it successful?
Relies on tension and suspense – the shark has limited screen time. Good score by well known composer – John Williams. Original idea. Shocks unexpectedly. Famous director – Stephen Steilberg. “John Williams' memorable score is used sparingly but its tone of impending terror is more responsible for the power of the film than the sightings of the beast itself.”“Confident direction combined with clever editing, lulls you into relaxing at precisely the wrong moments to great effect. Being able to calm the viewer only to wrench into their most primeval fears when least expected is the essence that lies behind the ability of "Jaws" to shock and entertain.” – BBC.
4) Mission:Impossible
Made by Paramount Pictures.
Made $457,696,359 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a PG by the BBFC.
Target Audience – People who had watched the TV series. Mainly men, aged 14 – thirties.
Why was it successful?
Special effects and stunts. Well known star – Tom Cruise. Catchy theme tune. Use of twists. Lots of action.
“Bursting into action with that unmistakable theme tune...” - Film.U-net“...succeeds in offering up several exciting and suspenseful sequences...” - RottenTomatoes
5) The Bourne Ultimatum
Made by Universal Pictures.
Made $442,817,159 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a 12A by the BBFC.
Target audience – Fans on the books. Ages 14 and up.
Why was it successful?
Part of a well known franchise. Surrounded by a lot of hype. Well advertised. Good, involving plot.
“...a blockbuster with brains as well as brawn.” – Channel 4
Codes And Conventions Of Thriller Films.
Motif - A motif is something that is repeated throughout the film. It is used to put an idea in the audience's mind. E.g. The use of stuffed birds in Psycho.
Plot Twists - Every thriller has plot twists. They are used t keep the audience guessing and in suspense.
Quick Cuts - This is a form of editing. It builds suspense and speed and can be used to disorientate the audience and/or build tension as well as causing suspense.
Background Music - It is usually instrumental, stringed and high pitched. It is used to indicate to the audience that something is about to happen and build a tense atmosphere.
Over-The-Shoulder/Perspective Shot - These camera angles can be used to make the audience feel as though they are in the movie, a good way to build tension and make the audience more involved. It also can be used to show character's emotions and create mystery.
Stereotypical Characters (killer with mental problems, the innocent, sweet victim) - Stereotypical characters are often easy to relate to, make plot twists easier to create and means the audience can usually figure out who is who.
Close-ups - A camera angle used to show emotion. Can also be used to create mystery. E.g. focusing on the victim's face while the killer is there without showing the audience what the killer is doing.
Low Angle Shots - Used to give a character power and make them seem more intimidating. It can also put the audience in the place of a character, typically the victim, building fear and tension.
Dull/Dark Lighting - By keeping the lighting low it creates a creepy, tense atmosphere as, typically in films, nothing bad happens in bright light. The dark also allows hidden things to happen.
Isolated Settings - By using an isolated setting the audience knows no one will be around to help the victims, creating a scarier atmosphere.
Iconography - An icon is something that represents something else. These are used to subtley tell the audience something.
Costume - Costume is often used to represent a characters personality. White is often used to represent innocence while black is representative for the bad characters. Masks are often used to represent mystery.
Representation In Thrillers.
Men are stereotypically the killer. They are represented as powerful and intimidating. If thrillers do feature a male victim they are usually the leader of a group - the stereotypical "hero".
Women are usually the victims and represented as vulnerable and sexual. If the killer is a woman, she is often shown as manipulative and crazy.
Children are usually represented in two ways. They are either the vulnerable victim (the little girl in Hide And Seek) or creepy and evil (Damien in The Omen).
Old people are usually represented as ugly, devious, creepy and, typically, evil.
Advanced Film Making Techniques.
Cutting Rhythm - Where the cuts in the film are and how fast or slow the film is cut.
Montage - The assembly of shots and the portrayal of action or ideas through the use of many short shots. This creates a relationship between the shots and subjects.
Jump Cut - An instantaneous transition between two scenes that have identical subjects in slightly different screen locations which makes subjects appear to jump within the scene. Indicates that time has passed.
Clock Wipe - Sweeps a radius around the centre point of a scene to reveal a new scene. Indicates time passing.
Negative Image - And image with colour reversed from positive to negative, making white seem black etc. The effect of this is that it makes the scene and/or character seem ghostly and creates a surreal/other worldly atmosphere.
Flash Frame - A very short shot (usually one frame, sometimes several) that appears in a sequence of images. This can emphasise an important plot point.
Fast Motion - Movements on screen appear faster then in real life. This can show speed but also represent the character feeling out of control.
Flash Back - A segment of film that breaks chronological order showing thoughts and/or memories of characters. Can help to create a background for a character, make the audience feel more emotion for a character and to tell the story.
Auteur - A film maker who has an individual style and complete control over all elements of production, giving film a personal and unique stamp. E.g. Tim Burton.
Cinema Verite - A technique of documentary film making that records actual people and events as if they don't know they are being filmed. This adds more realism to the film.
Sound Effects (SFX) - Sounds placed over the top of a scene in a film that aren't there when filming. These add more emotion, drama and understanding.
Talk To Camera - When a character looks and talks directly at the camera. This can show authority and expert status. E.g. The beginning of I Am Legend shows a newsreader talking directly to camera.
Zoom Shot - This is when the director magnifies a part of the image, creating a difference in perspective. This can draw attention to a particular detail or important plot point.
Zoom Freeze - A zoom shot ending in a freeze frame. This can create a stop in time as well as drawing attention to a particular detail.
Crab Left/Right - When the camera moves left or right but the subject stays still. This creates the effect of the scene being viewed by an outsider.
Cross Cutting - A cut from one line of action to another. Like a montage, this creates a relationship between scenes.
Freeze Frame Shots - When one shot is printed in a still frame several times to create the illusion of a still photo.
Selective Focus - Blurring out one part of the shot like the background and having the foreground in focus. This draws attention to a particualr detail of a scene.
Tilt Shot - When the camera looks up and down at an object. This makes it seem more dramatic and shows power levels within the scene.
Tracking Shot - Action of moving the camera along a path parallel to the path of the object being filmed.
High Key Lighting - This is used in film, TV and photography. It reduces the light ratio within a scene and this reduces the image of any skin imprefections and makes skin look light. Everything else within the scene has to be darker for the scene to appear normal. It is often used in romances and comedies as it sets a tone of happiness and perfection.
Back Lighting - When the subject is lit from behind while everything else is darker. This creates a glow around the subject. The subject can also be lit from the front and back so they can hardly be seen. This is used to create a sense of mystery.
Ambient Lighting - This is used to create a natural effect in a scene. It includes light not provided by the crew and creates more realism.
Cameo Lighting - A spotlight that accentuates a single subkect in a scene, drawing attention to that and nothing else. It can lead to color distortion in the darkest areas.
Diegetic Sound (Actual Sound) - This is any sound where the source is visible on the screen or is implied to be present by the action in the film. This includes voices of characters, sounds made by objects in the story, music coming from stereos, instruments etc in the story. Diegetic sound is sound that is in the world in which the story of the film is set and can add realism, set a scene and help to create an atmosphere.
Non-diegetic Sound (Commentary Sound) - This is sound that is represented as coming from outside of the story. The source is not on screen or implied to be there and this includes a narrator's commentary, the voice of God, a sound effect added for dramatic effect, basic sound effects, mood music and film scores. It is often used to create atmosphere and mood, such as suspense and tension.
Synchronous Sound - These are sounds that are matched with what is viewed. If a character is talking, the words are heard as their lips move. It can be recorded while shooting or dubbed and added in later and any unwanted sounds can be dubbed over. Sound and visual perspective must match for this to seem real. This is the distance from which a sound is heard and how it effects the sound.
Non-synchronous Sound - This is any nosie whose origin is not seen. Eg; a gunshot in the dark, a train whistle, a rush of air.
Film Classification.
BBFC's Guidelines For Certificate Films
1. What certificates are usually used for thriller films?
15, 18
2. What is the definition of these certificates?
15
Theme - no theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language – there maybe frequent use of strong language (e.g. fuck) but the strongest terms will be acceptable only where justified by context. Continued use of the aggressive language will not be acceptable.
Nudity – nudity maybe allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex – sexual activity maybe portrayed but without strong detail. There maybe strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence - violence maybe strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be brief or discreet.
Imitable techniques – dangerous techniques (e.g. hanging, suicide and self harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily assessable should not be glamorised.
Horror – strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs – drugs taken maybe shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
18
In line with the consistent findings of BBFC’s public consultations, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guidelines concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to choose there own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are in mostly the following areas:·
Where material or treatment appears to the board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society e. g. any detailed portrayals of violence or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, whish is likely to promote the activity. The board may also intervene with scene of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.· The more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a ‘sex work’ as defined below.
In the case of videos and DVD’s, which may be more accessible to young viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way they are experienced, the board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which is covered by the Visual Recording Act.
Sex Education - where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Sex Works – sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexually arousing or stimulation. Sex works which contains material which maybe stimulating would normally be passed as an ‘18’, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category.
Action Points
Based on my research into the Thriller genre, in my own film I will:
* Make it an 18. This is because people are more likely to watch an 18 as they expect it to contain more violence/sex/disturbing ideas etc and to be more controversial and interesting.
* Have a male killer and female victim. This is a convention of thrillers that audiences, mostly, expect to see.
* Use a variety of editing techniques and camera angles. This will not only create a sutiable atmosphere but will keep the film fresh and interesting throughout so that the audience will remain interested.
A thriller is a genre of film designed specifically to keep it's audience tense and on the edge of their seats. Though it is a large area of film with many sub genres (mystery thriller, spy thriller, psychological thriller etc.) all feature the same basic concepts; plot twists, red herrings, a fast pace and action, a resourceful protagonist and twisted antagonist. Thrillers are usually certified a 15 or 18 due to plots, language or scenes of violence though actual blood and gore is rarely shown (differentiating thrillers from horrors).
What is genre?
Genre is when a type of media – film, text, radio etc – uses repetition and variation to tell a familiar type of story with characters and situations stereotypical to the story and situation. It helps to limit the scope of the film for not only the audience but also writer and director. It also makes it easier for audiences to select which type of films they want to watch and this is good for the industry as a whole as audiences will often go to see a film at the cinema purely because of it’s genre. This, in turn, makes it easier to promote as the target audience is easier to identify. It also makes it easier for the audience to relate to and identify the film as they know what to expect and, consciously or unconsciously, expect a certain type of ending that they expect to enjoy which is why they go to see the film in the first place. Audiences enjoy watching a certain genre as unexpected twists and turns are added to basic storylines, bringing about a conclusion that is both expected and surprising.
What is a thriller?
A film designed to keep the audience on edge using techniques to create suspense and tension. Thrillers have also been made for other media texts such as radio or books. It is a very large genre often sorted into sub-genres or over lapping with other genres such as mysteries or dark comedies. Thrillers are often fast paced with complex twists and turns throughout the plot.There are several characteristics – codes and conventions – that define the thriller genre. They have lots of plots twists and red herrings, a strong, sometimes mentally disturbed and typically male “villain”, a weak, vulnerable victim who is often a woman and portrayed as a sex object and a creepy, isolated setting.
Sub-Genres:
Psychological.
Sci-fi.
Serial Killer.
Spy.
Action.
Crime.
Supernatural.
Top 5 Thriller Films
1) The Da Vinci Code Made by Columbia Pictures. (Sony)
Made $217,536,138 at the Box Office worldwide.
Target Audience – Educated adults, people who have read/are interested in the book. Rated as a 12A by the BBFC.
Why was it successful?
There was a lot of hype surrounding the film and everyone knew about it. The book was a best seller so the film appealed to it’s millions of fans. It stared famous, successful actors such as Tom Hanks and sir Ian McKellen. Well known director – Ron Howard – who had already won an Oscar. It was advertised a lot. It was controversial and caused religious people to speak up and make a scene, drawing more attention to the film and making people curious. Debuted at the Cannes Film Festival which gave it a lot of publicity.“The wide appeal of The Da Vinci Code book coated the film in critic-proof armour long before it was even made.
With 50 million copies of the book sold worldwide, it is virtually guaranteed to be a commercial hit.” - BBC
2) The Sixth Sense
Made by Spyglass Entertainment. Distributed by Buena Vista.
Rated a 15 by BBFC.
Made $661,500,000 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Target Audience of men and women over the age of fifteen.
Why was it successful?
It stared a well-known actor – Bruce Willis. Unexpected twist at the end. Good storyline and acting.
“...let me say that the coolest thing about The Sixth Sense is how this twisty ghost story, about a child who sees dead people all around him, circumvents all such instincts. It's a psychological thriller that actually thrills.” – Entertainment Weekly.
3) Jaws
Made by Universal Pictures.
Made $470,700,000 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a PG by the BBFC.
Target Audience of teenagers and adults – 15 and above.
Why was it successful?
Relies on tension and suspense – the shark has limited screen time. Good score by well known composer – John Williams. Original idea. Shocks unexpectedly. Famous director – Stephen Steilberg. “John Williams' memorable score is used sparingly but its tone of impending terror is more responsible for the power of the film than the sightings of the beast itself.”“Confident direction combined with clever editing, lulls you into relaxing at precisely the wrong moments to great effect. Being able to calm the viewer only to wrench into their most primeval fears when least expected is the essence that lies behind the ability of "Jaws" to shock and entertain.” – BBC.
4) Mission:Impossible
Made by Paramount Pictures.
Made $457,696,359 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a PG by the BBFC.
Target Audience – People who had watched the TV series. Mainly men, aged 14 – thirties.
Why was it successful?
Special effects and stunts. Well known star – Tom Cruise. Catchy theme tune. Use of twists. Lots of action.
“Bursting into action with that unmistakable theme tune...” - Film.U-net“...succeeds in offering up several exciting and suspenseful sequences...” - RottenTomatoes
5) The Bourne Ultimatum
Made by Universal Pictures.
Made $442,817,159 at Box Office’s worldwide.
Rated a 12A by the BBFC.
Target audience – Fans on the books. Ages 14 and up.
Why was it successful?
Part of a well known franchise. Surrounded by a lot of hype. Well advertised. Good, involving plot.
“...a blockbuster with brains as well as brawn.” – Channel 4
Codes And Conventions Of Thriller Films.
Motif - A motif is something that is repeated throughout the film. It is used to put an idea in the audience's mind. E.g. The use of stuffed birds in Psycho.
Plot Twists - Every thriller has plot twists. They are used t keep the audience guessing and in suspense.
Quick Cuts - This is a form of editing. It builds suspense and speed and can be used to disorientate the audience and/or build tension as well as causing suspense.
Background Music - It is usually instrumental, stringed and high pitched. It is used to indicate to the audience that something is about to happen and build a tense atmosphere.
Over-The-Shoulder/Perspective Shot - These camera angles can be used to make the audience feel as though they are in the movie, a good way to build tension and make the audience more involved. It also can be used to show character's emotions and create mystery.
Stereotypical Characters (killer with mental problems, the innocent, sweet victim) - Stereotypical characters are often easy to relate to, make plot twists easier to create and means the audience can usually figure out who is who.
Close-ups - A camera angle used to show emotion. Can also be used to create mystery. E.g. focusing on the victim's face while the killer is there without showing the audience what the killer is doing.
Low Angle Shots - Used to give a character power and make them seem more intimidating. It can also put the audience in the place of a character, typically the victim, building fear and tension.
Dull/Dark Lighting - By keeping the lighting low it creates a creepy, tense atmosphere as, typically in films, nothing bad happens in bright light. The dark also allows hidden things to happen.
Isolated Settings - By using an isolated setting the audience knows no one will be around to help the victims, creating a scarier atmosphere.
Iconography - An icon is something that represents something else. These are used to subtley tell the audience something.
Costume - Costume is often used to represent a characters personality. White is often used to represent innocence while black is representative for the bad characters. Masks are often used to represent mystery.
Representation In Thrillers.
Men are stereotypically the killer. They are represented as powerful and intimidating. If thrillers do feature a male victim they are usually the leader of a group - the stereotypical "hero".
Women are usually the victims and represented as vulnerable and sexual. If the killer is a woman, she is often shown as manipulative and crazy.
Children are usually represented in two ways. They are either the vulnerable victim (the little girl in Hide And Seek) or creepy and evil (Damien in The Omen).
Old people are usually represented as ugly, devious, creepy and, typically, evil.
Advanced Film Making Techniques.
Cutting Rhythm - Where the cuts in the film are and how fast or slow the film is cut.
Montage - The assembly of shots and the portrayal of action or ideas through the use of many short shots. This creates a relationship between the shots and subjects.
Jump Cut - An instantaneous transition between two scenes that have identical subjects in slightly different screen locations which makes subjects appear to jump within the scene. Indicates that time has passed.
Clock Wipe - Sweeps a radius around the centre point of a scene to reveal a new scene. Indicates time passing.
Negative Image - And image with colour reversed from positive to negative, making white seem black etc. The effect of this is that it makes the scene and/or character seem ghostly and creates a surreal/other worldly atmosphere.
Flash Frame - A very short shot (usually one frame, sometimes several) that appears in a sequence of images. This can emphasise an important plot point.
Fast Motion - Movements on screen appear faster then in real life. This can show speed but also represent the character feeling out of control.
Flash Back - A segment of film that breaks chronological order showing thoughts and/or memories of characters. Can help to create a background for a character, make the audience feel more emotion for a character and to tell the story.
Auteur - A film maker who has an individual style and complete control over all elements of production, giving film a personal and unique stamp. E.g. Tim Burton.
Cinema Verite - A technique of documentary film making that records actual people and events as if they don't know they are being filmed. This adds more realism to the film.
Sound Effects (SFX) - Sounds placed over the top of a scene in a film that aren't there when filming. These add more emotion, drama and understanding.
Talk To Camera - When a character looks and talks directly at the camera. This can show authority and expert status. E.g. The beginning of I Am Legend shows a newsreader talking directly to camera.
Zoom Shot - This is when the director magnifies a part of the image, creating a difference in perspective. This can draw attention to a particular detail or important plot point.
Zoom Freeze - A zoom shot ending in a freeze frame. This can create a stop in time as well as drawing attention to a particular detail.
Crab Left/Right - When the camera moves left or right but the subject stays still. This creates the effect of the scene being viewed by an outsider.
Cross Cutting - A cut from one line of action to another. Like a montage, this creates a relationship between scenes.
Freeze Frame Shots - When one shot is printed in a still frame several times to create the illusion of a still photo.
Selective Focus - Blurring out one part of the shot like the background and having the foreground in focus. This draws attention to a particualr detail of a scene.
Tilt Shot - When the camera looks up and down at an object. This makes it seem more dramatic and shows power levels within the scene.
Tracking Shot - Action of moving the camera along a path parallel to the path of the object being filmed.
High Key Lighting - This is used in film, TV and photography. It reduces the light ratio within a scene and this reduces the image of any skin imprefections and makes skin look light. Everything else within the scene has to be darker for the scene to appear normal. It is often used in romances and comedies as it sets a tone of happiness and perfection.
Back Lighting - When the subject is lit from behind while everything else is darker. This creates a glow around the subject. The subject can also be lit from the front and back so they can hardly be seen. This is used to create a sense of mystery.
Ambient Lighting - This is used to create a natural effect in a scene. It includes light not provided by the crew and creates more realism.
Cameo Lighting - A spotlight that accentuates a single subkect in a scene, drawing attention to that and nothing else. It can lead to color distortion in the darkest areas.
Diegetic Sound (Actual Sound) - This is any sound where the source is visible on the screen or is implied to be present by the action in the film. This includes voices of characters, sounds made by objects in the story, music coming from stereos, instruments etc in the story. Diegetic sound is sound that is in the world in which the story of the film is set and can add realism, set a scene and help to create an atmosphere.
Non-diegetic Sound (Commentary Sound) - This is sound that is represented as coming from outside of the story. The source is not on screen or implied to be there and this includes a narrator's commentary, the voice of God, a sound effect added for dramatic effect, basic sound effects, mood music and film scores. It is often used to create atmosphere and mood, such as suspense and tension.
Synchronous Sound - These are sounds that are matched with what is viewed. If a character is talking, the words are heard as their lips move. It can be recorded while shooting or dubbed and added in later and any unwanted sounds can be dubbed over. Sound and visual perspective must match for this to seem real. This is the distance from which a sound is heard and how it effects the sound.
Non-synchronous Sound - This is any nosie whose origin is not seen. Eg; a gunshot in the dark, a train whistle, a rush of air.
Film Classification.
BBFC's Guidelines For Certificate Films
1. What certificates are usually used for thriller films?
15, 18
2. What is the definition of these certificates?
15
Theme - no theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate to 15 year olds.
Language – there maybe frequent use of strong language (e.g. fuck) but the strongest terms will be acceptable only where justified by context. Continued use of the aggressive language will not be acceptable.
Nudity – nudity maybe allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex – sexual activity maybe portrayed but without strong detail. There maybe strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.
Violence - violence maybe strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. Scenes of sexual violence must be brief or discreet.
Imitable techniques – dangerous techniques (e.g. hanging, suicide and self harming) should not dwell on imitable detail. Easily assessable should not be glamorised.
Horror – strong threat and menace are permitted. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable.
Drugs – drugs taken maybe shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse.
18
In line with the consistent findings of BBFC’s public consultations, at ‘18’ the BBFC’s guidelines concerns will not normally override the wish that adults should be free to choose there own entertainment, within the law. Exceptions are in mostly the following areas:·
Where material or treatment appears to the board to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society e. g. any detailed portrayals of violence or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, whish is likely to promote the activity. The board may also intervene with scene of sexual violence which might, e.g. eroticise or endorse sexual assault.· The more explicit images of sexual activity – unless they can be exceptionally justified by context and the work is not a ‘sex work’ as defined below.
In the case of videos and DVD’s, which may be more accessible to young viewers, intervention may be more frequent. For the same reason, and because of the different way they are experienced, the board may take a more precautionary approach in the case of those digital games which is covered by the Visual Recording Act.
Sex Education - where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.
Sex Works – sex works are works, normally on video or DVD, whose primary purpose is sexually arousing or stimulation. Sex works which contains material which maybe stimulating would normally be passed as an ‘18’, while sex works containing clear images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category.
Action Points
Based on my research into the Thriller genre, in my own film I will:
* Make it an 18. This is because people are more likely to watch an 18 as they expect it to contain more violence/sex/disturbing ideas etc and to be more controversial and interesting.
* Have a male killer and female victim. This is a convention of thrillers that audiences, mostly, expect to see.
* Use a variety of editing techniques and camera angles. This will not only create a sutiable atmosphere but will keep the film fresh and interesting throughout so that the audience will remain interested.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)