Conventions of a Thriller

A thriller includes a wide range of films but it is possible to identify some characteristics. For example, the aim of the thriller is to create suspense and excitement for the audience. Thrillers often use busy streets and urban/suburban areas as it seems very normal at first and as the film develops the audience realises that things aren't as normal as first anticipated. The narrative usually revolves around an investigation of an enigma. The 'hero' or protagonist is the only person able to solve the enigma and reveal the truth. Violence is central to most thriller films. Some thrillers reveal the workings of particular institutions such as the police, the army or the government. There will be a rational rather than supernatural explanation of the puzzle, even if all through the film the audience is convinced otherwise. The protagonist and 'villain' antagonist, although on opposing sides, share similar qualities or aims. The protagonist is often an outsider, isolated secretive but moral. The enigma of the narrative will be solved by the protagonist and the film normally ends with them being triumphant is some shape or form, perhaps after a great loss or sacrifice.

Preliminary Task-9

Today we began to condense the video we had created to fit within the allowed time limit of 20-30 seconds. We firstly looked at all the shots we had to keep in the video due to them being part of the preliminary task such as the shot reverse shot etc. We also looked at any additional shots we had taken that were key when getting across the plot and emotion needed. For example, the shots of the possessed child are key to provoke emotion in the audience, to allow them to see what the actors see as well as feeling that they are as in danger as the actors.

Preliminary Task-8

As a group we formulated a plan for the next time we are all together and able to work on our Preliminary Task. Our plan is to condense down our video as we have been informed that it must only be 20-30 seconds long. Our video as it stands at the moment is nearly three times longer than it should be. Although this could be considered good practise for our next task in which the video must be two minutes long, we have decided to only use the shots that get the plot across to the audience as well as provo9king emotion a key convention in a thriller. We will make sure that the final outcome includes all of this as well as a series of varied and high level shots and the key conventions of a thriller genre many of the shots convey.

Preliminary Task-7

We were able to plan from the footage we already had shot, edited and put to sound that we needed to film sections for the video that as a group we felt we were missing. These shots included:

-An establishing shot,

-A shot of Lucy and myself entering the building,

-A shot of Lucy being dragged away by the possessed child,

-A shot of Lucy's hand being dragged across the floor to end the video,

-A series of extra shots to keep as spare encase we needed to fill any small gaps (leaves falling, trees, birds etc).

Together these shots will consist of a varied range of different camera angles and movements, a low/high angle, a birds/worms eye view, an establishing shot and when edited with in with the video we have already composed a shot reverse shot. Ellie was the camera women when filming these shots, she ensured to keep the camera still and that Lucy and myself were always centred in the frame (or however the shot was meant to be taken). Joby directed the shots and informed Lucy and myself were to stand as she could see how the shot would look through the camera. Lucy and myself acted and would later edit the video together, Lucy helped to add sound effects and music and I edited the shots together and put the music to the shots.

Theses images act as evidence for our group to show us editing the video together as well as the addition of various layers of music and sound effects.

Preliminary Task-6

Today we used our time filling in any gaps we had in the video that needed an extra shot to allow them to flow and make sense. We also added more music and sound effects to our video, with the addition of non-diegetic scary suspenseful music and loud bangs the video provoked more emotion in the viewer. the loud banging sounds have been carried through most of the video to make the audience jump and be on the edge of their seat until the end of the clip. The addition of this sound effect really makes the video as it relates it back to our theme of thriller. The use of diegetic sound such as the sound of a seagull and dialogue also adds to the suspense as the video starts of very mundane, these two sounds are heard all; the time and we have put this in to allow the audience to feel at ease. As the scary music slowly becomes louder the audience is snapped out of feeling safe and suddenly feels as in dangers as the two characters shown in the video. This was our intention when editing the videos together. After this as a group we established that we would need to film some more shots to allow the video to flow well. These shots would include an establishing shot, shots of Lucy and myself entering the building, shots of Lucy being attacked and dragged away and range of shots to keep just encase we had any more gaps to fill.

Preliminary Task-5

Here are some of the deleted videos that we shot again due to mistakes made while filming the first time around. The videos were rushed and not executed in a way that allowed the video to be created in a way that the group was happy with. 

The first video as shown below shows Lucy and myself exiting through a set of double doors. The intention when taking this shot was to ensure we were both centred in the frame. Unfortunately, when reviewing the take, we realised we would have to shoot it again as the final product would not work well in the final video.

The second video as shown below shown Lucy and myself standing having a conversation with one another. It is a two person shot. The intention when taking the video was to have the window in the background centred in the shot. Again, unfortunately the shot was not centred. Because of this the reflections of the Ellie and Joby filming were visible in the video. This did not look professional and so we decided to also retake this video.

The third video is an over the shoulder shot. This shot was used to show that Lucy and myself were having a conversation. The shot focusses on Lucy as she is the one speaking at that time as well as this she is discussing a subject which allows the audience an insight into how Lucy and myself are feeling at that time.

The forth video is an over the shoulder shot. This shot was used to show that Lucy and myself were having a conversation. The shot focusses on me as I am the one speaking at that time as well as this I am continuing the key conversation that provoked emotion in the audience.

The fifth shot is a two person shot. This shot was used to show the most dramatic, thought and emotion provoking part clip out of the shots we took. The shot show Lucy screaming as she turns to look in the direction I am referencing too. In the shot I am shown gasping in shock which allows the audience to feel danger, suspense and fear.