Thriller Definition:
- Thriller is a loose genre term referring to any film that generates usspense and excitement as a major aspect of it's narrative.
Theories about Thrillers:
- Chesterton - early 20th century writer of thriller stories, argued that thrillers took urban settings and transformed them into exciting locations for dramatic stories.
EXAMPLES:
* Seven
* The Secret Window
Northrop Frye: Heroic Romance
- Frye argued that thrillers were stories that took ordinary people and threw them into extraordinary situations.
EXAMPLES:
* The Negotiator
* Derailed
* The Green Mile
* Die Hard
John Cawelti: The Exotic
- Cawelty argued that thrillers took the element of ordinary life and added exotic element.
EXAMPLE:
* Wanted
W.H Matthews: Mazes and Labryinths
- Matthews writes about how human beings have a facination for a physical puzzle - often seen in mazes and labryinths.
- Thrillers often use the idea of a musterious quest in a confined location that feels like a labryinth.
EXAMPLES:
* Saw
* Labryinth
Pascal Bonitzer: Partial Vision
- Bonitzer discusses how in thrillers the audience is given a partial view of things - with important details being obscured.
EXAMPLE:
* The Sixth Sense
Noel Carroll: Question and Answer
- Carroll argues that thrillers are structured around a series of questions for which the audience is led to want answers.
EXAMPLES:
* Fight Club
* Strangers
Roland Barthes: Enigma Codes
- Barthes analysed all narratives in terms of codes that operate moment by moment.
- Enigma Codes: Moments in a narrative where the audience is led to ask a question.
- In thrillers, enigma codes are very important for telling the story in a suspenseful way.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Section 2: Research into examples of thriller opening scenes
Red Eye - Opening Scene.
Narrative Structure:
The opening scene of 'Red Eye' shows us the main character in photographs on the cabinate in different situations, for example, graduation, playing sports etc. So this gives the viewer an idea of who the story is based on. Some keys and a wallet is placed on the cabinate by an unknown character that walks past the camera, but we don't see him. Then, somebody steals the wallet.
Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Who is the girl in the photos?
- Who is the guy with her in the last photo?
- Who is the man walking past that we don't see?
- Who grabbed the wallet?
- Why do we see fish getting packed up?
- What are those pictures of buildings for?
- Why do we see blue prints and what are they for?
- Why did he rip open the envelope?
- Why has he got the wallet?
- Who is the guy on the I.D card?
- Why is he taking the cards?
- Why are they angrily removing the fish from the packaging box?
- What is in the plastic box?
Camerawork:
In the opening scene there are lots of close up pans to make the viewer focus on certain objects, especially of the girl in the photographs and the persons hand stealing the wallet. There are also many forward tracks, for instance, of the car and the fish crate. I also noticed the odd over the should shot, and tracking shots.
Mise-En-Scene:
At the begining of the scene, we see what seems to be a successful, smart, young, pretty girl that has graduated from college/university in a photograph on a cabinate. In the next photo, we see her playing sports which suggests that she is a strong person, phsyically and maybe mentally too. Then on the final photograph there is a mystery man with the girl, who could be her boyfriend, friend, brother etc. We then see someone put keys and a wallet on the cabinate near the photos, then walk out of the room, we don't see their face, but then another character takes the wallet. In the next clip, we see fish getting packed up into a crate on a dock to be sent away. Then, we see an office, and inside the office there are photos of buildings and blue prints of a pent house. The guy inside the office aggressivly rips open an envelope that contain the wallet we seen earlier, and cards e.g credit cards, I.D card. Inside the wallet was a photo of the girl we saw in the photos on the cabinate at the begining of the scene. Then we go back to the fish and see them frozen in ice, then they get aggressivley pulled out of the ice, and a medium sized thick plastic box getting packed away into the back of a van instead of the crate of fish. Finally, we see a luxury hotel where the film begins.
Sound:
I noticed that the sound gets more intense as the opening scene progresses. At first in the background the diegetic sound of a plane revving up is generic and eary, but not scary. There are many diegetic sounds of doors moving/shutting, the shower etc. The non-diegetic music rises to a crescendo (noise in action) of the persons handing grabbing the wallet. The sound then becomes more uptemp/funky inside the building, and more repetitive. At the end of the scene, the non-diegetic music gradually fades and there are diegetic sounds of van doors and boxes sliding onto the back of the van.
Editing:
Edits were simple, all cut, transitions with long and slow edits. Approximatley 6-12secs for each take.
Graphics:
Simple and straight forward font moving into the distance in black and white for the title, which suggests good and evil. The text is on a blank canvas with no graphics under it.
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State of Play - Opening Scene.
Narrative Structure:
A man is being chased by an unseen persuer. The man then hides from him thinking he is safe, he peaks out from behind the bin, then the unseen persuer shoots him, and we see the persuers face. The gunman notices that he has been seen shooting the man who was running away from him, by a pizza delivery boy on a bike, so he shoots him a few times to make sure there are no witnesses, and runs away.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the guy that is running away?
- Why is he running away?
- What happened to the old couple he ran into?
- Who is he running from?
- Who's he hiding from?
- Who is the guy with the briefcase?
- Where did he get the briefcase?
- What's in it?
- Why did he shoot the guy who was running away?
- Why did he shoot the witness on the bike?
- Where does he run away to?
- Do the victims survive?
Camerawork:
Aerial shot of the city (in the air) at the beginning of the scene, then the camera is still for about 3 shots. There are many pans and tilts of a man running, and a steadycam of the chase. There is the odd voyeuristic view and classic pans, with low and high angled pans. There is a close up of the guy hiding from the unseen persuer, but both men are never in the same shot together, this suggests the difference in hierarchy between the two. There is a close up of the shooting, and the useage of steadycam of the gunman running away (the camera doesn't move - stays where it is) The character then runs out of shot, and a forward track going into a close up of the other victim that has just been shot, which shows the audience that he is still alive.
Mise-En-Scene:
Set in an urban area in what it seems to be, Washington, USA, this suggests that the movie may be political due to the area (Washington). There is a busy road, which could suggest stress? Set at night time, with bad wet weather. There is an old couple outside the jewellers, and a man running away from something, dodging cars and slpping over. He runs through someones shop and smashes things as he runs past accidently. He runs out of the back door, and jumps off a ledge that seems to be too high. There is a close up of the guy and he has bad teeth, which suggests his occupation, it gives the viewer a stereotypical view of him, as either a 'tramp' or a 'hobo' maybe even a drug user. The guy gets executed (shot in the head) by another man who is carrying a briefcase which increases the mystery of him and makes the audience wonder whats inside it. There is a witness on a bike who looks like a pizza delivery boy, and the man shoots him too, to get rid of the witness. The camera then gives the audience a close up of the boy lying on the ground which shows he is still alive just after the gunman runs out of the scene.
Sound:
There are many diegetic sounds of the city, for example, sirens, helicopters, rain, thunder storms, cars, muttering old people. There is a thud when the guy runs into the old couple and the old woman seems to yelp. The guy is running away through the roads, there are lots of diegetic sounds of horns. The guy falls into a moped. As he runs through the shop there are many diegetic sounds of smashing vases and anitque china. He skids on the floor and grunts and groans, the sound of his impact hitting the floor and falling into the bin, panting and crying increases the tension of the scene. Then we hear a gunshot and the guys head hitting the bin. The bullet shell hits the floor, and slow panting comes from the gunman. There arnt many non diegetic sounds, only of the sound of the screatchy type of music being played quietly. Then we hear the witness on his bike, and him peddling faster, and another gun shot/shells. The crescendo of the non diegetic music makes the audience think that the witness has died. The bike and the guy fall on the ground, then we hear men mumbling in the distance, and the gunman runs away. The ominous music then kicks in.
Editing:
There are many long takes; at first the takes are calm, to set up the scene. As the scene progresses, each take gets more active, and they're alot shorter, showing alot going on in each short take.
Graphics:
The logo (Universal and Warlang Title) - Blue text, which suggests calm, cool, and possibly democratic. There is also some white text. The title flashes on, it's simple as it's just white, although there is a quick mixture of red, white and blue, which suggests the US flag. It's sutle, and small situated on the right hand side of the screen.
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Strangers on a Train - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
The beginning of the sequence in this thriller gives us the narrative that maybe to men who have just met are going to help eachother kill someone. So you've got a successful sports man who maybe wants to kill his wife. Then we have a in your face man who wants to kill his dad. Then we a led to think that the narrative might be the two men swapping eachothers murder victims. Two characters are a man and Bruno who is telling the man about his plan of murder. Emphasizes that the murder will be a murder with the man humoring Bruno about his "great" plan! So we all know that Bruno then thinks the man is on board with the idea. Plus fame and celebrity commentary - civilians have power over famous people because they can know more about you than you know yourself because of papparazzi etc.
Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Why did Bruno tell a complete stranger about his murder?
- Why did he choose him?
- How long has he been planning this type of crime for?
- Why does't bruno like his Dad?
- What happened between them when he lived with his father?
- Once the beginning sequence ends we ask whats going to happen next?
Conventions - we get the music change in the sequence then it sounds more like a thriller tune from a happy and humorous tune. When we are put in the train we get a creepy sensual guy suddenly having a meeting on the train. Further more the sounf was non-conventional and the sequence relied on the dialogue.
Camerawork:
The camera at the beggining of opening sequence you get are wide shot of an arch building into train station implying that something big is going to happen. Then we get given a low level shot of Bruno's bright white shoes showing he is anonynous at this time, same with the other low level shot of the other man with the black shoes. Since they used the same shot on both of them could show that both their lives are going to intwine with eachother. Once they are on the train you get a point of view (POV) shot from Bruno's perspective and now his plan has come into action. Then we see both characters that are now not anonynous anymore with a two shot, showing a connection between them and that the fates have now collided.
Mise-En-Scene:
The start of scene we have a setting showing an arch building of the grand train station which is then showing a grand concept in the narrative plot. Just by the setting of the area we can tell this movie is set in America. Soon after we get the american cabs that are also anonymous so shows mystery in the film. Then we get Brunos outrageous shoes that a bright white which reflects his personality of wild, creepy and in your face. The other man we get a prop of a tennis racket telling the ausience that he plays tennis and he had plain shoes reflecting that he is more bland, normal and straight forward than Bruno is. In the scene when every one is going through to get on the train we get slightly confused because we can see Bruno with his shoes but we can't see the other man meaning he blends in with the crowd and Bruno is like a light in the dark. The setting of the train shows the composition of every one on the trains and they are all strangers to eachother. That setting of every one being strangers to eachother highlights that humanity goes on with life with strangers. Further on we get the view of the train tracks, this is a metaphor to tell us that these two mens paths are going to intwine and cross into eachother. Adding on to that we have the train turning probably showing what the men are going to do is going to turn for the worst. Then we have Bruno with his stupid to weare for his Mum letting audience know he's a mummies boy. Also just before they start to talk to eachother they met buy their feet touching, was this accidental or fate, we can only guess and thats when their identities are finally revealed as well.
Sound:
The music is epic and grand and not at all scary and creepy as well as a bit of romance which is strange because its supposed to be a thriller. So its not typically thriller music. However the music changes when shoes come out the cabs - gives off a "Tom & Jerry" feel. So this music implies that Bruno is probably and excitable person since the music came on when he got out of the cab first which could also mean that his character could be very annoying too. Both characters are moving with music and that builds up tension. Again, since they are moving together with music their lives are connected somehow. Finally the music starts to turn more thriller like when Bruno gets onto the train and then gets mysterious. Then the dialogue of Bruno, "I do admire people who do things" signifying that he like people who seize the moment rather than leave it. So it basically means that he wishes that he could have gone through with murdering his dad. Before that Bruno said that "I don't talk much" but its a lie because he does nothing but talk that signifies him as an outgoing person and a bit of a nutter.
Editing:
Quick cut editing of both characters walking into the same station signifying that both Bruno's life and the mans life are going to intwine. Also reverse shot editing to show a conversation between the two characters.
Graphics:
The titles are big, bold and obviously whire becaue its a Black and White movie. The lettering is squared and has drop shadows and old fashioned text since its an old film. Plus there is a mixture of bold title text and hand writing title text.
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The Bourne Ultimatum - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
At the start we see a man limping whilst being chased by the Police. He runs onto a train to hide and stay undercover, then runs away again. He breaks into a pharmacy, looking man is limping, whilst being chased by the police.He runs onto a train to hide and then gets off again. He then brreaks into a pharmacy, looking for drugs carelessly. He then takes an injection. This reveals flashbacks of his past. He is then found by two men, one of which he shoots, the other he lets free.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
A majority of the opening sequence is dark with shadows, symbolizing mystery and evil. Police are also chasing the man, suggesting crime, and creating suspense.
Camerawork:
A low level hot of the feet sets the scene with mystery as the shot doesn't reveal the whole body, creating mystery. Pans are also used to emphasize movement and pace the opening sequence, creating anxiety and tension.
Mise-En-Scene:
The beginning sequence is set in Moscow, Russia. This connotes communism to the audience that the story may have a political element. The man, Jason Bourne, is limping, hinting to the audience he is in trouble. Police sirens suggest to the reader that a crime has possibly been commited.
Sound:
- Non-Diegetic sound is used to make the audience anxious to see more. It keeps the pace fast, such as the fast ticking in the music.
- Diegetic sound also creates tension, such as the police sirens and the glass breaking. Also when Bourne is groaning as he jumps off the train it is almost visceral as if you can feel his pain.
Editing:
All the shots are relatively short. They range from 1-7 seconds. This creates pace and keeps the momentem of the movie quick, which looks quite epic on screen.
Graphics:
The Bourne Ultimatum is shown on a black background with white text. The letters appear one by one, like a puzzle, conveying the main character may be looking for missing pieces. Light also shines on the words, and moves from side to side like a flashlight, which could imply that he may be searching for something.
Both these conventions portray what has happened in the previous films, and what is about to happen in the actual film which is that Jason Bourne is searching for the missing pieces of his memory, as he has amnesia.
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The Dark Knight - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
The narrative structire you get from the opening scene of The Dark Knight is that the city is full of crime and that the main villain in the film that the narrative is based on is a guy who calls himself 'The Joker' who seems to be a very disturbed and crazy man who resembles a sort of clown figure.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the Joker?
- Why are all the mob theives killing eachother while they are robbing a bank?
- Why does the villain put a fake grenade in the bankers mouth?
- Why do they need the money from the bank?
- What have they set out to acheive from robbing the bank?
- Why is Gotham City in such a state of criminal actions?
Camerawork:
The opening scene of The Dark Knight Starts off with an ariel shot of tall buildings in the city with the ariel shot getting closer to the windows of a certain building. This ariel shot is leading the audience to where the action is. You see a tracking shot being used with the camera tilting slowly down to a man in a siut with a clown mask in his hands. The camera gets closer to the mask signifying that this man might be a bit of a clown and since its a mask that he could be getting ready to commit a crime. We have got another ariel shot of two criminals zip lining from one building to another with wide shot looking down at them which is showing how high they are up in the air and what lengths they are going to just to commit a crime. Camera in car to watch the criminals have a conversation - 3 shot & Close ups. You have pan shots to keep up with the criminals quickly heading into the bank. You have fast tracking shots moving back from the front of the criminals to emphasize how quickly they have taken over the bank. Close ups of grenades to signify danger. Wide shots to see the area they are in which is a bank. We have close ups and medium shots to see movements and reactions e.g. the banker. High angle shots to look down at the money to show they have stolen a lot of it. High angle shot looking doown at banker signifying he is weak and vulnerable. Close up and high angle of jokers face signifying he's in control.
Mise-En-Scene:
Setting of a city area so its going to be a highly populated place. Criminals have masks to hide their identity telling us they are going to do a crime. They have equipment thats going to help them rob the bank and get on the roof of the bank. Clothes are not bright in colour and they are wearing gloves so they don't want to be noticed or caught. Guy with a clown mask at the side of his leg, clowns are funny but the clown mask looks sad. So it can describe this man as a humerous person but in the wrong kind of way. He also has a bag which could contain stuff that is going to help him rob the bank. Pedestrians walking every where like normal day in the city life - busy. A van he gets into which looks old and worn out tells us they are not really reach maybe want low profile and that this is their get away car. Guns so they are criminals and they need fire power to help them to complete their crime. More equipment to hack into bank security systems which tells us they came prepared and that this crime was planned. Setting looks like what you expect a bank to loo, clean, organized and little tables and pens and main desks to sort out your banking life. Technical wiring for the banks security and the man hacking into the systems implies that these criminals are smart. Props of grenades which is an immediate sign of danger. Big metal vault telling us that this is where the money is and it needs to be protected and kept safe. Prop of a vault opener that the criminal has showing that he has come prepared. Banker wearing suit showing that he is a well paid man and that he is very proffesional. Bags ready so we immediately know they are going to take something from the vault. See props of lots of money and deposit boxes so we know that the criminal is inside the vault. Plus the vault looks very organized. School bus crashes into bank and only the last criminal standing knows about it telling us that he is deceiving everyone. Joker with face paints on tells us that he is a bit wweird and strange because he is a grown man and kids are the ones usually getting the faces painted for fun. All the school busses coming at the same time shows that he planned this crime to start and end ay specific times.
Sound:
There are many gun shots that are synchronous sounds. Music starts off rather mysterious, then the music gets a faster beat and thats letting us know some action is going to take place. That is mixed with mysterious earie noise to let mystery build. Now the action starts because the beat kicks in. Then it builds up as if the tension in staring to build. With the music you have diegetic sound incorporated like the guy zip lining, cars skidding, doors closing, smashing windows smashing and buildings smashing.
Editing:
The whole opening of the scene its just cut editing that has some fast cut editing to build up suspense and some long takes to show whats happening in the area. But thats pretty much everything on editing.
Graphics:
The only graphics that are on the opening sequence is the company logos which seem to be tinted blue like the bat symbol that is formed from smoke which is the title without using text. The tint blue can mean neutral and you can link that to the movie that everyone in the world innocent and guilty people are all the same.
Narrative Structure:
The opening scene of 'Red Eye' shows us the main character in photographs on the cabinate in different situations, for example, graduation, playing sports etc. So this gives the viewer an idea of who the story is based on. Some keys and a wallet is placed on the cabinate by an unknown character that walks past the camera, but we don't see him. Then, somebody steals the wallet.
Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Who is the girl in the photos?
- Who is the guy with her in the last photo?
- Who is the man walking past that we don't see?
- Who grabbed the wallet?
- Why do we see fish getting packed up?
- What are those pictures of buildings for?
- Why do we see blue prints and what are they for?
- Why did he rip open the envelope?
- Why has he got the wallet?
- Who is the guy on the I.D card?
- Why is he taking the cards?
- Why are they angrily removing the fish from the packaging box?
- What is in the plastic box?
Camerawork:
In the opening scene there are lots of close up pans to make the viewer focus on certain objects, especially of the girl in the photographs and the persons hand stealing the wallet. There are also many forward tracks, for instance, of the car and the fish crate. I also noticed the odd over the should shot, and tracking shots.
Mise-En-Scene:
At the begining of the scene, we see what seems to be a successful, smart, young, pretty girl that has graduated from college/university in a photograph on a cabinate. In the next photo, we see her playing sports which suggests that she is a strong person, phsyically and maybe mentally too. Then on the final photograph there is a mystery man with the girl, who could be her boyfriend, friend, brother etc. We then see someone put keys and a wallet on the cabinate near the photos, then walk out of the room, we don't see their face, but then another character takes the wallet. In the next clip, we see fish getting packed up into a crate on a dock to be sent away. Then, we see an office, and inside the office there are photos of buildings and blue prints of a pent house. The guy inside the office aggressivly rips open an envelope that contain the wallet we seen earlier, and cards e.g credit cards, I.D card. Inside the wallet was a photo of the girl we saw in the photos on the cabinate at the begining of the scene. Then we go back to the fish and see them frozen in ice, then they get aggressivley pulled out of the ice, and a medium sized thick plastic box getting packed away into the back of a van instead of the crate of fish. Finally, we see a luxury hotel where the film begins.
Sound:
I noticed that the sound gets more intense as the opening scene progresses. At first in the background the diegetic sound of a plane revving up is generic and eary, but not scary. There are many diegetic sounds of doors moving/shutting, the shower etc. The non-diegetic music rises to a crescendo (noise in action) of the persons handing grabbing the wallet. The sound then becomes more uptemp/funky inside the building, and more repetitive. At the end of the scene, the non-diegetic music gradually fades and there are diegetic sounds of van doors and boxes sliding onto the back of the van.
Editing:
Edits were simple, all cut, transitions with long and slow edits. Approximatley 6-12secs for each take.
Graphics:
Simple and straight forward font moving into the distance in black and white for the title, which suggests good and evil. The text is on a blank canvas with no graphics under it.
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State of Play - Opening Scene.
Narrative Structure:
A man is being chased by an unseen persuer. The man then hides from him thinking he is safe, he peaks out from behind the bin, then the unseen persuer shoots him, and we see the persuers face. The gunman notices that he has been seen shooting the man who was running away from him, by a pizza delivery boy on a bike, so he shoots him a few times to make sure there are no witnesses, and runs away.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the guy that is running away?
- Why is he running away?
- What happened to the old couple he ran into?
- Who is he running from?
- Who's he hiding from?
- Who is the guy with the briefcase?
- Where did he get the briefcase?
- What's in it?
- Why did he shoot the guy who was running away?
- Why did he shoot the witness on the bike?
- Where does he run away to?
- Do the victims survive?
Camerawork:
Aerial shot of the city (in the air) at the beginning of the scene, then the camera is still for about 3 shots. There are many pans and tilts of a man running, and a steadycam of the chase. There is the odd voyeuristic view and classic pans, with low and high angled pans. There is a close up of the guy hiding from the unseen persuer, but both men are never in the same shot together, this suggests the difference in hierarchy between the two. There is a close up of the shooting, and the useage of steadycam of the gunman running away (the camera doesn't move - stays where it is) The character then runs out of shot, and a forward track going into a close up of the other victim that has just been shot, which shows the audience that he is still alive.
Mise-En-Scene:
Set in an urban area in what it seems to be, Washington, USA, this suggests that the movie may be political due to the area (Washington). There is a busy road, which could suggest stress? Set at night time, with bad wet weather. There is an old couple outside the jewellers, and a man running away from something, dodging cars and slpping over. He runs through someones shop and smashes things as he runs past accidently. He runs out of the back door, and jumps off a ledge that seems to be too high. There is a close up of the guy and he has bad teeth, which suggests his occupation, it gives the viewer a stereotypical view of him, as either a 'tramp' or a 'hobo' maybe even a drug user. The guy gets executed (shot in the head) by another man who is carrying a briefcase which increases the mystery of him and makes the audience wonder whats inside it. There is a witness on a bike who looks like a pizza delivery boy, and the man shoots him too, to get rid of the witness. The camera then gives the audience a close up of the boy lying on the ground which shows he is still alive just after the gunman runs out of the scene.
Sound:
There are many diegetic sounds of the city, for example, sirens, helicopters, rain, thunder storms, cars, muttering old people. There is a thud when the guy runs into the old couple and the old woman seems to yelp. The guy is running away through the roads, there are lots of diegetic sounds of horns. The guy falls into a moped. As he runs through the shop there are many diegetic sounds of smashing vases and anitque china. He skids on the floor and grunts and groans, the sound of his impact hitting the floor and falling into the bin, panting and crying increases the tension of the scene. Then we hear a gunshot and the guys head hitting the bin. The bullet shell hits the floor, and slow panting comes from the gunman. There arnt many non diegetic sounds, only of the sound of the screatchy type of music being played quietly. Then we hear the witness on his bike, and him peddling faster, and another gun shot/shells. The crescendo of the non diegetic music makes the audience think that the witness has died. The bike and the guy fall on the ground, then we hear men mumbling in the distance, and the gunman runs away. The ominous music then kicks in.
Editing:
There are many long takes; at first the takes are calm, to set up the scene. As the scene progresses, each take gets more active, and they're alot shorter, showing alot going on in each short take.
Graphics:
The logo (Universal and Warlang Title) - Blue text, which suggests calm, cool, and possibly democratic. There is also some white text. The title flashes on, it's simple as it's just white, although there is a quick mixture of red, white and blue, which suggests the US flag. It's sutle, and small situated on the right hand side of the screen.
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Strangers on a Train - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
The beginning of the sequence in this thriller gives us the narrative that maybe to men who have just met are going to help eachother kill someone. So you've got a successful sports man who maybe wants to kill his wife. Then we have a in your face man who wants to kill his dad. Then we a led to think that the narrative might be the two men swapping eachothers murder victims. Two characters are a man and Bruno who is telling the man about his plan of murder. Emphasizes that the murder will be a murder with the man humoring Bruno about his "great" plan! So we all know that Bruno then thinks the man is on board with the idea. Plus fame and celebrity commentary - civilians have power over famous people because they can know more about you than you know yourself because of papparazzi etc.
Thriller Codes and Conventions:
- Why did Bruno tell a complete stranger about his murder?
- Why did he choose him?
- How long has he been planning this type of crime for?
- Why does't bruno like his Dad?
- What happened between them when he lived with his father?
- Once the beginning sequence ends we ask whats going to happen next?
Conventions - we get the music change in the sequence then it sounds more like a thriller tune from a happy and humorous tune. When we are put in the train we get a creepy sensual guy suddenly having a meeting on the train. Further more the sounf was non-conventional and the sequence relied on the dialogue.
Camerawork:
The camera at the beggining of opening sequence you get are wide shot of an arch building into train station implying that something big is going to happen. Then we get given a low level shot of Bruno's bright white shoes showing he is anonynous at this time, same with the other low level shot of the other man with the black shoes. Since they used the same shot on both of them could show that both their lives are going to intwine with eachother. Once they are on the train you get a point of view (POV) shot from Bruno's perspective and now his plan has come into action. Then we see both characters that are now not anonynous anymore with a two shot, showing a connection between them and that the fates have now collided.
Mise-En-Scene:
The start of scene we have a setting showing an arch building of the grand train station which is then showing a grand concept in the narrative plot. Just by the setting of the area we can tell this movie is set in America. Soon after we get the american cabs that are also anonymous so shows mystery in the film. Then we get Brunos outrageous shoes that a bright white which reflects his personality of wild, creepy and in your face. The other man we get a prop of a tennis racket telling the ausience that he plays tennis and he had plain shoes reflecting that he is more bland, normal and straight forward than Bruno is. In the scene when every one is going through to get on the train we get slightly confused because we can see Bruno with his shoes but we can't see the other man meaning he blends in with the crowd and Bruno is like a light in the dark. The setting of the train shows the composition of every one on the trains and they are all strangers to eachother. That setting of every one being strangers to eachother highlights that humanity goes on with life with strangers. Further on we get the view of the train tracks, this is a metaphor to tell us that these two mens paths are going to intwine and cross into eachother. Adding on to that we have the train turning probably showing what the men are going to do is going to turn for the worst. Then we have Bruno with his stupid to weare for his Mum letting audience know he's a mummies boy. Also just before they start to talk to eachother they met buy their feet touching, was this accidental or fate, we can only guess and thats when their identities are finally revealed as well.
Sound:
The music is epic and grand and not at all scary and creepy as well as a bit of romance which is strange because its supposed to be a thriller. So its not typically thriller music. However the music changes when shoes come out the cabs - gives off a "Tom & Jerry" feel. So this music implies that Bruno is probably and excitable person since the music came on when he got out of the cab first which could also mean that his character could be very annoying too. Both characters are moving with music and that builds up tension. Again, since they are moving together with music their lives are connected somehow. Finally the music starts to turn more thriller like when Bruno gets onto the train and then gets mysterious. Then the dialogue of Bruno, "I do admire people who do things" signifying that he like people who seize the moment rather than leave it. So it basically means that he wishes that he could have gone through with murdering his dad. Before that Bruno said that "I don't talk much" but its a lie because he does nothing but talk that signifies him as an outgoing person and a bit of a nutter.
Editing:
Quick cut editing of both characters walking into the same station signifying that both Bruno's life and the mans life are going to intwine. Also reverse shot editing to show a conversation between the two characters.
Graphics:
The titles are big, bold and obviously whire becaue its a Black and White movie. The lettering is squared and has drop shadows and old fashioned text since its an old film. Plus there is a mixture of bold title text and hand writing title text.
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The Bourne Ultimatum - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
At the start we see a man limping whilst being chased by the Police. He runs onto a train to hide and stay undercover, then runs away again. He breaks into a pharmacy, looking man is limping, whilst being chased by the police.He runs onto a train to hide and then gets off again. He then brreaks into a pharmacy, looking for drugs carelessly. He then takes an injection. This reveals flashbacks of his past. He is then found by two men, one of which he shoots, the other he lets free.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
A majority of the opening sequence is dark with shadows, symbolizing mystery and evil. Police are also chasing the man, suggesting crime, and creating suspense.
Camerawork:
A low level hot of the feet sets the scene with mystery as the shot doesn't reveal the whole body, creating mystery. Pans are also used to emphasize movement and pace the opening sequence, creating anxiety and tension.
Mise-En-Scene:
The beginning sequence is set in Moscow, Russia. This connotes communism to the audience that the story may have a political element. The man, Jason Bourne, is limping, hinting to the audience he is in trouble. Police sirens suggest to the reader that a crime has possibly been commited.
Sound:
- Non-Diegetic sound is used to make the audience anxious to see more. It keeps the pace fast, such as the fast ticking in the music.
- Diegetic sound also creates tension, such as the police sirens and the glass breaking. Also when Bourne is groaning as he jumps off the train it is almost visceral as if you can feel his pain.
Editing:
All the shots are relatively short. They range from 1-7 seconds. This creates pace and keeps the momentem of the movie quick, which looks quite epic on screen.
Graphics:
The Bourne Ultimatum is shown on a black background with white text. The letters appear one by one, like a puzzle, conveying the main character may be looking for missing pieces. Light also shines on the words, and moves from side to side like a flashlight, which could imply that he may be searching for something.
Both these conventions portray what has happened in the previous films, and what is about to happen in the actual film which is that Jason Bourne is searching for the missing pieces of his memory, as he has amnesia.
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The Dark Knight - Opening Scene
Narrative Structure:
The narrative structire you get from the opening scene of The Dark Knight is that the city is full of crime and that the main villain in the film that the narrative is based on is a guy who calls himself 'The Joker' who seems to be a very disturbed and crazy man who resembles a sort of clown figure.
Thriller Codes & Conventions:
- Who is the Joker?
- Why are all the mob theives killing eachother while they are robbing a bank?
- Why does the villain put a fake grenade in the bankers mouth?
- Why do they need the money from the bank?
- What have they set out to acheive from robbing the bank?
- Why is Gotham City in such a state of criminal actions?
Camerawork:
The opening scene of The Dark Knight Starts off with an ariel shot of tall buildings in the city with the ariel shot getting closer to the windows of a certain building. This ariel shot is leading the audience to where the action is. You see a tracking shot being used with the camera tilting slowly down to a man in a siut with a clown mask in his hands. The camera gets closer to the mask signifying that this man might be a bit of a clown and since its a mask that he could be getting ready to commit a crime. We have got another ariel shot of two criminals zip lining from one building to another with wide shot looking down at them which is showing how high they are up in the air and what lengths they are going to just to commit a crime. Camera in car to watch the criminals have a conversation - 3 shot & Close ups. You have pan shots to keep up with the criminals quickly heading into the bank. You have fast tracking shots moving back from the front of the criminals to emphasize how quickly they have taken over the bank. Close ups of grenades to signify danger. Wide shots to see the area they are in which is a bank. We have close ups and medium shots to see movements and reactions e.g. the banker. High angle shots to look down at the money to show they have stolen a lot of it. High angle shot looking doown at banker signifying he is weak and vulnerable. Close up and high angle of jokers face signifying he's in control.
Mise-En-Scene:
Setting of a city area so its going to be a highly populated place. Criminals have masks to hide their identity telling us they are going to do a crime. They have equipment thats going to help them rob the bank and get on the roof of the bank. Clothes are not bright in colour and they are wearing gloves so they don't want to be noticed or caught. Guy with a clown mask at the side of his leg, clowns are funny but the clown mask looks sad. So it can describe this man as a humerous person but in the wrong kind of way. He also has a bag which could contain stuff that is going to help him rob the bank. Pedestrians walking every where like normal day in the city life - busy. A van he gets into which looks old and worn out tells us they are not really reach maybe want low profile and that this is their get away car. Guns so they are criminals and they need fire power to help them to complete their crime. More equipment to hack into bank security systems which tells us they came prepared and that this crime was planned. Setting looks like what you expect a bank to loo, clean, organized and little tables and pens and main desks to sort out your banking life. Technical wiring for the banks security and the man hacking into the systems implies that these criminals are smart. Props of grenades which is an immediate sign of danger. Big metal vault telling us that this is where the money is and it needs to be protected and kept safe. Prop of a vault opener that the criminal has showing that he has come prepared. Banker wearing suit showing that he is a well paid man and that he is very proffesional. Bags ready so we immediately know they are going to take something from the vault. See props of lots of money and deposit boxes so we know that the criminal is inside the vault. Plus the vault looks very organized. School bus crashes into bank and only the last criminal standing knows about it telling us that he is deceiving everyone. Joker with face paints on tells us that he is a bit wweird and strange because he is a grown man and kids are the ones usually getting the faces painted for fun. All the school busses coming at the same time shows that he planned this crime to start and end ay specific times.
Sound:
There are many gun shots that are synchronous sounds. Music starts off rather mysterious, then the music gets a faster beat and thats letting us know some action is going to take place. That is mixed with mysterious earie noise to let mystery build. Now the action starts because the beat kicks in. Then it builds up as if the tension in staring to build. With the music you have diegetic sound incorporated like the guy zip lining, cars skidding, doors closing, smashing windows smashing and buildings smashing.
Editing:
The whole opening of the scene its just cut editing that has some fast cut editing to build up suspense and some long takes to show whats happening in the area. But thats pretty much everything on editing.
Graphics:
The only graphics that are on the opening sequence is the company logos which seem to be tinted blue like the bat symbol that is formed from smoke which is the title without using text. The tint blue can mean neutral and you can link that to the movie that everyone in the world innocent and guilty people are all the same.
Section 3: Brainstorm of ideas for your film
My group and I came up with six ideas of which we could base our intro to a thriller on, these consisted of:
1. 'Tracks'
When somebody says 'tracks', you immediatley think of a train/train station. This was the whole idea of our intro, (if we based it on tracks) to be based at a train station, where a little girl is walking with her mother, and she disappears, which creates a lot of mystery and confusion as to where she had gone.
2. Our second idea didn't have a name, but it would of been about a man who wrote in his diary every day, plotting out a murder at some point.
3. The third idea was based around a pupil in a high school is isolated and doesn't have any friends as people think he's weird, but he has an obsession with a girl in one of his classes. He plots to take out a mass murder throughout the school, but not to harm the girl.
4. The fourth was going to be a news based thriller, in which there would of been a lot of headlines, flashbacks as to why this story is on the news and so on. But I feel this would of been difficult to create due to not being able to use clips of actual news stories due to copyright restrictions.
5. Our fifth idea was just a simple idea based around a drug dealer and a drug runner and what they do if they're not paid for what they're supplying.
6. Our last idea was probably the best idea we had came up with. Due to the unexpected death of the legendary Michael Jackson, we thought we would come up with a conspiracy thriller as to how he died and the controversy with Dr. Conrad Murray who supposedly had something to do with the death of the King of Pop. We would of called it, 'This ISN'T it' - I feel this was a decent name for the thriller, as his comeback tour/movie/soundtrack is called 'This is it'.
We weren't able to create our last idea and get the production into full flow, as it being based around a well known superstar like Michael Jackson, it would of had to of been based around a created celebrity with a similar story line. We didn't like the idea of that, so we decided to go for a simpler idea, but still based around some sort of conspiracy.
We finally come to a conclusion to base our thriller around a doctor, a man and a woman, in which the doctor and the woman plot to murder the man and run away together with the man's money.
1. 'Tracks'
When somebody says 'tracks', you immediatley think of a train/train station. This was the whole idea of our intro, (if we based it on tracks) to be based at a train station, where a little girl is walking with her mother, and she disappears, which creates a lot of mystery and confusion as to where she had gone.
2. Our second idea didn't have a name, but it would of been about a man who wrote in his diary every day, plotting out a murder at some point.
3. The third idea was based around a pupil in a high school is isolated and doesn't have any friends as people think he's weird, but he has an obsession with a girl in one of his classes. He plots to take out a mass murder throughout the school, but not to harm the girl.
4. The fourth was going to be a news based thriller, in which there would of been a lot of headlines, flashbacks as to why this story is on the news and so on. But I feel this would of been difficult to create due to not being able to use clips of actual news stories due to copyright restrictions.
5. Our fifth idea was just a simple idea based around a drug dealer and a drug runner and what they do if they're not paid for what they're supplying.
6. Our last idea was probably the best idea we had came up with. Due to the unexpected death of the legendary Michael Jackson, we thought we would come up with a conspiracy thriller as to how he died and the controversy with Dr. Conrad Murray who supposedly had something to do with the death of the King of Pop. We would of called it, 'This ISN'T it' - I feel this was a decent name for the thriller, as his comeback tour/movie/soundtrack is called 'This is it'.
We weren't able to create our last idea and get the production into full flow, as it being based around a well known superstar like Michael Jackson, it would of had to of been based around a created celebrity with a similar story line. We didn't like the idea of that, so we decided to go for a simpler idea, but still based around some sort of conspiracy.
We finally come to a conclusion to base our thriller around a doctor, a man and a woman, in which the doctor and the woman plot to murder the man and run away together with the man's money.
Section 4: Audience Research
- and research into BBFC film cassification systems.
I created a questionnaire to give to ten people to find out what they look for in a thriller.
I also gave a copy to the two other people in my group and they also gave ten copies out to people, so all in all we had 30 responses.
Some of the questions were asking basically to give an insight into the questionnaire takers favourite thrillers, what happens, do you prefare the baddy to be male or female; along the lines of that.
The responses we got were interesting but helped us a fair bit when creating our thriller intro. Here are some graphs to show the data we collected:
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3. What do you look for in a Thriller?
This was an explaination anwser and people would say that they like to be thrilled, suspense, murder, action, guns, blood, twists, to be scared and a good plot.
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6. What is your Favorite Thriller Movie?
Well we got a lot of different answers for this particular question because everyone has different tastes in different types of thrillers. We got thrillers like: Se7en, Red Eye, James Bond, The Dark Knight and 23.
7. What happens in your Favourite Thriller?
With this question we couldn't do a pie chart beacue it was more of an explanation question. So people would just fill in basically on the narrative of their favorite thriller movie.
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11. Which thriller film were you impressed with?
This question to find out what movies that pedestrians were impressed with when they watched them. Examples: Bourne Identity, Batman and Vantage Point.
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16. Where would be your Ideal setting for a Thriller?
Again we got mixed answers from the tastes of different people, some settings they said were in the city, in dark and creepy places, decay urban city and some people didn't mind where it would be set.
17. In your ideal thriller movie, what would happen?
This questions was designed to see how different people think how a thriller should be in their own imagination. The answers just an explanation on their ideal thriller.
18.
This was an explaination anwser and people would say that they like to be thrilled, suspense, murder, action, guns, blood, twists, to be scared and a good plot.
4.
5.
6. What is your Favorite Thriller Movie?
Well we got a lot of different answers for this particular question because everyone has different tastes in different types of thrillers. We got thrillers like: Se7en, Red Eye, James Bond, The Dark Knight and 23.
7. What happens in your Favourite Thriller?
With this question we couldn't do a pie chart beacue it was more of an explanation question. So people would just fill in basically on the narrative of their favorite thriller movie.
8.
9.
10.
11. Which thriller film were you impressed with?
This question to find out what movies that pedestrians were impressed with when they watched them. Examples: Bourne Identity, Batman and Vantage Point.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. Where would be your Ideal setting for a Thriller?
Again we got mixed answers from the tastes of different people, some settings they said were in the city, in dark and creepy places, decay urban city and some people didn't mind where it would be set.
17. In your ideal thriller movie, what would happen?
This questions was designed to see how different people think how a thriller should be in their own imagination. The answers just an explanation on their ideal thriller.
18.
19. Who would be your ideal actor/actress to star in a thriller movie?
We got a mixture of different actors, some who a re big names and some who are fairly famous. Names of actors we got were: Angelina Jolie, Tom Hanks, Kirsten Belle, Milla Jovovich, Nicole Kidman, Will Smith, Bruce Willis and more.
20.
Film Classification System:
Title: Incognito
Target Audience: Teenagers ages 15+
Certificate: 15
- Due to some sinical scenes that views younger may find disturbing and offensive. The full film contains blood, violence and weapons that may scare younger viewers -
Section 5: Treatment
Eventually, my group and I came up with a title for our thriller, which was 'Incognito'.
It will be an unsual thriller, full of suspence and questions with a twisted plot. It is a trial of betrayal and exploiting trust, which produces serious concequences fueld by jealousy and lust.
Concept
A rich man struggling from stress is betrayed as his brother swaps his medication in order to be with his wife – however things take an unexpected turn as his intentions soon start to change.
Synopsis
Beginning:
Starts with with Daniel, Clare & John in a living room, Daniel has gone to see his brother to get more medicine for his illness. But Clare has spiked his drink with a drug and John is distarcting Daniel. Daniel dies at the beginning but then you see John in a secret room in an angry mood with photo hangups in the room. Then we see flashback of what he has been doing to plan against Daniel with Clare.
Middle:
2 weeks before the death of Daniel we can see Clare and daniel getting married and playing happy couple together. Through out their marraige Johns jealousy increases and he starts stalking Clare and trying to convince her that they should kill Daniel and get everything he owns. She is horrified at first but then she agrres with the misdeed. Now they are making Daniel paranoid as well as making him sick with spiking his drinks. Finally Daniel is killed and John and Clare inherit everything.
End:
Clare is enjoying her new life in the end but wonders why isn't John enjoying the inheritance. Plus she doesn't know where he is. John is starting to loose his mind and his greed is growing and he wants all Daniels belongings to himself and does not want to share with Clare. So he hunts Clare with bloodlust and murder on his hands. Clare runs in fear and regret for the misdeed she commited. Clare is murdered in the end, but John is arrested and convicted of both murders because the evidence allicates him. In the end the whole plan was a disaster.
Opening Scene
Starts with a glass of wine on a table that you see getting spiked by someone, then that person brings that drink to one of the male figures that is talking to another male figure. Then we see the female figure pass the wine to the man in the suit and he then drinks it, and then puts the glass back onto the table. Then we see the male doctor figure in the background of a secret room with hang ups of photos with the male figure looking upset. Then we see flashbacks of the man's past of him exchanging items with a female figure and seeing him writing a diary and ends with two photos, one being crossed out and one being circled. That includes the starting credits throughout the sequence.
Target Audience
The film should have a strong appeal for a wide audience, ranging from 18-27 years old yet the film is not an 18 certicate. It would appeal to audiences who enjoy suspense and twisted plots. The seriousness of the story will also appeal to older audiences as well as it has a different approach to them as the plot is of a different kind.For this reason, the film will have a 15 certificate: as scenes of violence and drugs will be used, as well as bad language. This will help portray the characters attitudes and help the viewer understand the characters more.
Other Details
There will be no recognisable stars in the plot, as this will make the plot less revealing. Locations will be ordinary with sets such as the characters houses and the hospital etc.
Synopsis Detailed
The beginning of the film starts with Clare Redford spiking Daniel Redford’s (her husband) drink while Daniel receives a prescription from his brother Doctor John Redford, which is just to distract Daniel so Clare can spike Daniels drink. Then Clare picks up the wine and walks to Daniel and passes him the drink. Next Daniel drinks the wine and doesn’t realise its spiked, followed by a cut to a secret room that Doctor John has occupied with photo hang ups of Daniel and Clare with John looking through documents and prescriptions. John is upset and on edge in the background of the setting then John starts thinking back to what crime he has done and then we see a flashback of his misdeeds. The flashbacks are of him exchanging drugs and money with Clare and then we have two photos of Daniel crossed out in red marker pen and Clare photo circled. Now John has got rid of his brother, he now wants to get rid of Clare for his own selfish needs. So its two weeks later before Johns & Clare’s crime was committed, at this time we get to see Daniel and Clare getting married. After that we see that they are living a happy and loving marriage with a great home and a lot of money. But John is jealous of his older brother Daniel because he has a beautiful wife a successful carrier as a well known business and John can’t stand his success even though John is a Doctor. So John stalks Clare and starts trying to convince Clare that they should kill Daniel so that they could both take all his money and success for themselves. At first Clare is horrified at the thought that John would want to kill his own brother. Once she rolls the idea in her head and s lot of convincing she decides to help John kill her husband and his brother.
Throughout the middle of the moving they are having secret meetings and are planning on how to kill Daniel. They start by making him paranoid with death threats from an anonymous character. Also Clare is adding to the plan by spiking all Daniels drink with drinks that she has to buy from John so he can pay for them so that the missing drugs don’t look like they are being stolen. Throughout the spiking of the drink Daniel starts to get sick. Daniel sees his brother to get medicine to make him better and John exploits Daniels trust to give him medicine that Daniel believes will make him better and Daniel doesn’t ask about the medicine he is given because he trust his brother so much. As days go by his health keeps degenerating and Clare telling him that he will be better soon. Once Daniel goes to another appointment to see his brother, it his is last. John distracts Daniel while Clare adds another pill in another drink of Daniels and gives it him to drink to celebrate that he is starting to get better apparently. Suddenly Daniel falls to the ground and dies but not yet until seeing Clare with John, then they walk off and leave him to die.Near the end of the film Daniels death was never looked into in depth and was classed as a mix up of prescriptions’, so no one has no idea what really happened to this big successful man. Now Clare is enjoying her new business and living the sweet life, but John is nowhere to be seen and Clare is getting worried and suspicious. John is starting to go mentally insane and is turning even more selfish and greedy because he wants all his brothers’ money and his business company. At an instant John goes to Clare’s with blood lust and murder on his hands. So John starts chasing Clare in her home and Clare is in tears with regret and sorrow of Daniels death. In the end Clare is brutally murdered. Then John is arrested and is convicted of Clare’s murder and they find documents on Daniel and plans on the death of him and they assume that only John planned both murders.
It will be an unsual thriller, full of suspence and questions with a twisted plot. It is a trial of betrayal and exploiting trust, which produces serious concequences fueld by jealousy and lust.
Concept
A rich man struggling from stress is betrayed as his brother swaps his medication in order to be with his wife – however things take an unexpected turn as his intentions soon start to change.
Synopsis
Beginning:
Starts with with Daniel, Clare & John in a living room, Daniel has gone to see his brother to get more medicine for his illness. But Clare has spiked his drink with a drug and John is distarcting Daniel. Daniel dies at the beginning but then you see John in a secret room in an angry mood with photo hangups in the room. Then we see flashback of what he has been doing to plan against Daniel with Clare.
Middle:
2 weeks before the death of Daniel we can see Clare and daniel getting married and playing happy couple together. Through out their marraige Johns jealousy increases and he starts stalking Clare and trying to convince her that they should kill Daniel and get everything he owns. She is horrified at first but then she agrres with the misdeed. Now they are making Daniel paranoid as well as making him sick with spiking his drinks. Finally Daniel is killed and John and Clare inherit everything.
End:
Clare is enjoying her new life in the end but wonders why isn't John enjoying the inheritance. Plus she doesn't know where he is. John is starting to loose his mind and his greed is growing and he wants all Daniels belongings to himself and does not want to share with Clare. So he hunts Clare with bloodlust and murder on his hands. Clare runs in fear and regret for the misdeed she commited. Clare is murdered in the end, but John is arrested and convicted of both murders because the evidence allicates him. In the end the whole plan was a disaster.
Opening Scene
Starts with a glass of wine on a table that you see getting spiked by someone, then that person brings that drink to one of the male figures that is talking to another male figure. Then we see the female figure pass the wine to the man in the suit and he then drinks it, and then puts the glass back onto the table. Then we see the male doctor figure in the background of a secret room with hang ups of photos with the male figure looking upset. Then we see flashbacks of the man's past of him exchanging items with a female figure and seeing him writing a diary and ends with two photos, one being crossed out and one being circled. That includes the starting credits throughout the sequence.
Target Audience
The film should have a strong appeal for a wide audience, ranging from 18-27 years old yet the film is not an 18 certicate. It would appeal to audiences who enjoy suspense and twisted plots. The seriousness of the story will also appeal to older audiences as well as it has a different approach to them as the plot is of a different kind.For this reason, the film will have a 15 certificate: as scenes of violence and drugs will be used, as well as bad language. This will help portray the characters attitudes and help the viewer understand the characters more.
Other Details
There will be no recognisable stars in the plot, as this will make the plot less revealing. Locations will be ordinary with sets such as the characters houses and the hospital etc.
Synopsis Detailed
The beginning of the film starts with Clare Redford spiking Daniel Redford’s (her husband) drink while Daniel receives a prescription from his brother Doctor John Redford, which is just to distract Daniel so Clare can spike Daniels drink. Then Clare picks up the wine and walks to Daniel and passes him the drink. Next Daniel drinks the wine and doesn’t realise its spiked, followed by a cut to a secret room that Doctor John has occupied with photo hang ups of Daniel and Clare with John looking through documents and prescriptions. John is upset and on edge in the background of the setting then John starts thinking back to what crime he has done and then we see a flashback of his misdeeds. The flashbacks are of him exchanging drugs and money with Clare and then we have two photos of Daniel crossed out in red marker pen and Clare photo circled. Now John has got rid of his brother, he now wants to get rid of Clare for his own selfish needs. So its two weeks later before Johns & Clare’s crime was committed, at this time we get to see Daniel and Clare getting married. After that we see that they are living a happy and loving marriage with a great home and a lot of money. But John is jealous of his older brother Daniel because he has a beautiful wife a successful carrier as a well known business and John can’t stand his success even though John is a Doctor. So John stalks Clare and starts trying to convince Clare that they should kill Daniel so that they could both take all his money and success for themselves. At first Clare is horrified at the thought that John would want to kill his own brother. Once she rolls the idea in her head and s lot of convincing she decides to help John kill her husband and his brother.
Throughout the middle of the moving they are having secret meetings and are planning on how to kill Daniel. They start by making him paranoid with death threats from an anonymous character. Also Clare is adding to the plan by spiking all Daniels drink with drinks that she has to buy from John so he can pay for them so that the missing drugs don’t look like they are being stolen. Throughout the spiking of the drink Daniel starts to get sick. Daniel sees his brother to get medicine to make him better and John exploits Daniels trust to give him medicine that Daniel believes will make him better and Daniel doesn’t ask about the medicine he is given because he trust his brother so much. As days go by his health keeps degenerating and Clare telling him that he will be better soon. Once Daniel goes to another appointment to see his brother, it his is last. John distracts Daniel while Clare adds another pill in another drink of Daniels and gives it him to drink to celebrate that he is starting to get better apparently. Suddenly Daniel falls to the ground and dies but not yet until seeing Clare with John, then they walk off and leave him to die.Near the end of the film Daniels death was never looked into in depth and was classed as a mix up of prescriptions’, so no one has no idea what really happened to this big successful man. Now Clare is enjoying her new business and living the sweet life, but John is nowhere to be seen and Clare is getting worried and suspicious. John is starting to go mentally insane and is turning even more selfish and greedy because he wants all his brothers’ money and his business company. At an instant John goes to Clare’s with blood lust and murder on his hands. So John starts chasing Clare in her home and Clare is in tears with regret and sorrow of Daniels death. In the end Clare is brutally murdered. Then John is arrested and is convicted of Clare’s murder and they find documents on Daniel and plans on the death of him and they assume that only John planned both murders.
Section 6: Character outlines and Script
Character Outlines
In our Thriller we have three main charatcers which are:
Dr John Redford (Brother of Daniel)
played by LOUIS SMITH
Daniel Redford (Husband of Clares)
played by DANIEL BOARDMAN
Clare Redford (Wife of Daniel)
played by JESSICA SHIRLEY
Dr John Redford
The Doctor is a scheming character that is after one thing, he is after his brothers fame and Daniels hard working fortune and he will ddo anything to get his hands on it. John in this film becomes and unstable character and starts becoming irrational and selfish and gets cosumed by his own greed.
Clare Redford
Clare is actually the most loving and caring person you'll meet, but she is harrassed and in the end persuaded by John to help kill Daniel for his money. At first she seems like a character that knows right from wrong but ends up becoming a deluded character and becomes a coniving women.
Daniel Redford
Daniel Redford plays the 'poor husband', he is one of the most sucessful men alive from his pesurverance and his dedication to working hard, he is a confident yet a kind and gentle man. Who cares for his wife a lot. Daniel ends up getting ill when his brother keeps giving him an unknown drug that is suppose to make him better, and Clare is helping John pay for this medicine and making sure Daniel takes the medicine in order to kill him off discretely, so "till death do us part" seems very ironic in this thriller.
Script
The Script was more so 'stage direction' with actions speaking louder than words.
Living Room Scene - No Dialogue
Clare: Spike the glass of wine
Daniel & John: Talking in the background
Clare: Pick up the glass and take it the Daniel
John: Pass Daniel the prescrition for the medicine
Daniel: Receive the prescription for the medicine
Clare: Stand next to Daniel and put your hand on his shoulder and pass the wine to him
Daniel: Receive the wine from Clare
Daniel: Drink the wine
(time passes by)
Daniel: Walk to table and put down the empty glass
Clare & John: Stand togther and look at Daniel when he turns around and falls
Daniel: Hand falls to the floor
Secret Room Scene - No Dialogue
John: Standing at desk shufferling papers round and photos as well
John: Writing in a diary about his life
John: Stand and look into the camera and then blink hard
John: Pick up the pen and and cross out Daniel in the photo and pick up the camra and look at his next target Clare.
Outside Scene - No Dialogue
Clare & John: Walk up to eachother
Clare: Passes money to John
John: Takes money and takes out an envelope and gives it to Clare
Clare: Takes the 'Confidential' envelope
Clare & John: They both walk away in opposite directions
In our Thriller we have three main charatcers which are:
Dr John Redford (Brother of Daniel)
played by LOUIS SMITH
Daniel Redford (Husband of Clares)
played by DANIEL BOARDMAN
Clare Redford (Wife of Daniel)
played by JESSICA SHIRLEY
Dr John Redford
The Doctor is a scheming character that is after one thing, he is after his brothers fame and Daniels hard working fortune and he will ddo anything to get his hands on it. John in this film becomes and unstable character and starts becoming irrational and selfish and gets cosumed by his own greed.
Clare Redford
Clare is actually the most loving and caring person you'll meet, but she is harrassed and in the end persuaded by John to help kill Daniel for his money. At first she seems like a character that knows right from wrong but ends up becoming a deluded character and becomes a coniving women.
Daniel Redford
Daniel Redford plays the 'poor husband', he is one of the most sucessful men alive from his pesurverance and his dedication to working hard, he is a confident yet a kind and gentle man. Who cares for his wife a lot. Daniel ends up getting ill when his brother keeps giving him an unknown drug that is suppose to make him better, and Clare is helping John pay for this medicine and making sure Daniel takes the medicine in order to kill him off discretely, so "till death do us part" seems very ironic in this thriller.
Script
The Script was more so 'stage direction' with actions speaking louder than words.
Living Room Scene - No Dialogue
Clare: Spike the glass of wine
Daniel & John: Talking in the background
Clare: Pick up the glass and take it the Daniel
John: Pass Daniel the prescrition for the medicine
Daniel: Receive the prescription for the medicine
Clare: Stand next to Daniel and put your hand on his shoulder and pass the wine to him
Daniel: Receive the wine from Clare
Daniel: Drink the wine
(time passes by)
Daniel: Walk to table and put down the empty glass
Clare & John: Stand togther and look at Daniel when he turns around and falls
Daniel: Hand falls to the floor
Secret Room Scene - No Dialogue
John: Standing at desk shufferling papers round and photos as well
John: Writing in a diary about his life
John: Stand and look into the camera and then blink hard
John: Pick up the pen and and cross out Daniel in the photo and pick up the camra and look at his next target Clare.
Outside Scene - No Dialogue
Clare & John: Walk up to eachother
Clare: Passes money to John
John: Takes money and takes out an envelope and gives it to Clare
Clare: Takes the 'Confidential' envelope
Clare & John: They both walk away in opposite directions
Section 7: Production Material - Storyboards and Shotlist
Storyboards have been altered slightly during the process of filming:
Shot 1 – Establishment Shot
Shot 2 – Shallow focus of a glass of wine with a pill being dropped into the wine (spiked)
Shot 3 – Deep or shallow focus (DOF) to see two male figures in the background talking, while wine glass is been picked up by womanly hand and taken to them
Shot 4 – Over the shoulder the shot over man in suit with womanly figure
Shot 5 – extreme close-up – shallow or deep focuses, and then woman passes drink to man
Shot 6 – Text with black background – Perplex Productions, PP
Shot 7 – Wide shot of a secret room of the doctor with photo hang ups in the room with the doctor looking through his documents in the far back of the room
Shot 8 – Extreme Close-up of the man drinking the spiked wine
Shot 9 – Blackout then actors name – Doctor Actor
Shot 10 – Close-up of doctor writing in a diary with ghosting effect
Shot 11 – Blackout and Actresses name in black background
Shot 12 – Close-up of man putting empty wine glass on a table
Shot 13 – Black and White background with another actor’s name
Shot 14 – Two tracking shot coming from left to right and right to left of prescriptions and photos and they fade into each other.
Shot 15 – Close up of the doctor’s diary writing something in it with a ghosting effect.
Shot 16 – Point of view shot of the man looking at the female figure with the camera starting to shake and blur and blinking effect and then a collapse to the floor to show the man has been drugged.
Shot 17 – White and Black background with ‘Edited By’ title and names
Shot 18 – Close up of Doctor turning diary pages back to start with them turning blank to show flashback
Shot 19 – White and Black background with ‘Written By’ title and names
Shot 20 – Extreme close up of the doctors eye with a quick fade into white to signify a flashback
Shot 21 – wide shot in Black and white effect and making the cheque in colour with the woman and a man exchanging items.
Shot 22 – Close up of exchange in black and white and the item is only in colour
Shot 23 – Wide shot again in white and black exchanging a package to the woman with package in colour
Shot 24 – Close up of packet in colour being exchange
Shot 25 – Close up of arm dropping to signify the man has died
Shot 26 – White and Black background and title ‘Incognito’
Shot 27 – Close up of two photos of manly figure crossed out and womanly figure circled
Shot 28 – White and Black background with title ‘Directed By’ and names.
Shot 1 – Establishment Shot
Shot 2 – Shallow focus of a glass of wine with a pill being dropped into the wine (spiked)
Shot 3 – Deep or shallow focus (DOF) to see two male figures in the background talking, while wine glass is been picked up by womanly hand and taken to them
Shot 4 – Over the shoulder the shot over man in suit with womanly figure
Shot 5 – extreme close-up – shallow or deep focuses, and then woman passes drink to man
Shot 6 – Text with black background – Perplex Productions, PP
Shot 7 – Wide shot of a secret room of the doctor with photo hang ups in the room with the doctor looking through his documents in the far back of the room
Shot 8 – Extreme Close-up of the man drinking the spiked wine
Shot 9 – Blackout then actors name – Doctor Actor
Shot 10 – Close-up of doctor writing in a diary with ghosting effect
Shot 11 – Blackout and Actresses name in black background
Shot 12 – Close-up of man putting empty wine glass on a table
Shot 13 – Black and White background with another actor’s name
Shot 14 – Two tracking shot coming from left to right and right to left of prescriptions and photos and they fade into each other.
Shot 15 – Close up of the doctor’s diary writing something in it with a ghosting effect.
Shot 16 – Point of view shot of the man looking at the female figure with the camera starting to shake and blur and blinking effect and then a collapse to the floor to show the man has been drugged.
Shot 17 – White and Black background with ‘Edited By’ title and names
Shot 18 – Close up of Doctor turning diary pages back to start with them turning blank to show flashback
Shot 19 – White and Black background with ‘Written By’ title and names
Shot 20 – Extreme close up of the doctors eye with a quick fade into white to signify a flashback
Shot 21 – wide shot in Black and white effect and making the cheque in colour with the woman and a man exchanging items.
Shot 22 – Close up of exchange in black and white and the item is only in colour
Shot 23 – Wide shot again in white and black exchanging a package to the woman with package in colour
Shot 24 – Close up of packet in colour being exchange
Shot 25 – Close up of arm dropping to signify the man has died
Shot 26 – White and Black background and title ‘Incognito’
Shot 27 – Close up of two photos of manly figure crossed out and womanly figure circled
Shot 28 – White and Black background with title ‘Directed By’ and names.
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