Evaluation - Question 1 - Sam McLeish

Question 1; In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Enigma

  

The gif from 'Se7en', 
starting at 00:07

Our film also gave no 
exposition in the opening

Enigma allows the audience to ask question as to what a character is doing, normally in a film without any dramatic irony, which keeps them intrigued until their question is answered later in the film. This is a technique that is clearly used in the industry because, for example, in 'Se7en' (David Fincher, 1995) enigma is created through the use of giving no exposition to the audience of what is happening in terms of the narrative. In this case, as shown to the left, there is only these visuals presented to the audience which is accompanied with a non-diegetic, off-screen backing track. This creates enigma because the audience doesn't know what is going on. As a result of this, we used this technique in our own thriller by not giving away the fact that there is another character in the film until the very last minute. As shown in the gif to the right, our film showed vague imagery to the audience and the off-screen, non-diegetic backing-track played whilst the voice over talked about fear. Therefore, we hinted to the audience that something scary would happen but we didn't allow them to know the specifics, showing that we have successfully used enigma which is a valid convention of thriller films.

Iconography

Common images found in thriller films are;

The gun in 'The American'

• Low key lighting situations, as suggested in 'Total Recall' (see below)
• Weapons and dangerous items; as suggested in 'The American' (see below)
• Confined spaces; as suggested in the crowded coffee shop in 'Children of Men' (see below)
• Dark urban settings; as suggested in 'Phone Booth' (see below)

I feel that apart from the weapons, our sequence features at least one example of all of the above. This is then effective because to an audience, they will then make the connection with what they'll expect to see in a thriller film with what they see in our sequence. This then means they are more likely to enjoy it because it's typical to the genre. 

Narration

Narration is effective to an audience because it begins the process of the story-telling. The most valid example is 'Argo' (2012, Ben Affleck), which entire opening sequence is narrated, shown from 00:37 - 02:29, and is effective because it provides clear exposition for the storyline. I feel that our narrative being slightly vague was useful, because as I said above, it creates enigma. However, as we chose to not include any additional information that the audience could use, we have developed the stereotypical techniques that has been used in the industry and adapted it in order to create a more suspenseful piece. 

Character Theory

'Total Recall'

Depending on which theory you use, (I normally use Propp's), there are normally certain traits that the characters in your sequence will follow. For example, in 'Total Recall' (Len Wiseman, 2012), the two characters shown are presented to the audience as either both the heros (protagonists), or the male is the hero and the female is the donor because she is helping the hero along. Despite the fact that this is unclear, it is useful to see that they fit into some version of those categories. When applying to our sequence, it is difficult to do because it is difficult to establish the relationship of the two characters. However, as they don't speak to each other and she is clearly scared when he gets behind her, the audience can assume that she is the hero (protagonist) and the man is the villain (antagonist). Therefore, we have applied a techniques that nearly all films for their narrative but, obviously, in our own way for our sequence.

Camera Techniques 

The focus pull in the final piece

The focus pull in Total
Recall

One technique that seems to repeatedly come across in most thriller films is the use of focus pulling. For example, in 'Total Recall' (see above), the camera starts out of focus and then sharpens as the character regains consciousness. This is effective because it disorientates the audience whilst establishing the story-line. We copied this by pulling the focus on the first shot as well, as shown in the gif to the left, to replicate this and create the disruption that was made in 'Total Recall'. Therefore, we did this successfully and copied a successful trait that is used in the industry.

Also, another trait we copied was the use of a non-stable camera. For example, in 'Children of Men' (Alfonso Cuarón, 2006), when the bomb goes off, the camera moves with the chaos, probably using a handheld. This is shown through the gif to the left. In order to replicate this, we used a stedicam, as shown in the evidence of filming post, which created the action in the gif to the right. Due to these actions, I feel that we have used techniques that shadow what is used in Hollywood.

The shakey cam in Children
of Men

The shakeycam in the final
piece

Shot types

The ECU in 'The Usual Suspects'

The ECU in the Final Piece

Depending on the director and the producers, common shot types that are used in thriller films vary from sequence to sequence. However, the one common shot that is normally used is ECUs/CUs because they allow the audience to focus on the specific point in the frame that the director really wants them to notice i.e. a facial expression or a key prop. This is a clear example in the opening sequence of 'The Usual Suspects' (Bryan Singer, 1995), as shown to the right, which is of the matches lighting. This is effective because the audience can be presented the idea of danger, as shown through the connotations of fire. We replicated this shot type through the ECU of the breathing chest, as shown to the left. This is then effective because her body language then connotes to the audience that she is scared and therefore, enigma is created. This is then useful for a thriller film because it keeps your audience captivated.

Shot angles 

The VLA shot from the final piece

The VLA shot from 'The Usual Suspects'

Another successful technique used in thriller sequences is the use of very low angles. When doing so, it either shows how intimidating an character is to the audience which in turn suggests to the audience that they are weak and insignificant in comparison to the characters. This is shown, for example, in 'The Usual Suspects' (shown above), when the main character looks up at the man without a face. We then replicated this technique when the main character is presented from a 'worm's-eye-view'. I feel that this was effective because it then causes the audience to wonder whether this character is entirely good, as an protagonist. 

Sound Techniques

The most common technique that is used amongst thriller films, in terms of sound, is the use of non-diegetic, off-screen backing tracks. Sound plays a big part in thriller films because it defiantly adds and highlights what the main character is feeling. This is shown successfully in 'Pyscho' (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) as the soundtrack plays in major key, has a fast tempo and regularly reaches a crescendo. This is then effective because it conveys the idea of urgency to the audience who will then expect a thriller sequence. We then challenged this because we didn't rely on a upbeat song; our two soundtracks of choice were relatively normal paced but it still contributed to the idea of a thriller film because it sounded dark and dangerous. However, we still used soundtracks that reached crescendos because allowing it to sync with the visuals creates parallel sound which looks pleasing to the audience.

The foley as the character walked

Plus, foleys are another common trait used in order to emphasise certain action which a character takes. For example, this is highlighted in 'Children of Men' when the bomb goes off and there's ringing in their ears, as shown in the gif above. This is effective because it is literally the thing that changes the character storyline so the ex machina is amplified. We replicated this action with the character's feet so that the audience begins to understand that the female is being followed. 

Lighting techniques

A common convention used in thriller films is usually the use of low-key lighting. This is because the audience can clearly connote the idea that something dangerous will happen in the dark. This idea is explored in 'The Usual Suspects' (shown above) as the character has little lighting on him so that it creates an air of mystery around him. We then developed this idea and in the hall scene; we only used vital lighting that would ensure a usable image for the piece. However, we did clearly need to show to the audience her face as her character was being developed so the lighting we used was minimal but effective.

Colour and Filters

In all of the sequences I've analysed, none at all have used black and white filters out of choice (except for 'Psycho' as the cameras could only produce black and white images); it is normal for clear images to be produced so it is more relatable to the audience. We challenged this by changing the images in post-production so that it was in black and white. This is because it looks more effective as it is simple and the connotations of good and evil (binary opposition) are presented to the audience. This then develops the narrative further and is therefore effective to the piece.

Costume 

The robots and characters in 'Total Recall'

Typical thriller themes suggest to the audience that the protagonist will wear normal clothes in order to make themselves relatable whilst the antagonist will wear dark or arrogant clothes in order to distance themselves. This idea is presented in 'Total Recall' (See above) in which the two main characters are dressed casualy in comparison to the robots who are entirely black. We developed this theme in our piece because both of the female's costume were casual and something that any female member of the audience could wear. This is in comparison to the antagonist who is wear both black jeans and boots, as shown in the gif above, which has all the negative connotations that the audience would expect. 

Setting Conventions 

The coffee shop in 'Children of Men'

The countryside in 'The American'

Depending on whether the sequence is set in a urban or countryside setting, there are certain traits that most thriller films seem to follow; typically, a thriller sequence that is set in a populated area will have more architecture to look at. However, the areas presented will probably be dark and abandoned, or depending on the film, somewhere simple and recognisable because the audience will then emphasise with the character. This idea is clearly presented in 'Children of Men' (see above) because the opening sequence starts in a coffee shop. The key example of it being set in a countryside place is in 'The American' (Anton Corbijn, 2010), which is in the Swedish countryside. This is then effective because as they're in the open, and can be easily be hunted in such an open space.

We replicated both of the above through both scenes. For example, the Turners Hill shoot provided us with a large Gothic window behind the character. This is effective because the dark location allowed for a creepy atmosphere. Also, the wood scene was also effective because the audience starts to get the impression that someone else is in the woods other than the female character. 


Positioning/Composition 

'The American' with the uncentered shots

The positioning of a character/focus in a frame will vary from movie to movie because they change for effect. For example, in 'The American' (see above), the two main characters are the left of the shot where the shooter is to the right. This is useful because it works with the 180° and it creates disruption for the audience as they aren't used for it not being in the centre like in the beginning of the sequence. However, we challenged this idea because all of our shots were centred, apart from the two shot with the tree and the character. This is then useful because it allows for something to remain constant between the shots during a confusing sequence in terms of narrative. As a result, this works well because it allows the audience to remain focused on a confusing narrative rather than focusing that whilst paying attention to chaotic visuals.

Common themes in thrillers include;

• Terrorism; as suggested in 'Children of Men' (see above)
• Political conspiracies; as suggested in 'Argo' (see above)
• Psychological mind games; a suggested in 'Psycho' (see above)
• Crime and spies; as suggested in 'The Usual Suspects' (see above)
• Chase scenes; as suggested in 'Total Recall' (see above)

I feel that if my sequence was to fit into any categories of the above, it would be mainly be chase scenes and psychological mind games because it plays on the audiences' fear of the woods and the dark setting works well during the chase.

Editing

First shot of the montage

Second shot of the montage

A common usage of editing in thriller sequences is through montages. This is a useful thing to do because it takes a whole chunk of visual information and condenses it so that it is a more fluid and understandable version of what you want to present to the audience. For example, in 'Phone Booth' (2003, Joel Schumacher) a montage is used in conjunction with an exposition which makes it more entertaining for an audience to watch whilst taking in information. We challenge this idea in our sequence because we choose not to use montages as our information doesn't need to be condensed so that it can be explored fully. However, what both sequences do share is the use of exposition being delivered through a non-diegetic voiceover. I feel that both methods are effective but I feel that ours was more so because the audience cannot become distracted with too many overwhelming visuals. 

Titling

The titling from 'Se7en'

The titling from our piece

Throughout my research, I have come to understand that each film has it's own unique style of titling. For example, in 'Se7en' (see above), it's titling is unique because it's both superimposed and separate from the visuals at the same time. This is shown clearly in the gif as it moves so quickly that the writing even leaves a trace. Despite the fact that this is effective, I am glad that we didn't do both at the same time because it's too chaotic from the off; our sequence developed tension overtime which made the final outcome more prominent. 

However, the common trait that both of these titles share is the use of black and white. Linking back to binary oppositions, it conveys the idea of good vs evil which is a common theme in thriller films. Also, it is simple and easy to read so that information can easily be absorbed. 

To conclude, I feel that my group and I have developed techniques that are typical for thrillers, and ignored others, in order to create a film that will look good. I feel that we have been effective in doing so because the majority of the improvements made have been minor and still, it looks good as a sequence. Therefore, I am happy that I have used, developed and challenged the forms of real thriller sequences.