Smallville (Daughtry - Sorry soundtrack)

This greatly inspires me due to the fact that the narration is based around a funeral, which could be incorporated within my thriller within the opening sequence. I essentially like how there's cross cutting between the main character, and the other characters to establish a relationship between each of them as well as to convey the necessary emotions that represent the atmosphere of a funeral setting. The concept of a funeral would incorporate well into a thriller because since they're supposed to be realistic, this is something that an audience can relate to, and since its located within a graveyard especially adds to the tension, however strays away from the thriller genre and seems more like drama. I especially like the soundtrack because once again it emphasises the emotions that are being conveyed within the scene, and the pace of it fits in nicely with the grim atmosphere. However its not a soundtrack that could necessarily suit a thriller because it doesn't build up suspense or tension.  

Being Human (Florence and the Machine - Howl)

This is an example of a trailer where I believe that the performance is quite impressive due to the level of emotion that we as that audience can obtain from the character. Furthermore the relationship between the characters isn't wholly recognised, predominately because its a trailer but your able to see certain aspects of each of the characters personality. In addition while this isn't solely a thriller, it still contains some of the conventions such as enigma codes, build up of suspense and tension ect. This is an example of how I would want my actors within my thriller to perform, by being able to convey realistic emotions that any person would show if faced with that situation. I think that the soundtrack is in sink with the events that occur within the trailer, for example the last segment when they transform, since the adding of diegetic dialogue within the soundtrack emphasises that moment in the trailer. 

Film review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I shall be reviewing the thriller The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo, while taking into consideration the five macro elements. In addition I shall be referring to the micro element as a point of reference. 


Representation varies drastically throughout this film, either by the way certain characters act towards each other, and what the audience are able to assume from this. Lisabeth Sandler, one of the major characters within the story is represented in multiple forms ranging from antisocial yet intelligent to vulnerable and dangerous. One of the ways by which she is represented in this form is through the use of mise en scene. She mainly uses computers as props constantly throughout the film; this connotes her level of intelligence in comparison to other major characters. Furthermore it emphasises her level of importance within the film as key plots of information derive from her being the technical analyst. Another way in which she is represented is through mise en scene once again during her rape scene with Nils Bjurman, and her performance during that scene portrays a different side of the character we see in the majority of the film. We denote her screaming,shouting, as well as being violently being struck with an object. This then allows us to connote a sense of vulnerability and fear within her character, subverting from the dominant figure we've seen through other segments in the film. In addition as an audience we're capable of empathising with her character because her performance allows you to fell what her character is feeling at an emotional level. In relation to thriller her character both subverts and conforms as a protagonist due to the fact that at multiple points within the film she is dominant, yet as mentioned previously in rape scenes she clearly shown as the vulnerable an inferior character,which is usually evident within thriller, especially in comparison to the antagonists. 


Narrative within the film once again varies as audience are constantly on the edges of their seats while at other points they're sometimes one step ahead of the characters. In the majority of the film the story is fairly linear, but at times the story is non-linear. This is consistently depicted through the use of editing, when certain characters have a flash back that provides important information to the story. This is a common convention found within thrillers in order to throw the audiences off track or even to give them greater levels of detail especially when enigma codes are evident. Another form of narrative used within the film is omniscient narration and this is represented and denoted by the use of editing, when they're cross cutting at the point were we as the audience have discovered that Martin Vanger was the one behind all the race hate killing, yet Lisabeth didn't. This allows the story to be tipped in our favour because it allows us to ponder the possibilities of whether she'll find out in time, therefore making the film more tense, and dramatic. Furthermore this is commonly used within thriller to allow the audience to have more information than the character in order for us to ponder the consequences as well as move the story forward. 


The thriller genre is evident within the film throughout the use of different convention that allow the film to call its self a thriller. One of the thriller conventions used within the film are enigma codes. This are represented through the use of a close up on Lisabeth's face when searching through the evidence. This connotes a sense of confusion within the audience as more information is required, and we're unable to obtain it therefore the narration becomes restricted. Another convention that i noticed within the film was the use of a red herring; this is denoted when Bloomkvist discovers that Martin is the killer, and its a race against time for Lisabeth to save him. For the film this allows them to be capable of deceiving the audience in order to achieve a sense of mystery and confusion in a way that they don't expect; this is something that is usually evident within thriller films in order to achieve the further sense of mystery. Another use of thriller conventions are action codes, which act up the enigma codes. These are denoted at the very last segment of the film at different points e,g when they find the missing girl, and discover the reason behind why she had left. This allows the audience to fully understand the plot of the film, and answers all the questions raised previously in the film. This is a common convention found in thriller in order to retain the interest of the audience in order to make them want to know what's going to happen or even why something has taken place. 


The target audience for this film must have initially been aimed at a Swedish audience as the location, characters are all predominately set within some region of Sweden. Furthermore due to the numerous amount of graphic rape scene it seems to be aimed at a much older audience who world be capable of dealing with such scenes, such as 16-40 year old, as  well as the fact that the characters within the film are within this age range. In addition there are some sex scenes which could appeal to mainly males but due to the real life issues presented within the film, such as rape, that could essentially be target at females. 


The production company affects the film because its an independent film studio in Sweden, that while aiming at the Swedish demographic were able to appeal to a more global audience, and make a far larger impact that expected from an independent film studio. This has significance due to the fact that the scenes within the film because their budget would've been low assuming that they weren't able to use amazing locations, like Hollywood films or have high end technical advancements. This reduced the storyline to not having such a global scope (showing why it was based in Sweden) however making it seem more personal, which is usually evident within thrillers in order for the audience to relate. 

Tomb Raider: Underworld (Gorechi - Lamb soundtrack)

This is a soundtrack that particularly peaks my interest, while the clip has no relevance its a clear example of how Gorechi is capable of invoking levels of tension and drama, in order to build up the story. As you see within the trailer that the music is in sink with the scenes, and actions giving it a fluid and uninterrupted motion. Furthermore it gives the trailer more emphasis, and allows the audience to empathise with the level of  emotion being represnted by the trailer. This is something that I'd like to incorporate within my thriller, by weaving high levels of tension and suspense, while giving meaning to the story, and conveying as much emotion to the audience as possible.  

Hurtwood House - Succubus analysis

This is an of a high level media project due to the extensively high level skill concerning the editing and camera techniques incorporated within the short scene. They've captured the essence of the thriller genre, while incorporating some horror elements, and they've used various techniques in order to produce this theme through both the macro and micro elements.

One of the ways by which they have represented the thriller genre, through various conventions is denoted through the use of editing when they use cross cutting in order to establish a relationship between the characters, as well as conveying the emotion of suspense and tension.  Furthermore it incorporates an enigma code to establish a sense of mystery, while allowing the audience to wonder their significance within the film. Both characters are contrasting due to the fact that while the male begins the cross cut representing him as seeming power dominant, which s evident through mise en scene; this is denoted through his space, because he's naked, and is showering makes him more vulnerable in comparison to the female who's fully clothed. 

Another aspect of this short sequencce is their porfesionally done titles, which not only are what is expected from a hollywood movie but also represents the thriller genre; this is denoted thorugh the dark backround against the "Lionsgate" trademark sign. While this doesn't posses mch significance towards the film it still introduces it in an asthetically pleasing way.

Another aspect of this thriler sequence is represented through the sediting, due to the slow yet steady pace of the dequence we're unable to anticipate what to aspect, which therefore builds up both tension and suspense. In additon the female characters slow moving pace is in contrast with the faster pace of the guy in the shower (despite his lack of movement)

Another aspect of this thriller sequence, which in my opinion is a key element is the sound becuase it provides such emphasis to the death sequence, due to the added effects of the booming sound at each lunge the female charcacter takes. In addition the continous echoing sound contrasts with the booming, making it stand out and more emotinally impacting.

 

Practical Assessment

  Some of the things that I would improve on the thriller shall be listed below:

- The acting wasn't up to scratch, and took away the emotion in which we tried to convey towards the audience. This therefore let down the narrative as the performance was clique and not entirely original, which overall contrasted the technical skill,and the range of camera shots; this is mainly evident by the acting the the victim getting shot. While the acting of the unknown antagonist is indeed well performed in contrasts with the over-dramatic acting of the victim. I would insure that next time we have a casting session for our actors in order to find appropriate actors for the acquired roles to insure that they can convey emotion on a level that the audience can empathise with. 

- I think that the props used weren't thought about e.g our orange gun; this then took away the dramatic effect that we tried to achieve due to the fact that it seemed childish. I would insure that we carefully find the appropriate shot props to use within our thriller to insure that it doesn't seem unprofessional. 

- Another thing that I would improve on the was the initial mise en scene, when we denote Jubel being interviewed. The area around him didn't fit the scenario in which we tried to establish (which was supposed to be an interrogation room) and once again didn't allow it to seem realistic, therefore taking away away the tension and suspense. I would insure that we carefully insure that the space in which we are using is appropriately arranged to suit our need, and if that isn't possible we could try and angle the camera in a way that disallows the disruptive objects from obscuring the scene. 

Seven (film) Essay

What makes a thriller and how is this evident in Seven?

 A macro/micro analysis of seven (David Fincher 1995)

The question above is asking about the various conventions needed to create an effective thriller e.g. the characters, mise en scene etc. In addition it’s asking the ways in which those thriller conventions have been applied the film “Seven”. Furthermore I must make a macro/micro analysis of seven. Some of the micro-aspects include cinematography, editing, mise en scene, and the macro-aspects include narrative, representation, ideology and many others. I intend on contrasting the standard micro/macro elements with the macro and micro elements found within the film, as well as comment on the conventions.

The director of the film “Seven” was David Fincher, who has directed many other films such as “Friday the 13^th” and “The Nightmare on Elm Street”. All of which contain some thriller elements, allowing us to assume that the film “Seven” is most undoubtedly a thriller due to his past experiences in directing thriller films. The main actors in the film are Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Gwyneth Paltrow; some of these actors have starred in other thrillers, such as Morgan Freeman in “The Contract” and “Along Came a Spider”. The company that financed the film were New Line Cinema, and they also distributed the film; they have also made various thriller films such as “The Butterfly affect 1 & 2”, “Cellular” and “Snakes on a plane”. As you can clearly see the fact that New Line Cinema has produced the media text “Seven”, shows that they’ve had a good experience with making thrillers, and therefore would most probably use their resources to insure it contained required conventions needed in order to create an effective thriller film.

The target audience for this media text would probably be for males due to the main characters being male e.g. Morgan Freeman, Brad Pit, and the ethnicity could appeal to white and black individuals because of the fact that the main protagonists are of both ethnicities. Furthermore the age of the males would be 18-40+, and once again this is evident because of the protagonists age difference.

The narrative structure in the beginning of the film is restricted due to the lack of information, and becuase of the fact that we aren't given any more knowledge than that of the characters. This is denoted in scene 8 when the officers are investigating the gluttony murder, and are unable to figure out his cause of death. This connotes the thriller genre because of the fact that it causes suspense and tension which is a key convention in thriller. In addition it also uses enigma codes because how he died isstill am mystery, and from there both the detectives as well as the audience attempt to figure it out.

Near the very end of the film the narrative structure changes from restricted to omniscient. This is denoted in scene 30 when Summerset opens the box, and finds the head of mills wife in the box. However no one except Summerset knows what’s in the box, and this connotes the thriller genre for a variety of reasons such as the use of theatre of the mind, which causes the audience to once again ponder the possiblities of what Summerset is seeing, creating a sense of realism, and allowing us to place ourselves in the charatcers situation.

They use non-diegetic sound in order to create a sense of tension and suspense throughtout the scene. This therefore raises more enigma codes, making us assume what could possibly happen next. In addition the mise en scene, the charatcers acting further express that the narrative has become omniscient, and this is denoted though Summersets facial expressions once he has opened the box showing a sense of mortification. The audience at that point are capable of connoting that a significantly life impacting event has occured, and this is evident when we denote the cross cutting between Summersets facial expressions, and Mills wondering as to what is happeing.
 These changes within the narrative are all common conventions sometimes used to raise enigma codes as well a create and atmosphere of tension.

The narrative structure of the films ends with a closed narrative, and a state of disequilibrium, and this is denoted at the end of the film when the the protagonist Mills is sitting in his car traumatized due to previous events, and
we as the audience are capable of seeing the contrast between the character
he was like at the beginning of the film, and how he is at the end, thus the disequilibrium is created.

The types of characters that are in the filmconists of protagonists,an antagonist, as well as multiple victims. The protagonists are Detective Summerset, and Detective Mills and the antagonist is the killer, and each vitmin ends up representing one of the deadly seven sins. The antagonists within the film is a pychological antagonist because of the way he kills is victims, as well as the reasons behind why he does it. For example when the detectives are in the car with the killer, he willingly explains to them the reasons behind why he killed each victims, and how they related to that deadly sin.

Seven falls into the sub-genre of a psychlogical thriller due the elemtns explored such as the deadly sins as well as the medival ways in which the victims are killed. Furthermore due to the wya in which each character is impacted at the end of the film showing a negative contrast of how they used to be, and what the vents have caused them to become.

A convention that is evident in this thriller is antagonists. The antagonist is denoted in the end scene 16, at a high angle placing a gun to Detective Mills head, and is shown but is slightly blurred stopping the audience, and the characters know the identity of the antagonists.This connotes that he has power, and he is clearly the dominant character within the film. In addition i conforms to the thriller conventions becuase the antagonist always seems to remain unkown, and he continously raises enigma codes throughout the film. Furhtermore while being portayed in a mysterious manner there is still a sense of realsticdanger to him, something which is commonly displayed within thriller.

Another convention of a thriller is cheap surprise, and this can be denoted when the detectives are at the suspected antagonists house, untill a figure appears, and unexpectedly begins shooting. This connotes a sense ashock in the audience becuase its something that didn't expect, and that then raises enigma codes. In addition it conforms to conventions as this can be commonly found within thrillers as a lead up to a more signifcant event.

A convention of thrillers that is evident is low key lighting. This is denoted throughout major parts of the movie, for example in scene 20 when they’re in the club, and you can barely see any of the characters. From this you’re able to connote a dark and eerie atmosphere creating high levels of tension and suspense, causing the audience to assume that something is about to happen. This doesn’t challenge the conventions at all due to large scale use of it throughout the entire film.

A final code that is evident is red herring. This is denoted when the supposed dead “sloth” victim turns out to be alive. This connotes a sense of mystery, and shock because both the characters and the audience presumed that he was dead, making us wonder how its possible, which one again raises enigma codes. This conforms to the standard conventions of a thriller because they usually try and make you assume something else, which would then retain the interest of the audience.

 The character Detective William Summerset, who is one of the main protagonists, is calm, intelligent, respected, cultural and politically correct, and this is evident due to the way in which he speaks, and converses with other individuals throughout the film. In addition the way in which he dresses represents his characters because he dresses smartly, and dresses in a way that suits both this age, and character. He as an individual is represented in a positive light, and never conforms to the normal protagonist. I believe that the audience were capable of relating to this character because he is a character that has his own story, which is explained when talking to Mills wife, and you can understand as the film progresses the reasons as to why he wishes to leave the police force and retire. In addition he is represented in way that allows the audience to emphathise with him, allowing them to place themselves in his situation.  Due to the age of his character he also seems to be less physically active, as proven in the case seen between Jon Doe and Detective Mills

The character John Doe is the antagonist within the film, and is represented as being sadistic, intelligent, dangerous, and mysterious. The type of antaognist
that this chatcater falls into is a psychological manipulator; this is denoted when he manipulates Detective Mills into killing him so that he can accomplish his goals, and succeed in finishing his plan. This representation is shown through the words that he uses, especially when describing his reasons as to why he has killed those people. In addition the fact that he’s sadist is represented thorough his sheer calmness, and care-free attitude towards killing those people. Furthermore the audience are able to relate to this character because when speaking about the reason behind his killing, they allow him to be portrayed as being morally right, and cause the audience to form their own opinion on his actions and his reasons. In addition i tihnk the fact that he is known as John Doe throughout the film shows a lack of identity, and it stops you as the audience from truly understading him as a chaarcters.

In conclusion it has been shown that the narrative structure, codes and conventions and representation all allowSeven to not only conform to the thriller genre but also approach it in a more orignal way. Another thing to mention   are the meanings, and values that this film as a thriller puts across to the audience. Revolving around “Seven deadly sins” theme, it connotes the seven traits of a human being that are extremely distasteful. So I believe that Fincher was trying to portray those “sins” in a negative way and emphasise them greatly by creating an entire story around a person driven to rid the world of those very sins alomst bordering evil. In addition at the end of the movie Summerset say’s “The world is a fine place and worth fighting for, I agree with the second part”. In saying this Fincher is able to once again make the story even more realistic, which is a major element in thrillers because they link to real life situations, and problems that don’t just fix themselves and have a happy ending, and i believe that he wants to convey the idea of how a place or world of such importance can contain such evil, despite what it may look like on the outside.