Psycho Analysis (Hartt)

Psycho Shower Scene

Alfred Hitchcock used editing and camera shots in the film 'Psycho' to enhance the conventions of the thriller genre. One of the camera shots used was a close up. The camera shot emphasises the importance of the character focusing on her in detail. The camera technique is conventional because it allows the audience to see the shadows in the background suggesting that the person behind the shower curtain is an intruder. The audience are also aware of this because the camera zooms in on the shadow building suspense. Even though the camera zoomed in onto the shadow, the audience are still unaware of who the person is because they have hidden the killers identity to build tension and create an enigma.

When the killer attacks the women a high angle camera shot has been used to emphasis the struggle between them both. The camera shot is positioned above the character which makes her look smaller than what she is. This technique connotes the vulnerability and makes the audience see her hopelessness. This is conventional because women as usually used as the generic victims in thriller genre. It also allows the audience to see her facial expression making it easier for the audience to build a relationship with the character. this helps them relate or sympathise with the character being attacked.

There is a zoomed in shot on the blood from the character washing away down the drain. This could shows her fear washing away as if she has been defeated. The blood connotes her vulnerability and innocence as a victim which is conventional to the thriller genre. This convention is effective because it makes the audience aware of the danger creating a level of anticipation. Straight after, the camera used a zoomed out shot of the character's eye revealing her face. This allows the audience to see the her facial expression making them feel pity towards her as they can see a tear coming down from the corner of her eye. This camera shot is also conventional because is shows a murder of the typical victim (women).

In the beginning of the shower scene panning was used to show the character moving from one room to another. This allows the audience to see that it starts of as a slow pace however when the attacker comes into the scene the pace quickens creating a level of anticipation and menace. This is conventional to the thriller genre because it shows a typical setting of a house. The panning shot also shows high key lighting. This make the audience less likely to expect something bad to happen creating an element of surprise.

Convention Of Thriller Genres (Hartt)

Conventions of a thriller film

Generic Characters:

• Convicts
• Criminals
• Stalkers
• Assassins
• Down on their luck losers
• Innocent victims
• Prison inmates
• Menace of women
• Psychotic individuals
• Terrorists
• Cops
• Hit men/women
• Private eyes
• Drifters

Low-Key Lighting - low key lighting is a style of lighting that is conventional to the thriller genre. It is a three-point lighting which contains a key light, filler light and a back light. Low key lighting creates shade on some areas of the room and create bold shadows on the objects.

High Key Lighting - High key lighting is used in films that reduces the lighting ratio. IT creates a more natural scene and reduced shadows. High key lighting is often used when the scene is set during the day time.

Diegetic sound - Diegetic sound is where the source is visible on the screen. For example, characters voices or sounds made by objects in the scene.

Non-Diegetic Sound - Non-Diegetic sound is where the source is not visible on the screen or has been implied to be in present in the action. For example it could be sound effect that is added for dramatic effects of music to adjust the atmosphere of the scene.

Mise-en-scene:

Location - Types of locations are conventional in the thriller genre such as forests to help build suspense.

Iconography - Iconography is a convention used in the thriller genre as it also contributes to the suspense. Weapons such as knives and guns keep the audience in suspense as it imposes a threat on the victims.

Colours - Certain colours are conventional in the thriller genre as they are connotations to different meanings. For example the colour red could suggest evil or the colour white could suggest purity or innocence.

Camera Angles:

Low angle - This is wehre the camera is positioned low down below the eyeline. This is conventional in the thriller genre as it could be used to conceal a identity.

High angle - This is where the camera is positioned above the audience eyeline. This is conventional to the thriller genre as is could be used to highlight the vulnerablitity of the victim. It could be used to make the victim appear smaller or looked down on.

Mid shot - This is where the camera is a a medium distance. This is used in thriller as it could be used to focus on certain characters facial expressions.

Long shot - This is where the camera is placed at a long distance showing some of the location. This us used in thrillers to introduce the locations such as a haunted house.


 

BFFC Film Classification (Hartt)

BFFC Film Classification

The BFFC stands for British Boards of Film Classification and it restricts a certain age groups from viewing different film genres. The BFFC is a form of protection to inform the target audience what type of films they are about to watch and it allows the target audience to assess whether they would be able to cope with the sort of scenes they would see.

 

The 'U' ratings allows children of the age four and above to watch the film. the BBFC states that for the 'U' to be classified the film should be within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

A film example of this film classification is huge. The film was rated a 'U' because it contained mild scenes of danger.

 A 'PG' film states that it should not disturb children from the age of eight and over and they must be companied by a parent. For the film to be classified by the BFFC the film should not prolong or intense frightening sequences and a migtigate factor of fantasy settings may be used.

A film example if this classification is Home alone. It was rates a PG because the film contained moderate violence. 

The '12A' category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a '12A' film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. The BBFC states that the film must permit moderate physical or psychological threat and provided disturbing sequences that are not frequent or sustained.

A film example for this film classification is Transformers. It was rated a 12 because it contains moderate action violence and one use of strong language.

 

This classification is only suitable only for 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15may rent or buy a 15 rated video work. The BBFC states that the film can contain strong threat and menace are  unless sadistic or sexualised. Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain and injury.

A film example for this film classification is 21 Jump Street. It was rated a 15 because it contains strong language, sexual references, violence and drug use.

No one under the age of 18 may see a '18' film in the cinema or rent or buy any '18' rated work.  '18' Rated films contains more violent scenes.

A film example for this classification is Killer Joe. It was rated an 18 because it contained strong, bloody and sadistic violence and sexual threat.

To be shown only in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied only in licensed sex shops, and to adults of no less than the age of 18 years old.



My groups thriller film would be classified as a 15. We decided to classify it as a 15 because it will contain violence and drug use.

The Developement Of The Thriller Genre (Hartt)

How has the thriller genre developed over the 30 years?

Over the years the thriller genre has developed due to the advance in technology, audience and narrative.

70's thriller films:

• The thrillers in the 70's were violent and we based or real-life fears. Films such as Jaws which was made in 1975 was based on real life shark attacks.  The film is based on a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it. This made the audience in that particular time anxious because there fears were of real life situations.

80's thriller films:

• The thrillers in the 80s developed toworards the supernatural thriller genre.Film such as Beyond Evil is about someone who moves into an island mansion that has been vacant for 100 years. The last person that lived there was a black magic practitioner. She has made a pact with the devil after being murdered by her husband to come back and get revenge. She does this by possessing the person living in the house.

90's thriller films:

• Thrillers in the 90's continued to change developing to the psychological thriller. The thirller The silence of the lambs is an example of this. in the film a young FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to help find a missing woman to save her from a psychopathic serial killer who skins his victims. Clarice attempts to gain a better insight into the twisted mind of the killer by talking to another psychopath Hannibal Lecter, who used to be a respected psychiatrist.

Over time the conventions to the triller genre has change. There has been a increase of blood and gore and over time they have used twists to shock the audience.

Film Director Homework (Hartt)

Sir Alfred Hitchcock was born in London on the 13th of August 1899. He was raised in a very strict  roman catholic family by his parents Emma and William hitchcock. It was around the 1920's when hitchcock first got involved in the film industry and went on to be one of the most  famous film  directors and producers in the film industry billed as England's best director. He was mostly known for his techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres.

Over a career of more than half a century, Hitchcock fashioned for himself a distinctive and recognizable directorial style. He pioneered the use of a camera made to move in a way that mimics a person's gaze, forcing viewers to engage in a form of voyeurism. He maximized the audience anxiety, fear and empathy by the use of frame shots and used innovative film editing.

 

List of some of hitchcock's films:

•  

• Psycho (1960)
• Vertigo (1958)
• Rear window (1954)
• North by Northwest (1959)
• The wrong man (1956)
• The man who knew too much (1956)
• The lodger (1926)
• Skin game (1931)
• Sabotage (1936)
• Suspicion (1941)
• Frenzy (1972)

Famous quote - "The purpose of a thriller is to put the audiences toe in the cold water of fear to see what its like"

Alfred Hitchcock is one of the first names who comes to mind when talking about auteur theory. His most famous films are Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds and Rear Window.

Psycho

 

 

 

 

Vertigo

 

Scream Analysis (Hartt)

Scream

The thriller film Scream has used cinematography such as a close ups to highlight the audience that she is the victim in the situation. It also make the audience see her facial expression which helps build suspense. The close up was used when drew was on the phone to the killer and she realised he has broken into her house. This technique is conventional because the audience can see the panic on her face allowing them to sympathise for her.

In the death scene, to show that the victim had been stabbed they used the high angle camera shot. This is effective because it portrays a sense of weakness to the audience making her even more vulnerable for the killer to catch her. In thriller films women are usually seen as the weaker sex and the camera shot helps portray this.The effects of this is it builds anticipation and keeps the audience engaged in the film. The high angle is conventional because it make the victims look powerless and small.

Another cinematography technique used was fast panning. This was used when the victim was running from one room to another trying to escape the killer. This is effective because the fast paste makes the audience nervous for the victim allowing them to relate and sympathise. It also helps the audience to build a relationship with the characters but getting an understanding of the settings around them. This is conventional because it creates a tense atmosphere.

The aerial angle was used in the scene when the victim was being dragged along the grass by the killer. This highlights the victims helplessness to the audience making them pity her. The camera shot is bird eye view making the audience see the victims facial expression and body language highlighting the fact that she is defenceless. The cinematography camera shot is conventional because the innocent victim was murdered by a masked killer.

The zoom in camera shot was used at the end of the death scene to emphasise the victims murder. The victim was hung on a tree once she has been stabbed and the camera zoomed up to her face. The speed of the camera zooming in was fast to match the sound of the victims mothers scream. This is effective because it alarms the audience making them shocked. This is conventional to the thriller genre because it shows the death of the victim and the facial expressions of the victim.

The settings of the film was based in the victims house. This is conventional because it highlights the the audience that the killer is tresspassing on the property which builds suspense. It also creates an element of susprise because people associate their homes and a safe place and the film contradicts this. The house was in the middle of the countryside this shows that it is an isolated location. This emphasises that she is alone and it is harder to escape.

The victim in the film was wearing white trousers and a cream top. These colours connote her innocence and purity and highlights to the audience that she is the victim. Her clothing also show the audience that she is justs and ordinary person which builds tension.The killer however, is wearing all black. The colour black connotes death which forbodes a potential death creating a level of anticipation. This is conventional to the thriller genre because the narrative contains death, victims, and murderers.

The costume of the characters are also conventional to the thriller genre. The killer is wearing a mask which hides the persons identity. This is effective because it creates an enigma which is a key factor in creating a good thriller film. It aslo hides the facial expressions so the audience are unable to build a relationship with the character.

Sub-Genres (Hartt)

Sub Genres

Conspiracy Thriller:

• Consists of some sort of hero or heroine who stereotypically journalist or armature investigators.
• Enemies who try to keep the secret organisations alive through lies and propaganda.
• These companies are brought down by the protagonist character.
• This type of genre plays with the identification that good overrules evil.
• These types of thrillers often play with the secrecy of governments and major organisations in history

JFK Plot: A mixture of fact and speculation surrounding the death of U.S. President John F. Kennedy on 22nd November, 1963. New Orleans District Attorney, Jim Garrison, re-opens the files on the investigation and takes a critical look at the facts given by the F.B.I. His persistent questioning and poking his nose where it shouldn't be causes his and his family's lives to be at risk. But he keeps on the trail and soon uncovers a lead which points to the war in Vietnam

This links in to the conspiracy thriller genre as it has a hero who tries to take down the President John F Kennedy.
 

Crime Thriller:

• Crime thrillers often focus on the criminals and their activities leading up to the crime.
• Crime thriller usually emphasis the action over the psychological aspects.
• There is also a psychological part to this particular genre.
• Central topics of the crime thriller consists of serial killer and murderers, robberies, chases, shootouts, heists and double-crosses.

        











 

Inside Man plot: From a cell, a man tells us he has planned the perfect bank robbery; he invites us to watch. An efficient gang enters a Manhattan bank, locks the doors, and takes hostages. They work deliberately, without haste. Detective Frazier is assigned to negotiate, but half his mind is occupied with the corruption charges he is facing. The bank's president has something to protect in a safe deposit box, so he brings in Madaline, a high-power broker with a hidden agenda. With an army of police surrounding the bank, the thief, the cop, and the plutocrat's fixer enter high-stakes negotiations. Why are the robbers asking for a plane, if they are so competent and they know they won't get one? Why aren't they in more of a hurry? If the job's perfect, why is the thieves' leader in a cell

This links in with the crime thriller genre as the man is planning of committing a robbery which is a criminal offence.

Disaster Thriller:

• This particular genre follows a certain group or persons survival in conflict with natural or artificial disasters like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes etc.
• Many disaster films also have disasters from human activities that has brought mankind to the brink of distinction.
• This type of genre plays with what the future is going to bring if such disasters were to happen.

2012 Plot: Dr. Adrian Helmsley, part of a worldwide geophysical team investigating the effect on the earth of radiation from unprecedented solar storms, learns that the earth's core is heating up. He warns U.S. President Thomas Wilson that the crust of the earth is becoming unstable and that without proper preparations for saving a fraction of the world's population, the entire race is doomed. Meanwhile, writer Jackson Curtis stumbles on the same information. While the world's leaders race to build "arks" to escape the impending cataclysm, Curtis struggles to find a way to save his family. Meanwhile, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes of unprecedented strength wreak havoc around the world.

This links with the Disaster thriller genre as the world is faces with a natural disarter threatening to end the world. There are only a few survivers.

Mystery Thriller:

• This particular sub genre relates to a lot to crime thrillers.
• Focuses of the efforts of a detective or a private investigator in order to solve the mystery.
• It looks at the circumstances of the mystery or the crime itself in order to figure out what the clues are.

Shutter Island Plot: It's 1954, and up-and-coming U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from Boston's Shutter Island Ashecliffe Hospital. He's been pushing for an assignment on the island for personal reasons, but before long he wonders whether he hasn't been brought there as part of a twisted plot by hospital doctors whose radical treatments range from unethical to illegal to downright sinister. Teddy's shrewd investigating skills soon provide a promising lead, but the hospital refuses him access to records he suspects would break the case wide open. As a hurricane cuts off communication with the mainland, more dangerous criminals "escape" in the confusion, and the puzzling, improbable clues multiply, Teddy begins to doubt everything - his memory, his partner, even his own sanity.

This links in with the mystery thriller genre as the main character wants to take up an assignment on the island.
 

 Political Thriller:

• The sub genre looks into the stability of a government and the reliance of a hero or heroine who must insure the stability of the government that employs him in order to prevent bad things from happening.
• commonly use scenarios are the US presidential elections and the preventions of world wars occurring.

State of play plot: A petty thief is gunned down in an alley and a Congressman's assistant falls in front of a subway - two seemingly unrelated deaths. But not to wisecracking, brash newspaper reporter Cal McAffrey who spies a conspiracy waiting to be uncovered. With a turbulent past connected to the Congressman and the aid of ambitious young rookie writer Della Frye, Cal begins uprooting clues that lead him to a corporate cover-up full of insiders, informants, and assassins. But as he draws closer to the truth, the relentless journalist must decide if it's worth risking his life and selling his soul to get the ultimate story

This links with the Political Genre as it looks into the stability of the government.
 

Psychological Thriller:

• The is the quintessential sub-genre of thriller that is implemented into all the sub-genre.
• It plays with the audiences minds and produces suspense in films because it reflects on the main characters conflict being mental or emotional hindered.
• It show the mentality of the characters and the thought processes that they go through which makes the sub-genre so suspenseful.

Psycho Plot: Phoenix officeworker Marion Crane is fed up with the way life has treated her. She has to meet her lover Sam in lunch breaks and they cannot get married because Sam has to give most of his money away in alimony. One Friday Marion is trusted to bank $40,000 by her employer. Seeing the opportunity to take the money and start a new life, Marion leaves town and heads towards Sam's California store. Tired after the long drive and caught in a storm, she gets off the main highway and pulls into The Bates Motel. The motel is managed by a quiet young man called Norman who seems to be dominated by his mother

This links with the psychologcal thriller genre as it emphasis the murder of the main femal character and tries to discover who the murderer keeping the audience in suspense.

Religious Thriller:

• This sub-genre connects the the plot closely religious objects,institutions and questions.
• Many religious related films usually unravel the good and bad points about religion in particular the catholic belief.
• This connoting the good and how it overcomes the bad in films, through a quest to finding out the truth.

The Davinci Code Plot:Symbologist Robert Langdon is thrown into a mysterious and bizarre murder. Alongside Langdon is the victims granddaughter and cryptologist Sophie Neveu, who with Robert discovers clues within Da Vinci's paintings. To further find the truth, Robert and Sophie travel from Paris to London, whilst crossing paths with allies and villains such as Sir Leigh Teabing and Silas. Wherever their path takes them, their discovery which is about to be revealed could shake the foundations of mankind.

This links with the Religious thriller genre as it connects to a religious plot.
 

Supernatural Thriller:

• Supernatural thriller often brings the unworldly element that shows something out of the ordinary happening to the protagonist that has to overcome this powerful factor.
• This genre is also mixed with tension and suspense in addition to also having unsuspected twist during the film.
• The protagonist or villains usually have a supernatural gift that helps them get to the source of the problem.
• This sub-genre is very closely linked to the religious thrillers as usually demons entering the human body, alien life form, apparitions or possession of pivotal character is a element of supernatural thriller films.

The Others Plot: A woman named Grace retires with her two children to a mansion on Jersey, towards the end of the Second World War, where she's waiting for her husband to come back from battle. The children have a disease which means they cannot be touched by direct sunlight without being hurt in some way. They will live alone there with oppressive, strange and almost religious rules, until she needs to hire a group of servants for them. Their arrival will accidentally begin to break the rules with unexpected consequences

This links in with the supernatural force as it has unworldly experiences.

Techno Thriller:

• Techno thrillers look into that manipulation of  sophiticated technology playing a prominant part in taking over the world giving the new world order where mankind is over run by robots.
• This particular sub- genre is mainly based on fictional speculations on life that tends to follow a science fiction trend.
• Common themes linked in with this sub-genre is world wars, action and science fictional occurances like aliens taking over with new technologies.

I Robot Plot: Set in a future Earth (2035 A.D.) where robots are common assistants and workers for their human owners, this is the story of "robotophobic" Chicago Police Detective Del Spooner's investigation into the murder of Dr. Alfred Lanning, who works at U.S. Robotics, in which a robot, Sonny , appears to be implicated, even though that would mean the robot had violated the Three Laws of Robotics, which is apparently impossible. It seems impossible because.. if robots can break those laws, there's nothing to stop them from taking over the world, as humans have grown to become completely dependent upon their robots. Or maybe... they already have? Aiding Spooner in his investigation is a psychologist, Dr. Susan Calvin, who specializes in the psyches of robots.

This links to the techno thriller genre as it has robots that cause a world wars, action and science fiction occurrences.

 

Sound Analysis - Obsession (Georgiou)

   Obsession

The film obsession has used off-screen sound to build suspense. In the scene where beyonce comes home and is turning of the alarm she hears the champagne bottle pop open. Beyonce facial expression informs the audience that she is apprehensive/curious to know what the noise was and where it was coming from. This is conventional because it builds tension and makes the audience expect something bad to happen.

The non diegetic sound is played at the beginning of the clip whilst beyonce is driving back to the house. This is effective because it makes the audience expect something bad to happen. the stalkers identity was hidden whilst the non diegetic sound was being played. This was effective because they both influenced each other to make the audience anxious. The sound is intense and dramatic which is conventional to the thriller genre because it builds up tensions and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. Thriller films have high intense music because it builds up suspense in the scene and keeps the audience engaged.

When the stalker brakes into the house she smashes the door window. The diegetic sound of the glass smashing is effective because it shows that she is an intruder and that she shouldn't be there. The sound gets louder when she does this to emphasises the fact that she is on a mission and has planned something.  It also makes the audience aware of broken glass which could suggest someone is going to get hurt or even a potential murder. This diegetic sound it conventional to the thriller genre because It builds suspense and make the audience anxious.

In the scene the use of On-Screen sound is shown when beyonce it turning the alarm on for the house. This builds anticipation because the audience are aware that there is already and intruder in the house. This is seen in a close up so that when beyonce hears someone in the house her facial expression is shown in the centre of the screen drawing the audience eyes on her. This is conventional because the audience are aware that this is an important part of the scene because the enigma builds suspense.

What is a thriller film? (Georgiou)

1. Define and explain what the codes and conventions are?

• POV- In the opening scene of saw when he is unconsious under water in the bath
• Isolated location - The film frozen is set in the mountains miles away from anywhere.
• Low key lighting - The film pact used low key lighting to create shadows and seem more mysterious
• Hidden identity - The film scream the killer wears a mask to hide their identity. 
• Iconography - The film used iconography items to trap the victims and kill them for example the reverse bear trap.
• Atmospheric music - The film wrong turn uses atmospheric music whilst walking through the forest.
• Disturbing titles - Shutter island is and example of a distubing title.
• Plot- chase scene, murder scene, torture scene -  The scene in saw where the killer tortures the victims until they either die or manage to beat the game and excape. One example would be when the man is chained up to the toilet and he has to survive by sawing his foot off.
• Enigma - Film like Saw or Scream always have and enigma because the audience never know if the victim will survive or not.
• Hand held - Paranormal activity is an example of  filmed which is made by a hand held camera. This is effective becuase it makes it seem more realistic as a documentary instead of another scary film.
• Fast and slow editing - The film wrong turn uses fast and slow editing. For example when they are chasing in the woods they have used fast editing to emphasis its a chase and builds tension.
• Clothing of characters and the connotations - In the opening scene of saw, both characters are wearing white t-shirts. The connotations of white is innocence showing that the characters are the victims.

Saw clip

• How does the opening sequence help to define the genre?

The opening sequence to the film 'Saw' defines the genre of the thriller by the use of codes and conventions. The setting of the film is based in an abandoned bathroom. This is conventional because it is an isolated location which creates an engima. This makes the audience suspicious and it builds suspense from the unknown.

The film has used Low key lighting which cast shadows of the tiles on the walls. The shadows helps hide the identity of both characters in the room so the audience can only hear there voices. This is effective because it hides the facial expressions of the victims building suspense. This is convetional to the thriller genre.

When the lights turn back on, both of the the typical victims are shown shocking the audience. You can see they are dresses in worn out, diry clothes. They are both wearing white T-shirts which connote there innocence and highlights to the audience that they are the victims in the situation.

Both victims are chained up to pipes that run along the walls. They victim has to saw off his foot to free himself otherwise he will remain trapped. The iconography items are effective because it engages the audience and uses the shock, suprise, and suspense which builds up the tension. Finally  the film has included non diegetic sound which helps build tension. This is shown in the scene where he is in the bath unconcious. The use of all the codes and conventions help define the film as a thriller.

• How can you use the thriller film to help you plan your own thriller film?

The thriller film will help me plan my own thriller film because i can incorperate the code and conventions that have been used to make my thriller film effective. An example of this would be the use of sound to build up tension and the iconography items to contribute to the suspense. I will also use a number of different camera shots and mise-en-scene to make it seem more realistic. The film gave me ideas of scenes and typical victim characters that would be benefical to use and what type of clothes and make-up that needs to be used.

• Write a thriller analysis of the opening to the woman in black



In the opening scene to the women in white, straight away the camera is zoomed in only showing the hands and iconography items of what appears to be a little girl playing with tea pots. This is effective because the hidden identity of the characters help build suspense and leaves the audience wondering whether the character is a victim or a killer. This is conventional because the hidden identity hides the facial expressions of the children leaving the audience in the dark to whether they are scared, happy, sad etc.

The settings is based in a children's bedroom with high key lighting. This is effective because it misleads the audience to think that nothing bad is going to happen because you can see the settings around them and its clear to see there facial expressions. The effect of the children playing with there dolls connotes that they are innocent which make it more unexpected when the three girls to jump out of the window  and kill themselves.

The iconography items used in the scene was tea pots and china dolls. All three girls stand up in unison building anticipation and when one of the children drop one of the tea pots resulting it to smash on the floor, it makes the audience anxious. By the facial expressions of the girl the audience is able to see that the girls are happily playing however when they walk towards the window and crush all the iconography item the audience expect something bad to happen. This is conventional because you can see the victims in the situation are being controlled by a paranormal force.

Non-Diegetic sound has been played in the opening scene of the film when the girls are playing with their dolls. The sound started of slow and quiet of high pitch chimes when the girl were playing however the pace began to increase and the sound became more violent. When the girls were about to jump out of the window all you could hear was harsh chimes of church bells. This is symbolic to a death or a funeral making. This is conventional because the non-diegetic sound gradually built anticipation and made the audience anxious when the were about to commit suicide.

Each of the characters are positioned in the centre of the screen. This is effective because it draws the audiences eyes to focus on them highlighting that they are important parts of the scene. This technique was used when the three girls are walking to the window. This allows the audience to see their facial expression highlighting that they appear to be possessed. This is conventional because the innocent victim is being forced to commit suicide shocking the audience.

Mise-En-Scene (Georgiou)

Saw (Reverse bear trap)

The settings in the film 'saw' is based in a old warehouse. This emphasises the fact that it is an isolated location and no one is around to hear them scream. This is conventional because its unfamiliar location which creates a creepy atmosphere. 

 In the reverse bear trap scene, they have used low-key lighting to help cast strong shadows on the walls around the room. This helps the audience get and idea of settings they are in and what iconography items have been used. The key light in the scene is the main light dangling from the ceiling which is placed just above her head. In the room all you can see is a t.v facing towards Amanda with a tape and a head brace which she is wearing on her head. The use of low-key lighting is conventional because it makes the room seem mysterious and creates a level of anticipation. It also only allows the audience to see the main iconography items to create a scene.

In the background the colour of the room is a dark grey/blue. The is effective because it creates a cold mysterious atmosphere giving a sense of foreboding that something bad is going to happen. This make the audience anxious and keeps the on the edge of there seats. The colour of the background is conventional because it its the dark settings which creates a mysterious feel and builds up a level of anxiety. Also, when the video was being played you could see the camera zooming in on the mask. The mask had black circles on the cheeks. The colour black connotes death which could suggest to the audience that someone is going to die. This is conventional to the thriller genre because it shows a potential death of the kidnapped victim.

One of the iconography item used in the scene was a 'reverse bear trap' (head brace) which is connected to her jaw. In the scene she has been put into a life threatening situation where she has to cut someone open and find a key which is inside him to unlock the brace before the timer runs out otherwise it will rip her jaw into a million pieces. The use of the iconography is effective because it create anticipation for the audience whilst engaging them.When the viewers first see the head brace they are curious to whats happened and why she is wearing it. This is conventional because thriller films generally use females as the victims and males as the killers. The reason for this is because women are the weaker gender and men seem more authoritative. They use the strength of men to overpower women making them seem more vulnerable. It also creates suspense because its a life or death situation which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

The camera is zoomed up on her face positioning her in the centre of the frame . This forces the audience to focus on her facial expressions. One of the scenes, the tape has been shown and she is about to set of the timer. This is effective because it builds anticipation and allows the audience to experience the fear she is feeling. This is conventional because it allows the audience to see the victims reactions making them experience the same fear as them.

When the women wakes up after the drugs have worn off, she soon realises that she is tied up to a chair with a head brace on. The mise en scene technique the film has used is facial expressions. The key light is shinning on the victims face allowing the audience to see the characters facial expressions. This is effective because the audience can see her eye wide open in alarm making the audience anxious. This then makes them expect something bad to happen creating an enigma which keeps them engaged. This is conventional because they audience are aware that she has been captured by a villain and that she frightened.

The character is wearing dark eye shadow around her eyes making her look tired. It also emphasises her fear when she has her eyes wide because it makes them appear whiter. The use of make-up is effective because it allows the audience to see she her eyes tired from all the drugs. This build suspense because the audience are unaware as to why and whats going to happen. The make up is conventional because it draw attention to her eyes which is the only feature the head brace allows you to see. The fear facial expressions help keep the audience engages in the film.

In the beginning of the film, The victim is talking to the police about what had happened to her. Her body language gave the audience the impression that she was traumatised in some way because she had her head facing downwards. This is a convention of a thriller genre because it hides her facial expressions leaving the audience in suspense.

 This will assist me when i make my thriller opening as its has helped me decide on what type of location i want to use. I liked the idea of an abandoned warehouse as it makes the audience anxious building suspense. I also liked how the killers identity was concealed creating the enigma of who is it. When i make my thriller i would like to use a similar narrative along the lines of a stalker of a antagonist who kidnaps the victim and tortures them.