Research and Planning

Analysing Media Openings of Thrillers

Jaws
Opening Analysis for "Jaws"

Our first task was to analyse the openings of four different movies including "Jaws", "Panic Room", "Se7en" and "Children of men"
Sound

• Music begins quiet and slow before building up pace and strength of beat to create tension and suggest danger is approaching.
• The mouth organ being played contrasts from danger back to normality and relaxes audience again- Diegetic sound
• Plays similar music as approaches girls legs to show how danger was about to reach her.
• Silence after the girl is killed to show how it occurred so easily and how many people could be at risk too, with her going un-noticed. The sea being quiet again brings the scene back to normality as the sea is the only thing that can be heard.
• There is no sound while the girls swim, making it too silent so stereotypically must be danger- unexpected

Camera Shots

• Camera shows the point of view of the shark moving into the reeds, suggesting he is sly and well hidden so can easily attack. It also suggests he is looking for someone or something. 
• Camera switches from the top of the water to the bottom to show how the teenager is unaware and how easily the shark can attack without a trace. Also shows how vulnerable the character is.
• Low angle Shot of her kicking her legs- she’s attracting attention from the shark as she approaches.
• We don’t see the figure of the shark which makes the audience question just how large and dangerous he is.
• Camera pulls back to show a wide shot of the sea, this makes clear how wide and open the sea is, being very dangerous. Also making clear how close the teenagers are to it. 

     Mis-en-scene

• Large bonfire on the beach suggests the teens are a target and attracting attention. Fire symbolising danger or death.
• Set on a beach at night- Dark and hard to see, suggests characters are more vulnerable especially as drinking alcohol.
• Vast area of sea and suggests more vulnerable.
• Juxtaposes the fact beaches are for relaxing as the teenagers are in danger.

Editing

• Cuts from from shark to teenagers relaxing the audience again to normality but suggests they are unaware of danger.
• Cuts from close up of teenagers to establishing shot to show how dominant the beach is compared to them.
• Cut from top of water to top- vulnerable.

Panic Room
Opening Analysis Of "Panic Room"

 Sound

• Sound of quite solemn music in background sets bleak sound, becoming faster as sequence moves on- sets faster pace and builds up tension before moving back to dark and monotone music to suggest danger.

• Sound of sirens under music could suggest danger or death- recognised sound.

Camera shots

• Establishing shot of city to show how large and overpowering it is- also to set the scene.
• Zooms in towards city to suggest this is where danger or the storyline will occur- danger is approaching.
• Long shots of large buildings- dominance and well known city which can be related to by audience.
• Establishing shot to show how populated the city is and how busy it is.

Mis- en scene

• Opening typography shown to be ominous and overpowering among the city.
• Setting of a city could suggest more people are at risk
• Set in a famous city so people can relate to it all over the world.
• City shown as lifeless and bleak which doesn’t match the overpopulated streets- suggest things aren’t as they seem.
• Typography hides among buildings- Mystery/ Could represent the characters ways and the setting of the story.

Editing

• Cuts from one building to another across the city which could convey how there is danger all around.
• Slow paced cuts but quite sharp and sudden after a few seconds of each shot.

SE7EN

Opening Analysis of "SE7EN"

Sound

• Lack of words- eery
• Opens with eery screeching music to the sound of a heartbeat to convey fear and create a build up of tension as many other sounds are added- Reveals genre through non-diegetic music.
• Sound builds up over a period of time and becomes faster to suggest something is going to happen.
• Over exaggerates noises such as page turning which are overpowering and dominant which are usually quiet sounds and seen as relaxing.

Camera Shots

• Close up of open book- Can’t see the words creating a sense of mystery as cannot see the reader either, just his hands.
• Shadows of someone walking past- questions the audience and creates aspects of unknowing and horror.
• Close up of his hands which are injured- suggests his job is dangerous and we are not shown who he is.
• Close up of eery pictures of him highlighting words and looking at photos- could be out to achieve something or be looking for someone.

Editing

• Cuts from pictures to credits to keep a slow and unpredictable pace.
• Fast paced cuts between pictures as opening scene moves on, build up on tension.

Mis-en-scene

• Lack of colour- mainly black and white suggesting it is unpredictable and dangerous as has no light at any point of the opening which could represent the character and his personality.

Children Of Men
Opening Analysis of "Children Of Men"

REPRESENTATION

WHERE is being represented? 

Major cities are being represented throughout but the focus is on London.

How is it being represented? 

In the future year of 2027. Conveyed the opposite of how it usually is, shown as a dangerous place to live.

Is it a positive or negative representation? 

Negative representation.

How is this created?

Through the use of dim lighting, characters non-verbal communication, explosions and death through the opening scene.

WHO is being represented? 

A man in his 30’s, strong minded as he acts oblivious to his surroundings and the people around him.

Eg. Do we have a “hero”?  

He does not yet act as a “hero” figure but has the right attitude and assets to do so in the remainder of the movie. he is also the main focus of the camera meaning he must play a main role, which could be a hero figure.

How do we know he is the hero? 

Through his personality traits, he is coping in the situation better than the people surrounding him. He acts oblivious to what is going on and tries to lead a normal life and block the reality out, he acts courageous and strong minded throughout and is not phased by what he sees.

Does he fit all of our established ideas of what a hero in a film should be?

In some ways he fits the established idea of what a hero is. He is shown to be a lot more accepting of the truth that the city has changed and strong towards the realism of the situation compared to the other people, meaning he could easily be a strong leader. In other ways he doesn’t convey himself as a hero due to his oblivious attitude, this could mean he is unwilling to accept any reminder of what is happening which is the case if he wanted to help people.

If yes, what are these: if no, what is there in the text which makes him unsatisfactory as a hero?

His attitude can appear unsympathetic and oblivious to his surroundings and the people around him. He could be a good hero due to his able will to control his emotions meaning he is a stronger character and could think clearly and help people in the opposite situation, presenting him as quite a good leader for people also.

How are women represented? 

Women are represented as the stereotypical weak, timid and emotional gender as their non-verbal communication and emotions are clearly shown to be distressed, unsure and overwhelmed by the situation as they are always shown to be upset. The person who is victim to the bomb is also a woman, suggesting they are easier targets.

How is the future represented?

The future is represented as bleak with no sense of hope. The cities and people all over the world are victim to the unfortunate circumstances which reflects on the cities as riots occur and places are unkept and destroyed. The future is shown to be pointless as no-more civilization can be created.

Can you notice any other social groups or places which are represented?

Many major cities are represented throughout, with the main focus on London. Other famous cities are shown on the news program such as Tokyo, Berlin, new York and Rome e.t.c.

How are these representations constructed?

Through the use of television news reports which shows how the whole of the world is affected and how they can no longer lead a normal life and has come to a stand-still.

MEDIA LANGUAGE:  

Made up of lighting, camera work, editing, sound, mise-en-scene 

LIGHTING

What is the lighting like? 

The lighting is dim, showing the city to be very dark which creates a sense of no hope and shows the way the people are feeling. The lack of lighting makes most places appear dark or even black symbolising death and destruction.

What is the effect of this on the text?

 Reveals the characters emotions and the future of the city as there is no light anywhere. Constant darkness represents all the characters as quite untrusting as they are not properly visible and the buildings are worthless and unkept. This conveys constant lack of hope and keeps the symbolisation of death.

What is the effect of this on the audience?

Helps them to feel sympathetic towards the situation and realise just how much people are affected by it and how without children and heirs to another generation means disaster.

Camera Work: 

What do you notice about the camera work?

 The camera work is mainly focused around close up shots of the character’s faces to keep an on-going power of emotions throughout each scene. the constant close-up shots of faces allows non-verbal communication to remind the audience of the severity and effect the virus is having on them. Another camera technique used throughout is the use of a handheld camera, this builds up a sense of giving us an insight of the main character’s day to day to life as we watch his every move. using a handheld camera also allows the audience to experience the situation from the character’s point of view such as when the explosion occurs and the man holding the camera runs up to the girl screaming, allowing us to see it through his eyes and sympathize.

Does it conform to your expectations of a major feature (fictional) film?  

Based on my opinion “Children of men” does not conform with my expectations of a major feature film.

Is there anything you think is done differently?

Firstly the main character is not established properly as we are not clear as to whether he is a hero, antihero or even a protagonist. The movie also opens with use of news bulletins revealing the story line to the audience when usually a film is not began in this way.

Why have the camera shots been chosen?

EDITING

What kind of editing can you recognise?

The main use of editing is cutting from one scene to another.

What does this do to the text?

Allows a change from one scene to another through use of cutting, seeing different areas and groups of people.

Does it change the pace at all through the clip?

The movie pace stays slow throughout the keep the emotions clear of being sad and depressed.

Sound: 

What do you notice in particular about the way sound has been constructed in this clip?

There is lack of sound throughout the opening scenes and any sound which is present is non-diegetic.

Why do you think these choices have been made by the directors?

The only sound in the first part of the opening was the news report, this sets the scene and allows the audience to gather the base of the story line, it also allows character’s emotions to be clearly shown as they have blank expressions on their faces and can tell they are upset through use of non-verbal communication. The quiet ringing sound is used also.

GENRE:  

What type of film do you think this is, from the clip you’ve been shown? 
Drama, Thriller and Sci-Fi

What is there in this text which you could use to support each of these assumptions of genre? 
The film has a very dramatic story line presenting a realistic and serious event which this film impersonates. The film could be a Sci-Fi as could scientifically happen and is presented as a widespread    event, being portrayed as very serious and realistic. Finally it could be a thriller as the outcome is unknown, it leaves the audience questioning what will happen. Drama elements are also included due to the tension built up through situations of rescuing and near-death experiences.

ie. How are these genres created / communicated in this clip?

Sci-Fi is represented due to the fact the movie is set in the future of 2027 and shows a virus which has spread meaning people are infertile, this could happen on a large scale as scientific evidence will have advanced in the future. Thriller and Drama are both created through the element of being a hero, having to rescue people and take them to safety,

NARRATIVE:

What do you notice about the narrative structure of this clip?

The extract opens with a News extract explaining the occurrences and the death of a young character. No talking is present in the opening and the only way the story narrative is shown through the use of television inside the film and non-verbal communication and emotions the characters make visible.   

What does it do which fulfills your expectations of what the opening of a film “should” be like / include in terms of narrative?

It opens with the story line and creates tension and awareness of what the story is based on.

Does it do anything different in terms of narrative structure? 

Opening with a news report to tell the story which isn’t usual throughout the opening.

AUDIENCE:

Which audiences do you think are being targeted to watch this film? 

Most likely targeted at Adults due to the story line based on adults living without children in the world, which only adults could relate to. Also the fact it includes violence and protest towards government and immigrants, being more of an adult based story. 

You might want to segment these audiences by:

Age: 25-50

Gender: Both males and females

Lifestyle / lifestage: Any class as many different ones are represented in the film.

Financial situation

From this clip, what is there to attract these different audiences? 

The setting could attract people in England where the city is based and also all across the world as people can relate to the well known city. An array of different aged characters meaning it could attract people of all ages from 25 and above as the characters are predominantly older. The situation of being able to have no children could affect mothers and fathers who would know how it feels not to have children and all other people to show where the country would be without children. Also relates to the government and how we need children for the country to be a success and how governments will always make bad decisions in most circumstances.

VALUES AND IDEOLOGIES:  

What kind of messages does this text seem to be giving to its audiences? This text gives a message out to the audience that without children the world could never be the same and people can easily turn into antagonists in a similar situation.

Eg. Do you think the film makers are trying to give the audiences messages about current issues? I think the film makers are trying to portray the way government has always influenced the wrong situations the same as the government is finding it hard to control the country at this current moment the same as in the film people were against them just like many people are now.

How do you know this from this clip?
Through the way society were against the government. When the protestors were attacking the train it showed their anger and frustration at what the government had done. This frustration was also conveyed through the use of graffiti and writing all over the city which people have rebelled against.

INSTITUTION:    

This film was made by Universal Pictures.

How might this affect the film content? -
Institutions have the final decision over the movie and can change the aspects wanted as they will not want anything which could antagonize them. Their personal and political views can also affect the decision of the film content.

How might this affect audience appeal? -
Universal pictures usually supports children’s movies so will not attract a wide audience with most of their movies being either Universal or PG meaning there are lack of adult based movies to attract a wider audience as they target mainly families and children.

Comparison Between Panic Room and SE7EN

We compared the openings of both Panic room and Se7en to see how they varied through their use of different techniques, this could allow us to combine some of these ideas or techniques in with our main video task.

Camera Shot/Angle/Movement

In comparison to The Panic Room Seven has a lot of close up shots whereas the Panic Room mainly uses long shots. Also both high angle shots and low angle shots are used of the buildings.

Sound

The sound in Seven is non diegetic, the soundtrack used builds up tension and creates an eerie atmosphere for the audience watching. The music is a lot more intense then the Panic Room, but it seems to gradually stay at the same pace unlike in the Panic Room once the title appears the pace becomes faster. The sound in Panic Room is mainly non diegetic but diegetic sound is also used when we hear the background noise of the city.

Editing

The Editing in Seven is quicker in comparison to the editing in the Panic Room, the cuts are sharper and are more faster paced. Also in Panic Room panning is used a lot where as in Seven the camera mainly stays in the same place and doesn’t move.  

Mise en Scene-In both clips the lighting is dark, this creates a sense of death and mystery, also in Seven the colours black and red are used to symbolise blood and death. Where as in Panic Room the lighting is not as dark as Seven.

Characters-In Panic Room no characters are shown but in Seven  however, we see one character, close up shots are shown of his fingers, we can’t see the persons face and this creates a sense of mystery.

Locations-In Panic Room we are clear that the location is in New York city from the buildings we see but in Seven however, we are unaware of where this is set because we are shown no clues.

Narrative/Plot-In Seven, although the character is never fully revealed, but only glimpsed at through a use of close ups and extreme close ups, the fact that he’s surrounded by objects associated with death and suffering could possibly suggest that he’s a murderer or maybe even a serial killer. One close up reveals him using a razor blade to shave the tops of his fingers off, which will eradicate his identity. This also lends support to the character being a serial killer. In Panic Room, unlike in Seven, no characters are revealed but shots of buildings are shown.    

Themes-The themes may include death, mystery, violence, murders.

Visual Style-David Fincher, the director of both films, adopts a very different visual style. In Seven, Fincher uses dark lighting rapid edit cuts and a collection of close ups and extreme close ups to convey a sense of menace and dread. Mise en scene is a very important part of Sevens opening. In Panic Room, Fincher’s use of visual style is very different, he uses long shots and high angles to give a sense of scope and grandeur, the use of cuts is far more leisurely and the pace is far more subdued. Unlike Seven, Fincher uses highlighting to suggest a normal sunny day in New York city. 

Genre-The film Seven displays the conventions of the horror genre, whereas Panic Room displays conventions of a thriller.

SE7EN SCREEN GRABS:

We Studied the openings of three thrillers to learn the context of credits and how they are ordered within a movie opening.

Production Company:

Names of main actors

Music

Costumes:

Editing

JAWS:

     Production Company:

Name of Film

Supporting Cast

Produced by

 Directed by

Panic Room Screen Grabs

Main Cast

Film Name

Preliminary Script

We Created a script to follow for our Preliminary task to help us understand how to write and create our own script for our main task.

  

Preliminary

by

Tom,Vicky,Ashley

Police officer Ashley walks down corridor towards door.

Ashley faces the door and opens it.

Man sitting behind table waiting to be questioned.

Sits down on the chair opposite Shaughn to question him.

Conversation occurs between them. 

ASHLEY:

(Angrily)

“WHY DID YOU DO IT?”

SHAUGHN:

(Panicking)

“I DIDNT!"

ASHLEY:

“ARE YOU SURE?"




(Shaughn nods)

PRELIMINARY STORYBOARD

Preliminary finished Video

Shots used throughout:

• Match on action shot- a cut that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. By carefully matching the movement across the two shots. Used when camera is behind Ashley as she opens the door slightly before moving into the room to watch her fully enter the door.
• 180 Degree Rule-  Two Characters in the same scene should have the same left/right relationship towards eachother. Used when the characters were communicating across the table with the camera behind them and to the side.
• Over the shoulder shot- a shot of someone or something taken over the shoulder of another person. Used when the characters were talking at the table, filmed over their shoulder.
• Shot Reverse shot- A technique which switches to one character talking then back to the other character talking. Used when filming the question and answer scene, switching from Ashley to Shaughn.
• Pan- Horizontal scanning of a scene. Used when ashley enters the room and sits at the table followed by a zoom upon the characters as they face eachother.
  
  
  
  

Short Evaluation of Preliminary
When creating the script it was quite straight forward but was sometimes difficult to add in the actions in short sentences as there was a lot of movement throughout the video.
We had to re-film a few times due to noise and distraction going on behind us and as we were filming which interupted the scenes.
The camera movements we used were quite straight forward but sometimes would be slightly difficult as they would be filmed or times a few seconds out meaning we had to go over it again and also re-film some of the speaking parts as they were said too fast so would affect editing.
Altogether the preliminary task came together well with all the camera techniques included that we needed. The script was followed well and the editing process was effective.

Main Task

We had to produce the opening to a thriller which followed all the usualy conventions of this genre allowed to be a maximum of 2 minutes in length, using any wanted camera techniques in any set location to give the desired effect.

Firstly we created a concept map to build up a plot for our opening and how we want it to be structured and what it should include.

Conventions and definition of a thriller: A genre which mainly uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements. Designed to keep the reader or viewer on edge with suspenseful and sensational action, sometimes including complex plots which question and audience as to what will happen next.

We came up with a storyboard to follow and how each scene should be laid and followed and what camera technique it should include.

 

    script for the main task

Int. scene - description

Set in the major capital city,London,outside the old Bailey Court house. Hannah is a lawyer who is just leaving work after convicting a well known criminal for a variety of cases including child abduction.

1.)Close up shot of the court house sign

2.)Side profile before a long shot of Hannah walking down the road, zooming in the further away she gets from the camera.

3.) Cuts to her sitting on the train. Mid shot of Hannah reading a magazine.

4.)Mid shot of Hannah speaking on her mobile to the babysitter who is looking after her son

         HANNAH

(Picks up the phone while looking out the window) “Hello, hello Vicky are you alright? Yeah everything is fine, how is he?”Okay,  that’s fine, i’ll be home in about an hour. Okay see you later, Bye.”

5.)Cuts to Hannah walking home,camera tracks her as she walks down the road.

6.)Over the shoulder shot of her putting her key through the door.

HANNAH

“James? James? Mums home” (looks around and finds a photo of James in an envelope hanging out the post box)looks at the photo.

7.)Over the shoulder shot of Hannah looking at the photo 

8.)Sits on the stairs and looks worried

9.)(The phone rings)Hannah picks it up. 

HANNAH 

“Hello,who is this? what have you done with James? where is he?

10.) Cuts to Two boys Tom and Shaughn walking down the alley way

Researching Audiences- Pearl and Dean

We researched films with the same genre to see their audience profiles to be able to compare them to our movie.