Thriller Conventions

Thriller Conventions

We have many thrillers in our modern world. There are one of the most popular film genres. Examples of popular thriller films are:

Use of the Camera- Evaluation

My task in this assignment is to effectively and appropriately use a camera. Firstly the story i was trying to tell is that a character known as Clive had been set a bounty on, by a character called Dennis. So firstly we introduced a long and rolling shot in the first clip as Clive was running away from Dennis. We used these types of shot as it was the appropriate shot to use a a character was running from a stimuli, which in our case was Dennis. Therefore our choices were successful as it set scene and setting. Our cameraman, did fortunately hold the shot steady making the clip look very professional. We also did frame our shot appropriately as well, from a window on the 2nd floor of a building.Secondly, in our second clip we used a point of view & close up shot. We used this because it was the in our second clip because it can allow our audience to build up tension as they are looking at man that has injured himself. The choices turned out successful as the audience were also able to identify who was who in this clip. Our cameraman who was Dennis did the point of view shot perfectly as he shake the camera, giving the realism of the point of view shot. We framed this on a small garden. Finally, our last shot was the over the shoulder shot. We used this because it was appropriate as Alexandra was able to help Clive as he found him on the floor, injured. Our choices was not as successful as we thought it would as Alexandra was blocking a bit of the shot with her shoulder, therefore, the audience would not know what is going on, in the shot. To improve this, the cameraman should of taken the shot further away so the audience is able to see everything that is happening in the shot. Overall i think the positive elements in our film was the first and second shot as we used the most appropriate shots for the film. Also all shots were recorded with care, therefore making the shot steady so it looked professional. However to improve our film, i think that we should, improve our last scene by taking the shot further away, making the shot very clear.

Source Code

Source Code

This is an action thriller centred on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train. The film flashes backwards and forwards in time,. It raises many philosophical questions that relate to quantum physics and parallel universes. It raises issues about what it means to be alive. There is an enigmatic 'open ended' finale to the film. It is not a closed text. The audience are left wondering whether Colter is alive or dead. As well excitement there are tender moments in the film that relieve tension. For example the ongoing romance and a very emotional scene where Steven phones his father. The film was made in 2011 and was directed by Duncan Jones. The film contained CGI effects and cost a whopping 32 million dollars. This film is an example of an ordinary person, albeit a solider, who had dragged into a situation he doesn't really understand. Thrillers are villain driven plots.  Colter Stevens is not only against the bomber, but he is also against the person who created the source code who refuses to let him die. The film uses many devices such as suspense. This is used when the audience is thinking if Stevens can find the bomber before the time runs out. Each time his time ran out we will never know if which bomber is the guilty one. Also they use a red herring. This is when Stevens dies for the first time he dies the audience thinks that Stevens he is really dead. Finally cliff hanger is used when the audience is thinking can Stevens dismantle the bomb before it goes off.    

Cast:

Director: Duncan Jones

Writer: Ben Ripley

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga

The story line keeps us as the audience, on the edge of your seat and adds enough humour to add a funny and enjoyable experience. There is also amazing chemistry between Jake and Michelle which causes the film to be an excellent one. This film delivers on romance, suspense, mystery and thrills.

Source Code use many different types of camera shots such as: angle, shot, movement, position; high or low tilt; long, medium or close up; wide shot, over the shoulder, zoom, reverse shot, point of view. Firstly, they use short, medium and long shot. They use a short shot when they zoom into Jake face when he just found out he best friend died. Secondly, they use a long shot to show the aftermath of the bomb explosion. the also use many types of camera work such as: tracking, pan, steady cam, rolling, hand held, deep focus and so on. For example they used a rolling shot when the recorded the train going past a station. Another technique they use is editing. They use speed and style to perfect their editing skills. Examples of styles could be straight cut, dissolve, fade, wipe and jump cut. 

Sound Exercise

Sound Exercise 1

This my project of sound exercise. Firstly my group decided to do a Narcos reactment of a scene. We used many different types of equipment such as: Camera, Microphone and a boom stick. We made sure we recorded the sound to make it in sync with the camera. I then edited it it to add background music which is on screen sound and an ambient sound as the background sound suits the music. i also used a sound bridge so it can carry onto the next scene. I also used a police siren which is off screen sound and pleonastic sound as its an exaggeration. I used a dead cat which goes over the microphone so it can minimise other sounds that i do not want to capture. I also did demonstrate the difference between on and off screen sound as the audience knows where the background music is from but do not know where the police siren is from. The positive elements is that  i used all the techniques effectively to create a masterpiece. However the improvements i would make is to use more parallel and contrapuntal sound.