Thriller Film Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Our media product challenges, uses and develops forms and conventions in our own way to make it different from other films. We challenged the use of showing a still of a photograph to symbolise something important by adding a flash before the photo to make it seem like the picture has just been taken. The photo is a polaroid picture of a dead body at the scene of the murder, this creates tension because the audience doesn't know who killed him or how he died. We chose to show this as a photograph rather than film it because we wanted it to seem like a police scene crime. We challenged the idea of a scar on Alistares face by making the shape of the scar a Z shape and putting it in our title as a captial letter to make it stand out, this links the two together and makes you think is Alistare the one with the 'Mysterious Gaze'. This makes him a suspect for the murders, which helps the real murderer divert the accusations away from her.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Our main social group was the community, which we chose to be very small and close. We wanted it to be like this because everybody knows everybody else which would cause more panic if there are murders and gives the audience a wider range of people to suspect. This represents a community to be very trusting and helpful but not when something bad is happening. We included a young social group and contrasted it with an old social group, this brought out more characteristics of these characters. Our main examples of this are Ariel, the young, hippie, quiet girl, and Christian, the old, nagging next door neighbour. This represents the clash between young and old social groups which everyone can relate to because older people have grown up from the young social group and the young social group will grow up to be the older social group. Relationship groups played a big part in our film, Faith and Chases' relationship being the one that stands out the most because they are a couple but as well as romance relationships there are friend relationships mainly between Faith and Imogen.

What kind of media distribute your media product and why?
We chose Lionsgate Entertainment because they have distributed thrillers and horrors, so they already have and audience into the thriller genre. It is also a well known company that are well funded.

Who would be the audience for your media product?
Our audience would be late teens to adult, 16-35, because this is the target audience of the thriller genre and the stereotypes would be relateable to this age group.

How did you attract/address your audience?
Using our questionnaires we found out things like which age certificate is more appealing and why and we got a mixture of 15 because younger people can see them and 18 because there wont be as much censorship. We also found out which setting is preferred, this attracts the audience because a mysterious setting leaves things to be imagined and makes the audience want to see it to see what its about. In our film we put a car screech at the beginning, this attracts the audience because they don't know who was in the car or why they had to stop suddenly or if anyone died.

What have you learnt about technologies from the proccess of constructing this product?
While filming with the camera I have learnt that when filming the lighting is darker than you actually think so you have to make sure it will be bright enough when you put it on the computer. We delt with this by turning on more lights if it was too dark, use backlight to create confusion and ghostly effect and when outside got the sun to over expose the frame so it only shows parts of faces at time to show it was a happy period but things were never going all be right. Also when filming outside the wind was a problem for the microphone which we didnt realise while filming. When our film was uploaded the computer programme was easy to use but for some transitions we wanted them to last longer, e.g. a fade, but because the clips before and after were to short we had to cut the transition time down. I learnt about creating our own music and sound effects and importing them onto our film, using the wave and volume levels to control the layering of the sound.

Looking back at you preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I think I have gained a better understanding of the sound and how it effects the mood and how it subconsiously makes the audience feel; sound can also tell the audience something without having it in speech. I have also learnt more about mise-en-scene and that audience see the smallest things that you don't think they will notice, such as reflection in windows/mirrors and slight moves of the camera when its meant to be still. I am more aware off using a variety of camera angles and shots, and how generally in a conversation there will be a shot reverse shot.

Thriller Film Planning

Story Board:

















































Plot Summary:
The thriller film is set in a small town in England, where everybody knows each other.
Faith is an innocent, pretty charity worker who lives with her housemate Imogen. These two have been best friends since childhood and Imogen is overprotective of Faith, restricting what she can do. Imogen works outside the small town where as Faith does charity work in town, she works for a man called Alistare. Alistare is represented as the creepy outcast of the town, who is hardly seen or heard from. Faith has a boyfriend named Chase; he is the stereotypical good looking, argumentative male who is always out working. Ariel is another person who lives in he town; she is a stereotypical teenager, loud and always wanting to be "different".
Over a matter of weeks, people start to die mysteriously with their bodies disappearing. Alistare is immediately blamed, but does someone else have alteria motives?
As the film comes to an end Faith goes round to Alistares to do charity work. He tries to tell her the murderer is Ariel as he saw her kill Imogen. Faith freaks out and runs into the woods, Alistare chases her to convince her, they bump into Noah and Ariel burying bodies. Faith sees the bodies and gets angry, she picks up a shovel and kills Ariel. Noah escapes.
This is our plot twist because no one expects Ariel to be the murderer.

Opening Summary:
We learn in one of the first opening frames that Faith and Chase are a couple, and that Faith and Imogen are living together. There is immediate confusion as the characters realise someone has gone missing, as an audience we find out that he has died by the use of a flash frame. Faith is seen walking to work, a cutaway then shows Ariels story.

Character Profiles:
Name: Faith
Occupation: Charity worker
Relationship status: In a relationship with Chase
Family: Parents together, only child
Personality: Innocent, shy at first
Mannerisms: Good posture, speak quietly
Distinguishing features: Naturally pretty
How does he/she dress? Casual, up to date with fashion - skinny jeans, top + cardi
Represetation: Perfect

Name: Alistare
Occupation: None
Relationship status: Single
Family: Unknown
Personality: Quiet, keeps himself to himself, the on edge all the time, jumpy
Mannerisms: Hunched
Distinguishing features: Scar on his cheek
How does he/she dress? Scruffy, casual - old tracksuit bottoms, old t-shirt
Representation: Creep

Name: Christian
Occupation: Retired
Relationship status: Divorced
Family: Parents passed away, divorced wife - don't speak, no children
Personality: Interferring, rude, blunt, snobby
Mannerisms: OCD
Distinguishing features: Beady eyes
How does he/she dress?
Representation: Old nosey neighbour

Name: Imogen
Occupation: Receptionist
Relationship status: Single
Family: Mum, dad, brother. Live in France
Personality: Forward, bold, overprotective
Maanerisms: Well spoken
Distinguishing features:
How does he/she dress? Casual, smart - work suit
Representation: Posh

Name: Chase
Occupation: Fitness instructor
Relationship status: In a relationship with Faith
Family:
Personality: Argumentative, head strong
Mannerisms: Walks with chest puffed out, flexs muscles
Distinguishing features: Good looking
How does he/she dress? Casual - trackies, hoodie - designer
Representation: Jock

Name: Ariel
Occupation: School girl
Relationship status: Single
Family: Both parents together, one older sister - dead
Personality: Hippie-like, loud, "different"
Mannerisms: Eyes dart around
Distinguishing features: Bright blue eyes
How does he/she dress? Hippie-like, clashing colours - fashion statement
Representation: Hippie, essentric

Name: Noah
Occupation: Bin man
Relationship status: Unknown
Family: Unknown
Personality: Sweet, kind, helpful
Maanerisms: Talks foreign alot on the phone but can talk enlish
Distinguishing features:
How does he/she dress? High vis, top, jacket, green trousers
Representation: Foreigner

Representation:
Representation in our thriller film is important because it keeps the plot twist going to confuse the audience as to who is the killer.
Alistares representation makes him look like the murderer. He is quiet, keeps himself to himself and creepy, like a Boo Radley character from To Kill A Mockingbird. This makes the audience suspicious of him. Faith is represented as the 'perfect' one who has a perfect life and job, this emphasises the fact that she needs help and is the victim when eerything is going wrong. Ariel is portrayed as the scatty, hippi school girl. Although she stands out as being very essentric, she isn't expected to be the pycho killer. This is also mainly because she is a female killer, which is our USP.

Location:
Beckys (my) house
Ashridge or woods by Astley

Cast:
Ariel - Ella
Noah - Robin
Christian - Lauren
Faith - Yasmin
Imogen - Kerri
Chase - Lewis
Holly - Becky
Young Holly - Holly
Young Ariel - Rosie

Script:
Beckys house.
Muffled talking by Faith and Imogen - general talk.
(outside)(breathing behind camera)
Imogen: (whisper) Faith? Where's Christian? He's always stuck to that fence, nosing around.
Faith: Oh yeah, I haven't seen him in a while actually.
Imogen: Hmm, that's weird! I wonder where he can be.
Faith: He's usually gazing out that window!

(Polaroid photo of murder scene.)

Imogen: What charity case are you going to help out now then?
Faith: You know that lonely man, Alistare is it?
Imogen: (gasp) Not that freak?! You know he's creepy Faith!
Faith: Oh, don't start Imogen, you know I can look after myself!
Imogen: I'm just warning you! I've heard stories about him!

Ashridge or woods by Astley.
Faith walks through some woods and passes a man talking foreign on the phone.
Noah: (translation) I've done what you said, the body's gone but the police have been sniffing around so lay low for a while until next time...

(Faith knocks on Alistare's door)

(Past: Young Ariel and young Holly in past playing, loud echoing laughs)

(Present: Ariel talks to Holly who's sitting on the floor not moving)

Ariel: Holly? (pause) What are you doing here? (pause) Mum and doctors said you'd never come back. (pause) Holly! (pause) Holly! (pause) Why are you here? (pause) Dead people don't come back Holly! (pause) I've got someone else now! (pause) Things are going to be better this time! (pause) I've got Faith!


Thriller Film

During lesson we done a peer assessment of our films, with the feedback we got from our peers we had to decide what we would keep and what we would change about our film.

Keep:

• Music
• Flashback
• Camera angles/positions
• Use of photos - make clearer
• Effects
• Title - Z

Change:

• Titles - add at beginning
• Steady camera
• Background noise - dialogue louder
• Clearer plot - really focus on as not everyone understood
• Editing much clearer - really focus on as not everyone understood

Action Points

From our feedback we put it into clear action points.

Photograph - get rid of the spin just have the photo flash up, add camera noise to make it clearer.

Plot - needs to be clearer.

• Add birth - death date so you understand the death.
• Voice over of Faith and Imogen - refilm and voice over the outside/car scene.
• Refilm Ellas' speech - sound more realistic, make becky look more ghostly.
• Titles - add at the beginning rather than have them at the end.

Continuity Task Planning

Continuity Task Requirements:

Continuity - the predominant style of editing cinema and television.

The purpose of continuity editing is to smooth over the discontinuity of the editing process and to establish a logical coherence between shots. It emphasizes smooth transitions of time and space.

Must have :
Match on action.
Shot reverse shot.
180 degree rule.

Match on action - When some action is occurring before the cut is picked up exactly where the cut left it by the shot immediately following (only showing a different time).
E.g. A shot of someone tossing a ball can be edited to show 2 different views, while maintaining continuity by being sure that the second shot shows the arm at the same stage of its motion as it was left when cutting from the first shot.

Shot reverse shot - When one character is shown looking (often off screen) at another character, and then the other character is shown looking "back" at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the view unconsciously assumes that they are looking at each other.
E.g. 2 people at a dinner table. Close up of first person looking past the camera is followed by a close up on the second person, looking again past the camera.

180 degree rule - A basic film editing guideline that states that two characters (or objects) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other.This will mean that they are following narrative and avoids any confusion.



Continuity Film - summary, props, script, shooting schedual

Summary of Stituation -
A man is seen walking down the street, he looks angry. He gets a text message and looks at his phone, it says 'Come home now.' It cuts to him walking in the house and slamming the door shut behind him. His wife is sat down waiting for him, they talk and she tells him she wants a divorce. A close up of his eyes is the match on action, he is standing on top of a bridge ready to jump.

Props -
Mobile phone

Script -
Location 1: A street. Man walks down the street. He gets a text message, it reads 'Come home now.'
Location 2: Lauren and Stuarts house. It then cuts to him walking in his house and slamming the door. His wife is already sat down, he sits opposite her.
Lauren - (pause) Have you calmed down now?
Stuart - (shouted) Calm down! (pause) How can I calm down?! (quietly) You cheated on me.
Lauren - (pause) (quietly) I want a divorce.
Stuart - (pause) You what?
Lauren - I'm moving out with him. (pause) This time I'm gone for good.
Close up on his eyes - match-on-action - he's standing on a bridge ready to jump.

Shooting Schedual -
1. Man walking - wide shot - 4 seconds
2. Gets his phone out of pocket - medium shot - 4 secondss
3. Message is shown - big close up - 4 seconds
4. Door slams, he comes in and sits down - wide shot - 8 seconds
5. (shot reverse shot) Woman speech - medium close up - 3 seconds
6. (shot reverse shot) Man speech - medium close up - 5 seconds
7. (shot reverse shot) Woman speech - medium close up - 3 seconds
8. (shot reverse shot) Man speech - medium close up - 2 seconds
9. (shot reverse shot) Woman speech - medium close up - 6 seconds
10. (match-on-action) Mans eyes - big close up - 3 seconds
11. Man on bridge - wide shot - 5-7 seconds

Audience Research

Questionaire:

My group conducted this questionaire to find out what audiences off all different age ranges preferred when it comes to thriller movies. And to help us to find our unique selling point. Our main goal was to make sure our thriller film would be as successful as possible, and make sure it was different from all the others.

Age?

15 - 18 ○
19 - 22 ○
23 - 26 ○
27 + ○

Gender?

Male ○
Female ○

Do you prefer a 15 or 18 cetificate for a thriller film? Why?


What type of death do you like to see? Why?


Are knifes a good weapon to use in a thriller?


What age group of characters do you prefer to see? Why?


What have you enjoyed in previous thrillers? Why?


Is it better as an audience to not totally understand what is going on?


Where do you prefer thrillers films to be set?
Big city ○
Forest/woods ○
Small towns ○
Coastal ○
Other ______________


Do you like the characters to have a close relationship?


What would you like to see that hasn't been used before?





Qualitive Questionaire Results

Age:
· 15 -18 year olds – 6
· 19 – 22 year olds – 2
· 23 – 26 year olds - 2
· 27 + year olds – 1

Gender:
· 7 males
· 4 females

15 or 18 certificate? Why?
· Either
· 18 – not as much censorship
· 15 – not as complicated as 18’s
· 18 – more violent
· 15 – so I can see them in the cinema
· 15 – able to concentrate on the story more
· 18
· 15 – too much violence makes it predictable

Type of death? Why?
· Suicide – more psychological/something isn’t right
· Weapons used – more action
· Mysterious killings – creates confusion
· Sudden – its shocking
· Sword killing
· Knife – grimy
· Not to see the actual event
· Guns/knifes – more action

Knifes a good weapon?
· Yes – they have different meanings
· Sometimes – sometimes used inappropriately

Age group of characters? Why?
· Any – makes each film different
· 18 – 25 – can relate to them more
· Older – when things go wrong its scarier as they are meant to be more experienced
· 18 – 30
· Early 20’s – generally more athletic and active, makes it scarier
· 21 + · 20 – 30
· Young so I can relate
· Young women – feel more for her as the victim because you’re attracted to her

Enjoyed in previous? Why?
· Psycho characters
· Twists and strange characters
· Tension music – it makes the film!
· Plot twists – tension
· Unexpected things that make you jump – makes you pay attention to the film
· Dramatic irony (shower scene in Psycho)
· Total silence and leaving the audience waiting
· Killings because they are mysterious
· The twists
· Twists and plots – keeps you guessing

Audience not totally understanding?
· Yes – usually
· Yes
· Not always – dramatic irony
· Yes – builds suspense/mystery
· Only until the end

Setting?
Big city – 4
Forest/woods - 3
Small towns – 3
Coastal - 1
Other - 0

Close relationship with characters?
· Yes
· No
· Yes – makes film more personal
· Yes – makes you unsure on who is the baddie
· Don’t mind
· Yes – you get to no all the characters

Hasn’t been used before?
· Very young actors compared to older, experienced actors
· Female killer
· Attractive killers
· Strange killings
· Children as killers
· Unusual or unexpected deaths
· N/A

Based on our results we are going to have a young woman as a killer, for our unique selling point as this was one of the things many people has said they had not seen before. We decided that a small town would be used, as it appeared quite popular. The weaponry we will use is a knife, as the audience did agree that it was good, and has many different meanings.

Genre Textual Analysis

Kiss The Girl:

The camera angles in this opening were mainly close ups and zoom shots as this doesn't show what he's doing so the audience do not see any blood or gore. The camera is always moving which could represent the killer spying on his victim. Medium shots are used as establishing shots instead of wide shots which gives a more intimate feel to the scene. The mise-en-scene includes flames, which represents passion/hurt. Needles are also shown which shows a twist because needles are normally used to make people better where as in this they are used to inflict pain. House hold objects represent a real life and an invasion of privacy. Candles give a romantic feel to the scene, when its not romantic at all. There is not much sound variation in the opening, just a voice over, stringed instruments and occasional cries and gasps. The voice over tells us a story but not the whole story and truthfully, so the audience only hear a biased opinion of the whole plot. The voice over is spoken normally which is creepy because it's a sane voice in a violent situation. The slow string instruments also reflects the calmness of his voice. Women's cries and gasps are occasionally used this could be in pain for the victims or the killer could see them passionately. Lighting in this scene is very dark which represents the darkness of the plot and could show that he operates in the dark which gives and intimate feel. The red and orange lighting could reflect the flames we see on screen. The setting is in the bedroom which is an invasion of privacy. Special effects such as a negative image show a memory or ghostly effect which shows something isn't right and the black and white image represents past. Photos of dead bodies are shown but no blood or gore. The editing used includes a montage which shows a large amount of the plot quickly, a flash frame which shows newspaper articles that show it was publicised and made front page headlines, quick cuts shows violence and create confusion, and cutting rhythm reflects the killers state of mind - messed up. The flash frame transition gives a time saver, it creates a history and tells plot without using dialogue.



Psycho:

Camera angles in this sequence shows a close up on the drain to symbolise she's gone and then on her eye a big close up. A close up to zoom out gives a moment of reflection. A low angle shot of the killer shows power and he's in control of the situation. A high angle shot of Marion shows her vulnerability and how she's not in control. A crane shot views what is happening and the impact of the killing. A crab left shows she is not the centre of the plot anymore. The mise-en-scene of the sequence includes a shower curtain which means privacy. When Marion goes into the bathroom she pushes on the door to make sure it's closed this could show she needs protection because she is unsafe. The sound includes stringed instruments which represents stabbing, pain, panic, and extreme violence. The water in the shower is exaggerated so the audience can't here anything else such as door opening, or killer running. Also a loud water sound can represent a cleansing of the first story about Marion. The Lighting is dark so it hides the identity of the killer. The setting is in the bathroom/shower, which is an intimate setting and also a cleansing setting where she tries to cleanse herself but gets killed, then at the end the blood is cleansed away. A blur is used in special effects for censorship purposes. The editing of the scene is mainly quick cuts so we don't see the knife going in. Shot reverse shot is included from each point of view creates a 'murder conversation' without words.



Psycho:

This film begins with an establishing shot of the city which zooms into the window which feels like your spying on the man and woman in the room, makes the room look dark until properly inside the room, which could show secrets and intrusion. Once properly inside the room, it's still not that light considering it's a bright, sunny day outside. During the scene in the room, they close the blinds of the window which again shows it's a secret and they've got something to hide. A 2 shot is included to show Marions power and that the focus is her because she is in front. Her clothing is quite revealing which shows she is living on the edge and revealing that amount of skin is disrespectful which shows she doesn't care and creates a powerful "rebel" feel about her. The scene is set in a city hotel bedroom which shows because they are not at home it is again secretive, and a bedroom can be a sexual place which shows living on the edge and disrespectful. The high pitched stringed instruments in the titles show that it could be scary from the beginning.



Fargo:

This film begins with the titles with stringed instruments builds tension from the beginning. Sky blue background reflects the fog outside the pub scene. Small black spaced out writing could relate to the setting which is a deserted snowy road and a pub. There is no establishing shot which makes the audience wonder where they are, and creates confusion. There are no variety in camera angles, only close ups on main character, to show he is the main character, and 2 shot for the other two men, to show they are together, are used. This could show that nothing else is important and they are the only focus. City clothing on the main character and other two men shows they aren't from that setting because everyone in the background are dressed differently, this shows they are out of their comfort zone and don't fit in. There is country music playing in the bar at the beginning but when the conversation between the men starts getting heated the music stops, which shows a change in mood and makes the talking stand out and ring in your head so you remember it. The lighting outside is dark and foggy, and inside there are dark corners - secretive, lights over tables - spot lights - interrogating.



No Country For Old Men:

During the titles there is a voice over and the mise-en-scene shows a sunrise and establishing shots of other parts of the desert. The setting of the opening is a police station in the desert and actually out in the wilderness. The lighting outside is natural which makes the audience not worry, however inside police station it is dark - dark things will happen. There is violence and a death straight away creates confusion to who the man is and why he is killing people. This confusion is also echoed in the sound, as the footsteps, wind, car are all slightly over exaggerated. Camera angles include and over the shoulder in the police station setting, the shot means we can see killer is going to kill the police officer, this creates dramatic irony and is a switch of power/authority because it should be the police officer in charge which is shown with the police mans handcuffs but ironically the murderer uses them as the murder weapon . During the murder it is a crane shot of them struggling on the floor, they are in the centre of the scene at all times which makes you focus on the killers eyes and the relief in his face once the police officer is dead.



Leon:

The setting for this opening is a city building and a hotel. There is not a steady establishing shot but big close up of body/face parts to create confusion as to what is actually going on and the use of sun glasses as well as it being dark inside the buildings, with a lot of shadows reflects the killers identity - hidden. Guns show there will be violence/death. A loud thud of a glass makes the audience jump and put them on edge straight away and a music beat could represent a heart beat. There is a death straight away in the opening scene which creates confusion and makes the audience pay attention to the killers and question why he has just murdered, the noises of the death are over emphasised to also make the audience pay attention to what is happening. The editing is mostly quick cuts, this reflects the action/violence that is going on. During the titles there are oriental stringed instruments and the text is coloured white which is deceiving because white represents pure, clean and innocence.

Genre Research

Top 5 Thriller Films

5. L. A. Confidential (1997)

An excellent crime thriller set back in the old days in Los Angeles. With a great cast (Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kim Basinger) and great characters, the movie focuses on three cops who investigate a shooting at a cafe in their own special ways. A great thriller and mystery. When a film evokes an era as well as L.A. Confidential does, people take notice. It could be argued that it is easier to replicate the recent past than the distant on film, and in a sense this is true. Costumes, language, and the necessary absence of the modern in "period pieces" make them expensive and difficult to film. But couldn't it be argued that it is just as difficult to make a film about more recent periods? I have no knowledge of how a Victorian era table was set, or what a knight really spoke like; we are subject to the directors view of reality. But what if a good deal of your audience lived through the time you are portraying, as in the case of the 1950's? I can even envision my grandfather coming back from WW2 to a booming economy, and living in the world Curtis Hanson created.The real genus of this film is that it creates not only a physical world, but one with all the politics, corruption, racism and inequity of the time. As a result we feel the characters motivations and understand their faults all the better; Bud White, Ed Exley, Lynn Bracken and Lana Turner all live here. This film, like others that make us believe we are there for two hours (and $7.50), will endure. I was thinking a perfect double feature would be with Chinatown, another film that will stand the test of time. By John Stacy from Providence, RI

4. The Shining (1980)

"Here's Johnny!" This movie is hauntingly chilling. It is full of long suspenseful camera work mastered by Kubric. The acting provided by Jack Nicholson is excellent! Set in an old creepy and isolated mansion in Colorado, we watch a kind family become affected by cabin fever and ghosts. I can't say how scary some of the camera work is, how is draws the viewer to notice how the scene is isolated. A great performance by Nicholson, and a great thriller. When Jack Torrance (Nicholson) is offered a job as winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel he accepts it as an opportunity to work on his novel in an isolated environment. He is told stories of the last caretaker going mad and butchering his family but isn't deterred. He arrives at the Overlook Hotel with his wife (Duvall) and child Danny (Lloyd) and is shown around the hotel by the cook (Scatman Crothers) who has the gift of perception. The cook warns Danny that the hotel can be of particular danger for those with the gift. It's only a matter of time before Jack begins to act increasingly erratic.This is one of Jack Nicholson's finest roles, his increasingly unhinged character is amusing and terrifying in almost equal measures. Duvall plays the role of the terrorised wife quite well - she does look like she's genuinely filled with fear - but doesn't have much else to do. Lloyd is excellent as the boy, although he doesn't have too much emotion to express. However no doubt that this is Jack's show.The story doesn't stick to King's novel and is better for it; this is Kubrick's Shining. The film has plenty of genuinely scary moments but manages to keep a creepy atmosphere all through - especially as the ghosts come out and Jack begins to move between his reality and the reality that is gradually claiming him.Kubrick is excellent here, his cold direction adds to the overall creep factor of the film. It's one of the best examples of his masterful touch.Overall this is an excellent horror movie - because the focus is on horror and fear rather than gore alone (as with modern horrors). Jack is excellent in one of his best roles ever and the whole package is delivered in a cold creepy manner by a sadly lost director.

3. Psycho (1960)

Another great classic from Alfred Hitchcock. One of the most creepy/suspenseful/thrilling movies of all time. Great acting from Perkins. Though this film was extremely low budget, it is a great movie. Very scary. Made into a remake, and the remake ACTUALLY isn't that bad except it's the same as the first one without Perkins. NR. Let me start out by saying that I am a fan of Alfred Hitchcock. This movie, in my opinion, is his best work ever. But I think that Hitchcock owes a lot of his success to his long time partner Bernard Herman, who scored the music for many of his films including this one. Anthony Perkins filled the shoes of Norman Bates perfectly. He didn't overact, and he didn't underact. Janet Leigh wasn't the best person to portray Marion, but she played the part fairly adequetly. However, I liked Vera Miles the best in this film. Hitchcock had her in mind for the role after she had to quit working on his last film "Vertigo". She was probably the key role here, since she was the one who discovered Norman's terrifying secret. Tony Award-winning actor Martin Basalm was terrific in his brief appearance as the private detective trying to track Marion down. John Gavin was ok, but nothing to brag about. Hitchcock made a wise decision in filming the movie in black and white, and made history when he demanded that no one be let into the theater after the movie started in order not to cause confusion. This is the most brilliant film I have ever seen, and I give it 5 stars (out of 5).

2. Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The movie that swept the Oscars with best actor, actress, and best film! This creepy suspense movie is one of the most disturbing thrillers of all. After young women are being kidnapped and skinned (skinned as in a person slicing off the skin of the woman), FBI agent Clarice Starling (Foster) investigates. To help profile the madman she gets help from Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, who is locked up in prison. Lecter is played by Anthony Hopkins, who exhibits a shockingly thrilling performance as the insane, cannibalistic, genius. A great movie full of great characters, acting, and full of suspense! Not for little kiddies. With Silence of the Lambs comes some much needed recognition for the horror genre. It is a first-rate production all around. It boasts a witty and suspenseful script based on the Thomas Harris novel, full of great lines. It has marvelous direction from Demme. Demme creates suspense very well throughout and uses some great directorial shots such as the twin frames of Clarice ringing a doorbell and the FBI men breaking into a home. The two lead actors won oscars for their performances...each deserved. Foster is very good in her role, but it is Anthony Hopkins that literally lights up the screen with his complex portrayal of a complex serial killer. Hopkins does the seemingly impossible. He frightens you with his outrageousness and yet illicts some pity/compassion(albeit not a lot) for his situation. He says his lines with reservedness when needed and brashness when needed. The rest of the cast is also quite good with Anthony Heald a standout as a unethical, petty doctor in charge of Hopkins. Of course the story of the other killer is very very chilling as well. A quality film in all aspects!

1. Memento (2000)

If you look at the other opinions, you probably won't see this movie there because it came out during the 2000-2001 time. However this movie is an excellent thriller. The plot is genius. Leonard (Guy Pearce) and his wife are attacked in their own home. Leonard's wife is raped and murdered. Leonard was thrown onto a mirror and now Leonard cannot make new memories, he forgets things after 15 minutes or so, however he can remember everything before the accident. So Leonard goes on a mission to kill the man who killed his wife, but its not that easy since he can't remember the clues, so to take clues he must keep track with Polaroid pictures, notes and tattoes. Along with Carrie Ann-Moss and Joe Polantino, this is a great thriller. Full of suspense, camera work, and scenes each engineered to keep you thinking. Go see it now. If you hate reality-based film-making this is awful. If you hate Film Noir, this is ugly. But for me, Nolan has convinced me he is one of the most important directors out there. I was even thinking, "It must be easy to edit a movie so that it's all backwards." But it's not, it's not any easier - and he leaves you straining and watching from scene to scene, searching for the truth. Even the final revelation will affect each viewer and leaves them searching for their own "ultimate truth" according to their own experience.Most people comment about manipulation in connection with this movie, but after watching the last scene, I'm convinced that manipulation is not the main theme at all. I don't want to spoil it for you, but the basis of unfolding backwards in time is that you are enlisted to scrutinize the film trying to discover some set of motivations behind each character's actions later in time that makes sense. If you think you would enjoy this sort of puzzle, I think you will enjoy this excellently crafted film.

Codes + Conventions

Lighting - Sets the mood and scene, can also create mystery

Sound - Can create tension/suspense

Plot twists - To keep the audience in suspense

Stereotypical characters - So the audience can relate to situations that the characters find themselves in

Low angle shot - To create power and status

Close ups - Show emotion and reaction

Dull/dark lighting - Creates a scary atmosphere which allows hidden things to happen

Quick cuts - This builds suspense and speed, which could signify action and or violence without blood and gore

Person with psychological problems - Creates an unpredictable/anything can happen mood which helps the plot twist

Intelligent bad person - Capable of doing things psychological

Innocent victim - Usually placed outside their comfort zone where they can't get help Iconography - Knife - death

Masks - something to hide

Black clothing - danger

Setting - Normally big cities at the beginning but end up somewhere deserted, where there's no help.

Representation

Men are typically the killer/bad person

Women are usually the victim and represented in a sexual way

Children are normally vulnerable and can be a victim, sometimes they can also be quite creepy

Old people are typically not nice people as they are represented as devious and creepy

Reviews and Analysis

Advanced Film Making Techniques

Flash Forward - An interjected scene that takes the narrative forward in time either by a jump cut or by speeding the film up. It's used to create a quick jump forward in time.

Subjective Shot - Where the audience sees what a character sees. Used to put an audience into the scene. Often a hand held camera is used.

Objective Shot - When a scene is shot from the viewpoint of a spectator watching from outside the scene, there is no technique to the shot. Used to let the audience make their own opinion.

Reverse Angle Shot - A shot of an object or person taken in the opposite direction or viewpoint of the proceeding shot. Such as a object being surrounded by people, the shot could show the surrounding people as if viewing it from the objects pov or the object from the surrounding people's pov. It is used to make things more interesting.

Canted Angle/Dutch Angle - Where the camera is tilted sideways so that the world of film seems to have tipped over. This creates an unnatural feel where the world isn't quite right.

Insert Shot - A close up shot that is inserted into a wider shot in a scene. This is used to draw attention to a particular object/person/emotion.

Cutaway - A sudden shift to another scene of action or a different viewing angle, or it can also be a shot inserted between scenes to effect transition (as a bridge scene)

Cutting Rhythm - How fast or slow scenes are cut. Such as in action scenes, editing will be fast paced but in a romantic scene they will be slow and flow more smoothly.

Montage - The portrayal of action or ideas through the use of many short shots.

Jump Cut - A transition between 2 scenes that have identical subjects in slightly different screen locations.

Clock Wipe - A transition that sweeps a radius around the centre point of the screen like a clock hand. Used to signal a change in time.

Negative Image - A image with the colour value reversed from positive to negative. Normally used in a low budget film to create a surreal ghostly effect.

Flash Frame - A very short frame that appears in a quick sequence (could also be an editing mistake). Used to show information quickly.

Fast Motion - Where film is sped up so things appear faster than they actually would in real life. This emphasises speed, to make things appear out of control and something is about to happen.

Flash Back - A segment of film that breaks normal chronological order to make it stand out, usually done with an effect or transition.

Auteur - A filmmaker who has individual style and complete control over all elements of production. This gives the film it's own personal and unique stamp.

Cinema Verite - A technique of documentary film making in which the camera records actual people and events without direction. This is used to add realism.

Sound Effects (SFX) - Where sounds are placed over the top of scenes, used to add more emotion, drama and understanding.

Talk to Camera - Where a person looks/talks 'full face' directly to the camera. Normally used with announcers, presenters, newsreaders to show authority with the audience.

Selective Focus - Where one part of the shot is blurred out to draw audiences attention to what is in focus and emphasises it.

Tilt Shot - Where the shot looks up at or down at an object. Used for more dramatic shots. A downward tilt shows a larger area and vulnerability, an upward tilt shows power and authority.

Tracking Shot (Dolly/Trucking) - The action of smoothly moving the camera along a path parallel to the path the object is using. Used to follow something for a long period of time smoothly.

High Key Lighting - A style of lighting used in film, tv, and photography to reduce the lighting ratio, which reduces skin imperfections, looses shadows, and generally makes the frame brighter. This technique is normally used in comedy and romance to create a sunny, happy, perfect effect.

Back Lighting - Where the person or object is lit from behind to create a fuzzy glow or halo effect. When only lit from behind with no front lighting, just back lighting this can create a silhouette.

Ambient light - Used by photographers and other visual arts to refer to the illumination surrounding a subject or scene. Can create a natural or unnatural effect depending on how it is used.

Cameo Lighting - This is basically like a spotlight that only lights only the subject to focus the audiences attention. The background is in darkness as if they have momentarily frozen.

Diegetic Sound - This is all of the sound that the audience and people in the scene can hear but only if we can also see where the sound is coming from.

Non Diegetic Sound - This is the sound that only the audience can hear such as tension music, it can also be all the sounds we can hear but not see where they are coming from on screen.

Camera Angles

Big Close Up (BCU) - to show emotion, empathy, emphasis

Mid Shot (MS) - to show a character and some of their body language
Two Shot (2-shot) - to emphasise an interaction, an intimate moment or convosation

High Angle Shot (HA) - to show a weak, powerless status

Close Up (CU) - to show emotion

Medium Long Shot (MLS) - same as mid shot but shows more body language and setting

Three Shot (3-shot) - creates an intimate settingto involve the audience
Low Angle Shot (LA) - to show a intimidating, powerful status

Medium Close Up (MCU) - not so intimate but close enough to show body language

Long/Wide Shot (LS/WS) - to establish the setting

Over The Shoulder (O-S) - to show a point of view and to put the audience in dramatic irony