Questionnaire Miss Frisenda

Analysis of Questionaire


What is your favourite genre of film?
Out of 20 surveys, 8 people said that thriller was their favourite genre of film. Out of the 8 people, there was a mixture of ages, varying from 16-25, both genders. This tells us that thriller films can appeal to a wide variety of people. 2 people said that Rom-com was their favourite, this was from a male and a female.  2 people also said their favourite genre is horror, this was also from a male and female. 2 people also said that they prefer action films, this was also from a male and female.


What do you look for in an opening sequence of an opening sequence of a thriller?
There was varied answers for what people look for in an opening sequence.

• Mystery/Tension
• Shocking/Surprise
• Murder/Creepy happenings
• Dramatic Events
• Suspense building music
• Sequals about what is to come
• Questions presented
• Action
• Explosions/ Action

What thriller film that you have watched has had an impact on you and why?
The Strangers-

Batman Dark knight Rises-

Seven- Disturbing/interesting

The Pact- Extremely scary and psychotic. Entertaining with the right amount of suspense.

Paranormal Activity 3- Thrilling, Easily relatable

Sixth Sense- Very emotional and cunning

Taken- The main protagonist is powerful, meaning that the audience look up to him.

The shining- peaceful country rounds contrast the genre and the later events of the film





What specific element, when watching a thriller film, would make you feel tense?


If you wasn't engaged in the first five minutes of a thriller film, would you turn off?


How inclined are you to watch a thriller film over other genres, from 1-10?


Do you prefer to watch stereotypical thriller films, or ones that break the conventions, if so why?


Which location would you prefer a thriller film to be set?


do you prefer to see your own gender as a victim or the opposite? and why?


Circle your favourite thriller film out of the following?





BBFC-British Board of Film Classification 
Highly expert and experienced regulator of the moving image.
The BBFC serves a social function in society which is to advise and protect viewers from moving images.
They provide public information tht empowers them (and parents) to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves and those in their care.
They help to protect vulnerable viewers and society from the effects of viewing potentially harmful or unsuitable content while respecting adult freedom of choice.

Suitable for All

A 'U' should be suitable for audiences ages 4 yours and older. Positive moral framework and should offer reassuring plots with no violence, threat or horror.

Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A PG should not disturb a child however parents are advised to consider where the film may upset their child if they are more sensitive.

Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.

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, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Suitable only for 15 years or over

No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Suitable only for adults 

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video work.

Only to be shown in liscened cinemas, 18 years old 

The ‘R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. ‘R18’ videos may not be supplied by mail order.

Narrative Theory Miss Georgiou

Narrative theory.

Vladimir Propp

Hero- seeks something
Villain- opposes or actively blocks their heros quest.
Donor- provides an object with magical properties.
Dispatcher- sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
False hero- disrupts the heros success by making false claims.
Helper- aids the hero.
Princess- acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plot.
Father- who acts  to reward the hero for his efforts.

Todorovs theory

Tzvetan Todorov simplified theidea of narrative theory whilst also allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts.
Clear structure of the beginning middle and end.
Equilibrium is at the beginning then a disequilibrium in the middle then back to an equilibrium at the end just not as happy.

Aristotle Theory

Thinks films r the main things in a film
Inciting incidetns
Dramatic question
Character goal
Antagonist/protagonist
Stakes
Resolution
Sympathy/empathy

British Board of Film Classification

British Board of Film Classification

A highly expert and experience regulator of the moving image.
The bbfc serves a social function iN society which is to advise and protect viewers from moving images.
Provide public information that empowers them (and parents) to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves And those in their care.
They hep to protect vunerable viewers and society from the effects of viewing parentally harmful or unsuitable content while respecting adult freedom of choice.

Yes, i think spiderman is suitable for 12 year olds by themselves as through the fighting scene peter parker does defend himself. this shows that bullying isn't right so the children pick that up. they also wouldn't look into it with very deep so wouldn't understand that its happening. also as its just one fighting scene shows that its a one off so it isn't going to affect them so much.

No, knives are dangerous behavior and shouldn't be glamourised as its such accessible weapon. its 4 minutes so is quiet long and could be copied by children who look up to peter parker and watch spiderman.

In this lesson i learnt that there are so many classifications for lots of different films. I learnt about classifications which i hadn't heard of before.This helped me think about what classifications certain films are appropriate and there reasons for it. The lesson also made me think about how different people would interpret scenes that may be risky for the classification. When watching a spiderman scene it became evident that some people may be critical when allowing their children to watch certain films as the slightest thing could influence them.

Group Narrative Miss Georgiou

Rhianna's Narative 

Themes: Phycological Thriller

Characters: Girlfriend

Boyfriend

Stalker

Setting: Stalker's home

Plot: The sequence opens with hands cutting up pictures of a good looking boy. The hands are easily identified as women's hands, and they are cutting very slowly and carefully. The hands stick the pictures into a photo album, which on the front cover says 'My lover'. On the wall behind the stalker is many pictures of the good looking boys girlfriend, with pins and darts in her face. The stalker goes into her draw, where she pulls out a knife, puts it in her bag and leaves the house.

Camera Shots + Editing:

Slow paced editing to create suspense and tension. Extreme close ups of hands and scissors. Also of the pictures, to show the intensity of the stalking.

I think that this would be a good idea and would look professional. Also it can lead to a long story line which is what we need as its the first 2 minute clip of a film. Also because the victim was a boy it goes again the conventions of a thriller film which will be more interesting for the audience to watch. As she leaves her house we don't know what's going to happen, this will lead the audience on and make them want to know what's happening since there is a good looking boy who they are drawn to and want to know more about him. 

Millie's Narrative

Themes: Haunting, teenage boy, trapped, Physiological thriller.

Characters:

Teenage boy

Spirit

Setting:

Dark shed, night- time, evening.

Plot: The opening would start with a boy running into a shed, looking distressed and pale. He sits in the shed, crouched down nearly crying.

He hears scratching and whispers, also a woman's scream.

He cries out 'stop', 'go away', writing on steamy windows 'I SPY'

Cut, scream, Cut

Blood on window, man hanging from ceiling. blood on floor.

'Tommy Ford's body was never discovered, His family moved from Essex and never returned. 10 years later The Smith family moved in'

Camera Shots + Editing

Quick cuts to fasten the pace of the sequence.

Point of view shots, panning around the room to show the whole room and that no one is around.

Extreme close up

Millie's narrative is a very good opening scene, its something which i haven't seen before in a thriller film which is really good and would get us a good grade. Where the new family moves in shows how you can make a full film on that and it would be fun to watch and evolve the secret of what happened. The villain has a hidden identity which is a convention of thriller films but also adds mystery which can be found by watching the full film. With low key lighting we'll be able to have more conventions of thriller films and make the audience for scared.

the problem with Millie's is that the victim is a boy which isn't conventional for thriller films, we are going against the conventions and hope that he is still vulnerable in the situation. also this is good as it can gain more audience and is a better film for it.

Aimee's Narrative

Themes: Haunting, teenage girls, trapped, Physiological thriller.Characters:
Teenage girls
SpiritSetting:
Hotel room, after prom

Plot: The opening would start with 4 girls coming back from their prom night and staying in a hotel. they thought it would b a good idea to do a ouiji board. Evil spirits come our of the board and killed 3 of them and 1 got away but then she starts getting haunted by these evil spirits.Camera Shots + Editing
Quick cuts to fasten the pace of the sequence.
Point of view shots, panning around the room to show the whole room and that no one is around.
Extreme close up

Aimee's narrative isn't a very good story-line with a long film after the 2 minute opening scene. this is conventional as well as their all girls which isn't going against the conventions and is also closely linked to another film called 'prom night' which is quiet similar. Its also set in quiet a known   setting so would be gaining as many points as we could.

Rhianna's Narative 

Themes: Phycological Thriller

Characters: Girlfriend

Boyfriend

Stalker

Setting: Stalker's home

Plot: The sequence opens with hands cutting up pictures of a good looking boy. The hands are easily identified as women's hands, and they are cutting very slowly and carefully. The hands stick the pictures into a photo album, which on the front cover says 'My lover'. On the wall behind the stalker is many pictures of the good looking boys girlfriend, with pins and darts in her face. The stalker goes into her draw, where she pulls out a knife, puts it in her bag and leaves the house.

Camera Shots + Editing:

Slow paced editing to create suspense and tension. Extreme close ups of hands and scissors. Also of the pictures, to show the intensity of the stalking.

Rhianna's narrative is conventional because it is a phycological thriller which will be easy for the target audience to relate to. Also the hidden antagonist at the beginning hides the identity so the audience are using their imagination. Also the fact that the sequence goes against the grain as the antagonist is a female.

The disadvantages of Rhianna's narrative is that the setting is not very eery or creepy, this could make the finish look immature and may not build enough tension for the audience. Also the darts in the victim has been done before and may be predictable.

After discussing, all four members decided to go with Narrative 1 which was my narrative. This is because we feel like it will have the most impact on the audience as it is a phycological thriller, putting the audience on edge and allowing them to relate to the situation. Also the unnatural happenings will create a very jumpy and eery effectThe low key lighting is conventional as it creates shadows and hides any lurking unknown characters.

Individual Narrative Miss Georgiou

Rhianna's Narative 

Themes: Phycological Thriller

Characters: Girlfriend

Boyfriend

Stalker

Setting: Stalker's home

Plot: The sequence opens with hands cutting up pictures of a good looking boy. The hands are easily identified as women's hands, and they are cutting very slowly and carefully. The hands stick the pictures into a photo album, which on the front cover says 'My lover'. On the wall behind the stalker is many pictures of the good looking boys girlfriend, with pins and darts in her face. The stalker goes into her draw, where she pulls out a knife, puts it in her bag and leaves the house.

Camera Shots + Editing:

Slow paced editing to create suspense and tension. Extreme close ups of hands and scissors. Also of the pictures, to show the intensity of the stalking.

I think that this would be a good idea and would look professional. Also it can lead to a long story line which is what we need as its the first 2 minute clip of a film. Also because the victim was a boy it goes again the conventions of a thriller film which will be more interesting for the audience to watch. As she leaves her house we don't know what's going to happen, this will lead the audience on and make them want to know what's happening since there is a good looking boy who they are drawn to and want to know more about him. 

The Strangers Miss Frisenda

LO: to be able to identify how editing styles are used in the thriller genre and how sound enhances this.

How does editing inform the audience of the generic conventions of the film and enhance the tension within the scene with the use of sound?


According to the generic conventions of a thriller film the pace of the editing is normally slow. This convention is used in The Strangers and gives the audience a sense of tension as they are waiting for something to happen. At the beginning of the scene she is listening to music already which is fairly spooky itself. As it get interrupted by a loud knock which off-puts the actress. The camera shots stay quiet a long time in the position they are to hold the suspense of the audience and keep them on the edge of their seat. The sharp eery noise which is then presented in the track lets us know that something could be happening as its much louder noise than the noises we have heard before. It also starts of sounding a lot like a sharp knife being scraped which is used as a prop during the scene and is a convention of the thriller genre. It then starts to sound like a low pitch hum, which slows the pace down  so it makes it easier for the audience to be shocked when there is a climax. We then hear the first word from the actress as 'hello', her voice sounds very timid which we see as scared and innocent. This also shows that she is the victim. As she is standing very close to the door and hasn't opened the door, we start to think that she doesn't actually know the people are outside trying to get in. Before they start having a conversation they doesn't appear to be any music playing. This lets the background noises become the center of attention and makes the film seem more real than it actually is. The sharp deep noise which sounds painful breaks the silence of the background noise and again makes you feel like the climax is soon approaching. The footsteps which we hear from behind the door make the actress nervous as we think they are coming closer to the door and maybe going to try to get closer to her. The loud lock of the door triggers some more loud music to be played. The editing during the scene as she is by the door stays in the same place so we can see everything thats going on inside the house. The change of camera shot to a long shot seems to be handheld which makes it seem more real, this is used quiet frequently throughout the clip And attracts the audience as we start to feel like we are actually in the house and feeling the nervous, scared feelings that she is experiencing. As we hear her typing numbers into the phone we still feel like we are there. As we listen to the conversation we notice her scared voice which we straight away feel for her as she talks to her friend ' james'. As the camera shows the view from outside the window we hear a eery noise which has been used regularly through the scene to keep the audience in suspense. Still during the whole clip we hear the background noise which makes the audience feel like they are in the film itself.
The close up of the fire alarm on the floor with the feet at the back shows how slow she is walking and how she is looking at it it shows how she didnt know it was there. With the conversation ending with the line cutting off we even more realise that something is not right. With the hidden identity of the antagonist, not only with the masks but with them not being in the clip it's a common thriller convention, we automatically feel scared with her. With more uses of background noise as the phone call ends leaves us in the film even more, noting what going on with the story and being there to 'support' her. Still the use of a handheld camera seems to make the audience think whether the 'stranger' is watching her or whether its like us watching her through the camera.
As a long shot is used to see everything in the frame we notice a white figure coming into the back of the screen which automatically draws us to it with the dark surroundings and low key lighting.
As you would think that now the villain is in the same room there would be a lot of noise from them we still hear nothing from them except the background noise of the tap running and her smoking her cigarette. The use of silence which is used very much during the whole clip really makes the audience feel like their involved in the movie as their isnt as much diagetic sound.






use of sound
use of silence
heavy breathing
timid voice
prop noises
lenght of shot of her head aerial
eery sounds - fire alarm alarm clock