Genre Research

Codes and Conventions (For Thriller films)

Psychological twists – to create psychological fear
Tension – created through non-diegetic sound
Violence is never shown it is merely implied, this is what defines a movie as a thriller and not a horror.
Dramatic irony
Stringed music with a “Heart beat”
Isolated setting – usually raining
Put the viewer in the film/story using point of view shots
Women/innocent people as victims
Old derelict/haunted houses and old weapons
Lots of close ups to show fear and emotion, quick cut editing to confuse viewers and show that lots is happening at the same time.
Stereotypical characters are used, like the dominant male (usually the killer) and the defenceless woman (usually the victim).

Mise en scéne

Gothic Furniture
Weapons
Diegetic Sound - creaky floor boards
Non-diegetic sound - builds suspense
Dark clothing
Dark setting


Sound

Clocks
Silence
Footsteps
Heart beat
Creaking of floor boards or doors
Screaming
Volume increase to sudden silence - startles the viewers.


Characters

Typical Characters:

Vulnerable women
Innocent children
Dominant men

Non-Stereotypical characters:

Dominant women
Vulnerable men
Violent children

Themes

Revenge/Envy/Hate
Love/Lust/Romance
Death /Murder
Sex
Psychological problems/Insanity


Institutions

Sony
Warner Brother's Pictures
MGM Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Picture Animation


Story Lines

Twists
Multiple story lines
Psychological twists
Connection between characters
Implied violence
Action
Murder
Victims
Obsession


Structure

Chronological order
Flash back/forward
Iconography
Stereotypical characters


Mise en scéne Definition

It is everything within a scene/image. It is usually a paused frame converted in to a still image. Elements of Mise en scene:
Sound - Diegetic and non-diegetic
Lighting - artificial or natural
Camera Angles
Action
Speech
Props
Smell
Actor/Character
Costume
Setting
Colour
Make-up
Special Effects


Media Text Classification

These are the main classifications set for media texts such as cinema or video games.

U - If a film is classified as a U it means it isi suitable for the younger audiences, i.e 3+.

PG - PG classification means the media text is suitable for the ages of mainly 3 - 11.

12 - This classification means that the media text is recommended for people over the age of 12

12a - This is another classification which has only recently been annonced. 12a classifications only exist in cinema. If a child under the age of 12 is accompanied by an adult, they are able to view the film they desire to watch with the adults permission.

15 - No one under the age of 15 is legally allowed to view or purchase a media text classified as '15'

18 - This is the most strict classification in UK media. This content is only ever suitable for adults. People younger than 18 are not allowed to buy something rated '18'


Camera angles/Transitions

There are five used ways of splicing images (editing) together: Cut One image is immediately followed by another. There’s no transition, which makes it look simple. Quick cuts are also used in thriller films to cause confusion and fear. It shows a lot of things happening at the same time. Fade out Where the scene simply fades to black - this implies the scene has ended. Fade in The scene appears from a black frame - this implies the beginning of a scene. Dissolve The second shot fades in where the first shot which fades out (usually takes less than a second) which suggests time has elapsed to the next character or location.
Wipe The second shot glides in front of the first as if a curtain is being pulled across the frame. This implies the ending of a scene. It suggests the cause-and-effect.

(Upload Lego man sheet / the edit sheet)


Golden Rules for Film Titles

Main actor’s name is introduced either first or second, followed by or preceded by the name of the production company.
Second most important role introduced at the end of all the actors names.
Titles never block important action in a scene.
Directors name last.
Colours are often used to symbolic effect.
Size helps title to blend in (Small text blends easier).
Text appears at transitions (Fade out text – time has passed between then and the next scene).