Our film genre is that of thriller and we have worked within the sub-genre psychological thriller. It is based in an unidentified asylum facility, a hospital you might say, we did not identify the building deliberately for then we could create uncertainty, unfamiliarity which then caused the audience to be anxious.
The main character is locked in a strait jacket along with that he is under watch from two guards who occupy an office down the hall from his cell, which shows the audience that he is a threat. The corridor in which he is held is pure white and as so is he along with his cell, the two guards are also dressed in white attire this was a key theme and element within our thriller opening. Together this all created a mise-en-sense which is common in the opening of a thriller genre film, specifically political and psychological thriller where people are incarcerated by forces.
The setting in which is specifically chosen to identify the characteristics of an asylum, with its underground tunnel arched ceilings and iron bars running throughout the ceiling, the small cell in which are main character is in is an establishing shot where he is positioned sitting symmetrically between the cell walls with a zoom in shot and quick zoom out shot. This is identified by the audience that he is trapped by these walls however the expression on the face of the character gives the audience an impression that he is not bothered, yet he is still bound by forces that the audience is not yet aware of, this creates the sense of enigma, which a main theme throughout thriller films.
From your study of Dr Stephen Hill's article in MediaEdu on thriller codes and conventions, can you identify the following in your thriller opening: jeopardy; use of soundtrack to drive forward the narrative; use of soundtrack to build tension and suspense.
ReplyDeleteYou will need to be specific and identify precisely aspects of your work, perhaps using a series of screenshots to indicate precise moments