My group and I decided to create a film opening in the genre of thriller. This blog post contains the research for my project
Typical conventions of a thriller genre is about creating suspense and excitement to the audience. they are fast paced and mostly have plot twists that surprises the audience. the characters can be complex and have hidden motives. Films from this genre usually have specific settings, camera work, sound, and editing that create a tense atmosphere. Scenes often take place in dark alleys or abandoned buildings, with dim lighting that creates shadows and a sense of danger. High camera angles make characters look weak and vulnerable, while low angles make them look strong. Close-ups show their emotions, and handheld or dolly shots make the audience feel part of the action. Discordant sounds build tension, and sudden silences increase suspense. Everyday sounds like footsteps and creaking doors add realism and fast-paced cuts create excitement in action scenes. The narrative is usually about crime, survival, escape, psychological conflicts. The films opening is often used to set the mood and atmosphere, introduces key themes, and grabs the audience's attention. It usually introduces important characters, sets up the main conflict, and raises questions to make the audience engaged. The opening may also hint at what will happen later and shows the film’s style through technical elements
Big Research 1:
The Call, 2020
Produce by: Yong Films
Distributed by: Netflix, New Entertainment World
The Call, 2020 is a thriller, mystery and horror genre, more specifically a psychological thriller. This film focuses on the character's thoughts and feelings such as fear, dilemmas and manipulation.
This film follows several conventions to thriller films. Firstly, the film portrays the villain with a complicated and sad past or backstory, this is common in other thriller films where the villains or antagonists often have relatable reasons for their actions. Another convention is the use of camera, the film uses close ups to show the characters expressions and feelings during suspenseful or frightening scenes, this makes the audience feel more connected and engaged to the film. Moreover, the film includes unexpected twists to the plot, this is also common in thriller films. This changes the audience's understanding of the characters motive and timeline which allows them to stay engaged to the plot.
The Call, 2020 also subverts to some thriller conventions. Firstly it subverts by having an open ending. The film ends with an unclear resolution which leaves the audience questioning whether changing the past is right or wrong, this encourages the audience to think more deeply of the overall film. This film also subverts by focusing more on psychological tension rather than action scenes, therefore this creates a sense of unease for the audience throughout the storyline. Lastly this film also includes the use of Korean culture. The film showcases cultural elements such as family relationships and social pressures which creates more of a niche film.
The main character or protagonist represents strength and she struggles against her fate. While the antagonist is portrayed as a complex character with a complicated past. To add, the location of the film.is set in a rural setting, which creates a feeling of isolation and makes the character more vulnerable. Additionally, the film uses phone calls to connect between the past and present, this emphasizes the impact of trying to change her fate.
The camera work used in the film were close ups, they show the character's emotions and feelings during suspenseful scenes, this connects the audience with the characters. Low angle shots of the antagonist makes her look more strong and threatening. The editing also plays a big part of the film. The pace of the cuts creates different feelings to the audience. Quick cuts during intense scenes creates more of an emotional involvement to the audience. The sounds used in the film were discordant sounds, there were also times where there was complete silence which increases tension. Lastly the lighting used was dark and low-key lighting, it creates a suspenseful atmosphere, the colder color tones were also used, this creates more of a cold, isolated environment.
Big Research 2:
Knives Out
Produce by: T-Street Productions, MRC, FilmNation Entertainment
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
The film Knives Out, 2019 is categorized as a thriller and mystery film. The films plot is a murder mystery with clever and smart characters. The overall film engages and includes the audience. The audience will also feel involved to solve the mystery alongside the detective.
The film conforms to several conventions of a typical thriller genre. Firstly the film is set in the Thrombey estate, it is a dark mansion in a remote this creates a feeling of being trapped and it also increases the danger as the characters secrets are revealed. The film also conforms by having plot twists and misleading clues that keeps the audience guessing and interested in the film.
The film also subverts the conventions to a typical thriller genre. The film doesn't wait until the end to reveal the murderer, but instead it reveals the murderers identity early in the film. This is uncommon in most thriller films. The film also subverts by criticizing wealthy families, scenes often shows the wealthy family's darker and more manipulative side while typical films shows the better or more pleasant side of wealthy families.
The film represents different social groups through the characters and setting. The caregiver, Mata Cabrera shows a hard working character that contrasts to the Thrombey family who represents the privileged and entitled. Moreover, the Thrombey estate represents the wealth by its size but also shows the family's internal problem during the film.
Technical elements such as camera, mise-en-scene, edit and sound help create meanings. Camera shots used such as establishing shots to show the size and the luxurieness of the Thrombey estate which creates a impressive feeling to the audience. Close-up shots on Martha shows her emotions during suspenseful or frightening scenes. This allows the audience to know and sympathize to her feelings. Other than that, the sounds used were discordant which creates suspense and a dark atmosphere.
Here are some texts that I will look at a little more broadly to see how they appeal to audiences and how they can inspire me.
Small Research 1:
Unlocked, 2023
The target audience are mainly young adults aged 18-30 who are aware of risks that can be caused by modern technology. The film can appeal to people who are interested in modern technology and its impacts to society. It shows how easily someone's personal data can be stolen leading to concerns and fear of privacy being invaded. The makes the film more realistic as it is now very common in today’s world.
The film begins by showing a typical day in the Na-mi’s life, but from her phone’s perspective. It shows the daily routines of her life such as from texting her friends, scrolling through social media, etc. I really like this opening because it is different from other thriller film openings. It shows a much more positive and exciting side while also introducing the main character. However, at the end of the day, the scene contrasts to the previous bright and fun scenes. The scene is dark and quiet, it shows the main character dozing off in the bus after a night out with her friends, she then wakes up to exit the bus and leaves her phone main character got drunk and left phone. The camera then moves closer and closer to the phone with the use of discordant sounds to create tension showing that someone is approaching the phone. I would like to use modern technology for the my projects opening, it can be from the characters mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The perspective from the device can create more realism and relatability to the audience lifestyle.
Small Research 2:
The Guilty, 2021
The film targets young adults to adults aged 18-50, this is because the film contains intense action scenes and mature content. This film can be appealing to people who enjoy thriller/crime/mystery genres since it shows a suspenseful journey of the main character.
During the opening, the main character is shown working as a 911 call operator. The character is shown taking multiple emergency calls which creates a sense of urgency to the audience. I would like to add how the character is introduced to the film, it shows their job and clearly shows their personality, how they handle real time problems and resolve them. This can give the audience an impression of the character from the opening.
However, the opening scene seemed to be a little long, there was a long series of emergency calls which may cause the audience to loose interest since the conflict or problem isn't shown or introduced. I would like to avoid that in my film opening and instead make straightforward plots that can be engaging and thrilling to the audience. The opening has to create a good impression to the audience for them to keep watching the film, therefore i think it is important to keep the interested and engaged during the first few minutes of the film.
Small Research 3:
Missing, 2023
The target audience of the film Missing, 2023 are teenagers, young adults to adults aged 13-40, people who are interested in technology, suspenseful films and mystery. It also appeals to people who enjoy thrillers and psychological films. The film stands out because there are very little films that is based only through the perspective of the characters laptop and mobile phone. Therefore this appeals to more people, they are interested in a unique and different style of thriller/mystery.
The film opens by an old video of the main character as a child with her parents, they are shown having a good time together. It contrasts to the typical thriller conventions, it gives the audience a warm and pleasing feeling. Then the video closes and is now in the present day. The coloring of the film changes, from a warm tone to a cooler and paler tone, this shows that things have changed. Overall, i really like the use of technology to the whole film. I would like to add this to my opening for my project as the audience can relate to the film since this is relevant to their daily activities, i believe by doing this, the audience can relate to and understand the overall plot and the characters feelings throughout the film.
However, something i would like to avoid is the slow pacing of the film. The opening continuously shows the characters daily activities instead of introducing the conflict. This can result the audience to lose interest to watching the film since no problem or suspense is introduced yet. In my project, i would like to make sure the audience are interested and engaged throughout the film. The opening has to create a good impression to the audience for them to keep watching the film, therefore i think it is important to keep the interested and engaged during the first few minutes of the film.
Small Research 4:
I Came By, 2022
The target audience for this film is people aged 18- 35. The film can appeal to people who enjoy thrilling plots and psychological films.
The film opens by showing a tense and mysterious situation right away, the scene is showing two graffiti characters breaking into homes. This creates a thrilling feeling to the audience since they feel a sense of danger seeing the characters breaking in to peoples houses. The two characters then have higher desires, they plan to break into a wealthy persons house and do their graffiti art. I like the idea of giving the audience a suspenseful scene straightaway. This allows the audience to be hooked and interested of what would happen next in the film.
However i would like to avoid disappointing the audience. Since the film opens with a suspenseful opening, the main conflict should be even more surprising or thrilling to the audience, this engages the audience to keep on watching until the end. An underwhelming main conflict can result to a loss of interest from the audience.
Small Research 5:
Forgotten, 2017
The target audience for this film is people aged from 15-40, people who enjoy psychological thrillers and mystery films. It appeals to audiences who like suspenseful films and thrilling scenes.
The opening starts with an everyday family life which subverts the typical thriller conventions, this attract the audience since they are curious of what could possibly happen next. Then it shifts to un unsettling scene which introduces the conflicts. The sudden contrast can engage the audience and they can continue to become interested in the film. I like this idea since it allows the audience to become hooked to the storyline and continue watching since they are curious of what happens next. I would like to add this to my project.
However there are some things i would like to avoid. There is a slow buildup in the film, the backstory and the family's interaction slow down the pace of the storyline, this can uninterest audiences. I will make sure to focus less on unnecessary or less interesting parts in the film to keep the audience appealed.
Small Research 6:
Fractured, 2019
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