Soundtrack Searching

Today I continued to look for sounds that we can include in our thriller video. So far the majority of sounds that are available for free down load are quite basic. Other sounds which are good are to much into the horror genre, and don't match our more action psychological thriller. One soundtrack that I think would work well is the soundtrack from an actual film, 28 Days Later, as I am unsure whether we can actually use it as its from a film I will continue to look for a soundtrack similar to it.

Here is the 28 Days Later soundtrack that I though would work well.

Planning Evaluation Question 1

Today I was absent from class but they began to look at the evaluation questions and how to go about answering them. Lewis and Decal created a rough plan for how to go about answering the first question which we had agreed before hand as a group to present as a (need to look at sheet). Below is the A3 sheet with the plan.

First Draft

Survey Results (Tables)

He are the results from my survey on audience response and expectations to thrillers.

Audience survey results from panayimedia

Survey Results So Far

So far from my survey I have found that although the amount of people who watch thrillers between men and  women is actually fairly equal, there are more men who watch thriller. The audience age if roughly between 18 and 40, though my main target audience will be in the lower years, 18 to 25 years old. My results also show that the most preferred thriller is a psychological thriller, suggesting that the audience like to think about what is happening. The audience also expect to see some violence, however the preferred weapon would be either a knife or a Crowbar/Metal pole. These weapons flash or almost sophisticated as a gun, they are much more brutal if used to attack someone and can have connotations to thug culture.

I will continue to collect data, but also compare the data I have got so far with the other members in the group to see if there are any patterns with my data or even any adjustments I need to make to my survey to collect better data.

Title Sequence

Titles and title cards can be distinguished as follows:

• A single title card contains one name credit. Typically used in opening titles to display the name of the lead actors and the creative people involved in the movie. Generally referred to as the above-the-line credits.
• A double title card contains two name credits. Typically is used to display the names of supporting actors and additional creative people involved in the movie.
• A triple title card contains three name credits. Typically used to display the names of additional supporting actors.
• A multiple title card contains more than three name credits. Typically used to name additional supporting actors or extras.
• A main title card displays the main title of the movie.
• Scrolling titles are titles that move sequentially in and out of frame, generally used as end titles.
• A lower third is a title placed on the lower-third of the screen (although there might be other screen placements you could consider), generally used to display the information—name and title—of a person being interviewed or a location.
• Subtitles are titles placed on the lower-third part of the screen (or sometimes on the top of the screen to avoid covering relevant information on-screen or previously existing lower thirds). These are generally used to translate dialogue in another language.
• Intertitles are title cards that display the time, place, prologue, or quotes. In silent films, an intertitle is often used to convey minimal dialogue or information that can’t be deduced from the talent’s body language or the scene’s settings.

- http://masteringfilm.com/giving-titles-to-the-types-of-titles/

The title sequence for 'Se7en' clearly inform the audience about the genre of the film. It uses cinematic features to subtly inform the audience about the serial killer even though he's not introduced until later on in the film. Features such as; quick editing, flashes of colour, the uncomfortable background noise, the scratched/flickering effect on the film and titles.

The title sequence for 'The Number 23' build tension with the use of music and the use of the number 23. It is clear that the number 23 has major importance  in the film and the director is making that obvious in the titles, as he links it to various historical events. Also the use of blood slowly covering the screen and an enigmatic element to the sequence.

The titles sequence for 'The Man With the Golden Arm' is one of the first films to be recognised for it's use of titles working with the actual film. The titles have lines jabbing into the screen at awkward angels, representing the needles that the addicted drug use punctures himself with. The lines also split the screen up to show how the man is stuck or trapped, we later learn the reasons for this in the film. However the titles sequence has real relevance to the film. 

Previous Student Work

Looking at previous student work is helpful to build  ideas and concepts that are actually possible to d, rather than looking at hollywood films which not only have a huge budget but the technology to do more. 

One New Message

In this film lighting is fairly consistent throughout and shots are normally well light. Lighting is used to direct the audience attention really well, in particular when the woman walks past the window. Here the light is limited and we focus outside as that is where the light is. 

  The only setting where lighting is limited is the bedroom, this may be because this is the room where he dies so the fact the only light comes from the computer screen making the room darker and an enigmatic feel. 

A range of shots and angles are used in the film, the start has wide angle shots lasting for some time, this creates tension. Then close up shots are used, mainly of the actors hand. 

Music is used really well in this piece, it adds to the video.

Overall the storyline is simple to follow which helps keep and build tension. The only issue I have with the video was that with the noise that comes in with the title it's unclear what actually kills the guy. However this may be deliberate to and confusion and mystery.

Cairo

Here lighting is limited because of the location and time they have chosen to film. This low lighting creates shadowing and a dark mysterious setting. Representative of the dark event that unfolds of murder and betrayal. 

Section with usees tint or other effect work really well in showing it's a flash back or POV shot. Also the effect of the gun flash is realistic. 

Shots are mostly wide, though they do include mid shots. More mid and close up shots could have been used in this film, in particular in the combat scene. This would have made this section look more realistic as with the zoomed out shot the audience is able to see that the punches aren't actually touching. This effects the believability and tension of the film.

The storyline for the video is very original and clear to follow. though the video has a longer run time then we are allowed. Also the video includes swearing, something we are not allowed in are thriller opening. 

The Withheld

This thriller opening had a really strong with a great title sequence using urban noises to set the scene, and the scratched effect to possibly highlight the vandalism. The storyline was good with great believability of the victim actor. The itself didn't appear to have much if any editing to the actual colour. However the pace and cutting was done to a good standard. The use of the phone calling as non-digetetic sound was effective as the continues ring would be uncomfortable for the audience, also the music was subtle but help build suspense. The fault with this thriller opening was when the scene cut to the other two character the lighting and mise en scene in that scene was totally out of sync with the rest of the video which meant it didn't flow. The acting skills of these two characters is also lacking, in comparison with the other 'victim' actor. 

Survey

In the group we decided to make individual surveys to give us a wider response from the audience survey. From the survey I will be getting primary research and direct information from a potential audience about the likes and dislikes with thriller films. This information will be used when creating the  opening scene to our own thriller film, as by using the suggestions and applying them to the knowledge of thriller conventions, learnt in class, it will make our thriller fit the genre better.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Sound In Thrillers

Sounds are used in thrillers to create a certain atmosphere for the audience, so they know what type of emotion to be feeling as each stage. A thriller film can control how the audience react with what type of sound or music they decide to use. Some sounds are used to build tension, others to build a sound bridge, some are even used to emphasis the reaction the audience has to the actions of a character.
The most common type of sound associated with thrillers are dark eerie pieces of music which build suspense, they tend to start slowly and then gradually grow. Such as this scene from Inception, which begins with slow music and on-edge tones and then the pace quickens the action becomes more intense. Also in this scene there is the use of non-diegetic sounds, such as the rain and gun shots, these are non-diegtic so the sound is emphasised so the audience takes more notice of them.

In this scene from The Departed there is no music or sound scape playing. The focus is on to what the two men say. Here the dialogue is more important. The scene also uses non-diegetic sound to emphasis the noise that the elevator is making and the gun shots. This scene isn't as suspenseful as the inception clip but shows how thrillers can use dialogue to be suspenseful and how they can have a dramatic twist.

Here the film The Dark Knight uses a range of sounds to build suspense. There's the music of strong deep notes that links to the actions and follows the pace of the action, the use of non-diegetic sounds such as gun fire, punching and batmans cape to emphasis these actions, and the use of dialogue to inform the audience of what's at stake, as we learn that the hostages have been mixed up and that Gorden's family are in trouble.

Opening Sequence

Shutter Island

The scene starts with the ship coming out of the fog heading towards Shutter Island, this creates an enigmatic atmosphere around the Island with out actually showing any of the island. Once on the island clues are left for the audience to take notice, some are very subtle for only the keenest fanatic will notice, where as others are shown to the audience either by the use of the camera directing the audience with close ups of objects/settings or by Teddy mentioning things, such as the barbed wire on the wall of the building.

In the opening sequence we are introduce to the main character Teddy Daniels on board the ship, the important feature about the ship is that it's a prison ship, and Teddy is willingly staying in the prison courtiers. The audience will be questioning why he is in this section of the ship. We see that the suit Teddy is wearing is slightly scruffy and ruffled, suggesting that he is not use to what he is wearing or is uncomfortable in the environment he is in.The lighting on Teddy's face has a chiaroscuro effect suggesting that the character has a split personality, or a hidden maybe darker side to his personality.
The establishing shots of the boat through the fog creates an enigma to the narrative and who is on the boat. This is continued with the close up shots of Teddy talking to himself in the mirror. 
Editing of the opening scene is relatively slow paced, as the film is just establishing the narrative and locations.

Reservoir Dogs

The opening scene of Reservoir Dogs is unconventional in comparison to what is expected of thriller films. The Film starts with A group of men in an American dinner, just finishing and about to leave. The costume of the men ranges from suits to casual wear, this suggests a variety of personalities with in the group, but nothing overly enigmatic or tension building. 
The as the men are walking down the street ,the fairly upbeat song Little Green Bag by George Baker begins to play and the credits begin. This music is again not connvetional for music used within a thriller, as it does not build tension and make the atmosphere eerie instead it makes the group seem cool and friendly to the audience. 
The the screen goes to black as the rest of the credits shown over the song. Yet as the credits are finishing, we hear in the background a person in pain screaming out. You can just about make out "I'm going to die". Suddenly the film has taken a dramatic turn, and created a confusing narrative. This will keep the audience interested as they will want to find out what happened to the man. 

Psycho 
The opening of this film relies heavily on the use of music of the opening credits which instantly creates tension with its high notes. The lines that go across the screen symbolises  prison bars and highlight at this early stage of the film the sense of entrapment, warning the audience someone will be in danger. 
When the film starts the camera goes through the window of the building and connotes the the idea of voyeurism  the audience feel as if they are looking in on someone, this can suggest that the people in the room may be doing something they shouldn't, as it feels as though the audience is spying in on them. 
As we are introduced to the character no real information about them is told to the audience and it make the characters more mysterious. The audience will be wondering who these people are and why they are there. Building tension around the couple. 

From analysing these films I have notices four key conventions of thriller openings.

Titles -
The opening titles are very important to set the tone of the film.

Storyline -
This is important with an film opening, however with thrillers the directior has to capture the attention of the audience with action and suspense, with out giving to much of the narrative away.So they still build tension.

Camera angles/shots -
How the camera is used is important in the opening of a thriller as it can tell the audience a lot about a location or character quickly. And when used effectively can build tension.

Music/Sound-
What music or sound scape is played at the start of the thriller can tell the audience a lot about the mood and tone of the film and can also build tension, like in Psycho. Or the film can challenge building tension and tell the audience that its going to be different, like in Reservoir Dogs.

Shutter Island Mindmap

Thriller Conventions

This was a task to test how much we know about thriller conventions, we made two lists one for General narrative theory and the other specific narrative theory for thrillers.

 Today in class we were set to identify different audience types within the thriller conventions. To do this we looked at two different lists and descriptions of character types of audiences. The first was from media researcher Nielsen and the other was unknown.

Both broke the audiences up depending on the audiences spending, likes and dislikes. The two lists conflicted so when placing the character into a criteria only one of the list could be used. After deciding to use the unknown list we placed the characters into there section.

Director Study - David Fincher

David Fincher is a music and film diector, he is best know for his dark stylistic thrillers. After leaving Ashland High School in Oregon, Fincher did not go straight into directing film school but entered the film industry by getting a job at Korty Films, a film production company,  where he loaded cameras and did other hands on work.

David Fincher says he was first inspired by the 1969 film Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. The film is an adventure biographical film of the train/bank robber Robert LeRoy Parker better known as Butch Cassidy. 

Fincher has worked with various recording artists directing music videos for Madonna, Billy Idol, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson. 

David Fincher's most noted awards in his time directing music videos and Express Yourself and Vogue both songs by Madonna. Express Yourself was the first time Fincher and Madonna collaborated together, the video was nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards, in 1989 winning Three; Best Cinematography, Best Direction and Best Art Direction.

 The Vogue music video was nominated for nine MTV video music awards in 1990, making it Madonna's most nominated. The video came away with three awards; Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Cinematography. 

Fincher was also awarded a Grammy for his music video Love is strong by The Rolling Stones. 

Fincher has also made a number of commercials, for Coca Cola, Nike, Converse, Hieneken, Levi's, and Phone companies. 

This advert for Coca Cola has a Ridely Scott Blade Runner feel to it, with the way it set in a Japanese future. 

This advert for Levi's shows David Fincher's unique style and use of an urban environment and night and lighting. 

This Hieneken advert features Brad Pitt, one of Finchers favourite actors and features in a number of Fincher's films. 

David Fincher has now moved on to making feature films, building a good reputation for himself with many of his films have been nominated for Awards. The five films I am going to focus on are; Seven, The Game, Panic Room, Fight Club, and Zodiac. All of these film fall into the thriller genre and a good examples of showing Finchers style. 

Se7en - 1995

Two detectives, one newly transfered the other soon to retire, work together on a case. A serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins in picking his victims.

• A thriller film, with elements of horror and neo-noir
• Seven was released on September 22, 1995
• In it's opening weekend it grossed $13.9 million in 2,441 cinemas
• It went on to gross $100.1 million in North America and $227.1 million in the rest of the world. That's a total of $327.3 million
• This made Se7en the seventh-highest grossing film in 1995
• The Film was Nominated for the Oscar of Best Film Editing, 1996
• Awards for Se7en
  

  Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
  1996	Won	ASCAP Award	Top Box Office Films
  1996	Nominated	Oscar	Best Film Editing
  1996	Won	Saturn Award	Best Make-Up  Best Writing
  1996	Nominated	Saturn Award	Best Action/Adventure  Film  Best Actor  Best Director  Best Music  Best Supporting Actress
  1996	Nominated	ASC Award	Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases
  1997	Nominated	Award of the Japanese Academy	Best Foreign Language Film
  1996	Nominated	BAFTA Film Award	Best Screenplay - Original
  1997	Won	Blue Ribbon Award	Best Foreign Language Film
  1995	Nominated	Best Cinematography Award	Darius Khondji
  1996	Won	CFCA Award	Best Cinematography
  1996	Nominated	CFCA Award	Best Actor
  2001	Nominated	Video Premiere Award	Best DVD Audio Commentary  Best DVD Menu Design
  1997	Won	Empire Award	Best Actor
  1996	Won	International Fantasy Film Award	Best Film  Best Screenplay
  1999	Won	Golden Trailer	Best of the Decade
  1996	Won	Hochi Film Award	Best Foreign Language Film
  1996	Nominated	Image Award	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture
  1997	Nominated	IHG Award	Best Movie
  1997	Won	ALFS Award	Actor of the Year
  1995	2nd place	LAFCA Award	Best Cinematography  Best Music
  1996	Won	MTV Movie Award	Best Movie  Best Villian  Most Desirable Male
  1996	Nominated	MTV Movie Award	Best On-Screen Duo
  1995	Won	NBR Award	Best Supporting Actor
  1996	2nd place	NSFC Award	Best Supporting Actor
  1995	Won	NYFCC Award	Best Supporting Actor
  2001	Nominated	OFCS Award	Best DVD  Best DVD Commentary  Best DVD Special Features
  1996	Won	Universe Reader's Choice Award	Best Horror Film
  1995	Won	STFC Award	Best Supporting Actor

The Game - 1997

A film were a wealth business man is brought into a live-action game that takes over his life. 

• The film is a psychosocial thriller.
• The Game was released on the 12th September 1997
• In it's opening weekend it grossed $14.3 million in 2,403 cinemas 
• It went on to gross $48.3 million in North America and $61.1 million in the rest of the world. That's a world total of $109.4 million. 
• Was nominated for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film at the Saturn Awards. 
• Though the film did not win the Saturn Award, it received a good reception from the critics. 

Fight Club -1999

A man suffering form insomnia and a mystery soap maker form an under ground club where people come to fight, this soon escalates into a violent revulsion.

• Fight Club was released 1999
• In it's opening weekend it grossed $11 million in 1,963 cinemas
• In went on to gross $37 million in North America and $63.8 in the rest of the world. That's a total of $100.8 million
• Awards for Fight Club

Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2000	Nominated	Oscar	Best Effects, Sound  Effects Editing
2000	Nominated	Brit	Best Soundtrack
2000	Nominated	CDG Award	Excellence in Costume  Design for Film -       Contemporary
2001	Nominated	Video Premiere Award	Best DVD Overall Original Supplemental Material
2000	Won	Empire Award	Best British Actress
2000	Nominated	Sierra Award	Best DVD  Best Editing
2000	Nominated	Golden Reel Award	Best Sound Editing - Effects & Foley
2001	Won	OFCS Award	Best DVD  Best DVD Commentary  Best DVD Special Features
2000	Nominated	OFCS Award	Best Actor  Best Director  Best Film  Best Film Editing  BestScreenplay, Adapted
2000	Nominated	PFS Award	Democracy
2000	3rd place	SEFCA Award	Best Screenplay, Adapted

Panic Room - 2002

A  woman and her teenage daughter become imprisoned in the panic room of their own house by 3 criminals.

• Panic Room was released March 18, 2002
• In it's opening weekend it grossed $30 million in 3,053 cinemas 
• In total the film grossed 96.4 million in North America and $100 million in the rest of the world. That's a world total of $196.4 million
• Panic Room was nominated for; Young Artist Award - Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actress, OFCS Award -  Best Editing,  Golden Reel Award  - Best Sound Editing in Domestic Features, Golden Trailer - Best Horror/Thriller, Black Reel – (Theatrical )Best Supporting Actor, Excellence in Production Design Award -  Contemporary Film and the Saturn Award -  Best Actress 
• Panic Room Won, ASCAP Award - Top Box Office Films

Zodiac - 2007

A San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac killer.

• Zodiac was released march 2, 2007
• In it's opening weekend it grossed $13.3 million
• In North America it totalled $33 million and $51 million in the rest of the world. That's a world total of $84 million.
• Zodiac was nominated for 27 Awards in various categories.

Features Fincher uses; 

• Fincher has used Brad Pitt in 3 of his films to date
• Typical genres are dark drama, pyschological thrillers and crime
• Voice over - The Social Network, Fight Club, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• Down beat endings
• Low angle shots
• Tracking