Research into editing styles - Miss Georgiou

There are various ways in which editing is used within the thriller genre. Editing in the thriller genre usually contributes the mood or feeling in a particular movie. The film clip I analysed was Sinister Lawn Mower scene. 

In this scene there is a reaction shot of the male character. This is when the camera cuts away from the scene of the lawn mower running over a person in order to show the reaction of the person witnessing it, which in this clip is on a tape the man is watching who then jumps back in horror at what he has just seen. This is effective as it connects the audience to the character because they can see how he is feeling through how he reacts. Reaction shots are conventional to the thriller genre as it is jumpy which is what is intented the audience does when watching a thriller film from fright. The reaction of the man is parallel to the reaction of the audience, by reflecting the audiences response to the image of a body getting run over by a lawn mower this emphasises the scare.

There is also a jump cut in this clip. Where two shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This happens when the camera is on the man watching the film then jumps to the film he is watching of the family house. This is effective to the thriller genre as it gives little time for the audience to figure out what is going on therefore it leaves them feeling on edge, this builds up tension and suspense as they are unaware of what is going to happen, meaning something unexpected could happen at any time. Jump cuts are conventional to the thriller genre as they leave the audience feel jumpy due to the fast changes. 

A straight cut is used right at the beginning of the clip when the camera moves from the house immediately to the CD, the impact this has on the audience is that they feel a sense of sudden suspense from the speed of the cut which foreshadows that something negative is about to occur in the scene of the film. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it adds a sense of un-expectancy which is the fear of the unknown for the audience.

My research of the editing styles used in this clip will assist me with making my own thriller clip as it gives me the understanding of what type of different shots and cuts I must use in order to create shock,surprise and suspense towards the audience. The clip I analysed introduced a lot of un-expectancy which I will use as I can see it makes a thriller more frightening and jumpy which is conventional towards the thriller genre.

Research into Cinematography - Miss Miller

'Orphan Clip'

In this essay, I will be discussing cinematography used in the thriller genre. Cinematography is the art or technique of moving photography including both the shooting and development of the film.                                                     

The clip that I chose to analyse is the scene ‘Orphan Sister Abigail’s Death Scene’ I chose to analyse this particular clip because I feel that there are different varieties of camera angles and effects used.

The camera is positioned at a low angle on Esther whilst she is murdering Sister Abigail to make her appear bigger; this is effective to the thriller genre as it gives the audience the impression that Esther is in control and above her victim who at the time is defenseless.

Once Sister Abigail had been hit the camera is at a long shot angle showing the little girl Max, the orphan Esther and the nun Sister Abigail. This shows the audience the whole of the background and scenario so they can see what is around the characters whilst the murder is taking place. This is effective to the thriller genre as it adds tension because it is placed in an everyday road which the camera pictures in the long shot where someone could drive by and witness the murder. This leaves the audience feeling on edge as they are unaware whether the orphan is going to get away with this attack or get caught which also adds unexpectancy.

There is a midshot of Esther once she realises a car is coming. This enables the audience to see the emotion on her face which is shocked this portrays fear after committing an aggressive murder. A midshot also shows some of the scenario which is Esther hiding behind a wall which portrays her fear and the anxiety of being caught. This is effective to a thriller film as it gives the audience an insight into the feelings of the characters through their expressions and posture.

Research into Mise-en-scene Miss Georgiou

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or a movie is enacted. 'I spit on your grave shotgun scene'.

Here is a close-up of the victims facial expressions. This allows the audience to see how he is feeling at that particular time as they can see he is being tortured. This is effective as it shows the fear and anxiety going through his mind through his face as both him and the audience don't know what's going to happen next, the un-expectancy adds tension and suspense. In this part of the clip you can also clearly see blood around the victims mouth which makes the scene more gory and gruesome which makes the audience tremble but also sympathise for the man as they are aware he is being tortured and tormented.

The setting in this part of the clip shows what is around the female character. An appearing to be abandoned house/cabin is shown in woodland which is possibly in the middle of nowhere, or abandoned. This gives the impression that the offence taking place is hidden which is not misleading to the audience as murders taken place are typically out of sight, this makes the audience feel more on edge as there would be nobody about to stop the murdering which is effective as it adds more suspense and tension.

In the same part of the clip the lady, who is also the murderer is seen to be wearing casual everyday clothes with a simple hairstyle and make-up. The impression given is that she is an everyday young female citizen. This is a clear indicator for the audience of what the characters personality may be like. However, this is manipulative and misleading as in fact the characters personality does not match her appearance at all. She comes across simple and normal meaning no harm nor threat when really she is a vengeful murderer. This is effective for a thriller film as things that are unexpected are more frightening for the audience as it is more of a shock.

The positioning of the man here is tied up flat on his front with a gun behind his back, this instantly shows the audience that he is the victim as he is in a very defenceless, vulnerable position. This is effective as it really emphasises his weakness and desperation through the way he has been positioned.
In the same part of the clip the colours are very dull and dark which could possibly represent the mood or dark thoughts of the character that's about to murder the individual shown in the room. Low key lighting is also used here which produces sharp contrasts of light and dark areas in the room, and also shows deep and distinct shadows on the floor and walls which is effective as it makes the setting more uninviting. 

My research of this clip will assist me with planning my own thriller as it gives me the understanding of what 5 ways I must focus on with depth that I need to use to add mystery, expectancy,mood,suspense etc to my thriller. It also introduced me to what things I must use to allow the audience to get to know the character or mood, through facial expression or costume.