Summer Work Opening scene Analysis

As level Media Studies- Summer Work 

Thriller 

The Thriller Genre is known for having plot twists and cliff hangers to create climax and suspense, while having the audience on the edge of there seats. Thriller is defined by a story which often involves solving a crime, however Thriller genre is also known for mysteries missions and escaping and also violence . Even though Thriller is one genre it is broken down in to different Types such as:

Psychological Thriller- Has plot twits and mind games are played emotionally and mentally 

Crime Thriller- Has characteristics of violence and kidnapping

Horror Thriller- Has themes of paranoia, serial killers death traps and stalking.

 A thrillers  usually involves a battle against the protagonist (hero) and the antagonist( villain) characters. In most Thrillers the Villain is the one who is punished as they are represented as usually being evil. While the hero is the person who can reveal truth and destroy the villain. The hero is usually undercover throughout the film. Most Thrillers will include at least the police, the army or the government.

 Most Thriller films are set cities such as busy streets or also can be set in a foreign country in urban (city) or suburban places (desert).

Many characteristics of a Thriller include:

Shadows- Create a dark atmosphere and mystery, shadows are used to hide the identity of something or someone, leaving the audience questioning themselves.

 Music- Music is used to link with the mood of the characters and hinting things throughout the film. The music can create suspense and tension building up something dramatic is going to happen

Heavy sounds of breathing

Hull lighting

Costumes- usually the villain wears dark clothing while the hero is usually is normal day clothing

The camera work found in a thriller film-

Low Angle Shot- Shows intimidation in the villain and makes the audience feel weak

Tracking Shot- A shot showing a characters movement which creates suspense

Birds eye Angle- Makes a figure or an object feel vulnerable 

Close up- shows The characters reactions and emotions

A variety of Props are used in Thriller such as Weapons(Guns,Knives, Swords) these are mainly found in Crime Thrillers along side blood as it creates suspense as to why the blood is there. Also Mirrors are used to foreshadow the darkness of what characters are expressing inside.

Thriller film- The Guvnors 

Shot One- This is the opening shot of the film, the atmosphere created is very tensed as the two actors cant look at one another suggesting they have a hatred to one another.The darkness of the room suggests something is going to happen as it is adding to the suspense, to climax the suspense Mitch( actor on the right) is talking slowly with pauses in between his talking, this conveys as intimidation as he is trying to patronise Adam. Adam is dressed in all black and wearing tracksuit which suggests he maybe in a gang especially with his hood up. While on the other hand Mitch is wearing a suit which shows he has more importance then Adam. Mitch is smoking a cigarette in the shot while he is in Adams house even though Adam has said can you not smoke shows Mitch is in control and wont obey down to anyone. 

Shot Two- Shows a two shot  showing the relationship between Adam and Mitch. The relationship comes across vulgar. Adam is holding a gun to Mitch’s neck showing the power is in his hands, to the audience it is creating tension as they don't know what is going to happen as this is in the first few minutes of the film it is keeping the viewer intrigued in what is going to happen next . The scar running down Adam’s face suggests that he is used to violence or it could symbolise a gang or an object. Mitch is showing no emotion in the shot as he knows his life is at risk. The darkness of the room leads to the mystery of the coming shot of the film. The poster on the wall is a sub focus album cover suggesting the home owner is in to dubstep and house music, the listeners are usually of a younger age suggesting that this could be Adam’s house. The light coming through the window shines of to the actors faces showing there facial expression while the rest of the room is dark.

Shot Three- Is an low angle shot of a square where some girls are sitting on a bench. The idea of a low angle shot gives the viewers a sense of tension and rivalry about to happen. The idea of Adams  spitting before entering the square suggests he isn't too happy about something.  After this shot it becomes very intense when a girl from Adams gang beats another girl up for snitching however, the girl gang wouldn't of expected this as the girl who beats her up is walking hand in hand with another guy like they were in a relationship . The surroundings of the shot shows council flats suggesting it is a rough area and the weeds in the pavement slabs shows neglect. The diegetic sound of an siren being heard in the background could suggest that something bad is going to happen linked to violence or someone getting hurt as that is what a siren could be linked too. The diegetic sound of the  gang wolf whistling them as they approach the girls gives a sense of intimidation.

  

Shot Four- shows a close up angle of the beaten up girls face. The expression on her face shows she is petrified of what is going to happen to her. The idea of her dark make up around her eyes emphasises the pain in her eyes as she is looking up towards Adam.  The idea of her face being read shows she's been beaten up.In the background you can hear adams friends saying “take a front row seat girls”, which is adding to suspense as it can mean something more is going to carry on. The slow movement of Adam walking and the triggers in the background of someone going “uh oh” suggests that Adam is holding something in his hand which could potentially kill this girl. The laughing in the background makes climax reach higher as others think it is funny in what Adam is about to do. After the shot it shows a shot of a close up of a knife suggesting that he is going to stab her. 

Shot Five-  Is another close up shot showing the emotion on her face. Her screaming in the scene makes it more dramatic.The idea of her wearing red nail varnish blends in with the blood running down her neck. Her scream is like a scream you would hear in a horror film as she screams twice it gives off the feeling of pain that she has just experienced. The after shot shows the expression of the girl faces which suggests they are horrified but also scared. The idea of one of Adam’s gang sat on the floor smiling and clapping suggest that Adam is playing a game however he has just won, also it comes across funny to Adam’s gang seeing someone is pain which is suggesting they harm people a lot if they have interfered with Adams group. The group want to show who is in charge and they are trying to control the people surrounding it.