Research Costume

Costume and Body Language

 

Costume is very important in thriller films and can indicate what role that character plays within the narrative E.g. Protagonist (Hero), Antagonist (Villain)… this is also important as you can tell a lot about the characters personality. Body Language can also help give in insight into the characters personality and emotions.

Victim- The conventional costume for victims tend to be quite light colours, this connotes there purity and or innocence.

For example in this image we see the victim from the opening of the movie “scream”; as seen she is wearing a cream coloured jumper this not only connotes innocence but also shows her youth. we also see that her body language is quite huntched, this shows that she is quite vulnerable.

Antagonist- Antagonists tend to wear dark colours so they can blend in with a darker surrounding; some antagonists also wear masks to conceal their identity, this is also done to keep the mystery within the storyline.

Here we see the murderer from “scream”, we clearly see he’s wearing all black this connotes that he has bad intentions. His mask also conceals his identity; his body language is fairly upright, he is almost taking a confident stance, this connotes that he knows exactly what he's doing and how he's doing it.

Protagonist- a protagonists costume would normally also be quite bright to show that they are good and that they are trust worthy, this is an obvious indication that they are the "good guy".
 

This image is of the fictional hero "spiderman" he is represented in the colours red and blue because these are very warming colours and connotes that you can trust him. he wears a mask to conceil his identity but to only protect his family and friends.

Here we see the movie hero "Batman" although he's wearing all black he is still a protagonist who fights villains. in the film world he is classed as an "anti-hero" this is because he seems to be quite dark and at first may appear to be an antagonist. he also has a very confident stance, this not only shows that he has power but also that he is very confident and trust worthy

Children- children who play a protagonists or victims tend to be shown in white, this is to show there vulnerability and innocence and tend to have a meek stance, which make them seem like really esy targets. When they are seen playing the role of an antagonist they can also be depicted in white, this can be to show a form of vulnerability which tends to very misleading.

here we see the girl from the movie "Exorcist", although we clearly see that she has been possessed and is a antagonist, we see that her gown is white which is a symbol of purity. this makes us feel sorry for her as we that she's just a child being possessed by something evil.

Conclusion
My resaerch has given me further insigt into what type of costume characters conventionally wear and what they represent. This will help me during my film development, and will help me choose the appriopiate costume for individual characters.

Scream Analysis

How is the opening sequence of Scream

Conventional to a thriller opening?

 

At the very start of the opening sequence, we see establishing shot which is used to set the scene/ surrounding. It shows that the scene will take place in someone’s home; this is clearly dramatic irony as the home is supposed to be a place of safety and comfort. The image of the house has quite chilling feel to it, because it is in a quite secluded area, at night time; this instantly puts the audience in an uncomfortable feeling, as they await something horrific to occur. This scene is very conventional to thriller movies, as people expect dangerous things such as murder happen during night. This will make the audience feel sympathy towards the victim because they can estimate that her safety is at stake.

In scene, the female victim appears very relaxed in the comfort of her own home; we are shown this with the use of her relaxed posture, and facial expression. As the phone rings the first time, she is very calm, and seems to be a little playful or a little flirtatious with the mysterious caller. This indicates to us the audience that she feels very secure. This is conventional to the thriller genre because scenes normally start off with equilibrium, with an innocent, unaware victim.

As we continue further into the scene, we see the victim’s body language change into a different state and become more uncomfortable, as her body language changes to more stiff state and movement becomes edgy. Her facial expressions show a more fearful look; this shows she is slightly more aware of impending danger. At this moment in the scene, a very eerie non-diegetic soundtrack starts to play faintly, connoting that something is about to happen and accompanies the victims movements, body language and facial expression. This instils a sense of fear into the audience as they are more aware of the actions that are about to come into play. This is very conventional to the genre because fast paced soundtracks are normally used to indicate danger.

Once the female victim realises that the mysterious caller is quite suspicious and poses a threat, the diegetic clown like laughter of the caller becomes much creepier to the audience, because what we first thought was something playful has been turned into something evil. A shot of medium close up is used when we see her peering out of the back door. Here, we notice that she is wearing cream, this suggests to her innocence as a teenager. This is quite conventional, because most female victims tend to wear white or clearer colours because it connotes purity, and vulnerability.

Also, the low key lighting of the lights outside, are faintly shining on her face, which highlights her terrified facial expression, as well as makes the rest of the setting around her appear more scary, as more shadows of the objects behind her, are cast. This represents a thriller film, because shadows and silhouettes create a fear of the unknown in both the audience and characters in the scene.

 

Research: Cinematography

Cinematography

Cinematography is the frame of the shot i.e. the different movements and the angles and the distance they are taken at.

Extreme Long shot- this is used to show the character(s) at a distance, this is primarily used to show the background or setting, this is used to show type(s) of surrounding where the character operates.

Long Shots are used to focus on the character and their profile; this can give the audience a clear view of the characters height, gender and any costume that they may be wearing. Unlike the Extreme long shot, the long shot only shows the character and what’s directly behind the character. This will give the audience a better look at the character’s costume and their stance; this may also give an insight into the characters personality.

Mid Shot – Mid Shot’s are used to show the character from the abdomen up this gives the audience a better look at the characters features e.g. facial expression.

Mid-Close-up - this is used to show the character in more detail, this is a shot taken from the chest up and gives the audience an even more detailed look at the characters face this shot will reveal whether the character has any features like scars.

Close Up – a close up is used to display the characters face fully and either create a sense of comfort or discomfort depending on the type of character. This is also used to show the audience in detail what sort of facial expression the character has.

Extreme Close Up – An Extreme Close Up is used to zoom to look directly into the characters face, this is normally done to show the characters eyes and reveal an in depth look into to their eye colour and show pupil dilation.

Establishing Shot – An Establishing Shot is used to build the setting and give a wide view of the surrounding. This is used to show the area where the story is taking place.



Camera Angles

The camera angle is important to the shot especially when it comes to character representation, this is because there are certain ways the camera will ca the 

High Angle - A high angle is where the camera is placed above a character looking down on them, this usually makes the character diminutive and weak. this may the audience to feel pity for the character 

The high angle makes the character look less powerful and as an audience we are looking down upon this character. This then generates feelings of pity towards this character.

Low Angle - A Low Angle is where the camera is placed underneath the character and usually represents them as mighty, this is because the character looks taller and powerful.

this example was taken from the film 'Se7en', in this mage we see a low angle shot of both Detective Mills (left) and Detective Somerset (Right), the use of the low angle establishes their power; this also connotes that they have power or hold rank.

 

Eye Level - This is used to put the audience on the same height of the character and look directly in the characters face to either create attraction or maybe instill fear among the audience depending on the character depicted.

This example was taken from the film 'Exorcist' here we are looking at the character at eye level, this is used to instill fear into the audience
 

Camera movement


 

Panning- panning is the movement from left to right with the camera this can be used to give a wider view of the scenery, this can be used in action shots such as a high street chase. This can also give the audience a better look at what's going on amid the action.

Tilt- tilting the camera up and down and lets the audience see the height of the scene, this can also be tied in well with the point of view shot to give the effect of someone looking up and down.

 Crane - a crane is used to capture things at a higher vantage point, this may be used to capture an establishing or extreme long shot. The crane can be placed on a helicopter to add extra and more flexible movement and more height; This can be done to show the audience an even wider look at the city that the story may be set in.

Zoom – zooming is a technique done to either move in or out of a scene, this would normally be used to focus primarily in on one thing.

Point of View- This is where the camera is used to show someone’s perspective; this is used to give the effect of looking straight out of the characters eyes.

Handheld- this is where the camera is held in someone’s hand and filmed as if it’s actually being filmed by a character in the film, this is good for depicting scenes of paranormal interference or like a video diary.

Paranormal Activity 4 is filmed mostly using the Handheld camera technique, this is to give the impression of watching the characters actual video footage of paranormal interferrences happening in her home. This is very effective when using unexpected scares, this because the audience feels as if that they are at the very front of the action. It's almost like a point of view shot with the exception seeing the camera record time or battery life guage being displayed around the edge of the frame, or that character may occasionally put themselves in the shot by turning the camera.



Conclusion 

looking at cinematography techniques has furthered my knowledge on the different camera elements and the different types of shots and angles used in filming; accompanied by other various on screen elements to get great shots that can be used to add a more thrilling, suspenseful or chilled feeling among the audience. This will help me to understand and know what shots to use and how to use them to generate certain emotions within the audience.

Thriller Research

What are genres?

Genres are the “type of” or “the category” of something, it was originally used for Greek literature but then spread to other forms of media. This was done to identify the type of story that it would be.

 Why is it important to know this?

It is important to know about genres to specify and distinguish each genre individually so it gives some insight to what the narrative may involve to appeal to a certain audience; this is due to different tastes, interests and preferences.

The thriller genre- thriller genre is the category of film, literature and television specifically dedicated to instilling a feeling of excitement, suspense and tension among the audience. This is done through the use of a gripping narrative and a plethora of interesting twists or interesting characters. Thrillers often use similar codes of conventions such as:

 Low key lighting-                           

Often thrillers would use low eerie light to add suspense and tension. this is a good way of keeping the audience on edge.

Protagonists and Antagonists-

Often within the story there will be a protagonist who is seeking some form of justice and an antagonist who is against the protagonist, a way to put it would be a hero and a villain, this is used to not only give the narrative a base or foundation but also make it interesting.

Dramatic Music-

Dramatic music in a thriller film is primarily used to create tension; this would normally prepare the audience for something greater.

Fast Paced Editing- This normally is used to jump and give the audience a rush or an on-edge feeling and leaving them unsure of whats around the corner.

Here are few examples of thriller films:

Saw- Saw is an example of a Psychological thriller this movie use the main themes of Revenge, Death & torture. This film uses gripping and intuitive iconography to make the scenes of death even more chilling and horrific for the audience.

 

The Dark Knight Rises- This film is a prime example of an action crime thriller; it contains the protagonist Batman who is faced with the tyranny of the villain bane who is the main antagonist. This film uses a gripping narrative to make one of the most entertaining crime thrillers to date.

This trailer for the Purge uses various techniques such as low key lighting and fast editing and dramatic music mainly to display to the audience an eerie and chilling feeling, as we see some of the story unfold we as the audience start to feel sympathy for the victims who are being brutally killed in this violent Horror Sci-fi thriller.

Sub-genres of thrillers-

There are a few sub-genres dedicated to the thriller type:

1)      Psychological-Thriller - This type of thriller sub-genre of would contain really gory deaths and gruesome scenes of torture, this would be portrayed through a dark narrative with a disturbing plot. For example “Saw” is a prime example of this sub-genre.

2)      Crime-Thriller - These kinds of movies would normally contain exciting scenes that are action packed, may contain a chase between the protagonist and antagonist. A good example of this is “The Dark Knight Rises”.

3)      Religious-Thriller- These thrillers have a storyline based within a religious. A good example of this sub-genre is the film “Constantine”.

4)      Mystery-Thriller – These films contain a narrative that is based on solving mysteries. Examples of these types of films are “Silence of the Lambs” & “Se7en”.

5)      Supernatural-Thriller- These types of thrillers will contain scenes that depict supernatural interference, normally in a household or in a very eerie setting. A couple examples of this sub-genre are “Paranormal Activity”,”Insidious” & “Sinister”.

6)      Conspiracy-Thriller - These thrillers are based on believable conspiracies that are circled but not 100% proven. Some examples of this type of sub- genre are “The Da Vinci Code” & “Angels and Demons”.

7)      Disaster-Thriller- Films that fall under this sub-genre are based around a narrative that depicts a disaster natural or not, these would normally have a group of people trying to either prevent a disaster or trying to escape one. An example of this would be the film “2012”.

8)      Political-Thriller-Thrillers like this take a look at a different side to politics, the narrative would be more commonly based on something that has happened in Politics and or political history. Some examples of this thriller sub-genre are “JFK”& “Nixon”.

9)      Techno-Thriller - Techno thriller’s look into the use of advanced technology being used in taking over the world. This type of thriller will use a lot of editing and CGI input to build upon the main parts of the story. A good example of this would “i-Robot”.

Common themes-

The common themes that are used in thriller films are; Narrative of revenge, death, iconography such as bloody knives and other weapons. These are the things more commonly used in thriller films; this would assist the narrative and help the story to flow.

Audience response to thrillers-

A normal response to a thriller film from the audience would be a feeling of edginess and tension; this may cause audience members to jump at moments of high tension. Thrillers are normally viewed by people from the age ranges of 15-35.

Conclusion:

My research has helped me further my knowledge of the thriller genre and its sub-genres. It has also helped me be able to identify in detail the common features and themes of a thriller film. I’ve also learned how the codes of conventions I.E. iconography, costumes and Protagonists and antagonists can be a key and vital to the narrative, giving it that thriller feeling.