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Good Points
- Sound is really different and effective- Love it!
- Good location
- Dog is cute
- Good sound track- contripuntal sound makes it more creepy
- Contrast of the scene adds a sense of mystery to the opening
- Really like the use of close up shots are the beginning as this leaves the viewer in suspense and creates tension which is really effective
 - The combination between the diegetic and non diegetic sound is effective and builds up the tension for the audience
- The camera angle being on the side when the girl is laying on the floor is effective as it brings the audience down to her level which shows a connection between the girl and the audience which is effective
- OMG!
- camera work, angles, sound and concept are all really good
- nothing bad to say, amazing
- Brilliant!
- loving the actress (mum) and dog
- sound, camera angles, lighting, everything is brilliant!
- brillian opening, enough is given out to the audience without giving too much away
- in the last scene the tension is built excellently
- not a bad word to say about it
- good use of lighting in the barn- very dark and mysterious
- the soundtrack is excellent, it really fits each scene perfectly
- good use of camerashots, had a good variety of different shots

Improvements
- Talking on the phone/ voicemail was a bit cheesy
- titles disappeared a bit too fast
- a few more shots of the barn location could have worked
- unsteady shot in the kitchen scene is not as effective compared to others which are well shot
- i thought the tiger proguction abel didnt bleng with the theme the titles created, perhap a change here?
- it seems more like a horror than a thriller because of the way the scene ends.

Final Cut Disconnected

Taa Daa! :D

Thriller Film Panes

 

(Order from left to right, down a level and left to right again)
Image one: Thriller Conventions: This screengrab shows the shadow of the Antagonist who has kidnapped a teenage girl.

Image two: Thriller Coventions: This screengrab gives the viewer a sense of voyeurism.

Image three: Costume: A mid-long shot of the charater Jade's costume, with tears and mud all over her clothes.

Image four: Props: Jade is talking into a pink mobile phone.

Image five: Title: 'Disconnected' in a slightly distorted font.

Image six: Lighting: This pane shows how the barn in dimly lit.
Image seven: Location: This screengrab is of the barn location, it is dark and dirty.We chose this image because it gives a good feel of the overall scene and it shows a large amount of the scene. We also really liked the lighting and angle of the shot.

Image eight: Camera work: A close up of Jade's hands bound up over a bloody handprint.

Image nine: Camera work: This screengrab is a point of view shot from Jade watching the kidnapper about to smash the phone.

THE TEAM

Best and Worst Thrillers

The Top 5 Thrillers voted for on IMDB are;
1) Goodfellas
2) Fight Club
3) The Dark Knight
4) Inception
5) Pulp Fiction

The Bottom 5 Thrillers voted for on IMDB are;
1) The Hellcats
2) Way of the Vampire
3) The Barbaric Beast of Boggy Creek, Part II
4) Shark: Rosso nell'oceano
5) Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace

Our favourite Thriller films;
Michaela = Inception & The Taking of Pelham 123
Alistair = Shallow Grave & The Day After Tomorrow
Holly = Shutter Island & Premonition
Bekki =Leon & Taken

Analysis of Taking of Pelham 123

Taking of Pelham 123 is an action thriller. It is about the train, Pelham 123, being hijacked by four armed men requesting money. The film is about one man, the protagonist, saving the people as hostages and getting the money to Ryder in time.

Camerwork
At the beginning there is a establishing shot of New York city high rise panning around the tallest buildings. It then moves to a high angle looking down on different streets of New York, with taxis and crowds f people, moving to a close up of the subway sign, showing the location of the movie.
They use lots of fast zooms and quick, stiff movements for side to side. This makes the scene disorientating and confusing.
There are many long shots and mid shots then a sudden close up on the faces of the hence men, showing their importance in the film and making them stand out to us.
When the location moves to the office they use a slow pan mid long shot to show the new location. Then over the shoulder shots during the conversation.
They use some hand held when in the crowds of people to make it seem that we are really there in the crowd ourself.
Then there is a close up of the gun then a high angle long shot of the subway.
At the end of the opening it goes back to the high angle of New York high rise.

Sound
At the beginning there is only the sound of a train moving and then a long beep. This then suddenly changes to ambient sound with quiet train sounds in the background. When the film goes to the crowds of people the soundtrack suddenly starts. it has heavy base sounds and fast tempo with some rapping, there are still sounds of trains moving. The music stops just as suddenly as it started when it changes to the office where a quiet ambient sounds starts with office noises e.g. talking, papers moving and quiet beeps. There is a loud guitar sound when change of location then it all stops with a sound of a loud train beep.

Editing
There are lots of different editing techniques used in this thriller which is one of reasons I find this such a great film. At first the production titles come on screen it seems to grow in size. The picture starts as a small square in the middle of the screen and slowly moves forward, drawing as in. During the establishing shot titles come on to the screen with a sliding black bar. The black bar covers part of the shot, below the bar the shot of the city flickers and the city turns dark. The titles them self flicker is well and change colour from whit to light blue then back to white. When changing from the city high rise to closer shots of the city two footages of the same piece of city, one bright and one dark, are merged together in a flicker then cuts to the next scene. The scenes  change quickly with cut transactions however when there is a close up on Ryder's face the footage is slowed down, making our attention focus on him. A black screen slides on from the right with the film name. Behind the name small blue bars slide past that look like train windows zooming past. In the office the main transaction used is a cut however after the establishing shot of the office a wipe is used which follows a man walking past the camera, this creates a very good effect. The main transaction used in the subway is a fade mixed with a zoom. The black bar is used again here for the names of actors. Another name appeared on to the screen by a slide and it looked as if it were being pulled on by the passing train, and another is sliding forward through a tunnel, this also looks like a train.
When there is a change in location there is a very fast montage of images that blur together before settling on the office. All of this is in parallel editing. To end they have a simple black screen with block white writing say the time '1.58 pm'
Lots of the editing is done to link or fit with trains, they do this to show the importance of the trains and to show what the basis of the film in based on.

Mise-en-scene
Pace - The pace of the opening sequence is very fast when in the streets and subway, this builds up tension and confusion on location and the people. In the office location the the pace is slower showing the normality in everyday working life for these people.
Costume - The hence men are wearing similar clothing. Ryder is the lead man therefore looks the worst. He is wearing a black hat, long black coat and sunglasses, therefore hiding most of his face. He is also holding a black bag which we do not know the content. The other hence men are also wearing the same type of costume however theyare not n black showing that Ryder is the most important out of the 'bad guys'
In the office everyone is wearing normal work clothing, shirt with ties and smart trouser or skirt. This shows the normality in this situtation.
Props - The whole opening is centered around a train, with things linking to them and images of the train itself. Also the bag that the hence men have makes it mysterious.
Colour - In the office the lightng is lighter with a blue tint to it, making it seem calm and technical. The subway is dark, grey and slightly dingy. This shows the difference between the two locations.
Body Language - The Hence men are all standing very still waiting for the train, showing that they are waiting in anticipation however they look as if they are calm and know what is about to happen. The people in the office seem very relaxed as they are in a comfortable location and everyday work, not knowing anything strange is going to happen.
Location - There are two location in the opening which are the main and nearly only locations used in the film. There is the office and the subway train.

Group 48 review - Mise en scene

Group 48 showed appropriate use of mise en scene to show the types of characters and different locations. The first location in a dark barn created an eery and scary atmosphere for the veiwer. They used the location effectively to get the best out of it, and this was very effective for the viewer. The Second location showed a cosy and family home, which was a real contrast to the first location. The props were used well to give a realistic feel to the story line. Although there wasnt many props used, they were used very well and effectively. The two charcters shown in the opening, the protaginist was wearing ripped up dirty clothes to show how she was vunrable, and the second character was the mother or the protagonist. She was shown wearing mumsy clothing giving a laid back and caring impression. Light was used effectvely in the barn, to show confusion for the veiwers that created a good sense of scariness. The titles that were used in group 48 worked well with the main idea and story line. Overall their work was very effective and well put together creating a great lasting effect for the veiwers.

Thriller Director - Danny Boyle

Danny Boyle was the director for such films such as 127 Hours, Shallow Grave and Trainspotting. He is one of the seven directors to win the Golden Glode, Director's Guild, BAFTA and Oscar for the same movie, Slumdog Millionaire. Some of Boyle's tade mark moves are that he uses the opening shot is usually a shot from the middle of the movie, often uses electronic music, kinetic camera and bright colourful landscapes.

"This is a film about how precious life is. And it's only precious because of other people. It's not precious in itself, which is what we sometimes think - we think the will to survive is an individualistic thing. ... But it's actually connected to other people. And that's what the life essence is really about - it's always about other people, even in the loneliest places."

Rough Cut - DISCONNECTED

Rough cut Analsis:

Logo Research

 looking at various logos of production companies, we played around with words and came up with TIGER DOOR PRODUCTIONS, a bit of a play on the 'lionsgate' productions.
Holly drew the tiger and we scanned it onto the computer where we edited the background and text on photoshop.

Research for intro music in thriller

For the beginning of our film we wanted something a bit eerie but urban, combining classical music like piano or violin with drum beats and bass.

A great example for this is Kanye West's song Runaway

Font

 
This is the font that we decided to use for our titles,we chose it because of it computer geerated appearance.

Analysis of the opening of thriller 'Premonition'

'Premonition'-

 

Premonition is a 2007 American drama film/ physchological thriller directed by Mennan Yapo and starring Sandra Bullock and Julian McMahon, in which Linda Hanson (Sandra) lives the days of a very event full week in non chronological order. on Wednesday she discovers her husband has been killed in a traffic accident, but when she wakes up the next morning he is still alive.

Analysis-

In the opening sequence of this film, the micro elements, sound, camera work, editing and mise en scene, are used to relate the film to its 'thriller' genre.

Firstly in the editing of the film black screens with white text on top was used, with eerie and mournful music in the background, the white text stands out on the dark screen, it is also in a fairly simple font which makes it easy to read, the text fades in and out, the final two credits are the starring actress' name and lastly the name of the film 'Premonition' so it sticks in the audiences mind, these credits appear to flash before fading to black. then the diejetic sound starts whilst the black screen is still visable so the audience can hear clicking and banging sounds, this effect has the audience guessing as to what the noises are, the black screen then fades to the clip, which is a high angle shot of a woman with her hands over her face sitting in the front passenger seat of a car, at first it seems that she has been kidnapped, we soon learn that the sounds were simply the clicking of seat belts and the bang of car doors, the woman is then guided out of the car by her husband, this is where we discover that she has her face covered as she is being led to a surprise.

there is a sepia effect over the prologue of the film, this helps to show that it is a scene from the past. the music behind this scene is very happy, in contrast to the eerie music with the black screens, because the couple is portrayed to be very happy and in love. many of the shots of the couple are from a distance giving the impression of voyeurism, this is also shown through the use of hand held camerawork. when the scene changes from the past to present day the transition is a fade to white screen which resembles a bright white light, which is often associated with death. during the transition we hear church bells chiming in the background, we later relate this to the bells that chime during Jim's funeral later in the film.

the next scene is of the mother driving her children to school, there is no music however we hear children laughing and playing in the playground, these sounds represent innocence and youth. the setting, narrative and costume in the opening sequence are very everyday and ralateable, the routine the mother goes through in the morning is conventional of a housewife, the costumes of a suit for the working father, a conventional sheriffs uniform for the sheriff, school uniform for the two daughters and the dressed down clothes for the stay at home mum. we are shown the housewife working in the home with the use of tracking shots to replicate us following her.

the editing of the film on the whole is continuity editing however there is the use of montages later in the film, and in the opening sequence, whilst Linda is on the phone, parallel editing is used to show each of the womens' reactions. there are more credits over the top of the clip, they are in the same font, colour and size as the first credits at the beginning so the the 'house theme' is continuous.

there are reaction shots in both the scene on the phone, the scene with the sheriff and the scene with the answering machine, the camera is aimed at Linda and we hear the answer phone in the background, so we can see her reaction to what is being said. A sense of voyeurism is again created with the high angle tracking shot of the car, as if we were watching her from a distance, like spying o her. there are many conventions in the opening scene which relate to the films thriller genre and death theme, for instance the use of orchestral music, bright white light and the point of view shot of crows flying an the crow sound effect are elements associated with death and funerals. there is a tracking shot as Linda is running down the road, however the first thing we see is her shadow which is fairly eerie, we also hear footsteps and panting/ heavy breathing, these effects are associated with thrillers and at first the audience may assume that she is being chased, however the camera pans upwards to show her jogging and we learn she is simply exercising.

there are alternating over the shoulder shots paired with reaction shots during the conversation between Linda and the sheriff, at the end of the conversation when Linda is informed that her husband has died her eyes glaze over and she zones out, this is supported with the use of indistinguishable background noises, and an echoing effect on the sheriffs voice suggests distance in her thoughts. no artificial lighting is used in the sequence, it s all natural, to try and in keep with the everyday and real life narrative.

Analysis of a Thriller opening: Leon

Leon: A 12 year old girl, Mathilda's whole family is killed while she's at the store and as she arrives home sees the men who killed them still at her home and to save her life she decides to walk past and pretend to live at her neighbors home, Leon her neighbor turns out to be a professional assasin who reluctantly takes care of her and teaches her his trade.

Camera Work:
The establishing shot at the begining is a of a large space of water and the camera then pans across it, then crossing over some trees and the pan gradually becomes slower and lifts up to show an skyline of New York, it then continues with a faster speed and cuts to the busy streets in the city where the camera is unsteadily panning through them just above car height. This scene gives away the location of the film as the camera lifts up to reveal a banner reading 'Welcome to Little Italy'. The camera then pans in closer on a shop titled 'Supreme Macaroni co.' The next shot is a close up of Leons hands gentally placed around a glass of milk on the table, this adds tension to the scene. The next shot is really usefull; it's a close up on Leons eye, but his eyes are hidden with his black lensed circle framed glasses. The glasses don't only add mystery to the figure as it's hiding his eyes, but they also act as a mirror for the viewer, who will be able to see the reflection of the man sitting opposite him putting a cigarette in his mouth and then the next shot is a close up of the man lighting the cigarette in his mouth and the camera pans up very slightly but the mans features are hidden behind the smoke from the freshly lit cigarette, once again adding mystery to the identity of the two men. They utter a few words in italian that also add to the mystery. A mid-close up is then shown of Leon but half his face is blocked from the unfocused shoulder of the man opposite from him. Another close up then shows the man putting out his cigarette in the little glass ash tray on the table. A close up is used on the mans mouth as he says 'Let's talk business'. The man then slides a black and white photo of a man in a car, unaware that the photo has been taken, into the possible point of view shot. The shots then switch between close ups of the two mens faces and the photograph as they speak. The close up of Leons hand around the glass of milk is used again and he picks up the glass, then a close up of the other mans eyes show his eyes following Leons movements, then a close up of Leon drinking the milk is used and finally a close up of when he puts the empty glass back down beside his hand. In a point of view shot a close up of the picture is shown as Leon puts his hand on the photo and slides it away, a reflection in his glasses also shows him doing this.

Many of the shots in the opening scene were close ups, used very skillfully to add tension and mystery between the two men, especailly as close ups don't show all of their features and techniques are used to block them such as; smoke from the cigarette, black glasses, over the shoulder shot close up etc. What i think is really skillfull and interesting about the way the close ups were used is that even though the viewer wasn't shown a full shot of what was going on, they managed to build the scene up bit by bit with big and small details, almost like a jig saw of little pieces put together to show the viewer the full picture.
Also very clever is the use of unsteady camerawork as it pans through the streets as it makes the veiwer feel almost apart of the film, like they're actually there in the street and glancing up when the camera lifts up.

Sound:
The overall soundtrack in the opening is very soft and calm. The soundtrack commences with simple soft notes as the credits appear over a black screen and a single high pitch violin is then added as the camera pans across the water. As the camera rolls over the trees to the New York City skyline more detail picks up in the music and by the time the camera is panning throught the city's busy streets it has become quite complex with pipes or flutes used too but still quite calming. I think this music is well suited to the opening becuase the music is at it's simplest point as the credits appear on a black screen and then as more location is revealed to the viewer, more qualities start to rise in the track and like it's a transition of simple to complex in the music as it is visually from the sea to the city streets.
The music dies down as close up of the man opposite Leon is shown and only ambient sounds are present along with the dialogue from the two men. Tense music then builds up as a clear decision has been made as Leon picks up his glass, the sound of Leon putting his glass down is exaggerated an slightly echoed to add more tension and a final impacting effect.

sound effects used include:
- a cigarette being lit
- dialogue
- a cigarette being put out
- a photo being slid into and out of the shot
- leons hand touching the glass of milk
- sound of the milk being drunk
- the glass being put down on the table


Editing:
The credits and titles are all in a simple white font, with all the names in capitals. The titles fade in and out on the black screen and also along the establioshing shots of the location. When the camera reaches the skyline of New York the title 'LEON' flashes onto the scene, filling up most of the screen and fades away after a couple of seconds, The titles continue through the streets until the camera reaches the little shop.

The majority of the transitions int he opening are cuts, there is only one fade transition which is appropriatly placed between the entrance of the little shop and the close up of Leons hands against the glass of milk.

editing techniques used:
- shot reverse shot is used when Leon is sharing dialogue with the man opposite him.
- as Leon picks up his glass of milk and drinks it, a reaction shot is used of the man opposite him as his eyes follow the glass.
-Match on action is used when the mann lights his cigarette.

The pace at the beginning is slow in the establishing shots and picks up as the camera goes into the restaurant and speeds up more as the two men are having a conversation.

Mise-en-scene:
Lighting: In the establishing shots of the sea, tree's and city the lighting is very natural and bright creating an everyday environment. In contrast to the outside shots, in the small restuarant the lighting is lower and artificail, creating a more tense and serious atmosphere.
Set/Location: The storyline is set in New York, shown in the establishing long shot of the City skyline, in Little Italy, shown by a banner in the street saying 'Welcome to Little Italy' and then even deeper into a restaurant named 'Supreme Macaroni co.'
Costume: the wardrobe for the film is made up of casual everyday wear from the 90's, as the film was brought out in 1994.
Colour Design: Outside the restuarant, nutural colours are used to create the city and inside the restuarant an orangey/red colour design is used.
Props: A glass of milk is the first thing the viewer sees of Leon and acts almost like a full stop because as they finish their conversation, Leon finishes his drink. The other man has a lighter and a cigarette and i think this gives him more of a respectable position. Leon is wearing black lensed circle framed glasses which hide his eyes and add mystery to his identity and show the reflections of what he is seeing. The black and white picture is of a man in a car, a possible target, who appears unaware of the photo being taken.
Body Language: The men come across as ver calm and serious as they talk. Little hints and details such as when the man both lights his cigarette and puts it out and how he casually slides the photograph into view indicate that he is in charge.

Conventions:
Leon is an action thriller, conventions include:
- The narrative centres around the crime of Mathilda's family being murdered and her wanting and gaining revenge.
-Micro elements build up the suspence and tension in the film.
- The protagonist, Leon, now has a weakness, an achilles heel that will be his downfall which is that he cares for Mathilda.
- Leon is put in a complex situation where there appears to be no escape, he manages to escape from it but is dragged a little back in and is killed saving Mathildas life.