Thriller Micro Elements

Sound

Earlier in the year we created an opening for a Thriller. One of the micro elements that was included was use of sound. We created a soundtrack that we thought fitted the whole sequence. It created quite an eerie and mysterious vibe, this is an example of non-diagetic sound. Another example of non-diagetic sounds is the sounds we used for the transitions for the flashbacks. We also used diagetic sounds, like the sound of the train at the beginning, and footsteps. We used visceral sound when the man is hit. This technique is used to emphasise and focus on certain sounds.

Editing

We edited the flashbacks to be viewed in black and white, so the audience could understand that it was in the past. This worked well along with the transition sound, to create a fluent change. Another editing technique we used was changing the speed of clips. We cut up a number of clips, in which we sped up and slowed down. This built up tension throughout the sequence, leaving the viewer on edge. We used simple opening credits which appeared by the side of the appropriate character. At the end of our sequence, we paused the film whilst the character was in 'mid-punch'. We created a break in the music to go with this. At the same time, our opening title 'Rependo' appeared on the screen.  

Mise-on-scene


Straight away, a scary isolated setting and location is put in place. This instantly informs the audience that something is not right. Costume is very important in our video, as it creates a hierarchy. Will, the obvious antagonist, is dressed in smart informative clothing, whereas Saul is dressed in bloody cheap clothes. We used make-up on Sauls face, to show he had been beaten and was in danger. The lighting in the scene is completely natural and dull. We purposely filmed in the evening to emphasise the eeriness, as darkness is associated with the Thriller genre.

Cinematography 

We used many PoV shots in our opening. The first PoV was in the view of the antagonist. This PoV shot is very strong and focuses on the protagonist. Afterwards, the next shot is in the PoV of the protagonist, and you can instantly tell the character can barely hold himself up. When the character does manage to look at the antagonist, he is looking up from a low angle. This shows that he is in a weak position.

SFX


We only used a couple of special effects, a fake gunshot and a stunt with the punch in the face. The gunshot made the death of Will's brother more vivid and realistic, as well as the punch.

How does contemporary media represent nations, regions and collective groups of people?

Overall, Misfits represents the whole of Britain in a negative way. It is set in the London area and is about 5 youths that are doing community service. To start with, as they are doing community service, it shows youths negatively and they all do not seem bothered about it. This shows that this is a regularity and is normal for the youth of today in Britain. This goes against what the theorist Stryker believes, as he states that people would change themselves to fit in with others. However, in Misfits the characters are all clearly individuals and proud to be different. For example, at the opening of the first episode of Misfits, each character customizes their orange jumpsuits to suit their style.

Fish Tank represents pretty much the same points that were raised in Misfits, but expands it to looking more at the family unit. They also look at the family as lower class, and they live in a big block of run down council flats. As it is located here it would suggest that the majority of the people in the area were rough and didn't have much money or class. This film shows that the collective group of british teenagers is that they are badly behaved and drink and smoke at a young age. It also shows the parents accepting the behavior and also shows them not caring or having any control. This represents Marcuse because he says that the mass media carry with them prescribed attitudes and habits, and we already have an idea of what the lower class is like and this emphasizes our opinions.

In Kidulthood it represents teenage youth of London as violent and abusive. An outsider looking in would assume that this behaviour is normal to people in this area because it is so accepted in the film. Most of the characters in the film who are violent and abusive seem to profit from being violent and abusive, making the behaviour seem accepted. A main example of this is with Trevor's Uncle who as a drug dealer manages to force people into situations that normally they would never enter. For instance he gets the gun from Trevor which he didn't have to pay for and when he cuts someone that didn't want to pay for his drugs.

Fish tank

Is Connor a father figure to Mia?

I think for most of the film Connor acts as a father figure. As she looks up to him as an authoritative figure around the house. She doesn't want to let him get close as we get the impression that there have been men in and out of the family. However there are times when she let him get close, a certain warmth towards him. He encourages her to pursue her one interest, dancing. This is a typical fatherly quality that the family lacked due to the mother having a bad attitude to her children, due to unknown reasons.

Do your decisions from the article changed after seeing the film?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Tank_%28film%29

I think the article is close to the film however certain aspects you cant get from the article such as the understanding of why she is like she is (Mia). Her bringing up was clearly a struggle with her mum regretting she ever had her. Knowing she isn't wanted in the house she wonders around the streets not knowing the wrongs and rights. Mixing with the wrong people and falling out with her friendship group.



What does the film say about British families?


The film portrays British families as lower-class and parenting responsibilities at an all time low. With no real authoritative figure in the house, the children are left to run their own lives making wrong decisions. The film illustrates a 15 year old girl trespassing in a unused flat, drinking and violence in the street. Giving the impression to other culture that this is typical of a British family.

An Education Question

How is Jenny typical of an British teenager?

Jenny was shown to be a typical teenager in many ways. Jenny comes across as very much in charge when it come to family. She bosses her parents about and is very cheeky to them at times. However she does show respect for her parents. This is probably less common in this day and age. Jenny is seen to be strongly influenced by older men. She acts older when she is with David and his friends which shows her trying to be mature. At this age British girls often try to look up to older female role-models. However unlike all british teenagers she knows exactly what she wants to do however is affected by personal/family relationships.

Draw similarities and comparisons between the representation of Britain you see here and in Alfie.

Similarities between the Britain you see in Alfie and An Education is that they are very strict on how people will think of them, they believe that values should mould the lives of those involved. Another aspect is that women do not seem to have as much as an involvement in serious matters except of course when Jenny realises whats happened to her chances of university and while speaking to the head teacher. However a point that would back up the statement above would be that when Danny and David go into the house to take the map, she is rudely told to get back into the car.