Thriller Title Sequence Analysis

Se7en

Imperatively, the title sequence for Se7en uses many different techniques to make the audience feel the suspense, tension and mystery. The director, David Fincher, used sounds, editing and semiology to allow the audience to feel uneasy and to make them question how the narrative will follow on after the title sequence.

When focusing on sound, there are a variety of methods used to intensify the visual images. Essentially, the title sequence is made up of a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds; the drum beat and rewinding tape are both diegetic and the robotic noises are non-diegetic. There is a constant drumbeat throughout the first minute of the clip; one might suggest that this beat is symbolic of a heartbeat. Thus, when this beat is sped up after a minute the audience may feel that the tension has been increased as the pace 'heartbeat' has increased - suggesting panic. Moreover, sound is also used effectively when one can hear the tape rewinding backwards. This sound gives the audience the impression that someone is being recorded/monitored which is quite disturbing. Additionally, this fits in with one of the typical genre conventions of being watched/followed because to record someone the criminal would have to follow them. What's more, one can identify the sound of the wind knocking something which could imply that something/someone is trying to get into the room. Not only does this conform to the typical thriller theme of vulnerability, but it also makes the audience feel uneasy due to the eeriness of the noise. One might suggest that as the overall sound scape is quite broken and disjointed that this reflects the criminal's mind and they are also quite incoherent.

Additionally, one has noticed that the editing in the title sequence of Se7en mirrors the possible state of mind that the criminal has. At the outset the editing is slow when focused on the book, however this could be the time period when the criminal is thinking. Therefore, when the editing becomes faster and more jump cuts are used this could demonstrate that the criminal is in his element and he has planned what to do. Moreover, the faster edits could be a way for Fincher to conceal what the criminal is doing to build tension as the audience won't know what to anticipate. Another way that the editing creates tension is by making the transitions very sharp; this could reflect the violence of the criminal and therefore make the audience feel unsettled. Also, the out of focus close up of the book (as seen above) conveys mystery to the audience and could be interpreted as some parts of the narrative are less obvious - further increasing the suspense.

What's more, the semiology of the title sequence also aids the tension/suspense build up. One of the more implicit ways that mystery is built is by one hand being in the light area and one hand being in the dark area (as seen to the left). This could be a sign that the criminal has two sides to him; one side that misleads people and one side that is his exterior self. Moreover, the camera is looking down on the crooked hands; suggesting that these hands are not that of the criminal because they are below him, therefore whoever's they are is seen to be of a lower status than him in his opinion. Additionally, one can tell that the criminal is obsessive because of the two overlapping shots of the writing in the book (as seen to the left). After research, one can identify that the designers of the book - Clive Piercy and John Sabel - wanted an "obsessive quality to the handwriting". One believes that the methodical approach to the book and the grid paper all reinforce this obsessiveness and organisation. Similarly, the criminal could be seen as anal and disturbing when he sews into the edge of the page; this conveys that he has to get the book absolutely perfect and he uses a surgical needle to do this. Significantly, the image of the blade symbolises danger and thus builds tension by representing the criminal as a dangerous figure.

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Dexter

Significantly, the title sequence for Dexter uses many different techniques to convey violence and cruelty. Sounds, editing and semiology have been used to allow the audience to notice the pleasure that the male character gets through violence. When comparing Se7en and Dexter there is one main obvious difference; the male character in Dexter is very explicit about his violence and brutality. Whereas, in Se7en the violence is implicit as he is represented as more of a psycho. 

In terms of sound, this thriller opening is unlike most other thrillers. The background music seems quite menacing due to the upbeat tempo and the instruments used. When focusing on the diegetic sounds however, one can identify that they enhance the character's animalistic and violent representation. The sounds effects of him cutting, frying and chewing/ripping the meat are very predominant in the overall soundscape; hence the audience could feel disturbed by his enjoyment through cooking and eating the meat. Also, this could be symbolic of cannibalism or a love of blood - giving the male character the representation of a murderer, which is one of the typical thriller characters. Moreover, the diegetic sound of him slapping the bug on his arm also creates the same sort of representation of the man. This slapping sound almost jolts the audience and pulls their attention to the man as the music prior to that had been very jolly. One might suggest that it is this juxtaposition of the jolly non-diegetic sound and the violent diegetic sounds that sets the audience on edge and builds tension due to the fact that they are being given mixed signals of the genre.

Crucially, one might suggest that it is the mixture of camera angles (as seen to the right) that convey the variety in the story of this thriller. This might be due to the fact that instead of a movie - like Se7en - it is a set of TV programmes. Additionally, the constant editing might reflect to the audience that the morning routine that they see is a constant one for him; thus violence is one of his personality traits. One also notices that the audience don't see the male character's full appearance until  the closing shot of the opening sequence. This might be because the directors wanted the audience to gain the opinion that the man is cruel before they see that he looks like an ordinary man. Moreover, the mixture of close up and extreme close up shots are a clear indication to the audience that something is being hidden from them as only part of the object can be seen. Therefore, the audience's suspense and tension is built as they anticipate that something is happening that they cannot see.

    

    

What's more, the semiology of the Dexter title sequence continues with the symbolism of violence and cruelty. At the outset the red blood splatter on his name (as seen to the left) is a clear indication that he is connected with the violence as blood is linked with danger, death and wounds. Thus, the male is immediately represented as being a possible murder/criminal - two conventional thriller characters. The theme of blood is continued throughout the sequence; when he is shaving he cuts himself - implying that he is used to being violent with weapons and therefore forgot his own strength. The blood is further intensified when the tissue is used to soak it up; the tissue is pure white and when the blood was stained onto it it looked even more intensified. This same colour contrast was used when the blood dropped into the bath; suggesting that the blood is clearly of significance because the directors have highlighted it so that the audience notice it. Blood is also implied in other areas of the sequence; when the food is being cut up and the dark brown sauce is splattered across the plate, much like the blood was in the clip with his name. Conversely, the semiology of the character's hands is very implicit. One might suggest that the hands represent his control and hard work (as they are worn and manly). This portrays to the audience that that his work involves killing as they are used throughout the sequence to demonstrate the violent things that he is doing. This is evident when he grabs the coffee strainer with his hand, when he's cutting/squeezing the orange, wrapping the dental floss around his fingers and tying his shoelace. All of these things are completed by either grabbing, squeezing or wrapping so that his fingers and knuckles go white with strain - clearly conveying anger, violence and brutality. Furthermore, the close up of him locking the door (above) is of great significance when talking about semiology. One could interpret this as him leaving behind one life in his house and when he steps outside, he is showing a new self; demonstrated by his confident walking style and cheeky grin. This cheekiness is reinforced by the 'ting' noise as he looks at the camera; it suggests that he has a connection with the audience without them knowing it. 

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Psycho

Crucially, the title sequence for Psycho uses many different techniques to make the audience feel the isolation and suspense. The director, Alfred Hitchcock, used sounds, some editing and semiology to allow the audience to anticipate what might happen next. Unlike Se7en and Dexter, Psycho doesn't use a character to portray certain themes or ideas; it uses animated text and lines.

The sound is the most important aspect to this title sequence. This is due to the fact that there are no characters to portray a certain emotion or action so the sound must create an atmosphere for the audience. Essentially, at the outset there are 5 beats and then the fast paced music starts; this fast pace conveys that there is a sense of panic and distress. Additionally, when the long violin pieces come in a sense of urgency and speed is added to the piece as it creates an illusion that fast paced action lies ahead. One might suggest that the high pitched violin sounds towards the end symbolise screaming; perhaps of the psycho or the victim. The whole soundscape is non-diegetic as no natural sounds were used to build tension or create an atmosphere. Again, this isn't like the previous two title sequences that I analysed.

Imperatively, the sequence starts with the Paramount logo with a bar effect on it; bars (especially on windows) is one of the typical thriller themes. The bars theme also continues throughout the opening sequence when they are used to fill the gaps in the screen (see right). One notices that the colours used are grey and black; this juxtaposes the bright contrasting colours that one would think would be used for a psycho as they are more bizarre. These colours are dull and match the grey scale film that was used at the end of the title sequence. However, the colours do highlight the emptiness of the screen when there is only white text in one space. This emptiness could be symbolic of isolation and vulnerability; especially when the film's name - Pyscho - comes on the screen. The fact that the name Psycho is also split into bars (see right) could suggest that the psycho in the film is broken into sections and distorted; therefore is a dangerous person. Conversely, it could imply that the psycho needs to be locked behind bars. However, the fact that is is in the middle of a black background conveys that the psycho is isolated - perhaps this demonstrates to the audience that this is why he/she is psycho. Crucially, the fact that the lines move in different directions could be an indication that they represent the psycho in that the directions they travel in are different. 

How does the sound and camera work help create a sense of tension in 'A Mother's Son'?

'A Mother's Son' is an ITV drama that was first aired on Monday 3rd September 2012. It is a narrative based on a teenage girl being murdered in a quiet coastal town. A mother finds a stained pair of trainers and suspects that either her son or stepson had something to do with the death. The opening sequence lasts for one minute fifty-five seconds and has many camera angles/shots and sounds to create a sense on tension.

Primarily, the sound and camera work are used together to build a sense of vulnerability and isolation; two typical thriller conventions. The extreme long shots and establishing shots clearly convey that the female character is alone in the beach environment, despite the fact that she keeps looking behind her to see if anyone is following her. What's more her vulnerability is reinforced by the close up shot of her stumbling feet; this creates tension as the audience recognise that she is not able to walk properly and would therefore struggle to run away from someone/something. Moreover, the camera shots are used with diegetic sound to create tension as one can hear her breathing. This gives the audience the impression that she is out of breath and therefore vulnerable to a further attack if she was to collapse. So, the sound and camera work helps to create a sense of tension by making the female character seem vulnerable and isolated (away from help).

Furthermore, the hue/colour wash also helps to create a sense of tension. This is because the clip has a blue-grey hue effect on it; this makes the audience feel as though the female character has been washed out and creates a sense of danger as she looks pale. Also, this colour wash helps to emphasise the bright red blood on her white shirt later on in the sequence. Clearly, this would create a sense of tension as the audience are unsure if she will die or not; therefore anticipation is built. Not only does the colour wash represent the female character in a certain way, but the high angle camera shot also portrays her as weak and inferior. Crucially, this could suggest to the audience that whoever attacked her before is still lurking in the tall grass (which looks like a maze) as she is still being seen as the weaker character.

Significantly, from the outset the sense of tension is built using diegetic sounds. The initial sound of the waves makes the audience feel calm as the wave sounds have connotations of relaxation, holidays and fun. However, when the seagulls begin to squawk the audience's calmness is broken and they feel on edge because it sounds like the seagulls are laughing. Additionally, when this is paired with the low angle shot of the sea gulls the audience feel inferior to them - enhancing the fact that the sea gulls are laughing at them (or the female character). Conversely, non-diegetic sounds are used to create tension; there is a sombre sound of the flute playing which gives one the impression that something sad is about to happen; thus tension is built for the audience. The music then increases in tempo to indicate that anticipation and suspense is being built and the audience can feel the tension created. Again, the increase in music tempo is then mirrored in the editing and the jump cuts become faster to make the situation seem more panicked. One notices that the music then stops when the female subject falls down; this allows the audience to hear the gradually nearing footsteps and the sense of tension is at its peak. In this break in the sound scape the audience hears the female's weak and quivering voice for the first time: "I'm sorry". Essentially, this helps to create a sense of tension in a large way due to the fact that the audience are unsure what she is apologising for and if the attacker will do anything to her.

Finally, one can identify that the female character is not seen fully for a good amount of time in the opening sequence of 'A Mother's Son'. So, when the extreme close up of the eye is shown that is the first time that the audience can connect with the character. Significantly, the eyes are the most emotive part of the face so the audience were able to clearly read what she was thinking. The director has chosen to put a grey scale effect on the shot of her eye; this could be so that the audience really focus on the terror and shakiness of her eye or alternatively so that the reflection of the person is clearly visible. However, it is this new connection that the audience has with the female character that creates tension as they are left to wonder what happened to her.

'No Country for Old Men'

Film poster for 'No Country for Old Men'.

Written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 2007, No Country for Old Men is an American thriller film based on a book written by Cormac McCarthy. The story is about an ordinary man who is delivered a fortune that isn't his and him and two others cross paths in a 1980 West Texas desert landscape. The themes in the film include: fate, conscience and circumstance.

No Country for Old Men was awarded 4 Oscars at the 2007 Academy Awards, 3 British Film Academy Awards and it was selected at the best of 2007 by the National Board of Review.

Joel and Ethan Coen grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota  and went to St. Louis Park high school and then Bard College at Simon's Rock in Massachusetts. In 1984 the brothers wrote and directed their first film together - Blood Simple. Since then they have been writing and directing various films together.

Information from: Wikipedia

Initial Camera Experiences

On Thursday 20th and Friday 21st September I was able to start experimenting with the camera, tripod and dolley during media. I worked with my table group to produce a short clip with all of the angles, shots and movements. Overall, I found the camera simple to turn on, insert the tape and get started.
Imperatively, it was the camera angles and shots that I felt were the easiest to get right as they involve keeping the camera on the tripod as using your hands to keep the camera still make it too wobbly! The camera shots that we tested were:

• Extreme long shot
• Long shot
• Mid shot
• Two shot
• Close up
• Point of View shot
• Extreme close up

Additionally, the camera angles and movements that we experimented with were:

• Over the shoulder angle
• High angle
• Low angle
• Tracking shot
• Sideways tracking
• Tilt shot
• Zoom
• Arc shot
• Crane shot
• Panning shot

I didn't find the movement shots particularly easy as they often required moving the camera with your hands and I don't have a steady hand. However, I had never used a dolley before but despite this I thought it was easy to use and after a few attempts managed to get a decent tracking shot of a portrait on the wall. I think the dolley will be easier to use on a smooth surface though because the carpet was bumpy and provided an uneven surface for it to be moved on.

Thriller Film Posters Convention Analysis

Crucially, the Pulp Fiction film poster has many typical conventions of a thriller film poster. The character, narrative, themes and iconography each have different conventions that can be seen.

One notices that colours have been used to connote different things. For example, red has been repeatedly used (as part of the header, lipstick and background furniture); this conveys connotations of death, violence, danger and blood - all of which are typical narratives and themes in a thriller film. What's more, yellow has been used in the film title and the cast list. One can identify that yellow is a very bold colour and therefore mirrors the bold image of the femme fatale on the poster. However, despite being a bold colour, yellow juxtaposes the thriller genre as it is a very cheerful, happy and bright colour; thus meaning Tarantino wanted to represent the film as having multi-genres when it doesn't so that a larger audience would go to see it.

Furthermore, the poster has many explicit and implicit narrative and iconography conventions. One of the more explicit narratives that can be seen almost immediately is the gun; a symbol of assassins, death, deception, revenge and gain. Conversely, a more implicit narrative convention is the cigarette - a symbol of death, fire, burning and danger. Moreover, two other implicit iconography conventions are the blinds and the lamp; the blinds resemble bars on a window and the lamp could be similar to a street lamp - both thriller conventions.

Significantly, one could suggest that the femme fatale has been represented as a sexual image because her lipstick, nail varnish, cleavage and heels are all symbols of femininity. What's more the female subject in the poster is represented as controlling as her hand is placed over the Pulp magazine in a dominating way and her eyes are focused directly on the audience; suggesting power. Additionally, the femme fatale presented as sharp with her edgy haircut and spikey heels.

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Imperatively, the Psycho film poster also has many typical conventions of a thriller film poster. Once again, the character, narrative, themes and iconography each have different conventions that are visible.

Essentially, this poster has clear thriller theme conventions of isolation and entrapment. The femme fatale in this poster is trapped by the blue boarder around her, separating her and the two males. Thus, when thinking about gender representation, she is portrayed as being vulnerable. What's more, her vulnerability is implied through her being in her underwear; this suggests to the viewer that she is an obvious target. Additionally, the fact that she is looking behind her suggests that she is being followed unexpectedly which fits into the typical thriller narrative of being watched. Conversely, one could suggest that her dominance and power is demonstrated as she is larger than the male subjects; this is a clear contrast between the two typical conventions. Overall, the two genders are represented in various ways to convey them as both dominant and weak. 

Similar to the Pulp Fiction poster, this one also uses colour as a symbol of the typical thriller narratives. Significantly, the blue and yellow colours are contrasting, hence they clash and possibly suggest violence or death. Furthermore, the femme fatale is yellow and so is the Psycho writing so this suggests that either she is the psycho or the psycho is effecting her in some way. It is this contrast of interpretations that mirrors one's earlier point about her dominance and vulnerability. Also, the yellow and blue colours are rather bizzare; therefore adding to the fact that the film is titled Psycho. The black background enhances that blue and yellow colours so they stand out on the poster and are therefore emphasised.

Crucially, the two male subjects look animalistic and therefore could represent criminals or psychos - two typical thriller characters. One can tell this because the male without a shirt on and with his muscles showing looks bare and wild, thus portraying an animal. Also, the other male subject's eyes look piercing and cold which could be similar to an animal hunting it's prey.

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Primarily, The Box thriller film poster is another example of a poster that conveys many typical thriller conventions. One can identify the character, narrative, theme and iconography conventions.

The female subject in this poster is looking behind her; thus conveying that she is being watched or followed - two typical thriller narratives. What's more her facial expression looks worried or concerned about something so this demonstrates that she doesn't know what or who is following/watching her.  However, her dominance is shown over the two males on the poster as she is larger than they are, she takes up more of the poster and she is at the top of the poster (so she is the subject that the viewer would see first). Furthermore, she has a rough edged block of pinky-red on half of her face. This could mean that she is turning/has turned into someone else as half of her is different or that she is non-threatening as pink has connotations of respect and admiration.

Moreover, all three subjects seem isolated even though they are together. This is because the black background makes them seem like they are there alone and therefore trapped away from everyone else. One could suggest that Cameron Diaz is playing an isolated character as the spacing on her name at the top is large and each letter stands alone. Once again, isolation and entrapment are two typical thriller themes.

Crucially, one could suggest that the male subject of the left is represented as the typical criminal because his face is half shadowy and he therefore resembles an edgy and mysterious character. Conversely, he is also looking over his shoulder which demonstrates that he is perhaps being followed or watched also. So, his character could be seen as controversial from the poster as he is portraying contrasting thriller conventions. Dissimilar to this, the male subject at the bottom of the frame certainly conveys a mysterious character. One can identify that he is wearing a hat and has his jacket closed; therefore covering himself from the outside world and possibly shutting himself away. Also, he has a slight smirk on his face which can be seen as sinister. Importantly, although he is at the bottom of the poster and should be conveyed as the lowest in the hierarchy of the subjects, he is carrying the box which is also the title of the film; thus his character has significance as he is linked to the title.

** AMENDMENTS MADE ARE IN BLUE**

Introduction

This is my first post on my new blog for AS level media. I go to Reepham Sixth Form and I am also studying English language, PE and Art. However, the purpose of this blog is to be able to post my work so that it can be easily read and marked.

What is a thriller film?

(Alfred Hitchcock, a successful thriller director and producer).

Essentially, the thriller genre makes the audience feel suspense, tension and excitement. So, thriller films create an adrenaline rush for the audience as they are usually fast paced so make the audience's emotions mirror those of the character. Red-herrings, plot twists and cliffhangers are used a lot in the villain-driven plot lines. Ultimately, thrillers make the audience alert and on the edge of their seats.
There are 5 common sub genres:
- psychological thrillers

- crime thrillers

- mystery thrillers

- political thrillers

- paranoid thrillers

Information from: wikipedia