appendix two: research into examples of comparable products

Seven

Seven The film seven was created in 1995 and directed by a man called David Fincher. The main genre of this film is thriller but it also can cover other wide aspects on genre such as crime and mystery. The film follows a linear narrative and this means that it starts at the beginning of the story and ends and the end. This means that it is easier for the audience to follow the story line. As this plot is easier to follow it gives the audience the impression that they are one of the detectives and are unveiling the mysteries together, it gives the audience a chance to work out the outcome, which means they become more involved in the story. There are many codes and conventions in this film that makes it a thriller genre. The first of many is an obvious but important one; the film is set in a modern city. This is in connection with G K Chesterton’s idea that a thriller genre film must be set in a modern environment. The film is mainly set in darkness and in a rainy environment, this adds to the idea of a dark depressing storyline. As the film is set in darkness this means that most of the time the audience do not have a clear view of what is going on in the picture. This is called ‘partial vision’. Pascal Bontizer said that this ‘partial vision’ suited the thriller genre as it keeps the audience in suspense as they do not know what is happening. ‘Partial vision’ is again explored within this film as we don’t ever get to see the killer until the end of the film. This could be described as ‘patracted’ outcome; this also heightens this feeling of tension and shock. There are many things in this film that the audience doesn’t get to see such as, the head in the box, the killer, all of the plot and many of the apartment’s features. As the structure of this film is linear this means that the audiences are able to ask questions as they are almost a third detective. Noell Carroll said that this was a useful thing as it attracted in the audience and kept them involved in the story. Mathews described that one of the codes and conventions of a thriller was the idea that it follows the structure of a maze, with twists and turns. During the film there is a chase seen and this intensifies this idea that they are in a maze. There are many clues in this film that make the audience ask questions and this is also adapted to the idea of the maze. Delay and protraction is also used within the film during the scene were Somerset, Mill and Doe are in the car, the audience is waiting for a long period of time to get to the destination. Another code and convention used in this film is the idea that there has to be a moral dilemma for the main character, in this film it is almost that the good guy becomes bad. This gives the film a good twist and again introduces the idea of a maze. Cinematography is used effectively in this film to suggest subtle things to the audience. There is a point of view shot from the camera during the last scenes of the film and this gives the audience ‘partial vision’ and this causes the audience tension and fear as you don’t know what is happening very clearly. Within the film there are some low angle shots of Somerset this could suggest to the audience that Somerset has some sort of power over situations. John Doe is the main focus of the end scenes this is shown by there being many low angle shots of Dow blocking out the sun; this makes the audience feel fear as the bad guy has the upper hand. The use of an extreme low angle when John Doe is shot shows that this power has now shifted to Mills from Doe. A steady cam is used when focusing on Mills this could reflect his unstable emotions, and there is a contrast in Somerset’s emotion as a still cam is used on him. The main costume used in this film is cop uniforms, and holsters, this sets the idea of danger and suits this thriller genre. As the film is mostly set in darkness this promotes the idea of partial vision, and as the lighting changes during the last scenes this confuses the audience. The performance suits the thriller genre very much as there seems to be a lot of dilemmas and chaos. Somerset is very straight, tactful and neat and this is somehow is reflected in to his hair style which is very neat and traditional. In contrast Mills hair is quite messy and this shows how is personality is unpredictable and angry. The props used in this film also suited the thriller genre as there are guns, helicopters and body parts. The setting is in an urban environment and it is always raining this means that it again refers to this thriller code and conventions. There is usually very tense music in a thriller film to heighten the tension in the audience. There is strange scary music playing during the credits and this sets the plot of the story and how the storyline is very strange also. This non-diagetic music makes the audience feel suspense. There is also some internal-diagetic sound in the end of the film and this shows the audience the conscience of the Somerset. I don’t think this fits in with the film as it isn’t in the rest of the film. There is the use of crosscutting in the film and the use of shot reverse shot. The use of cross cutting shows the audience how the two characters contrast. When the camera is on a two shot of the characters it again makes the audience feel as if they are a third person or detective within the story. The graphics during the opening credits of the film show the audience what is to come within the film and show the audience the killer and again uses ‘partial vision’. The typeface of the graphics is scary and looks scrawled. The typography is small and is almost reflecting the weirdness of the mind of John Doe. The colours used during the opening credits are black and white meaning that there is a plain world and then the use of red shows the blood and violence. This film is a really good example of a thriller genre as there are many codes and conventions used constantly throughout the whole film.

Red Eye

The film red eye is a good example of a thriller film as it shows all the aspects of a thriller even within the opening scene. The film was released in 2004 and was directed by Wez Craven. The narrative structure of this film seems to be a linear one. The film starts showing the audience pictures of a girl. This could suggest that this person may be a main character. The pictures show the character graduating and playing a contact sport, this shows the audience that this person is intelligent and may be able to defend themselves. These are clues in the story that allow the audience to ask questions. This is a convention in a thriller film. These pictures are ones that are of proud moments of achievement, showing that this person may be a family member. There are a few obvious codes and conventions during this opening scene such as dramatic music, which makes the audience, feel tense. The film seems to be set in a modern time and this is one of the conventions that G K Chesterton said had to be in a thriller film. There are two main settings in this opening, one is modern and one seems to be in a derelict area, these two contrasting areas could make the audience ask questions. The opening is set at night, and you don’t get to see the characters face. This darkness and hiding of the characters identity could be classed as ‘Partial vision’. There is a box being transferred from a truck in this opening, this box could be the exotic in the film that changes the plot. There are also many things associated with thrillers in this opening scene such as thugs, weapons, stealing. The girl shown in the pictures seems to be ordinary, this is key as it is said by Chesterton who believed that this attracted the audience to the story as the character usually go from ordinary to extraordinary. The cinematography used in this opening sequence also complements the thriller genre. There is a low angle shot used to show the hotel, this could suggest great power and wealth in the hotel and give it that extra importance. The camera work is very quick paced and this shows how hectic the things are and could make the audience feel suspicious of what is happening. There are close ups on props that have significance, the wallet have the initials JR on it. This may be a clue for the audience to use when they find out a characters name with the initials JR. A steady cam is used to film the loading of the box in to the truck; this could be to reflect the sense of urgency in the characters loading the box. There is also a point of view shot of some one looking at plans of a penthouse; this could be a clue for what is to come later in the film. Also this makes the audience ask questions as to who they are looking through the eyes of. We only see the hair of the character and this is ‘partial vision’ as the hair style is very distinct this may be a clue if we see a character with this hairstyle later in the film. The main character in the opening sequence wears a suit; this could suggest some sort of power or authority. The props used I this sequence are plans and photographs, this shows that there may be a big event happening within the film to change the storyline. The props used also provide clues for the audience to work out such as the initials on the wallet. The lighting in the house is warm and soft this could again show the fact it is a family members house, in contrast the lighting in other areas in harsh and cold suggesting this is not a good person. As the opening seen is purely montage based the sound is non diagetic. The music is mostly dramatic and performed with instruments, but there is one sound that is different. The use of the sound of a aeroplane taking off is effective and relevant as it may show you what is to come in the film. The editing in the film is very quick paced and the montage shows the preparation of something that is to happen in the film. There is some use of crosscutting in this sequence. This could be relating the person planning and the box together. The graphics used at the very beginning of the film are plain and black and white. This is to focus the audience attention on the tense music being played. The typeface is straightforward and this could show how everything is planned within the film.

Strangers On a Train

Thriller films have been in movie for a very long time. One of the old thriller films is strangers on a train this film was released in 1951 and was directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This film is about two men that meet on a train and devise a plan to kill each others enemies as this would lead no connection to them as they are strangers. The narrative structure of the film seems to be linear. This is as it starts from the moment the two people don’t know each other. This structure is very easy for the audience to follow and is sometimes more attractive to an audience as they can ask questions and also predict what is to come in the film.
Thriller codes and conventions are used in this sequence to suggest to the audience what genre it is. From the very opening of the sequence there is very loud dramatic music, this can be associated with thriller films. As the camera is always focusing on the two men’s feet you never get to see the people, this is partial vision and can make the audience ask questions about the film and therefore they become more interested in the plot. The film seems to be set in a urban environment, which is one of the conventions most highly connected to thriller genres. This idea of the film being set in an urban environment also suggests that the people within the film are ordinary, this is another convention.
The camera in this opening sequence also helps the film become established as a thriller. The cinematography uses close ups to emphasizes partial vision on the feet, yet it also introduces the characters and makes the audience ask questions. This idea of partial vision is yet again explored using the camera when there is a low angle shot on the screen. Another interesting shot is the one of the train tracks, this is almost a point of view shot from the train. This shot is used to show the time in between the men arriving at the station and getting on the train. The costumes in this film suggest that is was made in the 50’s as both men are wearing suits and seem modern for this time. The hairstyles of the characters also match this idea of a professional modern man. The men are carrying briefcases which could encourage the idea that they are business men and of a high power. The performance in this section suggests to the audience that this is just an ordinary day for these men and this in a convention in thriller films. The lighting in this sequence is natural daylight, this breaks a convention that thrillers are set in darkness, but the audience are willing to except this idea as this is only the opening of the film.
The music in this film is very over the top and dramatic, and completely non-diagetic. This over the top music is played through the whole duration of the opening. This is a montage and could suggest to the audience at this moment in time introducing the characters is more important then the performance or dialogue.
The film is completely black and white and this would have been as the technology for this time didn’t allow the film to be filmed in colour. The montage used in this section is very effective as this is an easy way to introduce characters to an audience, and can show time passing in a simple way. Cross cutting is used in a effective way in this sequence as it shows the audience what the two characters are doing but also shows that these characters may be connected in some way. Fades, like montages, can also show the time passing, and this is also used in the section.
Like the music in this section the graphics are also very big and over the top. This could suggest to the audience that the director believed that this film was to be as big as the headings or music.

State of play

State of play was directed by Kevin MacDonald and was released in 2008. As the film seems to be following an unconventional way, and can leave the audience feel confused about what is happening on screen. This suggests to the audience that the narrative structure may be non linear. This structure could make it easier for the audience to follow.
One of the most obvious codes and conventions in this opening sequence is that it is filmed in the city; this is the same for most thrillers. Bad weather in the section connotes to the audience that bad things are to come and can also encourage partial vision within the film. This is also used as the film is set in darkness. In this opening sequence there is a man running with a briefcase. This makes the audience automatically begin to ask questions and introduces the idea of the exotic. This again produces partial vision as you don’t see what the man is running from and you don’t know the importance of the briefcase, if any. This opening sequence really takes the audiences attention and automatically creates suspense with all these conventions and codes in place.
Some of this sequence is filmed using a handheld camera. This adds the affect that the emotions of the character involved are ‘wobbled’ like the man running. This type of filming suits the scene and adds a sense of excitement to it, as it is different and suited. Close ups of things within the opening adds tension and allows the audience to fully observe what is on screen. This also encourages the audience to ask questions and adds tension. Low angle shots create the person in the frame to look bigger then what they are and connotes to the audience that they have a higher sense of power then the other things within the scene. This is used effectively in one point in the opening where there is low angle shot of the man in the scene.
The clothes in this opening seem modern and this suites the environment in which it was filmed and also could encourage the idea that the man in question is ordinary. Darkness is used in this film effectively as this type of lighting adds the idea of partial vision and can encourage the audience to ask questions again, it is also a convention of this genre. The performance is believable as the audience understand that the character is scared as they are being chased. It also adds tension within the scene and tension is crucial in a thriller genre.
The sounds in this opening are diagetic as they are all sounds of the modern city, i.e. sirens. Heavy breathing again adds tension and makes the audience begin to ask questions about this character. The lack of speech within this opening emphasizes the actions within and leaves the storyline to the imagination of the audience. The use of non- diagetic music in this scene is only used when introducing the credits, which could be seen as unconventional when comparing to the likes of strangers on a train. The sound of rain and bad weather again introduce the bad connotations that come with this.
The cuts within this section are very quick, this could be to disorient the viewer or add tension to the scene. The match on action within this scene doesn’t seem to be very good. This could be as a fault of the editing crew or could be used to emphasize the unsteady motions of the characters like how a handheld camera does so. The cuts seem to slow down this could be to capture the audience more in to the story line and to smaller details where as the shorter cuts grabbed the audience’s attention.
The typeface of the credits in this film is very army like and official, this could suggest that the graphics in the film could represent boldness, and masculinity within the film. The typography is interestingly very small and out of the way suggesting modesty or maybe that the graphics is not as important as what is happening on screen itself.

Angels and demons

The film Angles and Demons, was directed by a man called Ron Howard and was made/released in 2009. The opening sequence in this film suggests a linear narrative structure as it begins with the death of somebody, suggesting that this is the event to cause the story to begin. This means that the audience can be easily drawn in to the film and follow it well.
The first code and convention of a thriller film in this section is a very obvious one, death. The film immediately begins with the death of a pope which in turn makes the audience begin to ask question such as how did this happen? The music being played in this opening scene is very aerie which is usual for a thriller genre, as it can create tension among the audience. The setting in this film seems to be modern as there are cameras and a huge television outside the Vatican. This means that the usual code and conventions are met in this film. As the film seems to be set around religion, the rituals taking place seem to be ordinary; in a sense that everyone knows about them. This is a convention in a thriller genre. There seems to be some patracted outcome in this section too. This is as we don’t get to see who the person is doing the actions on screen and this leaves the audience to become shocked when they see who it is and ask questions when the don’t.
The cinematography is also used effectively in this sequence as it makes the audience ask questions about what is happening in screen. Shallow focus and close ups on props uses partial vision and makes the audience ask questions. The close ups also allow the audience to see the clues about what the film is about as there is the cress of many religious symbols of the props.
The main props in this sequence are religious items that emphasize the fact that this is a religious ritual. The dressing in this film again suits the theme in this opening, and the costume is religious uniform. The lighting within this opening is natural which goes against the convention that thriller films are set in darkness but the day seems dark and cloudy. This could suggest the idea that the weather is bad and therefore connote badness to the audience. The performance is very sad, and his is relevant as there has been a death. The striking of the ring is very patracted and harsh. This could suggest that there is to be violence later in the film. The lighting on the popes thrown is lit by candle light and this shows partial vision as you can not see what is going on in the background. This candle light is also very effective as it creates an aerie atmosphere.
The sound at the very beginning of this opening sequence is very religious like and scary. This non diagetic music creates tension and fits in with that convention. The diagetic sound in this sequence is sound from the ritual taking place and shows the audience that this is the most important thing that is happening of screen. The only dialogue in this section is the voice over which seems to be of a news presenter. This is useful as it explain to the audience members that on understand what is going on and informs them of what is happening on screen.
In the editing of the film there is one section that is particularly effective. There is a pixelated background of the ring while the titles of the production companies are on screen. This draws the audience attention to the titles but also makes the audience ask questions about what is on screen and is causing patracted outcome. Slow motion is used to emphasize the action of striking the ring this could again suggest violence and as the action is dragged out it could intensify the emotion. This could suggest to the audience that the destruction of the ring represents destruction of life which suits a thriller genre.
There are 22 cuts in this sequence and all are very slow and paced. I believe that this is as it is representing the ritual and is relevant for the scene.
The graphics in this opening seem to be unimportant and not very bold. This suggests that the audience should be more involved in what is going on in the film rather then the credits.

Constantine

Constantine is another religious based, supernatural thriller. This film was directed by Francis Lawrence and was released in 2005. This film initially begins with the event of finding the spear of destiny, as this is a very large event not interfered by anything else it suggests to he audience that this film is linear.
This film from the beginning introduces an exotic which is one of the main codes and conventions used in thriller genres. This exotic makes the audience ask questions and makes the storyline become very interesting. The music in the scene also creates tension which is a convention of a thriller film. Partial vision is used as when the character breaks in to a hole you don’t get to see what is in the whole. This leaves the audience in suspense and enforces patracted outcome. As you get to see the whole of this character straightaway is suggests to the audience that this is one of the lesser characters in the film as a usual convention in a thriller film is to lead up to introducing main characters. The film begins with daylight which is an unconventional thing but can be accepted by the audience as it is at the beginning of the film. Thriller films are usually set in a modern urban environment. The opening of this film is set in a decaying religious environment, but as taxis and cars drive past the background it could suggest that a modern city is nearby, and that is where the real story is set. When the car hits the character it connotes a strong sense of violence, this is another convention in thrillers.
There are many long and establishing shots in this opening that are very patracted. This emphasizes that the area is very abandoned and allows thinking time for the audience to ask questions about this unusual area. In this cinematography in this section there is one shot that is very effective and that is the low angle shot with the sun behind the character. This connotes that the character ha a certain amount of power. This is later contrasted a few seconds further in to the film with a high angle shot. This could suggest that this power has now gone and he is now helpless. To have these two shots together is very effective as the contrast each other so much and makes the audience again ask questions.
There is only one extreme close up in this section and that is of the symbol of the wrist. This could mean that the symbol is important and should be remembered by the audience. Costume in this sequence could be shown as unimportant as the characters are dressed unimportant and very scruffy. The hair and setting suit this style and the area is vey abandoned and derelict. The lighting is natural and in he day which doesn’t follow the ordinary codes and conventions of a thriller film, but doesn’t seem to be that important in this section of the story. The area in which this is set seems to be very dusty and smoke from fires create a sort of partial vision and makes the audience ask questions.
The diagetic sound in this opening is provided by the cars that remind the audience that there may be a modern city or town nearby to the story. The dialogue in this section is in a different language but no subtitles are provided so this could show that the speech isn’t important. There is mostly no sound in this section so when sound is introduced it is more effective then if there were music playing. When the collision occurs and the character is hit by the car it makes the audience feel shocked, this feeling is often associated with thrillers. Non diagetic sound is also used to exaggerate the high angle shot as the shot moves out there is a sound of hissing. This intensifies the shot.
The pace throughout the opening sequence is very slow untie the exotic is introduced then the cuts begin to happen a lot quicker. This shows the audience that this exotic is going to cause excitement within the film. Special effects used also make the performance look more realistic and special effects are very conventional in a thriller film.
Graphics are used in this film to tell the audience background information about the exotic in the film. The graphics are very simple and basic; this is as the audiences attention should be on the information and nothing else. When the title of the film appears the background is a light moving across the screen unveiling the background. This s partial vision as it highlights the darkness within the section. This could suggest darkness within the film and contrasts with the daylight in the introduction.