Evaluation - Question One

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

In my planning I analysed three thriller films in depth. Firstly, 'Se7en', directed by David Fincher and released in 1995. Secondly, 'Cloverfield' directed by Matt Reeves in 2008 and finally 'Shutter Island' which was directed by Martin Scorsese in 2010. In addition I also analysed small clip from the TV series 'Lost' which contained a typical thriller movie scene that was directly related to my own main artefact. 

Throughout the opening sequence of these films I noticed many different codes and conventions that were typical of a thriller move. Here is a list of them all an example for each from the four films that show how the conventions are used in real media products:

Conventions of Real Media Thrillers:

Props: The props used in the opening sequence of 'Se7en' play a key role in portraying the characters. Right at the very beginning we see a close-up shot of Somerset picking up his daily items. These items are laid out very specifically and we can digest that he is a very organised, precise man that likes things done properly and seen through to the end. One ideology of this film is that with age comes wisdom, therefore Somerset's specific ways of doing things, seen in the order of his props, are the most efficient and safest way of doing them. We can also assume what his job is as he picks up a gun, which is a very specific prop for a thriller film as it is unusual it would be featured in a comedy for example. In relation to Propp's narrative theory, these props help to define Somerset as the likely hero of the film.  

Costume: Somerset and Mills’ costumes are important in portraying their character as well as demonstrating the thriller genre. They both wear very smart clothes with a trench coat so we instantly know their profession, just like we could with the props that were paired with Somerset. Although we don’t see John Doe, later in the film the contrast between the costumes, of the heroes and villain, is very prominent. The colours of their costumes are important too. Mills and Somerset's suits are dark dull colours which contrast greatly with the bright orange of John Doe's costume that appears later in the film. This suggests that he is the one that creates all the drama as orange is a bright, bold, exciting colour which implies that he is the character who holds the authority and who will be centre of the ideas proposed. The dull colours of Somerset and Mills costume also represent mystery and danger, as it does not give too much away but also creates that dark eerie sense of danger associated with men in suits. 

Setting: Thrillers usually take place in isolated, run-down places. Shutter Island is consequently the perfect setting. When the detectives are approaching the island we see that it is completely alone  (once again shown by the establishing shot) with no surrounding islands and it is also thick with trees creating the perfect setting for the stock events of a thriller, like getting lost in the woods, being isolated and alone and getting confused as to where you are. 

Stock Characters: In all thriller films and any films according to Propp there are universal or stock characters that you would expect to see. Propp devised a narrative theory deeming that in every film there would be these characters:
The Hero – a character that seeks something
The Villain – who opposes or actively blocks the hero’s quest
The Donor – who provides an object potentially with magical properties
The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message
The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false claims
The Helper – who aids the hero
The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain’s plots
Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort
The stock characters in Se7en follow pretty much Propp's theory. John Doe is the criminal/villain and mass murderer. There is more than one victim as Doe kills six people, the seventh being himself. Although, we do not actually see John Doe in the opening sequence or know his 'name' and see his crimes so we know of his existence. In addition Mills and Somerset play the parts of the detectives or people that are going to solve the crime so the audience would expect them to be the heroes. At the end of the film we actually find out that Mills is the false hero as he ends up succumbing to John Doe's plan by killing him.

Stock Events: From my research I found that it is rare to see many if any stock events in the opening sequence of a thriller film. Most start with setting the scene before any action takes place. However, some do go straight into the action before setting the scene, which I find is quite effective as it engages the audience straight from the beginning. 'Cloverfield' and 'Shutter Island' both do not present a stock event in their opening sequences, but the first murder in 'Se7en' can be seen just a few minutes into the film. Murders are very typical events to find in a thriller. They create mystery, tension and fear amongst the audience  once again making them feel on edge in addition to a sense of adrenaline. Todorov devised a narrative theory about the structure of the film which can be seen in all three of these films. The reason for a lack of action at the start of the film is explained by this as he suggests they begin with an equilibrium. This equilibrium is then broken in some way (the first murder in the case of 'Se7en') then by the end the equilibrium is restored but it is different to the first. Enigma codes are very common in horror and thriller films and this can be seen in particularly the opening sequence of 'Se7en' in the first murder. The murder brings about many questions for the audience such as 'who did this?' 'why did they do something so violent' 'why did they choose this victim'. This instant disruption to the equilibrium creates the suspense which draws in the audience making them question the film, and enticing them to stay to find out the answers which would be revealed later in the film. 

Narrative Theory: Todorov's theory about equilibrium can be applied to the start 'Cloverfield'. At the beginning, everything is as normal, there is an equilibrium, a status quo in the lives of the characters. To carry on with this theory the film must next break the status quo, have people plan to fix it, contain the 'fixing' and then finish with a similar but equal equilibrium. From the brief summary of the film it is evident that at least the next stage will occur and looks to follow this theory to the end. the development of Propp's narrative theory can be seen at the start of Shutter Island. So far the audience have been introduced to Daniels who will play the hero. Aule looks as if he will play the helper, and we know that there is a woman that has escaped who will be the villain. We don't have much more insight into any other of the main character types but it seems as if either the Deputy Warden or the Doctor they speak about could be the father figure. We are yet to find out who the donor, messenger and heroine will be, but so far it supports his theory. Levi-Strauss' theory of conflict and good vs. evil can be seen towards the end of the opening sequence of 'Cloverfield' as the disaster/monster strikes against the city. Here the city is the 'good' against this monster who is the 'bad'. In 'Se7en' Somerset and Mills are 'good' and Doe is the 'bad'. In all films there is some example of good vs. bad even if the line is blurred as conflict between two groups is presented. 

Codes of Real Media Thrillers:

Camera Range:  A series of close-ups are used on Teddy in 'Shutter Island' as he convinces himself not to be affected by the water. First we see the side of this face looking out the window then we see his hands getting water from the tap and finally his face. This all depicts his nervous mood and his expressions of his face in great detail giving us an idea of how he is feeling presenting the disjointed feel that the director is attempting to convey. The 'Male Gaze Theory of Representation' can be used as Teddy is presented using relatively close shots of just his face where the emotion and masculinity can be seen. If there were any women in this opening sequence according to the theory their whole body would be shown explicitly to show their femininity perhaps in a provocative way. With Teddy nothing like this is used as the range is close to his face purely showing his aggressive, masculine behaviour. 

Camera Angle: The personality and characteristics of Somerset and Mills in 'Se7en' is defined by the camera angles used on them. When we first see Somerset and Mills in the same shot a low camera angle is used. This portrays them both as the strong characters, not weak which would have been implied by using a high camera angle. Throughout the opening sequence

Somerset and Mills are almost always presented using a low camera angle so the idea of them being strong and respectable is carried on throughout this typical thriller opening sequence. Once again this plays in the hands of Propp's narrative theory, helping to define them as the heroes of the film.

Composition: Usually Daniels in 'Shutter Island' is placed in the centre of the shot. When the three men are walking up to one of the hospital buildings he takes up the centre place indicating that he is the main character of the film and that he is also trustworthy and perhaps the hero of the story. Right at the beginning of the film we view him from the view of the mirror as he is looking into it. Once again he in the middle of the shot indicating his role of the hero (again according to Propp's theory of characters) in this thriller film.

Editing: The editing of the opening sequence is very simple and amateur like  It uses straight cuts as it replicates the nature of watching back a home-made video, where you have recorded something, stopped recorded and then started recording something else. The director does this to create the sense of the naivety of the characters as they harmlessly record the party not knowing what is about to happen. 

POV: All of the pictures used in the first couple of minutes of 'Se7en' are taken from the point of view of the criminal. It is usual that these pictures will be of obscure angles that represent the corruption and insanity of Doe's mind. As the audience is seeing things from his POV it helps the make them feel uncomfortable and as though they are in the film and that they are the insane man planing the murders of 7 'innocent' people. The director has done this to make them feel consumed in the film, living through the fear and the tension that is created by these primary images. 

Music: The only music used in the opening of 'Cloverfield' is at the party, creating the party atmosphere and making it seem like a realistic event, giving the audience the impression that this could happen to any party. The music is very quiet but you can pick it out in the background, and doesn't drown out the dialogue that is taking place, just adding to the atmosphere of the scene. 

Sound: As Daniels is walking up to enter the hospital building in 'Shutter Island' he notices a lady patient doing some gardening. As he focusses on her the voice of the marshal drowns out and becomes muffled as all his attention turns to this one lady. The bird and wind can still be heard but everything else is drowned out and a disconcerting ringing sound is apparent, perhaps reflecting the mental state of the woman. This sound creates an unusual effect for the audience, making them feel uneasy and nervous, exactly the type of feeling that the director would want to be created. 

Graphics: The main titles of 'Se7en' are very typical of the thriller genre in a number of ways. First and foremost writing of the credits uses a font that is scrawny and not the neatest of fonts. The writing jitters about which could mirror the corruption of John Doe’s mind and show how he

jumps from one idea for a murder to another. As well as showing corruption it could imply the repetition and obsessive qualities of his actions. When the writing in the book is duplicated this could replicate how obsessive and repetitive he is with his research or his findings and how he writes everything down that he does, in the same writing so everything looks the same.

Lighting: The lighting throughout the opening of 'Cloverfield' is very dull. At first just a few lights in the room, provide the light as it is completely dark outside, however there are also lightings from the buildings and cars outside which provide some light too. Being filmed in the early hours of the morning enhances the idea of the city that never sleeps, showing how perfect it is and how through the night it doesn't stop, and implying that nothing can. Which will be tested later in the film as the action occurs. Dim lighting is very typical of thriller films, it creates a sense of tension and mystery making the audience feel on edge and in suspense. The directer of 'Se7en' utilises the lighting very effectively. By and large the lighting placed on all the characters is dark and creates a lot of shadows. This makes the film appear mysterious and creates a feeling of suspense amongst the audience. We don’t really see a character that is properly lit until the scene in the laboratory when Mills, Somerset and the forensic scientist are all lit well. This could indicate that there has been some light shed on the case and that Mills and Somerset now have a clearer view on the case as the audience also has a clearer view physically when watching this scene.

Mise-en-scene: All of the items placed in the shots are there for a reason. The hanging cuffs from the ceiling of the boat in 'Shutter Island' show the nature of Daniels' job and his background. It also foreshadows the cuffs that are around the patients hands and ankles in the hospital. The pictures and the record player in the flashback show the happiness of his previous life as they are the standard homely items that really make a house yours and make it more homely. The flowers in the complex are there to represent the new life that they are trying to create for the patients and also create an ironic twist in that something so beautiful and bright could be in a place where the atmosphere is so morbid. 

Ideology: The ideology presented in 'Shutter Island' is that anyone can change and everyone deserves a second chance. The hospital takes patients that can't be kept anywhere else and aims to reform them or at least help them become slightly better. Se7en presents to the audience ideas of normal family ideas and values through Mills and his new wife. After moving to a new city they plan to start a family and get on with their lives. It also presents the ideas of the dangers of religious extremist ideas as all of the murders are centred around the seven deadly sins.

I took these codes and conventions into much consideration whilst planning my main artefact, below are just some examples of how I took the ideas then used and developed them incorporating them into my own piece.

My Film Use of Conventions:

Props: Like in 'Se7en' I used items that would represent my character and indicate which role they would play according to Propp's narrative theory, especially giving the audience a better idea of who the victim was. At the start of my piece, the victim, Daisy starts with a typical, fashionable bag, when she tips everything out of her bag to find her phone the audience sees typical items that would be associated with a teenage girl including a book, lip balm, headphones etc, which also help relate to the social group of teenagers.

Setting: Similar to 'Shutter Island' my thriller took place in a very secluded and quiet area. Woods generally have the connotation of being spooky and full of mystery so I thought this

would be the perfectly place to shoot my thriller. I also made sure I shot my sequence on a 'gloomy' day mirroring the weather as the two detectives approached the 'Shutter Island'.

Costume: The costume of my characters represents their role in the film. Daisy is wearing white to portray her innocence along with jeans which indicate that she could be anyone, and this could happen to any individual. The abductor is wearing a black hoody that covers the majority of his face once again creating a sense of mystery as the audience do not know his real identity. 

Stock Events: My main stock event in my thriller in the chase of Daisy. This creates tension and suspense as well as exhilaration and excitement. I placed the chase right at the start to get the audience thoroughly engaged straight away into the action of the film. In relation to the enigma code, the chase creates the questions such as 'who is she?' 'why is she being chased' and 'who is chasing her?' this makes the audience involved and engaged as they want to discover the answers to these questions. The chase also symbolises the break in equilibrium that Todorov suggested in his narrative theory about the structure of films.


Stock Characters: The victim is main character of my opening sequence is one of the 8 characters suggested by Propp in his narrative theory. The second character seen in my opening sequence is another in Propp's list is the villain - who abducts the victim, Daisy. It is unclear what role the newsreader, Stewart White, is going to play in the film however, his character could develop to be the helper or perhaps the donor, it is yet to be discovered whether he plays a larger part in the story. 

My Film Use of Codes:

Camera Range: In my thriller I incorporated all sorts of different ranges. In parts there are extreme close-ups that do not allow you to see the bigger picture, but in others I have used mid or long shots revealing slightly more information. The variation between the shots presents a sense of tension as the view for the audience is constantly changing at a fast pace. The close-ups especially really capture the emotion of fear in Daisy's face conveying it to the audience.

Camera Angles: Once again I used a variety of camera angles, including high, low and eye-level. The high angles portray Daisy's innocence and weakness just like the low angle portrayed

the strong characters of Somerset and Mills in 'Se7en'. I also used shots that were hand held, and there for extremely unsteady to help create suspense, tension and fear amongst the audience. Some shots were also canted to show the unusualness of the situation. In relation to Propp's narrative theory the high angles aid the audience to realise that Daisy is playing the victim in the film. 

Editing: My editing for the chase seen is rather fast paced. This keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as the action plays out. The chase seen that I analysed from 'Lost' used this technique very effectively conveying very much a sense of fear which I have used and developed in my own piece. 

Music: The music that I chose for this is upbeat and almost eerie. It supports the quickness of the editing and builds the tension throughout especially when the tempo and volume of the piece increases.

Sound: Whilst background sound in 'Shutter Island' is drowned out to cause effect, the background sound in my film has been enhanced. By doing this the audience is presented with a range of different things needing their attention - the birds tweeting, the footsteps, breathing, music. This combination creates a sense of chaos, and drama which increases the suspense and tension in the piece. 

Graphics: The graphics I created for my thriller 'Hostage' were stylised on the graphics of 'Se7en'. I used a rather plain, yet still had an edgy style to them, I also animated them to make them jitter about. Making them similar to those of 'Se7en' increases the authenticity and professionalism of the title sequence. 

POV: The majority of the shots I used were from the POV of the abductor or Daisy. The idea that it is changing between the two creates tension amongst the audience as they quickly see the chase developing from the POV of each character. The small insights from the abductor show just how close Daisy is to being caught and how the abductor is normally one step ahead of her as she runs aimlessly through the woods.  

Whilst planing, I decided that the aim of my opening sequence would not really challenge the forms and conventions of real media products. I thought that if I defied the normal codes and conventions my thriller would not necessarily be recognisable and also would not appeal to my target audience as in my primary audience research they all indicated that they wanted to see typical codes and conventions of thriller films. However, there is one element that on reflection challenges what I found in my research. This is the use of birds tweeting at the start of the film. The completely contrast between the following chase and the birds, in my opinion creates suspension and uncertainty, yet I do not see this in any of the films I analysed. 

Extra Storyboards.

After hearing the feedback from my teacher and target audience I have made some extra storyboards for some additional shots to be added into my second edit. I have also made a rough storyboard for the titles, showing the text I have chosen to use.

One of the points that came up to be improved was the use of props. These three extra shots include Daisy, with a stylish backpack containing some daily items that would be associated with a teenage girl, including, nail varnish, perfume, a phone, headphones and also a book ironically entitled 'Girl, Missing'. 

               

Secondly, more close-ups were needed so once again, I have draw some shots of Daisy in close-up but also of the abductor. 

      

Finally I have drawn some shots that include the abductor more, to make sure that it is clear what and who Daisy is running from. 

Filming

All in all my initial filming was spread over 3 days. The first day was spent filming in the woods by the side of my house with Heather for the running sequence at the start of my thriller opening sequence. A couple of days before I went to the woods to find some suitable filming locations and to work out where each shot would work the best. We spent around an hour filming and came out with about 11 minutes of material. Each shot had an average of 3 takes to ensure that it was the best that it could be, from slightly different angles or distances each time. I made sure I got a range of different shots including, low angle, high angle, eye level, close up, mid shot, long shot and a tracking shot. 

The second day consisted of filming the news report with Stewart White. As this was a relatively simple part, and Stewart was no stranger to having to read a news report, I only did one take as there were no improvements that could have been made. We shot the report without the graphics which I made and added on myself whilst editing the sequence. 

The third day I shot the final part of my opening sequence, which was the scene with the abductor watching the new report. This was filmed in the evening to make sure that the room was dark to create suspense and tension. The lighting was very difficult because it was so dark but some light was still needed so the audience could see what was going on. I decided to have the light in the hall of with the door slightly open to let some light in and also have a torch as a prop turned on to create an extra bit of light, and both of these put together created enough light but not too much. The torch was positioned so it shone through a beer bottle creating a shadow of it on the wardrobe which I think adds to the atmosphere of the scene. 

As a last minute idea, that was not on my original storyboards. I shot the abductor turning round and shining the torch on Heather who looked as if she was tied up on the bed. To shoot this I stood the tripod on the chair that the abductor was sitting on to create a POV shot and moved the torch round from the left to shine on Heather who reacts by attempting to sit up. I was really please with this shot as once again, it does not reveal too much but you can see the emotion on Heather's face as she is singled out by the torch. 

Location Choice

Since deciding on the plot of my opening sequence it was clear to me exactly where I wanted to film the majority of it. I live right next to a small quiet woods that was perfect for my chase and abduction sequence. Before shooting I have gone round and taken some photos of places which fit in with my final storyboards. 

This shot shows the tree where Daisy will pause to catch her breath. 

 This next shot is the 180° shot of the previous, potentially to use when Daisy starts to run away again.

This shows the view from the tree, potentially a use for a POV shot as Daisy walks round the tree.

This shot and the next shot so a slight hill with potential for a high angle shot to show indicate Daisy's role as the victim. 

 Here is where I will shoot Daisy running from behind and also for the camera facing up at her face as she runs. 

This is another place where I can film Daisy running away from the camera.

The next two shots are for a part that I am adding into my second edit, where the abductor is taking a short cut whilst chasing Daisy. This shot on the left will show him running away. And on the right will be a close-up of his foot climbing over the tree.

Costume & Props Choice

The costume decisions were very simple, each costume represents the role of the character in my opening sequence and also relates heavily to the social group that they are representing. 

The character of Daisy will be wearing a white top, as the colour white has typical connotations of innocence and purity which it is essential in the portrayal as the victim. For trousers, I have decided that she should wear skinny jeans (as pictured below), this helps to represent the social group of teenagers as it is a typical item of clothing that they would wear, it also shows the normality of Daisy and suggests that it could happen to anyone. 

For the abductor, I have chosen a plain black hoodie, which of course carries the connotations of danger and mystery. Once again, he is wearing everyday normal jeans, to once again to indicate that anyone has the potential to be this character and no-one really knows anything people that you might encounter in day to day life. He is also unshaven, indicating a careless and on the edge lifestyle. 

Finally, for the newsreader I have chosen a simple suit that he would traditionally wear for reading the news. This will contrast the costume of the abductor representing to completely different styles of life - the high repectable end of society to the low end criminals of society. 

Cloverfield Analysis.

Cloverfield is a thriller film but also has a horror slant to it. I have chosen to analyse this film as I believe it will be valuable to see how the two genres mix and whether from the opening sequence it seems like a thriller or a horror, and what codes and conventions it includes in order to achieve this. With my opening sequence I aim to make it as much like a thriller as possible, so if I come across horror aspects in the opening sequence of Cloverfield then I will try to avoid having these aspects when I film mine. I will analyse the first ten to fifteen minutes of the film to give me a thorough insight into the techniques used.

Codes.

Camera Work:

The camera work in Cloverfield is very unusual, but it creates the desired feeling of curiosity, mystery and suspense. In the opening sequence and then for the duration of the whole film, is filmed from what you would think to be a domestic ‘handycam’. Not at any point within the first few minutes are there any professional cameras used. Using, this technique makes it feel like it’s not a story that’s being told but something that actually happened. This makes the film seem more realistic and that it could happen to the audience, therefore creating more tension and an element of mystery amongst the audience. There are no specific angles or range for the camera work and it is all very erratic, barely holding the same shot for very long. The only time that shots are held for a long time is when the people at the party are giving their testimonial for Rob. Throughout the first several minutes we see flashes of the girl that was with Rob at the beginning on a train. There is 

 

Composition:

There is a distinct lack of composition in the sequence once again due to the nature of the filming. However, when the testimonials are recorded the people speaking are placed in the middle. This gives the impression of two things. Firstly, being placed in the centre implies that they are trustworthy, noble and innocent; none of these characters are going to turn out to destroy the city. Secondly, it replicates the image of a newsreader. They are normally placed in the centre of the screen, portraying the standard position for  interviewing or relaying information, and also once again suggesting they are a trustworthy source for relaying information. If they had been placed at the side that would imply they were not so trustworthy and had a bad side to them. The majority of the shots are canted shots, this could show the drunk nature of parties and also the carefree life of the characters which is all about to change.

POV:

Due to it all being filmed on a ‘handycam’ the majority of the shots are POV shots (as shown in the two pictures above). Once again, this makes it more personal like the audience is the one filming it and makes them more involved. It gives the audience their own character in the play, helping to emotionally trap them in the film, helping them imagine they are at the party, they are running through the damaged streets of the city and they are the ones affected. This is a really useful technique if you want to get your audience involved in your film.

Editing:

The editing of the opening sequence is very simple. It uses straight cuts as it replicates the nature of watching back a home-made video, where you have recorded something, stopped recorded and then started recording something else.

Music:

There is no music in the first few minutes of the film. The only music used is at the party, creating the party atmosphere and making it seem like a real event. The music is very quite but you can pick it out in the background, and doesn't drown out the dialogue that is taking place.

Sound:

All of the sound used is diegetic. At the beginning we can hear the footsteps of Rob as he walks over to the window to look out and we can also hear the sound of the road. This could relate to how quiet and normal their lives were before the big attack. It also helps to create a carefree atmosphere of the party and the life. The dialogue at the party stands out from the background noise. 

Graphics:

The film starts displaying graphics. There is a watermark in the centre reading ‘PROPERTY OF U.S. GOVERNMENT DO NOT DULIPCATE’. From this we can understand that the following footage is under investigation. The font used to this is a serif font, projecting the heritage and authority of the US government. In contrast the font used to display the director’s and producer’s names is a sans serif font. Like on a police tape, there are a series of numbers counting the time the video has been running. Throughout this sequence, distorted black and white shapes interject into the titles creating the typical sense of tension and mystery because you can't work out what it is.

Lighting:

The lighting throughout is very dull. At first just a few lights in the room, provide the light as it is completely dark outside, however there are also lightings from the buildings and cars outside which provide some light too. Being filmed in the early hours of the morning enhances the idea of the city that never sleeps, showing how perfect it is and how through the night it doesn't stop, and implying that nothing can. Which will be tested later in the film as the action occurs.

Conventions.

Props:

During the party the main props used are the drinks that people are drinking. The majority of people are drinking alcohol from red plastic cups. Whilst these are a typical item at a party the colour of red has the connotation of danger and perhaps indicates that something bad is to come for the attendees of the party. 

To the right we can see an example of the red cups and also of the costume that some of the guests are wearing.

Costume:
The costume worn by the characters is a smart dress that coincides with the event of the party. The women are wearing dresses, with their make-up and hair done and the men are wearing suits. This defines the event and also the class of the people. From the first setting of a top floor apartment in New York we can assume that there is some wealth amongst the characters, so naturally the costumes will be up market too. 

Setting:

The setting of Cloverfield is a large city. At first we are in a top floor apartment of a skyscraper, looking down on the bustling city below, the party is in a bar or club assumingly in a similar location. This gives the impression of the perfect sophisticated lifestyle. However it all seems too good to be true, thus making the audience feel tension and making them feel like something big is about to happen.

Stock Characters:

Within the first ten minutes of this film, it is difficult to tell who the main characters will be. We can understand that the man and the woman at the beginning are likely to play main roles within the film but we do not yet have an insight into which. On the face of it, one could assume that they will play the victims, a very typical thriller character, and that perhaps the whole party will fall victim, but technically there is no indication of the role which each of the characters introduced will play.

Stock Events:
Once again like characters, no prominent, thriller stock events are presented in the opening part of Cloverfield. However, the main event is a party so you could look at that and say that it makes the basis of something going wrong or a disaster occurring, thus providing the grounds for the a stock event of a disaster to happen at some point during the film.

Narrative Threories:
Todorov's theory about equilibrium can be applied to the start Cloverfield. At the beginning, everything is as normal, there is an equilibrium, a status quo in the lives of the characters. To carry on with this theory the film must next break the status quo, have people plan to fix it, contain the 'fixing' and then finish with a similar but equal equilibrium. From the brief summary of the film it is evident that at least the next stage will occur and looks to follow this theory to the end. 

Overall Cloverfield does not contain any horror aspects in the opening sequence. It also appears to lack many thriller aspects when comparing it the Se7en. However, the director has cleverly used the camera work among other things to create correct atmosphere for a thriller film. Elements of mystery and suspense show through from tiny little pieces put together like the camera work, setting and idea that you know that something cannot stay as well as it seems. Also the fact that it barely resembles any genre makes the audience be in anticipation for what is the come later in the film, and makes them want more to be revealed. It is evident that Cloverfield is trying to be unique and it succeeds. The lack of camera work and editing subverts the genre conventions of a thriller, this is a risky move to choose but for this film it appears to pay off. 

Questionnaire Results.



I conducted a survey as part of my research into thriller films. It will help me to confirm my target audience and give me an insight into some of the codes and conventions that my target market would like to see in the opening sequence of my thriller. I gained 31 responses in total after putting it on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and emailing it to my family. For my first question I asked gender of my participants. I received 21 responses from females and 10 responses from males. 

My second question ask the age of the participants. My target audience is teen to late twenties therefore I will compare the rest of my questionnaire results with my desired target audience and the other results to see whether there is a huge gap in what they can expect in a film. If the gap is small and they suggest the same things then although, primarily my film is aimed at the younger population it could be indicated that it would appeal to people over the age of that group making it more marketable.

Thirdly I asked whether they enjoyed watching thriller films. 39% said that yes they do, 10% (three people) said that they did not and finally 51% said sometimes. They indicated that the story has to be of their taste and in later questions gave examples of their ideal thriller film and what it would contain.

I wanted to find out if my idea for my thriller film contained the stock events that my audience wanted to see so my next question asked "What stock events do you think a good thriller film includes?". My idea for my thriller includes an chase ending in an abduction potential murder which is set in an isolated place creating an atmosphere full of suspense. I was looking to see how many people mentioned these ideas and also if there were any additional ideas that would fit in well with what I plan to do. My first five responses alone mentioned abductions, suspense, danger and lots of emotion. The responses carried on in the same direction and included ideas about isolation, tension and mystery. All of which I aim to include in my opening sequence.

Similar to my previous question I then enquired about stock characters. The suggestions followed the stereotypical characters of a thriller film and were mostly centred around, a girl victim and a mysterious bad guy. The answers also included an unlikely hero or a conventional hero however because I am just making the opening sequence of a thriller film I feel it is not necessary to include this character in my film.

Props, costumes and settings are very important in any thriller film as they help to define the genre and create the desired atmosphere within the film. Therefore my next question was centred around finding out what my audience thought to be appropriate for my opening sequence. These two answers represent the overall answers I received. Most of the answers wanted a dull, natural setting; fitting in with my ideas of setting it mostly in the woods. They wanted the clothes to be related to the character and specifically to the time in which my film is set. As my film is a modern thriller I will be asking my actors and actresses to wear everyday clothes that relate to their characters.

Camera angles are also important in films. They have the ability to show you everything but can also be subjective and hide items from view. I asked my participants to say which shots they think would be most used in a thriller film. Firstly they put a close-up shot. In the comments they commented on how not seeing the whole picture will add mystery and suspense which is the exact feeling and atmosphere that needs to be created by my film. They also said that a whole range of shots should be used to create excitement. If I did not include a range of shots the sequence could become monotonous and boring and not have the desired effect. 

Finally, my last question inquired about the amount of detail within my opening sequence. I provided three suggestions about the amount of detail from not much, to moderate and to showing the ending, then the rest of the film showing how it came to that. The most popular was moderate, containing some excitement. Due to this I have decided to carry on with my idea of a chase being the opening action and then if the film were to continue we would follow the course of getting the girl back by completing tasks that the abductor sets.

To conclude, my questionnaire research has enabled me to really define what my target audience expect to see within the opening sequence that I will be making. It has confirmed that my initial ideas were on the right track and has provided me with extra inspiration for my film piece. By conducting this research and basing my film on it, my film should then appeal to my target audience and as indicated from what I have seen hopefully a bit more wider audience than I was originally expecting.