Britain needs a film industry for a number of reasons:
It creates a whole variety of employment and without it, many people would suffer. Just a few of the jobs in the film industry are as followed:
* Directors
* Screenwriters
* Actors
* Make-up crews
* Advertisers
* Builders
* Costume Makers
* Technicians
* Electricians
* Stunt professionals
* Music
* Managers
* Operators
* Designers/Artists
* Choreographers
and many more!
Not only employment but it helps support the British economy. It brings in a lot of money, but funny enough, not from the actual films' themselves but the advertising, the film products made (games, posters, books) and so on. A couple of examples which have been very popular universally are: the Bridget Jones' Diary and the James Bond series.
The film industry creates tourism, for instance, many people from America came across to Sheffield after "The Full Monty" was screened. If large amounts of people see British films, they get a taste of what it is made up of. They will see our culture and environment and will be able to compare and contrast where they live, to Britain. Furthermore, British viewers would be able to relate to many of the British films produced, as they would see British locations, British history, Britain's culture and most importantly British people- just ORDINARY people, whom they can associate with.
As the international film industry is dominated by America- Hollywood and India - Bollywood, only their attitudes, values, and messages are portrayed. This will affect the audience by only showing certain views on politics for example. It may be informal, however, a British viewer should be shown British politicians.
A brilliant example of a British film is This is England, which includes many British signifiers. Shane Meadows shows the critical side of Britain by 'taking a trip down memory lane', with all the controversy of Margaret Thatcher being Prime Minister, the high levels of racism, the National British Front and so forth. Shane Meadows created a film which not only foreshadows the British culture but especially challenges British views.
Saturday 29 November 2008
Friday 28 November 2008
Monday 24 November 2008
Thiller Script
Shot 1:
Dim light, small lamp on in the room. Streetlight from outside through the window.
Simon rummaging through a chest of draws, fast and hurried. Finds a gold watch that looks expensive.
Simon:
(whistles)
S*** man!
Simon stuffs the watch in his pocket.
Shot 2:
Crew standing on corner outside, glancing at their watches. Street lamps light the street dimly in some places.
Crew member 1:
(moaning)
Pfft, takes his time don't he.
Crew leader:
(Impatiently and slightly worried tone)
I know man, what's the kid doing in there?
Crew member 2:
(Impatiently)
I'm not waitin for this s*** much longer, that geezer will be home soon. I told you we should have gone in with him.
Crew leader:
(Quickly cuts into last comment, quite loud)
And risk us getting caught? Nah you idiot!
Shot 3:
Simon in the room, rummaging now in the wardrobe, he drops a load of boxes on the floor. Dim lamp still lighting the room.
Simon:
(Cautiously, worried, uneasily)
F***!
He searches through the boxes, looking for more valubles. His phone rings.
Shot 4:
Close up of the phone, which shows "Mum" on the screen.
Simon:
(Talking across mobile phone, anxious, trying to finish conversation quickly)
Hi mum...yeah...i'll be home soon...ok...love you, bye.
Shot 5:
He hangs up and sighs with his head in his hands. He starts putting the boxes back.
Shot 6:
Mans legs on the pavement, shoes clicking and cane on the floor. Streetlamps light the feet faintly.
Shot 7:
Simon rummaging in more draws, slower, picking up small things and putting them in his pocket - mainly jewellery, dim lamp still lighting the room. He see's an expensive ring that looks special but puts it back into the back of the drawer.
Shot 8:
Shot of the crew hanging out, with the old man walking up in the distance. The crew notice the man and watch him wearily.
Crew member 3:
(Worried)
Is that the old geezer?
The old man turns into a driveway.
Crew member 2:
(Shouting, worried)
F***! thats him.
Crew leader:
(Realising it is the man's house)
I'm outta here, f*** the kid!
Shot 9:
The crew starts running away from the street, in and out of streetlamp shadows, they run to the end of the road, and split up, footsteps and yelling "bye" and swearing.
Shot 10:
Close up of the old mans feet walking up to the door, and stepping infront of the door. Keys jingling and being put into the door.
Shot 11:
Mid shot of the old man's body, footsteps and keys unlocking the door, walking into the house, streelamp light washes into the hallway.
Shot 12:
Bottom midshot of the old man walking in from outside, door nearly shut, turning on a dim light.
Shot 13:
Simon hears a bang from downstairs and looks around and freezes with a scared look on his face. The lamp is still on.
Simon:
(whispers, anxious, frightened)
S***!
Shot 14:
Old man hanging his coat and hat, still no veiw of his face, this is from behind, weak light of the hallway prevents any main features being shown.
Old man:
(Annoyed tone)
B***** kids.
Dim light, small lamp on in the room. Streetlight from outside through the window.
Simon rummaging through a chest of draws, fast and hurried. Finds a gold watch that looks expensive.
Simon:
(whistles)
S*** man!
Simon stuffs the watch in his pocket.
Shot 2:
Crew standing on corner outside, glancing at their watches. Street lamps light the street dimly in some places.
Crew member 1:
(moaning)
Pfft, takes his time don't he.
Crew leader:
(Impatiently and slightly worried tone)
I know man, what's the kid doing in there?
Crew member 2:
(Impatiently)
I'm not waitin for this s*** much longer, that geezer will be home soon. I told you we should have gone in with him.
Crew leader:
(Quickly cuts into last comment, quite loud)
And risk us getting caught? Nah you idiot!
Shot 3:
Simon in the room, rummaging now in the wardrobe, he drops a load of boxes on the floor. Dim lamp still lighting the room.
Simon:
(Cautiously, worried, uneasily)
F***!
He searches through the boxes, looking for more valubles. His phone rings.
Shot 4:
Close up of the phone, which shows "Mum" on the screen.
Simon:
(Talking across mobile phone, anxious, trying to finish conversation quickly)
Hi mum...yeah...i'll be home soon...ok...love you, bye.
Shot 5:
He hangs up and sighs with his head in his hands. He starts putting the boxes back.
Shot 6:
Mans legs on the pavement, shoes clicking and cane on the floor. Streetlamps light the feet faintly.
Shot 7:
Simon rummaging in more draws, slower, picking up small things and putting them in his pocket - mainly jewellery, dim lamp still lighting the room. He see's an expensive ring that looks special but puts it back into the back of the drawer.
Shot 8:
Shot of the crew hanging out, with the old man walking up in the distance. The crew notice the man and watch him wearily.
Crew member 3:
(Worried)
Is that the old geezer?
The old man turns into a driveway.
Crew member 2:
(Shouting, worried)
F***! thats him.
Crew leader:
(Realising it is the man's house)
I'm outta here, f*** the kid!
Shot 9:
The crew starts running away from the street, in and out of streetlamp shadows, they run to the end of the road, and split up, footsteps and yelling "bye" and swearing.
Shot 10:
Close up of the old mans feet walking up to the door, and stepping infront of the door. Keys jingling and being put into the door.
Shot 11:
Mid shot of the old man's body, footsteps and keys unlocking the door, walking into the house, streelamp light washes into the hallway.
Shot 12:
Bottom midshot of the old man walking in from outside, door nearly shut, turning on a dim light.
Shot 13:
Simon hears a bang from downstairs and looks around and freezes with a scared look on his face. The lamp is still on.
Simon:
(whispers, anxious, frightened)
S***!
Shot 14:
Old man hanging his coat and hat, still no veiw of his face, this is from behind, weak light of the hallway prevents any main features being shown.
Old man:
(Annoyed tone)
B***** kids.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Successful thriller opening criteria...
Initial Ideas for what makes a thriller opening SUCCESSFUL:
- Originality/Individuality
- Mystery and intrigue
- "Hook" the audience - engage them
- Readable narrative - possible cliffhanger??
- Establish characters/settings/themes/styles
- Effective and clever editing
- Clear direction
- Steady camera work/shots
- Effective framing, compostion (rule of thirds)
- Effective mise-en-scene
- Lighting.
Thriller Character Profiles
Simon (main character)
Age: 16/17 years old
Hair colour: Light brown
Skin colour: White
Height: 5ft 9/10
Attitudes: Naive, clever, witty, quick- thinking.
Background: Simon started off from a young age attending a boarding school, but never really fitted in. He was often getting into trouble and eventually convinced his parents to let him move school.
At the start of his new school life, he was quiet and was slow to make friends, and didn't really settle in. Some boys in his year to decide to pick on him, and an older crew of boys notice and stand up for him. That is when he got involved in the wrong crowd and his life went on a down hill.
Jitmal (Follower of the gang)
Age: 17
Hair colour: Brown
Skin Colour: Tanned
Height: 5ft 6
Attitudes: His status is under the gang leader and like his crew doesn't have an interest in school. He felt safer and fitted in with them because they didn't have many cares. He often has arguments with his family, purely because they are worried and think the gang is a bad influence.
Background: Jitmal was brought up well but similarly to Simon, he fell into the wrong crowd, therefore he can relate to Simon more. He is not the main member of the gang, so he does not receive much respect from the gang leader or his fellow followers. He is more sensitive than the gang leader so he lets them push him into doing things he doesn't want to do. He is trusted by the gang.
Gang leader
Age: 19
Hair colour: No hair
Skin colour: Black
Height: 6ft
Attitudes: Has respect from the gang although he is not particularly nice to them. Left school early because he thought it was a waste of time, but has been at college for a while instead.
Background: Distant with his family as they are often working throughout the day and late night. He has had to look after himself so he has become very uptight and self-centred as he is not usually around people. He often hangs around friends as they are more like his family.
Middle-aged mysterious guy
We have made no information as we want to make the older guy very mysterious that we do not wish to give anything away. The idea of him being mysterious is based on making the film intro have a mysterious atmosphere, as this is a classic thriller signifier. He will be kept mysterious as the camera will never show his face, only his silhouette.
Age: 16/17 years old
Hair colour: Light brown
Skin colour: White
Height: 5ft 9/10
Attitudes: Naive, clever, witty, quick- thinking.
Background: Simon started off from a young age attending a boarding school, but never really fitted in. He was often getting into trouble and eventually convinced his parents to let him move school.
At the start of his new school life, he was quiet and was slow to make friends, and didn't really settle in. Some boys in his year to decide to pick on him, and an older crew of boys notice and stand up for him. That is when he got involved in the wrong crowd and his life went on a down hill.
Jitmal (Follower of the gang)
Age: 17
Hair colour: Brown
Skin Colour: Tanned
Height: 5ft 6
Attitudes: His status is under the gang leader and like his crew doesn't have an interest in school. He felt safer and fitted in with them because they didn't have many cares. He often has arguments with his family, purely because they are worried and think the gang is a bad influence.
Background: Jitmal was brought up well but similarly to Simon, he fell into the wrong crowd, therefore he can relate to Simon more. He is not the main member of the gang, so he does not receive much respect from the gang leader or his fellow followers. He is more sensitive than the gang leader so he lets them push him into doing things he doesn't want to do. He is trusted by the gang.
Gang leader
Age: 19
Hair colour: No hair
Skin colour: Black
Height: 6ft
Attitudes: Has respect from the gang although he is not particularly nice to them. Left school early because he thought it was a waste of time, but has been at college for a while instead.
Background: Distant with his family as they are often working throughout the day and late night. He has had to look after himself so he has become very uptight and self-centred as he is not usually around people. He often hangs around friends as they are more like his family.
Middle-aged mysterious guy
We have made no information as we want to make the older guy very mysterious that we do not wish to give anything away. The idea of him being mysterious is based on making the film intro have a mysterious atmosphere, as this is a classic thriller signifier. He will be kept mysterious as the camera will never show his face, only his silhouette.
Methods 2
Method 2:
Exploring audience research into consumption of thriller films and television thrillers.
Please circle
1) Age: _____ 2) Gender: _________
3) Occupation:
a) Student b) Working c) Other __________________
4) Aspirations: (e.g. Travel, Go to university) _____________________________
5) How many times do you watch films per week?
a) 1- 2 times b) 3- 4 c) More d) None
6) i) Where do you watch films? (Cinema, home) ________________________
ii) Who with? (Friends, family) __________________________
7) How much do you spend going to the cinema? a) Less than £4 b) £5 - £7 c) More
8) How often do you go to the cinema per month?
a) 1-2 times b) 3- 4 times c) More d) Less
9) What is your favourite film genre? ______________________________
10) What have you watched out of the following British films?
Billy Elliot
Calendar Girls
Essex Boys
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Snatch
The Duchess
Control
This is England
11) Do you prefer Television thrillers (for example, Spooks) or Film thrillers (Essex boys)?
a) TV thrillers b) Film thrillers
12) Which of the following have you watched?
The Bill
Spooks
Wired
13) Do you prefer old or new thrillers? a) Old (black and white) b) New (nearer to present)
14) What attracts you to thrillers? ________________________________
15) What is your favourite radio station? ____________________
16) What type of magazine do you read/buy? (eg fashion, car) _________________________
17) What newspaper do you buy/read? ____________________________
18) What do you prefer to read out of the following?
a) Books b) Magazines c) Newspapers d) Other
19) How often do you listen to music? ____________________
Exploring audience research into consumption of thriller films and television thrillers.
Please circle
1) Age: _____ 2) Gender: _________
3) Occupation:
a) Student b) Working c) Other __________________
4) Aspirations: (e.g. Travel, Go to university) _____________________________
5) How many times do you watch films per week?
a) 1- 2 times b) 3- 4 c) More d) None
6) i) Where do you watch films? (Cinema, home) ________________________
ii) Who with? (Friends, family) __________________________
7) How much do you spend going to the cinema? a) Less than £4 b) £5 - £7 c) More
8) How often do you go to the cinema per month?
a) 1-2 times b) 3- 4 times c) More d) Less
9) What is your favourite film genre? ______________________________
10) What have you watched out of the following British films?
Billy Elliot
Calendar Girls
Essex Boys
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Snatch
The Duchess
Control
This is England
11) Do you prefer Television thrillers (for example, Spooks) or Film thrillers (Essex boys)?
a) TV thrillers b) Film thrillers
12) Which of the following have you watched?
The Bill
Spooks
Wired
13) Do you prefer old or new thrillers? a) Old (black and white) b) New (nearer to present)
14) What attracts you to thrillers? ________________________________
15) What is your favourite radio station? ____________________
16) What type of magazine do you read/buy? (eg fashion, car) _________________________
17) What newspaper do you buy/read? ____________________________
18) What do you prefer to read out of the following?
a) Books b) Magazines c) Newspapers d) Other
19) How often do you listen to music? ____________________
Sunday 16 November 2008
Thriller Synopsis and Storyboards
Synopsis:
Name: (To be decided)
Genre: Gangster/Thriller.
Blurb:Simon is 15. He got in with the wrong crowd and spends his life getting in trouble and running from it. Until one night, when they step it up a notch, and decide to rob a house. This time, Simon will discover that maybe running from the scene can prove worse than staying put.
Introduction:Young boy robbing an old man’s house, old man returns home and catches him hiding under the bed. The boy’s friends who were outside have run off in fear of police getting involved.
Beginning of movie:Boy has gone missing; police get involved as “missing persons” investigation. Crew members are told by the leader to lie about where they were, say that they weren’t near the old man’s house. Crew member returns to the house to watch the old guy and cover up their tracks of being there. Another crew member returns to the police to tell them what happened, police then question the old man, who claims the boy ran out of the house before he could catch him. The next day the boy turns up dead, and the old man and the leading crew member are arrested.
Middle of movie (4 Points of view):
Boys view: stealing, hiding under the bed, old man catches him, he throws the stuff back at him that he was stealing and runs out the house to walk home. Shadow grabs him and starts beating him, this is in a run down place near a river. Shadow then hides the body.
Polices view: gets a ring from parents, talk to people at the school, getting nowhere with the investigation. Question the old man and are suspicious of crew member as they find out he told everyone to lie about them being there. Arrest both.
Old mans view: returns home from pub to find boy in his house, tries to catch him and yell but boy runs out. He is stirred and starts drinking and falls asleep. Next day Police are asking him about the boy and how the boy is missing. He’s surprised. Answers and tells them what had happened and lets them search the house. He is rude because they suspect him. He gets arrested and is not happy.
Crew leader’s view: Been drinking, goes out to make boy rob a house. Drunk. They run when man returns, he stays and watches as a few minutes later the boy runs out. Angry. Follows boy home, when at river he grabs him and beats him yelling how stupid he is and he will get them caught. When the boy is unresponsive he panics and hides the body, swearing and shaking. Returns home, washes his hands and the next day tells his crew to lie about where they were. When police find out where they were he panics more, and when he is arrested he tries to cover it by swearing at the police.
End of the movie:Police find the weapon that killed the boy and fingerprint it. They tell both man and crew leader what they are doing to shake them. Old man is released and leader is convicted as his prints are found all over the weapon. Movie ends with prison door banging shut and seeing the lad through the letterbox opening, which is also shut. He had his head in his hands.
Story boards for the opening of my groups' thriller...
Name: (To be decided)
Genre: Gangster/Thriller.
Blurb:Simon is 15. He got in with the wrong crowd and spends his life getting in trouble and running from it. Until one night, when they step it up a notch, and decide to rob a house. This time, Simon will discover that maybe running from the scene can prove worse than staying put.
Introduction:Young boy robbing an old man’s house, old man returns home and catches him hiding under the bed. The boy’s friends who were outside have run off in fear of police getting involved.
Beginning of movie:Boy has gone missing; police get involved as “missing persons” investigation. Crew members are told by the leader to lie about where they were, say that they weren’t near the old man’s house. Crew member returns to the house to watch the old guy and cover up their tracks of being there. Another crew member returns to the police to tell them what happened, police then question the old man, who claims the boy ran out of the house before he could catch him. The next day the boy turns up dead, and the old man and the leading crew member are arrested.
Middle of movie (4 Points of view):
Boys view: stealing, hiding under the bed, old man catches him, he throws the stuff back at him that he was stealing and runs out the house to walk home. Shadow grabs him and starts beating him, this is in a run down place near a river. Shadow then hides the body.
Polices view: gets a ring from parents, talk to people at the school, getting nowhere with the investigation. Question the old man and are suspicious of crew member as they find out he told everyone to lie about them being there. Arrest both.
Old mans view: returns home from pub to find boy in his house, tries to catch him and yell but boy runs out. He is stirred and starts drinking and falls asleep. Next day Police are asking him about the boy and how the boy is missing. He’s surprised. Answers and tells them what had happened and lets them search the house. He is rude because they suspect him. He gets arrested and is not happy.
Crew leader’s view: Been drinking, goes out to make boy rob a house. Drunk. They run when man returns, he stays and watches as a few minutes later the boy runs out. Angry. Follows boy home, when at river he grabs him and beats him yelling how stupid he is and he will get them caught. When the boy is unresponsive he panics and hides the body, swearing and shaking. Returns home, washes his hands and the next day tells his crew to lie about where they were. When police find out where they were he panics more, and when he is arrested he tries to cover it by swearing at the police.
End of the movie:Police find the weapon that killed the boy and fingerprint it. They tell both man and crew leader what they are doing to shake them. Old man is released and leader is convicted as his prints are found all over the weapon. Movie ends with prison door banging shut and seeing the lad through the letterbox opening, which is also shut. He had his head in his hands.
Story boards for the opening of my groups' thriller...
Thursday 13 November 2008
Thriller Initial Ideas
Initial ideas for film:
To begin our initial ideas, we thought of using a spider diagram to get some ideas flowing...
Idea 1: Man running down a road, away from something. Empty. Thinks he’s getting chased, but he isn’t actually. Police shows him CCTV of him not being chased, could be a massive conspiracy.
Idea 2: Man in suit walking down a corridor. Bangs into a room and starts searching. Another man in a chair and a woman in another on the other side of the room. After a clear messy search the angry man leaves. The man in the chair says “so where did you hide it?” and the young woman, smoking, just smiles.
Idea 3: Young people robbing an office, running out, one falls over, they all split up and run separate ways. The young one who fell over hides in the shadows. Phone starts vibrating; “Mum” comes up on the screen. A hand slides round the youth’s mouth and he drops the phone. The phone had been answered, lays on the floor with a faint voice calling out to the owner.
Idea 4: FINAL – “Gangsta’s” robbing an old man’s house, but he returns home and they run off except one is left there and gets caught inside the house with the old man, who is a “crazy killer”.
Films that have influenced your group:
1. KiDULTHOOD – Young teenagers, Gangster lifestyle, violence.
2. Layer Cake – Shot types (close up, mid-shot), Watching a particular character (young teen) and following him through the start, Location (urban city landscape), Shots fading out.
3. Sin City – Sound effects (siren’s in the background), Location (urban city landscape), Weather (Raining).
What kind of thriller do you want to make? (Genre and style):
Genre: This film will have a few sub genre’s including; thriller suspense and crime thriller.
Style: The style of the film will be modern “Gangsta”.
MISSION STATEMENT
What are you trying to achieve? (Themes or ideas you want to explore): We would like our introduction to capture the audience’s interests and attention, so that it draws them into watching the whole film with interest. We want to explore the “Gangsta” theme along with the innocence of your childhood/teenage years.
To begin our initial ideas, we thought of using a spider diagram to get some ideas flowing...
Idea 1: Man running down a road, away from something. Empty. Thinks he’s getting chased, but he isn’t actually. Police shows him CCTV of him not being chased, could be a massive conspiracy.
Idea 2: Man in suit walking down a corridor. Bangs into a room and starts searching. Another man in a chair and a woman in another on the other side of the room. After a clear messy search the angry man leaves. The man in the chair says “so where did you hide it?” and the young woman, smoking, just smiles.
Idea 3: Young people robbing an office, running out, one falls over, they all split up and run separate ways. The young one who fell over hides in the shadows. Phone starts vibrating; “Mum” comes up on the screen. A hand slides round the youth’s mouth and he drops the phone. The phone had been answered, lays on the floor with a faint voice calling out to the owner.
Idea 4: FINAL – “Gangsta’s” robbing an old man’s house, but he returns home and they run off except one is left there and gets caught inside the house with the old man, who is a “crazy killer”.Films that have influenced your group:
1. KiDULTHOOD – Young teenagers, Gangster lifestyle, violence.
2. Layer Cake – Shot types (close up, mid-shot), Watching a particular character (young teen) and following him through the start, Location (urban city landscape), Shots fading out.
3. Sin City – Sound effects (siren’s in the background), Location (urban city landscape), Weather (Raining). What kind of thriller do you want to make? (Genre and style):
Genre: This film will have a few sub genre’s including; thriller suspense and crime thriller.
Style: The style of the film will be modern “Gangsta”.
MISSION STATEMENT
What are you trying to achieve? (Themes or ideas you want to explore): We would like our introduction to capture the audience’s interests and attention, so that it draws them into watching the whole film with interest. We want to explore the “Gangsta” theme along with the innocence of your childhood/teenage years.
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Rules and shots...
180 degrees rule: A rule which maintains that the line of action should not be crossed, in the interests of fluid continuity. It therefore precludes a difference greater than 180 degrees between camera angles in consecutive shots.
Shot reverse shot: Alternating shots, typically of two characters in a dialogue sequence.
Match-on-action: Occurs when an action begins in one shot and is continued or completed in the next.
Shot reverse shot: Alternating shots, typically of two characters in a dialogue sequence.
Match-on-action: Occurs when an action begins in one shot and is continued or completed in the next.
Monday 10 November 2008
Exploring narrative in "Chinatown"
A narrative is an account of events in a play, novel or film and essentially means story. How a narrative is structured makes each story different and similar in ways. For example, a very simple narrative would be start with Beginning, Middle and End. This is the usual structure for a children's story as they are very straightforward themselves. An example could be "Goldie Locks and The Three Bears"; the beginning being the bears going out and the girl going into the cottage, then the middle- the girl staying in the cottage, then the bears coming home, the end- the girl running away (one version).
A film maker might use narrative in a film for a number of things. A few examples are as followed: to create cliff hangers when there is a twist, to show emotions, to bring a message across to the audience, show things in the world (problems) and to show different cultures (learn from films as we can sometimes relate to other people in story).
Looking at thrillers, I have noticed that the main typical narratives in thrillers are, detective stories- following a detective being undercover or doing a case of some sort, drug dealing and sex-related stories, guns, someone trying to find someone else, kidnapping, abduction, murder, money and a lot of corruption.
If I were to describe the narrative of "Chinatown", I think the sequence would be, the Beginning, Event/Disruption, Climax, Events/Disruption, Resolution, Problem and End. Although, I do think it is a confusing narrative so there could be a few views on what the structure is. The beginning for "Chinatown" starts with a detective Mr. Jake Gittes in an office, smoking and drinking, typical thriller signifiers. Next is an event/a disruption which I think is the water company scandal and a death. There are a vast amount of events which help make the narrative have twists and turns, making the audiences attention focus on the film more. Furthermore, Gittes and the audience find out that Katherine is in fact Evelyn's daughter and sister. This adds to the corruption. The resolution could be when Gittes remains loyal to Evelyn by helping her run away. Despite this attempt a problem arises when the police find her, with her father, Cross. The end concludes with another death and Katherine being taken away with Cross. The end is left as a slight cliff hanger, as it leaves you wondering what is going to happen next, especially to Katherine. The story seems unfinished. This would be a classic narrative for a thriller as things are not always unfolded and discovered.
The narrative perspective is told through Gittes, although he does not narrate, we see the story unfold through his view. I think the director could have done this mainly because, as he is a detective, we have an insight to what he does, making the film have more mystery as we follow the story. As he discovers things, the audience does too, which if the narrative perspective had been through, for instance, Evelyn Mulwray, it would have been very different to Jake's. We would have probably known more about Katherine.
As we 'follow' Jake, we see how he works things out and thinks of what to do. It keeps the audience intrigued. If we saw the narrative through the police's perspective, we would have seen different characters, heard different things, have a different view of what was happening and so forth. It is interesting when we see two sides of the story, towards the end where Gittes is helping Evelyn but then is (not purposely) with Cross too.
The spiralling narrative engages the audience by having plenty of twists and turns which help increase the tension and mystery. During the film, the characters are slowly given more purpose and we learn who they are, what they have done and how most of the characters are all linked. For example, Gittes goes to see Cross and discovers that he is Evelyn's father. This therefore makes an obvious connection, as they are family, but adds to more corruption because Gittes was not told by Mrs Mulwray.
Even more, things like gun shots, murder or/and violence all grab the audiences attention as it makes you wonder what is happening or is going to happen next. Also, camera shots help make things appear emphasised (important) and make sure that you notice it. For instance, a bird eyes view of a staircase will make you realise that the person may be scared of heights of the shot is to emphasise how high up a character is. Mise-en-scene and tone and atmosphere also increase an audiences concentration. For example, a enclosed lift could make someone feel claustrophobic as a lift usually is, when crowded and small.
Narrative in "Chinatown" is very important as it makes the sequence of events fall into place more easily, making the story easier to understand and also keep the audience interested. The twisting narrative can sometimes fool the audience which makes them want to keep watching. The sense of not knowing how the story will go, as "Chinatown"'s narrative structure is quite complex, it makes you think that it will be unlike another film. The narrative is important when you need to make a film in a particular way and in a particular perspective.
A film maker might use narrative in a film for a number of things. A few examples are as followed: to create cliff hangers when there is a twist, to show emotions, to bring a message across to the audience, show things in the world (problems) and to show different cultures (learn from films as we can sometimes relate to other people in story).
Looking at thrillers, I have noticed that the main typical narratives in thrillers are, detective stories- following a detective being undercover or doing a case of some sort, drug dealing and sex-related stories, guns, someone trying to find someone else, kidnapping, abduction, murder, money and a lot of corruption.
If I were to describe the narrative of "Chinatown", I think the sequence would be, the Beginning, Event/Disruption, Climax, Events/Disruption, Resolution, Problem and End. Although, I do think it is a confusing narrative so there could be a few views on what the structure is. The beginning for "Chinatown" starts with a detective Mr. Jake Gittes in an office, smoking and drinking, typical thriller signifiers. Next is an event/a disruption which I think is the water company scandal and a death. There are a vast amount of events which help make the narrative have twists and turns, making the audiences attention focus on the film more. Furthermore, Gittes and the audience find out that Katherine is in fact Evelyn's daughter and sister. This adds to the corruption. The resolution could be when Gittes remains loyal to Evelyn by helping her run away. Despite this attempt a problem arises when the police find her, with her father, Cross. The end concludes with another death and Katherine being taken away with Cross. The end is left as a slight cliff hanger, as it leaves you wondering what is going to happen next, especially to Katherine. The story seems unfinished. This would be a classic narrative for a thriller as things are not always unfolded and discovered.
The narrative perspective is told through Gittes, although he does not narrate, we see the story unfold through his view. I think the director could have done this mainly because, as he is a detective, we have an insight to what he does, making the film have more mystery as we follow the story. As he discovers things, the audience does too, which if the narrative perspective had been through, for instance, Evelyn Mulwray, it would have been very different to Jake's. We would have probably known more about Katherine.
As we 'follow' Jake, we see how he works things out and thinks of what to do. It keeps the audience intrigued. If we saw the narrative through the police's perspective, we would have seen different characters, heard different things, have a different view of what was happening and so forth. It is interesting when we see two sides of the story, towards the end where Gittes is helping Evelyn but then is (not purposely) with Cross too.
The spiralling narrative engages the audience by having plenty of twists and turns which help increase the tension and mystery. During the film, the characters are slowly given more purpose and we learn who they are, what they have done and how most of the characters are all linked. For example, Gittes goes to see Cross and discovers that he is Evelyn's father. This therefore makes an obvious connection, as they are family, but adds to more corruption because Gittes was not told by Mrs Mulwray.
Even more, things like gun shots, murder or/and violence all grab the audiences attention as it makes you wonder what is happening or is going to happen next. Also, camera shots help make things appear emphasised (important) and make sure that you notice it. For instance, a bird eyes view of a staircase will make you realise that the person may be scared of heights of the shot is to emphasise how high up a character is. Mise-en-scene and tone and atmosphere also increase an audiences concentration. For example, a enclosed lift could make someone feel claustrophobic as a lift usually is, when crowded and small.
Narrative in "Chinatown" is very important as it makes the sequence of events fall into place more easily, making the story easier to understand and also keep the audience interested. The twisting narrative can sometimes fool the audience which makes them want to keep watching. The sense of not knowing how the story will go, as "Chinatown"'s narrative structure is quite complex, it makes you think that it will be unlike another film. The narrative is important when you need to make a film in a particular way and in a particular perspective.
Friday 7 November 2008
Film Noir: "Brief Encounter"
As we were asked to look at Film Noir I watched "Brief Encounter", directed by David Lean, starring: Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. "Brief Encounter" is a classic romantic drama set in 1945 during World War Two in and around the fictional Milford railway station. The plot of the film is, a married woman Mrs Laura Johnson meets a stranger (Dr Alec Howard, in a railway station and was tempted to have an affair with him.
The opening shot was a long shot of the train station and instantly I noticed chiaroscuro lighting being used. As the film was in black and white (as most film noirs are) the location looked extremely bleak, dull and mysterious. This was also done by the amount of steam created by the trains, making you feel as though you want to see through the steam to see where you were and what/who else was near you. Next, we are taken into the train station's waiting room (looks slightly like a little cafe), which has a counter, simple wooden tables and chairs. As it is a small room, it was enclosed and had a sense of being claustrophobic. This is the place where Mrs Johnson and Dr Howard randomly met for the first time. It therefore seems that the little cafe is a link between the two main characters, or maybe the actual train station is a metaphor for linking them together, and how places are linked between different locations.
Following the film, we come to Mrs Johnson's' house, where we are introduced to her husband and two children. Their family is a typical and traditional family as there is the husband and wife and then two children, a son and daughter. It is as though she is leading two lives at the moment. Laura starts to play music which is diegetic as we too hear it. Internal monologue is used as we hear her thoughts, giving an insight to what she is thinking..her problems and troubles. We hear things that sound like her conscience is falling apart as she keeps doing things out of her comfort zone. She is not used to the consequences and especially lying to her husband. It seems that once you start lying, there becomes more and more lies being told, and they sound more reasonable and trustworthy. It is apparent that she does not think about who she is lying to.. as she also lies to many of her friends too as she is using them as part of her lies. Another thing I noticed was that the music would build up whilst she made lies or when something was dramatic. This made tension and suspense
We are then taken to what looks like a restaurant which appears to be quite chaotic as many people are there and the staff are moving quickly. Laura is sitting by herself reading a book and unexpectedly Dr Howard comes along and as there is no other seating, he asks if he can share the table (a very predictable event- as soon as the audience recognizes who he is). We see them seating together from an angle which appears to make us feel like we are looking in on them, invading their privacy and almost spying on them.
Throughout the film, there are many different shot types but the main common ones seem to be: long shots, over-the-shoulder shots, close ups, mid shots. The long shots helped show a lot of the characters surroundings and movement of the characters and things around them. There were many close ups which help to show character's faces- their emotions and feelings. For example, there is a close up of Laura's face to show that she has fallen for Alec.
The music used is mostly diegetic music as the woman plays the record player. The music is quite loud and dramatic (orchestra music) and it sets the atmosphere of the dramatic love triangle. Piano seems to be an insturment used a lot in this film too, giving different atmospheres and moods. One is romance and a piano is being played a number of times in the restaurants the couple go to. The music helps to set the mood of both the characters and setting. For example, a bell for the train is rung to show that the train is about to leave. Throughout the film, music is played a lot, the music could be used to imply the idea of it never-ending, like the lies she tells.
Another example of the romantic music, is when they frantically run for the train, it matches their actions well. The sense of them being rushed is created. The music also cuts out at times, to emphasise what they say and what is happening. For instance, the music gets more dramatic when the flashbacks turn to the present time.
The editing used in 'Brief Encounter' is started with the white credits of the film, which are very simple and classic for a film of that time. The lighting is darkened at one point, which helps to focus the shot on her face and what she says. A number of shots are also faded into one another, which shows fluency, making the film flow smoothly. Furthermore, many flashbacks are used, to show the story in two perspectives, the past and the present; to explain what happened to the main character, Laura.
The opening shot was a long shot of the train station and instantly I noticed chiaroscuro lighting being used. As the film was in black and white (as most film noirs are) the location looked extremely bleak, dull and mysterious. This was also done by the amount of steam created by the trains, making you feel as though you want to see through the steam to see where you were and what/who else was near you. Next, we are taken into the train station's waiting room (looks slightly like a little cafe), which has a counter, simple wooden tables and chairs. As it is a small room, it was enclosed and had a sense of being claustrophobic. This is the place where Mrs Johnson and Dr Howard randomly met for the first time. It therefore seems that the little cafe is a link between the two main characters, or maybe the actual train station is a metaphor for linking them together, and how places are linked between different locations.
Following the film, we come to Mrs Johnson's' house, where we are introduced to her husband and two children. Their family is a typical and traditional family as there is the husband and wife and then two children, a son and daughter. It is as though she is leading two lives at the moment. Laura starts to play music which is diegetic as we too hear it. Internal monologue is used as we hear her thoughts, giving an insight to what she is thinking..her problems and troubles. We hear things that sound like her conscience is falling apart as she keeps doing things out of her comfort zone. She is not used to the consequences and especially lying to her husband. It seems that once you start lying, there becomes more and more lies being told, and they sound more reasonable and trustworthy. It is apparent that she does not think about who she is lying to.. as she also lies to many of her friends too as she is using them as part of her lies. Another thing I noticed was that the music would build up whilst she made lies or when something was dramatic. This made tension and suspense
We are then taken to what looks like a restaurant which appears to be quite chaotic as many people are there and the staff are moving quickly. Laura is sitting by herself reading a book and unexpectedly Dr Howard comes along and as there is no other seating, he asks if he can share the table (a very predictable event- as soon as the audience recognizes who he is). We see them seating together from an angle which appears to make us feel like we are looking in on them, invading their privacy and almost spying on them.
Throughout the film, there are many different shot types but the main common ones seem to be: long shots, over-the-shoulder shots, close ups, mid shots. The long shots helped show a lot of the characters surroundings and movement of the characters and things around them. There were many close ups which help to show character's faces- their emotions and feelings. For example, there is a close up of Laura's face to show that she has fallen for Alec.
The music used is mostly diegetic music as the woman plays the record player. The music is quite loud and dramatic (orchestra music) and it sets the atmosphere of the dramatic love triangle. Piano seems to be an insturment used a lot in this film too, giving different atmospheres and moods. One is romance and a piano is being played a number of times in the restaurants the couple go to. The music helps to set the mood of both the characters and setting. For example, a bell for the train is rung to show that the train is about to leave. Throughout the film, music is played a lot, the music could be used to imply the idea of it never-ending, like the lies she tells.
Another example of the romantic music, is when they frantically run for the train, it matches their actions well. The sense of them being rushed is created. The music also cuts out at times, to emphasise what they say and what is happening. For instance, the music gets more dramatic when the flashbacks turn to the present time.
The editing used in 'Brief Encounter' is started with the white credits of the film, which are very simple and classic for a film of that time. The lighting is darkened at one point, which helps to focus the shot on her face and what she says. A number of shots are also faded into one another, which shows fluency, making the film flow smoothly. Furthermore, many flashbacks are used, to show the story in two perspectives, the past and the present; to explain what happened to the main character, Laura.
Thursday 6 November 2008
My Perfume Advert
Idea 1:
Idea 2 and Final Idea:
The name of my perfume was "Incomplete" with the anchorage being, "Will you complete me?", in the font of "Tall Paul". I liked the font as it was quite informal but stylish and would seem that it had been hand-written...maybe by the model. I used a perfume bottle from the internet so it was more clear for what the advert was actually advertising.
The photograph is quite faint and very simple, which I wanted to show. Also, the phrase "Less is more" was an influence. The picture is quite faint so it was a bit more subtle similarly to the rest of the advert.
I first thought of what I could take a photo of, or what the perfume advert would be focused on, and then came the idea of having only half a model's face, following came the name of the perfume... [as only half her face is shown, it is not complete...] therefore it is perhaps a link between the name and photo, as many adverts have links between them, (makes more sense).
The perfume adverts that were influencial were, Giorgio Armani's Armani Code as the woman was in a simple black dress, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs which was innocent and bright (which I studied beforehand). I tried to combine both ideas of being simple and then innocently pretty.
I think my perfume advert appeals to the younger generation as the model used was young, as it was hard to get an older model. To improve it and to give more range to the audience I should find an older-looking model. When looking at the "Demographic classification of audience", I think my audience would be in C1 and C2. It would appeal to people who are working class and just into the lower middle class. The advert itself is simple and has limited uniqueness, where as, adverts which you would see in magazines such as Grazia and Cosmo would be a lot more perfected and appeal to a much wider range of audiences. Another model of audience classification is one that classifies not by class but their personal aspirations. I think out of the five segments, the audience I am targeting with my advert would be the mainstreamers, as it is not as exploratory as other perfumes can be. If I were to target the aspirers and social climbers, I could make the advert a lot more high quality with a more engaging picture, one in which was a lot more appealing to everyone.
My advertisement would satisfy needs and/or desires of my audience by making them feel completed, perhaps unlike the model in the advert. The choice of the name "Incomplete" was to show how the model was incomplete herself and that a spray of the perfume would make her feel complete. Therefore making the user, themselves, feel completed too.
Idea 2 and Final Idea:
The name of my perfume was "Incomplete" with the anchorage being, "Will you complete me?", in the font of "Tall Paul". I liked the font as it was quite informal but stylish and would seem that it had been hand-written...maybe by the model. I used a perfume bottle from the internet so it was more clear for what the advert was actually advertising.
The photograph is quite faint and very simple, which I wanted to show. Also, the phrase "Less is more" was an influence. The picture is quite faint so it was a bit more subtle similarly to the rest of the advert.
I first thought of what I could take a photo of, or what the perfume advert would be focused on, and then came the idea of having only half a model's face, following came the name of the perfume... [as only half her face is shown, it is not complete...] therefore it is perhaps a link between the name and photo, as many adverts have links between them, (makes more sense).
The perfume adverts that were influencial were, Giorgio Armani's Armani Code as the woman was in a simple black dress, and Daisy by Marc Jacobs which was innocent and bright (which I studied beforehand). I tried to combine both ideas of being simple and then innocently pretty.
I think my perfume advert appeals to the younger generation as the model used was young, as it was hard to get an older model. To improve it and to give more range to the audience I should find an older-looking model. When looking at the "Demographic classification of audience", I think my audience would be in C1 and C2. It would appeal to people who are working class and just into the lower middle class. The advert itself is simple and has limited uniqueness, where as, adverts which you would see in magazines such as Grazia and Cosmo would be a lot more perfected and appeal to a much wider range of audiences. Another model of audience classification is one that classifies not by class but their personal aspirations. I think out of the five segments, the audience I am targeting with my advert would be the mainstreamers, as it is not as exploratory as other perfumes can be. If I were to target the aspirers and social climbers, I could make the advert a lot more high quality with a more engaging picture, one in which was a lot more appealing to everyone.
My advertisement would satisfy needs and/or desires of my audience by making them feel completed, perhaps unlike the model in the advert. The choice of the name "Incomplete" was to show how the model was incomplete herself and that a spray of the perfume would make her feel complete. Therefore making the user, themselves, feel completed too.
Sin City and Layer Cake
Sin City
One of the film thrillers that we looked at in class is the well known Sin City, directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodingnez, 2005. We focused on looking at how the film begins with opening shots and credits and all the things that were included in the shots such as mise-en-scene.
To begin in, the credits started with an explosion, immediately gripping the audiences attention and keeping them engaged.
The opening shots begun with an establishing shot of an urban city landscape and there is a lady wearing a low-back-cut, red dress who slowly walks to the edge of a balcony. The balcony appears to be very high up which suggests there are limited ways to escape, if the need to. We watch her firstly from the back which shows how her back is bare, making her look vulnerable. The camera then switches to be just in front of her where we can see her facial expressions and the man who appears from out of nowhere coming towards her and us. The shot there shows how the black and white contrasts of the chiaroscuro lighting between her red dress and
lips, as that seems to be the only colour used. Non- diegetic music is played which sounds like music played in film noirs. The man (who looks quite protective over her) offers a smoke and when she takes it, he lights her cigarette making her eyes glisten green. This suggests that she is feeling some kind of emotion. There is a very memorable shot which is when the man and woman kiss and the shot turns into a monochromatic image but it is still 
moving. The wind and rain are more noticeable which are also two thriller signifiers. There is then an intimate embrace between when the man pulls the trigger of a gun, killing her. There is then a birds eye view of the man holding the woman against him whilst sitting on the ground. The rain falls down, what seems, more harder as the man looks at- nearly directly into the camera. The movement of the camera then becomes a lot more faster, zooming out and then panning around the large sky scrapers that make up the location. The spiralling panning could be connoting that the story is going to have plenty of twist and turns.
The title of the film, Sin City, is then presented in white writing and then a red effec
t is cast over the title, making it completely red and more comic- styled writing. The backgrounds change, with flashing images crossing the background which included guns and 
people -maybe possible characters and the writing slowly criss-crossing the images. The font of the writing is in a cartoon-like style, as though written like a comic with the white outline. This could be almost a reminder of how the film is based on the graphic novel. The writing is red with the black and white background which makes it appear quite sinister and threatening.
The mise-en-scene presented seems to be a mixture of thrillers themes and film noir styles too. Weather wise, the location looks very bleak and eerie.
The narrative perspective is through an internal monologue, which is through the woman in the red dress. The voice over helps us move our attention to how she is behaving, where she is and then who the man is. We do not have any idea really who they both are, adding to the mysterious and intrigue.
One of the film thrillers that we looked at in class is the well known Sin City, directed by Frank Miller and Robert Rodingnez, 2005. We focused on looking at how the film begins with opening shots and credits and all the things that were included in the shots such as mise-en-scene.
To begin in, the credits started with an explosion, immediately gripping the audiences attention and keeping them engaged.
The opening shots begun with an establishing shot of an urban city landscape and there is a lady wearing a low-back-cut, red dress who slowly walks to the edge of a balcony. The balcony appears to be very high up which suggests there are limited ways to escape, if the need to. We watch her firstly from the back which shows how her back is bare, making her look vulnerable. The camera then switches to be just in front of her where we can see her facial expressions and the man who appears from out of nowhere coming towards her and us. The shot there shows how the black and white contrasts of the chiaroscuro lighting between her red dress and
lips, as that seems to be the only colour used. Non- diegetic music is played which sounds like music played in film noirs. The man (who looks quite protective over her) offers a smoke and when she takes it, he lights her cigarette making her eyes glisten green. This suggests that she is feeling some kind of emotion. There is a very memorable shot which is when the man and woman kiss and the shot turns into a monochromatic image but it is still 
moving. The wind and rain are more noticeable which are also two thriller signifiers. There is then an intimate embrace between when the man pulls the trigger of a gun, killing her. There is then a birds eye view of the man holding the woman against him whilst sitting on the ground. The rain falls down, what seems, more harder as the man looks at- nearly directly into the camera. The movement of the camera then becomes a lot more faster, zooming out and then panning around the large sky scrapers that make up the location. The spiralling panning could be connoting that the story is going to have plenty of twist and turns.The title of the film, Sin City, is then presented in white writing and then a red effec
t is cast over the title, making it completely red and more comic- styled writing. The backgrounds change, with flashing images crossing the background which included guns and 
people -maybe possible characters and the writing slowly criss-crossing the images. The font of the writing is in a cartoon-like style, as though written like a comic with the white outline. This could be almost a reminder of how the film is based on the graphic novel. The writing is red with the black and white background which makes it appear quite sinister and threatening.The mise-en-scene presented seems to be a mixture of thrillers themes and film noir styles too. Weather wise, the location looks very bleak and eerie.
The narrative perspective is through an internal monologue, which is through the woman in the red dress. The voice over helps us move our attention to how she is behaving, where she is and then who the man is. We do not have any idea really who they both are, adding to the mysterious and intrigue.
-----------------------------
Layer Cake
Another example of a thriller we looked at in class was Layer Cake, a British gangster thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn, 2004. There were certain factors we were told to look out for; which for example included opening shots and credits. By looking closely at specific features of the film, I have begun to understand how they can have particular effects and most importantly, why the director chose to use the effects. Firstly, the opening credits welcome us to Layer Cake with rock music and a black and white background. The title is placed cleverly on the door, making us think that we are going to be following this character, as the title is focusing on the door (that the man walks through). Even more, with the character explaining himself through the internal monologue, it appears to be his thoughts and perspective will be told the story through. "If I told you that, then you'd be as wise as me." is a quotation that he uses to avoid identifying himself. Subsequently, creating mystery and intrigue as we want to know who he is.
The opening shots (containing mise-en-scene and shot types) began with a medium shot of an explosion, in a white van. The shot then started to zoom out very slowly, but instantly keeping the audiences focus on what was happening. This is a very quick way to make an audiences attention focus so they feel the need to carry on watching. The shot is at first slow motion, emphasizing the explosion, so we then notice the drug dealers near the van. This gives the instant realization that the film is based on drugs, a classic thriller theme. There are different time periods, welcoming us- as the audience into the films narrative and also the characters. These periods of time consist of: flower power to prison, to a 'shop' with shelves full of drugs where quick editing makes this room fade into a pharmacy. This helps make the audience understand what is going on or at least give them an idea what the film is about. As the film unfolds, we see that there are different characters involved in the same thing, drugs. They are quite the opposite though. There is an extreme long shot which shows a car crossing a road, surrounded by large fields, quite the contrary to the city landscape the main character lives in. The fields of what to appear belong to be a golf club, could be suggesting that they are going to a more remote place, which would therefore cut the people off. The men arrive to the mansion and walk through to a room, very smoothly with the camera first in front as them and then follows their steps. Once we enter a room with an important-looking man waiting, they each take a seat around a table. The camera then takes it in turn, panning around the table to show the men's faces and also seems to show who is talking. There is a long shot of a warehouse drive in, so we see where we are and who the characters are, although we cannot tell who they actually are as people. There are two sets of people in this part and their appearances look the opposite. One set are the people who look very unprofessional and are in tacky, casual wear. The other, are in fitted suits which make them look higher status and class. The only link they have between them is that they are both dealing with drugs. As in our own thriller introductions, we will need to create credits to introduce the film, Production Company and so forth. By looking closely at the opening credits of other films, we can then begin to create our own ideas of how we can present our own credits. Layer Cake used black and white backgrounds with white writing, very simple ideas, but still look attractive. The editing in Layer Cake involved mainly shots fading into another. For instance, the shelves of just drugs turned into a modern- day pharmacy. Before the pharmacy, the ‘shop’ like room looked very clinical and clean, almost fake, so when it turned into a pharmacy it was a lot more realistic. Another example of the fading-into-another-shot effect was when the shot of the door (with title of film) was at night and then the morning. This made it look like the night had passed quickly, now showing us that it is the next day. The music was a combination of diegetic and non- diegetic which gave the effect of the character hearing the music as well as the audience. Finally, the last factor we looked at was the narrative perspective in the film. The narrative perspective is told through Daniel Craig’s character, Mr (blank - as we are not told his name), through internal monologue. This perspective therefore shows his life, who he works with, what he does, his interests and his emotions. The director would have chose to make the narrative perspective be told through Craig’s character as he is very skilled at his job and is more of a leader for his other partners - although he has a boss.
All the effects of Layer Cake make the audience draw their attention. the quick editing and fast moving and twisting narrative makes the film exciting and a good example for a thriller. It has many thriller signifiers which include the theme of drugs and gangsters, a twisting and turning narrative, violence and deception and so on. The ending of the film is also left at a cliff hanger with Craig having a shot wound. The audience will want to know what happens after a nearly- happy ending.
Layer Cake
Another example of a thriller we looked at in class was Layer Cake, a British gangster thriller directed by Matthew Vaughn, 2004. There were certain factors we were told to look out for; which for example included opening shots and credits. By looking closely at specific features of the film, I have begun to understand how they can have particular effects and most importantly, why the director chose to use the effects. Firstly, the opening credits welcome us to Layer Cake with rock music and a black and white background. The title is placed cleverly on the door, making us think that we are going to be following this character, as the title is focusing on the door (that the man walks through). Even more, with the character explaining himself through the internal monologue, it appears to be his thoughts and perspective will be told the story through. "If I told you that, then you'd be as wise as me." is a quotation that he uses to avoid identifying himself. Subsequently, creating mystery and intrigue as we want to know who he is.
The opening shots (containing mise-en-scene and shot types) began with a medium shot of an explosion, in a white van. The shot then started to zoom out very slowly, but instantly keeping the audiences focus on what was happening. This is a very quick way to make an audiences attention focus so they feel the need to carry on watching. The shot is at first slow motion, emphasizing the explosion, so we then notice the drug dealers near the van. This gives the instant realization that the film is based on drugs, a classic thriller theme. There are different time periods, welcoming us- as the audience into the films narrative and also the characters. These periods of time consist of: flower power to prison, to a 'shop' with shelves full of drugs where quick editing makes this room fade into a pharmacy. This helps make the audience understand what is going on or at least give them an idea what the film is about. As the film unfolds, we see that there are different characters involved in the same thing, drugs. They are quite the opposite though. There is an extreme long shot which shows a car crossing a road, surrounded by large fields, quite the contrary to the city landscape the main character lives in. The fields of what to appear belong to be a golf club, could be suggesting that they are going to a more remote place, which would therefore cut the people off. The men arrive to the mansion and walk through to a room, very smoothly with the camera first in front as them and then follows their steps. Once we enter a room with an important-looking man waiting, they each take a seat around a table. The camera then takes it in turn, panning around the table to show the men's faces and also seems to show who is talking. There is a long shot of a warehouse drive in, so we see where we are and who the characters are, although we cannot tell who they actually are as people. There are two sets of people in this part and their appearances look the opposite. One set are the people who look very unprofessional and are in tacky, casual wear. The other, are in fitted suits which make them look higher status and class. The only link they have between them is that they are both dealing with drugs. As in our own thriller introductions, we will need to create credits to introduce the film, Production Company and so forth. By looking closely at the opening credits of other films, we can then begin to create our own ideas of how we can present our own credits. Layer Cake used black and white backgrounds with white writing, very simple ideas, but still look attractive. The editing in Layer Cake involved mainly shots fading into another. For instance, the shelves of just drugs turned into a modern- day pharmacy. Before the pharmacy, the ‘shop’ like room looked very clinical and clean, almost fake, so when it turned into a pharmacy it was a lot more realistic. Another example of the fading-into-another-shot effect was when the shot of the door (with title of film) was at night and then the morning. This made it look like the night had passed quickly, now showing us that it is the next day. The music was a combination of diegetic and non- diegetic which gave the effect of the character hearing the music as well as the audience. Finally, the last factor we looked at was the narrative perspective in the film. The narrative perspective is told through Daniel Craig’s character, Mr (blank - as we are not told his name), through internal monologue. This perspective therefore shows his life, who he works with, what he does, his interests and his emotions. The director would have chose to make the narrative perspective be told through Craig’s character as he is very skilled at his job and is more of a leader for his other partners - although he has a boss.
All the effects of Layer Cake make the audience draw their attention. the quick editing and fast moving and twisting narrative makes the film exciting and a good example for a thriller. It has many thriller signifiers which include the theme of drugs and gangsters, a twisting and turning narrative, violence and deception and so on. The ending of the film is also left at a cliff hanger with Craig having a shot wound. The audience will want to know what happens after a nearly- happy ending.
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