A psychopathic serial killer wonders the dark streets in search to kill his father. The father neglected the boy since he was a young because he cared more about money and his job, and so the boy was left to do everything himself. The boy ran away from home at the age of 8, hoping his father would come looking for him, but he didn't. Now at the age of 16 he is known as the most dangerous serial killer in the UK. His father knows something is wrong as his memories of his son reappear, but is it too late to regret what he has done.
Characters
Killer-antagonist
Victim-Protagonist
Theme
-Greed
-Jealously
-Revenge
Target Audience
12+ because strong language is used, dangerous behaviour and a moderate physical threat.
Codes and Conventions
-Setting- House, street
-Weapons- Rope, Knife
-Low key lighting
-Chase
-Enigma
-Fast timing of shots
-High pace music
Explain why the BBFC is important to the film industry
The BBFC stands for the British Board of Film Classification, the BBFC was established in 1912. The purpose was to introduce age restrictions for safety reasons after many films became unsuitable in venues.
The BBFC doesn't just put restrictions on films, they also games as well. It is illegal for a shop to sell games/films to a person under the age restriction from UC to 18. This is important as it is to protect different age groups from viewing films that could scare them or cause them to copy something they see.
Age Certificates
Their are 6 categories that films can be placed in. The age groups are;
Universal
The 'U' stand for Universal, this means that ii is suitable for everyone from 4 years and over.
For a film to be classed as a 'U' it will have;
- Have scary sequences that are mild to assure that young children are not afraid.
-No dangerous behaviour that could cause young children to copy it.
- Very mild bad language.
- Mild sex behaviour like kissing or making love etc.
- Mild violence only.
Parental Guide
PG stands for Parental guide, this is for the general public, but some scenes may have unsuitable content which could upset younger or sensitive children. As a result of this the BBFC advises parents to consider if they want their children viewing it.
For a film to be classed as PG it will have;
- Mild language only.
- Moderate violence without detail.
- Natural nudity with no sexual content.
- Frightening sequences should not be intense.
12 years and Bellow
12 / 12A is for 12 year old's and over, films are placed in this category because the material is suitable for only those aged 12 and over. Some scenes may upset children under 12 which is why 12A is created. 12A is only seen in cinema films. Nobody under 12 can see a 12A film or can they buy or rent a '12' film.
For a film to be classed as a 12 / 12A it must have;
- Moderate physical threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent.
- Dangerous behaviour should not be shown in detail. The means hanging, suicide or self harming.
- Moderate language is allowed, but the use of strong language must be infrequent.
- Mature themes are allowed, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
15 years and bellow
15 year old rating is for 15 year old's and bellow, nobody bellow 15 can watch a 15 film in cinema or can they buy a 15 rated filmin stores. This is because some scenes in 15 rated film could scare younger viewers or is inappropriate for them to watch.
For a film to be classed as a 15 rated film it has;
- Strong threat that is permitted unless sexualised.
-There can be a use of strong language (f*ck). The strongest term (c*nt) may be allowed if justified by the context. However if the use of the strongest lamguage is repeated it is unlikely to be accepted.
- Sexual activity may be shown without strong detail.
- Violence may be shown in strong detail but should not dwell on inflicting pain or injury
18 year old's and bellow
The 18 rated films and games means that nobody younger than 18 can watch a 18 film in cinema or can they buy in a shop. This is because it involves allot of violence, sexual scenes and drug or alcohol abuse.
-Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.
Restricted 18
R18 means restricted to anyone bellow 18. This category is to be shown in special licenced cinema's or supplied in licenced sex shops. The R18 category means that sex and a strong fetish material involving adults will be shown.
A meaningful soundtrack is just as important as the image on the screen. The soundtrack is made up of 3 things:
-The human Voice
-Music
-Sound effects
These must be mixed and balanced to produce the necessary emphases which creates desired effects.
During the scene where the cop and killer are searching for each other, Ryan is hiding looking directly at the killer. Diegetic sound is used when Ryan calls the killers phone. The ring tone activates giving the killers location away. The ring tone rang in slow motion to build up suspense for the audience, This results in the cop finding where the killer is and then killing him by shooting him 5 times to the body. This is diegetic as it is part of the film and can be on or off screen.
On screen sound is used in the scene where Ryan jumped off the pier into the sea in order to save himself from the killer. The on screen sound was sound of waves made by Ryan running through the sea to find a place to hide back on the shore. The audience know this is on screen sound as they can see where the sound is coming from.
Non-Diegetic sound was used in the scene where Jessica was attempting to fix the phone that the killer broke to stop here from using it. She managed to call someone after a long period of time but it happened to be one on the kidnappers. The soundtrack had a fast - slow pace which built up tension and suspense. The moment was when she cut the kidnapper with a shattered piece of glass. This is not-diegetic as it is not part of the film and had to be added in to add effects to the scene.
Paralell sound was used when Ryan was oh his phone thalking to the kidnapper by the beach/seaside. This is paralell sound as the audience can hear the sound of waves and sea gulls which they expect when the setting is set at a beach.
How has the thriller genre developed in both the mainstream and independent fields over the last 30 years?
Over the past 30 years the thriller genre has changed a lot, this may be because of the advanced technology.
The thriller films that were produced during the 1940's - 1970's were based on peoples actual fears. These films were considered realistic. The modern thrillers have many sub-genre's such as conspiracy, disaster, mystery and techno.
These are some thriller sub genre's with some examples of films;
Conspiracy Thriller - The protagonist of conspiracy thrillers are usually journalists or investigators that often find themselves pulling on a small thread that unravels a vast conspiracy.
The Bourne Ultimate
Seeking Justice
Disaster Thriller - This genre follows a group of people in conflict with natural forces like floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and volcanoes.
2012
The Day After Tomorrow
Mystery Thriller
Them
Joy Ride
Psychological Thriller
Psycho
Techno Thriller
iROBOT
Matrix
These thrillers each have different codes and conventions, they include;
Camera shots (Hand held camera, Point of View, Close-ups)
Killer, Blood, Murder
Low key lighting (Shadows/Fog)
Chase
Hidden Identity
Enigma
In a thriller film you would expect to see codes and conventions being used. These are used to create suspicion and suspense for the audience. During the film it should make the audience be at 'the edge of their seats'. This is because the victim is being chased or frightened by the killer. This tension that builds up in the film makes the audience connect with the characters.
The definition of a thriller is that is provides a sudden rush of adrenalin and a sudden change in heart beat. The thriller genre tends to be fast-moving, mysterious and threatening. Their are different sub genre's for 'thriller', conspiracy, crime, disaster, mystery, political and techno. These sub genre's are completely different from each other but they all have the same purpose to provide a rush of excitement for the audience. The thriller story is mainly a innocent victim (mainly women) dealing with a psycho who is trying to kill them. This may change if the thriller sub genre is different, like the disaster thriller genre. The setting is often set in dark places like a dungeon, mysterious house, sewer or forest.
Saw Opening Scene
The opening sequence to saw helps to define its genre to a thriller/horror as the lighting is dark with strange sounds. The man screaming as he saw the dead body on the floor tells us its a horror. Also because of the codes and conventions that are used. The sound has a eary feeling to it with the sound of chains which builds up tension and suspense. The setting is in a industrial bathroom which fits into the thriller genre as it is in a unknown location. The iconography is the gun and chains that were used to keep the two innocent guy.s from escaping. This opening fits into the thriller genre as it is a enigma as the audience don't know how they got there.
This opening can help me to plan my own thriller film. This is because the saw opening has used many codes and conventions that are vital to making a good thriller film. In my thriller film i will be able to use some of these codes and conventions to help me. Cellular Trailer
Codes and Conventions
The setting was based in a house where the venerable woman was kept, This is a enigma as the audience don't know where the location is. The sound had a high tempo which built up tension and suspense. The iconography was the gun, baseball bat and phone. The camera shots were fast and sharp which surprises the audience.
Target Audience
The target audience is set for 13+ as their is violence, bad language and some sexual references which is not suitable for young children. Audience Expectations
The audience expect to see codes and conventions being used in this film, this is because this film fits in the thriller genre. They will expect to see a chase, killer, iconography (guns, knife etc). A enigma, fast pace music and low key lighting. Shock, Surprise, Suspense
Throughout the film their is allot of suspense during the film for the audience as they follow a young man trying to save a innocent family. This builds up tension for the audience as he chases the kidnappers and fights them.
Micro Elements
Mise-en-scene, sound, editing, performance and cinematography were used in this film. The setting was based at a beach and at a house in a un-known location. Different sounds were used like diegetic, non-diegetic, parrallel, etc. The performance had loads of expression, vocal delivery and interation toward other characters. Loads of camera shots were used like close-ups, long shots etc. Also different cuts were seen, like cross-cuts, match on action and straight cuts.
Narrative A young man receives a call on his mobile phone from a woman who says she's been kidnapped, and she thinks she will be killed soon, along with her husband and son who the kidnappers are after next. The problem is she doesn't know where she is and the young mans phones battery might die.
Themes
The theme for cellular is that the criminals are looking to steal money from the farther. They are doing this because of greed and jealousy. They try to complete this by kidnapping his family.
Mise en scene is a french word which means how everything is positioned and designed in a set. This includes 5 important points to add, settings and iconography, costume, hair and make-up, facial expressions and body language, lighting and colour, positioning of objects in a frame. This is essential in a thriller film to add effects.
The lighting that was used in the scene from 'Joy Ride' has significance to the conventions of a thriller, through the dark shadows that were created. This was shown in the scene where the killer was standing right behind Venna. The low key lighting was used as he was tying her up. The audience knows this as their was a shadow covering his face. This is conventional in a thriller as the killers face is always remained hidden to hide his/her identity to create suspense. The audience will feel the same emotions as the victim (Venna) E.g. scared, frightened and terrified.
Facial expressions are shown in the scenes where Fuller and Lewis are on the phone to the killer. The audience know this as they both have a panic and frightened expressions. This is conventional to thriller as they always show the victims facial expressions in heart beating scenes. This builds a relationship with the audience as when the main characters are in danger it builds up tension and suspense. This makes the audience feel the same emotions and connects with the characters.
The lighting was used in the scene where Venna was tied up. The backlight was black black but a red light was used to light up the room. This is to signal that someone is going to get hurt or die. This is conventional to a thriller as using dark colored lighting (Red, Black) can signal danger and build up tension.
The setting is important in a thriller, In 'Joy Ride' the setting is based in a Motel although they change location (highway, corn field). The motel looks creepy and cold as its in the middle of nowhere. This is conventional as most setting s in thriller are set in suspicious places. This is because its builds up tension, suspicion and the sense of danger for the audience.
The costume and make-up were used in the scene where Fuller was hung on the fence with a nail stabbed through his leg. His costume was ripped with blood stains, this could tell us that he has injured himself by tripping. His make-up on his face had cuts and bruises, this tells the audience that he has had a fight with someone. His hair was messy which tells us he has scrambling. This is conventional to a thriller as the victim is always show with cuts, bruises and blood stains. This makes the audience show the pain the character is going through.
