Planning The Continuity Filming Exercise

 We were given some tips on how to make sure we were successful when filing our continuity piece, these included:

• Use a story board and script to plan what you are filming.
• Ensure that you keep the camera steady.
• Consider the shot/reverse shot technique whilst filming to ensure it makes sense.
• Try to include a wide variety of shots including close ups/extreme close ups.

I scripted our continuity exercise and ran through it with Caitlin to sure it made sense and to double check that we had enough shots of different types.

Before we were ready to film we had to make sure we knew how to correctly set up all the equipment which meant setting up and stabilising the tripod, setting up the camera and making sure that it was securely fitted to the tripod to avoid it from falling off.

We got the camera running and double checked everything to make sure it was safe to use. I filmed a close up of Caitlin's eye to get used to filming this type of shot. I did notice that slight movements were very obvious so we had to make sure the camera remained as still as possible when we were filming.

We also checked that our memory card was clear so there was plenty of space for our shots to be filmed and then we checked we had a spare battery for our camera just in case the battery we were using had a fault.

Codes & Conventions of Thriller Films

codes and conventions of thriller films from Joshua East

I created this PowerPoint to show the codes & conventions of Thriller films.

Thriller Directors

whilst I was researching directors of thriller films I found this really useful PowerPoint Presentation on Slide Share. Below is the link to the original Slide Share page where I sourced it from and an screenshot image of each slide.

I agree with the analysis of each of the film directors.

http://www.slideshare.net/MattSmith1995/thriller-film-directors-17288378

Alfred Hitchcock stood out due to the fact that he directed the film 'Vertigo'. I researched this film whilst I was researching Saul Bass as I analysed the opening title sequence that he created for it. At times Alfred Hitchcock was known as the 'Master of Suspense'.

I did some more research into Alfred Hitchcock and found out that one of his stylistic trademarks included camera movement which would mimic a persons gaze and he also framed shots to maximise the feeling of anxiety and fear. Hitchcock is know as the best British filmmaker with over 50 feature films being directed by him in a career stretching six decades.

Sub Genres Of Thriller Films

Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.

( with reference to - http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/thriller#)

Sub Genres

Due to the suspense and fearful excitement caused by thriller films; a thriller can be linked with almost every other genre. Therefore there are many sub genres to thriller films and I have given some examples below.

• Psychological - The main focus for psychological thrillers is to focus on the mental and emotional state of the characters involved. This creates suspense and plays on the audiences mind. There is also normally a plot twist in a Psychological thriller. A few example of these type of thriller films include: Shutter Island, Psycho, Inception, The Shining and the Silence Of The Lambs.
  

• Techno - Techno thrillers consist of  spy, action, war and science- fiction elements. The handling of technology also plays a prominent part in Techno thrillers. Some examples of Techno thriller films include: Nerve, Hackers, The Net, Swordfish and The Recruit.

• Supernatural - Supernatural thrillers consist of other world and futuristic elements along with tension, suspense and numerous plot twists. The protagonist or antagonist will often have some sort of supernatural powers. Examples of Supernatural thrillers include: The Others, Sixth Sense, The Orphanage and The Skeleton Key.

• Conspiracy - In a conspiracy thriller, the protagonist will usually face or confront a large and powerful group/organisation, however, the threat of this group will only be seen by the protagonist himself and usually they will have to face it alone. Some of examples of these films include: The Parallax View, The Conspiracy and Enemy Of The State.

• Crime - In a crime thriller, there is a larger focus on the criminals who commit the crime rather than the law. The films are normally from the criminals point of view and include physical action. Crime thrillers include a vary of topics such as killers/murders, robberies, chases and shootouts. Crime thriller examples consist of: The Usual Suspects, Heat, The Departed and The Bourne Ultimatum.

• Religious -  Religious thrillers focus on the history and myths of religion to create a thriller film. In most cases a religious or historical secret is discovered and different people and groups have try to take control and have different views. Examples of Religious thriller films include: End of Days, Devil, The Order, The Rite and The Last Exorcism.

Below is a mind map I found on the internet displaying thriller sub genres and a film that could be used as an example for each one.

Link to original source