1st February - Introduction to Thrillers

Today we had an introduction lesson in to the typical conventions of Thrillers and what patterns they follow. We analysed the opening of three films and took notes on mise en scene, camera angles and movement, editing, sound and representation.

• Lost Highway - David Lynch 1997
• Signs - M. Night. Shyamalan 2002
• Blood Simple - Coen Brothers 1985

We analysed "Lost Highway" and found the power of silence and enhanced ambient sound added to the atmosphere and built up tension in the scene. Also the beat music during the opening tiles added a gripping atmosphere from the start and the contrast and juxtaposition of the beat music and silence in the scene added a high level of tension to the start of the thriller. This helps attract the audience from the start, hopefully resulting in them watching the whole film.

We then analysed "Signs" and found that the dark atmosphere added tension from the start and made the audience feel unsafe, due to the fact that the visibility of the objects on screen were hidden due to the lighting. This effect was enhanced by the confusing and close camera angles in the first scene. In addition, again ambient sound was used to add tension.

After this we finally analysed "Blood Simple" and found that, again, limited lighting was used to make the audience feel uncomfortable. Typical enhanced ambient sounds where again used such as a telephone ringing, and also enhanced dialogue was added to again add tension.