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Media studies

Thriller subgenera’s:

Crime thrillers:

Crime thrillers are based around the idea of high-tension illegal situations usually with high stakes, this can take the form of murder, robbery, terrorist attacks, etc… There are endless different ways movies portray crimes from both perspectives, the criminal or the supposed good guys, either or even both can be depicted as the films protagonist(s). Themes of crime thrillers can contain conflict between status such as the poor steeling from the rich as a single example, or a high crime rates in a low-income region as setting (gang related criminal activity). Usually criminals are traditionally filled by more male, a regular movie trope that involves the idea of gender is murder out of passion (involving love, lust, affairs, etc…).  Often the characters in a crime thriller are able and dangerous physical or/and mental demands are usually placed as the characters stop/commit crimes. Crime thrillers usually contain characteristics of conspiracy, corruption, and ruthlessness.

Film:

Conventions:

Enigma: in crime thrillers an enigmas are used through the lack of information that may be given to the protagonist in scenes where the viewer must piece together what is happening , this may come in a form of a bloody weapon background, screams, etc… Enigmas give the viewer smaller clues that are collected up over the course of the film used to figure out the crime by the end of the film.

Props: props are crucial to the progression of the film as things such as clothes utilise the way characters are viewed, uniforms con represent unity or connection with a specific group (this can be used by nefarious groups or security organisations). Weapons are a common example of props used in crime thrillers; they are usually in the form of a murder weapon.

Place: the location of the thriller is vitally important ( this includes the time of day scenes are shot) as it gives a look into the state of the setting in the film, if shot in a low income area there is a higher chance of potential gang related activity, or if its in a higher status place it may include fraud and embezzlement. Where the protagonist lives or comes from gives context to the character and there actions in the film.

Action thrillers

Action thrillers use fast passed story lines which primarily focus on conflict, usually there are some form of combat between characters. There are usually higher levels of violence, linking with a theme of urgency as the protagonist races to stop the antagonist. Action thrillers can often link to other sub genres of thrillers such as supernatural, crime, etc.

conventions:

Music: fast passed music is a staple of action thriller movies, the music changes throughout the film indicating danger or tension building. the music can help the viewer connect with the character through the use of emotive music and suspense .

Camera angles and positioning: the use of fast cuts create tension and suspense, the fast pass of the cuts  puts the viewer on the edge of their seats as the action takes place. close ups are also a major part of action thrillers that show the viewer to understand how the characters feel as the pressure of heir task effects them.

location: the placement of the action is a big part of action thrillers as the landscape defines how the film can proceed with the inevitable conflict. a battle royal style fight could ensue in an open landscape (or at least a large accessible area) or a one on one showdown in a small area where the fate of the characters comes down to a single moment.

Supernatural thriller:

Supernatural thrillers use aspects of the supernatural such as haunting of spirits than have unfinished business or have malicious intent. Supernatural thrillers can share many similar themes to horror through the use of families and unnatural powers working against a protagonist creating a feeling of dread as they have to overcome the odds and try to figure out how to deal with the unknown they are operating in.

Conventions:

Sound: sound is crucial to this type of thriller as the uses of noise vary between light noises or music  to sharp and loud music and noises, these crate the atmosphere of the film building suspense and tension. the lack of sound in a film can be just as effective in creating the atmosphere of the film as well as it can create an emotive respond from the viewer.

camera positioning:the use of over the solder and perspective shots allow the viewer to connect with the protagonist as they navigate what is usually a unknown landscape of the supernatural. use of high and low angels also can represent power of  the characters and/or other beings

Physiological thrillers:

Physiological thrillers utilise the way the way the mind works and finds ways of bending and manipulating the plot, graphics, effects, etc… Physiological thrillers emphasise how the world is viewed then corrupting it, asking the question is the reality controlled by perception without a true set of rules or is the mind a sum of a persons being having no real effect on the world? this genera of thriller usually tries to make the viewer ask themselves deeper questions as they go on a perilous journey with the protagonist down to the depths of madness to uncover the truth if the protagonist can even truly return.

Mystery thrillers:

Mystery thrillers utilise fast passed story telling furthering the plot with unforeseen twists that can be hard to predict , the fast pass allows the story to unravel with many different possible outcomes giving the viewer an opportunity to try and guess the outcome of each decision and action. These thrillers utilise many clues guiding the viewers to potential outcomes, depending on the film the director my guide the viewer to correct or incorrect assumptions.  These films can sometimes leave some details ambiguous to leave the viewer to interpret what is happening.

Sci-Fi thrillers:

Sci-Fi thrillers focus on the what is usually a futuristic setting where there is some sort of scientific breakthrough that could change the world for better or worse. The protagonist tries to prevent the wrong people from gaining access to what ever plot device the writer uses as the source of the characters interests; the plot device is usually some form of technology. The protagonist must figure out how to protect and if possible, use the plot device to progress the story all while under the tension and stress of the threat being possessed to them.

What is the purpose of a opening sequence?

Opening sequences give the atmosphere and mood for a film setting up a theme for the film . The opening sequence gives an idea of how the film will progress to the viewer , often symbolism and elements that are used in the film are utilised in order to show a clear outline . These elements and symbolise ( if symbols are used ) can be imagery, themes, locations, and characters as well as patterns and colours . Colour, sound, and lighting  all set up the way  the viewers expectations will be built up and help determine the genre of the film.

What is the difference between opening credits and a title sequence?

Definition-
Opening credits :  A title sequence ( also called an opening game or intro ) is the method by                               which films or television programs present their title and key production                                 and cast members, utilising conceptual visuals and sound .

Title sequences  : A powerful expression of motion graphics. They are a prelude to the                                       movie. They engage the audience by hinting at what is about to start,                                     whether it's  a movie, TV show, or Web animation. One of the primary                                     functions of a title sequence is to set the tone of the movie you are                                       about to see. 

Title sequences come before the film that contain text, imagery, and sound, titles have grown into their own art form . Film imagery that contains montages and art to express theme and characters and over all plot, this sets the tone for the film . Animation can also be used to display ideas and themes through a fantasy style that can tell a miniature story or show symbolism . Opening credits also can and usually do utilise an artistic style to outline important actors and/or important notable people involved in the prediction of the film . The title sequence is focused only on introducing the film its self where opening clips focus on the introduction of the main characters and other important people who worked on the film .

What techniques can be employed in an opening sequence?

Techniques for opening sequences can utilise many artistic styles and forms that range from abstract symbolism to filmed shots. Many techniques are used to express themes and atmosphere for there film, such animation, typography, close ups, patterns, and  story telling clips.

animation : A cartoonist style can be used in the intro where the idea and characteristics of                     the character or the  media to set a theme for the film.

Typography : This is the use of words and stylised text in the opening sequence to give                              clues about the state of the films place of atmosphere through things like                                hints from words that appear on screen. News paper articles my give hints to                        what is happening in the story if they are utilised .  The types of fonts that are                        used and letter sizing may also express meaning in the film such as bold                                letters representing strength and thin small letters representing weakness.

Patterns : patterns are used to show symbolism of what my happen in the story such as the                  use of lines in Hitchcock's film "Phyco", the lines seem to obscure view and                            chase each other relentlessly throughout the opening sequence.  Patterns can                      move contain important imagery or reveal themes in the film.

A  modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film examples./Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.

James Bond Skyfall
https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/skyfall/

In Skyfall it starts with Bond falling into the water being dragged down by an unusual large hand representing how he is being dragged down deeper into the void by a force beyond his control. The water symbolises the pressure of his situation as though he cant take a breath. The earth literally seems to swallow him up in the opening sequence representing inevitable death, returning to the ground . broken targets of his body swarm around him starting to bleed from what can be assumed as gun shot, he still sinks deeper. The shot changes to a grave yard, another symbol of death with falling knifes representing the danger magnified by the large size of the weapons. the colour scheme starts of as cold and dark trans forming into blood red showing the theme of death and danger that will in sew Bond in the film. A close up of bonds face  zooming into his eye shows his seriousness and e motionlessness  in the face of death and danger. The symbolises a gate to his inner being which is displayed as a labyrinth or maze to the viewer where he seems lost unable to leave forced to fight his shadows. skulls and blood like liquid again push the theme of death and danger.

Vertigo

https://www.artofthetitle.com/title/vertigo/

The opening sequence starts out with a woman face and repetitive music creating tension as to alert the viewer of the danger that is contained within the film. the close up of the face  becomes an extreme close up of the woman mouth that shifts up to her eyes looking right into the camera, looking right at the viewer creating an airy atmosphere. Her eyes then shift from side to side as if she is looking for something, then the camera focuses on one eye as she opens it wider and the colours around her go to an ominous red that seems to signal danger from her reaction. the shot traditions from a pattern forming in her eye to only the pattern swirling on the screen other than words, the pattern gives the feeling of falling. The images become intransigent and dissing to the viewer almost putting them in a falling trans though visual hypnoses. the image runs full circle revealing the woman eye one again as the pattern retreats.