Age ratings - Miss Georgiou

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is critical when trying to differentiate different age bands of a specific film. Some of their main aims are to protect the public from inappropriate content that may not be suitable for them, especially children and to prevent them from getting harmed. They do this to avoid getting negative feedback and complaints from parents and companies. They also are important within the film industry because they empower the public, mainly parents to make informed viewing choices. The BBFC also classes films according to the content this will stop people from viewing content which is not aimed at their specific age.

There are 6 main categories that films are grouped into U, PG, 12 and 12A. 15, and 18. They all are very different and have different characteristics, for example a:

U - The U symbol stands for Universal. A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. It will involve no sever bad language but some minimal language such as 'hell' because it is aimed at young children. Also there will be no sexual activity apart from cuddling and kissing between characters, also violence is permitted within U films to a certain point for example in the film 'Peter Pan' there is a scene violence but not blood is evident.

PG - PG stands for Parental Guidance. This means a film is suitable for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. Parents should consider whether the content might upset younger or more sensitive children. There would be more mature images about sexual content within the film itself because the children can understand the content. Also words such as 'Bitch' are used. The behaviour cannot be to unrealistic because the children may get influenced by it and copy it. For example if a boy jumped off a bridge and survived the children may think that they will survive and will be convinced to try it. So the behaviour has to be strict.

12 and 12A - 12A means that if you are aged 12+ then you can go into the film without someone aged 18+. Although if you are lower than 12 than you must be accompanied by an adult, the A in 12A relates to 'accompanied'. The differences between the two are that 12A is only used in a cinema environment, whereas a 12 is used in videos DVDs and Blue Rays. There could be some strong language but not used frequently because it would no longer be classed as a 12 or 12A. Violence within this age group should be evident but shouldn't be put in detail, and there should be no emphasis on blood. For example 'Iron man 3' falls into the 12A classification as there is evidence of violence and infrequent use of bad language. There is proof of this in the scene when Iron man is fighting for survival and blood is seen on his face, this scene would add to the age rating as it has signs of blood and distress.

The next age certificate is 15 this is when nobody under the age of 15 is allowed to view the film weather in the cinema or to rent a DVD. The main differences between 12 rated films and 15 are that they have; stronger language and they may be used more frequently. There may also be portrays of sexual activity and references to sex. Another thing which would separate it from the 12 rating would be that it may have discriminatory language or behaviour, and finally there may be scenes involving drug taking. There is usually stronger content within the 15 band because people are considered to be more mature and have a brief understanding about some of the ideas conceived within the film. Horror films can also sometimes fall into this age certificate because they have all of the features needed to fit into this band. An example of a 15 rated horror is ‘conjuring’ mainly because it has evidence of blood and gruesome scenes, which would make it suitable for people aged 15+.

The final age classification is an 18, they are only suitable for people aged no less than 18 because they have strong violence and frequent strong language, real sex and strong blood and gore. There is no cap on the use on strong language within the film because it is up to the viewer’s weather or not they decide to view the film. Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18 so therefore there is no specific cap on the amount of violence or language used in the film. An example of an 18 is Saw V, where there is a strong amount of violence and blood in the film when the characters are fighting for their lives and competing agaonst other humans. Also it exceeds the features of a 15 rated film.

The age certificate in which will be used in my film will be a 15 rating mainly because there will be evidence of blood and violence in the film. The film would also be aimed at people aged 15+ because I feel like they would be able to relate to it more, and understand the themes being conceived. The use of weapons and blood may also make the film classified as a 15, there will not be extensive use of bad language throughout the film but maybe the occasional use bad language to convey different emotions and feelings with the characters.

Editing styles - Miss Georgiou

'The shining, Here'e Johnny'

Editing styles are vital when producing film clips because they create different emotions and feelings amongst the audience. Generally editing is used to provide coherence and excitement to a film. The person who edits the film is called the editor. Editing just like cinamotography can be used to create more than one perspective. The film that I analysed was 'The shining' because there is evidence of different editing techniques.


For example when Johnny is waling towards the door we see and example of a timing shot. The intended effect for this shot would be that it creates tension as the isolated corridor looks peaceful but then we see Johnny casually walking down it holding a knife, it would make the audience feel tension as they know the girl is near by and that Johnny is on his way to get her. Whereas it also creates suspense because the audience are on the edge of their seats anticipating the entrance of Johnny. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because it creates suspense and tension.
Another example of a shot used within the film is a jump shot which is a cut in film editing in which two consecutive shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly. This shot is used in the film when the axe is carving its way through the door and also the camera is focusing on the power of the axe. The main reason that a jump shot was used was because it creates surprise as the audience do not expect the axe to destroy the door like that, and also the repetitive slashing and slicing down of the door would shock the audience because there are being bombarded with loud noises and dramatic scenes. Another intention of a jump cut is to make the audience tense and excited. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller as it creates and ties in with all the 3 main elements of a thriller which are; shock, surprise and suspense.

A reaction shot is used to display a specific emotion on a character away from the main scene, it is often used alongside a close up shot as it is able to display close emotions. They are also used to create a bond with the audience and character as the audience are able to see how a character responds to under different circumstances, it also allows the audience to relate it to how they would react under the situation given at a specific moment in time. Correspondingly when Johnny is smashing through the door we see the women scared and screaming with fear, the use of a reaction shot here would be used to make her seem venerable as the editing is used to precisely convey her emotions and feelings. This would relate to the typical conventions of a thriller because the audience now is more nervous for the women as she could be killed at any moment in time, it would also build our relationship with the character as we feel sorrow for her as she is potentiallyt about to die. Also the fact that she is cooped up in the corner of the room would suggest that she is scared and venerable as she has no where to go. It would make the audience feel sorry for the women as we are able to predict her future and what will happen to her. This would relate to the distinctive conventions of a thriller as it creates tension and suspense as the audience are anticipating the arrival of Johnny to the women.

Fourthly there is a straight cut used this is when the camera changes from one place to another with very little effects just a straight cut and change in place/characters. This shot is used to construct a simple transaction of change. In the clip ‘here’s Johnny’ this type of clip is used when you see the women climbing out of the window from the perspective of the window but then you see her struggling to escape form the room with the snowy rooms next door and the quiet calm area. The fact that it’s covered in snow would suggest peacefulness and calmness. So this adds to the significance of the event because we know that a women is about to be killed and murdered in such a quiet area. The straight cut adds a sense of meaning as we can only originally see her struggling from one point but then the reality of the situation as she is dangling out of the window. This would make the audience feel tense as they’re expecting her to die any minute. This would add to the conventions of a thriller because it makes the audience feel tense and shocked. Furthermore it would add to our previous relationship with the character as we can reflect on her struggle and feel compassionate towards her.

 

From this post I have learnt the there are many different editing styles used within thrillers that I would like to use in my thriller clip. They can also create multiple meanings and emotions amongst the audience, for example diffferent cuts give different implied meanings to the audience. Finally the can concieve more than one menaing to ther audience. 

Research into Conventions of the Thriller Genre - Miss Miller

Intruder

Conventions in thrillers are techniques used that create different emotions and feelings within the audience. These give the text meaning and determine the response of the viewer. They can be used as a basis for simple text analysis. Conventions are used in thrillers to create different emotions and feelings within the audience. There are many variations of editing styles used within thriller films that are intended for different purposes. I have decided to choose the film 'Intruder' because there are many examples of a typical conventions of a thriller.

In the clip there is evidence of some conventions of a thriller, for example props are used throughout the clip. There is evidence of props in the clip when the victim is carrying the gun searching for any signs of movement or life. He carries a gun around for extra protection in case any unexpected things were to happen. The fact that a gun is used would add to the realism of the event because it gives the audience an idea of how serious it is, also the gun is being perceived as an form of iconography because the constant use of different camera angles make the gun seem bigger and therefore a lot more significant within the scene and the characters. Also the gun would help the audience build a relationship with the characters because they are able to relate to the situation more it is based at what looks to be stables, which are familiar to everyone. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because there is evidence of violence and suspense.
Another convention of a thriller within the clip used is low key lighting. This is apparent throughout the clip, there are light in the clip but they’re almost lights just aimed to create an atmosphere. The low key lighting is apparent when the victim is looking for the intruder and discoverers the cat. The use of low key lighting creates tension amongst the audience as they do not know what to expect as the line of sight is shortened. It would also create the 3 main elements of a thriller which are shock, suspense and surprise because the lighting makes the audience feel in suspense as they are anticipating what is going to happen next because the dark lighting would indicate loneliness and a sense of mystery. It would also make the audience feel more shocked when the zombie man appears as they didn’t see it coming because of the low key lighting used. Finally it would add to the surprise factor as when any small movements occur they are heavily emphasised through the darkness as we cannot see their location. This would relate to a thriller because it creates tension and suspense within the audience.

 

Thirdly another convention used is makeup of the characters. This is evident when the guy appears from the darkness and is made up to look like a zombie. The makeup can be used within different characters to portray different messages to the audience. The use of makeup in thriller films creates many different emotions and feelings. For example the zombie make over is used by adding several cut wounds to the characters face to make it look scary and mysterious. If there was fake blood used on a characters face it would create tension as the audience is expecting a bad thing to happen soon as blood has been shed. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because it adds to the tension building up throughout film.

 

Finally a third convention of a thriller in the clip is the use of a close up shot. There is evidence of this at 1.14 of the clip where the camera zooms up on the victims face to display and express his emotions, when he is holding his gun looking at the footsteps on the floor. The close up shot would add tensions to the clip as the audience is able to relate to the matter as the facial expressions may look recognisable and relatable.

 

In conclusion I think that they're is several conventions that I've picked up from watching this clip for example the use of props within the clip. I like the strong relevence of the gun in particular as I thought that it tied in well with the atmosphere and feel of the situation.

 

Reseach into cinematography - Miss Miller

Reseach into cinematography Miss Miller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCSl6XFHZZA

Cinematography is the way in which different camera shots are captured throughout films using various pieces of equipment. They're often used to create more that one meaning to the audience, and in some cases can create a sense of dramatic irony as the camera shot may provide the audience with acknowledgement of another character that the characters within the clip may not know off. and therefore would create tension and suspense amongst the audience.

In the film 'A lonely place to die' cinematography is used throughout to create different emotions and feelings upon the audience. In the clip I found there are examples of different camera angles for example at the beginning of the clip an establishing shot is used when you see the rocky mountains from a distance away. The point of using this type of shot would be to emphasise the size of the mountains when in comparison to the climbers. It would create a sense of danger and excitement amongst the audience because we can see the significance of the event and the life threatening task that their faced with. This would build a relationship between both the characters and the audience because we feel compassionate towards the climbers as we are able to see the danger involved where as they can only see the mountain from one perspective. This would relate to a convention of a thriller film because it keeps the audience feeling tense and engaged in the film because there are elements of danger and suspense. It would also build the relationship with both the audience and the characters as it makes the audience feel compasionate and anxious for the climbers, as there is a great deal of danger involved.

The second camera shot within the clip is a close up, this occurs when the camera is dropped and shattered against the rocks. The main reason why a camera was used may have been because they want to emphasise the fact that memories have been broken and forgotten within the camera. It could also suggest that in the later part of the film things are going to be broken or killed. We would gather this interpretation mainly because the camera specifically zooms into the camera once fallen and slows the motion down to emphasise the damage. This shot would make the audience surprised as they wasn't expecting that situation to occur. This would also relate to the typical conventions of a thriller as things are usually broken and destroyed to create different emotions within the audience.

Furthermore at 0.41 of the clip we can see an example of handheld camera, when one of the characters has taken a tumble down the side of the mountain. The main reasons for using handheld camera would be to emphasise the importance of the event and also how dangerous the situation is. The use of this specific camera angle would also suggest the panic and chaos to the audience as we see a jerky, unsettled movement which would imply that they're in danger because we would normally associate a moving unstable camera to something which is unsettled. We would also gather the interpretation that the director may not want us to focus on something particular as it could reveal an hidden identity. This would relate to the typical conventions of a thriller as there is usually handheld cameras involved because they are good at indicating individual emotions.


As the clip progresses we see an example of shallow focus at 0.04, there is focus on the main object which is the rope clip. The fact that we can see the rope clip clearly and the background is out of focus would suggest that there is an strict importance on the clip and that it has great power and significance in the events which are about to unfold. Also the main intentions of this type of shot in particular is to stress the importance of the object. During the clip you see the wires passing through the clip slowly, this may suggest that the clip determines their fate. This shot would suggest a sense of suspense as the audience is anticipating what this clip can do, and weather or not it can support the climber. It would relate to the conventions of a thriller as this type of shot is usually used because it would create suspense.

Individual ideas for a narrative - Miss Georgiou

Throughout the time in which we looked at Strangers, Saw and scream I gathered inspirations in which I would use in my own thriller opening sequence. In the film Strangers, hidden identity is used mainly to create mystery and make the audience feel curious towards who is behind the mask. It would also make the audience wait in anticipation to who the villains are. Also this is conventional to a thriller because it creates suspense and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat. The second film that I looked at was Saw IV, I found this especially inspirational as various camera shots were used throughout to convey different ideas and emotions. For example in the clip an shallow focus shot was used when the audience sees the keys in the boxes in full focus but then vaguely in the background you see the victims, the intended idea is for the audience to be reminded that their lives are at risk. It could also be used to emphasis the significance and power of the key. I thought that this camera shot was affective as it shows two different perspectives. In the last film was scream I feel as though this film has influenced my opening scene because I like the way in which suspense, shock and surprise is used throughout to good effect. For example in scream there are various occasions where the audience are preparing to be shocked but to their surprise they aren’t but later on within the scene the shock comes. I think I would use this technique as it is good when creating tension amongst the audience.

The idea for my opening sequence is to be set in an urban area unlike many other opening scenes mainly because otherwise I think it will just be a stereotypical thriller film and will be boring for the audience. The plot I was thinking of a house in the city at night, they're experiencing a power cut so the lights are out. The parents are asleep and one teenage boy is still awake watching TV on the sofa, he keeps hearing movement that he can't see. He ignores it and tries to sleep on the sofa. He hears a constant peculiar knocking so goes to the back door looks out in the garden and then he sees a young girl dressed in a white gown, then she screams and it ends… The conventions that i would aim to have within my clip would be shock and tention that will continue to build throughout the progression of the clip.

My target audience appeal would be aimed towards the 16 + maily because they're would be evidence of voilence blood and horror. I also think that once they're older than 16 then they understand concepts clearer and also they will be more mature and be able to relate some of the concepts to themselves.





 

 

Research into Mise-en-scene - Miss Georgiou

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is involves techniques that are used in films to convey different emotions/feelings. There are 5 elements involved; Settings & iconography, costume, hair and make-up, Facial expressions & body language, lighting & colour and finally settings and props. Whilst I was searching YouTube for a clip which I thought would tie into the thriller category and also shows signs of mise-en-scene I came across the film 'The Grey'.


The main reason for choosing the film The Grey was because there are examples of the 5 elements of mise-en-scene throughout the clip. For example at the start of the clip you see evidence of facial expressions and body language within Lee Nelsons face. His face looks wounded and tired, because he has signs of blood and frostbite and he is pounding for breath which would suggest that he is tired and hurt. We gather this interpretation because the marks on Lee Nelsons face. Body language and facial expressions are used mainly because they're capable of portraying meanings that may not usually be conceived. Lee Nelson’s expressions are typical of a thriller film mainly because they can be used to create suspense and mystery within the audience. Usually a convention such as body language and facial expressions are frequentley used because they add to the realism of the scenerio, and make the audience more engaged with what is going on because they're capable of relating to the emotions that they may or may not be feeling.

Secondly settings and iconography appears in the film The Grey. The film is set in remote snowy mountains, the main reasons behind this location is mainly because it can be used to show their vulnerability and also how small they are when in comparison with the rest of the landscape. Furthermore the location could create mystery mainly because we do not know what else is in the mountains alongside the crew. An example of iconography in the clip I studied is where the main character (Lee Nelson) is stood guiding the rest of the survivors to safety. This is a good example of iconography because you can clearly see that he is meant to be conceived as superior to the rest. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller because there is usually one main character that stands out from the rest, this would make the audience feel a sense of excitment and suspense as they know that the leader is at the front and guiding the rest and therefore is the closest to the dangers. Iconography is a regular occuring feature within thriller films because it helps the audience gather a suspense and excitment.



Furthermore another example of mise-en-scene is lighting and colour, this is evident throughout the whole clip with the misty dark mountains. The main reason for using a dark background and low key lighting would have been that it creates a sense of mystery and tension as we cannot see what is making the noises within the clip. Also the darkness adds to the significance of the event in which they're experiencing because the fact that the audience cannot see what is in the rest of the scene makes the occasion even more exciting and tense. The low key lighting would also make the whole scene more dramatic mainly because it would create a sense of shock within the audience because they would be waiting for the sounds to reveal their identity to the audience. The lighting used within this clip has influenced the way in which I may make my own thriller opening scene, mainly because it creates many different emotions within the audience and creates suspense, shock and an awaiting surprise.


Another type of mise-en-scene used in the film, is settings and props. For example in the clip there isn’t much evidence of props used because it is meant to have the idea that their surviving on basic rations and therefore do not have much left from the crash. Also the fact that they don’t adds to the realism of the event and makes the audience gather the impression that Lee Nelson and the crew are truly surviving for survival. A few examples of the small props used are weapons such as a contemporary knife made from pieces of the plane which made it through the crash. I think that the minimalistic use of props in this clip really are affective mainly because it emphasises the life threatening issue in which their experiencing, and makes the audience more engaged as they are anticipating what is going to happen next. On the other hand the setting is important within this clip, it is based up high within the mountains far away from any form of civilisation. I think that the main intention of doing this is to highlight the opportunity for survival as being very small.  This would relate to the typical codes and conventions within thrillers as they denote the stuggle and also creates tension as the audience is reasured that not everything is well. Another prop that is used is the clip is the bag, this is used as an reasuring tool to the audience as it emphaisises the struggle that their facing and that paartially some of their life is in the bag (medical equipment etc). This would create suspense amongst the audience as they know that if in danger there are no weapons that can save them, but their bare hands. This would relate to the conventions of a thriller as they create suspense and tension in the audience.

In conclusion my research into mise-en-scene will help me when planning my own thriller clip as there are certain elements that I will be using such as costume, hair and make up this will enable my clip to look more dramatic and real, it will also make the  audience feel a sense of suspense as they're reasured with the situation, and dangers that the characters are facing. I would also like to incorporate lighting and colour into my clip as I think that it will add another level to the scene and create more that one emotion.