G321- Thriller scenes

Thriller: Insidious

Director: James Wan
Production company: Blumhouse Productions
Release date: 29th April 2011 (UK)
Location: United States
Worldwide Box office returns: $97, 009,150
The age rating of this film is a 15. This means that the target audience of appeal for this film would be anyone ranging from late teens onwards into adulthood. This film was rated a range of user comments and ratings on the IMDB website including;

• Scariest Movie I've Seen In Years!!!
  
• Borrows a lot from other films, yet stands out on its own..enjoyable Horror movie.
  
• Better than "Paranormal Activity" and "Saw" combined.
  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXWorkzV884

For my analysis, I have chosen the film 'Insidious'. This film falls into the thriller genre due to the anxiety suspended upon the audience. For this analysis I have chosen one particular scene from the film and am going to answer the specific question; 'How are women represented in the scene?'

Firstly when discussing this question, it should be stated that this scene mainly encompasses two characters, one being the antagonist and the other the protagonist. This means that the scene is focused on only one element. At the very start, the women in the scene is projected as emotionally unstable. This is due to her presumably waking up, startled, from a nightmare about her own flesh and blood son.

This, straight away follows thriller narratives by showing a pre determined death. In reaction, this is shown by shock, being portrayed by incredibly heavy, deep breathing. From this we can assume that this women is the protagonist due to herself being in a vulnerable position in which to be easily targeted. This is so due to the bad state of mind in which the women is represented. The next noticeable feature is the low revealing, unbuttoned top. This automatically makes the women exposed and liable to be hurt in body due to the open temptation. This temptation is greatly seen by the opposite sex making the women a stereotypical representation of a victim. With the female being the victim this fits in the femme fatality theory, being constructed from audience assumption. This is a typical convention seen through the film semiology, which falls into the thriller genre.

Another feature is the theme of loneliness. With the women being alone and unaccompanied this means that an open attack is possible due to the lack of security she holds. This usually is provided my a male character, though in this case the female has more power over the male character by making him sleep downstairs on the sofa possibly due to a recent argument. This means that the women is left to defend herself providing a sense of isolation.

The mise en scene doesn't help this character either. The mise en scene is very claustrophobic meaning there is little escape, therefore representing entrapment for the character. Not only this but having open spaces such as windows, allows easy access for the antagonist and follows the typical thriller narratives of deception, along with the victim being watched and followed. With fright being witnessed a quiet call for help it sent out. With nobody being able to hear this represents the female as a weak source. Not only does it show this physically but through the strength of the mind, also.

When contemplating the costume, this plays against the innocence of the character. With the women wearing black this would represent her as the antagonist assuming that black is a bad representation. This therefore denies the Helmet Nickel theory of white hats/ black hats, having the antagonist in a black costume and the protagonist in white, suggesting purity and innocence.
Finally, at the end of the scene the antagonist approaches the women. The letting out of a humongous scream and cry for help therefore shows the women as fragile and dependant, being in position of terror.

To conclude, this scene fits into the thriller genre due to presenting typical thriller narratives, themes and iconography. Overall the women figure is presented with the femme fatality theory, being the vulnerable victim common to the thriller genre.

Thriller: The Grey

Director: Joe Carnahan
Production company: Open Roads Film
Release date: 27th February 2012 (UK)
Location: Canada
Worldwide Box office returns: $77,278,331
The national age rating of this film is a 15. This means that the target audience is that of the elder yeared adolescent. This film though, still appeals to that of an adult audience. Specifically, the audience of thriller film fanatics is targeted, using literacy devices to create anxiety within the audience. When considering user ratings and reviews from the official IMDb website, you get a very mixed response, ranging from excellent to the extremely poor. For example;

• Totally unrealistic
  
• Survival-Action at its Best
  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLLcH0x1kwg

Here, I am going to be answering the question; 'How is sound used to create suspense and other effects in the scene?'. For this, I have chosen the thriller fitting film, 'The Grey' and the plane crash scene included within.

To start, the backing sound is of working engines, specifically of an aeroplane. This immediately sets the scene of being in a moving aircraft. Along with this, eeriness is created due to the quietness, being able to hear every small encompassed detail like that of the drawing curtain carried out by a member of cabin crew. Next, a change in pitch of the running engines occurs. The pitch becomes higher and therefore creates emphasis with the audience due to the unsettling and uneasy sound. Not only this but the mise en scene suggests a building crisis as the television becomes disfigured representing a twist in the storyline.

As the camera begins to pan out a disturbing sound is heard within the background. The sound of this appears to be a movement along the planes outer surface, something unusual and abnormal which should not be happening. This therefore indicates an occurring big event. Tension is also created by what we assume to be the protagonist. From this character, you can hear the heavy breathing of which he carries out indicating fright upon the horizon. Suddenly, a bright scene comes into play encompassing total silence.

This therefore suggests a state of peace with the symbolism of the colour white representing heaven. Not only this, but here you can apply the theory of Helmet Nickel, having the protagonist dressed in white. This peace is then immediately interrupted with a loud twisted noise, placing the protagonist back into the dreaded reality of what is happening amongst the plane. Following, distressed emotions are established, hearing sounds of panic and terror within the voices of other protagonists.

Next, a scratching sound is witnessed. This sound appears to be sharp indicating danger against the factor of entrapment within the plane. This connotes the typical thriller genre due to entrapment and the travelling, voyeurism being specific narratives.

The noise within the background slowly quietens down thought to be revealing the audience of gathered tension, although this suddenly creates the base to the crisis. Within the crisis of the scene a wide array of mixed sounds are concentrated. Here you hear the screams of protagonists, the smashing and destruction of the glass windows, along with explosive noises. This is symbolised by the red screens, representing danger.

With the man falling from the plane the sound represents the speed of movement of which he is falling, that of a very fast paste. Finally after the crash, sound represents the protagonist as weak due to the heavy breathing rate of the character. Also, wind is sounded within the scene creating a sense of lingering tension, this being a key sounding device within a typical thriller genre.

Thriller: Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan
Production company: Warner Bros. Pictures in association with Legendary Pictures
Release date: 16th July 2010 (UK)
Location: United States, United Kingdom, Canada and France
Worldwide Box office returns: $825, 532,764
The age rating for this film appears to be a 12A. This means that the younger teenager audience are targeted along with parents due to parental advisory supported by this age group. This immediately indicates to the audience that the typical thriller genre conventions, especially the themes and narratives are not as brutal as that of an older certified film. When looking upon the IMDb user ratings and reviews you see the wide spread of highly applauded views. These included some of the following;

• Insanely Brilliant ! Nolan has outdone himself !!
  
• In a Decade, "Inception" May Be A Religion
  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HM5YBXkE9s

I am going to be analysing the thriller film; 'Inception' and aspects of the dream collapsing scene. For this, I am partying it with the question; 'How has the director used claustrophobic spaces to create a scene of menace?'

Firstly, the director has situated the scene within a small room. Being surrounded by walls and having antagonists block doorways, this  immediately represents the typical thriller theme of entrapment. Not only this but including confined spaces, fits into typical iconography of the genre. The coloured screen in the background of the room is orange. This has been cleverly used by the director to symbolise danger. The room has also been given a dark hue, this creates a sense of disturbance, due to the increased chance of unknown menace creating a sense of tension with the audience.

When considering these themes, the protagonists are easily identifiable due to the surroundings of which they become central to. This therefore, backs the idea of claustrophobic spaces creating a feeling of anxiety. Also, having tight spaces allows a lot of action to happen within the scene, making characters easy and open targets when considering the thriller theme of death.

 A chilling atmosphere is therefore suspended upon the audience due to the knowledge of future fate. Within  the crisis scene, much catastrophic takes place. The collapse of the staircase allows excess menace to be established due to the key focus being taken upon the event happening rather than characters actions in the mist of the scene. This plays to the antagonists advantage due to the disguise of which is placed upon the characters actions. Not only this, but with the occurrence of mass destruction this acts an obstacle, creating a fight for menace to take place. Though, the director allows this to happen so that the broken objects hide the characters, indicating a sense of unknown to both the protagonist and the antagonist so that tension and surprise is suspended onto the audience.

Finally, a tight confined space is witnessed when a man is seen enclosed within a bath. This gives the audience a sense of drowning due to the encompassing nature of the water. In this, the water acts as bars, trapping the character within. Again, this is a typical icon within the genre, establishing this film as a thriller.

Thriller: The Dark Knight Rises

Director: Christopher Nolan
Production Company:
Release Date: 20 July 2012 (UK)
Location: United Kingdom, United States and India
Worldwide Box Office returns: $1,013,114,000
The national age rating for this The Dark Night Rises is a 12A. This aims the film specifically at the younger aged adolescents due to the 'A' indicating anyone under the age of 12 will have to have parental attendance. Though, with this certificate the film could also be targeted at adults, having to take their children to the cinema. When looking on the IMDb website, the average rating from viewers is 8.8/10. This means that the film has had a positive outcome with generally, widely spread good reviews, expect the occasional few;

• Stunning Conclusion to an Epic Trilogy

• Beautiful. Immense. Spectacular. Perfect.

• Lazy, incoherent, and unsatisfying on nearly every level.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAVzJPA30_0

Finally, I will be technically analysing the thriller film; The Dark Knight Rises, in sequence to previous Batman films. For this depiction, I will use the Joker Party Scene. When considering a question, I am going to try combining all the above questions that I have already answered as a whole with only this singular clip, these being; 'How are women represented', 'How is sound used to create suspense' and 'How are claustrophobic spaces used to create menace'.

Firstly, when breaking down the scene, sound is the first literacy device that you notice. At the very beginning of the scene, the sound is deep and powerful, dropping low beats. This is used to represent the high presence of the walking man, presuming that he is an important figure, also lent to this assumption by the way he is smartly dressed in a suit indicating stanched hierarchy.

As the joker reveals himself from inside the elevator, and gun shots are fired, a dead silence hits the scene. This immediately interlinks guns with silence due to the key feature of death.
With this silence, this shows the joker to have the most authority at the time due to silencing the rest of the characters within the scene that were once before more active in their dialogue. The silence within the scene allows the joker to have the only dialogue at this point, showing him to be the leader, having the signified key role.
Later on, within the scene, a backing sound starts to build. This construction of sound is slow and therefore builds tension upon the audience. The reason for this is due to the anticipated crisis that the audience believe to be occurring.
The sound carries on building until the highest tone is presented. Suddenly, as the literacy device alters so does the content and atmosphere of the scene. In this case, as the heavy beat comes to play, Batman makes his entry. After this, the sound alters in pitch and tempo witnessing high levels of action between the main antagonist and the hero. With this fast tempo, the fight scene suspends high intensity upon the audience.

Finally, as far as sound is concerned, silence is again witnessed so that the jokers dialogue is the key feature at the end of the scene. As the joker says "Let her go is a very poor choice of words" a heavy bass is placed replicating the depth of which the protagonist is about to fall and the impact of which it will place upon her body.

The sound within this scene is mainly diegetic because it is natural although, at the sound at the start of the scene it is non-diegetic because a soundtrack has been placed over the filming, so the suited man is represented to have presence.

Next I will be answering 'How claustrophobic spaces are used to create menace'. Going back to the start of the scene, the antagonist is able to take control of his protagonists by being confined within a small space allowing him to surround his victims. This allows the typical thriller narrative of entrapment to be present. Although the room is seen to be quite spacious, no doors or windows are clearly seen. This indicates the anonymous feature of no possible escape.

Next, the antagonist is seen circling the main protagonist. This again, entraps the women by being physically surrounded, giving no space for freedom producing feelings of anxiety. Also, when considering this, the camera is moving around the characters, completing a full circle representing again no means of escape.

Finally, a weapon is within hold of the antagonist. This immediately symbolises danger to the audience due to the sharpness of the object. This indicates to the audience that the hostage is likely to be the femme fatal of the scene.


My last question to answer is, 'How are women represented within the scene'. When considering this scene as a whole, the women sex are all represented in the same means. By this, firstly you can depict the costume of the female characters. With all, a formal event shows each character to be wearing a revealing costume, showing bare skin whether this to be arms, legs or cleavage. This means that the women sex are the optimal protagonists of the scene because they are more open to attack due to themselves having less protection and security covering their body. This therefore makes them vulnerable especially to the male sex.

Finally when considering the female characters, an opened face presumes them to be the 'good' characters. This contrasts against the character of the joker who has his face covered in disturbing make-up. This allows the character to hide his true identity, making the other characters anxious, representing him as the 'bad' character. Though, the character of batman could fit into the Verfremdungseffekt theory, describing him as good, though he carries out bad deeds to some of the other characters. This film therefore fits into the thriller genre by having the typical thriller characters of a psycho, assassin, detective, victims and criminals.

This film is also seen to have intertexual references with films such as, Superman and Spiderman, due to these films both encompassing a psycho and hero fighting over a single female protagonist. Not only this, but both are alike due to each being within typical thriller genre, playing with the typical thriller narratives of being both watched and followed.

Thriller title sequences

Se7en:

Within the title sequence to the film; 'Se7en' many connections unravel tying it into the thriller genre.
Firstly, a close up is taken of the pages of a book. A shadow is cast over these, presumed to be that of a human being. The pages are shaking, representing the powerful control of the undisguised shadow resulting in fear and terror.

In the next shot, a detailed sketch of two hands are plotted upon grid paper. This indicates a deep, methodical analysis showing someone of an intelligent nature. Not only this but this would suspect a huge amount of planning, possibly having been done before. When considering the two hands, one is seen to be in the light and the other contrasting in the dark. This could represent two different uses for the hands. The dark being that of a bad nature, used for dirty work and the other used wisely to plan out. Also, the fingers are shown to be distorted indicating that there is something physically and possibly mentally wrong with the thought to be assassin. With the incredibly visible veins shown within the hand, this could represent important points of torture.

Later, another close up is used to show the shredding of dead skin off a the finger. This could represent the disposal of the past or getting rid of any unknown evidence. The tool in which used to establish this is also sharp and therefore represents danger and potential harm.
Disturbing images are shown to represent the assassin to be a monster. Images of children, in pain with disfigurements are shown to indicate the sickness of the mind.

Many books and files are shown, representing continuous documenting. Pages of writing are seen with a shadowed pen. The use of the shadow represents documenting taking place time and time again, possibly being related evidence taken along side the intense planing.
A simple, plain red slide is then used, though the colour red is symbolic therefore becoming effective and signalling danger to the audience.
Diary entries, alongside clippings from books, photographs, found images and reels of film are shown. Collecting all these forms of media show the assassin as obsessive and purposeful. The destructiveness of words is also seen. The blacking out the words 'intercourse' and 'transsexual' along with the cutting and removal of the word 'GOD' show that this man is a sexually obsessed serial killer obsessed with religion.

The editing also links,being slow at the start and gradually building up. This represents the slow and long process of planning followed by the quick and unnoticeable tragic event.
Finally, when contemplating the sound of the opening title, the continuous background beat makes the scene intense and dramatic. Parts of the music are also distorted making the audience nervous creating a sense of waiting anticipation. The high pitching indicates a menacing nature along with a knocking sound providing vulnerability and incoming power upon the waiting audience.

Dexter

When analysing the title to the film, 'Dexter' sly conventions are used to indicate the thriller genre category it falls into.

Firstly, a mosquito is seen upon bare human skin. A smack of the insect is given to reveal a small patch of blood. This start could be foregrounding to a later event. A mosquito is significant due to it being a blood sucking creature, causing irritation and pain.

Linking into the blood occurrence already witnessed, the title 'DEXTER' appears upon screen. Having the title central represents presence and individuality. Not only this but the use of capital letters shows strength and using a sans-serif font indicates informality, of which thrillers are subdued to. The colour red of the title is symbolic to danger because it is usually associated with blood and the devil which are both negative things.

Next, the camera shows the brushing by of facial hair. The edges of these bristols show sharpness and therefore the potential of possible harm. These are then shown to be shaven off but in the process more pain is taken in by cutting the skin resulting in the dripping of blood. A piece of tissue is here by used to remove the blood. This could represent the soaking up of evidence and therefore the theory of trying to hide something.

The assassin later makes several slices into a slab of meat with a sharp knife. This could represent human skin and therefore danger to certain individuals targeted specifically . This is also shown with the stabbing of the meat. This is carried out central and indicates the area of the human heart representing death.

A close up of a mouth shows the ripping of food. This would indicate the man as the assassin, having a viscous nature.

The hands of the assassin therefore show a numerous amount of controlling action. The cracking of the egg indicates how he will destroy the victim, breaking them in a quick serge. This is also represented in the blending of the coffee beans showing destruction. With this it shows that the hands are in control.

Tomato ketchup is later represented as splodges of blood, like that of the opening scene, though fitting into the current theme. The orange also shows this. With the slicing and the juicing of the fruit this represents the shredding of skin and the opening spills of internals.

Finally to the man himself, being represented as strong due to his large muscles. Not only this but with a shirt being arranged and pulled over the assassins face this shows the control of suffocation. Also, white sheets represent death, with bodies being covered from head to toe after death.

In the last slides of the opening title, the audience are given direct mode address with the assassin so that a connection is possible with the character.

The editing within this title sequence takes many different pastes. The ordinary day to day scenes take a slower speed opposed to the destruction scenes being faster due to the quickness in which they occur. Finally, the sound also plays along to this being constant and mysterious making the audience nervy to what is  approaching. This sound is both diegetic and non-diegetic. The diegetic sound is the natural, occurring within the background although, the non-diegetic sound has been placed over the rest, making this the main sound changing the mood of the opening title sequence. 

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo:

When analysing the opening title to; 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' there is many literacy devices to pick up on.

Firstly, this title opens with several flashing images appearing on the screen. This instantly indicates the vast movement of the assassin and mystery of its occurrence.

Next, the title; 'The Girl in the Dragon Tattoo' appears upon screen. This is perfectly central showing presence within block. Not only this but informality is shown by using a sans-serif font. The title, to me looks like steel. This could be possible because steel is incredibly strong and the capitals in which the title is presented represent core strength.

Black ooze rips through this strength causing destruction indicting sheer power. Not only this but the movement within the keyboard shows that this liquid can seep into anything, penetrating deep into the tiniest of crevices. Annotations also indicate that many different paths are taken to infect the victim, seeking control though a menacing nature. Control is again shown by the entrapment of the opposition, sending out a silence scream of distress. This is also shown by the encroaching of human lips. This results in creating a gagging device causing suffocation and sensual silence indicative of how lethal the assassin is. Oozing from inside represents living within the human body.

After, a lit match appears upon screen, later to be seen falling. This is symbolic to danger because fire can cause havoc and monstrosity. This is proven by the setting a blaze of the mammals resulting in melting, causing facial deformities. A lit skull is also sequenced in the next slide, representing death.

Next, sticky vines cascade out in a creeping manor, inflicting more fury on what has already occurred within this opening title. These in tales a strangling nature causing the victims to be torn apart and brutally punctured. Not only this but vines and foul flowers unravel taking over the human face.

Penultimately as the title is drawing to an end, a face covered in ooze emerges as a long gone drowning man is sinking. This indicates no way out and represents that the black ooze has pulled everyone and everything down in its path. The black ooze in this instance is represented by hands, showing destruction and abomination leading to a permanent black darkness.

Finally, the closing slide witnesses a opened, wide mouth approaching the screen. This represents to the audience that the ooze will come and encompass them creating an anticipated sense of suspense.

The sound also adds to the suspense within the film. Having a fast tempo, gives the impression of heart racing action and adventure. The dramatic beats and vocals also send out to the audience signals of distress and terror. With disturbing music and fast cut editing this enables a connection with the audience to the thriller genre. This therefore allows their eyes always to be fixed to the screen, intriguing them to what is going to happen within the full blown film. The sound within this title sequence is all non-diegetic because it is an unnatural sound and in this case a soundtrack, being placed over the filming. 

Advertising Posters

When looking at the advertising material for the thriller film; 'Psycho' there are a number of key thriller conventions established. 

To start, the image of the women is the key signifier. This could also share connections representing this character as the main target within the film. Not only does this support evidence with my point but the female is physically much larger showing that she has an important or significant role within the film. This women is essentially the victim due to her being represented as vulnerable, being only in very little clothing making her bare flesh skin open to the opposite sex. With little clothing this also allows the subject no coverage and therefore a lack of hiding making the character the optimum target, showing her as the femme fatale. Also, when considering this image, the subject is separated from the rest of the presentation by a box. This could indicate that this character is a singleton throughout the film. 

Secondly, when looking at the box you notice the sharp edges it carries. This represents a theme of threat running through interlinking with the typical thriller genre. 

When contemplating the thriller genre, the title 'PSYCHO' gives perfectly fitting annotations. The ripping in the text represents unrest and disaster. Disaster is a key literacy device in a thriller film making the audience un nervy, creating mass amounts of anticipation. The title is also in capital letters in a sans-serif font showing both strength in the film and informality. 

Next, two male characters are shown. Both are coloured orange and black. These colours represent danger and therefore show that these men are potentially the cause of harm or injury. This is also possible, showing these men as well built carrying the sense of power and strength.

Penultimately, contrasting colours have been used to make this pictorial advertisement stand out. The contrast in colours, though represents the difference in nature, with one character being the victim and the other the assassin, typically being conventions of a thriller film.

Finally considering a typical thriller genre the word 'excitement' is included within the set. Excitement is a main element when creating a thriller film due to the creation on suspense upon the audience.