Research task 1 – Genre Essay
Impact of technology and audience on Genre – Thriller genre
In media we have looked at how genres developed overtime. Down below I have researched and used past films as references to explain how the thriller genre has developed over this past century. From this I have gained a better understanding of the genre itself and hope to implement it in my own work in the future.
Research task 2 – Film Opening Conventions
As a class we looked at some typical film opening conventions. I then completed a table analysing some typical conventions/features of a film opening and why they might be important.
For my own coursework, I will definetly consider using these conventions in order to convey my film’s genre across to the audience.
| Production Logo and Film Title | The production logo is shown in the introduction to grasp the audience’s attention, immediately capturing the attention of the audience. Additionally, a production logo is a way for the film to establish it’s identity as part of the company, for example the Netflix ‘N’ that appears in every Netflix movie/show. It creates a strong brand image for the company which audiences can go and refer to. A title can help set the overall tone and genre of the film itself. It provides a brief insight as to what the film’s themes or narrative storyline may be. For my own film I would like to ensure that my production logo is strong enough to convey the meaning behind the film, as it is the first thing audiences see. |
| Establishing the genre | It is important to establish the genre of the film right at the start so that it targets the specific demographic watching the film. It helps them understand what is expected through the use of typical genre conventions, and helps classify films into categorize for easy accessibility. This can be seen in ‘Baby Driver’ (2017), with the immediate fast cuts, reflecting the fast pace of it’s thriller genre. I hope to use conventions of the particular genre to help audiences understand my perspective as the film producer, and help them compare it to other already existing films. |
| Character introduction | Introducing a character helps the audience understand the character’s personality, roles, etc for example ‘The Hunger Games’ (2008), it establishes the female character Katniss Everdeen and provides background/information about her everyday life, before the significant event of the games takes place. This is important as audiences understand the character’s intention and purpose within the film. It also helps create connection and a relationship with the audience, immersing them into the film but also allowing them to generate an opinion. In my own film, I hope to establish a strong connection for my character/s so then the audience can build a connection and relate to them. |
| Topic/Theme | A topic/theme is used to give the film a meaning and purpose. It conveys the film’s main ideas connecting closely with the narrative/storyline. It allows audiences to have a easier more meaningful interpretation of what the film may be about. I feel that a strong topic and theme is important to help convey my message across in the narrative, for it to make sense and flow seamlessly. |
Research task 3 – Film Opening Analysis
In class we have analysed a few film openings in order for us to understand what real production companies consider when producing a film. We looked at the key conventions of a film opening, and how they might influence the engagement of the audience.
I have inserted my doc below, with a detailed anaylsis of what I noted and how it has impacted me as a audience member.
Research task 4 – Inspiration for Coursework
In preparation for our coursework, we looked for already exisiting films which had a similar theme/idea which we briefly brainstormed. By doing so, we took inspiration to how they produced it, and why it was so effective, aiming to produce a similar outcome which satisfies the audience.
Groundhog Day (1993) Romance/Comedy – Directed by Harold Ramis:
Our main reason for choosing this was the revisiting of time and how the characters are stuck in a “Time Loop”. The characters are constantly awakening at 6:00AM everyday, which is shown with a alarm clock, being one of it’s significant props/symbols. The concept of turning back time and reliving it over and over aligns with how we wanted the incident to be shown, with it being such a significant part of our film opening.
The bold numbers ticking is very striking in which we wanted to include for something being that significant and important (time loop).
The loud sound effects makes it a dramatic moment, with the sound bridge helping flow seamlessly into the following clip of him lying in bed.
Also the minimal use of dialogue, helps symbolise his tiredness, and dispair in which we want our character to experience issues impacting daily life.
Run Lola Run (1998) Action/Thriller – Directed by Tom Tykwer:
The time loop aspect of this film is divided into 3 parts, with the character experiencing different outcomes, depending on the decisions made. The repetition of this is highlighted upon throughout the film as it constantly references back to the originally narrative. In our film opening, we wanted to convey the idea that our main character (Blair) is experiencing different outcomes each time. In order for it to be different, time is set back, as if nothing ever took place nor happened.
In the clip below, theres a very unique sequence of events, with the clock being the reoccurring motif. This is something we would also like to consider, as it acts a reference for audiences
The main character (lola) repeats the word ‘Okay’ multiple times and seams to be in distress. This shows discombobulation with her thoughts, which could be representative of her struggling, similar to how we want to place our character in the uneasy state.
In The Tall Grass (2019) Horror/Drama – Directed by Vincenvo Natali:
The aspects we took from this film is the characters feeling and showing a sense of disorientation. Our main character (Blair) is thought to be feeling discomfort and reoccurring trauma from her friend (Eve’s) incident. We wanted to display Blair as a very vulnerable character, who has been impacted majorly by her friends death.
The heavy use of enigma is apparent in the clip below. constantly on a search of whats in the grass. In our film we want to allude to the death of Eve, through the use of engima.
Additionally, the characters are seen panicking or at unease with their use of dialogue and body movement. We want Blair to come across as this, to show the impact Eve’s death has had on her life.
Research task 5 – Production Companies and Logo
During class we looked at a range of different production companies
We went around noting down features or ideas from famous production company logos considering the colours, shapes, pictures, patterns, mood, style of font, symbols, or imagery used to help convey their identity or any representation shown .
My group and I decided upon, using the simple but bold words, and finding either a bold striking color, or keeping it neutral with navy or black and white. This contrast would be easy to identify and bold for the audience to remember.
I then did a in depth research of one particular production company, (Paramount) to investigate the company’s background and intention of the logo itself.
This helped further enhance my knowledge of already exisiting companies, pulling elements for inspiration we can use in on own coursework.