Research
on cinematography of genre
- It is key to
remember that all successful thrillers follow specific codes and
conventions which every direct will conform to in order to create a
successful product. Once researched, I will relay this back to the
rest of the group when we are filming and try to incorporate these
features into our trailer.
- Aspects known
as ‘micro-features’ which include editing, mise en scene and
cinematography are carefully refined in order to create the greatest
amount of suspense within a thriller.
- There is a
specific list which must be adhered to when thinking about developing
a good opening sequence: Tension and supreme, violence and blood, low
key lighting, location, genre and characters presence, a villain and
a hero (Good vs. Evil), murder and crime and finally dreary / creepy
music. There features will certainly be examined and refined when we
examine our film sections during the editing process. We must include
these features within our trailer to obtain the highest possible
grade and most effective teaser trailer.
- Specifically,
when creating a thriller sequence, the concept of tension is very
important. Tension must be maintained during times of climax
throughout this sequence and it can easily be lost, therefore, there
are certain ways to efficiently maintain tension. Editing can be used
effectively or ineffectively. To create an effective sequence,
editing must be used at a steady pace during times of little tension
however, when tension arises the speed of editing should dramatically
speed up. Here, my group could use the pace of editing to confuse and
disorientate the audience through quick-cut shots which will heighten
tension.
- A point
relating this which I have noticed when examining various trailers is
that there is a crescendo with regards to the pace of editing;
slow-paced, low action shots are used at the start of a trailer and
then the speed will increase as tension increases. Therefore, my
group will try to adhere to this format when creating our own
trailer. Also, at the end of our climax there will be an explosive
resolution where, perhaps, an unexpected conclusion will occur.
- An example of a
conventional thriller which conforms to the conventions of the
cinematography of a thriller includes Alfred Hitchcook’s 1960 film,
‘Psycho.’ In the scene where Norman Bates is having a
conversation with Marion Crane, excessive and extreme camera angles
are used to heighten tension. In the scene, low angles are used to
highlight the potential murderer, Norman Bates. Within these
low-angle shots, Hitchcock specifically selected the mise en scene to
adhere to themes of the digetic world; the use of birds of prey
within the camera frame, helps to epitomise the potential predator in
the shot, Norman Bates. I think that here, my group could learn from
Hitchcock’s use of cinematography and the use of specific mise en
scene to foreshadow. 