thrillers that inspired me=D

no country for old men inspired me into seeing a different sort of aspect towards thrillers this was recommended to me by i teacher so i wasnt so keen on the taste in which he may of had but i watch it and it was fantastic one suspensefull moment was when the character with the gas pump went in the hotel trying to kill the man in a moment in which i thought he would be court he survived

News and Current Affairs

Kidnapped British yacht couple 'need urgent help'

A British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates three months ago have said they are in urgent need of help.
"We have not much time left and are being badly treated", Rachel Chandler told a journalist from the French news agency AFP who met them in captivity.
She and husband Paul, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, were captured while sailing towards Tanzania on 23 October.
Mr Chandler, 60, said the couple could not meet the pirates' ransom demands and begged the UK government to help.
The pirates have threatened to kill the couple if their demands for $7m (£4.4m) are not met, but the Foreign Office has said it does not pay ransoms or give substantial concessions to pirates.
full story....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8489958.stm

I think this story on the kidnap of the British couple could be inspireing for a thriller film as the kidnap and ransom creates tension, anxiety and suspense.

News and current affairs events

I found this on a new web page whilst surfing the net and thought that it could make out to be a thriller film.

http://www.shockingtimes.co.uk/us-woman-found-guilty-of-killing-her-husband-by-squashing-him/

quotes:

"An obese woman has pleaded guilty to killing her boyfriend Mikal Middleston-Bey by sitting on him, Mikal who had 3 children with his partner Mia Landingham died last August after getting in an argument with his 25 stone girlfriend. During the argument Mia sat on Mikal who only weighed 9 stone and crushed him to death".

"Mia who was charged and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter was given 3 years probation and 100 hours community service".

Thriller Sub-genres

Thriller sub-genres are thrillers which include aspects of other genres. Some thriller films that are really popular and inspire me are action-thrillers. Most thriller films that i have seen are action thrillers, which is often fast paced, full of suspense and violence and usually has a hero and a villein. An example of an action-thriller is Speed (1994)



In this Trailer for Speed there are explosions, tense moments and a race against time as well as other aspects of the Action-Thriller sub genre.

Another sub-genre which inspires me are Crime-Thrillers. An example of a Crime-Thriller is The Dark Knight(2008).



Although this film can also be considered an Action- Thriller because of the fighting, explosions, race against time and Good vs Evil element, it is also a Crime-Thriller as it includes chases, robberies, murders and focuses on the criminal. It is also suspenseful.

I also find Psychological-Thrillers very interesting. In this sub-genre the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional in stead of physical. Phone Booth(2003) is an example of a psychological-thriller film.




This film is a good example as Collin Farrel( who plays Stu) is psychologically tormented by a deranged sniper and is trapped in the phone booth and framed for murder.

Thriller films that inspire me.

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

This is a thriller/action/sci-fi film, it inspires me as it was one of the first films to bring CGI (computer generated imaging) to the movies and the action in it is intense and ironic.

• The Matrix (1999)

This is a thriller/action/sci-fi film, it has inspired me as you know that neo (Keanu Reeves) is up against all the villains throughout the film and we know that he is going to succeed in what he has to do. its full of action and suspense and has a cliffhanger as we know their is a sequel.

• The Dark Knight (2008)

This is a thriller/action film,it has inspired me as through out it it has frequent action and alot of shocking moments. you can say it is visually thrilling also as the graphical content is amazing.

Photo Activity

Our task was to take photos conveying different moods and feelings using different words.



This Photo is trying to show Mystery, the two people in the shot look connected in some way, but it is hard to figure out how. The letter also creates an element of suspense. Thriller films usually have an element of mystery in them to add to suspense.



Photo is meant to show City, it looks foggy and has a 'city' effect as the air is dull, there is a road sign and cars and traffic lights can be seen in the distance. The city is another convention of a thriller film, especially the action-thriller sub genre.

This photo is meant to show claustrophobia, he looks like he feels the walls are closing in on him and it is having a physical and psychological effect on him. The idea of claustrophobia could be used in a psychological thriller sub genre.

Tutorial of Final Cut Pro

We were given a tutorial of how to use final cut pro to edit clips. In this tutorial i learned how to:

• Mark in and mark out on clips using 'I' and 'O'
• Drag and drop clips from the browser box to the viewing box
• Drag and drop clips into the timeline
• Use the razor tool to cut clips
• Match cut
• convert the sequence into a quick-time movie

This tutorial helped me become familiar with the programme so when it comes to editing out film, I will already know how to use the programme.

suspense created in Collateral (thriller film)

In one of my previous media lessons we watched the film collateral starring Tom cruise and jamie foxx in which I noticed a number of suspenseful moments through out the film.

• when Max (jamie foxx) and Annie (jada pinkett) were running down the train trying to escape the hit man vincent (tom cruise), this was made suspenseful as you knew they would eventually get caught but didnt know when and the digetic and non-digetic sound used also added to build up the situation.

• when the police stop Vincent and Max in the cab whilst their was a dead body in the boot, this was suspenseful as you knew that the police would search the boot but didnt know when and what would happen.

suspense

In my own words suspense is when you feel uncertain about what may happen next in a scene, its the build up of tension in a situation.

suspense is a lead up to a dramatic moment, when the audience know something is going to happen but are powerless to prevent such things from happening.

Final Cut Pro.

I had a tutorial on the editing program Final Cut Pro.
In this tutorial i leant how to:

• Cut Clips With the razor tool

• Drag clips from the browser box to the viewing box

• Mark In & Mark Out

• Insert & drag clips to timeline

• Edit a match cut

Collateral (Thriller Clip)

Collateral

In My Media Class we watched the thirller film Collateral.

There are many scenes in the film which create a tense atmosphere and also create suspense; one example is when Max (Jaime Foxx) and Annie (Jada Pinkett-Smith) are running from Vincent (Tom Cruise) on the train, supsense in this scene is built up throught different aspects like lighting and sound.

The lighting on the train is key for this scene because it turns/flickers on & off nad dims which create a tense atmosphere.

There is a lot of drumming noise in this scene aswell with the drumming escalating and becoming louder.

Another Example is when Both Vincent & Max are in the club ; there is coloured strobe lighting and pounding Diegetic & Non diegetic Music hinting that something is going to happen which all create the element of suspense.

DAWN OF THE DEAD TITLE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

DAWN OF THE DEAD TITLE SEQUENCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwBigliX1Bo

The title sequence tell us:

• The production companies (universal studios, new amsterdam entertainment production)
• Title of film (Dawn of the Dead)
• Actors/ actress (sarah polley, ving rhames.)
• casting (joseph middleton)
• music by (tyler batts)
• costume (denise cronenburg)

The images shown in the title sequence of dawn of the dead are very documentary styled, they also have a old tv style video filter on top of the clips to help give a more real effect on the audience.

They also use ameture camera footage to add a sense of openess to the sequence.

The text on the title sequence is red in contrast to the background which is black, the text is bold and has a blown away effect on it which looks like blood to also build up some sort of anticipation to what

the film may be about.

They use close up shots to cut away from the text on the title sequence of blood and shocking things happening.

Also i have noticed their are a lot of explosions in the sequence and sped up shots to also show the effect of chaos.

The music used in the title sequence is unusual for a thriller as it is quite cheerful music but the non-digetic sound effects used on top of the music is used to shock the veiwer backed up with a thrilling image.

The Art of the Title Sequence

The opening sequence of Dawn of the Dead shows us the title of the film, the company it was presented by(universal pictures), the director, Who it is edited by, written by and the cast, which included people like Sarah Polly and Jake Weber.
It also consists of gory images and close ups of bloody faces. Although this film is a horror it can also be classed as a thriller as it creates suspense, is fast paced and full of action.


The title sequence is mysterious as we don't know what is happening and how the images are related. The images appear on the screen in a documentary style and during the title sequence there is cutting from the images back to the words, which appears on the screen as red on black font. These colours are in contrast and emphasise the genre of the film, the gore and hints danger. There is also a blow effect on the words, which makes them resemble scattered blood, along with the sound, this adds to the suspense of what this film is about.

This opening sequence is generally chaotic and alarming due to the images on the screen of bloody people running around, and the way the words are presented. The music used is also unusual as it is very up beat and cheerful which contrasts to the shocking digetic sounds of explosions, people screaming, sirens and reporters. This contrast creates an uneasy effect which reinforces the horror/thriller genre of the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwBigliX1Bo

dawn of the dead title sequence

we looked a dawn of the dead title sequence. dawn of the dead had the opening sequence using black and red. these two strong colours came together and with this we get this sense of bad and weird vibe to what we are going to view next. also, the fact that the text then the red text exits from the text and this dripping blood the we see rioting and other sort a rebellious documentary. Johnny cash the man comes around. which played a great contrast to what seemed to be going on. Zack Snyder was the director of this universal pictures. staring Mikhail Phifer

The Art Of The Title Sequence (Analysis)

Dawn Of The Dead ; Title Sequence Analysis

Dawn of The Dead is a horror film that was remade in 2004.

This title sequence is very interesting as the images involved are very chaotic and grim as there images of people fighting, fire, riots, police sirens /cars, dead bodies and peoples faces with blood on them.

There are close-ups of peoples faces with blood all over them looking very zombie-like, there are also mid-shots of the news-presenters which makes those scenes look documented.

The title sequence includes the names & roles of many people e.g the title of the film, casting directors, music/music supervisors, make-up effects, costume designers,editors (Niven Howie) production, designers,writers (James Gunn), Directors (Zach Snyder), Actors (Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phieffer) and also the company it was produced by (Universal Pictures).

The Sequence has a Red-On-Black text which automatically hints danger or some type of warning, the text transitions like it has been blown away which makes it look like dripping blood.

Another transition used in this sequence makes it look like the images have some type of lost signal.

The Music In The Background clashes with the sounds in the sequence, we can hear different sounds like screaming,heartbeats & sirens all hinting danger/destruction in comparison to the background music (Johnny Cash) which seems more light-hearted & happier.

Overall the title sequence is very disturbing and distorted , it also shows and hints danger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0no0HE3xMo

collateral

In collateral music, lighting created suspense . An example of this is when both the cab driver and the passenger were stopped by the police, i then thought the body in the boot would be discovered. but, it wasnt.

Collateral (Thriller Film)

In this film suspense was created through the use of music, lighting and camera shots. An example of a suspenseful moment was when Max(played by Jamie Foxx) and the hit man, Vincent (played by Tom Cruise) were stopped by the police, it was an uncertain moment as the audience didn't know if the body in the boot would be discovered or not. Also, when the lights went out in the office, suspense was created by the lack of light which created uncertainty of whether Vincent was going to find Annie(played by Jada Pinkett Smith) and kill her or not. At this point suspense was also created by the lack of time as Max was rushing to come and save her. Towards the end of the film there was another suspenseful moment during the chase when Vincent couldn't decide what train to jump on. This was suspenseful as we couldn't tell if he was going to catch them or not and time was also an element as the train doors were about to close, which made the moment tense.

Suspense

Suspense is when something is built up to appear tense and mysterious. There is uncertainty of what is going to happen which builds up tension and anxiety.

this is a screen grab of my tutorial of final cut i use bait to be able to try new skills on it such as screen grab match cut mark in and out ect: we made our own sort of story with the little clips we were given

final cut pro trail edit

This is an image of my final cut pro trail edit.

we used video clips from the film bait to make a mini film/story sequence.

i allready knew how to edit but things we needed to use were:

• razor blade tool
• drap and drop
• mark in mark out
• cutting clips
• how to match cut

marathon man

Marathon Man's title sequence starts off with white on black font before showing dustin hoffman running. but the suspense is built through a cross cut scene of this other unknown character collecting a briefcase in which we are not aware of the contents inside through the change of music this had an effect on us and proved to us that it was a thriller

suspense

suspense is when tension is heightened or built a sort of anxiety or uncertainty is built to keep the audience in our case always guessing .

Definitions Of Suspense

Suspense is when something is built up to appear tense / or show tension,

its also when there is an uncertainty of what may happen for example the film 'Paranormal Activity'.

Suspense Can be created through a 'cliffhanger' -(tense or unfinished moment at end ), Sound - (Mood , music), lighting (flickering), the ticking timebomb & Character.

photo lesson part 2

the second word we did relating to thillers was claustrophobic we had an image of me up in a corner curling up into a ball. the angle helped show the claustrophobia.

next we had CITY. this in thriller could define settings ect this image was like a typical road image with a city style.

Photo Activity :D

Our task was to take up to 6 photos conveying different moods and feelings. This picture was supposed to convey 'city'.

.This picture we took was supposed to show some type of claustrophobia/claustrophobic.

This Picture Was Susposed To Show Some Type Of Mystery.

Marathon Man Title Sequence (Thriller Clip)

Marathon Man


Marathon Man's title sequence opening with a documentary-like black & white video. There are first black-on-white titles then the tiles move on to the images. There is a lot of handheld - tracking camera work focusing on the runner (Dustin Hoffman) for example when he's jogging on the sidewalk near the canal.

There is a cross cut to a man in a building (which looks like a high class bank or some type of safe) it then switches to close up of the mans hands opening a safe builds which suspense because we do not know who this man is; There is a good use of sound / sound effects as the title sequence emphasizes; jogging, footsteps & heavy breathing

photo activity

It was hard to take images to represent the words within the college site but i think we was able to get 4 done.

4. hang

i found it hard looking for a photo that could represent hanging but i found this fire exit sign hung in the hall way.

3.disorder

took this picture by telling the girl to swing her head round constantly so we can catch her hair out like you see in the photo.

2. city

i think this represents the city with the road sign and billbord in the background, also you see a number of vehicals and building to show that it may be busy.

1. mysterious

I took this picture as it looks like the person on the right has received a letter of sum sort from the milk man, this gives a mysterious effect on the veiwer.

our task today was to get six images you would expect in a thriller. Our first was MYSTERIOUS.

with myself recieving a letter from this mysterious milk man on the lower ground. to add on the fact that my face was not shown add on to this effect.

Marathon Man Opening sequence

Marathon Man's title sequence starts off with white on black font but as the sequence progresses it moves onto images. Handheld camera work is used to show the runner (Dustin Hoffman) and introduces him to us bit by bit, from his shadow, to his feet then to his face by tracking and shaky realism. His footsteps and breathing also helps to build up his character while he is running in this opening sequence.There is also cross cutting from the runner to a hand opening a safe, this builds us suspense as we don't know anything about what is happening or if the two are connected or not. this is emphasised by the Mise en scene of the man in the business suit, the safe and the keys as well as the alarming, piercing music which indicates that something sinister or wrong is going on.

marathon man opening title sequence

marathon man has a great use of sound effects such as the breathing, foot steps to help build up the revealing of the character (dustin hoffman), they also use alot of danger sound effects (sudden pierce sounds) to switch from shot to shot.

The director used tracking shots in which he tracked with the jogger through the streets of new york ect.

The director also used close up shots at the begging to show the runners facial expressions and also when the other character was taking things out the safety box.

They also done a shot when they focused on the shadow of the runner which also added to the building of suspense.

The title sequence was small but bold and faded in and out when the next text would come in.

At the beginning of the title sequence their is a documentary feel to it, which makes us think their is some history behind the film and also makes it feel abit more suspenseful.