Research: Genre

 My group and I have decided to create a film opening in the genre Thriller. Here is my research into the codes and conventions that are used in the opening texts of this genre.

PLEASE GRADE THESE ONES

Typical conventions from the genre THRILLER

Films from this genre usually include characters dressed up quite roughly under low-key lighting, props that may have been damaged which can also be items displayed on a daily basis. Sounds include diegetic sounds that may trigger the audiences and non-diegetic sounds to add onto the tension and build up suspense, making scenes seem more dramatic. Thriller movies would include more long shots for audiences to see the majority of what is happening in the frame. A lot of dolly or tracking shots when running, pan and tilts to show movement of the characters' surroundings, along with Dutch angle shots for when the storyline reaches the climax and POV shots for the audiences to feel even more engaged and thrilled during the film. Showing a lot of shadows and creepy locations when filming making the audience expect the worst on what happens usually when they can think of those locations such as small alleys, or abandoned places at night. Antagonists are often expected to dress up in more darker clothing/costume and suspense is created with non diegetic sounds starting in a slower tempo and lower volume as it rises up along with the tempo to reach the audiences to the top plot or usually to reveal an important part of the movie. 

The narrative is normally about monsters, crime, plot-twists, aiming to creep out or scare the audiences throughout the film, violence is often expected in a thriller movie which enhances the conventions of having an expectedly dangerous antagonist, fighting the good guys which follows the lure of "hero versus villain". The films opening is often used to gain audiences' curiosity on how the characters will be able to get away through these challenges and plots along the movie which are typically unusual, disturbing or dangerous. Possibly even with worse and worse characters adding up along the movie. It gives an idea of what the movie would continue to be like, adding expectations and curiosity of how the movie would end by making up theories and being more engaged to the film.

Missing 2023

Production companies: Bazelevs Production

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Genre/Subgenre: Thriller/Mystery

This movie, Missing 2023, contains a good amount of plots and a lot of action to keep the audiences focused and curious throughout the film, answering some cases with plot twists and have conventions like sounds full of tension to create the sense of thrill which conforms to the genre conventions of thriller. it contains violence by the antagonist and also contains a hero to solve the case. This movie focuses on the characters actions during different situations with the given clues. This movie conforms to it's genre conventions as the movie thrills the characters by its realistic diegetic sounds during slower or more intense scenes, pairing it with a good non diegetic music with tensive beats to get the audiences on the edge of their seats as they find out more clues along with the character herself. Camera angles given were medium to medium long shots, showcasing the entire situation during each scene, with a blocking method to catch the audiences' attention and get's them to be more engaged and feel frightened for the character as they do not look behind, creating expectations for upcoming action scenes during the climax of the film. The kind of editing for this movie uses a lot of cuts and jumps toward the next scene by the context being written on the screen and not being filmed on set. The mise en scene being used in this movie were weapons, making the audiences terrified for the main characters and gaining a vision of violence, as well as usual home items as this movie stars a young girl unveiling a mystery from her own home, as well as it's surroundings. More serious scenes tend to show darker shades of the scene making the items on scene seem more frightening or unfocused.

The conventions this movie subverts to is that the movie displays itself more as a documentary-type movie compared to any other ordinary kidnap-thriller movies. This movie uses editing alot as the POV for the main character's laptop as well as her actions toward it (zoom in, typing, facetiming, zooming out) An ordinary thriller movie rarely uses a laptop POV as their main focus throughout the movie (and phone). This is to show the change of generation and realism this situation brings out to the current audiences. Representation used in this film were travelling across the world for vacation, being kidnapped to an unknown area, new characters being unlocked, and a lot of critical thinking, making this movie seem more engaging and attractive to the audiences rather than just being frightened about it as the audiences would want to know her every move and how she escapes this situation.

Here are some texts that I will look at a little more broadly to see how they appeal to audiences and how they can inspire me.

Unlocked 2023

Production Companies: Studio N Mizifilm

Distributed by: Netflix CJ ENM

Genre/Subgenre: Thriller/Crime

The target audience for Unlocked 2023 seems to be young adults, especially those who are interested in technology and the risks that come with it, like privacy invasion and hacking. The opening of the film grabs their attention by using tense music, quick camera shots, and hints that something bad is going to happen. This makes viewers feel anxious and curious right from the start. For my own thriller film opening, I would like to use similar techniques to build suspense, especially by focusing on how sound and lighting can create a creepy and tense atmosphere. I think this will help keep the audience engaged and on edge. However, I would avoid scenes that are too slow or have too much dialogue early on, as I want to make sure that the suspense is built quickly and that viewers stay hooked from the beginning without losing interest.

Knives Out 2019

Production Companies: T - Stress Productions MRC

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films, Netflix

The target audience for Knives Out 2019 seems to be adults and older teens who enjoy mystery stories, clever humor, and twists in the plot, particularly fans of classic detective stories. The film's opening draws in this audience by quickly introducing the wealthy Thrombey family and the mysterious death of the family patriarch, Harlan Thrombey. This setup immediately grabs viewers' attention and makes them curious about what really happened. The clever use of sharp dialogue and the quirky personalities of the characters help create a lively and engaging atmosphere that keeps the audience entertained while hinting at deeper secrets. The opening also features beautiful cinematography, showcasing the grand family mansion, which adds a layer of intrigue to the setting. For my own thriller film opening, I would like to include a strong ensemble cast with distinct personalities to make the characters memorable right from the start. I would focus on writing witty dialogue that reveals hints about their relationships and possible motives, adding to the suspense and mystery. Additionally, I want to create a unique visual style that reflects the film's mood, using color and lighting to enhance the feeling of tension and intrigue. However, I would avoid making the opening too complicated or introducing too many characters at once, as this might confuse the audience and take away from the suspense I aim to build from the very beginning. Instead, I want to keep the opening clear and engaging, encouraging viewers to stay focused and eager to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

(inget copas the rest of research from gdocs)

Here are some videos that guided me on how to begin a film