How I will contribute to avoiding problems

It is almost inevitable that there will be problems that we will encounter during filming. To try and limit the damage, I will try and:

-Be punctual and attend all meetings/shoots
-Explain myself better to help people understand what I am thinking
-Stay focused and keep others focused
-Make sure the shot list is being used and the shots are being checked
-Communicate with others to make sure that arrangements go to plan
-Try to ensure that we have extra footage to give some leeway when we are editing

Characters

Different characters will create different elements in the story and act as plot devices to push the story forward.



The protagonist can come in different shapes and forms. They are sometimes weak, with many weaknesses and we see how they develop and change in order to overcome the obstacles in their path. A weak antagonist creates empathy amongst the audience and also allows the audience to associate with the character being normal. A protagonist that has many strengths gives the audience less to fear if he easily overcomes his obstacles. This is why his power is often taken away in thrillers, leaving him exposed.

Weapons

Various weapons are used in thrillers. They are used to create a sense of danger and threat in the film, which are elements that are important. The choice of weapon can say alot about the character who wields it and can also enforce conventions of the genre.

The knife is a conventional tool used in thrillers and is often used by killers and victims. It suggests a domestic killer because this weapon is commonly found in homes and so it is easy to get hold of. This can also display improvisation of innocent characters as they defend themselves in states of urgency.

Samurai swords and Oriental weapons. In a Western film, this can suggest that the character has some sort of obsession. In an Eastern film, these weapons are less surprising and give the films more variation and flavour. Although stylish, these weapons are not the most subtle and so are more likely to be used with serial killers and in gang wars (e.g. the Triads).

Guns can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used to threaten others, where the criminal is holding someone hostage or to force the your will on someone. Guns are also very efficient in killing and so are used by modern day assassins. Larger and more powerful guns that give an advantage over others can create fear and force the victim to hide and be indirect, which can create suspense.

The mind is also a weapon. It can be used by characters to confuse and outsmart their victims by trapping them. The victim can be tricked into a false sense of security, bringing them closer to the antagonist, so they will be off guard.

I think it would be ideal to draw the audience in to the story and create a sense of anxiety or fear by creating a false sense of security. Also, it could be a good idea create a threat by putting the characters in a gunpoint situation.

Latymer AS Thriller - Group 6 2006

This is the opening sequence to 'Exposure'

I enjoyed this sequence very much because it creates a high amount of tension and anxiety, which are key to a good thriller.

I think that editing is used effectively by including fast cuts and showing many insert shots. This pace matches the frantic movements of the character pictured and allows the audience to feel the tension of the character. I think that this is greatly helped by the choice to use purely diagetic sound in the first half. This makes the sound of the characters footsteps, the rustle of bags and the character's heavy breaths stand out a lot more than they normally would.

With these two factors combined with the fast action create the feeling that he is running from something, being followed but also high levels of and tension. It feels as though whatever he is fleeing from is about to appear and so the audience is on the edge of their seats. This is because the fast cuts make the viewer try and watch out for clues that appear in shot, but the shots quickly fly past them and so it is felt that something vital may have been missed and that they are in for something unexpected. I think the best example of this is when he is in the bathroom and washing his face. The camera focuses mainly on the cabinet and the characters reflection in it. This framing is typically seen in thrillers and horror-thrillers where a killer or monster suddenly appears in the reflection. This scenario is registered in the audiences mind and so they are in the suspense of whether anything will appear and experiencing the shock it created in past experiences, again.

I feel that the second half of the sequence, when he walks towards the room, is somewhat of an anti climax, although it does tell more of the story and shows the use of some excellent imagery. In my opinion it varies from the first half too much by having a change of colour from black and white to sepia and a slower pace. I find this confusing because the character has gone from frantically collecting his belongings into a bag, to slowly walking into a room and carefully picking out a picture off of the wall. To me erases the feeling of danger that was set up previously and causes me to think that it wasn't necessary for him to be running so urgently in the first place.

Overall, I think that this opening sequence is successful because it has a well picked choice of shots, fast paced and frantic action sequences and some high quality imagery.