(Reserach) How is the opening sequence of Scream conventional to a thriller opening?

At the beginning of the film we see different types of micro elements used effectively which are cinematography, editing, sound and mise en scene to display an impact of when a female victim gets murdered by an antagonist. 

 Firstly at the beginning of the scene we see the female victim playing with a kitchen knife as she doesn’t have a clue that the weapon she is playing with would be the same weapon that the antagonist will use to murder her. This is conventional to an opening thriller as it gives the audience an idea of what weapon the antagonist would use to murder her. This creates a wave of fearfulness as the audience already know what weapon is going to be used for her death.

Another iconography that used was the house phone. This is revealed to the audience at the beginning of the scene when it the phone rang. Firstly the female victim picked up the phone and heard a males voice she than decided to hang up. This makes the audience to assume that she will be the victim. After hearing the house phone ring for the second time she got the house phone and started speaking to a stranger. This represented her as a senseless character as the audience would expect her to not speak to a person she does not know.

Secondly natural lighting was used at the beginning of the film. This type of lighting was used to reveal to the audiences that everything was calm and peaceful as she is comfort of her own home. Suddenly we then see low key lighting which was used when the female victim began terrified whilst speaking on the phone to a stranger. The use of low key lighting showed  the audience  that something bad is about to happen because low key lighting is mostly used when danger is about to occur.

The use of these type of lighting is conventional to a thriller opening because the audience would expect natural light and then  low key when crime is about to happen. Low key lighting brings fear to the audience as they would begin to think what is about to happen.

A close up was used when the female victim heard the antagonist say her name. This camera shot allowed the audience to see the female victim’s emotion as she became confused of how did a stranger know her name. This makes the audience feel fear for the female victim as she does not know who she was talking to. Her facial expression also helped this as it changed into being happy to becoming afraid.

 In addition low and high angle was used simultaneously when the female victim quickly ran to lock the house doors.  High angle is used when the female victim goes behind the TV to hide for her safety. This reveals to the audience how weak and terrified she is as her body language was very panicked as she curled like a ball to protect herself.

Furthermore low angle was used when the female victim finally managed to escape from her house. This shows the audience how brave and quick thinking she is for escaping away from the antagonist. The use of these camera angles is conventional to a thriller opening as it shows the audience how brave the female victim is as she tries to escape away from her murderer who finally murders her at the end.

The location of the house was set near the forest this is shown with a establishing shot. This use of shot allows the audiences to be afraid as the house is near a unsafe area. However the house was white and old fashion which shows the audience that the house is a place of peacefulness but because there is a forest nearby it brings fear to the audience as the wonder if anything bad is going to happen. This is conventional to an opening thriller as the audience would accept a white beautiful house near the forest as it represents danger and death.

 

 At the beginning of the scene the facial expression and body language of the female victim was cool and relaxed. Her facial expression was calm as she was talking on the phone with a stranger. On the other hand her body felt relaxed as she was leaning on the kitchen table, as she felt safe in the environment that she was in. This shows the audience that she is safe and no crime would be committed. This is conventional to a thriller opening as the scene starts of equilibrium as the female victim is safe in her house then the scene leads into disequilibrium when she gets murdered in a home that was meant to be her safe area for her to be protected.  

 

In addition non diegetic and diegetic sound was both used when the antagonist says “Look I like you” to the female victim.  After announcing that the female victim’s facial expression changed as she became confused. The sound then built tension as it got louder and louder as it represented her heart beat. The use of these sounds created confusion and panic to the audience as it made them think or imagine they were also involved in the scene and the female victim’s emotion as she became scared and terrified.

 

The use of costume for the antagonist and female victim also brings emotion and understanding toward the audience. This is because the antagonist was wearing a white mask to hide his identity which makes it hard for the female victim and the audience as they don’t know who the killer as it is conventional to an opening thriller as the antagonist is meant to dress in this particular dress code. Moreover the black long coat that the antagonist wears represents darkness as black also connotes his dark intension. This is conventional to an opening thriller as the antagonist in a thriller film would normally come out during night time wearing black to cover the bloods of the innocent people that he murders. This created an alarming feeling for the female victim to stay away and keep herself safe from the antagonist also it creates distress  as the audience would lose interest in the antagonist as he is there to destroy. Moreover throughout the scene the female victim was wearing a cream jumper which the audience would see her vulnerability as a pure, youthfulness and an innocent character. The stereotypical of her being blonde and a female shows the audience that they’re most scared and dependent as women are mostly seen or represent in this way. This is conventional to an opening thriller as the female victim would be weak. This makes the audience feel sorry for the female victim as she is unable to protect herself.

 

Slow motion was used as it captured a significant moment in the scene when the antagonist stabs the female victim. The use of this camera shot shows the audience how painful the stabbing was as. This brings tension to the audience as they become and feel sad and scared for the female victim as they also question themselves if she is going to survive. This is conventional to a thriller opening as the antagonist murders the female victim. Another editing that created emotion towards the audience was shot reverse shot. This was used when the female victim sees he parents after being stabbed several times. This type of editing was used to show the audiences the distance between her and her parents and how close she was to be saved. However because of losing her voice she couldn’t get help as she tried calling for her mum in desperation. This brings sadness to the audience as they feel panic and afraid for the female victim as she is unable to get help.

 

To complete the use of micro-elements and cinematography help create emotion and tension. All these elements together helped to create shocking and frightening scene for the audience to view. The use of cinematography showed the audience how dramatic the female victims death was and the style of thriller.

 

(Research)Body Langue and Facial expression

Body langauge  and facial expression

In films the characters body langue and facial expression is very important as it gives the audience an idea of what character they are. On the other hand there are different types of characters such as a protagonist, antagonist, female victim and a child. Each character has their own specific body language and facial expression that helps the audience to know who is who. In a film, mostly there is a male protagonist however sometimes the is also a female protagonist.

 

A protagonist is represented as a strong, brave and quick thinking character also his body langauge has to be straight with shoulders up. On the other hand a protagonist needs to be attractive and musculy their facial experssion is usually calm and  serious. This is because the audiences need to believe and have faith in their hero that he would save the society. This is conventional to a thriller film as the audience would expect a hero that would stop the antagonist for doing evil in the society.

 

Another character is the antagonist. An antagonist is represented as an intimidating character and has a hidden weakness they also have a chicky evil smile and a facial expression that is serious and ready to kill. One example of an antagonist is the Joker he is represented as an unclean character that has messy hair and makeup that brings fear to the audience. Protagonist and antagonist both have similar body language however sometimes the antagonist body language is not serious but very fidgeting. This is conventional to a thriller film because the is a antagonist that wants to destory the society in order to be powerful.

 

 

Female victim is represented as a pure and innocent character she also has to be attractive in order for the audience to have an interest in her. The female victim’s facial expression is mostly sad, confused and shocked but surprised. On the other hand her body language is tilted forward wanting to find out what is going on. This is conventional to a thriller film as the audience would expect the female victim to be weak and scared in order for the protagonist to keep her safe away from the antagonist.

A child is also represented as an innocent and small. Their body language is mostly scared and with slow movement. This is conventional to thriller film as the audience would have similar emotion to the child as he is scared of the antagonist.  

In conclusion and from analysing this I learnt that in my thriller body language and facial expression is very important as it represents who you are to the audience as it brings emotion as they would be afraid of you if you are the antagonist. Also bring hope and interest if you are the protagonist, female victim or child.

 

 

(Research)Mise en scene lighting

                                        

Lighting

 

In a film lighting is very important as it is used to cost shadows and create tension and suspense. On the other hand it helps to convey mood and create an atmosphere in a film. It also guides the audience’s attention to an object for example emotion or gesture.

 

Under lighting is a type of lighting that comes from below the character it tends to have a distorting effect on the character.

 

 

 

Top lighting comes from the overhead of the character. This highlights the features or creates a glamorous look in a character.

 

 

Back lighting is used behind the person if the is no little or no light, silhouettes is created. This type of lighting represents the character as a protagonist as it shows the audience how brave and powerful the character is.

 

 

Low key is a dark lighting with small areas of light, which can create a shadow. This type of lighting makes the character appear as a antagonist as the audiences would have fear towards the him.

 

 

 

High key lighting appears more natural but clearly brighter than normal lighting. It also shows alot of the female victims details and her facail expression.

 

 

 

 

 

Natural lighting is when the is no lighting that has been added. This lighting is mostly used at the begining of a film when everything starts of equilibruim.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

(Research) cinematpgraphy camera angels

Cinematography

Cinematography is used in movies it looks at the way the camera shot is framed and movements of the angle that has been taken. These things allow the audience to respond in different ways by giving the audience a different sort of representation of the characters. There different type of camera shots that are used in thriller movie.

 

 

In this image a close up has been used to represent or capture the characters emotion. This gives the audiences an idea of what the characters emotion is.

  Medium shot is also known as MS- This camera shot shows  the audience from about the waist up from the character this camera shot shows the audience some details of the character.

 

 

 

 

 

     long shot ( LS)- This camera shot shows  what people are doing and the full body of the character also gives the audiences a view of what is going on.

 

 

 

 

    Extreme long shot ( ELS) –  The camera shot shows the audience the characters full body and the surrounding which people can set the scene from time to time.

 

 

      

Establishing shot is also known as ES. This camera shot is mostly used at the beginning of the film or scene. It also gives an idea of where the film is set.

Although they are different type of camera shot the are also two type of camera angles which are a high angel and a low angel.

       High angel is when the camera is looking down upon the character. This camera angel makes the characters appearance weak towards the audience.

 

    Low angel is when the camera is at a low position looking up towards the character. This camera angel makes the character look powerful and strong it also brings interest to the audience as they would believe in him and find him their hero.

 

From analysing cinematography I now know the different kinds of camera shots and angels that you can use for different type of scenes for example close up. I think that this camera shot is very useful as it reveals to the audience the characters emotion which they can also then judge. More over the use of cinematography is very important in movies as it brings interest to the audience and illiterates what is going on.