Body of Lies

5 Thriller opening scenes (playlist)

Psychological Thriller
1- Shuttter Island

Action Thriller:
2- The Dark Night Rises

Horror/crime Thriller:
3- Saw 7 (WARNING: gory opening scene) 
5- Silence of the Lambs

Scifi Thriller:
4- Inception

Terminology Definitions

Master Shot:  it is often a long shot and is filmed from an angle that keeps all the characters in view.

Canted Angle: is where the camera is titled to one side it is often used to show psychological uneasiness.

Steadicam:  is a way of mounting a camera that keeps it steady for filming moving.

Shallow Focus: is where one part of the image is focus and the rest isn't, it draws attention to one specific part of the image.

Continuity Systems: is the process of smoothing the different clips out to make them run smoother.

Eyeline Match:  the audience will want to see what the character on screen is seeing. This is done by the character looking at something off screen followed by a cut to the object they are looking at.

Graphic Match: it is a cut in film editing between two different spaces or compositions where an object in the two shots graphically match, this links the two shots.

Parallel Editing: is where you go between two scenes that are happening simultaneously but in different locations.

Superimposition: It is where you place one image over another.

Diegetic Sound: this is where the sound is visible on screen - so the source is implied by the action on screen

Non Diegetic Sound:  this is where the source of the sound is not implied by the action on screen.

Using a camera

Camera Shots:

• Establishing shot/ - provides information for the setting, it shows the exterior, indicates a time and location and gives you a chance to see the character from head to toe.
• Mid shot- is from the waist up  enabling the audience to become more familiar with the character.
• Close up shot- Works as a reference point, shows head and shoulders, it frames an object of importance.
• Tow shot- expresses relationship between two characters & is often shown in tv shows.
• Extreme close ups- draws the audience into the characters emotion, this can be very intense.

Camera Angles:

• Over the shoulder- enables the audience to see objects or people from over the shoulder of the character. This then becomes shot, reverse shot.
• High angle- camera points down on the character and gives a sense of vulnerability, this is used in moments of defeat.
• Low angle- camera points down on the character, this gives a sense of power and makes the audience feel vulnerable to the character.

Camera Movement:

• Tracking shot: moves backwards or forwards, tracking in brings you deeper into the scene and tracking out signifies the end of action.
• Sideways track- is used to follow movement so the audience can keep pace with the action.
• Tilt shot- is a movement up or down  on an axis, it creates an effect of height and power.
• Zoom- alternative to tracking shot and shows movement of in or out.
• Arc shot- A full or semi circle around the characters enables a view of the characters reaction. It increases the intensity of the environment.
• Crane shot - follows the action in a vertical direction.
• Panning shot - the camera is on a tripod and and moved left to right and is used to follow moving objects.

Body of lies is a good example of a film that uses a range of camera shots and motions. Some of the shots in the opening scene are:

Close up                                                Low angle

Mid shot                                                Tilt shot

Establishing/long shot                           Ark

Panning                                                 Point of view

How does a movie poster convey to the typical thriller conventions?

Analysing an opening movie scene

Olympus has fallen

Setting:

• Starts of by landscaping the area, this shows you a forrest covered in snow which gives you the sense of isolation.
• The background music helps to set the scene, the mix of trumpets and drums amongst other instruments give an patriotic American feel to the scene.
• You are told that the place is the presidential resort which backs up the idea of it being in America. 

Character:

• You are introduced to the two main characters who are boxing against each other, camera shots of their face's shows the playfulness between them.
• The tone of which the two characters talk to each other shows that they have a strong bond. They are not only working together but they are also friends and maybe even like family. This bond is shown from the beginning in the boxing ring.
• When the body guard uses his hidden wire to talk to his colleagues it separates this family bond he has with the president as you can tell from his facial expression and tone of voice that he is very serious. 

Themes:

• Responsibility: president and being a body guard.
• Protection: body guard - this is also shown in the way the two main characters box together.
• Family.

• There are tones of not knowing  what is going on, this is because of the talking in hushed voices.

Props:

• The presidents son is playing a shooting game on a console, this is typical for a child of his age and creates a sense of family life.
• a fire place and christmas tree also help create the sense of family life whilst softening the quite tense environment.
• A wire in the body guards sleeve helps to show the seriousness and role that the character has 

Narrative: 

• "10 minutes"  creates a sense of tension as it is said in a sincere way which contrasts the playfulness of the two characters when they are in the boxing ring.
• The worsening weather creates tension.
• "Watch the fort"  is said in a hushed tone which creates tension but it also sounds like something you would say in a game which makes you wonder what will happen next.

Style (camera technique, lighting)

• When the two characters are in the boxing ring the camera is on their face's this helps you interpret the tone between them.
• A shot of their feet whilst they are fighting also shows the tone. You can see that they are just circling each other, neither of them is particularly aggressive which creates a friendly environment.
• The camera pans the room which allows you to see quickly who is there and what the general tone is e.g calm or aggressive. 

Introduction to Representation

Representation is the way groups are presented in the media and popular culture, often through stereotypical images that affect our views of gender, race, class, age and ability.

Some media products challenge or subvert the stereotypes.

Analysis of a Thriller Movie Poster

Semiotics

Semiotics is to do with the use of visual codes. Signing is vital to human existence as it underlines all forms of communication.

A denotation is what is literal and a connotation is what we associate with an object or person. for example the denotations and connotations of the heart are

Denotation

• Blood                                                             You could say that the heart denotes/connotes....
• People                                                            The heart has denotations/connotations of....
• Life
• Medicine

Connotation

• Love
• emotion
• Strength
• Passion
• Valentines day
• Bravery

Other terms relating to images

• Cropping- cutting out parts of the picture. This means it has been done for a reason and could influence your view of the image.

• Framing - Positioning the focal point within a natural frame e.e buildings, trees, window frames

• Depth - foreground, middle ground and back ground which are important in terms of texture and makes the image have a 3D effect. 

Semiotics in moving image

• Tilt the camera up (low angle shot) indicates power and authority.
• Tilt the camera down (high angle shot) indicates small or vulnerable.
• A close up (standard, big or extreme) indicates intimacy, insight or emotion. 
• Long shot gives context, scope or used for establishing
• Fade in or out (transitions) indicates a start, beginning, opening or the close, ending or conclusion.

Notes about genre

Fim Genre's

• Horror
• Comedy
• Romance
• Romcom
• Action
• Mistry
• Adventure
• Animation
• Musicals
• Fantasy
• Documentary
• Thriller

Code and Conventions

• A code in media is like a rule that is almost never broken e.g character codes and plot codes.
• Conventions are habits or long accepted ways of doing things. These can change a lot as a genre develops.

Features of a horror film

• Suspense
• dramatic heights
• mystery
• darkness
• silences
• scary noises
• death
• villan/ghost/crazy person
• bad weather
• isolation

Genre is important as it creates an expectation of the film which helps people decide if they want to view it or not. It is also important to categorise films.

Types of thriller

• Psychological 
• Comedy
• Romantic
• Murder
• Action
• Scifi