Production scedule

We are producing a two minute thriller film. We are going to be filming at night in a park. We will be filming in Broomfield Park. We are filming in a park because it creates a scary atmosphere, especially in the night when no-one is there. We are using four teenage boys. One will be playing a homeless man, while the other three will be playing as themselves, as three teenage boys. Our four boys will be Andreas Kavallares, Imani Pratt, Aidan Scoutter and Michael Mann.

Film Treatment Of 'Silent Night.'

One evening Imani, Aidan and Andreas decided to walk through a park. As they walk they discuss the topic about ps3. They then come across some unusual objects on the pathway. They firstly come across a hand covered with blood. There will then be traces of blood around the hand on numerous cardboard boxes. They then continue walking, until they come across a homeless man lying on a bench. He is dressed with a black coat, with a red t-shirt, using cardboard boxes to keep him warm.

Imani, Aidan and Andreas then notice the alcohol. Imani is extremely terrified and wants to go home. Andreas wants to steal the mans alcohol. Aidan is the ditsy one who just goes along with it. They then dare Imani to take the alcohol. Imani is very unsure whether to or not. However he feels extremely pressured by the other two so goes over to take it. He then gives it to Aidan and Andreas. They then tell him to take the hat as well. He goes over again to take it, however the homeless man wakes up. Andreas and Aidan get frightened and run off. However Imani is still shocked that he has woken up. He puts the hat down and is about to run when he trips over the hand. The homeless man they get up and he’s standing over the boy. Our film opening then ends with the homeless man with a grin on his face.

Codes and Conventions of Thriller Movies.

Many Codes and Conventions are used in thriller films:

Narration - Voice telling you parts of the story. This creates tension for the audience. It also creates a sense of mystery and makes the audience feel a sense of suspense. This is used in numerous thriller films such as The Others.

Music - Scary/eerie music is typically used in thriller films. There are different types of music used in thriller films:-

The most usual kind is sharp, high-pitched which is very fast and loud. This is used as it reflects on the genre emensly, it creates the scene for a thriller film. It also makes the audience feel tense and unsettled. Alfred Hitchcock uses this kind of music for his films as it is very effective as the frantic and jumpy music creates a sense of urgency as if someone is being chased. Also films such as Jaws use this type of music when the shark is about to pounce on its prey.

The other type of music used in thrillers is slow pace and gentle/eerie music. This usually contains instruments such as violins and pianos. This is used to develop suspense and a sinister and unsettling feeling for the audience. This is used in films such as The Others.

Lighting - Shadows are used in typical thriller films as a way to create a sense of suspense and action in the film. It makes the audience edgy and is used to intrigue interest from the audience. Shadows are used in many ghost films and also in many Alfred Hitchcock films along with dramatic lighting. Mirrors and stairs are also used as well (e.g: Psycho).

Dramatic lights add tension to the scenes. When black shadows, bright disorientating lights and sharp contrasts are used this makes the thriller film more interesting.

Scenes which switch very quickly and suddenly builds-up the audience for an scary film. It makes the audience on edge and is also used to show action is occurring.

Camera Angles - Panning and Tracking are used to create a sense of being followed. High camera angles are used to emphasize the victim as being small and vulnerable in a thriller film. Low camera angles are used to create height for a villain and makes the villain seem very in charge. Consequently it builds-up a sense of them being big and scary.

The Credits - Thriller films use these to symbolically represent broken up minds, thoughts and people within the film. These are used in films such as Gothika.

Is Entrapment - Claustrophobic spaces are a key generic signifier that are used typically in thrillers. Films that have used this is: Flightplan, Snakes on a Plane, Phonebooth, Kill Bill 2 and Panic Room.

Flightplan - Location - Plane

Snakes on a Plane - Location - Plane

Phonebooth - Location - Phonebooth

Kill Bill II - Location - when woman was buried in the coffin

After evaluating and researching thriller films so far, the codes/conventions I have picked up and could use in my own thriller movie opening is as follows:

Music - Very slow paced music will be effective as it creates a lot of tension. It also sets the mood for a scary atmosphere within the film, and consequently the opening will give the audience an insight of a chilling film. In contrast very fast, high pitched music could also be used as a suitable match for a thriller.

Lighting - Shadows could be used as this will create a lot of suspense and action in a film. Black shadows also make the film more interesting and edgy.

Camera Angles - Over the shoulder and Birds eye view camera shots could be used as this will make the audience feel as if someone is watching the other characters and are being preyed on.

High Camera Angles are used especially up-tilt shots. These make the victim in the film very small. Low Camera angles give the villain of the film height and make him seem big. These are good to show statuses of the characters in the film.