Product Research (part 2)- The Shining

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The fast editing of cuts between shots of the boy and the man screaming, repeating back and forth, relates to the anxiety both characters are experiencing and keeps the audience engaged. This could also suggest both characters can feel each others pain, which is seen to be out of the ordinary. The repeating screaming catches the audience off guard and terrifies them. This also helps to build to the climax where the room suddenly, turns silent as if in a state of shock. The boy is captured in a black background. This focuses on him screaming and may imply he is hiding in a dark place. However, the man is shown with a background. The audience are distracted and instead of focusing on the killing, they are also looking at the surrounding. This helps to gain the audiences focus when there is an empty surrounding after the killing. The audience are anxious to know who survived . After the killing, there is a sudden stop to the scream by an echo. There is a moment of silence. This could suggest, that the man is dead or possibly, the audience are reflecting on his death. Then, the diegetic sound of music begins as we see the killer raise up slowly, into centre frame, of the faded background. This suggests his significance within the film and his dominance over his surroundings.Then a close-up is used to dehumanise his face while he is looking towards the camera from a slanted angle. The audience are petrified as the camera moves backwards as he moves towards the camera with his axe. The audience are placed in a dangerous position of being one of his victims.

Auteur- Alfred Hitchcock

When researching Auteurs, we found that Hitchcock used reocuuring themes to illustrate to the audience their significance. For example, In 'The birds' reocuuring bird motifs was used to scare the audience as well as the characters.

Product Research

In Memento, an independent film, during the opening, tense music is used in an continuous tempo, until the creshendo turns high pitched when the name of the film appears. This immediately suggests, apprehension will be a theme explored within the narrative of the film. In addition, the photograph is held still to imply someone staring at it and is not clear. An extreme close-up of Leonardo’s face is also used to dehumanise his character. As well as this, continuity editing is used to create intensity for the audience and keep them disorientated throughout the film. This ensures they are kept engaged and focused upon the distress the character is feeling. This also illustrates the character’s confused state of mind, giving the audience an idea that something is tormenting his mind. This is also shown through frequent flashbacks to portray remembrance.

Questionnaire Analysis

This was useful as we obtained information on our audience’s interests. On average, many watched films and television which is an advantage as our audience will be aware of our thriller and its advertising.



This was helpful because we were able to find out whether our target audience takes an interest in the opening of a thriller and if this makes them either continue watching a thriller or not. some of the comments why they said either yes and no are stated below:

‘It draws you in, were eager to watch on’

‘It introduces the film, storyline’

‘It captures your attention’

‘You need something to keep the audience engaged and interested from the start’



This was significant as we were able to find out what entertained and engaged our target audience and the conventions we needed to include in our own psychological thriller.

Questionnaire Results

Audience Research- Questionnaire

For our audience research, we designed a quesionnaire based on how psychological thrillers engage and entertain various audiences and the conventions needed to appeal to our target audience.


Thriller questionnaire

Thank you for taking part in this questionnaire. please circle your answers where necessary.

1. Age:
Gender:
Occupation:

2. What do you do in your spare time?

watch films/television
play sports
listen to music
read
other

if other please state:

3.What is your preferred film genre?

horror
thriller
romance
comedy
other

please state why you made your choice:

4. Do you have a favourite thriller?

If yes, please state the name of the film:

5. Do you think the opening sequence is vital for the success of a thriller?

yes
no

If yes, please state why? e.g the fast camera movement is interesting.

6.What ingredients make a good thriller opening?

fast camera movements
use of imagery
non-sequential narrative
range of camera shots
setting
lighting and music
other

If other, please state:

7.What was the last thriller you watched? did you enjoy it?

Name:

yes (reason)
no (reason)

8.What expectations do you have of the opening sequence of a thriller?

e.g introduction to characters and plot

9.Why do you watch thrillers?

Introduction to thriller course work

Since the beginning of the year we looked at a range of thrillers and analysed the techniques used to engage and entertain the auidence. These included 'Memento', 'The Birds', 'Psycho' and 'Peeping Tom'. We found that many of these films used typical conventions which are clearly associated with the thriller genre. The use of reoccuring flashbacks in 'Memento' suggest a non-linear narrative. Hitchock's 'The Birds' and 'Peeping Tom' both included a vulnerable, blonde female character. We also found that in all the films there was a flawed hero. As well as this, instead of using visible imagery, a variety of diegetic and non-diegetic sounds was used to build up tension in the audience.


Then we started looking at 'The Auteur Theory' and discovered that some of the more important directors have a distinctive style which is specific to them. For example, Hitchcock often uses a defenceless blonde as the victim. Another of his traites was to appear at the beginning of his films perhaps as a way to make make the audience more involved, as they search for him . Hitchcock also used repetitive themes of a character's primal fears, which in turn created anxiety amongst the audience.