conventions of a thriller production.

These are some of the main features and conventions that you would see in a typical thriller film:  film that provide thrills and keeps the audience cliff-hanging at the "edge of their seats" as the plot builds towards a climax The tension usually arises when the character or characters is placed in a menacing situation, a mystery, or a trap from which escaping seems impossible. Life is threatened, usually because the principal character is unsuspectingly or unknowingly involved in a dangerous or potentially deadly situation. Thrillers are most commonly filmed in recognisable setting, this allows the audience to be familiar with the setting and this adds to the realism of the thriller. Thrillers often overlap with mystery stories but are distinguished by the structure of their plots. In a thriller, the hero must thwart the plans of an enemy rather than uncover a crime that has already happened. While a murder mystery would be spoiled by a premature disclosure of the murderer's identity, in a thriller the identity of a murderer or other villain is typically known all along. Thrillers also occur on a much grander scale: the crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination, or the overthrow of governments. Jeopardy and violent confrontations are standard plot elements. While a mystery climaxes when the mystery is solved, a thriller climaxes when the hero finally defeats the villain, saving his own life and often the lives of others.

Thrillers are influenced by film noir. In the sense that they have similar plot and narrative points, also the characters within the film would posses certain characteristics that would either be used against the protagonist or help him or her to overcome the situation in the film. A thriller would also include some enigmas in the plot, an enigma is a secrete that is shown towards the beginning of the film and is answered at the end of the film however sometimes film producers can decide not to reveal all the enigmas and therefore create an even greater sense of mystery and leave the audience with questions still unanswered.

Why Thrillers Thrive

  Our summary of 'why thrillers thrive' is that because a thriller consists of  a kind of experience that we wouldn't experience ourselves, or by having the same life with a difference; the difference being an emotional disturbance - therefore creating a type of 'thrill' - the starting point of why thrillers thrive. The experience throughout a thriller also makes the audience feel shaken up, grow sluggish and jellified; unlike any type of film; but this type of film makes it possible for experiences that make us feel like this; but at the same time having the feeling of being safe. Thrillers thrive on the fact that the experiences created produce  firsthand experience enclosed in a screen. The article also explains that cinema can leave the spectator with a subconscious assurance of absolute safety, and yet surprise his imagination into playing tricks on him. Another way that makes thrillers s successful as they are is the 'secondary type of thrill'. This is participation, this is creating the effect that danger is coming or is about to happen to a character that the audience has grown sympathetic for. This in turn makes screen more effective that theatre as great danger can be created when in actual fact there is no danger about to occur. During the winter and autumn the thrillers are usually released as this is the peak time that people go and watch them.

  The article also explain that 'Horrors' differ from 'thrillers' they both have different effects in which they use in order to thrill the audience in some way. However the main aims are slightly different due to the fact that 'thrillers' aim to create a safe environment but in turn thrill and excite spectators, whereas 'Horrors' sometimes push boundaries too far and leave spectators genuinely scared and upset - sometimes for a long period of time afterward opposed to creating a thrill , exciting the audiences and making them in a way feel better about themselves like most thrillers do. 

 Overall what makes a thriller thrive is the fact that you're unknowingly feeling secure and safe, but more knowing that it could be you in the place of a specific character; so mind games are being played on you, or a sense of being insecure; giving you a thrill in which you feel unstable, and again sluggish, jellified and shaken up. Spectators enjoy thrills and different way in which they are made to feel insecure but unselfconsciously knowing that they are safe, all of the points made are the elements that make thrillers thrive and make them as successful as they are.  

location recce.

we have one location setting. in Cambridge around Jesus lane. such as round the streets and corners. some of the restraints that we might face during filming include: public interference, bad weather, or excessive noise to make our filming more difficult to produce. another hindrance that we might face during filming would be if we were obstructed by the public when trying to film our sequence for example unwanted extras might get in the shot. also if the road is blocked or there is construction work, this will stop us from being able to film our particular shots and get the right setting for our sequence.

Digital Storyboard

Target Audience.
our target audience for our opening sequence would be young adults. this is because it contains elements of crime at the core of the narrative. another reason why our opening sequence would appeal to young adults between the age of 17-25 is that it has imitable behavior, this would mean that it would be unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15 to watch this particular opening sequence for example there is a point in the narrative where the main is smoking. this would be unsuitable for people under the age of 15 because they might try and imitate the actions seen on film because younger people are more susceptible to things being shown on screen.
the guidelines that the BBFC follow to make a film or production a 15 are:

Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

shooting schedule.
wednesday 9th 9:00-10:30
thursday 10th 1:10-2:35

mise en scene:
Lighting. there will be a mixture of natural light, due to the fact that we are shooting in the day time. also we are going to use monochrome in some parts of our sequence. another lighting element we plan to use in our opening sequence is the use of dim lighting and dark lighting. these particular elements of lighting all come together to produce a sense of realism and make our sequence more believable. this also creates a dark aspect to our opening sequence and builds an atmosphere to create tension and mystery.

Costume. there is only going to be one character wearing costume. he is going to be wearing a smartish black suit, including a hat. however a tie and waste will not be included in the male characters costume. he will also be wearing smart but slightly scuffed shoes. the only prop that the male character is going to have is a cigarette.

location. our opening sequence is going to be set near Cambridge town center, and along jesus lane. we are going to use the narrow ally ways and corners in the street in our sequence.

Risk assessment

Shot List

Story Board

Initial Ideas - Mind Map