Analysis of Thriller opening

Analysis of thriller opening scene of "Now You See Me"

The opening sequence to the movie "Now You See ME" is very attention grabbing and gradually starts to leave the Audience on the edge of their seats. The director, Louis Leterrier, has used many different camera angles and cuts between the scenes to make the audience realise who the main characters are.

Right at the start of the opening scene, diagetic sound is used as direct address as one of main characters are looking right into the camera. This is effective because it gives the feeling of realism to the audience and is more inviting because it is as if the main actor is trying to interact with the audience and make them apart of the movie. In addition as the trick is done, it also is done on the audience because of how well it is put together. The reason they shoo all of their tricks at the very beginning of the movie is for the audience to be able to identify them not only by face but their tricks. Furthermore it indicates to the audience that during the film they will be come a group or in some way close.

When it is showing the second main actor, Woody Harrelson, the director first has a close up of a poster of him as he is young then immediately zooms back out and shows him now. This is done to create a sense of humor as the audience may first believe he is still that young looking but then comes to realise that he has been doing tricks for a long time. Having a female main actor is good because it now invites a wider target audience and also doesn't make the film male focused only. Overall, the opening scene of "Now you see me" is effective as it is purposely used for the introduction of the 4 main actors, it allows the audience to understand each of them separately.

Treatment: The Call

The Call

A medium shot from behind that quickly switches in front of the teenage boy on his way home from his friends taking his normal route through the park, listening to music with his headphones to the maximum volume, completely away from everything around him. Suddenly a car pulls up, 3 masked men in black clothing jump out start to run towards the boy.  The next shot is a close up in front of the teenage boy as a bag is pt over his face and the scene ends with a loud scream. The next scene starts of blurry as the bag is lifted from his head and he is surrounded by 3 masked men in a room with lowkey lighting. This scene is very intense as the kidnappers will keep asking the teenage boy a serious of questions. Finally, the leader of the kidnappers will state that the teenage boy has one phone call, if the person answers the phone he will die, but if they don't he gets to live. The phone start to ring then the scene ends and the next scene is a black screen with the writing "Earlier that day".

Props

Props

The props that will be used in the opening scene are to add to gritty realism and make the audience actually believe it can happen to them, making the audience feel scared and worried as much as possible. In addition, it is for the audience to be very engaged and on the edge of their seats.

Props:

• Wires - Black, the reason it is wires is because I want the audience to know that it is a kidnapping. However as it is not rope it will portray that they are not professionals.

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  2/3 masks - Have to be very intimidating, either balaclavas or ski masks. This will allow the audience to know who is the victim and who are the antagonists clearly. I want one of the masked men to have a different colour mask on, this will be to show that he is in charge and is the more dominant leader of the group.

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  Phone - A landline phone will be needed during the scene of the victim tied up because after being questioned, he will have the one phone call. It will need to be a phone that can stand up as the victim wont be able to hold it.

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  Plastic school type chair - This is the most suitable chair for our thriller opening because the victim will need to have his hands tied behind his back.

   

Lighting Analysis

Lighting analysis from tyrelle thomas

Customer profile questionnaire

Customer profile questionnaire

After asking 12 people that fit my target audience a series of questions, I was able to have an accurate sum up on general statistics on thriller movies and what it is about them that makes people enjoy them.

Male/Female aged 16-18

What is it about thriller movies that grabs attention?

From 9 out of 12 of the people I interviewed, their answers were all very similar in the fact that it is the excitement and the fact that they are always on the edge of your seats waiting for something new to catch you off guard. The other 3 seemed to enjoy the fact that the storyline is very realistic and the fact that it is something that can happen to anyone making the films seem more relatable.

What is your favourite thriller subgenre?
50% said  that their favourite subgenre has to be action, this is because they love to see a fight scene go on it just adds to the ongoing suspense of the film. An example that was referred to many times was Now you see me 2, as "it doesn't only have a tricky plot but whenever the antagonists were nearly caught it resulted in a fight between the protagonist and antagonist". The other 30% stated that their favourite thriller subgenre was crime. This is because of the characters being very street-smart and they usually include some type of kidnapping scene. A few stated that their favourite thriller subgenre was Sci-fi. This is because they include some type of very creative technology that the audience become really engaged with.    

What the top two favourite thriller movies?

All the people I interviewed came to the conclusion after a long think that there top two would have to be Now You See Me and Lucy. These are two films that are bother very different thrillers being that Lucy is Sci-fi thriller and Now You See Me is a crime thriller. Nevertheless, they both keep the audience intrigued with the great plot ideas.

If you had to choose out of 'Now You See Me' and 'Lucy', what would you pick?

This is quite a tricky question that my interviewees struggled to pick but after analysing both films. 10 out 12 would have to pick Now You See Me. "This film has one of most excellent plot twist at the end of it that completely caught me off guard first watching it and ever since it has been my favourite of all time". The other 2 had picked Lucy as they love the thrill of new technology and the idea of a human computer.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target audience profile

Target audience profile

When it comes to thriller movies, the target audience can vary. this is because it depends on the sub-genre that it is attached to. The general age of the target audience of thriller films is from about 14-40, being both males and females. the reason I have chosen such a particular minimum and maximum age is because I personally believe that this is the most target age groups. In addition to this, the target audience is:

• Someone who enjoys having to figure out things during the film
• Love films that have you on the edge of your seat
• excited by plot twists.

Customer profile

Hello my name is Chris and I am 17 years old. I am a hard working student that likes to workout practical situations. This is the reason why I find thriller movies so exciting. My favourite mind-twisting thriller is Inception as it really gets my brain going and keeps me constantly thinking. I live with my parents and watch the latest thrillers with my parents in their spare time. I really do recommend thrillers that have edge of your seat synopsis and create tension throughout through the use of storyline and music. I stay up to date on the latest movies by social media.

The effect of Typography and Music

The effect of Typography and Music

Producers and directors have become successful not only for their use of camera angles and jump cuts, but also through the different typography and music that they use for the film to create deeper emotion.

Movie opening one: City of God

Music

During the opening scene of the movie City of God, from the beginning there is diagetic sound of the knife being sharpened is used to show the audience the type of environment the film is based in, as it is loud it may frighten the audience as the knife can represent violence but it just shows a practical thing being done. As it goes on, the music of the opening scene is fast paced and can be called Latin American. Parallel sound is used effectively as the film is based in the heart of the favela's, it shows people living their day-to-day lives outside and the music is diagetic as it shows some type of band using instruments with people dancing to emphasises that life in the favela's is quite together and people get along. This is to give the audience the feel that the movie is going to be very realistic and show life in the favela's of Brazil. As the thugs start to chase the chicken, the music is still able to fit in with the fast pace chase. As the opening scene goes on the music becomes more apart of the background as there becomes a lot of dialogue.

Typography

The typography is quite simplistic and not shown as much in the opening scene of City of God as it focuses on the vibes of Brazil. In addition, when it is shown, it is more in the corners of the scene to not take up space as the directors and producers of the film are not the main attractions as they're not really well known because it is a Brazilian film.

Movie opening two: The Purge

Music

The music in the opening scene of the first purge is very classical and to the audience this can either be soothing or very off-putting for what is going to happen next. As the music is completely opposite to the scenes shown, the audience will feel very uncomfortable and confused because classical music connotes calm and collective however the scene shows constant murdering and violence that goes in during the purge. Furthermore, the music could indicate to the audience that the type of violence shown in the opening scene is normal and make them start to question why that music was used.

Typography

Throughout the scenes, it shows the different actors that will be taking part but the font is not the biggest and boldest but also quite simple but it is in a more open space for the audience to be able to recognise any names they may know. at the complete beginning, it shows the institution "Universal Pictures" in a bright white on a black background to indicate that this is something that is needed to be known.

Movie opening three: Deadpool

Music

As the majority of us know, Deadpool is a very cocky character, this makes the opening music to this film quite comical as it is the type of music that would be used for superheroes at the end of a movie. The audience would find it hysterical because the music does not match the opening scene and that's the type of thing they would expect.

Typography

The typography in this opening scene is effective because it is bold and white to stand out to the audience as it shows up. The type of font is quite commonly used in marvel films, the audience will recognise it as it has is like a comic.

overall, the typography and music have a large effect on how interesting and intriguing the film is to the audience because it can show different parts of film and be inviting music or discomforting depending on the type of film.

Movie opening propsal

Movie opening proposal

Please click the link above to see my thriller opening proposal and it also includes my mood board to give you a visual idea.

Movie planning

Movie planning

When it comes to planning the opening sequence for my movie, i want it to be as realistic as possible for my audience to be fully engaged and intrigued by what is happening. This will only be the case if I analyse other movies and grab the best elements from theirs and use it in my own.

Firstly, the opening sequence that me and my group are planning to use was the idea of 'The call' which a briefly gave a synopsis of in one of my other posts. In this opening sequence, a handheld camera should be used for the majority of the scenes. This is the most effective way for the audience to actually feel like they are involved with the movie because of the real feel that it gives. 

Also, we will use many extreme close ups to show daunting expressions of the actors faces. Furthermore, we will use establishing shots for the audience to come familiar with the setting that we are using. As the areas will be really secrete and closed off, this will make our audience feel unsettled and question the location. This is apply the hermeneutic code to frustrate the audience. To push this code further, the scene with the actor just sitting in a room tied in a chair will really get the audience thinking.

Barthes Codes

Barthes Codes

Hermeneutic code - This is referring to clues being dropped in text or a film but no actual answers. this usually frustrates the audience but also makes them keep watching. This code is very effective because of the suspense it builds as the audience keep watching, not only does it make them keep watching it also bring them to have numerous amounts of questions. An example of this is used in Now You See Me 2, during the majority of the film, the audience will have the main question being "Who is The Eye" and this does not get answered until the end of the film with a dramatic plot twist.

Proairtec code - This is to do with events that happen in a scene which lead to other events (a build up). This is to add an element of suspense to the film. An example of this is used in the thriller Get Out, right at the end of the movie a police car pulls up and the audience think it is the end for the main character. However this turns out to be his friend. This a brilliant example as it builds up a lot of anxiety in the audience and as they see it is the friend it is a relief.

These codes are the two most used in thriller movies as it is one of thriller movies conventions, to have a concept that the audience can think it can happen to the them, this leads the audience to feel scared.

  

2 Ideas for a thriller opening sequence

2 Ideas for a thriller opening sequence

I have come up with two different ideas for a thriller movie opening sequence. At the moment i don't have a title for them however the one that i am mainly focusing on does and that will be the idea that i will explain last.

Idea No.1:

A young male, has a contact that he makes drop offs for, he doesn't know him personally but it makes him money and the worst part of it all is that the young male cannot know what is in the bag all he can do is deliver it.He is waiting in the middle of a car park for somebody, he has an important package that has to be delivered and this meet up has to be brief and face to face in an open location. As he starts to get impatient, he wonders what is really in the rucksack he is wearing but holds him self from looking. The buyers are late and the young male starts to suspect something is up because everyone else he usually delivers to is on time, The door that leads from the elevator to the top of the car park opens and the young male can see 2 people in the distance walking quite fast. the young male becomes anxious because he was told one person and starts to worry. Suddenly he receives a text from Anonymous which says "It's a set-up, they are not the buyers! find a way out!" The young male starts to sprint down the car slope and the two men clock on immediately. They chase after him, one makes a phone call and says "Bring the back up, give him no option but to hand over the bag!" 

The boy flees, dashes out of the shopping centre and into the alleyway. But this is the worst mistake he could have made, two more men stand in front of him and close in, he tries to turn back but the original two are there. He realises that this could be it, the only time he has to look into the bag and finally see what all the fuss is really about, as he opens it theres a bright flash from the bag and he ends up back in bed. A text message he receives from the person he works for says "New package, pick up".

Idea No.2: The Call/One Call

Somebody is walking home late at night, listening to music through her headphones, Completely oblivious to the world around them. It then goes into the view of someone walking behind her but the audience have no idea. The person continues to get closer, throws a bag over her head and is helped by others to carry her into the boot of a car. the next scene is her in a room tied up and being asked questions that she knows nothing about. They believe she is lying and decide to play with her life and give her one way to leave alive. The main person in the mask says "I will give you one phone call to anyone of your choice, if the person you call answers, you die. if the person you call doesn't pick up, i will personally pay for your cab home. Make your call".

Sub-Genres of Thriller Movies

Sub-Genres of Thriller Movies

In many movies there is always another genre that can tie along with it because of the element of that genre that the movie shows. Thriller movies usually have another element because this is what adds to the building of tension and suspense throughout the thriller. this hybrid mix benefits the movie because it adds to the edge of the seat effect that the movie already has. Sub-genres are a very effective mix to have, this is because it can attract a larger target audience, Several of the sub-genres are:

• Action - Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Skyfall (2012)

Action -thrillers are a very effective because it not only packed with exciting fighting scenes but because of the thriller element it will include parts they may have a plot twist mixed in. Furthermore this comes off like double the tension, making the fighting scenes even more jaw dropping.

• Conspiracy - Enemy of The State (1998), Antitrust (2001), Vantage Point (2008)

Personally, i am not the most educated on Conspiracy-thrillers as I have not seen any. However from this mix, you can see that it is effective because it uses things that people may believe and added more suspense to keep the target audience questioning if the conspiracy is really true.

• Crime - Scarface (1983), Sincity (2005), Training (2001)

Now this type of hybrid is amazing, in Crime-thrillers, they purposefully have you wondering who has committed the crime, they may show you the dead victim and how they died but the actual murderer would have his face covered and gloves on to hide his identity from the audience.

• Disaster - I Am Legend (2007), San Andreas (2015), The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

• Horror - The Conjuring 2 (2016), Sinister (2012), Hostel (2005)

• Supernatural - The Babadook (2014), Drag Me To Hell (2009), White Noise (2005)

Many people get horror films and thrillers confused because of how similar they can be but every horror film has the element of thriller to really give it that last bit of heart-stopping suspense. Adding a supernatural element to it give it a more real effect because they do happen to people.   

Here is the rest of the list for the sub-genres of a thriller movie:

• Spy - Casino Royale (2006), True Lies (1994), The Man From U.N.C.L.E (2015)
• Medical - Side Effects (2013), Awake (2007), Pathology (2008)
• Mystery - 88 Minutes (2007), Hannibal (2001), Identify (2003)
• Political - Munich (2005), JFK (1991), Spy Game (2001)
• Legal - The Firm (1993), The Client (1994), Fracture (2007)
• Psychological - Fight Club (1999),  Shutter Island (2010), Zodiac (2007)
• Disaster - I Am Legend (2007), San Andreas (2015), The Day After Tomorrow (2004)

Intro To AS Media

Hello my name is Tyrelle and this is my AS Media blog, I will be posting things to do with media that predominantly come under the thriller genre but may be some that have hints of other genres.


Codes and Conventions of a Thriller:

• Quick Cuts in a scene
• A lot of shot and angle changes
• Sounds of heavy breathing/panting
• some type of crime (it can often be murder)
• a good and complex narrative
• paranoia
• scenes that include a chase
• plot twist
• investigations
• escape
• first person camera shots
• handheld camera

These codes and conventions can be seen throughout many different movies that come under the genre, thriller. they're used very effectively to create suspense and tension to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. one of the conventions that I will explain is the fact in some thrillers it looks to be a handheld camera. this is used to give the thriller a gritty realism because of the way the camera is held, giving the target audience the sense that the film may actually be based on a true story. this is used in The Blair Witch Project effectively throughout to build suspense.
Another example of a film is conjuring 2, where plot twist is continuously used, especially coming towards the end. Finally, another movie that has many of the conventions above in Inception (2010), this is a very confusing movie many people have watched at least 3 times just to go back and start properly understanding the film.