Aims and Context

Aims and Context        

I hope to use the codes and conventions of the thriller genre while adding aspects of  english crime dramas such as Snatch and Lockstock and Two Smoking Barrels.

My aim is to use the structure and elements of thriller films, cliff hangers, tense and life threatning situations, and incorporate them into my film to manipulate my audience and frighten them or to drag them out of the comfort zone   It will be aimed at audience members of any occupation, gender , class and wellbeing but primarily aimed at ages of 18 years and over.  This is due to the aspects of adult life scenarios and having and an audience that is old enough to fully understand and be shocked with what is happening on screen.

 

The sequence I am filming is the disruption of the narrative; this entails a conversation between two thugs ( antagonist )on what they are supposed to be doing and  then follows that up with the kidnapping of the protagonist of the sequence . It uses codes and conventions associated with the thriller genre and also dips in to crime drama genre as well because of the situations that happen in the film are stereotypical of a crime thriller.
The sequence is influenced by the audience manipulating aspects of thriller films such as; fast paced shot reverse shot editing, heightened sound or dramatic music, very dark conative settings and the use of verisimilitude and realism to fully engage with the audience.  These aspects are influenced by  such films as Coen brothers Fargo and No Country For Old Men, The Game and Taxi Driver.

My intentions are to direct,edit and and write a  gripping thriller that creates the same feeling you get when being in the audience and create dramatic irony, the audience knowing something the characters doesn’t, as well as  attacking the family connections in family members of the crowd by using children in the sequence.  To make these intentions  to the fullest I could possibly achieve ; I am taking pictures of locations, clothing and people (with their permission) to simulate the same mise en scene in stereotypical thriller films. Places such as dark under passes, car parks, very empty streets and vaguely lit places will be ideal to create a sense of uncertainty, or being afraid of what lurks in the dark.   The clothes of the antagonists will be primarily black and stereotypical of gangster genre films. The types of camera angles I will be using are; Reverse shots of the antagonists, while their talking in the car, putting the camera in the back seat so you can’t see their faces, to connote that they’re criminals that don’t want people seeing what they’re up to .

Maybe having long shots of the sounding areas to set the diegesis and low angle shots of the car screeching to a halt when the protagonist steal the child.
 I will also have high angle and obscure angled shots, creating the impression that the protagonist is being watched (the little boy). Also having close ups of his face and very long shots creating the connotation of abandonment. When the boy is in mid kidnapping, having close ups of the wheels of the car creating an element of speed and hand held shots creating verisimilitude.
 

Like many thriller movies, I will be using very fast editing, especially when the kidnapping is taking place there will be lots of cuts to and from the protagonist and antagonist  ( cross cutting) and having lots of close ups of facial features and  key points, such as doors  opening and screaming.  All of the shots will be done through continuity editing, to create verisimilitude so that it feels like this kidnapping has actually taken place in real life.

I will be in charge of the filming aspects of the sequence, setting the cameras up, changing the light and directing  the characters to where they need to be and what they need to say.  I am also in charge of the props and setting as well.  From previous planning, in AS Film Studies, I have found that time management is key to success, as well as having test shots before finally taking the shot you need.  Also having the equipment ready before you it is time to start filming.