After loads of research in the film franchise and everything that has to be considered when making a thriller film, my group has finally come up with our final idea. Using our analytic skills, we were able to decide what specific cinematography would be perfect for a thriller film. Critically analyzing different scenes and trailers from thriller films and using our creative minds we have be able to come up with two ideas that was merged together to create a narrative conventional to your typical thriller film. In addition to this we have also concluded on what: setting would be appropriate, what iconography would be included, what lighting and colour would complement the thriller opener, what costume would be suitable and what facial expression and body language our characters be using when actually filming the thriller trailer.
Narrative
The initial narrative was going to be built from fellow group member Treys idea but looking again at the three potential ideas we noticed that mine and Trey had similar ideas so we incorporated some of my idea and merged it with his to create our final narrative. The name was somewhat a struggle to come up with the narrative being quiet complicating. So after many names where thrown around we finally came up with A Dinner To Die For.
The actual narrative takes place in the protagonists house because it is a very original to have antagonists to murder their victims in the victims house. Furthermore it is an ordinary environment, it’s not somewhere where you wouldn't expect something dramatic to happen there which adds to the thrill factor. It begins with an ordinary female in her early 20's who has come home from shopping and is getting ready to relax and socialize with her friends on her mobile phone. Oblivious to her surroundings, she is unaware that a man is stalking her from outside her garden. Ready to make his move, the antagonist makes his way through the unlocked back door and is hiding behind the kitchen door where the protagonist is pouring her self a drink. After taking a sip she is then grabbed by the man. struggling for her life she drops the phone and is stabbed in the chest. She ends up falling on the floor and is trying to crawl to safety. she is pushed over by the antagonist and is then stabbed again until shes dead. Now that her body is lifeless the antagonist drags her to a table and sits her on a chair. He then set the table preparing for what looks like a dinner date hence the title of the trailer. He lights a candle and then sits down for a meal with the dead victim.
The Characters
There are two characters in this trailer. Both at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The antagonist is male, age unknown, is tall and black. These characteristics are to show dominance in any situation. Males are considered more superior than females which is why in thriller films males are almost always considered to play the antagonist. The colours the costume are going to include dark and dull for example black and grey. These are conventional to a thriller film as the antagonist wears dark clothing so they cant be seen by their victims and go give an indication to the audience that he is the evil person. The antagonist body language is going to be tense throughout because of the adrenaline rush he is getting. His facial expression is going to be serious through most of the film until he has finished killing the victim. After that he is much more relaxed almost smug with himself with what he has done.
The protagonist is female, early 20s, is shorter in comparison to the antagonist. These characteristics are to show their innocence in all this. They have no idea in what is going on so naturally they are in a vulnerable position and also because females are usually portrayed in thriller films as fragile beings that are weaker to men. The costume that they would be wearing would be causal clothes, something that they would go out with, Something that shows the audience that the victim is clueless to the future events. The victim’s facial expression is going to be calm in the beginning as she doesn't know what is going to happen to her, then she is going to show her being scared when she comes into contact with the antagonist and in the end her face should be motionless as she is dead. Her body language should be relaxed and comfortable in the beginning, then tense and struggling in the middle and again at the end motionless.
Sound
Sound is important in films because it is a micro element that provides atmosphere within a scene, and can cause a desired audience response. I believe it is important to think about the sound, especially in thriller films because it can help to build tension within the film, and provide the audience with an understanding of what is going on in the scene, or what to expect. The sound that is going to be used is going to be gradually built up. its starts of slow-paced to tell the audience that everything is normal for now. Then the music is going to pick up and intensify to warn the audience that something is going to happen. And at the point of murder the sound will cut off instantly to leave that effect behind with the audience.
Mise en Scene
Iconography
Iconography is important when it comes to thriller films because each prop can be used to symbolize something in a thriller film whether it’s to do with the past of a particular character or it could be the signature weapon of an antagonist. Each prop can also tell a short part of a story and can fill in gaps that may have the audience questioning which will help the audience enjoy the film rather than questioning it. The iconography that we will be using is:
• Fake Blood
• Tools/ Knife
• Mobile phone
• Shopping bags
• Glass
• Candle
Lighting and Colour
lighting and colour is really important in a thriller film as it can set the mood of a film and define the genre as well. For example using bright colours would probably define a cheerful comedy whereas dim dull colours may define a horror film. That is why the lighting my group is going to use for our thriller opening is low key lighting. We are going to use this because low key lighting symbolizes anxiousness and creates a scary atmosphere. Furthermore it complements the theme a thriller creates, intensifying the scenery it lights up. High key lighting is the other lighting we are going to use to illuminate the rooms so the audience is able to see the build-up to the action instead of using low key all the way through and not being able to see the whole thriller opener.
Setting
The setting is really important and really has to be considered when creating the thriller opener. The location is able to set the mood of the story. For example a playground full of children can portray and happy and playful environment or another example, an old, abandoned warehouse can portray an eerie and isolated atmosphere. The settings we have decided to go with is the protagonist house as it is a very original to have antagonists to murder their victims in the victims house. Furthermore it is an ordinary environment, it’s not somewhere where you wouldn't expect something dramatic to happen there which adds to the thrill factor.
Film Influences
- Scream: Scream is one of your typical conventional thriller film. you have your vulnerable teen victim, you have the masked antagonist that reveals nothing and you have the typical iconography that pops up frequently within the opener. It was hard not to be influenced by this film.
