The opening sequence is a very important part of a film as it gives the audience an idea of what the rest of the film is about.
During the title sequence of 'Cape Fear' it creates suspense and enigma for the audience. The shot of the water rippling creates suspense successfully as water is usually associated with drowning, or as a burial place for bodies in thrillers, which means the audience wonders what part it plays in the film. The calmness of the water represents the idea that there could be something lurking underneath, due to the ripples.
Throughout the titles there are distorted images shown on top of the water which also create tension. These images include a long shot of an eagle appearing to prepare to swoop down onto its prey. This gives the audience a sense of death, which is likely to feature in this film. These images also include extreme close-ups of various body parts like eyes and lips which are threatening as they can easily show the emotions of the person, creating tension and panic for the viewer. There is also a mid-shot of a body and a hand with a green background which can represent jealousy and revenge. A red drop is also seen to drop into the water, turning the screen completely red, which immediately makes the viewer think of blood and other negative emotions. At this point the directors name 'Martin Scorsese' comes up, signalling the end of the titles as the audience prepares for the film to begin.
The typography in the titles is italic, white font on a dark background. The white suggests innocence and purity, but is then contrasting the background suggesting that this innocence will be ruined in the film. This is also seen by the italic font.
The sound during the titles consists of a non-diegetic soundtrack played throughout which is loud and dramatic. The music contains crescendos and changes in dynamics, especially when the title of the film 'Cape Fear' comes up on the screen to emphasise the feeling of suspense it causes.
When the film begins there is an extreme close-up of a woman, which zooms out of her face to show a mid-shot of her wearing white, which also represents innocence. There is then a long shot of a man in prison and the tattoos on his back depict images of crosses which shows he is religious. The camera then pans down images on his wall which are of various disturbing images. This suggests that he is an evil person which is backed up by the fact he is in prison.
Monday, 16 February 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
Target Audiences-Lucy Billinghurst
When making a film, target audiences need to be considered. Choosing the correct target audience is key in the success of a film. When advertising a film, the marketers need to know and kind of people the film needs to be directed at.
To find the target audience, need to consider several aspects of all different kinds of people. Ethnicity, gender, class and age all need to be considered.
There are many different social classes, each of them categorised by their occupation. Class A is known as Upper Middle Class. This consists of high managerial, professional and administrative jobs, such as a doctor or solicitor. Class B is Middle Class. These jobs are intermediate managerial, professional and administrative jobs, for example teachers and policemen. Lower middle class is C1, supervisory, clerical and junior managerial such as secretaries or receptionists. Just below this is the social grade C2, the Skilled Working Class. These jobs are lower management, for instance builders and bricklayers. Next is Class D, the unskilled or semi skilled workers. These people could work in shops or factories. Lastly is Class E, which is the Lowest Level of Subsistance. This consists of OAPS, widows, single mums and students. A new class below this has recently emerged. This is what is known as the Underclass, people who do not work and live on the welfare system.
Psychographics also need to be considered. This was first developed by advertisers in the 1970s. This is looking into the values, attitudes and lifestyles (VALS) of different people, putting them into different groups according to their VALS.
Firstly is the Belongers. These people are traditionalists and conforming conservatives. These people seem to worry about the future and are susceptible to advertising of pension plans and insurance.
Secondly is the Emulators, a young impressionable group, described as identity seekers. These people lack self confidence and are vulnerable. Advertisers target them by using their insecurities, giving them role models and the reassurance of social acceptance.
Emulator-Achievers are, like Emulators, young, but are materialists. They favour designer labels and use such possessions to show their success and wealth. They are best characterised as the Yuppies of the Eighties.
Societially-Conscious Achievers are "greying hippies". They are concerned with their personal fulfillment rather than finacial gain. Cynical of advertising.
Lastly is the Need Directed. These people usually earn the minimum wage or are receiving benefits. These people are more concerned on the need to survive rather than buy unecessary products, therefore these people are not important to advertisers.
Many films conform to the dominant ideologies in society. These ideologies are; white, male, Christian, middle class and able bodied. Some films will deviate or even challenge these ideologies.
All of these factors are important when marketing a film, as if it is directed at the right audience then the audience will go and see it.
To find the target audience, need to consider several aspects of all different kinds of people. Ethnicity, gender, class and age all need to be considered.
There are many different social classes, each of them categorised by their occupation. Class A is known as Upper Middle Class. This consists of high managerial, professional and administrative jobs, such as a doctor or solicitor. Class B is Middle Class. These jobs are intermediate managerial, professional and administrative jobs, for example teachers and policemen. Lower middle class is C1, supervisory, clerical and junior managerial such as secretaries or receptionists. Just below this is the social grade C2, the Skilled Working Class. These jobs are lower management, for instance builders and bricklayers. Next is Class D, the unskilled or semi skilled workers. These people could work in shops or factories. Lastly is Class E, which is the Lowest Level of Subsistance. This consists of OAPS, widows, single mums and students. A new class below this has recently emerged. This is what is known as the Underclass, people who do not work and live on the welfare system.
Psychographics also need to be considered. This was first developed by advertisers in the 1970s. This is looking into the values, attitudes and lifestyles (VALS) of different people, putting them into different groups according to their VALS.
Firstly is the Belongers. These people are traditionalists and conforming conservatives. These people seem to worry about the future and are susceptible to advertising of pension plans and insurance.
Secondly is the Emulators, a young impressionable group, described as identity seekers. These people lack self confidence and are vulnerable. Advertisers target them by using their insecurities, giving them role models and the reassurance of social acceptance.
Emulator-Achievers are, like Emulators, young, but are materialists. They favour designer labels and use such possessions to show their success and wealth. They are best characterised as the Yuppies of the Eighties.
Societially-Conscious Achievers are "greying hippies". They are concerned with their personal fulfillment rather than finacial gain. Cynical of advertising.
Lastly is the Need Directed. These people usually earn the minimum wage or are receiving benefits. These people are more concerned on the need to survive rather than buy unecessary products, therefore these people are not important to advertisers.
Many films conform to the dominant ideologies in society. These ideologies are; white, male, Christian, middle class and able bodied. Some films will deviate or even challenge these ideologies.
All of these factors are important when marketing a film, as if it is directed at the right audience then the audience will go and see it.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
First Ideas for Thriller Setting - Jack Merren
We have had a few ideas on where to film our Thriller, we haven’t had full agreement on the location settings and age rating of the Thriller just but below are a few suggestions on where to film. We have had the idea of filming in a city location such as London which falls into the Thriller connotation of an urban setting. A city setting is much more advantageous as there are many places to film which can help is use a wide variety of shots. Also the setting of a large city area has a somewhat cold and disheartening appeal, just like a Thriller film. With this setting we can add to the unnerving atmosphere we will have to create emotion for the audience.
The London eye is clearly visible from Jubilee Bridge which was an idea of where part of the Thriller could be set. With the London eye in the background we can use a full range of long shots, Panning and zooms. The London Eye is also a iconic figurehead for a urban city area, Having it in the shot would also give the audience a faster reaction to the city setting, it gives people the message that it is set in London. Also shots of many Land marks of London could be shown in a Montage to establish the scene setting.
The Gothic street furniture of Embankment make it seem very dark and sinister, this sways to the affect of a Thriller/Horror. The dark cast iron streetlights are a perfect setting to an ominous scene. The dim lit glow make a perfect Mise en scene for low key lighting which again would make the shot dark and malevolent.
The London eye is clearly visible from Jubilee Bridge which was an idea of where part of the Thriller could be set. With the London eye in the background we can use a full range of long shots, Panning and zooms. The London Eye is also a iconic figurehead for a urban city area, Having it in the shot would also give the audience a faster reaction to the city setting, it gives people the message that it is set in London. Also shots of many Land marks of London could be shown in a Montage to establish the scene setting.
The Gothic street furniture of Embankment make it seem very dark and sinister, this sways to the affect of a Thriller/Horror. The dark cast iron streetlights are a perfect setting to an ominous scene. The dim lit glow make a perfect Mise en scene for low key lighting which again would make the shot dark and malevolent.
The Jubilee Bridge is one of our ideas of having a character being followed. Here we are able to film Long shots looking over the Themes and use Panning to full extent to follow the characters movement. Also the bridge early in the morning commonly has fog setting around it which would be a great feature in filming if we get there early and get the footage we need.
The London Underground is a perfect setting for our Thriller. The feeling of claustrophobia is extended with the low ceiling and short space of the tube station. Like films such as Creep and American Werewolf in London all use the London Underground to show entrapment and entanglement. Although we do have to ask permission to use this so availability if this shot depends on the situation.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Iconography of a Thriller-Jack Merren
Iconography simply means every prop that makes a genre what it is. It is an item that makes it clear to any audience what type of film it is. A Thrillers Iconography is one of the most easy to define as there are a wide range of items that tell is about this genre.
These are the typical types of props that define the Thriller genre;
The knife is the utmost famous symbol for a Thriller genre. Knives more sway towards the Thriller/Horror mark as they represent a brutal and gory death. Knives mostly have connotations of blood, gore, pain and death which again push it towards horror, although knives in Thrillers tend to show a less masochistic manner.
The gun is seen as the fast way to kill a person, this is strongly connected with gangster Thrillers, with the gun commonly a mobsters weapon of choice over a knife.
Silhouettes and shadows are what give a Thriller the enigma and mystery. They show actions given out by a character but shroud that character and the scene in inscrutability. They gather thoughts of fear and darkness as well as give the audience questions and clues. A character with a silhouette is most often the antagonist which normally wont be revealed until the end.
These are the typical types of props that define the Thriller genre;
The knife is the utmost famous symbol for a Thriller genre. Knives more sway towards the Thriller/Horror mark as they represent a brutal and gory death. Knives mostly have connotations of blood, gore, pain and death which again push it towards horror, although knives in Thrillers tend to show a less masochistic manner.
The gun is seen as the fast way to kill a person, this is strongly connected with gangster Thrillers, with the gun commonly a mobsters weapon of choice over a knife.
Silhouettes and shadows are what give a Thriller the enigma and mystery. They show actions given out by a character but shroud that character and the scene in inscrutability. They gather thoughts of fear and darkness as well as give the audience questions and clues. A character with a silhouette is most often the antagonist which normally wont be revealed until the end.
The feeling of claustrophobia is normally concealed in a Thriller. The sense of being in a confined space gives the audience feelings of being trapped and moribund. It can also evoke physical attributes such as heavy breathing and sweating.
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