Thriller treatment

Flashback to 1996- tells the story of how the woods are haunted.

Dusk: Two young teenage girls go into the woods as a shortcut to get home. Ellen is a horror enthusiast and Freya is scared of all horror/ghost stories. Ellen convinces Freya to go through the woods.

As they are walking they start to hear noises and they both run in different directions. Ellen comes across a young girl sitting on a bench, she then realises this is not a girl and in fact a demon/possessed girl as her eyes are entirely white.

Camera cuts away to Freya as she hears the screams of Ellen followed by the sound of a something large being dropped into a pond, Freya runs and sees the demon girl. Camera cuts to a shot of the wood floor, screams are heard and one of Freya’s shoes with blood on lands in front of the camera.

Opening titles roll

Back to modern day

A group of 5 teenagers (girls and boys) show a fascination towards the stories of the demon in the woods and decide to see for themselves if they’re true.

The teenagers decide to do a campout in the woods and joke about seeing if they can survive the night.

Weird things (noises, movements in the bushes etc) start to happen as early as they are setting up camp and one of the teens wants to leave but they persuade him/her to stay.

As they start jokingly telling each other ghost stories and urban myths about the woods, some true some not, one of the teens shares a book with the group that tells you how to summon demons. All but one of the teens thinks it is a good idea to perform the ‘spell’ as all the stories about the woods are just ‘silly ghost stories’.

At first nothing happens, until two of the teens have an argument and one of them walks off. They come across a young girl sitting on the bench, just like the flashback showed, the same thing as in 1996 happens (she is thrown into the pond).

The rest of the group start to wonder where the other teen is and decide to as a group go in search for him/her.

As they are walking they start to hear noises and they think it is the other teen and they have been hurt or are in some kind of trouble. One of the teens gets left behind because they go to tie their shoelaces.

This pattern follows with one of the teens getting left behind for some reason. Each of the teens gets killed/possessed in one of the ways in which the stories they previously told. Once the demons are summoned they will not go back to rest until they have completed the pattern.

The film follows the teens as they try to find a way to escape the pattern and to put the demons at rest for good.

The film ends as the final teen is killed. The camera shows a close up of their face while zooming out to show their entire body until they suddenly open their eyes, which are entirely white just like the young demon girls were.

Credits

How this will help me to create my thriller opening:

Writing this thriller treatment has allowed me to gain knowledge of what the whole film would be like if it was made. This means I will know how much to give away in the opening and what I am ultimately aiming for.

How does Hitchcock build tension in ‘Psycho’?

In the 1960 film ‘Psycho’, director Alfred Hitchcock builds tension throughout using a variety of mediums. As the first clear cut thriller within film history, ‘Psycho’ is in fact the film which set the classic conventions of the genre so, as expected, has all of them. The action takes place in a lonely out of the way location in the middle of nowhere. It’s far from the city in a quiet area where nobody would hear anything suspicious because you don’t have many neighbours and the ones there are live far off.

One way that Hitchcock builds tension is through the use of camera angles. At the beginning of the film there is one long panning of the establishing shot with no cuts- then a very sudden cut with a jerking movement. This lulls the reader into a false sense of security expecting further panning then ripping them away to a new sight. This could be reflecting the state of Norman Bates’ mind. As the camera is scanning across the city, the window that it chooses feels quite random, as if it is choosing a victim. Again making the audience feel uncomfortable as it is if they are being placed in Bates’ mind. Another camera angle that I thought helped to create tension was when Marion Crane was driving in the storm. A point of view shot was used which make the audience feel as if they were in the car driving, creating a sense of fear and building tension.

Furthermore, Hitchcock builds tension through the use of sound. The music played in the opening sequence is very dramatic, the string instruments being played at a very fast pace. It is dark, discordant and full of tension, giving the feeling that time is running out and you are being chased. Even the music seems to have no idea of where its going, sharply plucked high pitch strings one moment and then a very low pitch the next. It is wild and unpredictable. Also the use of the dramatic music played whenever we see Norman Bates suggests to the audience that he isn't one of the good guys he presents himself as, helping to build tension as the audience don't know what he is actually going to do.

Additionally, Hitchcock uses the use of titles to build tension in ‘Psycho’. In the opening titles a date is displayed which has no year; suggesting to the audience that the film can still feel very relevant, as if the events within it could happen at any time and place. The time is written in words, and makes it seem like a police file within the aftermath of a crime. This contradicts with the effect of the date missing the year, marking when everything happened precisely. This could lead to the audience becoming confused as they are not sure when exactly this happened, building tension as they do not know when anything will be happening further on in the film. When the opening credits roll the screen and text is at random being split into bars, they are moving around constantly. Even the bars are unstable, sometimes splitting sideways and other times vertically. This reflects the dual nature of Norman Bates, hinting at the later revelation of his split personality.

Lastly, Hitchcock uses Mise-en-Scene to build tension. In the opening shot Marion looks passive and is lying down on the bed, foreshadowing her fate. At first when we see her she is dressed in white which suggest innocence to the audience. In a later scene this changes and we see that she is wearing black underwear when she is getting dressed to leave with the money that she stole. This helps to build tension as black suggests death and danger. Once again whilst Norman Bates is watching her through the peephole, she is wearing black underwear again; she is a doomed woman. His watching through the peephole also reflects the beginning of the movie where the audience ‘secretly’ watched Marion through a window in her underwear, hinting that Norman is the killer.

In conclusion, Alfred Hitchcock successfully uses a wide variety of mediums to build tension throughout the film ‘Psycho’.  In my opinion, I believe Hitchcock was excellent at creating tension especially through the use of the dramatic music that is played at times of suspense throughout the film. I think that since the film was in black and white it made it seem darker, scarier and creepy.

Textual analysis- 'The Constant Gardener'

In the 2005 film ‘The Constant Gardener’, director Fernando Meirelles uses a variety of mediums to build tension and create confusion. As a mystery/spy thriller, ‘The Constant Gardener’ has many busy settings and jerky camera angles to confuse and distract the audience. The majority of the action takes place in a busy village in Kenya. The villagers are vulnerable and will do anything it takes to get a tuberculosis drug (dypraxa), this means they see the English as helpers and don’t see them as a threat to them or each other.

One way that Meirelles helps to create unease is through the use of camera angles. In the second scene, after the flashback of Tessa boarding and aircraft (the last time she is seen before she is murdered), big close up shots and oblique angles at which the camera is held create suspense and a sense of not quite knowing what’s going on. The focus is also slightly off which could be reflecting the confusion of Justin as to why his wife has just been murdered and what she has been up to. Another angle that creates a sense of unease is the point of view shot used when Justin is looking at Tessa’s dead body. I think that one of the best angles used in the film was when Justin visited a nursery to visit a woman that Tessa had been in contact with. The angles used in this made it look like someone was watching them as they were jolty and most of the time Justin was not shown as the main focus in the shots.

Additionally, Meirelles helps to create tension through the use of sound and music. Even before the film has properly started there is a sound of a car engine shutting off. This creates tension as the audience do not know where the sound is coming from, the scenario could be completely harmless and meaningless but to the other extreme it could be foreshadowing the main outcome of the film. When Justin and Tessa are on their way to Kenya during the flashback, the train that they are on is very loud and disorientated. This paired with the busy environment of the Kenyan village distracts the audience and confuses them even more. In a car chase fast paced music is used to create suspense and tension as the audience don’t know who it is that is chasing Justin, this is later revealed to be Tim Donohue. I think that the best use of music in the film is when Justin is being assaulted by Tessa’s potential murderers; happy music is being played in the background. The use of this music creates a disjointed atmosphere.

Furthermore, Meirelles uses Mise-en-scene to help create suspense, confusion and tension throughout the film. At the start of the flashback, when Tessa and Justin have only just met, there is a romantic setting which drags the audience away from the main plot. This helps to create suspense as the audience forget that the film is mainly about a murder and gives a false sense of security. The audience also know that Tessa will die, as shown by the opening scene. This creates tension as the audience do not know when this will happen. The flock of frightened birds at the end of the first scene is shown again when Justin is killed, showing that the birds are a symbol of death.

Lastly, Meirelles helps to create a sense of sympathy through the use of distance. Before the flashback starts, Justin is shown in an extreme close up when Sandy is delivering the harsh story of Tessa’s probable fate. This helps the audience to sympathise with Justin as they are able to see how he feels very clearly. Just before Justin is killed long shots are used to show just how alone he really is. As Justin is walking the camera zooms out, slowly revealing the vast, desolate environment he is in. Again this helps the audience to sympathise with Justin as they are able to see a visual representation of just how much he has lost.

In conclusion, Fernando Meirelles successfully creates a mystery/spy thriller with many conventions that help to create suspense, tension, confusion and anxiety throughout the film ‘The Constant Gardener’. In my opinion, I believe that Meirelles was extremely successful at creating confusion especially through the use of jolty and jerky camera angles at times of tension and suspense. 

How this will help me to create my thriller opening:

This textual analysis and film showed me what works well in mystery/spy thrillers. This will give me some ideas on what to include in my opening and, if I choose to create a mystery or spy thriller, what works well and what is commonly used.

Textual analysis- 'Mean Creek'

In the 2004 American independent drama film 'Mean Creek', director Jacob Aaron Estes uses a variety of mediums to build tension and suspense throughout the film. As a drama film with elements of a thriller, 'Mean Creek' uses lots of point of view camera angle and uses the use of silence at times of suspense. The film builds tension right from the start when George is first portrayed as a 'bully' when he beats up Sam in the opening scene. From the beginning the audience know that something disastrous is going to happen, whether it is to Sam or George.

One way that Estes creates a sense of tension is through the use of camera angles. The film uses many close up shots of characters to show emotion, which also helps the audience feel sympathy towards them. When George becomes part of the main action in the film (about half way through) his handheld camera is used to show some point of view camera angles. The POV angles help the audience to feel closer to the action; also we get to see what it is like as George falls into the river, again making the audience feel sympathy and a sense of fear. There was a very high angle shot of the group of teenagers standing around George’s body, showing how alone and vulnerable they were. It was similar to when Sam was lying on the ground with other children standing over him, and even though this time, he was the one standing over someone else’s body, it still seemed as if he was completely powerless in the situation due to the high angle shot.

Furthermore, Este creates a sense of fear and suspense through the use of camera movement. Lots of slow camera movement is used throughout the film which helps to create a sense of fear as the audience have longer to think about what is going to happen next. After George’s dead body was dragged to shore, the camera moved slowly from one scene to the next in one continuous movement, rather than flashing quickly from one event to the next like when Rocky was in the water and the rest of the group were rowing to shore. This slow camera movement shows that there is not much action taking place which could suggest that there is nothing more that can be done to bring George back to life. When George uses his handheld camera there is very jolty and jerky movements of the camera which again brings the audience closer to the action and gives a sense of real life.

Additionally, Estes creates a sense of unease through the use of sound and music (Link to music). When the children/teenagers first come to the conclusion that George is dead there is a very calm atmosphere and sad melancholy music is played. I feel like this music and lack of action gives a lets the tension lower as there is no longer a sense of an unknown conclusion. This tension is replaced by sympathy and sadness. On the other hand, the use of silence in this scene builds tension as the audience is more in the dark about what has happened as no one is talking about it. The lack of sounds makes the reality of George’s death and magnitude of their problems obvious. As the police are digging up George’s body, George voiceovers with a speech that he had said to his camera previously about people not understanding him. This makes the audience feel even more sadness towards his death as they now know that he was just a misunderstood boy who only wanted to fit in and make friends.

Lastly, Estes builds tension through the use of mise-en-scene and the use of titles/credits. In the opening credits/titles an underwater scene is shown which foreshadows the foreseeable events later in the film. These credits give an eerie atmosphere and fear of the unknown. Later on when they are first on the boat there is a relaxed and calm setting which distracts the audience from what is about to happen and makes them think that maybe this boat trip might turn out peaceful. However, the audience may think that the setting is too peaceful and may sense that something bad is destined to happen. Also, the setting on the boat is very isolated meaning that the children are alone and have no access to help if something happens, making them very vulnerable. This gives off a sense of fear to the audience. After George’s death Millie stabs a snail that is next to the word ‘snap!’ that has been engraved into a rock. This shows a release of anger and a reflection of how Millie feels.

In conclusion, Jacob Aaron Estes Successfully builds tension and suspense and a sense of fear and unease through the use of many mediums throughout the film 'Mean Creek'. In my opinion, I believe that Estes was extremely successful in creating a sense of tension especially in the use of silence and the use of POV camera angles from George's handheld camera.

How this will help me to make my thriller opening:

This textual analysis and this film has shown me what works well in drama thrillers and what is commonly used. This will give me some ideas on what to include in my thriller opening and, if I decide to create a drama thriller, what conventions are commonly used.

'The Purge' poster analysis

The colours used in this poster are very dark, with the majority of the poster being in black or dark grey with a slight hint of purple towards the bottom of the poster. This suggests that the film is going to be of a dark theme and also that it could be set during the night. All of the writing on the poster is in white or grey so it is easy to read and contrasts with the black. The title ‘The Purge’ is written on the left of the poster and is partially over the mask’s cheek. There is also the slogan ‘One night a year, all crime is legal’ above the title. This gives an impression to the audience that during this film scary, repulsive things are going to happen. It also tells you that it is ‘from the producer of Paranormal Activity and Sinister which will draw consumers who enjoyed those films, therefore advertising to a wider audience. The poster also tells you that the film is coming out May 31^st.

The image is a partial close up of a creepy, smiling mask. There is a shining, almost metallic finish, on the mask reflecting the light; it is the only white on the poster. You can see the person who is wearing the mask’s eyes but that is all you can see of the real person. This gives a sense of mystery and unknown as the man is covering the majority of his face with a mask. The creepy look of the mask also hints at this film being in the horror genre.

How this will help me make my thriller opening:

This research has allowed me to see what is commonly shown in a film poster. This will help me as the poster gives an idea of how to suggest things without giving away the plot therefore, helping me know how to suggest ideas in my film opening without giving away too much.

What is a Thriller?

A thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television that uses suspense, tension and excitement as its main elements.

Some subgenres of thrillers include:

Horror (Psycho - 1960

Spy (The Bourne Identity - 2002)

Psychological (Black Swan - 2010)

Thriller conventions:

• Low key lighting
• Quick cuts
• Shadows
• Tension music
• Changes in the angle of shots
• Diegetic sound of breathing
• Black and white shots
• Montage of shots
• Protagonist is in the mercy of the antagonist

Cinematography of a thriller:

There will be a lot of close ups and extreme close ups of the protagonist character, this is often to show their emotions, also it can be used to focus on props to aid the narrative.

The shots of the antagonistic character will be cut quickly and will aim to hide their identity, e.g. A shot of the back of them, a low key shot, the silhouette, or shadow of the character.

How this will help me to make my thriller opening:

This research allowed me to find out what the typical conventions of different thriller films are. This has means that when I choose my thriller genre I will have an idea of what will work well and what won't.