A GUIDE TO MISE-EN-SCENE

• LIGHTING

Definiton? Lighting in thriller movies are often used to convey the current mood experienced by the characters. The set often accompanies this convention to signify the total abyss.

THE EXORCIST III

Key elements? Key elements of lighting in thriller movies are typical in movies like the Exorcist. William Friedkin was interested in designing ambiguous scenes and directing the central lighting towards the characters who are relevant in that scene. For example the picture on the left (from the interrogation scene of Exorcist III) the beam of light from the roof hatchet heavily draw out their figures, while the other objects from that scene remains encapsulated by the shadow; an example of dimmed lighting.

Effect on the atmosphere? The effect this creates forms a suspenseful panic towards the audience, as they feel stunned by the lack of activity going around the scene. Furthermore the scene illustrates the equal authority and dominance of the characters due to the similar width and depth of the central light.

For atmosphere the lighting depicts the gothic and noir feel, important when trying to create a 'thriller' movie as it expands the viewer's dark imagination.                    

THE DARK KNIGHT

View on Heath Ledger's Joker…”it’s a character you can’t take your eyes off of, and we needed an amazing actor to play him. Heath delivered on every front. He completely made the character his own, from every physical nuance, to each vocal turn of phase. It’s just an amazing performance”. (Film Review Magazine, July 2008).
The key lighting in the modern version of the 'Batman' series; Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' (second instalment of the widely know DC trilogy) has been noticed. The villain amazingly portrayed by Heath Ledger assembles the dark, witty, and slightly insane 'Joker'. His figure seems to be constantly caught in the darker field of light in comparison with other characters during his conflicts with the batman, metaphorically stating that he's the antagonist, creating an unnerving feel. We can also argue that throughout the film bright lighting also accompanies the Joker, it juxtaposes between his villainous characteristics, which is effective when playing with the audience's emotions and view on the 'Joker'.
Effect on the atmosphere? The lighting is symbolic of the atmosphere. During the film the audience is constantly set on an emotional rollercoaster. We could argue that the weather is constantly dull, purposely to convey the dark drama and typical feel of a thriller movie.

STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT, LIGHTING CONTROVERSY OF THE 'BATMAN'  

"There’s more daylight as the series goes on. I’ll claim that the reason there’s more daylight is that Chris hates shooting at night. We were shooting nights going into Batman Begins, but we ended up filming an enormous amount of night exteriors inside during the day on sets that we built on a stage in Cardington. It was always a challenge having this character that only comes out at night, and having to deal with that in terms of shooting time and how you use it. We started asking ourselves, well, why does that have to be the case?" 

Chris actually found dramatic ways and reasons to have daylight. One of the scenes that turned it around on Dark Knight was the interrogation, with Heath Ledger, which starts in a dark room, until the light is switched on. Basically at that point Christopher Nolan was very comfortable with the way Batman looked. Peter Lando (the set director), claimed; "well, what about if I create an environment that’s almost over exposed? Really, really bright." Nolan loved that idea, of Batman turning on the light switch and suddenly a scene showing the Dark Knight inflciting pain on the Joker. I think that was the first time we really explored a brighter environment for Batman.

SE7EN

Key Elements? Even during brighter days in the critically acclaimed 'Se7en' the setting is constantly archaic. I think this film is the perfect example to point out the typical conventions of a 'Thriller'. The lighting doesn't necessarily depict the wealth or "good side" of a certain character. But more like as if the nature of the weather has consumed them due to their lack of 'happiness'. I think the lighting is really important when it comes to depicting a certain mood of a character, especially with this film they all seem to be only motivated by killing and investigating ugly deaths.
Effect on the atmosphere? The effect of constantly displaying dark lighting illustrates the overall mood of this film. It's as if the director wants the audience to expect a bad ending or conclusion to 'Se7en'. To only make this necessary the final scene of Brad Pitt choosing sides between revenge or forgiveness is very one-sided. The dark lighting is relatable to his final decision; to choose revenge.

THRILLER CONVENTIONS (SE7EN)

HOW DOES SE7EN MEET THE CONVENTIONS OF A THRILLER?

Constant rain sets the scene. Tight neighbourhoods represent the crime thriller; also suspenseful as the characters are trapped. Closed conversations and small talk (question and answer) depict heightened tension. Constant questioning eradicate their fears. Informal language and aggressive tone enhances their frustration and threat. Morgan Freeman's character's ill-favor of Brad Pitt's ego makes the audience feel uneasy as they got no sense of security or safe haven from the characters due to their conflict with one another. the close firearms on their body makes it seem as though violence has enclosed them. A typical feel of 'thriller' due to the lack of soundtrack to dramatise their voices. Specific accents to stereotype their environment. Specific scenes of excitement; music builds up, as though the directors want the public to feel prepared for what's to come. The diegetic sounds employ realism and the non-diegtic sound makes the audience feel helpless at the character's situation. Close-up of materials being  used causes jump-scares, as though the environment is attacking. Dark lighting and constant light beamed on top of the character's head to mark out their facial features. Some parts of their face remain hidden in the shadows representing somewhat their relationship with evil. Accompanied by diegetic (operatic/soft music) illustrate both the characters in the scene and the audience's emotions currently; innocence. diegetic sounds such as police sirens create drama and discomfort. Quick cut to chase scenes such as phone calls intercepting dialogue, illustrate the speed of the film. The introduction to new characters each scene makes the movie more unexpected. Environments are under the influence of train tracks or tall buildings, make the characters feel encapsulated by their own habitat. The audience is drawn into the crime-drama by making them view the gruel illustrations of the victim's body. We learn more and more about the characters as the film progresses, their sense of humour, or tastes (Morgan Freeman's taste in wine instead of beer) little details like those make viewers relate and feel closer to the them. The costumes and clothing worn by the characters are formal, portrays a sense of professionalism; very ambiguous as they look like they are workers of the government; makes their identity all the more significant. The antagonist is remained hidden, highlights the undependable nature of this film, as any circumstances can happen if the killer is let loose. Zoom out and panning hospitalises the character's surroundings, reference to animals evoke similarities towards humans (sloth, laziness). Close-fitted office environments to show the intensity of their occupation. Low tracking angles of the Brad Pitt's chase enhances the tension. Close-up to the killer's firearm but his identity remains out of focus; meeting the conventions of thriller, as the director doesn't give the antagonist away yet; to uphold surprise. We may have already seen the killer; typical cliché when watching a crime-drama. Mood lighting assembles the character's emotions currently; red, signs of death. Final reveal and traces of the killer is finally shown relating to the timeline of a thriller (disruption caused by the antagonist, and the revelation).
The quick soundtrack transition illustrates the different atmospheres within the film. For example the dramatic crescendo when the victims speak aloud, it suddenly switches to an office space with only diegetic sounds present (phone calls and monitors).
The close up scene of the characters equipping, especially with Morgan Freeman's character it reflects back to the opening scenes of the film. Emphasizing the cliche "it ends where it all started", foreshadowing probably the fate of the characters.

HOW  DO THE MICRO ELEMENTS INVOKE AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE IN THE AUDIENCE?

Mise-en-scène includes setting, props, staging, costume and makeup, figure expression and movement and off-screen space.
The setting evokes a depressing response towards the audience. They would often feel intimidated by the nature, which makes it more interesting to watch as the uncomfortability foreshadows the plot.

Performance includes physical expression, vocal delivery and interaction between performers (with reference to issues of staging/choreography where relevant).

The vocal delivery given by the actors are projectile in terms of their accent and constant use of swearing. It sets of the anger emotion, the audience will thus feel it's only right to somewhat feel "frustrated" aswell.

Cinematography includes photographic elements (e.g. camera position, colour, lens, depth of focus), lighting, framing and composition and special effects.

Photographic elemenents such as camera positioning can make the characters seem more significant. For example the high angle shots degrade the profile of the characters.

Editing includes the organisation of time, both within a sequence and across sections of the narrative and the organisation of space, especially in creating coherence for the spectator. The principal conventions of continuity editing, such as shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule, will be studied. The uses of montage editing will also be considered.

Sound includes diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound and the variety of ways in which aural elements (e.g. speech, music and noise) are used in relation to visuals. It is recognised that it is often difficult to separate micro and macro features of film, although macro features – narrative and genre – will be the basis for FM2.

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY FOR THRILLER:

GENERAL TERMS CLOSE TO THRILLER

• scocophilia = sexual pleasure derived chiefly from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity; voyeurism.
• close-call = something nearly impacted
• close-shave = close to a shock
• shocker
• spine-chilling = fright
• narrow escape
• cliffhanger = ending of a chapter or story leaving more questions asked
• heart stopper
• hairbreadth escape
• near miss
• near go
• squeaker
• suspense
• agog
• uneasy
• anxious
• edgy = tense, nervous or irritable
• overwrought = in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety
• jittery = nerovus or unable to relax
• horror
• fright = fear and scare
• crime
• death
• demise = a person's death

AUDIENCE

• Target audience = the type of audience producers or film-makers are aiming at
• Niche audience = small selected group of people with a unique taste
• Mainstream audience = groups of people with similar tastes/trends.
• Audience research = investigating about our viewers and their wants
• Focus group = A focus group is a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging.
• Quantitative research = data that's number based
• Qualitative research = results that are sentence based, often involve opinions

 

CONVENTIONS OF A THRILLER

"A FILM THAT THRILLS. THRILLERS CAUSE THE VIEWER TO EXPERIENCE AGITATION, EXCITEMENT, ANXIETY, SUSPENSE, OR FEAR."

Thriller?

A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story shows a chain of bad events building tension and suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it.

Watching a thriller is often a physical as well as a psychological experience; they can be breathtaking and spine-chilling. Despite being one of the most popular categories of film there is dispute over whether it is a genre in it's own right. Instead, some critics argue that it is a mode that cuts across different genres.

Often a crime is central to the plot and the key characters are criminals, forces or law, victims and bystanders with action centered around one or more of those groups.

Common conventions of thrillers:

• the purpose of startling, shocking, scaring and surprising the audience
• narrative twists and turns 
• misleading the spectator
• manipulation of point of view, editing and offscreen space
• cliffhangers
• dark, gritty settings
• use of shadow
• hap tic visuality (a sense of physical and touching or being touched created by the emphasis on the image's material presence).

Conventions used withing scenes:

• low-key lighting 
• quick cuts
• shadows
• tension music
• changes in the angle of shots
• diegetic sound of breathing
• non-diegetic sound to implement the clueless remark of the characters; making the viewers feel ahead, thus creates excitement for what is to come.
• black and white shots
• montage of shots
• protagonist is in the mercy on 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. 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. This discomforts the viewers as they are uncertain of the figure, which makes them more dangerous and fearful, as the unknown is always more haunting than the known.

Editing of a thriller:

The director will incorporate lots of jump cuts because there will be drama happening that the audience is unaware of but is essential for the film to make sense. Cross cutting is a key point in editing as it is used to build suspense which is essential for a thriller. The 180* degree point of view puts the viewers to shame as they are restricted from their peripheral vision allowing them to only vision what the characters are viewing, To embody the character's emotions and tasks to the audience, to make them feel apart. Accompanied by other editing such as discomforting music to really put off the viewers; taking them on a emotional roller coaster, as they could be certain at one point and not at the next.

Music and Sound editing of a thriller:

Music and sound is an essential part that plays the on the viewer's emotions the most. It signifies the climax of a certain point in a movie, or the pivotal change that causes the chain of events in a film to differentiate. The sound editing can also symbolise one of the character's identity. For example when the antagonist appears there will specific sounds dropped in the scene to highlight their oncoming appearance; almost as though the director wants their viewers to feel prepared for what's to come.

Misce En Scene:

• the location is important for the film because it helps the audience establish the theme (often uses busy streets and environment of is usually urban or suburban areas).
• lighting is often low-key
• costumes - antagonist will in dark clothes. Protagonist the 'casual' look; allowing the viewers to relate to them.
• composition
• make up and hair styles
• acting
• film stoke (black and white, or colour, fine-grain or grainy)

CINEMATOGRAPHY

26/09/14

IL AS MEDIA STUDIES

· What is cinematography?

Cinematography is the art of capturing images during the creation of motion pictures. The main focus of cinematography is capturing images for movies that are both beautiful and powerful in the way they drive narrative. When it comes to the visual design of a film, the cinematographer is usually a close collaborator with the film's director, and is generally the second highest ranked person in most movie crews.

For example: Cinematographers use lighting to manipulate the audience's emotions. 

· How could you improve the cinematography in one still from your film?

For my group’s film intro, in my opinion I think that it’s necessary to change the lighting of our film it’s established in; by dimming the amount of light the camera receives. It gives a darker spectacle and thus employs a grittier atmosphere. The techniques in our camera angles as well should be increased to provide all points perspective of our character’s activities and engagements.

· Give an example of a film that won best cinematographer at the Oscars; agree? Or disagree?

GRAVITY (2013) Best Cinematography for Lubezki

Agree: in terms of visual effects and high-resolution picture of the surroundings the characters are in this film has definitely deserved its award for having the best cinematography. We as the viewers, throughout the film experience the different types of camera angles and shots, from close-up shots to enhance the actors/actresses expressions to tracking shots to make us as the audience follow their disfigurements through space. Some of the focus is one-point perspective, significant to this film as their setting is indeterminate due to the lack of life present in the scenes, thus by putting the viewers in the seats of the characters it brings up the haptic visual responsiveness.

Disagree: the environment is very contained, so there’s lack of colours and experience with the outside milieu. Most of the time the characters are either stranded in the middle of space, or confined in a space shuttle. It lacks creativity and thus may not receive the ‘best cinematography award.

• Find out about the 180 degree rule

In film making, the 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. The object that is being filmed must always remain in the center, while the camera must always face towards the object.

BLOG

MONDAY: 08/09/14

For the first day of our film production the group and i compiled our thoughts and ideas on what makes a great thriller movie. One of the ideas is that genres and emotions such as fear and suspense is what gives ‘Thriller’ it’s excitement. Some argue that ‘thriller’ is more of a sub-genre rather than a film genre, a controversial debate which inspired our film idea. To produce a horror based movie introduction with a ‘thrilling’ theme.

TUESDAY: 09/09/14

On the second day. We brainstormed our ideas, and began creating our production list; which involves detailing about our venue and casting. As a part of my group works in that department a partner and I decided to write up the plot (including character names and their personality). Also taking in consideration the setting the character’s must be in to stimulate the ‘thriller’ excitement and genre.

THURSDAY: 11/09/14

On the last day of our planning, our group decided to set up all the props and equipment we needed, including certain apparels; also making sure our venue is safe to film on with no obstruction (weather etc.). Finalizing our plot and character dialogues was our next move, understanding where the story is heading, and what intentions we hope to create to engage the audience. Being assigned to our camera number and memory card we started to film early. After arriving at our setting to fictionalize our film intro we found out that the memory card was full, and therefore weren't able to film. Due to the lack of time we had left, we decided instead to go through the script, and film another time where appropriate.

FRIDAY: 12/09/14

This was our final shooting day, with minimal time to shoot our film, we recorded as soon as possible. Luckily everything was set according to plan and no mistakes occurred during our filming time. We went back to class as soon as we can, and started the editing process. During this process we came across many issues with the editing programmes which lagged time. This happened many times throughout the period, although certain arrangements with the videos, and cutting the unnecessary scenes from our filming were made there wasn't enough time to complete, and thus we have to finish bits of it at home, in preparation for next week, in which we have to prepare for exhibition. 

FRIDAY: 19/09/14

Today was exhibition day. Struggling to put through our movie file to a shared document, we had to do the conversion process once more. Running out of time to go through our film, checking whether the audio and edits are in place, we decided to leave that step. In the last moments of our lesson time, the group and i panicked as we had no movie to display. When the conversion was completed, it was only then did we find out that the movie couldn't be found anywhere in the school's shared documents. Fortunately our teacher decided to spare us more time by letting the other groups go first in displaying their films. During this time, thankfully our video was recovered from the documents, and from there our film was exhibited. We were given a sheet of paper that was boxed and labelled in terms of the 'oscar's awards' to mock-up the film awards ceremony. We had to nominate the other groups and decide which of the awards category did they achieve (for example 'best picture') giving a reason why.