Intro: what is the importance of primary research? Relate to direct, specific audience feedback
The importance of primary research is that you can gather information specific to what you're researching and what you want to know. All the information is gathered from the public so it can not be biased towards one side of the research. The advantage of carrying out questionnaires is that you can recover the information you want quickly and it allows you to create something that will appeal to the public. The disadvantages are that you will never be able to please everyone and your answers may not be accurate.
My Questionnaire.
Who did I ask and Why?
I asked people aged 15 to 25. I did this because those are the ages that are suitable and most likely to be watching my thriller. I need their answers as primary information because the thriller I make, I want it to appeal to them and I want them to enjoy it.
Conclusion: Has this research been beneficial?
This research has been beneficial because it has helped me develop my final idea. After the research I've done, I am now able to include things in my thriller that my target audience will want to see. It has also highlighted the things my audience are not keen on and things they are not aware of. It will help me create tension when needed and add characters the spectator will want to see.
What is the role of the BBFC and why are they important to the film industry (relate to parental guidance/ appropriateness of content)?
The role of the bbfc is to monitor the films that the public is viewing and make sure that the age rating is appropriate for the content that is in the film. Their job is to protect the people in the public from viewing things that may harm or cause any offence towards them.
What are the different Age Certificates?
This age rating is universal. This means the film can be watched by people of all ages. It is impossible to predict what might upset a child. A universal film should be suitable for the audience aged four and over. These films should be set with a positive morals and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. A film that would be classified as 'U' is 'Finding Nemo'.
PG stands for parental guidance. This film would be suitable for general viewing but some scenes may not be appropriate for young children. Children of any age can watch this film unaccompanied. The film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. A film that would be classified as 'PG' would be Harry Potter.
These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general but only for those aged 12 and above. Works classified in this category may upset children under twelve or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. A film that would be rated a '12' is 'Twilight'.
The 12A category only exists for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult and films classified 12A are not recommended for a child younger that twelve. An adult may take a younger child, if in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under twelve to view lies with the accompanying adult. A film that would be rated a '12A' is "The Fault in our Stars".
These films may have content that have some controversial elements to it, but on the whole, there shouldn't be any discrimination, drugs may be touched upon, but not promoted, violence can be displayed but cannot dwell on injury and pain, there may be use od frequent bad language and nudity can be shown but only were appropriate. A film that would be rated a '15' in the cinema is 'Oculus'.
At 18 The BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment.
Material may touch upon criminal law, and display criminal offence
Violent or dangerous acts, illegal drug use may be shown but should not cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.
explicit images of sexual activity can be shown and bad language can be used.
A film that would be rated 18 is 'Spring Breakers.'
Discuss 12A rating- Spiderman and Comic Hero films.
Spiderman the film is rated 12A however some of the scenes in the film are not suitable for this rating. Although there is proof of this nothing was done to change it because the readers of the classic Spiderman comics started from the young age of eight years old. The BBFC could not just leave the content out there free for everyone to watch, knowing that it would upset some of the audience so they created a new rating with allowed adult supervision during the viewing of the film.
What age certificates do thrillers tend to get and why? (relate to content)
Thriller films tend to get the age rating of 15 or 18 because of the content that is in them. There is usually a lot of violence, controversy, bad language, drugs and many more elements that a younger audience would find disturbing. The BBFC do this to protect the minds of a younger audience and to make sure no one is harmed by what they are watching. Some films need to have a high age rating because a younger spectator would not understand the meaning or reality of what is happening in the story. For example they may not be able to tell the difference between right and wrong and real or fake.
What age certificate would you give your thriller?
I would give my thriller the age rating of 15. this is because the content will not be too disturbing however you will have to be of a certain age to understand the concept of what is going on. The behaviour in my thriller will not to be copied or seen as the right thing to do so showing it to a younger audience would not be appropriate.
Conclusion: what have you learned about certificates and what do you need to consider for your own thrillers in terms of what is appropriate for different age groups?
I have learned that age ratings are there to protect people watching the film and warn them of the content that is in it. It has also shown me there are many different elements you need to consider when picking an age rating for a film. It shows that you can show thing to younger people because they are influenced easily.
What is setting and iconography and Why is it an important convention? How can it help with audience understanding? Discuss connotations and denotations.
The setting of a film is important because it plays a main part in the story of film. The setting is the environment and surroundings that appear in a film. The setting is important because it allows your audience to draw meaning from the film and it also helps the narrative to make sense. Iconography is the objects that appear in a scene and have significance to it. It helps with understanding because if there was a scene that had a phone call and there was no phone involved it would confuse your audience and you may potentially lose them. In a thriller film it is likely that the setting would be in dark places or abandoned houses with narrow corridors; this sends a message to the audience that the story of the film is dark and twisted. It also leaves room for mystery and this causes tension. Thriller film iconography links in with the narrative of the film.
Setting: What are typical thriller settings and why? Discuss connotations and denotations? - use examples.
Typical thriller settings are houses, hospitals, places that are dark and abandoned and forests. They are usually set in these places so that the film fits into that genre and connotes all the things of a thriller film. The setting can also cause different types of responses from your audience. For example if there is killing in somewhere that is dark and shadowy, your audience is bound to feel uneasy and the climax of their excitement will go up whilst watching the scene. An example of a scene like this is from the film "I Spit On Your Grave.":
Settings and Sub-genre: how are settings dependent on sub-genres?- examples.
The setting is dependent on the sub-genre because it helps the film to make sense. It wouldn't make sense if the setting didn't link to the specific connotations and denotations each sub-genres has.
Crime Thrillers:
Urban areas
Prison
Car scenes
Playground
Warehouses
Psychological Thrillers:
Houses
Schools
Hospital
Urban areas
Suspense Thrillers:
Forests
Houses
Religious Thrillers:
Houses
Holy buildings
Grave yards
Isolated rooms
Iconography: what are typical thriller iconography and why? Discuss connotations and denotations- use examples.
Typical iconography in a thriller is:
blood
guns
masks
bats
scars
knives
fire
These are typical iconography of a thriller because they all relate to typical themes of a thriller. Things like blood, guns, scars and knives all represent the violence and abuse that is shown through thrillers. Also masks and hidden identity help connote the idea of mystery.
Iconography and sub-genre: how are settings dependent on sub-genres? - examples.
Iconography is dependent on it's sub-genre because it is specific to each one. Each sub-genre will have certain iconography that is set for it. It helps the audience creating meaning from what is happening.
Examples of iconography being dependent on sub-genre:
Crime Thriller:
Guns
Blood
Knives
Blind Folds
Drugs
Money
Psychological Thriller:
Ropes
Handcuffs
Rocking Chairs
Suspense Thriller:
Child Dolls
Puppets
Masks
Gloves
Religious Thriller:
Ghosts/ Spirits
Religious Cross
Fire
holy books
Thriller scene analysis. Analyse a scene identifying the use of setting and iconography - use PEER.
This is a perfect example of iconography in a thriller film. It allows the audience to respond in a certain way and figure out what genre it belongs to. I would say it belongs to a crime thriller because of the connotations it holds. The use of office utilities connotes that the character is in a professional environment and that they have authority. However the setting is dingy and dark showing that it isn't an organisation where loads of people are, it is secluded and secretive. This creates tension and curiosity for the viewer. When know the character isn't young because the things being used is quite dated and scruffy.
Conclusion: what types of setting and iconography are you now planning to use and why?
I am planning to use a dark outside setting for my thriller, I want to use this so it creates a sense of mystery and suspense. I want to discomfort my viewer by using a setting that will play with them psychologically. The iconography i will use will be based on the characters role in my thriller and the genre or sub-genre i pick. However when i make this decision i will be sure that it matches perfectly with the thriller connotations and denotations.
What is Narrative and Why is it important to audiences?
Narrative is the story of the film someone is watching; it is important to the audiences because it shows a clear structure of what is happening. A narrative is a clear showing of a start, middle and end.
Creating meaning in texts: What four elements allows the audience to find meaning?
When creating and finding meaning in text, there are various codes and conventions that need to be considered. The four main ones are genre, characters, connotation and denotation and structure.
Genre:
lighting
colour
sound
own set of conventions
Characters:
physique
star
body language
facial expressions
relationships
demographics
Connotations and Denotations:
Themes
Iconography
Costumes
Propp (characters): Who was he and what did he say?
Propp was a theorist who was mainly interested in narrative folk talks. His theory was that folk tales were about the same basic struggles so that meant they all had the same characters. The main characters Propp identified in folk tales were:
The Hero - a character that seeks for better things. An example of this Character would be Batman.
The Villain - a character who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest. An example of this would be The Joker.
The Donor - a character who provides an object with magical properties.
The Dispatcher - a character who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message.
The False Hero- a character who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims.
The Helper - a character who aids the hero.
The Princess - a character who acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain's plots
Her Father - a character who acts to reward the hero for his effort.
Todorov (eq-diseq-new eq): Who was he and what did he say?
Todorov believed in the theory of structure. He believed that every story had a start, middle and end. Each stage had a different scenario and created different meaning. The three stages he had in his theory are called the equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
The equilibrium is the start, this is the beginning of the film when the characters are all in a stable situation.
The disequilibrium is the middle, this the part of the film where something disruptive happens, this causes change that needs a resolution.
The new equilibrium is the end, this is when the problem that was caused gets solved and then the narrative is closed.
Aristotle (themes and emotions): Who was he and what did he say?
Aristotle's theory is based on themes and emotions. The main this from his theory was to arouse and evoke emotion from the audience using themes. He wanted the audience to be able to draw meaning from different parts of the film they are watching. His theory had four different stages, they are the:
Exposition: This is the part where the audience gets to know the main character.
Rising Action: When the protagonist understands his or her goal and begins to work towards it.
Climax: This is were the greatest overall tension, this is the part where the most problems occur.
Falling Action:This is the turning point of the story, this is where the main character has to make a vital decision which decides on the out come of the story.
Denouement: This is the part where the problem is solved and all mystery in the film is unrevealed.
An example of a film that uses Aristotle's theories is Abduction.
Barthes (semiotics): Who was he and what did he say?
Barthes theory focused on connotations and denotations. He believed that a film relies on the connotations and denotations of the genre or sub genre it belonged to. He also had a view that different people will have a different cultural understandings about what the are watching. This meant that certain things in a narrative would be grouped with a certain culture.
What narrative structure do thrillers tend to take?
I think that thrillers tend to lean more towards Todorov and Aristotle's theories. These two theories focus more on the audience drawing meaning from a film and keeping them interested. These theories create excitement and play psychological games with the viewers. Both these theories carry the most connotations towards a thriller film.
Conclusion: What narrative theory/ies will you use in your thriller and why?
In my thriller I will use Todorov's theory in my thriller because I believe it will add the most excitement to my opening. I believe it will show clear structure in my film and display it in a way my audience will understand. I will also use Aristotle's theory because I want my audience to be able to convey emotion and meaning through what they are watching.
Costume, Body language and Facial Expressions.
The costume in a film helps the audience understand more about a character. This can guide the audiences attention to particular personalities or traits. Different costumes in films have different representations. The body language of a character is due to certain actions. The movements they make can represent various things about them and about how they are feeling. Facial expressions show the audience how the character is feeling. Every genre has a certain set of connotations grouped together that are portrayed through costume, hair , body language and facial expression. All these things help the audience draw meaning and understand the narrative of the film better.
Costume, hair and make-up: discuss connotations and stereotypes of characters and clothing (hair and make-up)
Costume hair and make-up have various connotations and colour types. These are:
light colours - innocence and vulnerability
When a character is dressed in light colours it connotes that they are weak and that they are not a threat or a danger to anyone. They are there to good and not harm anyone.
tight clothes - confidence and strength
This shows that the character is brave and is on a mission. They do not intend to be defeated or to be shown as weak.
leather clothes - strong, precise and accurate
Leather clothes connote that the person is strong and not easily broken.
masks - mystery, secretive and they conceal
Masks are used to play psychological games and add mystery to the narrative.
red - blood, violent, romance and danger
The colour red shows death and danger. Red represents emotions such as anger and frustration.
suit wearing antagonist - dangerous and sneaky
A villain that wears a suit shows that they know what they are doing and that they have a plan.
suit wearing protagonist - smart and bold
A hero that wears a suit is showing that they are brave and well educated.
normal clothing - weak and regular
A person in regular clothes show that they are not expecting trouble so they are more vulnerable to being a victim.
uniform - authority, power and order
A uniform shows that the person has a specific job to do and that they are smart and brave.
All these thing a specific to the thriller genre and help the spectator draw meaning from the way the character is.
Stereotypical victim/protagonist - use examples
A stereotypical victim/protagonist is usually dressed in light colours to portray that they are innocent and don't want to harm anyone. This works in a film because the audience do not link light colours and danger together. An example of this is the girl from scream, before the antagonists phones her.
Stereotypical antagonist - use examples
A stereotypical antagonist wears dark colours to show that they are dangerous and mysterious. They usually mask their identity so they are never caught. They wear dark make up and make themselves look distorted. An example of a antagonist that portrays all of this is The Joker.
Body language: discuss representations and meaning to the audience and expectations.
The body language of a character is important in a thriller film. It must satisfy the expectations of your audience if you want your film to do well. In a thriller film the victim usually portrays that that they are scared or uncomfortable by using body language, this could be anything from crouching down into a ball or cover there mouths because of shock. The body language of a character can tell you more than the actual words they say, it adds meaning to the narrative.
Stereotypical victim/protagonist - use examples
The stereotypical body language of a victim/protagonist is that they are usually portrayed as weak so they hardly have any upper body strength. They are usually very timid and distressed. Their heads are usually bowed down.
Stereotypical antagonist - use examples
A stereotypical antagonist is usually standing up tall with very good body posture. They are quite bold and do not look like they are scared of anything. An antagonist is someone who comes across intimidating and aggressive, they often tower over their target.
Facial expressions: discuss representations and meaning to the audience and expectations.
The facial expressions of a character tell us how they feel in the scenario they have been put in. The audience need to be able to tell their characters expression so they can understand the narrative of the film better and so the director doesn't lose their audience.
Stereotypical victim/protagonist - use examples
The facial expressions of a victim usually shows the character screaming, crying, frowning and crouching. They are made to look weak and vulnerable so the story is sold to the audience watching it. The facial expressions are used to make the audience feel the same as the character so they can relate to the scenario.
Stereotypical antagonist - use examples
The facial expressions of a antagonist show that they are there to cause pain and invite danger. They are usually shown laughing or smiling. Their expressions are sometimes distorted so the audience cant really tell what emotions they are feeling. This helps the narrative of the film by keeping things a mystery. The expression of an antagonist is used to strike fear into their protagonist and the audience at the same time.
Thriller scene analysis. Analyse a scene identifying the use of costume, body language and facial expressions - use PEER
In this scene the use of costume is used to show that the boy is innocent, you can tell this by his fair hair and the light colours he was wearing. Even though his mother is wearing light colours, you can tell she is the villain because of the way her body language is, towering over the child. Another part of her body language that is obvious is that she is frowning and when she is speaking her mouth is very tightly closed, showing that she is angry. You can also tell because her hair and eye make up is really dark compared to the child. The child's body language shows that he is attentive because he is looking up at her making eye contact. The people in normal everyday clothes are seen to be innocent but their facial expressions show that they are shocked at what they are watching. You can tell the son and the mother are not part of their everyday life because their make up is extremely obvious compared to the people who are watching them.
Conclusion: what types of costume, hair and make-up, body language and facial expressions are you now planning to use and why?
In my thriller I am planning to pick what my character wear very carefully. I want to use a contrast of light and dark colours to create a psychological effect on my audience. I will use hair and make-up to distort my characters and deceive my audiences view. I will make sure all my characters expressions are clear so my audience can draw emotion and meaning through what they are watching.
What are themes? Why are they important to identify for the audience?
Themes are a prominent or reoccurring idea that repeats itself in a piece of film or literature. A theme in a film is important for the audience to identify because it needs to meet their expectations and leave them in anticipation to what is going to happen. They need to know the themes so they know how to respond in the appropriate way. If the audience can identify the theme it also allows them to create meaning throughout the film. The theme also needs to meet the taste of the audience that is watching. If the same theme runs through various films it becomes a convention of the genre. Knowing this will benefit me because I know what to include and be aware of when making my thriller opening.
Themes and Genres.
This table I have created from my research shows how genres are dependent on their themes. For a spectator to know the film is a certain genre the theme must be one that runs through all films of that type. You can tell the theme belongs to a certain genre because of its conventions.
Rom-Com
Action
Thrillers
Crime
Sci-Fi
Historic
Break-ups
Fighting
Religion
Addiction
Space
Fighting
Love
Battles
Fighting
Drugs
Supernatural
Battle
Happiness
Death
Obsession
Money
Science
Land
Loyalty
Violence
Envy
Greed
Disaster
Ownership
Marriage
Money
Ghost
Good vs. Evil
Earth
Hierachy
Divorce
Revenge
Haunting
Adventure
Commitment
Drugs
Revenge
Common themes in thrillers and why?
The Black Swan.
Innocence
Rivalry
Lust
Jealousy
Obsession
Hopes and Dreams
Mama
Supernatural
Haunted
Mystery
Family
Insidious
Supernatural
Psychological
Mystery
Death
Orphan
Psychological
Death
Violence
Mystery
Deception
Obsession
Impact of Themes on Audience.
The themes of a film impact the audience significantly because it creates meaning within the film and the audience can learn and identify from it. The themes you include in your film need to be appropriate so the audience respond and refer to it in the right way. For example when a spectator watches The Black Swan, without the themes of innocence and psychological deception the audience wouldn't be able to find meaning in what is going on.
What Themes will you use in your thriller and why?
In my thriller I hope to use the themes of psychological deception, obsession and death.
I believe that these themes are the most conventional to a thriller film. I hope that using these themes will allow my audience to find meaning and guide a suitable response from them.
This age rating is universal. This means the film can be watched by people of all ages. It is impossible to predict what might upset a child. A universal film should be suitable for the audience aged four and over. These films should be set with a positive morals and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. A film that would be classified as 'U' is 'Finding Nemo'. 
PG stands for parental guidance. This film would be suitable for general viewing but some scenes may not be appropriate for young children. Children of any age can watch this film unaccompanied. The film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. A film that would be classified as 'PG' would be Harry Potter. 
These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general but only for those aged 12 and above. Works classified in this category may upset children under twelve or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. A film that would be rated a '12' is 'Twilight'.
The 12A category only exists for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult and films classified 12A are not recommended for a child younger that twelve. An adult may take a younger child, if in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under twelve to view lies with the accompanying adult. A film that would be rated a '12A' is "The Fault in our Stars". 
These films may have content that have some controversial elements to it, but on the whole, there shouldn't be any discrimination, drugs may be touched upon, but not promoted, violence can be displayed but cannot dwell on injury and pain, there may be use od frequent bad language and nudity can be shown but only were appropriate. A film that would be rated a '15' in the cinema is 'Oculus'.
At 18 The BBFC's guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. 
