Premier Pro

Premier Pro is the software we shall be using for editing and creating our thriller sequences. This software allows us not to only to edit the film by cutting and trimming but also adding transitions like fades and wipes, adding titles, inserting effects and animations and adding sound effects. I have previous experience with Premier Pro however I hope to successfully and accurately be able to create a high grade title sequence and add my own effects.

Se7en, David Fincher, 1995

Titles: In the opening sequence of Se7en the titles look to be scribbled or handwritten, the handwriting is quite childish and eary, this signifies a horror thriller genre. The is reinforced by the white text against dark backgrounds which is a common convention in the horror thriller genre.

Sound: The non-diegetic sound track is eary and mysterious this signifies the thriller genre. However to establish the horror sub-genre the high pitched shrieking sound occasionally heard in the track creates a sense of terror and creepiness.

Editing: The pace of editing is kept by the non-diegetic sound, both editing and sound are parallel creating a sense of continuity. There are many slow dissolves which causes images to overlap this allows the pace to become slower however when the straight cuts occur continuity is re-established.

Camera: There is little camera work used in the title sequence, there are series of close-ups and extreme close-ups to show details, there are no long shots etc, all shots establish the images shown.

Mise en Scene: In the title sequence there are a series shots of note books and notes which connotes mystery. A single shot of a razor blade is seen which denotes the horror genre as this could be used as a weapon. There are a series of shots of images of dead people, the denotes horror and murder establishing the horror thriller genre. Also near the end there are needles shaped into a cross which connotes religion which links to the title of Se7en and the seven deadly sins.

Sin City, 2005, Robert Rodriguez

Titles: There were no titles in scene one, this is uncommon in the thriller genre, however it signifies the unique style of this film.

Mise en Scene: The scene opens with a long shot of the black and white balcony, surrounded by the busy city, this is conventional to an action thriller. Followed by the introduction of a woman, the only colour in this image is her blood red dress and lips this signifies danger. A suited man walks into shot, he is only in black and white which signifies less importance, however he has a gun which signifies he could be the villain, also conventional in an action thriller. Low key lighting surrounds the location creating a dark and sinister mood. The low key lighting allows both characters to hide half their faces behind the light creating a conventional mysterious mood.

Camera: The scene opens with a centralised long shot of the woman surrounded by location. However when the man enters shot she is marginalised to the left which could signify her vulnerability. During conversation the camera jump cuts between close ups of the characters so create continuity, then is followed by a close up of the lighter which signifies danger, followed by a extreme close up of the cigarette which helps the audience to connect with the character. The camera changes to a long shot of the couple kissing then a jump shot to a mid shot of the killing, this is conventional of an action thriller.

Editing: Through out the scene there are a series of jump shots and straight cuts to produce continuity. It also is slow paced to reinforce that dark and mysterious mood which is quite conventional in a thriller.

Sound: As the scene begins low key non-diegetic jazz/soul music is played in the background, followed by non-diegetic narrative to keep the pace of the scene, the narrative is reinforced by diegetic conversation for continuity, accompanied by the ambient sounds of the city creating realism.

Walk on the Wild Side, 1962, Edward Dmytryts

Titles: The opening titles for this film are conventionally white against black, capitalised and in a serif font, this signifies the thriller genre as the titles are blocky and harsh, this is similar to the birds in which are also blocky and contrasts against its background.

Camera: The scene opens with a close up of the cat appearing from the pipe in which relates to the thriller genre as at first all the audience can see is the cats eyes in the dark creating an eary and mysterious mood. Through out the scene the cat is centralised and there are a series of high angles which signify the cats power.

Editing: The sequence is quite slow paced to build suspense as the audience tracks the cat this is reinforced by the dissolves between shots, however when the fight between the cats begin the pace speeds up, this signifies a thriller as there is usually violence in action thrillers.

Sound: There is a non-deigetic sound track through out the sequence, getting louder and high paced as the editing does. The music helps to keep the pace for this sequence, as the sequence ends the music slowly fades out as the imagery does.

Mise en scene: As the scene opens the audience is introduced to the black cat, walking down the street around pipes which could signify a construction zone or that the cat is stray and walking amongst the city scrap. The other cat introduced is a white cat which connotes a sense of good and evil, then the two cats fight which may signify a plot in this film being a fight against good and evil, which relates to the genre action thriller.

The Birds

The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock, 1963

Titles: The titles for this film are in a cold blue serif capitalised font over the contrasting dark birds in the background. This signifies the thriller genre as the cold blue creates a creepy and dark mood

Mise en scene: As the titles begin silhouetted crows fill the background fluttering uneasily behind the text. The colour of the birds can signify death, evil and fear, these aspects are iconic signifiers of the thriller genre. Next the location is introduced which is the city of San Fransisco this is common in the thriller genre to have a main busy city as a location, the audience then has an establishing shot of the blonde main character then another establishing shot of the birds. The importance of the birds are reinforced when the blonde character enters the pet shop.

Camera: Behind the text during the titles there is a mid shot of the crows which signifies importance as the audience can clearly establish the animal. Followed by an long establishing shot of the blonde woman, the woman is surrounded by mundane people allowing her to stand out, a long shot of the birds takes place so the audience can view the vast amount, then the camera tracks as she walks and pans around as she walks into the shop.

Sound: The sound for the titles is non-diegetic ambient bird sounds such as; piercing chirping and frantic flapping of wings, which creates a sense of realism plus the sound is quite dark and eary signifying the thriller genre.

Editing: As the titles begin there is a fade in and as the titles end they fade out and to introduce the opening sequence there is another fade in. Throughout the next sequence there is jump cuts to build continuity in the sequence.

What is a thriller?

Thriller is a genre of media text in which is categorized based on its codes and conventions. Through the conventional aspects of a film, the director allows the audience to interpret the genre, these are aspects such as narrative, characters, locations and semiotics. A thriller can be established through the convention of captivating, enticing and thrilling the audience by creating intense moods putting the audience 'on the edge of their seats'. The thriller genre promotes excitement, suspense, anticipation, uncertainty and anxiety. Alfred Hitchcock is said to be the ultimate director of the thriller genre, geniously captivating his audience and creating a high level of suspense and tension.

Thriller is a vague genre and it often accompanied by sub genres such as; action
Horror
Psychological
Crime
Western
Science fiction
Film Noir
Having a sub genre allows the director to blur the boundaries of the film genres which could create a more entertaining film.

http://www.filmsite.org/subgenres.html