Target Audience Research

After looking at the results of our questionnaire we had created, my group and I came to the conclusion that the age rating for our 'movie' should be a 15. This is because the age 15 was the most popular age in our questionnaire who watch films and are more likely to enjoy watching a thriller. In addition, from our questionnaire we found out that thriller films are the second most popular genre of film with our particular target audience. When we were first discussing our ideas and the results of certain questions in our questionnaire we came to the conclusion that the genre of our thriller movie would be a combination of a crime thriller (incorporating elements like suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation, anxiety etc.) with a slight addition of psychological thriller characteristics (including elements like mystery, drama, action, psychological horror etc.). We came to this conclusion because the genres crime and psychological were the top two genres in our questionnaire (Crime being number one). This was an effective choice because we are able to target a wider type of audience as well as being able to create a unique and engaging thriller opening using the characteristics of a crime and psychological thriller. Some of the characteristics of a crime that we have include a lose criminal, mystery of who is the criminal and what happened to the victim, anxiety and excitement from the flashbacks etc. Also, the characteristics of a psychological thriller that we have included are; the mental state of our main character 'Lydia' and the psychological horror represented using the flashbacks. In addition, from another question that was in our questionnaire we asked what was our audiences favourite aspect of a thriller, this turned out the be flashbacks which is what we have included in our opening. This was an effective choice because we are able to entertain a wider audience and we are able to be creative in how we are going to film these flashbacks. Moreover, we also asked other questions like what location they preferred when watching a thriller which turned out to be a house, which we have included. As well as using other locations like a park and a garag.

Analysis of 'CAPTIVE' Thriller Opening

My first impression of this Thriller Opening is there is a good use of location and additional special effects makeup, which helped increase the suspense throughout the whole video. The location works effectively because it gives an ominous feeling throughout. In addition, we are unaware of where he is and the abandoned feeling that we (as an audience) gives a sense of danger. Moreover, the use of special effects makeup increases the sense of danger, we also feel sympathetic towards his character and we question who or what has done this to him. This is important for a Thriller Opening because you do not want to reveal too much to the audience and you want to leave them questioning and intrigued for 'the rest of the film'.

Straight away in the beginning we are shown various shots of the victims hands, feet and a close up of his face. The use of additional props like the blood and rope leave the audience questioning the characters safety and what has happened to him. This is effective because even when it is just the very beginning of the opening, already the audience is on edge and nervous about what is going to happen. The close up of his face at the very beginning where his head is down slightly allows us to see how he is feeling, he is obviously disorientated and unaware of whats happening. With the addition of point of view shots this confirms his disorientated state, as this particular shot is blurred and not controlled/steady. I think this shot works well because the audience is able to get a insight into how the victim is feeling, adding to the thriller effect. An extreme close up further on as he wakes up reveals the injuries he has sustained in more detail, whilst also being able to see the confusion in his face.
Something else I like about this particular opening is there is no script, this adds to the ominous effect and leaves the audience questioning whats going to happen without being given any information. However, towards the end of the opening when the character was fully awake, he began screaming the word "HELP!", this gives a very disturbing and creepy feeling for the audience which is an effective way to reach an audience.  In addition, I also liked the use of cuts from his face to the rope round his hands and feet, representing his agitation and fear as he tries to escape. Moreover, the use of flashbacks, non-diegetic and the mysterious character help express the thriller theme that was aimed for when making this. By thriller theme I mean the increase in suspense, slight mystery behind certain characters and situations and occasional intense action scenes. Furthermore, a vital part about a thriller is there being an exciting plot and these aspects can help draw the audience attention in a keep them engaged throughout. So far (even though it is only an opening) from this clip it is clear that the audience is engaged and wanting to find out what happens to the character whilst also wanting to know more about the mystery character and the motive behind it.
To conclude I believe this is a very successful thriller opening where the group that made it had put a lot of thought into the shots and positioning of the characters. The particular shots that were used were the highlight of the whole opening, as some were unique and others were edited in a particular order that allowed the audience to not only understand the plot but how the character is feeling better.

War Of The Worlds Analysis

After watching War of the Worlds I identified a couple of scenes that I thought were effective due to what genera it is (thriller). This was due to things like camera angles, cuts, Mise en scene, sound etc.

In this scene from War of the Worlds the characters are hiding from the aliens. We are able to see both sides of the wall due to it being a split screen. This is effective because the split between them could represent good and evil, the characters being good as they only want to live and the alien being evil as it is trying to hunt them down. As well as it being a split screen we are also able to see all of the characters faces in a row, this allows us to see the fear on there faces. This has worked effectively because it increases the suspense that is normally found in a thriller movie, as we don't want the characters to be found.

This next scene in War of the Worlds is quite sinister, especially for a thriller. A child with the look of pure fear and shock in there face is an effective way of grasping the audiences attention. With the addition of it being a close up it really lets the audience see all the fear the child is experiencing. The characters in this scene have also got special effects makeup on; like mud, dirty and bruises. This adds to the effect that they have been through a lot of trauma and danger. The non diegetic music added pulls the whole scene together, putting the audience on edge, expecting something bad to happen. This all works well in order to make the scene fit with the thriller theme.

This next shot from the film War of the Worlds is a rare continues 360 degree shot. This shot rotates around the speeding car continuously whilst the characters are still talking and shouting. This particular shot helps increases suspense as the characters fight for their lives. From this shot we are able to see everything that is going on around the car, who is in the car and what they are doing. With the addition of the intense non-diegetic music and the argument and shouting between the characters the intensity increases in the scene, putting the audience on edge.