PLANNING: PLANNING CINEMATOGRAPHY, SOUND AND EDITING - MRS. QUINLAN

Introduction

Microelements are the essential aspects that create the film. These include:

·         Cinematography

·         Sound

·         Editing

·         Mise en Scene.

Together they make a frame come to life and create a moving image that then can be viewed by an audience. Cinematography is the way a frame is shot/taken. It varies between angle types, shot sizes and movements. Angles can help to show different power distributions amongst the characters as well as their status between one another. The shot sizes help to introduce a setting if using an establishing shot but can also place emphasis on details, if using an extreme close up. Movement can help to show how a character is feeling, hence point of view, but can also introduce someone significant- tilt shot. Sound involves everything that you can hear during the viewing, whether artificial/added or real. It helps to make the scene seem believable as well as is often used to create a certain atmosphere. A heavy eerie non- diegetic sound will make the scene seem fearful where as a parallel sound of a beach will make the footage relaxing. Often sound compliments editing in order to have a maximum effect on the viewer. Editing are the transitions as well as edits that help to transfer one frame to another. If done fluently, editing is often unnoticed by the spectator. Different edits have different meanings, often a fade to black will show that something significant has just come to an end. Lastly Mise en Scene involves everything that is on stage including the actor. These involve costume, hair and make-up, body language and facial expression, iconography, setting, lighting and colour. This completes the whole image and can create a realistic representation because different types of setting or costume will contribute to different connotations. For example a black costume connotes evil intensions and is usually worn by an antagonist. Microelements are important because without a complete set of these, the film would seem unrealistic and incomplete thus making the audience feel uninterested and lacking a bond, which will stop them from viewing.

Common uses of Cinematography in the Thriller genre.

In the thriller genre cinematography plays a massive role in helping to represent a character as well as provoke an audience response. Often camera angles are used to distribute the power and status of each character. Such as a low angle will be use to display someone with a lot of influence and dominance. Camera movements will create tension or put emphasis on something significant. For example a zoom in will place emphasis on something relevant to the narrative or characters. Shot sizes will help to portray what is going on in the frame and will allow the audience to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening. For example an establishing shot will help to establish the scene and give the audience a clearer understanding of possible outcomes.

 

This is a list of the most significant cinematography techniques that we plan to include in our thriller opening:

Close Up

One of the first cinematography techniques will be a close up of a double page spread from a fashion magazine with three beheaded women. We chose to use this shot because it will allow to show clearly the iconography and the beheaded women so the audience can put their full attention on this image. Also the close up will not reveal the identity of the hidden character who stays anonymous until the end of the sequence. This shot is conventional to a thriller because often close ups are used to show something significant without revealing the main character which helps to create a build-up of tension. This close up will have an effect on the audience as they will become curious of who could commit such a cruel act to a vulnerable female models. A similar close up is used in the opening of Seven where the character crosses out and highlights different texts from the Holy Bible without revealing his identity. This technique works well in this opening because it helps to keep the element of surprise and suspense for the viewer who is oblivious to the character on screen.

 

Medium Close Up

Another shot that we decided to use was a medium close up which will display one of the cast names as well as a red bra which will be quickly grabbed by someone’s hand off the screen. We chose to use this shot because it will allow to show two things at once, one being the credit and second being the red bra with a hand. However it will be close enough not to reveal too much of the characters identity and keep the audience intrigued. This shot is conventional to a thriller opening because often close up shots are used continuously in order to stimulate the spectator senses as well as their curiosity. This shot will make the audience feel curious because they are unable to predict what will happen as well as are not able to tell anything about what is going on. A medium close up is effectively used in the opening of Saw where the male character is exposed to the light and realizes that he is kidnapped. This allows the audience to see his fearful facial expressions but does not show the full location, leaving them in suspense.

 

Zoom In

We decided that we will use a zoom in when the frame introduces the iconography of the mannequin for the first time. We chose to use this camera movement because it will help to place emphasis on the mannequin and suggest that this is something significant and will play a part in the narrative or influence the character. This movement is conventional to the thriller genre because often thrillers tend to use zoom in in order to make sure that the audience will focus their full attention on the object/ person that the frame displays. I think that this zoom in will make the audience feel intrigued because they will be wondering why is a mannequin such a significant object and how will it influence the upcoming actions in the narrative. A zoom in is effectively used in the ending scene from Psycho. This is evident when the antagonist gives his final monologue and the camera zooms into his facial expression, showing that he is in fact a psychopath. This zoom in makes the audience place their attention on the character and allows to learn something about him.

 

Extreme Close Up

Another shot that we have decided on is an extreme close up. This shot will display the character’s lips which are being painted with a red lipstick. We decided to use an extreme close up to display this frame because it will place emphasis on the red colour as well as help to keep the characters identity anonymous.  The emphasis of red will make the audience feel fearful because red connotes evil and blood which proposes danger, thus creating a threatening atmosphere for the viewer who will expect something dramatic to happen. This shot is conventional to the thriller genre because usually extreme close ups are used in order to make something very significant and show its importance in the narrative. An example of an extreme close up is used in the thriller Knowing. The dates and numbers which were circled in red marker were often displayed in an extreme close up to show their importance in the narrative as well as to show that they are dangerous, which was evident by the use of red marker.

 

Low Angle  

Moreover, our group decided to use a low angle when the character is partially revealed. We wanted to use this angle because it will show this character’s supremacy as well as suggest that they are in fact dangerous. This angle is conventional to the thriller genre because often angles help to establish the hierarchy and power distribution between the characters. In thrillers, low angles, are usually used to make someone look dominant and powerful in comparison to others. This angle would make the audience feel intimidated by the character who has much more authority and supremacy over the vulnerable viewer who needs to look up to the character.  A low angle is used in the thriller Wanted where the character of Morgan Freeman is displayed at a low angle to show his high status and power within his crew.

 

Tilt Shot

We have come to the conclusion that a tilt shot should be used to fully introduce the character, starting from bottom to top, displaying his full image. We want to use this movement because it will allow to closely display the antagonist and almost evaluate his features, including costume, make up and body language which will allow to convey the character representation. This movement is conventional to a thriller genre because often tilt shots are used to introduce a significant character who will have a massive impact on the narrative. This tilt shot is likely to make the audience feel shocked realizing that this is a man who wears female clothing but at the same time they could feel fulfilment because they finally got to know who the anonymous character is. An example of an effective tilt shot is used in the opening of a mystery thriller Chloe, where the tilt shot reveals one of the main characters, allowing the audience to see her body language and costume.

Long Shot

Lastly my group and I have decided to use a long shot at the end of our sequence. This shot will display the silhouette of the antagonist walking out of a dark yet unknown location. We want to use this particular shot to end our opening because it leaves the viewer with a cliff hanger. Additionally the viewer will be in apprehension because they are unaware of what the antagonist actions are and where did he go. This shot is conventional to the thriller genre because often long shots are used to allow to the audience see full body as well as surroundings. Because the setting is very dark the audience will be able to infer that this character has evil intensions. A long shot is used towards the end of thriller Seven, where Somerset runs towards Mills and the antagonist to tell them what is in the ‘box’. That shot allows the audience to see full body language and the deserted location giving the audience some information but the scene.

Common uses of Sound in the Thriller Genre.

Sound plays a massive role not only in thrillers but any other genre. Sound helps to stimulate reality thus making the viewing much more believable which will have an impact on the viewer who could get too involved into the sequence and effected by it. In thrillers, sound helps to manipulate the viewer’s emotion as using different types of sound will provoke different emotions and reactions. Thrillers tend to use different volumes of sound effectively during the tense moments as well as in build-ups to the climax which alerts the audience about the upcoming events in the film. Moreover when the scene is silent, it can also effect the viewer who will wait in tension, expecting something huge to happen.

This are the sounds we intend to use in our thriller opening

There will be non- diegetic/ contrapuntal sound of a ballerina box used right at the beginning of the opening credits. We chose to use this because it will not match with the dark atmosphere of the scene, making the viewer confused and intrigued. This will also express the childlike innocence behind the story as well as how much damage obsession and hatred has caused. This is conventional as this kind of non-diegetic sound can give a background story and additional knowledge for the viewer. From this the audience will feel insecure because the simple tune will have a haunting effect giving this scene a fearful atmosphere.  The innocent track will be then replaced by growing eerie non diegetic sound.

Non-diegetic sound of an eerie metallic sound track will then be used throughout the opening scene, however it will be manipulated in pitch, volume and pace in order to make the sequence exciting. We chose this because eerie metal music will support the thriller genre, already signifying the audience what they could expect from the narrative. This kind of music could also scare the viewer which is an outcome of a thriller. This is similar in the opening of Seven where the non- diegetic eerie sound changes in volume throughout to create thrill as well as tension for the viewer.

An increase of tempo of the non-diegetic sound track will be used when the unknown character in the opening scene picks up the red bra while typography is being presented. We chose to increase the pace in order to place emphasis on this iconography. This is conventional to a thriller opening because it shows the audience that the red bra has a significance to the whole film and gives them stimulus on what to expect. However, it could make the audience insecure because such iconography can cause controversy and knowing that this could have a large significance in the film could show that this thriller will be touching upon sensitive topics.

The use of these sounds will help to establish the genre of the film as well as help the viewer to infer the character’s role within the narrative because of the way that he has been presented. I think that the use of the mild and innocent ballerina box music in contrast to heavy metal is effective because it shows the change that the character underwent and how much hatred they have gained from being completely vulnerable and innocent.

Common uses of Editing in the Thriller Genre.

Editing works its best when cooperating with sound because together they can have a bigger impact on the viewer, according to Godwin. In thrillers editing often matches the sound which does in fact create a more threatening atmosphere and gives a thrilling experience. Editing techniques such as a fade to black are often used in thrillers to show that something has come to an end. Another editing transition used is a cross dissolve that allows the frame to look distorted thus having a confused yet thrilling effect on the viewer. Often editing pace has an impact on the viewer. For example if using slow paced editing the viewer can feel relaxed because they’re not expecting anything bad to take place. However if the editing pace is fast then the viewer can infer that the climax is about to occur, making them feel tense and uneasy about the upcoming events. 


These are the Editing techniques that we intend to use in our Thriller Opening.

Cross-cut:

One of the first editing techniques that we chose to include were the cross cuts. This editing technique is mostly used in our opening thriller as a transition between the frames. We choose this technique because we want the scene to be chaotic and make the audience feel intrigued and create a mysterious atmosphere. This shot is conventional to a thriller genre as it can give the audience an insight of what is happening and at the same time create some chaos. We decided to create mystery throughout the opening thriller, thus we though that this editing will be suitable for this shot. This transition will make the audience feel confused but at the same time eager to find out more.

Dissolve:

Furthermore, a dissolve will be used when the opening credits, acknowledging a cast member are displayed with the iconography of a red bra, then a dissolve is put in place to transition into another frame. This is because it is the first iconography where the audience are able to make assumption about the character, thus the dissolve transition will focus of the iconography and make the audience feel curious and want to find out more about them. This editing technique is conventional to a thriller movie, because it introduces another frame fluently, or sometimes makes the scene looks chaotic if it is used effectively. This will make the audience engage and want to find out more what will happen next. A dissolve is used in a good manner at the end of the thriller Psycho where the character dissolves into another frame. This one is interesting because during the transition a skeleton is shown, thus foreshadowing the possible outcomes for the character. This dissolve has allowed the audience to gain some insight on the character and resolution of the narrative.

Jump Cut:

Additionally,  a jump cut will be used when the mysterious character begins to put on tights. This is because we don't want to make the audience feel bored or show them how to put on some thighs, but to save time while filming and also make the scene look distorted and tell the audience that this is someone who could have issues or stand out from the rest. This editing technique is conventional to a thriller genre because it allows more action to take place in a short time making the audience pay more attention. Also it's a technique that adds distortion and negativity to the frame which it's what it were looking for in order to create an accurate character representation of an antagonist. This jump cut will make the audience feel confused but will be able to infer that this character could be an antagonist.

Slow Motion:

This slow motion technique will be combined with the tilt shot when the mysterious character wears a lady dress and starts to reveal his identity. The slow motion will focus on the action that is taking place, while the tilt shot will partially show the identity of the mysterious character. This will make the audience feel interested as they are eager to find out who it is and what kind of role are they going to play within the narrative. This is a conventional editing technique for the thriller genre because it helps to place emphasis on a specific object or character. This will make the spectators feel intrigued and keep them watching because they can infer that this is a significant part of the opening.

Fade to Black:

Lastly, we decided to use a fade to black at the end of the opening scene. This is because we want to demonstrate that the opening scene has come to an end. This will leave the audience questioning what will happen because nothing obvious has been revealed. Also black has connotations of death and misery, hence the audience are more likely to think that the character was the antagonist and is ready to commit negative actions. This will make the audience feel frustrated as they do not know what were his intentions and we are left with suspense which is conventional to the thriller genre as the theme of mystery is presented. A fade to black is effectively used in the opening of Se7en, right at the end of the opening credits sequence. This technique has show that this is a dark film as well as left the viewer with suspense as they are unsure what could happen next.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, looking at the different micro-elements was highly beneficial for our production because it allowed to examine different techniques we intend to use and how will they make the audience feel. This is important because if we use the unconventional micro elements we will not receive the right audience response and loose our audience. At the same time, we were able to look at the variety of techniques which is also significant as without a range, the audience would get bored easily and stop the viewing too. After this planning task we are now able to say that our opening has a range of technique that will allow a successful opening.