Here I have attempted to analyse three different A-level thrillers, examining the good, the bad and the definite avoid points of each of the films. Firstly, I would like to thank the students who made these films for creating such great films, and allowing me to analyse them and put them into this blog! They are all fantastic and are really helpful to us.
First up, we have my personal favourite, 'Heavens gift'.
This film uses some absolutely fantastic camera techniques, experimenting with higher angles, lower angles close ups and long shots. With using all of these different techniques collaboratively, we can see how such versatility can come together to create such a good collection. Also, with all of these different cuts being used, contingency would have been a hard aspect to maintain. The directors of this film have done a fantastic job to prevent any slight mistakes being made, which I was looking out very closely for!
Not so frequently used special effects also featured in the film, mainly being the screen being made blue, very briefly. At first, I wished this had been done more often, but I later realised that only used it the couple of times it was, made the moment more cherished and also allowed other thriller conventions to be explored.
The location used fitted every single thriller convention possible. Being out in the forest not only created that extreme eeriness that every thriller fan loves, but also acted as a catalyst for the audiences mind, making them think up their whole own narrative as to why he is in the forest?
The final positive I am to make of this film is the sounds and soundtrack used throughout. The scary, fast paced backing sound really added tension to the chase, making the audience really feel part of it. The additional diagetic sounds, such as the birds and the leaves, added to the realism of the film, making it all seem so possible, ultimately making the whole situation more scary!
The main negatives I picked up from this film mainly are based around the camera quality, which is not really in the fault of the students. I thought the whole opening was a little fuzzy, losing that sense of actually being in the situation of the character. The brightness also was too high, maybe being the fault of the sun, rather than the students, so I cannot complain too much!
Finally, I personally did not like the fact that the ending credits are in silence. I beleve that with a scary soundtrack behind it, the ending credits also could have added tension.
Next up we have a film called 'The Betrayal'.
This film has a very confusing narrative, which I actually took a liking to, very uncharacteristicly of myself. Despite the fact that personally I would never risk not having a real point to the film, I believe that this particular one actually gets away with it.
The acting was another particualr point that I liked about this film, especially the boy with the cornrows. I think his facial expressions used in this film, and his tone of voice really fit well into the thriller conventions. I also liked the approach from the other boy, as at this point, the tension within me was raving, which is very much so the whole point of a thriller! Also, the actors and directors done a good job on keeping the contingency to a tee! This is something that if messed up, can be so costly to a film, especially a thriller, as it can completely kill off the tension, as you are thinking about that, rather than enjoying the film.
The location of a graveyard is so very conventional of a thriller film. We see this kind of location used so often, yet it never becomes too 'cheesy'. It also allows the whole narrative to expand greatly, with lots of possibilities, and great potential for a thriller film.
Finally, quite a strange point to make here, but I loved the fact that the title was at the end. It allowed us to watch the film, rather than trying to guess how the title fits with the film, as it is quite a confusing one. Instaed, it gives us the film, which itself is confusing, and then gives us the added confusion by giving it a crazy title. Definitely something I may look to do with our film.
On to the bad points from this film now. Firstly, although crows are very conventional to a thriller film, and also are very effective in their appearnce, I don't believe they should be so loud! This probably isn't the fault of the students personally, but I will try and avoid too much noise, because I thought this got quite annoying, as I wanted to hear the dialouge, and the soundtrack, but was continueously distracted by these birds.
Again, the camera quality was quite bad at points. This is not the fault of the students, but I think an important part of a thriller film is to make the audience beleieve they are there, but with bad video quality, it is quite hard to 'Get in it'.
The filming itself is quite bad I think. A little bit of shakyness is good, and it makes the point of view shots seem more realistic, but here I do not beleive it is done intentioanlly, and I think it becomes a little irritating, as you are trying to enjoy the film. As well as this, the camera angles and movements are quite basic, and no real sense of experimentalism is shown. I love a film which is experimental with its camera work, and I believe this one is just a bit too basic.
Finally, we have a film by the name of 'False Pretensions'
I wasn't a particular fan of this film. I believe that the soundtrack ruined it completely. I think it is too chirpy and upbeat for this genre. The soundtrack would have been acceptable in a chase scene possibly, but this isn't a chase seen, and I do not believe it belongs in it.
Also, I liked the fact that the film was in back and white. I think it broke the laws of audience preference, and it is almost saying that its not preference, more expectance, meaning that you still like this film, even though you didn't expect to! This was ruined for me when the film changed to colour. Not only was the transition weirdly placed, it didn't really have a point. One or the other would have been much better.
I wasn't such a fan of the whole narrative either. I thought the storyline was far too confusing, and I really hope I am not the only one who doesn't understand it! I think the idea may be good, but two minutes may not have been enough to explain what the film really meant.
A couple of sound issues I picked up on also, my main problem focusing around the telephone. Even though I didn't like the soundtrack, as the telephone rang, it really drowned out the soundtrack, not by merely making the soundtrack quieten, but by just over-powering it, making a collateral noise!
Finally, the acting wasn't great. I know this isn't a drama piece, but a little bit of convincing acting really makes a film! The actors used as well may have been a little older than necessary I believe that the target audiences of these films, being teenagers, relate more to those of their own age, rather than adults?
Despite me moaning a lot, I found a lot of good aspects about this film also.
I really liked the opening titles. I think these really worked well, and fitted in nicely with the thriller genre, by being eerie and mysterious.
I liked the idea of the interaction between the audience and the actors. This was displayed by handwriting onto paper. I think this was all very mysterious, and very conventional of a thriller. Speaking of these, I also liked the use of multiple realistic props. I think these added to the realism perfectly.
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