Presentation of Findings

Questionnaire summary

As a group, we summarised the questionnaires and tried to find common traits between them. This will help us build a successful picture for our audience profile.

Question 1

The majority of the people who we asked were females, which in some ways was quite surprising, because Thrillers are usually aimed at males. Knowing this, we expected the results for the questions from the females to be quite light-hearted compared to the results from the males.

Question 2 

The age of the people who we asked were mainly 15-17. This shows that before, when Thrillers were first shown, the target age was 18+ because of the nature of the Thrillers. But now, because there are so many subgenres of Thriller, the genre now appeals to more age brackets.

Question 3

The most popular hobby was reading. This could show that the “technology generation” do actually do others thing in their spare time; not just using social networking sites. Also, nowadays, more books are being turned into films, therefore, this could be a way that people find out about the films because the books usually include a bit of information about an upcoming film if there is one.

Question 4

The majority of the people who we asked watched films in general often. This is very useful, because we now know that films are something that our audience enjoy, so it is quite likely that they may watch ours. Also, film is a good way of advertising other films. E.g. a trailer before a film starts at the cinema or on DVD. 

Question 5

DVD seemed to be a popular way to access films. This could be for number of reasons: 1. It is easy to access e.g. buy it from a shop. 2. It is cheaper than paying to go and see it at the cinema- once you have brought it, it is yours.  The internet was the second most popular source, which could show that illegal downloads of film and YouTube have made it even easier to watch films at home. Whereas years ago, you had to go to the cinema or watch them on the television.

Question 6

The most popular answer was occasionally. This shows that many people like to watch a variety of genres and films and not just stick to one type. Furthermore it may indicate that the audience like the genre of thriller since they do actually watch it. This is further shown by the fact that the next popular answer is always. However rarely is the next option which could represent the fact that not everybody like thrillers therefore we are targeting a specific audience who like the genre. The least popular answer was often which may be accurate due to people not having time to watch lots of films or it could show that the genre isn’t something that people want to watch all of the time.

Question 7

The most popular answer to this was drama, which could represent the fact that many audiences like more of a realistic storyline behind the thrillers and not just a ton of blood and gore. Following this was psychological which shows that people like the element of the unknown and the idea of mind games intrigues people. Also the fact that they mess with your head could create an enigma and therefore capture the audience’s interest. The least popular was crime and before this was horror. This shows that the majority of the people that took the questionnaire don’t necessarily like the idea of blood and gore or crime where you follow the investigation of a murder.

Question 8

Most people said that they preferred their specific genre chosen because it was interesting and exciting; others said they liked the storyline. These are both common features that attract the target audience as they drag the audience into the realms of the film world and involve them. People that choose psychological thrillers in question 7 said that they liked the confusing element of testing your mind the most this is due to the complexity of the plot and shows that audience participation is key to a successful film.

Question 9

Typically most people choose the colour black, which has connotations of danger, mystery and unknowing these are all fundamentals explored in the genre thriller. As well as this the colour blue is mentioned creating a cold atmosphere that makes the audience feel uninvited. A number of people also choose the colour red this is due to the predictable association it has with blood and danger it also links in with the idea of murder or killing.

Question 10

Abandoned house was the top answer for this question, which shows that the audience must automatically associate this setting with a thriller. Furthermore it is an isolated place that must be considered dangerous and be something that means that the audience would recognise the film as a thriller. The least popular choice was hospitals. This could indicate that the audience don’t want the thriller set in a hospital because the hospital scenes are a place of safety or recovery therefore the main action will take place in a much more dangerous and less secure environment.

Question11

The main character associated with a thriller is the killer, this is predictable as the killer generally encompasses the villain of the film, who is the character that carries the most suspicion and mystery. Next conventionally comes the victim who is pursued by the killer this may be due to the enigma ceated between the two characters.

Question 12

Weapons were the most popular with over 75% of the people choosing this answer. This shows that weapons link in with the audience expecting to see death in a thriller therefore there logically must be weapons etc… in order to add an element of danger. Weapons are a broad spectrum so it can be anything from a gun to a futuristic style weapon e.g. a lightsaber. The least popular prop associated with a thriller was technology which shows that the audience don’t think everyday technologies such as television play that big of a part – unless the film is about it.

Question 13

Instrumental was the most popular with music with lyrics being least popular. This indicates that more affect is caused by having music without lyrics because the audience won’t be distracted by the lyrics of the song - especially if they recognise it. Plus the mood of instrumental music tends to have much more effect on people if there are no lyrics. A lot can be said without lyrics in music. The middle answer was also popular; this was sounds within the scene. For example screaming or creaking doors therefore showing that these realistic and more obvious sound effects are also popular with the audience.

Question 14

The data shows that shadows create the most effect in a thriller these can be formed through back and under lighting they make characters appear suspicious and produce an element of the unknown surrounding the setting. Secondly is rain this is a common feature of a thriller and is a stereotypical weather condition as it can cause many hazardous situations in which crime/murder scenes are set. 

Question 15

Most people answered that the suspense and tension are the key factors that are liked in a thriller these can be created through a variety of things: lighting, colour and props etc… therefore our group will attempt to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Secondly was the storylines that attracted viewers this may be due to the complexity (psychological thrillers) or realistic tones (drama thrillers) of the plot.

Question 16

The most common answer to this question was normal everyday clothes, this is common for an audience to choose because it creates a feeling of realism, whereas if the characters were dressed in capes, which was found to be the least common answer, the way the film is portrayed would appear more traditional and less realistic. Outfits specific to character was the second most popular, showing how audiences expect to see regular everyday people in thriller films, whereas black leather etc appears to be less expected of a thriller film.

Question 17

The most common answer to this question was that they like the thrill of watching a thriller. This is obviously expected from watching thriller movies due to that is what makes them different from other sub-genres of the horror genre. The thrill that is given from watching these films is what attracts the audience and gains their attention into watching them. The least common answer was that it was their favourite genre, this is a less desirable answer to reveal through a questionnaire due to our opening being in the genre of thriller, although the thrill appears to be the most desirable element in watching thriller movies.

Question 18

The most common answer to this question was 1 or 2 deaths, this was possibly the most popular answer because in a thriller film, a lot of deaths may appear slightly dramatic to the audience, therefore having only 1 or 2 deaths appears more realistic and maintains that thrill which is desired in thrillers. The least common answer was none, showing that if there were no deaths at all in a thriller film, the audience would not find it very satisfying and thrilling.

Question 19

The most common answer was suspense, meaning that an audience enjoy seeing suspense in the beginning of a thriller film, possibly due to the excitement that it brings, being unaware of what is happening, and creating a bit of mystery. A less common answer was normality, this was possibly less common due to the audience enjoying excitement rather than a normal day scene, creating suspense builds up the tension, meaning a more interactive audience.

Question 20

The most common answer to this question was family, this shows how an audience enjoy to watch thriller movies with their family, also another common answer was friends, thriller movies can be exciting and interesting when watched with friends. Therefore our target audience would be more family orientated.

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

1)     What is your sex?

Male                      Female

2)     How old are you?

15-17                 18-21                 22-29                 30+

3)     What is your main hobby?

Sport                  Reading                  Dancing                 Singing                  Art                  

Shopping                 Other _____________________________________________________

4)     How often do you watch films?

Never                 Rarely                 Occasionally                 Often                 Always

5)     How do you access films?

Internet                 DVD                 Cinema                 Television                 Other

6)     How often do you watch thrillers?

Never                 Rarely                 Occasionally                 Often                 Always

7)     What type of thriller do you prefer?

Horror (e.g. Halloween)        

Drama (e.g. Fatal Attraction)      

 Psychological (e.g. sixth sense)                 

Vampire (e.g. blade)                   

Crime (e.g. silence of the lambs)      

Other ___________________________________________________________________

8) Using the answer to question 7, why do you prefer that type of thriller?

9)     What colours would you expect to see in a thriller?

____________________________________________________________________________________

10) What setting do you most expect to see in a thriller?

Forrest          Abandoned house       Prison         Hospitals            Other ____________________

11) What character is most essential to a thriller?

Victim          Killer         Policeman          Parents           Supernatural creatures

12) Which prop does you associate most with a thriller?

Handcuffs       Weapons       Fast cars           Phone           Technology          

13) What type of sound do you think creates the most effect in a thriller?

Music (with lyrics)         Instrumental music (no lyrics)          

Sounds within the scene (e.g. gun shots, creaking doors, screams)

14) What type of lighting do you think is most effective in a thriller?

Daylight           Sepia (old fashioned looking)          Shadows        

Rain (bad weather conditions)

15) What is it that you like about thrillers?

Suspense/tension        Story lines          Element of mystery          Being scared

Other _____________________________________________________

16) What type of costumes do you expect to see in a thriller?

Normal everyday clothes          Outfit specific to character         Black leather        Capes          

Other________________________________

17) Why have you ended up watching thrillers?

There was nothing else on         You have seen advertisements            

They are one of your favourite types of films          You like the thrill

Other____________________________________________________

18) How much death do you think that a thriller should include throughout the film?

None          1 or 2            3 – 5              Over 5

19) What do you prefer in an opening of a thriller?

Death             Building of suspense             Normality              Other________________________

20) Who do you tend to watch thrillers with?

With family           With friends          Partners           Other_____________________

Audience research

The audience that any film targets is a very important aspect of the film. It helps the director, producers etc include things in the film that their audience will enjoy and appreciate. Therefore, as a group, we produced a questionnaire and distributed it to 20 people. This was useful, because it helped us get a clear idea of the wants of our target audience.

Summary of whole films

Stock settings

In any genre of film, setting is a very important aspect of it. It helps to create certain moods and feeling for both the characters and the audience.

·         Abounded houses were something that proved to be a very dominant setting through-out the genre. I found that it reflected the ways in which the characters felt at certain stages of the films- that sense of being not wanted, alone. This helped the audiences feeling towards the characters and helped to understand their state of minds easier. 

·         A number of the settings reflect the titles of the films. For example: Exam was set in an examination room with eight small desks. This helps the audience to understand the meaning of the title.

Stock characters

Stock characters are an important aspect of the genre of any film; therefore this was a very important aspect that we had to identify.

·         Villain- There was usually an element of unknown in regards to it wasn’t always obvious that the certain character or characters were the villain until the end of the film. E.g. Exam- the man, who was revealed at the end of the film to be the villain, was the character who throughout the film was helping the other characters. This made the villain seem even more evil, which is typical in Thrillers. When the villain was a woman, she was usually seen as being psychotic and unstable. For example: Orphan- the girl in the film, who was the villain, was the character who immediately was seen as being psychotic and dangerous. But in the majority of the films we watched, the villains were usually male.

·         Hero- The heroes in the genre like many of the other genres of film, were usually the main characters in the film. The heroes in film differ from what they are heroic for. For example: the mother in Changeling could be seen as a hero, because she never gave up her search for her son and she fought against the FBI for what was right. But on the other hand, the hero in Exam who is one of the women, is heroic because she didn’t really do anything other than save the life of one of the candidates.

·         Victim- The victim in the films were sometimes the heroes, who then turned the bad thing that happened to them into something positive. For example: the mother in Changeling, turned the negative aspect of losing her son into something positive by making other people aware of the goings on in the FBI. The majority of the victims who aren’t the main character tend to be victims of a murder, which is a key theme in the genre.   

Themes

The majority of the themes were similar throughout the films, but there were some obvious differences depending on the specific sub genre.

·         Death and murder were constant themes throughout all the films we watched. This is a common aspect in the genre, therefore, it was no surprise that it occurred so many times in the films we watched. 

·         Love and passion was also a theme in some of the films. It mainly occurred in the films with the victim or the villain for example: in the film Orphan, the villain falls in love with her adopted father- this is an important aspect in the rest of the film, because it almost helps justify some of her actions.

·         Revenge was also a theme that appeared in many of the films that we watched. It differed from the villain wanting revenge on the victim or vice versa. Revenge is something negative, therefore, because the genre is quite negative, it helps add to that sense of negativity that you get from thrillers.

Iconography

Iconography is important in any film, because it helps the audience to recognise the genre of the film by certain aspects that typically appear in the genre. The iconography in the thriller genre is usually negative and violent; therefore, we weren’t expecting anything different.

Fast cars were used in a number of the films we watched. This could connote a sense of the film being quite fact pasted constantly changing. For example: in the inner ring, the film starts with a series of historical images and films and then there is an immediate straight cut to a high impact car chase.

  

Flickering lights are also commonly used in the genre. They help to create suspense within scenes. For example: in the films Gothika and the Covenant, lights are used at some of the more intense scenes in the film to add to that scary atmosphere.

Medical equipment would obviously be used in a medical thriller, but in the film Awake, there is a scene where the doctors are inserting a knife into the main character’s chest. The camera is completely forced on the knife throughout the whole scene, almost trying to emphasise the fact that this is an important aspect of the film.  

Summary of openings

Enigmas

Enigmas in the openings are created by a number of ways e.g. text, colours and music.

·         Text is often used as link for the audience to the film, but the audience aren’t aware of the link yet.

·         Colours such as black are used to help create a sense of atmosphere. E.g. Awake

Introduce key characters

In many of the film openings we watched, the ways in which key characters were introduced in ways that helped the audience understand their character.

·         Introduced by another character- for example: in the film opening Awake, in main character was introduced by his friend who gave the audience some brief information about the character.

·         Camera shots are also used to help emphasis key characters. E.g. a mid shot was used in Underworld to show the main character.- This was more useful that a close-up, because not only did we see the characters face, but seeing their body’s movement and costume, helped the audience create an relationship with them.

Introduce key themes

Key themes in the openings were introduced in a number of different way according to the sub-genre of thriller it was. 

·         Religious artefacts were shown in the Da Vinci code, which helped make it clear that religion is an important, theme in the film.

·         Love as a theme was introduced by intimate situation between the characters. e.g. Five Fingers

·         Iconography such as: knives and guns were used to introduce pain and death in the openings of a number of films:  Le premier cercle (the inner ring), Se7en, the covenant and haunting in Connecticut. The fact that all of these thrillers have these themes in them, shows that death and murder are very dominant themes in the genre Thriller.

Introduce genre

The way in which the genre of any film is introduced in the opening is very important, because it helps the audience recognise the genre.

·         The typical dark background and setting was used in the majority of film opening we watched. This helps create a mysterious and scary atmosphere that is usually associated with thrillers. e.g.Underworld, Blade, Awake and Haunting in Connecticut

·         A piano was usually playing as part of the non- diegetic sound to help add to that atmospheric opening. Also, it causes the audience to concentrate on what is happening on screen because, the music is usually has a different feeling to the visual aspect of the opening. E.g. Haunting in Connecticut  

·         There was usually a death in the opening to help introduce the genre. This helps show the audience that the film is going to have elements of death in it.

·         A car chase is often used to show an action aspect of the thriller e.g. the inner ring, the Grudge and Goodfellas.

Use of titles

Titles and the way they appear in the opening are a very important aspect of the opening, because they help add to the effect that the ofter aspects of the opening are trying to create.

·         The font and the colours used for the title link to the film- this is important and effective in the opening, because it helps to create an relationship between the film and the title, Also, it creates possible ideas about the film.

·          The text used such as: psychotic – in the film Se7en, helps create a sense of atmosphere before the film has started. Which helps ready the audience for the film and possible emotions and feeling they may feel as they watch it.

Summary of film openings and whole films

As a group, we consolidated all our research into thrillers and the film openings and came up with certain aspects of the whole films and openings that included the key elements of the genre. We looked at a number of the key elements in detail and tried to find examples of films and openings to fit what we had discovered about them.  

Awake

·        At the beginning of the opening, there is a medical insight into the film which shows that the film is going to be a medical drama. 

     

·        The character who is speaking gives a brief background to the film and the other characters. 

 

·       The camera movement at this stage of the opening almost has the same jumpy effect as a handheld camera. 

·        The character is wearing a white medical coat which shows that he is a doctor. Also the fact that it is white connotes purity, therefore showing the audience that this is a character that is going to be a trustworthy character in the film.

·        Whilst the character is speaking, he talks about “losing a friend” and then there is an immediate straight cut from 

     him to his friend. This is almost like he is introducing this

     new character and an important aspect of the film. 

·        After this, the last thing the doctor says is “and he was probably thinking about her” this causes the audience to question who “her” is. There is a straight cut to the friend that the doctor was talking about, but this time, he was awake, lying in a bath filled with water.

·        The bath is an important prop in the opening, because it could connote the feelings of the characters, that sense of drowning in your own issues and thoughts, or being surrounded by them.   

Vanilla sky

·        Long shot of the city where the action taking place. This could represent a sense of place in the film therefore, showing the audience almost a before image of the city creating a sense of change is about to happen. 

·        This is an unknown voice that appears at certain times of the opening. This creates an eerie effect which is a typical convention in the genre; that sense on not-knowing who the voice is or why they are speaking in that way.

·        The part when he is running in the middle of an empty road could reflect him running from his inner feeling, which may be revealed as the film progresses.

·        It then straight cuts to him getting ready for work. He is wearing a white shirt which connotes purity. The room that he is getting dressed in is also light, which doesn’t have a negative connotation except from the possibility of the character may be hiding something.

American Psycho

·        The opening of the film connotes that the film could be quite a happy film by the colours used such as: white, red- bright colours and the sound which is light and high pitched. But on the other hand, the red used in the film, could be seen as blood therefore contradicts with the previous idea of a light-hearted.

·        The characters shown in the opening create different feelings for the audience by their facial expressions and their speech.

     

·        The scene when he is in the bathroom talking the audience through his daily regime creates an enigma for the audience because it causes them to question his state of mind because he seems to reflect the movements of a robot, therefore showing the audience that he may not have a very stable mind. 

 

·        The male character is wearing white underwear which connotes a sense of purity in the character. Also, the majority of his house is white, which creates a contrast to the opening which had the colour red, which connotes blood.       

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The Da Vinci Code

·        The first thing you see other than the film’s production is the title of the film. The fact that the title is quite light against a very dark background could connote that it is going to be quite a dark themed film, with possible glimpses of light in the narrative.

·        The music is quite atmospheric in the sense of as soon as you hear it; it immediately draws the attention of the audience and completely engrosses them in on what is happening.

      

·        The first character the audience is introduced to is a man running in what looks like a museum. The fact that he is running, creates a number of questions for the audience. E.g. why is he running? Who is he running from? Etc. Thrillers usually cause the audience to have to think about aspects of the film, instead of just enjoying it for their own pleasure. 

     

·        Also the use of back lighting almost creates an enigma for the audience, because it is usually used for quite villainous characters, therefore, if he is running away from something, why would that create that feeling. But another way it could be interpreted is that whatever he is running from is so dangerous and evil; it can’t be shown, therefore creating a mystery for the audience. 

·        At the end of the opening, the mysterious figure that the character seemed to be running away from finally appears wearing a long, dark cloak that partially covers his face. This adds to the already mysterious atmosphere that has been created for the audience by the dark colours and the different sounds.

Le premier cercle - The inner ring (opening)

 ·        Even though the film is set in 2009,  the opening is a number of different video clips and images that are historic. This could be for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons could be that the actual characters in the film are descents of the people who are in the videos and image. If that is the case then this gives you the audience a slight insight into the possible lives of the characters.

·        The title of the film stands out from its background 
      of a dead or badly injured man

  

     The fact that the title is white creates a sense of purity, but the letters are outlined in red, which could show that there are certain aspects of the film that may be dangerous or include death.

  

   Then, the title fades to black and there is a sudden clash of noise and a car chase. The fading of the title and the historic images, could connote a change in the film from quite a calm atmosphere to the complete opposite.

·   A character is introduced at this stage of the opening. He is wearing a dark jacket and sunglasses which connotes a sense of mystery 

  and sex appeal. His sports car suggests that he may feel the need to show off the things that he has. 

·        Also, the fact that he has the car, shows that he has money which could suggest that money is going to be an important theme in the film.

Changeling

·        Changeling is about a woman who son goes missing and then returns but he isn’t he actual son. 

·        The scene where the mother is going to talk to the press about the FBI. She is wearing dark colours, which shows that she is almost mourning the possible loss of her son. Also, because her face is so pale, it could show she has a sense of purity that will be reflected in the film.

·        The high angle shot of the umbrellas, shows that she is part of a bigger society. Also, the fact that we can only see the umbrellas and not the people holding them, could show that they don’t have their own identity, which could reflect the ways in which people in 1928 (when the film was set) would have been treated like by the authorities. 

      

      In some ways, the FBI are the villians in the film, because they failed the mother both the ways thery treated her, and the fact that they didn't believe her.

 

     The mother is definately the hero and the victim in the film. She never gave up on finding her son which shows her love of a mother and that she was aware of her rights as a mother and

      a human being. 

     The priest in the film could be seen as both a mentor and a 

     helper for that mother because, he guides her thriugh the right ways in looking for her son. Also, he is one of the only people who actually believe her.

Lucky Number Slevin

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    The film is about a man who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and two feuding crime lords trying to kill him.

·      The film starts off with a man lying on a blue chair in an airport. The fact that it is long shot of the man, creates a mystery for the audience, but, because there are so many blue chairs surrounding him, it is easy to not realise that someone is actually lying there, which could reflect the ways in which a character of characters in the film feel.

 
 
 
These characters are both the villains in the film because they try to kill one of the other characters for no apparent reason. 

But, they both have their reasons, therefore doesn’t completely justify what they are doing, but helps the audience to understand and helps to create a relationship between them.

This woman could be classed as a damsel in distress because she is used as bait for both the rabbi and the boss, but she has the mental and physical strengthen that a type damsel in distress may not have. 

Exam (whole film)

·      The film is a psychological thriller about 8 candidates who are taking an exam for a job application. - The only problem is, 

   the exam paper doesn’t have a question on it. The film follows the candidates in trying to find out the question before 80 minutes is over.

·      The fact that it is a psychological thriller is made even clearer by the way in which the story causes the audience to think about what is happening instead of just watching it.

      

      This character could be seen as being a villain in the sense that he feels the need to cause destruction between the candidates and is constantly trying to make other people seem like the bad ones. 

     This character can’t really be classed as a damsel in distress because she tries to work out the task for herself. But in some ways she is, because, she becomes a victim to the villain’s evil ways. 

This character could be seen as being almost like a mentor to the candidates, because, he tells them what they should and shouldn’t do in regards to finding the question.

  You can’t really apply Todorovs narrative structure to this film because the fact that the film is so confusing makes it difficult to really distinguish the positive aspects of the film to the negative.

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