Narratives Themes and Sub Genres

Narratives:

A narrative is the way the plot is being portrayed, by putting together certain events, depending on what narrative technique is being used, the narrative defining the film will change. Their are different types of narratives, these include:

Omniscient

Omniscient is when the audience can clearly see everything that is happening from the start of the film, and know what the outcome may be. But they will not particularly know how, and the date or location it may happen. The events within the film are put together, so the audience have full perspective of what is happening, and what will happened. An example would be Silence of Lambs, this is because us the audience know who the killer is. 

Restricted

If a thriller is restricted it means that the audience do not know what the outcome of the film might be. The events are placed so that the audience are oblivious to the ending, but other characters within the film might know. Towards the ending the film will start to reveal the truth. An example of an restricted narrative would be Shutter Island, because all the way through the audience and the main character (Leonardo DiCaprio) don't know the soon to be revealed plot twist. That the main character is in fact a patient at the mental institute, this then creates shock and surprise with the audience and main character. Another example is Fight club, the audience and main character do not know until the end, that Brad Pitt's character is in fact the same person as the main character.

Non-Linear

The narrative Non-Linear is when a film does not have a clear start, middle and end. A non-linear film would include flashbacks to the past or flashes to the future  when this occurs it ruins the traditional linear film, but can make a film more interesting and allows the audience to be told information, or it can lead the audience into a false plot. An example would be Shutter Island, because towards the end there are flashbacks to reveal the real plot.

Linear 

Linear is when a film has a clear start, middle and end.

Enigma Code
The enigma code is technique used in films, this theory was created by Roland Barthes. The theory is when questions are asked and the audience are so interested so they want to watch on, this is all caused because of an event that happens to cause mystery. Questions are created by the audience such as who are they? what happened? Why did that happen?

The usual suspect is a great example, in the opening a man is tied up and the boat is lit on fire, the audience see a silhouette of the person who has done this. But the audience do not know who he is, they ask them self who is he? why has he done that? It is only at the very end that the audience and the detective find out who it is (this is also an example of one of the narratives, restricted).

Video presentation:



I have used a website called animoto to create this presentation. This is a video presentation that I mostly created, but with some input from Sophie Gordon.

Sub Genres:
A sub genre of a genre, is a specific grouping, gives more detail, within the general genre. These are the sub genres withing the Thriller genre.

Psychological
A psychological thriller is a thriller which plays with the mind, they create more suspense than your average thriller. This sub genre of a thriller focuses more in the characters, specifically characters unstable emotional states. It commonly includes elements of drama and mystery. A psychological thriller focuses more heavily on the characters rather than the plot. An example of a psychological thriller is Shutter Island, because it really does play with it's audiences mind. It creates a false story, and as the truth is revealed the audience are left doubting themselves, as does DiCaprio's character. The film creates the same emotions and feelings as Dicaprio's character has. 

Crime
A crime thriller focuses more on the criminals and the crimes they make, the film focuses on the crime being made rather than the victims. Crime props are greatly used in this sub genre, and they can create suspense because of the crimes create. An example of a crime thriller is The usual Suspect, all the way through the film the audience are show the lives of five criminals, and the crimes they commit.

Religious
A religious thriller is when the focus is on religion. The main focuses are religious objects, questions and institutions. Religious thrillers usually unravel good and evil.

Political
A political thriller focuses on government, the film will be set in a political environment. A political thriller involves characters who are terrorists or presidents/prime minister.
Super Natural
This sub-genre is closely related to the religious sub genre, because demons are commonly involved in super natural thrillers, and demons are to do with religion.

Conspiracy
This sub-genre makes a hero or heroin, stereotypically a journalist or a lower level in a career. They then usually find them selves in trouble, and tied up with powerful organisations.   
Disaster
They type of thriller is all surrounded by disasters  the plot and characters. The characters are followed as they survive, or in some cases cause these disasters. The disaster may be natural or caused on purpose, this usually creates more action and tension than just a thriller, these could be floods, earthquakes, fires, bombs etc.
Mystery
The sub genre includes more mystery for the audience, than usual, they also relate to crime thrillers. This sub genre focuses on the work of the detectives, rather than the protagonist or antagonist. An example is Shutter Island, because their is a great amount of mystery created.
Techno
This sub genre includes looks of technology, and mostly set in the future. Techno is highly focused on fictional, science and techno objects and plots. An example is Irobot, because the main focus is on robot, and it is set in the future.

Video Presentation:



Mostly created my Sophie Gordon, with some input from myself.

I have learnt what a sub genre and narrative in detail, I have also learnt what films are what certain narrative and sub genre. 

Directors Comments on Camera shots - Preliminary Task

Mine and Sophie Gordon's script:

I have learnt how I could have made my camera shots video better. I have criticized my own work, so I could figure out what I could have done better. We planned before recording the audio, so the directors comments would be professional. I have also learnt from my mistake, We put the video onto garage band with the audio, and the video shrunk. We then changed this and put the audio and video onto final cut pro.

Thriller Location Recee

I have taken this photo from Spinnaka Tower, at a high angle looking at Old Portsmouth. The dock yard would be a great location to create mystery and suspense  the protagonist could create conflict in this location, or the heroin could be in danger here.

The dock yard gives a lot of options, for example my thriller could be a crime thriller, psychological or spy. The old disadvantages would be if a ship came in to dock, it would reduce the amount of match on action shots I could have. I would have to take that into consideration.

I could also have Old Portsmouth as my location because of the Spinnaka Tower, it is Portsmouth Land mark.  The old naval buildings (some abandoned  would give a lots of options as well. It would be a great place to have a conflict take place.

 I have taken this photo on Oxford street, red buses are on view, which would tell the audience the location is London. This location is great because it is very busy. A chase could easily take place, I could use a pan or track shot, to make the most of the location. This would add the fast excitement to the thriller opening.The narrow roads, and corner buildings could make the chase, exciting and dramatic. If I edited the video clips using final cut pro, and use the effect colour correction 3 way, I could make the clip darker to add more mystery.

I have edited the same photo, using Photoshop  To show how making the photo darker creates different emotions. Making it darker creates more mystery and uncertainty  because the dark is mysterious we do not know what is in the dark.












Here I have learnt what locations would be suitable for a thriller. I have learnt that the capital city, London, would be good because it is well known. I have also discovered that having a location which is either abandoned or really busy would be the most suitable, because it makes it more interesting and realistic. 

Dexter opening titles remake

This is mine and Sophie Gordon's Dexter Remake, we both edited on final cut pro, I edited the very begging and very end, changed speed and added titles, transitions and effects (colour correction 3 ways, blur and rotation), and Sophie edited the whole middle. I have learnt how to use effects, and how to speed up because of the small amount of time we had. I used keyboard short cuts to do this. I would of liked to add all of the titles and more effects, but we did not have time. 

Next time we would have given ourselves more time in editing, by coming behind school more often, we could of also added less effects. We did not render as often as we would have liked to, so the clips do not flow as well because we couldn't play them back. We would have also liked to of spent more time moving the audio, so it fits the video better.

I have learnt how to fade in and out on videos, using effects. I have also learnt how to made a clip darker or lighter, using the colour correction 3 way effect. I have learnt that we should have given ourselves more time, so we wouldn't have to rush.

Dexter Opening Remake Planning

I am working in a group with Sophie Gordon, to film Dexter's morning routine.

This opening sequence to Dexter, creates a back story for the audience. Even though the actions Dexter is doing are normal, there is something unusual about them. All of the parts to the routine are aggressive, the low lighting gives the audience a sense of mystery. Most of the props used in the routine could be used to murder people with, the possible murder weapons give the audience clues that he is a murderer. There is also a sense of comedy to the routine, which makes the audience warm to him, which creates even more mystery to who he is. The frequent presence of blood, which also could portray danger, teaches the audience that he's not just a normal man getting ready.

What we need:

A kitchen stove/hob
A frying pan
Cutlery
Pate
Bacon
Eggs
A coffee cafetiere 
A thin white t shirt
A grape fruit
A shape knife
Shoelaces
Hand razor
Toilet roll
fake blood
Ketchup

What we need each:

Time line of Dexter's morning routine:

Mind map:

Story board:

I have learnt that planning is important, this is because it allows me to know what I am doing on the day of shooting, so I do not waste time. I have also learnt, that there are lots of shots in this opening sequence which makes it interesting. So I must include lots in mine.

Thriller Mind map

I have learnt the different components that make a thriller, and how they create certain emotions for the audience. I have also learnt that there are lots of components in a thriller, so I must make sure they are all included so my opening sequence is the best that it an be.

Final edited Camera shots - Preliminary Task

My group (Sophie Gordon, Anna Tyler and Cammie Hall) and I, filmed a variety of shots in our school. I filmed some shots, and edited half and added the effect to this film. We then uploaded them from two iPhone 5's to our computers. Sophie Gordon and I then edited the clips in Final cut pro, we used match on action , the 180 degree rule, panning, shot reverse shot and a variety of angles. We then added an effect, to turn the whole video into black and white. We removed the audio to the whole video, apart from the speaking scene (shot reverse shot).

I have learnt what the 180 degree rule is and shot reverse shot, and how to film that. I also learnt how to add effects on final cut pro.