Intro to Modern Thrillers

Welcome back Examiner!
In this post I will be analysing the opening scenes for four different films in order to explain the vital (and non vital) elements of a modern thriller. Thriller genre films are films that use suspense, tension and excitement as it's main sources of attraction. Modern thrillers are thrillers that extensively borrow elements pionnered by hollywood veterans Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang. Modern thrillers also tend to contain heavy action to propel the excitement.
The four movies I will be assessing are;
- A History of Violence
-Zodiac
-Brick
-No Country for Old Men

A History of Violence
'A History of Violence' is a crime film directed by David Cronenberg starring Viggo Mortensen as Tom Stall, seemingly regular restaurant owner whose life is turned upside-down when his criminal past is brought to light.

A history of violence
Slow paced, tension filled first scene
2 Characters - One wearing white with lacks writing other wearing all black = Suggests binary opposites
Dark Mis En Scene

Zodiac
Slow paced
Panned camera shows setting
Sets the tone for the beginning (The State of Equilibrium)

Brick

No Country for Old Men
Starts off dark ends light

Unknown

Unknown is a thriller released in 2011 starring Liam Neesom as a man who has and accident which results in him losing his memory although he still remembers his identity and close associates such as his wife. Although this is so, nobody believes him even his wife. However mysterious things happen to him such as being targeted for an assassination. He then sets out to find out just what happened to him and who he is with the help of Gina; the woman who caused his accident.

The Film is directed by spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra and is written by Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell.

From the trailer alone we see scenes of quick cuts, tense music and a high sense of mystery, all of which are main conventions of a thriller.
One of the films most notable scenes is the car chase scene embedded below.

In this scene we see characters 'Martin and Gina' trying to escape a enemy that is seemingly trying to kill them. It is clear this scene is action packed as it has over 120 cuts within those two minutes. The non diegetic chords played by the orchestra suggests trouble is a clear presence in this scene. Also the mise en scene further makes the scene more exciting, thrilling and dangerous.

Shooting Schedule

This is our shooting schedule. We planned it according to the days that we were all free.

Costume and Props Images

Character Name: Nortz
Costume: Stereotypical rapper Baggy jeans A cap Large T-shirt Red Jacket.	Props: Chain Mic
Character Name: Eeze
Costume: Assassination attempt    Black bally All black track suit Mask	Props: Guns
Character Name: Tino
Costume:  Party clothing Jeans Shirt	Props: gun

Risk Assement

Location Visit Sheet

Treatment

Treatment

Group Roles Cinematography: Elijah Smalling Mise-en-scene: Leon Macauley Sound: Tino Chimunye Editing: Gottfried Nortey

Title: [WORKING TITLE: Gott Fried Died Tryin’] Tag Line:

Synopsis:  Gottfried is a relatively infamous rapper with plenty of enemies. Whilst at a party he is shot by his arch nemesis, Tino. Fast forward, Elijah goes out to avenge Gottfried’s death and sees Tino, who just got out of prison.

Key Genre Conventions: Suspense Fast Paced Action Quick Cuts Tension Music Black and White Shots

Shot List

Shot List
Scene	Shot Number	Description
House scene Outside Scene Elijah’s Bedroom Scene Street Scene	Wide shot Panning Mid shot Back to Back Mid Shot Over The Shoulder Master Shot Long Shot Extreme Close Up Close Up Sudden quick fade to black POV Shot Over The Shoulder Medium shot Close Up	Everyone in the party, having fun/enjoying it Elijah whispering in Gottfried’s ear ‘lemme chat to you’ Elijah and Gottfried walking out Elijah and Gottfried talking about how Gottfried needs to be careful. Gottfried reassures Elijah he’s cool The two say goodbye for the last time Gottfried on stage, performing Tino pulls out gun Gottfried’s face (shocked/anxiety) Tino’s face as he pulls trigger multiple times Diegetic sounds of gun shots heard during black scene sequence (Black screen represents time skip) Gottfried Dying Elijah looking at the calendar Tino walking out of prison Elijah putting on gloves