Shot types

My filming partner and i looked at shot types as a guide to know which shot types we are going to use in our thriller opening sequence, and when we are going to use 'extreme close up' for example, and for what reason are we going to use certain shot types. 

	ECU - Extreme Closeup
	This shot type is used for very small but meaningful details in the scene. For a thriller movie it could be significant to do an extreme close up of a killer's eye if he is peeping through at his victim. The close up just reveals detail, it just gives the audience a good idea of what someone/something looks like. If there is a close up of someone's head and shoulders the viewer of the movie would have a good idea of what they look like.
	CU - Close Up
	The close up just reveals detail, it just gives the audience a good idea of what someone/something looks like. If there is a close up of someone's head and shoulders the viewer of the movie would have a good idea of what they look like.
	Head and Shoulders
	This is used in news broadcasts, the audience can clearly see the characters facial expressions with the 'head and shoulders shot'.
	Bust Shot
	This shot shows your subject from above the knees to above the head. It is often used when the subject of the shot is doing something that requires the audience to see some detail. For example in a thriller movie a bust shot would be suitable if it was of the killer holding the gun.
	MS - Medium Shot
	This shot is just below the waist to above the head. There is more headroom than in the bust shot.
	MLS - Medium Long Shot
	With this shot, you can still see expression on the character's face, and also you can be getting more information from what is going on around the person. This is one of the most common shots used.
	LS - Long Shot
	This shot is useful for someone that is walking or moving. So the audience can clearly see everything that the character is doing.
	ELS - Extra Long Shot
	Also known as the Establish shot, this gives the audience some perspective as to where the subject is. This is very important if the subject is moving to new locations or times. It lets the audience know where the video is taking place.
	2 Shot
	These shots are used when two people are in the scene and their interaction is crucial. A two-shot is a good way to introduce or show a conversation. From the introduction you might cut to an over the shoulder shot of one person talking or a close-up of the other person reacting to what is being said.
	OS - Over Shoulder
	This shot reveals one subject as seen from over the shoulder of another subject. It gives a view of the subject as seen from the second person's eyes. This shot is often used in conversations between two people where the dirtector wants to focus on the person speaking, so it is easier for the audience to follow. Usually these shots are head shots (close ups of the speaker).

Different Types of Thriller Films

1) Action Thriller
- A lot of violence
- Its a race against the clock (fast moving)
- Uses a lot of weapons, i.e guns and explosions




As an example of an opening sequence of an action thriller movie i used the newest James Bond movie 'Casino Royal'. It is very clear that this movie is an action thriller as the first couple of seconds are not at all suspenseful, James Bond is very blunt and to the point when he is talking to the other man in the movie. After that the camera cuts from the other man to James Bond and then cuts straight to a fighting scene without any conversation, this is all in the first 40 seconds of the film, this tells us that action thriller movies are fast moving, and jump straight to violence. After the fighting between the two men, the camera cuts back to James Bond and his rival, his enemy is holding a gun, this is common in action thrillers to open with weapons, without any build up.


2) Crime Thriller
- It is a mix between a crime film and a thriller film
- A crime thriller usually focuses on the criminal not the victim, which is very different to most thriller films
- And of course it focuses more on the action than the psychological aspects of the movie
- Crime Thriller's are more violent than suspenseful

As an example of an opening sequence of a crime thriller, I used The 'Godfather'. Even in the first few seconds of this movie it is evident that it is a crime thriller, as there is a shot of someone who looks like the criminal staring at an 'NYC policeman', this is repeated twice. The use of black and white represents sophistication, the music is very suited to the time period, and it gives evidence of where the film is set, the music also gives the audience the implication that it is clearly not a drama thriller, horror thriller, psychological thriller, supernatural thriller, erotic thriller or a disaster thriller, this narrows it down to being a political thriller, action thriller or of course a crime thriller, and by the shots its quite clearly a crime thriller. Within the first 30 seconds of the opening sequence there is already a shot of a photograph, this shot is of two men in suits, its a close up that focuses on their knees up to their chests, this hints investigational evidence of criminals. The title sequence also shows a lot of photographs which can be associated with crime scene investigation.

3) Disaster Thriller
- This is a thriller that includes natural disasters
- For example tsunamis or volcanoes
- These are not as thrilling as any other thriller because they are not as easy to relate to

4) Drama Thriller
- This is a thriller with drama elements
- This really differs with action thrillers as drama thrillers are very slow pacing
- Drama thrillers include a lot of plot twists this makes them exciting to watch
- They force the audience to keep interested as there is a great deal of character development









5) Erotic Thriller
- Similarly to 'drama thrillers' the erotic thriller is also a combination of two genres
- This is a combination of erotica and thriller






6) Horror Thriller
- These are usually one of the scariest types of thriller films
- The conflict between the main characters is emotional, mental and physical
- These are usually the most realistic types of thrillers








7) Political Thriller










8) Psychological Thriller
- These movies play with your head
- Similarly to 'horror thrillers' they are also one of the scariest types of thrillers as they feel very realistic
- These types of thrillers are suspenseful and slow moving
- There is a build up to the typical violent endings
- In that build up psychological thrillers consist of the characters conflicts being mental and emotional









9) Supernatural Thriller
- These thrillers are not very realistic and therefore not so thrilling
- One of the main characters who is in conflict with another one of the main characters has supernatural powers, i.e
- This thriller combines the typical thriller with the basic horror elements, i.e the use of ghosts

Independent brief notes on the opening sequences of thriller films

All of the following thriller films I chose because I thought that they all had spectacular opening sequences as they build tension:

Dexter 
-Words put together well
-Title out of blood
-Blood drops to cause suspense
-Music- cycrenis sound goes with footage
-Food made into something creepy and disgusting
-Fists scrunch together
-CU of face
-Very sinister out of normal everyday life
-Tieing shoe laces lead to strangling
-Sinister, frightening and thrilling appeal
-Boring everyday life items being made into suspense
-Cliche titles
-Very jolly and light music
-Synchronism music

Cape Fear
-Water
-Scary music, suspenseful, synchronism
-Slanted scary writing
-Dark water
-Reflections on water
-Black shadow
-Blood pool
-ECU of x-ray eyes turning into a girl talking (gradually zooming out)
-Similar to vertigo

Hostage
-Actors names written on buildings
-Music building tension
-Slow violin
-Little bit of voice is used
-Bulbed wire
-Already have the clue that it is set in the city
-House in blood
-Title in blood
-All of font written on town/city objects
-Zoom in on phone
-Jumps into footage

Burn After Reading
-Kind of thriller with comedy
-Blurred circles, orange and blue to open
-Planet earth moving round and zooming into a country
-Jungle music
-Telephone ringing over music
-Low camera angle
-Filming feet
-Someone walking into an office
-Zooming into a building from earth
-In a corridor, could be anywhere (simplistic)
-Music goes off
-Suits/ties/office/strobe lighting/pen/paper, gives an office feel
-dialogue commences

Brief notes on beginnings of thriller films that we did in class

Witness, Harrison Ford, 1985
-Paramount pictures
-Witness (slanted)
-Creepy, slow music
-Opens with a landscape, grass swaying
-Music changes, trumpet (instrument) comes in
-People walking across the field
-Horse and carriage (suited for era)
-People walking up, we gradually see their faces
-Music fades as we hear the sound of horses trotting
-People are crying, looking upset
-Dressed very outmoded
-Enigma, mystery making
-People in black (represents funeral0
-Suspense and mystery
-Electronic music, spacey feel
-Introduce Armesh
-Titles over action
-Trend followed by this
-Not dramatic

Departed, 2006
-Boston (some years ago)
-Fighting
-Deep NYC accent talk over
-Man manipulates kid
-Church
-Western music
-Gunshot (no build up)
-Only 3/4 titles (very quick)
-Low key lighting
-Comical, no ethical dilemma
-Encourage small boy into crime
-Sense of brutally shocking the audience

Children of Men, 2006
-Title
-Voiceover (can't see)
-Picture appears from a television
-Futuristic
-In London
-Bomb (at the beginning to jolt the audience)

Questionaire

Preliminary Task

Examples of The British Board of Film Classifications

 A good example of a 'U' rated movie is Shrek 2, this movie is rated 'U' because it is perfect for children of all ages, it is funny, easy to follow, imaginative, and it is also fun for all the family to watch. Shrek 2 contains very mild language, and mild comic fight scenes, however, as it is animated it is less scary for young children. Here is a movie trailer for Shrek 2:

 A good example for a 'PG' rated movie is School of Rock, this movie is rated 'PG' because it contains mild language and sex references. This movie is okay for general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. It is recommended that children under the age of 12 watch this with parental supervision. Here is a movie trailer for The School of Rock:

 A good example of a '12/12A' rated movie is The Titanic, this is a classic movie that is very popular and well known. This movie is suitable for persons 12 years and over because it contains disaster related peril and violence, nudity, sensuality and brief language. Here is a movie trailer of The Titanic:

 A good example of a '15' rated movie is The Girl Next Door, this movie is suitable for only persons 15 years and over because it contains strong language and sex references. Here is a movie trailer for The Girl Next Door:

A good example of a movie that is suitable for persons of 18 years and over is the thriller movie Taken, this is only suitable for adults because it contains strong violence and extended scene of torture. Here is a movie trailer of Taken:

*I got this information from going to blockbusters movie rental, and watching those 5 movies, and then making notes on why they would have this particular rating. I got the movie trailers from youtube.