Planning - Demographics of Thriller Films

Due to the fact our production company will be making a thriller film, we must look at the demographics that are associated with thriller films. But first - what are demographics exactly, and how can they help us?

Demographics are statistics which are obtained from a certain group of a population. For example, someone could get the demographics of how many people drink an energy drink, and the demographics would show it should be marketed to a younger audience. For thriller films, it could be said the results of the demographics themselves are quite surprising.


The following statistics are taken from ticket sales in various cinemas across England.

The demographics of the media graph are quite interesting. More men watch thriller films than women, despite the common social stereotype that men would be more likely to watch thriller films. The reason more women watch thriller films could be due to the fact that the protagonist in thriller films are largely female.

Here, these statistics show that the main age of people that watch thriller films are aged 50 and above. Like the previous statistic, at first this is quite strange. However, when you take into consideration that those in this age category have more liquid assets than those in the other categories shows why this is the case.

Planning - Sound

In films, there are three types of sound applied to feature films, diagetic, non-diagetic and sound ambiguity.

Diagetic sound is sound within a film that the characters themselves can hear, and a sound they acknowledge in the film. For example, hearing the ring of a doorbell and the character goes to open the door due to the sound of the doorbell. 

The opposite of diagetic sound is non-diagetic sound. Non-diagetic sound is sound that the characters in the film do not notice or know is present. Non-diagetic sound is used to add atmosphere and add to the ambiance of a scene. An example of non-diagetic sound is the use of a background song in a scene, such as displayed in the opening sequence of Matrix Reloaded.

However, sometimes sound in films can transition for non-diagetic to diagetic, and so causing sound ambiguity. This is used to create an effect of the audience watching or listening in on the characters, and getting the impression the characters are unaware of the sound, then to realise that they are aware of it. An example of this is shown in the opening sequence of 10 Things I Hate About You. 

Planning - Lighting

Low key lighting Low key lighting is a style of lighting for photography, film or television. It is a necessary element in creating a chiaroscuro effect. In film it is used to create dark, dramatic and mysterious scenes to help build tension.

High key lighting High key lighting simply refers to images that are mostly bright, with a range of light tones and whites and not many black or mid-tones and free from dark shadows. It is usually used in sitcoms and comedies.

Planning - Binary Structure

Planning - Camera Shots and Angles

Extreme close up
This is used to show fine details beyond what the human eye cannot see on its own. If it an extreme close up like the eye it would only be in one frame.

POV – point of view shot

This is a present action or setting from the approximate view point of the particular character.

Medium close up 

This shot gives a chest-up view of individuals also this can be used when two characters  converse with each other.

 

Close up
This frames the entire object the camera shot is taken at a very short distance from the subject this shows a detailed view of the object.

Long shot

This allows images to be seen as life sized people. People fill approximately ¾ of the entire scene.

Extreme long shot

This is used as a scene-setting. This usually shows the outside of buildings or landscapes

High angle shot

The camera is placed above eye-level and looks down on the object. This makes the subject seem vulnerable.

Low angle shot

The camera is placed below eye level and looks up at the action. This makes the subject appear larger and more powerful.

 Full shot

This is the height of the frame which is filled with the human figure. The head is near the top of the frame and the feet near the bottom.

Planning - Mise en Scene

Mise en Scene is all the components that endue setting the scene in a film or television show. The various elements of mise en scene are:

Costume - This is what the character is wearing and has to be appropriate to the scene and the vibe that the scene is trying to give off and also dictate the amount of power a character has e.g. tramp clothes, expensive suit.

Props - Props are objects that characters can use to emphasize the role they are playing, anything from weapons to vehicles.

Sets - Location in which the scene being shot takes place e.g. café, outback, city centre.

Lighting - The amount of light used when shooting a scene affects the atmosphere of the scene, there are two types of lighting, high key and low-key, high key lighting exposes the subject to a lot of light and shows a lot of detail on the subject. Low key lighting makes a lot of shadows on the subject and hides details from the audience.

Space - The relationship of distance between objects/characters. If the character is in
front of the camera it shows the character has power and authority over the other characters who appear in the camera as well. although if a character is further away from the camera this allows the audience to be aware this character does not have authority and is less important than the person who is in front of the camera. Furthermore space defines how characters feel towards each other, if there is space between both characters this shows they are not intimate. 

Planning - Psychology in Media: Ideal-I

This theory was created and put forward by psychologist Jacques Lacan. He puts forward the idea that infants do not recognize themselves being in an individual when they are first born. They do not have an initial sense of the world. When they become 18 months, a child will realise that they are human, and can get hurt and feel pain and different emotions. At this stage, they establish their interpretations of themselves. This is known as the mirror stage.

 

As humans, we are not capable of thinking negatively about ourselves, as much as some people believe that they do. This means that we believe our way of thinking is correct, because we have nothing to compare it to. We have always thought that our thoughts are “perfect” and that if another individual was to put forward another idea, then we would think that ours is the better one. This is known as the Ideal-I.

 

When we watch media, usually the lead roles and some characters are made to look strong. Naturally, Lacan puts forward the idea that due to the Ideal-I complex, we associate ourselves with those characters because we feel so positively about ourselves. Lacan says that people think that they are “seeing themselves” on screen, and gives this an explanation for why media is so popular.

Despite this, he also says that we do not want to associate ourselves with everything a character provides. We would only like to have what suits us. For example, someone may be very comfortable with the way they look, yet they desire the wealth that Donald Trump has, or the basketball skills belonging to LeBron James.

This is important in media, because this theory is the reason why many characters are designed the way they are - so people can relate to them or feel that they are related to them, and esstentially see themselves on screen. 

 

By Adaora

Planning - Psychology in Media: Scopophilia and Voyeurism

 

Scopophilia – the pleasure gained through looking at the human body (often sexual)

Voyeurism – sexual pleasure gained through looking, when the others involved are not aware of it (i.e. spying)

The idea of looking (called the gaze) us what fulfils our sexual desires. Due to instinct, we look at someone we view as looking nice and naturally stare at them. How the gaze is constructed also helps to constitute the binary structure of gender. Within media, women especially are sexually objectified. This means that through the gaze, females are portrayed as sexual objects. They are represented as being weak and child like in many different ways. Male models on the other hand, despite still being objectified.

This theory about media was made prominent by psychologist Laura Mulvey. In her article "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema", she explains how we are "turned on" by certain characteristics and cinema. The fact we ourselves are watching.

Planning - Psychology in Media: Psychic Apparatus

The psychic apparatus theory was brought forward by psychologist Sigmund Freud. His theory consists of the idea that the human mind can be broken into three main parts which are supposedly according to this theory meant to govern our behaviour. They are the Id, Ego and Superego. Each of these components in our mind have a certain job to do to control our behaviour, and according to Freud, they are all essential and our behaviour would be drastically different without all of them.

The id, is only concerned with pleasuring our minds. It does not take into consideration any potential consequences that our actions would take. The id only acts on instinct and impulse. For example, (in a situation where the superego and ego are not present), if someone was to get a message from the id to steal from a shop, they would because they would not consider the prospect they could get arrested.

The superego’s duty is to provide a sense of consequence and guilt and essentially reality. The superego is high aware of how other people around you perceive your personality and is constantly demanding that we act in a way that everyone finds appealing and socially acceptable. The superego is basically the part of the brain that prevents you walking outside naked with no clothes on you.

And finally the ego is like the “God” of your brain. The ego negotiates between the two other parts of the brain, making the decision whether or not to follow instinctual impulse (usually for pleasure) or to act accordingly to the expectations of others, taking in the risk assessment of consequences.

Planning - Introduction to Our Company

Hey guys! We're a media distribution company called ACD Productions, which if you really care doesn't really stand for anything. In this company there's four of us; Daniel, Chandler. Roisin and Adaora. This year, our coursework entails us in creating the opening sequence of an upcoming thriller film. To do this, we will have to plan, then construct it and then finally evaluate our media product. This will all be done using the very blog you are reading now, and other presentation techniques. We hope you enjoy our coursework!

I am Chandler, and I am 16, and I take an interest in many forms of media, such as books and music and watching films avidly. My favorite film is Kill Bill Vol.1 because it is just kinda a good film.

I am Roisin, I am 16 years old and I have a keen interest in media, such as music, watching various types of films and reading books and magazines.

I am Adaora but some people call me Dora, I am 16 years old and my future goal is to become a successful woman.

I am Daniel, I am interested in many forms of media especially movies and music, I generally like comedies and like to see myself as a laid back and funny guy.