2. Certain conventions are used in films with a similar genres. This is so they are appealing and create the right
atmosphere for audience of these specific genres. By doing this, the film will become much more appealing and
therefore will create a bigger profit, than without using these genre specific conventions.
Specific genre conventions for an action, crime thriller include:
• Creating feelings including suspense, excitement, maybe slight confusion at first, support for certain characters,
involvement and anticipation.
• The characters must have clear roles such as the criminals, spies or assassins.
• The theme should be easily understood as the film will rely on the audiences understanding. This could include
crime, suspense or action themes.
• The props must be relevant as they will be key to the narrative. For example, in my film guns, headsets and
mobile phones are used throughout, to create a sense of danger, vital communication needed and support.
• A thriller should follow one narrative and suggest a sense of a goal that must be completed. This is what my film
does and is implied in the film opening. The action woman seeks revenge on a murderer and calls in the support
of her friend to help her complete the task.
Genre conventions
3. I have used many different camera techniques in the film opening which attract the audience into carrying on watching the rest of the film. These include over the
shoulder shot, long shot and tilt down angle.
The use of the date and time as the first scene the audience sees addresses them as it allows the viewer to understand what is happening. It creates a sense of
realism as it enables the audience to locate and place what time the narrative happened.
The close up shot, which is used several times throughout the film opening, allows the audience to take a closer look at what is happening. The close up on the
map is also a point of view shot which enables the audience to see exactly what the character sees. Therefore, addressing their need to understand what is
happening in the film opening.
We did not use the 180 degree rule in the film opening as there was no scenes where two characters were being filmed at the same time. This is also the same for
shot reverse shot, as this is also used when two characters are in conversation. However, we would uses these camera techniques later in the film, where
characters will be in conversation with etch other. We also did not us the match on action technique as it did not fit into the footage that we wanted. However, we
could uses it later on in the film as a way of creating tension to attract the audience.
Camera techniques
Similar techniques have been used in another films which attract the audience into watching it. This
includes the film ‘21 Jump Street,’ an action, comedy, crime film, which shows ‘The Year 2005’ as the first
scene the audience sees. Although this is in the middle of the screen and not in the left hand corner like
mine, it still addresses the audience. This is because It gives the viewers context and therefore they will not
be confused and carry on watching the film. This is why we, as many films do, have used text as the fist
scene the audience sees.
4. Editing
We have used several editing techniques to attract the audience into watching the rest of the
film. This includes a split screen, where we have put two different characters completing
different tasks in one screen so the audience can address both characters at once. Using a split
screen creates a fast pace sequence which is similar to action films and is why I have used it in
my film opening. We also used picture in picture which is sometimes used in the opening titles
of action films to show all the different characters within the film. Whereas, we used it to
show the same character completing several different tasks. This was done to create tension
and therefore attract the audience into watching the rest of the film.
Using editing techniques addresses the audience as it makes the film suit the chosen genre
more specifically. This therefore attracts the audience into watching the rest of the film, as the
makers could use the same editing techniques in the film again.
5. We have used modern technology in this film to address to the audience that the film is set in the
modern day. We use technology such as smart phones, headsets and laptops. This highlights that
it is a current film that uses everyday technology that most people have access to. This attracts
the audience and allows them to connect with the characters as they know how to use these
devices and can contemplate the importance of the characters having and using them in the film.
Technology
The use of technology attracts the audience as they know
they can relate to the film before the opening has finished. It
also highlights how the impact of technology affects the
characters in the film an allows the audience to connect with
the characters. It attracts the viewer into watching the rest of
the film.
6. The music we used starts off slow and the gains pace as the tension
of the footage increases. This is to attract the audience and keep their
attention. The music is used to create interest within the viewers so
they will continue to watch the rest of the film. This is similar to other
film openings that have a similar genre to ours. This is like the film
‘Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,’ which uses music to create suspense in
the film opening. The music created the idea that something bad was
going to happen. This film is an action, drama, thriller which is a
similar genre to my own film opening. The music attracts the audience
as with both of these films, the music is an important technique used
to create tension before the main storyline has begun.
Music
Source: tomclancy.wikia.com
7. Unique Selling Point (USP)
The unique selling point of our film is the fact that the lead role is a female character. This is
sometimes unusual in action, crime, thrillers as normally, the main character is male. This is
because of the stereotyped connotations that men have to take the lead role in action, thrillers; they
are seen as the ones to protect the innocent from any harm. However, in our film opening, we have
subverted the stereotype as we have used a female as the main character. The other unique selling
point is that the audience supports the vigilante character, Alice, the office worker/action woman.
This is because the ruthless character that has been causing the murders, Esme, is seen as evil
and therefore, will not have the support from the audience. Whereas, the viewers will support the
character Alice who is going to avenge these murders by killing the murderer herself, Esme.