This is my AS media evaluation for question 1

2. Using and Developing
Sound Conventions
Extracts from the below opening
sequences:
1)
2)

The conventional sound of psychological thrillers
is very tension-building. This is achieved by
using mainly faster paced, higher pitched and
louder non-diegetic sound as it builds towards a
climax. Secondly, more layers are incorporated
towards the end to intensify the mood.

We used this first convention, especially towards
the end, with the clock ticking. This is because
the clock started quite slow and low pitched at
first, however soon got faster and higher-pitched.
Also, we used the second convention, as at the
start we only have 2 layers of sound, one diegetic,
the birds singing, and the other non-diegetic, the
choir-like music, however, 1 minute in, we have
over four layers of sound, mainly non-diegetic.

This implied our sub-genre because it put the
audience on edge and created a chilling,
uncomfortable mood.

In the opening sequence of Se7en, directed by
David Fincher, the music is extremely tensionbuilding too. This effect was achieved by
accelerating the volume and using more layers of
sound as it got further into the opening sequence.
3)

3. Sound
continued

However, we also challenged the
sound conventions of thriller
films as we used a voiceover at
the start, when Darcy is walking
towards the house and when she
first enters. Not many other
thriller opening sequences do
this as it may be seen as taking
away from the tension.

However, we added this in order
to add clarity to the plot and
make it obvious that Darcy was a
cleaner for someone else. Also,
because we only used the
voiceover at the very beginning, I
don’t think it took away from the
overall effect, as there was still
plenty of time to create suspense.

We created our sound on
sound track, which I thought
was very effective as it
allowed us to use layers of
sound, a key convention in
psychological thrillers.

4. Themes, Character,
Iconography

5. Nine-frame grid

6. Setting/location

The main setting conventions I noticed whilst
studying psychological thriller openings were
derelict buildings and dark, isolated
environments.

However, we challenged this convention by
basing our opening around a very normal and
pleasant-looking house. We did this so that the
audience did not expect such a turn of events
when Darcy snaps after reading the letter.

This setting indicates towards our sub-genre,
due to a house having connotations of
personal security. Therefore, through Darcy
disrespecting the family house in such an
aggressive and extreme way, it shocks and
disturbs the audience.

This setting for our opening sequence.
The setting for “Hand that Rocks the Cradle”.
However, this setting of pleasant-looking
house is also used in the psychological thriller,
“Hand that Rocks the Cradle” directed by
Curtis Hanson and “Sleeping with the
Enemy”, directed by Joseph Ruben. This is a
very effective setting as the film more relatable
and realistic for the viewers
The setting for “Sleeping with the Enemy”.

7. How characters are introduced

Whilst researching psychological thriller conventions of
the introduction of characters mainly varies between two
methods. This is either that the character is presented as
a psychopath immediately, or their psychopath identity
is kept a mystery until later on.

We used the convention of exposing Darcy’s
psychopathic stat later on, because we felt it shocked and
intrigued the audience more.

This convention of shock and use of a psychotic
character, implies the sub-genre due to this being a
recurring theme in other media products.

This chosen convention of hidden identity indicates
many psychological thrillers that could have influenced
us. This includes the “A Perfect Getaway” directed by
David Twohy as the characters seem really friendly and
typical tourists, until later on when their psychopathic
ways are revealed, keeping a theme of disguise and
mystery. This is also the case in “Misery” directed by
Ron Reiner, where the character of Annie Wilkes is first
introduced as a caring and nurturing women, however
her darker side is soon exposed.
This is the first time the viewer
sees Darcy. I am smiling and look
friendly, echoing the convention
we were aiming for.
This is the
psychotic couple
from the film “A
Perfect Get Away”
This is Annie
Wilkes from the
film “Misery”

8. Costume

The main costume conventions that I noticed in
psychological thrillers are the use of very normal,
typical clothing. This almost creates a sense of realism
and naturalism, making it more thrilling for the
viewer. However, the costumes are usually quite
dark too to echo the dark place the psychopaths are
in.

Although we used the first convention we challenged
the second, as I wore a very bright red top. We did
this to reflect on how dangerous the character of
Darcy is. I also, wore an apron to reflect on my
profession as a cleaner.

This use of normal clothing in a way reflects our subgenre as it triggers theme of identity and mystery.

This costume convention is used in many
psychological thrillers such as the films “Inception”
and “Memento”, both directed by Christopher Nolan.
This is my normal costume as Darcy. My
red top symbolises danger and
foreshadows the death of characters.
These are the characters and their
costumes in the film, “Inception”
This is a character and his
costume for the film, “Memento”

9. The title of the film

The main title conventions of psychological thriller are that the font
is quite clear and sharp, maybe to reflect on obsessive behavior.
Also, they are usually written using the colours white, black or red
to reflect on life and death. Also, the main title is usually
positioned somewhere in the middle of the sequence. In this way
the title isn't exposed straight away, nor given at the end and
creating a trailer-like quality. The name itself is conventionally one
word to be intense and memorable.

However, we challenged this font convention, as our title is very
rough and messy. We chose this specific font called “Ball Tongue"
on a website called “Dafont”. We chose it because we thought the
shadow of every letter behind it, reflected the two contrasting
personalities of Darcy. However, we did use the colour convention
of red and white to echo the themes life and death. Also, we
positioned it near the middle too and made it a one-word title.

The use of this font implies our sub-genre because it looks quite
aggressive and violent, a bit like the psychotic behavior of Darcy.
Also, the colours indicates towards the sub-genre as they are very
serious and sinister and as for the name, “Silence” is very
unnatural and disturbing, like the film plot.

This messy-looking main title font is also used in the opening
sequence of the film “Se7en”. Directed by David Fincher. However,
the common psychological thriller convention of a tidy font for the
main title is used in opening sequences of films such as “The
Silence of the Lambs”, directed by Jonathan Demme and “The Sixth
Sense” directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
This is the main title in our
opening sequence of “Silence”.

10. Special effects

The special effects conventions in psychological thrillers
mainly create dark, sharp lighting, to make the atmosphere
more intense. Also, special effects are used to tint the
image red, reflecting on the theme of danger and death.

We used this first convention in all of the scenes after
Darcy had found the criticizing note, to reflect on how her
mood had changed for content to livid. We achieved this
sharp effect by selecting the option, “hard lighting” and the
darker lighting effect by lowering the exposure levels.

This special effect suggests our sub-genre because the
sharpness and darkness of the image indicates that the film
will be intense and chilling, much like physiological
thrillers.

This use of special effects suggests other psychological
thrillers that could have influenced us. For example,
“Shutter Island” directed by Martin Scorsese, where a dark,
sharp images are used throughout to suggest the
mysterious and eerie atmosphere of the island.
We used the special
effects of “hard
lighting”
This is the
psychotic couple
from the film “A
Perfect Get Away”

11. Genre and how the opening suggests it

In order to imply the genre of the film in the opening
sequences, psychological thrillers usually use
iconography. This is the use of images or symbols
often associated with something specific, for
example, I gun represents violence.

We used this convention after Darcy had found the
criticizing note as Darcy used scissors to stab a teddy
bear.

The iconography of the scissors connotes the themes
of assault and attack, therefore implying the subgenre of a psychological thriller. Also, a sense of
enigma is captured as it is unknown as to why Darcy
is using the scissors in such an aggressive way.

This use of iconography and enigma is also used in
the opening sequence of, “Se7en”, directed by David
Fincher, as the psychopathic character is using a
sharp blade to harm himself. This also captures the
theme of violence and attack.
We used the iconography of
scissors
The iconography of scissors
is also used in “Se7en”

12. Camerawork and editing

This is a cross-fade that we used in
“Silence”
“Mama” (top) and “Shutter Island”
(bottom) also use cross-fade
transitions
The conventional editing technique of a
psychological thrillers is montage editing to create a
sense of confusion and excitement. Also, I noticed
that many psychological thrillers use cross fade
transitions.

We challenged the first convention as we used
continuity editing throughout. However, I think this
is more effective for our specific story as if we used
montage editing, I think it would be quite confusing
to comprehend. On the other hand, we used cross
fade transitions in many areas of our opening to
create meaning by how the two shots were
positioned on one another.

I think this transition implies our sub-genre because
a creepiness is captured due to the relaxed feel the
cross-fade creates contrasting with the low-key
lighting and scary iconography.

The cross-fade transition is used in many
psychological thriller openings. For example,
“Mama”, directed by Andres Muschietti, and,
“Shutter Island”, directed by Martin Scorsese.Both of
these opening sequences also use montage editing.

13. Title font and style

The conventional title font of psychological
thrillers is either very neat and crisp, connoting
obsessive behavior, or very rough and rigid,
connoting unsettled and aggressive behavior.

We used the first convention by making every
title other than the main one very neat and tidy.
We thought the font and style we chose
complemented the main title font well. Also, we
put the credits in a similar order to opening
sequence of “Arlington Road”, directed by Mark
Pellington, to make the order conventional.

This title font and style throughout, implied our
sub-genre because it reflected on Darcy’s desire This is title font and style
for perfection and obsessive attitudes, which are used in “Mama”
all to do with the psychological state.

This neat font for the cast and crew is also used
in the psychological thrillers, “Drag me to Hell”,
directed by Sam Raimi, and “Mama”, directed by
Andres Muschietti.
This is the title font and style
we used throughout
This is the title font and style
used in “Drag me to Hell”

14. Story and how the opening sets it up

The conventional way that a psychological
thriller opening sequence sets up the story
is by using photos or drawings of main
characters from later on in the film.

We used this convention at the very end of
the opening sequence. We did this by
using a panning shot of photos of the
children, that are victims of Darcy, with
their eyes scribbled out, foreshadowing
that she is going to murder them.

This shot implies our sub-genre as it
indicates towards her hatred of the family
and psychotic bursts of aggression.

The photo abuse used in our
opening sequence “Silence”
The photo abuse used in
“Se7en”
This idea of scribbling out the eyes of
people in the photo, is used in the
psychological thriller, “Se7en”, directed by
David Fincher and “Orphan”, directed by
Jaume Collet-Serra.
The photo abuse used in
“Orphan”