This document summarizes the author's analysis of three thriller films - Saw, Scream, and The Hunger Games. The author created bubble maps to analyze the generic conventions and codes used in each film. They found common elements like plot twists that leave audiences guessing and death/violence that makes the plots exciting. Through this analysis, the author has gained a better understanding of what defines the thriller genre and how to apply technical filmmaking skills to create tension and convey meaning. They now feel prepared to incorporate these elements into their own thriller film project.

1. Analysis of
similar texts
By Grace Crawford, AS Media
Studies, Research

2. Intro
After the analyse made into the three similar films, this being Saw, Scream and
The Hunger Games, I’ve come to identify myself with the typical conventions
that have been used to easily identify the genre.
Within this PowerPoint I will conclude all my research into this task and
investigate similar links and contrast as to why elements were included within
each of the films, enhancing my own knowledge into finding out what makes a
successful thriller film to audiences that I can easily apply to when I come to
create my own thriller production sequence.
This knowledge will come in handy for future references, allowing me to easily
refer back to when I investigate further into thriller films and the conventions
and codes included.

3. For this task, I had to select three previously released
thriller films and had to analyse the generic conventions
and codes that has been used in each one, from this I
recorded and noted all my findings in the three bubble
maps that I created using the software programme Bubbl.
In this PowerPoint I shall be comparing all my findings
and working outs with what it takes to make a thriller by
basing all my findings of similar research that all three
films have produced into a summary and evaluation. I
choose different submerged genres as a way to be
experimental and broaden my research to each one so I
shall soon have a wide knowledge of all types of the
thriller genre.

4. Similar texts that I researched
into:
Saw (2004, Directed by
James Wan)-Genre:
Thriller, Horror,
Psychological thriller.
Scream (1996, Directed by
Wes Craven)-Genre,
Thriller, Horror, Mystery
and Slasher.
The Hunger Games (2012,
Directed by Gary Ross)-
Genre, Thriller, Dystopian,
Action and Adventure.

5. Using Bubble, I created three bubble maps based upon these
texts so I can gain an understanding of the typical codes and
conventions used to create the film, as well as this, I also
looked into characters, plots and narrative as well as mise en
scene, themes, locations and props that can help me in my
research in understanding what is used to create a thriller
genre.
I find with my explorations into these films they can
successfully help me to devised my film opening ideas with I
come to create my final piece, these investigations will prove
insightful to me when I apply this.

6. Saw…
Saws plot revolves around two strangers waking up to find
themselves chained to a bathroom pipe, a dead man is
placed in a pool of blood directly in the middle of the floor,
show casing a number of deaths have been attempted in
this room. The aim throughout the film is for Lawrence
Gordon to escape his chains and kill Adam before his
allocated time is up, failing to do this will result in the death
of his mother and daughter at the hands of Zepp Hindle, who
appears to take the role of Jigsaw. I decided to analyse this
film as it took the genre of horror/thriller in which I knew that
most thriller genre films would use the horror genre as a way
of submerging to make the film a lot more tension seeking
and exciting for the audience.

7. Scream…
Screams revolves around a serial killer roaming the
streets of a peaceful suburban town killing innocent young
victims, playing games with them first by forcing them to
answer questions…get it wrong and the victims die. The
plot shows that the killer is stalking and attempting to kill
young girl named Sydney Prescott yet she manages to
escape multiple times, the film is combined with comedy
and airs of an whodunit mystery with the violence of the
slasher genre to satirize the cliché of the horror genre
such as other previously released film Halloween.

8. The Hunger Games…
This plot revolves around a 16-year-old girl, Katniss Everdeen volunteering in
place for her little sister for the annual 74th Hunger Games in which 24
children aged between 11-18 years old, 12 girls and 12 boys will have to fight
till the death in an arena till a lone tribute stands where either he or she will
then be crowned victor and live out there days in rich vast glory in
accommodation of the Capitol. The plot revolves around Katniss and her fight
for survival throughout the Hunger Games along with her fellow tribute Peeta
Mellark with which she displays romantic feelings for throughout the games
in which to play for sponsorship and survival. The genre for The Hunger
Games stands at a sci-fi, dystopian adventure thriller so the plot is more
open to audiences as its not to scary for younger people nor too screamy
unlike the film Saw who has more of a niche audience despite its well known
popularity due to the torture porn games against life and death run by a
mysterious identity.

9. Technical Aspects
Throughout the three films each derived from the thriller genre, I feel
like I have come to identify myself more with technical aspects to
establish the thriller genre more easily.
Camera work and editing skills that I noticed throughout the three films
have helped me to educate myself on why they were used,
successfully conveying meaning to audiences as they watch the films,
I feel like I have come to know more about this as I lacked in
knowledge about this before starting this task, I feel like I can go on to
create my own ideas based upon these findings out to successfully
create meaning.
I want to further expand my knowledge on this so my knowledge in this
department develops so that I'm confident in this.

10. Overall:
I found that after the completion of the analysis task, I've found out the basics
conventions and codes that have been used to successfully communicate to
audiences that the films are of thriller origin.
I find that what most of the films have in common is the use of plot twists and
leaving audiences in the dark, successful setting in Barthes enigma code
theory where it leaves an audiences gripped and engaged, committing them
into watching the duration of these films to find out answers that they seek
when aroused throughout the film.
I also found that the plots of death was very typically throughout these films,
showing me that audiences expect to see elements of violence throughout
these films, making the plot seem more exciting to them.
This task has gotten me to identify more clearly in depth of the typically
conventions and codes that have been enforced in films to set this genre, it
has informed me of an in depth analysis of similar texts that I can use
successfully throughout the duration of my research and plannning.