This document provides an analysis of a student media project that aims to open like a typical thriller film. [1] The opening scene uses crosscutting between shots of characters being followed and credit titles to create suspense. [2] The narrative and themes of murder, police investigations, and the struggle between good and evil resemble those of crime thrillers. [3] Various filming techniques like point-of-view shots, music, and dim lighting were used to further establish the thriller genre and build tension.

1. Media Evaluation
Our Project closely follows the conventions of existing thriller opening scenes such as Seven and
Lucky Number Slevin. The format and style of our title sequence resembles a typical thriller opening,
where crosscutting is used to create suspense and urgency. Crosscutting is used between two very
different shots. One is of two dissimilar characters being followed whereas the other is graphically
designed shots in which the credits and names of the actors are seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-owUOKk9MWM
The narrative resembles a typical thriller film where the identity of the criminal is unknown till the
hero, for example policeman unveils him in the end. The themes of murder, police investigations and
the struggle between good and bad is seen throughout this project to emphasis the narrative
content. It also indicates the type of genre, which in this case it is a crime thriller. These are some
similarities:
The characters being depicted are typical of a crime thriller because the victims seen are very usual
and ordinary people in contrast with the protagonist who is depicted as powerful, intelligent
dominant and sadistic, although his identity is unknown. The main shot we used were point of view

2. shots and panning shots to emphasis somebody is being followed. However we also used long shots
to show the audience were the action will take place.
Long shot Point Of View Shot
Furthermore with the use of quick cuts and crosscutting we were able to create a build up to a
climax allowing for the thrill of the audience. Some of the shots were fast paced and helped create
dramatic tension and enigma. The titles are seen continuously throughout, Similar to Seven the titles
were clear but typical of a crime thriller as it was in motion.
The non-diegetic sound used was parallel to the emotions of the action being depicted. A soft
melody being played gave a sense of ewe as it seemed contrary to the action but still felt very
emotional. A news report can also be heard in the background which was used to establish the
involvement of higher authority e.g. police as we do not see them initially.
http://vimeo.com/10720435 - Thriller Project

3. Moreover we used locations that seemed empty and abandoned to create that idea of vulnerability
and helpless. To establish this idea further, we used the effects tool to dim the shots we felt
necessary. Our work has been influenced by different aspects of thriller films. Lucky Number slevin
had the most influence as it gave us the idea of crosscutting between two dissimilar shots, as well as
the use of camera shots depicting the action and characters involved. However the creation of our
titles was influenced by the film seven. The Enigma is created by the use of quick cut shots, which
are fast paced and sound dramatic. The Unknown identities of the characters help increase the
enigma as the audience is kept thinking.
We have juxtaposed two different characters that were represented in different ways. We
represented social class in the way of different costumes. The Character of the businessman was
well dressed and very smart. However the character of the drug dealer was wearing a hoody and a
baseball cap which was a typical representation of a young person. In many films the roles of the
characters would have been oppositely assigned, for example the white man would be seen as the
well dressed character. Furthermore the use of props enhanced this idea of representation. The
businessman was holding a suitcase and the drug dealer was seen with a blue bag which looked like
drugs. We also placed a lot of importance on the characters physical ability in that the business man
would walk calmly and have an upright posture to reflect his confidence whereas the young man is
seen to be walking fast paced in a seemingly anxious manner. Both characters represented a
particular occupation which was important for the audience to understand, the idea that although
both characters were dressed differently they were fundamentally the same.
Tie Cap Silver Chain Hoody
Blazer White Shirt

4. Data acquired from our questionnaires revealed 95% of young people between the ages of 16-19
prefer a thriller film to other genres. However in saying that, our thriller project was aimed for those
between the ages of 16-40 as the content would have been for mature audiences. The
questionnaires revealed people would like to see longer length films rather than short films. Many
thriller films tend to play for more than 90 minutes. Moreover they liked ..
The film Se7en and Lucky number slevin appealed because they both had an enigmatic opening
scene. The use of editing enhanced this feature and made it very tense and suspenseful. Throughout
the film enigma was being created whilst continuously creating new and interesting situations as
well as the action. I was constantly asking questions and trying to work out what was going on which
makes these films really appealing. Furthermore how the film draws to an end is impressive and the
way it was revealed makes it even better to watch.
Mental health is portrayed negatively in Se7en as the serial killer appeared to suffer from some sort
of mental illness. He was seen as the antagonist who was reffered to as “sadistic “and “mad”. The
type of audience watching such a film could dangerously misconceive mentally ill people as killers
and imitate this level of verbal abuse.
We created characters who we knew how society would react to them in the real world. I believe
most people would express displeasure when learning about drug dealers, fraudsters or an
individual that transgresses people’s rights and quality of life. We all have our internal opinions that
cannot be applied to the real life world. If an individual really disliked a drug dealer and wanted to
see them suffer to the extent they wished death upon them, it would not happen as there are laws
already governing punishment of certain criminals. However what we have done is taken these kinds
of criminals and brought in a mysterious character that is brutal and seeks revenge in a sadistic ways.
Furthermore the use of creating titles on graphically designed shots kept the suspense throughout
the opening scene. A good beginning should reflect the entire movie.