Conventions of Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund's notorious 'City of God'

A true story from the 60's follows the tales of two young boy's (and other characters) from Brazil's notorious Rio who take on different paths in life and deal with their struggles differently. The story is narrated through Buscape, son of a fisherman with the dream of one day becoming a photographer. He captures the brutality and violence of his world largely through the rise and fall of one of the biggest and most corrupt bosses of the slums 'Lil Ze' and the shockingly devastating effects of his power in the slums.

-A true thriller largely focused on crime, however this is not the main focus of the film.

-Uses camera angles to place emphasis on characters reactions and emotions.

-Powerfully emotional drama, toys with audiences emotions.

-Interlinked plot, where narrator explains background story of significant characters in the film.

-Protagonist has a strength (photography) which is his passion. This assists him in his survival in the slums of Rio and allows him to make it out of the infamous Ghettto.

Conventions of Christopher Nolan's 'Inception'

Set in a world where machines allow one to penetrate the human mind and steal secrets, with dreams as a vessel a talented their faces a final chance  to redeem himself with his final, most challenging task yet; the opposite of his notorious jobs, an inception.

-A complex plot with an unexpected twists.

-Careful and complex planning from characters.

-There are high stakes, that mean a lot to the protagonist.

-They are involved in a dilemma which threatens their sanity and freedom and must use their mind  to overcome the issues raised in the storyline.

-The film is centred around crime or an act that is considered immoral.

-A fantastic special effects made more believable with the idea  that these are indeed created by the mind.

-As a psychological thriller; is based on the ability of the human mind and the ability to manipulate it.

-A manifold of camera angles used to amaze the audience.

Conventions of Christopher Nolan's 'Memento'

The protagonist, Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer create new memories, as he investigates who murdered his wife and rendered him in his current position, which is the last thing he remembers. One story line moves forward as the other tells the story backwards unravelling more each time.

-A theme of mystery is established at the beginning of the film with a preview of the end of the film.

-Only at the very end is the plot completely unravelled.

-The protagonist has an 'Achilles heel' (weakness) which is exploited by the protagonist(s).

-The antagonist of the film is overpowering the protagonist.

-The protagonist suffers from a form of memory loss and intrigues the audience as they unravel his story.

 

-Music, alongside other micro-elements creates a climax/build of suspense.

-The confusion of the character seems to spread to the audience through the distorted order of the film, allowing them to relate the protagonist.

-Strong motive that drives the protagonist.

Conventions of Doug Liman's 'The Bourne Identity'

Inpired by and loosly based on Robert Ludmun's novel, the film tells the story of a man who is found wounded and cannot remember anything about himself. He discovers a swiss bank account number implanted in his hip and the search to recover his memories begins

-Fast pace climax (e.g. via increase in pace of music) and action throughout.

-Impressive violent/action scenes.

-Strong element of mystery.

-The protagonist suffers from some sort of memory loss and is followed by the audience as he unravels his past.

-Strong motive to the protagonists quest.

-Protagonist has an Achilles heel which is exploited by 'bad guy'(s)

-Protagonist weakness is usually a mental condition or problem rather than directly physical.

-The Film plot is centred around a crime or a form of immoral act.

-There is a person precious to the protagonist which they will fight for and protect (usually some sort of partner)

-Element of conspiracy- Secret Government association or private with hidden secrets involved strongly in the plot.

-Powerful force following and largely outnumbering protagonists ability and resources.

Thriller Genre Conventions

Thriller genre films use a mixture of suspense, excitement and mystery as its three main components. Aimed to 'thrill' their audience, hence the name.

Famous thriller films include: The Godfather (trilogy), Pulp Fiction, Silence of the Lambs, Scarface and the more recent Inception and The Bourne Identity.

Most Thrillers tend to use 'micro-elements' to create a build of suspense or emphasis.

Micro-Elements:

-Mise-en-scène: e.g. setting, props, staging, costume and makeup, expression and lighting.

 

-Editing: e.g. Contrast, lighting, added sound and effects, ccontinuity, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

-Sound: e.g. diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound.

 

-Cinematography: Techniques used in Principal filming.

 

Thriller films have basic rules such as 'focus on plot, non-stop pace, high stakes'. However, these can be used in a range of other genres, which is why the thriller genre crosses with so many others. For example:

Action Thriller: Basically a regular thriller but with a focus on explosive and violent action to amaze the audience. (This is becoming an increasingly common type of 'thriller film')

Crime Thriller: The plot focuses on a particular crime, where the protagonist is usually the criminal or the person being accused of the crime. Includes; physical action, deceit of the police and in some cases is from both the 'criminal's point of view and the motivated 'cop' on his case.

Psychological Thriller: The protagonist suffers from mental conflict, rather /more so than physical. They are involved in a dilemma which threatens their sanity and must use their 'mind power' to overcome the issues raised in the storyline.

Supernatural Thriller: Commonly strong in element of mystery as audience unravel where the present 'supernatural' force has come from. Protagonist may have/come across someone with supernatural powers or become involved in an unusual situation.

Romantic Thriller: The storyline follows any typical thriller film's tension and excitement but the main focus is on the growth of the couple or the painful situations they have undergone portraying them as 'strong'.

Camera Angle Examples presentation by team-mate Ryan Dowley

Camera Rules

There are three main camera rules:

The 180 Degree Rule- To not cross the middle line that exists through two characters having a conversations for example, unless the camera is shown as it moves to cross the line. Otherwise the characters will appear to be on the same side of the camera making it seem as if they are talking to themselves when the camera switches position.

Match on Action- The combination of different shots and angles in continuity. For example a character turning a corner and in continuity them walking towards the camera after turning the corner.

Shot Reverse Shot- When characters are in conversation and the camera switches from one character to the other, usually with close up or medium shots (and over the shoulder). This tends to be to show the reactions of the characters as they speak.

Over the next few weeks we will be sudying media film terms, rules, techniques etc. On our first lesson we covered camera movements, shots and angles:

Camera Angles:

Eye-Level

High angle

Low angle

Bird's eye

Worm's eye

Slanted


Camera Shots:

Extreme long shot

Long shot

Medium shot

Close up shot

Extreme close up


Camera Movements

Pan

Ped

Tilt

Crab

Track

Dolly

Steady Cam

Zoom

On this blog I will be posting a manifold of different media related research and work for my AS level Media coursework, specific to a 'Thriller' theme. This will be done in groups of four,the three classmates I will be working in a with on this project are: Martin, Yasser and Ryan. We have not yet agreed on a group name.