Planning Cinematography***

Cinematography is an important element within the thriller genre that is used to manipulate the emotions of the audience. From researching into the thriller genre, I have identified the conventional camera shots/angles used in the genre, to incorporate this in my own production. In my research, I have focuses on the film 'Prom Night' in terms of conventional cinematography and as a result, my planning will be inspired by the findings I have accumulated from this analysis. Therefore I have planned the camera work in my production to create a similar effect to the thriller openings I have analysed. In turn the audience will deem the opening appealing and the production will be a success in itself as it will be conventional to the genre itself.

The overall narrative of the opening sequence is focused on the theme of 'Obsession'. This will be portrayed by the implication that there is an unknown antagonist in the house with the victim, due to this obsession. When the victim is in her bedroom, she will hear a noise from another room which she will go and check by looking in the rooms of her house. When coming out of her bedroom, a long shot will be used to her in the corridor. Long shots are conventionally used in the thriller genre to imply isolation as the frame is loose. The significance of this shot is that it will create a loose fitting frame which will show the doors to the other rooms in which the antagonist may be. Therefore there are many possible rooms that the antagonist may be in which makes the victim and audience feel on edge as the narrative becomes unpredictable. Their lack of knowledge in terms of whether anyone is there or where they are, makes them vulnerable to any abrupt movement from the possible rooms. Furthermore, the loose fitting frame also highlights her isolation as she is in the house alone amongst the rooms in which the antagonist may possibly be, once again reinforcing her vulnerability which will encourage the audience to build a relationship with her.

Prior to planning the cinematography in my own production, I researched into conventional cinematography used in the thriller genre by analysing the film 'Prom Night'. From this research I as able to identify that tracking shots were conventional to the thriller genre in creating a desired atmosphere to affect the audience. When the victim is running away from the antagonist, a tracking shot is used to create a chaotic atmosphere to show the character's desperation, which in turn makes the audience feel on edge. I was also able to recognise that tracking shots were used to create suspense through slow movements with prolonged the climax. From this conclusion, I was able to incorporate this in my own production to create a similar effect on the audience. When the victim is in the bathroom, she will splash her face and attempt to call her mum for help. When doing so, the character will move in quick,abrupt movement that will be tracked by the camera to create a fast paced and chaotic atmosphere. This will effectively convey that victim's vulnerability as such shot will portray her panic. Therefore the audience are encouraged to build a relationship with the victim as the suspense created makes them worried for the victim.

From the analysis of 'Prom Night' I also discovered that close up shots were conventional to the genre as they intensified a moment, highlighting it's importance. In the film, a close up shot is used when the antagonist walks in and the audience see the victim's reaction. The close up is vital in highlighting the victim's emotion as it focuses on her facial expression, implying her fright and shock. This encourages the audience to build a relationship with the victim as they empathise with the victim's emotions, making them feel on edge. By recognising this convention, I was able to plan to incorporate this camera shot in my own production. When the victim is going back into her bedroom after checking the house, a close up will be used to zoom in on her hand opening the door. This intensifies the moment in which she may be going into the room that the antagonist may be in, creating suspense. In turn, the audience are made to feel on edge as the close up implies that something disruptive will happen due to the intense atmosphere before. Furthermore, doors are often very eerie in thrillers as they hie what is in the room and therefore is 'unknown'. The close up will also emphasise the door opening which conform to the thriller convention.

Further analysis of the film 'Prom Night' enabled my understanding that 'point of view' shots were also conventional to the thriller genre. Conventionally, point of view shots are often from the perspective of the victim to make the audience feel as if the events were happening to them, making them feel vulnerable as well. In the film, a point of view shot is used when the victim is hiding for the antagonist. The shot is significant in building a relationship between the audience and victim as the audience see the narrative from the perspective of the victim, making them feel more threatened and vulnerable. In order to create a similar effect in my own thriller, I planned to have this shot in the opening sequence. When the victim is touched on the shoulder by the antagonist, she turns around and screams. This shot will be a point of view from the perspective of the antagonist, to highlight his threat. The audience will be able to see the reaction of the victim which will highlight her vulnerability; as well as this the identity of the antagonist will remain a mystery which is conventional to the genre. By not knowing the identity of the antagonist, this engages the audience as to who it may be and also makes them vulnerable as they have a lack of knowledge.

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Conclusion

Overall I have planned the cinematography in my thriller opening. By researching and planning into camera conventions of the thriller genre, I have gained an understanding that I can interpret and include in my own thriller. The research I have conducted has helped my plan the cinematography in my own production as I now understand the importance of the chosen camera shot as well as it's effect on the audience. By planning the cinematography ahead of production, I am able to predict the final outcome of the opening sequence which will allow me to recognise any flaws. When creating a product in the thriller genre, it is important that a relationship between the victim and audience is created through cinematography, as this will engage the audience more. I plan to do this from the camera shots I have chosen to include such as point of view, as this shot will make the audience feel they are in a similar situation to the victim and therefore are more vulnerable like the victim. Also, the use of a close up will intensify the emotions of the victim which once again, the audience can connect with. Therefore the cinematography I plan to include will effectively make my thriller opening more successful amongst my target audience.