Research into Cinematography***

Cinematography entails all camera work within a production. As the thriller genre conventionally creates suspense, there are typical camera shots and angles used to creates such effect. Much like the other elements of production, cinematography is key in creating an atmosphere that leave the audience on edge. Not only does the camera allow the audience to see the narrative, it also manipulates the emotions of the audience to make them feel vulnerable. As part of my research, I have analysed a scene from the successful thriller 'Prom Night' in terms of the cinematography used. This allows me the understand conventionally cinematography, the effect each shot creates, and how I can incorporate this in my own production.

Prom Night

below is the specific scene I have analysed

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Analysis: 

When the victim is looking in the wardrobe of her hotel room, the audience are aware that the antagonist is behind her from the use of a shallow focused shot. Shallow focused shots consists of the main image being in focus for the audience to focus on, while the 'background' of the frame is slightly out of focus. The use of a shallow focus is key in the context of this scene as it reflects the mentality of the antagonist to make the audience feel uncomfortable. He is slightly blurred to portray his distorted personality as well as conveying his 'focus' on the victim; as the shot places importance on her as she is the only subject in the frame that the audience can see clearly. Furthermore, by having the antagonist slightly blurred this effectively is hiding his identity which is conventional in the thriller genre. This makes both the victim and audience more vulnerable as they are unaware as to who to look out for, making them feel on edge.

Once the antagonist reveals himself, a close up is used to show the reaction of the victim. A close up shot consists of the frame being very tight so that the subject takes up most of it. Conventionally, close up shots are used in the thriller genre to intensify a moment, which this shot in 'Prom Night' effectively does. By using a close up, the audience are encouraged to focus in the reaction of the victim, who appears emotional in her response. They become aware that she is very scared and shocked to see the antagonist, implying his threat towards her. Therefore the audience become very discomforted as they are easily able to see the vulnerability of the victim which also creates suspense, as it implies an upcoming threatening conflict between the two characters. Ultimately, her emotional response encourages the audience to build a relationship with the victim which in turn, makes them vulnerable to the antagonist also, making them on edge.

When the victim is hiding under the bed from the antagonist, a point of view shot is used. A point of view shot consists of a frame that is from the perspective of a character in the narrative. Conventionally in the thriller genre, point of view shots are often from the perspective of the victim as it allows the audience to connect with them, thus making them more vulnerable like the victim. By using a point of view shot in this scene, the audience are able to do so. As both Donna and the audience are looking at the same thing, the audience feel in a similar situation to the victim therefore making them feel on edge. The emotion of the victim is also intensified as the point of view shot is accompanied by her heavy breathing, thus reinforcing her emotion in response to what she is seeing. Furthermore, the shot reminds the audience that the victim is under a bed due to the angle of her perspective which also reinforces her entrapment and lack of escape which which is conventional in the thriller genre as it makes the audience feel on edge.

When the antagonist finds the victim under the bed, she attempts to run out of the hotel in her chance for escape; in which a tracking shot is used. A tracking shot consists of the camera following the moving object in the frame according to its speed and direction. Tracking shots are conventionally used in the thriller genre to create an eerie atmosphere are they are typically used to track slow movement, creating suspense. However in the film 'Prom Night', a tracking shot is used to follow the victim running out of the hotel room which creates a chaotic atmosphere due to the high speed and lack of stability in the camera angle. The lack of static camera work makes the audience feel on edge as the desperation of the victim is highlighted in her chance to escape. Furthermore, by having a tracking shot behind the victim rather than in front, this also creates the illusion that the audience are escaping too as they are in a similar position to the victim. In turn the tracking shot makes the audience feel increasingly on edge as it appears that both the victim and audience have a chance of reaching a state of equilibrium.

Conclusion:

From the research I have conducted, I have been able to identify conventional cinematography used in the thriller genre. My analysis of the thriller film 'Prom Night' has assisted my understanding of specific camera shots such as Close Up, Point of View, Tracking Shot and Shallow Focus shots. In turn, I will be able to create a more complex opening sequence due to my gained knowledge in the specific effects each shot has. For example, point of view shots are conventionally used to make the audience feel on edge by encouraging them to connect with the victim as they have the same perspective; whereas close ups are used to intensify the frame. Moreover, shallow focus shots are used to encourage the audience to focus on a specific subject in the frame, and lastly tracking shots are used to create either a suspenseful or chaotic atmosphere depending on the speed. This understanding will help me avoid a overly simple outcome of my opening sequence because without it, the cinematography in my own production may have lacked variety.