Research Task - Charlotte Newell

What is a thriller?


The films I have chosen to anaylse are:

Redeye (2005)
Duel (1971)
Panic Room (2002)
Marnie (1964)
Psycho (1960)
The Simpsons - 'Cape Fear' - (1993)

Please Click On Name For Film/ Television Information & See Side Bar For Each Clip

Redeye (2005) 
(Director - Wes Craven)

The first 2 minutes of the thriller starts with some keys and a wallet being left next to framed pictures of family photographs. The wallet then is taken by somebody else you can tell this by the speed in which the character is moving. The camera then changes location to frozen fish in crates. And then changes again to some building foundations and photographs of buildings. It then follows a specific crate which is then opened to reveal a large metallic box.

The mise en scene suggests something mysterious is going on as the normal activity at a fish mongers would probably not consist of carrying metallic boxes. The costume/hair/make up used is plain as it is suppose to be realistic and helps the audience understand that it is set in the 21st century.

The non diegetic sound used is fast pace and builds throughout. The sound is also parallel as the image used complements the sound as the characters are all rushing during their activities.

Cinematography includes many close ups and deep depth of field is used in these shots so that the audience is able to focus on specific objects as well as it's surroundings. Fast camera movement is used to make the sequence seem as if the characters are rushing into a plan. Also the restricted framing helps use enigma codes by the audience questioning about what will happen next.

My response - Although the first couple of minutes are not terribly thrilling, the audience become aware of something building up this is shown by sound and camerawork. In our team film, I hope that we can make great use of the available sound sources such as 'garageband' to build up tension through our piece.


Duel (1971) 
(Director - Steven Spielberg)

The beginning sequence acts a beginning of a car jouney. All of the cinematography in the 2 minutes is completely POV (point of view) shots. The only characters seen so far are the passersby walking across the road. The cinematography used throughout the piece is simple but this adds to affect of the narrative being as simple.

The sound throughout the sequence is diegetic as the only sound is the cras and men talking though the radio. It is diegetic as both the audience and the character can hear the sounds. Having no non diegetic music makes the sequence simpler but this overall makes it seem more sinister.

The mise en scene used is similar to the mise en scene used in 'Redeye' as it meant to seem realistic.

My Response - Although it doesn't really seem thrilling, it's simplicity makes it seem mysterious. In accordance to our team film I hope that our narrative can be simple but overall effective in it's aim as being a thriller.

Panic Room (2002) 
(Director - David Fincher)

The beginning of film starts of with the titles includes close up shots of a city - this is shown through lots of buildings. The titles include the establishing shot of the city, most likely in America. The characters are then shown round a house that is 'on the market' but won't be for sale much longer. They look round.

The Cinematography includes many medium shots taking mostly likely on a dolly which they are following. A MCU of 'Jodie Foster' confirms to the audience that she is the main character (most likely the protagonist). Close up shots are used when they enter the house to establish the main characters.

The main sound used is diegetic as it is general background noises anyone would hear in a city such as casr horns, people walking and general chatter. A soundbridge connects the titles to the first shot of the characters. Other diegetic sounds include the character's dialogue.

The mise en scene that is used is used to make the scene realistic in the 21st century. The costume/hair/make up support the fact that they character are just random American citizens. The lighting used in the first location (pacing down the street) is ambient as it represents everyday life. The lighting changes when the characters enter the house to signify that they have changed location (low key with lots of shadows).

Even though the first two minutes don't really build up to anything, I have seen the film and quite enjoyed it. The beginning sequence does inform the audience who the main characters are and the location.

Marnie (1964) 
(Director - Alfred Hitchcock)


'Marnie' starts with a close up of a yellow bag being carried by a women in a railway station. The camera then changes location completely to a man in an office.
To begin the camera is static and basically just watches the women walk away as the shot begins with her a close up and ends with as an extreme long shot. After the change in location to the office the camera stays static. There are many MCU's and 2shots as a man is talking to what looks like the police about a robbery.

The mise en scene used is realistic to the era like many films of the thriller genre. The women's costume is smart but the yellow handbag she uses is noticable which implies this as a key prop. Her hair is described as black and brunette in the same scene which suggests that she maybe hiding something behind her different coloured hair. The lighting used in the sequence is ambient to make it seem realistic.

The sound in the sequence before it changes location is merely the women's footsteps at the railway station. The little amount of sound makes the women's character seem a bit out of the ordinary.The other diegetic sound is the dialogue of the man complaining about how he has been robbed by a woman (which is most likely the woman in the previous shot).

The beginning sequence is so simplistic, but it really works. Although a robery doesn't sound too menacing and probably wouldn't usually be of the thriller genre, from the beginning sequence the audience are aware that the narrative will include so much more. In accordance to our team film, I hope that we can make an equally effective piece.

Psycho (1960) 
(Also Alfred Hitchcock)

The sequence starts with the establishing shot of a city. It then informs the audience that the date is 'Friday, December, The Eleventh' and that it is 'Two Forty Three Pm', which helps the audience set the scene. The camera then shows a close up of a window, which includes restricted narrative and enigma codes as the audience are not sure what is in the window and will start to raise questions.

The cinematography includes close ups of the two characters that we find in the room. The camera then pans round to show them lying on a bed. There are many MCUs of the characters to establish their roles in the sequence.

The Mise en scene includes a hotel bedroom full of hotel like furnishings, the couple are wearing normal realistic clothes. The lighting is hard to mention as the film is in black and white but this overall adds to its' simplicity.
The sound used is diegetic dialogue. Although non diegetic music is used before a couple of characters are introduced, this is used to build up the character's dialogue.

The beginning of 'Psycho' seems harmless as it just shows a woman and her lover talking and then her arriving at work, but with a name like 'Psycho' this film obviously has more characters and a wider narrative in store.



The Simpson's - 'Cape Feare' (1993) 
(Director - Rich Moore)

The show starts as well known characters Lisa and Bart are watching TV which includes 'The Itchy and Scratchy Show'. Bart then recieves a letter through the post saying 'Die Bart Die'. This is how the narrative can be distinguished as a thriller.

Cinematography includes close ups of the characters faces to see the expressions and reactions of certain situations such as when Bart receives the first note, a close up is used to see his face which has a scared emotion.
The colours used throughout the piece are bright and abnormal, as the piece is animated the narrative is unrealistic. This is shown by the characters being yellow. The main sound throughout the show is the diaglogue which is diegetic.
Although this is a very funny episode, the beginning scenes don't seem to raise as many questions (include enigma codes) as other films/tv shows of the thriller genre have, this is because we as the British public are so used to these characters we know no harm can come to them.