History Of Thriller Films from slideshare

Definition of 'Thriller' from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/thriller

Codes and conventions of thriller genre:

• Low key lighting
• Quick cut editing
• Shadows
• Tension music
• Changes in shot angles
• Diegetic sounds such as heavy breathing and crying

Typography: ‘Halloween’ is the text that stands out the most from the poster; this is due to the size of it being larger than other fonts and also the use of the bold, contrasting colour of orange. The use of the colour orange for the main text signifies a number of things such as fire, pumpkins, rope and also fear. These are all conventions that link to the horror genre, similarly the connotations of the word ‘Halloween’ are scary costumes and danger. This is significant in the film meeting the conventions of horror genre as well as the sub-genre ‘slasher.’ Also the tag line that has been used ‘Evil has a destiny’ is in white writing which signifies purity which juxtaposes the content of the poster but adds to the effect. The information of the poster such as the director, producer and credits is all in a darker colour so that the attention is directed at the main title.

Props: The silhouette on the poster appears to be holding a knife in his right hand and a head in his left; this immediately connotes danger, violence and ‘slasher’ sub-genre theme.  The sharp weapon which is a knife symbolizes death and gore, this links to the head which is being held in his other hand that the film will involve slaughter/ torture meeting conventions of the slasher horror genre. The use of these props and the houses in the background make you question where he is, who he has harmed and what will happen next, this is links to the Enigma code that Roland Barthes created.

Iconography: The typical conventions of low key lighting have been met in this poster, as it complies with the idea of the night/ darkness being feared due to the uncertainty behind it, which is the whole point behind the poster as it is promoting the horror genre. Another typical convention of the horror genre is the props used and this poster promotes the fear behind a mask as there is a huge image of a mask behind the silhouette whom is holding a knife, both of these props connote danger and fear of a horror film. The idea of the knife and mask leaves enigma in the audiences mind as this connotes that there will be some sort of altercation, maybe a killing and this is used as a bait to hook in the audience to watch the film.

Mise-en-scene: A typical convention of the horror genre is an isolated setting and this poster does not really show anywhere in particularly leaving enigma amongst the audience. The setting uses shadows and fire which looks to be burning the settings around the silhouette and the low-key lighting is typical of the genre. The use of the colours to make it look like fire links into the genre as it gives the connotations of destruction, death and fear, enforcing the enigma of the horror approaching. The idea of having two images on the poster also leaves enigma as it is a question of is that good vs evil, or the same villain being re enforced. 

Prezi presentation

Mise en scene from Georgia Gibbs

This shows the whole clip that I have made including the sounds, animations, transitions and effects.

This is how I would add a transition by selecting transitions then selecting the one desired. In this case I chose 'spin' so I could click, drag and add this to the clip that I wanted it to link to.

Peer assessment of Lydia Gould's blog

This is evidence that I have communicated with a peer as asked to do. Therefore I engaged in getting in contact with her to find out her blog address which is: http://lydiagouldmediaa2.blogspot.co.uk/ and from this I was able to start assessing her work. As of which I also have evidence of and this can be seen below.

I am now waiting for her reply with the feedback of my own work and also any comments she feels may be necessary in reply to my peer assessment.

Codes and conventions of Jaws

Above is the extract form Jaws that i have been looking into and establishing the codes and conventions of a horror genre that have been used. 

Codes and conventions that have been met:

• Isolated/secluded location- Beach
• Someone is killed in the first 5 minutes
• Narrative strands- a quick death and the seclusion of the characters from society and a party taking place
• Warning goes unheeded- swimming in the sea at night
• Low key lighting- dark tones and shadows cause atmosphere
• Care free teenagers (one being vulnerable female and the other being extremely drunk)
• Non-diagetic music - sets tone/atmosphere of danger and intensity
• No means of communication i.e. no phone and no group with her
• The screams of panic and distress of the female after the attack

Camera shots:

• Shots from below- suggests the angle of the danger 
• Long shots establish the mise-en-scene: the isolated beach
• Point of view shot establishes the evil, in this case a shark

The extract shows it's first convention of a horror film as the protagonists are represented in a isolated mise-en-scene of the beach and the fact that it is at night means it is therefore not clear visibility for both the audience and the characters creating tension. Also the use of low-key lighting during the extract by the beach causes an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, typically found in horror films. 

Another typical convention of the horror genre is a damsel in destress and this is met by the use of a drunk boy not being able to help her and also, the camera angles, shots and movement are predominately directed towards the vulnerable female. The extract also meets the conventions of a typical horror narrative as within 5 minutes the female is killed, further the convention of the characters forgetting about threat is shown as the female carelessly swims out at sea when she knows it is dangerous as she assumes she will be okay but the audience knows she will not be as she has excluded herself from any help and also she ignores being told that it is a bad idea to go into the sea.  The use of non-diagetic music leading up to the death is a typical code as it creates meaning an tension as the audience already knows what to expect.