Preliminary Task

Our group decided to use the preliminary task, we did this so we could see how the cameras tripods and editing work as this was the first time we will be using the cameras. We also used this as a way to see how our group would react when being filmed by a camera. We tried to use a number of different camera shots for example panning shot, reaction shot and close up. We decided to locate our task within the hall as it was a quiet location to film and gave us a lot of space to change the camera angle, through this process our group learnt that the cameras and tripods are not very hard to work and is a very easy way to shoot panning shots but also close ups we also found out what worked and didn't work when it came to filming the task. After discussing with my group we have decided that the two boys are going to be the actors and the two girls are going to be the directors as we were all better at our designated roles, we have also found out that we will need a quiet location as the cameras can pick up on a little bit of noise and can ruin the take so this is why we have decided to film our thriller in a forest.

Evaluation

A target audience is important to a film as the film maker knows what to put into the film to meet the expectations and wants of their target audience to make them want to watch the film and continue watching throughout the whole film and also we know what plot and characters we could use. The target audience also helps what certificate age the film would get as the film would hopefully be more appealing to the target audience than anybody else. Me and my group have decided to use a target audience of 15-20, and the age certificate that we would use is 15 as 15 years and below would not appreciate or understand the concept of our film as much as people above the age of 15.

Me and my group carried out a questionnaire, we decided to use a questionnaire as we believed when we came to look at the data we obtained it would be more clear and quick as it is a paper based self-report meaning it would be very quit to analyze the data and make pie charts and bar charts. We surveyed 40 people and we each had 10 questionnaires each to share the workload around the group. We also made sure that we each handed out a questionnaire to 5 males and 5 females so we could get the views of both males and females so then we could make a thriller for both genders and not just one. We handed out the questionnaires to people of various ages (12-45) as we wanted to see what target audience we would want to use as the information we collected let us make an educated decision.

We have also done vox pops, we video interviewed 5 people of many ages (14-45) with 4 males and 1 female. We decided to use vox pops and we could look over their answers that they gave us and take them into consideration for our thriller film to appeal to as many people as possible. We asked 5 questions to each participant and after detailed analyze of the interviews we incorporated many things into our group narrative and what conventions we are going to use within the thriller, our vox pop was very successful and it helped us a lot to see what we need within our thriller to appeal to our target audience.

All together in our vox pops we asked 5 questions to each participant. One of the questions were 'how old are you? and are you male or female?' this question helped us to see if our target audience had the same idea of what to incorporate into a thriller as we did and if they did not then we would have to change our idea it also helped us see if both males and females liked the same things, if they didn't then we would have to incorporate scenes for males and females. Another question is 'what conventions of a thriller are important to you? for example a female attacker. enigmatic opening or a violent opening scene' This question helped us to choose what conventions of a thriller that people like the most so when we are filming our thriller film the conventions that are most loved are in our thriller film to appeal to the wide variety of people. We also asked 'what is your favourite thriller film' this question helped us to see what sub-genre to use and what sort of acting they like so our group can try and act like them.

As a group we had to change our idea of what sub-genre to use as we were going to use extreme gore as our target audience was 15-18 and both males and females but we found out that females do not like extreme gore very much and we decided to change it but we decided to not be so gory and only a little bit a gore in our film this would mean that our thriller film would be appealing to our target audience and both males and females.

Vox Pops

Me and my group decided to use a vox pop as part of our research because we believed that it would help us decide what to use in our thriller film as we would be looking over the results we obtained from the questionnaires. This would allow us to analyze the results that we got from the questionnaires and again look over the interviews that we had taken to analyze more closely what we want to find out. My group interviewed a wide variety of age differences we asked a number of students but also a number of teachers to see what differences ages of people look for within thrillers, this helped us as we tried to make the target audience based around the ages of different people we asked.

Results for Questionnaire

We decided to use bar and pie charts to show the data we got from the questionnaires that we handed out as we thought these are the most easiest way to show our results and it's also the most clear, we also believed that if the results were presented clearly we would be able to see what we could use in our thriller film and gives us a better overview of the results. It gives us a simple view of what our participants enjoy in the thrillers they have seen and also will show us the sub-genre we could use within our thriller that could be most appreciated.

Questionnaire

Questionnaires are good to use for getting the opinion of the public and taking into account what they like about thriller films. This gives an insight into what conventions and aspects that people most enjoy in a thriller film this will help me and my group in making our thriller film so we can incorporate this into our film to appeal to our target audience and let them enjoy the film.

During our questionnaire our group gave out 40 questionnaires, we chose the number of people so we can get a better understanding of what people like and gives us a wider variety of people that answered our questionnaire. There are four people in our group and we each gave out 10 questionnaires each to make the work load fair on each person, we made sure we gave 5 questionnaires to females and 5 questionnaires to males so we get both the opinions of males and females. We carefully chose our our questions so we could see what we could add within our thriller films to make it more enjoyable for all genders and all ages, also what to add in to make our film as best as possible and most enjoyable.

What Is A Thriller Film

There are many conventions that make up a thriller film and make the audience want to watch on they are also used to scare and make the audience think. Here are just some elements that do this:

• Enigma - This is a the mystery that happens within the film and is always used in a thriller.
• Representation of characters - Victims in thriller films are usually represented as weak and helpless but also the victims are normally female.
• Violence - There is always violence within thriller films. For example the killer may attack the victim by using their fists.
• Dramatic Irony - This is where the audience knows there is a killer behind the victim but the victim doesn't know. This is used within thrillers to make the audience think they know more than the victim.
• Intensity of sound - Volume goes up when something is going to happen and goes down when something is just about to happen. In thrillers all volume is parallel to the images.
• Lighting - Low key lighting is used to create shadows, thriller films also use this technique to create suspense so the audience doesn't know what is beyond the darkness. Whereas High key lighting is used in thriller films to show happiness or irony.
• Editing - Slow editing is the main type of editing in thriller films as is creates suspense for the audience as they know something is about to happen within the film but they don't know what.
• Iconography - Thriller films use iconography to show the audience which characters are good and evil, they are also used to show when the victim is going to be attacked.
• Sounds - Non-digetic sounds when there is a sound and you cannot see where the sound is coming from within thriller films this creates tension as the audience doesn't know where the sound is coming from. Also there is digetic sounds this is where the sound can be seen coming from an object.
• Setting - Many thriller settings are the same, they're a dark, unknown place. Thriller films use this to create an eerie atmosphere for the audience to watch it and know something at some point is going to happen.
• Narrative - Again many thrillers have the same narrative aspect to their film where a helpless person is somewhere by themselves and weird and eerie things start to happen, then they get attacked by the killer.
• Themes - There are three main themes in every thriller shock, surprise and suspense these themes engage the audience and make them frightened.

The opening sequence of Saw 1 has many conventions of a thriller film. The enigma within this clip is a man waking up in a bath in an unknown place it's dark and eerie, this effect has been created by the use of low key lighting. When the man steps out of the bath there is an intensity in volume to show that he is scared and frightened as he doesn't know where he is. The director has used this type of lighting as it creates shadows on the walls and this means the audience doesn't know whether there is anybody else within the room and again creates an eerie atmosphere. The he uses a non-digetic sounds when another voice of a man is telling him what to do, however the audience doesn't know whether the sound is coming from the room or from outside the room. Then when the lights are turned on the man is dazed and the director shows this by using a shallow focus and a blurred camera he also uses a high key lighting. When the light is turned on the setting is revealed, the setting is a mysterious bathroom that is extremely dirty with many pipes around the walls of the bathroom, the setting looks like it has been used for tortures before as it looks like there are remains of other peoples blood on the walls. The two men 

Narrative Theory

There are three different types of narrative theories that are widely used within films.

The first theory that was used was proposed by Vladimir Propp, his theory suggested that in a narrative it's not important about the storyline, it's all about the characters and the role they play within the film for example there is a hero. This a character that tries to find a killer who opposes or actively blocks the heroes quest. A false her is somebody who disrupts the heroes success by making false claims who provides an object with magical properties. This creates and makes the film in the theory of Vladimir Propp. Propp's theory is mainly based on folk tails. 
There are 8 types of characters that all have a different function that they use:
1. The Hero – a character that seeks something

2. The Villain – who opposes or actively blocks the hero’s quest

3. The Donor – who provides an object with magical properties

4. The Dispatcher – who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message

5. The False Hero – who disrupts the hero’s success by making false claims

6. The Helper – who aids the hero

7. The Princess – acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villain’s plots

8. Her Father – who acts to reward the hero for his effort

Within Propp's theory there are 5 stages that a film goes in;

Complication - There is a state of disorder within the kingdom/community/family or the kingdom/community/family desire something that they cannot find. The hero is sent to get what is desired and then the hero plans action against the villain

Transference - The hero then leaves home to get what is desired, the hero is then tested or attacked. The hero meets the test and is either given a magical gift or a helper and this then helps the hero arrive at the place to fulfill his quest.

Struggle - There is a struggle between the villain and the hero, the hero then defeats the villain and the state of disorder is settled within the film.

Return - The hero returns but is pursued, he then escapes or rescued then the hero arrives home and is not recognised. A false hero then claims the rewards the real hero is supposed to be getting. A task is then set for the hero and then the hero accomplishes it with ease.

Recognition - The hero is then recognised, the false hero or villain is then unmasked and punished for his actions. The hero attains the reward E.g. princess/kingdom.

However this theory does have some criticisms, Propp's theory is mainly male orientated environment and as such critics dismiss the theory in regards to a film. However it still may be applied because the function of the characters is the basis of the theory.

Critics have also argued that Propp’s strict order of characters and events is restrictive. We should rather apply the functions and events randomly as we meet new narratives. This happens when a director begins to change the traditional format will change the whole way a film is received.

Some critics claim there are many more character types than Propp suggests. E.g. the stooge in a sci-fi film, who is usually nameless and usually killed early on to suggest the power of the alien force, is a typical modern character type that Propp does not explain.

Propp's theory only applies to fairy tales and to other similar narratives that are base on quests, it doesn't apply to every narrative there is. 

The second theory was created by Tzvetan Todorov, his theory is all about the narrative and equilibrium and disequilibrium within the narrative of the film. At the beginning of a film the fictional environment begins with a state of equilibrium but then it is disrupted by something and a new equilibrium is produced at the end of the narrative.

There are 5 stages that the narrative can progress through: 

• A state of equilibrium
• A disruption of that order by an event
• A recognition that the disorder has occurred
• An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
• A return or restoration of a NEW equilibrium

In Todorov's theory the narrative is not seen as a linear structure but a circular one. The narrative then attempt to restore the equilibrium. However the equilibrium at the end of the story is not identical to the equilibrium at the beginning of the narrative. Todorov explained that the narrative involves a transformation for the characters or situations, they are transformed through a progress of disruption. The disruption itself usually takes place outside the 'normal' social events that take place within the narrative. 

Headings that are used by some producers and screenwriters include:

• Inciting Incident
• Dramatic Question
• Character Goal
• Antagonist/Protagonist
• Resolution
• Sympathy/Empathy

These headings are very close to those that were suggested by the father of narration theory, Aristotle. Aristotle's literary criticism is probably most famous for the "unities": time, place and action. Aristotle's most complete analysis is of 'tragedy', which is arguably the basis of the most 'serious drama.'

Group Narrative

• My group and I decided to put all of our ideas together as we felt that all of our ideas together would be better than just one persons idea and this would then incorporate all of us within the making and writing of the thriller film.
• 
  
• A narrative is an important part of a thriller film as it allows the audience to see the plot unfold and to produce a story for the film it will also allow the audience to engage themselves within the film and make the almost feel like they have lived it.
• 
  
  Using the research I have completed I am going to use this information to make my own thriller:
  I would want the film to be set in an old abandoned warehouse with low key lighting so there can be shadows formed and give an eerie ore within the building. As this is conventional to a thriller as all the thriller films that I have analysed have the victim in a place where there is nobody else as it will create suspense as the audience will not know if there is an attacker present and if there is where he is within this location.
  
  
  I will make sure the killer has not been seen in the flesh only shadows and noises until they commit a murder on one of the unsuspected victims. This will create a sense of tension as the audience do not know who the killer is and why he is attacking these people but as the story progresses on then the audience will find out who the killer is and why he is attacking these people as there will be some aspect of flashbacks or background information on the attacker.
  
  The killer would be wearing long black flowing clothes and he is supposed to be dead but is not and is getting his own back on his town that treated him so bad during his time there. He was once the outcast of everybody in his hometown and faked his own death so he could see who didn't go to his funeral and then kill them all. Nobody except his mum turnt up to his funeral and he is vowed to take revenge of everybody else, he has been killing people for around a month and now this is his hardest task.
  
  The victims are young college teenagers that are lost in a forest and it begins to rain but then end up in this warehouse where the killer is. The victims are wearing prom clothes as their car broke down on the road to their prom and tried to walk to the prom. The victims are young energetic people one of them is courageous and the rest are timid and scared. But one victim escapes the killer but then he finds her again in her town again and tries to kill her. The victims will be young as this is a convention of a thriller film as the audience will see the innocence of the characters and the helplessness.
  
  My target audience is mainly teenagers and young adults as I want to set the thriller at a certificate of 15 as i believe the way we will be making this thriller it will too distressing for anybody younger the age of 15. I also believe that anybody under the age of 15 would not be able to appreciate the film.
  The victims body language are very confused scared and worried but one of them is the most courageous and not scared, i have used this so the audience believe he is the killer but it turns out his not. When the victims are killed their body is mutilated with parts missing as due to my research this is what my target audience like within their thriller film as they feel that mutilation is the best way to capture and keep their attention within the film
  

  
  

  
  

  My inspiration is prom night as I want there to be an isolated place where the victims are attacked by the killer as this creates more suspense and tension within the audience as they don't know where the killer is as they believe him to be gone but he comes back to get her. This is a good inspiration as the film uses good music create more tension and the victim of the blonde girl is a good convention within thriller films to use as she is seen to be an innocent, helpless and vulnerable teenager who we be able to capture the empathy from the audience.

Positive aspects of my thriller is that I have good storyline as it flows and gives a good aspect for an audience to want to watch on. Also i think that the target audience that I have chosen is the right one as anybody under the age of 15 would not appreciate it enough. Im going to use a good convention of a thriller which is a violent opening scene and a killer and a victim.

However negative aspects of my thriller could be the realism of the thriller as I don't know if we could film it within an abandoned warehouse as it could be too dangerous. Also I believe I could have used better films as inspirations for my film.

George's narrative is the idea of a two people camping in a forest or open field, the attacker keeps showing up in the shadows of the tent. The attacker stalks his victim for a few hours and finally trys to attacker her, but the victim hears the attacker and the attacker then chases the victim. The victim and the killer run off into the darkness and that is the opening scene over.

Positive aspects of my thriller is that there is a victim and a attacker which is conventional to a thriller film. The location i want my thriller to be is a forest or opening field which is also a convention of a thriller, these two conventions are positive and allows the audience to engage into the film and want to watch more. I would use nature sound which would make the thriller seem more realistic and make the audience think that they are in the location with the characters.

However negative aspects of my thriller could be the film, i think it would very difficult to film the shadows of the attacker inside of the tent. Also i think it would be difficult to make the thriller seem realistic because if it is not seen as realistic then the audience wouldn't want to watch more and they wouldn't feel on edge or scared.








Hannah's narrative idea is a young girl in her room, or even a classroom getting ready to go out, or doing her homework. This scene will be constantly interrupted by shots of someone picking up a knife, their feet as they leave the room, the door closing and them moving ever closer to the innocent victim. I would like to exclude all shots of actual violence, replacing them with close up shots focusing on facial expression, and the blood as it drips onto the floor.

I think that this would make an even more ambiguous, enigmatic opening scene as the audience would have no idea about the identity of the attacker.

I would also like to use natural sound to make the scene appear realistic and even more threatening to the audience, building tension and anxiety as the scene unfolds. 

A positive of Hannah's narrative idea is that, like all successful thriller films, the identity of the attacker will remain a mystery. As I will only be filming the opening scene, the identity of the attacker will not be revealed, to create a mysterious plot line which will leave the audience wanting to watch more. It will leave open ended questions which, if it was a full length film, the audience would be keen to find out the answers to. 

However, the lack of actual images of violent scenes may take away from the tension and anxiety which is built from the enigma. 

Although Hitchcock's Psycho was terrifying to audiences during the 60's, now computer generated technology has advanced the lack of violence makes the film less scary to the audience. The tension built throughout the opening may result in an anti-climax due to the lack of violence which is shown on screen.






Amy's narrative idea is a young girl taking a short cut home though a forest/field this is the first convention of a thriller film as the audience will know that this is not a safe place to be alone as it will be empty and there will be no local safe houses to go if something did happen. The girl keeps hearing sounds such as rustling from the trees and footsteps, most of the sound in my idea will be natural but after filming I will consider adding non-diegetic sound to build up suspense. While the girl is hearing these mysterious noises she will be turning around to see what they are but nothing will appear to be making these noises. While the young innocent girl is walking through the forest/field there will be camera shots from behind a murderer watching the girl walk home whose identity will be un-known adding an enigma to the opening scene. As the girl gets to the end of the field and is about to leave the open area the attacker will suddenly appear with other attackers surrounding her and coming out from the bushes leaving her trapped with no escape, no scene of violence will actually be shown and instead there will be close up camera shots of emotions and natural sound of the innocent victim helping the audience understand how she is feeling. The young girl will be dresses in uniform and the attacker/attackers will be dressed in all black showing they are bad and the school girl is innocent and vulnerable. I may add iconography to my scene without showing anything to violent or dangerous as scenes of violence will not be shown after editing.

Positives of Amy's narrative are that it contains many conventions of a thriller film such as an enigma, the attacker is unknown there for the enigma is created in finding out why he is there and who he is. This will leave the anticipating these questions throughout the rest of the scene. Also representation of characters, the good and bad. The school girl will represent the good and innocent who is weak and vulnerable and the attacker will be dressed in dark colours representing the bad. Also sound causing intensity and suspense for the audience making it a thriller. The setting is also a convention as it is unsafe and will build up the audiences anxiety while the attacker is stalking the victim as its ads even more vulnerability to the innocent victim.

Negatives of Amy's narrative are that as the scene will be set after school it will still be light out there for it will be hard to use low-key lighting and create affects which might take away from how much suspense is built up as the scene will not be as scary in day light as all surrounding are visible and there is less enigma. In this generation people expect technology to be able to create gory violent scene which aren't real but as the technology will not be available to us there will be no detailed scenes of violence. This means there will not be as much anxiety built up and could leave the audience feeling mutual and not wanting to watch the rest of the thriller if they had a chance. 

After discussing our individual narratives, our group decided we would have a young girl taking a short cut home though a forest/field this is the first convention of a thriller film as the audience will know that this is not a safe place to be alone as it will be empty and there will be no local safe houses to go if something did happen. The girl keeps hearing sounds such as rustling from the trees and footsteps, most of the sound in my idea will be natural but after filming I will consider adding non-diegetic sound to build up suspense. While the girl is hearing these mysterious noises she will be turning around to see what they are but nothing will appear to be making these noises. While the young innocent girl is walking through the forest/field there will be camera shots from behind a murderer watching the girl walk home whose identity will be un-known adding an enigma to the opening scene. As the girl gets to the end of the field see drops her hand bag, she still hears the noises and she starts running, the mysterious man then appears in front of her, he then puts a bag over head, ties her up and starts beating her with a baseball bat this will be our iconography to my scene without showing anything to violent or dangerous as scenes of violence will not be shown after editing.



This narrative is conventional as it has all the contentions of a good thriller film. Our group has the right place for our thriller film to be set because it is in a forest/field where a lonely girl would not normally be seen walking, this makes the audience want to wonder why she is walking on her own in a forest and who's watching her. The iconography that we are going to use for this thriller film is conventional because it means that someone is getting attacked, and the audience will feel bad for the girl getting attacked. Also we have included a unknown masked man in the film this builds suspense in the thriller and it causes a enigma.

Our female victim will have school uniform on to show that she is innocent and it shows she just wants to get home from school because its the weekend and she is going out with her friends. The attacker will be masked because it shows a mystery within our thriller, he will be wearing dark clothes as this is conventional to a thriller film.

The audience will build a relationship with the female victim because they know that she is walking home from school not doing any harm to anyone when an attacker comes out of no where to harm the girl. The audience would feel sorry for this girl as she is just trying to get home, also the audience will be able to relate to the school girl because she is the same age as our target audience.

Individual Narrative

A narrative is an important part of a thriller film as it allows the audience to see the plot unfold and to produce a story for the film.

Using the research I have completed I am going to use this information to make my own thriller:
I would want the film to be set in an old abandoned warehouse with low key lighting so there can be shadows formed and give an eerie ore within the building. As this is conventional to a thriller as all the thriller films that I have analysed have the victim in a place where there is nobody else as it will create suspense as the audience will not know if there is an attacker present and if there is where he is within this location.

I will make sure the killer has not been seen in the flesh only shadows and noises until they commit a murder on one of the unsuspected victims. This will create a sense of tension as the audience do not know who the killer is and why he is attacking these people but as the story progresses on then the audience will find out who the killer is and why he is attacking these people as there will be some aspect of flashbacks or background information on the attacker.

The killer would be wearing long black flowing clothes and he is supposed to be dead but is not and is getting his own back on his town that treated him so bad during his time there. He was once the outcast of everybody in his hometown and faked his own death so he could see who didn't go to his funeral and then kill them all. Nobody except his mum turnt up to his funeral and he is vowed to take revenge of everybody else, he has been killing people for around a month and now this is his hardest task.

The victims are young college teenagers that are lost in a forest and it begins to rain but then end up in this warehouse where the killer is. The victims are wearing prom clothes as their car broke down on the road to their prom and tried to walk to the prom. The victims are young energetic people one of them is courageous and the rest are timid and scared. But one victim escapes the killer but then he finds her again in her town again and tries to kill her. The victims will be young as this is a convention of a thriller film as the audience will see the innocence of the characters and the helplessness.

My target audience is mainly teenagers and young adults as I want to set the thriller at a certificate of 15 as i believe the way we will be making this thriller it will too distressing for anybody younger the age of 15. I also believe that anybody under the age of 15 would not be able to appreciate the film.
The victims body language are very confused scared and worried but one of them is the most courageous and not scared, i have used this so the audience believe he is the killer but it turns out his not. When the victims are killed their body is mutilated with parts missing as due to my research this is what my target audience like within their thriller film as they feel that mutilation is the best way to capture and keep their attention within the film

My inspiration is prom night as I want there to be an isolated place where the victims are attacked by the killer as this creates more suspense and tension within the audience as they don't know where the killer is as they believe him to be gone but he comes back to get her. This is a good inspiration as the film uses good music create more tension and the victim of the blonde girl is a good convention within thriller films to use as she is seen to be an innocent, helpless and vulnerable teenager who we be able to capture the empathy from the audience.

I used strangers as another inspiration to my film as I feel that the mystery and suspense that is created within this film is spectacular. I will incorporate some of these techniques within my thriller film as it will keep the audience occupied and on the edge of their seat as they will not when there will a part where somebody jumps out. Also the way the lighting is used to create a sense of mystery and suspense is another good convention of a thriller as it will show the characters emotions within the lighting but will also show the audience whether something is about to happen in the film.

Age Certificates

The bbfc stands for the British Board of Film Classification. The bbfc is important to the film industry as they use strict guidelines that are regularly updated they are made by extensive public consultation, research and accumulated experience over many years by bbfc. The bbfc are extremely vital within the film industry as they classify all films so the audience can be appropriate for the film and they will not be offended by the content of the film.

The age certificate of a U is the lowest of all the age certificates and is appropriate for ages four years old and above. For example Toy Story 3 is classified as a U this is because it has positive message within the film and doesn't have any violence, nudity, drugs etc. The characters are also toys and this appeals to younger children and the plot to toy story 3 is about escaping a children's play group this would be not at all distressing for the children. The plot of this film is about a group of toys who get imprisoned within a children's nursery and get thrown about the children and the toys aren't treated with respect, this is a very simple and child friendly plot that can appeal to any ages and this would appealing to them. Children can watch this film as they could relate as they would enjoy their toys from a young age and the qerky humour within the film will also get them laughing.

A child of any age can go and attend a PG film unaccompanied, a PG film should not disturb any child above 8, PG films are just a little more inappropriate than a U as it may contain some nudity but not references to sexual contact and can refer to illegal drugs or drug use but must be in an innocent way. An example of a PG film is Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets as it still has a positive message within the film but does have some things that younger children may find scary and that is why it's inappropriate to classify it as a U. The characters are all young children around the age of 11/12 this would be appealing to the target audience as they could relate to them as they would be the same age as them but it will also appeal to any ages as well. The plot is about a boy who is searching for lord Voldermort but comes up with some obstacles in his way for example giant spiders trying to attack him, this is where some children may find this film frightening as this may make them scared of spiders as it may scare them and make them think all spiders are not very nice like portrayed within the film and this may exaggerate their phobia.

12 and 12A certificate have the exactly same criteria but only children over the age of 12 can can attend the 12 film but children under the age of 12 can be accompanied by an adult to see a 12A film. The content of a 12 film is suitable for a child over 12 but my be distressing for children under 12. Whereas a 12A can be seen by a child under 12 if accompanied by an adult and the judgement of the adult they may believe their child is at a suitable age to watch the film. An example of a 12A is the first spiderman the directors wanted to release the film as a 12 but so children could attend the film they changed it to a 12A, but this means that they had to cut and change some of the fight scenes they had. The character of spiderman is a well known and loved superhero loved by children and people of any age, but if a child really loves spiderman and they see him getting hurt this may make the child cry and become distressed. An example of a rated 12 film is Avengers: First Assemble this is different to the 12A as there is a lot more fight scenes within the film and so offensive language it could been seen to much more distressing for younger children as their favourite superhero may be getting hurt. Also the plot of the Avengers is too save the world and this may be seen by children that the world will come to an end this way but nobody will be able to save us so it may put false truths within the child's head about what could happen.































The age certificate of 15 means that nobody under the age of 15 can go to the cinema to watch the film or rent an aged 15 DVD. The may film has the same aspects of a 12 film but has much more of them in their for example these films have lots of drug use in them but they cannot promote the misuse of drugs. An example of an 15 film is The Dictator this film is very degrading to Eastern society and that's why bbfc has classed it as a 15. The plot of the Dictator is too show what an eastern society dictator would be like in an American society this is not suitable for children under the age of 15 as it will show a misconception of what it is like in the eastern society and therefore any person above the age of 15 will know that they are not like this but children under the age of 15 may believe that a person from the eastern society acts the way that the dictator does within this film.

An age 18 certificate has very explicit content as the age of 18 is the acceptable age to watch a film and not be distressed by its content. For example Scarface is a very violent and drug based film and it shows the life of being a gangster, this could influence peoples behaviour who are under the age of 18 and this is why it has been given the certificate it has. The plot is about a  Cuban refugee who rose to the top of the drug trade and made a lot of money but then was killed by a fellow drug lord, this would be too violent for children under the age of 18 as they would se many people dying and this may dilute their innocent minds and it may make them think that violence with guns, knives and fists are okay. Also there is a lot of drug taking and selling within this film, the drug selling within this film may affect the children under the age of 18 as they may see how much money that he makes and then try and copy him when they get older as they believe they be the same as him. The drug taking may promote the children to take drugs as they might believe that the 'cool' people in the world take drugs.

An R18 certificate is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works that are very sexual explicit. These films are only shown in specially licensed cinemas, R18 films cannot be sent through the post and can only be bought in licensed shops.

Mise-en-Scene Analysis of Prom Night

Mise-en-Scene has 5 elements; settings and iconography, Costume, hair and make up, facial expressions and Body Language, Lighting and color and lastly positioning of characters/objects within the frame. Mise-en-Scene is used  to give the audience a better understanding of what is going on within the film and it also gives the audience a better understanding of who is the bad and good guy but also lets the audience judge the characters.

The prom is set within a hotel and the lights get cut by the policeman, this creates an eerie suspense as the hotel is a big place and nobody knows where the killer is at this point, then when the lights have been cut the audience expect the killer to come out and attack. The iconography used was a fire extinguisher which was used by the killer to enter the room where his victim is also he has a knife. This lets the audience know thats he is a killer and wants to kill the girl. After the girl has escaped the policeman comes in with his gun to try and apprehend the killer but instead finds another dead body. Thriller films use these types of settings and iconography to create an eerie atmosphere.

All the young people who are having their prom at the hotel are wearing long ball gowns and tuxedos with corsages they were all bright colors and the policeman are dressed in suits which were also bright colors. However the killer is dressed in casual dark clothes with a baseball hat on, this shows the audience who is the killer and who are not. This is used within thriller films so the audience can tell apart each character and at the same time judge them.

Facial Expressions and Body Language changes throughout this scene first Donna shows happy facial expressions and body language it's also expressions of being free and not having a care in the world. But then when the killer tires to attack her she has worried and angry facial expressions and her body language is almost cowardly and submissive to the killer as she believes she cannot beat him and she believes she will almost certainly die. However the killers facial expression is ecstasy as he is happy he has got Donna alone and that he is going to kill her. But when Donna gets away from him and is on the other side of the door he looks worried almost like he thinks she got away. His body language is however is more dominant than than Donna's and this shows the audience he is the more violent and stronger out of the two. Thrillers use this to show who is weaker and stronger out of the characters and also who is more dominant.

Donna is in the middle of the screen when she is looking for the present her mum gave her and the killer sneaks up behind her this shows the audience that Donna is helpless

Editing Cuts for The Strangers

Kirsten ignores the knocking on the door and then moves to the bedroom to check if there is anything outside. The camera focuses on a door which has a light above it she is checking if there is anybody outside her house. This is a reaction shot as Kirsten checks outside after she has heard the knock on the door, this shot creates suspense for the audience as they know somebody is out there but they cannot see them. This lures the audience into a false sense of security.


Then Kirsten keeps walking away and checking the door the director has used a linking of a section shot. This creates an eerie suspense for the audience as it evokes the idea that the person will not go away from the door and the audience does not think the person at the door can come from any other way. This is a good device that the director has used as the audience will not expect somebody to scare the woman and therefore it scares the audience.