Group Pitch

Podcast - Mini pitch

Audience Research - Profile

D.O.B - 27.1.1990
Place of Birth - London, UK
Occupation - Teacher
Class - Middle
Fashion Taste - Ralph Lauren
Annual Salary - £24,000
Favourite Music - Rock and Heavy Metal
Past Time - Member of Hounslow Harriers FC at the weekends (Non-league football); Likes watching thriller films at the weekends, especially on Saturday evenings.
Last film he watched: 'Taken 3' He thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to see it again.










D.O.B - 05.8.1997
Place of Birth - Liverpool
Occupation - Sixth Form Student
Class - Middle
Fashion Taste - H&M
Salary - Part time job at local Fish and Chip - Works Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, £50 a week.
Favourite Music - Pop, R&B, Rap
Past Time - Swims regularly in the River Mersey, Liverpool City. Likes to stay in weekdays and watch Netflix in her bed with a bowl of popcorn. Favourite series is Breaking Bad, but has started to enjoy some of The Walking Dead.
Last film she watched: '22 Jump Street' she found it hilarious as she enjoys comedies and one of her favourite actors is Channing Tatum.

Audience Research - Questionnaire

I gave three people of varied ages a questionnaire about the thriller genre and these are their responses.

Name:Phoebe 
Gender:Female
Age:10

Question 1 - Do you enjoy thriller films? If so why?

Yes, because the genre brings excitement in the way that makes me need to see more. Even if there is a moment that it spooks me, that draws the attention to make me want to know more.

Question 2 - What is the last thriller film you watched?

Maze Runner.

Question 3 - Where would you find the best place to watch a thriller is and why?

I would go to watch it at the cinema because the big screen draws more attention and as the screen is so big it makes me feel as if I am in the movie.

Question 4 - What do you expect to find in a thriller film?

I expect it to make me want to watch more when there is a surprising moment and I don't know it is going to happen. 

Question 5 - Do you have a favorite thriller?

Yes, Maze Runner.

Question 6 - How many characters do you think is suitable for a thriller?

A few.

Question 7 - Do you find it better when the film creates tension and suspense early on or later in the film?

Earlier.

Question 8 - What effects do you think builds up the most suspense eg. sound, lighting, pace etc..

Sound.

Question 9 - What is your favorite sub-genre on thriller?

Action.

Questionnaire 2

Name:Sam
Gender:Male
Age:22

Question 1 - Do you enjoy thriller films? If so why?

Yes as tension builds throughout the film, keeping you hooked on the ever evolving plot.

Question 2 - What is the last thriller film you watched?

Lucy

Question 3 - Where would you find the best place to watch a thriller is and why?

Cinema as you can hear the reaction of each individual in the theater. 

Question 4 - What do you expect to find in a thriller film?

A tension building plot that takes you through each of the emotions. It should also involve suspense and action that keeps you guessing and off your seat.  

Question 5 - Do you have a favorite thriller?

Yes (Taken)


Question 6 - How many characters do you think is suitable for a thriller?

A small number, usually only one man character that you as the audience can take a journey with.


Question 7 - Do you find it better when the film creates tension and suspense early on or later in the film?

Early on so that you are shocked from the start and questioning what the end result will become.


Question 8 - What effects do you think builds up the most suspense eg. sound, lighting, pace etc..

When the picture becomes dark and slows down, building suspense, while letting the audience know that something is going to happen. 


Question 9 - What is your favorite sub-genre on thriller?

Action/ Adventure

Questionnaire 3

Name:Karen

Gender:Female

Age:47

Question 1 - Do you enjoy thriller films? If so why?

Yes, so long as it is not the sub genre horror. I like that there are many twists and turns in the plot to keep you guessing

Question 2 - What is the last thriller film you watched?

Now You See Me

Question 3 - Where would you find the best place to watch a thriller is and why?

Cinema, to experience the best picture and sound quality and for the overall atmosphere 

Question 4 - What do you expect to find in a thriller film?

A good plot with an unexpected ending

Question 5 - Do you have a favorite thriller?

Face Off (1997)

Question 6 - How many characters do you think is suitable for a thriller?

2 Main characters

Question 7 - Do you find it better when the film creates tension and suspense early on or later in the film?

Later

Question 8 - What effects do you think builds up the most suspense eg. sound, lighting, pace etc..

Music, as when you hear it become louder or change you know that something is going to happen

Question 9 - What is your favorite sub-genre on thriller?

Psychological thriller

Audience Research - Interview

I chose to interview my brother, not only does he watch  a lot of films but he loves watching thriller films compared to the other type of genre. I gained from what he said that the one main difference and what separates a good thriller from a outstanding thriller is to always keep the audience guessing and tied into the film, sounds easy but is very hard to execute to perfection. Keeping in the audiences mind and constantly making them ask questions is vital into keeping them on the edge of their seat. If after the film they come out and don't think much of it then you didn't produce enough suspense - we already know that word of mouth is the best way of spreading a film.

Building suspense and adding tension upon tension is a vital element into what goes into making a great thriller film. It will leave you suttle clues along the way throughout the film into finally completing the jig-saw puzzle towards the end of the film where every action will make sense, a top end thriller film will make the clues very hard to pick up and makes you think even more about why they are doing what they are doing. My brother is the perfect age range for us at 20 and so gives us a perfect insight into some of the components that we will need to do in order to create the best possible thriller.

Audience Research - Focus Groups

Target Audience Opinions

I have asked a small number of people their opinions on some specific thriller openings. The target audience for this film is anyone between the ages of 15-35.



Thriller Opening 1 - 'The Sixth Sense'



Andy (Aged 30-35) - What I like about the opening sequence is that we are not automatically lead to think this is a thriller genre, it appears to be disguised to us. It is only in the upstairs scene that things start to turn, and the fact that the window is smashed implies that there is more suspicious behaviour to come.



Ryan (Aged 15-17) - The opening is effective in establishing the genre, especially with the dark background for the credits, and also the music used. It gives us an idea as to what the film could be about.


Thriller Opening 2 - 'Taken'


Eoin (Aged 30-35) - I like the fast-paced action of this thriller movie. It captivates the genre very well, and its interesting how little things such as telephone calls can create such enigma and suspense, setting the tone for the rest of the movie


Martin (Aged 25-30) - This thriller taken from the Taken Series is one of the best in the trilogy. Even from the start, I feel intrigued and want to find out more. The action and the sound additions that accompany it are particularly effective in creating such enigma.


All 4 commented on the third and final thriller opening - 'Psycho'


Andy - This is cleverly mastered. The figure behind the curtain almost mirrors the woman in the shower, and really creates suspense as to what could happen.
Ryan - I agree. I like the sound effect, as it really draws in the audience, again creating suspense
Eoin - Yes, this is one of those classic thriller films. At first, it seems quite intimate, but soon changes into a crime scene.
Martin - I have to agree as well. The sound effect works perfectly in this scene, hence why it has become such a popular sound, even to this day.

Audience Research - IMDb

Thriller Films

The Film:

'Foxcatcher' (Miller, 2014)
Comprises the genres of biography, drama, and sport within the main thriller genre.

Box Office Revenues:

Opening Weekend:

 $474,000 (USA) (21 November 2014)

Gross:

 $8,740,000 (USA) (9 January 2015)

Audience Figures:

Rated 7.4/10 on IMDb website by 24,903 users

The Film:

'The Maze Runner' (Ball, 2014)
Comprises action, sci-fi and mystery, with thriller the dominating genre.

Box Office Revenues:

Budget:

 $34,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 $32,512,804 (USA) (19 September 2014)

Gross:

 $102,333,052 (USA) (9 January 2015)

Audience Figures:

Rated 6.1/10 on IMDb website by 156, 794 users

The Film:

'Taken 3' (Megaton, 2015)

Comprises the genres of action and thriller

Box Office Revenues:

Budget:

 $48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 $39,201,657 (USA) (9 January 2015)

Gross:

 $66,969,880 (USA) (20 January 2015)

Audience Figures:

Rated 6.5/10 by 20,224 users on IMDb website

Audience Research - Film Listing

After researching on the Cineworld website, i have come to some conclusions along with evidence so prove my points. This is only one exhibitor and i checked out the closest Cineworld to us which was London - Feltham.

As you can see the first 'Into The Woods' was a PG and it was made by disney. If we take a closer look at the showing times we can see that on Saturday and Sunday the showings are quite early compared to weekdays. This is because children are in school so the times start later, but not only this the showings end at 20:00. This is due to the film being aimed at a younger audience and therefore they go to bed earlier so the showings have to be earlier.

The next film i looked at was 'American Sniper' and this was a 15, from looking at the showing times we can immediately tell that the film starts later than the PG film and ends later as well. This is because it is aimed at older age group therefore they can stay up later and go to a late showing. This is a more independent age group whereas most children that might have saw 'Into The Woods' are still dependant on their parents. Friday and Saturday showings being later than the other days because those are the days where most people will not have work or school the following day.

Finally, i looked at a rated U film which was 'Peppa Pig: The Golden Boots' The showing times for this film shows exactly what audience it is aimed at. The very young children who may have just started school who watch this program on TV. We know this as is it a child's program shown on children's TV so the audience is limited and that is why there is not many showing times per day unlike some of the other big films.

Audience Research - BBFC website 2014 guidelines

• No sexual content or nudity must be shown in a 12a rated film.
• There is allowed to be slight amounts of violence but it must not show any form of them in any great detail, only depending on the situation is there allowed to be hints of gory moments but with no sign of blood or injury.
• Drugs may be shown but no detail must be given to them with no indication of any form of use.
• Agressive discrimination is very likely to not be tolerated however it may be used at a very toned down level.  An example of a 12a film would be Mockingjay ( Lawrence, 2014)

• For 15 rated film there is a limit on the amount of nudity and sexuality in the film with tight guidelines on how much detail they may go into.
• They are allowed to reinforce the idea of violence and may be strongly represented but there must be no pain or injury within the violence.
• Drugs may be used however they must be used without highlighting any specific methods of using them & without the use of the right or wrong views on them.An example of this would be Psycho ( Hitchcock, 1960)

• If the film is a age rating of 18 then you can expect there to be scenes of a sexual nature which tries to inform the viewer with use of some explicit pictures.
• The violence in a 18 rated film also takes a step up, there will be scenes in the film where there are high amounts of blood and injury.
• Drugs may be also shown freely with detail and concentration been shown.An example of a 18 rated film would be Paranormal activity 4 ( schulman, 2012).

For the thriller opening that we are going to be making it is important that we know what we can and cant do when filming, our age rage will be 15+ as the years below is hard to convey a good thriller with limitations.

Audience Research - FDA (Film Distributors Association)

What is the Film Distributors Association?

The FDA explores which thrillers are on release, those which have already been released, and those due to be released.The success of the film, along with audience figures and the films age certificate can also be found in the FDA Handbook.

Films on Release:

'Taken 3' - Released 8th January 2015

Directed by Oliver Megaton

Age Certificate - 12A

Venue Status - Saturation

'Dying of the Light' - Released 2nd January 2015

Directed by Paul Schrader

Age Certificate - 18

Venue Status - Key Cities

Films that have been Released:

'Night at the Museum - Secret of the Tomb' - Released 19th December 2014

Directed by Shawn Levy

Age Certificate - PG

Venue Status - Saturation

'Exodus - Gods and Kings' (3D) - Released 26th December 2014

Directed by Ridley Scott

Age Certificate - 12A

Venue Status - Saturation

Films Due to be Released:

'The Good Lie' - To be released 10th April 2015

Directed by Phillipe Falardeau

Age Certificate - 12A

Venue Status - Wide

'Dark Horse - To be released 17th April 2015

Directed by Louise Osmond

Age Certificate - PG

Venue Status - Key Cities

Thriller Narrative - Group post

The story is about a boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist.

The boy appears to be a very disturbed character, in that he has visions of the dead during his childhood.

The story starts in the present and reverts back to the past between the Psychologist (played by Bruce Willis) and the boy.

During the opening sequence, there is the shooting of the psychologist by the boy who is now a grown man, before he then commits suicide by shooting himself. It is through these elements, with the use of ammunition and hallucinatory visions that make 'The Sixth Sense' an effective thriller film

The film Maze runner is about a boy called Thomas who is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape.

The boys that are up their with him have been there for many years and still haven't found a way to escape even though these people called runners go around the maze for hours every day, so chances of getting out look slim.


The main character Thomas is different than the others because we find out that he is one of the people that put all these boys in this 'maze'. When he becomes a runner he is allowed to go in the maze, but they are not in there alone. 

These creatures called Griever's roam the mazes at night after the walls have closed.One night the walls doesn't close, and this is the first time it has ever happened so everyone is in shock and scared, the creatures come in and kill many people and destroy their land.


The next day, the few that have survived split into two groups and one group tried to escape along with the main character Thomas. After an action filled ending with many twists, you think they are going to all make it out but then someone dies to save Thomas and saved by some people that look like they are in the army.

• A police detective, a bank robber, and a high-power broker enter high-stakes negotiations after the criminal's brilliant heist spirals into a hostage situation.
• Crime thrillers will on more occasions have a main sequence in which a main action scene takes place in which it turns into a stand off against the police.
• Inside man is a film in which a group of men attempt to lock down a bank and then hold off the police with threats of killing all the hostages.
• Sounds plays a big part in the inside man and any crime thriller as the diegetic sounds such as the smoke grenades and the clicking of the guns grips you to the screen and only add's suspense.
• Within a crime thriller we are always made to believe that everything it just like a normal day with everyone oblivious that there is a bank heist going on, through camerawork we see fast transitions from inside and outside the bank.

Thriller Genre - Conventions

Conventions Of a Thriller Genre

Thriller Genre

Sound is a essential part of what goes into making a thoroughly good thriller opening and film. One of the best examples of when sound is used to maximum effect is in the film Psycho (Hitchcock, 1960)  and even to this day the noise of the stabbing is one of the most common and well recognized sounds to be in a thriller film. The legacy of the noise is so iconic and well known even though it was released over 50 years ago, different generations also know of the noise which reinstates how many people would recognize the sound. 

Moreover  the film The Sixth Sense (Shyamalan, 1999) is another example of a thriller film that has been perfectly executed and has a big impact on the audience, the actors take a huge amount of credit considering the child is very young but still manages to captivate us as a audience throughout the film and when at the end the whole film makes sense it shocks us all. Not only does it have a big affect on us when we find out that he is a ghost form the very second he got shot, what makes The Sixth Sense a excellent thriller film is that the pivital moment in the film happen's so early on that as a audience you have to be switched on from the very start.

Another film in which its really captivates what a thriller is meant to be is Gone Girl (Fincher,2014), the plot is a happy couple - the start to any thriller ,setting a scene in which it is very normal like everyday life-until the wife goes missing and then we see another typical thriller takes place with a large amount of suspense and  tension when the search for her happens. Mise en scene and Camerawork play a huge part in the build up to making a top thriller.

Conventions of Thriller Genre