Introduction to Thrillers.

The genre Thriller normally consists of crime and often has other genres within it, such as 1999 hit film "Teaching Mrs. Tingle", being a Comedy Thriller.

Thrillers often have a villain driven plot with an innocent civilian being targeted. Thrillers contain many breath taking edge of the seat moments.
Paranormal Activity the first of four films released in the paranormal activity saga, was released in 2007 directed by Oren Peli. The story is about a couple who move into a new house, and become haunted by a nightly active demonic being or spirit. The film is recorded using a handheld camera, adding a realistic feeling to the movie. The fact that the film is set in the home of the couple adds more suspense and shock horror when something bad happens because the home is considered a safe place, and most comfortable, so the fact that the two are constantly being frightened and being left on edge gives the viewers the same feeling, meaning that when they go home they too are thinking of the fill, and become scared of things happening to them at home.
All in all i consider this be one of my favourite thriller films, because it introduced new elements into the genre of thriller films through the use of a documentary style thriller film which was filmed most via a home camera in the film.

Media Studies Short Video Review

In the short video we decided to use the element of dance. In the video it shows me entering an audition hall and being met by a very strict and cold adjudicator, who orders me to get ready for my performance. I am then told to perform a contemporary style routine with no preparation time. My performance is then stopped halfway through and i am harshly criticised and sent away.

The shots we use are;
Tracking shot,
vertical pan,
Long shot,
Close up,
Tilt.

We didn't manage to use all shot types because we didn't think it would be appropriate to our story. We used a variety of shots such as vertical pan, tracking shot, long shot, close up and tilt. We used theses different shots to show things such as emotion when I am told that I am not good enough to pass the audition.

When we finished our planning of the story we decided to think about what shots we should use to suit each part. We started off with a tracking shot as I entered the hall, which followed me along to try and add distance onto my walk. We then used a a vertical pan, which started at my feet and slowly panned up to my face. This was used after Ruby told me to take my shoes off and told me to prepare to perform. The video was then shot at a long range for my routine in order to prevent a shaky tracking cam with me moving fast around the "stage". There was then a close up used to show the disappointment on Ruby's face and the shock on Georgia's. This was particularly effective in showing precise facial expressions. We then used a tilt shot on my face to show that I am beside myself in embarrassment and pain to think that I have put in a lot of effort and still aren't quite up to scratch. Sophie was the only recorder, but I think she could have been a bit steadier with the camera, but I think that she, along with other members of the group will improve as we practice more throughout the course of the year.

I think that the best aspect of our video was the planning and acting. In our next film. I would focus on using more shots, and better ones that have been used in this one, and perhaps getting more practice in.

Cliffhangers and Red Herrings.

Cliffhanger.

A cliffhanger is often used to add a sense of suspense and to lure the viewer(s) into watching either the next series of a TV show or into buying the sequel to a movie. A cliffhanger is the practice of ending a story or novel (or chapter!) that leaves the character in what seems like an impossible situation, such as hanging off the side of a cliff. The purpose is to make the story so interesting that the viewer tunes in to the next episode or waits to buy the next film when it is released.

 
Red Herring.

A red herring is when you think something is going to happen, but there is a sudden plot twist and something unexpected and different happens. For example, a burgular goes into a room to try to kill the home owners but is killed himself.

 

Media Short Video.

Genre and Narrative.

Genre and narrative are part of the macro elements.
The term genre refers to a category of media products that are classified as being similar in form or type.  Different genres can include horrors, musicals, science fiction or romantic comedies.

The term narrative refers to a chain of events in the story and plot that overlap. The narrative is never any random string of events. The effect of the narrative of a film is to cause characters in the film to react to this events, giving an unexpected plot twist and change in the storyline. The narrative is usually what keeps the viewers enticed in the film.

Welcome Post.

Hey! My name is Andrew Faulkner and i'm a dance teacher and dancer from Essex :)

I will be updating posts onto this blog including all of the work I have been doing in Media Studies at AS Level. 

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope these posts are of some use to you all :) Adios!