Research!

Hey guys, I'm back again. Andrew and I met up once again and we decided that we must do extensive research to figure out what we should incorporate into our film, as well as what parts of the genre stand out the most. I've been watching Youtube videos to get a better understanding of the thriller/mystery/suspense genre mix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgKukhIw5eY

In the opening scene of Scream (1996), the sound elements truly emphasize the thrill and suspense displayed. The scary stings added throughout the dialogue between the protagonist and the killer/antagonist make the scene way scarier than it would be if its silent. The sound also adds to the eerie vibe.  As the protagonist is running through the house to lock all the doors, the sting added in the background creates suspense and makes the viewers want to know what is about to happen. This video shows how sound elements are imperative to a thriller movie opening. It also introduces the main characters for the rest of the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I0sFdL3khs

In the opening scene of The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), the camera movement and editing are key components. Throughout the whole scene, there are fast editing cuts from the protagonist to the cops who are chasing him to create an energetic and chaotic scene. The cuts play a huge role because it emphasizes that the scene is intense and adds fluency and dynamism to the scene.The editing helps the characters understand and grasp onto the plot a lot more because the fast cuts let the viewers see many different aspects of the scene.  This scene helped me realize that camera movement and editing skills are important to intensify a scene and add fluency to a film. It also showed me that you must use the proper editing techniques to match the tone and mood of the scene to add continuity to the scene.

One of the most important elements that we must tackle in our film opening is the setting. According to thewritingplace.wordpress.com, "Setting is the time and place where a scene occurs. It can help set the mood, influence the way characters behave, affect the dialog, foreshadow events, invoke an emotional response, reflect the society in which the characters live, and sometimes even plays a part in the story." If we're working on a thriller genre, our setting must perfectly match the eerie and mysterious mood of our content. 

Thankfully, this research has created clarity for me and gave me a better understanding of the thriller and mystery genre mix. 

Until we meet again,  

Ben

"The Bourne Ultimatum 2007 : The Opening Scene (HD)." YouTube. YouTube, 27 May 2016. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I0sFdL3khs>. 

"Scream (1996) - Opening (1/3)." YouTube. YouTube, 01 May 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgKukhIw5eY>. 

"Story Elements: Importance of the Setting." The Writing Place. N.p., 13 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Mar. 2017. <https://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/story-elements-importance-of-the-setting/>.