Friday, 10 October 2014
Define genre
Genre- refers to the method based on similarities in the narrative elements from which films are constructed.
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
What is a thriller film?
Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced.
The suspense is terrible," says Gwendolen in Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (1895), before adding, "I hope it will last." This witticism contains an intriguing paradox. Why is it that we both fear and enjoy being frightened? Alfred Hitchcock always thought it started in a mother's arms, when she says 'Boo!' to her child, who is first startled and then delighted. In the cinema, this sensation might have originated in the first public screenings of films by the Lumière brothers in 1895. "A train appears on the screen," wrote Maxim Gorky in a memorable newspaper review. "It speeds straight at you - watch out! It seems as though it will plunge into the darkness in which you sit..." Some audiences did indeed flee the theatres in terror, but they must have returned, because the cinema had soon established itself as the most popular mass medium of the early twentieth century.
The link I have used helps to re-imbed the feeling of emotions, excitement and exhilaration through the variety of old, classic thrillers provided. Recent examples have tended to lack that political and social edge and have been slick but relatively conventional in their dramatic strategies.
Audiences went to the cinema not simply to see but also to feel something which they would not ordinarily experience in real life. At one extreme, they were enthralled by the ingenuity of the dog in Rescued by Rover (1905) as it discovers the whereabouts of a kidnapped child.
Rescued By Rover 1905.
39 Steps 1935
Classic Hitchcock thriller about spies, secrets and Scotland.
Defence of the Realm (1985)
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Tense 80s conspiracy thriller about a nuclear near-accident.
Inception
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Friday, 3 October 2014
Representation of men and women in thrillers
Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements.
The Game: OTS
Summary: Where do all the pieces fit? In David Fincher’s 1997 thriller The Game, it’s not just Nicholas van Orton puzzling through the clues — it’s us, too. From the get-go, we’re given hints of what’s to come. There’s a subtle tinkle of glass as dark puzzle pieces, designed by Richard ‘Dr.’ Baily, reveal the studio logos and the title. Then, a fuzzy look into a family’s history. A piano plays softly and the cellophane jumps from scene to scene, an invitation to private moments and intimate gatherings — but there is something uneasy there, too. Something fraying at the edges.
Age- The men and women shown in this OTS are all of similar age, although children shown, it seems very family orientated. Their is a wide variety of ages to small children to elderly people. The camera looks down on the children and elderly people showing that they are vulnerable whilst the camera is mostly looking up on the men.
Ethnicity- . The people are predominantly white showing how it is set during a time where black people were not as socially accepted. It sets the scene and tone as he is having a flashback and seeing his family's history it gives a more in-depth understanding of the character.
Sexuality- In this OTS all the men seem to have wives and children, to me back where it was set was a time where making family's and having children was extremely important, homosexuality was not as socially acceptable. It is also shown that family means a lot as in the beginning of the flashback a clip is shown of who I assume is him with his father, both wearing suits and looking very similar. This shows that the men especially take having children very seriously as they want to keep the family name.
Class and status- As the flashback occurs they are all clearly of the upper-class as their are servants and expensive clothing which was only usually worn by upper-class back where it was set, The men were of superiority to women also as shown the women are the ones who will have to look after the children whilst the men do the more hands on work. In the OTS children are seen watching performances by the servants showing they are almost above them as the servants were most probably not getting paid for it.
Physical ability/Disability- Everyone seems very able and well although men are seen smoking as back then no one really knew the real risks, you also had to be wealthy to be able to smoke, this may alter their physical ability, but no one really seems unable or have any clear disability.
Regional Identity- The family he has grown up with must be identified by others as an extreme upper-class family with money and wealth, back in that time there was many few houses very big so to have one you must have been very privileged.
Gender- In the OTS the men are viewed as higher as they are shown seeming very relaxed whilst the women are cooking, looking after the children making sure they are well while the men are more social and are do most of the talking whilst the women take more of a backseat, this shows the social-class back in that time.
Summary:
How men are stereotypically perceived in thrillers?
Men are usually represented as the more powerful people in thrillers usually main characters who are fighting against people and seem to be the more physical and mentally able gender. They are viewed as the 'hero' and you find most people usually want them to do well. They take a more active roll compared to women due to the stereotypical feeling that men are better physically than women. Mainly seen as protagonists.
The Game: OTS
Summary: Where do all the pieces fit? In David Fincher’s 1997 thriller The Game, it’s not just Nicholas van Orton puzzling through the clues — it’s us, too. From the get-go, we’re given hints of what’s to come. There’s a subtle tinkle of glass as dark puzzle pieces, designed by Richard ‘Dr.’ Baily, reveal the studio logos and the title. Then, a fuzzy look into a family’s history. A piano plays softly and the cellophane jumps from scene to scene, an invitation to private moments and intimate gatherings — but there is something uneasy there, too. Something fraying at the edges.
Age- The men and women shown in this OTS are all of similar age, although children shown, it seems very family orientated. Their is a wide variety of ages to small children to elderly people. The camera looks down on the children and elderly people showing that they are vulnerable whilst the camera is mostly looking up on the men.
Ethnicity- . The people are predominantly white showing how it is set during a time where black people were not as socially accepted. It sets the scene and tone as he is having a flashback and seeing his family's history it gives a more in-depth understanding of the character.
Sexuality- In this OTS all the men seem to have wives and children, to me back where it was set was a time where making family's and having children was extremely important, homosexuality was not as socially acceptable. It is also shown that family means a lot as in the beginning of the flashback a clip is shown of who I assume is him with his father, both wearing suits and looking very similar. This shows that the men especially take having children very seriously as they want to keep the family name.
Class and status- As the flashback occurs they are all clearly of the upper-class as their are servants and expensive clothing which was only usually worn by upper-class back where it was set, The men were of superiority to women also as shown the women are the ones who will have to look after the children whilst the men do the more hands on work. In the OTS children are seen watching performances by the servants showing they are almost above them as the servants were most probably not getting paid for it.
Physical ability/Disability- Everyone seems very able and well although men are seen smoking as back then no one really knew the real risks, you also had to be wealthy to be able to smoke, this may alter their physical ability, but no one really seems unable or have any clear disability.
Regional Identity- The family he has grown up with must be identified by others as an extreme upper-class family with money and wealth, back in that time there was many few houses very big so to have one you must have been very privileged.
Gender- In the OTS the men are viewed as higher as they are shown seeming very relaxed whilst the women are cooking, looking after the children making sure they are well while the men are more social and are do most of the talking whilst the women take more of a backseat, this shows the social-class back in that time.
Summary:
How men are stereotypically perceived in thrillers?
Men are usually represented as the more powerful people in thrillers usually main characters who are fighting against people and seem to be the more physical and mentally able gender. They are viewed as the 'hero' and you find most people usually want them to do well. They take a more active roll compared to women due to the stereotypical feeling that men are better physically than women. Mainly seen as protagonists.
How are women stereotypically perceived in thrillers?
Women are seen very differently than men, they are viewed as innocent and pure, the men usually help women during these films women very rarely get a main role in a thriller movie, they are seen as more passive and rarely have to solve problems etc. They usually feature in the more romantic side of films e.g. the girl the guy loves.
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