Past Student Work Anaylsis

Cruel Revenge

In this past student example, we can tell it is an opening sequence as there are credits shown across the screen, such as editing and music. It does not give away what it going to happen in the rest of the film, and so leaves an enigma at the end, which makes the audience wonder why it is happening, and what is going to happen next. It also gives us an introduction to the main characters, and so is the opening to the film, although we never actually see the mans face, but this keeps the audience engaged as they want to find out more.

The four micro areas help construct the genre of thriller.

Camerawork: There are many close ups throughout the opening sequence of objects that may be important in the rest of the film, such as pictures of the girl and information on pieces of paper about suicide and death, which relates us to crime and thrillers. There is short shot duration when he is looking at the pictures and information, which adds excitement and suspense to the viewers as they want to know what is going to happen. There are long shots when the girl is shown, which could show us that the man cannot get too close to the girl, which relates it back to the genre of thriller. It also makes the whole opening more secretive and worrying. There is an over the shoulder shot when we are looking at the photos on the wall, which shows the audience exactly what he is looking at.

Editing: There are fast cuts used when he is looking at the pictures which adds a jumpy effect to the opening. The colour changes to grey-scale when the girl is on screen. This suggests to the audience that he is spying on her and so makes the audience feel on their toes and worried for the girl and what might happen to her. 

Sound: The opening sequence starts with sound effects of thunder because of the name of the production company; Lightning Productions. The way in which this is loud and jumpy makes the audience suspicious and nervous as to what is going to happen in the actual sequence. There is a non diagetic soundtrack which is fast paced and racy, with a slower soundtrack playing over the top. The two sounds are not parallel to each other, but they work together to make the sequence seem more thrilling. There is sound effects of scratching and peoples voices mixed together throughout the sequence. This could make the audience feel scared and wonder why this is happening, and make them think that something bad is about to happen. It makes the sequence more thrilling as it stands out from the other music and so may make the audience jump. 

Mis en Scene

Lighting: The lighting in the opening sequence is very dark with lots of shadows being created. From watching other thriller films this is a general convention used to convey mystery and crime. 

Costume: the man in the opening sequence is wearing every day clothes, which could be to hide the fact he is about to commit a crime. This is also very popular in other thriller films, as the audience knows who the criminal is, but the characters may not be suspicious of him. 

Location: The location seems very quiet and secretive - the perfect place for somebody to arrange crime. This conforms to other films in the same genre. 

Props: There are photos used in the opening sequence, with the same girl in each one, suggesting a main character to the audience. A knife is also used which is related to thrillers and crime, which makes the audience on edge. 

Marking CriteriaI would award this past students work a level 3, as there is evidence in the creative use of many of the following technical skills:
-Holding a steady shot
-Framing a shot including and excluding elements as appropriate
-Using a variety of shot distances as appropriate
-Shooting material appropriate to the task set
-Selecting mise-en-scene including colour, figure, lighting, objects and settings
-Editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer
-Using varied shot transitions and other effects selectively and appropriately for the task set
-Using sound withimages and editing appropriately for the task set
-Using titles appropriately