My prelimanary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxJsdFJu2QQ

Audience questionnaire

1. What is the purpose of the opening to a film?

The opening to a film sets scene for what is happening and what is going to happen. The opening also introduces characters that will play a vital role in the film. The opening to a film also tells the viewers what genre film it is. This will either attract viewers or turn them away.

2. What technique can a director use to create suspense in a film?

There are a variety of techniques that a director can use to make the viewer feel tense when watching the film through creating suspense. Music is vital component in creating suspense. Music can draw audiences in and helps the audience predict when something is going to take place. Sometimes a director will add dramatic music to add suspense to make the audience predict action and then bluff and show this almost stops the audience from predicting the action parts and keeps them in their seats (horror films).
Lighting is also used to create suspense. Generally darker scenes are used to create tension as the audience cannot see as clearly this keeps action parts a surprise.
Camera angles are used also to create tension. Close up scenes of characters, over shoulder shots, shots from someone’s point of view, moving shots.
All these techniques are used to tease the audience and reel them in.

3. How do you think a crime film is defined?

A crime film is simply a film that involves numerous aspects of crime. A crime film can be divided further into sub-genres such as crime comedies, mob films, film noir, true crime and detective films.

4. What films can you think of that would fit into the crime genre?

Because there are many sub genre of crime there is a large scale of choice. In that sense a majority of films can be classed as a crime film. Even toy story 2 could be counted as a crime film as there is kidnapping of the main character. Other examples of crime films include:
• Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels
• Pulp Fiction
• The Italian Job
• The Godfather
• Scarface
• Air Force One

5. The thriller genre can be divided into sub-genres – what different types of thriller films do you think exist?

I think that thriller can be divided into:
• action-adventure thriller,
• disaster thriller,
• horror thriller,
• crime thriller
• psychological thriller
• etc.

6. What are the characteristics or conventions of a crime film? Narrative, characters, mise en scene, stars?

The characteristics of a crime film depend on the sub-genre of the film. If the film is gangster crime we can expect the film to be set in a big city, the characters will be dressed in a suit in most of the scenes. Props such as cars, guns and money will be highly used in this sub-genre of film. If the crime film is in the sub-genre detective crime films we could cannot to expect to stereotype where the film will be set as it can be in a variety of places such as in a city, in the countryside, in some woods etc. Characters will be dressed in police uniforms and the main police officers will most likely wear a long trench coat, or something that will set them apart from the other officers.

7. What do you think is the audience pleasure of a crime film?

The pleasure of the film depends on the viewer. The audience of the film might find joy from the film through numerous reasons such as having to try to work out the mystery in a film

8. What do you think are the differences between a horror film and a thriller film?

A thriller film is any kind of film that creates excitement. This can be through car chases, explosion, or even American football. On the other hand horror makes it excitement through graphic violence and pain, it is more about being scared than creating excitement. Thriller films are more about pursuit and centre around a hero, whereas in a horror film, the idea about is it to create fear through a villain which is most likely a meaningless killer.

9. Using the internet, research the ‘top 50 thriller films’. Look at the top twenty – which ones have you watched? If it is not many, why do you think this is the case?

Rank Rating Title Votes
1. 9.2 The Godfather (1972) 379,879
2. 9.0 The Godfather: Part II (1974) 223,710
3. 8.9 Pulp Fiction (1994) 381,998
4. 8.8 The Dark Knight (2008) 417,583
5. 8.7 Rear Window (1954) 109,409
6. 8.7 Fight Club (1999) 347,693
7. 8.7 Psycho (1960) 131,790
8. 8.7 The Usual Suspects (1995) 247,918
9. 8.7 The Silence of the Lambs (1991)225,303
10. 8.6 The Matrix (1999) 351,374
11. 8.6 North by Northwest (1959) 86,220
12. 8.6 Memento (2000) 248,147
13. 8.6 Se7en (1995) 253,578
14. 8.6 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) 146,267
15.8.6 Léon (1994) 180,831
16. 8.6 Taxi Driver (1976) 141,867
17. 8.6 Vertigo (1958) 84,390
18. 8.6 Double Indemnity (1944) 33,895
19. 8.5 M (1931) 36,415
20. 8.5 El secreto de sus ojos (2009) 2,409

Out of the top twenty thriller films listed I have seen seven of the films. The possible reason for why I haven’t seen more is probably because at least seven of them is what I would call an old film (1970 or younger). Another reason for why I may of not watch some of the films above may be because I haven’t encountered the film and know of it.

10. Using the internet, find three posters for thriller films. Complete a brief semiotic analysis of the posters. What colours are used, what kind of imagery, taglines, certificate, narrative?

The Birds is a film that was made in 1963. It is about birds that attack humans this is shown in the movie poster with crows attacking a woman. The woman is coloured in as red this could because red represents danger. The woman is also cowering with fear and trying to protect herself from the birds which from the poster seem to be attacking her. In the background there is a picture of a man looking up. It is unclear what he is looking at but from the poster we can assume that he is looking at birds flying above him. Alfred Hitchcock is written above the film title. This is to show the name of the director.
The director name and the film title is also written in red this is to represent danger and be eye catching. The names of the actors are at the bottom of the poster.



Gone in sixty seconds is a thriller film about car theft. The main character has to steal a set number of cars to rescue his brother. There is a lot of exciting car driving with a few stunts. From the film poster we see the main character and his love interest we also see car driving towards us at high speed. We can tell that the car is going at high speed because the car and the scenery are blurred. The title is all written in red which creates a sense of danger except for “60” which is written in white. This stands out and clarifies the time. The 60 may also be significant as this may be the number of cars that must be stolen. The main characters actor is written at the top. The rest of the main actors are written across the bottom







From the poster we can see the main character jumping through the air while aiming his guns this gives a sense of excitement and gives a little hint of what the film is going to be about. We can tell from the poster that this movie is going to be an intense action packed film. The poster is in black and white except for the film title and the explosion that follows it. This creates excitement. Underneath the film title is a slogan which says “rules are made to be broken” this gives us a snippet of what the film is about and a disregard for rules. The list of actors are above the film title.

Target audience

Discussion of target audience

Thinking about the genre as a whole I would have to personally classify the crime genre as an 18. I believe this as many crime films show crime that is inappropriate for minors to see, these scenes may encourage anti-social behaviour as children attempt to act like their onscreen heroes. There isn’t really a target age for films but I believe that people generally enjoy watching films which have been released since they have been alive e.g. 20 year old are more likely to watch Pulp Fiction (1994) than the Godfather (1972). I don’t think that crime films target an exact gender in particular, as they accessible to both sexes. Although saying that I personally believe that the crime genre is more popular among males especially gangster related films e.g. Scarface. But films such as The Dark Knight are popular in both genders.

Film classification

Film classification
15 –
Suitable only for 15 years and over
No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema.
No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable, unless for educational properties.
Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail.
There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable.
There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.










Suitable only for adults
No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.


In line with the consistent findings of the BBFC’s public consultations and The Human Rights Act 1998, at ‘18’ the
BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas:
• Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals.
This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category.
In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films.
Sex education at ‘18’
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.
Sex works at ‘18’
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only materials which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

Obtained from bbfc website

Analysis of film openings

Detailed analysis of crime film openings

Unlike my other two chosen films this film gets straight to the points with a panning shot which leads to an establishing shot of the area. There are use of wide angle shots and long angel shots. When the scene changes to the monastery there are close ups of the lady and a low angle shot of Christ. The camera is very static but does zoom in out to follow a moving object. There are uses of high angles shots also.

The lighting when outside comes directly from the sun. The very first scene we see is of a sunset which cast the surrounding in shadow and casts the sky in a deep orange. When in the monastery the candles do nothing to give out light this hints at artificial lighting being used to shoot the scene. There are moments when sun spots are on the lens of the camera.

Mise –en-scene of this film shows a deserted barren waste land with dirt track roads and large dust clouds forming from the moving car. The car is a very old style car which hints at an early 1900’s setting. The way the characters dress in the film also helps set the film at early 1900’s

There are uses of fade ins and outs of scenes. The credits also tend to fade in and out. The picture often dissolves from one scene into another there are smooth transitions from one scene into the other.

The music in this film is relaxing but causes slight excitement. There is a voice over narration. There is also a mixture of different dialects in the film. There are also ambient sounds of the car driving on the road, of the cars engine, of foot steps.

Analysis of film openings

Detailed analysis of crime film openings

We don’t see much variety in camera shots used in the first 5 minutes of The Untouchables. The film starts with the camera panning across the shadow of the movie title. The movie title then takes the middle of the screen which creates a mid shot and then the camera zooms out. The scene changes and we find ourselves looking down in an aerial shot. This sets the location of a busy room. There are uses of close ups on the main character of the scene as he is talking. This then change to a low angle shot to the people he is talking to. In this scene the camera is quite static.

The lighting is mostly natural and comes from a well lit room although artificial lighting maybe used to lighten up the characters faces. The lighting doesn’t change much. The only source of light is coming from the windows.

The music in the titles is very tense with an upbeat tune which contains a lot of bass this builds up suspense. When the scene the changes the music ceases. There is little to no ambient sounds. The only sounds we can hear are of the character talking to the people and the occasional laughter.

The mise-en-scene of the footage shoes a well lit room at day time populated with a handful of characters. From the way the actors are dressed we can see the date the film tries to portray the extras are clothed in light coloured suits which were popular during the 1930’s. The technique which the main character in the scene is using to be groomed also helps us with setting the date. The use of props are dominant in this scene, there are many things happening at once. There are people scribbling in note pads there are the barbers shaving tools the manicures equipment as well as the shoe polisher’s tools.

The editing of film show the credits fade in and out there are times when the camera zooms and out. With the opening of the scene of the main room there is a small paragraph which shows the date and gives valuable information about the current life style and the happenings of the current time.

The style of this movie introduction shows a very dated style which the film tried to achieve. Also in the techniques of shaving and the light coloured suits and short hair styles all point towards the early/mid 1900’s.

Analysis of film openings

Detailed analysis of crime film openings

In the first 5 minutes of The Usual Suspects we see a wide variety of camera shot. The first camera shot is a panning shot of water this then changes to a close up of matches. The scene changes to a match – on – action. There as close ups of characters during the speaking scenes but also mid shots when characters are at a distance. There are low angle shots which shows the character we are looking up at maintain a lot of power and commands a lot of respect. There are establishing shots which show where the scene is although these come near the end of the 5 minute opening we clarify our thoughts on the location. The camera never focuses on the murders face so we don’t know the identity of the killer this may be revealed later but this technique intrigues the audience and keeps the suspense of the film.

The lighting in film benefits the suspense and tension that the scene creates. As the scene is at night time the use of artificial lighting must be used so it isn’t noticeable yet looks at natural as possible. The scene starts with lights illuminating the waters surface, this scene is very calming but changes to fire illuminating the scene. With explosions casting the area with light and fire causing flickering shadows on the scenery.

The music at the beginning is eerie and creates a lot of suspense and tension for the upcoming scene. The music is calm yet exciting and sounds like it has been produced with an orchestra. When the scene changes we can still hear the music in the background but there are now ambient sounds to correspond to the scene. We can hear the sound of matches lighting up, waves breaking, the flick of a lighter and the breathing of the characters. But we also hear the main sounds in clear detail such as the roar of fire as it touches the fuel and ignites the gun shot, the footsteps, liquid splashing onto the surface and explosions. There is also the addition of a script in the opening scene. The characters have raspy voices.

The mise-en-scene of the footage sets the film. The location of the films seems to be at a harbour. This is easily noticeable from the boats, the thick ropes and oil drums that are dominant in this scene. As the scene is set at night time it leaves the murderer in mystery. The killer is dressed in what looks like a thick black trench coat he has a trilby perched on his head which we identify with mobsters. He mystery killer also wears an expensive watch which indicates wealth and with it power and respect which gives the character control over the scene.
The editing in this short footage show quick smooth transitions. The image fades out as well do the credits. The camera is non-static and constantly moving even just a little. This gives the sense that we are there with the characters. The shots are varied between long duration and short duration with zooming in and out on important detail. The quick shots show the location. Colour correction is used to make the characters face lighter and easier to see also there are times where colour correction is used to makes the fire brighter than it actually, this may be so it creates more of a contrast in the darkened background.

The style of this film that we see in the first 5 minutes keeps the murderer in secrecy. We don’t see his face and the character is cast is shadow when we see whole body as not to ruin his identity.

Poster analysis

Analysis of crime posters

The main characters of this film can be seen on this movie poster. The way they have been positioned shows Morgan Freeman to have more authority than Brad Pitt this is because he is situated slightly higher up. The names of the main characters are listed above the corresponding picture. The poster is very dark and the main characters faces have been cast in light. The seven sins are written down the middle and they have been ticked off. This is signifying the murders and the different ways to die above the film title is “Seven deadly sins. Seven ways to die.” This concludes the story line. Seven is written red. This may because red signifies danger or could be to illustrate blood. At the bottom there is a film review which will encourage the audience to purchase this film.

This movie poster shows all the main characters of this film. In the top right side of this poster are the name of the actors in this film, these have been covered in light and written in a dark colour this is to create a contrast and attract the eye. At the bottom of the poster is the name of the film this has been written in bright yellow and yet again used to create a contrast to attract the eye. The director of the films name is underneath the name of the film

Crime genre history

Crime genre history
Crime films have been a popular genre across the world for several decades now. They have become a successful genre as they allow audiences to indulge in a world that is frown against in modern society. The main reason some people enjoy crime films is there secret ambition to enter a criminal world to live a life of secrecy and mystery. Where they can indulge in criminal activities that provide them with an adrenaline rush and excitement that surrounds the world of crime. Whether they focus on criminals, convicts, detectives, police officers, or victims. Crime films depend on a nearly universal fear of crime and an equally strong attraction to the criminal world. Crime films from every nation help establish that nation's identity even as criminals seem to be trying their hardest to undermine it.

The crime film is by far the most popular of all film genres, or it would be if it were widely acknowledged as a genre. Many crime films fall in to other genres and most films show aspects of crime. Even children films such Toy Story 2 (1999) could be classed as a crime film as the main character Woody is kidnapped.

Criminal/gangster films date back to the early days of film during the silent era. One of the first of the gangster/crime genre was D. W. Griffith's The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912). It wasn't the first gangster movie ever made, but it was the first significant gangster film that has survived. After these first few films the crime genre repeatedly appeared on screen. Crime films developed into different genres of crime and it has expanded vastly. The genre can be divided further into sub genres such as thriller crime, action crime or film noir.
It was until the 1930’s when sound became readily available in films. It was from then when gangster films truly became an entertaining, popular way to attract viewers to the cinemas. Events such as the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929, the existence of real-life gangsters (e.g. Al Capone) and the rise of contemporary organized crime and escalation of urban violence helped to encourage this genre. Many of the extreme plots of the early gangster films were taken from the day's newspaper headlines which were adjusted to seem more entertaining. Audiences during that time vicariously participated in the gangster's rise to power and wealth - on the big screen. They vicariously experienced the gangster's satisfaction with flaunting the system and feeling the thrill of violence.

The talkies era accounted for the rise of crime films, because these films couldn't come to life without sound (machine gun fire, screeching brakes or squealing car tires). The perfection of sound technology and mobile cameras also aided their spread. The first full dialogue film was The Lights of New York (1928). It enhanced the urban crime dramas of the time with dialogue and exciting sound effects of squealing getaway car tires and gunshots.

Mind map