Kathryn's A2 Blog

Here are the key conventions of the genre, Thriller: Thrillers usually aim to create suspense and excitement for the audience whilst watching the film. The narrative of a Thriller film, usually revolves around the investigation of an enigma. The hero of the film usually is the one to solve the enigma. The hero and the villain even though on the same sides usually share some characteristics. There is usually low key lighting, shadows, close up shots and quick cuts. Also, in a Thriller, there would be tensing music to build up suspense. The protagonist usually sets out to restore equilibrium. Here are some examples of short films in the Thriller genre: 

I found a short film 'Trapped' by GLNDZYN productions on the internet whilst researching short films in the Thriller genre. The story was about a girl who got a mirror as a gift by an anonymous person or thing, but this mirror was not ordinary, which found the girl becoming trapped in the mirror itself. At the beginning of the short film I was confused as to what was going on as the storyline was not clear. However, as the film progressed and the mirror came on the scene the storyline became much clearer. The short films sound effects and filters added to the creepiness of the film and are a typical part of what forms the thriller genre. The sound effects also effectively built up the tension and the scariness of the film as it reached its climax. Overall,  I found the film very effective and the cliffhanger at the end left me with questions and wanting to watch more. Also, I will incorporate the types of sound effects and filters into my own thriller short film. H

Here is the storyboard for my Preliminary Task

Here is the two minute film sequence I want to replicate for my Preliminary Task, from the film 'We need to talk about Kevin':

For my Preliminary Task I have decided to replicate a sequence from the film 'We need to talk about Kevin' as it is a psychological thriller which is the genre I want to place the story of my own short film into. I have decided I want to replicated the 2 minute sequence of Eva trying to coax Kevin into playing with a ball. The sequence also includes Eva taking Kevin to the Doctors to test for signs of Autism.

On Friday the 30th of June 2017, we went to visit Knole House in Kent. Knole house is the home of Vita Sackville-west and the house where Virginia Woolf visited. We had a guided tour of the house, however, it took us a while to realise that the whole tour was a performance and was telling us about views on gender equality as well as telling the story of Orlando, based of Virginia Woolf's novel. The tour was based on a scientific investigation, where the forensic scientists were trying to de-contaminate the site in order to find out clues into Orlando's disappearance and also. work out the space-time continuum. On the tour we met, Greek Gods, Shakespearean actors, Georgian scientists, Vita Sackville-west and eventually Virginia Woolf herself. After lunch we had a lecture which gave us more information on views on Gender Equality in the past, and we found this session very informative. Lastly, we watched the film of Orlando, based on Virginia Woolf's novel, which was very en

For our Preliminary Task we have to copy a short clip shot for shot from a film. As my chosen genre is a Thriller, here are my film ideas for that genre: Girl on the Train (2016) - Mystery Thriller Drama We need to talk about Kevin (2011) - Psychological Thriller Psycho (1960) - Psychological Thriller Allied (2016) - Romantic Thriller