My main thriller idea

Possession

Characters:

-       Darren Lincoln: 18 years old; Darren Lincoln is one of the main characters in the film ‘Possession’ who is being pursued/followed for the possession they have, however, Darren Lincoln doesn’t know he is being pursued/followed.

-       George Jones: 18 years old; George Jones is another main character in the film ‘Possession’ who is pursuing/following Darren Lincoln for the possession, as his boss Mike Diesel is demanding he gets him the possession, otherwise he’ll pay the price (if he fails to do so).

-       Mike Diesel: 26 years old; Mike Diesel is also another main character in the film ‘Possession’ who is George Jones’ boss, and he is the individual who’s demanding the possession.

-       Adam Harris: 17 years old; Adam Harris is a character in the film ‘Possession’ who is another employee of Mike Diesel.

-       Nick Nolan: 20 years old; Nick Nolan is a character in the film ‘Possession’ who is murdered by Mike Diesel.

-       Christopher Jones: 15 years old; Christopher Jones is a character in the film ‘Possession’ who is George Jones’ younger brother.

‘Possession’ is about an employed man following another man to get his hands on the prized possession, to stop his boss from getting his hands dirty, and keep him happy. However, the man being pursued for the possession doesn’t know he is being followed. The question is does the man/employee get a hold of the prized possession in time?

In the beginning of ‘Possession’, the boss (Mike Diesel) demands his employee (George Jones) gets hold of the possession that his boss is after and gets it to him within a certain period of time, in which there is a real focus on the possession and the employee trying to get a hold of the possession off of another individual (Darren Lincoln) in the film, which shows a real focus on the employee pursuing the other individual. Furthermore, the boss tells his employee the consequences of failing to get a hold of the possession, which could result to his brothers (Christopher Jones) life being put at risk. At this point in the film, we see a flashback of Nick Nolan murdered by Mike Diesel, due to him going against Mike Diesel.

In the middle of ‘Possession’, George Jones is finding out information about the individual (Darren Lincoln) he is tracking with the possession, and information about his bosses (Mike Diesel) past (to see what the consequence are that he could face), in which he is assessing his options of getting a hold of the possession. Moreover, the employee continues to track the individual with the possession he is trying to get a hold of, in which he asks Mike Diesel’s other employee (Adam Harris) to help him in his quest to get the possession.

In the end of ‘Possession’, George Jones attempts to get the possession to his boss, in which he finds out more information about the individual he has been tracking for a period of time, with the help of Adam Harris (another employee of Mike Diesel). Due to the information George Jones has found out, he attempts to get the possession to his boss, by breaking into the flat of the individual who has the possession (without Darren Lincoln knowing), when he is not in. However, Darren Lincoln comes home to his flat early from his meeting (nearly catching George Jones in the act), but he leaves the flat without noticing George Jones in the flat, in which George Jones leaves the flat with the possession. Moreover, Mike Diesel (the boss) finally gets his hands on the possession his employee has been tracking for a long period of time.

My thriller opening - Possession

‘Possession’ is about an employed man following another man to get his hands on the prized possession, to stop his boss from getting his hands dirty, and keep him happy. However, the man being pursued for the possession doesn’t know he is being followed. The question is does the man/employee get a hold of the prized possession in time?
In the opening of ‘Possession’, the boss (Mike Diesel) demands his employee gets him the prized possession, in which the employee (George Jones) is following another man (Darren Lincoln) for the possession he is carrying, however, the man (Darren Lincoln) being pursued doesn't know he is being followed, which could put his life in danger.
The opening of ‘Possession’ is mostly set in a dark car park setting (which is a simple location), in which the opening of ‘Possession’ doesn’t give too much away to the audience (which will keep the audience questioning what will happen in the film), as there is a minimal amount of dialogue in the opening of 'Possession'. 

Furthermore, the sound aspect of the opening of 'Possession' focuses more on the music aspect, rather than the dialogue aspect of sound, in which music will be used to create tension, suspense and a sense of panic in the opening of 'Possession'.
The camera shots/angles that will be used in the opening of ‘Possession’ will be shots such as point of view shots, over the shoulder shots (to show the view of George Jones following Darren Lincoln), low angle shots of Mike Diesel (to highlight his presence and authority, as he is the boss in the film), close-ups to show the facial expressions of the characters, and establishing shots to show the location the characters are surrounded in. In the opening of 'Possession' camera movements such as tracking and panning movements will also be used to show what the characters are doing, and the importance of their actions.
Moreover, editing will be used in the opening of 'Possession' to help the opening flow, and to compress time (with the use of continuity editing), in which cuts such as shot-reverse-shot editing and jump cuts will be used. 
The use of mise-en-scene in the opening of 'Possession' will be simple, yet effective, because of the realistic use of the isolated dark car park setting.  The props that will be used in the opening of 'Possession' will be props such as mobile phones, jewellery, and an escalator, and the costumes that the characters will be wearing will be dark/smart clothing. 

My pitch table - Four thriller ideas

Title	Synopsis	Sub-genre/Style	Rating/Audience
Possession	A man follows another man to get his hands on the prized possession, to stop his boss from getting his hands dirty, and to keep his boss happy. The question is does the man/employee get the prized possession in time?	Psychological/crime thriller	Old teenagers, young adults and an age rating of 15.
Suspicion	A man kills another man due to personal reasons, which leaves the police questioning who killed the man.	Crime thriller	Old teenagers, young adults and an age rating of 15.
Killer	An educated women drills in a number of men into a domestic setting (her house), and kills them, one by one.	Horror thriller	Old teenagers, young adults and an age rating of 15.
Warehouse workers	A boss is left in a tricky situation, due to the six deaths/killings of his warehouse workers, due to unknown reasons.	Horror thriller	Old teenagers, young adults and an age rating of 15.

Analysis of an opening credit sequence

Opening credit sequences are shown at the beginning of a film, in which opening credit sequences consist of the key cast members in the film, the producers/distributors of the film, and who the film is associated with. Opening credit sequences are usually shown as a big font, over a black background screen or a static screen to catch the audience’s eyes, in which opening credit sequences are usually accompanied by music playing over the writing.

Furthermore, opening credit sequences are not shown in all films. For example in the film ‘Narc’, opening (key cast members, producers/distributors, and who the film is associated with) and closing (all the cast, producers, designers, directors, writers and editors) credit sequences are shown, however in the film ‘The Avengers’ only closing credits are shown, which highlights not every film that is made/produced has opening credit sequences.

Credit sequences

In film, there are two types of credit sequences, opening credit sequences and closing credit sequences, which are both shown for different purposes.

Opening credit sequences are shown at the beginning of a film, in which opening credit sequences consist of the key cast members in the film, the producers/distributors of the film, and who the film is associated with (for example TED is associated with Universal pictures). Furthermore, opening credit sequences are usually shown as a big font to catch the audience’s eyes.

Closing credit sequences are shown at the end of a film, in which closing credit sequences consist of the cast, the producers, the designers, the directors, the writers, the editors and many other departments of the film. Moreover, closing credit sequences are usually shown as smaller fonts as there are many different aspects/departments of a film that need to be credited.

In film, both opening and closing credit sequences are used to show the different aspects/departments of a film. However in films, both opening and closing credit sequences are not always used, as some films only show the closing credits of a film.

Drive (Opening) - Editing

In the opening of ‘Drive’, editing is used to compress time, in which editing removes unnecessary things that slow the plot/narrative down from progressing, as editing helps the film flow.

The opening of ‘Drive’ starts with a shot of a map, which then leads to Driver (Ryan Gosling) speaking on the phone. This then leads us to seeing Driver in the car driving, these editing techniques are called jump cuts. Jump cuts should be noticeable because of the scene/setting we jump from, and the scene/setting we jump to, for example when Driver is in the apartment speaking on the phone, and then the scene jumps to when Driver is in the car driving.

Shot-reverse-shot editing is used in the opening of ‘Drive’, which shows two or more characters talking between each other, or sometimes a person looking at a building/place, for example when Driver is talking to the other characters in the car, we see a series of shot-reverse-shots, and also when Driver is looking at the building waiting outside for the other characters to get into the car, in which we see a series of shot-reverse-shots from the car to the building.

In the opening of ‘Drive’, continuity editing is used to help the film flow, however, continuity is a form of invisible editing, in which the audience focus on the narrative/plot of the film, for example from one shot/scene to another, in which what happens in between those shots/scenes aren’t shown in film.

Drive - Opening

The film ‘Drive’ is about a secretive/suspicious getaway driver, who gets himself into trouble by helping out his friends (committing a crime). The opening of ‘Drive’ is extremely effective as it focuses on one main character in the film (Ryan Gosling), in which it is mostly set in the dark, and keeps the audience watching and asking questions of what is going to happen next (as there isn’t a lot of dialogue in the opening of the film, to give anything away).

In the opening of ‘Drive’, sound, mise-en-scene, camera and editing are used.

Sound is used to create tension/suspense and to get the audience thinking of what is going to happen next, as the non-diegetic fast tempo and incidental music is used to create tension and suspense. Furthermore, there isn’t a lot of dialogue used in the opening of ‘Drive’, which doesn’t give too much away to the audience watching. Also, there are many diegetic sounds used in the opening of ‘Drive’, such as the car engine, the car radio, the opening and closing of the car doors, the opening of the gate (of the warehouse) and the helicopter and police sirens.

Mise-en-scene is used to create a sense of realism and to show the characters in the opening of ‘Drive’ are associated with realistic settings. In the opening of ‘Drive’, there are many different locations used to create a sense of realism, such as the interior of a domestic setting (flat), the interior of a garage, and the exterior of a warehouse. There are also many props and costumes used which are associated with everyday life, such as bags and watches (props), and dark clothing and gloves (costumes).

The different camera angles/shots used in the opening of ‘Drive’ show the main characters (Driver – Ryan Gosling) presence and importance in the film (as many close-ups and low angle shots are used, which show his importance in the film). Moreover, establishing shots are used to show the location that the characters are in.

Editing is used in the opening of ‘Drive’ to help the film flow, in which jump cuts (for example, when Driver is in the flat, then the scene jumps to when Driver is in the car driving), shot-reverse-shots (for example, from one character to the other, and from the car to the building when Driver is waiting outside the building for the other characters) and continuity editing (from one shot to another) is used. 

Fatal Attraction - The character of Alex Forrest

In ‘Fatal Attraction’, there are many different characters involved in the film, however, the main characters in ‘Fatal Attraction’ are the married man Dan Gallagher, his wife Beth Gallagher, his daughter Ellen Gallagher and Alex Forrest, in which the events in the film occur around these characters, Alex Forrest calling Dan’s house telephone at all times throughout the day, Alex Forrest turning up at their apartment which is up for sale, Alex Forrest taking Dan and Beth’s daughter from school, sending Dan a cassette of verbal abuse, and turning up at their family home (once they have moved), which mostly occur in domestic settings.

In ‘Fatal Attraction’, Alex Forrest is a mentally unstable, disturbing and obsessive woman, who has a split personality, due to her being extremely calm compared to her actions in the film, in which Alex Forrest’s appearance is extremely noticeable because of her bold eyes (which are eye-catching), which adds to her evil streak of actions in the film. Furthermore, throughout the film Alex Forrest has many different aspects of psychological behaviour, as her taking Dan and Beth’s child from her school, calling home at all times throughout the day, and sending Dan the cassette to play, all play with Dans and Beths mind. Alex Forrest’s character in ‘Fatal Attraction’ is extremely effective, as she is unstable, disturbing and obsessive throughout the whole film, in which she plays with Dan’s mind to get her own way (over a series of times).

Throughout ‘Fatal Attraction’, there are many effective sequences that make ‘Fatal Attraction’ an extremely good film, such as Dan’s reaction when Alex calls home for the first time, Dan driving and listening to Alex’s cassette playing, and the end sequence, when Dan is in the dark isolated house, Beth is upstairs and the mirrors are misty as the kettle boils.

The sequence of Dan’s reaction to when Alex calls home for the first time is effective because this sequence puts Dan at edge, as he thinks the affair has been forgotten about, and his wife is right next to him in bed, in which Dan has to change his tone and the way he talks to her, so his wife doesn’t suspect he has had an affair, in which the audience want to see where the storyline is going to go.

The sequence of Dan driving and listening to Alex’s cassette playing is also effective because this sequence also puts Dan at edge, because the cassette playing of Alex abusing him shows she is willing to go to every extent to get her own way, no matter who she hurts in the process.

The end sequence of Dan being in the dark isolated house, with his wife Beth upstairs in the bathroom, and the mirror being misty, while the kettle boils is extremely effective, as it is a simple sequence, however, it is effective because Alex Forrest pops up out of nowhere, and the audience don’t know if Dan is going to get upstairs in time to save his wife from Alex Forrest, because the kettle is boiling and he can’t hear his wife screaming.

All the sequences stated above are effective on the audience watching, as they keep the audience on the edge of their seats because they don’t know what is going to happen next, and they want to know where the storyline is leading to. Furthermore, I would take the idea of the end sequence (Dan being in the dark isolated house, with his wife upstairs in the bathroom, and the mirrors being misty, while the kettle boils) to help me create my own effective thriller, as the idea is simple and achievable, yet extremely effective.

Fatal Attraction (Psychological thriller) - Plot

Dan Gallagher is a married man living in Manhatten, who meets Alex Forrest through a business party/meeting. While Dan Gallagher’s wife (Beth) and his daughter (Ellen) are out of town, Dan Gallagher has an affair with Alex. Dan Gallagher thought the affair was just a fling, however, Alex thought otherwise.

Dan Gallagher thinks the affair is forgotten about, however, Alex keeps showing up in different places, and she keeps ringing his house telephone, at different times throughout the day, in which Dan Gallagher tells her to stop calling. Alex confronts Dan Gallagher, telling him she is pregnant with his child, and that she is keeping the baby. However, Dan Gallagher wants nothing to do with Alex, but she demands he takes responsibility for the child.

Moreover, Alex turns up at Dan Gallagher’s family apartment which is up for sale, in which she meets Beth (Dan Gallagher’s wife) acts as if she is interested in buying the apartment. Dan Gallagher comes home to find Alex in his family apartment with Beth, in which he goes to her apartment and confronts her.

Dan Gallagher and his family then move houses, in which Alex has a recorded tape of her verbally abusing him sent to him. Furthermore, she carries on stalking Dan Gallagher, in which she then follows him home. Dan Gallagher then goes to the police to apply for a restraining order against Alex.

While Dan Gallagher’s family are not at home, Alex kills Ellen’s pet rabbit and put the rabbit on the cooker to boil, in which Dan Gallagher goes on to tell Beth about the affair with Alex. However, Alex persists and picks up Ellen from her school without Dan and Beth knowing, leaving Beth going around to search for her daughter. Alex then takes Beth’s daughter home, which makes Dan Gallagher go round Alex’s apartment, and attacking her.

Furthermore, Beth forgives her husband for his affair with Alex. Alex somehow enters the Gallagher’s house, while Beth is running a bath and appears out of nowhere, in which Dan Gallagher comes upstairs and drowns Alex. However, she isn’t dead, in which Beth shoots and kills Alex.

Fatal Attraction - Opening

The film ‘Fatal Attraction’ is about a married man and his family being stalked by a woman he had a one night stand with. The opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ is quite effective, as not much of the storyline is given away to the audience watching, in which there is a real focus on the family in ‘Fatal Attraction’.

In the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’, sound, mise-en-scene, camera and editing are used.

Sound is used to create a sense of realism, and to give the audience an indication of what is going on in the film, as there is a large amount of dialogue used, compared to other openings. In the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’, there are many diegetic/simple sounds used to create a sense of realism, such as the phone ringing, the closing of a door, footsteps and cars beeping. Also, in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’, there is non-diegetic incidental music being played, while the characters are acting.

Mise-en-scene is used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ to create a sense of realism in the film, and to show the audience the characters are in realistic settings, wearing realistic clothing and are using realistic props in the film. The settings used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ create a sense of realism because the domestic setting of a flat, and a party hall, are simple settings used every day. Furthermore, in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ the props and costumes used also create a sense of realism, as the props (TV’s, sofas, lamps and books) and costumes (casual and smart clothing) used are used in every day life.

The different camera shots used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ are used for different purposes, as establishing shots (to establish the location/area the characters are in), panning movement (when establishing the location/area, and when all the different characters were shown at the party), medium shots (to show what the characters are doing in the shot) and close-ups (to show the facial expressions of the characters) are used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’.

Editing is used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’ to help the film flow, in which jump cuts (from one scene to another scene) and shot-reverse-shots (from one character to another character) are used in the opening of ‘Fatal Attraction’.

Exam (Psychological thriller) - Plot

Exam begins with eight candidates dressing up for an exam, in which they enter an exam room and sit down at their desks. Each candidate has a paper on their desk, telling them what candidate number they are, from one to eight.

The invigilator/examiner explains the exam to the eight candidates, in which he explains that the exam is eighty minutes long and there is only one question. He also explains that there are three rules, ‘do not talk to the invigilator or the guard at the door, do not spoil the paper or allow it to be spoilt, and do not leave the room’, in which if they don’t go by the rules, they will be disqualified. The invigilator then starts the clock and walks out of the exam room, in which the candidates then figure out that the papers in front of them are blank. One of the candidates spoils her paper and is disqualified from the exam.

The seven candidates left in the exam realise they can talk and work together to figure out what the question is, in which they nickname themselves by the colour of their skin and hair colour. However, one of the candidates who is referred to as ‘white’ takes control of the seven candidates left, but works against them by telling them he knows the question but he won’t tell them. ‘White’ must take medication to stop himself from having a panic attack and dying.

Furthermore, another candidate who is referred to as ‘Black’ ties ‘White’ up on a chair, and doesn’t believe he actually needs medication. However, ‘White’ is telling the truth and actually needs to take his medication, in which another candidate referred to as ‘Brown’ is hiding the medication. The candidate referred to as ‘Blonde’ finds out that ‘Brown’ is hiding the medication and retrieves the medication that ‘Brown’ threw into a vent, in which she gives ‘White’ the medication and releases him from the chair. The candidates demand ‘White’ tells them the question now, in which he tells them that there is no question.

Moreover, ‘White’ grabs the guards gun and attacks the other candidates, forcing ‘Brown’ and Blonde to leave the exam room. While Blonde is walking out of the exam room, she activates the lights to turn off, in which ‘Black’ attacks ‘White’. When the lights turn back on ‘Black’ is dead on the floor. However, Blonde isn’t out of the room, as her foot is still in the room, in which she comes back into the room.

The clock then comes to zero, in which ‘White’ tells the invigilator he is the best candidate for the job, which then leaves ‘White’ disqualified. However, the eighty minutes weren’t completed, as ‘Deaf’ (another candidate) set the clock forward. ‘Blonde’ then remembers ‘Deaf’ was using his glasses and a broken glass to see the exam paper, in which she takes the glasses to find the exam paper has ‘question 1’ on it. The invigilator then returns to the exam room with ‘Deaf’, who is actually the CEO of the company, and he heals ‘Black’. Furthermore, ‘Blonde’ passed the exam, in which she’s offered the job, and she then accepts the new job.

Exam - Opening

The film ‘Exam’ is about eight candidates trying to be the last candidate standing in the exam room (to get the job), in which they are given a test that is simple, yet confusing. The opening of ‘Exam’ is very effective as it doesn’t give too much away to the audience watching, due to there not being too much dialogue, as the dialogue used is mostly when the examiner is explaining the exam to the candidates. The opening of ‘Exam’ is set in one setting (an exam room), in which there is a real focus on all the characters in the film.

In the opening of ‘Exam’, sound, mise-en-scene, camera and editing are used.

Sound is used to create tension in the opening of ‘Exam’, as the non-diegetic incidental music used creates tension. The incidental music is used throughout most of the opening of ‘Exam’, as there isn’t a lot of dialogue to give too much away to the audience. Moreover, there are many different diegetic sounds used to create realism, such as the sound of footsteps, the closing of a door and the dragging of a chair.

Mise-en-scene is used to create a sense of realism in the opening of ‘Exam’, as the basic setting of an exam room (location), the chairs, tables, papers, gun (the props used in ‘Exam’) and the smart clothing (costumes) used in the opening of ‘Exam’ are all realistic/simple aspects of mise-en-scene.

The different camera shots used in the opening of ‘Exam’, close-up shots (show what the characters are doing, and their facial expressions), medium shots (show more than one person in the shot, for example when they are walking into the exam room) and over the shoulder shots (shows the point of view of the individual) show what the characters are doing in the film.

Editing is used in the opening of ‘Exam’ to help the film flow, as jump cuts (from one scene to another, for example when all the different characters are shown at the beginning of the film) and shot-reverse-shots (from one character to another) are used in the film.

Narc (Crime thriller) - Plot

'Narc’ begins with a flashback of an undercover narcotics officer called Nick Tellis (played by Jason Patric) chasing a drug dealer, in which when Nick Tellis is running after the drug dealer, the drug dealer grabs an individual and injects him with drugs (which Nick Tellis has to leave behind because he has to catch the drug dealer). The drug dealer then grabs hold of a young child, causing Nick Tellis to shoot the drug dealer, before he can hurt the young child. However, Nick Tellis also accidentally shoots a pregnant woman, causing her to have a miscarriage.

Nick Tellis is then persuaded to return to the Detroit Police department to investigate the murder of Michael Calvess (who was also an undercover narcotics officer), in which Nick Tellis looks over the files of Michael Calvess’ case (even though his wife doesn’t want him to return to the Detroit Police department). Nick Tellis is then partnered up with Henry Oak (played by Ray Liotta), who was a friend of Michael Calvess, to work on the case. Nick Tellis and Henry Oak begin to build up a relationship, while working on the investigation. However, Nick Tellis’ wife is concerned by her husband’s health. Nick Tellis’ then goes behind Henry Oak’s back to interview Michael Calvess’ wife about her husband, in which Henry Oak turns up angry with Nick Tellis.

Nick Tellis and Henry Oak continue their investigation by visiting a drug dealers/gun collector’s house, who could have something to do with Michael Calvess’ case, however, they end up killing the drug dealer/gun collector. Furthermore, Nick Tellis and Henry Oak then visit another man, in which they find Michael Calvess’ badge, however, nothing to say the man killed Michael Calvess. The man then pulls a gun on Henry Oak and shoots him, in which Henry Oak kills the man in self defence. When Nick Tellis goes home, his wife tells him she can no longer be with him. Moreover, the case is closed by the Detroit Police department, in which Nick Tellis and Henry Oak carry on the investigation by themselves, because they believe the murder is still out there and yet to be found, in which they get bits and pieces of evidence pointing them towards an auto body shop.

Furthermore, Nick Tellis and Henry Oak go to the auto body shop, in which Henry Oak tries to get a confession out of the individuals there. When Henry Oak leaves the auto body shop to get tools from the car, Nick Tellis asks the individuals for the truth. The two individuals confess that they attacked Michael Calvess (because he went to pull out his gun on them), and then they ran away, while Henry Oak was shooting at them. Nick Tellis then confronts Henry Oak about the two individual’s confession, telling Henry Oak that he murdered Michael Calvess, after trying to shoot the drug dealers. However, Henry Oak denies that he murdered Michael Calvess. Nick Tellis then tells Henry Oak he is going to make an arrest himself, in which Henry Oak then attacks Nick Tellis, and tries to get a confession out of the two drug dealers himself.

Nick Tellis then breaks back into the auto body shop and shoots Henry Oak, in which while Henry Oak is dying, he confesses what actually happened. Henry Oak confesses that Michael Calvess actually killed himself, after they had an argument.

Narc - Opening

The film ‘Narc’ is about when a path goes cold on a murder investigation, causing an undercover narcotics officer to be forced back into murder investigations, to help solve the case. The opening of ‘Narc’ is extremely effective as it focuses mostly on the main character, Nick Tellis (played by Jason Patric). The opening of ‘Narc’ is set mostly in the daytime, in which Nick Tellis is thinking quietly, and then it just springs into action with a flashback, with a fast tempo rhythm, of Nick Tellis chasing a criminal. 

In the opening of ‘Narc’, sound, mise-en-scene, camera and editing are used.

Sound is used to create tension and to get the audience thinking of what is going to happen next in the film, as the non-diegetic incidental music is used to create tension. The amount of dialogue used in the opening of ‘Narc’ gives the audience some indication of where the film will go. Also, there are many diegetic sounds used in the opening of ‘Narc’, such as the women and the baby screaming, the footsteps of Nick Tellis running after the criminal and the signs rattling, as Nick Tellis was running after the criminal (all in the flashback). Furthermore, in the opening of ‘Narc’, there is also a sound effect used, as Nick Tellis uses the gun to shot the criminal.

Mise-en-scene is used to create a sense of realism and to show the characters in the opening of ‘Narc’ are associated with realistic settings. In the opening of ‘Narc’, there are many different locations used to create a sense of realism, such as the interior of a domestic setting (flat and house), the interior of a working environment (working office), and a park, which are all real and simple settings in everyday life. The clothing that the characters are wearing are all associated with individuals in everyday life, as clothing such as suits (smart clothing), hats and casual clothing are worn by the characters in ‘Narc’. The props that the characters are using in the film are also all associated with individuals in everyday life, as props such as chairs and sofas are used in ‘Narc’, and the gun used in ‘Narc’ is also a prop used in the film.

The different camera shots used in the opening of ‘Narc’ show the facial expressions of the characters and what the characters are doing, as close-up shots are used to show Nick Tellis’ facial expressions, long shots are used to show Nick Tellis running after the criminal, and also medium shots are used to show the other characters in the shot, for example in the office when the officers are questioning Nick Tellis.

Editing is used in the opening of ‘Narc’ to help the film flow, in which jump cuts (from one scene to another, for example when Nick Tellis is thinking, and then the flashback occurs) and shot-reverse-shots (from one character to another) are used.

What makes a good thriller?

Due to my own knowledge and viewings of thrillers, a good thriller is made up of many different aspects, such as main and complex characters (which keeps the audience questioning what a character will do throughout the film), key questioning of the film (which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats), tension and suspense (a build up of tension and suspense helps the audience start asking questions about the film), not giving too much away to the audience (which keeps the audience watching the film throughout its duration) and realistic settings (which create a sense of realism in the film).

What makes a good psychological thriller?

Due to the initial viewings of psychological thrillers in class and from my own knowledge of films, a good psychological thriller is made up of many different aspects, such as tension (a build up of tension to get the audience questioning themselves), suspense (a build up of suspense to get the audience questioning themselves), keeping the audience questioning what will happen next (which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats), realistic settings (to create a sense of realism), not giving too much away to the audience (to keep the audience watching throughout the duration of the film), and most importantly, main and complex characters (to help the film flow, and keep the audience questioning what the characters will do next and throughout the film).