Individual ideas for a narrative- Miss Georgiou

So far I have watched many different clips that have inspired to make my own thriller opening. The first of these is the film 'Prom Night'. I have seen various different clips from this film and find some techniques used very interesting. The first is from the trailer and the first parts of the movie, overall. The audience feels a sense of normality and suspense. This is because, a group of friends are getting ready for prom. This is conventional to a thriller as it builds suspense. This has inspired me as this frightens the audience as the setting and plot is so normal and familiar that it could happen to anybody. Also, mise-en-scene is used in low key lighting, which foreshadows deaths of characters. In the picture below, a high angle is used to make the victim inferior, foreshadowing her death, linking to the thriller genre as the character is weak and innocent. Lastly, the audience appeal to this as characters identities are shown, causing them to relate to what is shown.












The use of costume is very important and is shown in Prom Night as the villain is dressed in black which
raises suspense and the ideas of 'hidden identity' and the victim wears white prom dress, highlighting the idea of purity and innocence. This can link to the first Scream opening I analysed. This is because, the villain wears a mask, which builds tension. Also, the victim wears a white jumper showing again her status and foreshadows what is to come.











The opening of Scream is set in a house which shows a sense of normality, frightening the audience as this could happen to them. A clip I watched from the film 'The Strangers' shows the female victim alone in a house, too. This highlights to the audience that the victim is alone in a secluded setting. This links back to the conventional thriller as a positive setting should produce a tense atmosphere, and should be dark and secluded. Houses are proved the most popular within the thriller genre.

This again links to another inspiration 'Orphan'. This is because the main character/victim is troubled and problems continously occur in her day to day life. We bond with the characters and therefore worry about them and care what happens to them. Therefore, it is much more emotional if something bad happens to them. This further links back to the thriller genre as makers want the audience to have a bond with characters. This is because the audience would care if negative elements were to follow.

Lastly, I believe that The Conjuring is a positive influence as when being released to the cinemas, the film was believed/rumoured to be a true story that cannot be proved to this day. This frightens the audience even more and the film leaves an effect on the audience which is conventional to the thriller genre.

Below is an overview of my own idea for a narrative. I have taken all of my inspirations into account and after research from past posts, I identified elements of a good narrative and opening sequence.

Narrative idea: A child is bullied growing up and experiences many disturbing acts. This includes bullying and abuse at home. When he is older, he blames the whole world for what happened to him. Throughout, there is a theme of fire as he is a burns victim. He burns his victims himself, to make them pay for what happened to him. Overall, I believe this is a new idea that hasn't been seen before. A unique plot will intrigue the audience, causing them to engage with the whole narrative and gain a character/audience bond with quirky characters that are not explored in typical thrillers.
Opening sequence: The opening sequence should contain a series of childhood images, creepy music or nursery rhyme (which links to 'Orphan' as the child's song was a motif). This shows the audience the theme of a negative childhood. Overall, creepy elements such as nursery rhymes and clowns are a popular fear, appealing to a wider audience. Also the sequence will contain scenes that link to fire/smoking. This again engages the audience and shows them aspects of his troubled childhood. Lastly, it should contain the link back to clowns as the killer uses masks to cover up his burns and to be unknown to the victims. This overall is conventional to the thriller genre as the sequence contains eerie music, a masked killer and troubling flashbacks, this engages the audience from the beginning, which is what a successful opening should do.
Characters: The characters are, the main killer/burns victim.
Five old school friends (typical three boyish males, and two typical girls) who are also the bullies.
Killer's family who make a brief appearance, probably in flashbacks of the killer's troubled past.
Old school friends/bullies family. They can be shown in the present, the killer could possibly take his revenge out on these families.
Conventions: The opening sequence/overall narrative will contain a masked killer, which links back to the conventional thriller, leaving the audience in suspense. The setting is also a forest, including suspenseful and tense aspects.
Mise-en-scene: Dark, lonely settings (the woods and a house), linking back to conventional thrillers such as my inspirations that include 'Scream'. Facial expressions are also important within killings as emotions are shown to the audience, showing sadness and hurt relating back to the thriller genre.

The target audience for my thriller would be a fifteen. This is because it would contain violence and death. Also, the film would contain strong and violent language. My film would contain injury and threat which could easily scare a younger audience. The film would appeal to my chosen audience as it is suitable for the age. Overall, plot is unique and the opening sequence contains suspense and conventions to the thriller genre, causing the audience to want to continue watching. My next step is to share this research with my group, and show that I have analysed different areas within the genre by using inspirations that we could potentially use when planning our final narrative.