Research into cinematography- Miss Miller

In this essay, I will be discussing the use of cinematography within the thriller genre. Cinematography is the making of a film, including different angles and shots used in that film including how they are conventional to the genre, in this case, a thriller. Certain different angles/shots chosen can set a certain ambience, within the thriller, the makers would want the audience to feel scared and tense. I have chosen to talk about the opening scene of 'Prom Night' which you can view here. I chose this clip as I feel that it contains a range of different angles and shots that are also conventional to the thriller genre.

The first shot that I’m going to discuss is an 'extreme long shot'  This is used near the beginning of the clip, when the girl is in her house, unaware of her father's dead body behind her. First, this could show a sense of normality, before the more negative events. The setting is conventional as a house is shown, linking to the thriller genre. However, this can alarm the audience, causing them to relate to what they see on screen. The theme of normality is shown in this shot, causing the audience to build a relationship with the character but also shocks them, as the setting is relatable and familiar. Linking to this, the angle used is more personal as it is hand held and not something more professional. Other than this, the shot used makes the character seem smaller and the room larger. It shows to the audience that she is the victim, and foreshadows her loneliness and negative events to follow. Therefore, the audience worries about what could happen to her later on in the film. This relates back to the thriller genre as the audience are in suspense and the atmosphere is tense and worrying. Conventionally in thrillers, the audience gain a character/audience relationship, which adds to the understanding of the narrative. This point is included within the use of this shot.













Another angle used is eye level, which is used a number of times when the victim is hiding under the bed. However, I will be discussing the use of this when the victim's mother is hiding from the killer. The use of this angle provides the audience the same view as the victim as they see these events take place from under the bed. As the audience are in the same place as the victim, they also feel inferior and weak, this further causes them to emphasise with the characters as they experience the same event. The victim's mother has closed the door, attempting to keep the killer out. This angle helps show intensity and the feeling of uneasiness and the audience worry about what will happen to the characters. This is also conventional to the thriller genre as the setting is relatable, causing the audience to possibly worry about themselves, and they are left in suspense. Within the thriller genre, the aspect of uncertainty, fear and surprise is always evident, and can also be seen within this scene, eye level creates this feeling and makes the audience worry about the victim's fate.

A close-up is used when the victim is hiding under the bed, watching her mother die, the camera is mainly focused on her face. From using an extreme close up, the audience see the character's emotion, which causes them to emphasise with her and experience the same feelings. Furthermore, the audience are engaged in the narrative and with the characters. Close ups are used within the thriller genre in this instance to create a character/audience bond. The audience view first hand, the importance and reality of this situation, as the negative emotions are evident on the victim's face, this further links back to mise-en-scene and facial expressions.

Another shot of cinematography I found was 'tracking.' This is scene when the victim is hiding under the bed, her mother's dead body placed in front of her. The focus is constant, and the audience are left in suspense. Her mother had just been murdered, and she watched the event take place. The audience feel empathy towards the character, therefore are engaged in the whole narrative. Tracking shows that the victim is close the killer/woman he murdered, highlighting that she is unsafe, causing the atmosphere to become tense and disheartening. This shot causes suspense, the audience are left worried for the character but also wonder what will happen next. Overall, this is conventional to the thriller genre as this certain shot can be used to show a lack of safety and shows that the victim is in a negative/harmful situation. The killer is close to the victim which leaves the audience in suspense, which is also a aspect within the thriller genre.












A close up is also used when the knife is scene for the first time. A knife is an important piece of iconography within the thriller genre, and have been a well known aspect associated with the thriller genre. Iconography is an important element as for example a knife, shows danger and foreshadows the theme of death. The use of a close up shows the importance of the knife and that it had been used to murder the victim's family. As the killer still holds the knife, it highlights his strength and dangerous/murderous ways and the audience can imply that he will kill again. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the audience are left in suspense and the use of the knife and a close up to show this is typical, and scares the audience as the mood is negative and frightening. 

Lastly, an extreme close up is used right at the end of the opening when the victim gets stabbed by the killer. The extreme close up is focused on the victim's eyes/nose. The audience see the terror in her eyes which leads them to feel empathy towards her. As she has been stabbed, this causes a surprising and shocking atmosphere, which ties into the thriller genre. Within the thriller genre, cliff hangers are popular, and the audience is always left on the edge of their seat. As she has been stabbed, and this is the opening sequence, the audience want to watch on, to figure out if the scene was a dream, flashback or in the present time. 

To conclude, these shots and angles are used to build a relationship with the audience and create tension and suspense. Although the setting is normal and familiar, the audience are scared by this and are left frightened and want to know what will happen to the victims within the setting. In this way, they are effective in creating suspense as the audience worry about what will happen next for example 'tracking' when the main victim, Donna was hiding under the bed and the killer is close to finding her as her mother's dead body lay on the ground. These shots and angles are all relevant to the thriller genre as they make the audience feel different but negative emotions which is what the thriller genre aims to produce. It provides shock, surprise and suspense. The clip mainly is full of suspense which as an opening sequence, is a positive aspect as the audience would want to watch the whole film. However, the killing scenes are also shocking the audience emphasise with Donna. Fundamentally, this clip has influenced me in making my own thriller opening as it is full of suspense, making the audience want to continue watching. Also, I like the idea of the reality/normality in the opening and then shocks the audience by adding the thriller factor near the end.