Inspirations- Miss Miller

Before creating a film, it is important to have an element of inspiration. From inspirations, it is possible to take a few ideas and make them your own to create something unique and creative. In relation to my own thriller, I have taken inspiration from a number of different thriller films which I have spoken a great detail about in the past.

Firstly, I took inspiration from the film 'Orphan'. This is because the character is unknown, as the killer is an older woman trapped in a child's body. This is very unsuspecting and intrigues the audience. Furthermore, this causes the audience's interest for the characters and narrative to increase. Because of this, I decided that the killer needed to be interesting and needed a back story. This film inspired me as the importance of the audience/character relationship was highlighted. I analysed this film when I created a post based on editing styles (which can be read here). The editing styles used where typical of the thriller genre, therefore they inspired me to used them in my thriller opening.

I also took inspiration from the film 'The Shinning'. Overall, it is my favourite thriller film and is arguably known to be the best thriller of all time. Knowing this, the analysis and research of this film should be included. Therefore I decided to analyse this film (here) as it is a good inspiration to have because of the popularity this film possesses. The setting is extremely fitting to the thriller genre as it is dark and secluded. The mental state and wildness of the character can be represented through the setting which inspired me. The killer in my opening sequence is driven mad, and I think this can be shown through the setting. Also, within the post I analysed an extremely well known scene. The scene incorporates tense but excitement building music, which can be used to interest the audience. The scene also includes iconography (a hammer) highlighting a sense of fear and danger. These aspects are conventional to thriller genre and provide a tense atmosphere in which the audience responds to.













I also analysed the film Prom night and discussed the use of cinematography within a clip (can be read here). The film in the beginning, creates a sense of normality and builds false hope as they are all getting ready for a party. Within my sequence, I incorporate this by adding in flashbacks of people preparing for the wedding. This is an inspiration for me as it creates a sense of normality/a possible light hearted atmosphere. But as the film is a thriller, this raises suspicion and the audience continues to feel uneasy. Furthermore, through the film, the audience emphasise with the characters the analysed shows show why this can be. This includes close ups of the victims face, to show the audience her negative emotions and highlights the negative and frightening aspects of the situation.

My research resulted in being extremely helpful through the planning stage/getting ideas for a narrative. We chose popular, well known thriller films and took aspects of them and made them our own. As they are popular films, they inspire us and furthermore show what makes a thriller film so successful. As ideas were sparked from popular thriller films, the audience would be able to enjoy the sequence more.