Genre Research: Last Night in Soho

 Angles, Shots and Movement 

• -Fast camera movements are used to display the characters' blurring sense of reality and make audiences question what is true and what is not. 

• -Zoom-ins are used to portray the character fading from out and separating from her reality. 

• -Over-the-shoulder shots are used for scenes where another character pulls the main character out from delusions. 

Mis-en-Scene 

• -The characters' make-up is used to portray the different emotional states that they go through. 

• -The lighting in scenes is used to help portray moments of delusions. 

• -The character's outfits used are also used to portray different emotional phases they go through. 

• -Throughout the movie the acting changes. In the beginning, they act innocent, and curious, however throughout they become more delusional as they unravel the mystery.  

Editing 

• -Quick cuts are also used to portray moments of blurred reality. 

• -Dissolving is used to hint at two or more things that may be connected. 

• -Eye-line matches are used to make people suspicious of people and connections. 

• -Voiceovers can be used to mislead people into thinking one thing happened and it really did not.  

Sound 

• -Sound bridges are used to portray the characters moving from dream states to reality or vice versa. 

• -Diegetic sound is used to carry over from states of mystery to keep audiences guessing. 

• -Incidental music is used to build up moments to the reveal of the conclusion of the mystery. 

• -Sound Motifs help build what characters' intentions are what they may have done. 

What elements were liked? 

The diverse ways are used to portray the intent a character has. For example, the way lighting is used, and how the actions of the character would change. How the character's emotional states were portrayed through, costuming and make-up we're extremely effective

Elements not liked?

Some things not liked were certain camera movements such as quick ones, cause even they used to portray mystery sometimes it can happen so fast the audience will not know what is going on. The voiceovers were ineffective because even though they can be necessary they also help people not realize what is going on. 

Genre Decision Blog

      For this final task, we decided to go with mystery. A majority of the reason has to do with trying something new. In general, it seems most people are going for easier genres. For example horror or thriller. We wanted a challenge in terms of making a storyline. A lot of the time, thrillers and horror can be very cop-out. They often center around an even for shock value and to find a place to end. Although we want our film to center around a murder, we are more interested in the mystery aspect. Learning how to make a film interesting without shock value is something we are interested in. Horror and thriller very often use non-diegetic music and jumpscares. This is all in order to create tension and make the audience nervous. But we want to learn how to do this without heavily relying on aspects outside the film. Classic elements of mystery are also fun to play with. For example costumes and greyscale filters, but giving those a modern take is what would be done. Mystery also relies on a compelling storyline rather than cop-out elements commonly seen in horror and thriller. Crafting that story would make the project more intriguing for all members because we ourselves are able to get into the story. Mystery genres can also revolve around a single setting because they are more dialogue-heavy. This requires less traveling and makes the filming process easier. Costumes for this genre are also common within any household, so costume costs would be little to nothing. Lighting is commonly dim as well, which is easy to attain.

Thriller Research Blog

 

• Angles, Shots, and movements 

• -High angle shots are used to make characters seem powerless. 

•  -Birds eye view gives the effect that whatever is shown appears to be vulnerable. 

• -Close ups are used to show a character’s emotions and reactions to whatever is happening in the scene. Details are also emphasized. 

•  -Panning/tracking makes it look like a character is being followed. It also allows the viewers to have a view of what is going on. It builds suspense and tension for the film. 

• -Tilted angles add a dramatic feeling and make it feel like the camera is the character.  

• -Extreme long shots are used to show what something looks like as well as the atmosphere around it. 

• -Low angle shots make viewers feel weak. It also shows how powerful an enemy is. 

• -Zoom shots show a dramatic effect that creates fear of what is going to happen next. 

• Mis-en-Scene 

• -Normal clothing is seen in the thriller genre. This adds realism to the film and makes viewers feel like they are being the character in the film. 

• -There are many different forms of lighting. Low-level lighting is used to show suspense and a mysterious feeling. It also creates shadows to create fear and surprise in the audience. Color is sometimes used to show a connection to the character’s emotions in the movie. 

• -The setting for thriller movies is usually in a dark place, or claustrophobic spaces are used to make it seem like viewers are inside of a character’s mind. 

• -Makeup is limited to thriller movies to make it seem more relatable for people. Messy/smudged makeup can also be seen to show that someone was crying/sad. 

• -Props that are used can be weapons because there are fights that happen in these films. 

• Editing 

• -Fast and slow-paced editing is commonly used in these films. This conveys emotion and creates suspense. 

• -Fast cutting is used to allow the audience to predict what will happen. 

• -Flashbacks and montages are also commonly used to show the audience an insight into the character 

• Sound 

• -Diegetic sound is used to create a feeling of realism, an example of this being used would be a girl screaming or someone stepping on something. 

• -Non-diegetic sound can make the film very suspenseful by adding a soundtrack/voiceover. The sound of a piano would make the scene feel dramatic. 

• Elements to use 

• -Most shots and angles are essential for thriller movies. High angle shots, zoom angles, extreme long shots, and close-ups would be necessary to create fear and suspense. A dark setting would be extremely helpful as well as dark and dim lighting.  

• -Make-up will help with the dramatic effect as well as the costumes. 

• Elements to avoid 

• -Non-diegetic sound can be a bit overused and takes away from the real effect. I would use less non-dietic and more diegetic sound. 

• -There are also many props used in thriller movies so some props can be removed. 

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