Evaluating previous student's thriller work - A Grade

'Invite' - Johnny Hawes -A Grade

Video:

The video is titled 'Invite'and awarded an A grade when submitted, the grade was achieved through the complicated camera work, editing, use of sound and mise-en-scene that depicted an interesting and effective narrative. 

The establishing shot introduces a kettle as a prop illustrating normality and ambiguity of the narrative along with the first titles which are positioned in various areas of the frame in a sans serif, bright blue font. The bright text colour is unconventional suggesting the narrative will not follow the usual pattern of thriller films. 

The titles continue with various insert edits illustrating a separate line of action, the shots of someone completing everyday activities like making breakfast are seen in colour whilst the tension building shots of someone approaching the house are filtered into black and white translating that this line of action poses a threat to the protagonist in the other shots. The change in colours allows the audience to assume the narrative varies with the colours. The use of this filter makes the shots seem somewhat clumsy but makes the scenes easily distinguishable. The variations of shots (including over the shoulder, long shots, close-ups etc) are interesting but sometimes edited in a way that seems excessively shaky, this could be a preference found from audience research but I personally think this translates as messy on screen. 

The video uses non-digetic music of a low tone which is prolonged, a typical convention of a thriller film as it builds anxiety in the scene. The use of this music is effective and could be used as inspiration for my own thriller opening. There is one line of dialogue found in the opening used with a black and white mid and long shot of one of the characters. The ambiguous narrative does not give the audience any hints as to which character is the protagonist or antagonist. This is seen in unconventional thrillers to intrigue the audience and keep a consistent suspenseful atmosphere.

In terms of mise-en-scene in the scene high key lighting is extremely evident to create a casual setting that is echoed through the location of a suburban house with mundane props like mugs. The costumes of the characters reinforce the casual meeting between the characters and the relaxed vibe between them, as this suggests the characters have a life that is saturated with social normality the audience begin to question how the narrative will change their lives. The editing here consists of all straight cuts of a fast pace to suggest the action is building and a significant segment of the narrative is approaching. 

The enigma narrative is carried on during the last scene of the opening, a pan is used here effectively communicating the use of weaponry to the audience. The editing using ellipsis of time as the gun shown on the table leads to one of the characters who appears dead in the living room. The narrative does not explain how this happened because of the edit that was used, however, the editing and shots allow the audience to assume it was the other, character who is seen casually in the kitchen. 

The opening finishes with the movie title 'Invite' in a conventional overlay with a zoom onto a morbid handwritten page with repetition of the word 'dead'. The thriller opening as a whole is effective as it builds tension and keeps the audience on their toes with the use of enigma narrative. The titles are intriguing and though camera quality is questionable the conventions of thriller openings are evident and utilised in a unique way showing the candidate utilised research and audience feedback well to create their final piece.