Detailed analysis of the thriller 'Phsyco' shower scene:

One significant shot used within the scene is the close up of the knife and the faint outline of the attacker. The shot also shows a clear understanding of the composition of the 'rule of thirds' as the knife is the only significant object within the frame therefore, it stands out the most. The knife is of great importance as it obviously connotes death, hurt, pain and upset therefore the viewer instantly knows something bad is to come of the situation that occurs next. The outline of the attackers face and hair is created through visual effects as it is blurred and clearly not visibile to see who the attacker is, from the eye of the viewer. This therefore creates more tension as the veiwer is baffled and still not aware of who the attacker actually is.

Another important shot used within the scene is the point of view shot from the killers perspective of the victim inside the shower. This shot is clearly used to give the viewer awarness of  the killer looking in on the victim with them not knowing what is going on behind them.

Another significant shot is a close up shot of the victims mouth wide open, which is clearly visible they are screaming while you can hear the victim yelling and crying for help. This shot is very significant as it is the first bit of big drama unfloding within the frame of the scene. The scream and cries from the victim and the close up shot of the victims mouth are of great significance as they connot fear, being terrifed, and a cry for help in every sense possible. In the thriller genre the following connotations are all needed to make a perfect amount of suspense and tension which is very much achieved in this scene of phsyco.

Another singificant shot is a high angled shot of the victim crouching down from being wounded by the attacker, as it shows her looking up at her attacker. This is a very cleverly used shot and is commonly used in thriller genre films as it shows lack of authority and makes the reader see the victim as vunerable and inferior to the attacker. This therefore plays on the minds of the reader as they feel a sense of warmth and sadness for the victim after the events that have taken place. Still at this shot the veiwer is still un-aware of who the attacker is and will remain unaware throughout the scene.

The mise-en-scene of the film is started in the victims bedroom and is then moved towards the bathroom where all the drama unfolds from her getting into the shower. In her bedroom there is a typical setting of the scene therefore all the drama that unfolds next is very un-expected. The props the woman are wearing are a silk nightgown and a pair of heels. Which considering she is in her own company is very strange and mysetrious as to why she is looking so dressed up for no particular reason. This therefore, plays on the viewers mind as to what events could of happened before this scene. The lighting of the scene is very dull colours in the bedroom which instantly sets a moody and negaitive atmosphere to the scene. As the victim then moves into the bathroom the colour changes to all white which gives a sense of a blank canvas which shows depth and space.

The digetic sound used within the film is of the cries and screaming of the victim. Digetic sound is natural sound therefore, the audience know that the screams are real therefore, it has a bigger impact as they can hear and tell from her facial expression that the victim is completely terrified and is utterly helpless in the attack she has to enjure. The non-digetic sound used within the scene when the attack is taking place is of a peircing shrill that leaves you in nervous antisipation.

There is a certain amount of cross cutting used in this scene between the attacker murdering the victim in one shot to then moving onto a complete contrast, to clouds moving around frantically in another shot. This is also classed as a jump shot as it is an abrupt and sudden cut between one shot to a completely different shot. However, in one sense there could be significance between the two shots as the shot of the clouds they look as if they are out of controll and in a way as if they are out of place and lost. Then moving back to the attacker shot where the victim is helpless and in-capable to defend herself therefore, this could show she is almost seen to be lost in what is ocurring.

There are vast amounts of different types of editing used within the film such as special effects and sound effects along with costume/make-up effects such as the blood in the attack scene. Blood is vastly used in thriller genre films as the colour red itself connotes un-certainty, death, mystery and suspense. Therefore, the blood used within the scene shows that the victim has been vastly hurt and by the end of the scene we known the victim has been murdered, yet the veiwer is unaware of who did it and why they did it. 

The last clearly visible significant frame of the scene is of the plug hole that then dissolves into the eye of the victim. Using the technique disolve keeps the continuity of the film along with making there seem a sense of time passing. The plug hole is made to seem very big and empty looking deep inside and not seeing anything. Which is the same for when it fades into the eye of the victim, it gives of the impression to the veiwer that there's is nothing there anymore just vast emptiness within the victim. This then gives the reader personification and makes them feel for the victim and all the events that have happened to her.

All these aspects above of camera techniques, editing and sound that have been put together to create this scene really symbolise the conventions of the thriller genre. Suspense, tension, unawarness and uncertainty are all  found within this particular scene.

"The happening"

How could ‘the happening’ be linked to the thriller genre in terms of editing, mise-en-scene, sound and camera work?

The happening is a psychological thriller. However could be classed as a hybrid genre as it is also a possible combination of different major genres such as action or sci-fi. A thriller genre can either be a film, play or book including crime or mystery in an atmosphere of excitement, suspense or tension which ‘the happening’ has connotations of all of the above.

The mise-en-scene of the film is set in New York City in the middle of everywhere along with, scene’s filmed at the school and outskirts and rural areas of New York.  The representation and setting of the film portray realism. The scene is realistic one example of this is the teacher in the school, you see him in a nice suit looking smart and presentable. Which makes the film seem believable therefore, the events that occur afterwards come as a surprise which therefore, builds tension and leaves the audience unaware of what will happen next. Another aspect which creates realism within the film is that you see the look on the terrified peoples faces which look as if they are scared for there lives which would automatically be an instant reaction if you would find yourself in that situation.

The sound effects throughout the whole duration of the film are of a scary background noise to create a tense atmosphere and build suspense throughout the scene. The change of sound is very drastic and all of a sudden along with every change of beat shows a new scene which gives a dramatic effect.  Along with wind noises and sounds of emergency services which instantly connote to the audience death, hurt and pain. There is an over run voice throughout the film which keeps the audience aware of the current situation and gives them an insight into what is happening. Other effects which are used are a black on white theme, along with fades in which show things which shouldn’t be there, something in the background which isn’t as obvious to the reader but is very important within the scene. One example of this is of a police man lying dead on the floor surrounded by abandoned cars all over the scene, you cannot especially see the police man however it’s a very powerful scene and will play a big impact on the viewer.Also the vast use of just blank slides leave the audience unknowing of where there and what is happening which builds up the tension and makes the viewer pay more attention to the scene to catch up with what is happening.

The use of certain camera shots add to the genre thriller in the way that there is a vast amount of close ups of terrified worried faces which therefore has an impact on the audience. There is lots of looking up angle shots used which therefore, makes feel vulnerable and uncertain of what could occur next. There are also a number of Ariel shots looking down on the chaos and drama unfolding within the frame of the film. Ariel shots are useful to show lot of events within a big area where you can see the bigger picture of what is actually going on. The use of juxtaposition between two people on one scene changing from one to the other very drastically along with them both looking very agitated and worried also emphasise on the tension and suspense within the scene.

Overall the film ‘the happening’ fits in perfectly with the thriller genre along with has aspects of other hybrid genres. There is also a good balance of camera skills, effects and the use of the mise-en-scene within the film to create the prefect amount of tension and suspense which is needed to create psychological thriller.

Analysis of a thriller; 'Silence of the lambs'

Setting: The start of the film is the woman (clarisse) who is the FBI Agent for the case of the phsyco serial killer that is 'Canibal lecter' (also known as Docter Lecter) running in an assult course just running into vast open air in a dusty gloomy rainy day. The character looks troubled, confused and unaware of the situtions that do occur later on in the film.
The film then moves on to the physciatric prision unit where the monster that is canibal lecter is contained.
There are many different conventions in the film which conclude and assure the veiwer that this film is deffinatly a phsycological thriller. There is a big use of body language of uncertunity and anxsioty which lead to a tension increase cleverly added to the use of dull and colourless lighting to create the mood of the scene. The sound effects of constant doors slamming and the noises heard in the physciartic unit are of crying painful screams. 
The use of signifiers are the people in phsyciatric unit which can be seen to be disturbed and in destress which instantly shows the place they are contained in is for a certain type of person with sever mental health problems or issues.

Analysis of a thriller: 'The skeleton Key'

Setting: mise-en-scene of the film is set around a dark misty swamp, along a quite road with no other cars around or any form of human contact, apart from a spooky looking petrol station. The scene is set in the middle of nowhere and is isolated from everywhere else.
The scene then goes onto a big mansion style house where most the scene is filmed. On arriving at the mansion there is a sign saying 'private residence keep out'. This instantly gives a suspense to the film from the very beggining.
Sounds: The main background noise to the film is a very quiet earry prolonging sound. Also doors creaking and doors slamming are frequently used in the scene.
Lighting: The whole of the film is based in a dark and colourless setting to show a gloomy conclusion.

Religion and belief play a big part in the storyline which is based around demonary, possesion of souls and use of witch craft. Which leads to a weird but very intriging and bizare end to the story.