Anya Simmonds Media

AS Level Media Studies Summer Work

Task 1 Thriller:
Thrillers have a wide range of films, all with many different types of characteristics.
All the different types of characteristics can be recognised in each different thriller.
The narrative of a thriller are mainly based on murder, investigations and the hero
solving the enigma and reveal it, however the main storyline for the protagonist is
normally a long and enduring quest. Nearly all of the thriller films contain violent
footage which are often set in an urban setting but generally at night time. The aim of
a thriller is to bring excitement and tension to the audience which is built during a
dramatic and shocking sense. This will also help to keep the audience on their toes
and wanting to come back for more. The hero and villain based in a thriller will
always share some of the same characteristics. In a thriller film they focus on injustice
but is resolved by the end. The hero of the thriller is mostly a lonely but true morals to
protect the innocent. Common props being used in a thriller are harmful weapons such
as guns and sharp objects which arent always knives. There are also other props
being used such as dark clothing to blend into the dark so they cannot be seen.
Throughout a thriller there are different camera shots being used. They use high and
low angled shots, close ups and point of view shots. Quick cuts can be used to convey
a lot of information very quickly, which also means with the fast moving clips will
create a pace in which the audience will begin to believe everything on screen is in
haste and feel a sense of urgency. Editing in a thriller which is used is either jump cut
or cross cutting. The use of sound in a thriller consist of ambient sounds (background
sounds), diegetic sounds (the sound can either be on screen or off screen depending
on whatever its source is within the screen or outside the screen) and non-diegetic
sounds (the sound is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied present in the
action).

Task 2 - Woman in Black:

This shot is a long shot, showing

the main location of the film. This
image denotes an old house with
over grown plants. The overgrowth
of the plants connote that they
could be trying to hide what is
within he house and the secrets of
theshot
house.
is a minimal
This
is a There
high-angle
shot, of
lighting
colours,
this
making
theand
mandark
seem
vulnerable.
furthers
the
dangers
and
evil
of the
There is still a minimum of lighting
house.
It shot
appears
as-if
noneAslives
This
is athe
high-angle
and long
which
emphasizes
threat.
there,
which
the
surrounding
shot.
This image
denotes
the man
is walking
though
the fog
resemble
that
none
is
there
tocolours
take
surrounding
a
path.
The
overgrown path this connotes he
care
on
the
land
and
house.
used
in
the
image
are
dark
overcoming the houses hidden and
thisback
signifies
mystery
secrets.gloomy,
This links
to thethe
genre
as
to
where
the
path
leads.
The fog
because the lighting is showing the
danger.connotes that its unpredictable as
to what withholds for the main
character. This links back to genre
because the fog has a gloomy
effect.

Anya Simmonds Media

This is a high- angled and long

shot. This image portrays a young
boy who has just climbed out from
under the deep marsh. This
suggests the boy isnt alive and is
tormenting the man. Also this
creates the enigma as to how he
died. The colours used suggest it is
night time due to the darkness,
which also signifies vulnerability
and danger the man is in. This all
links back with the genre thriller
because its set at night.

Anya Simmonds Media

This shot is a high-angled and long

shot. This image is represented
with a woman clothed in all black
stood by a grave as if shes gone to
a funeral. The woman in black is
surrounded by fog which implies it
could be trying to hide her and she
with holds mystery. The
surroundings of a grave connotes
that shes a killer and foreshadows
his potential future.