MEDIA STUDIES: THRILLER PLANNINGInitial Concepts

Initial concepts Character types

Female Character

For my female character I wanted to give the sense of a ‘damsel in distress’. A character and major story line used in numerous thriller films today. Many of the Bond films uses the same idea of a helpless women in need of being rescued. These characters are often used in chase thrillers to hint at the predictable capture of the female, exactly the tension I want to create in my own thriller opening.

The Enigma

The enigma character is covered by a hood at all times which creates the mystery of his character. Mystery is something I wanted to introduce with this character as it is a key thriller devise. Mystery also makes the character elusive and unpredictable as the audience are lest to speculate about this character, as well as leaving the audience to crave more as a thriller opening should, the sense of elusively and the unknown will unsettle the audience and add to the thrill.

Locations

My initial concept involves a chase through a wooded area. This creates a sense of isolation and seclusion from others, which of course are thriller conventions.

I want the damsel to run towards an old shed in the woods which she may feel is a sanctuary from the chase. The shed will be cluttered and overcrowded. This indeed gives the damsel many places to hide but also creates a closed off and claustrophobic environment. The damsel will then be trapped in this space, building tension.

The sense of entrapment comes to a climax as the enigma is seen through a narrow doorway. The archway and frame the doorway makes is often used in thrillers such as ‘The Third Man’.

Costumes

Female Character The Enigma

I want the female character to be dressed in almost unflattering costume without anything that may standout. This could be a little unsettling as her ‘everyman’ appearance doesn’t give her much of an identity.

The audience may then be able to relate to this character, putting themselves into her position and also able to focus on the action of the opening rather than the character development. This creates a raw and realistic sequence which can be incredibly powerful and thrilling. This idea is used in film such as ‘Winters Bones’ and Jennifer Lawrence’s character

The enigma will be a hooded figure wearing a black jacket, gloves, shoes, trousers etc. This creates mystery and promotes speculation a to who this character is. The ‘who is it?’ thriller technique is used in thrillers so often in order create a tense atmosphere and keep the audience enticed. The thriller TV Show ‘Pretty Little Liars’uses the infamous character of ‘A’ in this instance as the characters try to work out who this person is. I want to create a similar atmosphere through this enigma character as his identity will remain anonymous.