Crime Thriller- 'Il ya un probleme'

Evaluation
For my final coursework task I worked in a group, with three other students, to produce the opening scenes of film from the crime thriller genre. Initially I decided to complete a video project as I have had experience of it at GCSE level. Obviously this achievement and enjoyment prompted me to develop such skills further. Whereas the genre choice originates from a familiarity with the conventions, which we felt would aid us in creating our own. Considering our target audience, our planning made us aware that the genre required a certain level of violence and so a BBFC age certificate of 15 would be put in place. However we felt that the practical issue of gaining a large enough audience for maximum profit meant that we should extend the audience to an average age of 35. Developing this further, the company representing the film could be Warner Bros as such a crime thriller has broad audience appeal, which reflects the internationally known brand. This distributor may also reassure quality to the market, alongside effectively promoting the title for mass consumption. In acknowledgment to this we ensured that certain aspects encouraged this specific target audience. To create the tension of awaiting violence we have included a single graphic scene during the opening, yet would only present the threat of violence throughout the rest of the film to create the desired effect without having to raise the age certificate. Additionally the realistic and urban themes would make an immediate impact on the audience because of the possibility that these modern issues could affect them. For example the average locations and simple background of the hero could create empathy from the audience, which in turn would emphasise the shock and tension as events unfold. Plus we have included non-diegetic music, which involves electronic and synths, adding a modern and futuristic edge to the classic genre.

Genre Conventions
From close analysis of existing films in the crime thriller genre we have been able to understand which conventions are key to their classification. Firstly, the plot of these films, alongside the relationships between characters, is key in their identification. Our film complies with the crime element through providing a quest for revenge amongst two parties separate from authoritative involvement from the police, for example. Also, the hero character is an essential contrast with the mafia villains as the audience can sympathise and become involved, provoking them to support the character. In addition, the thriller aspect of conventions is shown by the twist of the ‘victim’ eventually being found to be a villain. Such an unexpected twist creates the shock required psychologically.

Furthermore, the representation of characters through camera work and aspects of mise-en-scene are recognised as essential. Beginning with the victim, the suggestion of being civilian is expressed through the stereotypically ordinary costume, including jeans. On the other hand, mafia members are all in black and white formal clothes to show that they are linked as well as holding power. This elaborates on the idea of a subversive organised group intimidating a sole individual. Although even within this group status is established. After all, the mafia boss is shown to be mysterious and important simply through wearing sunglasses, and it is this hierarchy that adds to the genre suitability. In the female’s performance, she has the status to deliver orders, breaking an expected stereotype of weakness.

Additionally, the props used abide to the conventional themes of the genre. For example, the presence of guns creates a tone of illegal and dark issues.

Considering conventions of camera work, an initial pan of the large building establishes the location whilst representing the grandness of the situation and events. Also, when combined with performance, the close-up shots express characters emotions to the audience vividly, subtly allowing them more information whilst building a profile. For example, the manner in which the mafia boss removes her sunglasses and calmly says “Kill her”, shows that she is comfortable committing such evil and has no fear of the ‘victim’ overpowering her. Similarly, close-ups of the victim express their fear in the expected way regarding the difference in the characters’ roles and status. In relation to this, high-angled shots of the victim show vulnerability as it decreases the size and power of the person. Other expected techniques regarding quality include over the shoulder shots during conversation to clearly express to the audience who is talking to which character.

Continuing, parts of editing are also essential to the genre grouping of crime thrillers. For example, events that happened in the past are shown in black and white to clarify the order of events. In such a film this provides the opportunity to create a mystery for the audience, as they are only aware of parts of how a situation occurs. Plus the pace is set by the speed of shots, so we purposely had quickly edited footage towards the end of the opening to heighten tension and intrigue from the audience- and this tension is essential in thrillers. For the aforementioned part of the opening we used straight cuts to create cohesive realism, however as the opening titles appeared, we decided on using fades to gradually and calmly combine the scenes with the necessary information. The titles in themselves are also key and so we maintained the expected running order of the cast and creators. Furthermore, we used a colour scheme of black and white on the titles to match the conventions of seriousness and darkness, which also adds continuity to the mafia’s costume.

We followed the conventions of sound as well, including a variety of necessary diegetic sounds. Obviously speech was essential in this, but added sounds such as the gunshot enforce the convention of power and crime, whilst fitting the boundaries of realism. Plus, like many other films of the same genre, we utilised non-diegetic music over the opening scenes that was a slow tempo and quite subtle in order to build the suspense required. Contrasting with this music we decided to record childish singing of a nursery rhyme as this fitted in with the mystery of the plot regarding the mafia leaders child. Hence overall the non-diegetic sound complimented the themes in crime thrillers.

Finally, the locations used were typical of the genre. Firstly the car was black and so hinted formality as well as it being symbolic for the evil of the mafia. Importantly, the large house, contrasting with the victim in an empty room, suggested that the organised crime was on a threateningly large scale, and this would add to the tense thrill the audience would expect.

Challenges to Conventions
Firstly, I feel that the current and unusual issues dealt with in our film would prove a unique selling point as the plot regards an urban, usual area with the theme of child abduction, not ordinarily associated with crime thrillers. Furthermore, we challenge the convention of representation of characters. The mafia boss is shown to be a powerful female authoritative figure with no hint of sensitivity or conscience. This breaks the idea of males leading crime organisations whilst also suggesting that females do not always have to be victims in this context. Additionally, despite traditionally being associated with Italy, the mafia in our film is French. By this being emphasised, as we have titled our film in French, this could very much be a unique selling point as such a break of conventions would create fresh intrigue on the new perspective. Nonetheless, we did adhere to the conventions regarding the male role of a chauffeur, which allows enough realism to be fathomable, whilst uniquely presenting females in a different way.

Overview
As a whole I feel that our piece of film works succinctly with our array of planning and research, ultimately collaborating with the plot. Our audience feedback concurs with this concept, yet we have been able to acknowledge some suggestions for possible improvements. For example, some felt that a certain area of dialogue was less prominent due to the non-diegetic music. Obviously if we were to alter this in future, it could possibly increase the fluency and coherence of the piece, ensuring all information is clearly expressed. On the other hand, much feedback has been positive and complimentary of the subtleties of mise en scene to evoke tension whilst also expressing a relevant amount of information. Plus, an aspect that has drawn much attention is the non-diegetic childlike singing, with some commenting that it is eerie and unnerving. Additionally, the characters have been viewed as easily recognisable, but are more than mere stereotypes and have a depth that creates intrigue.

Moving on, we have utilised new media technologies throughout our coursework. Initially we could search for relevant and helpful films of our specified genre on websites such as Youtube, making opening scenes we were previously unaware of, available. Research was also required for our understanding of the age restrictions on films, which the BBFC website made easily attainable. Whereas the stage of planning was helped by medias such as e-mail, allowing swift conversation between all group members during our private study. Furthermore, the construction of the final product used many parts of new media. For example, our video cameras, external hard drives, and laptops were necessary to record and capture our work. In detail, we used Adobe Premier Pro to edit and construct our piece, before finally burning it to DVD. From this step we utilised the DVD by showing it to our peers in order to gain constructive feedback allowing us to reflect. Overall I feel that I have developed my ability in Adobe PremierPro as I am now more aware of different options regarding effects and transitions such as black and white colouring and fades. Fortunately, I now have the ability to edit different non-diegetic music smoothly together allowing effective cohesion.

Hence, I have employed a wide range of skills throughout the entire process. Primarily it was necessary to have the ability to organise, after all many deadlines were set and had to be met. This was evermore important concerning the number of people in my group. Linking to this, communication too was essential as roles were allocated and the best ideas were picked for our work. Obviously research was then required from numerous sources: books, the Internet, and members of our target audience. This continued through to the storyboarding and directing so that all shots required were gained to the highest quality, preventing any unnecessary consumption of time. Then when it came to filming, camera skills were embraced as well as acting and checking for continuity errors. We then had to successfully capture and edit the filming, referring to our provided plans. Yet importantly, we had to be able to evaluate our work from an unbiased perspective in order for us to produce the highest quality of work we were capable of.

It seems that we have made a great progression from the completion of our preliminary project. I now have the practical knowledge of the necessity of gaining enough shots correctly numerous times so the best can be chosen. Plus, issues of continuity proved to be troublesome as in one shot we found that a character was not in place. However, as once we watched on a large screen we felt that the filming could be of a higher quality, we organised another filming session, which was fruitful. In addition, the new technology of cameras was a problem because we did not have the correct software immediately. Nonetheless we eventually created a piece of work that we feel would be difficult to improve upon, therefore satisfying us.