Mise-En-Scene Research

Our thriller opening sequence sub-genre is mystery, and by researching the different areas of Mise-en-scene such as costume, location, lighting and props, we can find out how to create a more professional and believable opening sequence.

PROPS

In our thriller, we have decided to use a number of props which will add realism and help viewers to really understand the storyline. One of the main props which we will be using is a mobile phone. This is because the character is a teenage girl and therefore always has to have her phone around her. The phone will play a large part in the narrative because when character 1 (the girl) is on the phone, the line goes dead and this is most likely to be the point where the scarier music will start. This means the phone is essential for our film to work otherwise there will be no point in which the viewer realises that something is not right. An example of a thriller in which the storyline is centred around a phone is the film 'One Missed Call'. Ours will not be as centred around a phone as this one but the phone will definitely play a significant part. Other small props will include make-up and straightners. This is because character 1 is going to begin the story by getting ready for a party in her bedroom and therefore just doing the normal girlie things such as straightening her hair and putting on her make-up. Finally a prop which we will need to get hold of is a rope. This is quite an important one as most thrillers involve a weapon for harm or threat. We have decided against using any actual violence in our opening sequence however we will need a rope as a prop to use to tie up a victim inside a garage.

LOCATION

We have decided that our main location will be at a house in an urban area. This is because it fits in best with our storyline. We wanted to have the opening sequence start off as normally as possible, with everyday life. In order to make it the thriller genre we wanted to build up tension and also; make it more believable by having an everyday situation turn very badly. The first part of the sequence will begin in the bedroom of the girl getting ready. Then after she receives the mysterious phone call from her friend, a small scene will be shot inside the house, this will include the hallway and the stairs to show that character 1 is leaving her bedroom to go outside because she hears a strange noise. Finally we will be filming just outside the house, outside the front door and also partly in the garage.

COSTUME

We have come to the conclusion for the characters, the costumes will consists of the following; for character 1 who is the main character she will be wearing a short dress in order to show she is getting ready for a night out. She will be heavily made up also. Character 2, which is the friend will be wearing a similar outfit. The difference however will be that because she has just been beaten up her dress will be ripped, and dirty etc and her make up is going to be smudged and messy. Finally character 3 who is the mystery character/murderer may feature in our film, we have not yet decided whether he will yet. If he does his costume will consist of baggy, dark clothes in order to hide the body and face. This will create mystery and questions.

LIGHTING

To begin with, the scene in the bedroom will be different to the other scenes. The lighting will be bright and well-lit in order to create an everyday scene, whilst the girl is getting ready in her bedroom. When she hears the knock at the door the lighting drastically changes because then the audience will realise the change of atmosphere. When she goes outside it will be dark and dim to create more fear, then finally in the garage scene we will try and make the lighting as dark as possible but still light enough to produce good quality filming. By making the lighting become darker throughout the opening sequence, it suggests Thriller conventions because of the build up of tension and fear.