HOLIDAY RESEARCH 1 - Analysing Taxi Driver

Analysing Taxi driver

Taxi driver is a film made 1976, starring famous actors such as Robert Di Nero. The opening is a discrete opening due to its functions of the mis-en-scene, sound, editing and camera work.

The start of the opening uses a blank screen, showing the ident of the company behind the film which in this case is Columbia pictures.  The ident of the company behind the film always comes first, due to the status they have in the making and release of the film. Columbia pictures is a very famous company as it has produced various films. Audiences can realise that the ident always comes first. The scene does not use any sound or background effects, apart from text. This is a simple start to the film.
SCREEN TITLE : Columbia Pictures Presents

The second screen is the actor Robert Di Nero in the title and the title of the film Taxi Driver. in most films, the producer would come before the main actor but this opening differs. Columbia pictures presents Robert Di Nero in Taxi driver following on from the last screen. The film has given large credits to the company and the actor, which could be a way of synergy though promoting each other. The sound and background is blank in the title of Robert Di Nero. The explosive effect from that shot to the next is very effective as the taxi drives past. It gives a close up, still shot whilst the taxi goes past. As the audience, enough information is given that the film is set in America due to the iconic yellow taxi (Mis-en-scene). Classical Music is played in the start of the third title, starting of the film in a casual way rather than tense.
SCREEN TITLES : Robert Di Nero in
                             Taxi Driver

The third title continues with the smoke effect and classical music. It says the Producers names (Bill/Phillips) whilst the music is slowly starting. This shows the relevance they have in the film, although less things have been portrayed in the scene.
SCREEN TITLE : A Bill/Phillips Production of a Martin Scorsese Film

The next screen does not change until the end of 6 names on the title sequence. They appear and disappear one after another on the same screen, making it a quick way to speed up the process. The names that appear are those who are starring in the film, but they have a lesser relevance in the film due to the short screen time their name has compared to the names of the ident and the main star Robert Di Nero. The music continues from the last sequence but stays at the steady pace, not giving of any ideas that are not needed to the audience.
SCREEN TITLES : Starring Jodie Foster
                               Albert Brooks as Tom
                               Harvey Kietel
                               Leonard Harris
                               Peter Boyle as Wizard
                               and Cybil Shepherd as Betsy

The next shot in the opening sequence is a close up shot of the eyes of the Character. The camera focuses on him for a while as different colour street lights flicker on his face.  The long screen time suggests his importance in the film, letting the audience know he is the main character without giving an exact clue who he is or where he is. the music changes from the steady pace classic music to the sound of a trumpet, giving a sense of relaxation as well as confusion. After a couple seconds, the music producers name is shown
SCREEN TITLE : Music by Bernard Herrmann

The window of the car is shown from the inside of the car, showing colourful effects of the street lights through the rain drops on the window. the music soothes down steadily, as the wind wipers move. This keeps the flow running so the audience are entertained in a basic but effectful opening. The titles then appear.
SCREEN TITLE : Supervising Film Editor Marcia Lucas
                             Film Editors Tom Rolf A.C.E / Melvin Shapiro

The last scene fades from one scene to another, giving a blurry vision and keeping the vision constant throughout the rest of the opening. the rest of the cast and crew are named in the titles. the music continues in a steady pace, as the blurry vision only gives enough visual ideas that the character is on a road at night in a car, maybe somewhere busy due to the colourful street lights

At the end of the titles, it then goes back to the close up of the characters eyes. He looks almost as if he is lost in a different world, giving the audience limited implications on what can happen next. relating to the previous scenes, it is like a flashback that the character has waken up from,as the same eyes being shown twice is repetitive but effective due to the significance it may have on the film.


                           

RESEARCH - Intertextuality

Intertextuality

This term means the way something is done, seen and influenced through something else. In different genres, the films carry out the same or similar steps from the start of the film in the lead up to the end. Audiences do not notice this, as the Mis-en-scene does not give of many implications of similarity. however, the plot of most films in the genre compare, including some visual scenes, such as the stereotypical and common sight of a blonde woman being a victim of murder by a male in a shower with curtains. This is a good clear example.

The idea of a woman getting killed in the shower is perfectly portrayed in the classic film "psycho". The woman takes a shower whilst a manly figure appears through the curtain. it continues to the realisation of the figure in the view of the woman, whilst tussling along with the curtain being stained and damaged. It results in the woman being positioned in the bath whilst the water still runs. this has influenced a majority of the shower scenes that are produced in different films, using the same visual interpretations. A film that has used the same concepts that have been used in "Psycho" is in Fatal Attraction.

Blonde woman is portrayed as the victim in this iconic shower scene, similar to Psycho. Also, the tussle that leads to the death is similar, as they are both structured in the same way.

These scenes are not ideal for the scenes that we plan to use for the thriller. however, noticing the concept, we are aware that there are many other situations were intertextuality can be used. this means that when it comes to the planning of the groups thriller opening, research will take place on the basis of intertextuality being used with different interpretations.

PRACTICE: Prelim - Evaluation

In the Making of the Prelim, our group were very confident in the making of the film as well as the editing. we were well organised as the whole group arrived, which meant that we were not missing anyone, making it easier to complete the filming and the editing. all individuals in the group put in strong ideas as to the narrative, the filming which includes shot angles, lighting, location and more. However, although our confidence was high, we did come across situations were we needed help due to misunderstanding of rules and concepts, which will be explained.

Planning

The first process before we were able to touch equipment and film was to plan. Immediately, we managed to agree that the opening would be a crime thriller, set in a police interrogation room. ideas then adapted to this when the characters were being planned, as the traditional criminal and cop had to be shown, but with addition of a lawyer. the story line was understood by all members of the group.

We located our scene in a small room which holds a capacity of a few people. this was convenient for our scene considering there was three people in the screen time, relating it to the idea of it being an interrogation room. The light surrounding was limited, which meant that we were able to turn of the lights and ask permission to use some of the light equipment for effect.


However, to create the storyboard with the camera meant that we were able to analyse the types of shots we could use. We took various shots, some of which were not able to add to the story board due to faulty shots. the main idea of the picture storyboard was for us to know what we will be doing in the actual filming.

A problem that occurred whilst taking these pictures was the understanding of the 180degree rule and the reverse shot angle. We got confused between the two, making us take pictures that would result in a bad filming shot. these pictures contained wrong positioning, as some pictures taken for the reverse shot were taken from the wrong side of the room. This was corrected by the teacher, and we corrected this whilst we carried out our filming session.

This is the initial story board, containing pictures that influence what exactly was going to be filming and what angles we would be using.

Process

For the project, we needed equipment, which was borrowed from the City and Islington media department.

Equipment used:

Camera (including Memory Cards)

Tripod

Lighting

Camera wheel Holder

With this equipment, we were able to start filming according to the story line, starting of from the buildings corridors which we made to look like passages in a police station.

The first shot was of Javayl (the cop) walking towards the door of the interrogation room. the shot we used was a tracking shot, following Javayl until he reached the door.

Advantages

• It was a good location as there was very less noise 
• has a lot of space

Disadvantages

• At the far side of the corridor, there is a big window which allows in a lot of light. the brightness was at the level we needed it to be, but the idea of having a transparent window in the main part of the police station did not make sense.
• the tracking shot had to be done perfectly, not only avoiding the window, but also getting the shot to perfection with a lack of experience

To perfect this shot, we all handled the camera using the wheel holder for balance in this scene so we were able to pick what shot was best on the viewing screen. This scene completed after a turn each with the camera. It wasn't hard as we thought it would be. In the previous group activities, most shots were still shots used on tripods. It differed in this shot but it was easy to practice through this project.

The next shot was the close up shot of the handle inside the interrogation room match cutting Javayls contact and movement from outside the room. It continued to Javayl walking in and sitting down, then further on interrogating the client and lawyer.

To set up in the room we chose was quite difficult in terms of using the equipment in a compact area. The main table took up too much space, leaving Emadul who took control of the Camera to film all the shots of Javayl (the cop) before the shots of Remello and I as we had to move the table in the direction of the person being filmed, due to the space we had to make a satisfiable shot. After the scenes were filmed that involved Javayl, Remello and myself were filmed, doing the same movement with the table. 

However, we figured that although the table had been moved in the separate shots, the audience would not realise as our blocking was precise. 

To film this, we carried out the same script whilst filming Javayl first and then Remello and I. it was tricky timing our speech as the filming inside the room did not plan out how we wanted it to be. The handling of the light equipment also added to the difficulty because we did not have enough space to put it on something stable. Therefore, one of our group members that was not in the shot held the light. this resulted in the continuous movement of the light on the table in the room.

The making of this Prelim not only introduced the group to the unfamiliar equipment, such as the camera wheel holder and the lights, but also introduced us to different types of ideas involving Plots, Shot angles and locations. The idea of making a thriller opening differed to the different types of filming and editing we have practiced with before. this strengthened our ideas towards the filming and editing of our upcoming project when we film our thriller openings. the reason we chose a crime thriller was to maintain the ideas that we are planning to put in our official opening, as the crime thriller section is what we are focusing on. we are confident on the making of the plot and filming as it was handled well in the Prelim. location/setting is something tha would be changed through the experience of the prelim, as we have acknowledged that filming in compact areas can be dificult. targetting a wider location, more spread and suitable for the upcoming thriller is what will be done, knowing that our mistakes in location occured due to the boundaries on where we could film in the area.

PLANNING: IDEA PROCESS

AS A GROUP WE LOOKED AT THE TOP TWO FILMS THAT CAME UNDER CRIME THRILLERS AND WATCHED THE OPENINGS AND SAW HOW THEY DID IT AND TRIED TO THINK OF SOMETHING UNIQUE WE COULD ADD INTO ARE OWN THRILLER OPENING, THIS WAS A LONG AND VERY COMPLICATED PROCESS BECAUSE WE HAD TO THINK OF SOMETHING SIMPLE AND GOOD AT CREATING A GOOD EFFECT ON THE AUDIENCE. SO FROM THIS WE HAVE NOW STARTED DEVELOPING A FEW MORE IDEAS.

RESEARCH: STUDENT OPENINGS PAST

THE PAPER TRAIL

http://player.vimeo.com/video/21701438?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0

Mise En Scene

THERE IS NATURAL LIGHTING OF A DUSTY AND OLD LOOKING ROOM VERY CLUTTERD WITH RANDOM HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS THIS IS THE FIRST SCENE TO INTRODUCE THE AUDIENCE TO THE CONSEALED AND SENSE OF TRAPPED ATMOSPHERE. HANDS ARE THE MAIN FOCUS WHERE THEY ALWAYS START SHAKING AND THEN SETTINGS CHANGE TO A RIVERSIDE THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY A SHOT TO CHANGE THE LOCATION. THIS IS WHEN THE TWIST OCCURS.
Sound

HIGH PITCH VIOLIN SOUND TO CREATE SUSPENSE, STARTS FROM FIRST CLIP. AFTER TWO CLIPS SOUND CHANGES TO DEEP SOUND OF WIND OR A DROWNING SOUND. USES THE DROP OF THE PAPER BIRD AS A CHANGE IN SOUND AND THERE IS NO SOUND AND THEN DIGETIC SOUND FROM THE SOURROUNDINGS TO END THE SCENE.

CAMERA WORK

CLOSE UPS USED TO LIMIT THE AUDIENCES VIEW OF THE SCENE, KEY TO A GOOD THRILLER IS KNOWING WHAT SHOT TO USE AND WHERE IT SHOULD BE PLACED; WHAT SHOULD BE SHOWN AND WHAT SHOULDNT. CLOSE UPS OF RANDOM OBJECTS TO CREATE MORE SUSPENSE, MAKING THE CLIP LONGER IT HAS TO BE BY ADDING THESE RANDOM SHOTS WILL MAKE THE AUDIENCE EITHER THINK ITS RELIVANT OR IRRELIVANT TO THE STORYLINE, SOMETIMES THE RANDOM OBJECTS MAY BE A CLUE IN CRIME THRILLERS FOR EXAMPLE BUT WILL BE PICKED UP LATER. MID SHOTS OF FEET WALKING AND WE ARE STILL NOT INTRODUCED TO A CHARACTER JUST THAT WE KNOW ITS A MALE, PAPER BIRDS IN MIDSHOT. DUE TO THE TITLE THIS IS THE MAIN FOCUS, THE 'PAPER' BIRDS THEY ARE SHOWN ALOT ALL THE WAY TILL THE END OF THE STORY.

EDITING

FADES USED TO CREATE A CONSTANT FLOW IN THE THRILLER ALMOST ADDS A SMOOTH KINF OS FEEL AND HELPS TO CHANGE SCENES WHERE THE CAMERA IS AT A DIFFERENT ANGLE.JUMP CUTS USED TO EXAGGERATE SOMETHING UNEXPECTED WILL HAPPEN ADDS TO THE CONVENTIONS OF A THRILLER. MATCH CUT USED IN THE END WHEN THE PAPER BIRD DROPS TO THE FLOOR TO CHANGE LOCATION AND SETTING AND TO SHOW THE ALMOST END.
 

Research - Student film opening

Low angle shot of
female character 

Extreme close up of female
character applying eye
makeup 

over the shoulder shot, close up of
female character looking into
a mirror whilst applying make up

Extreme close up of female
character applying make up

Camera: There were various different camera shots used in this opening but overall there were mostly close ups and extreme close ups. The close ups were all of the female character. The use of all the close ups and extreme close ups helped build up suspense and made the girl seem suspicious as if there was something hidden. 

Low angle shot of male character 

There were also high angle and low angle shots as well. These shots helped to identify who was the more dominant character and who had the most power. 

Sound: The sound used in this opening was eerie, spooky, atmospheric and quite tense at times. This helped build up a scary, dark mood and created a sense of danger. There were also sounds of a running tap - this made the situation and mood seem even more spooky.

Dripping tap

Mise-en-scene: As you can see from the pictures, the setting is in a bathroom. This could suggest that the film is quite domestic and personal.

The lighting in the opening however, is quite bright which is quite contradicting as it doesn't really create any spookiness like a typical thriller.

One of the titles

Editing: There were sound effects used in this opening, mainly the sound of water drops. This helped to emphasise the setting of the opening. The female character had the most screen time suggesting that she was the main character.

The title sequence was over a black background, fading in and out after every other scene.

One of the titles

RESEARCH - Codes and Conventions of Crime Thrillers

Crime thrillers are often based on the criminal rather than the police force, the CRIMES committed are often Robberys or Murders to make it intrigueing for the Audience because it is common in this society but noone really knows the content of a murder so crime thrillers open up a whole new world of ideas. 

 

Some crime thrillers are often psychological, emphasising how much the criminal is smarter than the cops for example Inside Man, Seven. Pure crime films focus on a specific crime or a set of crimes and solving the mystery or tracking down, with little or no evidence, but more drama throughout. Thrillers are generally fiction-based and fast in pace,while crime thrillers tend to be more leisurely paced, dramatic and realistic. There is typically a shortage of violence, but this depends if the work is based on the mafia where the action would be intense.

Different Character Personalties
- Immoral
- Meglo-Manical
- Intimidating
- Materialistic
- Intelligent
- Street-Smart

Codes Used in Thriller Films
- Slow camera movements
- Slow-Motion
- Moderate/fast paced sound (high amounts of non-diegetic sound)
- Shots used to establish a location/scene (Establishing shot, long shot or dolly shots are used often)

*All of these aim to increase the tension and suspense in the atmosphere !!!

 



POPULAR CRIME THILLERS

PREPERATION - Using Final Cut Pro

Using Final Cut.

 

Firstly, opening a new project to do all are editing was the simple bit and gradually adding on clips was like 'childsplay' HOWEVER as a group we noticed that it can get a little fiddly due to the fact final cut pro is not really as fast as we want it to be and that we are still children of the Windows era. Just importing files! this is the same for importing PICTURES, MUSIC, SOUNDS (Foley) and VIDEO; more importantly.

 

EDITING CLIPS

By using the viewer screen we could easily change the motions of are clips. Slow Motion was are main effect that we used in various clips to add good effect to a specific genre. e.g Done in Reservoir Dogs.

 

EDITING SOUND

 



 

Normally we could add in the sounds in a clip however we needed to go up a step higher because we needed to change the volumes or the pitch between some clips so we decided to use another programme called: (FILL IN) using dots we could change the sound waves up and down to adjust it to the right level and used it effectively in are PRELIMINARY filming when we needed the sound to co-exist with the dialogue.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Homework - Research 2

Taken

Taken is one of the greatest action thriller movies ever. It's engaging, gripping and full of drama and suspense.

What made this film a great thriller is because it followed the main conventions. There were many action scenes filled with violence involving a lot of explosions and mayhem. There was a race against time situation, which was one of the main things that kept the audience engaged. There was the obvious hero who was seen as a hardman, the villain[s] who were stereotypically foreign and the victim who stereotypically, was a female. Like all good action thrillers, the film climaxed with the hero defeating the villain[s] and saving the victim.

Another key aspect that made this film such a great thriller was the sound. The non diegetic sound used created a lot of suspense and put the audience on edge before, during and after every action scene. This made each scene seem even more intense and powerful.

Holiday Homework - Research 1

Taxi Driver

The opening of taxi driver is a narrative opening. Here in the opening scene we are introduced to the main character .

The first title we see is the production ident. we then see the name of the first actor; Robert De Niro. This shows us that Rober De Niro is a really famous actor and is used as a key selling point. We then see the title of the film. We then see another production ident. After that, we see names of other actors Next we see names of the crew such as music by, film editors, make up, D.O.P, finishing with the writer, producer and then the director.

When the camera is on the main character it's only ever an extreme close up. This adds suspense and tension as it is giving no clues whatsoever about who he is or what he does. The extreme close ups also 

suggest that the main character is mysterious or somewhat secretive.

We get a clear idea where the film is set due to the first scene being of a yellow taxi. This implies that the film is set in NYC. However we only get a slight glimpse of the actual surroundings when there is a point of view shot looking out of the windscreen when De Niro is driving. The point of view shot through the windscreen then turns into slow motion and everything looking out is blurred. What gets blurred looks like a rough urban city. 

The music is changes throughout. It changes from a hard sounding, fast tempo sound to a soft, slow tempo sound all the time, back and forth. This change in sound makes the mood seem suspicious and filled with tension and suspense as nobody knows what the outcome will be. It also reflects the nature of the film, that it's going to be very unpredictable.

The lighting is very dark throughout the opening scene. This refers back to when I mentioned about the mood of the film. It makes the mood of the film seem suspicious and filled with tension and suspense. The dark lighting also makes the film seem spooky and shows signs of danger.

Die Another Day

The opening of Die Another Day is very unique. It combines a narrative opening with a stylised opening. 

The first tile we see is of the production ident. we then see the name of the first actor; Pierce Brosnan. Like in Taxi Driver, Pierce Brosnan is used as a selling point. We then see the title of the film along with the second actor (actress). After that, we then start seeing other actors staring in the film. Next, we see the names of the crew such as production executive, production managers, make up, special effects, wardrobe, D.O.P, casting, music by, co producer, executive producer and finally ending with the writer, producer and then the director.

This opening starts with a clear narrative opening. But as the opening scene goes on it changes into a styled opening. Everything turns animated with people being ice and even fire. Also a lot of it is in slow motion once everything turn animated.

When the animated opening scene gets nearer to the end it blends into one with the clear narrative opening scene, showing actual scenes that go along with the story.

RESEARCH: Memorable Scenes (Psycho)

The greatest film scenes ever shot

We all have film sequences that stick in our minds. Some are shared by many – such as the shower scene from Psycho – others are particular to us. Here our film critic and a panel of leading movie-makers reveal their favourites. What are yours?

This applies to the older audience; that were young 'movie watchers back then' however by actually watching the scene i believe that it was well shot at the time due to the new industry that film has opened and was quite new. The film makers also had to also consider the fact that they didn't have the use of colour so horror scenes were less gruesome because blood was not seen in the clips.

Article extensively talks about the other greatest scenes of all time> http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/14/greatest-movie-scenes-psycho

RESEARCH - Different types of film openings

The way film openings are structured follow one of four ways:

• Stand alone titles
• Narrative openings
• Discreet openings
• Stylised openings

Stand Alone Titles

These are types of titles which are shown on a blank screen, usually black. they may be boring when it comes to watch it, but sometimes the blank screen is used as effect for the start of the film. There are not any images, but text which is mostly simple. characters are not shown, nor a stylised background. The music behind these sequences differ to the others, as the music has to be sharp to engage the audience.

Narrative openings

These openings would come over the scene and run over throughout. characters and locations are shown, and a connection between what is seen to what the character does throughout the film is shown in the openings. however, considering it is the opening, not the whole story line would be told, but more of a preview which gives the audiences ideas, rather than upfront hints.

an example of this is in the shining, as the car is shown going through the mountains throughout the scene. as the audience, we are able to follow the car o its destination, instead of guessing what is going to happen like in a discreet opening. Whilst this is happening, the titles run over the scene.

Discreet openings

A discrete title sequence has a little relation to the actual film itself, having a bigger effect in editing, separating it from the film sequence and story line. It is well used in teasing the audience than narrative openings. Information about the film, such as location, characters etc are not given away, but effects can also be used to engage the audience. An example of this is Seven. 

Stylised Openings

Preliminary Match Cut Exercise

These are the screenshots of the editing process of the prelim.

This is the process of our preliminary in soundtrack pro. this
was when we added all of our sound. We added sound
to play quietly in the background in our footage. 

This is our preliminary in Final cut pro. This is where we done most of our
editing such as putting all of our footage together in a sequence, adding titles
cutting footage and exporting it.

RESEARCH; Types of Film Opening

Different types of Structure of Film Openings

Structure of film openings are when making a film. There are three types of film openings, these are:

• Narrative Openings
• Credits over a blank screen
• Discrete Openings
• Stylised Openings

A Discrete title sequences is shown to give the audience large amounts of information on both the characters and setting of the film. Discrete title sequences are separately edited making them stand apart from other film openings. Looking at this type of title sequence they are heavily edited that clearly represent most opening credits and film titles. Using a discrete title sequence is a good way in getting the audience started before getting introduced to the film this is done through the fast jump cuts which often could be represented unclear in the views mind therefore allowing not to much information 
be revealed.

Narrative opening is usually the opening of the story/beginning of the film. It's usually a scene from the movie that is pivotal in the storyline, This maybe a flashback or a flash-forward or introduce a character.  A narrative opening is usually engaging and gets the audience guessing what is happening or going to happen NEXT?...

Stylised editing title sequence:

Stylised editing is represented as to be very sophisticated that will take a long time to do. A stylised title sequence is often split into 2/3 equal parts allowing us to see actions taken place at the same time but through different perspectives. Most stylised title sequences tend to open with blank credits on the screen followed by the 2/3 equal parts of action after. Mezrine 2008 is a key example of stylised editing in the opening of a title sequence: SEE BELOW

Split into 3 parts, different perspectives.

Same shot but focus changes. (CLEVER)

PLANNING*As a group we looked at doing are thriller in a Discrete film opening style. They are stylish and have good and interesting edits; it mainly consists of the special effects and editing parts that are supported by the credits and titles.

Research - Film Audiences

Film audiences are various types of groups targeted for a particular film. There are many different types of audiences from age group, gender, ethnicity, sexuality and many more.

Thriller Film Audiences:

Overall the target audience for thrillers is usually males who range from young adults to middle aged. Thriller film audiences vary depending on what sub-genre it is.  However not all thrillers are aimed at males. For instance, romantic thrillers are usually aimed at females, comedy thrillers are usually aimed at teens and crime/legal thrillers are usually aimed at an older, mature male audience.

Here are some examples of thrillers with different types of target audiences:

These two films are romantic thrillers. the target audience would be females. however, 'The Tourist' may have a slightly older female audience due to the actual content.

This film is a legal thriller. This film would be aimed at a mature audience
and mainly males. You can already see that it will be aimed at males due
to there being more male actors on the poster than there are female.

'Johnny English' is a comedy thriller. The target audience would be
mainly teenage males. You can get a sense of this by what the film rating is; PG,
the explosive background and the fact he is holding a gun

  

Preliminary Film

This is our final Preliminary Project 

For this Project the breif was : 

Film the following sequence, making sure to use at least one Match Cut, an example of Shot/Reverse Shot  and showing your understanding of the 180 rule (by not breaking it) 

"A Character opens a door, walks into a room, sits down opposite another character and they share a few lines of dialogue"

Prelim Storyboard

THRILLER FILM WATCHED AND REVIEWED (thriller conventions)

The Dark Knight Rises – review http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/jul/22/dark-knight-rises-french-review

Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises completes not only his personal trilogy focusing on socialite Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Gotham City's caped crusader, but also a cycle of popular culture that began in May 1939 when Batman was added to Detective Comics' pantheon of superheroes. 

• Philip French
• The Observer, Sunday 22 July 2012

I read and agree with this article above^ 

In the opening of the movie i noticed a long-shot of the city and zooms into the buildings to maybe create a sense of being trapped in this world of high Buildings surrounding the dark parts of the city. This might also be a foreshadow of what kind of things will happen later on in the movie.

It also intrigues the audience and it sets the scene for the audience. Slowly the focus turns to the dark building and it gives the audience a sense of curiosity and mystery in why this building is significant. This is a part of the Thriller conventions to engage the audience with clever scenes.

We are then introduced to another thriller convention of identity.

the two characters that appear are wearing scary clown masks and suggest to us that we don't know who they are and makes the audience think more about what they could be: part of a criminal organisation? due to the masks they all have.

IN GENERAL: The conventions in the thriller of 'the dark knight' it included good sound and editing to create that effect of a thriller: use of quick cuts in fight scenes and action scenes (the jokers bank robbery). Good camera angles and music that was used when batman is fighting and doing his saving of civilians; being the hero.

The lighting was important in this movie because it reflected the title: The 'DARK' knight. There was some use of reflection in mirrors to see the unseen however the audience was not always shown the full image which added to the thriller.