Focus Group - Thriller

Possible Audio - Thriller

It is important that we choose the right audio for our thriller to enhance the appeal of our film. Without a good use of sound's, the film will not be as believable or scene's will not have as big impact on the audience's emotions. We have found many un-copyrighted sounds that we could use for our thriller that are listed below (Click on the title of each to hear them):


Thunder and Rain - This sound will be effective because it helps create a scene where the weather is bad. This is symbolic in thrillers and may tell the audience that something is about to happen. Thunder helps create a sense of danger in the scene.

Ticking Clock - This sound would be used when everything is totally silent to add a sense of suspense and reality. It is quite a fast paced ticking noise which is good in a thriller.

Birds Tweeting - This ambient sound was be used to create a realistic scene of a forest. It is also good to symbolise a relaxed place which will make the change between this and a chase scene more dramatic.

Horror Sting - Although we cannot use this as audio, this is the sort of sounds we want when using sting's to make the audience jump.

Police Radio - This radio will be played once the title has been shown at the end of the opening to show that there has been a crime scene. It sounds good and will improve the effectiveness of the opening.


Thomas Steer

Possible Locations - Thriller

Now that we have an idea what type of locations that we may use in our thriller we have decided to investigate possible locations. 


We have visited possible forest's and liked the look of this one below due to an area of flat surface. This will mean that it is easier to use a dolly on the camera if we want to follow the action.

We also like this theme park at the seaside because it would be different and at night time could create quite a scary atmosphere.













Thomas Steer

Possible Weapons

We will decide what weapon we will be using by asking our target audience what they feel will be the scariest/deadliest weapon to use in a thriller. We do not want a weapon that is clichéd, however we would like the audience to feel on edge when they see it and feel like the weapon could cause serious harm.


By creating a brainstorm of weapon ideas, this will allow us too choose what we feel would be the best weapon of choice and market it to our target audience. A weapon is key in creating a successful thriller and we need to choose wisely what one we will use. Here are our initial ideas:

• Baseball Bat
• Hammer
• Sword
• Gun
• Trophy
• Wrench
• Screw Driver
• Chainsaw
• Knife
• Spade
• Rake
• Chisel
• Rope

James Kinsella-Brown

Possible Props & Costumes - Thriller

Choosing the costumes and props used whilst creating our thriller, will determine how creative it will be. We have decided to devise a mood board in order to brain storm our possible choices. This will allow us to narrow down the options and choose the best suited equipment in order to achieve a successful thriller film.

James Kinsella-Brown

Alex Cirino

The Importance of Title Sequences

A title sequence is the first thing we see when we watch a film, this creates the atmosphere for the rest of the film, so by analysing the features necessary for this, we can make sure we creates the most effective and intense opening for our thriller.


What are in the opening sequences?
Most thriller openings include an anchorage, telling the viewer the film's name, actor's, production company, etc. This creates an expectation, as if the viewer knows an actor, they will know what type of character they play and how they act these characters. The shots used during the opening sequence normally set the scene or drop hints about the film. By using these hints, enigma's are created.

Why use a title sequence?
A title sequence can make or break a film, a successful title scene sets the standard for the film. If you have an inquistive opening, the audience becomes engaged with the enigma's left by the sequence. A poor opening sequence and the audience spend more time thinking about the quality or relevance of the credits, instead of watching the film.

What makes a good title sequence?
There are not necessarily any requirements or guaraneteed features that will make a title sequence engaging or exciting. You would have to understand all the shots and relevance to the film and its plot, otherwise its not always going to be a success. Most openings show little or a few metaphorical meanings, like in Cape Fear (1991), the eagle represents the character and in Sherlock Holmes (2009) the dirty water and dark lighting represents the dirty work the character gets involved with and the 'dark magic' the plot centres around.

Another example of a metaphorical uses in a title sequence is Vertigo (1958), the film is about fear, and the shots used and editing helps develop that fear. The shot of the eye evokes fear and emotion, and as the the music intensifies so does the animations. This represents the imgaes within the mind.

Tom Smith

Cape Fear Title Sequence Analysis

Cape Fear (1991) is a thriller with the recurring theme of revenge and danger. Max Cady (Robert De Niro) wants to exact revenge on his lawyer, who held back information during Cady's trial, resulting in a longer sentence in prison for his crime. The opening sequence sets the scene for the whole film, and creates an atmosphere which is regularly repeated.The opening sequence includes credits and the beginning scene of the film. By analysing this opening we have an idea of what we need to put into our thriller and what will be successful.

The titles show several shots of water, which we presume is Cape Fear. The sound starts with a storm, and from this we can connotate that the storm represents trouble and danger, and that something is brewing. We learn at the end of the sequence that Cady is the storm, and he is going to become a dangerous character.

The water starts off calm and then erupts into more rapid ripples, showing how how violent the scene and film can become. We see the reflection of an eagle during the sequence, as it falls to the water, then flies off, afterwards 'Robert De Niro' appears where the eagle just was. The font is disjointed and gives a creepy, eerie feel to the characters. The eagle represents Cady, and how he is now a hunter, a bird of pray, seeking revenge. This was used deliberately to show how he is now become a hunter. By using this we get an insight of the character, without having to have seen him. Therefore a tense atmosphere and fear of Cady is already established, before we even see the character. Before the eagle appears, the music is fairly calm, and the strings are quiet. However, when it does, the strings become faster and louder and create a more intimidating atmosphere for the viewer, and they too begin to fear the eagle and the character it represents. 

The film's name is now shown in the same font as the actors' names are. The soundtrack becomes violent, louder and intimidating, this makes you fear 'Cape Fear' as the noise playing at the same time induces fear within the viewer. By doing this you give the viewer and expectation of how scary the place is.

Through the water we see distorted images, first an eye, then a pair of eyes and then Cadys face. The first eye we see is wide open, giving a sense of being hunted, scared or looking for something. The eye is quite unsettling and we could connotate how it may be viewed as innocent and vulnerable.

We then see a set of teeth, which we assume is someone dangerous. If you continue to watch the film you see how the character uses his teeth to become a savage and menacing monster. The music at this point is quite inquisitive and slow, it makes you wonder what the significance of the teeth and mouth are to the rest of the film.

This is where we see the face of an unknown character, he laughs while looking at the audience. This evokes fear into the audience and creates an enigma of, who is this man and what does he want? why is he laughing? This is stereotypical of an opening sequence to a thriller.

We see the shadow of a man and this creates fear within the audience. There is then a drip of water down the screen as the water turns red, so we can relate it to blood, danger and death. The music becomes loud and intimidating as blood fills the screen. 

The music begins to fade as a pair of eyes, in negative, turn out to be a young girls. She is dressed in white and this colour has certain connotations, such as purity and honesty. She has her top buttons done up showing no flesh and as you link the colours and her attire, we begin to assume that perhaps she is a virgin.

After the girl finishes talking we see Cady's cell. The walls are covered with images of famous dictators like Stalin and revolutionists which he admires. This proves how he may have a different view of the world to us and shows his distortion of the world, just like the distortion of the images in the water. We then see him doing gym work in the cell, keeping himself in shape for when he gets out of the prison, and begins his one man mission in murdering his old lawyer and family.

The tattoo on his back tells us a little bit about the character as he has a crucifix on his back and scales which is associated with justice. The film is based on gaining justice and includes the audience in a 'mock trial' in the film's climax.

As Cady leaves prison instead of the other prisons jeering and cheering him as he leaves, they all stare and watch in silence. The guards let him lead the way out, showing how he holds the power within the scene. As he leaves there is a match action cut between a door and then the gates leaving the prison. In the background the storm erupts and thunder rolls as lightning cracks. This shows how the storm (Cady) has started and how it has become a dangerous situation now he is out. He walks straight to the camera and looks at the camera, this intimidates the viewer as it gives them a sense of watching him being released. The strings reach a climax as he walks into the camera. This part of the film marks the beginning of the storm and the pain that is about to ensue.

Tom Smith