AS Media Studies analysis of past student work.

1. PAST STUDENT
WORK ANALYSIS
Inner Evil - A grade

2. In the first shot, we are presented with the chosen
branding of the A Level media group on a dark grey
background, which fades in from black. Dark tones,
particularly black, are effective in thriller films as it
puts the audience on edge. The colour black itself
symbolises mystery and secrecy.
Eerie, tense music is also introduced from this shot,
which contributes to the suspenseful atmosphere
which is already in place by the first shot.
The first few clips introduce us to a character who appears to
have been murdered. The audience do not see the face of the
victim until the final shot of about three or four. Concealing
information to the audience is effective for creating tension
and suspense which draws the audience's attention to the
narrative.
Very little colour is used in this sequence of clips, and dark
tones, such as black, still take precedence. This is effective as
it keeps the shots serious in tone and presents the idea of
something sinister to the audience.

3. Eventually the victim's face is revealed to the audience,
with what appears to be a shot wound on the head.
Introducing thriller films with subtle gore, or high
drama is typical as it draws in the audience's attention
and introduces some of the dark themes that may be
explored in later scenes. Eerie tense music is sustained
with a deep boom sound effect to dramatise the
current shot and keep the audience on edge.
Through the use of close up shot of the young girl's face, we
understand that she has woken up from a nightmare. The
audience can easily perceive her fearful emotions because of
the closeness of the shot to her face. This is important in
order to help the audience follow the narrative and
understand the feelings of different characters.
Low-key lighting is used effectively in the shot above, which
keeps the audience on-edge and implies a sinister theme
exists surrounding the protagonist.

4. This is a tracking shot which follows the protagonist to
the mirror in her bathroom. Mirrors are a common theme
among thriller films and are an effective way to
communicate the thoughts and feelings of characters to
the audience. Tracking shots also engage the audience by
making them feel as if they are involved with the action -
the camera acts as 'an eye for the audience.' The editing
pace remains steady allowing time for attention to be
drawn to other things, even including the eerie
soundtrack. This effectively builds up tension for the
audience.
This POV shot was taken with the camera hand-held whcih
makes the shot far less steady which has two main effects: it
adds motion, and therefore action, to the shot; and it allows
the audience to see things through the eyes of the
protagonist.
A anamorphic, or cinematic crop of 2.35:1 conceals enough
of the scene to add a sense of mystery which is typical of
thriller movies.
2.35:1

5. The four shots above all draw attention towards the key. This will lead the
audience to question its significance to the narrative and, in this case, demonise it.
Using unusual weapons, or everyday items as weapons, seems to be common
among thriller films. This is likely to be because they make the audience more
shocked because they are less likely to expect it.