Prisoners | Motion Picture Analysis

Prisoners | Motion Picture Analysis

After doing further research and thinking into what particular additions I want added to my trailer's genre, I have realised after watching "Prisoners"it has the pace, the character depths and the atmosphere I would really like to integrate to my project.

The film offers a very different plotline to that of my trailer, it does however have elements of suspense and poses as a modern classic in the thriller genre. 

Admittedly this film will have major differences to what my trailer will show, but there are possible similarities that I would love to integrate into my trailer:

• Very mysterious characters with motives unknown that are multi-layered.
• A trailer that suggests twists and turns to keep the audience glued to their seat
• A dark (mostly at night set) background to the film symbolising the dark horrors that await the characters

These are features that I feel would really benefit the trailer I am creating, features that I feel could really help to benefit my genre being survival, crossed with a suspenseful thriller. I believe they would make the audience more aware of the genre, it will help the audience understand what they would be in for if they were to watch the film, as well bringing more of wider range of viewers too. I wish to integrate the horror and suspense aspects of "Kill List" (as seen in my previous film analysis) and combine it with the tense thriller-like feel of "Prisoners" and make my project a suspenseful survival trailer.

Kill List | Motion Picture Analysis

Kill List | Motion Picture Analysis

On trying to identify new themes to replicate in my trailer I found myself trekking deep into some classic examples of the suspense thriller. One case is Ben Wheatley's "Kill-List". A "cult classic in the making" according to CLASH. 

I believe the film blends a man's decent into a unimaginably horrible conclusion, with bleak (thriller-esque) foreshadowing.

The film itself is very brutal and is very unforgiving. "Kill-List" brings not only suspenseful drama in a thriller format, but it also features strong elements of horror which keeps the dramatic and suspenseful elements alive. The genre follows a set lists of codes/conventions and over-lapping themes that (in my trailer) I would like to replicate, these include:

• A over-whelming sense of wondering into the mysterious unknown. A feel of impending doom.
• A soundtrack that fore-shadows doom and fear.
• Realistic characters in a setting that would bring the worst and most unpredictable out of them.
• A real sense of mystery, and a feel of complete ignorance for the viewer.
• Character motives that question what is normally good or bad

These themes and codes/conventions that are in the film would really fit in my trailer and plot. I believe they would fit in with the suspenseful thriller aspect in my film, and would help bring some welcome scares which could help the suspenseful feel. The characters in "Kill List" really question whats right and whats wrong. Something that the characters in my trailer will be asking themselves in every action they commit, thus making this film a big influence and inspiration to re-create the atmosphere and character depth. The soundtrack (partly heard in the trailer) really brings out the eerie, creepy feel in the film. This (again) is something my trailer will try to feature, not really in the same sounding style but I hope it will try to bring out the unpredictable nature of the world the characters are now in.

The Road | Motion Picture Analysis

The Road | Motion Picture Analysis

Upon finalising my film plot and overall genre I have concluded that it is a survival thriller film, It follows the common codes and conventions of a survival thriller but I also aim that it would bring in it's own fresh, unique take on the genre. A classic example of the survival genre is as follows 

The film and it's survival genre counterparts follow a set list of themes and conventions that help the film seem more identifiable and realistic. These are seen in most survival films:

• A journey of some kind, that symbolises the journey and struggle for life.
• A story that teases the audience of the past and makes the audience ask 'why did the world come to this?' Thus adding to the Code of Enigma.
• A relationship under immense strain, often due to the post-apocalyptic surroundings. As-well as a further relationship with a parental figure and a person under someone's wing.
• Desolate buildings, roads etc to show the world's condition and to add to the mise-en-scene.
• Characters that are often completely different due to their surroundings, and that have changed dramatically.
• A fragile sounding soundtrack which often symbolises the protagonist's conditions health wise.
• A over-riding theme of fear from evil gangs, militias and so forth, that are after land, money, food or even lives.
• Characters who often cling on to specific things that keep them motivated to stay alive. In "The Road" the characters cling on to each other.
• A tear-jerking ending that could often mean a death, or loss of a character at the end, symbolising the journey (as identified earlier) is over.
• In the film it would show the most simplest of things, which now, due to the post-apocalyptic surroundings are made either harder, or seen as a luxury.

These are themes and conventions that could very easily be integrated into my trailer and I hope to successfully do so. I hope to bring a sense of fear, and have characters that are really engrossing. This is something "The Road" does superbly. It blends a father/son relationship in a atmosphere where bringing up a child is horrible. Its this kind of bleakness that will be seen in my trailer between the main characters. I hope to also replicate a eerie sounding soundtrack which would mirror the broken world that surrounds them. I also wish to bring a horrifying and fulfilling ending which "The Road" does so brilliantly. I hope to bring the gang/militia element to my trailer which would help the audience understand the good vs evil element, but also bringing a suspense plot.