Inspirations - Miss Georgiou

Inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative. The point of inspiration is so we are drawn to do whatever we feel fit. Before creating something you must have inspiration his is because it will tie you ideas which will develop in what you what your end product to be like. Inspiration can be taken from anything it could be based on a previous experience or just an image. In terms of my own thriller sequence my inspiration has been built up over watching a series of different short scenes the various different ideas within the scenes have given me different perspectives on what my short thriller sequence's narrative could be an how to make it conventional to the thriller genre.




In the escape scene from the film 'Hannibal' directed by Ridley Scott in 2001. The timing of shots have inspired me to envelop this in my own short sequence i will be making. This particular timing of shot is conventional to the thriller genre as it is a typical editing technique that is used. This particular technique is particularly inspiring as it takes place between the two victims and the main antagonist. This is when the two guards are brining Hannibal his dinner. At first the timing of the shots is relatively slow which connotes a sense of normality that everything is normal and running as usual. This slow timing of shots however does create suspense as we know how Hannibal operates and will wait till everything seems ordinary to make his move to avoid being caught out by the guards. This to me is particularly cleaver and this has inspired me to make a moment like this in my own sequence as i feel it is effective to creep up on the audience. A few seconds pass and the timing of the shots become much quicker and are only shown on screen for split seconds, this keeps the audience engaged. This particular editing technique is inspiring as it creates an eery atmosphere which is the same atmosphere i would like to create for my audience.

I researched and analysed the cinematography used in the opening sequence of Halloween. It has given me ideas for my opening scene. This particular films opening sequence contains conventional to the thriller genre cinematography that I would like my group to incorporate into our own sequence. For example in the opening sequence for Halloween a point of view shot is used to show the audience what the killer is looking at. This engages the audience with the narrative, and also makes the empathise with the characters they meet. I think a point of view shot would be ideal for my group so we are able to create the same effect. In addition it would also be an ideal camera shot to use as the audience will be seeing exactly what the character sees, so the audience can draw their own conclusions to what is happening- helping them be in the same mind as the character, making the audience more involved with the story helps them satay entertained.

The sound in the black swan is conventional to the thriller genre and I find that it has inspired me to use conventional sound techniques such as non diegetic soundtracks. This music is edited and is conventional as the music is slow suspense building piano music. The suspense building non diegetic soundtrack is familiar among other thriller films. This would give the audience a sense of familiarity as they would be experiencing the same sounds that would be found in other thriller movies. The audience is more likely to be involved and stay attentive during the movie if they are experiencing things that are familiar to them. This makes the audience able to create and build up a relationship with the character. Also, thriller conventions are used because the audience will react well with them, like with the creepy piano music it creates an intense and eerie atmosphere which engages the audience. This is a general technique that is used widely throughout the thriller genre.

The most recent film I have studied is from Saw V. This research involved several elements found in the thriller genre: hidden identity; isolated setting; low key lighting; unexpected twists and scary iconography that you would typically find in thriller films. In the clip from Saw V the killers identity is hidden (jigsaw). In my own thriller sequence I want our killers identity to be hidden it may not be by a mask but hidden by a point of view shot. This is conventional as it leaves an enigma for the audience leaving them to question who the killer is. There will be low key lighting used to create a sense of danger this will frighten the audience by leaving them in the dark and being in the same position as the characters. Just like in the opening sequence in Halloween there will also be a plot twist, like finding out the killer is only an eight year old boy that murdered his own sister the plot twist in my story will be unexpected. Unexpected twists are a big convention of thriller films because they keep the audience engaged in the narrative. We considered using this convention of unexpected twists as most of what makes the opening sequence becomes part of  plot twist.

My inspiration for my mise-en-scene came from the scream opening sequence. My narrative has taken much inspiration from this analysis, such as having a suburban setting for most of the sequence. Not only is this easy to film in but having a domestic setting is conventional as thrillers provide a false sense of security for the audience and the characters. For example I would like my thriller sequence to take place in a house this is because it is relatable for the audience which makes them empathise with the characters as they feel it could be them in that situation.


While planning what I wanted to be in my thriller sequence and I found that using inspirations made the process easier. I familiarised myself with popular films and learned the conventions of thriller films. I can apply most of these elements into my own thriller sequence, making it more enjoyable for the audience. For example now I know that building suspense is essential for the shock and surprise to be effective for the audience. Our thriller film opening sequence includes some aspects similar to those seen in the film Halloween as it is a domestic setting in a house it makes the scene more relatable.