Treatment

Our thriller storyline shows a teenage boy aged 18/19 who has turned to the warped world of murder. After murdering a young girl brought home from a night out, you are brought to the scene of the killer coming to terms with what he has done. Many flashbacks occur in the scene due to the killers guilty conscience as he explains in a voice over what has happened to him. The film bases its story around the villain’s mistake and him coming to terms with what he has done whilst his guilty conscience drives him insane.

We have decided on a modern colour film fitting the genre of psychological thriller. However, we have used certain shots in black and white to highlight specific features, E.G. During flashbacks. Furthermore, we have used the influence of Gus Van Sant’s ‘Paranoid Park’, which is an independent alternative thriller basing the storyline around a teenage boy who takes part in the accidental death of a security guard and watches how he deals with this. Our thriller is going to represent young people in the same way as they are represented in ‘Paranoid Park’ as it shows the innocence of a young killer, which is a very alternative view for a thriller film. Typically, younger people are portrayed as either rebels with a limit or innocent, naïve characters as this is how society sees them. Therefore, this is brought across in the media. However, our killer is going to fit both of these conventions as he is innocent, yet has gone to the extreme level of rebellion by taking part in a murder.

The alternative narrative will continue throughout our thriller film – it will be portrayed through costume, character and concept. Our characters show this alternative narrative through their young age of 17-19 and through their costume design/general look. The villain in our thriller has a Lennon inspired style through his alternative hair and clothes. His costume includes slim jeans, braces with a plain top and smart point shoes – this may connote that the character is an outcast and refers back to the alternative ‘indie’ scene.

The mise-en-scene is constructed through a huge base of unconventional camera work. This is seen through many tilt shots, creating ambiguity to the scene. Furthermore, there are many tracking shots included in the mise-en-scene, which creates a sense of movement to the audience making the scene seem more realistic. In addition, there are shots which include low angles so the characters seem superior, but are walking in a nervous manner. This creates a contrast to the shot and makes it seem more mysterious. Furthermore, the mise-en-scene is constructed through the ambient lighting used. This creates a more natural feel to the film and creates a sense of realism for the audience. The setting of the thriller is an essential to the mise-en-scene. Our setting includes an underground which our character is to walk through in the dark. The dark features of lighting will create mysteriousness and will seem thrilling. Furthermore, the graffiti on the walls of this location give

The target audience chosen for our thriller film is young adults from ages 15-24. This is due to the characters used being young and impressionable, which this audience may be able to relate to. Furthermore, the costume of our characters may appeal to this audience through their alternative independent look being in fashion and up to date. Moreover, the soundtrack may also appeal to this group of people as it is a popular genre for troubled teenagers because they are able to relate to the music. The audience may also enjoy this film due to the thrilling aspect of it exciting and entertaining them.

By Harriet Bliss