Vacancy
Posted on Monday, 16 November 2009
Filed under
"G321 Thriller Research"
For our understanding of how to make an opening to a thriller film we were asked to watch and take down notes on a thriller film, we watched the first 5 minutes or so of the movie Vacancy which is a sub genre horror. For this we asked to take down notes for this and to put them in to the following four sections, Music, Setting, Narrative and Characters. These are meant to be the most import to making a thriller film.
For the beginning of the film there is a sequence of titles, as they are played there is a frantic music playing that is giving a hint to the pace of the film, which is a fast one. After the titles there is a sequences of scenes showing a car driving all the way though a valley to tie in to the mysterious area the music changes the pace at thrilling sections, this is done at the part where he nearly hits a raccoon.
A little later on there is a close up of a radio as he changes though the radio stations just static plays, this done to show how isolated the couple are. To add to the impression that it is night and the isolation they have put in night time noises i.e an owl, crickets, etc that seem to echo, giving the feeling of being surrounded.
After the titles of the film it breaks into the number plate of a car, on the plate is writing saying California this gives the impression that they are from California, giving the impression that they are in the area. However after this you realise that they are not there as a scene shows them driving in valley full of trees, which is not native to the hot climate. How ever you also find out they are lost a little later on. Again they give the feeling of isolation as they do a birds eye view of the car, all you can see is just one set of cars head lamps moving though the road. The film makers have also put the cameras in situations that give the feeling of being watched.During the titles they use the same colours all the way though red and black. These could be semeiotic signs, the red could be hinting at danger or be representing blood, the black could be portrayed as the darkness yet to come. Another could be the title that is used as it is like the Impact title but a little different and give the effect of danger and a grungy feeling. Half way though the titles they start to extend like blood running down a wall, again being a semiotic for blood.
At the beginning of the film a man is shown driving a car he keeps rubbing his eyes showing that he has been driving a long time. As they continue driving he almost hits a raccoon almost killing him and his wife (who has been asleep), this is the first part that shows the problems in there marriage. The spouse starts to pick away at him for swerving to miss the animal, thus showing the problem in the relationship. The past comes to light when the he asks what she has been dreaming of, she then replies “it was about you strangling me,” he then replies “at least you are dreaming of me,” giving the impression that she cheated on him in the past. The film makers have also used great camera shots to give the sense that the couple are in a feud. As you can see they only show half of the car that they are on, it does get quiet confusing, but they are a great way to show separation.
In about two scenes later you get the stereotypical man saying that he nows where he is going. You also get the stereotypical women always knowing what is best to do when it comes to directions, you get this impression from “you should of just stayed on the highway!” Thought the opening you get the guy saying little joke just trying to lighten the mood, however it doesn’t seem to have the attempted affect on the spouse.
Comments
Me
Fantastic detail Richard! You've written up your notes very well, and your discussion in class shows how closely you have been looking at these openings. m