Camera Shots

Extreme long shot (ELS)

• This is when the subject is not clearly visible.
• It helps to show the subjects surroundings.
• It can be used as an establishing shot.
• It can also be used when action is spread out like in a war film.                 

Long shot (LS)

• This is when the subjects takes up the whole frame.
• It allows you to see the subjects whole body.
• It helps to show the character and their surroundings.

Mid shot (MS)

• It shows some part of the subject.
• It is like having a conversation with someone.
• This shot is used for general conversations.
• It is also used when gestures and movement is  involved.

Medium close up (MCU)

• This shot is half way between a mid shot and a close up shot.
• This shot helps to show the subjects face more clearly without it being too close.

Close up (CU)

• This is when certain features take up most of the frame.
• The shot helps to show more detail and emotions on a characters face.
• It emphasizes a characters emotional state.
• It can also be used when looking a papers, posters or TV footage.

Extreme close up (ECU)

• This shot shows extreme detail.
• It can show important detail on an object.
• This type of shot is not usually used too much in films.

Cut away (CA)

• This is a shot of something other than the current target or subject.
• It is used to "buffer" between two shots.

 

Two shot

• This shot shows two subjects together.
• It is used to establish a relationship between the two subjects.
• It helps to show 

 

Over the shoulder shot

• This is framed behind someone.
• The shot establishes the positions of people or objects.
• It is commonly used to cut between shots.

 

Noddy shot

• This shot is used in interviews.
• It shows the interviewer reacting to the person being interviewed.
• It is used to break up the interview so it is not just the same image.

 

Point of view shot (POV)

• This shot shows the view of the subject.
• The audience can see through the eyes of the subject.                                                                   

Cut-in

• This shows another part of the subject in detail.
• It can be used to emphasise emotion and to show gestures.

 

 

Camera Movement

Low angle shot

• This shot is filmed below the subject.
• It helps give the subject size and power.
• It also makes the audience feel smaller and weak.

    

High angle shot

• This shot is filmed looking down at a subject.
• It makes the subject look small and weak.
• It makes the audience feel big and powerful. 

 

Pan

• This is where the camera moves left to right or right to left.                                                                                   
• A pan is usually filmed on a tripod for a smooth and steady shot.
• This shot gives a sense of moving with action or speed. 
• It also helps to show the surroundings.

Tracking shot

• This shot is filmed on a moving dolly.
• It allows you to get smooth moving shots.
• You can also get the exact same shot if you use an electronic dolly on tracks.
• It helps to give a sense of speed and moving with action.

Tilt

• This is where the camera tilts up and down.
• It helps to give a sense of size and height.

Zoom in and out

• This allows you to focus on detail when zooming in.
• It also shows the surroundings or size when zooming out.
• It highlights significant subjects.
• Zoom in shots are used more often than zoom out shots.

Canted/Dutch angle shot

• This is where the camera is not pointed directly at the subject and where it is at an angle.
• The shot gives a sense of chaos and rage.

Steadicam/handheld

• This is where the camera moves around.
• It helps to give a sense of realism 
• It also helps to create tension.
• It is filmed on a stabiliser poll and some can be on a mechanical arm attached to the cameraman's waist.
• This helps to make the shot very steady and smooth.

Crane shot

• This is a high up shot from a crane.
• It helps to give a sense of size.

Aerial shot

• This is shot from an aeroplane or a helicopter.                                             
• The shot gives a sense of style.

Analysis of Thriller Screenshots

The Bourne Identity 

This shot is a long shot, showing a human figure floating in the water face up. The figure is not moving which makes it appear that they is dead. The water is dark and gloomy with shadows which adds mystery to the shot. There is rain and lightning strikes all around him which portrays danger and they are classic elements of thrillers. The shot is very deep down which suggests that the person is in the sea and maybe far from land. The lighting is low-key which makes it more dark and gloomy. The lighting effects and the storm are very common conventions in thrillers.

This is a close up of the man's back who was pulled up from the water. He appears to have two bullet holes in his back which makes the audience wonder what has happened to him and why. The wet suit and gear that he was wearing could suggests that he is some sort of specialist or government operative. Government operatives or government agencies are very commonly used in thrillers.

This is a close up shot of a passport, more importantly it is the man that we saw on the boat. This shot tells the audience and the character who he is which adds a piece to the puzzle. We also see other passports from other countries which suggests that he maybe works undercover or that he changes his identity a lot, possibly because he is on the run. The big pile of cash and the gun also strongly hints that he is on the run. Furthermore, the gun implies that Jason Bourne could be dangerous. Gun props are used in most thrillers as it signifies danger.

The shot is a close up of a television screen showing CCTV footage and it establishes that someone is watching it. The CCTV footage shows a close up of the man at the begging of the film. The big close up suggests that this man has a big role in the film.

The TV screen is in an office and not on a small monitor in a closet which makes it seem important and "official". It is being viewed for a very specific reason and not just for monitoring the area. This makes the character seem even more important. Government surveillance is often used in modern style thrillers. 

This is an over the shoulder shot which makes the audience fell like they are watching Bourne, but it also makes him the centre of attention and not the security guard. This shot makes Bourne seem like he has done something wrong as he is looking over his shoulder and he is being surrounded by the police. This makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next.

The setting is a government building which makes it appear like there is a lot of authority there and maybe Bourne is in the wrong place. The police uniforms are used in lots of thrillers because they show authority and power.

Conventions of thrillers

Conventions - Narrative

• Thrillers are supposed to create suspense and excitement for the audience.
• The narrative resolves around the investigation of an enigma or the hero is the only person who can solve the enigma.
• They mostly involve violence.
• If often reveals the workings of particular institutions such as the police, the army or the Government.
• The thriller centres on injustice in society but solves these wrongs.
• There will be a rational rather than supernatural explanation of the puzzle.

Conventions - Setting

• A thriller can be set in an urban environment or a rural environment.
• They can be set in old abandoned buildings or new city buildings.
• They are usually set over big areas as there are usually chases.
• They can also be set in abandoned buildings and asylums.

Conventions - Characters

In a thriller there is usually:

• A Protagonist - They are usually a detective or someone on the run.
• A Antagonist - They are usually a villain or a prisoner.
• A Damsel
• Villains - They are usually English, Russian or German.
• Innocent victims/Bystanders
• Characters with dark pasts
• Psychotic people
• Terrorists
• Spies
• Special organisations (MI6 or the CIA)

Mise-en-scene

- Props

• In thrillers there are usually guns, knives and others.
• Cars are usually used for police chases or as a signal to the hero to run.
• Technology is used especially when organisations are involved.

- Costumes

• The main character tends to wear black clothing to hide their face and look inconspicuous.
• There are a lot of people wearing suits in some thrillers to show their authority.
• Police uniforms are worn in most thrillers too.

- Camerawork
Thrillers feature a lot of different camera shots.

• Long shots which allow the viewer to see the location and the setting which can make them wonder why or how they are there.
• Mid shots to focus more on a certain area.
• Close ups to capture the facial expressions of the character or to make them the centre of attention.
• Cut-Ins to show the characters hands or injuries.
• They might also have high and low shots to make the hero or villain seem more, or less powerful.
• Two-shot which usually features the boss and their aid.
• They also feature cutaway shots which takes away the attention of the main character onto something different (like a S.W.A.T team).
• They feature lots of quick cuts.

-Lighting

• The lighting in thrillers is usually dark and mysterious to compliment the story. 
• The darkness allows the characters to hide their identity.
• Lighting helps to connote emotions and thoughts             

Conventions - Sound

• Thrillers use a lot of dramatic music and face pace music.
• The music usually starts off at a slow pace and gradually speeds up which helps to create tension and build up climax.
• The sounds in thrillers change from loud to quiet depending on the pace and action. 

                 

Overall, the key elements of a thriller are to have an ongoing investigation and someone on the run from the government. It should be set in an urban environment and it must have a protagonist and antagonist. They should also contain a damsel and a villain. A thriller must contain weapons and cars to create fight and chase scenes. Police uniforms, suits and civilian clothing is another key aspect of any thriller.

There should be lots of different camera shots in a thriller that hide or show certain parts of the story. The lighting in a thriller should be low-key to create tension and the sound must be very dramatic.