Past Student Thrillers

Past student thriller

In this task we was looking at past student thrillers, looking closely at the 'mise-en-scene' within the films. Mise-en-scene means we analysed:-  Costumes/hair/make up
                                                                      Setting
                                                                      Facial expression
                                                                      Lighting
                                                                      Props
                                                                      Colour
                                                                      Positioning of character

4- Excellent
3- Good
2- Basic
1- Poor

FILM 1- 'POWERCUT'

Film rating- 1

The mise-en-scene in this film was poor, the whole film was in black and white, for no aparent reason. Its not a flashback, its not in the past, so it doesn't need a black and white filter. If anything it would have benefited more if it was in colour. The setting was poor, it was suppose to feel like it was set in an office, but the shots showed how it was obviously in school, so it makes it look lazy. With it being in black and white, the lighting became poor, because every detail was harder to see. To be honest, there was no mise-en-scene considered when the filming of this took place.

FILM 2- 'HUNTER'

Film Rating- 4

The mise-en-scene in this film was probably the best example. Straight away we know its a detective because he has a suit and and detective coat on, and shows his 'badge' straight away. Another good prop was the notepad, something so small but something that can make a such a difference and add realism to the whole concept. The other prop that was excellent was the baseball bat, the whole sequence with the baseball was well planned out, and was a good prop to use. It all made sense too. this setting was in a school because he is interrogating a PE teacher. And the lighting was perfect throughout, we could see everything shown crystal clear.


FILM 3- 'AFTER EIGHT'

Film Rating-3

The mise-en-scene in this film was okay, but not overly fantastic. Using a sausage as a cut of finger was clever, but would it have been hard to go and buy a replica finger from a party shop? With a little bit of effort it could have easily been a 4. Another piece of mise-en-scene was the lighting, the dim lights from the kitchen gave a gloomy atmosphere, adding to the suspense. The setting was also good, the freezer outside was a great place to place the dead body, it added some much needed realism.

FILM 4- 'HIDDEN'

Film rating- 1

This film was poor due to the mise-en-scene. The setting was terrible, it was poorly executed. There was only two settings, the street and inside the house. The film was in pitch black so we couldn't             really see any of the action, not there was any. Even when they was inside, there was no source of light, and it was really not thought through. To improve this, they could have provided a source of light or simply just shot in the evening, just as it was getting dark, instead of in pitch black.