A2 Student Thriller Opening- 'Lonely Hearts'

The film starts by fading into a house, a setting that creates normailty which is a convention of a thriller. This lures the spectators into a false sense of security. The antagonist face is hidden and creates enigma for the audience. The mise en scene is very effective; the lighting is dark and use of candles creating an eerie almost ritual atmosphere. It also consist of decedant items such as red roses that connote romance and wealth. The newspaper that the antogaonist uses also creates enigma for the specatator and is an effective plot device to progress the story. Props such as blood also adds impact to the story.

The piano music and use of Ella Fitzgerald creates a juxadposition to when the antagonist murders the girl. This is another convention of a thriller that is effect as it plays on the emotinal response of the spectator. There was three different soundtracks and competant use of sound bridges. There is also various use of locations- from the interior of the house to a vast countryside surrounding. This shows the group had scouted for suitable locations that work within the narrative. There is a visual motif present- the colour red. Roses, lipstick, napkins and a flower are all denoted the colour red, which is siemotic for danger and passion. The cinematography is technically competent and creative. An example of this is an over the shoulder shot is effective as it conceals the identity of the antagonist and creates enigma for the spectator. This is another convention of a thriller and is often used to when a character is being followed or a serective action is taken place. Restricted framing is also used, the spectator never sees the antagonist's face, and is often used for thrillers. The P.O.V shots from the antagonist is also very effective as it creates an emotinal response from the spectator that they are in the shoes of the killer.

The editing is smooth and works within the film. The fade out of when the girl falls is powerful as the murder isn't seen, but the aftermath. The murder is often not shown in a thriller as it creates theatre of the mind and creates a more emotional response from the audience- almost shock. The rapid fade outs on the girl's body also reveals the damage that the antagonist has done. At the end of the film, rapid cuts is denoted of newspapers, the dead girls and a rose. This connotes that all the enigma codes are 'pieced' together and reveals the ending- the antagonist is a serial killer. This also brings closure to the end of the film. I think that this short film is a very effective thriller that is technically sound and creative that consist of a clear narrative. I would award this short film a level four although it could of gained more marks by using original soundtrack and more diegetic sounds.