Genre Research.

We believe that the storyline of our final piece will have a psychological thriller feel about it, therefore I saw it appropriate to research into other films that have a similar genre to find out typical conventions that are always used, and to also find out what else could be used within our own film. From this we will be able to target a set representation group depending on what is popular with this genre, and to also whether or not we will stick to the typical traditions of these films or try our own interpretation.

THE FOURTH KIND. 2009.

Following her husbands murder, Dr Tyler continues her husband's studies of the sleep deprived. Upon her studies, she hypnotises her patients so that they can recall what they can't quite remember from their dreams. After each of the hypnotisms, each patient has either committed suicide, or become injured or paralysed. After this her daughter gets abducted but no one believes her. This leads her to be asked to be hypnotised herself so she can speak to the paranormal to ask for her daughter back. Dr Tyler is then admitted to hospital where the police question her about her husbands murder, in which reveals her husband wasn't murdered at all, it was all in her head. The end credits show the facts on which this dramatised version was based on. It finishes by replaying 911 calls, of UFO sightings and or accidents.

• Dr Tyler is under constant surveillance as her health deteriorates.
• Her daughter Ashley was never found.
• Her son Ronnie, still blames her for Ashley's disappearance.
• 80% more UFO sightings/calls than any other town in Alaska.

Conventions.

Paranoia
Abduction
Reality Vs Fantasy
True case studies
Psychological

In the poster for this film, all of the lighting is set in a blue tone whih creates an eerie feel. The bright light shining through the window matches the effect an abduction would have perfectly, whilst also highlighting the figure in the middle; creating the focal point. The text statement at the top "there are four kinds of alien encounters, the fourth kind is abduction" is quite self explanatory yet effective as it links the title of the film to the whole storyline. The same is with the levitating figure in the center, its an obvious image but still gives the audience an idea of what to expect to happen.

The Number 23. 2007.

On his birthday, Walter Sparrow goes to pick up his wife from a book store where she is inside buying him a birthday present. She buys him a blood red book called The Number 23; a murder mystery with endless numerology that loops constantly around the number 23. As he reads, Walter begins to notice aspects of his life that can be rendered around that number, and he finds too many coincedences within the book to his own life. He searches for the author as he truly believes the book is written about him, and his further investigation discloses a mysterious situation which drives Walter mad as he closes in on the truth, trying to remember.

Conventions.

Paranoia
Psychological
Reality Vs Fantasy
Insanity
Coincidences/numerology
Murder

In the poster for this film show an extreme close up of Walter which shows the emotion etched on his face. The numbers written all over his face links to the storyline and his continious insane scribbles that happen throughout the film. The black and grey tones, match the darkness that Walkter is feeling, adding to the effect. The grey in comparison to the black background creates the effect as if he is coming out of the shadows. Also the fact the book in the film is blood red in colour, liking the irony of the storyline.


Lady in the Water. 2006.

Cleveland Heep, a stuttering apartment superintendent, encounters what he thinks is a girl named Story swimming in the complex's pool. When infact she is a 'narf' - a create from bedtime stories. He soon learns that she comes from the Blue World, a world that links off from the complex's swimming pool, and that Story the Narf has a message for mankind. He tries his hardest to protect from her enemies in the human world, and to help her complete her mission.

Conventions.

Fantasy Vs Reality
Missions
Protection/Enemies
Invasions/accidents

In the poster for this film, there is a close up of Story's face which shows that she is the main character within the storyline; or the subject of the storyline. The colours are all predominantly blues and greens, which could represent the water in which she belongs. This is similar to all of the water reeds around the bottom flowing around her, showing the water environment in which she belongs. Also around the edges show the figure of Cleveland with his torch which links to what he does within the film to discover Story; on the other side of him is the growling figure of a 'scrunt' in which is hunting her on human land. All of which, show the main characters within the storyline.

Paranormal Activity. 2008.

Katie and her boyfriend Micah have been living together for three years and out of the blue, they are haunted by an entity while they are sleeping. Katie discloses to Micah that she has been haunted since she was eight year-old. The sceptical Micah buys a camera to videotape the paranormal activity in their home during the night for proof. They become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Right up until the force manages to possess Katie.

Conventions.

Possession/hauntings
Paranoia
Home Videoing
Ghost entities
Murder

In the poster for this film, shows a screen shot of the couple sitting on the bed pointing at something we cannot see; the horror can clearly be seen on Katie's face. It is shown in a grainy blue effect, which shows that it is camera footage, this also links to the time stamp on the bottom corner. This poster is a little different from the norm, as at the top shows a rating and statement from another filming company. Also, the fact the title is written in simple yet bold red writing creates the focal point. The use of rhetorical questions, "what happens when you sleep?" and simple statements such as "don't watch it alone" hype up the storyline for the viewer.

So from my research I have found out that the most common conventions within psychological thrillers is the bridge between fantasy and reality; what is real and what isn't. And also a strong sense of paranoia, both of which ultimately normally lead to suicide or murder. I could now include some of these popular conventions within my own film if I was to keep this similar genre.