Illegal Substances Pulp Fiction, as a main example, involves a lot of sniffing and snorting of Cocaine and Heroin. There's a good chance that most crime thrillers will involve some sort of drug taking because it is a typical convention. Law Abiding Citizen and One False Move both include some form of drug taking.
Death
There is a death in most crime thrillers because it is usually the main theme that leads to crime of the aftermath of the crime. It is to show that death will be a punishment of crime. Death will always be a continuos theme throughout crime thriller films. The film Se7en is fuelled by the theme of death and contains a lot of deaths throughout it.
Violence
A crime thriller wouldn't be a crime thriller without some violence. The Usual Suspects and The Dark Knight both contain violence throughout. Violence is used to show that crime is usually viscous and nasty.
Revenge
Revenge tends to appear in crime thriller's frequently and a crime thriller is usually surrounded around revenge. Planning revenge and committing it involves some form of crime because otherwise there would be no reason to plot revenge. The film plot line we have created has the theme of revenge in it; a revenge is planned and committed.
Gangs Groups of people who all believe and approve of the same thing usually join to create a gang. These gangs will then fight for what they believe in and this usually ends terribly. A film like Scarface involves gangs and crime and awful happenings occur.
Uniform/Suits
Suits feature regularly throughout crime thrillers. Costume and props are important because a suit can disguising between wether someone is a serious character or a joke. Crime thriller's usually contain characters that wear suits because they look authoritative and when in a crime thriller it's a trait that is crucial.
Weapons Guns and knifes are the main props used in crime thriller's. They're used to scare and shock audiences. They're also another typical convention of crime. Robbery
Robbery is another type of crime that is involved in crime thriller films. Robbery usually involves weapons so many of the themes do intertwine with each other and work quite well.
This short film uploaded onto YouTube has certain shot styles in it that we would like to use in our final film.
The genre of this short film seems very similar to ours and could definitely fit in the psychological thriller.
The shots that we liked to use was the shots in which the character gets flashbacks to his father beating someone and they were a match-on-action with him beating the man. The rapid editing of the shots set the film into the genre of a psychological horror as they made you almost aware and unaware of what is going on in the shot. The shots leave you to figure out what is happened in the past just as like what we want in our film.
The 2 shots to the right are the match on action shots that we would like to incoprperate in our film. The style that they are in shows a lot about the past of the protagonist and shows why he is the way he is. The similarities between the flashbacks to the real time shots show that his past is relevant to the plotline and has a lot to do with the person that he is now. This is very similar to the protagonist, Kyle, in our film.
There are also a lot of close ups in this film that we feel would be right to use in our film. This is because Kyle will be going through a lot of emotional turmoil in trying to piece together the flashbacks he is repressing. We feel that adding a voice over that could act as an internal monologue would lose effect in our narrative. It wouldn't be effective in our film because a lot of the dialog is particularly important so this is the main speech that must be listened to by the audience. Also, the fact that Kyle is alone and vulnerable would be ruined if an internal monologue began. We want to show that Kyle doesn't have anyone to turn to, not even his internal thoughts because they are trying to piece together his repressed memory of beating the Client. By adding close up shots, you can show the audience the emotion of the protagonist without actually having to ruin any effect of the film.
This was the storyboard for my film. I choose to redo my storyboard as I had only created 6 fundamental sketches when in reality I needed around 25. I have also been given sheets of storyboarding paper, which have dedicated speech, audio and visual sections to fill out.
Before we started filming, I drafted some initial ideas for out films title sequence. Shots included (from top left to bottom right). A hand being place in a bin, to show how he is homeless searching for food. A Handwritten note, a representation of the revenge. (The film 'Taxi Driver') shot where the character is represented as isolated by a medium shot where everyone else in shot in blurred, and he is in focus. Asking for change, where I sit down on a street corner and beg for change. Alley shots, showing me sleeping rough. A sleeping on the bench shot, again to reiterate his homeless state.
I decided that I would research the film 'Pulp Fiction' because it contains some similar themes to what the film we are creating might contain. 'Pulp Fiction' is directed by Quentin Tarantino and also written by him and Roger Avary. Released in 1994, this film won an Oscar for best writing and screenplay and was nominated for several more Oscars. It also won and was nominated for Golden Globes, BAFTA film awards and various other types of awards.
Cast
The film had all all-star cast and was probably one of the reasons why it became as popular as it did, and still is:
John Travolta
Samuel L. Jackson
Bruce Willis
Uma Thurman
Harvey Keitel
Tim Roth
Amanda Plummer
Eric Stoltz
Are just some of the big names to be featured in this film.
Reviews
On this website there are various reviews written by the general public who have watched the film. This is a chance to see what others think about the film rather than to just read critics reviews. Here is just one review written by someone who watched the film:
'To put this in context, I am 34 years old and I have to say that this is the best film I have seen without doubt and I don't expect it will be beaten as far as I am concerned. Obviously times move on, and I acknowledge that due to its violence and one particularly uncomfortable scene this film is not for everyone, but I still remember watching it for the first time, and it blew me away. Anyone who watches it now has to remember that it actually changed the history of cinema. In context- it followed a decade or more of action films that always ended with a chase sequence where the hero saved the day - you could have written those films yourself. Pulp had you gripped and credited the audience with intelligence. There is not a line of wasted dialogue and the movie incorporates a number of complexities that are not immediately obvious. It also resurrected the career of Grease icon John Travolta and highlighted the acting talent of Samuel L Jackson. There are many films now that are edited out of sequence and have multiple plots etc but this is the one they all want to be, or all want to beat, but never will.'
This gives potential audiences a chance to see other reviews, rather than the critic's opinions, and it is more likely to allow potential audiences to see the film based on a less critical opinionated view, for themselves.
Ratings
This film was rated an 18 by BBFC due to it containing strong language, having sex references and features strong drug use.
The MPAA gave tis film an R rating based on it having strong graphic violence and drug use. The film also contains strong persuasive language which is why the R rating was needed.
Due to only knowing about the BBFC I wanted to do some research into the different certificates of the MPAA. Mostly, I wanted to know what the certificate R was due to Pulp Fiction haven been given it. The guidelines on the MPAA webpage (www.mpaa.org) state that a film is rated an R when:
'Children Under 17 Require Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian. An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Rating Board, contains some adult material. An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually-oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so that parents are counselled to take this rating very seriously. Children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Parents are strongly urged to find out more about R-rated motion pictures in determining their suitability for their children. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.'
The R rating is in short for restricted which is what an R rated film is; a restricted film.
Storyline
On the IMDB page for Pulp Fiction, users are free to post their version of the storyline which again gives potential viewers to maybe read about the film from different perspectives:
Themes
There are various themes throughout Pulp Fiction. The main being drug abuse. There are several famous scenes throughout the film that feature hard drug abuse that are famous for the violent and awful approach that Tarantino has created, about drugs, in the film.
The most famous scene featured is when Uma Thurman's character has a drug overdose and Vincent Vega, John Travolta, tries in all his might to save her life. The scene is best described as disgusting and Thurman does a brilliant performance.
Another main theme is violence. Violence is apparent throughout the whole film and the film is known for this.
Throughout Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino uses various shots that aren't shots that create suspicion and this is something we want to create too. In the first twenty minutes of the film John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson go to a San Fernando apartment block looking for an object that was stolen from Marseilles Wallace. Before they actually enter the apartment they have a conversation that is shot in long shot which already doesn't comply to film norms. You'd expect that after the initial long shot of them both was established that it would then proceed to go into an over the shoulder shot but it doesn't.
After they have entered a match on action shot is expected to be use
d after closing the door but there is a slight delay. So the shot is of the door and not them entering the room. This is a great thriller shot to use because it creates a sense of suspicion that leaves the audience wondering what is happening behind the door.
Another shot which creates a surreal atmosphere is when John Travolta and Bruce Willis are having a conversation and again the typical shot conventions aren't achieved. It is expected that between a conversation shot reverse shot is repeated but only Bruce Willis is being shot. Throughout the conversation the shot is just of Bruce Willis's reactions and John Travolta's facial expressions are not shot. This could be used to show that John Travolta has the power in the conversation so whatever he maybe doing facially, it doesn't matter because what does matter is Bruce's facial expressions. His reaction is probably a key point that may hinder in the narrative in some way. This could possibly be used in our film when the client is confronting Kyle at the end because Kyle's facial expressions are key. The audience will want to see the client's face so it was leave a suspenseful atmosphere which is an important convention in a thriller film.
In our plotline we needed an item that would link Kyle to the beating and we decided on a ring that he could possibly throw at the client in anger after the beating:
'Upon opening the box it is revealed that the parcel is the ring Kyle left behind in the beating.'
But after thinking it was clear that a homeless man with no belongings wouldn't throw, what he had left, away. So we decided that if Kyle were to wear a a necklace that the client would pull off in the struggle then he can use this to fuel his revenge. Almost like he knew all along that he would somehow hurt Kyle the way he hurt him.
So the Plotline is still the same but we have changed this small factor so that it is more understanable. We all agree that the audience will understand this better and it will make a better storyline in general.
Audience
After looking into other film certificates similar to ours we have decided that our film would most likely be a 15 and so obviously this film wouldn't appeal to anyone younger than 15. We think this film would appeal to people from being 15 up until 35 years old. Our film is also set in Sheffield and this will appeal to anyone from around the area so it will attract a regional audience. The genre is a psychological crime thriller so this is bringing three genre's together. Anyone who is a fan of either genre will be interested in our film and will find elements of it interesting.
Distributor
This film is that, we believe, wouldn't interest people on the big screen. Independent film companies are more likely to be interested and it is more likely to be aired at a film festival or to be released on DVD or Blu-ray. We believe because our film is set in Sheffield a local film distributor will probably have an interest in our film. A distributor such as Warp Films. Also, other psychological crime thriller film distributors could have an interest. New Line Cinema distributed films such as Se7en and horror films such as The Evil Dead and Nightmare on Elm Street. Summary
Our story line is here.
To summarise, our film is basically about revenge and how people never forget what has happened to them in the past and how your past can complicate the life you shall lead. Karma always comes back around eventually.
Suggested Elements
The Client will have to include elements that are typical in a psychological
crime thriller. Typical conventions include suspicion and a fast pace that
keeps the audience enticed. A major aspect to include is a complex narrative
and this is definitely something we have achieved. As a group we thought about
it a lot and thought about tiny elements that will help the narrative along.
Certificate Research
To decide what certificate out film would probably be rated I decided to look at other similar films and their certificate because then I could also determine what our target audience is.
Se7en: BBFC rated this film an 18 'Contains strong bloody violence, horror and threat' The Machinist:BBFC rated this film a 15 'Contains strong language, gory images and sex references'
The Silence of the Lambs:BBFC rated this film a an 18.
The Sixth Sense:BBFC rated this film a 15.
Shutter Island:BBFC rated this film a 15 'Contains strong language, bloody injury and disturbing images' Psycho:BBFC rated this film a 15.
Prisoners: BBFC rated this film a 15 'Contains child abduction theme, strong violence and strong language'
The Usual Suspects: BBFC rated this film an 18 'Contains Strong Violence'
Side Effects: BBFC rated this film a 15 'Contains strong language, sex and violence'
Inception: BBFC rated this film a 12 'Contains moderate violence'
Memento: BBFC rated this film a 15.
Most of the films above have the certificate of either a 15 or an 18 so it's clear that our film ought to be the same as it will have a lot of the same conventions. Like Shutter Island and Psycho our film will involve a form of crime that brings the narrative together is some way.
15 rated films are purely for people 15 years old and over. These films feature themes such as strong language e.g. f**k, strong violence, prolonged scenes of sex, strong reference to sex and drug taking. Discriminatory language can be quite frequent such as racist and homophobic insults although the whole film should not be focused on one of theses themes. Sexual activity is usually shown although it should be very graphic at a 15. At 15 violence can be very strong but there should be no scenes focusing on the injury itself but sexual violence probably wont be acceptable. Any easily acceptable weapons should not be glamorised. Any horror films rated 15 usually contain strong threat and menace. Situations that teenagers may copy such as suicide, hanging and self harming are not permitted.
The last certificate for films is 18. 18 films contain most themes strong sexual content, strong blood and gore, strong violence, strong horror and real sex in some circumstances. Any circumstances using bad language are permitted. There can be racial and homophobic themes at an 18 and discriminatory behavior is allowed towards characters. Violence can be strong and portrayed in strong detail. There can be dwelling on scenes of injury blood and gore. Sustained threat that is stronger than an 15 will be certified a 15. Drug taking is accepted but it should not be promoted. Dangerous and criminal behavior may be cut.
Pulp Fiction, as a main example, involves a lot of sniffing and snorting of Cocaine and Heroin. There's a good chance that most crime thrillers will involve some sort of drug taking because it is a typical convention. Law Abiding Citizen and One False Move both include some form of drug taking. 
Groups of people who all believe and approve of the same thing usually join to create a gang. These gangs will then fight for what they believe in and this usually ends terribly. A film like Scarface involves gangs and crime and awful happenings occur. 
Guns and knifes are the main props used in crime thriller's. They're used to scare and shock audiences. They're also another typical convention of crime.
