Analysis of Synopses of Existing Psychological Thrillers
The Black Swan
“Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth Macintyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.” Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures.
From this synopsis I can already feel the tension and apprehension in the air. The film is all about rivalry and competition and I like the idea of that being a key theme. Dancing is often viewed by the public as relaxing and beautiful, however this film reveals another side to it. The pressures of the artistic world become apparent and I think I would like to incorporate this concept into my opening sequence. A constant, Ongoing battle with pressure can build intense amounts of tension and that is one of my goals with my film.
Saw
“Two men wake up at opposite sides of a dirty, disused bathroom, chained by their ankles to pipes. Between them lies a dead man loosely clutching a hand-held tape player and a handgun. Each finds a tape the perfect fit for the player in their back pocket. They play the tapes. One is threatened, the other isn't. But they have a task: One must kill the other by 6:00, or his wife and daughter will die. They find hacksaws in a toilet, and try to cut the chains, but it doesn't work. They are the two newest victims of the Jigsaw Killer. In a flashback, we learn of Amanda, a girl who falls victim to the Jigsaw Killer. On her head is a mask, which is hooked into her lower jaw. There is a timer on it. Only one key will unlock it, and that key is in the digestive tract of her cell mate who lies paralyzed on the opposite side of the room. If she doesn't unlock the mask in time, her lower jaw will be ripped wide open. She survives, but her cell mate doesn't.” Written by Aurabesh corrected by Paul P.
This synopsis of Saw immediately indicates the goriness of the thriller and I don’t like that concept. In order to keep my film rating at 15 I cannot use excessive violent scenes in my opening sequence or too much gruesomeness. Therefore I will not be taking inspiration from that element. What I have noticed however, is that once again rivalry has become apparent in this film, just like in the Black Swan. This is obviously a popular theme being used by film producers but also being seen by audiences because these films are very well known and award winning. I think I will use rivalry as a key theme in my opening sequence.
Saw
“Two men wake up at opposite sides of a dirty, disused bathroom, chained by their ankles to pipes. Between them lies a dead man loosely clutching a hand-held tape player and a handgun. Each finds a tape the perfect fit for the player in their back pocket. They play the tapes. One is threatened, the other isn't. But they have a task: One must kill the other by 6:00, or his wife and daughter will die. They find hacksaws in a toilet, and try to cut the chains, but it doesn't work. They are the two newest victims of the Jigsaw Killer. In a flashback, we learn of Amanda, a girl who falls victim to the Jigsaw Killer. On her head is a mask, which is hooked into her lower jaw. There is a timer on it. Only one key will unlock it, and that key is in the digestive tract of her cell mate who lies paralyzed on the opposite side of the room. If she doesn't unlock the mask in time, her lower jaw will be ripped wide open. She survives, but her cell mate doesn't.” Written by Aurabesh corrected by Paul P.
This synopsis of Saw immediately indicates the goriness of the thriller and I don’t like that concept. In order to keep my film rating at 15 I cannot use excessive violent scenes in my opening sequence or too much gruesomeness. Therefore I will not be taking inspiration from that element. What I have noticed however, is that once again rivalry has become apparent in this film, just like in the Black Swan. This is obviously a popular theme being used by film producers but also being seen by audiences because these films are very well known and award winning. I think I will use rivalry as a key theme in my opening sequence.
The Shining
"A man, his son and wife become the winter caretakers of an isolated hotel where Danny, the son, sees disturbing visions of the hotel's past using a telepathic gift known as "The Shining". The father, Jack Torrance, is underway in a writing project when he slowly slips into insanity as a result of cabin fever and former guests of the hotel's ghosts. After being convinced by a waiter's ghost to "correct" the family, Jack goes completely insane. The only thing that can save Danny and his mother is "The Shining"." Written by ipreach4ever
What has become apparent from this synopsis it that the main character was trapped and became mentally ill because of cabin fever. Being trapped and stuck was also a key feature in Saw. They were both handcuffed and stuck with no where to go. So it seems that as well as rivalry and high amounts of pressure being stuck or trapped is also a big aspect to psychological thrillers. I like this element and it makes things easier in terms of practicality with filming. Having one main location where the majority of scenes are filmed rather than having multiple ones is a lot more straightforward. I think i will take on board this aspect along with the rivalry theme and incorporate them into my psychological thriller opening sequence.
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