Thriller - Textual References

For our thriller opening we wanted to make both explicit and implicit references to media texts that inspired the development of our opening: Anonymous lead. Through this many elements of our thriller draw from a range of time periods of film, as well as directors/cinematographers and across mediums which have influenced our decisions towards plot point, characters, techniques and traditions.
We decided to focus on traditional forms of the genre. After considerable research into different sub-genres and takes on the age-old formula, we decided to take heavy inspiration from the origins of the thriller genre, specifically the period between 1935-1960: 'Film Noir'. Inspired by the classics, such as 'Double Indemnity' (1944) or 'The Third Man' (1949), we decided on a black and white theme throughout, and further promted our use of Chiariscuro lighting techniques like High contrasting shots and low-key lighting to fill a dark mise-en-scene.

Many other directors and film makers have drawn from elements of this time period, and subsequently the 'Neo-Noir' has become popular, such as the 2005 film 'Sin city' from director Robert Rodriguez, from inspired us to opt for the idea of outstanding red shoes to contrast the vastly dark mise-en-scene and black and white effect, This is in reference to the character of the nameless victim at the beginning of the film, her violently red dress strands out extraordinarily against the black and white of the film, instantly drawing the viewers gaze to her, which decided to replicate within our open through the character of Alison.