In a recent lesson with Mr Ethrington we watched the psychological thriller Memento, directed by Christopher Nolan who also directed the worldwide smash hit The Dark Knight. As we watched the film Mr Etherington asked us several questions which we had to answer:
1) What ideas does the "memento" make you think of?
The word memento makes me think of a story involving memories or someone trying to hold on to hang onto their memories. Basically I think that thriller titles should symbolise something in the film or represent a hidden message in the film. Clearly "memento" is a showing up the fact that he is trying to remember something and the tattoos on his body are his memento from his former life. My film title has to be something that relates to the film or has some hidden significance.
2) What sort of a character is Leonard?
Leonard is trying to do good but he is confused and lost but there may be dark side to him as he demonstrates when he kills Teddy and most heroes don't have that ruthlessness in them. Character types are important in thrillers as they are what makes the thriller interesting but as I am only making an opening I won't have that much time to include a character with issues as complex as Leonard but if I can create a character that the audience can relate in my film then my opening will be a job well done.
3) What flaws are there in Leonard's character
He can't put new memories into his mind and this brings up trust issues with almost everyone he meets, he is very vulnerable because of this.
Flawed characters are always more interesting than plain cut ones, for example Wolverine is more interesting than Indiana Jones simply because he has so many issues. So in my film the characters may have to have some sort of sordid background that is hidden until it is later revealed.
4) How does the audience feel about Teddy?
The audience doesn't really like Teddy because we don't really know who he is which makes him a shady character and therefore he is an untrustworthy character. In my film we won't have time to create a character whose loyalties are cryptic so we have to make do with what we have. This helped me in my planning as I realised that I can't be too ambitious when formulating character types.
5) What narrative enigmas are created in the opening few minutes of the film?
What happened to Leonard? Who is Teddy? Why did Leonard kill Teddy? Who is Natalie? Who put the tattoos all over his body? Is Leonard justified in killing Teddy? Loads of narrative enigmas are what makes a thriller film but as my film is just the opening I would be pleased if we managed to create at the very least 4 questions that the audience will ask as they watch the film so I must have an opening that can deliver these enigmas to the audience.
6) How is non-digetic music? What sort of mood does it help to create?
The music is eerie, sets a sombre and dark mood. The music of my film will be very important as a good soundtrack will make a rubbish film better. So considering that my film is going to be made by Hollywood I need to choose the right soundtrack to enhance the features of the film as I know it is not going to be up to the quality of Hollywood as I don't have the same equipment and actors.
7) How would you describe the opening overall? Does it set up any sense of equilibrium or begin with disruption?
It begins with instantaneous disruption as we see Teddy being shot in the head. Disruption is another feature that thrillers are often associated with; an example would be The Bourne Identity's opening which begins a bunch of fisherman finding a wounded Jason. I have therefore decided that I will also follow this convention and begin my film with a disruption as I believe it draws the audience into the film quicker rather than leaving them with a long build up.
8) Think about the following aspects of mise-en-scene. How does one help us with ideas about either narrative or character?
Leonard's car reflects the mystery of the character as it is a European car which has been imported into America meaning it is quite expensive but the car is very dirty which makes you wonder where Leonard has been. The motel in which Leonard resides is an isolated and cheap place where no questions are asked. Nobody knows what is going on behind closed doors which is perfect for a amnesiac, the isolated building is a place where Leonard commits a murder and begs the question how far will Leonard go? The mise-en-scene often hides messages that the audience will eventually see but will see it coming if they pay attention to the mise-en-scene. I don't know whether the time I have for my opening will allow me to hide messages in my mise-en-scene but I will aim to put at least one hidden message within the mise-en-secen to see if the audience will see it.
1) What ideas does the "memento" make you think of?
The word memento makes me think of a story involving memories or someone trying to hold on to hang onto their memories. Basically I think that thriller titles should symbolise something in the film or represent a hidden message in the film. Clearly "memento" is a showing up the fact that he is trying to remember something and the tattoos on his body are his memento from his former life. My film title has to be something that relates to the film or has some hidden significance.
2) What sort of a character is Leonard?
Leonard is trying to do good but he is confused and lost but there may be dark side to him as he demonstrates when he kills Teddy and most heroes don't have that ruthlessness in them. Character types are important in thrillers as they are what makes the thriller interesting but as I am only making an opening I won't have that much time to include a character with issues as complex as Leonard but if I can create a character that the audience can relate in my film then my opening will be a job well done.
3) What flaws are there in Leonard's character
He can't put new memories into his mind and this brings up trust issues with almost everyone he meets, he is very vulnerable because of this.
Flawed characters are always more interesting than plain cut ones, for example Wolverine is more interesting than Indiana Jones simply because he has so many issues. So in my film the characters may have to have some sort of sordid background that is hidden until it is later revealed.
4) How does the audience feel about Teddy?
The audience doesn't really like Teddy because we don't really know who he is which makes him a shady character and therefore he is an untrustworthy character. In my film we won't have time to create a character whose loyalties are cryptic so we have to make do with what we have. This helped me in my planning as I realised that I can't be too ambitious when formulating character types.
5) What narrative enigmas are created in the opening few minutes of the film?
What happened to Leonard? Who is Teddy? Why did Leonard kill Teddy? Who is Natalie? Who put the tattoos all over his body? Is Leonard justified in killing Teddy? Loads of narrative enigmas are what makes a thriller film but as my film is just the opening I would be pleased if we managed to create at the very least 4 questions that the audience will ask as they watch the film so I must have an opening that can deliver these enigmas to the audience.
6) How is non-digetic music? What sort of mood does it help to create?
The music is eerie, sets a sombre and dark mood. The music of my film will be very important as a good soundtrack will make a rubbish film better. So considering that my film is going to be made by Hollywood I need to choose the right soundtrack to enhance the features of the film as I know it is not going to be up to the quality of Hollywood as I don't have the same equipment and actors.
7) How would you describe the opening overall? Does it set up any sense of equilibrium or begin with disruption?
It begins with instantaneous disruption as we see Teddy being shot in the head. Disruption is another feature that thrillers are often associated with; an example would be The Bourne Identity's opening which begins a bunch of fisherman finding a wounded Jason. I have therefore decided that I will also follow this convention and begin my film with a disruption as I believe it draws the audience into the film quicker rather than leaving them with a long build up.
8) Think about the following aspects of mise-en-scene. How does one help us with ideas about either narrative or character?
Leonard's car reflects the mystery of the character as it is a European car which has been imported into America meaning it is quite expensive but the car is very dirty which makes you wonder where Leonard has been. The motel in which Leonard resides is an isolated and cheap place where no questions are asked. Nobody knows what is going on behind closed doors which is perfect for a amnesiac, the isolated building is a place where Leonard commits a murder and begs the question how far will Leonard go? The mise-en-scene often hides messages that the audience will eventually see but will see it coming if they pay attention to the mise-en-scene. I don't know whether the time I have for my opening will allow me to hide messages in my mise-en-scene but I will aim to put at least one hidden message within the mise-en-secen to see if the audience will see it.
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