Aims and Context

The short sequence of the film “The Return” is in the genre of psychological thriller. This genre appeals to my target audience of 16-25 year olds, of both genders, middle class and either still in college or in a full-time job.

My aim is to keep the audience guessing throughout the sequence and to constantly increase the tension using the film language skills like cinematography, sounding and editing that I learnt in FM1 last year. I also want to put the audience through the emotions and feelings of the main protagonist, a good example of this which is one of the films I am using inspiration is Martin Scorsese’s ‘Shutter Island’

 In the psychological thriller genre, I have looked at the films “Se7en” (1995) and “Panic Room” (2002) by David Fincher and other films like “Mulholland Drive” (2001) by David Lynch and “Secret Window” (2004) by David Koepp. My work has been influenced by cinematography, particularly the David Fincher films. I also am using similar story features of another David Fincher film, “Fight Club” (1999). I want the audience to think that there is something not quite right with my main protagonist and for them to keep guessing that the world he is living in a cross between real and reality.

The story type I am using is The Quest in which the character is set a task to find someone or something. He accepts the challenge, searches for and finds someone or something. He is then rewarded, or not, for his success in the quest.