Genre Research: Tropes Openings

Tropes Openings in Murder Mystery:

In murder mystery films there are some common trope's Openings I would like to look at for making this film. These opening story tropes include Enter the Hero (Meet the detective), Establish Relation (normally the place), Follow Genre. In this research post I will look at 2 examples to get a better idea of making these films

Knives out

This film's Opening uses establish relationship between the murdered and his house. The coffee mug with my house, my rules, my coffee shows the humor and connection between the house and him. Then the eccentric statues litter the halls. This again shows establishes the relationships with setting. Which the establishing of relation is a common trope opening in any mystery genre. 

Knives Out 2019 opening scene

Clue the movie (1985)

This film even though a semi parody of the genre but follows the established tropes of the genre. The starts with establishing the setting of a setting, weather and introducing one of 7 contagionist/"hero". This opening scene gives us a concentrated group and gives the setting. With the uptake of rain and wind this creates a trapped feeling. Along with a mood and tone of an ominous atmosphere. 

Clue the movie (1985)

Similarity 

Both films use Establish Relation with the setting. This allows both films to investigate their respective houses and look for clues for who the murder is. This also, allows us to also be surprised alongside the characters. Along with the music which was discussed in this post: https://theproceduresofmediaandfilm2025.blogspot.com/2026/01/in-film-mystery-films-use-sound-to.html. The music allows use to separate the genre, the strings, and pitch.

Difference

The main difference is the idea of restraint. Knives Out show the death in the first 2 minutes. This is the opposite in Clue the movie with it taking 10 plus minutes to have the body.

Our Film

With the following research presented my group has decided to show relation with setting and causal agent. We will show the body but have restraint when showing the actual protagonist.

Genre Research: Props

The Murder Mystery use of The Weapon:

In most murder mysteries, there tends to be a set of common props. These include: the weapon, secret letter, red herrings, statues, and etc. In this blog post I will break down the purpose in each film. I will break down each weapon we are considering. This picture from board game Clue has 4 ways kill a person:

• Blunt force (Candal Stick, Wrench & Lead Pipe)
• Strangulation (Rope)
• Piercing/Slashing (Knife)
• Gun

Clue: Board Game Weapons

Looking at mystery movies there is a multitude of weapons that can be used. In this blog we will discuss each weapon type I currently want to use. I used this source for ideas; 12 Classic Methods of Murder in Mystery Books - Mysterylandia

Knife:

The knife, a common weapon. Easy to conceal and deadly. The two types of damages being able to produce: slashing and piercing.

Knives Out picture of the death

The knife is usually an iconography of the film. With it mostly having to look iconic or needs to blend in. The opposite of ideas. This murder weapon is seen in a painting of Mr. Thrombey latter in the film holding the knife. Showing his death was his choice.

Poison:

The poison, stealthy weapon. To hide in one's food and beverages or direct injection through the needles. The image 

A picture of poison being put into a drink

Poison is usually hidden from the viewers, normally shown after they die. The slow the passing so it can be away from the initial. This allows for suspension of how he died, also attract who did it. That can be through looking who had access. 

The Blunt Force

The blunt hit to the head, blunt force trauma. Is an easy way to go. This way of dying has 3 ways

1. Falling
2. Physical Assault
3. Fast Moving Object

These ways of dying usually indicated with brain damage and bruising.

What Weapon are We Using:

Based on the quick research and understanding of the topic, me and my director have decided to pick the knife. As it has a more noticeable presents in the genre. Which is the plan. My group will make the knife and ways to not actually stab someone while filming.

Genre Research: Cinematography

 Types of Cinematography: Used in Openings 

In this blog post I will look at 2 films: Clue and Knives Out. With these films I will give shots that were used in both films. This will help me be able to follow the genre and will work as inspiration. 

The Establishing Shot:

Clue the movie (1985)

Knives Out (2019)

Both of these films use an establishing shot to give the setting of where the majority or the entire story is. Along with that the camera both uses a camera high angle shot to make the majority of the still. This creates a feeling, of scale. These images also show the wealth of who got murdered. That wealth can either connection or disconnect. This connection gives us how we are able to give the idea how the film is going to lay out.

Tracking shot:

Knives Out 2019

Clue the movie (1985)

These films usually follow the servant esc character (butler/maid) using a tracking shot. Even though these scenes have cuts in between the tracking shots. With the camera always/majority of the time use the Rules of thirds. These 2 scenes differ with the portrayals. The butler is more directly important to the story with us following the side of him, able to see his face, and reactions. Compared to the maid she finds the catalyst as we follow her to it. For knives out it is more important to know the setting than her as a character right now.

Why is this important?

With these 2 shots I gain a better understanding of the genre. Along with that, for my film I want to and am going to implement these two types of shots in the film, so we are able to follow the genre.

Genre Research: Sound

Sound in Film:

Mystery films use sound to create suspense, and to add tension. This can be through diegetic, nondiegetic and lack of sound. In this research section I will look at 2 films that have similar styles and analyze how they were able to add to the overall presence in the film. Along with the purpose of each sound.

What do we need to learn for today

• How they use each sound.

Diegetic Sound

In mystery films the basic structure of the in-universe sound, is usually reserved for arguments, weather, and 'accidents' and attacks. The use is for confrontations, when the film is waiting to surprise you with let's just say a gun shot, chandelier falling or an people debating who is the murder. Another case is to cut, the music; to let suspense to thrive.

Non-Diegetic Sound

In this section I will be taking most of my research from Soundtracks That Set the Scene for a Killer Mystery | The Murder Mystery Co. This article states that most of music has no lyrics, and no drastic changes; this allows the "spine tinging" feeling. From just listening to the sound-tracks. Here listen to knives out soundtrack and you will get what I mean.

Knives Out (2019) main theme

This piece composed for the purpose is to make us feel as an audience, uneasy. The use of strings I want to replicate in the beginning of our film. 

Using of Both Sounds:

Knives Out (2019)

This scene shows that the diegetic sounds show peace, or low to no conflict, equilibrium. The time frame when the music kicks in that is when the peace is disrupted. The high pace music adds to the intensity. This can show panic, with disequilibrium.

Why does this matter?

As stated right before, the music research I was doing was broad. This is so my groupmates or I can effectively make music for our introduction scene later on in the blogs. 

Hello World, Again!

 Hello World, Again!

Hello! Welcome to this blog and will be where I talk about my experience creating a begging to a film. However, before learning about my time making a film... Let's learn more about me.

About Me:

My name is Grey. I just started to learn to make media and films. Now I will be making a film from scratch. This blog is to document my prosses of making the film making every week. I am a creative thinker and perfectionist. This blog us going to be a hobby of mine. Other hobbies include D&D with friends, playing videogames and sports. I enjoy nature and world around us is beautiful and I love to capture these on camera! So, I would like to incorporate my camera work into the film.

A Picture from Vacation

My Role:

In the film I will be making, my main present role will be cinematographer. This is mainly camera work and more of a visual medium. This time around I will be more aware of lighting because last time that is where I failed. The Genre of choice will be Murder Mystery.

My favorite forms of media:

Since the blog is about my experience learning about media film and how to make it, what is your favorite forms media? Please think about it. My favorite genera of media include fantasy and science fiction. Which yeah, is kind of broad but, I personally enjoy it. 

My favorite film includes Doctor Who, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and the Lord of the Rings. All of these are great and all personal favorites. If you have not watch these shows they are all a good watch!

My favorite videogames include Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Horizon, Legend of Zelda series and Minecraft. These are all good recommendations. All contain great stories and fun combat to boot. Here's one of my favorite Minecraft.