our class have watched a variety of opening scences of thriller movies and analysed what there all about,
Red eye analysis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB3IfPks0NA
Narrative structure-The story of red begins with a stealing of a wallet then you see people studying plans of a building both these thing signify things to come in the film. Then a picture of the girl is shown so you can establish the character but none of the other characters are revealed after this the last bit of the scence a crate of fish are being shipped from one place to another, all of these are important narrative strands which are established.
Thriller codes and conventions -Even in the early seconds of the film they use the typical codes and conventions for example partical vision is used we only see the hand of the theif when stealing the wallet also enigma codes are used raising questions like:
-why?
-who?
-what?
the music used in the scence builds up tension which makes an exciting atmosphere and the film is set in a modern urban/technological area which is done in many thriller films.
Camerawork-The film uses many different angles, Close-ups focusing on the main objects that people should look at for example the pictures,wallet and it is hiding the identities also slow track foward is used which draws attention to the wallet suggesting it is important and tracking shots on the crate of fish travelling. Close-up on pictures of building still consealing the identity of crooks then extreme close up on pictures in wallet. High angle shots look down on objects which shows power.
Mise-en-scence-The lighting in the film is low key lighting it creates shadows on objects alot of props are used in the scene the wallet a key prop, the photographs begin to tell the story the fish with red skin links to the title of the film (red rerrings)distracts from the real danger. costume used on theif suggests the man is a very professional person.
Sound-Diegetic sound is the keys and wallet dropping,water running, footsteps, door, car and box being loaded behind the music, paper being turned and the ice crunching all these sounds create the films realism. Non-diegetic sound opening music is intense a thumping beat which is dramtic , when the title zooms out a plane noise is used. Crescendo of sound, the boom gives us a sense that its the beginning of the journey. Orchestral music is used signifies seriousness its going to be a big drama minor key it is mysterious thoughout a constant driving rhythm.
Editing-Compressed/condensed time which is a period of many days of filming edited which is shown in 2 minutes. The film takes us to a variety of different place in a smooth way, both of these things are called montage editing. Then a dissolve is used to introduce photo's of buildings.
Graphics-Plain white sans serif font is used which gives it a modern look the words zoom out getting smaller has an aeroplane link then fades out at the end. Title in red capitials makes it stand out, Credits positioned in many different parts of the screen with a drop shadow and they start which actors names and their roles.
Strangers on a train
Narrative structure-this scence shows two men going to a train station getting on to the train they sit opposite eachother and bumps feet, indicates there paths crossing , its a linear narrative.
Thiller codes and conventions-The opening scence uses partical vision you only see the feet right up until the end of scence when characters faces are introduced. Engima codes are used to create questions,
-Who are they?
-Where are they going?
-How are they connected? ( Going to be?)
It is a transformed city theory a ordinary city used as a location for an exciting story and a ordinary person is thrown into a werid situation( swapping murders)
Camera work-The scence starts with a establishing shot of washington. Then mid-shots from waist down showing characters feet and legs, tracking left to right and right to left following both sets of feet. Also a long shot is used where you still see no faces but showing people going towards train from behind. Point of view shot of front of the train then it begins to track foward as the train moves off two final shot as men sit opposite each other.
Mise-en-scene-The shoes are used to suggest the characters status in society, Guys shoes are plain and he wears a plain suit which suggests he is a normal casual person but brunos shoes are two-toned brogues 'jazzy' and wears a pin-stripped suit which suggests he is a strange out-going person. Also tennis rackets indicate guys occupation to the veiwers before words. The railway lines produce a X symbol which link to the criss cross motif.
Sound-Non-diegetic, Orchestral music is used the same melody played throughout for each then the character station announcer also says "all abroad" there is not much variety of sound in this opening scence.
Editing-In this scence, graphic match is used for dissolving from the station floor to the train lines also there is some cross cutting used to link two sets of feet which makes it like the two males are destined to meet eachother.
Graphics-The credits appear over the opening establishing shot then there are no graphics during the sequence.
State of play
Narrative structure-In this scence a man suddenly runs across a busy road in a panicy way and gets knocked by cars and various objects he then runs through a shop and out the back where he hides and thiniks he is safe and comes out from hiding and is shot by a gunman and this gunman shoots a passing cyclist. Done in continuity editing linear narrative.
Thriller codes and conventions-Enigma codes to create questions
-Why?
-Who?
Darkness is used to create partial vision and mystery of the characters, the city becomes transformed into the thriller back drop and the weather increases the doom and gloom of the film.
Camerawork-Opening establishing shot, a wide shot of washington dc, a hand held camera is used following the man across the road which creates feeling of panicing movement like we are in the scence with him all of these give us a sense of realism. it is a fast moving camera to show speed of the man panning and tracking to follow the man. Close-up on the mans face as he hides which shows us his nerves. Also the camera pans quickly after the gunshot as if it responding to it then there is a point of view shot as the cyclist goes by and of the gunman looking down on the man. The final shot zooms in at ground level to the mans dying face.
Mise-en-scence-The m.e.s is designed to produce a feeling of mystery. The lighting of the scence is at a very low key (very dark) gives it a gloomy look. The gunman wears black carries gun and a metal briefcase also is breath is very visable which has connotations of a devil, like he has the breath of a angry dragon. He also has a silencer on his gun which suggests he is a professional very secreat. the man running away is sweaty and scragging as if he has a hard life. Around this is alot of rain and puddles dull doesnt come across as a nice place to be.
Sound-Diegetic- sounds of helicopter (asynchronous), beeping and sirens all of these sound portray crime to us. Ambient sound is used for example people talking, doors and the movement of many different things. Then there are the sounds of the bad things about to happen, screams, smashing, breathing and the rain and thunder which give us a sense of the gloom and doom also there is the sound of the man bumping into things when he is running away for example the bin, there is the sound of the gunshot which is very sudden and the man on the bike passing by.
Non- diegetic- In the background there is a sutal buzzing noise which called ominous and after the gunshot the sound is all distcordant the music gets louder as cyclist is killed.
Editing-In this scene there arent many shots and they are quite long takes which gives the film a sense of realism it is continuaty editing also it follows the man as he runs which is called linear.
Graphics-The credits are in blue capitals but are quite small in a very old western font and at the end the title is in white capitals
Se7en
Narrative structure - There is a montage of images which suggests some kind of story about crime, the person is putting together a dark scrap book of words and images. Thriller codes and conventions Enigma codes to create questions why? what? who? And partial vision you dont see any faces just flashing images of the scrap book the persons fingers throughout its all black,white or red colors which have dark connotations it focus on the villain and the crime.
Camera work- There are extreme close ups to place us very close to all of the nasty harsh things and the camera pans occasionally across surfaces e.g on the writing.
Mise-en-scene- In most parts you seen fingers with bandages and them cutting things e.g the dollar bills/ photos/ film strips. In the scence there is alot of pens and pencils erasing words, needles, scissors, razor blades, book and photos of nasty/ violent things.
Sound -Non-diegetic- The music is scary, distored throughout there is a heavy thumping beat it is very slow and there is lots of layers of sound like scratching,screams and creaks which reflect the twisted mentality of the character. Also builds up to a climax where words link up to the image "you got me closer to god" - religious?
Editing -It is a very fast montage using half dissolves and the images jump around on the screen and jump cuts are used Graphics The credits jump around the screen and flip about the credits are written in a white but it as if its an un-natural white they are blurry and look hand written.
Summary
According to our research opening scenes to thriller films use the following conventions:
-Important narrative elements are suggested without being made to obvious
-Sense of narrative beginning in which ordinary life is distruped by threatening force
-May contrast between good and bad characters
-Narrative structure may be linear and non linear
-Enigma codes used to raise important questions in audience minds
-Partial vision with holds important information
-Settings are urban, transformed place of excitment or danger
-Close-ups link to point of view and extreme close-ups
-Lighting low key( shadows with conotations of mystery)
-Objects, costumes etc suggest ideas and characters and narrative
-Montage combined images from different times and places linked to narrative
-Continuity editing starting narrative off with a thrilling taster scene
-Diegetic sounds combined with non-diegetic sounds
-Dark serious music signifies type of film it is
-Graphics may be designed to reflect the dark themes of the film
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