Thriller openings - Mia Foden

Derailed:

                                              

Mise en scene:

• First shot – long line of prison cells. Prison – represents danger.
• Barbed wire suggests the restriction at the prison and shows that there is no escape.
• All prisoners wearing blues and navy coloured clothing
• Dark, limited pallet of colour – dark blues, greys, browns.
• Weather – grey and miserable

• When the setting changes to the house – white, pretty, medium to large size. – suggests that the family are living comfortably and are middle class.
• Inside the house, in the normal looking bedroom, there is a large comfy looking double bed. There are also many wooden objects in the room, giving the house a ‘homely’ look.
• Shows woman in the shower to suggest that the man has a wife.

Sound:

·         Very limited speech – swearing – shows aggression - Back ground shouting.

·         non-diagetic sound – calm methodical music starts after 53 seconds –showing the everyday routine for a prisoner

·         Music slows down and quietens as voice over beings, then fades out and changes to a calmer/ more peaceful music when the setting changes.

·         The dog barking to wake the man up, then the daughter saying ‘I need lunch money’ to show that it’s early in the morning as she is leaving to go to school and it’s a normal day.

Camera work:

·         Long shots to show context when showing the prison and when showing the house.

·         Close up on barbed wire to emphasise the feeling of being trapped, or to reinforce the feeling of danger.

·         Dolly possibly used for tracking shot showing the cells then shows a man sitting in his cell whilst all the other convicts are outside.

Editing:

·         Variation of long cuts and short cuts. Voice over.

·         Shot reverse shot from the father to the daughter to show continuity

·         An eye line match when the man looks at the dog

Gothica:

Mise en scene:

·         Limited pallet of colour, dark,

·         Cage like room.

·         Hair and make-up on first character – simple hair, slightly uneven and unhealthy looking. Make-up – creates the effect of illness as her face looks discoloured and slightly bruised around the eyes. In comparison, the psychiatrist has her hair and makeup neatly done and looks calm.

·         Interview format in the way in which they are sat at the table – one person on each side.

Sound:

• diagetic – someone whispering to the camera
• a lot of dialogue but hardly any background noise in order to let the spectator concentrate on the conversation.

Camera work:

• Close up on both the women’s faces to show comparison in their mental stability and to let us empathise in both characters. This emphasizes the look of insanity and illness in the patient's face.
• Blocking/ Slit framing so the characters appear to be restricted – shows that they are in a small area.
• Medium shot to show the context which looks like an asylum.

Editing:

• fades into first close up shot of woman using a blurry technique which is used to disorientate her face and create a ‘spooky’ effect.
• Shot reverse shot to show that they are having a conversation.
• Long shots to show reactions to conversation and to let spectator concentrate on each character and their differences in temperament and appearances.

Law Abiding Citizen:

Mise en scene:
·         First minute - Homely, normal family setting. Child, around 7 years old, making necklaces for family and middle aged Dad doing DIY.
·         Looks like a living room – realistic setting
·         Typical day – facial expressions of father and daughter – shows happiness.
·         Colourful beads
·         Middle class family/ well off. Pictures in the hallway with a lamp dimly lit.
·         Two  men with knives, tape, bats, wearing all black.
Sound:
·         Father talking to his daughter – diagetic
·         Calm, casual music playing in the background – diagetic
·         Bats hitting the man, glass smashing when the woman is flung across the room. Woman screaming, sound of knife going stabbing man.
Camera work:
• Close up of daughter making a necklace and of father doing work – shows everyday life of the family – shows that it is a normal, regular day.
• Two shot and medium shot of the two burglars to show one with a bat, and that they have no masks on.
• Close up of burglar to emphasize intimidation and the threat he poses.

Editing:

• Shot reverse shot to show continuity in conversation between father and daughter then the reactions between the father and the burglar.
• long shots when things are calm and father and daughter are speaking to each other.
• Quick shots when burglars intrude so show panic.

Panick Room:

Mise en scene:
• Large City – urban setting.
• Autumn
• Very large interior to house. High ceilings, dark brown floor boards, empty house, white walls – suggests wealth.
• Both women in smart clothing, one in coat with fur, and hair and make-up done neatly – suggesting that they are both wealthy.
• Man in smart clothing – suggesting that he is professional.
Sound:
• Dialogue – tells us that the woman is buying the house and accents show that they are middle class.
• Sound of cars outside – diagetic
• Music in background whilst showing credits and gradually fades as spectator listens to the conversation between characters – non diagetic
• Sound of scooter whilst teenager scoots on floorboards – diagetic
• Slight echoing whilst characters speak in the house to reinforce thelarge size of the house.
Camera work:
• Extreme long shots to show context
• Long shots to show contex
• Close up to help spectator empathize with the character
• Low angle shots to perhaps suggest that they are important and respected people.
Editing:
• Long takes to show context
• Shot reverse shot to show continuity
• Match on action to show continuity
• Eye line match

The Disappearance of Alice Creed:

 
Mise en scene:
• Realistic location – looks like BNQ – local DIY store
• Weather – grey
• White van – typically known in England as ‘creepy’
• Stolen number plate – crime – suggests they are dangerous, and
• The symmetry between the men suggests that it has all been planned out.
• Deep in the woods and men with spades – suggests secrecy and the planning of digging a grave.
Sound:
• No dialogue.
• Light methodical music
• Drilling into walls, and sawing.
Camera work:
• Wide and long shots use to show contexts
• Tracking to follow characters
• Low level shots
• Slit framing to create mystery
• Close ups to show what the men are buying
Editing:
• Varied pace of fast and slow shots
• Long shots used to create suspense

Thriller Openings - Isaac Hodgkin...

FACE/OFF

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/face-off-opening/6d1c3e65f7e9d1f46d426d1c3e65f7e9d1f46d42-1502705680818

Sound:

• The sequence starts with a slow melancholy non-diegetic sound track to set the mood and atmosphere.
• Contrapuntal sound of children's laughter contrasting with the sad sound track.
• As the gun is introduced, the music becomes very dark, heavy and low beat which is parallel to what we are seeing on the screen.
• But then subtly returns to the same contrapuntal music.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting of the children's Carousel contrasts with the melancholy music and atmosphere causing mystery among the audience.
• Also the characters actions and expressions contrast with this because they are quite loving and happy.

• Characters costumes are very normal which the audience can relate to, almost creating a relation and feelings. 

Editing:

• Pace of cuts are fairy long to establish relations between characters and scenery. 
• Cross cutting is used between the farther and the gunman because we cut between them, cuts become more frequent and then the actions meet.  

Camera Work:

• Long shots are used to show setting and surroundings.
• Close-ups are used to expressions and also to show importance of actions and objects.
• Long shot off Carousel is very cleverly interrupted by a focus pull, close up of the sniper rifle coming in to frame and focus which massively contrast with each other. 

• Point of view shots are used to help the audience relate and be put in the characters shoes.

The Prestige

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwBOshDbxmM

Sound:

• Interesting non-diegetic sound used in the form of a narrative voice over, to give the audience some idea of character personality and creates mystery because what is being said is very interesting yet slightly odd. 

Mise En Scene:

• The setting matches the genre of the film because its set in a very mysterious and weird.
• The costumes match the setting of the magic hall, so its eerie and slightly creepy. 
•  The first shot we see in the opening sequence is a shot of many identical top hats, these are shown in a forest. Top hats are usually connected with magicians, so straight away we think that a magic trick may have been taken place to duplicate all of these top hats. 
• There is a slight bit of mystery as to why the hats are in the middle of a dull forest though, this could link to the mystery part of the sequence.

• Lighting in this opening is very low and gloomy to set the scary mood/atmosphere for the audience to relate to.
• Bright sudden flashing lights are used to slightly surprise the audience and prepare them for whats to come later. 

Editing:

• Shots are quick and they tend to switch from one another often, this is typical of a thriller as it creates enigma and mystery for the viewers, it draws them in and makes them want to watch more.
• This is also done so it feels as the sequence is quite quick and the transitions move from one to another smoothly.

Camerawork:

• The camerawork in this opening sequence is used to create a confusion for the viewer although some shots are shown as a sense of normality which contrasts with one another. 
• Throughout the scene mid shots and close ups of the main are used , to show the viewer a clearer image and facial expression of the protagonists .
• Long shots are also used to help the audience to get a scene of the surroundings and in this situation to show the amazing and strange magic tricks.

The Flight Plan

Sound:

• The music that is used in this opening creates a lot of tension because it uses a very high pitched violin, eerie and gives the sense to the audience some thing bad or thrilling may happen.
• The use of Foley sounds emphasize certain sounds and actions to get a intensified reaction from the audience.  

Editing:

• The use of flashbacks give the audience awareness of the story and informs them of important needed information (like who's dead in the casket) so the story can flow and continue without leaving the audience puzzled.

• The use of foreshadowing in the opening sequence give the audience an idea that the two men  by involved in something bad to come later on, but still leaves the audience questioning.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting of the opening sequence looks fairly everyday, which the audience can relate to and will cause them to feel more extreme feelings, and doesn't really connote the thriller genre of the film, which makes it very contrasting. 

Camerawork:

• Close ups are used to show importance of facial expressions and certain objects/actions.

Inside Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy81dVuS6oU

Sound:

• First its starts with quite up beat non-diegetic music that fades in.
• The main character speaks, music stops, and his voice is deep and has an echo to it, emphasizing the negativity of the character. The non-diegetic music returns, its very contrapuntal because it contrasts with the genre of the film.
• Foley is used to enhance sounds, like the closing of cars doors to unsteady the audience.

Mise En Scene:

• Lighting is quite sharp and creates heavy shadows, creating a mysterious atmosphere and a mysterious feeling felt towards the character.

• The characters costume is plain and dark which maybe reflecting his personality and role in the film. Also its very normal meaning the audience can relate.
• We see a character in all white protective clothing, this choice of costume in very intriguing and mysterious. 

• The fact that its set in an everyday working city also means the audience can relate and cause feelings and reactions to be heightened. 

Camerawork:

• Continuous long shots of city and buildings sets the scene and allows audience to recognise the surroundings. 
• Close ups are used to show actions or objects of importance.     

Editing:

• Cuts are quite fast and jumpy, suggesting and foreshadowing that there will most likely be action to come and adds slight intensity.

Psycho

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzkIaD6QGQw

Sound:

• Music is immediately introduced creating a sudden tense mood and imitates the shock of the film to come.
• The the music is very parallel to the films mood because both are very dark and eerie.

Mise En Scene:

• The setting is a normal city, which can scare and unnerve the audience because its were they spend their everyday life.
• The female character is wearing white underwear and is considered to be very attractive which may suggest she is innocent and deemed to be a trusted character. 

• Lighting is fairly dark and dull, adding to the other techniques to make the film appear thrilling.

Editing:

• The use of the way the opening titles are split and jolt in different directions, may suggest a split in personality which is backed up by the name of the thriller. 
• Also the pace is quite fast which suggests mysterious actions and even the odd personality of the character.

• This editing causes an uneasy feeling among the audiences.

Camerawork.

• First we see an establishing long shot of the city for the audience to understand and relate to the surroundings and settings.
• We peep through the window of the couple, which is quite unsettling because it could suggest that people are always watching us 

Thriller Openings- Frankie Anscombe-Munn

MISERY.

Camera Work

-The character is often in the center of the frame, allowing us to see detail in body language and facial expression.

-Extreme close up's are used to draw attention to certain objects and tell the spectator that they are important to the scene. The close up of the cigarette, glass and bottle communicate that there is going to be a celebration. The extreme-close up of the written words 'the end' then tell us what the celebration is.

-A match on action is also used when the male character throws a snowball at a tree.

-Close up's are used to show us the male's facial expression.

Editing

-The takes are very long and drawn out, creating a focus on the characters movements and certain objects.

Sound

-Digetic sound is used throughout the sequence due to the sound of the objects used in the scene. (for example the type writer)

-Non-digetic sound is also used, when a soundtrack is introduced into the sequence.

-I think the music is contrapuntal, as the scene is quite relaxed, nothing bad seems to be happening, yet the music is eerie and creates suspense, causing the spectator to expect something bad to happen.

-However the second soundtrack used in the sequence is a jazz song, that creates a happy mood.

-There is little dialouge in the sequence. Only one line is spoken when the man says "I still got it". When he says this it back us the idea of him being very alone in a remote location.

Mise En Scene

-The setting of the room in which the character is working, seems to be quite cosy, a fairly safe enviroment. Whereas through the window and when he goes outside to the car, we can see that it is very snowy and it looks very remote and quiet. This builds up fear, as we know he is alone in a remote place, therefore if anything bad happened there would be no-one to help.

-The character is dressed in fairly normal clothes, therefore making him seem more normal and allowing us to relate.

-Props are used throughout the sequence to reveal things about the character. For example, the typewritter tells us that he is a writer, whilst the champagne bottle, glass and cigarette communicate that he is celebrating something. This creates a false sense of security, at everything in the scene seems postivie, yet we know that something bad is going to happen later on, therefore creating suspense.

INCEPTION.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4 (link to clip)

Camera Work

-Strong establishing shots of the sea. Begin to reveal location.

-Big close up of males face beings to introduce character and show detailed facial expression.

-The shots dont tend to reveal much about the characters.

-Close up of the drawing pin makes it seem important.

-Panning up slowly introduces more of the character without giving away his full identity.

Mise En Scene

-The huge contrast in characters between the main male and the young children at the start of the sequence, create an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere. The male represents danger as he looks like something bad has happened to him, therefore we feel scared for the children.

-The children also make the scene more real and allow us to relate.

-The men with guns make it seem less real but they create suspense and fear due to their dark uniform and guns.

Editing

-The takes are longer at the start of the sequence, but get slightly faster as more characters are introduced and dialogue is heard.

-The cuts are very simple to keep it flowing.

Sound

-Diegetic sound is used throughout. Such as dialogue, the sound of the waves crashing and the children playing.

-The soundtrack is non-diegetic and parallel.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED

http://deditv.com/play.php?v=0cc9452f5b8b4b9eb741c9df93b177ca

Camera Work

-Throughout the sequence tracking and panning shots are used to show what the two men are doing. This builds up suspense as we can see that they are busy working, but we don't know why they're doing it or what they are trying to achieve.

-Close up's are used to create a focus on key objects within the scene. For example, when the characters g to the hardware store, close up's and shallow depth of fields are used to draw our attention to certain things, such as the saw, the rope and the drill. All these items represent danger, therefore creating the feeling of tension as we don't know what these items will be used for.

Mise En Scene

-There are many different locations used throughout the opening, and each setting creates a sense of fear or tension in some way. Furthermore, each location is very realistic and represents British culture. This makes it even scarier, as it becomes more real and more alike our own surroundings. The woodland setting is a very typical thriller setting, as its a dark, mysterious forest. Although the hardware store might not be as common a setting, it creates just as much tension as the spectator has no idea why they are buying all these things.

-Props are hugely significant throughout the sequence, as they all seems to represent danger or harm in someway, therefore making the two characters seem threatening and scary. The fact that the purpose of the props is not revealed straight away also creates suspense.

-The two characters seem like typical British men, therefore creating a feeling of normality, and making it all seem more real. They are dressed in very basic clothes, suggesting that they are not especially wealthy.

-The lighting used int he sequence is also very important as it helps to create a dark mood. Low key lighting is used in the house setting to make it more mysterious and tense.

Editing

-The pace of cuts throughout the sequence is very fast, enabling us to see everything that is going on in the scene, for example when they are building things in the house. This also creates a panicked and unsettling feeling.

-Match on action is used in the sequence.

Sound

-A non-diegetic soundtrack is played throughout the opening. However the track does change to suit what is happening in the scene. For example, during the panning shot of the house, the music is calm and peaceful, however as the camera beings to zoom in on the door, the ticking noise gets louder creating suspense abotu what is going to come through the door.when the men enter, the music drops and becomes very deep and threatening; therefore making the men seem like very bad characters that should not be trusted.

THE STEPFATHER

Camera Work

-At the very start of the sequence, a pan is used to show the setting.

-A close up of the clipboard is used to create a focus on the words 'cancelled'. This is done to create a feeling of tension, and to make the spectator question why they have been cancelled.

-Wide depth of field is used on the mid-close up of the male grooming tools, making them seem of extreme importance.

-Close ups are used to show the male characters facial expressions.

-A big-close up is used when the male puts his first blue contact in. This is to draw attention to the fact that he is purposely changing his eye color from brow to blue, and cause us to question why he is changing his appearance. This creates tension as we don't understand his plan.

-There is a close up shot of the man when he has finished grooming. This is used to show how much his appearance has changed from the close up of him before the transformation. 

-Panning shot of the shelf with family photos on creates suspense as we question why a focus is being pulled onto these photos. The feeling of threat is introduced.

Sound

-A contrapuntal sound track is used at the beginning of the sequence. The setting seems very like a normal american, suburban street, yet the music is mysterious and unsettling, suggesting that something bad is going to happen or has happened.

-No dialogue.

-Unsettling music is continued in the opening, when the man approaches the mirror and beings to shave. This suggests that he is a bad character, as the music is dark and disturbing. 

-The music intensifies when the mans transformation is complete, suggesting that now something really bad is going to happen.

-Diegetic sound is also used in the sequence, for example the shower running.

Editing

-The cuts are very fast as the character is changing his appearance. I think this is used not only to show what is going on and to shorten the process, but to create a dramatic, tense feeling of panic and fear.

-One particularly long take is when the man has finished grooming and is standing in the doorway; this shows his full appearance and emphasizes how much he has changed.

PREMONITION

Camera Work
-The first shot in the sequence is not a commonly used one. It is a high angle/birds eye view shot of the female character sitting in a car. This is a very powerful shot, and introduces the character in an interesting way. The shot also suggests that something bad has happened and creates an unsettling mood. The shot does not introduce the setting, nor the other character.
-Medium and long shots are used throughout to create a feeling of normality and make the sequence seem more realistic.
-The two-shot of the two characters fully introduces them, whilst allowing us to clearly see facial expression. It also shows a connection between the two characters as they are standing very close to each other, suggesting intimacy.

Mise En Scene
-The two characters costumes very causal and very normal, once again creating a more realistic and threatening vibe. It allows the audience to relate to the characters as a connection is built.
-The location is a very typical, real setting, creating a sense of normality. It is a typical american neighborhood. The size of the houses also communicate that the characters are fairly wealthy.
-The lighting creates an everyday feel as it seems like daylight, once again allowing the audience to familiarize.
-Props also support the idea of normality.

Editing
-The takes are very long. This allows dialogue to be shared within each take, whilst also ensuring that the characters movements and expressions are being noticed.
-Shot reverse shot's are used to show dialogue.

Sound
-Orchestral music is played to create a tense atmosphere. It is contrapuntal as nothing bad is happening in the scene, yet the music suggests fear, and that a terrible thing has or is going to happen to the characters. The particular type of instrument used makes it even more mysterious as typically we know that style of music is played when something bad happens.
-Normality is also shown through diegetic sounds and dialouge; such as birds singing, the car door, and keys.