Maisie's Analysis - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Representation)

At the beginning of the sequence, the old man is opening the parcel very carefully with gloves and a small penknife. This shows that he knows what's in the parcel and has to be very careful with it. As he takes out the frame and looks at where it's from, he sits down and stares at it. This shows that he has some form of connection with it. The camera then zooms out and he begins crying, which confirms his connection with the parcel and creates an enigma. When the camera zooms out, more of the setting is revealed. It shows lots of antique items such as the large oak table and paintings on the wall, connoting that this man is very rich.

Man crying at his desk, quite small in the frame (lowest point?)

The girl, on the other hand, is represented in a different way. The spectators can easily see that this is a female character from the body structure and style of walking. She's wearing a black hoodie with dark jeans, which is against the gender stereotype. She walks quickly with her hands in her pockets and doesn't stop to talk to anyone. This suggests that she doesn't want to be seen and isn't trying to impress anyone. This then also creates an enigma and the spectators question if she is the girl with the dragon tattoo.

 

Girl walking in low profile

Restricted narration of her face, adds to enigma and aids her low profile

Maisie's Analysis - The Usual Suspects

Time: 00.00 - 02.50


Camerawork

• Restricted narration; villain's face is cropped from the shot, spectators question his identity (main question throughout the film)
• Tracking shot coming down the stairs; POV?
• Wide frame, establishes setting, main focus to the left (naturalistic)

Villain's identity hidden by restricted narration, standing over inferior character

• Suggests status between the mystery figure and the man on the floor; low angle shot for villain (high status), high angle shot for man sitting on the floor (low status)

Mise en scene

• Villain's long dark coat; iconographic to the genre, creating mystery and adding to the enigma
• Low key lighting adding mystery and enigma
• Man's facial expression shows apathy, establishes character
• Sweaty and dirty, possible fight

Sound

• Non-diegetic music is very ominous and runs parallel to the action taking place
• Fire crackling/roaring, possible Foley to emphasize sound
• Little dialogue between the characters which suggests tension
• Music gets slower after man is shot, conveying sadness (parallel)
• Builds up to a crescendo, new action is taking place

Editing

• Main transition; cut, demonstrates the 180 degree rule, match-on-action, shot/reverse shot and a sound bridge of dialogue between the characters
• Adds to enigma; why do they know each other, why is he shot
• Off-screen sound of gunshot, cuts to outside the boat (showing setting), secret location, cuts to different areas show echo (disadvantage to villain?)
• Other transition; dissolve, showing change in location and time

First shot; slow zoom on ropes

Slow dissolve from ropes to interrogation

Long shot of interrogation

Luke's Usual Suspect analysis

Time: 00:00 - 02:50

During the opening of Usual Suspects, there are many different techniques of MES that help to create the visual style of a thriller. Camera work is used to create restricted narration, this is done be blocking and camera positioning that hides the main antagonists face and identity therefore creating suspense and enigma, which is crucial for thriller genre. Another example of when camera work helps to create mystery is the use of extreme close ups which narrows what the spectator can see once again creating restricted narration. Camera angles such as low angles are used in this scene whilst showing the antagonist from the protagonists view point, this help to show power and dominance which the antagonists possesses, camera angles such as low and high angles are common in the thriller genre because they are used to show power or weakness and are interesting shots that add to the effect created by a thriller.

Lighting is also used to create enigma, this is through low key lighting which only reveals parts of the characters identity and the location they are in. The lighting is also used to create silhouettes of the main antagonists thus hiding his identity. The use of the lack of light is also helpful in this clip to create mystery and suspense due to the fact it can create fear and hide parts of the frame from the spectator which creates suspense and restricted narration.

The characters costumes in this opening scene follow the iconography and the conventions of the thriller genre, this is because if the antagonists dark restrictive clothing such as his hat and coat, which help to hide his identity as well as making it clear to the spectator that this is a thriller film. The props used by the characters also helps to reflect a thriller genre, the use of the gun is typical for thrillers and in this scene it is shown in a close up which hides the character holding the gun and focusing our attention on the weapon.

Jack - Thriller Openings Research

Silence Of The Lambs

Camerawork 

Silence Of The Lambs begins with an extreme long shot of a wood/forest setting, this sets the scene and allows the spectators to get an understanding of the atmosphere wished to be created before any narration begins.

 

After a tilt is used, a female (suggested protagonist) is revealed climbing a slope using a rope (prop), when she reaches the camera at a medium close-up. 

Throughout the extract medium close-ups and close-ups are used quite commonly, perhaps suggesting that the woman is rather introvert and enclosed. 

From 01:00 onwards a tracking shot is used alongside the female running, to allow us to keep in contact with her every facial expression and emotions.

Mise en scene

Through use of mise en scene, typical props/settings are used to create iconography of a traditional thriller film, examples of this are the wood setting and the smokey mist. 

This could be seen as pathetic fallacy in an attempt to symbolise the female's experience. We can tell by the female's clothing, hair and make-up (as part of mise en scene) that she is a modern representation of femininity, defying the stereotype that a woman is passive - rather than active - and to be looked at. Many enigmas are created throughout this opening, with the main question in the spectator's minds being "Who is this woman?" along with questioning over why she's partaking in the assault course and who/why was there a scream in the background. 

Sound 

At 01:21 there is a switch from the non-diegetic sound, overlapped with the diegetic sound, to a crescendo of the non-diegetic sound (music), this is used as contrapuntal sound as it introduces a sinister mood. 

      Editing

Continuity editing is used throughout the entirety of the extract. Alongside this technique, the transitions used are rather unvaried but effective, as all of the transitions are cuts. This keeps the plot fast-paced and builds tension. With the medium close-ups and close-ups being commonly used, this adds to the consistency of the opening.

Shutter Island

Camerawork

The extract opens with  an extreme long shot - used to establish the setting  - of mist (similar to 'Silence Of The Lambs'). At about 00:08 a boat begins to appear amongst the fog. The fog - as a setting/prop for mise en scene - is iconography of a typical thriller film, this is shown from my previous research into 'Silence Of The Lambs'.

A close up is then used to show to give the spectators a view of the first character, after the close-up of his face, there is then a close up of his hands as he washes them.

A two shot is also used in this extract, switching between medium close-ups and mid-shots. 

Mise en scene

The props used in this scene consist of cigarettes and guns, these items are both iconographic to the thriller genre. 

Through use of clothing,  the thriller aspect is successfully portrayed, for example, the long cloaks and the hats are very typical of a thriller film.

The setting also helps add to this, as a "storm's coming" this could suggest that pathetic fallacy is being used to create an impression of the characters thoughts or future experiences. 

Sound

Towards the beginning of the extract only diegetic sound is used to create a sense of realism and authenticity. However at 02:50, slowly non-diegetic sound starts to fade in, sound effects similar to a boats horn are overlapped over the diegetic sound, creating tension and worry in the spectators mind. The sound is played over the shot of Shutter Island which creates dramatic irony, as the spectator senses something dramatic is coming or there is something wrong with the island, whereas the characters haven't a clue.

Editing

Similar to 'Silence Of The Lambs' the transitions in this extract are simplistic yet effective with all of them being cuts. It is especially odd that a cut would be used as a transition to a flashback, however, this may suggest that the man's thoughts of his marriage were sharp and brutal ("she died"), rapidly brought back to reality through use of the sound and sight of the hard-hitting waves against the boat.

Lovely Bones

Camerawork

The camerawork in Lovely Bones is very varied with use of mostly medium shots and medium long shots. 

However, the beginning of the extract in which the childhood of the found girl is conveyed, close-ups and extreme long shots are used, showing that the thriller genre requires a wide array of different techniques to create a confusing and ambiguous atmosphere. 

Mise en scene

The mise en scene used in this extract is typical of a domestic home, for example, the sofa and carpet emphasising setting. More props used suggest that the home is for a child, not only supported through the child, but also the toys around the room, such as the teddy bear. 

The costumes and make up of the characters in this opening are rather old-fashioned and traditional and set the era of the times. 

Sound

Throughout the extract diegetic and non-diegetic sound are used. With the non diegetic sound being mostly music; which begins at 01:07. Besides this, narration is used, which is the predominant sound in the extract, which overlaps both the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds. 

Editing

The editing in Lovely Bones is used quite simply ensuring not to distract from the main plot of the opening. The only transition used is cuts, similar to both 'Silence Of The Lambs' and 'Shutter Island' which are common to the thriller genre. 

Pulp Fiction 

Camerawork

The shots in Pulp Fiction are very varied, with use of two shots, close-ups  and over the shoulder shots. 

Particularly the close-ups are very ambiguous as it is much closer than it is be deemed should be; we see a close up of the waitresses face at a very odd closeness. This is done to show the spectator the expression of the waitress and perhaps allow us to get close to her - both literally and metaphorically - in preparation for what is soon to follow.

Mise en scene

The entirety of this extract is shot in a cafe/diner setting and many props are used  to suggest this, such as the coffee cups and jug. 

Although these props are used to create a typical diner setting the atmosphere is soon opposed by use of guns towards the end. Guns are iconographic of a thriller film and along with the cigarettes, it creates a thriller mood. 

Sound

Throughout the whole of the extract only diegetic sound is used, this creates a relaxed and casual ambience perhaps to allow the spectator to forget the film is of a thriller genre. Until the end when music begins, the sound is very contrapuntal to the thriller genre, although parallel to the setting. However, when the music does begin at the end it creates tension, adding to the essence of the thriller aspect.

Editing

Many techniques are used within this opening with one most successful technique being match on actions, which is used with the waitress pouring the coffee and when the two characters kiss. 

Similar to the other films I have researched all of the transitions in this extract are cuts, allowing the spectator to focus on the dialogue between the two. 

Extra Research

The Usual Suspects

00:00 - 02:50

The Usual Suspects is a film within the thriller genre, through use of iconography of mise en scene we can gather that some things in this clip are iconic to the thriller genre, for example, the props of the lit matches and the gun. Throughout the entirety of this extract tight framing medium close up, low angle shots (as composition) are used to create restricted narration, by use of this, the spectators view of the second man (bad guys) face is restricted (identity concealed); only allowing us (as the spectators) to see his costume. 

This creates an enigma in the spectators' minds. The costume is another aspect of mise en scene which is used here to create a 'thriller-like' intention, the man is wearing all black which is used as symbolic colour to show he is a dark character. 

Leading on from this, the colour in this clip is rather desaturated, perhaps in order to create a melancholy atmosphere and emphasise the thriller genre even more.

Coursework Update

23.01.14 - After our lesson first period today our group stayed through our free periods to work on our Sound Practical task which we completed. Within this task a foley was required and we managed to film one and edit it into the clip also. We finished by uploading this to the blog by the end of the deadline. (Post written by Jack Bumstead)

Sound Practical

This is our finished Sound Practical, we added sound to the Lara Croft clip. We used music from the royalty free website 'Incompetech'. Garageband was the software we used to edit our practical task. We used sound clips from Garageband's library using the search bar in the bottom right corner.

We used a voice recorder from the office to record a foley, our foley consisted of a door closing. We then inserted the sound onto the clip to adapt it to the sequence. 

Risk Assessment

Storyboard