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.