Bourne Ultimatum - 2007

Director: Paul Greengrass
Certificate: 15

Camera

- Tracking of Protagonist
- Over the shoulder shots
- Mainly CU
- POV shots
- Jump shots
- Shaky camera mirroring Bourne’s demeanour

Tracking and OTS shots of the protagonist are used to emphasize his importance to the plot. This is mirrored by the fact that he is always positioned centrally. POV and jump shots are used to create tension and set the tone of the chase. Also by showing the audience both his position and theirs introduces a sense of dramatic irony. Shaky camera movement is used to reflect his demeanour and state of injury helping the audience to engage with the character and his needs. This is introduced as early as the opening shot when the audience is made to feel anxious for Bourne’s safety as he partakes in an ironically high paced chase whilst carrying a seemingly painful injury. 

Editing

– Fast paced editing
– Flashbacks are used

There is an almost constant use of fast paced editing. This is used to create suspense and curiosity and is in keeping with the general codes and conventions of editing within the action thriller genre. Flashbacks are used to set the narrative and give the audience an insight into the characters thoughts to help explain his actions and persona. It is in essence a window for the audience to view a time, which came before what is now perceived to be present.

Sound

- Non-digetic suspense music, Orchestral
- Digetic sounds, gunshot, traffic sounds.

The suspense music looped throughout the opening sequence is very orchestral. It is high paced and used to create anticipation and mirror the narrative. Digetic sounds, such as gunshot’s and traffic noises are also used to create a sense of realism and continuity.

Mise en Scene

- Russian intelligence uniforms
- Dialogue mirrors expressions
- Lighting is dark and dull

Russian intelligence uniforms are used to help reinforce the location and who his enemy is to the audience. The dialogue also mirrors the expressions and personas of those within the scene. A good example of this is when the Russian officer fears for his life and his dialogue became needy and desperate. The black of the opening shot connotes darkness and evil, which is then reinforced in the dully-lit sequences and dingy surroundings.

Special effects

- Title and location appears as if typed in

The scene opens and closes with a black screen where writing, first the location the latter being the title, appear as if typed in. This done to reflect the presence of the government and the style of chase that is about to commence.

Titles

Opening text (Moscow, Russia) sets the scene and location for the sequence. The font is very simplistic and typical of that you see in many thrillers when government computers are involved. The text simplistic, white typed onto a black screen. This makes the writing take focus, using minimal text for suspense and effect.

What is a Thriller?

A Thriller is one of the many categories of films in movies and TV today. Genres are used to define the characteristics of a film according to common elements of content, structure and technique. It is also used to create a visual to potential viewers to ensure that the right audience is attracted and the film can be best received. For example most would instantly associate westerns with cowboys and desserts.

The typical narrative follows the structure of Hero vs. villain. The protagonist has a duty to diminish the antagonist’ negative intensions and often destroy the antagonist himself. A common feature within the genre and its hybrids is for the protagonist to be outnumbered but to rise above it all and become victorious. There is also usually a love interest wrongly obtained and eventually becomes their Achilles heal.

Thrillers are often generic hybrids. For example you have Action Thrillers (The Bourne Ultimatum – 2007), Suspense Thrillers (Open Your Eyes - 1997), Comedy Thrillers (Clue - 1985), Political Thrillers (Shooter - 2007) even Psychological Thrillers (Enemy of the state - 1998).

The Characters you are likely to come across in thrillers include assassins, gangs, innocent civilians, government eyes – often manipulating the system, ex- cons, predecessors of the greats in their field a good example of this is James McAvoy in WANTED - 2008, and terrorists. Often it is the demeanor of the protagonist, which can develop the essence of the hybrid.

Typical locations include capital cities (such as London), airports, one of the 7 wonders of the world, government headquarters, exotic county’s army camps etc. In many thrillers, in particular Action Thrillers, there can be several different locations within the one movie, a good example of this is Quantum of Solace - 2008, there is in all 9 different country locations, totaling 28 different filming locations within those areas. The location I feel is the key when creating a thriller. This is because without it the plot and characters have no meaning or belonging, the genre is impossible to establish and the whole production would simply make no sense.

Overall the thriller genre is created to provide thrills and scares, create suspense and cliffhangers all with the intension of keeping the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

Task 1 - Animatic

Our first task as a group was to create a shot list, storyboard and animatic. We were given a brief to work from and a shot total of 30 seconds. This shot list had to comprise of several shots none exceeding more than 5 seconds. To do this effectively we started by reading our brief. This enabled us to decide which shot types and lengths would be most effective. Our initial shot list had shots ranging from 1 to 5 seconds. With each shot type and time we gave a brief description of the scene e.g. CU of the Vampires Teeth (2 seconds). This would then make it easier for our group members to translate the shot list into a storyboard. This job was enlisted to two members of our group who produced a storyboard perfectly to the specifications provided. Then as a group we had to convert the storyboard images into a live animatic. To do this we took pictures of each individual images on the camera provided and uploaded them on one of the Mac Books. We were then given a quick tutorial by our teacher, Mr Michie, on how to use the editorial software 'sound booth' and 'Premier Pro'.  For the first evening i took the Mac Book home and re-uploaded better quality photos of the storyboard. I also added a few pre-set sounds and edited the shot lengths. It soon came apparent that to keep the realism and drama of the production the shots could not exceed 2 seconds. Unfortunately, having not taken home the original storyboard a few of the images had been placed in the wrong position on the animatic. Luckily The other three members of the group had set aside a free period and were able to rectify the errors made, and make improvements by adding original sounds using the 'Sound Booth' software. Overall i think the process went well and the entire group worked in sync as a team. Each member gave valid input throughout and we all learned a basic knowledge of the software and were able to identify individual strengths and weaknesses throughout. 

Charlotte.