Practice Filming

For this area of the coursework we had to film a conversation between two people. We were given a shot list to work from and all the recording equipment needed. During class Mr. Michie gave us all a brief tutorial as to how the equipment was set up, do's and don'ts etcetera. This proved extremely helpful once we were left to our own devices.  Our group chose to film in a vacant english classroom and once we had gained permission for the use, we set up camp. We chose ryan and helen to act and myself and Sophie took charge of filming. However, due to the intent of the session being to 'practice filming', in areas where the actors were not used they each had a go at the filming. I think the dynamic of the group work well and the overall task ran smoothly. The final section of the task, editing, went OK but we did have a few recurring problems with the motion and sound being in sync. However, by working as a team and enlisting help from our subject teacher we were able to overcome those issues and also feel more prepared for next time.  

Charlotte.

Conclusion - Thriller Openings

After analysing all 5 thriller opening i noticed that they all had several common factors. They adopted a common colour scheme of black, red and white. The first two were used to connote danger with the latter implemented to add an element of innocence and purity. They also all used parallel sound to create the narrative and used a sinister tone to build tension. The most common shot used was a CU. This is to add emphasis on the key aspects of the opening. However the main variation was the amount of CGI they used. This largely depended on their time period of release. For example, Casino royal is relatively new so was predominantly CGI however Psycho was created back in the 60s so the only evidence of CGI was the titles, and those in themselves were extremely simplistic. 

In conclusion i found that the majority of thriller opening all follow the same basic formula but each have their own unique twist to make it fresh, exciting and to set it apart from the others.

Psycho - 1960

Directors: Alfred Hitchcock
Certificate: 15

Camera:

– CUs
– Jump shots

Editing

– Fast paced editing – mirrors sound
– Slow paced editing creates curiosity and builds tension
– Short bursts of narrative – element of mystery

Sound

– Parallel sound
– Sinister backing sound
– Non-digetic sound - radio – continues once out of shot – adds continuity to the scene.

Mise en scene

– Black signifying danger
– White representing purity
– Knife signifies danger - deaths
– Cigarette – lighter – fire – danger - death
– Pink and white cake – innocent – sweet
– Clock – time – running out of time
– Blood washing down the plughole – injury - death

Special effects

– Black and white titles

Casino Royale - 2006

Directors: Martin Campbell
Certificate: 15

Camera:

– Signature gun barrel shot
– Little camera movement

Editing

– Slow paced editing

Sound

– Parallel sound
– calm soundtrack playing

Mise en scene

– Red blood – danger – death
– bond is in stereotypical attire – sets him apart from everything else
– Bond is black and white – stands out

Special effects

– Red blood against black and white background
– Simplistic font for the titles
– Casino imagery such as card symbols spiralling.
– Colourful background – mirrors title narrative
– Cartoon simulation of a fight scene

Se7en - 1995

Directors: David Fincher
Certificate: 18

Camera:

– CU
– Jump Shots

The scene opens with a CU of a book laid vertically. This suggests that research of some sort has taken place. There are then several jump shots throughout the opening to black screens with only titles written on them. This not only introduces the actors but it also breaks up the opening into fragments. This is done to eliminate any fluency of the scene. The director has primarily used CU throughout the entire opening. No characters identities are revealed, and very little of the narrative itself is revealed either. This is done to create and build tension. It also invites a sense of curiosity from the audience and allows them to see everything in minute detail throughout.

Editing:

– Fast paced

The editing throughout the opening is fast paced and jumpy. This makes it difficult for the audience to grasp what is going on. There is also a high sense of realism and verisimilitude in the shot chosen and the sense of narrative portrayed. The fast paced editing also creates and builds a lot of tension, keeping the audience guessing at all times.

Sound:

– Sinister
– Strong, slow heartbeat
– Parallel sound

The sound used is very sinister. It opens with the sound of a strong, slow heartbeat. This suggest that the owner of this heartbeat is powerful, calm and in control. The sound is also parallel to the shots, with the continuous sound of creaking and fuzzy noises. This could be representing a squeaky chair, or old rusty equipment. The fuzzy sounds could also be that of an old radio out of signal. All these items are typical of those, which you may find in the office/lab type surroundings outlined in the opening.

Mise en scene:

– Books - research
– Red – blood
– Blacks/greys – sinister – dull
– Old school equipment – stuck in his ways – experienced
– Razor blade – removing fingerprints – removing identity
– Slow actions – contrast editing
– Precision – perfectionist – threads needle first time – expert

The frequent occurrence of books suggests that there has been a lot of research undertaken concerning the project being displayed. The red along the middle of the book represents blood. Blood signifies pain and anguish. Blacks and greys dominate the opening. These colours are dull and sinister and really help to set the sinister tone and narrative of the opening. The CU of the razorblade shaving off fingerprints represents shaving away his identity. The old school equipment and the characters precision of everything suggest that he is a perfectionist, an experienced expert who is stuck in his ways. This is then highlighted with a CU of the character threading a needle in one clean swoop.

Special effects:

– Titles

Minimal special effects are used throughout this opening. This creates a strong sense of realism and takes away any affiliation with fantasy. This suggests that it is aimed at an intelligent audience, with fast minds and those who like puzzles. However there has been CGI used where the titles are concerned. This does not take away any of the verisimilitude as they are already an unnatural aspect but the CG allows them to blend with the narrative.

Sin City - 2005

Directors: Frank Miller
Robert Rodriguez
Certificate: 18

Camera

– Mid-Shot.
– Cu combined with an LS
– No movement
– Close ups
– OTS shots
– SRS of OTS
– Focus on cigarette being lit
– BEV Zoom out

The scene opens with an establishing shot of the lady in red. This encourages the audience to make judgements of the character on face value. CU and OTS shots then dominate the scene signifying closeness between the two characters. The CU and focus on the cigarette exchange stands out to me in particular as cigarettes carry numerous connotations. In this case I believe they are used to project a sexual and seductive image of the female. It also strikes me when the man, having been the one who offered the cigarette, does not proceed to take one himself, indicating that he needs both his hands to be unrestricted. The scene culminates with a BEV Zoom out of the woman on the floor being held close by the man. This denotes that the male character had a genuine connection to the female despite his drastic actions. The director has chosen this array of shots to allow the audience to connect to the characters beyond surface level by allowing them to draw conclusions based on the facial expressions and body language exchanged between them.

Editing

– Dress and lipstick only colour n the scene
– Cut to black and white cartoon still of the scene
– Primarily shot in black and white
– Windows left lit up
– Eyes flash between green and black and white
– Eyes in central frame
– Woman is primarily in central frame
– Slow paced editing

Slow paced editing has been used throughout to create suspense whilst putting forth a sense of calm and innocent intent. The scene is shot primarily in black and white, with only splashes of colour such as the red dress and lipstick. This colour is used for the sexual and passionate connotations attached. It also assists in the portrayal of both the man’s feelings and visions of the woman. The windows in the building are left brightly lit alerting the audience of the presences nearby. This induces anticipation at the knowledge that this zealous scene could be interrupted at any time. The woman’s eyes at one point in the scene also flash between their usual monochromic appearance and a vibrant green colour. There are many derivatives of the colour green but in this case it has been used, I believe, to symbolize bad spirits or omens within. They are also centrally framed which helps enforce their importance within the scene.

Sound

– Brief bursts of the same mysterious melody
– Non-digetic sound - narrative voiceover
– Digetic sound – gunshot

Throughout the scene there are frequent bursts of the same saxophone melody. This is used to create a romantic and calm atmosphere, setting the scene and encouraging assumptions of the young couples association and how the scene will pan out.
There is also non-digetic sound of the male narrative voice. This is used to establish the location, with a distinctive American accent attached to the voiceover. There is also non-digetic sound when the gun is fired, this adds to the verisimilitude of the action.

Mise en scene

– Red Dress, Red Lipstick
– Stood close
– He lights her cigarette – trust
– Formal attire – posh party
– Roof terrace – view of city – expensive area

Part way through the scene the woman allows the man to light her cigarette. this suggests a feeling of trust and also implicates vulnerability on her part. The colour red, used for both the woman’s dress and lipstick, is used to symbolise love, passion and blood and to make seemingly mundane aspects stand out and become of overpowering importance to the scene. Love and passion is used to connect the emotions expressed and exchanged between the characters. The denotation of blood is made relevant at the end of the scene, suggesting that the red dress will not only disguise her wound but also reflect how she feels within. By linking the dress to her facial expressions throughout connotes that she is broken inside and bleeding metaphorically within. Finally the formal attire and the large roof terrace overlooking the city suggests that they are at a posh party in an expensive area of the city.

Special effects

– Cartoon stills
– Cartoon motion of scene

CGI is used on several occasions when the scene cut to the cartoon stills and on one occasion a animated motion sequence of the scene. This flowed perfectly throughout and had the feel of a flipbook that had been created, with each scene being acted out immaculately. Also the black and white theme throughout creates a very sinister feel with the red connoting danger, both typical aspects of a thriller.

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.