The opening sequence of 44 inch Chest shows a vandalised house, this suggests that there has been a fight of some sort tat the audience hasn't viewed. This opening sequence allows the audience to question about how the destruction of the house. It is a very tense scene because of the length of time between shots. I like how this opening sequence is shot as it doesn't reveal anything and keeps me wanting to watch on to find out what has happened in the lead up to the event. It is very important for a thriller to keep the audience puzzled and interested in the plot.
Camera work
- The shot used at the start is the establishing shot, this is very important as it shows the audience the setting and gives the audience some questions to ask right at the start. Such as; How did the house become vandalised?, Who did this?, What lead to this happening?
- Close ups are used quite frequently in this opening sequence, these are used to show facial expressions on characters.
- Foregrounding is used to point out anything that the viewer may not have spotted from a long shot. The close up of the dogs face shows that it is scared, this shows that the dog is in fear and is vulnerable to its surroundings.
- The camera in this pans across the house very slowly, this gives the audience a chance to look at what has occurred here. As the camera pans across the room a body of a man becomes visible this automatically makes the viewer believe that there may be a murder in the film.
- There is a close up of the mans face when he is on the floor. As the viewer believes he is dead his eyes move which shocks the audience.
- The ruined house is a key setting as it helps to identify the sort of character that lives in this house. The remains of the house suggests that the person living there is quite well off, many props suggest this such as; the flat screen TV, the ripped large sofa and the way the house is laid out. The viewer can then imagine what it was like before it was vandalised.
- The ripped cushion on the sofa suggests that the attack has only recently passed by as the feathers are still falling from to the floor.
- The shattered glass everywhere suggests it could be a break in. However, the valuable items have not been stolen therefore it tells the audience that the attack was planned.
- This sequence helps the audience identify the type of characters involved in this film. The destruction makes the audience assume that something dodgy has been going on. The fact that there is a victim automatically suggests that crime is a main theme to this film.
- The main editing technique used in this sequence is straight slow cuts. The time between each cut is relatively long as the camera pans across the room it slowly cuts into the close ups of significant objects. Apart from the cuts I didn't notice any other types of editing being used. The cuts that were used in the sequence helped the film flow better otherwise it would have just been an establishing shot of the house for the whole opening sequence.
- There is use of contrapuntal music in this opening sequence as the music does not match the mood and the shots used. However, as it is a depressing song it suggests that it is how the victim is feeling at that point in time.
- There is no dialogue in this sequence, which means that nothing is given away and is left for the audience to work out.
Munich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2SxJS6NpV4
The opening sequence of Munich is extremely tense as there is a huge build up to the break in that eventually happens. This clip is very mysterious and it is hard to work out why the people are waiting outside a large gate in the middle of the night.
Camera work
- A close up of the gate is used at the start of the clip, this suggests that there the gate is guarding something.
- An extreme long shot is used to shows the journey of the characters to where they get into there gear, I like how they are silhouetted slightly as they walk past the lit windows. This type of shot in the dark is great for not revealing identity of characters which adds to the tension.
- There are a few good examples of foregrounding being used on the weapons that the men have, these close ups show the threat that the weapons hold and this therefore makes the audience wonder how these weapons are going to be used.
- There is lots of camera movement in this clip, especially the use of hand held shots during the weapon preparation part. The camera moved around very quickly as all the men were loading their guns.
- The clothes that the men are wearing is relevant to the time the movie is set in. There are many styles worn by the characters. For example the characters that have their shirts tucked into their jeans and can speak English are most likely to be the ring leaders of the men.
- The setting is a dark and eerie night which suggests threat and builds up tension as it is a daunting setting. The fact that it is filmed in the middle of the night also suggests that the men are up to no good.
- In this sequence I noticed that when the music started to speed up the time in between cuts was reduced, this suggests that the opening scene is about to reach its climax.
- I have only noticed cuts used in this sequence. However I like the effect that is used to show the title of the film, this shows a black screen with many names of cities and then it specifically highlights "Munich"
- Eeerie music suggests that there is threat and or that there is going to be a battle of some sort.
- When the music starts to quicken and pounds slightly it suggests that the planned event if going to happen soon. This type of music helps to build up tension in the clip.
Face off
Face off is one of my favourite thrillers. It has a great storyline and generally is a well made film that uses many techniques to lure in the audience.
Camera work
- Close up of villain sipping drink from a straw and the fact that he is taking his time shows that he is a relaxed character.
- As his face is revealed the audience can see his focus as he doesn't blink until he takes aim for the first time. Facial expression is key to show emotion on characters faces as this shows how they feel and allows the viewer to understand them more. As the villain realises that he has killed the boy he appears to be shocked.
- The gun being revealed changes the mood of the whole scene as it is seen as a threatening prop.
- I like how the director has used the carousel to show the connection between the father and son and how the carousel shows the innocence of the child.
- Slow motion builds up tension in the scene and also allows the audience to notice the father and son on the carousel, otherwise the carousel may be too fast to pick up clear identities of father and son.
- Fade as villain readies to shoot victim.
- Many fades used to show grief, it also worked well as the sequence is filmed in slow motion. As cuts would not work as well as fades in this instance.
- Sepia tone suggests that it may be a flashback.
- It is made clear that the shot is a flashback as the title "Six years later" appears. This gives the viewer and understanding of the opening sequence, also it allows the viewer to know who the villain was and his location.
- Sound effect of child's laughter is slightly out of time with the shot as it seems like it echos.
- Music changes to a threatening tune as villain is clearly introduced.
- Orchestral music suggests that this will be a sad ending to the opening scene.
The Silence of the Lambs (Apologies for the backwards text, it is the best clip I could find)
This film is part of he Hannibal Lecter series. In my opinion it is the best one as I enjoy crime based thrillers.
Camera work
- Big close up is used to show the character struggling for breathe as she is climbing up a hill, this suggests she might be getting chased by someone.
- Camera is placed on a track in one instance where she is running and is being filmed from side on, this shows that she is running fast which makes the audience question why she is running so fast in a smoggy forest.
- Smog in woods provide an eerie and mysterious setting which adds tension and builds threat.
- The civilised area she enters appears to be sunnier and therefore reduces the sense of threat in the opening sequence slightly.
- The part where the woman enters the elevator in between all the men shows that she is more vulnerable as she is smaller to her surroundings.
- The elevator shot also suggests claustrophobia.
- Fade into establishing shot of very remote area.
- Cuts are used in the fast paced shots such as the shot where she is running where it cuts from her feet to her face. These happen as the clip becomes more tense and suggests there may be a climax to the reason that the female is running.
- Orchestral music becomes very deep in certain parts which adds to the tension of the opening shot.
- As she enters the civilised place the music becomes less threatening and eventually dies down and diegetic sound comes into place in the form of a busy work place.
- The silence when she is waiting adds to the tension as the viewer may expect that something could happen.
Red eye
Camera work
- Foregrounding of a specific object is used to show tension building right at the start of this clip.
- A point of view shot is used to show a mysterious character looking down at a key object which was the wallet and photos of unknown characters. This adds to the tension as the audience question who the mysterious character is. However they can assume it is a villain because of the theft of the wallet at the start.
- An establishing shot of the hotel is used in a a differently to most thrillers in this film as it is shown half way through the opening sequence. This suggests that it is a place of key relevance in the film and the film may be based around a plot to do with the hotel.
- I really like how the crow bar is thrown and caught as if the character knew that his companion would throw it too him, this shows that the types of characters are organised and efficient as they work quickly.
- A key prop used in this opening sequence is the suspicious crate of seafood which makes the viewer wonder what it actually is. The crate being a seafood crate itself makes the audience think that there may be something hidden as it becomes more and more important. It is also revealed to the audience that the crate of seafood does hold a mysterious box. This allows for the audience to ask plenty of questions of the significance of the box.
- The use of quick cuts in this opening sequence suggests that the planning of a possible attack on a hotel is being planned and the plan is being carried out by an organisation as it cuts in between different places and people.
- In one instance a wipe is used at 1:48 - 1:50 this is a good effect as it helps the sequence flow better, it gives the viewer the sense that the characters are in a rush and working smoothly and efficiently.
- The tension building music gets louder as the camera zooms into the object as it is suggesting that something might happen to the object. As the object is taken by a hand of a stranger there is an added sound effect. The audience would probably expect for something to happen as the tension was building up therefore the hand grabbing the wallet may not have spooked the audience too much.
- The music rapidly picks up pace which gives a sense that there is a rush against time.
- There is a lack of dialogue which shows that the characters are focused on their job.
Well done Dom, a good selection. Try to avoid writing large chunks of 'essay style' writing though, keep it to concise bullet points where possible.
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