Media Studies Block 1: Matthew Bishun - Thriller Opening Analyses Research Task

Thriller: The Usual Suspects

In this thriller opening (The Usual Suspects), mise en scene is a common theme used to show iconography in this film. Dark lighting is used throughout this short opening to express fear and anxiety amongst the characters. This sets the ambiance for the film, indicating some kind of death which is about to happen. Furthermore, costume is another key aspect of mise en scene used to express the iconography in this film. Both characters are seen wearing dark clothes again which implies anxiety, fear and tension in this opening.

Sound is also used in this short opening to express the atmosphere. Suspense sound effects are used throughout and the music crescendos as the tension increases. An example of this is when the fire starts, the music gets increasingly louder as the fire becomes more ferocious. This fire optimises the genre of the film, which is thriller, as somebody is about to be trapped by the fire.

Camerawork is also used in 'The Usual Suspects', to show iconography. Many close-ups are used of the characters faces which express facial expression and body language, key areas of mise en scene. An ECU is used at various points, to show a character in pain and fear. There is also use of a low angle to show another character who has more power and a higher status over the other.

In this thriller opening (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo), mise en scene is used to show the ambiance for this film. The colour is predominantly black throughout this opening, which suggests some kind of anxiety and fear in this piece. Very little lighting is also used, only of the old man's face and the painting in the opening.

Camerawork is also used effectively in this thriller opening to attract the audience to the subject. For example, in the opening we see a package being delicately opened by the old man. An ECU is used at this point to show the string being cut with the use of a knife, this indicates that the package is precious and the man is cautious to not break it. A close up is also used as the man takes the painting out of the package, at this point mise en scene is used to show the man's facial expression.

Sound is used in this opening to set the ambiance of this piece. Non diagetic sound is used, which is mainly a suspense sound effect that the characters cannot hear. There is a slight crescendo as we see the woman walking, this indicates there is a build of suspense and tension.

Editing is used in this sequence to express the pace of this opening. Only a small number of cuts are used as the camera stays looking at the man's face for a reasonable amount of time when he takes out the painting. Later on in this opening, we see a woman wearing a hoodie walking down steps and through an alleyway. Here, there is also little transitions between frames, even though she is considered to be walking at a fast pace.

In Shutter Island, mise en scene is a key aspect used to express the mood of this island. Costume is used effectively to show the sort of characters in this film. The two main characters are wearing similar clothes, a hat and a brown leather jacket to show they have a strong relationship.

Camerawork has been effective in representing the character's emotions. Several CU's and ECU's are used to show their facial expression. At the start of this opening an ECU is used as the main character (played by Leonardo DiCaprio), washes his face. We can see here that he has a cut on his face as he is in some physical or mental pain.

Sound is used in this opening to indicate the mood on this island. Non-diagetic sound is used from the beginning to tell the audience that this island is spooky and possibly haunted. As the tension increases, as the men realise there is a storm coming. There is a crescendo here which tells us the men are scared and frightened of the consequences. The Diagetic sound between the characters, again reiterates the fact these two men have a close bond.

Editing is used as a way of expressing the gradual increase of fear that the men have while on this island. There is a variation in the frequency of cuts to show this. At the start of this clip, there is a high fequency of cuts to show the main characters pain. Then, further into the clip there is a subtle change in the frequency of cuts.

Inception incorporates a wide range of media areas in order to communicate its meaning. Mise en scene is used to show that this film is a thriller opening. The setting at the start of this clip is at a beach. The use of the powerful waves as the man is lying on the sand immediately sets the mood for the piece.

Camerawork is used in this clip to tell the audience what the character's are doing. An ECU has been used as the pin is spinning on the table. The use of this shot tell us that this is an important stage of the film. A medium shot is commonly used throughout this clip to show the character's face as they are speaking. A tilt is also used in this phrase as a character is eating. His head is facing down towards the table and the camera follows his actions as he lifts his head up to speak.

Editing is also used effectively in this clip. As the soldiers enter the scene, quick cuts are used to show the each character's emotions. We also see an ELS at this point, as a soldier is standing on top of a hill some way up from the beach.

Sound is used to again set the mood for the piece. Diagetic sound is used a lot here, the noise of the waves in the sea and the scream of the children are examples of this in this clip. The use of non diagetic sound such as the background music and the suspense sound effects also show the mood of the piece.

Here are the links for each of the openings that I have researched about:

The Usual Suspects

Andrew Mann4 February 2014 at 20:06
Interestingly, consider the composition of the character "Kaiser" in U.S. The camerawork is done in such way that we never see his face, although we know by Keaton's face that he knows who Kaiser is - its a good example of creating enigma - "Who is Kaiser S, and also great example of composition to create that enigma. Consequently, it is an example of restricted narrative.
Andrew Mann8 February 2014 at 12:12
overall Matt this is good. It is just too short. In addition, you were supposed to consider characterisation and narrative. Use more screen grabs to help illustrate the points that you are making. Use captions unde these to make the point of what it is that it is illustrating.
Andrew Mann8 February 2014 at 12:14
You would get into high level 2 for this - with greater depth and more screen grabs, you can easily improve on this because you can clearly analyse the texts.