THE OPENING OF A THRILLER
1) How is meaning created in this clip through the use of the micro elements.
SOUND
The repetitive "door banging" sound effect used in the beginning creates this idea of "crime". This straight away sets a tense mood and atmosphere to the opening scene.The fact that it is repetitive ensures that the audience will not ignore it and makes them realise the importance of "breaking in" The fact that a chainsaw sound effect is used later on to open the door exaggerates the importance of "getting" the main character. A comedic mood is also set when we hear the main character tell the story from his point of view. Doing this, we learn about the characters' personality. For example - he is easy going, funny, careless and is not very serious.
CAMERA
This wide angle long shot gives an expansive view of the set. By doing the audience is reminded of where the character is and the danger that he is in. Also, this long shot shows how small he is compared to the building, The fact that the building appears wide and we are able to see city lights through the reflection of the windows suggest the height of the building. This creates a tense atmosphere as the audience feels worried for the character.
A close up shot makes the audience focus and understand how the main character is feeling. For example here we can clearly see from the character's facial expression that he feels scared and worried. By doing this a relationship is built between the audience and the character. This will help build tension later in the film as the audience feel sympathy for the character.
This wide angle panning shot allows the audience to have a clear idea of what the setting looks like. By doing this a few things are revealed, like the circumstance the character is in. For example, the packed up boxes holds connotations of moving out or leaving. This tells us that the character is running away from something or someone and that he has caused some sort of disruption which is causing him to leave.
MIS-EN-SCENE
This element reveals a few thing about the character. For example the fact that he wears a blazer and is well presented shows that he is is fairly wealthy and knows how to "fit" in society. This conveys that he is smart and knows how to handle different people.The apartment used also emphasises his wealth as it looks very clean and luxurious and also comes with an amazing view. Another thing we learn is that the character is running away. This is conveyed through the empty apartment and the "packed up boxes". The fact that he is running away suggests that the character has caused some kind of disruption and therefore is guilty.
In addition, the lighting used in the opening scene is symbolic for 'life and death" For example In this wide angle long shot there is a significant contrast between the lighting inside the apartment and the lighting outside. To begin with, bright lighting holds connotations of life and safety. Whereas, dark lighting would hold connotations of death and danger.
SOUND
The repetitive "door banging" sound effect used in the beginning creates this idea of "crime". This straight away sets a tense mood and atmosphere to the opening scene.The fact that it is repetitive ensures that the audience will not ignore it and makes them realise the importance of "breaking in" The fact that a chainsaw sound effect is used later on to open the door exaggerates the importance of "getting" the main character. A comedic mood is also set when we hear the main character tell the story from his point of view. Doing this, we learn about the characters' personality. For example - he is easy going, funny, careless and is not very serious.
CAMERA
This wide angle panning shot allows the audience to have a clear idea of what the setting looks like. By doing this a few things are revealed, like the circumstance the character is in. For example, the packed up boxes holds connotations of moving out or leaving. This tells us that the character is running away from something or someone and that he has caused some sort of disruption which is causing him to leave.
MIS-EN-SCENE
This element reveals a few thing about the character. For example the fact that he wears a blazer and is well presented shows that he is is fairly wealthy and knows how to "fit" in society. This conveys that he is smart and knows how to handle different people.The apartment used also emphasises his wealth as it looks very clean and luxurious and also comes with an amazing view. Another thing we learn is that the character is running away. This is conveyed through the empty apartment and the "packed up boxes". The fact that he is running away suggests that the character has caused some kind of disruption and therefore is guilty.
In addition, the lighting used in the opening scene is symbolic for 'life and death" For example In this wide angle long shot there is a significant contrast between the lighting inside the apartment and the lighting outside. To begin with, bright lighting holds connotations of life and safety. Whereas, dark lighting would hold connotations of death and danger.
2) What information are we given
- Punching the door sound effect - someone trying to break in. (gives this idea of crime)
- Setting = empty. there are boxes everywhere meaning the place is abandoned (or about to be)
- Dead bodies = murder/crime committed
- Because there are dead bodies it emphasises the importance the main character and getting him.
- Security cameras - signal loss meaning there has been some kind of disruption.
- We learn that the main character is brave as he is about to jump
- We learn that the main character is wealthy because he's wearing nice clothes and lives in a nice apartment/hotel.
- We learn that he is running away from someone so we know that he has done something wrong.
- We learn that he travels a lot from the credit scene - the change in setting. (snapshots of his journey when he runs away)
Is this complete?
ReplyDeleteGood work Tan - you're drawing the links between the micro-elements and potential meaning. Any questions about the fact he's so smart? Or that the film seems to begin at the end? And his options are limited for a film called Limitless?