Research Task - The Bourne Identity - Dilys

The Bourne Identity is a very traditional style opening for a thriller its is intriguing for the viewer and immediately places you right in the action 

(I've analyzed from 00:00-2:30) 

Camera Work

• The sequence opens with an extreme long shot of a boat in a storm at sea, this strong visual imagery to open up with is captivating and immediately makes the audience curious and wanting to know more
• The decision to use low angle shots of the man who has been shot is interesting as it suggests that he is weak and vulnerable, the first gun shot of the scene is from someone the audience can not see helps build suspense

• Tracking shots are used in the opening  sequence on the character who has been shot, this suggests that we may be following his journey 
• The shots taken in the ocean as the character sinks perhaps are there to help the audience connect with the character and make them feel as if they are also with him 
• The long shot taken of the character in the ocean as he battles with the waves suggests that he alone and that there will be more battles in the film

Sound

• The movie opens with thunder overhead and sounds of what would appear to be a storm, however there is no picture on the screen at this point so it is up to the audience to interpret what is going on, it also creates an dangerous and scary opening, thus setting the mood for the rest of the movie
• The non-diegetic music playing in the background is dramatic and creates tension, at first it is slow and then the pace quickens and building suspense, it is classic action fulled thriller music 

Mise en Scene

• Pathetic fallacy is created in the opening sequence, the scene begins with a storm, it suggests the film will have a thrilling dramatic theme to it and it also helps to set the mood. It is also raining which gives connotations of something miserable and uncontrollable 
• The two characters are dressed in trousers and jumpers suggesting that it is cold and that they are working as the clothes look comfortable and easy to move in

Editing

• The opening credits are in black and white which suggests simplicity but also as the are opposites it suggests there will be competition and contrasts to come. 
• There is a match on action shot as we see the man shoot the other man again and then we see him fall into the ocean, I think it is important as it shows the brutality of what has happened. 
• Slow motion is used to show the character sinking it helps to show his vulnerability against the dark sea
  

Research Task - The Disappearance of Alice Creed - Dilys

The thriller The Disappearance of Alice Creed has a suspense riddled opening with dramatic music, intriguing camera shots striking visual imagery, all are used to keep the audience captivated and create tension. 

• One of the first shots dolly shot of the car park past the cars to the white van which the two key characters are breaking into, this camera shot suggests that the thriller is set in urban setting. The use of shallow depth of field in the following shot shows the importance of the character and that he is keeping watch as the other breaks into the van, this immediately makes the viewers weary of these two characters.  The van they are breaking into is plain white with no logos and no number plate, this raises suspicions as it connotes that they are doing something illegal and bad. The track in shot of the van as it drives through the car park is very important and it conveys the idea of normality even though what they are doing is sinister. 

• The use of close up shots in the sequence in the hardware store are used to show what the characters are buying this then leaves it to the audience to interpreting what they are going to do with their purchases, this is key to a good thriller as it will keep the audience captivated as they will want to know what the characters are going to do. The use of a low angle shot of the two characters is very effective as it makes them seem confident and in control which is unsettling for the viewer as what they are going to do is kidnap someone. The two characters are dressed in dark clothing and we can presume they are middle class which adds a sense of realism to it. The fast paced music throughout the sequence helps build suspense also. 

• The two characters then drive to a deserted house with low lighting which looks like it hasn't been inhabbited  for years, this is very symbolic as it implies that there's something spooky and eerie about the place. As the two men prepare the room they do all of the same movements, its almost symmetrical and there is never any dialogue between them both which implies that it is all thought through thoroughly and planned out perfectly, this again adds an sinister feel.The zooming in on the door with many locks on implies that'll be significant as we can guess it is the door to the room where the victim will be held

• It then cuts to the characters walking through a dark isolated forest with tall trees at dusk, this is a perfect perfect example of pathetic fallacy, the wood is creepy and sinister, perfect themes to begin a thriller with 

Research Task- James Bond Casino Royale- Lisa Walden

The film commences with a scene shot almost in black and white- There is very minimal lighting here which allows the audience to focus on the shot reverse shot conversation, followed by various flashbacks of a murder scene. As it was shot using low lighting it creates a very dark distressed feel.   

Sound & Lighting 

• At the very start there is very minimal backing sound so the audience find it easier to listen to the dark, low voices of the men in discussion. At (0.36) it shows a 2 shot of the men and the surroundings that they are in. The lighting here is very obscure with only part of their faces being lit.
•  At (0.41) it rapidly alters to when James Bond violently murders a man, the scene here is much lighter how still slightly in black and white form.
•  The sound is more or less just the harsh sounds of the men fighting and trying to brutally murder one another. The audience are given the eye to closer viewing at this part- with birds eye views and close-ups, allowing us to notice every detail of the killing. 

Editing

•  When the scene quickly changes from the 2 shot discussion to the fighting scene(0.41) it is a very fast cut, which ties in with the very fast action scene- This can cause the audience to feel on edge as it wasn't expected.
• At the stage of the fight it is shot in an off black and white to make it seem much more of a derelict area and as it was a flashback it shows how it's only a memory, this also creates a depressing and gloomy atmosphere.
• At (2.02) we see a close-up of James Bond's face, so we see how he reacts when he realises that he's killed the man. The audience can then relate to how he is feeling.
• When James bond kills the second man at (2.19) the camera changes from the gun to the murdered man, so that the viewers are able to see him falling off his chair(2.20) If the audience didn't have a clear viewing of this, it would make the story unclear as they wouldn't know who has been shot. After he has been killed the camera then turns back to James Bond so we area able to understand his emotions.
• When the titles begin to start (2.33) we see James Bond shooting towards the camera, followed by running blood, symbolising that he did kill the man. 

 Mise en Scene

• James Bond and the featured men in this clip are dressed in a very smart black suit suggesting they are very sophisticated and take their job seriously. It gives the audience mixed messages towards James and how he works; most murderers are mainly dressed down in very casual attire, however James shows that he's very serious and wealthy.
• The decor of the setting in the beginning shot is very simple yet elegant- it's kept very simple so that we are enabled to focus on the characters and the role they play instead of getting distracted by modernised furniture. As it's set in an office it gives an insight into how serious the discussion must be.

Research Task - The Untouchables - Dilys

The Untouchables has a sightly different style of opening to a usual thriller, but its unique opening is just as effective, from the intriguing camera work and choice of having a marble floor room to the positioning of characters and costumes. All choices come together to create a captivating opening.

Camera Work

• The sequence begins with a slow track in probably using a crane or a jib this suggests that the characters are being watched and that they are vulnerable, it also makes the audience curious about the characters and why there is an implication of them being spied on. It also shows the Al Capones importance as he is lying very central in the room.

• The shot of the barber after he has cut Capone is interesting as its from a low angle so he should be the one in power but instead his frightened expression can be clearly seen as it would suggest otherwise.

Sound

• Al Capone is the main dominating voice in the sequence suggesting he is important and domineering
• Al Capone is being interviewed by an English reporter which suggests that he is well known, as he is famous overseas and an important person 
• There is no music in the background which is unusual for a thriller opening but gives connotations that there is a serenity and eeriness to the film

Mise en Scene

• All the men surrounding Capone are dressed in smart suits this suggests that they are important and the character who they are around is important as they are all positioned around him, this will raise suspicion in the audience as they will want to find out who this man is 
• Capone's face is covered to begin with connoting that he mysterious, intangible and has something to hide 
• The setting is a large circular room with a very high ceiling, the hard marble floor suggests that this is not a place for enjoyment and the use of the colour red and gold on the doors and walls suggests an element of wealth
• The Barbers terrified reaction to when he accidentally cuts Capone, makes the viewer immediately weary of Capone an begin to question what he is capable of if he can cause such a reaction
• The red blood suggests the thriller will include violence and crime

Editing 

• There are only six cuts in this sequence suggesting a calmness and power over what is going on leaving a perfect opportunity for a contrast to any other thriller. 

Research Task- Se7en - Lisa Walden

The beginning of this sequence starts off with various fast-paced actions being placed together to create what seems to be the planning of a murder. Fast, eerie music is covered on top, creating a distorted feeling, with the dark lighting and furniture adding to the atmosphere.

Editing

• There are many extreme close-ups and close-ups of his hands carefully taking on a task during the beginning scene; it doesn't allow the viewer to quite understand what is being done however it still gives a minor insight into what is happening.
• The actions of the character are all fastly paced together, switching from one action to another, suggesting to us that there is a lot of planning and precision in what he does.
• Even the titles throughout the start carry the 'thriller' theme- Fast, jerky titles portray what the film may be like-a thriller leaving people on-edge. Every tiny piece of the editing invites viewers into the film but leaving small hints as to what might later appear.

Mise en Scene

• The sound during the beginning creates quite a disturbing atmosphere suggesting death or murder; the lighting too adds to the atmosphere, being slightly dark creating shadows of the character and his action leaving the viewers unknown and distort about the plot.
• Towards the end of the beginning the music and actions of the man speed up again creating a disturbed atmosphere. The lighting, sound, decor and even style of font for the titles help create the perfect thriller- they don't allow the audience to view from a long-shot distance what is being done, they prefer to keep it more of a secret and just slip away small details of the actions, this has much more of an effect on the audience.

Lighting

• Lighting here very minimal-only minor top and side lights- this creates a dismal atmosphere.
• As the audience don't see a long-shot of the whole location they rely on just small snippets and shadows of actions to piece together the plot.
• The shots are often blurred or shaky(0.34) which help create an uneven atmosphere. It often appears as only a small desk light may have been used in various close-up shots, creating a very dark appearance; although the audience haven't seen the character they still get an outline image of what he might be like- evil and death associated.