Types of Thrillers

Mise-en-Scene and Sound in 'Speed'

MISE-EN-SCENE
In 'Speed' the opening sequence takes place behind lifts which creates a sense of mystery as this is not a place you would expect a film to begin. There are also two men, one in a suit and one dressed as a caretaker. It is obvious that the caretakers is fixing something but not as to why the man in the suit is there, creating suspense as the audience are intrigued to know why he is where he is. To add to the mystery, there is a bag lying isolated on the floor. This makes the audience wonder why the bag is there and whether it has something in it that could potentially cause harm to either character.

SOUND
The non-diegetic music is strong and heroic and is synchronous to the pan shot of the lift. This creates suspense and tension as the music builds up and the tempo follows the speed of the pan.
    The diegetic dialogue creates mystery as the audience can see and hear the man in the suit, however, initially, they can't see the caretaker, making them wonder who this voice is and where it is coming from. Moreover the caretaker says 'it's nothing personal' which is a disturbing thing to say, enhancing the fact that this character is possibly a bit disturbed himself.

Camera Angles and Editing Techniques in 'SPEED'

Editing the Prelim

After filming the prelim, edited the shots together so that the scene flowed and made sense.
     Once the footage had been uploaded to the computers, we used Adobe Premier to split this into individual shots, separating the mid-shots from the over the shoulder shots and high and low angle shots. After this was done, we used the storyboard to order shots on the timeline. We took the shot we wanted to use at each point, dragging it to the timeline and then using  the starting and end point tools to define where each shot would start and end. To make each shot join on from the next, we placed them directly next to each other to create continuity.
   We tried to stick to the storyboard as much as we could, however once we had split the footage into all the different shots, we realised that we didn't take all the shots necessary like close-ups of both people. This meant we had to change the type of shot used, so we used shots that were closest to the type of shot we were meant to use, for example, instead of a close-up, we used and over the shoulder shot as this was the most similar as this was the same level and shows the face in a similar way to the close-up.
    We used deep focus in our prelim so that you could see everything the whole time, as well as varying shot duration to fit what was shown on the story board. We used shot reverse shot during the prelim to show the conversation between the two people.

   There are many things I would do differently if I were to do this task again. This includes making sure that we took shots of all the angles necessary, for example, taking a close-up so that we could stick to the storyboard properly. Also, there as some points during the edited version if the prelim that you can tell that two shots have been put together, so if I were to do this again, I would make sure we found the precise end point of each individual shot to improve continuity.     During the editing, I took part in finding the end points of each shot from the footage. I also helped to select which shot we would use for each angle shown in the storyboard as we took a few shots of each angle. From this process, I learnt that it is actually very difficult to edit something as you have to be very precise about what shot is being used and when as well as what techniques you use. I realized just how accurate you have to be to make sure the scene flows properly.

V for Vendetta - Opening Sequence Analysis

The opening sequence of this film establishes the tone for the rest of the film. The diegetic voice of the news reporter along with the dystopian music connote a serious tone as well as revealing that many things have gone wrong. The tone of the news reporters voice further emphasises the serious nature of this thriller. The fact that the film begins with a reverse zoom of the news reporter speaking signifies that what he is saying is of importance in the film as it is the first thing the audience hear and will therefore help them understand what is going on in the film. Additonally, both the characters that are shown in the opening sequence are listening to the same news report which shows the audience that everyone is interested in or impacted by what is being said. As what is being said by this man grows more intense, there are more cuts back to the report and close-ups of his face, connoting that these are the pieces of information that the audience are meant to pick up on and pay attention on most.
     The woman is shown putting make-up, paying little attention to what is on the news which symbolises her vanity implying that she cares more about what she looks like than what is going on in the world around her. However, towards the end of the opening sequence, it appears that her interest grows as she glances at the TV more and more often, however, right at the end, she turns of the TV and says, 'that's quite enough of that,' which signifies that she disagrees with what is being said and doesn't want to hear anymore.
    The person putting on the mask appears to be starting something like a revolution as he/she is trying to hide their identity by wearing this mask and putting on black clothing. This is the complete opposite to the woman who is putting on make-up to draw attention to her identity and appearance. Moreover, he puts on a belt full of swords around his waste and there is a close up of the swords to show the audience just how many swords this person is carrying. This is done to make this character seem as violent as possible.
     The use of cross-cutting between the two characters doing almost the same thing signifies to the audience that these two characters will meet. This represents a typical convention of thriller/horror films as there is one masked, mysterious person who appears to be the one who will cause harm and a pretty girl harmlessly putting on make-up. It becomes quite clear that like many other thrillers/horrors, the masked person will kill or attempt to kill this woman. The dark colours also add to the sense of danger in the film, adding to the serious tone presented and are also another common convention of films of this genre.

Kill Bill - Representation of the Bride in the Two Different Scenes

In the first scene, the bride is presented as inferior to the man who is burying her alive, automatically making it seem like he has the higher status. The low-angle shot of the man looking down at the bride shows how inferior the bride is as it is showing how she is forced to look up at him. These shots are from the bride’s own perspective, and so, they show us exactly what she would be seeing in the situation. There is a low angle shot when the man gives the bride an ultimatum which clearly shows how he is in control of the situation, and portrays the bride as helpless. The constant close-ups of the bride’s eyes illustrate her fear as she is going to die. The audience sees close-ups of the bride’s face while she is inside the coffin which helps us see the panic she is expressing as present her as scared but claustrophobic. The close-ups of the nails being hammered into the coffin show that for the bride, there is no escape as she is being ‘locked’ inside the box. There are no shots of the coffin other than near her hands and face, showing just how small the coffin is but also represents how little hope she has as it is like the box is closing in on her and squashing any sense of optimism she has.

    The funereal, non-diegetic music gives the impression that the bride is going to die and shows how she is almost going to her own funeral. This makes her seem weak because there is nothing she can do to prevent this situation. The non-diegetic whistling contributes to the funeral-like setting and is eerie, making the audience think that the bride’s end is near. The synchronous sound of the woman panting and her heavy breathing each time mud is poured on to the coffin or she is lowered presents the bride as scared, in particular in when the screen is completely black, the audience have to rely on this sound to tell them how the bride is feeling. Additionally, the sound of her grunting and the synchronous sound of her banging on the top of the roof present the bride as desperate but also show that she has no luck as eventually, this stops, showing how she has lost all hope. Furthermore, the faint sound of the car driving away shows that no-one is around to help her and represents the fact that the she is now her only help.

    The lighting is very dim and minimal while she is in the coffin, again showing how little hope she has as it is like she can’t see ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ as her life may end. This also makes the scene more horrific as the colours used in this scene are black and white only.

    In the second scene, the bride is presented in a different way. The high angle shot of the coffin makes it look bigger and so do the panning shots of her body in the coffin. This portrays that bride as once again having hope and being more positive. Moreover, the close-ups of her hands and boots show us that she now has a plan about how to escape.  The close-ups of her eyes no longer show her fear but instead, they show the brides determination to escape as the focus in her eyes is clear.  Although this shows how the bride is being shown in a different light, the audience is reminded that she is in the exact same situation as before through the use of a crane shot over the grave yard and the pan over the mud, reminding the audience of the bride being buried below this.  When the bride finally escapes, the close-up of the mud when her hand reaches up portrays the bride as almost zombie like because she is almost being brought back to life.

     The synchronous, diegetic sound of the bride punching the roof of the coffin is steady, presenting the bride as calm and as though she has a plan in comparison to earlier where she was just punching in desperation.  The non-diegetic music is more uplifting, showing that the bride is now the hero suggesting she will succeed in what she is doing. The music also picks up in tempo the closer the bride is to escaping, and it reaches its climax as she reaches the top which foreshadows the fact that she will escape.  The music also gets more peaceful, fluid and is more calming, reflecting the fact that the bride is calm, collected and knows she is doing.  When she finally escapes, she gasps for breath for a few seconds, showing how she was being suffocated underground, however, after this there is silence with the diegetic sound of crickets in the background which suggest that her struggle is not over as this contrasts to the fast, heavy breathing in the first scene and the sounds she made while attempting to escape earlier in this scene. The deigetic shuffling as the bride tries to escape is synchronous to her movements, showing how she is in control of the situation. It is also slow and steady which suggests that she is calm and is calculating her next move carefully.

    Light is used more in this scene as the bride uses the torch she has to light up the coffin. This shows how once again she can ‘see the light’ and is more optimistic. The use of more lighting and the fact that this scene uses colour show the bride as more heroic, stronger and more determined in her escape. The bride shine the torch on her face which really allows the audience to see the determination in her eyes.

Scream - Opening Sequence - How was Tension Created?

The mise-en-scene helps to create tension because we see a young, blonde girl in a house that is isolated in a forest. This immediate creates tension as it is clear that her isolation makes her vulnerable  to attacks, no-one is nearby to save her if she is in  danger. The girl is also dressed normally, in casual clothes, and the inside of her house is like any other, creating a sense of familiarity, making the tension greater as although the audience know something will happen in this film's world, it creates tension within the audience's own home because they wonder if something similar could happen to them there.
    At first, the camera only shows us the inside of the house, suggesting that she could be anywhere. However, a slow crane shot from above the trees down to the house, gives a clear shot of the house and the vast forest surrounding it. This illustrates how the girl is separated from the rest of the world as the pan is from the world line, showing no signs of other houses. This shows how the film is a thriller because there is tension created as it becomes clear that something will happen to this girl, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats until this happens., The camera also follows the girl around the house, highlighting how isolated she really is, as it appears that no-one is home, creating tension as you feel as though someone could jump out at any moment. The close-ups of the girls face show her fear, adding to the tension, showing once again that this is a thriller as the audience are waiting for her to 'scream'. The close-ups of the popcorn further contribute to the tension as it is obvious to the audience that when the popcorn explodes, the bad thing will happen, again showing how this is a thriller as the audience is kept on the edge of their seats waiting for this to happen, taking them by surprise when it does. The shot of the car pulling in to the drive create suspense as it distracts from the real action, making it even more scary and shocking when the man in the mask jumps out.
    The diegetic and non-diegetic sounds also create suspense. From the moment we hear the diegetic sound of the phone ringing which only ends when the girl answers it, we know something will happen to this girl. The fact that we hear both sides of the conversation but we can only see the girl. This creates further tension because we don't know who the person on the other end of the line is, creating anticipation from the audience and tension until they are revealed. Thus, contributing to the fact that this is a thriller because the audience are on edge wondering who this creepy person is. The mysterious non-diegetic music that begins when the voice says 'who I'm looking at' builds up in tempo and in volume as the scene continues creating tension. The steady beat of the popcorn popping, even though it increases in tempo, creates tension as we know when we hear it explode, the real danger begins. This shows that it is a thriller film as the increasing tempo creates tension of its own which could exist without the use of video footage. Similarly, there is a heart-beat like sound which picks up as the girl runs frantically around her house which further adds to the tension created.
    The lighting only adds to the tension. The use of the bright light at the beginning of the film around the house suggests that the girl has no fear. This is because nothing bad has happened yet, adding to the tension, and the fact that it is a thriller as the audience is just waiting for something to happen. As tension builds, the lighting becomes darker and during the time the girl is panicking, her boyfriend is kept in the dark until a sudden spotlight is shone on him, showing what the man had done to him, which adds to the thriller effect because the audience wonder how much worse violence and horror is going to get.