Thriller openings - Chris Bailey

The Bank Job

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0C8m_y_vcQ&feature=related

Sound: The sound we hear at the start is a well known song, however it does not relate to the period of time we have been shown 1970’s. Therefore we atomically know that we have gone back in time, which will be a relevant point in the plot. When we see the man sneaking up to take pictures, we can hear the sound of the camera going off. This would have been a sound effect that the editors of the film would have wanted to include to show that the images that the man is taking are going to be relevant in the story.

Camera Work: We see the use of underwater camera which is very effective, as we see them having fun under the water as well as the camera above the water showing us that as well. When in the water we see medium shots and also long shots, this helps us see the setting around them and we can see some small aspects of facial expression of the people having fun with each other. We see a shot reverse shot when the African man is taking pictures; this is very effective as we can see what he is taking the pictures off and then we go back to watch film taking his pictures.

Editing: The opening of the bank job is very clever through the editing process, we see that we have gone back in time. Also the cuts are simple so the audience can understand the plot without getting confused. The reason they have done this is so that we can see them having fun. The opening sequence the cuts are about 5 seconds long, which is perfect as we have enough time to take in what we are seeing. After the pictures are taken by the man we a fade to a black screen and then the name of the film, we realise that it is very important what we have just seen.

Mise en scene:  The opening of this film, we see young adults in the sea, however we see a sub title saying (The carabien 1970’s) this atomiactily tells us that we have gone back in time, the audience then known they have to pay attention because this will be a very relevant thing we need to known to understand the whole story. The lighting is very bright to show it’s the summer and its very hot, also as we see a bit of the villa we can tell whoever is having there picture taken unknown is a very wealthy man and highly important.

 

No country for old men.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kqoJevTIIQ

Sound:  During the long establishing shots that we have at the start of the film we have a voice over known as narration, this helps the audience start to understand what is happening and gives the audience some inside information about the story line, due to the shots shown with the voice over don’t have much action within them it helps the audience listen so they are not distracted to look and listen to something else that might be happening. With the sound of the man and narration he as a west country accent which helps the audience understand where the film is set such as in a west country and the long shots we see on the screen relate to the voice and the setting as well.

Camera Work:  The camera work we see is very normal, the camera is most likely to be on a tripod so it is a still shot. This helps the audience see the setting. I like the use of the shots in this sequence because they look very effective and you get the sense that these shots will be relevant later in the story.

Mise en scene: The shots that we see in the start of “No country for old men” are establishing shots. These shots are showing time passing as they start with darkness and gradually change and show light with the sun getting stronger. This is to give the audience the scene of time passing and this is the setting that we are going to be watching in this film.

Editing: The editing of the start of this sequence is very simple; they have used straight cuts to go between each different shot. One reason that the director wanted to use straight cuts is to give the impression that it is a normal town, and nothing normally happens when you are there, meaning there is not much trouble.

 

Face Off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOvfuybPao

Sound: The music that we hear at the start when we see the tiles and the fairy go around is very relaxing and you get the sense that nothing bad is going to happen. As soon as we see the gun we get a very big contrast and the music atomaticly changes in the mood. As soon as the gun goes off we get another change in the music, we start to get strong feels and we think the worst that the boy has died.

Camera Work:  We see the camera focusing on the man and son on the ferry go round. We see medium shots of them together which is very effective as we can see them having fun and enjoying each other company. We then see a long shot of the ferry go around which is also effective as we can see that it is not just the man and boy around there are other members of the public there as well. When we see the man with the gun for the first time we see different angles of him, at first we don’t see his face, this is clever as we are guessing on who it is.

Mise en scene: The setting is very effective by using a merry go around. It puts the audience in a place where they think nothing bad is going to happen as it is represented by being peaceful and having fun. There is a sudden shock for the audience as soon as we see a gun facing the child. When the man is shot the effect of the blood on the horse going around is perfect as the audience can then see straight away what has happen and they are not confused, also when watching this film people may be able to relate to it due to having fun with their child, there for they might put themselves if the mans shoes, when he and the boy get shot and what it would feel like.

Editing: In Face off, we see a lot of slow motion used, this is a good effective as ferry go rounds often can be fast and by slowing down time speed of the shot we have enough time to take in what we are seeing, There is a very special effect used when we see the scope for the gun, it looks just like we are looking down the gun so it’s a point of view shot for us of the villain.

Pulp Fiction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMhI78yt0tw&feature=related

Sound: At the start of this film Pulp Fiction non digectic sound is used through out while the two characters are sat chatting about life. However at the end of the sequence there is contrapuntal sound that kicks in. This is very effcitve as the audience dont know it is about to happen. This type of sound is a very cleaver way to get audiences to enjoy the film a bit more and get more inloved , by adding an upbeat song where they can sing along to in their head.

Camera Work: The first shot in this opening is a two shot, however this is quite a long shot. The reason why this is a long shot is beacuse we get to know the chacters better amd there for we can realte to them later on in the film. After the waitress comes over we have a couple of shot revers shots, this is so that we can see the characters facial expression to what the other has to say. The way the camera focues on the gun is very effective also as it grabs the viwers attension

Mise en scene: The setting at the start of this film is in a restuant. However it isnt the best restuant it comes across quite dirty, however it fits in very well. You can see cars driving past in the window outside and that lets you know that its just off the side of a main road if you wanted to make a run for it. Also we get the impression due to everything being on the table when we start viewing the sequence that they have been in the resturant for a while chatting.

Editing:  The edditing in this clip are straight cuts, this works well as we are seeing the shot reverse shot quite often in the seccond half of this sequence. When watching this film i have looked for problems with counitinuity however i have not found anything. The way the plates are on the table is exactly the same as in the shot before which helps us belive what we are seeing is real.

Signs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lXURWUIVNE

Sound: Before the film start we hear sound but only with the subtiles. However the opening sequence there is not sound over the top, the sound we hear is the sound we hear such as the doors opeing and shutting and also him breathing. Due to there being no sound over the top it makes the sound we hear very clear. We hear the footsteps walking over small parts of corn and also running through the corn.

Camera work: We first see an establishing shot of a garden, this is a very stange type of shot to have at a start of a film and therefore we automaticly think that this films is a bit strange already. The camera work is very clever when the man is running through the corn due to it being a tracking shot. This is very effective as we can keep up with the action and it feels like we are running with him. And the end of this shot oppening clip the camera focues on the mans feet while he is staring infrount of him. This is very clever as the audience what to know what has happened but they can not see. This is known as a form of blocking.

Mise en scene:  The first shot we see is a shot of a garden this is fairly creepy as we are waiting for somthing to jump out at us. When running through the corn, it helps build up tension with the audience because we dont know why we are running. Due to the fast pace action we see it helps the audiene become on the edge of their seats

Editing: The use of straight cuts have been used which is very effective as it speeds up and shows time passing. Also the shot cuts vary as in we see differnt lengh shots. This gives the sence that anything is possible to happen.