As Media studies blog- Jess Travers
Exploring different genres
Scream- 12 minute opening
Directed by Wes Craven
Sound: Before the main villain is introduced there is no background music- this leaves room for the man's voice to be highlighted. Using the stereotype of creepy murderers, the man immediately raises all warning bells with the audience.
Characters: Good and bad is quickly introduced with Drew Barrymore and the scream character himself.
Wes Craven uses Drew Barrymore to fill in the stereotypical 'Blonde, pretty helpless girl' role, immediately signalling to the audience that something bad is going to happen. She is, again stereotypically, by herself; in the middle of no where-with no help.
Mise-En-Scene: The famous scream mask is deliberately used to create tension and suspense within the audience, it creates the need to know more. Key weapons can be pulled out of the opening scene- the rope and knife. Lighting should also be looked at in this top rated opening- the mood is dim. Using few lights and dim ones (if used at all) creates the horror atmosphere.
Camera shots: The type of editing and shots used throughout the clip changes when the villain is introduced. The opening begins with long, slow shots that follow Drew Barrymore walking around her family home. When the scream character is brought into the story the editing starts to get quicker and shots are shorter. This creates the impression of panic and inevitable death. Sound is also brought in along with the horror character, creating an even scarier atmosphere.
Overall: Considered one of the best openings to a movie by a lot of people; scream sets the atmosphere, feel and overall nature of the film in its opening scenes.
The sixth sense
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
Sound: Violin and double bass to create eerie atmosphere. Piano tune repeated, very high pitched to grab audiences' attention and give the idea that something is wrong and/or out of place.
The sound also subtly changes between different scenes- the beginning cellar scene (violins, piano and double bass) to the mood lit, romantic scenes (sensual saxophone). This, along with the fire, sets a new mood within the film.
Mise-en-scene: Dark cellar and dramatic use of shadows. Dark colours and sketchy objects. The camera shot of woman choosing wine from behind the rack gives off a bad omen and the feeling that someone else could be in the house.
Character: Psychiatrist- very stereotypical in nature and personality. The 'something bad is going to happen to that person' character. As soon as the audience meets him, you suspect that he will be the one that is 'picked on' in the movie.
The Patient- The whole film changes when you meet this character, the way it is filmed and edited is different to before. Every shot he is filmed in seems to be on a hand held camera ( there is a slight shake to the shots maybe reflecting his unstableness?) The director chooses to have long close ups as the characters exchange information.
Camera shots and Editing: Carrying on from this idea of long close ups- Bruce Willis's character has a number of extreme close ups that almost show the audience what he is thinking (as he slowly remembers who the mentally disturbed person is). The close ups also signal the build-up of tension as the unpredictable character gets more and more aggressive. From here a lot of reaction shots are used as the patient results to physically hitting the wall. Both Bruce Willis and his wife are filmed flinching away from the dangerous situation.
When the psychiatrist is unexpectantly shot the camera changes to birds-eye- view and slow motion to reflect the slowing of time as the situation comes to an end (the patient kills himself and Bruce Willis's character is shot). The attention is taken away from the crazy man and given back to the man and wife.
Overall: The audience is left wanting to know more in true thriller style.
Trainspotting
Directed by Danny Boyle
Characters and credits: There are no credits, but rather introductions to all the characters in 'Trainspotting'. This creates a personal experience with the audience because you can judge their character from what they are doing ("Oh, he must be the goofy one because he keeps missing the ball") Using a football match is inventive and fun. It immediately creates a 'team like' scenario which, you assume, is a constant theme throughout the movie.
Camera shots: The first scene, running through the streets away from a pursuing policeman, is a fantastic way to open the film. Immediately the audience are brought in with action. The director uses a number of techniques to make this 'chase scene' a lot more interesting; one being putting the camera on a Pico Dolly to film Ian McGregor's fast moving feet. The cuts between scenes are quick and sharp. When the main character takes heroin he falls to the floor, in slow motion. Blending this scene with the football match ( falling unconscious after being hit in the head with a ball)adds some artistic flare and reflects the inner turmoil of the character.
Voice-over: I think the voice-over in the beginning of 'Trainspotting' is my favourite part- it adds interest and grips the audience. Not only that, but it quickly brings the viewers 'up to speed' on the character's situation in life. It starts with the stereotypical 'What you really need in life is' speech and slowly talks about the harsh reality- no-one can lead that life. And while Ian McGregor’s character went to the extreme with heroin, you can in a way relate- everyone can. In my opinion the voice over is what sets the movie; it overviews the character, gives a hint at what the story will be about and relates to the audience; all at the same time.
Mise-En-Scene: Running through London- Just the aged buildings and messy atmosphere tells the audience that you are in the suburbs of a city; clothes are hanging on washing lines across buildings, the flats have a slight yellow tinge and everything seems dirty. This, coupled with the dirty and baggy clothing tells the audience what they need to know on the setting of the film.
His room- minimalistic. A chair and odd few things are kept inside, with a big empty space of flooring. No carpet, horrible wallpaper and bare walls; the main character doesn't have much. He doesn't appear to care or have the money to change.
Seven
Directed by David Fincher
With the help of Jan from Bournemouth University we, as a class, looked into great detail at the film seven. However, we only watched approximately 50 seconds. The amount of detail we were able to amalgamate was impressive.
The main category we focused on was the Mise-En-Scene. It appears David Fincher and his set designers went into an incredible amount of detail with the backdrop for this opening scene. The house is basic- no pictures on the walls, dull colours such as brown, black and grey are constantly present.
Clothing is pre-laid out, shirt ironed and crisp; ready for the next day. HIS BED! His bed is made- no wrinkles, perfectly placed pillow, a tightly prepared bed sheet with the usual boring, dull colour palette- matching the rest of the room. Subconsciously you assume he was in the army or another strict occupation.
He has a telephone stationed next to his bed; why would he need one next to his bed? Answer: Because he is on-call overnight. This gives you an insight into his life- he has an important position, possibly police detective. This is further cemented when he later picks up a switch blade; a weapon you usually wouldn't associate with his type of character. He need easily accessible protection against close assailants. His job not only requires precision, formality and no personal life, but it is also extremely dangerous.
When we got to this point of our analysis, Jan said that a "psychological portrait is building". But we also took into consideration the sound.
Sound: Police sirens, industrial atmosphere, cars, traffic, talking, car alarms. The TV from the next room can be heard through the walls; is he living in a hotel? From all this non-diegetic sound the audience subconsciously knows that this mysterious man lives near the city centre, in a hotel or place of extremely low rent.
The thriller genre is then re-enforced by the cut to the murder scene. Action to action. Casting Morgan Freeman meant a certain gravity and presence was added to every small movement. His acting of the precise, slightly OCD detective creates a character within the first 50 seconds.