Analysis of Thriller

Opening SequelsKiran Raza

Se7enThe opening sequel of this film, is very mysterious and doesn’t give

too much away in the sense of who and what the main character

looks like. This is demonstrated through close ups and extreme close

up shots of the characters hands rather than longs shots and mid

shots which would give some aspects of the film away which defeats

the purpose of an opening sequel, we as an audience are

automatically drawn in and will want find out who this mysterious

character is. This is also empathized through the use of shadows to

indicate an unidentified being.

The lighting used throughout is low/dark key lighting this sets the

ambience to be very grim, cold, mysterious and isolated . The setting

shows no sign of natural light this gives the impression that the

character does not want to be found or discovered adding to the

mystery. Colours such as red, black and a glowing yellow add a

spooky effect and gives off a vibe of danger and fear this sets the

mood of the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY

Se7en (continued)There are many things included which associate with death these are blood, razors

and images of the dead, this initially suggests that the character could be planning a

murder or has already committed one. This also indicates that the character in this

scene is likely to be the antagonist/ villain in the film.

The credits shown in the clip are overlapped and displaced this shows that things are

unorganized and manic it also shows disorientation within the characters personality

and suggest that he may be playing mind games or is under the influence of drugs.

This is justified when the camera appears to be showing double suggesting that the

antagonist is not in the right mind.

Non diegetic sound is used throughout the clip and becomes more fast paced towards the end showing the manic and unsettling mind of the antagonist. The sounds are also

quite screechy and eerie these create the sense of someone suffering. The scenes

are constantly cross cutting to represent the disturbed nature of the character and

to suggest that he has no control over what is going on, this corresponds with the

fast paced movement of the sound track. A fade out is used to add to the mysterious

atmosphere that the sequel has created to keep us as an audience engaged .

Dawn Of The DeadThe opening sequel of this film is a sequence/collage of events put together that caption

the mayhem present worldwide. This signifies that society and unity has been lost and

been replaced with war, terror and death. It shows that the boundaries that keep

everyone in place have been abolished. It introduces us to a world that has no limitations

and the impact of the devastation which has effected many lives. This is shown through

close ups of peoples faces covered in blood. There is also much havoc and chaos going

on within the clip which signifies that the world is going through a crises. The fact

violence is a significant theme in the clip suggests that the genre is horror.

The peoples facial expressions are all worried, afraid and confused. This creates a sense

of horror as there is no happiness within the clip. Lots of people are running in the clip

which creates a sense of movement and adrenaline. This builds up and leads us as an

audience to think that a momentous event will take place, signifying the end of

something.

The opening sequel contains many iconic places and figures such as the white house and

soldiers in danger this suggest to us as an audience that this film highlights major

issues that society is going through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TuqA7I7LLk

Dawn Of The Dead (continued)

A lot of the shots have also been slightly distorted to make them look blurry and

confusing. Fast jump cuts have been used to show how disorientated the characters

are. The editing is fast paced which constantly displays numerous events that are

going on throughout the world , this also gets the audiences attention as so many

shots are seen all at once.

The credits in this opening sequence are bright a bold which contrasts with the

dark, dull and gloomy colours of the background. The fact that the colour of the text is

red suggests that the main themes in this film is violence, death and evilness this

also emphasized that the genre is horror. The credits are shown very quickly to show

how fast the world is changing in this film.

A non-diegetic soundtrack is used throughout the whole opening sequel. The genre of

music used is folk this contrasts with the mayhem present in the scene it also mocks

reality and is misleading. This means that us as an audience have to find the hidden

meaning within the song which may relate to the chaos and mayhem that is present

in society.

Taxi DriverThe opening sequel of this film immediately places the film in its setting and

introduces us to the main character. The sequel also sets up a sense of urban

isolation as we see New York as a city that is full of people who don't pay attention to

each other. This suggests that life is very hectic and uneventful.

The opening shot shows a taxi driving through the smoke creates enigma as to who is

in the taxi and why is it significant in the film it also suggests that the driver is hiding

something behind the smoke this creates a sense of the unknown which is typically

used in thrillers. This builds tension may signify clouded vision which may relate to an

event or lead up to something. The smoke is coming from the underground sewers

this represent the society of inner city New York at the time as very filthy, gritty and

recovering but still suffering from America’s economic downfall after WW2.

The lighting constantly alters from high key to low key this creates different

atmospheres and a sense of uncertainty in the taxi drivers life. The low key lighting

creates a dark and sinister atmosphere, also the use of red lighting which reflects of

the traffic lights when we see extreme close ups on drivers face suggest that the

driver may be dangerous this indicates that he may be the main antagonist in the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbvWoruvf5c

Taxi Driver (continued)We are initially introduced to the main character through an extreme close-up of

his eyes which give a shifty and mysterious expression, this may have been used

to unnerve the audience. The camera focuses/fixates on his eyes however

becomes distorted and out of focus, this effect may have been used to emphasise

the characters vision of what reality is which is blurred it also may indicate he is

isolated from the rest of the world.

The clip begins with a non-diegetic soundtrack which is jazz this is soft and

mellow in contrast to the tense atmosphere presented through the taxi drivers

personality. The music and representation of the character contrast to suggest

his split personality as one minute he is calm and collected and then frantic and

manic.

The editing is very slow paced this may represent the relaxed persona of the

character which drastically changes to fast pace this reflects the hectic lifestyle

and surroundings of New York. A point of view shot allows us to look at society

from his point of view, it shows his uncertainly of what reality is and what he

poses as right and wrong. His perception of society is filth and expectations

beyond reaching.