Thriller research task- Gabriel Mohammed

Salt-Phillip Noyce (2010)  

The film begins immediately in disruption, a woman is being held hostage and tortured in North Korea. From this we can see that the film does not follow Todorov’s theory of classic narrative. This opening is similar to many other thriller opening scenes as it creates many questions; who is the woman? Why is she being held against her will? Is she telling the truth? These questions are created to keep the viewer interested in the film. However this opening seen can be seen as dissimilar to others from its genre as it is more action oriented than some others. This shows what the rest of the film will go on to be like.

Editing- the editing used in the opening scene was very simple. Straight cuts were used for most of this scene to keep the audience engaged and to make the scene seem more realistic. A fade is used to signify the passing of time to when she is released.

Camerawork- A point of view shot is used to create empathy in the audience for this woman as we can see firsthand what she would be going through. An extreme long shot is used to establish the setting to show her situation.

Mise en scene- the makeup in this scene has Angelina Jolie looking very bloodied and tortured. The compilation shows her surrounded by guards which conveys her vulnerability and the lack of control she has in the situation.

Sound- in this scene there is a simple non-diegetic, off screen soundtrack, this adds atmosphere to the scene.

True Grit-Coen brothers (2010)

The film opens with a proverb from the bible, “the wicked flee when none pursueth” this sets an image in the head of the audience that the film will have religious connotations in it and that this proverb will be a strong force in this film. This film seems to follow Todorov’s theory closely; as the girl gives a voiceover she tells the viewer of how her father died. Before he died we assume that they were in a state of equilibrium and that her father’s death was the disruption. The audience can then go on to figure out that this is a revenge story and she is going after her father’s killer to seek resolution.

Editing- the editing in this opening sequence is incredibly simple, only two shots are used. A dissolve is used to go from one shot to the other and communicates to the audience that they are connected.

Camerawork- the first shot used is a very long continuous take. It tracks in and also zooms in at the same time to the figure of the dead body which we assume is the girl’s father.

Mise en scene- lighting is used very well in this opening scene, at the start of the film there is a single light as the rest of the shot comes into focus. Also at the end of this scene we see who we assume to be the main antagonist and he is lit with very low key lighting making it look very dark which connotes his villainous characteristics.

Sound- most of the sound used in the opening is non-diegetic off screen. It starts with a calming piano piece which contrasts what you would expect from a thriller opening. Then the voiceover from the girl starts, from her accent we can determine a rough location of where the film is set (western America). The only diegetic sound in the opening is a Foley of a galloping horse, this suggests importance and as it happens at the same time as the girl describing her father’s killer we can assume this is who it is.

Tinker tailor soldier spy-Thomas Alfredson (2011)

This opening is very simple, yet it creates a lot of mystery and questions mainly through the dialogue. We do not know who these two men are or how they are connected to the plot. This state of enigma is very common in thrillers and tinker tailor soldier spy follows suit as a classic thriller.

Editing- there is very little editing in this scene, straight cuts are mainly used for continuity. The most noticeable cut takes the audience to Budapest.

Camerawork- most of the shots are eye level shots, this is done to make the film more realistic and to immerse the audience. Near the end of the scene the camera zooms into the older man, this signifies his importance over the other character. As the setting changes to Budapest an extreme long shot is used to establish the setting.

Mise en scene- the lighting throughout is very low key and natural. This sets the tone as darker and very real for the viewer. The props used in the old mans house portray that he lives a very hectic life as nothing is organised; this could be significant to his character.

Sound- the diegetic dialogue in this scene is very quiet, this creates tension and mystery as they seem to be worried that they might be overheard, this shows that the subject of their conversation is very important. 

Taken-Pierre Morel (2009)

The opening to this film begins with a flashback; this is a very common theme for thrillers as it can show the audience the state of equilibrium from Todorov’s theory. In the flashback we see a young girls birthday, we assume she is the daughter (or someone equally close to) of the main protagonist. The setting of the flashback and the present are quite contrasting and this conveys that the present is not a positive time and that there may have already been a minor disruption.

Editing- in the flashback sequence the quality of the picture is lowered through a filter to make it look like a home video, this implies that the memory is very close to the protagonist.

Camerawork- in the flashback sequence it is filmed using a freehand camera to, again, add to the realism that it is a homemade video and not something professional.

Mise en scene- the lighting when the flashback stops is very low key and dull, this signifies that the character is unhappy and connotes sadness and loss.

Sound- the non diegetic soundtrack during the flashback is sad, slow music. This suggests that something bad has or will happen to these characters. It contrasts with the visual as that sends happier signals. 

*the pictures that accompany this post failed to upload as they were rejected by the server.