What do directors seek to establish in the opening of thrilles?

In the opening of thrillers directors use different aspects such as character, location, genre and tone/mood to establish the film. Different directors usually focus on one aspect overall in the opening of a film based on its overall style.

Character

David Fincher, the director of Se7en introduces
character effectively within the opening
scenes to allow audience have a better understanding of the character.

For example in the shot Detective Summerset's essential belongings are perfectly placed out. This shows the characters structure and organisation which implies he's a careful man.The first object shown is a cut out of wall paper which holds sentimental value, though the scene which shows the background story to this is a deleted from the full movie of se7en. The rose like print shown portrays the characters more emotional and sensitive side which contrasts to the other objects which convey a more serious side to Summerset. The gold homicide badge which lays next to the wall paper piece outlines his profession and implies his skill and intelligence. The pen and glasses also portrays the intelligence and furthermore shows the characters intel to detail and precision, showing how he looks into the deeper and more hidden things and ensures to recollect them. Moreover, the pen knife presents his character to have a darker side, in which he is aware of the dangers which surrounds him and feels the need to protect himself.

For example this shot is symbolic as it conveys detective Summerset's loneliness, the inequality within the composition forebodes this. The two lampshades with conveying two different peoples taste, however the second person to the bed missing. The single character within the shot.












Location
using the opening of a film to establish location can be effective as it gives the audience insight to where the film is set and  can create the tone. 'Essex Boys'
especially uses location in a way in which it bases the harsh reality of the location, opening with the shot below entering Essex. The colour palette conveys the bleak county the characters are entering into and foreshadows the darkness of the upcoming events. The grey off tone colour forms the sense of positivity being drained from this setting. Before even establishing what the films main plot is the audience can already understand the gritty tone of the film from the location only. 

Furthermore the location bellow doesn't adjust the audiences anyway differently from the previous image, only justifying the bleak tone which is established within the location. This image focuses more on the scenery rather than the character with the on-screen vanishing point also forcing the audience to concentrate on the scenery. Highlighting the deserted expanse of setting dulled with a saturated colour palette creating a location filled with hopelessness.

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                Genre

The director of The Third Man, Carol Reed uses generic conventions of film noir to establish the movies genre. The costume of the protagonist clearly defines the anti-hero character presenting them with the classic trench coat and fedora hat which is also shown in other noirs such as Double Indemnity and Out of the Past. Furthermore Reed establishes the genre through location, presenting the inner city night setting set in a European location. This establishes the key theme of post war society where the city is divided, where the British, Americans and Russians are in charge. This  contrasts with the characters and the underworld that is below the city full with paranoia and secrecy. 

The mise en scene used in Reeds The Third

Man also constitutes the genre of film noir. Using Chiaroscuro lighting standing as a metaphor for the characters darker/ hidden   side. In addition the winding stairs creating a  disorientating feeling of entrapment metaphorically showing weakness in the sense of mental and literal struggle within the character which is a common aspect within the anti- hero character in film noir.

How does the opening of Essex boys use metaphorical spaces to create meaning?

 In this shot the bar like reflections of light on the glass presents Billy (the shown character) as being entrapped, the image also foreshadows Billy's future ending up in prison, connoting eternal conflict on the other side of the justice system. Though the other character in the background is barely shown it displays a power imbalance, with one character relaxed and slouching in the back and the other tense and focused.

The bleak expanse of the marshes connotes a metaphorical space of emptiness and loneliness, with a grey colour pallet arraying a melancholic location. The location of the mashes also insinuates a place of danger in the view that their are many deaths which happen in this land setting, this shows that within the region Essex's morality is reflected through the uses of the rejected land. Furthermore, the vanishing lines create different angles giving a disorientation of view and exaggerating the expanse of the marshes.

The onscreen vanishing point of this shot outlines the near coming of Essex, the for coming location. The bleak, grey colour pallet connotes the entering of the mundane setting of Essex Furthermore, the entering of the dismal sky shows the inevitable route to sorrowing events the anti-hero is about to face. Changing his morality for the worst, with the shot as a whole being a metaphor for Billy leaving his previous life behind, entering new life with no good and crime.

  
The claustrophobic space within this shot connotes that the character as being trapped within the upcoming events, having no option but to participate in them.

Se7en Conventions of Noir

Within my own production I could use conventions from se7en, such as the ticking metronome and the busy urban city sounds. Techniques such as these establish the environment the film is set in furthermore, with both contrasting sounds connotes the relationship the character has to his environment. The character Detective Summersets is surrounded with unease and chaos of the noise around him, trying to block out the madness with the metronome. The clever uses of sound used to establish the characters relationship to their environment could be an influence to the opening of my own production.

How does the sewer scene in The Third Man use mis en scene to create meaning?



In this shot matrices are used to create a sense of entrapment with the use of high angles and diagonal lines connoting the loss power and perpetuating a sense of fear. The winding of the staircase suggests disorientation and confusion, this could be a metaphor for power and how the character is desperately trying to escape. 

                              

The extreme long shot emphasises the isolation within the sewer, this arrays a common theme in film noir of a male anti-hero character, foreshadowing the isolation and secrecy within post war society. The character in the shot is displayed as small in comparison to the surroundings, this exaggerates the characters vulnerability to what he is hiding from. 



     

   

Matrices are also used in this image, with the use of diagonal lines creating confusion. The geometry encloses the character into the setting creating a maze like setting, causing a metaphorical claustrophobia being stuck in the space. Furthermore, the large shadow emphasises the protagonists evil side being the character which absorbs the most space within the shot.

     

 




In one of the final shots of the sewer scene chiaroscuro is used to silhouette the character, to present their darker side however still surrounding the character through a tunnel of darkness. The stable onscreen vanishing point brings a concluded end to the manic action previous.

Introduction

Hi, I'm Timiah and this my A- Level media blog.