Titles Research- Se7en [Scott]

The opening to Se7en uses as mixture of both black frame and superimposed titles. However, the Editors and Titlists have added after-effects of glitching and celluloid crackling to the shots, this not only makes them more interesting to watch but introduces a chaotic and in some ways sinister mood, this is also achieved through the suspenseful music used at this point. This sets and fits the sinister mood for the rest of the film.

With a white font the positioning of the title texts when superimposed is usually in the darkest part of the frame, this highlights the text and makes sure that it isn't lost in the speed of editing and suggested madness that is happening at this point in frames.

Titles Research- Drive [Scott]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDCt1V8T3To -Drive Opening Credits in YouTube.

In the Drive opening Credits sequence the main thing to point out is the positioning of text titles. Because the titles in this film come superimposed over film footage the Titlist has positioned each text cleverly in the frame. As we can see below they have utilised the empty space of the shot between Ryan Gosling's head and hand to place the Film's name title, not only does this work because it is the centre of the screen but because it doesn't cover any of our established main character and the colours of the shot (Black/ Dark Blue) highlight the pink font title so that it is clear for the audience. 

It is also larger in comparison to the titling screenshot below, this helps differentiate between film name and crew member name (Cast/ Director). 

On the underneath shot, the titling is shown to us and naturally underlined by the dashboard of the car. This adds symmetry and a neat, professional look to the titling. Once again, the colours of the shot help to illustrate the text even more, with the contrast of a light pink to dark blues and blacks.

Titles Research- Identity [Scott]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IYnVCnpqRU -Identity Opening in YouTube.

Firstly, the most interesting part of the opening few titles is the Fade-in & outs for the text. While all the text of one frame Fades-in, with the Fade-out one letter is left for a few more seconds than the others before fading. In order these letters spell; Identity, having the film name appear in this way already creates a eeriness that transpires into interest and questions raised for the audience.

It is important that the font used, although generic, fits the already established mood of the film. It is simple and is easy to read, unlike a 'Baskerville' used font which is commonly used for Period Drama's or Romantic Movies. This simplicity fits well with the eerie fades.
After the initial 'Columbia pictures' frame, we are then given the titles superimposed on film footage.
The Editor/ Titlists have utilised depth-of-field and black parts of some shots to make sure the white font isn't lost within the frame and is clear to the audience.

Unknown-Thriller Research [Jake]

Unknown.

Unknown starring Liam Neeson as a concuss Assassin with no recollection of his actual job believes he is a biologist and that somehow, a man has replaced him as husband to his wife (January Jones)  the mood is clearly dark and Neeson is torn between his sanity and his accused insanity, we see his confusion firstly with colour correction with editing, which is dark and has a relatively low saturation suggesting mystery and danger, shots also range greatly from big close ups to common extreme long shots and seem to metaphorically collate to Neeson’s belief his mission is hopeless, of course with a plot turn you find this is not the case, sound tends to be very effective as it ranges between short dramatic crescendo's to long sad pieces, again suggesting a more psychological struggle.

Mise en scene is used in Liam Neeson’s appearance as well as Berlin as a whole, the protagonists clothes become ragged and Dirty but manage to maintain a professional look by being black and smart, Berlin is portrayed as a bustling city and neatly represents Jenner’s psychological struggle.

State Of Play- Thriller Research [Jake]

State of Play.

State of Play also involves a conspiracy although on a more personal scale, it shows journalist (Russell Crowe) embark on a personal but phenomenal discovery of murder and corruption, this seems a little extreme for a simple journalist to confront and this is shown by lots of establishing shots, showing big buildings of the set city, this juxtaposes his size to the buildings and metaphorically suggests he is out of his depth, Camera work works well with sounds and builds to regular crescendo's usually of tense bass music, close ups of Russell Crowe are common whilst the corrupt congressmen (Ben Affleck) usually appears at a mid-shot but dominant in the frame, suggesting power and as the twist goes- Russell Crowe's biggest threat.

Mise en scene is used with costume, where Crowe’s appearance is maintained as scruffy throughout the whole film, McAdams on the other hand appears considerably well presented, suggesting a naivety of the danger she is actually in.

Red Eye- Thriller Research [Jake]

Red Eye.

Red eye's initial shots are the ones that are most effective, they take place at an airport with a women (Rachel McAdams) rushing to catch the last flight, we see her first in a taxi on the way to the airport and the action immediately jumps in as the taxi driver appears extremely dangerous on the road. This adds a powerful sense of forthcoming danger, the weather is also bad, Pathetic fallacy, and indicates a hidden threat. The airport is extremely busy and manic and the protagonists helplessness is conveyed by use of high camera angles and suggests she will be the victim and most sound is diegetic, adding mayhem to the scene, however non diegetic sound is added when the characters are on the plane, the weather and plane are very loud, emphasising Rachel McAdams fear of flying and again foreboding the trouble she is unknowingly in.

Being on a plane at night also requires dim lighting, however the light on the female Protagonist is much higher and more equal than that of the aggressor, who despite this is still significantly lighted for character importance.

Man on a Ledge-Thriller Research [Jake]

Thriller analysis.

Man on a ledge.

Man on a ledge is a thriller in which a man claims to be suicidal, as soon as Nick (Sam Worthington) is on the ledge the pace of the film becomes very fast, new characters are introduced quickly to build intensity and to support this opening shots are aerial, fast and quick camera shots, showing the danger of the ledge, and builds themes of danger, as the film is about conspiracy the camera work supports mystery, it does this by using select shots, when there appears to be more than meets the eye the camera will linger on the object or person more than seems valid, it also adds an initial shot followed by a close up from the same angle, revealing information and adding rapid pace, sound is also very effective and is especially strong whilst building up to Nicks decision to get onto the ledge, and at this point the crescendo kicks in, adding both suspense and anticipation.

Mise en scene is used mainly in costume, as Nick is wearing a suit, his hair however appears scruffy and he is not totally cleanly shaven, this is seen to indicate pressure and how Worthington is not quite as sophisticated as he is pretending to be.

Thriller Research - The Mortician (2011) [Keelan]

Camera

- In the first shot (above) a mid shot is used, with restricted narration. This is mainly so that you can clearly see the characters facial expression.

- In the second shot (above) a long shot is used. This scene is directly after the first, showing that the slightly worried look the alone man, may be due to the gang possibly coming across as intimidating.

Mise En Scene

- You can see that the scenes are in a rather urban, low class location from the garbage bins and graffiti on the wall in both of the images.

- From the alone man's costume you can tell that he is a rather more upper class character than the inidividuals in the gang. This could give a deeper insight to the man's personality.

- All of the individuals in the gang are wearing rather 'street' costumes as it were, which is very symbolic to make it seem as if they are in a gang. This is very clearly put across to the audience.

- A slight enigma is created, however subtlety. This is due to the alone man's nervousness around the gang. Is he scared because they are an intimidation gang, or is there something more?

Editing

- There is very good continuity, which increases the quality of the movie.

- There are rather takes on the beginning of the movie, this I think is to show the emotions of the characters, mainly the alone mans.

Sound

- The scene starts with an off screen sound, being a male's voice, which is then turned into an on screen sound as it is shown to be one of the gang member's voices.

- The sound of the door being locked is enhanced very much so, this being a Non-diegetic sound.

- Also, the sound of the alone man's keys rustling when being placed into his pocket is also another enhanced, Non-diegetic sounds.

- There is a Foley of the man walking to enhance the fact that he is walking away, as you would not usually here this at such volume.

Thriller Research - End of Watch (2012) [Keelan]

Camera

- In both of the images the camera is positioned in the same place, straight on, inside a car. This is to show the audience that the characters are in a vehicle. At this point, during a chase scene, and most thrillers contain chase scenes.

Mise En Scene

- There are various props during the chase such as dirt, rubbish and debris left from the vehicle being chased. This is to make the audience believe that it is realistic. As if there were none, it may not seem very realistic.

- The setting of the scene, being a chase, then the end of the chase, can possibly create an enigma. This is because it may make the audience wonder why exactly they are being chased. Then by the end of the chase, you see that the people who are doing the chasing are actually part of the LAPD (police).

Editing

- The majority of the scenes are rather short takes, this could be to speed the pace up and enhance the fact that the characters are in a chase scene.

- There is also a number of times ellipsis have been added to jump in time, this is to show that the chase is longer than what you actually see. This would of been edited like this as watching an entire chase scene could become tiresome.

Sound

- There is Non-diegetic music playing throughout the chase, this is of quite a fast pace. This is to add to the atmosphere and fast pace of the chase.

- There is also a voice over of a male; this gives a clue to who exactly is driving the car. Which during this, he declares he is a police officer for the LAPD. Giving a further insight into the movie.

- A lot of Non-diegetic sound is used during these scenes such as the squealing of car tyres, and gun shots. These are used to add to the realism.

Thriller Research - A Dangerous Method (2011) [Keelan]

Camera

In the beginning of this Thriller there are both Mid Shots and Mid Close Ups as seen above.

- (female image) This image has used a very popular Thriller type shot as it gives restricted narration, therefore only allowing the audience to view a what they want them to see.

- (male image) Here they have used a Mid Shot, which is quite unusual for a Thriller as it allows the audience to view more of the surroundings, which is not usually done in a thriller.

Mise En Scene

- From both of these screen grabs above you can clearly see what both of the characters are clothes in (costume), as we can see they are rather old fashioned clothing, therefore giving the audience a sense of when the movie is set in. (For those who do not know this is the late 19th and early 20th century).

Editing

- During these scenes there are quite long takes lasting around 4 to 10 seconds, going at a rather slow pace. This is used to create atmosphere and a relationship between the two characters.

Sound

- The sounds of the characters voices are diegetic, however the sound of the female characters breathing just before she speaks, has been amplified. This is to show the audience how hard she is finding it to talk. Therefore creating realism.

- There is also a non-diegetic sound used, which is of the door being closed. This is used to create emphasis that the door is shut and nobody can hear the two.

Thriller Research - Black Swan (2010) [Keelan]

Camera


- The first shot is an incredibly wide shot (Extreme Long Shot), creating an unrestricted narration. This is very unusual for a Thriller as it allows you to see all what is happening around the main character. (Even if there is no lighting).

- The second shot is a Mid Shot. This is used to create a feeling that the female character is being watched through the door, which indeed is very 'Thriller like'.

Mise En Scene


- In the first image you cannot really perceive exactly where the setting is as for the low lighting, therefore she could be anywhere. Adding suspense right at the beginning of the movie.

- Very low lighting. There is a rather bright key light which is directly shone on the main character and her alone. This is used to emphasise her importance.

- Her costume is very unique as it shows that she is some type of dancer, maybe a ballet dancer. This helps the audience to understand who exactly she may be.

- In the second image it is clear that it is set in a public environment, along with other people. This adds to the feeling of the character being watched.

Editing


- The first few scenes are very long, lasting up to around twenty seconds. Whilst going at a mid-pace. This could be to show importance.

- In the second screen grab, slightly further on in the beginning of the movie, the scenes are a lot shorter, and the pace picks up. This is used to show that the character who is watching the female is very alert and to show that she is watching her.

Sound


- The movie starts with music right from the beginning, with the Swan Lake theme tune, giving that the film is based on this.

- In the second screen shot, there is very noticeable music, this music is quite mysterious and slow paced, this is used to build up suspense and to create and atmosphere.

- There is definitely use of Non Diegetic sound, being the noise of the train moving. It is louder than it would be on the actual set. This is to create the setting.

Thriller Research- Sin City (2005) [James]

 
There are MS and LS that show most of the setting and character, this is strange because most thrillers use CU's to hide things from people
- there are O.T.S shots of the male character to create suspense about his emotions.

- The lighting is quite important and is low key, this is because they need to hide there identity from the viewer.
- The editing for this is the most important, they have taken the colour from the scene, although they have left in some colour, red dress, lipstick this creates a image of the woman which is a juxtaposition of her being in low key lighting.

-there are long takes with a slow pace, creates atmosphere and suspense betweenthe characters and the audience.

-The sound is diegetic speaking, this creates suspense because the sound of there voices have been amplified.
There is a voice over from the beginning, this voice over creates an ellipsis because he is thinking about the past.