"Analyse and compare the Opening Sequences of Three Films of the Genre."
Making notes on the following was also encouraged; Camera Work, Sound, Editing, Mise-en-Scene, Narrative and Representation. I will be analysing 'Swordfish' 'Collateral' and 'Inception'.
Brief: http://maisieheskethmedia-main.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tuesday-8th-november-session-4.html
Collateral Notes: http://maisieheskethmedia-main.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/analysis-research-collateral.html
Swordfish Notes: http://maisieheskethmedia-main.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/analysis-research-swordfish.html
Inception Notes: http://maisieheskethmedia-main.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/analysis-research-inception.html
I spent one lesson watching the opening sequence of 'Swordfish', and one lesson watching the opening of 'Collateral'. I spent about an hour at home watching and making notes on the opening of 'Inception' and about two hours planning and writing my analysis essay. (See attached document).
"Analyse and compare the opening sequences of three films of the genre.”
As part of my genre research for my AS Main Task for Media Studies, I have watched the opening sequence of three thriller films. My chosen films were Swordfish, Collateral, and Inception. I am going to analyse each film in terms of the codes and conventions and then compare the effects of these techniques.
Camerawork is very important in thriller films as it helps create the mood and feeling of the film, as well as helping to emphasise the desired effects of the storyline and the mise-en-scene. High-angle shots and low-angle shots are used in thriller films in order to help the audience establish the differences in characters, such as the antagonist and the protagonist. Low angle shots are used to show authority and high status of particular characters. For example, in Swordfish, a low angle shot is used to show the importance of Hugh Jackman’s character; nonetheless, the low angle is shot from behind him and is subtle, which I think suggests that he too does not yet know the intensity or extremity of his authority in the film.
Close-ups are also regularly used in order to add intimacy and increase the intensity of the scene. In Inception at the very beginning when he is washed up on the beach there is a close-up of his face showing that he is a main character and will play an important roll in the story as he is the first person or thing to be introduced. There is also a close-up of the waves crashing onto the beach, which sets the scene and introduces the location. To use varied shots to set the scene rather than an establishing shot is a typical camerawork convention of a thriller film; for example using tracking shots, long shots or pan shots immediately allows you to be introduced to both the location and the action at the same time. For example, at the beginning of Collateral, instead of having an establishing shot overlooking the airport to set the scene, you hear the noises of the planes but the camera is down, below eyeline in the crowd; this shows the business and chaos of the location but does not make it obvious where you are. By showing Tom Cruise with a head and shoulder shot, and Jason Statham with a mid-shot, we can see that Tom Cruise is the more important and dominant of the two characters. Also in Collateral, when the taxi is driving around the roads, a tracking shot is used so that you are introduced to the location as the car drives past it. Point-of-view shots, eye line-match and voyeurism are also used in all three films to suggest that the characters are being watched- or are watching somebody- and that this action is unauthorised; this fits the conventions of the genre well because thriller films are known for creepy but realistic things like stalkers, murderers and illicit activity. Canted angles also create enigma and confusion, and add to the intensity of the proceedings.
In thriller films, both digetic and non-digetic sounds are used in different ways in order to fit the conventions. Typically, in this genre, not much dialogue is used and this is shown in both Collateral and Inception but not in Swordfish. At some points in both Collateral and Inception, longer conversation is shown but it is in a different language that we cannot understand; this creates enigma because you do not know what is being said, or is happening. However, simultaneously, it allows you to see that something is going on, but you cannot know about it yet or that is it secretive and possible also not permitted.
Non-digetic music is used throughout most of all three of the opening sequences. In Swordfish, the music consists of beating and screeching which get louder and higher-pitched when things happen in the sequence; however, as you are supposed to be absorbed in the action of the film rather than the music, these soundtracks are subtle and almost unnoticeable but do a very good job in aiding the film by creating mood and/or enigma where appropriate. In Collateral, whilst the camera is following the taxi, the music changes considerably more than once to demonstrate several time lapses. The genre of music is also effective as it reflects the location of the taxi, for example whilst it is driving through the suburbs of the city a louder black-rap track is being played, however, when the taxi enters the inner-city and is driving along the main roads, the music becomes more romantic and classical; this also helps to create moods. Inception also uses non-digetic music to create mood- the music is very dramatic and fast paced, like the action in the film, and it gets louder as the action increases.
Silence is used effectively to create contrast against the music and to add effect. For example, in Swordfish, the beating of the percussion in the music is increasing rapidly as the intensity of the action builds and then once the car explodes, it suddenly goes silent and into slow motion; this is an excellent use of silence for emphasis. Sonic exaggeration and emphasized digetic sounds are also very conventional of the thriller genre to emphasise important and impacting events in the story. Additionally, juxtaposition of sounds and moods is also very conventional and often used within this genre. For example; in Swordfish, the contrast between the only noise in the café being John Travolta’s voice and the chaos and volume once they leave the café; in Collateral, between the chaos and buzz of the airport and the shouting at the taxi-rank to the silence and calm once he gets into his taxi; and in Inception, between the peace and calm inside the house compared with the chaos of fighting and shouting outside.
In the opening sequence of Swordfish jump cuts are used regularly-where the shot remains on the same subject but changes angle frequently, however each time the camera moves it is by less than 45 degrees. This portrays an idea of time lapse suggesting that the character (played by John Travolta) is talking for a long time; additionally signifying his importance in the film and his passion or knowledge of the topic in discussion, however from this the audience can not yet tell whether he is playing the protagonist or the antagonist. This jump cut also causes confusion and creates enigma. Jump cuts are also used in Collateral to show a change in time; that the taxi journey has been of long duration which shows that the taxi driver (played by Jamie Foxx) does not have a particularly eventful life at equilibrium- also perhaps suggesting that this will be changed in order to fit with conventions of the genre and Todorov’s theory. Inception also uses jump cuts using graphic-match to help create enigma and build tension at the beginning of the film. Using jump cuts creates enigma and confusion; it also puts the audience on edge as it almost looks hand-held, and unofficial which makes the audience feel like they are watching something that they shouldn’t be. Jump cuts also technically violate the continuity editing of the film, and give the impression of continuous time in the story. Conventions are also met as jump cuts allow the audience to assume things, which leaves climaxes to their imagination to increase emotions; enigma is also by using jump cuts because things can be missed out. Jump cuts can be fast-paced to add excitement to the climax, or slow-paced to make the events creepier or show secretiveness.
In thriller films, the pace of the film is very important in helping to reflect the mood of the film; fast-paced editing emphasizes climatic events and makes it more exciting, where slow-paced editing shows sensitivity and adds an eeriness to the scene. Swordfish’s opening sequence contains some very slow paced editing- in the café- suggesting that the situation is calm and that John Travolta’s character is at equilibrium hence the sequence may appear very eventful, or unusual, to the audience but it is simply normality for him. Juxtaposition is then used with fast editing from other peoples point of view during the shooting scene; this shows the panic and disruption of equilibrium to other people’s lives. Fast-paced editing is also used in Collateral, which not only meets a convention of the genre, but also fits the sub-genre that is ‘thriller-drama’. In Inception, fast paced editing is used to cause confusion and tension whilst flicking between the different ‘worlds’ in the narrative. Slow motion also plays a large role in all three sequences that I analysed; in Swordfish to emphasise the impact of the explosions; in Collateral to show Tom Cruise’s importance as he walks through the airport; and in Inception to show importance of the evens both when the car blows up and when he falls into the bath.
However, ‘slow motion’ is not the only special effect that has a huge impact on editing and the effects created in films. Focus-pull is a good example of an editing technique used to help the audience understand the importance of different characters and events in the narrative; for example, in Inception, at the airport, everybody is out of focus except for the characters played by Tom Cruise and Jason Statham. This may suggest that they are the two main characters in the film, however, when looking further into this- and watching the sequence repeatedly- I noticed that the sequence shows Tom Cruise first (and he is in slow motion) and during the sequence the camera then stays with this character for longer; therefore, I think that Tom Cruise is either the protagonist or the antagonist, and that it is simply Jason Statham’s actions that are important in the sequence rather than him as a character. Swordfish also uses focus pull to enable variation in the audience’s focus. In addition to this, Swordfish also uses a flickering effect on the footage to create enigma, it also suggests that what is happening may be secretive or unauthorised. Special effects are also used in all three thrillers to create explosions and destruction and to meet the typical conventions of the genre.
Within the thriller genre lighting is a key aspect; it sets the tone, atmosphere and mood for the narrative and usually echoes the plight and mood of the protagonist; it is therefore used hugely in opening sequences. In Swordfish quite dim lighting is used inside the café adding suspense to the scene, this is then contrasted with the brightness of the scene outside the café; this reflects the audiences understanding as inside the café you do not know what the character is talking about, or what is happening but when you go outside things become more clear. This is a typical juxtaposition of dark and light. Juxtaposition is also used in Inception –it is light on the train (in real life) but dark in all of the dreams, emphasising the intensity of the situation but also reflecting the audience’s understanding. Ambience is also used in certain shots to add mood and intensity. In Collateral light is used to emphasise the changes in time and the location. For example, in the airport the light is very bright because it is a location of high expense and what is happening is very clear, whereas at the taxi-rank the dark is duller and less bright using juxtaposition to show the contrast in class, social status and wealth. The dullness also reflects the fact that you do not yet know why the taxi rank is important in the film but we can tell why the swapping of the suitcase is going to be.
Props, costumes and actors are also an extremely important part of the mise-en-scene. Typically, the antagonist will have a flaw, which is obvious to the audience but not to the characters; the protagonist will then reveal the antagonist’s flaws. Identity is also important and many are also mirrored in the same person or character. In Swordfish, John Travolta’s character is wearing a black tie, dark green shirt and black suit; this show the audience that he is either the protagonist or the protagonist. The colour black (of the tie and the suit) is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery Black is a mysterious colour associated with fear and the unknown. It usually has a negative connotation; it signifies force and power and is considered to be a formal, elegant, and high-status colour. Also, dull green is commonly associated with money, the financial world, and banking; dark green is also associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy which I believe are typical characteristics for an antagonist in a thriller film. The character is also wearing sunglasses adding enigma and -using the idea of eyes telling secrets- suggests that something is being kept secret. Using John Travolta is effective also because he has black hair, and is a very masculine and powerful actor; his dominance and importance is shown a lot and the camera often stays on him despite the fact that other people are talking, he is a conventional character but manages to also create uncertainty and enigma. Travolta also has very prominent blue eyes; this colour signifies the confidence of his character. His masculinity is also emphasised by showing close-ups him smoking a cigar; a cigar is a phallic symbol and presents masculinity.
In Inception, the first character that Leonardo Dicaprio plays is washed up on the beach wearing scruffy brown clothes with wet hair all over his face; brown can be a steady color yet too much brown can give a dull effect, brown gives a feeling of solidity, and allows one to stay in the background, unnoticed- which shows that this character is not important. This is then juxtaposed against his second character who wears a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie portraying that he is businesslike, official and important. There is also a woman who wears a long black dress showing sophistication and status, however the dress is also tight and revealing making it sexy and seductive- from her behavior and attitude in the narrative I also think that she is going to use her sexiness to manipulate Leonardo Dicaprio’s character. Leonardo Dicaprio is well known in the genre therefore by having him playing more than one character in the opening sequence is a key signification of the genre; this is also suggested in the frequent use of guns and clocks, which too are conventional in the thriller genre. A letter with the word ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ on it is also used to conventionally show that something abnormal, or that shouldn’t be happening, is happening. When Dicaprio’s character is first washed up on to the beach there are children playing, the children are wearing neutral colours to show that they are not important as characters but are just there as part of the mise-en-scene.
In Collateral, Tom Cruise and Jason Statham play the first two characters that we see; they are in an airport. Both characters are wearing suits but Tom Cruise’s is grey whereas Jason Statham’s is black, which also tells us about the characteristics of the characters; grey suggests wisdom and respect where black signifies force, power and high-status. The way in which the characters exist is also important; Tom Cruise is walking fairly slowly with a slight swagger showing that he is confident and calm; Jason Statham is walking quite quickly which shows that he is less important, and perhaps suggesting that his actions are more important than his actual character. Both of the characters carry black briefcases and this shows their importance; the recurrent use of the briefcase implies that it is significant and that it will be important to the plotline. Throughout the opening sequence, we frequently see a particular advert repeated in multiple places; this is a pre-echoed image and suggests that this advert will also be significant during the ensuing story. The taxi driver is a friendly character played by Jamie Foxx, he seems nice and down to earth; his characteristics suggest that he is the protagonist in the film. He wears a green t-shirt reflecting his calm characteristics and a casual brown jacket suggesting tradition, depth, passion and ambition; these also reflect Foxx’s character’s personality and e, as an audience, can tell that he loves his job. When he puts the postcard image of the island onto the dashboard in his red taxi, we see that it is his equilibrium and his taxi is his place of calm, or his personal ‘desert Island’. The fact that the taxi is red is also significant as this shows passion, but also suggests danger and that the taxi –or events within/surrounding the taxi- will be important during the narrative. When Annie Farrell (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) gets in to the taxi we immediately see that she is going to play an important role in the plot; she is a businesslike and dominant woman –very unconventionally so- and wears a black skirt suit, showing that she is a successful businesswoman. Once inside the car, her personality comes across as very official and overriding, this also suggests her importance.
Mise-en-scene also helps to reflect meanings and representations of characters within the story. Representation can be in terms of many things including race, gender, social class and disability. In Swordfish, gender dominance is shown conventionally through masculinity by having both a male protagonist and a male antagonist; this shows power and authority and is a strong conventional representation of gender imbalance. Swordfish also uses an airport as a setting for one of the scenes with the antagonist, which I think represents internationalism and movement in a negative way. In Inception, gender representation and imbalance are also used to show male dominance, as there is not a single woman shown until quite a bit into the film. When a woman is finally shown, she is shown in a sexual way implying that women are sexual where men are more formal and businesslike; these stereotypes and conventions are completely broken by Jada Pinkett Smith in Collateral. Also in Collateral, race is used strongly with both the businessmen at the airport being white men and showing little emotion whereas Jamie Foxx’s character- a black taxi driver- is very sociable and pleasant and has different, more traditional motives which he expresses to Smith’s character as “taking pride in being good what do”. Jada Pinkett Smith also breaks the racial stereotype being shown here, as she too is black.
Conventionally in thriller films, little dialogue is used; there is reoccurring theme of the story being shown from the point of view of the protagonist allowing the audience to relate more freely. Thrillers also contain a complex narrative, including false paths, clues and resolutions; a pattern of establishing enigmas also frequently occurs enabling the audience to begin to expect the resolution- abiding by Todorov’s theory. Collateral meets many of these conventions immediately as there is no full conversation in English for at least five minutes into the film; however you do hear snippets of different conversations in varied languages but none of it makes sense and hence enigma is readily created. The first conversation is between Foxx and Smith’s characters and is dragged out for ages allowing the audience to forget about the tension of the airport and –conventionally of the genre- they do not know what is going on. Similarly in Inception, there is no dialogue in English for a while allowing confusion to occur. When the narrative is finally introduced, it is very clever and is almost in riddles further extending the enigma. Contrastingly, in Swordfish, there is dialogue right from the beginning but it is very fast-paced and jumpy showing enigma and setting a mood for the scene. There is also a lot of juxtaposition and contrast in the moods of the characters showing different peoples reactions to what has happened and hence suggesting their position in the narrative.
Titles are also important in thrillers as they suggest the hybrid or sub-genre being used, and help to set the mood and tone of the film. For example, Swordfish uses a computer-type text and the titles flicker on and off the screen frequently; this ties in with the genre with technology and communication, but the flickering suggests that something is not working properly or going to plan. However, neither Inception or Collateral use titles before or during the opening sequence which further emphasises the enigma being felt by the audience; this is very conventional for the genre.
In terms of conventions I think that Inception meets the most, as it contains many typical techniques for the thriller genre. However -although Inception was the most conventional, and Swordfish created suspense and tension- personally, I think that the most effective opening sequence was that of Collateral as it allowed a lot of the plot to be left to the imagination of the audience, was easiest to relate to and by opposing a lot of the conventions I think that it was something different and I would definitely choose this to watch out of the three.
Opening sequence of Inception: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VXkUzf1et4
Opening sequence of Swordfish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG-Z6-nFQBo
Opening sequence of Collateral: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZfEEzKFEv8
No comments:
Post a Comment