Sound

   In the opening of 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed', jarring sound effects are used (such as the sound of an electric drill). This emphasised harsh noise establishes an uneasy atmosphere. We would use similarly sudden sound effects in the opening of our thriller film, for example we have planned to include the diegetic sound effect of a door slamming in one of our first shots, to also unsettle the audience. The non-diegetic music in 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed' could also influence our soundtrack; it used music which increases in pace to build tension and suspense. This is reinforced by the ticking sound in the music. Furthermore, the lack of dialogue in the opening of 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed' is enigmatic and we will similarly not include any speech in our film opening to create a sense of mystery.

   Another film which we are influenced by is 'Se7en'. The first shot in the film is a black screen and the diegetic sound of traffic to establish the city location and suggest the typical connotations of a busy urban environment - chaos, corruption and immorality. Our film also has a conventional urban setting so we could include similar sound effects of passing cars in the background.

   'Panic Room' (another thriller film which was, like 'Se7en', directed by David Fincher) opens with orchestral non-diegetic music. This increases in intensity which builds tension, especially as it begins to include a fast-paced ticking sound (similar to 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed'). The contrasting pitch of the stringed instruments in this music connotes conflict, which is suggestive of the film's themes of terror and violence. We will also try to include tense music to unsettle our audience.
Panic Room Opening Titles from Ode on Vimeo.

Fonts

We have selected various fonts which we could use in the credits during the opening of our thriller film, which we have sampled with the name of our production company. Most of the fonts which we have considered, including 'Break It', are bold sans serif fonts. This is common in British thriller films, such as 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed' and 'Essex Boys'. This could be because the broad fonts may connote brutality. Additionally, 'Break It' has a fractured appearance which creates suitable generic connotations of conflict and violence.



Another font which we have considered is 'RR Ruitjes'. This sans serif font has a cage-like grid pattern which could foreshadow the capture of our protagonist. It also has a slightly worn look which connotes decay and despair. The damaged appearance could be compared to the scratchy font used in 'Se7en', which is effective because it is slightly unsettling for the audience.




Additionally, we have considered 'Tox Typewriter' as a font to use within our credits. This is a typewriter-style line serif font, like the font which was used in 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'. The uneven widths of the letters' spines in 'Tox Typewriter' could be effective because it is suggestive of the themes of chaos and disorder which are common in thriller films.

Edited 26/02/17: What do directors seek to establish in the openings of thrillers?

     In the opening of films, directors often aim to establish character, themes, location, tone/mood, plot and genre. I will be analysing how character, tone and themes have been established in some examples of thrillers.

Figure 1

Character

     In 'Se7en', directed by David Fincher, there is emphasis on the establishing of character. Figure 1 displays a range of props which present aspects of the character of Detective Somerset (the protagonist of the film). This is a high-angle close-up which emphasises the importance of the props, both to the character and to the audience as they form their initial impression of him. The police badge signifies that the protagonist is a detective (a conventional character of the genre). The pocket-knife and gun create connotations of danger and foreshadow the themes of violence within the plot. They could also present Somerset as cautious because he is prepared to defend himself, plus having the gun carefully stored in a case may suggest that he is restrained. The ambiguous prop of the floral wallpaper creates juxtaposition with these two weapons, possibly signifying a more sensitive and sentimental side to Somerset. Additionally, the prop of the pen may present him as intellectual. Furthermore, the neat arrangement of the character's belongings present him as organised.

Figure 2

     In Figure 2, Somerset is foregrounded by shallow focus.This emphasises the distance between him and the other characters in the scene, creating a sense of isolation and possibly presenting him as lonely. This intense focus could also present his concentration and dedication to his job. Somerset speaks his first line of dialogue in the film during this scene; in response to being told that the murder was a "crime of passion", he says "Yeah, just look at all the passion on that wall." This sarcastic remark presents him as cynical.

Figure 3

Tone/mood
     The opening of 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed', which was directed by J Blakeson, heavily focuses on establishing tone. The film begins with a constantly moving camera, which seems ominous and creates a sense of threat as well as building tension. The washed-out colour palette and mundane location (an airport car park) in figure 3 creates connotations of bleakness. Additionally, the shallow focus presents the anxiety of the foregrounded character so creates a sense of apprehension and suspicion.

Figure 4

   Shallow focus is used in further shots in 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed' to reinforce this tense tone. The extreme close up in figure 4 creates a sense of intensity, plus the prop of the power tool is mildly threatening which is reinforced by its harsh diegetic sound.

Figure 5

     Tone is also established in the opening of 'Layer Cake', directed by Matthew Vaughn; the protagonist and his lifestyle are presented as 'cool' and enviable. This is conveyed by the camera's constant movement and smooth transitions (including wipe transitions and match cuts), which convey ease and control. The cold colour palette in figure 5 suggests sophistication and the symmetry of the shot reinforces a sense of calm and order. This is emphasised by the deep depth of field which, opposite to the shallow depth of field in 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed', suggests clarity and that the protagonist is assured. Slow-paced non-diegetic music reinforces the sense of relaxed and 'cool' tone.

Figure 6

Themes
     Conventional themes of film noir are established in the opening of 'Double Indemnity', which was directed by Billy Wilder. In figure 6, the character's fedora hat (part of the classic costume of a male protagonist in film noir) obscures his face, presenting him as an enigma and conveying the theme of suspicion. Additionally, the conventional dark shadows in the shot connote immorality, presenting the theme of corruption. The imbalance in figure 6 (with the protagonist confined to one side of the shot) suggests a feeling of claustrophobia which could present the theme of fate, foreshadowing that the protagonist becomes trapped by his scheme.

Figure 7

     Figure 7 (a shot from 'Essex Boys', directed by Terry Winsor) presents the theme of hopelessness due to its washed-out colour palette which connotes bleakness and misery. The path in this scene has an off-center vanishing point, creating a sense of disorientation which suggests uncertainty and may also signify that the characters feel aimless, presenting the theme of desperation. This extreme long shot presents a barren location, suggesting vulnerability because the character appears isolated within the wide expanse.

How are metaphorical spaces used to create meaning in the opening of Essex Boys?

Figure 1

The tunnel in figure 1 is a metaphorical space, as it could symbolise the protagonist's transition into criminality. Connotations of danger and immorality are created by the dark mise en scene. The contrasting neon lighting is intense and could present the harshness of the character's lives. The vanishing point of the tunnel is off-center, which creates a sense of uncertainty.

Figure 2

The bars of light in figure 2 create a sense of claustrophobia and present that the character may feel trapped in the dreariness of his surroundings. They are also suggestive of prison bars, which could foreshadow his fate as he enters the world of crime. Additionally, the protagonist is in focus and the rule of thirds is used which positions us with the character.

Figure 3

The washed-out colour palette of the bleak setting in figure 3 connotes misery and hopelessness. The vanishing point of the path is off-center, which creates a sense of disorientation and suggests a lack of direction in the desperate lives of the characters. Figure 3 is an extreme long shot, which emphasises the barrenness of the expansive marsh and presents the unnamed character as small in comparison; this reinforces the character's powerless as he appears weak and insignificant, presenting themes of disillusionment and hopelessness.

Edited 31/01/17: How are conventions of film noir used in the opening of Se7en?

Influenced by the opening of Se7en, we will similarly begin with diegetic sound over a black screen to suggest an enigma, plus create a sense of anticipation and tension. We will also choose an urban location for our film because this is conventional for the thriller genre and can symbolise danger. Additionally, the diegetic sound of a metronome in the opening of Se7en effectively creates a sense of suspense and we will use a similar sound in the form of a ticking watch within our film opening.

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

Figure 1

As displayed in figure 1, the confined space of the sewer location in this scene creates a sense of claustrophobia. This reflects the paranoia of the period following World War II. This dark meaning is emphasised by the harsh chiaroscuro lighting, which is a common convention of film noir, presenting a feeling of enclosing darkness and evil. The intense lighting silhouettes the character (Harry Lime) which presents him as enigmatic. However, the vanishing point is centralised in the shot which creates a sense of finality which could foreshadow his approaching demise.

Figure 2

Figure 2 is an extreme long shot which presents the large size of the sewer. This presents Lime as small and insignificant in comparison, symbolising the disillusionment and existentialism which America was experiencing during the 1940s and 1950s. This also suggests that the character is vulnerable and isolated. Furthermore, there is an off-screen vanishing point which creates an unsettling atmosphere. Additionally, the dark shadows cast across the floor connote danger.

Figure 3

A canted angle is utilised in figure 3, which creates a sense of chaos and disorientation. This was a conventional feature of German Expressionism, a movement which influenced film noir. The lack of balance in the shot reinforces the character's panic because Lime is at the far left of the frame so appears trapped.

Figure 4

Figure 4 is a high angle shot, which conveys the weakness and helplessness of the character. His face is illuminated which highlights his petrified expression and this is emphasised by its position near the centre of the shot. The matrix of diagonal lines from the steps and railings which surround the character appear like a net, reinforcing the sense of claustrophobia and presenting the character as powerless.

Introduction

Hi, this is the first post of my Media blog.