1. Pulp Fiction
Camera work:
- During the beginning scene of pulp fiction long shots are used to show the surrounding area of the characters. This is used to introduce the characters to the audience and show them who may be involved in the upcoming scenes.
- A low angle shot is used to show how the adult character has authority over the child, this can also be seen as a point of view shot from the child’s perspective, looking up at the adult character.
- close ups are used to show reaction and emotion in this scene
- An extreme close up is used to show detail on a watch, this shows the audience that the watch is probably of some importance.
Mise-en-scene
- Clothing is used during this scene to show a characters occupation, he is wearing uniform that indicates he is in the air force.
- The house in which this scene is set in is very spacious and filled with furniture, this indicates that the family is well off.
Sound
- Not a lot of background noise is involved during this scene, this is so the audience concentrates on what the character is saying as it will probably have something to do with the events that unfold later during the film.
- We can hear birds in the background but no traffic which indicates that the family may live in quite a secluded area.
- Dialogue plays an important part during this scene, this is why there is not a lot of other background noises. This shows that what the character is saying is important and so the audience knows to pay attention.
Editing
- The cuts during this first scene are not short and quick as no tension is meant to be building. Instead they are long scenes as the audience needs to pay attention.
2. Se7en
Camera work:
- A long shot is used, introducing the character from afar so we can see what they are doing but have not yet scene their face in enough detail.
- The camera pans up from below to slowly reveal the characters face, this creates questions about the character. Who are they? Why are they important to the film?
- The scene then changes and another slow pan is used to reveal a dead body which will instantly create more questions.
Mise-en-scene:
- The character in the first scene is very well dressed; this suggests to the audience that they may have an important, well paid job.
- The light during the first couple of scenes is very dark and dim, this creates a negative feeling in the audience.
- Blood is used on the body of the victim in the second scene which tells us they must have been killed in some sort of violent way this also causes slight tension for the audience as they don’t know who murdered this person or why.
Sound:
- During the first short scene we can faintly hear the sound of sirens in the background, this gives the impression that the film is set in the city and also that the sirens may have something to do with what is about to happen in the film.
- The second scene in the film begins with dialogue, someone is explaining to our main character how the victim laying on the floor has been murdered. This confirms that the main character does in fact have an important job and tells the audience a bit more about this character.
Editing:
- This film also begins with very long scenes, this is used to introduce the characters.
- There is not a lot of action going on in this scene so not a lot of editing is used as they do not want to cause tension yet.
3. Leon
Camera work:
- The film begins with a tracking long shot of a street; this shows the setting of the film, a busy city.
- The film then begins with some extreme close ups, these show us great detail of some parts of the characters faces, yet they do not show us the characters whole face. This will cause frustration for the audience as they will want to see who these people are.
Mise-en-scene:
- A photograph of a man is used during this scene which will make the audience begin to ask questions. It draws them in as they will want to find out why this man is important to the film.
- The fact that the characters are smoking and they way in which they speak suggest that they are gang members of some sort.
- Later on in the scene when the action begins guns and other weapons are used a lot which helps build up tension as the audience knows something big may be about to happen.
Sound:
- At the beginning of the scene there is no music, this means the audience is concentrating fully on what the characters are saying.
- When one of the characters leaves, slow dark music soon starts to play, this gives the impression that this character is very dangerous and may be about to break the law in some way. The music also builds up some tension.
- Through the scene as the action begins the music beat speeds up, this causes a great deal of tension as it seems as though it is building up for something big to happen.
Editing:
- When the action begins later on in the scene the camera pace speeds up, this combined with the music builds up a lot of tension in the audience.
4. Inception
Camera work:
- At the start of the first scene the camera tilts slightly while filming which makes the audience think that the character may be dizzy or disorientated.
- Close up shots are used to show emotion on the characters face, confusion.
- Low angle shots are used to show authority, the character that is armed with a gun is shot from below to look more powerful.
- In the second scene we do not see the new characters face for quite some time, this gives off the impression he is important. This causes a sense of mystery and frustration as the audience wants to see the characters face.
Sound:
- The first piece of dialogue we hear is in a foreign language, this strengthens the confusion the audience is already feeling as they obviously will not understand what is being said.
- The slow music at the beginning of the scene adds to the disorientated effect that the camera work and editing have together made.
Editing:
- To begin this scene the camera is out of focus, this makes the audience feel that the character is disorientated.
- To add to the disorientated effect the scene has also been made into slow motion, this makes the scene seem longer then it is and also could be seen from the characters point of view as they are disorientated.
Mise-en-scene:
- The island that the main character has washed up on has guards that are armed with guns, this suggests that the island is well protected and of some importance.
- The character has washed up on the shore fully dressed, this makes the viewer start asking questions. How did he get there? And why?
- In the second scene the lighting is very dark; this causes a sense of mystery and the unknown.
5. Die hard
Camera work:
- The camera slowly pans up to introduce the character sitting on the plane.
- Close up shots are used to show character reaction. This makes their emotion more powerful as we see it in great detail.
- A long shot is used to show the surrounding area and set the scene.
- Tracking shots are used to show characters journey’s.
- A high angle shot is used to show a characters authority over the rest of the people in the room, he is looking down on them showing that he has power and is in control of the room.
Sound:
- During the first scene there is no music, all that can be heard is the landing of a plane which gives the impression the character that we will be introduced to first is on this plane.
- In the next scene classical music can be heard, this helps set the scene and gives the impression that the character is in a posh building.
- Dialogue is used to introduce the characters background too and give the audience a better understanding of the character.
Mise-en-scene:
- The characters body language on the plane helps us learn a little more about him, he is very stiff and un-relaxed. He is afraid of flying.
- The character is well dressed suggesting he has a well paid job.
- A gun shows that the character is in fact a police officer.
- All these points help us understand the character a bit more and give us some information about them.
Editing:
- The beginning of this thriller is not where the action begins to happen therefore the pace of the shots is quite slow as to not cause any tension.
Most of these thrillers seen to have a few similarities, they all tend to cause some sort of confusion to draw the audience in and keep them watching. When the action begins the shot pace and the music both speed up to make the film look more action packed or they slow right down to cause a lot of tension.
Good shona. some good analysis here. To reach level 4 you will need to also address other issues of narrative, character etc,. Also, embed the openings and use screengrabs to enhance your written analysis.
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