Wednesday 23 February 2011

Analysis of Thriller Opening - PREMONITION

In Premonition the camerawork is used to create a sense of both confusion and mystery, but also normality. We are introduced into the opening sequence with a high-angle/bird’s eye view shot of the protagonist sat in a stationary car and this is challenging to the viewer seeing as this is not a stereotypical shot in which a scene would be introduced. This is therefore powerful and leaves the viewer unaware of the location and what will happen next. Shots such as over the shoulder shots, medium shots and long shots are used to create a sense of normality in the scene, and are individually used to create different effects. Over the shoulder shots shows the conversation and intimacy between the two characters, medium/close-up shots show the two characters in detail and some location also. Long shots are used to show the location in detail, set the scene and also involve the audience in the scene more. The mix of these shots allows the viewer to engage more fully in the opening sequence. Camerawork uses the conventions of a thriller effectively due to the shots being used to present mystery but also normality to the viewer confusing them and leaving them wondering what will happen next.


Sound is another micro-element which uses and explores thriller conventions. In the opening credits a non-diegetic sinister, orchestral sounding piece of music is played to introduce the titles in a particular way. This use of sound creates tension for the audience and also stereotypically leaves them thinking that something bad/mysterious will happen due to the conventions of thrillers. The use of orchestral sounds and instruments which are played (including strings) emphasise this mysterious and sinister feel due to the tone and effect that they have on an audience. Sound is also used in the opening sequence to create an everyday feel, and sense of normality. This sense of normality and everyday life is portrayed to the audience by using diegetic ambient sounds and also dialogue. Ambient sounds such as the sound of a car, the car door slamming, car keys, birds in trees, the wind are all ambient sounds which are used stereotypically to portray that sense of normality in a film and create atmosphere. Also, when no image is shown and only ambient sounds are played it can give clues to the audience about the setting, location etc. Dialogue (diegetic) is also used to portray normality due to it showing interaction between two characters.

The editing used in the opening sequence of Premonition is particularly significant to the way in which the micro-element explores and uses the conventions of a thriller, especially a psychological one. Firstly fades in and out of the scene are used along with a lighter more dull/washed out coloured effect are used on the clip to create the sense of a flashback, dream or memory that are commencing in the protagonists mind. We are clear that this is a different time in the scene that is trying to be portrayed due to the scene fading out to a bad in which the protagonist wakes up in. The effect is not used in this bed scene. This flashback/memory style of editing is particularly effective as it is a theme that is explored deeply in psychological thrillers and this is a clear example of it being used effectively. It is effective as it makes the viewer wonder which scene is reality and also wonder why it has been shown to them. Other questions can also be drawn up from this leaving the viewer wanting to know more. It is also suggestive that when a memory/flashback is shown at the start of a film that it is significant/important to the story and can also be suggestive of what may happen further in the film. Other editing effects which are used are things such as panning and tracking shots which are both used to portray normality, but can be used to achieve certain effects. Tracking is mainly used to follow the characters movements, which is useful for the audience in being able to pay attention to detail, and follow their movements etc. Panning is mainly used to show a view of some sort, and is slower/more relaxed in order to give the audience more time to take in the surroundings and get a better feel for the story. Continuity style editing is used in the opening sequence to create a sense of normality in which events in the scene happen in the typical way in which they are supposed to. This continuity editing is used in order to not overly confuse the viewer seeing as they are already being challenged to interpret the flashback/memory effect that is shown and how this is used/is significant to the story. This therefore allows the film to be stimulating, yet enjoyable still. The use of the continuity editing does however challenge the thriller conventions. Also, as there is a flashback we assume that some parallel editing would have been used.

Mise-en-scene is also another micro element which uses and explores the conventions of a thriller. In the opening sequence the costumes of the two characters are styled to portray normality. We see these two characters in casual, relaxed styled clothing such as t-shirts, jeans and hoodies. This helps to create a normal, calm sense in which the audience can relate to and understand. It is also particularly effective when other things are going on (strange, bad, mysterious) as the audience then become involved in these things in the scene as they can relate to it. It is therefore more personal on many levels. Makeup is used sparingly to create an everyday look in order to seem as if none is worn. The location used is also typical of a thriller convention as it is a very normal, stereotypical, realistic setting – a typical family neighbourhood. In the scene/shots used we see a middle sized house in an average/fairly wealthy neighbourhood and this along with the two middle aged characters, which are a couple stereotypically suggests family life and in some ways wealth. This is effective as it is something that most viewers can relate to or familiarise with, again creating that sense of normality. Also by the couple making contact and being ‘intimate’ to some extent in the opening sequence when kissing, hugging etc. this could be seen as stereotypical and within all of the normality suggested through the mise-en-scene and other micro elements it could be suggestive that something bad may happen to/in this relationship due to this being a focus in the opening clips shown. Lighting used in the scene is daylight which is used to create an everyday feel which the audience can relate to on a personal level. It can also be overseen by the audience due to the normality of it and this being something that the audience would not pick up on. Lastly, props are used in the opening sequence to set the scene and further portray that sense of normality in everyday life. Props such as a car, house keys, a watch, a hanging basket are all effective in emphasising that sense of normality and everyday life within the scene. They are also effective in making it easier for the audience to relate to and understand. Due to details such as lighting and props being used in the opening sequence to emphasise the normality and everyday feel, it also has a further effect as it emphasises the in-normality of the other corresponding effects/micro-elements used in the scene.

1 comment:

  1. Excellent work Ollie. Really detailed and articulate.
    Well done.

    ReplyDelete