Analysing Thriller Clips - 'Collateral'

The opening to 'Collateral' takes the audience straight into the action of the film. This is a scene in a busy airport, where one man can be seen bumping into another and then a bag swap takes place. The events of this opening are not particularly special, but the way they were captured and edited is.

There is selective focus upon the man walking through the crowds in the airport. This makes the audience aware of who is the focal point in this scene. There is also an intense close-up over the shoulder shot. This shot is so extreme that the audience is looking through the character's glasses. This makes the audience feel like they are a part of the action, and engages them from the very beginning.

The sound in this opening clip is also quintessentially important. The audience can hear the background noise of people moving quickly in an airport, but above this they can hear the slow, cool thuds of Tom Cruise's footsteps. This shows the audience who is important in this scene by making his footsteps ring out through a packed airport. A 'whooshing' sound can also be heard in synchronisation with important movements and cuts. This draws attention to key movements in the sequence, and aids the audience in engaging with the film.

The opening sequence has no titles running over the top, and they do not precede the sequence. This is an important point, as the audience may be confused as to what film they are watching should the film come on TV.

The editing pace is very important in this sequence, as it is cut slowly when the surroundings are being established. This allows for a high contrast in the editing pace when the bag swap takes place. The editing pace at this point speeds up dramatically to emphasise how quick the action is. The editing pace then slows back down to the original long-running pace it had before the bag swap. The sudden change of speed makes the audience more alert to the action that is going on, and keeps the viewer engaged.

Skills Audit Editing

In one of my media lessons we learnt how to edit and we used a programme called final edit pro and we edited a clip called bait- tutorial. Before we started to edit out clip from the browser in Final edit and pro and would drag the clip to the screen and put the clip in the viewer where we could later edit it, like making the clip shorter or longer by putting in and out points to start and end the clip. while using final edit pro we learnt how to use things such as the razor tool where we could cut the clip and move the clip and make it come in different places in our final viewing in order for it to make sense. By the end of the lesson we also leant how to make the clip last shorter by cutting it on the time line for it to make sense and for it to be a quick viewing.

Skills-Audit-Editing

I learned how to use final cut pro by using the BAIT tutorial, open a clip from browser and put in: In and Out points.

• we also learnt how to drag clips onto time line
• we further learnt how to use razor tools
• finally we learnt how to build a sequence n the time line

Skills Audit - Editing (BAIT tutorial)

I learned the basic skills of how to use Final Cut Pro effectively by editing a sequence from BAIT to create a story line of my choice.

I opened a clip from BAIT from the browser, then I chose the in and out points of the clip, dragged the clips onto the timeline, learned how to use the razor tool effectively and I learned to create a sequence on the timeline that flows together seamlessly with a smooth editing pace. I also dragged clips to be shorter or longer in length. This helped in making the pace of my editing more smooth.

Skills audit of Bait tutorial:

The bait tutorial was put together to familiarise ourselves with the editing program Final Cut Pro, of which we will be using to edit our thriller openings. We were able to successfully edit together pieces of existing clips and cutting where necessary.

By selecting a clip from the browser and choosing an "in" and "out" point, I was able to reduce the length at any point, starting and ending at the appropriate point. To cut on a specific frame I was then able to stop the clip and find the point by completely slowing it down usung the left and right arrow keys. I was then able to view what I had cut in the viewer. Once happy with the cut clip, I was able to drag it onto the time-line. A sequence of clips was then formed, and where i felt necessary, additional cuts could be made using the "razor" tool or by simply shortening the clip on the time-line. Once satstified, i was able to play back the entire sequence that i myself had edited.
I really enjoyed the tutorial, it was task of which enabled me to learn how to successfully edit a piece of film.

Detailed analysis of Thriller clip opening:

The opening of a movie is solely for the purpose of capturing the audiences attention and to make them interested in the film, they introduce the characters and set locations and sometimes suggest outcomes of the movie. To understand and familiarise ourselves with the style and techniques used in an opening of a thriller movie, and for inspiration, we viewed and analysed a selection of thriller opening title sequences. Particularly paying attention to the opening of 'Collateral', directed by Michael Mann and starring Tom Cruise.

The opening sequence of 'Collateral' is set in a busy airport; masses of people walking/rushing around with luggage and are almost instantly introduced to two key characters in the sequence, of whom are walking toward something/someone. Later we become aware they are headed for each other. Both well dressed, and built men; they appear to blend in with the rest of the airport crowd, but their composition in the shots used suggest something otherwise. Something deeper than whats on the surface. The men bump into each other, and each drop their luggage. They are quick to apologise and there bags are then swapped, of which we assume to be intentional. They are then soon on their way to where they were headed. Only one character is then followed to the exit of the airport. Throughout many techniques are used to grab the full attention of the audience as well as to create suspense. The opening scene(s) of a movie usually entail some form of title sequence, this opening does not. The movie starts straight away as the director felt no need to include them.

During the opening, many different camera movements, shots and angles are used to have an effect on the audience. During the journey of the characters through the airport, selected focus is used. Only the two key characters are seen in focus and others around them are out of focus, and are seen in close up shots. This enables the audience to familiarise themselves with each of the characters and highlights there importance at the present time. The close up shots allows us a clear demonstration of the emotion felt by both characters. We are shown that one of the men is very confident (Cruise) in comparison to the other, who seems nervous and not as confident. The audience can clearly see the stronger and more dominant character. The characters throughout the scene are seen to be walking toward a static camera, instead of the use of a tracking shot or hand held camera, it makes the audience feel as though the action is coming to them; they aren't finding the action nor are they following it. There is one shot, over the shoulder, that gives the audience a real sense of place and point of view without the use of a point of view shot. We can see through the sunglasses worn by the character, the audience are almost to close for comfort with this character. And start to feel uncomfortable, but there is a sense of intrigue gained through this shot as well as the continuation of suspense the whole sequence has created.

The editing techniques used in the opening demonstrate and connote different emotion on the viewing audience. There are repeated clean cuts between two main characters walking through the airport. It allows the audience a clear distinction between the two. The pace of the cuts, which is dynamic, suggests an urgency within the scene; whatever the two men are doing they need to do it, creating suspense among a viewing audience. The more confidently portrayed character, played by Tom Cruise, is seen in a slower motion walking, whereas the less confident character is seen at a quicker speed. The more relaxed pace of Cruise's character again, suggests his confidence and dominant role. The faster pace of the other character shows insecurity.

The sound used within the opening also plays a key role in the opening sequence as well as camerawork and editing. The foots steps of the walking men are emphasised, over powering the sounds of the everyday commotion of an airport. This instantly directs all attention to the key characters and the audience begin to feel the building tension and growing suspense. As well as sound, Mise en scene is important. The costume worn by each character clearly illustrates a clear distinction between the key role. From the outfit of the character played by Cruise, a grey, expensive looking suit. One of which makes him stand out and above the rest of those in less smart looking usual black suits, like the one worn by the other character. The audience are inclined to feel the power and status of the grey suited character.

Photo Activity

In class we was given a camera and our objective was to take six different pictures which represented different things for example we took pictures that represented:

• City.
• Future.
• Hanging.
• Depression.
• Paranoid.
• Electrify City.

This picture is a picture f a clock and it is meant to represent the future.

This picture was taking to show the London which is representing one of the words we decided to do which is city.

This picture was taken of me in the hallway and with my hands in my head it is meant to look like depression because in this picture i am clearly not happy.

this picture was also taken to represent paranoia as samantha is in a corridor and looking behind her she is paranoid of her surroundings.

This picture shows Samantha putting her hand in an turned on plug to represent electrify.

This picture shows Samantha Togwell hanging from a pole where she looks as if she is hanging high above the ground.

Photo 'Words' Activity

We were given the task to go out and take photos to depict a list of words. For this, we had to create the mood/emotion/atmosphere that the word describes in a photograph.

Electrify: in this picture, I am about to stick my fingers in a plug socket. This portrays 'electrify' as if the action were allowed to continue, I would be literally electrified. This creates suspense, as the viewer would not know if I would stick my fingers in the plug or not.

Paranoia: this picture shows me looking over my shoulder, as I think I am being watched. The corridor also adds to a paranoid atmosphere, as it is narrow and creates the impression that something ominous is going to happen.

Depression: in this picture, George is holding his head in his hands to portray his depression - he cannot bear to look at the world around him.

Confusion: this picture shows me pulling a confused facial expression to depict confusion. I am also holding out my hands as if I am asking a question.

Photo 'Words' Activity

A list of word were given and in groups we were required to take photographs that associate with 6. The words we chose to take photographs of were Paranoid, city, confusion, hanging, depression and confusion. Here are some examples of the photos we took:

Confusion - this photo shows Sam sitting with a confused expression on her face. clearly illustrating confusion. Her posture and hand gestures also suggests this. The audience are thenmade to question her actions and become confused themselves.

City - the simple image of a city scape clearly illustrates and depicts the word 'city'. The dark colours suggest the bad weather and the opaque looking buildings in the background suggest busy city life. The shot allow the audience a clear image to establish their where abouts and the setting easily.

Paranoia - This photograph shows Sam walking down a long corridor weary of what or who is around her. Her dark clothing makes attracts all attention and slightly blurred focus of the image reflects her uncertainty. The audience will be likey to feel suspense.

Hanging -the image above shows sam hanging over a city scape. Her facial expression shows the fear she feels. This could symbolise the cliff hanger endings that thriller conventionally use. Also the image could create suspense; will she or will she not hold on?

List of thriller and sub genres

there are many types of thrillers, all that create suspense but all create suspense in different ways as they are all different types of thrillers so they will want suspense to happen in different ways, some of these thrillers are:

• Horror thrillers.
• Action thrillers.
• Political thrillers.
• Psychological thrillers.
• Religious thrillers.
• Spy thrillers.
• Medical thrillers.
• Legal thrillers.
• Crime thrillers.
• Conspiracy thrillers.
• Drama thrillers.

The thriller that inspires me the most is Horror thrillers because with Horror thrillers they can be more imaginative and help to create suspense which is one the main aims i want to achieve in my title opening as it is what gets the audience into the film and by having an imaginative opening title it will catch their attention and will want to make them watch the movie. Also with Horror thrillers they inspire me because with horror thrillers they give you a better advantage to try and make the opening title different and abstract which can build up suspense for the film.

Detailed analysis of a thriller clip

In class we watched an opening title to the thriller called The shining and in this clip, we see in class it consits of a yellow car driving down a long road in the middle of know where which creates suspense. through out the showing of the clip all we see is a car driving a long a road and when we get a birds eye shot it looks as if the car is driving into darkness which tells us that within this two minutes to the start of the film we know that something bad is in the offering where this is represented by the darkness and the fact it is so decluded. As the camera angle is high it is a birds eye view but with the noise of like screeching and with the car being so small it as if it is an eagle in the sky and the car is its prey and with the car being like the prey you know something bad will happen to the people in the car which helps to create suspense in this thriller.

the location of this clip is in the mountains in a hotel which is in the middle of nowhere and we get the feel that it is decluded with not a lot of cars being on the road or a lot of people being in this opening of the title. With this opening title being a slow edit we get an insight of how this thriller may be because if the edit is anything like the film it will be very slow and when something is every slow it makes the reader go to the edge of the seat and is a good way to create suspense in thrillers and the slow edit in this clip helps to create suspense because with the slow edit it makes it feel that the hotel is that much further away. however another reason for the slow edit could be because with a opening title it is for the audience to get ready and to make them get prepared for the film.

in this opening title scene the actual title of the film and the cast and other names such as directors and more is in blue and is not very big and with a light back ground the title does not go well with the film and is not as affective and as it is blue it is a light colour and does have no sense of suspense attached to it where as if it would have been bigger and in a different colour like red it may have been better as red is a symbol of danger and could represent that something bad will happen.

Thriller Sub-Genres:

The thriller genre is frequently mistaken for your typical horror movie, as well as action movie. Though both do entail aspects and moments of suspense, as well as other movie genres. 'Thriller' is only an over all description of the genre; to specifically categorise a movie sub genres are needed. Thriller sub genres allow the conventions of the thriller genre to merge together with elements another genre to have more of an effect on the audience and more compelling story lines.

The Sub Genres:
Action Thriller
Crime Thriller
Conspiracy Thriller
Drama Thriller
Legal Thriller
Medical Thriller
Political Thriller
Psychological Thriller
Spy Thriller
Religious Thriller

Out of the sub genres, I would say I was most inspired by the action thriller. Simply because of the constant action and thrilling nature, the excitement and suspense throughout is what really grabs my attention; they are purely entertaining. The political thriller is another sub genre which inspires me, the reality in the plots and the issued discussed within the movies interests me greatly, as well as the masses of suspense created throughout. Conspiracy thrillers are another sub genre in which inspire me. They usually are based on a political or social issue of some kind with the constant unveiling of information and uncertainties, that may lead to questioning of realities, creating mass amounts of suspense and tension. Another, is the religious thriller, my interest in religion and beliefs always make religious thrillers more exiting and gripping and they always tend to have an eerie nature.

How is suspence created in United 93

United 93 is a poltical thriller about the terroist attack which happend in america on 9/11 in 2001 where four planes what used as weapons to reach thier targets and this film follows the airplane united 93 whos targtet was the white house. United 93 did not reach it target as the passengers faught back.

All the way throught out this film it creats suspence and one way it creats suspence is through is sound with most of the film having a bass droan in the background to try and creat tension in the film as something terrible is inevtiable and the droan helps to creat suspenece and a weiry atmosphere. Sound affects are also used to help creat suspence such as a heartbeat when it comes to near the end of the film as you know that they are about to face their death so it builds up tension and therefore suspenece.

United 93 shows suspence all the way through out by playing on the readers emtion for example when the passengers are on the phone to thier loved ones is a very emotional moment and you find yourself having wishfull thinking that they will be ok even though you know they will all die. Before the passengers start boarding the flight you get to look at the individual and as you get to see the indivdual you find urself hoping that they do not go on the plan which is suspence as you know they are going to go on the plane and you know what will happen to them.

As United 93 is based on a true story which has been one of the most disturbing and upsetting news headline of the decade it creats intence suspence as you know what is going to happen and as you come close to the good characters involved in the film you do not want the inevtiable to happen. As we all ready know the ending of the film it makes the film become like an anit climax as you know what happens but you do not know how it happens and you want to find out which creats suspence.

United 93 was made to make it seem realistic and by having only small actors and actress init it makes it feel like a documeantry and with that feel to it, it makes the film become filled with suspence as it feels like real life. As there are no big actors init it makes it feel like there is no hero in the film despite the fact there are multiple because with a big actor it will make it feel as if he will save the day but in united 93 you know no one will.

As united 93 is meant to be like a documentary as they are trying to caputure the true story an hand held camera is used so all the filming is shaky which shows that everything is not normal and it makes it more personel and feel like it is happening now and then.

United 93 also creats suspence through the editing with something dramtic happening on the plan and it will edit to a diffrernt seeting and all you want to do is go back to the plane to see if everyone is ok which builds up tension and suspence.

Definition of Suspence

Suspence is a key factor in making a good thriller, it is an essential to a good thriller and even a good horror film. There are many ways you can create suspence a few example are through ambient sound which is usally a droan and with this kind of music it builds up tension and therefor creats suspence. A few more ways you can create suspence is through climax and anti climax which is another useful technique in building up suspence.

How is suspense created in 'United 93'?

'United 93', a political thriller, follows a series of events that took place on September 11th, 2001. The majority of the film focuses on one particular plane hijacked, of which is headed for an attack on the White house, and follows the emotional journey of the characters involved first hand as well as those in other locations. Suspense can be created in a number of ways to successfully have an effect on the audience; through the use of sound, particular camerawork, mise en scene and editing. Separately and combined.

The overall composition of the movie and the fact the movie is based on real events instantly creates some form of suspense, the events of September 11th were, and still are widely publicised, and the audience know something terrible is going to happen. They are just not sure when or how the tragedy occurs, and so they are left waiting, gradually being given vital pieces of information for the climax.

The sound used throughout 'United 93' plays a major role in conveying suspense among an audience. In the opening sequence of the movie, for a matter of seconds, only readings of the Qur'an. Instantly, all attention is focused on the appearance of the book itself being read, at the same time a continuous drone like sound begins and takes on the likeliness of a heart beat which speeds up. The intensity and the fastening pace of sound automatically triggers a sense of anticipation of "something" happening. Not only is sound a vital in the opening sequence, but continues throughout the movie using bass like drones and orchestral music to create a certain ambiance and triggering certain emotions.

The camerawork used within 'United 93' is another technique used to repeatedly attain the creation of suspense. Throughout scenes of the movie that are set on the aircraft, a hand held camera is used. This emphasises the reality of the situation, which in way will allow audiences to immerse themselves in the event, and creates an uneasy atmosphere among audiences, the use of a hand held camera. At many times in the movie the camera is positioned behind airplane seats, giving a point of view shot of those who are seated allowing, again, a sense of reality.

The quickly paced editing, at times, expresses the urgency of the situation. Along with the combination of intense sounds such as drones, suspense is easily and successfully created. Suspense is created a number of times using this method, as well as very slow editing, continuous heart beat like sound and orchestral music. Fast, clean cutting between a series of settings accentuates the urgency of the scene and creates a building up of tension and suspense.

The mise en scene throughout 'United 93' allows the audience to clearly establish the location. The move is set in a number of clearly distinguishable locations, the airplane its self, air traffic control and an army establishment, without use of specific props this would not be possible. The different locations, as previously mentioned, allow means for editing techniques to create suspense.

Thrillers and Sub-Genres

Thriller films is a very vague term to describe films. To go into more detail, there are many sub-genres that can be used. For example:

• Action thriller
• Conspiracy thriller
• Crime thriller
• Disaster thriller
• Drama thriller
• Horror thriller
• Legal thriller
• Medical thriller
• Political thriller
• Psychological thriller
• Religious thriller
• Spy thriller
• Supernatural thriller

I am inspired by many different types of thrillers, including: action thrillers because they keep people engaged and entertained simultaneously; drama thrillers because there is an in depth storyline running alongside the suspense; psychological thrillers because they require more attention and intellectual interest to be understood and enjoyed and political thrillers because the stimlus is real - this means the thriller can be related to real life more easily.

How is Suspense Created in 'United 93'?

United 93 is a political thriller that depicts the tragic events of the terrorist attack of 9/11. The film shows the story of the one plane out of four that did not reach its target - The White House. The suspense built throughout the film is vital in creating the tragic effect the film has on the viewer.

The film creates suspense in a variety of different ways - sound is very important. Throughout the film bassy sounds are played (almost like a drone) to foreshadow the impending doom. The bass also mimics a heartbeat, and this sounds very sinister. The music then becomes very emotional, played by an orchestra with a combination of ambient sounds.

United 93 shows different takes on the story - it shows the perpertrators of the attack before they board the flight, and also the innocent people. This shows an obvous divide in who is good and bad in this film, and makes it more obvious that something terrible will happen.

The handheld camera is also very ominous, showing that there is a lack of control. This mimics the plot.

Facial expressions are also very important - the facial expressions of the perpertrators show many different emotions including nervousness, remorse, agitation etc.

The fact that the film is based on true events also creates extreme suspense, as the audience already know the ending and its terrible events, but we wish to see how the story reaches these terrible events.

Definition suspense

Suspense in films make us jump and is essential to thriller films however, suspense is in horror film also.Suspense is the element that Directors use to try to leave the audience hanging, trying to figure out what will happen next, especially when the director does this at the end of the film without actually telling what happens this leaves a particularly strong effect.

Definitions of Suspense

Suspense films keep the audience on edge, build tension and create anxiety within the audience. Suspense makes the audience jump, and engages them in the film.

Definitions of Suspense.

Suspense keeps the audience on edge and engaged in the movie, as well as creating a sense of anxiety and tension. This is created through techniques within camerawork, mise-en-scene, sound and narrative.