Double Indemnity - Analysis

The title of the film

The title of the film Double Indemnity is once again a conventional thriler font, bold capitals. However it has a black shadow behind the text Double Indemnity which is unusual for a modern day thriller as that effect is less popular. Also Double Indemnity has a figure of a male character on crouches which is not normal as usually it would be a black background. An audience may feel spooked to this as the male firgure is always in the background and we wonder why it is there or what it means.

How the setting/ location is revealed

The setting of the film is plainly expossed by a sign post which clearly says Los Angeles so as a viewer we automatically presume it is set in Los Angeles. The setting is not weird or spookey at this point however we don’t know what is going to be lead from the location as it does not give away much information to intise a viewer.

Costumes and props

There is not much props within this opening sequence, but we do see a man dressed in a long jacket and top hat which links into the man who is wearing the top hat behind the titles. The dress sense of this character may make an audience believe that the male character is a formal business man.

Story – and how the opening sets the story up

The opening sets up as a male charcter who we believe is a business man working in an insurance company. We as viewers wonder why he is going in to work so late in the day. It is almost night time and as a viewer we feel startled at this as it is very bizarre.

Genre (thriller) – and how it suggests it

The way the character is behaving in such a discourteous mannor we believe the charcher could be up to some type of murder maybe intentionally. We see the character skip the red lights and almost cause a car accindent. We our wary of this character as he is causing mahem on the roads which could be fatal.

How any characters are introduced?

The main character is introduced as a rude and unpleasant character; he looks quite formal and seems to have a plan. As viewers we do not know why he is behaving in this way, this creates tension as we could believe he is going to take his anger out on someone as some type of revenge. Because this character is behaving spitefully we feel distant towards him as not everyone can relate this type of behaviour.

Brick - Analysis

The title of the film

The title of the film is almost thrown out at us to make an audience jump. There is diegetic sound during the title of the film appears, it is of a busy corridor. The sound of the busy corridor questions the viewers as we want to know why the sound is there. The film title uses a conventional thriller font which consists of bold capital letters, there is also a black background which contrast the white letters. As an audience we could perceive the shape of the title to be similar to a brick, we question this and could believe a brick could relate to how the girl laying on the floor died.

How the setting/ location is revealed

The location of the film is revealed by an entrance of a dark tunnel. The tunnel engages us viewers as internal part of the tunnel is dark black in colour which contrasts the natural daylight outside of the tunnel. It almost draws us in as we do not know what is down there. Besides, the girl laying on the floor makes us question why she is there.

Costumes and props

In the opening sequence of the film we see a blue bracelet on the female who is laying on the floor dead, the bracelet could be a symbol of peace and calm. The males eye line match towards the bracelet could suggest it may have been an sentimental gift or present which could symbolise a lot of information which may unfold later in the film. An audience could believe that the bracelet may have been bought for the girl by the male who is looking at it.

Interesting camera work/ editing

The most interesting piece of camera work is how there is a continuity of low angle shot of people wearing shoes. This is quite eerie and strange towards an audience, I believe this adds to the thriller atmosphere. The editing of the film Brick is interesting too the soundtrack is uneasy and unusual as the instrument is playing solo. The beat of the soundtrack is creepy and disturbing,

Story - and how the opening sets the story up

The opening of the film Brick almost seems as it is slowly placed in front of us to set up the story. We are drawn into a lady laying on the floor, however we just see her pale and dirty legs she is dressed as if she’s just come from college or something similar to that. We believe something major has happened to her as she is not alive. As an audience we feel disturbed, we believe she has trolled through mud in order to escape from someone she is just laying there soiled and dirty.

Genre (thriller) - and how the opening suggests it

The use of the props such as the blue bracelet gives a hint that we are watching a thriller, this is for the reason that we see this item in multiple shots and we believe it creates confusion within our minds as we do not know what is could symbolise. Even more, the film starts with the ending which is a conventional technique which most directors use in thrillers.

How any characters are introduced?

We are introduced to a male character; he is almost peering over at the dead body laying on the floor. We assume as viewers that he is the stereotypical classroom geek due to his glasses and messy curly hair. The first shot of him is an extreme close up which does not show his whole face. It gives an audience little information about him so we want to find out more.

Any special effects (or a particular shot you really like

I personally believe the opening shot of the low angle shot concentrating on the shoes; however the shot of the car driving up the road quickly looks good as we hear the car before we see it. This adds a surreal mood. The car almost glows into the shot as it is so far away.

What Titles? - 25th Hour

Although the film 25^th Hour is not a thriller, I do believe its job roles appear simply. In an opening sequence of a film, there are many job roles which are revealed. Normally we firstly see the producers name so in addition to the film, 25^th Hour, Touch Stone Pictures are the producers. Touchstone Pictures, established in 1984, is one of several alternate film labels of The Walt Disney Company
Besides, other job roles will follow like the directors of the film will appear for instance Spike Lee and then the director of photography Rodrigo Prieto and then the editors name for example Barry Alexander Brown. Depending on the film they will show other job roles like the composer of music, Terence Blanchard as the Original music score. Also the star actors will appear through the title sequence for example Rosario Dawson as Naturelle Riviera, Anna Paquin as Mary D'Annunzio and Brian Cox as James Brogan. Last of all the name of the film will show in this case it would be 25th Hour.

There are various other job titles such as:

Script Supervisor

Stunt Coordinator

Casting Director

Production Designer

Art Director

Assistant art director

Set Designer

Illustrator

Set Decorator

Set Dresser

Props builder

Here are a few popular producers:

Metro Goldwyn Mayer

Warner Brothers

Paramount

Dream Works

20th Century Fox

Audience Research 1

Here is an example of one of our completed questionnaires; we asked 15 people what they expected to see in a thriller film.

Location Research

Taken by Brittany

This is another potential location as it is creating a tense atmosphere. It sets the scene of being dark and mysterious, unravelling the unknown. Normally lakes are represented as beautiful and idyllic, whereas this lake is represented as if it is about to swallow this person whole. All the weeds and twigs in the lake only add to dangerous atmosphere that has already been created. The lake also looks on-going, which could connote the pain the character may feel or the suspense that an audience might be led to believe is never-ending. Once again this leaves the character to become vulnerable, as if the location is in control and decides what happens and when. By giving the location a god-like status, the character doesn't lead us to the location, but the location leads us to the character. - Written by Brittany

Taken by Brittany

I think that this would be a good thriller location to use as the imagery in this location are quite negative and haunting. I took this picture in nonsuch park and asked my friend to walk down the pathway as we are going to use a similar shot in our thriller opening sequence. The location appears to be very still and silent, which allows the person in this photo to become very reliable. The person in this photo appears lost, but unaware of where to turn to for help as everything is pretty much deserted. Therefore this would be an ideal location as it helps create a creepy and eerie atmosphere, it also allows the character in the shot/picture to be vulnerable, and appear weak. Moreover, the direction of the frame is slightly tilted, this therefore creates a low status for this person, again connoting with the vulnerability for this character. - Written by Brittany

.This image is of a car tyre puncher. I have chosen to take this image as I believe it creates an ominous effect, an audience would believe the tyre had been attacked by someone to construct a thriller atmosphere.

This image is of parked cars in a car park. This image has been well composed as the cars lie across the centre of the image. The black convertible car is the main focus pull for the reason that it is sounded by silver cars. Besides, this questions the viewer as to why the black convertible car is left solo.

This image is in a field, it shows a train track surrounded by trees. I believe this a good image as the sky and the grass have an even arrangement and thee trees look as though they are slicing through the sky and the grass. It seems as though it is almost breaking the bond.

This image was taken in a garage which shows a car covered over. This image creates a peculiar atmosphere as most cars aren’t usually covered over when they are in a garage. Also the frame like light peeping through the garage door catches our eye and we then are led to wonder what is behind the door.

This image is of a rusty gate which is overlooking lonely roads. The black cable tie is eye catching as we wonder why it is there. However this image would be a great location for background shot as it shows texture and pattern.

This image is of an alley way. Not only does it make an audience believe it must be someone’s journey, but a viewer may want to know what is hanging around the corner. The ice also makes the image dangerous as you would believe someone would run down an alley if it was a thriller.

This image is of a white tent. I like this image it can leave a viewer with many thoughts, most commonly an audience would think of a murder scene with the white tent and lots of police. Also the leafless tress could manipulate a message of there not being any life or a life being taken.

This is an image of graffiti in a alley. Once again it is a stereotypically associated with crime and youths. The green and blue paints are almost fighting against each other to gain the spot light. This could be interpreted by a viewer as two gangs fight against one another.

The Sixth Sense - Analysis

The title of the film

The title of the film Sixth Sense appears in an unpredictable way, as a viewer would expect the title would appear firstly, however it appears after a few tittles. It seems as though the title glimmers and then sinks away into the dark background. The text colour is an unpleasant blue which also could associate itself with an eerie, cold feeling.

How the setting / location is revealed

The setting of Sixth Sense is very obvious at the start of the film. It s set in a normal house with a basement. It has been cunningly created as we see the flint of the light bulb gradually getting brighter and we see a female character walk down the basement stairs to get a bottle of wine. The setting has been cleverly created as we are not immediately led into the storyline.

Costumes and props

The main props we visualise are wine bottles. The wine bottles are associated with celebration which is cleverly contrasted by the male who interrupts the two characters. The male character in his underwear is an unusual costume for most thrillers, yet the couple are wearing the average style of going out clothes.

Interesting camera work / editing

The director of the film Sixth Sense has worked extremely hard to refer to the composition of the shots. For example the rule of thirds has been used when the female character is in the basement selecting a bottle of wine. Also the flint in the light bulb is greatly thought-provoking as it is unusual for the opening shot to be of a light bulb getting brighter. An audience would be heavily pulled by this wonderful decision which engages us to believe there will be an emergent effect of continuous upbeat scenarios happening.

Story – and how the opening sets the story up

Like wise the story is set up by us visualising the male character breaking entry to the couple’s house. As an audience we are freaked out by this abnormal event. We feel bizarre towards this which makes the opening sequence have a decent appeal.

Genre (thriller) – and how the opening suggests it

The Sixth Sense opening sequence connotes it is a thriller by the shots of the smashed window on the floor. The camera almost follows the trail of the broken items. Not only does this construct suspense. But it kind of makes its viewers plan ahead of the film to what else is going to unfold. The smashed glass could also suggest that sharp and corrupt way the director has composed the opening sequence skilfully.

How any characters are introduced?

The characters are not all introduced properly however the main character which creates a shock is the one who breaks entry in to the house. Our first shot of him is in the bathroom where he looks extremely traumatised and hunted. As an audience we also feel for this character for the reason that he is in such a bad state and he is unclothed except from his underwear.

Any special effects or a particular shot you really like.

I personally like the shots of the male character exiting his house and walking down the street. Some of the time character is not visible to the viewer because he is walking past bushes. I like this shot because it also adds to the uncertainty of what exactly is going to happen. The greenery furthermore adds to our thoughts because the colour green is usually linked with peacefulness and we believe the character is on an important mission which is not so positive.