CollateralMise-en-sceneLA airport

Typical to thriller;

Not often typical to thrillers as it isn’t a deserted/secluded area, however the busyness provides a hidden identity for the antagonist; which is common to thrillers as the antagonist identity isn’t usually known towards the beginning.

How does it contribute to the representation of the characters?

The characters represented in this location are those dressed smartly, this suggests they are business men travelling away for a meeting, also the main Tom Cruise’s identity is barely known as he wears glasses and acts very shifty this contributes to his hidden identity as there are many other people dressed like this, so he isn’t of main focus/doesn’t stand out which is key for his role. There is a dodgy encounter which hints at mystery

Taxi rank

Typical to thriller;

The protagonist usually is an ordinary person with some connection to the antagonist, this is typical to thriller as the protagonist is a taxi driver/everyday man making him relatable to the audience.

How does it contribute to the representation of the characters?

The taxi driver is represented as a ‘loner’, he keeps himself to himself, it makes him seem like a normal everyday man just about to start his shift as a taxi driver.

Describe lighting/colour stock

How is this used to create atmosphere?

There is a grey tint to the overall scene, although it is well lit as it is set in an airport.

How is this used to create atmosphere?

Its creates a subtle serious tone to the whole film, and hints towards the character Vincent in a negative way suggesting he is a threat/dangerous, also the lighting highlights him which draws in focus from the audience to his actions, making him known as a key character

Mise-en-scene

Performance

Describe the costume/ appearance of the charactersHair/ makeup/ dress etc.

Vincent is dressed smartly in a grey suit this connotes that he is well presented and takes care of his appearance, it also indicates that he is a businessman and suggests that his personality is very serious and that he’s efficient (in the way he works)His sunglasses are used to hide his identity, partially covers his face, suggesting he doesn’t want people to know who he is.Max, the taxi driver is dressed is ordinary clothes, portraying him as normal and innocent, and different to Vincent.

What props are used?

The most important prop used is the briefcase

Typical to thriller genre; commonly in thrillers there is a certain prop which builds the narrative

How do they add to the action; the briefcase is part of Vincent’s work, and is key in order for him to succeed and get paid, inside is a list and the whereabouts of people he must kill as he is a hit man

What additional information do they give us about the characters?

They suggest that Vincent is a business man, that he is highly paid and wealthy it also suggests he takes his work very serious

What props are used?

Another prop used is a picture that Max keeps in his taxi

Typical to thriller genre;

It provides a flaw for the protagonist; he’s alone and has aspirations

How do they add to the action?

It suggests his personality, his vulnerabilities which he has to overcome in order to stop the antagonist

What additional information do they give us about the characters?

That he is different from the other taxi drivers, he has aspirations and the photo is significant to him, it also hints that he may have ocd, and that he creates an identity within the taxi.

Describe the actors’ Performance

Vincent’s body language is assertive it suggests power and dominance, it also shows that he’s a very serious man who shouldn’t be underestimated, it hints that his social status is high and he has some authority, he’s well spoken and condescending. However Max is completely different his body language is shy and natural; to show he has a vulnerability/he is alone, it hints that his social status isn’t very high but he wishes it to be

Each shot/ angle and movement for the first full minute – why has the director chosen to film this sequence in this way? What meaning is created?

There is a mixture of shots used in the first full minute of the scene, there are constant mid shots to not give much away, creating a secretive narrative, there’s a close up shot of the briefcase signifying that they are of significant importance to the narrative, there’s also a close up shot of Tom Cruise’s face; almost making the viewer have to piece together his character before he is shown full length; this creates a connection with the audience as they a predicting his height/ characteristics. There are many establishing shots, I think the director did this as he wanted to emphasize the location, and make a point on how dangerous the character might be to make a deal in the middle of a busy airport. The angles used are high and low giving the sense of power/dominance to each character. The camera is seen ‘following’ the characters like an outsider would, it tilts when both men are putting down the briefcases; moving the power from them to the case.

The editing is fast paced which suggests the pace for the film, however most cuts aren’t obvious; showing it’s all happening at the same time and setting the pace for the rest of the film as it’s full of action.

The two men have a conversation whilst they ‘bump’ into eachother intentionally, what can be seen as a normal conversation the ‘you alright?’ and ‘yeah, are you alright’ is actually in business terms, a less obvious.

The backing music/soundtrack is that of fast pace and low pitch, creating a mysterious/dark and eerie feeling towards the character, also silence is used to create tension.

Sound