media blog thrillers

8/7/2019 Media blog thrillers

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Thriller opening scenes analysis



The Shining

The simplicity of the opening scene createstension and suspense.Camera angles/shots

Establishing shot of large, isolated lake surrounded by mountains

birds eye, tracking shot of a yellow car traveling along isolated windy

mountain road

makes car look very small and vunerable

establishing high angle shot of hotel showing its size and isolation



Music/sound

very loud music. Dominant baritone making dramatic sound

high pitched strings and piano create eerie and disturbing sound

no dialogue builds tension, leaves audience wondering

Non diagetic sound track

Mise en scene isolated mountain lake and road

vast scenery emphasizes isolation of car

single yellow car travelling along road

scenery becomes snow covered toward end. Emphasizes possible danger and long way fromhome.

Large hotel surrounded by cars suggesting guests/staff are there at the moment.

Editing Long cuts to show the length of the journey



The Silence of the LambsCamera shots/angles

Establishing shot of dense woods classic setting for thriller

Slow tilt showing woman alone running/climbing up hill

CU of her sweating and panting

Tracking shot of her running from behind

POV side shot of her running through woodland is she being watched?

Close up of womans feet as she runs



Sound

Non diegetic violins classic music of thrillers creates fear

Ambient birds/crickets (diegetic) eerie sound creates

sense of fear Ambient eagle squawking scary sound

Diegetic sound of leaves crunching as woman runs

Mise en scene

Dense woodland classic thriller setting as lonely andpeople can easily hide

Thick fog used to create mystery

Assault course

Man wearing FBI baseball hat

FBI training

Centre is the woman FBI?

Editing

Long cuts/shots



The Last House on the Left

Camera shots/angles

CU of tree Tracking shot through woods classic

setting for thriller. Creates mystery andsuspense

Panning/zoom of car travelling along road

MCU of each person in car middle aged, 2in front and 1 in back

POV shot of back seat passenger askingdriver to stop for loo. At this pointaudience sees cage between him anddriver showing he is a prisoner

MLS of truck smashing into car shockeffect

Pan across smashed truck CU of peoples feet walking towards the car

builds tension as we cannot see theirfaces

CU of people wearing masks

MCU of dying police man Sense that lawis gone



Sound

Q uiet/eerie non-diegetic music at start with titles

Music stops when the camera shows the car

Diegetic sounds throughout of dialogue between characters, bell of train,

truck smashing heightened sound of the crash creates shock

Editing

Cuts become quicker to create sense of panic and tension

Mise en scene

White credits on black screen into shots of trees

Woodland seems very isolated, classic thriller setting

Car with three males later see that it is a police car with a prisoner

Train crossing train speeding across, loud and frightening

Big pick up truck smashes police car

2 masked people, shoot on officer Blood splatters/dripping on pictures of children creates repulsion and

fear



TriangleCamera shots/angles

CU woman and child crying/hugging leaves audience wondering why

Tracking shot of woman rushing around house, frantically packing belongings. Sheseems panicky.

Low angle of woman getting toy boat eerie shot with sun glaring harshly. Createstension

Zoom in from LS when woman opens door after door bell has rung

OSS of woman looking for who rung the door bell creates suspense

Panning to CU of womans face when she reads post it note looking worried/scared

High angle tracking shot of car leaving along sea road

MCU of Good Bye sign as she leaves the town suggests she may not return



Sound

Non diegetic childrens music dominant soft piano as mother hugs boy

Piano gets louder and more dramatic

Non diegetic sound of female humming along to the soundtrack this is

eerie. Diegetic sound of doorbell ringing leaves audience wondering who will

be there

Mise en scene

typical middle class American neighbourhood

Typical house with childs bedroom

Paddling ppol in garden with discarded toy boat

Neighbour mowing lawn creates sense of normality but audience knowsthis will not last

Car leaving

Road next to sea Good bye sign

Editing

Lots of fast cuts which adds to the sense of panic as she is rushing to leavethe house



44 ChestCamera work Still shots

Slow tracking shots around

the destroyed house

CU of male on floor also

high angle to show hisvulnerability



Editing

Slow cuts

Mise en scene

Smashed up home

Whimpering dog

Destruction

corpse

Feathers floating from sofa

Sound

Contrapuntal sound track

Diegetic sounds

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