Source Code

Thriller Conventions

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Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera FarmigaDirector: Duncan JonesWriter: Ben RipleyBudget: $28,000,000Opening Weekend: £1,306,661Gross: $54,696,902Run Time: 93minsCountry: USA/CanadaReleased: 1st April 2011Rated:12

Plot: Captain Colter Stevens (Jake) is on a mission to identify a bomber on a train headed for Chicago. However all is not what it seems as he goes back in time into someone else’s body to complete the mission.

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Throughout the extract they use a lot of camera techniques to suite the genre of the thriller. One of the most common techniques is Point of View (pov) as it allows to see from their perspective and get all up in the action. Typical camera shots used in the extract and all thriller films is the use of close ups, mid shots and longshits. Close ups allow the audience to see facial expressions that show emotions of the characters, this helps us relate to them. It’s also a great way of emphasizing important and key objects. Mid shots are used to show body positioning between characters which gives the audience an idea to what the characters think of each other. Long shots are used to show off the character like what he/she is wearing and what their body language is like, its also shows part of the environment around them. This is also known as the establishing shot.

During the opening scene of Source Code the pace of the action steadily increases, the use of quick cuts/transitions makes this pace increase clear which raises tension, therefor making the audience anticipate that something is going to happen.CGI (computer generated imagery) is also used in the extract which is typical of thriller films as it shows off violence, and it makes the impossible possible making the film exciting and fun to watch. In source code they make the sound of certain objects very loud and other things blurred, for example the ticking of the bomb is made louder to make it more dramatic and the blurring of the voices makes it more confusing and disorientating.

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In the opening scene the setting Is very bright which symbolizes tranquility, peace, and beauty. A setting that is going to be changed dramatically due to typical thriller story, e.g explosions, guns and violence.The train was headed for a large city, this is a stereotypical setting for a thriller as it holds a place where many people can be affected by the crimes of the antagonist. Therefor making the story have a bigger threat and danger.Thriller movies are often set in cities however they are often kept in particular areas, the train restricts the area of action so we know the protagonist is always in danger. They show violence through the use of gun props and bomb props.