Conventions of a thriller movie: The Black Swan

Analysis of a thriller

The American psychological thriller-horror, The Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, was released in 2010 and starred Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel and Natalie Portman. The plot is based on the production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake ballet performance. 

The opening of the movie uses non-diegetic sounds to create the ambiguous atmosphere for the audience. The opening scene incorporates a close-up camera shot of a female with manicured nails, drawing on a white piece of paper with black chalk. This contrast in colours and close-up shot/high camera angle could have been used as a metaphor for the audience. This scene is paired with non-diagetic sounds which plays the song "Swan Lake". Slowly throughout the scene, the tempo of the music fastens, which creates a tense atmosphere. As the music fastens, the girl starts to put more pressure on the chalk; which ultimately ends in the paper turning black. The title then spells "The Black Swan" in bold white letters. The use of white is perhaps used to imply to the audience that Nina, the main character, starts out innocent at the start of the movie, but then begins her tortured journey as a paranoid schizophrenic.

This use of camera angles, sounds and props could be used to give a brief hint of the narrative to the audience. For instance, the black chalk being held by a well-maintained hand that slowly begins to apply more pressure to the paper, could be used to symbolise how the actress, Nina, is losing her mind; therefore subliminally exemplifying her unstable mental-state. Reflecting the characters frantic emotions creates a dense atmosphere for the audience and sets the mood for the rest of the movie. 

In one particular scene, the audience is finally able to see Nina's utter madness through the use of mise-en-scene. She is costumed in an all black-feathered tutu and a crown that covers her face with black netting. This dark colour is a typical convention of a thriller as it suggests negativity, loneliness and evil. The next use of mise-en-scene is through Nina's makeup. The actresses white face-paint and dark eyes make the audience feel on-edge and almost scared of the character, due to her fierce movements that overall contrast usual delicate ballet performances. Her black eye makeup creates a sense of ambiguity, where although the audience knows who she is, it's as if she becomes a complete different person or entity. This theme is complimented through the use of props such as red contact lenses, is not a common prop that a sane person would wear. It almost suggests stress, anger and tiredness, which ultimately creates a connection between the audience and the character, as they begin to comprehend what devotion Nina put in to be able to play the lead role as 'The Black Swan'. In addition, the red eyes could also imply she is turning into something demonic, however this is in her imagination; overall thrilling the audience rather than scaring them. 

Within the same scene, the mise-en-scene is complimented through the use of non-diagetic sound. As Nina dominates the stage, the audience is able to hear the sound of large wings moving through the air as Nina simultaneously moves her arms in a swan-like way. This makes the performance seem realistic. Although this could be perceived as non-diagetic, some could argue that Nina, in fact, hears this noise too; implying she truly believes she is transitioning into the 'black swan' and is therefore mentally unstable. As the scene comes to an end, Nina begins to grow feathers that pierce through her skin. However, her face seems overwhelmed with joy that such a thing has taken place. This creates suspense, tension and shock for the audience and they may also feel a connection with the paranoid schizophrenic's imagination. This is due to the diagetic sound that continuously get's louder, making the audience feel en-captured to what's taking place; inevitably clearing their own thoughts and beliefs in order to tune into Nina's. This is paired with constant cuts with the use of editing, which disorientates the audiences due to the various changing scenes.

Before the movie ends, Nina goes back to her dressing room to find her enemy, who's played by Mila Kunis. A close-up shot is used to show how Nina walks in crying in a white costume. This use of camera angles and mise-en-sene pairs well together because it shows the questionable and brief innocence of the character she plays, due to white signifying purity and tears showing weakness and vulnerability. Nina's rivalry is shown through a 180 degree rule- behind the shoulder shot, which shows Nina's point of view. This use of editing is key for thrillers because it gives the constant sense of someone watching, which manifests tension for the audience. The dialogue is used to show how Mila threatens Nina by telling her she's going to take her lead role as the black swan. In response to this, Nina strangles and stabs Mila with a shard of glass that is left from the shattered mirror. A low angle shot is used to show how Nina is looking down on Mila whilst she strangles her, this is effective to the audience as it shows the dominance of Nina's alternate personality. Through the use of props, Nina's eyes begin to turn red to express her anger to the audience. This demonic approach cohere's to the thriller genre as it excites, yet scares the audience.

The final scene is of Nina in her final performance as 'The Black Swan'. This scene is extremely important in expressing the thriller genre to the audience as it shows Nina's now demolished mental stability. With the use of mise-en-scene, she starts in a white feathered costume which suggests her now declining, yet still innocent personality. With the use of constant editing through quick cuts, the audience once again would feel disoriented, this is a good technique as it reflects Nina's own disorientated mind. The diagetic sound of the song "Swan Lake" becomes increasingly louder and more daunting. This is paired with the use of red lighting that hits Nina every few seconds, this use of mise-en-scene lighting could show how she switches from sane to insane within seconds, as red is normally perceived as a negative colour. This could also be Nina's way of expressing blood to the audience, as she had just stabbed her rivalry. The finale of the performance ends with an extreme close-up of Nina's face. Her makeup has smeared down her face due to crying, yet she is holding her head high. The use of white spot-lighting could of been used to show how the character was finally free from her paranoid mind as she has perfectly completed her performance. A low angle is then used to show how the dancers crowed around her. In this shot, the audience spots Nina's rivalry, Mila. A high angle shot is then used to show blood seeking through Nina's white costume, it's then clear to the audience that she had stabbed herself instead of Mila in one of her paranoid schizophrenic episodes before the last show. 

It's then suggested that Nina dies, due to the transition of the fading spotlights above her. Although this creates a suspension for the audience, there is also a sense of relief. As if Nina is finally free. From this movie, it's clear that typical thriller conventions are used such as  dark costumes, dark lighting, intriguing props, quick cuts and camera angles and shots to show facial expressions and their surroundings. This overall came together to thrill the audience.

Analysis of an action thriller opening: James Bond- Skyfall

James Bond- Skyfall

Skyfall is the 23rd James Bond film produced by Eon Productions and released in 2012. It features Daniel Craig in his third performance as James Bond, and Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva, the film's villain. It was directed by Sam Mendes and written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan, and features an Academy Award-winning theme, sung by Adele. It was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Columbia Pictures.

To open the scene, the directors adopt a few seconds of the James Bond theme song, therefore suggesting to the audience that Bond is present in the room. Sam Mendes uses low lighting through the use of mise-en-scene, to make Bonds figure seem ambiguous. This is also done via a long-shot down a hallway, that's taken through a blurred lens. This is effective because it draws interest and attention to the main character. One typical convention of an action thriller is low key lighting as it makes the audience feel on edge, which is something that the genre aims for. As Bond walks closer towards the camera, Mendes uses the mise-en-scene once again by brightening the lighting that hits the characters face. This suggests to the audience that Bond is someone of significance, and the audience should pay attention to him. 

Instead of using sound to build tension, Mendes takes advantage of the complete silence, this creates suspense as the audience would be hesitantly waiting for a sudden burst of sound to occur. Another typical convention of an action thriller I saw in the first scene was the employment of a close-up shot that was focused on Bonds' face, this is used to allow the audience to see the situation from the perspective of the character, which makes them feel as though they are on the scene, and it encourages the audience to empathise with the character.

Mendes also uses mise-en-scene through the costume of the character. Bond is dressed in a smart, tailored suit, therefore implying he is someone of significance. It could also suggest that he is strong and masculine and will win against any bad guy, this is typical within an action thriller. As the scene continues, Mendes adopts a gun as a prop that Bond uses to search the dark building. This is effective because it causes tension, due to it implying Bond could walk into danger at any given time. It's also unusual for the audience to have easy access or be familiar with guns, due to the strict laws in the UK, therefore making this an exciting prop that makes Bond look increasingly masculine and aspirational. Guns are also a typical prop used within action thrillers as they promote violence, fights and crimes, all of which excite the audience and bring chaos to the scene.

As Bond walks towards a doorway, there is a sense of enigma due to it being a mystery as to what is behind the door. Mendes adopts a hand-held camera shot to makes the audience feel as if they are on the mission with Bond, this is effective as it brings the action thriller to life. Similarly to the start of the video, Mendes uses dim lighting to bring the sense that something bad is behind the door. As bond enters the room there is still complete silence, Mendes employs a mid-shot to show the audience the dead bodies that are lying on the floor. This could be an example of the mise-en-scene as the bodies are used as props to subliminally tell bring an element of suspense, surprise and anxiety, all of which are key characteristics of the action thriller genre.

As the character scans the room for signs of what happened before he arrived, Bond picks up a laptop. He is instructed to see if the hard drive is still intact, this is a common characteristic of the action thriller genre as technology is usually associated with distinguishing the good guys from the bad. It's a common convention of an action thriller for the bad guys to get a hold of a piece of information that they are not supposed to have, and it is up to the good guys to retrieve it. Within this scene, camera shots seem to be less significant and mainly focus on showing Bonds' surroundings to the audience, however, this makes them feel part of the mission. As Bond walks out of the building, fast pace music through non-diegetic sound is adopted to exemplify Bonds chaotic surroundings as he sets off to his next mission, this brings excitement to the audience.

From analysing this opening scene, I have found that all aspects of the mise-en-scene (props, lighting and costume) play important roles in the building suspense, surprise and anxiety for the audience. Additionally, I have also found that neglecting to use sound is often more effective than fast pace music. This is because it builds the tension due to the audience not knowing when something is going to happen, therefore making it a useful element of surprise.

Analysis of a superhero thriller opening: The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero thriller film directed, produced, and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Featuring the DC Comics character Batman, the film is the second part of Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins, starring an ensemble cast including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman.In the film, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Bale), James Gordon (Oldman) and Harvey Dent (Eckhart) form an alliance to dismantle organised crime in Gotham City, but are menaced by a criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Ledger) who seeks to undermine Batman's influence and create chaos.

To open the scene, Christopher Nolan employs an establishing aerial shot which gives the audience an idea of where the movie is going to be set. Since it pans around an area with high skyscrapers, it implies to the audience that it's taking place in a wealthy area. This could suggest, due to the genre of the film, that the bourgeoisie are going to be the victims, or perhaps they are the antagonists themselves. As well as this, Nolan employs certain aspects of mise-en-scene, such as lighting, to tell the audience that the events are taking place during the day. This is different to other thrillers, which are typically set in the dark, as it creates suspense. Non-diegetic sound then takes place which is a very eery tune produced by Hans Zimmer. This music works well with the mise-en-scene as it brings tension and suspense to the bright and happy atmosphere; ultimately suggesting something bad is going to happen. As the camera gets closer towards the tall building, a glass window shatters. This use of sudden and loud diegetic sound shocks the audience as it's unexpected would make them jump, this is something to aim for in thrillers as it intrigues the audience. A behind-the- shoulder shot is then employed to show a masked man's face with a gun in his hand. 

Through the use of mise-en-scene, Nolan uses props, such as an ambiguous mask and a weapon, to tell the audience that this is a bad person/villain. Ultimately, this suggests to the audience that something bad is going to happen, this also coheres to the superhero thriller genre. Through editing techniques, Nolan adopts quick cuts between different shots to show that events are happening quickly to do with the masked men, this could perhaps suggest they are on a mission in the wealthy city and creates excitement for the audience. Nolan zooms in slowly from a mid-shot to a close-up of a man holding the familiar villain mask in his hand, he then gets into a car abruptly. Nolan creates increasing tension and suspense within the film opening by using quick cuts, mise-en-scene and sound. 

Due to the film being about the never-ending conflict between the Joker and Batman, Nolan uses the clown masks to help the audience distinguish between the good and bad people. This is because the Joker always wears messy makeup on his face. This is also a good technique as a lot of individuals in the audience would be scared of clowns, making the joker seem sadistic enough to try and scare people with his appearance to get a thrill, inevitably, this cohere's to the superhero thriller genre. The dialogue within the next scene works well with the mise-en-scene, as the villains are heard talking about their share of money and who can shoot who. This increases the tension as it sounds like a bank robbery is going to take place, making this a typical convention of the general thriller genre; crime. Nolan adopts a long-shot of the villain's surroundings within a bank. A dolly shot is also employed to move along quickly with the actors, this gives the audience a sense of chaos. Diegetic sound is then employed via gunshots and people screaming. The camera then cuts to close-up shots of the individuals faces in the bank to express their fear to the audience, which suggests to them that something bad is happening. Behind the shoulder shots are used to show how the villains hold up guns to the bank workers faces, this use of camera positioning almost makes the villains look faceless and emotionless, meaning they lack remorse and will do anything to finish their mission. This is a common stereotype of a villain and compliments the genre nicely.

Another technique that was adopted was a hand-held device. Commonly used in thrillers, this use of the camera brings shakiness to the screen, making it look like it's coming from a real person perspective who is present in the room. Because of this, the audience would feel as if they are also there, shaking from the fear of being shot. This is a good technique to build tension as it makes the events seem more realistic for the audience. This is important to create within a thriller as it keeps the scene exciting and thrilling.

Overall, Christopher Nolan employs common techniques used within the thriller genre to ultimately build suspense and intrigue the audience. Some of these techniques include mise-en-scene through props and lighting, camera shots and sound.

Analysis of a horror thriller opening: Saw

SAW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F2tFCiqOmw

Saw is an American horror franchise distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and produced by Twisted Pictures that consists of seven feature films and additional media. Saw: Legacy is an upcoming American horror film directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, and written by Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger. It is the eighth instalment in the Saw franchise.

 In the opening of the movie, a man is seen laying on a hard, concrete floor. With the use of mise-en-scene, Spierg makes the lighting of the room extremely dim. This sets the mood for the movie for the audience as dark lighting is typically used in horror-thrillers as it puts the audience on edge and creates a sense of ambiguity. For instance, they don't know what is going to suddenly scare them. Another use of mise-en-scene is via the costume of the character. The confused man on the floor is dressed in casual clothing. However, they are ripped and dirty. This makes it clear to the audience that he doesn't know how he got to that location. This could subconsciously be suggesting to the audience that the character was kidnapped and is there against his will. This referencing to crime is a typical convention of a thriller as this is a good fear factor to engage the audience. With the use of transition shots, the opening scene switches from showing the character, to fading to black to show the opening titles. This use of editing is useful because the titles are sharp and the background is black, meaning it also sets a thriller/horror atmosphere for the audience as dark colours are often interoperated as sinister or imply danger. By employing deep and mysterious non-diegetic sound, the director is able to create tension and suspense. This is a common technique used to build the atmosphere in a thriller as it attracts the audiences undivided attention.

A long shot is then employed to give the audience an idea of the location in which the scenes are filmed in. Within this shot, the audience automatically identifies three dead bodies that are scattered around the room like casual decoration. This coheres to the thriller genre as it's usually closely related to crime, such as murder; this is one of the most typical conventions of a thriller as the audiences feel increasingly interested in the story line. This use of these props also shocks the audience as they then know that something bad is going to happen, this is paired with the use of a close-up shot that shows how the victim is chained to the wall, making him vulnerable and helpless. In the long shot, the audience also identifies a man who is standing  above the victim. With the use of mise-en-scene, the director uses costume to make this man seem powerful and dangerous. For instance, he is costumed in all black clothing which is typically a dominant colour and is similar to the dark thriller titles, these paired together suggests to the audience that this man is the perpetrator in the movie. Thriller movies usually incorporate a perpetrator as its a typical convention of the genre due to it giving the audience a suspect. This intrigues them and would encourage them to watch more. As well as this, Spierig incorporates a 'saw' as a prop. This weapon is shown in a long shot which captures the weapon being thrown across the floor, ultimately implying that the victim has no way of breaking the chain; thus once again making him vulnerable and helpless.

With the use of dialogue, the director prompts the victim character to use constant profanity towards the perpetrator, implying he is frustrated and scared and therefore tries to mask this by expressing dominance through his speech. This is a good way to open a thriller to the audience as it gives them their first hint of the storyline, where the victim will loose no matter what as words are useless. It reflects real life societal problems such as murder and torture, thus thrilling the audience as they are able to comprehend the seriousness and surrealism of the characters situation and their likely fate of death. Intriguingly, Spierig uses a walking stick to make the perpetrator seem weaker than expected. This prop, shown in a long shot, is new to the audience and surprisingly goes against the typical conventions of a thriller as it makes the character seem just as vulnerable as the victim. As he limps across the dingy room, the perpetrator is again shown in a long shot, turning off the lights. A close-up shot is then adopted to express the victims fear and frustration after being abandoned with no recourses for survival. When the scene ends, the perpetrator adopts dialogue by saying "Game Over" as he closes the door, which ultimately leads to blackness. These words suggest to the audience that the victim is going to die, however, the ambiguity still lingers as they are confused about why he is there, how he will die or even how will he escape the 'game'. This creates a similarity between this and other thriller movies as the darkness almost shapes/suggests the frightening, yet ambiguous, fate. 

Through all of these factors, the director is able to give the audience an idea of what the thriller will consist of by employing common themes such as crime, darkness and ambiguity.