Name of film: One Hour Photo
Certificate rating: 15
It’s the unknown known and makes you wonder what it is. It is very cold, sinister looking. Gets the audience to start to think. 16 seconds is paused on this frame as this is where it all starts.
People reporting, showing crime meaning he has done something wrong to be there. But what has he done wrong? Keeps you in suspense.
The man is very calm, even though he is in the police station. It makes you think that he’s ‘a nice old man.’
5.50 seconds
Stays at the desk whilst he winds the tape so he is able to ask questions about the family. However, from the first section of the film where he is being interrogated and is now reminiscing, this builds up worry from the audience towards the main family.
Once Mrs Yorkin walks away, it looks as if he is longing for her to come back, or as if he really likes her. However, she is married and thinks he is just a friendly man... for the moment. It makes you really think why is he so obsessed with her but it is not too drastic.
He then stares into her bag as she is taking to him. Why is he doing this? The audience can begin to get a sense of he is stalking the family subtly now. He thinks the family is more than his customers?
Si goes to a restaurant and has printed out a set of the families photographs for himself. This comes to the audience’s attention that something is definitely not right and from the previous parts of the film it all adds up. It is very strange how he is so interested in that family and why.
In Si’s house on his bedroom side is lots of framed pictures of the family. The character Si then becomes really creepy and disturbed. However, the audiences does not know the circumstances and he may be really lonely. The audience is not entirely clear on what will happen next.
Massive photo wall of the family’s pictures in Si’s house. Audience begin to think he is an evil character and change their perspective on him whereas before they thought he was an innocent old man. Very disturbed man.
Name of Film: Inception
Certificate: 12
0.58 seconds
The film opens with a man lying face down in a puddle on the ground. You are entrigued as to why he is laying there. This implys something has previously happened, which makes the audience suspicious and continue to watch.
1.21 seconds
High camera shot, showing the man holding the gun is showing his domination and masculinity. As an audience, you do not know what has happened and if what they are doing is justified.
1.41 seconds
There is a medium close up on the mans head. You are unable to see the persons face when he is talking, this creates intimidation and adds to the suspense as you cannot see their facial expressions and can not judge them. The gun is shown to him, making the audience wonder what will he do with it. He is powerful as the army officer is deferring to him, showing the seated man's authority.
2.26 seconds
A close up on a small spinning top, showing it must have high importance. The colours in the scene are muted, almost black and white.The spinning is mesmerising. It is mysterious as you are only able to hear the sound the object makes as it spins.
4.14 seconds
There is a contrast from a close up of the ticking clock to the bang of the fire and shouting of civillians. This shows violence and everyone in the frame are male, possibly making you think a man must have started this- typical stereotype of a man. Everyone is trying to escape and scared which makes the audience relate to the civillians. Suspense has been building up to this scene and you do not know how the fire was starting which is intriguing.
4.26 seconds
Dull, mysterious lighting. Audience wonders as to why the man is looking vunerable on the bed with the injection him him.
6.25 seconds
Dark outside, little lighting. The man is acting macho as it is a stereotypical thing for men to do. He looks as if he has had a lot of practice, why is this? The camera angle is a long shot to be able to get all of his body in to be able to set the scene. The rope is a key prop. The music in the background increases suspense.
7.06 seconds
This frame creates tension as the man in front is unaware and oblivious of the danger behind him. The lighting is dark as it creates aprehension. The man holding the gun is the most powerful and dominate.
9.44 seconds
The building begins to fall down and glass starts to shatter. The sound of the glass shattered is very loud to emphasise this. It begins to make the audience on edge as they are not sure if the heroic, main character will survive this or be caught. The soundtrack music is continuing to create suspense and build up emotion. He has the gun making him look as if he is dominating, however he is running away from the 'bad' people.
What is the purpose of an opening of a thriller?
An opening of a thriller sets the story. It gives you an over view of what the story line is and what is going to happen. It begins to entice you, make you anxious and want to keep watching the film.
How does it set up a thriller?
There are elements of mystery and suspense within the frames. This is caused by the various conventions used within the film, such as lighting, location, costume, props, colours and character types. In Inception, the first frame is seconds into the film and already you have the audience intrigued as to why he is there because of the setting- the man lying in water, the way he looks- bruises and cuts on his face, looking exhausted as if he has been trying to escape from someone/somewhere. His clothes are dull and he is carrying a gun. All of these aspects begin to create all sorts of thoughts in your mind as you are watching it and you, as an audience feel captivated by what you are watching.
What makes the audience want to keep watching?
The suspense as it makes the audience wonder what will happen next. There are twists and clif hangers which intrigues the audience. The lighting, sound effects and camera angles increase this. The audience is able to emphathise with the characters and want to keep watching to see what happens to them.
