Film Analyses...

Analyses of Mimic Opening Scene

- Sound

Mimic opening scene has various different sounds. The music is mysterious, and can be almost frightening to some when it goes loud. There are also strange voices in the background. These voices are too distorted for the audience to hear, and can be very bewildering. The audience will ask, what are these voices, and what have they go to do with the film? Very psychological; this is exactly what the thriller genre is all about. Sounds of children playing can also be heard. When combined with the mystifying soundtrack, these noises can cause much emotional concern in the audience.

- Effects and Lighting

The majority of the scene is fast paced and quick. This is to keep the audience confused, and too get them to try and work out what going on. The scene is also very “flashy”, lighting-wise. There is lots of darkness than lightness, and flashes. You can see bugs, and even bugs that are moving; this can frighten the audience, further adding to the psychological undertone of the film. All these effects will make the audience think what’s going on, and this is what an effective thriller should do.

- Other Details

Another quick effect worth noting is when the title is quickly multiplied to fill most of the screen. This is mimicking, just like the title of the film is called. It’s hard to explain, but u should get the point. The same is goes for when there is multiple butterflies on the screen at once almost like a grid. What's more, during the scene there are photographs of children. Mixed with the soundtrack, these photographs connote abduction, trouble and danger.

Film Analyses...

Analyses of Vertigo Opening Scene

- Sound

In this opening scene, sound comes mostly in the form of music. The music is very mysterious, and can even provoke intrigue and fear in the audience. Mixed in with the effects of the scene, it is very effective at having a psychological effect on the audience.

- Colour

When the eye widens, the whole shot turns a tinted red. This red combined with the widening of the eye connotes murder, mystery and shock. Then there’s the multi-coloured spirals, which contrast greatly with the dark and mostly black background. These spirals can cause confusion, and get the audience thinking – what are the symbols representing? These psychological features are very important in the thriller genre.

- Other Details

It is worth noting the extreme close up on the face. This may get the audience to ask, who is this person, and what has she got to do with the films plotline? Also, some effects are used with the credits, such as the titles coming out the eyes of the person, and the spirals too.

Some Camera Shots...

Over the shoulder Shot

This shot consists of looking from behind the person at the subject. This shot helps to get the feel of looking at someone or something from the person’s point of view, plus it helps to establish the position of each person. It's common to cut between these shots during a conversation, swapping between the views of the different speakers.

Long Shot

This shot consists of the subject or person taking up the whole frame. The persons head and feet should be close to the edges of the shot. A long shot is also called a Wide Shot.

Mid Shot

This shot consists of a person or subject being viewed in more detail whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel like they’re looking at the whole subject or person. These usually are taken when the person the purpose is to deliver information, and they also allow for hand gestures and a bit of movement.

Film Analyses...

Analyses of Dexter Opening Scene

- Close Ups

There are many close ups utilised in this opening scene. For example, the extreme close up on the bacon. This is done in a very special way, which tricks the audience into thinking it is human skin. Then there’s the close up of blood; this can represent many different things such as murder or pain, but really he is just shaving his face. Psychological trickery is an important part of the thriller genre.

- Sound

Music used in this opening connotes mystery, giving the impression that the person in the scene is up to something menacing. The cutting and “squishing” noises give a sense of uneasiness, and can make the audience feel uncomfortable. Really though, he’s just making his breakfast. So the use of sound is very successful at playing with the audiences mind.

- Lighting

The lighting in most shots is dark around the actual subject, therefore putting more emphasis on the subject. This means there are no distractions, and allows for the director of the opening to control what the audience is able to see. For example, when the man is slicing the orange in half, the area around it is dark and blurred, and only the orange is in focus.

- Pacing

The pace is quite fast, with rapid transitions. This method is used to keep the audience from fully working out what’s going on and to cause confusion. More specifically for this scene, quick transitions are used to keep the audience from realising just what it is that the man is actually doing, and causing them to believe that he is doing something much more sinister than making breakfast and getting ready to go out.