Derailed Analysis

Derailed Analysis

In this frame a wide shot is used to set the scene;
which is a prison, therefore this suggests that the film is about crime. Also, non diegetic mysterious music is played as the criminals are let out go the cells, this creates a suspense for the audience; while creating a anxious atmosphere. Also, a blue filter is used, that connotations of blue are usually trust and loyalty, however this is ironic because if you have watched the film, it is about betrayal.

Then, the frame slowly cuts into an establishing shot of the prisoners out of their cells, this shot shows some of the activities that take place whilst the prisoners are on their break and also showing their community links. However this shot portrays a different side to the prison, making the audience think that it the film may be about gangs and criminals; which makes the film unpredictable because its actually about family and betrayal. The opening sequence has slow paced editing and uses long takes before being cut. This is so the audience is able to take in all the surroundings of the opening sequence and therefore may be able to make a prediction on the film. However the shots do not give too much away about the film as the shots are not closely related to the narrative plot of the film  

This shot also uses a wide shot showing the watch house. Therefore the barbed wire in this is blurred out suggesting that maybe the antagonist or the protagonist is led astray in the film; while the watch house may represent one of the characters being ahead of the other.

The font used throughout the title sequence is white with a bold font, the font used is simplistic creating a professional environment as the image shows a prison cell. In this image a stedicam is used to show the prison cells, this camera work used creates a suspicious and mysterious feeling to the audience as they are unaware as to why they are seeing prison cells, and why these people are in the cells.

In this frame there is an anonymous person in the prison cell, this image carries on the suspense of mystery as the audience are unaware of this person as they could be the protagonist or antagonist, but also the audience are unaware as to why this man is in the prison cell creating a sense of suspense as the audience are left uncertain. 

A cut then zooms on to an anonymous pen and paper with blurred words written on the paper. A extreme close up was used to hide the persons identity creating suspicion as all we see is his hand and his back, leaving the audience uncertain as to know if they will find out who this character is. This shot then was shown with the character writing on the paper with a voice over that read the words the anonymous character had written on the paper, which immediately makes the audience question as to who the protagonist was, was it the narrator speaking, was it the character in the prison cell. This carries on the sense of mystery as the audience are seen to be mislead which is typical for thrillers as they don't want to give away the story immediately and so they therefore lead the audience to false paths and conclusions before they reveal the true storyline.

Mood board 

Se7en Analysis

This frame is a picture of a young boy, the mysterious character has drew a line across his face; then in the next frame  his whole face is shown scribbled out. This could make the audience think that the child maybe a victim of the anonymous character; while due to the dark background and the spot light on the face, showing the surrounding mystery also creates a sense of crime and animosity making the audience feel on edge. Consequently the connotation of a child is innocence, therefore portraying that the mystery character may be victimising. Also, the lighting is dark and gloomy in this frame to set an atmosphere of death and crime to the audience.

In this image the hidden character cuts out words such as "God". From this zoomed image the audience may perceive him as a superior figure. This is due to the character cutting out the word "God" as the character could  be seen as eliminating him as he sees himself with more power than god as he tries to play the role of god which could suggest the taking of human life. This could also be perceived as him being an arrogant character and due to the title of the thriller, this also relates with the seven deadly sins signifying a religious theme.

This image shows words being scribbled out this creates a sense of mystery as the audience can not view the whole text. Intensifying the thriller due to the words not making sense, making the audience question why he has crossed out them specific words, but also as to why the anonymous character is  reading this specific text; which reads "when you're pregnant" which could relate to the previous image as it suggests he is now playing the role of god through potentially creating human life.

This black and white image is shown throughout which continues the religious theme of the seven deadly sins. The darkness could represent the theme of hell in contrast to the white representing light/ heaven. Shadowing of a tense atmosphere, setting the theme for the film. Also the letters are distorted which makes it seem ghostly

This frame shows a close up of the characters fingers with bandages; which relates to another frame of when the character was slicing his fingers, to hide his identity. This frame shows the outcome of what the character has done to himself, in order to create emphasis of the pain the character will conflict upon himself, to hide his identity. Showing the extremes that the character will go through may trigger to the audience what the character is capable of. This image signifies that the character is still able to carry on despite his cuts, suggesting that cutting himself with a razor happens regularly as no sign of pain is shown

This frame is a high angle point of view shot, showing two drawings of hands on a book. The hands are crooked and therefore are a contrast to each other; which may be to represent good and evil. The contrast between the light and dark lighting intensifies the shadowing to signify that the character may be doing something they shouldn't be, this also emphasises secrecy as they have not made the environment clear to the audience. The shades of light shadows could be seen to symbolise the character wanting to break free from the darkness, the darkness representing conflict, this could also signify the character may have once been seen in a good light but the darkness has over powered this. The dark shadows are seen to be more prominent  over the light shadows which could symbolise the darkness is over taking the characters power and state of mind. This signifies the secrecy behind the image as the character has been portrayed to the audience as anonymous.



The title sequence contains a variety of gritty pictures to enforce the theme of thriller, in order to make the audience feel uncomfortable. The imagery used contains a man cutting off his own finger prints with a razor blade, signifying that he doesn't want his identity to be known. Consequently this is also portrayed throughout the sequence, as the antagonist’s identity is concealed; which creates mystery and a sense of crime.

The first image shown in the opening sequence, is a book with the pages flickering by itself. This is ambiguous as the it does not show to the audience who is flickering the pages or who the book belongs to. The book may be being used to portray the antagonist as intelligent; whilst also being mysterious as they do not reveal themselves. The colour of the writing in this frame, this could be to convey innocence, however we do not know as an audience what it represents yet as it is the first frame. Also the writing is shown to be disorientated; which could represent antagonist as person that may be out of place in society. No clues are given to the audience as it is only the first frame, however it is used to make the audience wonder.

This frame shows a distorted image of a pen on paper. Therefore this creates a ghostly atmosphere to the audience causing an anxious feeling. Furthermore, this close up of the pen and paper could also be associated with investigations and detective work, making it look like a person has put it together for a file or a case therefore these detective props are used consistently through out the title sequence. Also concentrating on what the person is doing, rather than who they are created tension.

Thriller: Codes and Conventions

Thriller: Codes and Conventions 

what is a thriller?

A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist, when there is  a distribution in the equilibrium. Consequently, this is to create tension with a chain of bad event; which creates suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it.

Mise en scene:

This creates the scene by the use of setting, props and costume. It must be carefully crafted to give the correct connotations and impressions to the audience. These are the aspects an audience expects to see within a thriller genre:

lighting-

Low key lighting is often used in a thriller, to set the scene and create a mysterious atmosphere. Also the lighting is to create a sense of realism and to make the audience fully engage in the plot of the film. However, this is dependent on the scenario, for example if its a scene where the protagonist is questioning in something or being put under pressure the lighting may change to a harsh white light to create tension. Also it would create a dramatic effect with the higher contrast between the shadows. 

Costume-

The use of costumes in a thriller genre may not be immediately obvious. However the closer the inspection shows there is a certain logic behind the clothing. Audience reliability is key to the effectiveness. Costumes in the thriller genre usually consists of everyday wear to create realism and make the audience feel it could happen to anybody. Therefore, the clothing for different people and their job types will be stereotypical, for example a man that works in an office would be wearing a suit.

Setting/props-

The setting is the location of where the scene is taken place or where it is set. Examples of typical thriller settings would be, dark alleys/ houses, urban city e.c.t. Usually a small range of colours is used; which can range  from blacks, whites, blues and greys. Consequently, this is to represent how normal and plain life is, contrasting with the villains in the films as they create a dramatic and fearful atmosphere. Props are moveable objects or articles on the set of the film. They often determine the narrative, identity of the characters and the genre. Typically in thrillers props such a mirrors are used, which might be connotative on how characters have to reflect on what they have done or might do.

There are other codes and conventions that create the thriller genre such as:

Editing-

Editing conventions within a thriller genre are often focused around creating a uncomfortable and suspenseful atmosphere. Therefore, quick cuts and changing camera angles are often used to do so, which disorientates the spectator, creating on screen tension. Tension in a thriller, is vital. It keeps vast suspense at a steady pace throughout the film and then is able to explode with a conclusion of action or of a overwhelming resolution which spectators may have not expected.

Sound-

Sound is also a micro feature and holds many conventions relating to the thriller genre. Like others it is also used to create tension with eerie or intense music being played either as diegetic or non dietetic material within the film. High pitched sound is often used to as it makes the spectator feel uncomfortable and shows the scene may not be pleasant as something unexpected may happen.