Face Off (1997-John Powell): Research into Thriller Openings, Scene 3-Jess Smith

Mise en scene
Editing
Camera
Sound  

Scene 3 
~Following this the camera then moves into a POV shot (figure 1) of the inside of the gun, pointing towards the two males on the Merry Go Round. This is shocking to the audience as we don't have any knowledge of the narrative because they both appeared to be innocent, however now we are aware there is more to the story. 
                                        

Figure 1

~Overall this is a very dark coloured shot because the whole frame is bordered with black and there is only a small oval shape in the centre of the frame that is not black. However the older man is wearing a dark coat and has black hair which continues the black theme. 
~You can still see the pair looking joyful and perfectly content on the Merry Go Round through their facial expression, along with their relaxed body language, which juxtaposes with what is pointed at them. Creating sympathy towards them. 


~There is a continuation of the previous sound of the light, high pitched, off screen tapping noise which was used when the male is preparing to point to gun at the other two characters. This sound also creates a contrast with what's happening in the scene as it isn't a happy scene anymore. Therefore, it is not parallel it is a contrapuntal sound. 
~However there is a sudden drop of a deep off screen sound as there is the abrupt cut from the front of the gun to the inside view, facing to two other characters, 
~The editing is very clever on this POV shot because the audience feel totally in captivated with it and allows them to feel so involved.  

~He then is shown in an eye level extreme close up (Figure 2) as he leans away from the gun, moving into a similar shot to previously.

Figure 2

~However the camera then zooms out of the extreme close up shot into a close up of his whole face (figure 3). 
~As the camera zooms out the off screen sound continues as it was in the previous POV shot. 
~Now the audience can see more of his face its clear that he seems to appear as less powerful than he has done because his eyes are low and facing down and his eyebrows are slightly scrunched which suggests he's having second thoughts after pointing his gun a two happy people. 
~This type of action leave viewers confused. However this is good for thriller films and the aim is for them to want to ask questions. 
~The dark background and light face continues the great contrast. 

Figure 3

Figure 4

~Then the camera cuts to a medium shot of the father and son figures on the Merry Go Round (figure 4) enjoying themselves with happy facial expressions and calm body language, making it clear they are unaware of the situation. 
~The lighting is bright and light colours are used again creating that vast contrast between the other male and these two characters and because props of balloons have been included now there are green, yellow and red colours in the frame now too. 
~There is a slow speed to this shot which is used to present that close bond again, also shown in figure 5 in the medium, low level, straight angled shot. 
~At this shot the off screen sound increases in pitch and volume to make it a lovely shot, however its still the same non dietetic sound but just with a higher pitched tone.

Figure 5

 







~However the camera then repeats its previous extreme close up (figure 6) and POV (figure 7) shots following this. 
~We feel a scene of foreboding because he looks back into the gun and looks toward the Merry Go Round again in that powerful manner.
~The sound also indicated he will shoot the gun as there is a low toned, deep dropping sound when he looks into the gun and as it cuts into the POV shot the off screen sound increases volume and tone and creates the feelings of anticipation that something shocking is going to happen. Great for a thriller film. 

Figure 6

Figure 7