Friday 8 January 2016

The Usula Suspects Analysis: Jess Smith

There is a low angled, medium shot of a man and due to his body language, appears to be dead which immediately creates suspicion and enigma for the audience as to why he is lying there. The roaring off screen Foley sound of the fire burning then adds a tense atmosphere to the scene as fire connotes to danger. During this shot there is low key lighting, however the yellow and orange colours erupting through the fire adds colour to the dull setting and lights his body that is on show. The simple cut used to display this makes it seem a fast paced, quick moment, which matches the prop of fire as it spreads very quickly. With the camera tracking the fire it supports this quick pace, dangerous moment. this moment complies to typical thriller opening conventions because of the tense, minimal music and the fact that there is a dead body, however we don't know how he died, creating an enigma.



























































Following this, there is then a close up, straight angle shot of a liquid falling onto the floor, positioned in the centre of the frame with the roaring fire approaching at a fast pace, positioned from the right hand side but quickly approaches into the centre of the frame, further creating an enigma for the audience as we don't know where this liquid is coming from. However the camera then tilts up at a slow pace to a high angled, medium shot of a male character, suggesting to the audience it was urine falling down onto the floor below. The male is dressed in a fully black outfit which implies he's a dangerous antagonist and creates suspension on what he will do next. He is standing on a scaffolding-like level making the audience question where this is set, however it isn't that clear to see, due to the dim lighting, however the brightly coloured ceiling was used to give the audience a clearer, yet still bleak view and creating a contrast with his clothing. Although the camera has been tilted up to the source of the falling liquid it still hasn't allowed the audience to see above the shoulders of this character, meaning facial expression isn't visible for those watching, creating anxiety for them. This is typical for a thriller genre film. The roaring on screen fire sound continues for this scene and is added to by the load sound of a heavy liquid falling from a significant height and this sound continues even when the camera tilts up and the liquid isn't in the frame.



 In addition there is a cut to a shallow depth of field shot of a silver gun which has been twisted to the left. The man holding the gun is the same person who was up on the higher level, therefore he is still dressed in fully black clothing supporting the feelings of danger and power he holds. Because he lifts the gun at a fast pace it creates a shock for the audience watching, something thriller film's thrive to create. Shock is also felt by the audience when he first lifts the fun at the fast, sudden pace because of the deep sound of the off screen orchestra like brass music playing. But
As he holds the gun for a few seconds facing the vulnerable man below him, there is minimal sound, however there is a faint background, no diegetic background sound of the previous loader music fading out. Overall the sound used for this created suspension and almost terror for the audience. The male holding the guns body language seems very straight and portrays his sense of power, however we still can't see any facial expressions. The lighting and colour in this setting is very bleak and dull, fitting with the fear and danger of seeing a gun. The camera positioned the gun in the centre point of the frame to keep the focus on it and it has worked effectively in my opinion.


This next shot is an establishing shot of the outside view of the setting where the previous shots were shot. During this low level, straight angled shot there is the non diegetic sound of a load, violent gunshot, which creates a feeling of worry for the audience and also an enigma because they don't know if the man shot is dead or not. This is typical for a thriller not to show the person being shot actually physically die because, unlike Horror films it's not based on blood. It's more about it being a mystery, wanting to leave watchers with questions. The dark night conforms to this frightening moment and black connotes danger and helplessness and it also creates a good colour contrast with the while building they are in. By not using match on action for the moment the male supposedly got shot it makes this a real thriller film moment.

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