Media Thriller

Collateral 2004

Background Info

The 2004 Thriller is produced by Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks. It stars Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tom Cruise and is directed by critically acclaimed director Michael Mann.

Mise En scene

At the beginning of the film we are immediately presented with the production companies of the film, Paramount followed by Dreamworks.

The opening scene of the movie introduces us to the main character and it also gives a location.The lighting in the establishing shot doesn’t really go with the grain of thriller films. The lighting features a lot of natural light, which is in contrast to typical thriller openings, featuring low key lighting and unnatural light.

Mise en scene

The costumes of the first two characters engaging in dialogue are both extremely formal, connoting a serious nature to the movie. They also both carry the prop of briefcases and Tom Cruise’s character is wearing black tinted shades which gives off the impression that he is slick, secretive and an independent character.

The background location is an airport, suggesting that travel is a key feature in the film.

Sound

Exaggerated sound of the footsteps heightens the tense nature of the establishing scene.The non diegetic sounds of planes play in the background make it even more apparent their location. After the exchange between the two characters, the an instrumental is introduced, it is fast in tempo and quickens the pace of the establishing scene.

Sound

The shot where Jamie Foxx gets in his taxi, each diegetic sound is increased to emphasize his actions, cleaning his window, turning his indicators on etc.

Camera Work

In the establishing shots of the film both Jason Statham and Tom Cruise’s characters are in focus, whereas the other surrounding people are out of focus, implying that these two characters are the ones to look out for and focus on in the following shots.Following the two characters interaction the camera tilts downwards to follow the activity of the swapping of the briefcases. The camera slow zooms on this action, implying that it is a pivotal point of the film.