Nightcrawler genre conventions and opening scene conventions

The first part of night crawler is him opening a fence witch to us as an audience looks like a crime, especially because of the dark gloomy setting around us with bright vivid lights around to portray that somethings coming. Also a boot full of goods is shown in the back of his boot which could suggest two things to the audience. One being its part of his job and, two suggesting that its stolen goods as we have already established therefore he's cutting into a fence which obviously he shouldn't be. This therefore creates a realisation of danger which links to the genre thriller.

His face is then revealed with a mid shot and the bright light of what's opposite him beaming upon him revealing his identity. He immediately looks like a fairly uneasy person and a moment of suspense is built as the audience is unsure for what is to come. His smug smile makes you feel like he's up to something bad, on the other hand you could suggest he's trying to hide the fact that he's guilty. The character himself looks like he takes care of himself which can make him appear more intelligent, I can tell that he takes care of himself from him slick back hair and well zipped up jacket to keep warm. Immediately you are able to identify that there's something not quite right about this character as he seems slightly edgy.

The long shot camera is used so the audience is able to see both the characters, in this case the night crawlers dilemma that is supposedly stopping him. It also show a better view of where they are. The bright beaming like not only blinds the him but the audience themselves which is used to put us in him shoes and from his perspective but at a different angle. The main character is perceived higher from the angle of the camera shot as its slightly tilted up to show him at a higher authority to the police man. This creates a good opening scene as Its fairly mysterious as you are unsure of the characters and if he's doing right or wrong.

As the space between them gets closer and closer it created more uncertainty and the climax of the scene is built. Also the light is blocked out slightly from the audience which suggests its all on the main character. They have chosen to do this to show the intimidation towards the main character and to present the torch as a weapon for the police man.

A quick cut is then used to show his materials in his car , this not only tells the audience his background but is shows an aspect of danger and possibly theft, which builds up tension to suggest what he's doing with these materials. It gives a gloomy effect and can be quite chilling as it leaves us in mystery. The lighting is low key with a glimpse of high key lighting so we’re given an insight into the boot of the car.

These scene clearly present the ‘battle’ between the protagonist and antagonist as the night crawler is portrayed as the antagonist as he’s the one in the one in the wrong. The protagonist is then the police officer who is in mercy of the antagonist, as he’s trying to resolve the problem when faced with a disrupted equilibrium, which is a main genre conventions that thrillers intel. The shadows highlight the fact that its night-time as the bright lights light up the centre and creates a shadow over the main characters which creates a sense of mystery also with the long shot which presents that no one else is around and establishes the setting.