Real Media Research FILM NO. 1

Title: The Bourne Ultimatum

Genre: Mystery/Action Thriller

KEY

words/phrases like this – key terms/conventions

words/phrases like this – Effect on audience

Opening sequence convention:

The opening credits used are at the start of the thriller movie and in this case after the first opening scene. This is an opening sequence convention of a thriller movie and allows the audience to know production company involved before any scenes. However, the film going straight into the opening scene also creates screen tension. Once this scene ends, the movie title is shown since the audience are likely to see it due to their attention being fully on the film. This is therefore more effective than the title of the movie being before the opening sequence since the audience are less likely to be captivated at the beginning before any action begins and thus are more likely to forget the name of the movie.

OPENING CREDITS

Genre convention/opening sequence convention:

This scene being filmed at night is obvious due to the low-key lighting used – a thriller movie convention and an aspect often used in the opening sequence of a movie to grab the viewers' attention.

Furthermore, the shakiness of the 'hand-held' camera connotes lack of control the characters have of the situation. From this, the audience is aware that the character is in trouble/danger (being on the run) – another convention of thriller movies. In addition to this, the audience can establish the main character (protagonist) which is also common in an opening sequence of an action thriller

LOW-KEY LIGHTING

The low key lighting used in the opening sequence of this film is a convention of a thriller movie...

Genre convention:

Non-diegetic music as background sound track is used in the opening sequence. This fast paced music which gradually becomes more intense builds on the action and creates a build up of mystery among the audience as they ask questions as to what is happening. However, the audience is made aware the protagonist is in danger due to this music.

Opening sequence convention:

Another aspect of sound in this scene is the diegetic sound of men shouting. This helps audience understand that protagonist is in trouble. In addition, this creates mystery and thus build up of enigma (links to genre convention)

SOUND

The use of diegetic and non-diegetic sound has also been used as a genre and opening sequence convention

CROSS CUTSGenre convention/opening sequence convention:

The fast paced editing/cross cuts is another feature which exists throughout mystery/action thriller movies but especially during this opening sequence. This is important since it doesn’t allow the audience to fully process what is happening. At the beginning of a movie this is especially important to ensure the audience ask questions and remain interested until those questions are answered.

Furthermore, the cross cuts back and forth between the character and police and fast pace further suggest the action within the scene and thus further signify the danger the protagonist is in.

The protagonist of a thriller movie being in danger along with the confusion of the audience and asking questions are typical conventions of thriller movies.

POLICE CONNOTES DANGER Genre convention:

It is typical for thrillers to include danger and/or the hunting of them by an external member/group. In many cases, this would be the police. Although the scene is in a different country, and this is obvious through the use of subtitles in the screenshot, the audience is still able to recognise the police and associate them with crime and danger. This is typical of a thriller movie as it adds a sense of verisimilitude due to the audiences personal association of police with danger and the realism of the situation the protagonist is in. Thus, the audience would assume the protagonist is in danger but not aware why this is the case since this is not addressed at the beginning. This relates to the opening sequence convention…

Opening sequence convention:

The audience has been made awarethat the protagonist is in trouble. However, they would not be able to make the link as to why this is the case thus creating mystery and theasking of questions. This as well asthe vagueness of the entire situationis typical of a thriller’s opening sequence.

FLASHBACKS

Genre convention/opening sequence convention:

The use of flashbacks is evident within the opening of this movie. The flashbacks are obvious due to the contrast in situation and saturation/colour change to the initial scene and the cross cutting between the initial scene and the flashback.

However, this s merely another piece of the puzzle which the audience cannot make of. This creates even more mystery among the audience. As well as this, during this time, the audience is aware that the protagonist I still being hunted and thus an element of anxiety is created. All of these emotions create feelings which the opening sequence but especially the thriller genre provokes amongst the audience to build on this genre.

BLOOD CONNOTES DANGER/TROUBLE

Genre convention:Blood is very often used within the genre of a thriller as it connotes danger and trouble. This scene is the first time the character is shown in full light after the low key lighting throughout. Although the lighting is still fairly low key, its bright enough for the audience to recognise the blood on his hands and neck.

Thus, the audience are able to associate the the blood to danger and trouble adding to the storyline and causing the audience to constantly ask questions. The use of blood shown in the opening sequence creates more mystery but also a sense of fear and anxiety among the audience.

GUN CONNOTES DANGEROpening sequence convention:

One aspect of mise-en-scene used towards the end of the opening sequence of the film is the gun. The gun is a regularly and probably most commonly used prop within thriller movies and signifies danger and who has possession of the situation. Up until this point, the protagonist has been running from the police to show that he has been placed in a vulnerable and dangerous position. However, this final scene releases some tension since the chase of the protagonist is over but also introduces a twist on the situation due to the protagonists possession over the situation and police. These character traits and the introduction of a strong protagonists is key in the opening sequence. Thus the conventions and sudden shift in who has the upper hand creates excitement among the audience anticipating the rest of the film.