Low lighting is essential within all Crime/Thriller films as they are used to produce shadows adding to the tension of the scene. Also low lighting gives the audience a sense of unknown of and darkness and makes the audience feel that something bad is going to happen. The general colour scheme within this subgenre is also rather dull which connotes that there is no happiness but perhaps sadness, scariness and danger. As crime thrillers quite often involve police/CIA agents/FBI or someone who may have some authority the costumes of the characters are usually smart and quite formal to show their dominance on the screen and to help the audience understand more the role of that character. Also the characters usually wear quite dark clothes e.g. the villains where dark clothing to connote the darkness within them, the victims also wear dark clothing to connote the sadness, how vulnerable and scared they are. The makeup and hairstyles of characters in Crime/Thriller films are usually quite boring and dull and nothing over the top, but infact the makeup they have on usually makes them look pale and frail, especially if they're the victim to show the audience how mentally and physically damaged they are.
Makeup on the actors in Taken a crime Crime/Thriller genre.
EDITING:
Crime/Thrillers have to have fast paced editing and jump cuts are essential in keeping the scenes looking dramatic and chaotic which is essential in crime thrillers this also helps with keeping the audience intrigued during the more intense ‘thrilling’ parts of the films. Parallel editing is also key as it allows the audience to follow two separate narratives, often the protagonists and antagonists, and this shows that things are happening at the same time but in different places so they must eventually come together in the finale. Slow motion or flash backs can also be used within the Crime/Thrillers as it entices the audience as actions are performed slowly, or the story returns to previous scenes making the tension and anticipation rise and also helping the audience understand what has happened in the past.
This is an example of fast paced editing and jump cuts, from James Bond Skyfall.
CINEMATOGRAPHY:
Tracking shots are important as they allow the audience to trail the characters footsteps and get an understanding of what that character is doing. Extreme close ups and close ups are crucial for this genre as it gives great detail about the characters emotions and feelings. The point of view shots continue to grab the audiences attention towards the plot as it makes the scene more realistic as we feel as though we are there in the scene and are seeing what the character sees. Establishing shots are also common within crime thrillers as they are often set in the city, so the shot enables us to figure out the setting and get a sense of the place. Low angle or canted shots may show a certain characters personality as the canted shot of the antagonist may show their twisted personality whilst the high angle shot of the protagonist may show off his strength in a situation or his conquering.
This is a short clip from Law Abiding Citizen showing the main character who is torturing another man in a high angle shot to show his dominance.
ICONOGRAPHY:
Common iconography within this genre can include; weapons as they are commonly associated with danger and violence such as guns, knives and tools. Sometimes fingerprints may assist the protagonist in leading them to find the antagonist. Also other iconography can be things such as passports, money, phones and black cases. These are typical props you find in Crime/Thriller films as they all show that the person who owns them needs to have objects that can help cover their true identity up.
Images from Bourne Identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment