COLLATERAL opening sequence analysis | leah walden

setting (mise-en-scene) 2) Taxi Rank 1) Airport The first shot of the opening title sequence is of Vincent (the antagonist) walking through an airport. Despite the shots being very distorted, we can deduce that he is in an airport from various signs, such as “Terminals”. This can shows us what sort of character Vincent is, since an airport portrays wealth and connections to people internationally. The airport can also suggest that Vincent may be a businessman who travels a lot. Max (the protagonist) is first seen getting into a taxi as the taxi driver, in a taxi rank. In contrast to Vincent, this shows the audience that Max is an ordinary man of middle class, which is typical for the protagonist in a thriller genre. The use of the taxi rank also foreshadows what may happen later on in the film and how the two characters may meet, since taxis can be used as a getaway or as transport from airports. In thriller films, cities are often used as they are ordinary places that the audience can relate to. However, crime is often committed in remote areas.

costume (mise-en-scene) 1) Grey Suit 2) Glasses The first few shots of Vincent in the opening title sequence are never wide shots so the audience does not yet have a full view of the character, which keeps it very mysterious. Despite that, we can identify that he is wearing a grey suit. This may suggest that his character is very smart, professional and slick. Due to the eerie film score, we can identify that he is the protagonist and the use of the suit might suggest he is a contracted assassin or thug. In the opening title sequence, both characters are wearing glasses. However, Vincent is wearing blacked-out sunglasses whilst Max is wearing transparent glasses. This reveals to the audience the contrast in characters and who the protagonist and antagonist is. The colour black connotes to negativity and death, as well as the hidden eyes creating mystery and tension as to who Vincent is. On the other hand, the glasses for better eyesight worn by Max may show that he is a geek and intelligent. They also show the audience that he is an ordinary man, which is a common feature of a thriller film: ordinary people getting caught up in extraordinary events.

props (mise-en-scene) 1) Crossword The camera shot pans from the crossword to Max’s face, which may show that he is intelligent or has a lot of spare time. This also emphasises that he is an ordinary man (a common feature of a protagonist). 2) Postcard When Max puts a postcard under the mirror in his taxi, it can lead to lots of different questions: why is he keeping a postcard? What does it mean? Since he is the protagonist, perhaps it’s his hope in life or dream place to visit because he is only a middle class man. The postcard helps to build tension and helps to intrigue the audience; wanting to find out the answer to the questions. 3) Drivers License We are given an extreme close up of Max’s drivers license that he places in the taxi. This informs the audience of his job title and it emphasises on the fact that he is an ordinary man (a common feature of a protagonist). 4) Black Bag At the beginning of the opening title sequence, despite the camera shots appearing very distorted we are given a tilt down to the floor when Vincent walks into another man. This is significant as we are being shown a black, smart bag- maybe a briefcase which connotes to his businessman attire. However, the use of this is to show a swap that occurs with the bags. This creates mystery and tension, as well as lots of questions, such as: What is in the bag?

editing & cinematography 1) Medium Close Up The first few shots of the opening title sequence are medium close ups which are very distorted. The subject (Vincent) is hidden behind people in the foreground who are out of focus. This makes it seem very mysterious because his identity is hidden. Due to the limited view, the audience is unsure as to what is going on and therefore it starts to build tension. 2) Associated POV After the Medium Close Ups, we are given an Associated Point-of-View Shot with the camera next to Vincent's cheek. However, he is only in focus which emphasises on the mystery of what he is looking at or walking towards. 3) Extreme Close Up Another shot we are shown is an extreme close up of Vincent. This is keep his identity hidden, which is typical of an antagonist in a thriller film. It creates mystery and tension for the audience because they begin to ask who he is.

editing & cinematography 4) Extreme Close Up After Vincent’s appearance, we are shown a series of continuous extreme close ups of the elements in Max’s lifestyle: taxis and newspapers. However, at that moment in the opening title sequence, the audience has not yet seen Max so these shots create mystery and questions as to what they signify. The use of the close ups keep the identity and scene very discreet, building lots of different clues. 5) Hand-held Close Up After the extreme close ups, we are given a series of more close ups. They appear to be shot hand-held to create a shaky effect, maybe to enhance the distort camera shots and to keep the identity and setting quite concealed. This is typical of a thriller opening title sequence because the director wants to entice the audience.

film score / sound 1) Ambient Sound The first sound we hear is an airplane engine, to tell the audience what setting the character is in. It then follows with ambient sounds of a busy place of people talking. 2) Dialogue When Vincent and another man walk into each other, they exchange a few lines of dialogue. This introduces Vincent and we immediately get the impression that he is polite, cool and sleek; in the manner that he speaks. 3) Non-diegetic Sound After Vincent picks up a different bag, non-diegetic sounds starts to play in medium pace which has quite a low pitch, with occasional fast paced beats. This makes the audience feel as though something suspicious just happened and Vincent has smugly got away with it. 4) Diegetic Sound On top of the diegetic sound which started to play after Vincent picked up the bag, we can hear extracts of diegetic sound. For example, when Max sprays window cleaner. 5) Ambient Sound As Max sits in his taxi, we are shown a few shots of his surroundings in the taxi rank. One is of some men talking. The audience cannot hear what is being said but ambient sound is added to discreetly hear some conversation in the background, making it more realistic. 6) Non-diegetic Sound As Max shuts the door of the taxi, the ambient sounds of conversation stop. This might show how Max is focused on his job role as a taxi driver and can shut out any distractions. The non-diegetic sound still plays, resembling an ongoing low pitched beat.

colour grade The colour grade for Collateral is quite different in comparison to the typical thriller film where the colour grade is very de-saturated with blue and grey undertones. When the antagonist, Vincent, is being shown the colours are true of a typical thriller film. However, when the protagonist, Max, is being shown there are a few more vibrant colours such as yellow and white. This may be to emphasise on their character roles: good being more joyous and bad being very dull. In thriller films, the colour will usually be very de- saturated to create a depressing and unwelcoming atmosphere, making the audience feel uncomfortable and tense. However, this can vary depending on the situation.