Opening Sequence Textual Analysis - Brick Brandon Jewell

Mise-En-Scene: Setting/Location In this frame, you can see that straight away the narrative is introduced into an urban, isolated area, classic of Thriller. Concrete high slanted walls, very bland, and possibly dirty. Shows grim urban environment, that all closes off, almost as if character is boxed in, making it seem much more isolated and alone. Dark, big gloomy entrance to tunnel (storm drain), the darkness drawing you in, links to danger and a negative area to stay out of. Body found right outside possibly hinting to the tunnel and how bad things occur in such locations. Boy leaning against high wall, almost wants to remove himself from the area hide in the corners but not go into he darkness. Lack of light really adds to the dim mood.

In this frame, the location has changed to a school/college yard, where lockers are placed. Yet again very typical of Thriller Open school yard, tells audience about character, he is a student, (young) and goes to a place of education. Even school environment is fairly isolated, changes mood rapidly. Tells audience that possibly character avoids crowds, has no friends, or attends education at odd times to avoid others. Educational facility, common in Thrillers, as they are ordinary, typical, and considered a place where most of us feel secure/safe, but in Thrillers is often used to base characters around or is turned around to become less comforting. Natural Lighting, Low key, really gives dull mood. De- saturated light with blue tint, gives big mood change to film.

Yet again, not usually isolated, but in this frame long Urban highway road, remote. Low key, dimmed de saturated lighting, even on clear day. Really reflects mood of film and its dull environment. Not one car, other person in sight. Shows possible vulnerability. Single phone box in the middle of deserted road shows instant relationship between it and the character. The fact subject is sitting off of the pavement into the road shows that there are not many people about as, usually you would not sit in a road with cars soaring past. Also makes it clear there are not any other places to sit down as there is no major need.

1980’s clothing? Casual teenage clothing. Typical student. Bland/ plain colours – Possibly a boring dress sense/personality ? Shows maybe she has a more quirky personality, or bangles were passed down and mean a lot to her. Glasses – intelligence? Tells us that he is more brain than brute. Hands in pocket. Casual, shy character possibly. Not open/confident. Blue bangles. Easy identification of character. Always wears bangles. Fairly mature/straight dress sense. Brown shoes Bangles represent girl, and girl is a big drive of the narrative, making the bangles a possible plot device. Heels, very formal, mature. Woman most likely to be a little older that boy, or just mature. Yet again simple colours, but some contrasting difference with her blue bangles. Costume/props

Close Up/extreme close up on face/eyes. Allows audience to see his emotions and facial expressions. Half hiding his face. Shows he is scared. Also direct address. Viewers are able to see full on his emotions facially. Gives an intense, suspense effect on viewers, lets them see right into his eyes. Typical of Thrillers creating a common emotional link. Eye line match. Almost shot-reverse- shot like. Shows boy looking at girl, then matches up to his eye line showing directly where he is looking on her. Medium close up, focussing in on part of the girl, showing in detail the condition she is in. Eye line match is a clever way of showing a connection between her sand the boy and what his reaction is to her situation.

Graphic match is used here to create a brilliant effect showing a difference in time periods, events and locations. It clearly identifies the same character by linking up the bangles on her wrist from one shot and then cutting to another of the bangles in a similar shot but with a clear contrasting time and location. This use of editing is very effective as it shows clearly the importance of the girl, or possibly the bangles, but also makes a simple transition into a new scene. The fact that it is used to clearly that it goes back in time to before she had been killed without saying anything straight away tells how it works effectively on audiences. This is medium shot, and can also be seen as a small establishing shot, as it shows straight away of the sort of urban, isolated locations in which the narrative revolves around, and instantly tells us where action takes place. It also instantly shows some sort of relationship/connec tion between the boy and the girl, by his reaction to her and her situation.