Thriller Openings Analysis Of Saving Private Ryan, Speed And Notes From Psycho

Thriller Openings Notes

Notes taken when watching the films:

Speed
Elevator shaft, dramatic music that gradually builds up, titles, speed appears (big dramatic music in minor key, dark colours/blue/grey, moving shot down the elevator shaft, shot moves towards a door saying caution, suspense, music gradually builds down, high pitch noise holds, man (1) takes second look into a room then enters, camera focuses on a bag on the floor, see shoulder of a man (2), man (2) uses paper to hide a knife, stabs man (1) and quotes ‘nothing personal’.

Saving Private Ryan
Depressing/honorary music (brass instruments), titles, picture of USA flag, man walks through a park (group of people follow), Shows USA flag again then French flag, close up of mans face (sadness, memories?), string instruments enter, leads to graveyard of white crosses, walks up to one cross and falls to his knees crying (good friend or relative?), his son comforts him, shows line of crosses again (low angle shot), zooms closer to mans face (remembering, grieving?), sound of sea and planes.

Psycho
Titles, dramatic music, black and white, lines swoop across the screen, view of a city, location/date/time stated, busy traffic, music calms/gets quieter, swoops into a window, dark room, romantic setting with a couple, talk of secrecy (sets theme of), talk of the man leaving, talk of them meeting on his return, man speaks of debt and past relationships, fade out.

Speed

Shots:
>Tracking middle shot at eye level of elevator shaft.
>Close up of ‘caution’ on a door.
>Medium high angle shot looking down at a tool bag on the ground from inspector’s viewpoint.
>Close up of knife being shielded by a piece of paper.
Character:
>Innocence of a man only doing his job by asking for a work permit from the worker, only to get stabbed instead.
>Evil intent of the other by carrying out the kill, he doesn’t want to be found out. A sense of no remorse as the character is willing to kill anyone who is of threat to him and his plans.
Narrative structure:
The narrative structure sets a plot of insecurity due to the quick intense music and the close up shot of the word ‘caution’. There is a sudden feeling of things not being what they seem as a man takes a second look before entering through a door. Suspense is also created when the worker produces a document but seems to be using it to disguise an object he is holding underneath. A quick crash of music is displayed as a stabbing takes place, making the viewer link the word ‘caution’ to what has just happened. So in effect what appears to be a misunderstanding switches a focus to something is definitely wrong and fear of what the worker might be up to.
Lighting:
The lighting of the first scene is a mix of blue and grey which indicates suspense, intensity and that all is not well.
Sound:
The sounds that are heard such as the opening music is quick and bold, which confirms that the film will live up to its name of ‘speed’ and be action packed, thrilling and on edge
Mise-en-scene:
In the case of ‘speed’, the camera is close tracking to the key movements of the scene; the lighting is slightly darker to set the mood of intensity and the environment of the scene is restricted to a set area.

Saving Private Ryan

Shots:
The camera shots were close up shots to focus on the key character’s emotions and long shots to show his followers. At the graveyard, the shots changed to low angle shots to show the line of crosses.
Character:
The character in the opening scene is grieving the loss of his fellow soldiers who didn’t make it through the battle, so the mood is sad and reminiscent.
Narrative structure:
The narrative structure sets the tone of the scene as downhearted and as a remembrance of people who devoted their lives to serve their country. This theme is set by the cameras locking onto country flags, the key character walking to the graveyard to monitor his emotions and to the crosses symbolising soldiers’ lives and dedication.
Lighting:
The lighting of the opening is varied in a way that the sun made the day look bright as the USA won the battle, however it is darkened by the loss of soldiers’ lives, that is displayed on the main character’s face, so the light darken when the camera is focused on him.
Sound:
The sound consists of a typical army orchestra playing slow music that instruments take part in solos rather than a full flowing piece of music. This signifies recognition of independence and value to the force as well as them all working together as a team (made up of other instruments).
Mise-en-scene:
The mise-en-scene in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ sets the camera angles to focus on the emotion of the characters and what awaits them at the end of their tracks. The environment that the opening scene is set in is close in a way that he has relatives and friends around him to comfort him, but the trees in the park relates to his duties when fighting as the soldiers just like the trees all stand together.