Real Media Research FILM NO. 3

Title: No Country for Old Men

Genre: Crime Thriller

KEY

words/phrases like this – key terms/conventions

words/phrases like this – Effect on audience

OPENING CREDITS

Opening sequence convention:The opening credits used are at the start of the thriller movie and before any opening scenes. This is an opening sequence convention of a thriller movie and allows the audience to know the name of the movie and production company involved.

Genre convention: Although the opening sequence is mostly an opening sequence convention, as discussed above, the black and white theme including the text of the production company definitely creates a sinister feel as opposed to bubbly writing and a colorful theme which obviously would not set up the audience for a thriller movie. This element of eeriness is typical in a thriller movie to have the audience prepared for a thriller movie.

SETTING (DESERTED LAND)

Genre convention/opening sequence convention:

The setting used during the opening sequence of the film is possibly unconventional and not typical of a thriller movie. A convention of a crime thriller could possibly be being set in the city where lots goes on and the protagonist is likely to ‘blend in’ with everyone else making him seem less like a villain and more like a normal person. Having said this, the idea that the villain is away from the city and instead in a deserted land or countryside may also be a convention since they are away from masses of people and thus are more likely to get away with crime.

CAMERA SHOT

Genre convention/opening sequence convention:

The camera technique used in this shot is purposely used to have an effect on the audience. The camera being behind the characters creates the feel that the audience are in a position to watch what is happening in the situation and thus at an advantage. Furthermore, the angle at which the camera is shooting from is fairly low (low angle) which allows the audience to view him in a superior way of the situation currently being handled. Furthermore, his physical handling of the protagonist further shows his power.

HANDCUFFS

Genre convention:An aspect of mise-en-scene used towards the end of the opening sequence is the handcuffs. This adds a sense of realism and verisimilitude amongst the audience since they are aware of the connotations of handcuffs being danger and trouble. Furthermore, the fact that the offender has been able to remove the handcuffs connotes more danger. Although the audience has familiarised arrest in everyday lives, the killing of someone in such a violent way and the fact that he’s escaping from crime is significant as it has the audience anticipating what follows.

POLICE CONNTOES DANGERGenre convention:

A typical thriller convention is including danger and/or the hunting of characters. In many cases, it would be the police who are hunting them. The use of them therefore adds a sense of verisimilitude since the audience are aware the police relate to danger in reality and can therefore understand danger the protagonist is in. However the audience are not aware why this is the case since this is not addressed considering this is the first scene of the movie. This relates to the opening sequence convention…

POLICE CONNTOES DANGEROpening sequence convention:

It is typical for an opening sequence to have elements of mystery causing the audience to wonder about particular ideas touched on in the opening sequence. One of these, in this particular film, would be the use of the police car. Although the audience are aware that this prop used has connotations with danger, they would not be aware of who the character under arrest is and why he is under arrest. This mystery would have the audience asking questions and creating a gradual build up of screen tension.

SHADOWS

Genre convention:

The use of shadows has a similar effect as the low key lighting. From the right half of the shot we can see the outside the car having is a significant amount of sunlight and thus the use of shadows has been purposely used and casted on the character being arrested to create a dark and sinister feeling of him and therefore building on the characterisation of the character.

BLOOD CONNOTES DANGER

Genre convention:

Blood is very regularly used in thriller movies and has connotations to danger. The shot is also a medium close up which allows the audience to recognise the marks around the protagonists hand, as blood. This would suggest that the character has involvement in danger and death and this has been confirmed in the previous scene whereby he kills an officer with his bare hands. However, the only dialogue so far has been the officer on the phone and a voiceover, both of which have been fairly vague in helping the audience understand more about the protagonist thus leaving the audience asking multiple questions.