Download Opening Title Sequence Analysis for Brick.

The first location we see in the
opening title sequence is a
deserted storm drain, which
are
often
located
on
the
outskirts of a city. It looks
dirty,
old
and
the
dark
tunnel
has
an
un-inviting
appeal since we cannot see
through it. The murky water,
which
separates
the
positioning
of
the
two
characters, also emphasises on
the dirty and old look that
this place has.
2) School lockers
After the scene shot by the storm
drain, we are shown text that
prompts us that the next scene is
“two days p revious” . This next
scene is set at school lockers,
however it is very isolated, maybe
suggesting that the character
went to the lockers outside of
class time. A common element of a
thriller film narrative is that
the setting is remote to create an
eerie atmosphere. It also creates
a sense of fear because the
character is alone and has no one
nearby to help if it was needed.
School is a very common place,
w h ic h enables t he a udie nce to
relate to it. usually school has a
very joyful atmosphere and hype
from all the loud students.
However, this school is clearly
the opposite. This creates
mystery and lots of confusion as
to what is going to happen.
3)
Road & Telephone box
The last setting we see in the opening
title sequence is a quiet road. We
can identify that this is also
somewhere remote due to the view
of the hills in the background. The
reason for this creates a sense of
fear and confusion as to what is
going to happen. The loneliness
that was created in the location
with the school lockers is also
seen in this setting, because the
character is isolated and has no
one nearby to help him if he needed
it. In reality, we all prefer to be in
the near from someone who gives
us
that
comfort
and
safety.
However, when watching this the
audience
feels
uncomfortable
because the character does not
have
that
sense
of
security
around him, which builds tension.
These locations are all typical
of a thriller genre: remote,
isolated and eerie places. It
creates a sense of fear of not
knowing where the character
is and that they are in a safe
environment.
Setting (Mise- en- scene)
1) Storm drain
The first shot we see is a pan
towards
the
actors
feet,
which
leave
the
audience
wondering who he is and why
he is crouching down, which
we can see from his bent leg
and foot position.
4) Casual Attire
2) glasses
The camera then shows an
extreme
close
up
of
the
characters eyes which reveal
to us that perhaps he is
intelligent and his age fits
the criteria for a student
which is identified by his
glasses.
3) bracelets
We are shown an extreme close
up of a girls arm that has blue
bracelets on it. The type of
bracelet resembles her youth.
Since her arm is laying in water,
it shows that the character is
dead. Her bracelets are also
very
significant
because
we
soon see another shot further
on
into
the
opening
title
sequence of them.
The character is clothed in jeans,
a basic white top, black shoes and
a grey jacket thrown over. The
colour
palette
is
very
dull
which keeps the colour grade set
to a blue/grey, used in thriller
films to de-saturate the colour
and make it more eerie. His casual
attire
shows
his
youth
and
because it is very simple, it
portrays that he doesn’t put
much effort into his appearance.
We then know that he is probably
quite laid back, just like an
ordinary person.
In a Thriller film opening title
sequence, the costume is a key
part to giving clues to the
audience. They help to identify
personalities, job professions,
age and whether they may be
the protagonist or antagonist.
Costume (Mise- en- scene)
1) Black shoes
2) Telephone
3) Cigarette
The note which the girl
puts
in
the
locker
suggests
a
lot
of
secrecy,
but
also
perhaps creating a sense
of fear. This is because
the character and the
audience
are
unsure
what the note means and
whether it’s a bad thing,
for example, a trap.
The Telephone in the phone
booth also creates a lot of
secrecy, because the call is
taking place via a phone
which cannot be sourced or
receive the called id.
The Cigarette has negative
connotations, for example,
seductively smoking or a
gangster.
The
audience
immediately
starts
to
wonder if the character
who threw the cigarette
out of the car window is the
villain.
Props (Mise- en- scene)
1) Note
The first set of shots we see in the opening title sequence are of two characters. It switches shots of
both characters to show details and emotions, perhaps signalling a relationship between them. The
camera of the male starts as a medium close up, but as the shots progress to the dead girl lying on
the floor, it then shows an extreme close up of him. As well as signalling a relationship, it also
shows his feelings and sorrow, which is seen from his hand position in front of his face.
2) Close Up Shot
After the scene at the storm drain, we
are shown a close up of the same arm
which was lying in water. We can identify
this due to the bracelets. This shows us
that this shot is in the past because the
girl is not dead and is putting something
in some ones locker. The use of close-up
shots in the opening title sequence keep
the plot very mysterious and eerie,
because not a lot is revealed.
3) Tracking Shot
Once the audience has been notified that
we are now “Two days previous” from the
last scene, we are shown a tracking shot
of a character walking to their locker.
We know it is the same male as the very
first scene due to the same rolled-up
jeans and shoes. Yet again, the close up
shot keeps it mysterious and leaves the
audience wondering what is happening.
4) Point of View Shot
When the male character picks up the note
that falls on the floor from his locker, we
are given a point of view shot from his
perspective to see what the note says.
However, the audience are still confused as
to what it means. There is a sense of tension,
mystery and fear; numerous questions are
raised.
Editing & Cinematography
1) Extreme Close Up Shot
In the opening title sequence, there are three settings. These are shown by an establishing shot. Each
setting is very remote and isolated, making the audience feel tense about what is going to happen in
such a place with no one around to help.
6) Point of View shot/
Pan shot
When the male answers the phone call, he
looks around to try and see where the
girl (Emily) is. The camera shot is a Point
of View so that we can see where he is
looking. The pan is very fast-paced,
perhaps
showing
his
confusion
and
curiosity as to where she is. Due to the
fact that the male and the audience
cannot see her, there is tension and a lot
of mystery caused by the secrecy.
7) Wide Shot
8) Extreme Close up Shot
This shot creates a lot of tension
and excitement for the audience,
since the character has its back
turned on a fast approaching object
which looks like a threat because
the film score starts to build up. At
first, it can be hard to recognise
what the object is but we soon see
that it is a car with blacked-out
windows, yet again, adding to the
sense of mystery.
We then see an extreme close up shot
of a hand coming out the car window
and throwing a cigarette. The shot is
placed
below
the
car
window,
looking up. This is so that the
character is not revealed, or any
clues, just simply a hand. This adds
to the sense of mystery and leaves
the
audience
with
plenty
of
questions.
Editing & Cinematography
5) Establishing shot
2) Sound Effects
3) Diegetic Sound
As the company’s logo appears, nondiegetic sound starts to play. It is the
score “Emily's Theme”, composed by
Nathan Johnson using a guitar, piano
and kitchen utensils. It it a very eerie
sound and spine-tingling, since the
tune is very creepy.
When there is a change in time to “Two
Days Previous”, a school bell chimes as
the camera changes to a shot of
lockers. This was probably added in
post-production to help the audience
identify the location.
When Brendan sits by the road, a
public telephone rings. This would
have
been
natural
sound
which
occurred during production.
4) Dialogue
5) Non-diegetic Sound
6) Diegetic Sound
As Brendan answers the phone, he
shares a few lines of dialogue with a
girl
on
the
receiving
end.
Their
dialogue helps the audience to know
what age range they are, for example
the phrase “Status Quo” is used, showing
they are informal and young adults.
As Brendan looks around for the girl,
he is extremely confused and perhaps
he is slightly fearful because he is
being watched. Therefore, non-diegetic
sound is added in post-production to
emphasise on his emotions. A high pitch
makes the audience feel uneasy.
As
the
car
drives
past
Brendan
quickly, we hear the loud engine. The
volume is louder as the car gets
nearer to the camera shot and actor,
creating an increased tension for the
audience.
Film Score / Sound
1) Score
The film ‘Brick’ has a
very dull and desaturated colour
grade. All shots are
very blue and grey;
there are no vibrant
colours, just like
how the films purpose
is not comedy or
heart-warming. This
helps to create a
negative atmosphere,
creating extra
tension, fear and an
emotional thrill.
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.
Colour Grade
De-saturated