BRICK OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

Mise-en-scene & cinematography During the opening title sequence to the thriller ‘Brick’ there are three different settings used; the first one is in a sewer, the second at a high school and the third at the side of a motorway. The first location (sewer) is very dark, damp and enclosed, it gives off a depressing vibe because of the way the boy is crouched down with his head in his hands, staring at the body laying there. The dark tunnel in this scene helps create the mystery as well, as we don’t know what lurks inside and we don’t know why this young girl has been murdered. Even though the lighting is very dull and dark, there is one spot of light that shines just over the top of the girls limp body. This may suggest to the audience that it is a good thing the girl has died as she’s not frightened or in pain anymore. The way Brendan (the boy) is crouched down and just watching the girl suggests he isn’t shocked about what has happened because he knew it was going to happen before hand.

The second scene is set at a high school, you can tell by the lockers in this picture The location of the school would make the audience feel uneasy and uncomfortable as usually a school full of teenagers would be seen as safe, but in this case it suggests anything can happen at any time or any place. The close up shots of these two objects show the audience how they are important and linked. The note (prop) is telling Brendan to go to this phone booth and the close up of the phone piece is showing how it plays an important roll in what has or is going to happen. The different shots of the prop (bangles) indicates a ‘before’ and ‘after’ the murder. It tells us that the girl who has sent this note will soon end up dead, making the viewer want to know what happens and create stories in their minds. A school being one of the locations would also make us feel sorry for the teenagers involved in the bad that is going to happen, as we would see them as innocent and harmless.

This associated POV shot shows Brendan looking at the time on his watch which indicates he is waiting for someone or something. Brendan's character wears smart black shoes and glasses (costume) this suggests his intelligence making us wonder how/why he has got himself involved with a murder. This extreme close up shot of Brendan's face helps us understand what he is feeling, a close up helps the viewer feel close to the character and feel his pain more.

Sound Non-diegetic sound – At the beginning of the scene there has been a slow, eerie, mysterious sound track added to add to and emphasise what is going on in the scene (the boy kneeling down, staring at the girls limp body). Diegetic sound – When Brendan is in the phone box talking on the phone, a car speeds past and makes a very over the top, dramatic sound that matches Emily’s mood/voice when she is on the phone. As her voice starts to sound more scared and worried the car cuts it off making it look as though it may have something to do with what is happening to the girl. Non diegetic sound – When the scenery changes, a school bell rings informing the audience where the scene is being filmed and also to make the audience feel sorry for whoever is going to be murdered as it shows they are young & innocent. Non-diegetic sound- when the phone rings whilst Brendan is waiting shows that it is an important object in the film.