Collateral Opening Title Sequence Analysis RYAN EVANS

Mise-En-Scene In the first shot, we are presented with Vincent, the antagonist, who is the only character in focus. This makes him stand out as an important character in the film. He is dressed wearing a grey suit and tie with black sunglasses. The colours he wears are solid, connoting his machine imagery – Vincent is a killing machine. The two characters in focus now meet and transfer their cases from one to the other. Their black cases are mysterious; we are left with many questions as to what’s inside those cases: Weapons? Secret Files? A bomb? We realise that these questions will become clear as the film proceeds. The lighting is bright in the airport, which shows that no character is hidden from public view, yet the two characters are deliberately shown in focus to show their significance in the scene. Their actions help them to blend in to the crowd, supporting their professionalism and mystery in the film.

After the airport scene, there are a selection of jump shots that present the atmosphere of the taxi cab garage. The use of jump shots show the garage’s busy schedule and stressful responsibilities. Once Max shuts the cab door, the sound is muffled to almost a silence, and we see him set up his ‘office’ in the car. This implies that Max is happiest in his cab car, and not the garage itself. The close-up shots give detail as to who he is and how important he is in the film. We now understand that this man is the protagonist. This extreme close-up shows Max’s hopes and dreams. Perhaps he is looking for a better life elsewhere? Maybe he needs a goal to keep him motivated in his occupation? These ideas support Max’s hatred for his job and reflects on his character’s ordinary life. The repetition of close-ups gives the impression that this film wants the audience to stay focused on the details of the narrative. This reflects on the character’s feelings because Max has to stay focused on his job and what mysterious people he may pick up on his journey…

Cinematography There aren’t many long cuts in the sequence, it mainly consists of jump shots and close-ups. This suggests that the motion of the film is fast paced and explosive, helping to keep the audience on the edge of their seats at all times. There are many obscure angles that the camera focuses on in the Taxi garage. For example, an over the shoulder-type shot looks at the window of a taxi which seems odd to look at on its own, but when it is added to the other jump cuts, it gives the impression that extraordinary things can happen in ordinary places to ordinary people. This is typical of a Thriller film as spectacular consequences can happen at any time. Focusing in and out with the lens is used to vary the camera shots and to employ more detail into the mise-en-scene. These variations create questions within the audience and help to build more anticipation as more objects come into focus without any real action being recorded.

Sound  There is no soundtrack in the first 30 seconds of the film, only sounds of footsteps. This creates an eerie notion which is slightly disturbing to listen to because it is so quiet.  The silence is then broken when the two characters bump into each other, forcing the audience to stay focused on them both. This is a very important technique because the audience need to see their switching of cases between them to understand the beginning of the film.  Once Vincent picks up the suitcase, the soundtrack begins with a solid rhythm playing while he walks off and the Taxi garage scene begins. This soundtrack combined with the jump cuts that are put in place create a fast paced motion and keep the audience entertained.  The soundtrack builds up before cutting dramatically once Max shuts his cab door. There is still a constant rhythm playing while he is sat in his car, but it is stripped down to one synth which sets a calming yet apprehensive mood. This undisturbed atmosphere helps the audience to focus on Max, supporting his important role in the film. The rhythm still plays as he slowly exits the garage, ending the start with a good level of anticipation.