BRICK Opening Sequence Analysis Leah Walden

Setting (Mise- en- scene) 1)Storm drain 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 previous”. 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, which enables the audience 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.

1)Black shoes 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. 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. Costume (Mise- en- scene) 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. 4) Casual Attire 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.

Props (Mise- en- scene) 1)Note 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. 2) Telephone 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. 3) Cigarette 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.

Editing & Cinematography 1)Extreme Close Up Shot 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 5) Establishing 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 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. 8) Extreme Close up Shot 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.

Film Score / Sound 1) Score As the company’s logo appears, non- diegetic 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. 2) Sound Effects 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. 3) Diegetic Sound When Brendan sits by the road, a public telephone rings. This would have been natural sound which occurred during production. 4) Dialogue 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. 5) Non-diegetic Sound 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. 6) Diegetic Sound 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.

Colour Grade De-saturated The film ‘Brick’ has a very dull and de- saturated 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.