Conversation in Thrillers

Conversation in Thrillers

Firstly, I noticed that Alonzo and Jake were wearing different colour clothing, this is a use of Mise-en-scene that may have colour representation. Alonzo is wearing black which may suggest he's confident in what his doing as the colour can associate with agents, businessman, secret agents etc.. which all are serious and confident individual. Jake, who's wearing brown may suggest his lack of confidence as the colour can associate with farmers, lumberjacks, elderly people etc.. which all are individual who may not require to be confident in what they're doing.

Secondly, I noticed that the camera shot of the Alonzo and Jake were different, this is a use of Cinematography to show power in shot angles. When Alonzo and Jake was talking, the shot of Alonzo was a low angle close up shot. This shows his facial expression throughout the opening  which shows that he doesn't really have any reaction to what Jake is saying and is always giving the audience the feeling that he doesn't really care. The low angle shot of Alonzo contrast with Jake high angle shot. Alonzo is perceived as more powerful and has more control over Jake as a long angle shot makes him look bigger or taller. Jake is perceived as weaker as most shots were taking over the shoulder of Alonzo which may suggest the feeling to the audience of “looking over you” which clearly shows Alonzo’s power over Jake.

To add on to the second point, I also noticed in the change of personality as the opening progresses, this is a use of Mise-en-scene to show the character's personality over time. As Jake walked in, in one of the first shots, Alonzo was very quite and calm and Jake was the one talking. This changes as once Alonzo removes his glasses, he becomes another person which may suggest a split personality. The glasses may suggest a barrier of privacy, once that barrier has been broken by Jake, he removes his glasses and his personality changes, from calm and collected to loud and somewhat violent.

Thirdly, I noticed that Alonzo and Jake's dialogue has shown there personality, this is a use of sound to create personality differences between the two character. The dominant dialogue is Alonzo’s and he is always talking over Jake and Alonzo is constantly louder throughout the opening. This makes Alonzo perceived as more confident and powerful as he is louder.