textual analysis

Codes and conventions between different films are very unique despite them being of the same genre.  The codes, conventions and techniques used in swordfish, collateral, and inside man al display aspects of the thriller genre, I will be comparing the way it is displayed in each film.

In all three films we are introduced to the main character within the first few seconds, this is something very typical of the thriller genre. The characters in themselves also display the thriller; Tom cruise, John Travolta, and Clive Owen. Are all actors we would associate largely with the thriller genre, the use of big names such as this mean the audience knows from very early on what kind of film it is going to be, and all of these three films are similar in the sense that we are introduced to the character straight away which is used to entice us as viewers.

Both Swordfish and Inside man are similar in the sense that the opening few seconds is very mysterious and doesn’t reveal a great deal about the film. Swordfish uses lots of jump cuts and fast editing couples with shots of a long duration to ensure the audience doesn’t know the location, or who the characters are talking to in both films when the ‘ talk to the camera’ technique is used’, this is what makes these two films similar. The films use the same technique but swordfish uses a range of shots and dips in and out of focus, which contrasts to Inside Man which uses the same, still close up for the entire period. Collaterals first few opening seconds is different to that of the other two because the location is established: airport, which represents nationalism which is typical for thrillers also. It introduces the big name characters first much like the other two, but there is no sense of confusion, the shots and editing are smoother to represent the laid back nature of Tom Cruise and to show how important he is going to be in the plot of the film. So although Swordfish and Inside Man show a very similar opening few seconds and contrasts to Collateral. All 3 are very similar in the sense that it introduces what characters are going to be important to the entire plot of the film. 

CAMERAWORK:

Swordfish is filled with point of view shots, although they might be a little bit obscure to the audience in the beginning we see a huge range of different view points of the action, when we see John Travolta talking there are plenty of match on action shots which are different views of the character.  It is the only film of the three to use mostly point of view shots, even during the scene in which the men walk across the street we see them through a gun scope, this is something that’s very typical of the thriller genre, it can be used to create a sense of confusion during opening sequences in order for the viewers to continue watching the film. It is not something either of my other two films uses as often however.

Collateral doesn’t use point of view shots hardly at all, it uses a range of long shots and midshots during the airport scene to establish the balance of power between the characters, we get a slightly lower shot of Cruise to show him being at the top of the hierarchy; the people around him are blurred and seem to move out of his way, he seems untouchable. But we see a straight on midshot of Statham , he is constantly kept out of view by passers by which clearly shows how he is of a lesser importance. Shots like this are use in thrillers genres to establish the plot and characters of the film.

Inside man uses the same ‘talk to the camera’ technique as swordfish but it is in a very different way, it is the same close up shot of Owen’s face and the shot doesn’t move or waver, it could represent the position of control he is in over the situation. It can also be seen as similar to collateral in the shots used because during the bank scene we see a different range of longshots and match on action shots in order to establish where the rest of the film is going to take place. This is similar to Collateral in which we see a number of close ups on the cab driver in order to establish the location of the film; which will take place mostly around or inside the taxi.

Al three films use different shot types and angles during their opening sequence but they are all in order to establish to following plot of the film, the locations and the genre or sub genre. Collateral and inside man are similar because they use long shots mixed with close ups and mid shots in order to establish the location, but Swordfish uses match on action and point of view in order to establish location. All of these techniques are typical for the thriller genre, and because all of these films are of the action thriller genre they use many of the same camera shots.

EDITING

Editing is very important in the thriller genre because it has a massive effect on how the audience view things.

The editing used when John Travolta is talking to the camera is very snappy and confusing for the viewer, it jump cuts from one point of view to the other and almost acts like a surveillance camera, which in itself can represent danger which is typical for a thriller film.  The editing when they exit the building is short and snappy and the shots are for a very short duration, this again is something typical of a thriller because it represents a build-up of tension to a big event or upheaval, which in this case is an explosion.  The editing in this opening sequence is only smooth and flowing when Travolta is talking which could show how he is the one in control of the situation.  However when the situation moves away from Travolta and we start the build up towards the explosion the editing becomes increasingly more and more rapid, we see several jump-cuts and rapid match on action shots; this is something very typical of a thriller film to show a build-up in tension of events.

The editing used in swordfish is a contrast to the other two films, because swordfish uses a slow build up in Editing to show the balance in power. However the editing used for Inside Man is very different, it is continually smooth throughout the whole opinion sequence, this is because Clive Owen is always the main focus, and because he is the one in power, the editing represents this by being smooth all the time. It is shown by a number of close ups of Owen, from various different view points, and the scene in the bank is mainly focused around him; which is also shown by the camerawork being central on him with close ups and mid-shots. The brief moment in which we see a police officer ( which is again typical of thriller films because it represents justice and consequence, and maybe a conflict between two different sides) the editing becomes much more awkward, the shots are for a shorter duration and viewed from a much greater distance. This could show how the police officer is small and insignificant to the situation going on, in which Clive Owen is in control. Again this is something typical of a thriller film because the editing is a way of showing who is important in the storyline. The editing used in Collateral is similar to that of inside man; it is used to represent who is in a position of power. During the scene in the airport the editing used on two different characters is very different. When we see Tom Cruise the editing seems smooth and free flowing, it is easy to watch and it portrays the character as comfortable in his situation. When we see Statham’s character  the editing is very jumpy and unregularly cutting from different angles, it appears as the character feels slightly awkward because of the editing used and puts him in a lower social standing to Cruise; almost shows his submission. So overall editing used in all 3 films are similar because they are used to represent power and control, however Swordfish does it in a different way to the other two.

SOUND

The sound plays a more important role in thriller films than a lot of other genres. For example in Swordfish when we see Travolta talking, the moving camera is coupled with the noise like that of a security camera, we are uncertain what this noise is and it creates a great sense of confusion for the viewer when it is coupled with other elements. The confusing and unidentifiable sound used here represents how the future of the character is very uncertain, once again; the sound used here is nothing like the sound used in either of the other two films. Once we come out of the coffee shop and we see the explosion, all sound becomes muffled and drowned out; I think this is because it shows how at that particular moment, fighting and conflict has stopped and nobody is in power.

Sound used in Collateral and inside man is similar but very unique to the thriller genre. The sound used in Collateral is there to show a build-up in tension or to a certain event.  In the airport, the orchestral sound builds up louder and louder until the two characters meet; this is something typical of the genre because it shows a build-up to an important event. Inside Man builds up tension in a very different way,  during the title scene in which they are driving to the bank we hear orchestral music once again; which builds up as they get closer to their destination, but other than that the sound is very natural which I believe is used to show that element of realism.

During the scene of Collateral in which we are introduced to the taxi driver, there is a moment when all of the sound stops suddenly when he closes the door to his taxi, once again this is a way of showing power. In this particular instance it shows how he is in total control of his current situation, the sound installs a sense of calmness in the audience, which contrasts to later on when he has no power what so ever.

MISE EN SCENE

The mise-en-scene used in a thriller is a very important aspect of how the audience perceives the film. For example in Swordfish we see Travolta with a cigar, not only is this a phallic symbol but it is also something we associate with someone being in a position of power. During the collateral sequence in which we are introduced to the taxi driver, we establish his connection with the photo of the Island; this is an important piece of Mise-En-Scene because he makes him the most relatable character for the audience, someone that’s just trying to get by with a decent job working hard. This is something typical in thriller films, because it means the audience empathize with a certain character so it has more of an impact if something happens to them later on in the storyline.  Finally, the Mise-En-scene for inside man is very simplistic and relatable, similar to Collateral. I think this is a technique that a lot of directors use for thriller films because it makes the situation seem more real, as if it could just happen to any member of the audience. The only important prop used is the guns,  during most of the film the guns are used to remind the audience who is in charge of the situation, it is something we associate with death and violence; so it helps the audience to establish who is in what side, and who is a protagonist or antagonist. Often the Protagonist is only pictured with a gun when it is absolutely necessary, this makes the audience trust them more and side with them subconsciously.