Analysis of student films - 'The Edge'

Genre:

From watching this film opening, we can tell that is definitely either a thriller or an action film, possibly having elements of both. We can see this because generic conventions can be seen which can be linked to both genres; action and thriller. An example of one of these generic conventions is the chase that happens throughout the whole opening. This is something you would expect to see for sure in an action film, and they also appear in lots of thrillers too, showing the audience that the opening could be for a hybrid film. Another convention that we can see is the men who are chasing the boy are wearing black suits, and black connotes danger. This can be linked with many films from the genres thriller and action, for example films like 'Mafia', where the criminals wear black suits.

Editing:

The main piece of editing that adds effect into this piece is fast-paced editing. The fast paced cuts start being used in synchronisation with the music and the scenario. It starts when the chases starts and it makes everything in the scene look frantic and it help add effect to the boy, making him look very panicy. It makes the opening look very professional

Sound:
I think the sound used in the clip is used very well as it starts with a slow paced, one tone tune, which acts as a build up to the main piece of music during the chase. The music then speeds up and becomes a bit higher in tone, and this all happens as soon as we see the two antagonists. It is very effective as the slow paced music connotes tension, and the fast paced music connotes fear and energy. Also when the protagonist and antagonist make eye contact, the music speeds up, added effect and making the piece more dramatic.

Camera angles:
Various camera angles are used in this clip to allow who is involved, and showing the audience where it is taking place. The establishing shot shows the audience that it is going to take place in an abandoned car park, and there are several close-ups on the boy and the antagonists throughout the clip, in order to allow the audience to see the facial expressions of all the characters.


Mise:
The location of the opening scene I think is very good and appropriate to the scenario. A lot of films that involve chases in them tend to use abandoned areas/council estates for the chases, as it makes them look a lot more realistic. This works well because other films of similar genres have used abandonded places for chases, such as 'Behind Enemy Lines' and 'Kidulthood', and although 'Kidulthood' is a different genre, it still works very well, and 'Behind Enemy Lines' being a similar genre, I believe it works well as they have all used similar locations that appear to be abandoned.

The costumes used by the actors in the opening sequence I believe is very appropriate to the genre, the young male is wearing clothing that a lot of young males today would wear when going out, which makes the clip a lot more realistic, and I also think that the clothing of the men is very good as suits have been used in other films for people being involved in chases, for example 'James Bond' (all of them) and 'Taken' both have people wearing suits whilst in a chase, and it works well. It works especially well in this opening clip as the suits make the two men look like secret agents, or something to do with that kind of occupation, and this makes the whole clip look a lot more realistic.

The lighting in the clip is done very well as not at any point in the whole clip is the light too bright, nor too dark. There is a very good balance of light and this makes it a lot more easy and convenient for the audience. It is more impressive as the block of flats is quite dark inside, as it has been abandoned, therefore they have done well to make it a perfect brightness for the audience.

Titles:

The titles in this film opening are spot-on with regards to the order they are placed in. They are also in a very appropriate font to match with the genre of the film. They are placed in appropriate places; around the action that is happening on the screen, yet they are still clear and easy to see for the audience.

Characters:

From watching the opening for this film, we can easily tell that there is one young male protagonist, and two older male antagonists. We know this because the oepning scene consists of two older man in suits chasing a younger boy in a block of flats/council estate. However it is not clear why they are chasing the boy, meaning that their characters and the boys character is not not fully explained to the audience, but it should be clear to the audience later in the film who is who and why the boy was being chased.