Director: Tony Scott
Camera/editing
The opening
of this film sets a fast paced, tense thriller through the use of continuity
editing which involves many fast paced cuts to increase the pace of the film.
As well as the use of LS, MS and CU shots of characters. All scenes are moving,
if the camera isn’t itself then words may appear across the screen in both
directions, or sometimes black rectangles do the same. This gives the effect
that there is continual movement similar to trains. Most scenes are fast paced,
fast forwarded, or out of focus which may connote that no one fully understands
what’s happening or why, in the situation later on in the film. It may also
represent how when a train drives past you at a platform it seems blurry because
it’s moving so fast. A very fast pan of New York City, and a zoom in on a fast
forwarded street scene sets a busy atmosphere to the film. The whole time
actors names appear across the frame. The first character the audience is
introduced to is Ryder. We see a CU shot of his face and due to the fact it’s
centralised in the frame we gain the impression he must be a significant
character in the narrative. We continue to see shots of the setting and a
variety of LS, MS and CU shots of the other ‘gang’ members. This is all through
a series of fast cuts, and no sense of fluid motion. The scene cuts to a black
backdrop and the title is revealed in the centre of the frame. The transition
from each scene involves one leaving off one side and the other entering from
the opposite side therefore reinforcing the idea of trains moving across the
screen. The next setting we see is the rail control centre, where we’re
introduced to our second significant character through a CU shot of his face
(Garber). During the scene of him talking to another character, people continue
to walk around the office, some in front of the camera others behind the main
action highlighting the movement and pace of the opening. We see each member of
the gang board the train, individually from different platforms, as well as CU
shots of some of the characters which will be held hostage on the train later
on in the film. The pace is slowed slightly and cuts back to the rail control
centre where we see Garber stood, whilst everyone remains seated, this connotes
he is a more significant character in the film. A high angle shot of the
platform cuts to a black screen displaying the time ‘1:58’ which changes to ‘1:59’
showing a progression in time. This cuts back to a MS the platform and Ryder,
then the same shot but through a CCTV camera increasing the verisimilitude of
the scene. The pace is slowed through slow motion shots of the train doors
closing, then the train leaving the platform. Overall the opening includes
mainly eye-level camera shots until then end of the title sequence where the
gang members are in control of the train and a low angle shot is used to show
the power they hold.
Sound/Music
The beginning
of the opening consists of non-diegetic sound effects of trains moving, as
rectangles move across the frame, this connotes the idea of trains moving
across the screen. On the third rectangle we hear the noise of a train braking.
The pace then dramatically increases whilst ‘rock’ styled music starts playing.
A man starts rapping in the song when we are introduced to Ryder which connotes
his tough character. Train sounds are continuously added over the top of scenes
as non-diegetic sounds as well as diegetic sounds in scenes located at the
platforms showing how the film is strongly related to trains. The music stops
when the title appears, and a beat is played when the numbers ‘1’, ’2’ and ‘3’ appear
emphasising their importance because that is the train that most of the film is
set on. Mostly diegetic sound is used in the rail control centre and all music
stops, the music then begins to play again when showing shots of the setting. The
music stops again when showing the time, and instead we hear the sound of a
clock when the time changes. Many zooming in and out sound effects are also
used when names appear and disappear throughout the title sequence. Finally,
tense music starts to play as the gang members take control of the train which
adds tension, and then the music stops and a final zoom sound effect plays as
the directors name disappears.
Mise-en-scene
Setting/lighting
The opening
starts with a shot of the sun rising over New York City, the setting is
displayed as very busy and chaotic and contains symbolic signs of the yellow
taxis. Compared to the dull/ grey lighting at the platforms which highlights
how dirty, well-used and old they are. Therefore, this contrasts with the rail
control centre which is clean, and high tech. Furthermore, it also contains
lighter lighting than the platforms suggesting a higher key lighting system has
been used.
Costume
Ryder wears all
dark or black clothing, sunglasses, hat, leather jacket, and has a tattoo, this
all connotes a tough, dangerous character. Other members of the gang wear
glasses and dark clothing too, however they all differ to show how they all
have different personalities or characters. Garber on the other hand is dressed
smartly in a brown shirt and jumper, and a tie, all these connote the idea he
is at his place of work, however, he wears a silver ear ring in one ear which
suggests there may be something less innocent about his character we might find
out later on in the film.
Titles
Black
rectangles move across the screen at the beginning of the opening revealing
company names in capital, bold, black writing. Conversely, names of actors,
directors, producers etc. are in slightly smaller, light blue capital letters.
Surnames are bigger than Christian names and words appear as though they are
flashing/ flickering or as if blue light is carrying them on and off. This
continues the idea that everything moves in a similar way to trains i.e. in
straight lines. A black backdrop appears and the beginning of the title appears
in the same way as the actors, and producers names did. ‘the taking of pelham’
is first to appear, with the word ‘pelham’ displayed bigger than the other
words, followed by the numbers ‘1’, ’2’ and ‘3’ appearing individually. In the
next scene a transparent grey box compared to the black boxes displayed earlier
on, then appears with the words ‘rail control centre- midtown’ written on, this
may show that these characters are ‘good’ not dark and dangerous. Black boxes
then begin to appear again with names on. A Black screen with the time
displayed in white contrasts with each other which may connote the good and bad
characters in this film. Finally, the director’s name disappears off the screen
attached to the train which connotes how once on that train there’s no escape.
No comments:
Post a Comment