1. THE SIXTH SENSE
(SHYAMALAN, 1999)

2. CONVENTIONS
 The typical convention of having an isolated or an abandoned house has been interpreted and then twisted to the idea of
an isolated cellar within a house which two people live in.
 The idea of a female victim has also been portrayed through the opening scene but then subverted as it becomes clear she
is living with her partner and is then conveyed as a typical caring woman figure.
 Similarly to many other thriller films, in the opening we are introduced to a rather strange character who seems to be
somewhat different from the other roles. This is then clarified when we acknowledge that he has certain psychological
problems; from the use of his actions and dialogue.

3. MISE-EN-SCENE
 The use of mise-en-scene within the first few minutes of ‘The Sixth Sense’ is very crucial and
significant helping to reveal the plot of the film. Even though it suggests possible scenarios, it still
doesn’t give away too much information about the main storyline.
 Within the opening seconds of the films, a light bulb is directly seen through the use of a close up
shot. The light bulb gradually lights up suggesting a possible reaction to a specific characters
qualities. The idea that there is only one light bulb and not multiple suggests that one individual may
be able to see things that no body else can. (perhaps a main theme that runs throughout the film).
 Secondly, a frame is spoken about in great detail within the first couple of minutes which accordingly
seemed to have no recognition. However, when the character begins to talk about the frame in further
detail it reveals one of the characters professions and when later zoomed in on, we acknowledge that
the frame is in a mirror form. This suggests seeing the characters from a different perspective than
what originally met the eye.

4. CAMERA
 Immediately as the scene opens, a close-up shot of a light bulb gradually lighting up is displayed. As
previously stated, this suggests that an individual, throughout the film, will have certain qualities that no
body else shares with them, hence only one light bulb is in shot. The fact a close up was used, emphasises
the relevance related to this one certain character.
 Secondly, when presented with a woman role, a longshot is used in a life size proportion suggesting that we
are there with her character experiencing what she is doing. However, this shot then becomes a medium shot
and then into a close up as the woman begins to walk forward. This reveals that she is increasingly becoming
more of a prominent character. A long shot is then used which reveals the characters shadow expressing the
idea that we as the audience can see something she cannot. Furthermore, this point is later developed when
the camera zooms in on a frame revealing that it is mirrored. Similarly, this allows the audience to see two of
the characters on screen which they themselves cannot relate to. This conveys the idea that certain people are
able to see more things that others- which is a key theme throughout the film, and also the main plot.
 Finally, a close-up shot is used which reveals broken glass on the floor that has been shattered from a
window. This presents the idea that someone else is in the house with them even though they cannot directly
see anybody at first. The fact the broken glass was shown before the unwanted person in the house, creates
tension for the audience which is the main convention in a thriller.

5. SOUND
 As soon as the credits emerge on to the screen, a mysterious and pretentious sound begins to play. The music
mirrors the credit titles, as when a name fades away, the music gradually lowers and then becomes higher
pitched again when another name appears. This idea is expressed through non-diegetic sound as it is not a
natural sound within the film.
 The music portrays a creepy nature which suggests that the film will be quite sinister.
 When the title of the film, ‘The Sixth Sense’ appears on the screen, the music quickens and becomes more
abrupt and is then followed by a repetition of the title.
 Secondly, when the scene itself opens, we are presented with the sound of a heavy door opening which is
followed by someone walking down some wooden stairs expressing diegetic sound. This reveals authenticity
within the film and perhaps later corresponds to the main plot idea.
 When Malcom and his wife are together in the living room, there is some calm non-diegetic music playing
in the background. This suggests to the audience that something bad is about to happen, because happy
music in a thriller is usually ironic and therefore conveys that something bad will occur.

6. GONE GIRL
(DAVID FINCHER, 2014)

7. MISE-EN-SCENE
 Texts such as “I’m outside” creates suspense; important convention of a thriller
 One person being in a house alone was commonly used
 Traditionally, the protagonist of thrillers are brave young men who search for calmness
and goodness to resolve the situation, but before this they are always found stared in the
face of dangers and challenges. Both of which Nick’s character (the protagonist of ‘Gone
Girl’) conform to.
 On the other hand, usually the antagonist of thrillers will have a hidden identity that the
audience will uncover/be told (dramatic irony) as the movie progresses. Which Amy s(the
antagonist of the film) also conforms to.
 With Nick’s violent body language, we are able to capture his aggressive nature towards
Amy.

8. SOUND
 When Nick first walks into the empty house, the music is very deep and slow which creates tension,
however as he finds the broken glass from the table, the music gets louder, but the pace stays the
same. This makes the audience very nervous as to what has happened; which is one of the key
conventions of a thriller.
 There is no music when Nick is showing police around his house, only conversation, until they come
across blood in the kitchen. The music in this particular scene is non-diegetic because the music
starts before we see the blood, and then increases when the blood is shown.
 Amy’s voiceover- Amy’s voice creates somewhat of a narration during the film, she informs us of
what is happening, but mainly reads out her ‘diary.’ This allows the audience get to know Amy’s
character, and develop feelings towards her.
 When Nick pushes Amy to the floor, the music builds up very dramatically, to a climax whereby she
opens her eyes.
 Diegetic sounds of breathing also played a heavy part during the film, in dramatic and tense scenes.

9. CAMERA
 Camera goes from a long shot of the broken table to a close up, this is to emphasise the mystery of
what has happened. After that scene there is a very quick cut into an establishing shot of the police
car pulling into the drive way, then the police enter and we find out his wife has gone missing.
 Quick changes in camera angles
 Lots of close ups and extreme close ups of Nick, especially in important scenes, this is to show his
emotion and how he is feeling, such as when he was blamed for the murder of his wife. We were able
to establish that Nick was extremely shocked by the statement.
 There were also many quick shots of Amy, this is in order to hide her identity. Amy’s silhouette and
shadow was often in shot, again to keep her identity hidden and add mystery.

10. DIVERGENT
(NEIL BURGER, 2014)

11. MISE-EN-SCENE
 All the characters are controlled by a strict government, this is shown through the use of costume.
Every faction is allocated a different coloured uniform to wear. Therefore we assume the government
is strong and powerful as they have the ability to do this.
 Also, each coloured uniform reflects on the type of people they are. For example, the members of the
‘Amity’ faction dress comfortably in red and yellow; they are always happy. The colours red and
yellow typically connote happiness and calm; which is the personality of those in this faction.
 Another example is the ‘Condor’ faction, who are always honest and therefore wear a black and
white uniform. Black and white are quite plain colours and stereotypically signify honesty.
 Also, the lighting contrasts the factionless to be an atrocious place to go, rather than the main
factions. This is demonstrated when low key lighting is used whenever the setting for the factionless
is shot. The use of the dark lighting portrays it to be a poor and gloomy place.

12. CAMERA
 Many aerial shots were used to show just how colossal the destruction of the city had become. As
well as this, a lot of high angle shots were used to show us the setting during and after the fighting. It
allows the audience to get a greater understanding of what is happening.
 Close ups were used frequently throughout the film, in order for the audience to see how a character
was feeling in an important situation, for example just before the fighting scene, we get a close up of
Tris’ face which shows us she is nervous.
 Although during the action scenes many quick cuts were used, we do also see a lot of eye level shots
used. This enable us to engage with the actor and make us feel us though we are actually observing
the scene.

13. SOUND
 Just like most thrillers, the films starts with soft music playing throughout the title scenes.
The music slowly begins to fade out once we hear people talking and then is followed by a
voiceover.
 Sound effects play a big part in the film, especially in action scenes, such as the dog attack
scene, whereby a very realistic barking sound has been added.
 The tone of characters voice varies depending on what faction they are in. In ‘Dauntless’
they often have very harsh sounding voices, making them appear rude. Whereas in
‘Adnegation’ they are always polite.
 In action packed scenes, the volume of the music rises at certain parts, to create tension
and suspense.