Textual Analysis: Films

I have written a comparative essay to combine the three separate analyses of the film.

In the three films there are key identifiable camera shots and movements that are used to achieve specific effects.  For example throughout the ‘Gothika’ extract several close ups are used to make the audience feel intimidated and allow them to experience the same emotions as the characters. The main close ups used are to identify the main character i.e. Halle Berry is shown to be the key character. For this purpose medium shots can be used too then it is possible to see their attire for example in ‘Blade’ when the doctors are shown we are able to see their uniform hence their occupation is revealed. After the first encounter tilts are used to establish the characters context and provide links – in ‘Gothika’ her professionalism is shown and her status as everyone acknowledges her.  Close ups are also commonly used in ‘The Covenant‘ to show the characters facial expression which is always suspicious and wary hence keeping the audiences on the edge of there seat.  In the film ‘Blade’ close ups are used to show weaponry this highlights the destruction that is being caused throughout the film.  Also throughout the films there are multiple two shots used to show the relationship characters have with each other it is common for a thriller to have a love story underlying it that gets in the way of the heroes goal or quest, for example in ‘Blade’ the women becomes a target of Blade’s enemies. This is also the same in ‘The Covenant’ in which the girl becomes a method to get to the hero. Long shots are also a common feature of a thriller for example in ‘Gothika’ the shots compliment the psychological ward setting, as long white washed corridors are shown with a innocent victim at the end usually shot with a backlight so they are unidentifiable. In comparison ‘Blade’ features long shots of street scenes showing normal civilians or deserted alleyways, this shows that the supernatural film is shot in an everyday setting which is a sharp contrast from the psychological ward in ‘Gothika’. In all films close ups are used of feet walking which is iconic of the thriller stereotype being heavy footsteps.  Pans are a common feature of asserting the setting i.e. in ‘Gothika’ a pan is used to show the interview scenario, allowing context to be seen and in ‘The Covenant’ a pan is used to show gothic aspects of the building.

There are always iconic settings featured in thriller films of any sub-genre, for example in all three films there is an abandoned building or alleyway. In ‘Gothika’ the women travels to an abandoned barn that reveals dark secrets regarding her loved ones, at this stage in the film the lighting is dimmed and an eerie silence has engulfed the atmosphere, creating suspicion and fear. In comparison the abandoned warehouse in ‘Blade’ is used as a safe base and is recognized as friendly territory, also contrastingly again in ‘The Covenant’ the abandoned barn takes on the form of a battlefield for two rivals to fight. These differences show that even though similar iconography is present their semantic understanding is dependent upon context. The main featured setting also reflects the genre of the film for example in ‘Gothika’ - a psychological thriller - the setting is in a psychiatric ward/prison, however in most thrillers there is an element of professionalism involved for example in ‘Blade’ a key setting is in a hospital. Also in ‘The Covenant’ – a teen vampire film – the setting is in a boarding school which is stereotypical of any film that involves teen issues, also several other settings featured are gothic-fashioned houses. However ‘Blade’ is set in a town centre combining the mortal with the immortal which is a common issue addressed throughout the film, this ignorance of the vampire race is reinforced by the quick passing of time portrayed by the camera in the opening. Another setting that is conventional of many thrillers is a forest or woodland this reinforces the fear of seclusion and enclosure that is associated with horrors. There is also the use of secret settings that are commonly used in ‘Blade’ for example the secret clubs and hidden headquarters this links in with the blending of vampires into everyday society. Also in ‘Gothika’ there is what seems to be a trap door that leads on to a cellar this connotes a hidden element hence builds up suspense on its opening. In two of the films I watched, iconic scenes were set in a shower where a female was bathing and something superstitious occurs to her this frightens the viewers as it is such a normal everyday action being shown.

There is a specific weather pattern that is exclusive for all thriller genres this is – thunder, lightning and rain. These elements are used to varying degrees in all of the extracts I analysed. For example in ‘Gothika’ the weather becomes the cause of a power cut and adds to the atmosphere that is created when the ghost is encountered. In this extract lightning is also used as a feature to highlight certain characters (usually supernatural ones i.e. ‘Gothika’) and casts them in a harsh light. Another element of weather explored is fog and mist which could be a signifier of the audiences mind being unclear of the way in which the film will flow or this could be the effect of the director to distort people’s perceptions. The main scenes of a thriller will be stereotypically shot at night time as this is the most frightful time of day; a full moon is also iconic as featured in ‘The Covenant’.

In the films I looked at many light and dark tricks are used to build up a tense atmosphere and also to identify hero and villains. In two of the films observed flickering lights seemed to be a key signifier of trouble ahead and reoccurred throughout the film, they are also a iconic feature of a psychiatric ward, an eerie atmosphere is also created when lights are flickering and then suddenly stop, showing that whatever was approaching is here. Certain characters are highlighted by a single spotlight these are shown to be the main character as is the case in ‘Gothika’ however the beam of light could also signify the person who is next in the line of fire – the next victim. Also in the films were corridors are featured – ‘Gothika’ and ‘The Covenant’ – there is a tendency to place the corridor in darkness and light up the rooms coming off them giving the illusion that either something is lurking in the shadows or that something awaits them in the rooms. It is typical for a thriller to use dim lighting to maintain the element of the unknown and create mystery. In all of the films distorted or broken images are featured that provide key linkage amongst scenes. For example in ‘The Covenant‘ at the start there are broken images of books featuring witchcraft and Salem witch trials which introduces key themes in the film. However in ‘Blade’ distorted images are due to the lasers in the club showing that the audience’s perception of the club is wrong.

Some key iconography of the genre is present in all of the films for example in the films there seems to be an element of unreality and the persona figures that it’s all a dream which is typical of a thriller the character wakes up sweating and panicking as in ‘The Covenant’ and ‘Gothika’. Another key icon is the use of symbols or tattoos to symbolise something. For example in ‘Gothika’ the main tattoo is a method to identify the villain of the scenario; this is also common in ‘Blade’ where different symbols and tattoos are used as an identification method for vampire followers. In all three films there are significant car scenes in which the main characters are featured these are likely to be car chases as in ‘Blade’ and ‘The Covenant’, where frequent fast edits are used; it is also likely that the car will be fast and expensive looking highlighting again the difference between the main characters and the rest of civilization.

An iconic apprehensive non-diegetic sound is used in all films when danger is looming and suspense is desired this usually consists of sharp slow elongated notes that quicken as the tension mounts. There is also a frequent use of diegetic sound that heightens the atmosphere of the film, for example in ‘Gothika’ the sound of the prison gates shutting, heavy breathing and heart beat racing are all emphasised to create mystery and add to the fear factor, these features are stereotypical of any film in the thriller genre.