Thriller Opening 1- Casino Royale

Film Title: Casino Royale
Director: Martin Campbell



Technique
Effect (Analysis)
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
Long shot/ low angle shot of a large building (still in black and white). Camera still and a car appears. Low angle of a man getting out of the car. Low angle is still used of the man going up the lift. Close up of what the man was looking at- the floor numbers. Long shot as man walks. Low angle shot as man enters the room. Camera tracks over to behind a chair then switches to a close up of the mans’ face. Mid shot of James Bond sitting down. Close up of man opening his drawer and seeing a gun. Long shot of them both sitting down- distance between the two of them is evident. Mid shot of man drawing a gun to Bond. Close up of man holding the gun. Variety of shots within the fight scene- links in with the pace of the fight. Close up of both characters in the fight scene, as Bond kills him. Shot reverse shot whilst they speak in the room. Long shot of man shot and falling off his chair.

Not a lot of different camera shots were used in the scene; there was a lot of dialogue and shots were mainly used to show the facial expressions. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the scene low angle shots were used. They introduced him and showed his lack of power, and suggest that something is hidden. The close up of the gun shows the violence involved and the danger, which juxtaposes Bond’s facial expression. The shots used don’t contrast with each character, but show their expressions and contrast in attitude. In the fight scene the shots are very different, the pace is different thus the shots are different, there are a variety of long shots, mid shots and close ups which all emphasise the pain.

Editing – speed, style…
Fast paced from long shot into the man getting out of the car. Straight cut into the lift. Juxtaposition of pace of editing as Bond is seen fighting with another man. Straight cut back to room. Straight cut back to fight scene. Pace quickens when man in the room is shot.

The pace is slow and juxtaposes with the pace in the fight scene. This shows the speed of the fighting and the chaos within the room. However, when Bond and the other man speak, the atmosphere is dark but the speed is slow. As the character walks up to the room, the pace is slow and this creates a calm expression within that character. It also creates more impact on the audience when the fight scene- creates a juxtaposition and surprise to the audience.

Sound – effects, musical score…
Diegetic sound from the car. Diegetic sound from man walking and also quite non diegetic music. First piece of dialogue from James Bond. Continuous dialogue from that point. Diegetic sound from the gun. Bond speaks to himself- finishes what would have been said.

There isn’t a lot of non diegetic music used in the scene; most is diegetic, through dialogue and surroundings. The sound is very quiet until the dialogue, which leaves the audience wondering but at the same time, creates tension. The quietness throughout the scene allows the audience to indulge the dialogue and take in what is happening.

Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
Black car appears. Suspicious facial expression from the man; he looks around then quickly moves. Facial expression difficult to read. Expression changes when he walks into the room- he is suspicious as he looks at something. James Bond then appears. Bond appears calm and in control through his tone. Bond’s expression doesn’t changed when a gun is pointed towards him- shows his power. Man holding the gun smiles but his expression changes very quickly when he finds that the gun is empty- power has been lost. Contrast in facial expressions. Bond is composed while he shoots the man. Bond’s expression doesn’t change but looks satisfied when other man is killed.

The lighting is very dark and the colour is black and white, which both create tension. Facial expressions are significant in this scene; Bond’s contrasts the other characters, which reinforces power and control. It also allows the audience to connect with the characters. When Bond isn’t present, the unknown man has a suspicious expression, which suggests to the audience that something is ‘wrong’. The setting is in a different country, which shows that something is going on and there is a reason Bond is there and the building is very big, which suggests authority and power.

Special Effects – CGI, animation…
Columbia, colour is black and white.


The black and white colour creates a dark tone and dark atmosphere, which links in with the scene.

Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
Titles in the bottom left corner- white font over clip.

The titles are simple and easy to read.