Thriller Opening 2- Donnie Darko

Film Title: Donnie Darko
Director: Richard Kelly



Technique Effect (Analysis)
Camera – distance, angle, movement…
Camera panning (after titles) of the view. Panning onto the road. Camera slowly zooms/ moves forward to show the unknown object in the road- becomes clear that it is a human. Camera turns to see the characters face. Mid-shot of characters’ back as he stands up and then turns around (confused still). Camera tracks as character rides his bike. POV shot when on the bike. Close up of a Halloween poster. Pans over to character.Mid shot of board reading ‘where is Donnie?’- name introduced.

The panning and variety of the shots show the surroundings, and also keep the audience guessing as to where the setting is. The zooming in to the character establishes who it is, as it is unknown at the beginning, and shows the strangeness of the situation. Furthermore, the variety of shots, also show the characters facial expression, which connects him with the audience, and reinforces the audiences confusion. The camera following the bike and the POV when he’s on the bike, allow the audience to connect with the character even more and show the extent of where he is, how he got there and show us something about him.

Editing – speed, style…
Slow pace, which links in with the music. Cuts
from characters expression to view, to emphasis confusion. After title is introduced, screen fades out through light. Followed by a bright, plain white screen. Pace quickens as character rides bike, also reinforced through the non-diegetic music.

The slow pace keeps the audience guessing and also allows the audience to take in the views. Overall, the pace is slow and this links in with the character that is introduced. He appears sleepy and confused and the pace allows the audience to establish this and connect with him. Also, the quickening of pace not only links in with the speed on the bike, but also the change in expression.

Sound – effects, musical score…
Non-diegetic sound of lightning and surroundings- whilst titles play. Diegetic sound of surroundings and atmosphere, after titles- links. As the camera pans to the road, there is non-diegetic music, this connotes a change in atmosphere. Background music becomes louder as the character is seen. Diegetic sound as he laughs slightly. Music quickens when on bike. Sound of bike.

The non diegetic music used through the opening scene links in with the pace; to keep the audience at ease. This also shows that there is no tension yet. Moreover, the diegetic sound of the surroundings when the titles play, give the audience an impression of the atmosphere and where it is set. There is no dialogue, but the character does express humour as he looks around, which connects him with the audience and shows a side to his personality- suggesting it is something he is familiar with. When on the bike, the music changes which links in with the pace again, and also connotes a change in atmosphere.

Mise-en-scene – props, costume, setting, lighting, colour…
Morning lighting/ setting- quite dark. Confused facial expression from the character and appears to be sleepy. Dressed in pyjamas. Bike seen in the background- suggests how he got there. Expression changes- character smiles and smirks as he looks around at his surroundings. Sleepy expression when riding his bike. Other characters are introduced. Cars etc. now seen- ‘back to reality’.

The lighting is natural throughout; the setting is outside and the shots and the character establish that it is the morning. When the character first awakes the expression is clearly confusion but changes as he looks around. He is dressed in pyjamas, which contrasts to where he is and there is no justification as to why he is there. Other characters are introduced, but not to the extent as the boy seen on the road. Also, when on the bike, cars and characters are introduced, which shows a juxtaposition to where he was and almost as if he has gone ‘back to reality’.

Special Effects – CGI, animation…
Bright light appears after the title.

The bright light that appears links in with the atmosphere and surrounding; the morning, and the sun brightening.

Titles – font, colour, placement, over black / over clip…
White, artistic font- over a plain black background, thus standing out more. ‘Donnie Darko’ appears in white font, centred in the screen over clip (view).

The titles used are very simple and this highlights what is being shown. There are no distractions and when the title ‘Donnie Darko’ appears with the view in the background, it suggests that this is an occurrence in the film.