Intial Thriller Openings Research 4 - Carla Purchas

The Bourne Ultimatum

Close up of footsteps in the snow

Camera Work

• It starts off with a slightly high tilted shot of footsteps rushing through the snow - intrigues us to the feet belong to.
• Tracking shot following the main character - makes the chase seem more heated and as if they are right behind him.
• There is a camera shot where the camera seems to be situated in the police car which gives the audience another perspective.

Full view of Train Station below and character.

Sound

• Noise of the edited words on screen
• Limping footsteps in the snow and panting with the pain - creates a rather pained image.
• There is fast, tense music throughout the scene which increases the pace of the chase. This music is non-diegetic.
• There is Foley sounds of Sirens, train horn, car screeching with their brakes. All these noises make it seem more energetic and thrilling to watch.
• Radio transmitters and lots of Russian voices of authority making the chase seem more realistic and giving us another viewpoint during the chase.
• All parallel sound which goes with the action.

Very dark setting on train - easy to stay hidden.

Editing

• In the opening scene, throughout, there are lots of cuts used to quicken pace and heighten the action of the chase. 
• There is two types of Sound bridge used where we hear the sound before we see the action of where it is coming from. Firstly of the train horn before we see train and then again with police sirens.

Mise en Scene

• Lighting – very dark set at night, creates a more thrilling scary atmosphere for the audience.
• Costume – Big black overcoat, black trousers, black shoes. Wants to stay hidden and not stand out which shows the audience he may be a suspicious character.
• Body Language – The main character is running away from the police and is limping. The audience wants to know how he did this and why he is running.
• Facial expression – Its always intent and focused on the main character, it never seems that the situation is out of control and he always seems to know what he is doing.
• Setting – The screen at the start tells us it is set in Russia, Moscow. The opening scene is all outside in a snowy environment by a train station. It seems that it will be a good place to hide in crowd and then on a train. It makes us wonder why is he hiding.

Police sirens going off loudly.