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Transcript

Opening Sequence Analysis- 'Law Abiding Citizen'

Characters

During the opening sequence we witness what looks like an ordinary day as two of the main characters are sat together working on separate projects and enjoying one another's company. They are also listening to music on a radio which connotes that the main character (Clyde Shelton) is relaxed and enjoys leisure time with his family. This also suggests that he is not a violent man (as he has a daughter) and that he is content with his life.

Narrative

Narrative

There is a very effective use of shot reverse shot within this opening sequence. For example the camera reverts from father to daughter and then back to the father. This allows the audience to know that the father and daughter have a strong and equal relationship as we can tell that they are happy to be together. This is a typical convention of a thriller film as there needs to be somebody important in the person's life that makes them need to fight back and be protective.

During the scene where the father and child are working on their individual projects the sound effect of the door knocking allows the audience to know that this part of the action is going to take place inside a house. This also creates a laid back and happy atmosphere as a house is usually where the inhabitants feel most safe.

Genre

Who and When?

Genre

Another feature of this film that portrays the thriller genre is the music track in the background once the antagonist has entered. For instance the low pitch music creates a sharp cold atmosphere that leaves the audience feeling shocked and fearful for each of the character's lives. At this part in the narrative the antagonist has killed the protagonist's wife.

Law Abiding Citizen is a gripping crime/drama thriller designed to immerse it's audience into excitement and mystery! The director responsible for this brilliant film is F. Gary Gray and it was produced in 2009.

Plot summary- The wife and child of a young man are brutally murdered in their home while he was watching, he creates an ingenious plan to get back at the people that hurt him most and manages to pull it off

There was a significant amount of low key lighting used. For instance when the father and daughter are working together the room is dim which foreshadows that something bad may happen in the upcoming scenes. This is demonstrated in the following shot as the two antagonists enter the house and kill the wife and child. This is additionally a typical convention of the thriller genre as it is intended to alarm and build suspense for the audience.

Conclusion

From reviewing the opening sequence to 'law abiding citizen' I now know how important the introduction of characters is. For example the close up of the antagonist has taught me how vital it is to portray the character in the way you intend so their reputation lasts. This is essential as it allows the audience to engage with the character and form an opinion of them early on in the film. I intend on incorporating this feature into my own video so the audience feel as though they are familiar with the characters so they can either support or oppose them. I feel as though the opening sequence supports Toderov's theory as at the start there is an equilibrium (in the house) and then as the antagonist knocks on the door and the scene turns dark the disruption begins.

Characters

Just after the father has opened the door, the antagonist enters hitting him over the head with a base ball bat. Later on in the same scene we see a close up of the antagonist's angry sweaty face, this connotes to the audience that he is pure evil and beyond repair. This connotation is likely to be correct as it looks as though this may not have been the first break in, robbery and killing that the two antagonists have carried out.

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