Source Code
Thriller Conventions
On the one hand, Source Code conforms to thriller conventions through the clear 'underdog' status of the protagonist. For example; the use of a high angle shot, looking down at the protagonist, implies the vulnerability of the character. Moreover, the misc-en-scene used also shows the protagonists vulnerability through the contrast between the two settings, whereas there is 'warm' lighting and suits in the office area, the protagonists setting has low-key lighting and he is seen with frost in his hair. The 'shadowy' misc-en-scene used around the protagonist alone is stereotypical of a thriller film, but the fact that he is clearly in a more 'dangerous' situation than those in the office emphasises his 'underdog' position.
A sense of tension is also created in this scene through thriller conventions, such as; the idea of a race against time, implied through the dialogue "the clocks only go one way here", as well as the use of fast cuts to create a sense of panic and confusion due to the unknown threat of the 'dirty bomb'. Tension is also created through the use of cross cutting as the characters are made to seem almost distant, this is reinforced through the change in effects on the dialogue, as in the 'office' the dialogue of the two in suits sounds quite clean, but when it cuts to the protagonist a 'radio' effect is added again showing the distance between characters.
However, Source Code goes against the conventional 'protagonist vs. antagonist' due to the suggestion of a second antagonist beside the -on its own fairly stereotypical- 'Bomber' in the suited man. This is implied through his his patronising dialogue, such as; "do you have any idea?" and "do you understand?", as well as his obvious disability which is (unfortunately) often used to 'mark' antagonists
A sense of tension is also created in this scene through thriller conventions, such as; the idea of a race against time, implied through the dialogue "the clocks only go one way here", as well as the use of fast cuts to create a sense of panic and confusion due to the unknown threat of the 'dirty bomb'. Tension is also created through the use of cross cutting as the characters are made to seem almost distant, this is reinforced through the change in effects on the dialogue, as in the 'office' the dialogue of the two in suits sounds quite clean, but when it cuts to the protagonist a 'radio' effect is added again showing the distance between characters.
However, Source Code goes against the conventional 'protagonist vs. antagonist' due to the suggestion of a second antagonist beside the -on its own fairly stereotypical- 'Bomber' in the suited man. This is implied through his his patronising dialogue, such as; "do you have any idea?" and "do you understand?", as well as his obvious disability which is (unfortunately) often used to 'mark' antagonists
No comments:
Post a Comment