B. The Usual Suspects Research Task

A camera shot that is used throughout the opening is a close up shot. Most of the shots are close ups, this is done to capture the detail of certain objects and is used when the fire is spreading, to emphasize the danger and create tension. Another thing that is done with close up shots is that they camera never shows the characters face that is dressed in black. The camera not showing the face creates tension as we do not know who it is and adds a mysterious feel to the scene. The close up shot is used a lot to show the expression on the males face and to also show in detail certain props that are key to what is happening. For example there is a close up shot on the guy this is to emphasize the fact that he is about to shoot it. After this shot, the gun fires, which is then followed by long shots of the scenery around them. This is done to show that they are alone and no one is around to help. Another thing that is done by the camera shots is the dominance the other character has. This is done by using low angle shots pointing up towards the other character suggesting that they have more power over the male on the floor below. This creates tension as it leaves the viewer thinking what is going to happen when the more dominate one is stood above the male character on the floor.
Sound fits very nicely with the shots used in the opening. One example of this is again when the shooting is occurring. In this part when the gun is being fired a couple of times the shot changes to different long shots. This is done to emphasize how loud the gun shot is and to show no one is around. Another thing done very well with the sound is the ambient sound used constantly through the opening. The Ambient sound used is some sort of string instrument, like a violin. The pitch of the violin heightens at certain points to emphasize the danger in the scene. When the cigarette is dropped for a second time the ambient sound which is the violin increases to emphasize the action that has taken place and also adds tension.
Editing is used in the opening of The Usual Suspects to create tension. This is done by the straight cuts which are synced with the ambient sound and sound effects. This is shown in the end of the opening the scene when the explosion occurs. When the sound effect for the explosion happens the straight cut occurs to the explosion. This adds tension as the sound and the matching cut emphasize the explosion and the danger which creates tension as it leaves the viewer wondering what is going to happen next.
Dark lighting is used for Mise En Scene to create tension. This is done throughout the whole thing to creates tension. Minimal lighting makes the character visible just so that you can still see what is going on. The minimal lighting gives the whole opening scene a dark, scary and criminal feel to the opening scene. This all creates tension. The lighting used is sort of orange this is because the lighting in the opening scene is supposed to represent the light coming from the fire around them. This is done to create tension as you can see that the light is from the fire which emphasizes the danger that the male character is in as he is surrounded by fire.
Costume is used for Mise En Scene to show the class and status between the two characters. The class and status is shown between the two characters as the guy sat on the ship floor is wearing scruffy looking clothes. This could suggest that he is wearing work clothes as they done look very clean and his overall appearance suggests that he does not really care about his appearance. The other person on the other hand is wearing what looks like detective clothes with a long coat and is shown with a gold watch. This suggests that he is more wealthy and that he has a high status than the other character as he is a detective.
The props used in the opening scene were mostly cigarettes and a gun. These props are used to create tension as they both have a negative affect in the whole scene. The cigarette sets fire to the fuel causing danger and the gun obviously causes danger as it is aimed at the victims head and then shot. This creates tension as the both the props cause danger in the opening scene.