Essex Boys- Opening

Director: 

Terry Winsor

Writers: 

Jeff Pope, Terry Winsor

Stars:

 Charlie Creed-Miles, Sean Bean and Gareth Milne

The first shot is created in noir lighting. Noir lighting gives the scene a gloomy and murky atmosphere, this effect also allows us to identify that the film is a thriller because of the noir convention used. The noir lighting in a garage where props such as the car and the cage are in juxtaposition creating a claustrophobic space of which suggests that Billy has no or little hope of escaping building anxiety for the audience, this also connotates isolation. This could imply that this character is an outcast or a withdrawn person. The effect of ambient lighting and diegetic sounds in this scene makes the audience think of their own reactions in that situation because it makes the scene realistic and they can sympathise with the character because most audiences have garages themselves and have probably experienced this sort of fearful atmosphere. The use of the medium establishing shot allows us to see only a part of the garage, leaving room for the audience to imagine other menacing props or incidences that may happen. You then see a shadow of someone standing near the light in the distance of the shot, this instantly creates suspense as you don't know who it is and what they are doing in this isolated garage-expectedly alone.

 Another claustrophobic close up shot, and the windows are covered in dust and cobwebs which creates an eerie atmosphere. Over the top of this shot we have a non-diegetic voice over, so we can have an insight to his thoughts, engaging with the audience. We also get reinforcement of the location as we know he is from Essex because of his accent. 

It then goes to an incredibly well thought out shot of a man standing there after putting on the window wiper to get rid of all the grime from the window, the fact that the there is dirt smeared onto the window could suggest that the character  revealed is disgusting and filled with impurities because as he is standing behind the grime stricken window, it shows he's clean and presentable on the outside, but, on the inside he is crammed with terror. The point of view shot allows the audience to put themselves in the characters position feeling shocked and overwhelmed because you didn't expect this random man to appear. His flamboyant shirt and leather jacket reflects a stereotypical gangster to the audience so we immediately know that he will be threatening and villainous. It also suggests to us more thriller conventions as we now have a criminal.

We then get taken into a scene that represents Britain as bleak, dull and tedious- which is an ideal atmosphere for a thriller. Non-diegetic soundtrack plays as we watch the speeding car drive into a vanishing point, this builds up excitement for the audience as it implies that they need to be somewhere or are getting away from someone. The idea of them going into a tunnel gives the impression that they are always hiding, as tunnels take them away from the outside world.

 When they enter the claustrophobic tunnel we see a point of view shot of the 'criminals' disappearing into the distance - the audience feel anxious. This shot also replicates the shot of when you look through the barrel of a gun, suggesting some people  are after them, or they are after some people. This shot creates mystery and tension for the audience and is a reminder of the thriller genre. The use of the tunnel also keeps you in anticipation as you actually have no idea of where they are going, or what they are about to do.

Passing through the tunnel you see this amazing close up shot of the lights reflecting onto the car window,  representing prison and crime and that these people are sinful and immoral and suggests that they are going to now induce a crime. But, however you do see the facial expression of the young boy and you can see that he knows he's going to be doing something wrong, his body language is closed so this could show the little insecurity he has. Whereas, the man in the back ground is completely relaxed with his open body language and slouchy posture, this shows how superior he thinks he is as this shot looks like he has told the boy to drive him somewhere. This could also express how isolated both of them are because they have completely separated themselves and never talk to each other in the car.

                                                                                                       

Close up of 'gangter' looking in disgust shows his hatred and his animosity towards something. You know he's going to do something immoral, but you don't know what, this shot leaves the audience building up more tension. Blooded white coats and dead animal is the new location, where you know he's going to commit a crime as he takes out a baton-type weapon with him as he gets out of the white, enigmatic van. Tracking shot of the 'gangster' walking and then the 'victim' walking, (shot reverse shot) builds up even more tension as you don't know when he will lash out, you don't expect it to be soon as they are many witnesses and usually with a crime you see places of seclusion where the murderer would never be found. 

After the crime happens you see a the young boy and the criminal driving away in the plain white van, creating inscrutability. You hear the sound of the vans engine creating realism and the sound of the victim in the back screeching and howling, they react in no way possible, suggesting they do this frequently and are oblivious to distressing help calls. The criminal also complains that he has blood on his shirt, showing his immoral and selfish character you can see he has been completely demoralized.

tbc..