Analysis of What Lies Beneath

Luke:

A thriller is a film designed to keep the viewer on edge with suspenseful and sensational action. I will be looking at how editing and mise en scene are used in the trailer of “What Lies Beneath” to show us what we can learn about characters and their situation. Mise en scene is everything that we can see in a frame. This includes lighting, props, setting, make-up, body language, body movement and costume. These can all be used to give us impressions about characters and the situations that they are in. Editing creates meaning, lets the story be told in a logical order and is used for the manipulation of time.

The first shot in the trailer sets the scene of the film, it shows a large house in the countryside situated by a lake. There is a car outside which suggests that there are people living in this house, and they may be the main characters. The sun is setting on the horizon meaning that it will soon be night, which prepares the audience for the thriller and possible suspense. We can also tell that the film is set in modern day America.

In the next shot we are introduced to the main characters of the film, Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. He is holding onto her and her body language suggests that she is happy, this may be to show that these characters are in a relationship.

Editing has successfully been used to show the manipulation of time in this short trailer. Many of the shots have been joined with the dissolve transition to show that the joined shots are not the same as they would be in the actual film. This manipulation allows for the showing of shots from the whole film to be shown in the two minute trailer. Throughout the entire trailer the speed of the cuts are generally very quick, setting a quick pace for the film and creating suspense in the viewer.

A quick montage of editing is used to show that a family member (possibly the daughter) is leaving the household, possibly for a long period of time. Because of this we know later on the female character is “alone” in the house, which again creates the opportunity for suspense and thriller.

The overall lighting for the shots in the trailer is very dark especially when involving the house and most of the trailer appears to be set at night. This aspect of mise en scene builds up the atmosphere that something bad will happen as darkness is often associated with evil.

Later on we see the two character meet, the facial expression of the female gives the impression that she is scared while the mans shows concern. Behind the characters are shelves containing beakers and other equipment suggesting that this is the mans workplace and she has come to him because of something that has happened at the house. The shot soon cuts to the next using a dissolve transition. The two characters are now with another couple having a meal. This other couple are well dressed and wearing jewellery, therefore they appear wealthy and the main characters would value their opinion. It is clear that they are out in a restaurant as there are waiters and other tables present. This is where we learn that the female character has been aware of another presence in the house. The woman finds a newspaper article hidden in the back of a picture which falls from the wall unexpectedly and reveals the search for a missing girl. Due to the nature of the film the audience automatically assumes that this is the ghost that is in the house, this shows that the mise en scene has been successful as this idea is instantly put inside the viewers head.

The shot showing the steamed up mirror with the words “you know” written on it appears to begin the sequence of shots building the climax of the film. The words appear like dripping blood, could imply murder has taken place. The cuts now come at very quick intervals with fades used after each possibly to show the sinister side of the husband. This is again backed up by the use of titles coming up between shots, these are all aimed at the husband. They summarise who he was and how he made a mistake and make the viewer want to watch on to see the consequences. The facial expression of the characters during this sequence shows their anxiety

Because of the actions of the female character it would appear that she has now been possessed by a ghost or another supernatural being. Towards the end of the trailer the pace of the cuts becomes even quicker than before which helps to increase the tension felt by the viewer. We are constantly shown scenes of the characters submerged underwater this may be to show that this is an important part of the film and maybe the girl drowned. The possessed character also appears to have a knife during this sequence suggesting another murder may take place although we are not shown this in the trailer, which makes the viewer want to watch the whole film to find out what happens.

The mounting tension built up by this trailer makes it a good example for a thriller film as we able to learn a lot about the plot and the characters but without giving too much away, questions are still left unanswered. The mise en scene is very successful in establishing the mood of the film and characters, to begin with they appear to be a normal affluent American family but by the end of the two minutes the circumstances changes it to a suspense filled film, enough to intrigue an audience.


ARRAN


I chose to analyse the Mise en scene and the editing used in the “What lies Beneath”trailer

“What lies Beneath” is a thriller movie directed by Robert Zemeckis in the year 2000. It stars Harrison Ford, Michelle Pseiffer, Diana Scorward, Victoria Bridewell, Joe Morton and James Remar. “What lies Beneath is a rousing tale of doubt, deceit and murder. Norman (Harrison Ford) and Claire Spencer (Michelle Pfeiffer) are a seemingly happily married couple who uncover a terrible secret… a secret so disturbing it threatens them. Claire begins to see ghostly images and hear mysterious voices in their home, her husband Norman suspects them to be her imagination – until the images become real. Together they uncover the truth and find out “What lies Beneath”

The mise en scene used throughout the trailer of “What lies Beneath” is similar and creates an atmosphere of a slightly creepy house in America. Household paraphernalia is used throughout the thriller trailer such as sofas, beds, chairs etc. This would show reality and keeps the viewer interested in the film. As many of the scenes in the trailer are set clearly in the night which adds to the eerie atmosphere that creates a thriller. From watching these quick cuts the viewer can get a chill running down their spine created by mise en scene. The cloths worn by the characters in the thriller trailer create reality in the trailer. The husband Norman is a research scientist for a university and he is wearing a smart shirt and trousers throughout the trailer. This leads the viewer to believe that Norman is a real university researcher. We can learn some personality details about him from this; he must be clever and well educated to be working for a university. Claire is also an intelligent, and a mature woman as she is a retired concert cellist. In the trailer she is shown wearing formal clothing, this would also suggest that if she had to solve a problem she would be capable to do it.

Many uses of editing are used in the trailer of “What lies Beneath”. Firstly many fading cuts are used for multiple reasons, the fade helps to change from one scene to another in another setting/location. It also creates a thrilling and dramatic atmosphere that a thriller movie wants to create. The editing helps intrigue the targeted audience by quick cuts of intriguing scenes. At 1 min 28 montage editing is used in the thriller trailer, 7 shots take place in around 10 seconds. This sequence creates a fast pace which make the audience compelled and enticed into the thriller trailer. This montage sequence is used to reflect tension and some disturbance, and build up a slight threat. The editing used creates an idea of what the characters personalities are. We can see there is a seductive woman, she gives off a negative vibe and the editing used such as the shots of her face proves this, which are threatening and spooky.

Overall I feel this trailer has done very well to preview “What lies Beneath”. It portrays the main characters well, and adds a twist to the trailer that will make people that enjoy solving the twists (or try to) want to watch the whole film. Towards the end of the trailer the mood created by mise en scene is dramatic and creates tension and the use of editing backs this up.

Charlie

Analysis of what lies beneath
This thriller is one that will keep you on guard and asking questions throughout. There is obviously a relationship between the protagonists. Maybe married or just in a long term relationship, we know they live together.

The use of conventional thriller techniques using dark lighting, a strong male protagonist and the female protagonist venerable at time but still has confidence and not at all feeble. Mise en scene at concerning house hold items and costumes shows and represents the realism of the couple in their every day lives.
The body language of the two protagonists definitely show a distinct difference between the male and female as he seems very much in control. When she finds out about the girl he had an affair with she starts to panic but he stays calm and in control.
The sound used in this trailer really gives it the thriller feel, and enforces the suspense as the trailer goes on.


Note: my poor attempt to re-write after losing my original, would of been better but i had just finished my evaluation and was tired