Case Study: 'Essex Boys'

How the thriller genre is established in the title sequence of 'Essex Boys'

    Essex boys opens with this shot, using chiaroscuro lighting as to create a sense of surrealism and mystery by having the figure in the background almost enveloped in darkness; as well as creating a focal point as the light in the scene is only coming from one small area. This type of lighting is a key feature of classic noir thrillers, such as 'The Third Man'. The shadows created from this lighting obscured the  majority of the 'action' in the scene; also creating a sense of ambiguity and enigma - which is a generic feature of the thriller genre.

     This shot depicts the 'down on his luck' character type (Billy), generically used in thriller productions. The use of cobwebs helps to show that the garage of which this scene is set is fairly old and unused; which may help to unsettle the audience as not only is an old, isolated setting a generic feature of thrillers; but also of the horror genre. This seems quite foreboding, possibly indicating that something bad is about to happen to Billy due to the setting, along with the look of hesitance and uncertainty he is portraying. This could possibly be suggesting that it isn't the character himself that is malicious, but the situation he may later find himself in.

     There is a point of view shot of the 'criminal/antagonist' character type (Jason), through a dirty car windscreen. This could be reflective of the characters 'dirty' past and corrupted nature. The shot being a point of view shot from Billy within the car helps to create a claustrophobic atmosphere as it is shot in a very small space, as well as possibly seeming as if Billy has 'nowhere to run' from Jason; so is stuck with doing whatever he asks of him-possibly out of fear. The fact that the two characters are separated by the windscreen could be a metaphor for the fact that Jason is very emotionally unattached, reflective of the way he is going to use Billy for his own benefit; and possibly highlights the contrast between the gentleness of Billy and the fraudulence of Jason.

    The  use of a vanishing point in this shot of Billy driving Jason down the tunnel could be reflective of the fact that now Billy has affiliated himself with Jason, he may not ever be able to return to his former normality and innocent ignorance due to Jason's 'negative influence'. The vanishing point also helps to make the tunnel seem 'never ending', possibly signifying that now he will always be stuck with Jason; and obeying his wishes/whatever he asks of him. The tunnel looks like the barrel of a gun, possibly signifying that - much like that of a bullet- the end of Billy's 'journey' may well end in demise and anguish.

    The reflection of the lights from the tunnel in this shot look like jail bars; which could be metaphorical of how -due to his association with Jason- Billy may well be trapped into a life of crime from this point and onwards.  This shot also has a slight sense of irony as despite Billy being the one driving, it would appear he isn't actually the one in control. This could be reflective of Billy's life as now he has 'paired up' with Jason, he isn't in control of what he does any more, as portrayed by the fact that he is driving Jason around.

    This shot of the man who Jason had just attacked as 'revenge' for him 'grassing' on Jason, shows him wearing very dull, simple clothing which would make him 'blend in' very easily as he looks very ordinary. This could be reflective of him being a 'grass' as he would just seem to 'fade into the background' as there isn't anything memorable about him, enabling him to 'sneak' around and give information to people without being noticed.

    Whereas in this shot, we see that Jason has got very 'loud' clothing, suggesting a brash, arrogant, in-your-face attitude that may be expected of a criminal or antagonist. It could also be suggestive of the fact that Jason is very apathetic to what others think, and has no sympathy - hence the life of crime, and attack of the man who 'grassed' on him. This is reinforced by the primeval setting; which makes Jason seem very predatory- enhanced by the gloomy atmosphere which helps to connote the callous nature of this character.

   The shot of the man Jason attacked lying down helps to signify how he is of little importance, portraying him as a weak, insignificant character - due to him physically being on a 'lower level' in the scene. The use of ambient lighting helps the scene to feel more 'real', the dull colours giving it a gritty feel. The fact that Jason has left the man there - along with the fact the man is on the floor- helps to portray Jason as a fairly powerful character, as well as reinforcing his disregard for the man; making Jason's character seem more malevolent and menacing.