Untraceable Scene Deconstruction 1

Editing

•  Shot reverse shot is uses as the two characters talk, allowing us to see each characters reactions and match the dialogue to their expressions and gain an understanding of the panic and conflict it creates.
• A panning shot from the door, across the office gradually shows us the busy room full of police, computers and paper documents scattered about. This introduces us to the busy atmosphere and sense of emergency.

Sound

• Throughout the scene there are no non-diegetic sounds until the piece of dialogue from the man as he says “I’m sorry Marsh. I got no choice.” The non-diegetic soundtrack of short, high pitch piano notes can be heard sublimely. This could put emphasis on the fact that what he has decided to do may be dangerous, giving a sense of foreboding about what is to come.
• The piece of diegetic dialogue: “I swear I’ve seen this guy before.” Followed by: “Yeah, we all have, he’s David Williams. He used to be a reporter for channel 12. He now hosts a TV show” also plays on the idea of the media and technology having some form of power over us. A familiar face from the TV is beings used as a target which will have a greater effect on the public as it is someone they all recognise and therefore grabs their attention. This could also show that if it was someone ordinary that had not been made famous through the media, than the site would be less viral.

Camera Angles

• Over the shoulder shots are used as the two characters talk to each other. This isolates their conversation and allows us to focus entirely on what each of them are saying. It also highlights the idea of threat posed by the computer criminal and the state of panic and confusion it is causing the police department.

• A close up of the woman at the end of the conversation with her boss shows the look of distress on her face. This helps us to understand that he may be making the wrong choice and we gain a sense of concern for what will follow.

Mise en Scene

• The office is a dull blue and each character appears to be in black/dark clothing. Also, a dark tint seems to have been used throughout the scene. These all factor towards the atmosphere created, which is dull and monotonous.

• Through the use of a dark tone, it causes the main protagonist to stand out in her pink jumper and highlight her as the hero or even isolate her, as she seems incapable of winning over her boss with her opinion on the case.