Untraceable Scene Deconstruction 2

Editing

• A grey tint is used throughout the scene. This creates the impression of a dull day and creates a negative atmosphere of foreboding.
• An eye line match from a shot of the girl, then the computer, shows us it has caught her attention. It highlights the importance of the computer and raises our awareness of the threat it is posing.

Camera Angles

• At the beginning of the scene, we see an establishing shot of what appears to be a typical family home. The dull tone surroundings and grey shades of the house dim the mood and it appears menacing. This seems to be a depressing environment and puts us at unease about what events may take place next.

• A long shot of the house, as the woman approaches in the foreground is used as she walks towards the camera pointing her gun. This puts us in perspective of the camera and we are able to see her anger and fear as the knocks it over.

Sound

• A non diegetic, subliminal, high pitched screech, like long violin notes can be heard as the girl notices a film of their house on the computer and goes on to look out the window. This adds to the sense of shock and is very ominous as it begins to build up. This is a common convention of horrors/thrillers.
• When the woman answers her phone and looks in horror after what she hears, the non diegetic soundtrack becomes louder, and more layers. This creates tension and emphasises the idea of danger.
• As the woman open the door, the non diegetic music become louder and more layered yet again as piano notes begin to repeat. This further builds the tension and the idea of a discovery.

Mise en Scene

•  When we are introduced to the mum in this scene, she is wearing denim jeans and a plain blue top. This represents her as a casual character, playing a simple role in her home as a mother. This is later juxtaposed by the use of a gun, when she has a stronger role in need of protecting her daughter.

• The woman leaves the house holding a gun; a common convention within horrors, thrillers or crime movies. This helps portray her role as a police detective and portrays the idea of danger and a need to protect. 

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.

Untraceable Trailer

Editing

• The cuts are very quick with each clip being no more than 2 or 3 seconds long. Gives the trailer a very fast pace and emphasis the sense of rush and danger being portrayed in the film.
• The text and typography is done in the style of computer coding. This represents the involvement of technology within the film.

Sound

• A narrative voice over is used throughout the trailer so we feel as we are looking in on these people as we are told a story.
• When the website ‘killwithme.com’ is introduced the non diegetic soundtrack changes from a soft beat to a fast, harsh drumbeat to signify the aspect of danger the website brings to the film.

Camera Angles

• An over head establishing shot of a city at night shows us it will be set in this built up environment. The next clip is a long, panning shot of an office, followed by a tracking shot of a male and female walking through the office in conversation. This series of clips tells us the film is based around a police office in the city. We also have a clue that the film may be based around a crime genre.

• An extreme close up of the protagonist’s eyes at the end of the trailer show her fear and express the sense of danger.  This also makes the scene more dramatic as it is highlighting the threat and creating suspense.

Mise en Scene

• We are shown several shots of an office environment, where there are large files and high tech computer facilities, screenshots of maps and tracking software etc. There are also several men dressed as police offices, talking on radios and patrolling the streets. This introduces us to the crime genre.

• Screenshots of a computer website and close ups of the computer screen portrays the vital involvement of technology (particularly the internet) within the film and the danger that it creates.

• Internet footage of people chained up and bleeding and several dead bodies are all conventions of a Thriller of Horror.

Untraceable Poster

Images: A blurry, pixelated image of a woman's face is used in the entire poster. When we look at it, it is as if we are look through a computer screen, rather than a print. This effect is also created through placing a mouse cursor over the image. These help portray the idea of technology within the film.

Colours: A blue filter is used across the poster, adding to the effect of looking through a computer screen, as the colours appear slightly faded or distorted.

Layout: all the writing and details are placed at the bottom therefore leaving the image clear, making the woman's face stand out. The woman is place further to the right which makes the image slightly more interesting as it is already so simple.

Typography: “Untraceable” is written in a blue font that looks like a form of electricity/flickering light. This could portray the involvement of internet or technology within the movie. The flickering effect also gives a more eerie feel.

Catch Phrase: “The FBI Cyber Crimes Division hunts down vicious criminals online… but the most dangerous one is hunting them.” This catch phrase is slightly long and may lose the viewers attention. However, it does create a sense of enigma and may cause the viewer to wish to find out more.

Genre: The woman's wet looking hair may give the idea that there was some form or struggle or a storm which has negative connotations and is a common convention of horror/thriller. Also, the cold blue tone and eerie font add the thriller/horror theme. We can also tell from the quite that crime/drama could also be a possibility.