Product Research - Disturbia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lovLNVsZWgA
At the beginning of “Disturbia” the screen is black with only dialogue playing; this makes the audience ask questions about what’s going on and gives a mysterious feeling. There is then a long wide establishing shot which allows the audience to see the surroundings and see the main characters first; this makes the audience want to carry on watching the film, as they want to find out more about the characters. Then followed by several mid-shots which allows the audience to get to know the relationship between the characters; we understand that they are father and son and they have a very close relationship. There is then many close ups to show the characters facial expressions. It then cuts to another establishing shot which shows the scenery to be calm, relaxed and empty.


The extract then cuts to the two in the car, then on the phone to his mum, it then intercuts between the father and son to the mum, which allows the audience to get to know the whole family. The next shot is of the side car mirror and the oncoming car, the music then heightens to create a higher sense of tension and to let the audience know something is going to happen.

Then during the crash scene, the editing becomes a lot faster than the rest of the extract. After the crash, the cuts are really slow and the shots become longer, also the music slows down and violins start to play, this alerts the audience that something bad has just happened. The shot composition of the shot where Kale (son) is looking into the car at his dead father and he is looking though all the rubble around him, the torn off car parts frame his face, this suggests to the audience that he will be the main focus of the film.

This oppenig is more narrative rather than symbolic, as the film is based on Kale’s life after his father dies. This opening ensures the viewers will carry on watching the film as they want to know about Kale’s life after his dad’s death and how he copes, or doesn’t...
After watching many different psychological thriller openings I would like to adapt from “Disturbia” the simplicity of the background and the fast pace of the editing. I also really like the crash scene and the special effects they do; but due to restrictions of time and skills we will not be able to do some special effects like that.