Target Audience Profile

Lighting analysis

Lighting analysis

Lighting is one of the most important aspects within the thriller genre due to the amount of suspense, excitement and all different kinds of emotions that it creates. However, how do different types of lighting affect the shot?

In this first image, we can see that the subject is in the left middle of the shot and the background light is coming from his right onto his face. This emphasises the facial expression of the subject which is clearly angry and revenge-seeking. This adds suspense to the shot because the audience can see that the character is serious; even though the gun is not highlighted the audience knows that the man can fire at any given moment. Will he shoot?

The lighting in this shot is diffenent and gives a completely different meaning to the character's intention. The low key lighting from the left onto the character's face creates a huge mystery especially that his face is painted. It creates a small enigma in the shot: What is he hiding? This is extremely effective due to the fact that this kind of lighting not only creates mystery, but also empowers the character due to the source of the ligh being low.

This image is completely different to the other two- the source of the light is visible and is far behind the character which creates visible rays of bright light. This connotes something heavenly and makes the audience see the character as pure. This kind of lighting is usually used to foreshadow to the audience that the character has good intentions.

Mood board

Inception opening sequence analysis

Inception opening sequence analysis

Inception opening sequence

The opening sequence of this movie begins with a medium shot of the main character. This is effective due to the fact that the main character is Leonardo DiCaprio which allows the audience to create links between different movies that were starred by DiCaprio, for example the Titanic which has been a completely different genre which means that Inception might appeal to a wider target audience who have watched Titanic (Drama/Romance).

Throughout the opening sequence there are a lot of medium shots whilst the characters have a dialogue (diegetic sounds) which denote that the characters wear suits which connotes that they are posh or are businessmen. The medium shots are used because they do not give away too much, for example if the shots were long shots then the audience would be able to see much more of the mise en scene which possibly could give away too much for an opening sequence.

The diegetic sounds are also important because they allow the audience to see where to sound is coming from, therefore they are more willing to believe in the plot of the movie because they feel as if they were there. This is effective because the audience will be on the edge of their seat from the beginning of the movie which means they will be more willing to watch it until the end.

Lastly, the lighting within the opening sequence is very dull and dark- this connotes mystery, sadness or even horror of some sort which makes the audience more engaged due to the fact that they wonder what kind of mystery it is. 

Overall, all aspects of the opening sequence have some sort of meaning which appeal to the target audience of the movie to make sure that they watch until the end.