The director, Winsor, uses chiaroscuro lighting in the establishing shot, therefore immediately establishing the genre of the film whilst creating a sense of peril and isolation.
Inter-textual References in Essex Boys:
Noir lighting with a chiaroscuro effect reinforces the generic roots of the film. This is shown in the shot of the garage. Similarly, this effect is illustrated in the film 'Once upon a time in America' when the character Eve switches on her bed side lamp. Also, it is exemplified in 'Jackie Brown' in the scene where Ordell murders Beaumont in the waste ground.
Furthermore, the locations in both 'Essex Boys' and 'Jackie Brown' share similarities. For instance, the marshes in Essex Boys represents primeval and predatory. Additionally, it creates a dull and negative atmosphere, whilst demonstrating isolation. In comparison, the waste ground in 'Jackie Brown' is an isolated area which is very unglamorous, like the marshes 'Essex Boys'
This results in the audience being transported into an isolated world where nightmares become reality.
Well done Lauren for adding to your case study. You could do another short case study on a slide show. You could title it Generic Conventions in Thriller Films I've researched: (You will need to upload screen shots and label these with name of film and add captions)
ReplyDelete1) slide on generic locations (unglamorous/seedy, threatening, or claustrophobic)
2) another slide on noir lighting
3) character types, for example thugs/psychopaths: Jason in Essex Boys, Louis Gara and Ordell Robbie in Jackie Brown, the corrupt police officers in Once Upon a Time in America.
This is optional. I appreciate your engagement and motivation Lauren.