1. Analysis of Opening Film Techniques Employed
Film Techniques Examples of typical film techniques used and why–
Illustrate your findings with references to actual
onscreen moments.
Titling – colour, font style, The colour of the title ‘Secret Window’ switches from a
over image or black, white colour that signals purity, life vitality and innocence
timing, credits (amongst many other positive meanings), to a red colour
presentation etc which signals caution, danger and blood. The signs are
not too great, but this is one of the main conventions that
make a psychological thriller movie. In general, the
presentation of the film suggests that there is a lot to
come later on in the film. There is a feeling of unfinished
business, for example, during the opening sequences;
there is a window not closed and unfinished typing work
in the laptop, which presumably belongs to the
protagonist.
Camera Movement During the opening sequence of the film, the camera
(panning, tracking, crane slowly pans whilst zooming in towards the sea and then
shot and crabbing etc) zooming out which emphasizes the speed and realistic
movement of the sea respectively.
Framing of Shot There are a culmination of shots used in the opening
(CU, MLS, ELS etc) minutes of the film, however, the close up shot of the
protagonist in the car, being advised by his mind not to
“go back”, tells us that he is always stick in two minds.
Either listen to his mind or let his actions do all the talking.
Camera Angles (high and The high angle shot which shows the main character by
low angles etc the staircase or balcony, looking down over the female
cleaner demonstrates his superiority over her. That fact
that she is cleaning for him and does not even live with
him hints that he is a man of importance and should be
respected by all. The same thing could be said about the
relationship of the main character and his dog, Chico.
Selection of mise-en- The lighting during the film is generally dark which
scène including colour, matches the miserable weather we encounter during the
figure, pops, lighting, first few scenes of the film. The board house is in an
objects, location and isolated area located around woodlands, which are not
setting; safe places to go to at night, especially on your own. In
terms of the main characters clothing, we can tell that he
is an unorganized, untidy man, who`s house is in a pigsty,
as well as the deep hole he has by his back, and the fact
that he is deep into his sleep at the middle of the day.

2. Editing directions There are three fade cuts which signals the passing of
(Match cuts, jump cut, time. The most notable fade cut is when the camera
reverse shots etc) zooms out from the sea and fades into a medium shot
showing the main character sleeping, with a clear sign
that says ‘six months later’. In addition to this, there are
various reverse shots that are shown during the
conversation/argument between the main character and
another character over book rights (the main character
incidentally suffers from writer` s block). The reverse
shots are included to show the style of continuity editing
(which is a classical Hollywood film technique), but and to
emphasize the emotions running through the two
characters at that moment in time.
Sound techniques The sound of the main characters voice being defeated
(diegetic, non diegetic, by his own actions tells us that he has some sort of
silence, dialogue problem as he is always questioning himself before he
does anything. His mental state is not perfect which
makes him vulnerable.
Actor’s positioning and The positioning of the actor is lazy and reluctant,
movement particularly when we witness him sleeping during the
middle of the day, as well as the unfinished typing (in due
respect he is only 4 lines into his novel). The actor` s
movement creates uncertainty and caution not just
through what’s going on with him, but also for the
audience as he is always hesitant , for instance, the
unsure expression he has on his face, when looking
anxiously to see if the other character who claims was
plagiarized, has gone.