2. This still of the opening sequence shows an example of the title graphics. Here
we see that the titles have been edited to fade in and out, this effect may have
been deliberate to reflect the genre of the film; Insomnia is a thriller and
mystery and suspense are key characteristics of thriller genres, the fading
effect blurs away the letters and makes them difficult to see which links to the
idea of not knowing all the facts in a mystery. The title has also been edited to
contrast fully with the white background. The choice of simplicity may have
been done this way so that little was revealed about the film, maintaining the
mystery and leaving the audience eager to learn more about the film
3. Here we see an extreme close up on a carpet or cloth which has a drop of
blood on it. The close up is so extreme it is almost as if the audience is seeing
the image through a microscope. The editor may have chosen to do it this
way to symbolise that the film will require the audience or the protagonist to
investigate deeper and further for clues and to understand what has
happened. The title has been edited to fade in and out against this
background to illustrate that the film is about mystery or an enigma that has
to be solved. The fact that blood is visible in the opening sequence suggests
that later in the film explicit injury may happen.
4. The opening sequence sets a mood of loneliness and solitude with the use of an
empty, white landscape which visibly goes on for miles when a helicopter flies over
it in the scene. The landscape is not only bland and empty; it is also icy, building on
the mood of solitude. It conveys the idea of cold and fear sets the theme of suspense
for the rest of the film.
5. In this shot we see a character whose identity is kept a secret by not exposing his
face in the scene; this clearly creates a sense of suspense and mystery for the film
and keeps the audience engaged and eager to learn more about the character. The
character sitting appears to be rubbing a cloth or other object which is not made
clear to the audience; again building a mood of mystery and suspense for the film.
Furthermore, notice how the camera does not film the character directly but rather
through the mirror’s reflection, perhaps an attempt to question the audience
whether this is reality or not which emphasises even further the idea of a mystery
or enigma.
6. In this shot the first character is presented to the audience. The use of an
extreme close up on the character’s eyes gives the audience an idea about who
he is and his emotions; a male who appears to be middle aged due to his facial
features and colour of his eyebrows. His eyes seem fatigued perhaps to convey
he does not get much rest with whatever he does in his life. His pupils are not
dilated which shows he is not scared or frightened. However, his expression
suggests he is focusing on something or someone.
7. A close up shot on props tells the audience more about the plot of the film.
There is a picture of a woman who seems to be murdered, almost like an
evidence picture; suggesting the film may be about an investigation about a
crime, suicide or murder. Also, notice how the male character is wearing a
ring; male protagonists in thrillers do not often wear rings like this. The ring
is probably being used to portray this character as classy or wealthy and
therefore in some level of authority.
8. In this still, and angle shot of a newspaper prop gives further clues about the plot
of the film. It is obvious to the audience in this shot that the film will involve a
homicide investigation, as the newspaper article clearly shows. Note how the title
of the article says ‘deeper investigation’ suggestion that there is more than is
expected to be discovered. Finally, the fact that the story is on a newspaper means
that the story has received media coverage, meaning that law enforcement figures
may well be present in the investigation.
9. This final still sees a very long shot of a plane flying over the empty landscape,
like a panorama of the setting. In this scene the plane is flying into the fog,
clearly visible in this still. The idea of a plane flying into the fog is very
symbolic of the investigation. The characters don not know what they will find
out in their investigation, they are unclear; like a fog, their mind is ‘foggy’. The
plane flying into the fog therefore symbolises the characters going to
investigate the homicide.
