The Machinist:
The opening sequence to the machinist is again, totally different to the other two. It Asks the viewer questions through the use of mise-en-scene more than narrative. Although the narrative is still used in a similar way as it creates questions for the audience along the lines of 'What point in the narrative is the opening sequence?', however, it asks questions more literally to the viewer. The main example of this is at the end of the opening sequence. We can see nothing but a post-it note with the question 'Who are you?' written on it. This simplistic question plays on our minds as we try to work out the answer and put it into context, the rest of the film then must be watched as we need to find the answer. This simple question engrosses us in the film. The idea of the simple question leaves us open to an infinity of possible answers, but only one of the answers is the correct one.
Simple question opens doors in our minds.
Else where in the sequence, similar, genre specific conventions are use to create meaning. Suspense is created by the use of sound at the start of the extract, the mans heavy breathing gives away nothing until his actions are seen. This unknown feeling and suspense building techniques are used throughout the sequence. The unknown feeling is portrayed visually as well. As the man is about to dump the body into the ocean, the lighting is very dark with heavy shadows. This connotes, the unknown, isolation and loneliness to the audience. These are typical themes of the thriller genre, especially psychological-thrillers.
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