An microelements analysis of the 2012 thriller, starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.

2. A 2012 action thriller film starring
Denzel Washington & Ryan Reynolds.
Directed by Daniel Espinosa and
produced by Scott Stuber.
The Cast:
Denzel Washington as Tobin Frost
Ryan Reynolds as Matt Weston
Vera Farmiga as Catherine Linklater
Brendan Gleeson as David Barlow
Sam Shepard as Harlan Whitford
Nora Arnezeder as Ana Moreau

3. A film’s narrative is the storytelling based a chain of fictional or non-fictional events. It
can sometimes be told by a character within a larger narrative.
In this case, the narrative follows Tobin Frost (Washington) an ex CIA operative turned
criminal who comes back onto the radar after 10 years on the run. When the South
African safe house he is incarcerated in gets attacked by mercenaries, a rookie
agent (Reynolds) escapes with him. Together, the two of them must stay alive long
enough to uncover who is hunting them.
Additionally, narrative can be told in 2 ways: Linear and fractured.
Linear: starts from point A (normally with some issue that requires resolve) ending at
point B (when the issue is resolved).
Fractured: when the story jumps back and forth in time. This tends to force the audience
into piecing things together themselves.
Safe House employs a linear narrative. We are able to tell this because the story line is
such and such.
Narrative can be displayed through the various uses of cinematography, mise-en scene,
sound and editing.

4. Close up shots are used to show detail
and emphasis on a character’s
facial expressions. The viewer
becomes drawn into the
Helps. to establish
character’s personal space and is
the position of each
able to empathise with them as the character and
characters take up majority of the alternate between
frame. points of view,
during a
conversation. Their
Examples in the sequence: expressions are
Matt and Ana kiss in the shower (pic 4). cheerful and
interested.
Introduction of Ana to the audience,
whom is lying in bed when first
seen (pic 3). Used to introduce the
Used in conjunction with over the audience to Ana, her
shoulder shots during expression is calm
and blank.
conversation, used to show Ana’s
reaction to what Matt has to say
and vice versa (pics 1 & 2).
Shot of a intimate
distance shows audience
they are in some sort of
loving/sexual relationship.
Their expressions are
lustful and you can see
the attraction.

5. 2 types of Establishing shots
are used within the sequence. An
extreme wide shot in which the
character is not even visible. The
aim of this shot is to show the Shots of the main
character’s surroundings and setting, South
where the action would be taking Africa. Where the
main character
place. begins in the film.
Secondly, a very wide shot in Could connote that
which a character is only just the character is
visible. The emphasis is on them eager to get away
in their environment. from home.
Examples within the sequence:
Shots of South Africa (pics 1 and
2).
Shot of David on the phone to
Shot shows us that
Matt in USA (pic 3). the film does not just
take place in one
country, but two.
Adds complexity to
the narrative.

6. Mid shots can be used to show the Shows Matt boxing,
subject in a bit more detail but could portray him as an
still allowing room for gestures, angry/frustrated/
temperamental character.
movement and body language
Could also be interpreted
to be seen. It is a quite as him just trying to stay
comfortable shot and is also fit or trying to get his
quite neutral as it doesn’t focus ‘anger’ out.
on the character’s emotions a
lot. Mid shots allow the audience Diegetic sound of
to interact with the character dialogue. The dialogue is
more by being able to see their uninterested, character
facial expressions and gestures seems as if he wants to
get it over and done with.
– as though in conversation with
Does a night job, may
them. feel as if he lacks
fulfilment.
Examples in the sequence:
First shot when Matt is boxing (pic 1).
Could be opposite to pic
When Matt is on the phone at work 1, as it shows Matt
(pic 2) trying to contain his
Whilst in a phone call with David (pic temper but later letting it
3). out by kicking an object.

7. Character placement within the frame
plays a part in character
representation because it can be
representative of their status and
relationships. David is at the
top/centre of the
The area near the top of the frame can
frame. He is Matt’s
imply power, dominance, and superior, his status
superiority. The centre focuses shown through his
audience attention. However, placement within
areas near the bottom of the the frame.
frame can suggest the opposite –
such as powerlessness,
vulnerability and inferiority. The
left and right edges of the frame
All attention is on the
connote insignificance (within that characters intimate
moment) because they’re furthest moment as they are
removed from the centre. They placed in the centre of
the frame.
also connote types of relationship,
e.g. If one character is on a higher
level than another, it suggests one
is more powerful than the other. Character placement here
shows they are equal and
Examples within the sequence: there is no dominance
David on the phone to Matt pics 1 & 2). within the relationship as
they are both on the same
Ana and Matt kissing (pic 3). level.

8. Camera angles can also contribute to
the tone and atmosphere. They
Natural lighting and a
can be used to convey a variation
low angle shot suggest
of emotions and situations. purity, vulnerability and
nakedness.
High angle shots suggest
subservience or powerlessness.
This can connote a weak and
vulnerable character.
Whereas, low angle shots Eyeline with Ryan
suggest power and domination, whilst his head is
they can connote a strong and down. Makes the
authoritative character. audience feel as if
they are closer to him.
Examples within the sequence:
Shot of Ana in bed (pic 1).
Shot of Matt with his head down (pic
2)

9. Mise en-scene is simply the arrangement Matt is the largest object in
of scenery and properties to represent the the shot, however the colour
place where a play or movie is enacted. of his costume blends in with
the colour of the background.
Also, there is no special
The properties analysed within the lighting highlighting him. His
sequence are: monitoring of CCTV here
Dominant contrast and staging positions shows he is probably a
can all affect audience perception of the security guard, even though
character. he may not want to be.
The dominant contrast can be created Reinforces idea that he is doing
through object size/colour/focus/lighting a job he may not want to do.
etc. In this case, focus will be on costume Drab clothing, unexcited facial
expressions. Low-key lighting
colour.
suggests this is a night job, also
adds to lack of excitement.
The staging position of a character can
convey different feelings and emotions.
Yet, if a character had their back to the The audience are left to
camera – their feelings become wonder what Matt is feeling
mysterious to the audience. internally as they are unable
to see his facial expressions.
The light also reinforces the
Examples within the sequence: mystery within the shot.
Mark looking at the CCTV screens (pic 1)
Mark on the phone (pics 2 and 3)

10. Mise-en-scene can also inform the Casual clothing – hoody,
audience on where and where the story is jeans, shoes. Shows that
taking place. This can be done through the character isn’t
props, costume etc. In some cases they necessarily wealthy, and if
add a verisimilitude and authenticity to the so – he pays little
scene. attention to his
appearance.
Costume can suggest the time period the
film is set in without the use of titles. They
can also connote a character’s social The props here show the 2
background and culture. The frequency at characters are living in an
which they are changed could indicate how apartment. Also, neutral
they feel, their wealth and also their status. colours show that it is
shared (not too
Props can show where the story is set and feminine/masculine) .
make it easier for the audience to immerse
themselves in the action. The use of props
help fuel the narrative and keep it going. By Matt’s use of the phone
Lastly, they can also help establish what the audience meet another
type of personality and style the character character, helping to build
has. up the narrative bit by bit.
The yellow and blue hue of Mark’s home
and workplace contrast. His home, with the
lighter tone is where we see him to be
happier and intimate with his partner,
whereas his workplace with a darker tone
is where we see him to be detached and
disinterested.

11. Mise-en-scene can contribute to the tone and
atmosphere of a scene through lighting Low key/side lighting
and camera angles etc. highlights only some of
the character’s features.
Could suggest two sides
Lighting can be used to highlight a to him.
character/element within a scene. It can
also be used to foreshadow what is to
come. Additionally, it could be used to Back lighting makes the shot
set the mood of the scene. For example, eerie/mysterious and makes
low key lighting can create a the character look unusual.
Could suggest negative
mysterious, tense setting. Whereas,
feelings. Also used to keep
high key lighting can be used to create a
the audience guessing who
more positive and happier atmosphere. is in the shot.
Lastly, light helps to depict characters.
E.g, a villain’s (antagonist) environment
tends to be dark and use low-key
lighting. They can also be backlit or Lighting allows us to
silhouetted, this serves as a connotation see character’s face
for their intentions. However, the clearly, creates a sense
protagonist’s environment utilises of exposure and
brighter lighting, reinforcing the fact that nakedness.
they are ‘goodies’.
Examples within the sequence:
Matt at boxing (pic 1).
Matt getting into his workplace? (pic 2)
Matt in the shower (pic 3)

12. Sound can be used to set the tone within a scene. It can be diegetic (within the scene, characters and
audience can hear it), or non-diegetic (characters cannot hear it but the audience can). Sound adds
verisimilitude to any scene and if recognisable by the audience, can make them feel as if they are part
of the scene.
Reoccurring sound motifs can be used to add emotion and rhythm to a scene or to depict a character. They
normally go unnoticed but definitely makes a difference. Firstly, sounds can foreshadow a change in
the mood/tone of the scene. For example, a high toned shrill may be used to signify an upcoming
disaster. Or, can be associated with a certain character – so everytime he/she appears, the same
sound is played. This allows the audience to make links and also reminds them of certain ideas,
themes etc.
Within the opening sequence, there is no sound that is synonymous with the conventions of a thriller.
However, generally speaking – thrillers tend to have soft sounds, not too high, however when danger
is imminent – the pitch dramatically changes, similar to a shrill.

13. Editing refers to arranging, adding to, revising and
removing of raw footage to combine them into one
sequence and create a finished film.
Transitions can be used to link scenes together. But in
most films and TV dramas, continuity editing is employed
instead to create verisimilitude and realism.
There are different types of transitions, which all have
different effects on the audience. Low-key
lighting, dull
Jumpcuts are commonplace in thrillers. They are usually mise-en-
used because multiple things are happening at once. By scene. Matt
cutting to and fro, the audience is forced to make wears dark
assumptions about what is happening within the other colours.
scene(s). Jumpcuts can also be used to build up suspense
and tension whilst the audience anticipate the climax.
Cutaways are also used during the editing stage. These
shots are designed to cut away from the principal action
and direct the audience’s attention away from it.
Meanwhile, crosscutting is used to direct audience
attention to parallel action, sometimes going on at the
same time – possibly in a different place.
Together, they move the drama forward, reveal emotions,
develop narrative and character and also provide rhythm High-
and pace to the scene. key/naturalistic
lighting, beautiful
Within the sequence, crosscutting is used from Matt mise-en-scene.
entering work (pics 1 and 2) and to him at a seaside Matt wears
restaurant with (what we think is) his girlfriend (pics 3 and brighter colours.
4). It could be said that the crosscutting is used as a means
to show he’s reminiscing on the past he had with his
partner, which is why the lighting and mise-en-scene is
brighter – but is then brought back to his miserable present,
this being the reason for the darker lighting and mise-en-
scene.

14. Titles are used in film to credit all
companies involved with the
making/production of the film.
They are also used to introduce
characters to the audience as well
as letting them know who the
directors/producers/writers etc are.
Titles generally have non-diegetic sound
playing over them.
Within thriller movies, the titles are
usually begun over a black screen
and can continue over action shots.
The titles within the sequence employ
___ font and have a neutral yellow
colour, which does not foreshadow
anything about the plot.
A few titles within the sequence are as
follows:
Universal Pictures presents,
In association with Relativity Media,
SAFEHOUSE