in depth analysis of a thriller opening.

Positioning:

In this shot, Jim Phelps is sat to the right of the frame and the stewardess is in the centre. This makes the crowd think about what's going on, as we have no idea who he is.

Lighting:

In the same shot, The lighting emphasises Phelps and does not shine as brightly on the flight attendant, showing that Mr. Phelps could be an important character. In total, in this shot builds tension and leaves the crowd wondering what will happen later in the movie.

Expression/acting:

This expression shows intrigue, as he seems interested to see what will be on the tape.

Very soon after, however, he seems bored and tired, as if he’s already seen the tape before. On the other hand, viewers have no idea what’s happening, giving reason to watch the movie on.

Hair and make-up:

Phelps’ hair is tied up, suggesting he’s important and is also busy.

Costume:

The man is dressed in a very nice suit and which suggests the same as hair and make-up does.

Setting:

Clearly, the opening scene is set in an aeroplane. This could mean that Jim Phelps is on important business. The fact that we can only see two people on the aeroplane makes you think about the verisimilitude of the situation. In a typical thriller, something monumental happens the second the main character steps out. This should have people waiting to see what happens next.

Props:

There are plenty of props in this sequence. These include: Cassette players, cassettes, cigarettes, flowers, headphones and several more. The multitude of props in this scene are to highlight the potential wealth of Jim Phelps, emphasising the viewers knowledge of him being important/rich.