Thriller opening (Face Off) - Thomas Herd

Face Off

I like the way the director has chosen to play joyful non-diegetic music along with the happy shots of the Father and his child because it then creates more of a shock when the man takes his cover off his gun. They made the child's laughter a lot louder than it wold have been because it is so significant, for the reasons that it will make it more sinister. 

Additionally, the have also increased the sound of him taking the cover off his gun to show significance of contrast between what is happening, and what is just about to happen. Also, the non-diegetic sound changes, as it becomes darker and a much deeper sound along with the lighting, which turns from high key, to low key.

From the close up (right) the music then smoothly changes again back to lighter and happier. The shots become longer in time and distance as they are definitely spending their last minutes together. One non-diegetic gun shot sound foreshadows what is about to happen so the interchangeable sound turns back deep and deep along with the lights also changing.

Again, they have altered the sound of his gun shot and the bullet entering his back as it is very significant and it was also shock the audience more intensely. In addition, the camera shot is a big close up of him pulling the trigger as it makes it more powerful. After the impact of the bullet, the silence begins as it will have an impact on the audience.


The interchangeable sound and lighting in quick succession, always keeps the audience on the edge of their seats which is simply the idea of a thriller.