Homelearning: Enemy of the State

1) What is the point of this sequence? Describe briefly how tension is created through the editing?
The point of this sequence is to build up tension, to do this the director of the movie has filmed quick snap shots of the actors faces, hands, computer etc. Clearly, the sequence has been produced in this way so that the movie will engage the audience. Tension is created through the editing by using fast paced snap shots of the actors changing every few seconds, demonstrating different and rapidly changing camera shots and angles and dramatic background music.

2) Look at the use of CU or medium CU. Why are they primarily used here? Refer to specific shots.
In this particular section of the movie the use of close ups and medium close ups are used every few seconds for the reason that it builds up tension and makes the scene more dramatic. The use of close ups also show expression, emotion as well as the movement of the body. In each of these two screen shots I have chosen, they are both close ups. Each picture highlights emotion and expression on the characters faces, these are important aspects of a movie as they allow people to understand how the characters are feeling, and allowing the audience to sympathise and empathise with the actors.
Enemy of the State Screen Pictures

3) Choose 15-20 seconds from anywhere in the sequence and describe each shot in detail, explaining its effect/function for the audience, as well as commenting on how the cuts (editing) adds to the meaning?
I picked out 20 seconds from the scene in Enemy of the State (1:54-2:14) for the reason that I thought it had the best camera shots and effects. Furthermore, this section of the sequence had a range of close ups and medium close ups. In the first two shots they are both close ups of each character, clearly their expression and emotion is the main focus of these shots. The third and fourth shot are extreme close ups of a computer screen showing codes and a clip of ducks, although this is a simple pair of shots it engages the audience as we want to find out what these clips mean and their importance to the rest of the movie. The next few shots are filled with both close ups and extreme close ups of both the actors again zooming in on their expression showing their confusion and worrying ness about someone they believe to be an important character. The other shot shows an extreme close up of one of the characters typing in a code into his computer in a bid to find out who another man is. This section draws the audience in as they want to find out whether he is relevant to the movie or not. The last few shots are taken from a computer screen encrypting codes and DNA samples, this section of the sequence builds up tension as we, the audience want to find out the ID of this person and find out more about him. The editing of this sequence builds up anxiety and worry and engages the audience drawing them into every scene of the movie.

4) How far does the editing of this sequence fit in with the genre of the thriller?
The editing of this sequence fits in with the genre of the thriller exceptionally well as the fast paced snap shots increases the tension and nervousness and makes the scene more dramatic and susepensful, clearly making the audience fascinated and putting them onto the edge of their seats.