Enemy of the state (1998)

The aim of this sequence was to make viewers feel tension allowing them to feel more engaged. Many techniques where used to build tension within the sequence.

The first scene shows two grown male characters having a one on one conversation. Cross cutting was used in this sequence to switch through shots sharply. this is done in the conversation to show the reaction on the two male's faces as they have a deep conversation. There's no none-diegetic audio; this may have been done to show viewers that the current diegetic dialog is very important information. This allows them to be aware that they must concentrate more within this part of the sequence; allowing tension to be built as the viewers are attacked with the fast pace editing and diegetic audio (dialogue); keeping the audience on their toes as they observe the fast pace cuts from one male character to another.

I noticed at "0:47" a long shot (tracking) takes place which then cuts into a over the shoulder shot, showing a conversation taking place with both characters. A shot reverse shot takes place to show the facial expressions of the characters while having this deep, tension building conversation. This is done to engage the audience with the current conversation taking place. We had to do this camera technique within our very own preliminary exercise. It was good to see & compare the standard of the professional over the shoulder shots to my very own.


In this close-up shot it shows the white male behind some sort of gate. This gate can represent a cage; with this representation it gives viewers the idea that this male is trapped within a very small area as the close-up shot doesn't leave much space within the frame. By doing this it may give the impression that the white male is helpless and has no choice but to create this new world order that they've spoken about.

Non-diegetic soundtrack kicks in to the scene as the frame cuts from the two characters sharing knowledge about the known upcoming new world order; to a medium shot of a man in the rain. The rain tells the audience that something bad is going to happen to our prejudiced character due to the darkness within the shots. The two males costume gives the impression that he has a form of authority due to him and his partners face being exposed. They're wearing black gloves and dark clothing & also have possession of a gun. The editing is at a fast pace and cuts in a good flow with the music, this is done to build tension / suspense as the audiences emotions are being controlled by the soundtrack and visuals; creating us to feel a form of fear & worry.

Professional edits are used in this scene to form precise cross-cutting; from the scenes located outdoors to scenes indoors. These shots are straight cuts from showing out antagonist (men outside) to our protagonist (Will Smith) this instantly shows the audience that the two shots shown are related; this also tells the audience to be ready for antagonism between our heros and villains.

In this close-up shot it shows Will Smith behind the same gate/cage with his hands over his face. This instantly will give viewers the idea that he has given up or has been defeated by this upcoming new world order as he's trapped and concealed in this dark lighted cage. Tension is built in this frame by the behavior of this character that Will Smith plays. The audience will instantly feel tense once seeing our prejudice look as if hes losing all hope, it also makes the audience feel that the upcoming event of the new world order is very powerful and maybe unstoppable due to the behavior (both hands on face) of our prejudice.

Within this opening sequence tension is built through the fast paced editing and shots involved. They build tension by giving clear shots of the characters facial expressions. It engages the audience allowing them feel apart of the sequence as the fast paced edits keeps the audience hearts racing due to the tension being built.