The Machinist The Machinist

The Machinist
Emily Southall

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The film starts with a blank screen and the title Filmmax Entertainment Presents (0.15), A Julio Fernadez Production (0.20), the text is minimalistic and white making it formal and in monochrome adhering to the obscurity present throughout the film. The camera reflects this also as the first shot is a long duration long shot of the protagonist through a window. The time the shot lasts builds tension as the audience are waiting for something to happen and is symbolic of Trevors sluggish state of mind due to his worsening insomnia. The through the window shot is effective since the audience is unsure of what is taking place and cant see much due to the dark mise-en-scene and the reflective light on the window.

The use of the fade in transition is that it builds tension as it gives a sense of realism as its goes practically unnoticed by the viewer.
The music begins quietly at first and crescendos as Trevor approaches the window and the viewer finally sees him, this asserts the importance and central focus on his character. The diegetic breathing that is overlayed over the music further enhances the suspense in the scene and builds u Bales character as the victim, conforming to Derrys sub genre of a psychological thriller.

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The use of continued use of long shots creates tension as the audience still cannot see the protagonist. The distance also creates the perception that the audience are an onlooker and thus part of the film. The dark mise-en-scene reflects the mystery of the plot and the obscurity as its still unclear of Trevors actions and motives. The pan movement of the camera creates a sense of realism in the scene, enhancing the tension present. The non-diegetic music is far louder that the diegetic sounds from the truck this enhances its mysterious tone. The low angle shot makes the audience perceive Trevor as in a position of power as he picks up the body, however this is in opposition to the following high angle and his physical appearance so the audience is still unsure whether to view him as a victim or antagonist due to his actions.

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The following use of medium shots and low angles to depict the throwing of the body into the water is a stark change from the majority of the opening so far, this creates tension and puts focus on Trevors actions.
The sound of the water over the music creates realism and further emphasises the serious nature of what is going on on screen. The camera makes it clear the lighting has been edited to create a near monochrome effect, ,making Trevors face and the body stand out in the gloom. The alternating shots of the body being dumped and the light drawing closer in the distance create tension and the audience begins to align themselves with Trevor as they wish for him to get away with his crime, creating further suspense.

The low shots give Trevor an antagonistic appearance.

The close up on Trevor as the non-diegetic who are you? is heard from off screen is effective as his bedraggled appearance is emphasised creating mystery as it is unclear how he came to be in this state. The scene quickly cuts to a medium shot of a sink, the music cuts out and is replaced with the diegetic sound of a running tap. The sudden change in setting, colour and sound heightens the sense of mystery and reflects the characters erratic state of mind and selective memory throughout the film. The shot of the sink also connotes Trevors guilt and involvement in the death and disposal of the body as its potential Shakespearian imagery-