How Terry Winsor Utilises The Forms And Conventions Of The Thriller Genre In "Essex Boys" (2000)

Name Of Film: Essex Boys
Director: Terry Winsor
Release Date: 2000
Funding (Company Credits): Granada Film Productions
Audience Response: 5.9 out of 10
　
The black background behind the opening credits immediately anticipates a dark and dangerous story. The soundtrack suggests suspense.

　
　 　
The first shot is generic, the chiaroscuro lighting infects the mise-en-scene with a sense of illusion whilst the enclosed space suggest claustrophobia, vulnerability and intimidation in the first two seconds of the film. The dietetic sound sets a mise-en-scene a realistic or authentic tone because the story is based on true events, but no ambient lighting indicates a “stylish interpretation” of events. The voice over brings the audience in/make them feel connected with the film because the driver is speaking directly to the audience. The setting of the shot, a garage, is full of cobwebs which increases the fear.


　
The car is going away from the camera into the tunnel, this symbolizes that the character is heading into danger. The lights in the tunnel are leading to vanishing point which shows they are heading towards no man’s land. Also gives the sense that they are heading into the barrel of a gun, this makes Jason look lost now he is out of prison. The setting in the shot is a damp, urban, gloomy streets sets a bad and dull mood in the shot, so does the soundtrack that is screeching which inflicts fear and the sense of danger into the audience.

The lighting in the shot gives the effect that the main character is in jail or heading there. It is also symbolising that now he has got the job of driving Jason around and is in Jason's world he is trapped and won't be able to get out safely, either he will end up dead or in jail. In the background Jason is placed on the main character's shoulder symbolising that Jason is the devil on his shoulder.



The purpose of the point of view shots at the going into and coming out at the tunnel are to position the audience in the car with Jason, thus increasing audience engagement. The camera shot makes it look like they're both heading into danger. This is made by the scenery, it is dull/horrible/bad going away from the bright/sunny/nice/good.



Terry Winsor uses a white van for Jason's vehicle as it is often associated with dead people and people being kidnapped. The blank scenery suggest Jason has nothing in his head, it's also gives the sense of danger. This shot is a metaphor for Jason's world.