Analysis of 'A Mother's Son'

When analysing the opening title to the television series; 'A Mother's Child' there are a number of camera angles and shots to be considered along with the indications of a thriller genre.

In chronological order, firstly, the camera sets the scene with a panning shot of the sea. This gives the audience a false first impression by indicating a calming atmosphere. A high angle shot is followed in use. Within scene, flying birds are circling. These birds look like crows, representing death and a circling of their prey. This could show that someone is possibly being hunted. The setting of the scene continues with a close up shot of some reeds. These are in focus in contrast to the blurred background making them the key subject of the slide. With the rustling of the reeds this indicates that the wind is picking, a convection generally used in the thriller genre to create suspense. At this moment sound begins to emerge. A flute is played to create an emotive atmosphere relishing with mystery. Next, the scene changes again to a pebbled ground. Here, the music changes giving a weary atmosphere as a subject emerges from the darkness.

Secondly, a low angled shot is used to capture the movement of feet. The next shot reveals that these are feet of a female figure. A long shot is used, revealing a girl walking past in between two beach huts. The girl is seen to be looking behind her and covering up her body. This represents the girl is vulnerable giving the audience a sense of caution. Vulnerability is furthermore shown with bare flesh skin being out on display at the top of her legs making her an open target. Also with the subject walking quickly this gives the impression that she is trying to get away from someone or something.
Within the next shots the crisis occurs. Using a mid shot the character stumbles to the ground. This could indicate to the audience that the girl is injured or hurt. Getting back up to her feet a high angles shot is used to show the girl wondering through the reeds, shown earlier in the title. With these being the same height as the character herself this represents entrapment. Not only this but the setting is used as a maze, encompassing a challenge of finding her way out. Being able to hear the movement of the reeds indicates the theme of loneliness, being on her own with no one to help.
Again, a shot of the subjects feet are shown. This time a close up shot is used capturing the dirt upon the boots. This shows that girl has been wondering for some time amongst a variety of different establishments.

For the first time you hear, sound from the girl. A distressed grunt is given showing fluctuating tiredness and panic. To go with this a close up of the girls face is shot. With this you can see the ruined, running make up upon her face, tangled hair and her wide starring eyes revealing terror and shock. As the girl stumbles upon the screen holding her stomach, a mass of blood is revealed amongst her bloody hands. Wearing a white top compliments the colour of the blood making it easily visible.
Once again the girl falls to the ground, using a high angled mid shot. This reveals her concerning and painful facial expressions, letting the audience communicate sympathy.
Feelings are also revealed through an extreme close up of the characters eye. This shot is done in monochrome showing a moving shadow in the eye of the victim. The quivering and flickering of the eyelid shows uncertain terror.

The victim whispers; 'I'm sorry' this gives the audience anticipation on the storyline plot.
Finally, the scene is set again. A tilt shot is used on the surrounding scenery. This could represent the rising of the sun. Two long shots are then used to capture the surroundings of sea and reeds, replicating the scenes at to begin. This represents peace and the feeling of unknown and normality within the mist of others. Overall a dark hue is used through the title scene to create a sense of gloom and mystery.