The Happening Analysis

How does Shyamalan create tension in the mise-en-scene of The Happening which could be linked the psychological thriller genre?

In the Movie the Happening by Shyamalan tension is created in the mise-en-scene in a number of different ways by using the conventions of a thriller genre.

In the film the story that is used mirrors society and certain events that have happened and puts them on a larger scale, such as illnesses that have been publicised over the news and the 9/11 attack, as early in the movie the characters begin to believe that it is a terrorist attack. This films plays on social paranoia and by doing this is connects more with the viewer, they feel as though they have experienced aspects of the story and so they feel more knowledgeable about the film but at the same time still feel as though they don’t know what is going on, this keeps the viewer watching the film.

In the first shots, where the titles are shown for the director and the producer ect, we see a motion shot of the sky, the mid shot of the clouds moving in the scene show the passing of time, this shot also creates a sense of mystery, although it is not very conventional of a thriller genre as the sky looks quite bright instead of menacing although it is not conventional it could symbolise the normal environment, before everything starts to change. It gives the idea that something can seem calm and normal and then everything can change- the calm before the storm, and so this shot also creates tension amongst the viewers, the background music also does this, it is dark and ominous and from this we can infer that something is going to happen in the movie straight away from before it even begins.

The first scene in The Happening is set in Central Park- New York; we know this from the signifier that it given at the bottom of the shot stating the location.  We can infer that this park is quite a busy location, from the fact that it is in New York which is know for being a busy city. We can infer from the backpackers and tourists that a lot of people from all over the world will visit this park, which creates tension and a sombre atmosphere as the viewer considers the idea that whatever is about to happen will effect a lot of people, not just in this area but all over the world.

The music in this scene is sinister and sombre which are conventions of both the horror and thriller genre. Minor notes are played and percussion can be heard, this creates the idea that something is about to happen because the music is building, in both the volume of the sound and the instruments that are added, the music adds tension and grips the audience because they can feel that something is going to happen.

We can hear both diegetic and non diegetic sound in this scene, from the music played, and also from the sound of the wind, the music becomes much more textured and intense, being able to hear the wind adds tension and drama as it contrasts the busy setting, this is because in this environment- New York City you would hear the wind but not as prominently as is shown because of the business of the area and so it hints to the viewer that something is wrong and that something may be able to happen.

After we have seen the establishing shot of the park, the camera focuses on two women who are talking with each other. At this point the music crescendos, one violin starts and then builds to an ensemble, this sound builds tension so the viewer is put on edge, and then suddenly a scream is heard, this is very conventional of the thriller genre, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats and then shocking them.

The women used in the scene represent the stereotyping of woman being vulnerable and being the ones that are usually first to be victimised, being the ones that can’t protect themselves. The two women in this scene are the first that the viewers see being affected and killing themselves.

After the scream that is heard, the conversation between the two women becomes short and confused, and there is a worried tone used and heard in their voices, also one of the woman begins to continuously repeat the same sentence, this creates mystery and tension, this is a convention used in thriller genres to keep the audience hooked on the film and to keep them on the edge of their seats. The shot of the two women on the bench starts as a long shot and then zooms in until it becomes a close up, and then pans between the two woman to show their emotions as all of the events in this scene begin to take place, by doing this the viewer becomes more connected with the characters and can feel the emotions that they are feeling, they can feel the fear and worry, which makes the viewer feel as though they are there watching the scene unfold and experiencing it happen.

Also by using a long shot before the zoom, it shows the space around the two girls and therefore shows their vulnerability. In this shot/scene we also see people in the park begin to walk backwards which we can infer is almost like they are in a trance like state, this is unconventional of every day life and therefore confuses the viewer, but it is conventional of a psychological thriller and so grips the audience as they want to know what is going on.

As the two girls begin to get affected by what is going on, the music begins to reach a climax, and as it does there is an extreme close up of one of the girls gripping a chopstick pin that was slid into her hair. At this point low drums start banging in the background and we can infer that she is going to hurt herself with this pin from the build up that is being presented.

As the scene changes, we see another establishing shot, this time of a busy city shot, in a New York Street by showing this, it shows again that this will be a wide spread problem, because it shows the number of people that are living in this area, who we can infer will be effected.

In this shot the sombre background music is playing again and we can also hear a siren, which hints to the viewer that there may be a lot of casualties about to happen or already happening.

In this shot we also again see trees; this shows a motif that is used, which connects this building site to the park as we saw trees there as well. By showing this Shyamalan suggests to the viewer what might be causing the problem.

We then see a wide shot of the building site, which shows people still working on it, who are unaware to the events that have happened in the park.

We then cut to a mid shot showing a stereotypical view of a group of builders, not doing any work, standing around and talking. This shows the normal way people see things and the normal every day tasks of the builders, which again shows the calm before everything begins to go wrong. The camera pans around the group of builders, which makes the viewer, feel as though they are part of the group, being a part of the conversation. Then the equilibrium of the shot is disrupted by the man jumping from the building, whereas before the mood was quite relaxed, everyone was joking and laughing now its all very serious which is a contrast to before, this may give an insight into the changing of lives that it about to happen, nothing will be the same as it was before.  We then see point of view shots of the group which makes the viewer again feel part of it, by using this effect Shyamalan makes the viewer feel as though they are there, that they have just witnessed this happen, which connects them to the film.

We then see close up, reaction shots of the builders faces after the guy jumps, which shows the fear and the confusion that they are feeling, this creates tension because the viewer feels as confused and scared as they do.

As the builders run over to the man, the camera dynamic has been changed, instead of being steady, possibly placed on a stand we now see it being hand held, which creates a shaky effect, this is also a point of view shot and so makes you feel as though you are there running over to the man alongside the builders.

As the builders reach the man there is a low angle shot of the builder trying to help the man, this makes the man who has just jumped look vulnerable and makes the builder dominant, and as though he is in control of the situation. It also makes the viewer feel as though they are the victim looking up at the builders, which makes them feel the pain of the situation. As the builder calls for help, he used the word accident which gives the viewer the impression that it is something terrible but just a one off event, which makes the viewer relax slightly, but then tension is created by the surprise of other people jumping one after the other off the top of the building. As more people begin to jump, the music builds and screaming can be heard in the background. This creates a dramatic feel and environment, which contrasts the calm one that was going on a few moments ago.

We then see a low angle shot of the building on the building site, and we see people walking off the top, this shot makes the building look dangerous and so makes the people walking off, look vulnerable and makes it seem as though they have no choice in what they are doing.

We then see a tracking shot, showing the builder walking through the scene; this shot shows his emotions and his fear as he looks over the scene, it shows him in a very serious scenario to the one we saw him in early. Also by using this camera effect it enhances the emotions and the experience of the viewer, and so creates tension because the viewer feels as though they are there experiencing what is happening.

As the scene unfolds we see a high angle mid shot of the builder, this makes him appear to be vulnerable and loosing control of the situation, which is a complete contrast to the early shot of him, where he appeared to be in control. He is now being shown as powerless to the situation.

Then shot then pans around and again shows a low angle shot of the building, and shows people one after the other walking off of it, this creates a shock value for the audience as it is something that is unexpected and unusual and therefore creates tension as they want to know what is happening. This is a convention of the thriller genre, another convention used in this shot is the mysteriousness of the shot, dulls colours are used to show the seriousness and the sadness of the shot. As they fall, they look like dolls, which could symbolise the fact that they no longer have any control, and the image of them jumping off the building can link to the aspects of real events that have been used in this film; in the 9/11 attack people were jumping from the building. By showing this it creates quite a dramatic event and tension for the viewer as they can relate to the scene because parts of it are in their own memories.

We are then shown a reaction shot of the builders face, and at this point the music begins to climax, then this shot cuts to a school scene. The ending of this scene creates a tension among the viewer, as they now wonder what’s going to happen to the rest of the builders and the rest of the people at the part, and then they wonder whether the same will happen to the school, and to anyone else. They are left on a small cliff-hanger as they shot goes from chaos to a calm school environment. Also by showing the children it shows the innocents and vulnerability of everyone that’s been affected.