Research: Mise En Scene: Body Language and Facial Expressions - Mrs. Quinlan

Body Language and Facial Expression

What is body language and facial expressions and why is it an important convention in thriller films?

Body language and facial expressions are very important especially in thriller films because it shows the audience how the character is feeling at that very moment. Through their body language and facial expression, it conveys important messages for the audience to pick up on and in addition, allows them to experience that particular characters mental state and emotions. This makes it an affective product as the audience are able to watch and relate to them.

• Body language is demonstrated through the characters movements and postures when they're communicating with the other characters in the film for example, if the character is showing positive behaviour by having upright posture, this illustrates that they're determine due to their capability and strength. This is especially important because in a film because it tells the audience how this particular character is feeling towards the other characters and/ or in their current situation.
• Facial expression is the way the characters emotions are portrayed through the expressions on their face, such as if their eyes and mouth are widened, this could suggest that they are terrified due to the current situation they might be in.

Se7en (1995) Protagonist, shows an upright confident body language with his eyes locked on the antagonist demonstrates determination. Moreover has the iconography of a gun to show his capability in protecting others from danger such as the antagonist himself. He's facial expression is serious, eyebrows furrowed and focusing only on the antagonist portrays his hero like mind. His body language is sturdy shows that his ready for the antagonist makes the audience feel tense and anticipate what will come next.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) demonstrates the body language and facial expression of an antagonist. He also has an up-right and confident posture just like the protagonist however it's also very relaxed showing his role of a psychopathic serial killer. His facial expression looks satisfied and calm as it shows clearly he has just mutilated someone.

 

Body Language: Discuss representations and meaning to the audience and expectations

• If there is a protagonist in the movie, body language are expectedly to represent themselves to be strong, positive and determined to beat the antagonist by having a positive, open and upright body language. This demonstrates that they are ready to fight whatever the antagonist might throw at them to save the day. This is conventional for a protagonist as it makes the audience feel safe when he appears.
• If there is an antagonist in the movie then their body language is usually represented as also strong and just as determined as the protagonist. This is because they are also ready to disrupt and sabotage the antagonist plans by being a disobedient individual. This makes the audience feel worried as they are aware that there can be potential danger with this character around. With their evil look and powerful aura they bring, it makes the audience feel scared and dominated by him/her.
• If  there is a victim in the movie then their body language is clearly represented through their body language by having a slouched posture demonstrating their vulnerability to any type of danger that might occur. Furthermore, it also suggests that they are not comfortable which also says that they're not confident in protecting themselves hence why they are the victim. This is conventional in a thriller as the audience feel sympathy for the victim. They also develop a motherly type relationship with the victim and are tensed when confronted by the antagonist.

Stereotypical victim and protagonist body language and facial expressions, Examples:

 

A victims body language stereotypically would have slouched body language which would suggest that they are vulnerable to their surroundings or furthermore scared. Their body language would also be curled up that would tell the audience she scared in her current situation for example the character from 'Taken' 'Kim' plays the victim who is potentially going to be kid-knapped by a sex-slave trade.

Her facial expression clearly demonstrates that she is terrified with the intruders as her eyebrows are scrunched together showing the audience she is almost on the verge of crying due to fear. She almost looks blank as she doesn't know what to do, a typical damsel-in-distress situation.
The facial expression of this girl shows the audience that she's clearly the victim as her eyes are teary and eyebrows furrowed in fear. The audience can easily understand she's a vulnerable victim as she looks desperate for help.

Chris Evans plays the protagonist in the movie 'Captain America: The First Avenger'. In this shot, his body language is confidently upright which shows he is a determined hero to save the day. His body language is open which further suggests that yet he is a fighter, he is a kind and caring individual that would help anyone in need. The audience are able to feel at ease in his presence as his body language is quite welcoming yet powerful to protect you from any danger that might occur. The audience are able to understand this easily as he looks confident in what he's about to.

 

Stereotypical antagonists, ghost or evil characters body language and facial expressions. Examples:

The antagonist in 'The Dark Knight Rises' 'The Joker' also has confident body language that shows he is determine to sabotage the antagonists plans although his head is tilted forward further demonstrating that he might be furious due to his current situation that would make him want to ruin the antagonists plans. His facial expression show through his eyes. His envy for the 'Batman' and his dark intentions which tell the audience that he is clearly the antagonist. The audience are able to easily understand that his the antagonist as his head is actually slanted a little downwards making him look sinister and intimidating. In addition, the audience feel scared around his presence.

 

Example from a thriller film:

 

The protagonist from this scene from 'Se7en' shows how hurt he is in his facial expression. The audience are able to understand what has happened and are also able to experience his mental state just from his facial expression and body language. The protagonist stands up-right and confident despite what has happened, this shows his determination in eliminating the antagonist for good. The audience are able to feel safe around him as his able to protect himself.

 

 

Conclusion:

The research I've done on body language and facial expressions has showed what specific types I have to use to have a successful thriller opening myself. It also gives the audience a clear idea on who is the protagonist, antagonist and victim just by demonstrating their facial expressions and body language for example; if I want to present a victim, I know now that their facial expressions must always show that they are clearly terrified in their current situation, this means that their eyes and mouth are widened.