The Event - TV thriller series -

"When a man goes looking for his missing girlfriend, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy that is bigger than the president himself. "




The Event is a new American science fiction thriller TV series based on government conspiracy. The plot of the show centers around an extraterrestrial race who have been detained by the US government for 66 years, and may now become exposed to the public.

The TV series often has some generic thriller aspects. The cellar shots from episode 4 are particularly effective


Picture 1





Picture 2

 



Picture 3
This shot is effective, as the small gap of light represents and empathises the sense of entrapment and claustrophobia, which helps to build the tension in the scene. The light shows the audience her expression, drawing the eye to her wide open eyes. The audience might empathise with her.

 


Picture 4




Picture 5
This close up of the character's tied up hands is effective because it shows her struggle and further exaggerates the sense of claustrophobia.




Picture 6
This shot uses chiaroscuro lighting to show the character in a vulnerable position.




Picture 7
The tilt shot used when the new character enters the room creates a sense of confusion, desperation and distortion. This represents the feelings of the hostage. The chiaroscuro lighting also hides a lot of the scene, increasing the suspense as the audience, as well as the character, can't see all that's happening. The darkness, again, is useful at creating a claustrophobic sensation.





Picture 8
This shot has the same effect as Picture 7.

 


Picture 9
By looking directly into the camera, it gives the effect that the audience has eye contact with the character. It puts the audience in the role of the kidnapper, but the expression on the woman's face makes the audience empathise with her.





Picture 10
This shot is used to show the vulnerability of the hostage, and desperation of her situation.

  The cellar scene has thriller aspects as it is a generic location. The cellar is dark, small and lonely.
The lighting of these shots give them thriller aspects. The director has used chiaroscuro lighting to only light up her face. This shows the emotions on her face, and also hides the scene around her which increases the tension felt by the audience as we can't see anything else. It also increases the sensation of the claustrophobia felt by the character of being trapped with no escape, and the darkness surrounding and suffocating her.
The rule of thirds is used by the director a lot in The Event. This can be particularly seen in pictures 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Notice the tilt shots in picture 7 and 8. These are fantastic shots showing both the victim and the hostage taker. They distort and confuse the audience of what's happening in the shot, especially with the little light, increasing the sense of danger and suspense.