Section 2: RESEARCH INTO EXAMPLES OF COPARABLE MEDIA PRODUCTS

American Psycho is directed by Mary Harron and Stars Christian Bale, Reese Witherspoon and Jared Leto

Narrative Structure
Bateman gives a detailed commentary about his lift, which helps us gain an insight to the character, so the Audience learn that he does actually have a motive for the murders which he commits.
The narrative is also influenced by the dialogue of the characters and their actions as it helps push the story along when it seems not much else is happening with the plot.

Thriller Codes and Conventions

• The Question and Answer Model - As Bateman continues to kill and murder people throughout the film, the audience will start to wonder who he will kill next and what the reason for that may be. It also highlights how the audience will be willing to wait for the answers to their questions as it will keep them in suspence.
• The Transform City - The normal city where Bateman lives is shook up and changed by his killings as he is a psychotic murderer in a place where everything seems quite calm, and this is illustrated by the happy music at the beginning of the film where the camera pans on the city.

Camera Work
There are a lot of closeups and mid closeups in the shots, including when the camera pans out to view the city, giving the audience a extreme long shot of the city, highlighting the normality about to be changed by the way Bateman acts.
Mis-En-Scene
When it is explained how Patrick lives his day to day life in a routine, this is highlighted with a montage of his day in the morning, and this allows the audience to see what kind of a person he is. Organized, straightforward and vey hygenic and clean. This is illustrated in the all white front room he has. And this is a great contrast to the red of the blood which is created when he kills his victims.





The fact that a lot of what he does happens at night is also interesting, as this highights the way he wishes to be unseen, which is added with his quote during the beginning of the movie: "I am simply not there"

The Scene with the business cards highlights the need to be higher than other people and the need to be the best. It highlights how rich they all are, and it tells the audience a lot about Patrick's character as it shows how upset he can easily become over one little thing, even though to the audience, there is very little different about the cards.



Sound
There is a lot of ominous music throughout the film, and the first twenty minutes are no exception. The opening credits have jarring strings and generally discordant, sharp sounds which give the film a creepy edge. It contains atmospheric droning which eventually moves to lighter, more free music.
The music typically builds up to crechendos and suits the mood of the scene.

Editing & Graphics
The opening credits were a red background with red text and a red sort of liquid being moved around the screen, and it automatically makes the audience think it is blood, though it is actually something much harmless. The use of slow motion also adds extra effect, as it builds up tension and makes the audience's heart rate pick up.