The Third Man- Research

Camera Angles

This high angle shot makes the character look weak and vulnerable, this is because the high angle make him look smaller and more fragile than what he actually is, this is done to present to us; the audience how little control and little power he beholds, he is inferior. If this was a low angle shot however we would think the opposite of this; we would assume that he is in full control, superior and powerful. Therefore the high angle shot is used to present to the audience the little power he has and how weak and vulnerable he is.

Lighting

Another factor of mise-en-scene is lighting, dark lighting has been used to create mystery and to present the unknown to the audience. The dark lighting is used to make the audience feel slightly insecure about what they are seeing and also curious to see what lurks ahead in the dark shadows. The dark lighting is also used because it is a common convention of the thriller genre as is creates suspense and confusion.

Costume

The black long coat creates a somewhat of a 'disguise' for the audience, it makes us think that he is hiding something about himself, keeping a secret away from us, trying to keep the unknown...unknown. Black has strong connotations with death, evil, crime and danger therefore in doing so we the audience get a sense that this character is up to no good and potential threat. The long black coat again is a common convention in the thriller genre because it helps create mystery and is linked to the common characters in thriller films such as detectives and investigators.