'The Enemy of the State' Questions

Tension is created throughout the clip. The edit has been cut down into different screen shots, which keeps the audience captivated. It is also able to maintain the attention of the viewer. Tension is created as the edit is a build up to the storyline. The first shot introduces us to a 'telecommunication security act', whereas the last shot shows how they track down the technology.

This is a close-up shot at 1:24, from the Enemy of the State clip. It is showing a card being inserted into a device. This close-up has been used to show the audience how communication is being tracked.

This is a medium close-up shot at 0:27, from the Enemy of the State clip. It is showing a man talking. This was near the beginning of the clip, where he introduces us to the 'telecommunication security act'. This shot allows the viewer to focus solely on the person, and to what he is saying. The background has also been blurred, so that the audience does not get distracted by other things in the scene.

At 0.36 in the clip the news reporter is talking about how an act is going to be introduced that will enable the state to access people's personal details. At 0.40 we see Will Smith giving his opinion of the situation. He does not particularly mind whether his phone is being tracked or not, because he has nothing to hide. The wife then gives her side of the situation disagreeing with whole idea. These 16 seconds of the clip gives two opinions. It allows the audience to decide whose side they are on, and doing so also getting them involved.

The editing of this sequence fits in with the genre of the thriller, as the clips flow quite quickly, keeping the audience attentive and focused. All the screen shots are completely different. Each screen sequence is telling the same thing but in a different way and by different people, who the audience can relate to, from people in power to your ordinary lay person.