The document discusses the opening sequence for a thriller film created by the author's group. It summarizes how the group incorporated technical and written/audio conventions of the thriller genre to create tension and suspense. This included the use of various camera shots and angles, jump cuts, close ups, lighting, music, and lack of dialogue. The opening scene was influenced by films like Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs and aims to introduce the characters and set the mysterious atmosphere without explanation.

2. My groups opening sequence uses generic conventions of a thriller genre
in order to create a tense atmosphere. This is done by the following of
the main generic codes and conventions of media. Which are technical
(camera techniques/ shots) & Written/ Audio (music etc.) by in
cooperating these into my opening sequence I was able to use, develop
and challenge these conventions in order to create a sense of tension
and suspense for the audience.

3. Technical:
We used technical conventions in order to create a sense of tension
within the opening sequence. This was done as we used various camera
shots. For example we used the zoom in camera angle in a build up to
the over the shoulder shot, the background music helps creating a
tense and eerie scene that would allow the audience to become edgy
and anticipate tensely on the upcoming scenes. In this sense it being
the build up to when the stalker hits her fist upon the bed.

4. Examples of Technical Conventions:
Technical conventions are portrayed in the first few opening scenes due to the use of various
diverse camera angles. For example the main shots in the scene were jump cuts, we decided
to use this idea as jump cuts can be used to tell a story in a form of a past and present
setting. I decided to show various shots of the stalker undertaking different things such as
going on Facebook and pinning up pictures. In most thrillers there is a sense of going back in
time to tell a story such as final destination.
Close ups are used within the scene; this is to show the audience what it is that the stalker is
looking at, it engages and involves the audience without the use of dialogue and to also show
the audience to predict on what will occur next. Close ups are used in other thrillers such as
the action associated thriller ‘Limitless’.
Long shots are used within the scene; to show the audience the surroundings of the scene
and is also used in the scene so that a zoom in shot can be used. Films such as Reservoir
Dogs have this long-shot to then zoom in on each character swell as Pulp-Fiction in the
dance competitions scene.

5. Written and Audio:
The timing of certain shots with the
compliment of the background music helps to
emphasize the tension in the scenes. This
technique is used in order to portray the
story line to the audience without the use of
cast dialogue.
This can be seen in the scene where the
stalker starts to pin pictures on the wall,
this is then complimented by a sudden sharp
drop in the beat of the music which makes it
clear that this scene is a catalyst for when
she starts to show major implications of
psychotic behaviour.

6. My opening scene challenges typical thriller conventions this is
because most thriller opening sequences include dialogue to allow
the audience to grasp an understanding of what will occur within
the scene, as a group we have decided to not use dialogue to keep
the audience in question about the next scene, to keep them
curious about the film and most importantly the audience will gain
an intense desire to know about what the storyline is based on.
The opening scene develops typical thriller conventions such the
use of music, the music my group has used is mysterious, the beat
tends to drop at certain times in the scene which tends to alert
the audience that something will jump out or appear however
some thrillers just use this sound technique to (in a sense) trick
the audience into thinking something will occur when in actual
fact nothing will happen.

7. Some of the conventions within my thriller opening scene, indicates
what sub-genre it is. The atmosphere of the opening scene indicate
that the opening scene is a thriller as it is in an isolated bedroom, which
is generally where stalkers tend to stalk their victims this is because a
bedroom is a private and quite place for people to feel free to do what
they wish without any distractions or interruptions.
The conventions of props used such as the images on the wall, in the
stalkers hand and on the computer indicates that there is a romantic
element to the opening scene. The stalker looks at the computer video
clip about the couple, the stalker begins to tear pictures of the couple
and through them on the floor in anger and hatred lastly the stalker
then sticks pictures on her wall of the couple. This all indicates that
there is a romantic element to the opening scene

8. The conventions that I have used indicates other film openings that my group has used as an influence.
The opening scene that I have used as an influence in my opening scene is Kill Bill Volume 2. This is
shown as the effect over the whole opening sequence, because Kill Bill uses a black and white effect
throughout the whole scene in comparison to my groups opening scene ‘I can see you’ which is in a sepia
effect throughout the scene.
Within the opening scene of Kill Bill she is in a bad condition where a trigger has been pulled which
allows the audiences to assume that the female is dead, a jump cut has then been used where the
actress is fit and healthy using dialogue saying that has great intentions of plotting revenge on Bill by
killing him. In comparison my groups opening sequence displays a female character stalking her victims,
from the opening sequence the audience can come to many conclusions one being the actual plot of the
story; that she is plotting revenge on her ex-boyfriend that has now found a new girlfriend. The two
opening sequences are extremely similar in terms of colour effect and plot.
Within the opening sequence of Kill Bill the production company is presented first and the name of the
film is presented after the filming of the opening scene has been shown. Because the first Kill Bill was
such a popular film and the actress’s face has become so familiar the audience see her face and they
already know what the film is going to be, therefore after the filming has been shown the editors only
needed to put ‘Vol. 2’ after the filming. In comparison my groups opening sequence has the production
company at the start and the name of the film presented last. My group and I decided to put the
production company first to introduce the opening sequence so that the audience would recognise the
logo before the film has even started, the title of the opening scene was put last so that after the
filming has been shown they are now interested and excited to know the film name.
Kill Bill: Volume two production company and film title I can see you production company and film title

9. The stalker in my groups opening scene is introduced by a long-shot
of her analysing the laptop, the camera then zooms in on her to
make the audience focus on her and what she is doing. Most
thriller films present the character(‘s) as soon as possible in
their opening scenes this is to allow the audience to start to
understand the storyline and to get to know the characters.
The film Reservoir Dogs also does this; the director has introduced
the characters straight away by them having a friendly
conversation between friends, compared to my opening sequence
both opening sequences introduce characters straight away
although Reservoir Dogs differs from my opening sequence as
there is dialogue within Reservoir Dog’s opening sequence so that
the audience can grab a feel on them as people can tell a lot
through another's conversation for example their job, income,
family. My opening scene does not have dialogue and therefore
allows the audience to use their imagination on what type of
character the stalker is.

10. The use of mise-en-scene was used a lot in my
group, this included lighting, atmosphere, music,
props, colour, low and high key lighting, the
shots used and the angles. This was all used to
make the opening scene appear more intriguing
and interesting to the audience.