The opening sequence of The Bourne Ultimatum uses several conventions of the thriller genre and effective opening sequences. It begins with a tense scene of the protagonist on the run from police in a foreign setting. Fast-paced editing, music, and flashbacks create mystery and confusion for the audience about what is happening. Clues like blood on the protagonist and his possession of a gun at the end shift the power dynamics and intrigue the audience to learn more. Overall, the sequence sets up mystery and danger for the protagonist through typical thriller techniques.

1. Real Media Research
FILM NO. 1
Title: The Bourne Ultimatum
Genre: Mystery/Action Thriller
KEY
words/phrases like this – key terms/conventions
words/phrases like this – Effect on audience

2. Opening sequence convention:
The opening credits used are at the start of the thriller movie and in this case after
the first opening scene. This is an opening sequence convention of a thriller movie
and allows the audience to know production company involved before any scenes.
However, the film going straight into the opening scene also creates screen
tension. Once this scene ends, the movie title is shown since the audience are likely
to see it due to their attention being fully on the film. This is therefore more
effective than the title of the movie being before the opening sequence since the
audience are less likely to be captivated at the beginning before any action begins
and thus are more likely to forget the name of the movie.
OPENING CREDITS

3. Genre convention/opening sequence convention:
This scene being filmed at night is obvious due to the low-key lighting used – a
thriller movie convention and an aspect often used in the opening sequence of a
movie to grab the viewers' attention.
Furthermore, the shakiness of the 'hand-held' camera connotes lack of control the
characters have of the situation. From this, the audience is aware that the character
is in trouble/danger (being on the run) – another convention of thriller movies. In
addition to this, the audience can establish the main character (protagonist) which
is also common in an opening sequence of an action thriller
LOW-KEY
LIGHTING
The low key lighting used
in the opening sequence
of this film is a
convention of a thriller
movie...

4. Genre convention:
Non-diegetic music as background sound track is used in the opening sequence. This
fast paced music which gradually becomes more intense builds on the action and
creates a build up of mystery among the audience as they ask questions as to what
is happening. However, the audience is made aware the protagonist is in danger
due to this music.
Opening sequence convention:
Another aspect of sound in this scene is the diegetic sound of men shouting. This
helps audience understand that protagonist is in trouble. In addition, this creates
mystery and thus build up of enigma (links to genre convention)
SOUND
The use of diegetic
and non-diegetic
sound has also been
used as a genre and
opening sequence
convention

5. CROSS CUTS
Genre convention/opening sequence
convention:
The fast paced editing/cross cuts is
another feature which exists throughout
mystery/action thriller movies but
especially during this opening sequence.
This is important since it doesn’t allow
the audience to fully process what is
happening. At the beginning of a movie
this is especially important to ensure the
audience ask questions and remain
interested until those questions are
answered.
Furthermore, the cross cuts back and
forth between the character and police
and fast pace further suggest the action
within the scene and thus further signify
the danger the protagonist is in.
The protagonist of a thriller movie being
in danger along with the confusion of
the audience and asking questions are
typical conventions of thriller movies.

6. POLICE CONNOTES DANGER
Genre convention:
It is typical for thrillers to include danger and/or the hunting of them by an external
member/group. In many cases, this would be the police. Although the scene is in a
different country, and this is obvious through the use of subtitles in the screenshot, the
audience is still able to recognise the police and associate them with crime and danger.
This is typical of a thriller movie as it adds a sense of verisimilitude due to the
audiences personal association of police with danger and the realism of the situation the
protagonist is in. Thus, the audience would assume the protagonist is in danger but not
aware why this is the case since this is not addressed at the beginning. This relates to
the opening sequence convention…
Opening sequence convention:
The audience has been made aware
that the protagonist is in trouble.
However, they would not be able to
make the link as to why this is the
case thus creating mystery and the
asking of questions. This as well as
the vagueness of the entire situation
is typical of a thriller’s opening
sequence.

7. FLASHBACKS
Genre convention/opening sequence
convention:
The use of flashbacks is evident within the
opening of this movie. The flashbacks are
obvious due to the contrast in situation
and saturation/colour change to the initial
scene and the cross cutting between the
initial scene and the flashback.
However, this s merely another piece of
the puzzle which the audience cannot
make of. This creates even more mystery
among the audience. As well as this,
during this time, the audience is aware
that the protagonist I still being hunted
and thus an element of anxiety is created.
All of these emotions create feelings
which the opening sequence but especially
the thriller genre provokes amongst the
audience to build on this genre.

8. BLOOD CONNOTES
DANGER/TROUBLE
Genre convention:
Blood is very often used within
the genre of a thriller as it
connotes danger and trouble.
This scene is the first time the
character is shown in full light
after the low key lighting
throughout. Although the
lighting is still fairly low key, its
bright enough for the audience
to recognise the blood on his
hands and neck.
Thus, the audience are able to
associate the the blood to danger
and trouble adding to the storyline
and causing the audience to
constantly ask questions. The use
of blood shown in the opening
sequence creates more mystery
but also a sense of fear and
anxiety among the audience.

9. GUN CONNOTES DANGER
Opening sequence convention:
One aspect of mise-en-scene used towards the end of the opening sequence of the film is
the gun. The gun is a regularly and probably most commonly used prop within thriller
movies and signifies danger and who has possession of the situation. Up until this point,
the protagonist has been running from the police to show that he has been placed in a
vulnerable and dangerous position. However, this final scene releases some tension since
the chase of the protagonist is over but also introduces a twist on the situation due to the
protagonists possession over the situation and police. These character traits and the
introduction of a strong protagonists is key in the opening sequence. Thus the
conventions and sudden shift in who has the upper hand creates excitement among the
audience anticipating the rest of the film.