The document summarizes the opening sequences of four films: 1) Psycho (1960) - The opening relies heavily on sound to set the horror/thriller tone through non-diegetic music with fast strings and orchestra. 2) Gattaca (1997) - It depicts a technological future through a sci-fi lens, using extreme close-ups of fake body parts and medical imagery. 3) Texas Chain Saw (1974) - Dangerous equipment and a close-up on a masked face are used to emphasize the horror genre through fear and discomfort. 4) The openings aim to create intrigue and leave the audience wanting more information through limited revealing of characters, plots, and contexts

1. Kauana Labaldi.

2. Psycho (1960)
Genre:
Horror/Mystery/Thriller.
Conventions: Thriller always being at a fast
pace, regular action. Sometimes includes
creative heroes who must stop the evil villain.
Horror being movies that try to connect with
emotions mainly fear and disgust. Mystery
focuses a lot on detectives, private
investigators.
The formal
computerised
Mysterious writing shows the
convention, trying to seriousness of the
hide what’s content it being
showing, and horror and thriller.
happening.

3. Titles/Font & Sound
Very computerized
writing, similar to
newspaper.
Most important aspect in
this opening sequence is
the sound, because even
The bigger with no pictures or scenes
capital letter you can tell that this movie
writing illustrates would have to do with
the most Horror/Thriller Mystery
important films just by listening to
information the sound. Sound is all
Non – Diagetic.
shown.
The rhythm is generally
fast, lots of instruments
with strings. Kind of an
orchestra.

4. Connotation & Denotation
Connotation: A mysterious
black background with lines
that looks like its a jail, kind
of prison cell. Stripes shows
maybe a content of routine.
Denotation: Just grey lines going
through each other with a black
background.

5. Gattaca (1997)
Genre: Drama/Romance/
Sci-fi.
Conventions: Drama are serious stories
with settings or life situations that
illustrates real life events. Sci-fi, are
usually scientific, visionary, comic-strip-
like, and imaginative. Romance films
are love stories, or affairs of the heart
that centre on passion, emotion, and the
romance.
Sci-fi showing a very
technological place,
looking like a
hospital maybe a
laboratory.

6. Font/ Titles.
Typed by
computer, possibly
trying to copy the
Bible, as its a
passage from the
Bible.
Letters from the word
‘Gattaca’ stand out like the
‘A’

7. Camera Shots.
Extreme close up
shot of a fake finger
tip. Point of
view shot
of the
person
putting on
Extreme close the face
up shot of a Nail finger tip.
dropping down.
Long Shot,
showing the
whole body and
showing most
part of the room.

8. Camera Angles
Low Angle, as it looks like the
camera is on the floor, to create a
bigger impact to the ‘hairs’.
High Angle, as it from he’s
view from up looking down to
get something from the fridge.

9. Special Effects, Transitions & Editing and
Pace.
At the
beginning its
all very slow
and calm,
after its goes
at regular
pace.
Slow motion is
used, to emphasize The close up on his
more on the touch face overlaps with the
of the nails on the view from the door.
ground.
Blue Scene gives it a
cold environment,
maybe trying to
illustrate a medical
atmosphere.

10. Sound.
Parts with just the
blue surrounding is
all Non- diagetic.
With music, and the
sound of Hair, Nails
and Skin falling.
Ending of the blue
scene you can hear
some sort of Throughout the rest of
scratching/itching. this opening sequence
is all now Diagetic
First sound of sound.
Diagetic, as the
man is doing his
beard the
audience and the
character can
hear the sound.

11. Connotation & Denotation.
Denotation: Blood and Urine.
Connotation: Variety, change,
sickness, health.
Denotation: Hair and Skin
Connotation: DNA, getting rid
of something.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ltryKIo7
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12.  Target Audience: 15 and over, people who enjoy
sci-fi possibly aimed more at people that likes
technology and future ideas.
 Enigma? This opening sequence creates enigma
as it shows only a short bit of something that you
could lead to many ideas. Shows a different idea
of a film.

13. Texas Chain Saw (1974)
Genre: Horror/ Mystery/ Thriller.
Conventions: Thriller always
being at a fast pace, regular
action. Sometimes includes
creative heroes who must stop
the evil villain. Horror being
movies that try to connect with
emotions mainly fear and disgust.
Mystery focuses a lot on
detectives, private investigators. Dangerous equipment
emphasising horror.
Not showing the whole face
is creating enigma, because
we cant see the full features
and information it makes us
want to see it more.

14. Font/ Titles.
Font looks handwritten,
looking like a hospital
application, as it as Patient:
Thomas ...
Again the
handwriting
maybe a
Doctors Note.

15. Camera Shots.
Long shot is also used, so we
can have an idea of the place.
Extreme close up shots,
demonstrating just how scared he is.
Just by looking at the eyes you see
his fear.

16. Camera Angle & Movement.
Low Angle, so the child can High Angle, showing from the child’s
stand out. point of view.
Camera movement: can be seen as
handheld, very inconsistent movement.

17. Sound.
At first it sounds like
a winds being Non -
Diagetic.
Pace of music speeds up a
bit, but mostly it stays the
same level.
When some images first
come up, the sound of a
camera taking picture.
Like a Flash.

18. Special Effects, Transitions & Editing and
Pace. Black &
White
effect. Warm colours, Non-
lenear.
Sepia
Effect.
The writing is
overlapping with
Slow the sun as the
motion is background.
used when
putting on
face mask.
Fast forwarding is used when
changing scenes from long shot of the
house to close up shot.

19. Connotation & Denotation.
Just a person with a mask on
its face.
Hiding, showing mental illness
as in Mental Homes, some
people have to wear clothes
closed up so no movements
and aggression. No identity.

20.  Target Audience: 18 and over, its a very
frightening movie, as it has strong scenes. Mostly
targeted to the older audience. Adults.
 Enigma? This opening sequence creates enigma
as its only shows little short scenes so it makes
you want to know the full story.