This document discusses several conventions related to opening sequences, genres, and narrative structure. It explains that opening sequences typically establish mood, characters, locations, and themes. It also notes that credits are usually superimposed on static images or action sequences and may include music. Regarding thrillers, it describes conventions like suspense, action, villains, and resourceful heroes. It discusses editing techniques commonly used in thrillers like quick cuts and flashbacks. Finally, it outlines narrative structures like linear and non-linear used in independent films to keep audiences engaged through mysteries and resolutions.

2. Conventions of an Opening
Sequence
 The purpose of an opening sequence is to establish the mood
and visual character of a film and introduce the viewer to all or
some of these elements: Characters, Locations, Narrative/Plot,
Themes, Visual, Genre.
 In an opening sequence we have found our that it is
conventional to include the name of production company, the
director, the producer, the executive producer, the top billing
actors and not forgetting the movie title.
 The opening credits are usually shown as text superimposed
on a blank screen or static image but sometimes it is shown on
top of action in the show. It may or may not be accompanied
with music.

3. Conventions of Genre Thriller
 The aim of the thriller is to create suspense and
excitement for the audience, it should keep the audience
engaged and on the edge of their seats. The plot
normally builds towards some sort of climax.
 Thrillers include numerous, often overlapping subgenres.
 Fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes
characterize thrillers. The heroes must put a stop to the
plans of more powerful and better-equipped villains.
 Literary devices such as suspense, red herrings and
cliffhangers are used extensively.

4. Technical Elements to the Thriller
Genre – Editing & Sound

In Thrillers we would usually see editing that would make the picture dark, this would
help hide the villain. In addition we normally see a lot of changes in the camera
angle.

Quick cuts

Flash backs, in some thrillers you are made to feel sorry for the protagonist with the
use of flashbacks.

The merging of two shots, which causes confusion. This would be montage editing.

When there is a lot of tension building up we usually hear orchestral non-diegetic
sound, on the other hand when the pace is sped up we would hear eerie music.

When it comes to diegetic sound, we can associate the sound of heavy breathing,
footsteps, creaky floor boards and slamming doors with this genre.

5. Conventions of a
Psychological Thriller

Due to our opening sequence having the sub genre psychological, we had to consider the conventions that would
portray the genre that we wanted with our film.

Reality – The quality of being real. Characters often try to determine what is true and what is not within the
narrative.

Perception – A person's own interpretation of the world around him through his senses. Often characters
misperceive the world around them, or their perceptions are altered by outside factors within the narrative (see
Unreliable narrator).

Mind – The human consciousness; the location for personality, thought, reason, memory, intelligence and emotion.
The mind is often used as a location for narrative conflict, where characters battle their own minds to reach a new
level of understanding or perception.

Existence/Purpose – The object for which something exists; an aim or a goal humans strive towards to understand
their reason for existence. Characters often try to discover what their purpose is in their lives and the narrative's
conflict often is a way for the characters to discover this purpose.

Identity – The definition of one's self. Characters often are confused about or doubt who they are and try to discover
their true identity.

Death – The cessation of life. Characters either fear or have a fascination with death.

6. Conventions of Narrative
Structure
 These are conventional narratives…Linear, omniscient, non-linear and
restricted.
 When we were structuring our film, we had to consider our institution.
Due to our film being distributed by an independent distribution company,
Focus Features, which is owned by Universal will have a lot of financial
support when publishing the film. However the independence must still
be obvious in how the film is structured, and therefore the conventions
must be considered. Thrillers are usually made up of a complex narrative
structure, with false paths, clues and resolutions. This will have an effect
of leaving a strong enigma by keeping the audience questioning the film
and keeping their full attention by having them trying to solve the
questions.
 A narrative pattern of establishing enigmas are present, which the viewer
expects to be resolved. This keeps the audiences concentration as they
will not want to stop watching the film without finding out what happens.
The audience will sometimes enter their own world within the film whilst
watching the film and will tends to put themselves in the characters
shoes.

7. Institutional Conventions
 Independent Films typically have a low budget. This
is based on the fact that most independent
distribution company's have sufficient backing in
terms of funding. They will use below the line
marketing and will heavily rely on the use of web 2.0
and social media.